Lathany

quisalan visited today on her way to Isleworth. We talked Christmas and Christmas presents and 2011. She and Bea compared shiny scarves and there was much discussion of hats.

I've spent most of the day in front of my screen playing Recettear: An Item Shop's Tale. It's been a long time since I had a whole day to spend playing 'pooter games. And I'm thoroughly enjoying Recettear - shopping and dungeoning.

The duo got up at 5am to open the presents in their stockings. This consisted of four edibles (always appreciated!) and six non-edibles each of which Bea's charm bracelet (metal/plastic mix) and Ryan's car were a huge hit. However, I need to get them bigger stockings next year.

bateleur and I got up at the more sensible time of 9:30am and we all had fruit salad and yoghurt for breakfast. Then a phone call from an old friend and some necessary caffeine, followed by the eagerly anticipated tree presents. My own hoard was:

• A 3D puzzle of Tower Bridge from my parents-in-law
• Last Window: the sequel to Hotel Dusk which I loved from chrestomancy
• Fire Emblem from bateleur which I have heard good things about
• The Fall by Nora Jones also from bateleur
• Dark Heresy from quisalan

And, on the subject of the last - anyone interested in a 40K roleplaying one-off, if I get around to running one next year? I haven't read through it yet, but the rule book looks detailed and beautiful. I also got a (half share with bateleur in a) grumpy sack boy (LittleBigPlanet) courtesy of chrisvenus earlier in the month.

Christmas dinner was awesome. Everything cooked just right (chicken, bacon, sausage, roast potatoes, roast parsnip, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, stuffing and gravy). It helped that we were only cooking for the four of us. We set the table fully for once (napkins, deep red candles, wine glasses all round and crackers) which the duo loved. However, there will be a longish short pause before we worry about the pudding.

In other news - our cat may be a fake feline - he didn't spend the end of the cooking time trying to run off with the chicken.

Today I cooked a Cappuccino Cake from an "easy" recipe that I found on the internet. I'm impressed with the resulting cake - it actually looks like its picture. I'm hoping it tastes OK too. The occasion is bateleur's birthday - he wanted a coffee cake and I gave him four recipes that I'd found to choose from.

Today has been full of housework. My parents-in-law are arriving tomorrow so I have done a washing load, cleaned both bathrooms, helped Bea with her Xmas cards and made Pink Dolly Pasta with Ryan.

Today has also been full of snow - much to Reeve's annoyance. But then I'd be upset too if it snowed in my toilet.

I finished The Red House Mystery by A A Milne yesterday on the train. I really liked it. Additionally, it reminded me of Agatha Christie in all sorts of ways. It was the same sort of upper-class killing and there was an amateur detective on the scene to solve the crime. However, whilst the "Queen of Crime" tended to have half-a-dozen people with motives, this concentrated on the details of the crime and very few characters. Now I've finished it, I'm sorry to discover that it was the only mystery novel he wrote.

Today the conversation turned to cat genetics and the extent to which cats look like their parents. I thought of lanfykins and some of the things she'd said on the subject.

Today was a day of jobs. I put on the school uniform washload (Ryan's jumper is on the radiator so that it dries in time for tomorrow), did my ironing, cooked Shepherd's Pie with Bea and did all the sewing jobs I had lined up (the torn net curtains in the lounge, a button on my black coat and the waist on my reindeer pyjamas).

I also watched lanfykins play Little Big Planet with Bea/Dom which concluded with a frying pan demonstration.

This lunchtime I met up with someone I used to work with for lunch (chicken and mustard baguette with a latte). This evening I met up with two people I worked with 'til recently for drinks and dinner (half a bottle of Pinot Grigio, third of a bottle of Shiraz and a four seasons pizza). I am now happy and tipsy. And it's the work Xmas party tomorrow - I timed this wrong.

Today was the meeting closest to Xmas, so the working lunch included turkey, little fig tartlets, small sausages and mince pies. It made a pleasant change.

Even better, that was my last big meeting of the year. Plus I have two lunchs, the office Xmas do and evening drinks with former colleagues between now and Christmas. December's looking pretty good.

Today was the Meteor session at which Bea got to try out her new dice and the combat system was seriously tested (note to self: must polish the combat system).

The party are still alive and well but at odds about the limits of their moral duties. Also, they have categorised their characters into paladin, rogue and sorcerer (plus bateleur's DPC).

We put the Christmas decorations up before the session - so the tree is up and happy (after replacing a light). I cut my hand on some broken glass from a decoration - but that was my own stupid fault (Bea was warning me anxiously to be careful).

Finally, there's a faint glimmer of hope for the cold spell to end this week. The BBC forecast for Ashford hits 6 degrees on Friday (shock, horror!). However, this is the fifth day, which is usually extensively revised, so I mustn't get too hopeful yet.