17 Flower arranging video clips

On Day 17 of Advent, in the window between taking the granola out of the oven and solving the latest knitting crisis, I found myself mesmerised by the tiny flower arranging videos my phone sends me when I should be making him indoors a promised coffee. My head is now awash with the thoughts of mother-in-laws tongue, barbecue skewers and goldfish. Well, perhaps not the goldfish – they don’t seem very seasonal and ours haven’t been seen since June…I am not getting my dooker on to look for them. I am taking this, though, as a message through the aether that it is time to start thinking about Christmas decor. I have added it to the checklist. Here are the scores on the doors for day 17:

• Leftover party tiramisu given away to prevent further consumption – one large tub. One further tub remains….
• Christmas jumpers knitted – Yesterday I unwound the arms and added in a satisfactory pink stripe. Today’s task is to unravel half the back purple section and then make the back and front match up with the sleeves. Today’s problem, is that I just don’t think there’s enough of the purple to entirely match what I’ve done on the sleeves. I am thinking I might tweak a bit and hope no one notices
• cards remembered that were omitted from the written pile – I remembered a couple mid granola – but have forgotten one again whilst suddenly recalling a third. No idea where the addresses are…A further 2 parcels posted. This is it for parcels – I am drawing stumps
• Presents – hampers remain half filled, still just need one more decent baking day and then I’m really done. Festive granola cooling in the pantry awaiting the fruit selection (job for tomorrow) Definitely after that its the wrapping….
• bulbs planted – none. Tomorrow????
• gift pheasants plucked – 2. Stock in the oven and meat bagged up for a new year game pie.
• pilates exercises completed – basic selection, but its the thought that counts
• Decorations – not commenced. Still at the interesting video clip phase

The morning’s excitement was running Mum back to Selkirk for a meeting with the solicitors (oh frabjous joy). To leaven that particular lump (and you’ll all be relieved to hear at least some of the title deeds have turned up) I took in the post office on the way out and the egg farm on the way back. As I thought I would spare Lyra the conveyancing discussions, it was well into the afternoon when we headed off to The Hirsel for a walk (which I cunningly combined with the purchase of chocolate drops for luxury granola). The loch was glass smooth. As we passed, heading for the coo circular, a bevvy of swans clambered down into the water and sailed off in smart formation, turning to peer curiously at us as they sailed by.

We ambled round the paths sniffing the smells (Lyra), stalking blackbirds and making mental lists of things to do (me) and then stopped for another look at the swans on the way back to the car. Most of the swans were heading quietly back to the bank, but just out of the corner of my eye I could see somme sort of altercation starting in the middle of the lake. Well things kicked off properly and I clicked away like mad amidst a cacophony of grunting, wing beating and splashing. You can follow the action in the photos below. I can’t decide if this was some serious aggro between two males competing for leadership or a rather rough wooing. If any swan experts are out there know do say.

Back at the ranch, I realised with a little disappointment that the pheasants in the coal shed were just not going to pluck themselves. Whilst I was up to my elbows in feathers on a garden bench, Catriona pointed out to Keith that it was about time some festive cow pellets were distributed. A bit of cleaver wielding later and I had a bag of game pie filling for the freezer and some carcasses for stock. Lyra thought the resultant aromas were extremely enticing. There’s now a toasted oat/nut overlay from the granola and it’s a heady mixture! Anyway – time to crack on with the dodgy jumper. As ever – quiz question and past answer below.

Question 17 Who or what was Wojtek?

16 Which is the odd one out a) (Don’t Fear) The Reaper b) young at Heart c) Comfortably Numb d) Tinseltown in the rain e) Nights in White Satin

c) Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd – the others were by Blue bands a) (Don’t Fear) The Reaper -Blue Öyster Cult b) young at Heart – the Bluebells d) Tinseltown in the rain – Blue Nile e) Nights in White Satin – Moody Blues