This weekend I am doing an Indy pal a favour and looking after their big kitten for four days. It’s a Russian Blue and a big softy - and a boy called Fifi!! Even the cats in my life are creative! Be nice to have a floof around even for just a few days x

Our family collects its loose change & tosses it into a jar in the kitchen. Four of us & this years change is just a smidge over £50 (used to be hundreds just shows you how often we use our cards now) Bought 18kg of beans and lentils and risotto rice to stock us up for next year! Organised!

Storm Brann fails to breach even one of Scotland’s flood defences after 18 years of SNP Government but 8 500 fail in England talkingupscotlandtwo.com/2025/12/10/9...

Applauds in Scots!!!!

Wholesale UK Electricity is 35% cheaper than the same period in 2024, Gas is 28% cheaper. What about YOUR bills?

One jar of dehydrated “end bits” of green beans (I pickled the middles yesterday) These will be perfect for sprinkling into minestrone soup on those “too much month left at the end of the money” dinners! Trying our best not to waste a scrap x

Six jars of spicy pickled green beans made this morning! So excited to taste these the week before Xmas. What are you prepping for your future feasts?

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Twenty packets of green beans not collected from last nights charity food collection!! We can eat some this week - and I can dry some in the dehydrator for soup in the future. But first I’m going to make pickled green beans for seasonal snacking and cheap charcuterie nights. Happy Monday!!

Got 22 bags of green beans in the charity food collection tonight - what is your favourite way to prepare them … we may be eating them a while 😬

Lots of great stuff collected from the supermarket tonight and listed on the Olio app. It’s chucking it down with rain so here is hoping people are willing to come out and collect in such foul weather. Do what you can my friends to keep the plates and tables around you supplied with food xxx

I only learned a few years ago that the term Xmas is actually very old, and before that people used to call it Twittermas apparently

Ten minutes sit down after a busy morning of Christmas prep!! Bairns have swept, mopped and hoovered through the whole house! All Charity food has been collected! One heavy thing to lift that we have been avoiding but first a beautiful raspberry and hibiscus tea.

Bubbling away!! Scots tablet incoming!

Making two trays of tablet for the local councillors this morning. These will just be a little thank you to the staff at the council that make it all happen. Not a bad way to spend an hour on a dreich and drizzly Sunday!

Yes

I mean … well …. It’s a possibility!!!

This Xmas I have asked for books from my friends. Books they have read & loved and need to live with me for a few months.? As I read each one I will bake a cake - we will talk about the book and it will go home to its original keeper. I get to read, I get to know my friends better - and CAKE!!

Despite being told it’s “common” to share your food on Bluesky - I am! Don’t know why he thought I was in any sense “posh”? Caramelising some onions to make a pot of Mujadarra for dinner tonight - cos the kids pals will be in after school & cold bellies need hot food! So, whats for dinner?

Bonkers selection of food tonight from the Charity Food collection! All gone in 30 minutes - just as well we have a fast packing system!! Local hostel collected milk, toasting bread and doughnuts - they are going to do a hot chocolate supper tonight! Do what you can my friends xx

“Why you asking “who” - why not you? “ A quote from my first ever business mentor - dropped here for consideration ….

My Xmas advent calendar this year is a candle every day to burn … I mean it’s not “chocolate for breakfast” every day … But they are pretty!

Time to send my guiding badges back to the association I see x

Today I gave myself the gift of “no thank-you!” My friend and mum of three messaged yesterday to ask if I could help move furniture, lift their carpet and dump it into the skip as they are getting laminate out down. Reschedule my day, ask my son to come help and we turn up bright and early as …

Erm … same babes!

USA: Time between thanksgiving dinner and and Xmas dinner - three weeks! SCOTLAND: Time between Xmas dinner and the Ne’er Day Steak Pie Dinner …. SEVEN DAYS!!! I’m tired thinking about it too!

We are in need of pretty colours and sparkling lights … So we took an hour this afternoon to put up the tree and lift our moods! If it’s too soon for you - don’t put yours up! This is just for us and our family - you do it when it suits you.

Today is World AIDS Day. We will never ever forget those who were taken so brutally, with love and hope in our hearts for an AIDS-free future. What is remembered lives. 🕯️

Oooh - adding this to next weeks menu plan x

It’s half seven and I SHOULD head into my store cupboard with my coffee and sort out my dry goods! BUT Sitting here with my book for an hour before booting up the computer seems like a much better idea! So - here I sits!!!

How lovely - the festive flowers and foliage have arrived in the charity food collection this evening! I bet some crafty Mums are going to make great decorations. There are loaves of bread, baking potatoes and lots of veggies and fruit … so full healthy bellies for the week to come xx #Olio

Pre Christmas tidy up of the Armageddon cupboard!! No one will go hungry at my table for sure!!! Tomorrow I tackle the dried goods … so far all that’s on the shopping list is sesame oil!!

Stock taking my Storecupboard this morning … making sure I use up the filled jars before I replace them with Turkey stock again. Baby potatoes and tomato sauce = Patatas Bravas for lunch …. But what to do with 24 jars of nectarines??

“El Chapo, come on down. You’re the next contestant on If The Price Is Right.”

I think I need to know where this pub is!!!!

My American friends - your feasts yesterday were very yummy! But the pie for breakfast and sandwiches from leftovers today have been EPIC!!

Why I don’t trust ai!! It hallucinates even the most basic info! St Andrews Day, November the 30th 2025, is next SUNDAY and not YESTERDAY! I mean if it can’t even track the basics like a calendar I’m not sure I need it in my business

Whaaaaatttt? Thanksgiving green bean casserole is green beans in mushroom Soup??? I feel kind of cheated TBH

The wise ones have spoken! You don’t have enough butter!

He is risen

Well, well, well ….. not even remotely surprised are you?

Why yes … there may be a St Andrews feast this week and I may have been busy making tablet to supply a sweet treat for all my friends. 100 pieces of tablet - made, wrapped and heading off to the organisers in an hour xx

Sometimes I think it’s going to be the librarians who will save us all.

Friends in my phone Talk to me about Substack! Got a new project and debating the utility of private Blog v app based circulation. Thing is, first 5 notes on my feed are racist AF and that just isn’t me! What’s you pros and cons - and more importantly what’s your own experience? #substack

The Forth Bridge #scotland #photography

See you in Whamhalla. #Whamageddon2025

Oooh - I have to say that does sound amazing!!