Preeeeepare ye the way of the lord. Or not. Prepare ye the new living room? Yes, more like it.

The day started oddly as Anna went to school and the rest of us didn't go anywhere. Poor thing. Then, as we have thirty (well, twenty-eight now, but thirty were invited) people coming for food tomorrow there was tidying and vacuuming and organising and cooking and such. Our new fireplace got a work out (and we handed the builder a cheque for same -- when he handed Sally the bill, she asked Do I need to sit down? No he replied you're made of strong stuff.) and our new huge bookcase got some books thrown into it. They look pitiful. We need more books!

I got a little grumpy about some stuff that needn't trouble y'all but I was given a talking to and jizzed myself up and got into second or third gear, christmas wise. Paddy and I went and got a second tree and I put it up and decorated it mostly myself. There was a slight erk! moment when the lights I was putting on went bzzt and one of the bulbs started smoking, but I replaced it and all seems fine now. Both rooms that have trees in them have smoke alarms too. This seems sensible. More lights were placed about the house and a more invasive air of christmas abounds.

Our new fridge continues to rock our domestic world (did I mention our new fridge?) and I amused myself in the latter part of the evening by telling Paddy that it isn't Power Rangers, it's Flower Arrangers. Go, go Flower Arrangers! He didn't bite.

So, tomorrow. Smoked Haddock soup. Baked Ham or Salmon en croute (no less) with twice baked potatoes, spinach and peas. Panna Cotta with cream and berries afterwards.

Wish you were here?