My cheesecake didn't look as good as it did at first when next to all the delicious desserts everyone else bought
Always nerve inducing meeting new people, especially when I'm the only person there that doesn't know everyone else, but it is pretty easy to get involved if people give you an in
I am so glad I gave myself a pep talk and booked a solo restaurant lunch today. Was going to do a solo picnic but that would not have worked. Was so anxious about being the weirdo on their own but no-one cares and I have a lovely little treat. And it's walking distance so no wet roads to deal with.
It's pizza and tv and web surfing for me 😸 No being baited by haters, no name calling at me under people's breath. Would have been nice to see the kids tho and the young generation.
also, the Phantom Furry Toe Tickler struck again this morning while I was asleep. This is a case for Seagoon!! ( It was Ted Cat )
Jeez there were a few d & m's though.. Things be rough out there for a few of those exteneded family people. relationship stuff.. I hope they work it out. I am not equipped to help with that correctly. I think that showed but thats okay.
I'm glad I decided not to stay overnight at my parent's place and can sleep in my own bed tonight. It's a lot of driving for one day, but at least I will get a good night's sleep.
I've stayed overnight for two nights because it's a fair drive, but wish I'd only stayed one - I'm pretty desperate to head home because honestly I haven't even been back in Melbourne for a week since being interstate for 13 days. And I am definitely hitting my limit of toddler/child-centred family interactions
Was meant to go to Seymour to camp with the fam this Christmas; I bailed last night because the forecast looked bad, and I just can't be fucked sitting around in the wet lol
Looks like more rain for all of us is coming, so I don't feel so bad, it was the right decision.
Now I have the cat purring and drooling on me, making biscuits; he seems very, very happy I am here to be his bed lol
PSA: as of just after lunch, the DDT now has an official numbat. See post from @[email protected] below. The name 'Nimrod' has been suggested. I like this, but I'm sure there are other names we could consider.
Well, I got the dog walk in before the rain started but it looks like it will be a long wet drive to Christmas lunch this year.
I wish everyone in the DT a happy and safe Christmas day.
Remember drive to the conditions if out on the roads, check your gas BBQ connections for leaks before lighting it, and don't use gas or charcoal BBQs in an enclosed space. Plus remember knives are sharp and to keep your fingers out of the way when chopping vegetables or carving the turkey. (does it show that I work in Emergency Services? 🤣)
I got the lawns done (and the neighbours nature strips) trimmed just before it started raining.
They are going to come back nice and thick this time for next week.
The grass is definitely growing strongly at the moment. The neighbour's gardener (who normally does my nature strip as well) would probably have been coming today if it was not Christmas. Not sure when he will be coming next, but I have been gifted my parent's battery powered mower that they no longer use, so it is still long on Friday I will be able to give it a cut then. Weather and work will stop any chance of doing it sooner.
A happy Christmas to those of you who celebrate, hugs and care to those for whom it is a tough day, and a nice quiet day to those for whom it’s just another Monday. Take care out there, wet roads and family stress can make it a tough day to drive or travel. Pats to the pets, and watch out that they don’t eat anything they shouldn’t. If you have to work, may your shift be easy and pass quickly, and I hope you’re getting sweet extra cash.
Here’s a picture of the Ravenna Gorge Christmas Market to enjoy.
Merry Christmas to those who choose to spend the day by themselves and those who spend Christmas alone due to other reasons.
For those who struggle this time of year, just relax in your favourite comfy chair and favourite warm blankey and listen to the rain. You can make it through to Wednesday…
Looks like the garden got some decent rain overnight for Christmas.
I did wake up at one point overnight and could hear a strange noise and was worried the rain had done some damage or something, then realised the cat was snore-purring and all was well.
Mr Woof successfully kept all intruders out of the house overnight. It is possible that Santa made it into the chimney and gifted the possums who live there with some fruit.
Dragged my sorry self out of bed to haul ass. Didn’t want to be on the road when it really comes down with the rest of Melbourne. Definitely made the right choice.
Gonna do the sad sappy thing, avert ye eyes if it makes you squick.
Just thinking about what can be the difficult nature of relationships especially between families/relatives and whatnot.
The weather obviously doesn’t lend itself to the best of spirits, but if what you have is good, maybe savour it that little more today, if it’s average, maybe if you have it in to lean into patience/kindness a little more.
And for I suppose the rest we all have our own stories/narratives as others do and we can only control (for lack of a better word) our own little spaces. Protect them if need be and be kind to yourself.
/eof-squick
Have a great day everyone! Stay dry, safe and full!
Finally got it sorted and we found a big round tin to put it in. It's a no bake rocky road cheesecake, with a rocky road base and raspberry cheesecake interior
Bad pic because it's late and already in the fridge:
In the morning I have to whip some cream and decorate it with more marshmallows, some pistachios, and raspberries, then at 10 we begin the long trip to Corinella. I'll also have to make a tropical punch drink, although that hardly seems relevant with how cold it is
I'm back from the pudding lady's house. We brought little dog with us because I wasn't going to leave him at home with that weather. He doesn't travel well that's why I have to wrap him like a burrito to stop him from trying to take over the driving. I am covered in fur.
Everybody fed him. He does not like the meringue or strawberries from the pav but happy to lick the cream. We are tired now and are snuggling on the couch.
Cancel the plans for a picnic down by the creek today. But my house plants are having a lovely time out in the backyard getting some gentle rain and soft light. Might even go so far as to repot them tomorrow.
Hope you all are having a delightful day! I did a family lunch with the bf's family, probably the first "family" Christmas I've had for near 15 years. It was nice, but I'm happy to be back home, in my Christmas PJs and having a glass of wine.
You lot are rad, thank you for being such a lovely space.
Not only do I have a big old coldsore, I also slipped twice this morning while trimming my beard... I will be in the very very back of the Christmas photos hiding my shame.
I swear my dad has significant stock invested in Big Breakfast. Will not stop bugging me to eat something every time I stay over as if I couldn't stand to miss a couple of meals lol We'll be having Christmas lunch in a couple of hours, dad! Just relax!
Merry Christmas to all of you who celebrate, and happy holiday of your choice!
I was invited to a friend's family lunch, which was lovely, but between driving through the worst of the weather and only knowing him and his wife (and her only slightly) I am drained.
Still, everyone was lovely, I got to cuddle their new baby, and between all the food I ate, took home and bought for the solo Christmas that was originally planned I'll only have to buy milk and petrol for a week.
Christmas lunch of tomato onion and breadcrumbs, steamed asparagus, mint peas, spinach and zucchini, cauliflower cheese, crispy baked taters, carrot and parsnip and chimichurri steak. Phwoaaaar
Solo christmas for me this year and loving it so far. Just made my self a huge breakfast of scrambled eggs with cheese, coriander and mexican spice mix and a bit a soy sauce for flavouring, a ton of bacon and bubble n squeak. Lunch is probably going to be Chicken nuggets with some sweet and juicy grape tomatoes. Dinner will be hungarian inspired hamburger patties, chips and corn and peas on the side. My day will be filled playing Star Trek: Birth of the Federation ( with TNG on in the background) and possibly Arkham knight later tonight. To all the others having a solo xmas, make the most of it, do what you enjoy, eat what you enjoy and cherish the serenity!
I’m staying at home solo today as well. Going to busy myself with a coffee and a Devon toasted sandwich then later on I’m going to figure out how to cook the lamb I bought and if I should maybe cut it up in half and cook over several days instead.
Man I like fireworks sometimes, but must there be illegal fireworks set off a street away at 1:16am? Is that really necessary? Can't you wait till NYE 😐😐😐
My online friends are busy... sigh. I do have things to entertain myself with if only I had the motivation. Things are feeling a bit stale.
One thing I don't like about this time of year is the way it's so all or nothing. Dealing with overstimulating crowds or very isolated. Lots of shopping and then everything shut. Lots of spending and then things are tight. Heaps of food and then diets. A frantic rush vs inactivity. I feel like there should be smaller more frequent holidays broken up through the year so everything isn't thrown so out of whack at the end. (I'm not even Christian.) That might force them to be shorter though and make it hard for people to get together.
Having hot tea with my dressing gown over pjs. Trying to decide if rewatching Buffy will hold my interest.
Having grown up overseas I definitely see what you mean about it being all or nothing in places like Australia. I liked how it was where I grew up, none of the public holidays had the same stop-the-country effect so you could easily enjoy them alone or with others.
Now that you mention it it’s much the same. It’s either dead quiet or super busy, there’s no happy medium of feels like and probably why I feel overwhelmed when I’m not in the mood to be trapped inside with an entire family who is loud.
Thanks for asking. 🤗 Not so bad at all. Maybe it's a false alarm. I'll take a test tomorrow. Even so, staying home was the right thing, too many at risk people in the fam.
A Christmas Carol, this one with Fredric March and Basil Rathbone and other huge movie stars of the time. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ih5NNa6PEvA Music by Bernard Herrman 👍
Trying to decide if I want to play Harvestella, Mario Kart, D4, watch a Christmas movie, do a puzzle, a paint by numbers or just continue to pointlessly browse online.