A winters day, in a deep and dark December....



I am a rock - Simon and Garfunkel.

Morning all!



SNOWBOUND – GENESIS

FIRST SNOW ON BROOKLYN – JETHRO TULL

A HAZY SHADE OF WINTER – SIMON AND GARFUNKEL

Aha, maybe the reason for the late blog...



Simons been baking a cake.



Happy Birthday to Child 3 :)

Hello again everyone



Winter oldies....



A WINTER'S TALE ~ David Essex



COLD AS ICE ~ Foreigner



IT MAY BE WINTER OUTSIDE (But In My Heart It's Spring) ~ Love Unlimited



HAZY SHADE OF WINTER ~ Simon and Garfunkel



SNOWBIRD ~ Anne Murray



SNOWFLAKE ~ Kate Bush

Good Morning again



Suggestions –



BABY IT’S COLD OUTSIDE ? – Tom & Cerys version?



A HAZY SHADE OF WINTER – Simon & Garfunkel



BUTTON UP YOUR OVERCOAT (TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOURSELF) – The Bonzos



WARM THIS WINTER – Gabriella Cilmi



DECEMBER WILL BE MAGIC AGAIN – Kate Bush



WINTER MELODY – Donna Summer



IT MAY BE WINTER OUTSIDE BUT IN MY HEART IT’S SPRING – Love Unlimited



LET IT SNOW – Dean Martin



SOUTHERN FREEEZE – Freeeze



ICE ICE BABY – Vanilla Ice



COLD AS ICE – Foreigner



A WINTER WONDERLAND – Darlene Love



MARSHMALLOW WORLD – also Darlene



WALKING ON THIN ICE – Yoko



THE SLIDER – Trex



SLIP SLIDING AWAY – Paul Simon



SLIP AND SLIDE – Medicine Head

Jack Frost and the Hooded Crow - Jethro Tull

Off I go to wash my hair and look what happens!.....



BABY IS COLD OUTSIDE - TOM JONES AND CERYS MATTHEWS



will do for starters.

Phew!

Morning Simon & lovely blog folk



Dark & dreich here - actually it is pouring rain now





I AM A ROCK - PAUL SIMON



NORTHERN SKY - NICK DRAKE



UNDER ICE - KATE BUSH



WINTER NIGHT - SCOTT WALKER



A HAZY SHADE OF WINTER - SIMON & GARFUNKEL



COLD AS ICE - FOREIGNER



I SMELL WINTER - THE HOUSEMARTIINS



WINTER WINDS - MUMFORD & SONS



COLDEST WINTER IN MEMORY - AL STEWART



WALK OUT TO WINTER - AZTEC CAMERA

Good Morning All (Just!)



Happy birthday to your child 3, Simon. I trust that he has transformed overnight from sweet boy to sulky teen, a la Harry Enfield's Kevin? Oh well, never mind, we all grow out of it... Eventually! ;-)



Not read anything this year, for shame! I may get more reading time next year... Though, probably not.



Oldie suggestions...



A WINTER'S TALE - DAVID ESSEX



DECEMBER WILL BE MAGIC AGAIN - KATE BUSH



WINTER SONG - CHRIS REA



EVERY DECEMBER SKY - BETH NIELSEN CHAPMAN



IT MAY BE WINTER OUTSIDE (BUT IN MY HEART IT'S SPRING) - LOVE UNLIMITED



SNOW (HEY OH) - THE RED HOT CHILLI PEPPERS (none here though, only rain, but the sun's shining now :))

Morning Simon, team, NYM, Queen Karon of the Blog, and seasonal blogsters,



CALFORNIA DREAMIN’ - The Mamas & The Papas



HAZY SHADE OF WINTER – Simon & Garfunkel



WINTER WINDS – Mumford & Sons



IT MAY BE WINTER OUTSIDE (BUT IN MY HEART IT’S SPRING) - Love Unlimited



WARM THIS WINTER – Gabriella Cilmi



WINTER COAT – Martin Harley Band



WINTERTIME LOVE – The Byrds



SONG FOR A WINTER’S NIGHT – Gordon Lightfoot (those Canadians again!)



COLD SHOT – Stevie Ray Vaughan



DECEMBER 1963 – Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons



And finally, how about 1 minute of loveliness from Andy Burrows?

WINTER – ANDY BURROWS

Good Morning Simon, Team and (again) Blogpoppets



Happy birthday to Mayo Child 3!



#winteroldies



HAZY SHADE OF WINTER - Simon and Garfunkel (or The Bangles)0



BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE - Tom Jones and Cerys Matthews



CALIFORNIA DREAMIN' - Mamas and Papas



SNOW - Red Hot Chilli Peppers



WINTER TIME - Steve Miller Band



FROZEN - Madonna



~X~

Snow surprise posted the suggestions below before she took to her sick bed



Winter - Rolling Stones



Winter Time - Steve Miller Band





And from me



WINTER WONDERLAND - JOHNNY MATHIS



WHITE WINTER HYMNAL - FLEET FOXES

SLIP SLIDIN’ AWAY - PAUL SIMON



WINTERTIME LOVE - THE DOORS



WINTER TIME - STEVE MILLER BAND



CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’ - THE MAMAS & THE PAPAS



WINTER - TORI AMOS



FOUR STRONG WINDS - NEIL YOUNG



WHITE WINTER HYMNAL - FLEET FOXES



THE SUN AIN’T GOING TO SHINE ANYMORE - WALKER BROTHER



HEJIRA - JONI MITCHELL



WINTER WINTER - THE WATERBOYS (It is 34 seconds long so if pushed for time ....)

#7



Min Spy,



"BABY IS COLD OUTSIDE"





So lend her your coat...





;o)

Oh, there you all are.



Twas still loitering ont'other side, hehehe.



After all that waiting, I have no inspiration whotsoever.



Shall have a proper thunk and maybes be back later.



A.

And of course, as soon as I posted on the old blog....!



Choon chase - just a couple from me:

Cold as Ice - Foreigner

Colder Weather - The Zac Brown Band

Shiver - Coldplay

Frosty the Snowman - The Ronettes



Good books? So many this year. Will poop back with a few faves.

#7 - BABY IS COLD ?!.........Well it would be, wouldn't it.....



BABY ITS COLD OUTSIDE sounds better!

Looks like we've all had extra time to put on our thinking caps this morning. But I miss the to-and-fro of seeing everyone else's suggestions, which usually inspire me to go off in a different direction.



HAND IN GLOVE - The Smiths



INVISIBLE SUN - The Police

MAD AS THE MIST AND SNOW ~ The Waterboys (from An Appointment with Mr Yeats)

Thanks for the TWO mentions last week Simon, after months of (fairly sporadic) trying!



#5 & 9 seem to have everything covered, but how about



CALIFORNIA DREAMING - Mamas & Papas

I CAN'T STAND THE RAIN - Eruption

IT MIGHT AS WELL RAIN UNTIL SEPTEMBER - Carol King

NORTHERN LIGHTS - Renaissance



That's my lot for today



Ambulance Chaser

#15 - Thank you Scotch Git - 'fingers faster than brain' problem!



Mr has put in a request for soda bread which he saw on the tele the other day so his wish etc etc



See you later



;0))

Probably all suggested already but....



AZTEC CAMERA - Walk Out To Winter



STATUS QUO - Ice In The Sun



GABRIELLA CILMI - Warm This Winter



RAY CHARLES - Baby It's Cold Outside



MADONNA - Frozen



PETER GABRIEL - Steam (for breath on chilly mornings!)



FOREIGNER - Cold As Ice



BLOOD SWEAT & TEARS - Sometimes In Winter



STEELEYE SPAN - Winter



KATE RUSBY - Little Jack Frost

Books? I've read some fantastic books this year - and some truly dreadful ones - coffee & a think ....



Snow Surprise - hope you are ok, thinking about you

WINTER IN JULY - Bomb the Bass



#1HW

Early Afternoon Greetings Si Pal & ALL Bloggies...



Bingo Star 'ere...



That was good timing.... Just got up after finishing me late late shift and a looked at the blog.... No new blog... Then suddenly there wazza new blog!!!!!!!!!!!!

Most pleasant timings!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Talking of which me cycling timings but firstly....



Si Pal - 'appy Birthdee greetings ter the 3rd of the pack now reaching the magic 13!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The BIG Q is is the birthdee child a boy or a girl.... Depending on which 13 could be an unlucky number for yerself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



As for books the only book a can recommend ter all and a good Christmas present..... The 'ighway Code!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can save lives all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Ok yesterdee a went out on me 20k promenade cycle ride ter try and seeing light winds were forecast a thought a good dee ter try and beat me fastest time!!!!!!!

From the start a cycled as 'ard as a could!!!!!!!!

And ter be 'onest a didn't think a was gonna beat me time!!!!!!

A felt sluggish lacking in power!!!!!!!!!

A was coming up with blog excuses of 'ow after eating a full pack of club biscuits the night before this 'ad ruined me cycling!!!!!!!!!

What was a man ter do.... The were/ are on BOGOF offer so 4 packs were bought.... " of mint and 2 of orange.... Both equally me favourite flavours!!!!!!!!

(still go 3 packs ter go... Well after last night at work 2 ter go!!!!!).

Yes the only thing that stand sbetween me and Olympic success is less excess on the choccy goodies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A am clinging on ter one of the most importnat quotes of the 2012 Olympics when Laura Trott said she enjoys alotta chocolate despite 'er tought diet..... So maybe yer can do it with added chocolate!!!!!!!!

Although they do say dark chocolate is a power food for cyclists!!!!!!!!!!

And a can tell yer the milk chocolate on me clubs looked dark enough for me.... Especially in me truck at 11pm!!!!!!!!!!!

These dark nights are most usful... MOST useful all!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Anyway where was a??????



Oh I yeah..... Cycling along the prom a wasn't feeling as powerful/ energetic as a thought a should ter beat me time!!!!!!!!!!

A wasn't slow either just not able ter keep a cadence up of 90 which wa sme target!!!!!!!!!

A was doing a steady 70 in top gear!!!!!!!!!!

Still 18mph-ish!!!!!!!!!!

Then a 'eaded back in the other direction..... Despite the forecast of a 4mph wind yer can always double that on the prom/ sea front what with it being so exposed!!!!!!!!!

Ave started concentraing on me technique driving the pedals down with each stroke!!!!!!!

It was 'ard going but a was going as fast as a could!!!!!!!

Upto 77/ 80 cadence on return with a little 'elp from a side wind slightly behind me!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A wanted ter go faster but couldn't!!!!!!!

A was trying ter work out where is the feeling of pain/ resistanc ethat's stopping me from doing a cadence of 90 or 105-ish ter be as fast as Wiggo lad!!!!!!!!!!!??????

It was fully me lungs although a was breathing 'ard fighting.... So aprtly me fitness/ stamina levels are not good enough!!!!!!!!!

But the one area is me legs are strong but a need VERY powerful legs!!!!!!!!!!

A do think a need ter get to the gym and build power and strength into me legs so a can really force those pedals down 'ard.... That coupled with improved stamina are the 2 things that come together to make a fast cyclist!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Anyway a carried on with me ride and a was suprised when a got te rNew Brighton.... 33 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2 whole minutes up on me best time to there!!!!!!!!

A turned around back intot he wind and really tried for 'ome as fast as possible!!!!!!!!!!

At first 16mph.... But soon a got into a good rythm and 18mph against the breeze!!!!!!!

In powered 'ome.... Checking the time on me cycle computer.... THis could be VERY VERY good!!!!!!!!!!!

I flew 'ome gasping for breath!!!!!!!!

Stopped my cycle!!!!!!!!!!!!

I looked at me timer......



45.38!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Smashing me previous best of 47.27!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



In only a week ave gone from 49 minutes ter 45.... 10 per cent better!!!!!!!!!!



A don't know what is 'appening to me but something is.... Both me cycle ter work and on the prom me times despite me not thinking i'm fit enough are dropping fast!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe it's each night on the way 'ome from work.... On the long 1km up 'ill section.... There's a church near the top with a 'oly statue in the front garden of the church... A white one of Jesus 'olding out 'is arms!!!!!!!!!!!

A often pass late at night in the early 'ours.... Nobody around.... It's quite.... Bit spooky..... But I often look, totally gasping for breath trying ter force meself uphill in top gear, I often look at the religeous figure and say a little prayer asking god to 'elp me find the power ter get up the 'ill.......



It seems ter be working!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My goodneeeeeessssss when a started writing a could 'ave been blog spot number one as the new blog 'ad just appeared..... But am in position 26!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



Nice ter see business on the blog is brisk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



PS On winter oldies.... Firstly Becky Pike is more than welcome ter come cycling with me when it's frosty..... Am sure then when she 'as a freezing 'ead wind in 'er cheeks and water streaming from 'er eyes due to the cold.... Then she will say "ok yes.... It's winter!!!!!!!!!!!@!!!@!!@!"



Winter tunes:



A Winter's Tale by The Essex Lad.... (forgoteen 'is name!!!!)

Dedicated to the much-missed Katy.....





COMFORTABLY NUMB - Pink Floyd

Afteroon all



Winter related songs



Winters Tale - David Essex

Cold as ice - Foreigner

Ring out soltice bells - Jethron Tull



I'm sure I'll think of some more (usually too late)

So back to books. Updates of series I'm reading:

Whispers Underground - Ben Aaronovitch (great series and I think Rivers of London was one of the first books the book club did)

Shadow of Night - Deborah Harkness (All Souls Trilogy 2)

Nine Uses for an Ex-Boyfriend - Sarra Manning (not as good as her 1st 2 adult books, but still fun chick-lit)

The Song of Achillies - Madeleine Miller



I haven't read the ubiquitous "Fifty Shades" and I have Bringing up the Bodies in my "Christmas holidays" pile (along with 5/6 others so I hoping for a lot of snow and not much else to do!

That's 'is name.... A see alot going for The Essex aka David aka Lovejoy lookalike!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1



A beautiful tune A Winter's Tale about 'eart break and loneliness as the cold of winter desends onter a 'eart..... Now frozen by failed love!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

hi all



winter wonderland-darlene love



warm this winter-gabriella cilmi



cold as ice-foreigner



a winters tale-david essex



a winters tale-queen



ice ice baby-vanillia ice

Morning All,



Happy Birthday to Child 3



'Wild Is the Wind' David Bowie

'Wind Cries Mary' Jimi Hendrix



Have a good day everybody

'Blowing In The Wind' Bob Dylan

WHERE HAVE ALL THE FLOWERS GONE? - Kingston Trio or Joan Baez or Peter, Paul & Mary (and many many more)

Just typical - all that time to prepare for the new blog and now I can't think of anything that hasn't already been suggested at least three times. Many tunes suggested that I've never even heard of - I must be badly out of touch. The best I can offer :-



NORTHERN LIGHTS - RENAISSANCE (best seen at this time of year)

NEW YEAR'S DAY - U2 (much too seasonal, I fear)

Good afternoon folks, still snowy here though the sun is out and it all looks beautiful.



Probably too late now but I shall repeat my suggestion from over the page as, even though the sun is shining we STILL have to have at least one light on. That's an up north winter for you. So



THERE IS A LIGHT THAT NEVER GOES OUT - The Smiths



from me. No wonder my electricity bill is always so big!



As for the suggestions re publicity for my boy's swimming challenge after Chrimble, thank you, I have them noted. Some things will need to be done nearer the time, like the Facebook thing, because I'm still in the early stages of trying to get folk interested before we do a 'full launch' so to speak - I need to know who to mention/thank on any literature we produce before we start. Does that make sense? I feel like I'm talking myself round in circles. Perhaps that's why I'm failing so dismally to get any support yet - won't need to mention anyone! I'm beginning to think I've bitten off far more than I can chew, I'm simply no good at this pr/marketing thing, and I really don't want to let my son down because he is so keen and excited and raring to go and desperatley wants to raise as much money as possible for that roof.



Sorry, I'm waffling again, I'll go. Maybe back later.



SE x



PS #5 Billie, where are the other 141? ;0)

Good Afternoon Each!



'Little In The Way Of Sunshine' by Half Man Half Biscuit

How remiss of me - I forgot to wish Mayo #3 a very happy birthday - those hormones will be raging around for a few years yet!

Sorry Simon, too wrapped in Channel swimming, no excuse - Happy Birthday Mayo Child #3 on your metamorphosis from Tween to Teen !

The best book I have read this year is "Eloise" by Judy Finnegan. It's a story set in Cornwall about a woman whose friend has tragically died too young and left behind grieving family and friends including small children. However, the children are in danger and the dead woman uses her friend to try to save them. It's a ghost story of sorts but very cleverly done and kept me hooked till the end.

STEP INSIDE, LOVE - Cilla Black



Happy Birthday to MayoChild#3! I was just thinking on Sunday morning, as GoodChild#3 crept into our bed and snuggled up to watch MOTD, how soon this will change when he's 13 next year and joins the horrible hormone-infested monosyllabic brutes that are his older brothers!

And, while I'm still here, I'm struggling on the who's who with some of the new names so apologies in advance for any mishaps I might make in the coming weeks.

Ice ice baby by Vanilla Ice

Winter's Tale by David Essex

#37 - Erica - on the other hand, it doesn't really get dark in summer 'up north'.



#40 - sounds like mini-Mayo #3 has just emerged from a cocoon - very Kafkaesque(happy birthday to him BTW)

Good afternoon all



Very late to the blog today and no chance to check back so sorry if these tunes have already been selected



MANDOLIN WIND - ROD STEWART



WHEN THE THAMES FROZE - SMITH AND BURROWS



WITCHITA LINEMAN - GLENN CAMBELL

Afternoon all - Had a lovely weekend on the floating caravan with the heater on full all Saturday night - then Mr Aquaplane's back there this afternoon as he forgot his car keys! Never mind - a beautiful view of the Langdales and Fairfield Horseshoe. As a tune-age, how about:



SNOWBLIND - STYX



Another band we don't hear enough of. TTFN

BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE - Tom Jones and Cerys Matthews



Winter's Just a Dream - The Saw Doctors https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGwNg3lxaNI



Home from the Sea - Fisherman's Friend's the opening lines say it all 'On a cold winters night With a storm at its height The lifeboat answered the call.' The Lifeboats are always there 24/7 365 days a year.

Winter? On a dark damp day like today, the best advice is:



LET'S GO TO BED - The Cure



Well, it's not as if there's going to be another theme where that can be played!

*sips on lemsip*



Thank you posting my suggestions Min Spy.



WINTER - ROLLING STONES



WINTER TIME - STEVE MILLER BAND



My favourite book this year was Memoirs of an Imaginery Fried by Matthew Green which the imaginery friend tells the story about a little boy and how he saves him from danger. Oh and Itch of course by a certain Mr Mayo.



*snuggles back under the duvet*

#48 HoHoHo Johno... good choice but sadly, Simon doesn't play Saw Doctors' songs!



Johno, they were on great form the other night in Edinburgh.

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8057/8240197066_9557cf166a_c.jpg



Spot the tune!

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8203/8240197134_d217508854_c.jpg



While I was taking a picture of them before they left the stage....

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8480/8239136403_5a06d45eb1_c.jpg



... they took a pic of us - I can see me on the edge of the balcony, camera in hand!

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8487/8240197026_d9d27e90d7_c.jpg

#50 Pants! Imaginary

Sun now shining - biblical amounts of rain forecast for later. Lovely frothy coffee in hand.



Happy Birthday Child 3!



I am no better at narrowing down book choices than tune choices but it has been a good year for books; I do read twice as much since I got a kindle a few years ago. I also listen to audiobook a lot when walking, driving or doing boring stuff.





A POSSIBLE LIFE - SEBASTIAN FAULKS

Easily my favourite of the bookclub choices I read this year. There is a fantastic line about “the fearful joy of communion” and I guess that is the theme that runs through the five stories; the impact our choices make on us and those around us; how communicating can be frankly terrifying but it is what connects us.



Ultimately it is quite a melancholic (and in places harrowing) book about possible lives not lived because of choices make. The idea we wouldn’t make the same “mistakes” the second time around and how our atoms are recycled. What we might have been if we made difference choices. I certainly waste too much time thinking “what if I had got on that bus 20 years ago” etc. I loved it; one of the best books I have read this year.





RIVERS OF LONDON - BEN AARONOVITCH

I also enjoyed this earlier bookclub choice. Interesting mix of crime and magic.And we passed the church when in London for CiN - thank you Andy_T for pointing it out!





11.22.63 - STEPHEN KING

Published just at the end of 2011 this is my favourite book of the year. I was reading it at Christmas - kindle in one hand while trying to cook with the other. Highly recommended. Time travel and an attempt to stop the assassination of JFK but so much more; a history of late 50’s early 60’s America, a love story, a story of determination and perseverance. And the whole what if ... when history is changed. I wasn’t a fan of Stephen King before I read this but have since read The Dome - also fantastic; essentially a story about why politicians (and particularly mayors) really shouldn't be trusted with anything.





THE LONG EARTH - TERRY PRATCHETT & STEPHEN BAXTER

Another highly recommended book. A twist on the many-earth’s theory; this has always fascinated me. The premise here is that there are a seemingly infinite number of earth’s than you can just step onto. The book is very much the first in a series and ends rather abruptly. Central ideas are that lack of resources on earth is no longer a problem and who controls the new earths?





SOLAR - IAN MCEWAN

Climate change and a fairly unpleasant narrator. Hilarious moment involving frozen body parts and a chapstick worth reading the book for alone.





STANDING IN ANOTHER MAN’S GRAVE - IAN RANKIN

I’m listening this at the moment. Such a nostalgia trip (pun intended). If you didn’t hear Ian on the show it deals with series of murders on the A9. I spent much of my life traveling to and from Inverness on the A9 so I know every place mentioned really well. I’ve read Rebus books off and on over the years and this is great even without the A9 connection.





MY SISTER LIVES ON THE MANTELPIECE - ANNABEL PITCHER

Deals with a 12 year old boy coming to terms with the death of his sister and is written from his point of view. Again I listened to this - David Tennant is a superb narrator. Heartbreaking and hilarious. Issues of racism, friendship and hope are handled fantastically.





A don’t read a lot of non-fiction but have enjoyed



ON WRITING - STEPHEN KING

Part memoir, part instruction manual - utterly compelling and it will make you a better writer if you follow the advice (I need to read the part on brevity again)



REELIN’ IN THE YEARS: THE SOUNDTRACK OF A NORTHERN LIFE - MARK RADCLIFFE

Mark chooses a song for each year since he was born and uses this to talk around what was happening in the world - warm and funny as you would expect.



I’m only going to mention our glorious leaders literary efforts to say *stamps foot in the manner of a petulant teenager* not fair having to wait until the end of February for Itch Rocks.



I could go on - huge pile of books to read too, like Advent_Gale a Christmas reading sound grand.

#47 - ECH - that's a long walk from W Yorks !

It's a very long time since I went up over the Langdales or Fairfield. Very scenic, but very cold in these conditions - time to look back over old photos.

Hi Simon and everyone



Happy 13th to Child 3 Simon, hope this final venture into teendom is painfree!



Drove to Stafford this morning, bit harrassed due appalling road organisation but much prefer being warm and radio to keep me company and NO waiting around on cold platforms!



Hope you are not too snowed in Shona!



I come first in the kickboxing comp yesterday in the Ladies Veterans and got told i look too young to be a vet! She beat me last time by one point and i beat her 10 - 3 yesterday and fought her again in 3rd place fight off in weight category and beat her 16 - 14. So good day at the office for me but no so for my mate oh well he will step up later in sparring!!



Now for Choons:



1. COLD AS ICE - Foreigner

2. BABY ITS COLD OUTSIDE - Tom and Cerys

3. WINTERS TALE - David Essex

4. HAZY SHADES OF WINTER - The Bangles

5. SNOW - Informer

6. FROZEN - Madonna

7. NOVEMBER RAIN - Guns N Roses

8. THE SUN AINT GONNA SHINE ANY MORE - the Walker Brothers

9. Wait and See - STIFF LITTLE FINGERS

10. ICE ICE BABY - Vanilla Ice



Hope you have smashing days



Laters



Mandy ;)

#50 - no problem, snow surprise - keep warm under that duvet!



I never seem to get much time for reading in the spring/summer - jobs to be done in the garden. I like to read a book in a few 'sittings' if I can and once I start that's it for anything else that should be done.



I don't read in bed either - as soon as I'm in bed I'm asleep.



Jan/Feb/Mar is the best time - waiting for Spring to arrive and occupying time with a good book - lovely...

I really enjoyed "The Lifeboat" I picked it up after reading the sample chapter and found it to be a gripping read. Although not book club choices the memoirs by Jeremy Vine and Clare balding are two of my favourite reads of the year.



Ian - Edinburgh

#51 feeling festive Flo Looks like it was a great night. I'm counting down the days till Sunday.



Spot the tune! I think that might just be Tommy K.



As for Simon not playing Saw Doctors I think he needs to goto Shepherd's Bush Empire on Friday or Saturday night for a bit of Education and a right good time.

#58 Ho Ho Ho Johno... I knew you'd know the tune! It was a great night and they have an extra member on tour with them... the lovely Lindsey, who added a bit of sparkle on stage. Leo said they first met her when they recorded Downtown last year and she has been touring with them this year. Not long for you until Sunday!



Perhaps Simon will see your message, take your top advice and go to Shepherd's Bush Empire for a good time at the weekend! :o)

Arvo all,

Quieter day on here today - does everyone else have 'manic Monday's' too?

CONGRATS to Simon and family on the arrival of another Kevin in the family.

I showed daughter #2 the Kevin the teenager clip on the eve of her 13th B'day - BRILL! and now if she ever starts to think about stropping or slamming a door, I just have to call her 'Kevin' to make her realise what she's acting like...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLuEY6jN6gY

It's normally enough to crack a smile..





I've sent in various choon choices via other social networking sites, and see that most of them are on here - except



OUT IN THE COLD by Carole King



Enjoy the show all, no books to add myself, I am struggling to get through 'POISON' which was supposed to be the thinking woman's 50 shades...but so far not lit my fire!

I always end up returning to my favourites like Love in the time of cholera - a complete slowed-down fantasy world, love it.



Laters, mwah

Hi All!



Happy Birthday to newly minted teen and teen morphing rather well!



Don't Eat The Yellow Snow - Frank Zappa



LB, x

ROBERT PALMER - Stone Cold



NICK LOWE - Freezing

#61 - LB - what a quality suggestion - watch out where the huskies go...

More winter songs



December - All About Eve

Winter Sky - Big Country

Well done Silent Knight for Foreigner "Cold as Ice" (that's Sir Cumfy for those of you at the back, keep up, keep up).



Now playing the very MOR (dreary) Donna Summer "Winter Melody" - will it be Bechod! or Hurrah! for Billie???

Muggle-mensh for Donna Summer, and an OSM for Billie, Bechod! I think his Lordship couldn't bear to say the C-word in your new name!



Where IS everyone? Down the pub for a port and lemon to celebrate the Cambridges' news?!

*peeps over duvet*



Well done Silent Knight for Cold as Ice! Slipped back to sleep during the Donna Summer song *yawn*.



Feeling a tad better and even ventured out in the car with the dogs earlier. Brrrrr. Main roads are okay but I forgot the park road would be a bit slippy to say the least.



Forgot to wish child #3 a happy birthday Simon - but I was feeling a bit poorly;(

Hello one and all,



Enjoying all the lively chat. Wading through the wonderful festive monikers and trying to work out who everyone is! ;-)



mc x

Boo JBJ - I do love your Christmas name



Bechod Billie (bechod is my favourite new word)



Well done Sir Cumfy & Gary for Cold As Ice



Hailstones battering the windows, lights flickering ...



Glad you are feeling a wee bit better Shona.

You stay snug under your duvet, snow surprise. Hope you feel better soon.





x

#68 You have made me laugh for the first time today Molly with that festive name!



#69 Thank you!



Not venturing over the Duke's Pass tonight then! It's a scary road at the best of times!

Gary the smog - sorry, didn't realise your suggestion was blogged. Well done! And welcome to the blog.



Shona - wrap up warm and stay inside.



Right must get the chauffeur's cap - Gatwick in rush hour *sucks air in through teeth like a plumber*



Simon & Garfunkel playing, and the mensh goes to............

































.

Seven swans a swimming Sal!

"Nicely chosen Blogger Seven Swans a Swimming Sal"



And I heard a wry smile that "they've all decided to change their names to seasonal ones".



Must go now. Keys, phone, coat, wallet, mortgage documents for car park ticket.



Be good.

#74 Like your hat JbJ ;0)

*doff*

Molly your sprout obsession is a tad worrying. Great name though!



Well done Sal for the Paul Simon and yes, def a wry smile in Simon's voice JBJ

Whoop whoop Amelia for your book choice being read out!! XX

Evening all.



Whoop, I heard your book choice too Amelia.



Isn't it such fun, that Simon has taken note of our name changes. Mines a bit of a mouthful, I was trying to think what I was last year, then remembered that it was back in my fairy days!



Molly, are you fairly confident they will be ready in time? :O

Mr W has just called me from Dubai. I laid on the ill patter as thick as the snow outside! Telling me he is 35 degrees and swimming in a pool. Grrr



Nice work if you can get it! ;0)

*sneaks in*



Well, hello there, bloglets!



Nice to see you... to see you nice! (hmmm too much SCD methinks - is that man EVER going to retire?)



Apologoes for the absinthe (again!) .. life and all that palaver getting in the way but seeing as it's the season of goodwill and I'm hearing some new festive names on the show, thought I'd pop by and see how you are all diddling! Also, I smell an upcoming Crimbo party and you know what a sucker I am for a cheesy pineapple, a snowball and a bit of a linger around a bedecked naughty step! ;)



I do try to keep abreast of the goings on here, even when I don't have time to join in - a smile is almost guaranteed when I do poop by, you lovely lot.



I won't try to comment on everything or I'll be here until next C*****mas but I hope all are well (get well soon Shona!) and in good spirits.



Special mention for Billie ... glad you've settled in the new place and I hope Father Christmas drops the gift of uninterrupted broadband down your chimney this festive season! x



*Waves at Lord Ammo and the team*



I'll be back soon with a new moniker and good intentions to better my attendance record!



Hugs and stuff

Jilly x

*waves* Hello Jilly! How nice to see you pooping by ;0)



Well done Amelia on your 2nd menshe tonight.



*heads off for a steamy hot bath*

Just a quick poop by to congratulate all the menshees!



Off to make lasagne now, would rather go to bed but Mr has requested it for his 'birthday tea'.



See you all tomorrow.



SE x

Jilly - lovely to see you! This place makes me smile too.



When I rule the world Graham Norton will take over from you know who on SCD.



Thanks Shona & Sal! Never had a double mention before. Very happy to share the tune one with JBJ for Mumford & Sons.

Well done to everyone whose tunes were chosen tonight... I caught Amelia and Sal :o)

Not many mensches tonight - I heard Gary, Sal and Silent Knight before 6 but was distracted afterwards - why Mr wants feeding before he goes out is beyond me - ;0)) especially when there are things to listen to!



Nice to 'see' you Jilly - glad you are feeling a bit better, snow surprise - hope your bath does you good!



JW

Snow surprise - please find enclosed lentil soup and macaroni cheese hopefully to make you feel better.

Thanks for all good wishes and I'm sure the workplace will see me tomorrow. Looking forward to Royal Variety Show if I can stay awake ;0)



Mmmm Enjoyed the soup and mac cheese Amelia. X

Did I just see Uncle Tony in the audience of the Variety Show?

Shona - meant to comment the other night - I hate cooking for myself - it is always a disappointment - cooking and sharing a meal with people is one of the great joys in life - eating alone cheese on toast is probably best or the left-overs from a previous night - I'm making more yorkshire puddings to go with the last of Nigel's shallot & chestnut stew from Friday.

Enjoy the rest of your evening everyone and hope sickie bloggers have recovered by tomorrow.



MS

Sorry for my absence today - life got in the way. Well done for the menshes, particularly Amelia's book club comment. I wanted to join in the discussion as I love reading and I've read some great books this year, some book club ones, some not. "The Captain's Daughter" by Leah Fleming was very good - it's a novel about a couple of women who survive the Titanic. And "The White Lie" by Andrea Gilles - a family cover up a dark secret. To name but two...



Lovely to see Jilly popping in - hope to see more of you soon.



I'm not happy with my festive blog name. It's a bit too much like Erica's, so I think I'm going to have to find another one. Any suggestions gratefully received.



Shona, hope you feel better tomorrow.



Night all



~X~

#79 Should be 'al dente' by Christmas Day with any luck, Sal! ;-)



#92 Will have a think, Deebs. You sound a little 'down', hope you are ok.



mc x

Evening all - very late to the party and tired but wanted to send birthday greetings to Mayo Child 3. Loved the hormones comment! Also, hope you will be feeling a bit better soon Snow Surprise. To all fab bloggerfolk, have a good week, if I don't manage to get back here. Off to read back properly now. See you soon x

Deebee - there is a website that you can use to generate your Christmas elf or snowman name and then by answering questions, it will suggest which of Santa's reindeer you might be. Not sure I am allowed to post the link here but you can contact me elsewhere if you want further details. Take care x

Mandy - well done on your kickboxing success. It is not something I have ever tried but your posts make me want to give it a go.



JBJ - I love your description of your older sons



FFF - as always enjoyed your pictures and glad you enjoyed the Saw Doctors



*waves at Holly Berry*

Good Morning Everyone



Not sure what to do today. Feeling less shivery but throat still a bit raspy. Do I go to work and spread the germs or stay at home to kill them off for good?

Having coughed and spluttered my way round the park in snow and ice on 2 shakey pins, I think I've answered #97.



Plus the nice lady in the shop told me I looked dreadful.



*duvet beckons*

Good morning!



Sounds like you have made the correct decision, snow surprise. Take care & get well soon.



I had intended to get back yesterday to add to the book discussion but time didn't permit. The books from this year that stick in my mind are autobiographies by James Corden & Jeremy Vine. Read JC's having heard him on DID and discovered he was a completely different person to my perception. And Jeremy's surprised me by having me in fits of laughter one minute and tears of despair the next. I did acquire a few of the book club books but haven't got round to them yet. One I did read was the baseball one, wasn't impressed tbh and struggled to get to the end.



Another wintry day here but what did I expect!



Love the name, Molly, very creative.



x

Good Morning All



Hard frost overnight and the dog walk this morning was a bit icy. Glorious sky though, although I was concentrating too much on not falling over to take any pictures.



#93 Aww, thanks for your concern, Molly! Not feeling great at the moment, but it's not bad enought to keep me off work. I shall soldier on valiantly, a martyr to the cause... will anyone even notice...?



Sorry you're still feeling poorly Shona. I hate it when someone tells me I look ill - it immediately makes me feel ten times worse.



#99 I keep meaning to read Jeremy Vine's book - must get round to that soon.



See you all on the new page.



~X~



PS 100?



;o)