Tuesday 13 December 2022

Freezing fog.

Not nice weather at all here in The Dales - at least no snow lying but very cold and freezing fog drifting everywhere - one minute the sun is out, the next I can't see across the road.    The central heating is full on all day and hot hocolate is the favourite drink today.    The overnight temperature in Braemar last night was minus seventeen - only minus seven here - and that was cold enough.   I seem to remember the weather forecasters telling us we were set to have a mild winter - seems it will get a bit warmer at the week end and then go cold again.

Plenty of fairy lights burning electicity along our Grove while The National Grid struggles (and before the bills come in).   I'm afraid that apart from my cards (which I love and look forward to every year - a link with old friends) I no longer bother.  I had a lovely visit from E, an old friend and neighbour his afternoon.   She has just gone on her way delivering their cards by hand.

I watched the dance off of Strictly Come Dancing last evening - now the last couples dance off next Saturday evening, one couple will win and then it will all be over until next year.   I shall miss the programme.

Two more local cards to deliver and that is me finished.   Hope you are all nearly at the relaxed stage (but I doubt it).  See you tomorrow,

24 comments:

Barbara Anne said...

We've had overnight lows of -6*C but our daytime temperatures are still in the 7*C range so we need coats but not arctic wear!
Hope your carer or a friend can deliver your last two cards so you can stay warm and cozy.
Our home is as decorated as its going to get and my thoughts are turning to baking.
I'm enjoying my Christmas CDs and hope you have favorite holiday books, movies, and CDs to enjoy, too.

Hugs!

Derek Faulkner said...

I hate the whole Christmas farce and never get involved in it and so I'm relaxed as far as that goes. Hard to be relaxed about everything else that's going on though.
Strictly has been it's usual superb entertainment and I too will miss it after next weekend and this year I haven't been able to settle on a favourite, they're all equal.

Debby said...

Tree up today and some cookie baking tomorrow. No stress here. What gets done gets done. What doesn't, doesn't. Christmas will come any way.

Rachel Phillips said...

Weather forecasting isn't easy, I don't recall any predictions but then I don't follow the media. No Christmas tizz here, it will be just another day for me.

Brenda said...

Beautiful here in Florida, but I had my share of winters elsewhere…lovely time of year…Christmas music and the trees. I do Minimal now but love it. Festive and sweet and merry. Children…glad you are staying warm and enjoying your cards.

Ellen D. said...

We might get some snow this week. I have to finish menu planning and food shopping but all gifts are set. It is coming so quickly now! Stay warm!

Jan said...

Not cold here, but many days of rain and fog.
We will get to relax next week. We are keeping our 15 month old grandson this week, so no relaxing for us right now!

Anonymous said...

Downsizing Christmas these last couple of years, and last year we donated our large Xmas tree to charity for a much smaller version.
Have not been sending cards, rather emailing.
It's amazing the peace when you take the pressure off yourself, though those in their 90's in the family are still pushing valiantly to keep the traditions alive. We acknowlege the needs of the young ones to do what they want and where at this time, and they prefer money in a card. Times change, as do families.
Weather in December in South Australia has been cool, and there is still a lot of damaging flooding in country areas, expecting to peak in the coming weeks. - Pam.

Bea said...

Compared to the Dales our weather has been tolerable. Midday we've had highs of 13C. Overnight has seen slightly colder temps, but nothing too frigid. Freezing fog sounds rather ominous! Enjoy the cocoa. :)

gz said...

That is serious Weather!!

Heather said...

Freezing fog always scares me and I worry for all drivers having to travel in it.
You seem to be well organized for Christmas. I posted my cards earlier this year so I hope they will reach their destinations in time, in spite of the postal strikes.
Strictly has given us surprises galore this time and the remaining couples are all so good. The final will probably throw up a few more surprises.
I believe there is a new series of The Pottery Throw Down coming in the New Year and am looking forward to that. Quite different from Strictly of course, but fascinating viewing.

Susan said...

It's freezing here as well. I love seeing all the glowing Christmas lights inside houses and then the houses that have strung lights on their landscape shrubs. It is all quite cheerful in the cold dark winter nights.

Granny Sue said...

Freezing fog sounds terrible. Being inside writing Christmas cards sounds cozy though. Stay warm!

Debby said...

Freezing fog does not sound like a fun time. Glad you're tucked up inside! Only 11 days until Christmas!

Hilde said...

We had -6°C last night, and it stayed frosty all day. I had a massive baking session. I had read as a tip for saving energy to prepare the doughs in advance and then bake several kinds of cookies one after another and with two or three baking sheets in the oven at the same time. So I prepared five different doughs, on on Sunday, three on Monday and one yesterday morning, and formed and baked eleven sheets of cookies in only about two hours, saving all the energy I would have needed to heat up the oven five times. And I had to clean the kitchen only once!
Hilde in Germany

Librarian said...

I am impressed by Hilde's efficient baking session! Care to list what kind of cookies you made? My favourites are Heidesand; my Mum gets them perfectly right but somehow I never managed this art.

It's been -8C here during the night and still below freezing point during the day, in spite of the sun. Today, snowfall is forecast for most of the day. I shall only pop out for a few fresh groceries to last me until Friday, when I will hopefully board the first of two trains carrying me to O.K.'s.

Christmas will be very different for me this year, the first one without my Dad. But I still cherish the TRUE spirit of Christmas (not what consumerism has made of it).

thelma said...

No baking here. I shall make a red cabbage casserole at sometime to be put in the freezer, but our party does not eat sweet things, apart from Lillie who is a chocomania. A 'tree' of sprouts of course for Xmas and a chicken. For supper I have suggested plates full of charcuterie and cheeses. Help yourself food is easy.

Anne Brew said...

No Turkey this year for the first time ever. Too many vegetarians in the growing family now - just feels wrong.
Grandchildren get money in a homemade card made with photos of themselves during the year - and an annual! Eldest ( 11 ) still asks for a Beano annual - what good taste!

Rachel Phillips said...

Driving in freezing fog is not as it used to be with cars as they are today. Windscreens do not freeze up as you go along so in fact freezing fog is really now something for the history books. It is just plain and simply fog in frosty weather.

Melinda from Ontario said...

I finished most of my shopping yesterday. The decorations are up and I made an effort to cut back this year. (I'm trying to be a bit more minimalist.) I hope to make gingerbread men later today. Christmas isn't Christmas to me without some kind of gingery treat.

Hilde said...

Librarian, I made bear´s paws, Vanillekipferl, lemon balls, Spekulatius and Marzipan cookies. As long it says in the recipe "let the dough rest" you can keep it for three or four days in the fridge until you have time to bake. I will surely bake Bethmännchen and simple cut out cookies. Heidedsand is very special, even though the recipe looks easy, it it hard to get it right.

Librarian said...

Mmmm, lovely, Hilde!! You'd be welcome to all the Marzipan cookies, but I'd definitely go for the Bärentatzen and Vanillekipferl. The way they softly crumble in the mouth...!

The Weaver of Grass said...

Yes, I still wish the judges chose the winner rather than the public but that's showbiz. I shall miss Strictly and agree with you Derek - the finalists are all good,

Hope the weather eases off a bit though.

Rachel Phillips said...

The fact that the judges do not choose the winner put me off Strictly some years ago and it appeared to me to make a mockery of having a professional judges panel when the general public could overturn their decisions by voting for their favourite tv personalities irrespective of anything related to dancing.