The big day has arrived. Another big day. There are lots of them. This big day is the annual Morning Star carol session. A not to be missed banger where we sing all my fave carols accompanied by lots of beer (warm Guinness) and mince pies.
Jacket potahtoes flunch today. Keeping it simple. Choice of toppings. Quite like beans meself though it does depend on the mood or the occasion. A jacket can form part of a dinner where something a little more savoury might be appropriate. A sauce of some sort. Gravy like. With a knob of butter. Anyway today it will be beans for me and I did hear others mention cheese and Coleslaw. I might even add a sausage. Living the dream. Then I won’t want much before heading to the Star.
Now up and at it in da kitch. Our John is back from Berlin and also already up.
4th Sunday in advent today btw. I realise you already knew that. Probably lit your candle and opened your advent calendar to retrieve the chocolate/whisky miniature/plastic scale model of the Virgin Mary. Is that a thing? For the devout perhaps.
I’ve never had an advent calendar. I’m not looking for sympathy. Not sure it was a thing when I was a kid. I have had chocolate and a whisky miniature. Not when I was a kid. Obvs. The whisky that is. Actually our one annual tipple as a kid was a bottle of Babycham each on Christmas Day and maybe also Boxing Day. Disgusting stuff. Tried it a few years ago for old times sake.
There are noises off. Upstairs. Not sure this is just THG and Berliner John. I’ll nip upstairs in a bit. To check.
So this morning whilst THG is at her usual devotions in church, made extra special by the advent thing, I will be out and about sourcing more provisions and maybe even a small gift for that special someone. We keep thinking of new things to add to the shopping list. Hoping they will have had a new delivery of Epoisses.
My 2024 shopping list is drawing to a close. In January I will start a new one entitled Tref’s Shopping List 2025. Obvious really. You might be able to guess the name of the 2024 list. I never delete things off the list. Just add new dates and line items. It doesn’t represent a comprehensive guide to what I’ve bought over the year as things often appear in the trolley that aren’t on the list but it is part of my series of historical documents. Ditto Tref’s Jobslist 2024 etc. You might have to wait until I am dead and gone before gaining access but that is simply the way of things.
Anyway see ya at the Morning Star later, maybs. Ciao amigos.
Today’s banging tune is at the request of Guy Osborne. I do try to accommodate requests wherever possible.
We wish you a merry Christmas x3
And a happy new year!
Good tidings we bring to you and your kin;
We wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year.
Now bring us a figgy pudding x3
And bring it us here!
Oh we won’t go until we’ve got some x3
So give it us here!
Oh we all like figgy pudding x 3
So bring it out here!
…
At ten fifteen this morning, on the 4th Sunday of advent (as you know) Waitrose was totes chaos. I left the main wine shop until tomorrow where they will hopefully have had another delivery. Ditto epoisses. The lady behind the deli counter said she had ordered some but it hadn’t arrived yet. Bought some brie as a backup.
Home by elevenish. That’s enough gadding about for now. The house is a hive of activity.
…
Back after another great carol session at the Morning Star. Biggest crowd we’ve ever had. Some guy said he’d come from Boston because he had heard how good it was 🙂 V satisfying. It was quite emotional really especially towards the end when everyone stood up to sing O Come All Ye Faithful and Hark The Herald Angels Sing. Two absolutely banging tunes.
Thassit now for public engagements for the year 🙂 Hereon it is all about family although the family was there tonight. The lads have shot off drinking in the Bail or simlar. The great thing is that I am pretty sure the kids will continue the carol singing tradition long after THG and I are gone. They all make sure they are home for it. Very satisfying.
Home now to a warm house. Might have a nightcap in a bit. Once I’ve finished left handed typing this post. I’m sprawled on a sofa in the front room. There are sounds of conversation emanating from the snug but I can’t quite hear what is being said.
If you were there, thanks for coming. If you didn’t make it you missed a great night. The cold shouldn’t put you off.