It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas Off Topic Chat

I finally got my Christmas jumpers washed today, once they're packed away, I'm just waiting for my Poinsettia to die and that'll be the last of the Christmas stuff packed up to the attic until December. The Poinsettia is practically dead at this stage, there's not a single green leaf left on it and only three flowers, two of which are pretty withered looking. I don't know why I bother with them every year, although I do manage to keep them alive for Christmas. anyone got any tips?

They love tomato food and keeping them out of direct sunlight are two big tips to help them thrive. Also away from draughts really helps them.

https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-grow-poinsettias/

Another windy day in North Dublin second line of washing out 😂 did the weekly shop earlier in Dunnes and simply better range has a new selection of crisps I picked up whiskey smoked bacon crinkle cut I can confirm they are delicious they had others they just caught my eye I was partial to a Sam Spudz Smokey Bacon crisp if anyone remembers them ?

Lots of washing drying folding here today maybe pop to the little one grandparents in awhile I think take away later dinner went totally out of my head for this evening while doing the shopping 😂🤦‍♀️

have a great day everyone

@TRS30 sounds like you have a smart meter?

Busy last couple of days here. Finally got the rest of the Christmas bedclothes washed, ironed and packed away in the attic so that's the last of it put away for another few months.

Even braved the garden today and did some weeding, sweeping etc to make the front look vaguely respectable

Went and did the shopping today with an eye on the weather and stocking up on ingredients for "hearty" meals this week because it's going to be nice and cold. Plenty of stews and soups are called for over the next few days 💪

Great to see the daffodils starting to peep up above the surface over the last week. You can literally see them poke up higher with each passing day. 🤩

We are all allowed feel sorry for ourselves every now and again, fair play lad.

It's still up and I still love it ❤️

Weekend flew, not looking forward to the alarm going off tomorrow morning.

Couldn't agree more, it's stunning.

Morning all,

@pigtail33 I got a little laugh from your post about the poinsettias...Mr. CL bought two this Christmas & when he brought them home, I said "oh wonderful, another two to add my list of dead poinsettias". Other plants I can keep alive, poinsettias take one look at me and wilt on the spot 😂

@Caranica that tree is beautiful!

Feeling a bit meh this morning and trying to shake it off. Long night with our nearly 3 year old who still doesn't sleep, was up for over two hours with her last night. She wasn't awake for all of it, but after the second time of getting out of bed to her, I was wide awake & it took forever (plus another three trips to her room) to get back to sleep 😴

I've actually started to feel sorry for the poinsettia that comes into my house. Although this year, I think I picked up a dud in the shop. When I took the plastic sleeve off it, half the leaves came off with it.

Just had a lovely lunchtime walk, it's a lovely bright day and not actually that cold once you are walking. Much nicer than milder, damp weather! Back home to a bowl of leek and potato soup - honestly, the soup maker is one of the best kitchen appliances!

Saw a hack on Twitter this morning. Hot water in a ziplock bag and rub it over the ice. Much safer than free flowing water and less work than the other options.

Thanks for all your lovely tree comments folks. It's up for another 10 days or so. Just too busy at weekends and I'm not facing it after work of an evening. So I get to enjoy it instead.

Hope everyone can stay warm and safe. My phone says it's -4 this morning ❄️ Obviously @Jude13 it's more than a little bit warmer where you are. Right now I'm very jealous 😂