We got back from Mauritius on 17th December and busied ourselves getting our house decorated for Christmas. A brief review is on my other blog *HERE*
Both sons had a virus over Christmas but we still managed to make the best of things - lots of good food in the form of roast dinner with turkey crown for the men, roast chestnuts for me. We made tons of bubble and squeak (ref for overseas bloggers this is left over roast potatoes and boiled brussel sprouts chopped and shaped into patties to fry for breakfast, freezable, a lot of people in the UK enjoy this as a way to use up roast dinner veggie leftovers). We watched a lot of tv: I laughed a lot watching Amandaland on BBC. We had too much food and too few people (due to illness, everyone we know seems to have this flu type virus), never-ending pre recorded tv programmes like Ted, Back to the Future and Fantastic Beasts that we had not previously had time to catch up on .
On Christmas morning I went to our Baptist church. We had a good sing song! It was good to see old friends there too. We sang the 12 days of Christmas, divided into groups we jumped up to sing our allocated verse and sat back down fast in between. There was a lot of laughter! Brief video of the moment below
Over the last few weeks I went swimming almost every other day and completed 50 lengths on some visits. We are lucky to have an olympic size pool in our town, heated and, best of all, empty! only 3 people in there on average - no doubt it will be busier in the New Year with new memberships and the resolutions/good intentions of many!
Currently watching a really good thriller,: The Beast in Me on Netflix and just about to start reading a new library book.
I was gifted this book from one of my brothers - the gardener - its called Teaming with Microbes and is all about decomposing matter and generating micro-organisms to create the best organic soil. I will continue to manage my plot the organic way, I have never needed pesticides on my plot, companion planting and coffee filter waste for slugs has been helpful. Most unwanted pests get eaten by something bigger eventually and it all works out.
Im writing this post on New Years Eve. wishing everyone who I blog with a happy. Healthy New Year 2026.
I decided not to make New Year resolutions other than to value every minute of life on this planet and not waste any opportunities for magic moments!
Happy New Year!xxx
ReplyDeleteThat nasty flu was circulating EVERYWHERE this holiday season, wasn't it. But glad you had a good Christmas anyway. And . . . 50 lengths of an Olympic size pool? I BOW TO YOU! You must be a very good, strong swimmer. Back in my swimming days, if I managed to do a dozen lengths of a pool, I considered myself hot stuff, LOL. Happy New Year to you!
ReplyDeleteYour festive season sounds wonderful Betty. Good food & good company - family is important as they don't always come home for Christmas once they grow. Those books look very interesting reads. Wishing you a very Happy New Year Betty - I don't make resolutions either, I think yours to value every minute is spot on. I will pop over to your travel blog & have a catch up there later today. xx
ReplyDeleteLovely to read about your Christmas. So many people had this horrible flu thing, including my daughter and grandson, so havent seen them for several days. Happy New Year Betty!
ReplyDeleteHope this superflu doesn’t cross the Channel. Interesting, bubble and squeak. Happy new year!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Betty! I'm glad you had a lovely Xmas and sorry that the boys succumbed to the lurgy.
ReplyDeleteVery impressed with your swimming. Our pool, being council run, was shut for seven days over Xmas so, I've only managed 3 miles in the last ten days - I was so excited to go today regardless of the snow - it's so addictive, isn't it?
Loved The Beast in Me. Have you seen Malice? That's similarly gripping!
Off to read about Maritius! ! xxx
My Mum’s been really poorly with that flu like bug too. It’s always the way at this time of year. Wishing you a very Happy New Year xxx
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading about your wonderful vacation over on Magic Carpet Travels. It sounds so perfect. It was unfortunate that your sons were sick over Christmas. Hopefully they are well by now ( and that you stayed healthy).
ReplyDeleteHey dear Betty 🥰
ReplyDeleteIt’s always such a joy to peak in to your lovely world 👍
Sorry for your children had flue on Christmas Day, I am happy despite that you whole family spent such great time together and had lots of fun with different things ♥️🙏
Yes such exciting events provide opportunity for loosing the usual careful track of healthy habits and eat lot and enjoy together screen time more 🤗
I watched Beast In Me with my sister when she was staying with me for two months almost. I liked the show and specially actors were awesome.
How nice your plantation is going great and you exchanged garden offerings with your kind neighbour ☺️
Bravo for achieving swimming goals 👌♥️
You indeed inspire in so many ways my friend 🥰
Sending you love and prayers ♥️🙏
Happy new year to you and loved ones dear Betty 🥰
ReplyDeleteMay God bring more blessings to you all amen ♥️🙏
Happy New Year to you too!
ReplyDeleteI have/just about to step into early retirement - and this year is definitely going to be filled with magic (and optimism) as I literally shed the old me and become something/someone new.
And definitely don't want to waste any moments either !