Good Morning Sunday, 29th December 2024

[Bruce]

Good morning to you all an a very pleasant summer’s day. 27° today, right in the Goldilock’s zone.

This morning I made an early trip to the supermarket for essentials like milk, while I was there I stocked up with biscuits and a couple of pork pies.

Later I am going to take down the Christmas Tree, sounds like an effort but I didn’t decorate it this year so it is just a matter of unplugging it and stuffing it back in its box.

While I was in Bunnings in Canberra I bought a couple of security cameras that were on special, they are Eufy, nothing very secure, my kids use them to monitor their dogs but I thought they would give me piece of mind when I am away. So spent some of the morning installing them.

They are very visible:

But they have a privacy setting so they turn away and turn off otherwise they are a bit creepy when someone is home.

Also took advantage of the lovely weather and washed my bed sheets, they were dry in about an hour.

Well, that is my morning done and dusted, what have you been up to on this last Sunday in 2024?

Take care…

[mart]

Good morning - It has been a long Christmas this year because not all of the family could be here at the same time. It continues even today with our eldest grandson visiting with his dog ‘Bella’. Plus those who came from abroad are here until Monday.

I know they are here to spend time with us but I always feel guilty when I can’t think of much to do day by day. Can only spend so much time eating and watching TV.

I went for a walk with one of our sons yesterday and might do the same today. It was 3½ miles over on the rough hilly ground. It’s a walk I used to do regularly but haven’t done so for months. Still got a good walking pace despite recent events. Only had to stop once to take a breath when walking up a hill, so not too bad. It is a hill that I could ride my bike up 7 years ago at age 73. Gone are the days.

New Year’s Eve approaches and I expect it to be a quiet event with everyone back in their own homes and countries.

Have a good day.

[SheilaP]

Morning all – another overcast grey day

This time between Christmas and New Year always feels strange – anybody else keep forgetting what day it is? (only me? OK hello early onset dementia!)

Feeling a little better, although my ribs ache from coughing – still looking on the bright side I suppose I could count it as exercise!!

Neighbour called round to check on how I was feeling – and deliver a chocolate cake! I swear they have made it their mission in life to ensure I don’t lose weight!

Nothing planned for today – still avoiding contact with people in case I am infectious, no way would I want to pass this on to anyone!

Take care – have a lovely day

[Eliza]

Morning all

I had a better nights sleep last night so I feel like doing something , and like Bruce I’m in the process of taking the Christmas decorations down .

The Sun is out today which makes a difference, not sure if I shall be going out for a walk but if I do I know who it will be with .

I booked another couple of Shows last night, Im really trying to make up for last year.So Im trying to make a visit once a month .I feel its money well spent .
Also hoping to get a few long weekends away and take my old senile dog with me . That would be really nice …
Well thats my plans for 2025.

Hope the poorly ones are getting back to normal .
Have a good day

[OldGreyFox]

Woe betide all those taking their Christmas decorations down before twelfth night…
A bit stiff getting started but after the first mile and a bit of jogging I began to feel good, just a niggle in my left calf muscle but nothing too serious. I decided not to push it though and just walked the rest of my 3.5 mile route (same as Mart, well done mate and no hills on my walk) It was still dark when I set off but a whole lot milder than recently, an acceptable 7 degrees C and no fog. I was taking a shower when the sun came up and as I write this I can feel it warm on my back shining through the kitchen window. We are going away to Harrogate on Tuesday so it’s a good day to fettle up the car. Tis the first time we’ve spent the New Year at Harrogate, it’s usually Scarborough. I’m going to miss the sea and the lovely early morning walk along the marina…

[Rose2]

Is twelfth night, the night between 5th and 6th January? If so, we also have the tradition to remove all Christmas decorations on the 6th January - not before or after - which is Epiphany here, another public holiday.

[OldGreyFox]

That’s right Rose. I usually take ours down on the 5th…
Same here Rose, Epiphany falls on the 6th but it’s not recognised as a holiday here, although I’ll make sure I have the feast…

[Surfermom]

Good crisp morning from Florida!

Cool rain came through in the night, so my run was largely spent stamping my way through puddles, but the birds and I are celebrating the sunshine that replaced it. No people, no complaints - life is good. @mart , I am so pleased you were able to get out for a good hike with your son. I am sure you made his day, and you are absolutely right; your children are completely satisfied with all the simple pleasure of being home.

@Eliza, what a wonderful way to star your year with shows and a few weekends away. I love that sort of planning. Are there some places that are more dog friendly than others where you live? It has only been since 2000 or so that dogs were allowed in most hotels and rental places, and most all still come with fees. What places are considering?

@Sheila, I am sorry you are still not 100%. I have medical book here that reads, “The best prescription for a cold or virus is a chocolate cake.” It sounds like your neighbors are most wise.

@Bruce, I like your cams and the privacy settings, especially for keeping an eye on the dogs, whom I suspect throw wild dog parties when I am away.

@OGF, I am with you in now paying attention to the complaints that come with running for fear of turning smoke into fire. It’s irritating when the whole idea of running is freeing your mind and all of a sudden fretting enters the mental scene. I know you and Mrs. OGF always plan a nice New Year’s Eve getaway, and I am sure this one will be just as special. You just made me realize that I never plan a getaway that doesn’t include some opportunity to visit a shoreline. I am a hopeless romantic in that way.

I am back at the easel for one more day. It is such a rare thing to be able to paint, and even yesterday I had the sense that I should be doing something else, but I whiled away the hours listening to Who We Are and How We Got Here: Ancient DNA and the New Science of the Human Past. It’s so satisfying to fill in the vast gaps of knowledge and understanding in the half-empty filling cabinet of my brain.

I am whipping out a few more wave canvases that the gallery has requested before the work and school season start. Thank you @Mags, @Rose2, @Bruce, @OldGreyFox, and @QuintESensual for the compliments. This was yesterday’s work that I will finish with an hour or so on highlights, and refinements.

Alright, I am off to see the Wizard…

Have a relaxing and healthy day!

[Eliza]

@Surfermom …Theres lots of places take dogs here , thats Self Catering , they charge extra for dogs which is fair enough .Im thinking some where local , she suffers from Travel sickness and she needs taking out in middle of night ,so it would be nice to find somewhere isolated to allow her to have a free range .
It would be awkward to have to go through reception with me in a dressing gown , so Hotels are out the question for me …

[Rose2]

These are my homemade mince pies I baked this morning , they’re a bit crooked and wonky, but came out very tasty, I might add, considering it was my first ever attempt!
My daughter loves them, my son not so much, he isn’t a fan of cakes with raisins in them

I used to love M&S mince pies, mine are not exactly like those but I came very close .

[Surfermom]

Your situation sounds a lot like mine, @Eliza. One of our new dogs also gets car sick, so I pre-treat him with a combination of Dramamine and Benadryl (antihistamine) throughout long travel days. I’ve had good luck renting Airbnb places with fenced backyards and liberal pet policies, which is a lot less stressful than rushing them in and out of hotels. I’ll be interested in where you end up going!

[Surfermom]

Oh, how nice! They look perfectly baked. I am not sure I have ever seen the individual pies outside of baking shows. The only ones I have every tried are full-sized. Lucky family!

[Rose2]

Thank you @Surfermom.

[Bruce]

@OldGreyFox

Woe betide all those taking their Christmas decorations down before twelfth night…

If it is any consolation one year (many years ago) I didn’t take the Christmas tree down until about May and the lights around my lounge window have been there since the Christmas of 2020 (ish) and now are a permanent fixture - on a timer so they come on every evening.

Though the Christmas tree is back in its box I have just remembered the Christmas bells on the front door are still there. I’ll get those later this morning.