Blog for Wednesday 24th December 2025

"Microwave instructions: Heat for 2 minutes. Reality: Stare through the glass for 1 minute 59 seconds like it’s a Netflix thriller."

This morning, I was up bright and early, none of that lying in bed for a few extra minutes.

I went up to my studio to have my Quiet Time and then much later I tiptoed downstairs again. Robert was up and moving, but the rest of the household were still in the Land of Nod.

I made a big brekkie today – poached eggs, toast, bacon, leftover garlic roasted potatoes and cheese sauce. And I serve that in a couple of sessions as the family woke up.

Not that long after breakfast Mich’, Robert and mwah made our way down to the river and draped ourselves over our noodles and just wallowed in the river. It was lovely and the water was perfect. Just a fantastic way to cool down and relax.

The problem always comes when one has to get out the water. There is absolutely nothing elegant about that!  As I wobbled and threatened to overbalance at the water’s edge Robert kindly offered me a hand, but that caused me to wobble and topple even more, and I seemed intent on remaining in the water for a very long time. But … eventually I managed to get my body out the river! Oh dear! The visibility of age!

Thankfully Mich’ had taken us down in their vehicle and so I did not work up a sweat having to walk back up the hill to the top shed.

For lunch we had the pasta leftovers which everyone seemed to enjoy, and which was a good way to finish it off. It is a tasty, icy cold pasta dish which is so nice for those hot days.

For supper I put on some butter chicken in one of my good old slow cookers. Oh, how I love those slow cookers, as I can prepare a meal and then forget all about it until it is ready. That is what happened today.

Off and on during the day we all played ‘Bananagram’ or ‘Oh Hell!’ – the number of contestants varied depending on the time and who was available and willing!

In the remains of the day, we sat outside around the table that Robert and Matt’ have sanded down for us and just enjoyed one another’s company, chatting, chomping and sipping.

Oh yes! Just before we went outside, Mich’ and I were playing another game of ‘Bananagram’ and I had the rice cooking in the microwave when suddenly, kapouef! A strange noise, a flash of light, and my microwave oven ceased being with a pot of very porridgey rice still inside it!

 G-r-e-a-t! Another of those patience developing moments in my life. I made more rice but this time on the stove top!

I buttered some bread rolls, and put out some Mrs. Balls chutney and voila, we had a meal of butter chicken, rice, buttered rolls and chutney. Easy-peasy, nice and easy.

For dessert I had made that Passionfruit Al Freddo earlier in the week, but decorated it with strawberries, raspberries, passionfruit and blue berries tonight. Everyone seemed to thoroughly enjoy the dessert, and it is one of my favorite desserts, so I was happy too!

I had suggested watching a movie as a Christmas Eve thing, but we were all tired so there were no takers for that idea. I think the sunshine, water and swimming helped us with feeling decidedly weary!

I was soon fast asleep.

What lesson did I learn today? Deal with a sudden change of plans without breaking into a sweat!

What am I grateful for today? Just another lovely day with some of our precious family.

M y saying for today is ...