Just a nice Sunday...

Today we had no rain - the forecast is for brighter sunnier weather from today onwards and for the foreseeable future which is great news.  The downside is that bright Winter days lead to clear skies at night and reduced temperatures which up here can see it hover around freezing.  We can see that Winter is here because my hostas re finally going over.  I have been so excited to find these on the island this year - I have two different ones.  One which Mum got me from Lidl which is this little one and a second which came from the London Road nursery which is on the decking by the day bed and because it is more protected has not as yet started to die off.

We had a lovely day today.  It started with a bit of a lie-in because lunch, such as it was going to be, was all sorted.  A chicken casserole/stew in the slow cooker and a fruit crumble ready for which I have to thank Sherpa Wiseman who led the expedition from the depths of my freezer to the upper regions of my store cupboard.  On that subject who knew that leftover crumble topping could be made into delicious biscuits with the addition of some sultanas and a bit of butter?

Back at base camp I got the secret Santa bags ready for the present game which we are going to play at Rob and Di's tomorrow evening when we will be having an early Christmas get together which I am really looking forward to.  Lots of people play the present game with a few variations but basically it is all about throwing a dice and getting a six in order to win a prize.  We don't have many gifts to buy so I love to do a present game and I don't mind getting the gifts - this year I have limited the cost of the contents to no more than 3 euros and there is a Christmas theme to them.

We decided to walk down to the cemetery to meet Mum who tends to go there before she comes to us for lunch.  The reason for doing that was that we had decided to hang something a bit different at the front door this year so my dear old wreath could go on Dad's grave - it has been repaired that many times that if it doesn't make it complete into the New Year I wont be too upset.

It was dry walking down to the Cemetery but a little chilly.  Mum thought it was a lovely idea - we had discussed whether or not we would do something and had decided not but are now glad that we have.

We shall be up again with a bit of string to secure it because I reckon it will roll off with the slightest bit of wind.  Anyway Kronia Polla Dad you will look festive for a little while yet.

We had planned to light the woodburner today but with better weather the conservatory was nice and warm and John had the gas fire roaring in the lounge so the woodburner wasn't needed.   I had done a pre-Christmas run on the dining table so it was all prettied up - the food might not have been over exciting but making a bit of an occasion of it seemed to make it taste better!!!!  Actually the food was great - I was particularly impressed with the fruit crumble which had a nice tartness to it as we are mindful of Mum.  Although she has a busy week ahead she still departed with a Red Cross food parcel which could go in the freezer if she doesn't have chance to eat it.

It is unbelievable to think that in two Sunday's time Christmas will have been done and dusted and 2019 will be almost at an end.