Highlights of 2023!

The truth is more important than the facts - Frank Lloyd Wright

Happy New Year everyone 🎇

Just a quick update on how 2023 went for me.

The Best of 2023 

My older son became a Councillor and started at University.

I too, became a Councillor on two Parish Councils

The sequins made appearance....

My youngest son turned 18!

(Even better is I won't have to see my ex-plum any more \o/)

 We visited Blackpool twice \o/

We visited Bobby Ball's statue↓

We visited Les Dawson's grave↓

&

Keith Harris's grave↓

I came first in a Macmillan Bake Off in aid of my lovely friend who passed away in September.

The minion collection is growing...↓

Third Anniversary of cutting off both of my brothers \o/

The Worst of 2023

We stopped in two hotels and after staying there,we won't be going back again. :(

My lovely friend of 30 years passed away in September :'(

My hubby's brother cut contact with my hubby \o/

Their inheritance was paid out, no contact with hubby for two and half months until after Christmas. When hubby had got badly written message from his brother, asking where the £600 payment from a plan their dad took out for his  brother's kids was?

(Hubby didn't realise there was time limit!)

 Hubby's brother had wanted a huge games machine that hubby  got rid off while clearing out their dad's house.

(Hubby's brother couldn't fit it in his car when he came down on the Sunday after their dad had died, when he grabbed the new 2 week old microwave, and coffee maker from their dad's house)

I hope Hubby's brother enjoys his inheritance!

At least my Hubby is paying for a nice new Gravestone for his  late dad and the 5 family members in the family plot. It should be ready in April just in time for his late dad's Birthday.

We went to see Madness in concert before Christmas.

Oh dear, they only played two old hits in 40 minutes. They played their new album, which we couldn't stand. After 40 minutes we walked out of the concert. At least the DJ before Madness came out played some great tunes!

Now to see in the New Year...

 

We All Stand Together!

A short cut is the longest distance between two points - Murphy's Law

 Welcome to my Thursday 🌹

Busy day ahead.

But first to do the Heardles:

Heardle 60s:

My answers:

Breakfast and Brew.

I got dressed,

(Including the thermal vest went on)

I left the same time as hubby.

I gave a sloppy wet one to hubby 💋 before I left.

I got some bits.

Went to get my newspaper, they served the man in front, then disappeared when it was time to serve me. I coughed and one assistant looked at me and came over to scan my newspaper!

Once they scanned it I handed over the voucher.

Back to normal next week!

Back home.

Loads up dishwasher and puts it on.

Coffee machine goes on.

Coffee time.

Pan fried the chicken for tonight.

Added the carrots and swede.

In the oven that went for later.

Now to write yesterday's blog post up to a early liquid lunch.

Now out and about...

First port of call was to drop off some roses I bought from Asda this morning to my parents.

However there was two black Limos blocking the way to get to my parent's grave by car.

Had to go through the exit and come back into the entrance and park up.

Got out, and walked over to the otherside of the graveyard.

I gave my parents the lovely flowers.

The sun was out.

Then I walked over to have a chat with some friends of mine.

I had a nice chat.

Back to Sexy Beast. 

I dropped into see older son at work.

I returned 4 pictures, his boss lent me to put up in late father-in-law's house.

Then off to Doctor's for my yearly check-up.

I was the only one in the waiting room.

Clean bill of health!

That's good, considering what is happening about the house!

(Singing helps!)

Collects Sexy Beast.

Goes round to see my friend, her kids and dog!

I had a good time of yakking and showing a good video to watch on You Tube...

(Which I enjoyed singing along with it,

It is at the end of this blog post)

I wished happy weekend to everyone when I left.

Back home...

Puts the oven on.

Cup of brew needed.

Time to relax with a look in the newspaper.

UK No.1 on this day in 1961:

Petula Clark - Sailor

UK No.1 on this day in 1974:

Suzi Quatro - Devil Gate Drive

UK No.1 on this day in 2008:

Duffy - Mercy.

 US No.1 on this day in 1980:

Queen - Crazy Thing Called Love 

My son and his friend enjoyed a Vegan Pizza from Aldi and finished off a chocolate tart.

(As hubby and I can't have as it's Lent)

We enjoy the chicken casserole.

(Forgot to take a pic of it)

We watched Dragon's Den.

Redditch Labour Party held a Bake Off.

(No one told me, as I could have put a cake in.

Hold on, I'm not a member of the Labour Party no more ;))

The older son came back with the First Placed cake.

However as we have given cake and chocolate for Lent.

Kids be eating it.

Now the cheesecake that's another matter!

Sleep Tea Time.

Friday Feeling is back tomorrow 🎈

 
 

 
 

 

Now To Start On The Cake!

There are two types of people: those who walk into a room and say,"Well, here I am," and those who walk into a room and say, "Ah, there you are." - Frederick Collins.

Welcome to my Baking Thursday 🍰

No sun today!

Heardle time:

Heardle 60s:

My son's answers:

Bed and Breakfast:

Dressed.

Gives hubby a sloppy wet one 💋before he goes to work.

Time for my little ride in Sexy Beast. 

Gets the newspaper.

Drops off son at work.

Back home.

Puts coffee machine on.

Unloads dishwasher.

Loads it back up.

Coffee before Baking.

Now let's get on with it....

Kenny comes out for a little play..

First part of the cake goes in the oven.

Second one gets made.

While the Purple, Blue, sponges are cooling in, the green one goes in the oven.

While I am doing all this, my son get's his A-level results.

Maths - A

 Chemistry - B

 Astro Physics Adv - B

He is not happy about them.

I am so proud of him!

(If I got results like him,

I would be doing the funky chicken in the front garden!)

Light lunch time.

My cake board has been delivered elsewhere...

Here we go again!

Has fun try to explain it was delivered wrong!

I sent a picture of my house, and that's not in their picture!

20 minutes later, a worker from the factory pictured, comes delivers my parcel!

Thank you I say!

I put the 3 layers on the cake board with strawberry frosting.

Now to make the final 3 coloured sponges.

Hubby came home and had a sloppy wet one 💋

I was waiting for the yellow one to cool down.

The final red sponge was in the oven baking.

Tea time.

Salmon Wellington.

Now to finish the first part of the cake.

Each part of the cake is coloured and flavoured:

Red - Cherry Bakewell

Orange - Orange

Yellow - Lemon

Green - Peppermint

Blue - Blueberry

Purple - Black Cherry 

The cake is covered in strawberry flavoured Frosting.

Plus in the Heart Shaped Hole

is filled with Rainbow edible bubbles.

The next stage tomorrow is to cover the cake with Pink Fondant Glitter Icing,

Then a multi colour chocolate collar will be added.

All ready to be judged on Sunday!

I can't believe it, it has took me 9 hours to do the first part of making the cake!

Now to sit down and read today's newspaper.

UK No.1 on this day in 1966:

The Beatles - Yellow Submarine/Eleanor Rigby

US No.1 on this day in 1979:

Chic - Good Times 

Cake gets put in the fridge.

Sleep tea time.

The Friday Feeling is back tomorrow 🎈