General Chat

Morning all. Well, someone left the back door to Canada open again and sure enough we are again in the deep freeze. It is - 30 most mornings, warms up a bit during the day and then down again at sunset uugghh.
Happy to hear most got through to 2010 o.k. now back to the garden catalogues to dream of the summer flowers and veg etc.
Mary our bears are sleeping, not roaming around as it's just too cold even for them. The fox are still about tho' and are happy when we put chicken bits out for them.
Time for breakfast so will say bye for now. Edith XXXXX

Hi everyone.. Looks like you all had a great Christmas and New Year..Is it now the diet...lol... I had a very quiet Christmas as John was not well and spent most of Christmas Day in bed but recovered enough on boxing day afternoon to join us at the sons house for a family dinner..It was lovely to have all the family together,,doesn't happen to often..once a year if we are lucky..Daughter Ann spent a few days here with us while hubby took the kids out and about and it was lovely to just have time to sit and talk and have some quality time together..cant remember when that last happened..Have decided to take the train and visit the daughters more often this year, and if John cant come will leave him home and go on my own..Love the train trip to their towns and John can manage on his own for a weekend..Will leave him with lots of food in the freezer..LOL..
We have our annual genealogy meet next month and am looking forward to that..It has become my annual holidays..4 days away with the mad Wattlers..LOL.
Seems global warming has ended and its now global cooling..Why are those bears still around Les.. They don't know that its winter...hee hee...Hope you are all keeping warm,,,We have had a bit of rain which is very welcome and a few floods up north but not to bad..everyone is happy to have the rain..
Les What a lovely Christmas present..just fantastic...

Well better go and get some dinner so have a lovely weekend all..

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year and hope it brings good health and happiness to you all..

Love Mary xxx

Happy New Year to you all. Hope the year brings good health, peace and happiness......

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and many many blessings
Love

JA

HAPPY NEW YEAR to all.

May it be all you wish it to be. Stay well.

See you next year. Edith XXXXXXX

Hi Everyone,
Just got back from a great xmas with the kids over in their new house. Lots of good food, and choccies etc.etc.....oh! and good red...LOL!!!

My best pressie.......... About 2 months ago my daughter came for a quick visit. So we were off to shop, she is a great shopper! We ended up in Wallyworld and she bought dozens of balls of wool. I said to her - you'll never finish that. So on xmas eve we are all together and daughter is crocheting a poncho for Rhian. I laughed and said ha!ha! what about all that wool, knew you'd never make anything!! On xmas morning we opened our pressies and there was huge squishy package for me. I opened it and voila!! it was an exquisite blanket that my daughter had crocheted out of all that wool she bought.....we both laughed and laughed and then we had a cry....great pressie....great xmas!!

Oh and last week I walked on the dyke and there in front of me....a large black bear...not sleeping just out having a good time!!

We got home last night. A little snow here today, going to have a relaxing day. I have chicken noodle soup bubbling in my slow cooker...life is good.
Take care you lot.
Lesxx

Morning all. Had a lovely Christmas with the family, ate too much etc. but enjoyed every minute. As usual was spoiled rotten and enjoyed that too !!!!Looking forward to a new year and what it brings.
Great to see so many on site and to all of you the very best for 2010 .Having a quiet eve with a bit of bubbly to usher it in.
See you next year, Edith XXXX
P.s Fred, have the new seed catalogues for spring so will start dreaming this week. !!!!

Hi everyone..Gosh ,,didn't realise it was so long since I was on here..don't know where the days go..

We have had lovely rain the past 2 days so we are happy about that..and a bit more to go..its lovely and cool to that makes it better still..

Ian.. lovely to see you here,,Hope you had a lovely Christmas..

Fred ..Bet the corned beef went down a treat.. are you dragging it out of the freezer for New Year...LOL...or are you making more..hee hee hee..

Edith and Les ,,Do hope you are not freezing ,, Have the bears been out or are they well and truly in bed for the winter..

Teresa..22 is about the size I used to cook for up till this year..This is the first time we have had Christmas in Sydney. and my daughter in law cooked it ..wasn't the same,,also we only had about 11 as Daughter Ann could not get here till Boxing Day so it was a small lunch..LOL,,,How are you enjoying the little house,,bet you love it..

Had a quiet Christmas as John has not been well and has spent most of it in bed..He had some more tests done last week and we are waiting on the results..Doc doesn't know what the problem is yet so hope the tests show something that is causing his problem and can fix it..

Hope you all have a very Happy New Year and that it brings you all you wish for and lots of good health and happiness..

Lots of love Mary xxxx

Good morning everyone ,and hello again Ian,nice to see you again.
i thought it was time to show my face again and wish everyone a prosperous and happy New Year.
I hope everyone has had a great Christmas no matter where you are ,and that all have haad a nice get together with family,which is what it's all about .apart from the most important birthday in the world .
We are off to the daughters shortly for dinner ,and tea which will be nice ,but i'm afraid i will be staying at home tomorrow ,which is my sisters birthday,the greatest sister i could ever wish for ,whom i lost two years ago in march [rest in peace lass]
Sean and Marta are enjoying their first christmas as man and wife ,but we lose therm on the 30th when they go back to their new house in Lyneham ,which is only fitting ,their first new year in England together ,and the best time of year for a house warming.
Time to go now because the page has the jitters again ,be back later Fred,&Liz

Merry Christmas Everyone.

Getting ready to feed 22 tonight. It will be interesting to see how we all fit in our new small house.

Enjoy your day!

Teresa

It's along time since I've been on Genes (apart from checking Hot Matches) but it is holiday time and I've found some spare time.
Best wishes to you all for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Ian

Sooooo here we are again,sending messages in two halves ,like old times ,lol.
Before i go out i will have to clean down the car ,poor little thing has been sat behind Seans hire car for three days ,covered in snow still ,i bet it will be freezing cold in there brrrrrr.
Have a great time Edith ,not long now until we can start the new season by putting in our tomato and herb seeds again ,my best time of year ,although the busiest he he.
Merry Christmas to all ,Havea greast time .all of you ,Fred,Liz & Hissyxxxxx

Morning Edith old friend.a card is a small return for all the lovely posts you send me throughj the year with good jokes and musical pictures ,always welcome.
This is my special day ,the day when i go to town to visit the grainger market ,and the Farmers market in Grainger street itself,with all the stalls covered in fairy lights ,selling everything from old fashioned sweeties for the kids [and oldies lol] meats from the farmers stalls that come to Necastle on the ferries from norway ,germany ,france ,and even Holland,all selling their produce from special meats ,bread ,veg' toys and bric a brac,and of course the stalls selling hot dogs ,burgers ,hot meat sarnies ,popcorn, and the like.
Having had enough of the conflict between windows 7 and office 2007 last night.i did a complete factory restore ,putting windows Vista back in the laptop,seems as though the office suite is running fine now,the only trouble being ,the stuttering on genes is back he he ,can't win can you?

Morning all This will probably be my last chance to post so will wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Thanks Fred for the card, hope you and Liz
have a happy holiday.
We have some soft fluffy snow just right for the holidays and of course lots of good food and family and friends.
To all who look in keep well and do make the very best of the days ahead.
Edith XXXXXXX

Morning all ,well ,things are hotting up now in the Baird household ,the second batch of beef will be getting cooked tomorrow ,half for the sons Christmas Day ,half for the daughters Boxing day ditto with the stuffing which will be made Christmas eve,all other cooking done by other hands than mine this year ,Fred is going to be a lazy B***r and relax ,he he.
Sean is away early in the morning to pick Sara up at the regional airport at Nottingham,as she gets in from Poland.
She won;t half be getting around while here with us ,out two days in a row to the sons and daughters ,and them New Year at the eldest sons,and we promised to take the pair of them out for a meal while they are here .
The stock from the corned beef i will skim ,and then make a stew with,or even a hot pot ,lol,i hate wasting good food ingredients and tatties chopped up ,and a few other veggies would make a basic ,but very tasty meal for the four of us.
Of to get cracking again ,so ,in case i don't have another chance ,Merry Christmas everyone ,and have a great but peaceful New Year.
Fred,& Lizxxx

Cor ,what a weekend ,snow ,cold ,and even a bit on the breezy side.
Even the beef in Mary's chalet has water a little on the sluggish side despite the laaaaarge amount of salt in it
tried out the parsnips yesterday ,wrapped in streaky bacon and given a little honey glaze ,and have to say ,they went down a storm,so here is the christmas dinner line up.
Mash done with parsnip,roast potatoes tossed in semolina,parsnips as described, red cabbage done with spice and balsamic vineger ,plain brussels, the turkey ,of course,and the corned beef,home made country stuffing ,and a nice beef gravy.
Apple pie for those who don't like Christmas pud and the pud' itself ,one of Liz's 10 minute ones served with home made brandy sauce [custard for the apple pie]
Any one coming had better be at the sons by 1300 ,or you will be too late he he
We are a little concerned at the moment ,Sara flies in to Bristol airport on wednesday and the country is still gripped by bad weather ,and if it dosn't clear ,it looks like old Fred will have to go down to pick her up ,Sean not having much experience at snow and ice driving.
Must get on now loads to do and carpets to hoover ,but i will look in later.Ho Ho Fred Claus.

Hello Just a short note. We have a little snow but not enough to keep the water lines from freezing. Everyone is hoping for a lot more of it.
Just about ready for Christmas just last minute veg to get as well as the cream and cranberries. Will have dinner at the granddaughters this year so am looking forward to it. Hope all are well, be back soon.
Edith XXXX

Morning Edith ,Les ,and anyone else who turns up today.
I am enjoying my cuppa before i start the ball rolling by packing the car for today's trip south.
It seems that the furniture and other gear for Sean's new house has not arrived ,so it may yet be a case of turning over the lads licence details ,inspecting the house prior to blowing up the mattress for the night ,and coming home again tomorrow ,we will see.
My brain is slow these days ,so .to the person who asked for the Christmas pudding recipe ,that only takes a few minutes to knock up ,and ten minutes to cook,please pm me with your email addy, being back on the mainframe now ,with a working modem ,i have managed to put the recipe's for cake and pudding on the hard drive of the acer.
The cake is not a really quick one ,like the pudding,but dosn't take as long as many other ones ,and is always very tasty ,and moist when cooked,well worth the effort of prep' and cooking.
Hope you get your move okay Les ,you don't sound very happy being on your own ,he he.it's okay for me and Liz, we are on our own too ,but there is one hell of a difference ,my two sons live a half hour amble away across the valley ,and my daughter is only half an hour away by car,and there are plenty of other rellies kicking about a sneeze away.
If i had to travel for hours to reach any one of them ,i would be moving too ,specially to be near to grandchildren .
Well .i think that's me and Liz about ready to celibrate Christmas ,only the shopping that you can't store for a week to get ,plus the run up to the farm for the turkey and duck[ watch this space folks ,Fred has never cooked a duck before ,so this could turn out to be interesting he he
Catch you all later fred.

Yea, a little snow yesterday. Bella was in fine fettle. We went for a short walk and she was just full of it, running and rolling....silly girl. Now this morning it is raining and the snow is melting. I am hoping that this is it before xmas....we have to get out of the valley!! Couldn't spend another xmas cooped up in this house with no family....grrr!!
Watched Chevy Chase's"christmas" movie for the hundreth time last night. I had forgotten the bit where he gets stuck in the attic....laughed like a fool as always.
I think I am going to bake again today so more later.
Lesxx

Morning I am trying my best to be like a bird in the freezer this a.m. My legs all tucked up under me and my arms close to hold the blanket. hee hee The temp outside is -42 and will be in the minus range all day !!!!
Come on Fred us Canuck girls are not usually that violent. Were a peaceful lot.!!!!!!
I see you are getting snow Les, think it will be a repeat of last year??
The prairies are getting blasted as well and here I thought we had global warming???
Just about ready for Christmas a few details to finish up and then time to sit and enjoy. Hope everyone is well and looking forward to turkey etc.
Time for breakfast. See you soon. Edith XXXX