Chrissy

Most definitely what Pontalba says above, plus an extra gorgeous from me. They looked great in your earlier photographs Muggle Not, but the light difference has shown them to much greater effect.

That sounds like a lovely visit, and what great pressies!

Fanks Bronny. Not clever, just knackering!

I had to read 'Midnight's Children' for a Post-Colonial Literature course I took many years ago, and kept being told things that ranged from tricky to "bloody impossible" and "unreadable". Some still liked it and others hated it quite passionately! My wonderful tutor told us all to give it at least 100 pages, and we would either look it or hate it thereafter. By the 100 I was in love with this roaming, magical, lyrical, melodic encompassing tale. What is strange is that a couple of friends with whom I have almost identical tastes HATED it and are baffled by my love of it.

Lovely Muggle Not, each with their own character.

*whispers* I actually (by a very slim margin) preferred Love In The Time Of Cholera. I also adore Midnight's Children.

Sorry that you are having these troubles Talisman. I hope they get sorted soon. Muggle Not, they look a lovely selection - we may need a few photos of them 'in situ'. I laid a carpet (along with underlay 'n' grippers 'n' everything) in our brand new conservatory this week. Back breaking but very satisfying stuff. It's by no means perfect, but I am chuffed to bits at what I managed to do. Husband helped 'supervise' the last bits! Have a lovely weekend everyone!

Good catch on thinking it's a collection Chesilbeach! I missed that.

*saunters away from question whistling tunelessly* I hear you brother, a beautiful copy of 'Firefly A Celebration' that I bought for myself arrived yesterday.

Ginger Ice cream? That sounds beyond yummy, I will have to seek some out! We have just had jacket potatoes with sausages and salad.

I am watching Numb3rs - my new televisual addiction with Rob Morrow (Doctor Fleischman from Northern Exposure) and the excellent David Krumholtz (Mr Universe from Serenity). They play brothers, one of whom is an FBI agent, and the other a maths genius who is brought in on a regular basis to apply mathematical solutions to FBI cases. Fascinating and entertaining stuff.

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I'm a part time stalker! In and out of here on odd occasions.

Spotless house? - PAH! I was a lone parent (a bit like the Lone Ranger but with a chid rather than a horse ), for many(13) years so all was on my shoulders anyway - both the 'manly' and the 'womanly' tasks. With husband we have always operated on the fairest system, so when we are both around we both do what needs to be done. Currently I am at home whilst he is out of the house 14 hours a day, so the domestic stuff rests with me. That's fine by us both. I grew up in a household where my parents just got on with things, e.g. Dad was home before Mum so he got that night's meal sorted. There was little debate about it, things just got done. It is ingrained to a greater extent that the woman 'takes care' of things. The part of the article that looked at how once women went beyond the equality threshold their domestic chores increased I can well believe. It would be their way of apologising and making amends for being successful, and showing their femininity through housework. Horrifying thought isn't it?

That sounds familiar.......Mmmmm Raymond Chandlers maybe?

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Wow - yummy home produce. Now all you have to do is find a recipe that uses carrots, lemons and figs!

The UK amazon site has some MC Beaton Hamish Macbeth, Agatha Raisin and Regency novels for 99p each. The USA site has among other bargains, the kindle version of Brom's 'The Child Thief' for $1.99, described as, a spellbinding re-imagining of the beloved Peter Pan story. Although I would warn that this is a dark retelling.

Sorry about your husband's job. It is so cr*ppy when life turns like that, and somehow made more bitter by the timing. Take very good care - and shout and swear whenever you want! (The forum filter will remove the worse words you could use!).

I'd stick with the Dorothy L Sayers 'Lord Peter Wimsey series' and Agatha Christie for classic who-dunnits. I would especially recommend Agatha's 'The Murder Of Roger Ackroyd', although do avoid ANYTHING related to the book until you are done, as the ending is worth the read.

They always tend to involve food though Muggle Not - it's little wonder that I am as 'cuddly' as I am! The second main ingredient is laughter - and the big laugh of today was my 7 year old great-nephew being told he had one last chance to behave. He asked his Dad in all seriousness whether he could use just 'half a chance' and 'save the other half for later in case he needed it'!

My goodness Frankie, that is a definite KABOOM! We had a lovely day today. We travelled up first thing to Birmingham to visit niece, nephew-in-law and great nephews for a Christmas lunch, as it looks as if we will be unable to join them on the day itself. Lunch was astonishingly good and I ate far too much of it. We then relaxed for a few hours chatting and playing quizzes with each other. A really great day. We left just before 7 pm and had a clear run home. I feel full and happy - and was even sent home with some leftovers!

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