It ain’t pretty but it’s still standing....

[SnazzyD]

...a bit like me after a year of Pred and what an education it has been. This Christmas I’ll be putting everything I have learned about slow living and uncharacteristically will be cutting corners and not going for perfection as a hostess. The house was made by my 19 year old daughter and her boyfriend, not me by the way but it sums it up well. Happy Christmas

[Hidden]

Ha, I love it!

We put a Christmas tree up last Saturday and Monday night it fell over , it made me laugh! So Monday it was back in a new stand slightly crooked and ornaments a bit askew. To me it’s the “whatever “ attitude of GCA I have acquired which I love😎

Christmas Blessings to all !!

[PMRpro Ambassador]

My cards are lying in a pile by the TV. I have lights on the balcony - and I'm regretting not bringing mince pies back from M&S in Malta. Really will have to make brandy butter and pies to morrow...

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

Oh mince pies bring back memories! I have not had really good mince pie for years!

I think I will try that.......next year

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Hidden]

There is a fabulous pastry recipe online - you don't even have to roll it out and is the best mincepie pastry I've met!

bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/217...

I use silicon muffin cases - just leave them in them in the tin, no squashed pies

[Hidden in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks for that!!

Merry Christmas

[Sandy1947 in reply to PMRpro]

You are still so ambitious! Enjoy the holidays. Thanks for taking care of all the forum people!

[SheffieldJane]

I think the gingerbread house is just lovely Snazzy. I think your philosophy is spot on. Have a lovely laid back time at Christmas, let them do it all and just smile. I wish you good health and happiness for 2018.

[Jackoh]

Thought you were talking about yourself until I saw photo!! Good philosophy! Recipe looks good too PMRpro - definitely doable!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Jackoh]

Just did it - using my early-adopted xmas pressie! My food processor died 2 years ago and I felt guilty at spending all that money on a new one to be used once or twice a year and for the last 2 years have done it the hard way. While getting my Roomba, OH also offered a new processor (think that really he was worried he might not get his mince pies and brandy butter ) Brilliant - made the pastry first, then the brandy butter and finally chopped an onion to make gulasch tomorrow - all done with the s-blade and only one lot of washing up!

[SnazzyD in reply to PMRpro]

I have resisted buying one for years since mine died, insisting on doing it the ‘proper’ way. The result is that I hardly make pastry or cakes. Pred might just be an excuse now because my arm nearly dropped off making my husband’s birthday cake on 30mg, such was my muscle feebleness. Would NOT trust him to buy one though, like clothes too. I open them with, “oh, you shouldn’t have!”, thinking, “no, you really shouldn’t have. What were you thinking, why THAT one?”. It’s the thought that counts (??). This Christmas I’ve asked for garden slave hours from those nearest and dearest. Can’t buy it in the shops and it’ll stop me pulling muscles when I get over excited with spring coming. The relief of not having to shop for a present will pale I’m sure when I’m out there on a cold, dank February day pointing at just one more job.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SnazzyD]

Didn't need 30mg pred to make me feel as if my hand/arm was dropping off! I never have to worry about getting those sort of pressies - haven't had a birthday/xmas/anniversary pressie for YEARS. This year I have said I really fancy x, y, z. And they have materialised though I was always present at the shop. I do wonder if the "welcome to my world" comments during his radiotherapy has achieved something? I don't think he could remember the fatigue from last time, it is 24 years ago whereas my fatigue experience has been ongoing for nearly 14 years...

[SheffieldJane in reply to PMRpro]

There she goes boasting about her Roomba again!

Just jealous. I think Santa may have got me a Dyson hairdryer. My few wisps will look sooo good,

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SheffieldJane]

Given the price...

[SheffieldJane in reply to PMRpro]

I know, guilt, guilt, guilt. I could almost have had a Roomba.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SheffieldJane]

Er - it costs more than mine...

[SheffieldJane in reply to PMRpro]

Please don’t tell me that. What has he done? Argh!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SheffieldJane]

I'm safe - my husband would never buy me that sort of thing! I have dropped enough hints about a fancy straightener...

[SheffieldJane in reply to PMRpro]

I just moaned about my hair.

My replies keep disappearing. The site is bored of me. I was telling how broke I was when young, with violins.

[Jackoh in reply to PMRpro]

Glad you got them done PMRpro. I used to love cooking but really haven't got the energy anymore. Feel I could attempt these!

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to Jackoh]

Me too - it was my main hobby. Now if a recipe has more than 4 ingredients I can't be bothered to read to the end very often. As for making it..

[Sandy1947]

Love your message! Just finished The Gifts Of Imperfection by Brene Brown. Title for us: Gifts of PMR/GCA. I guess we learn acceptance of what is! Enjoy the holidays!

[kulina]

I love it! Happy Holidays!