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floor cry - swimming team

July 21, 2019

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Louise Boyd said...: Firstly: it's always okay to buy a big box of Ferrero Rocher and eat them all yourself. Always.

Secondly: I have no power over the sea, but I'll flex my wishing powers and beseech Poseidon for safe sailing!
...
Or just cross my fingers, that counts too :)

Thirdly: In this role as a French travel agent to jolly old Saint Nic, did you do the accent? I must know! >_<

Fourthly: I've probably told you before, but I was meant to have the Prince's speech at the end of Romeo and Juliet when we were reading it in 1st year:

A glooming peace this morning with it brings;
The sun, for sorrow, will not show his head.
Go hence to have more talk of these sad things;
Some shall be pardoned, and some punished.
For never was a story of more woe
Than this of Juliet and her Romeo.

Great fucking speech, the rhyming couplet at the end is gorgeous and iconic... and the teacher stole it from me 0_0
It's been over twenty years and I'm still mad :) :) :)

I'm guessing the Oreo Brookies were immense.
...
I hate thee :D; 19 November 2023 at 21:53
Dex said...: They made it to Aberdeen and are now with Freya. Hopefully I will get a video call tonight :)

Even worse. It wasn't just the accent but there was a song and a girl I had to dance with. I think she was supposed to be my assistant :S The 90s were a strange time.

I bet the person the teacher gave the speech to did a terrible job. You were clearly going to nail it! Do you have a favourite Shakespeare speech?

I don't want to make you jealous about the Oreo Brookies... but you did see the photos :); 20 November 2023 at 21:03
Louise Boyd said...: ... but you did see the photos :)

Not even an ounce of remorse! :D
Evil child, but bravo, well done, I commend your rubbing of delicious brookies in my face, I've never been so proud ^-^

I wonder if Freya will force you to watch her eat/drink something this time. Malevolent little fairy :)
She'd make a spectacular Titania or Puck!
She's got the fairy wings, already, right?
She could perform my favourite speech, which is a total cliché, but I've always loved it for its impishness and rhyming scheme.
The last soliquoy from A Midsummer Night's Dream:

If we shadows have offended,
Think but this and all is mended:
That you have but slumbered here
While these visions did appear.
And this weak and idle theme,

No more yielding but a dream,
Gentles, do not reprehend.
If you pardon, we will mend.
And, as I am an honest Puck,
If we have unearnèd luck
Now to ’scape the serpent’s tongue,
We will make amends ere long.
Else the Puck a liar call.
So good night unto you all.
Give me your hands, if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends.

I particularly like this beseechment of forgiveness from the audience when Stanley Tucci does it:

https://youtu.be/tMOaAp42QRw?si=8pnatsh3Vt_7OPBd&t=166

Crappy quality, but fuck, he's a perfect Puck, a true mischief with a heart of cobwebs and starlight. I love him >_<
Freya would smash it :)
As I imagine you smashed your French accent :P
This is the benefit of being shy since birth and stubborn as fuck about not participating when I don't want to: no funny voices on stage for me :) :) :)
I'd probably've just projectile vomited from nerves anyway =/ I don't think that's the kind of audience participation anybody wants!; 21 November 2023 at 18:22
Dex said...: I hope you don't mind me asking you so many questions about your favourite Shakespeare plays. I just love reading all you have to say about them. And I did love that clip. I promise one of these days I will watch all your favourite Shakespeare adaptations.

Maybe one day Freya will get up on stage and play a Shakespeare fairy. I like to think so. It won't surprise you to know that being on stage wasn't really for me :)

Is Sarah feeling any better? I hope you have all been having delicious baked goods as part of the recovery process :); 21 November 2023 at 20:06
Dex said...: It's so cold and wet and windy up here, Lilliputty! I hope it is nicer in Blair. I do have the next few days off work though, so I intend to stay inside and very warm :); 22 November 2023 at 23:13
Dex said...: You'll be glad to know that Freya has been making my mum read her plenty of books :); 23 November 2023 at 17:04
Dex said...: I bought some of the Oreo Nutella Caramel Slices this morning :); 24 November 2023 at 18:21
Louise Boyd said...: Noooooo, I thought it was Thursday! >_<
What are days? Who decided these things?!
...
Excellent choice, though.
I would've directed you to exactly the same baked good, or the Snow Balls Brownies. Either way, good things were headed for your belly during your time off :)
The most my belly has seen recently is a KitKat, and I swear they don't taste the same. Did they change the chocolate? <_< I don't like it!

How's Freya doing? Have you spoken yet? What stories is she "forcing" your mum to read to her?

Ps. The weather's as sucky here and fucking freezing x_x
Sarah's on the mend, still in to see the nurse every day for check ups, but she's healing really well and apart from going stir crazy stuck inside and sitting down all the time, she's doing aces.
You can tell because she's still being sporadically mean to me :)
Her tastebuds are fucked, though. Did you know antibiotics could do that? It's not bad enough that you're unwell, but you can't even enjoy the taste of tea?! Science is bonkers 0_0; 25 November 2023 at 00:32
Dex said...: After all this time, I wouldn't be surprised if you could just mentally instruct me on what to get from the cake fridge :)

Was it a 4 bar or a 2 bar KitKat? This will sound insane but I think they taste different. I think the 4 bar tastes much better and not just because I am getting twice the amount of KitKat :)

Freya is still very talkative and wriggly, usually in between my parents on the couch :) And still looking forward to pillow fighting me at Christmas :)

I'm sorry that Sarah's illness has even affected her tea drinking(!) but very glad to hear she is on the mend and being mean to you :) I think we both know that being mean in our families is the best expression of affection :); 25 November 2023 at 15:47
Dex said...: That's my parents now on the way to the Philippines. They had to get up at 3am this morning! They are flying from Aberdeen to Amsterdam to Singapore to Cebu. Just so you know :); 26 November 2023 at 16:05
Dex said...: Parents have safely arrived in the Philippines.; 27 November 2023 at 21:01
Louise Boyd said...: I don't know how your parents do it. I've never been on a plane but even to me that sounds like an ungodly number of hours to spend in a tin can in the sky 0_0
Glad they go there safe, though!
Do you get constant updates from them?
The last time the rentals went to York (anniversary trip), my mum was sending photos and messages all the time. She helicopter parents even when she's away :)

Wiggly Freya. Ugh, that's unfairly cute >_<
Why are kids so wiggly? I barely move if I have to =/ But we all must have been wiggly in our youth!
Is it because our bones feel like they're made of glass now? x_x
You better watch out during those pillow fights, lest the tiny one shatter you with a single blow! :O; 28 November 2023 at 01:28
Louise Boyd said...: Ps. 4 bar KitKat.
I'm gonna have to try a 2 bar.
For science <_<; 28 November 2023 at 01:29
Dex said...: I will of course be giving you constant Freya updates over Christmas :)

My mother does seems to be posting a lot on her facebook page :S They seem to be staying for a couple of days in some kind of resort in Cebu before getting the ferry to Bohol (where they will stay on their farm for most of the time). The resort does look very nice, especially compared to the miserable weather in Shetland :)

I don't know but your mum always does sound like the best kind of person :) What was the name of that place in York where you used to get tea and cake? I hope your parents visited it on their last trip :) One of the things with my parents being on the other side of the world is they can't really contact me that often because of the time difference. They are 7 hours ahead. On weekdays, the only sensible times to phone would be before I go to work in the morning or just before bedtime. And that's assuming I go to bed very late and they wake up very early :)

I would be very interested to hear your scientific opinion of the difference between 2 bar and 4 bar KitKats :); 28 November 2023 at 21:59
Dex said...: I've been making a ridiculous amount of macaroni and cheese since my parents went away. Along with pancakes, it's about the only thing I can make :S; 29 November 2023 at 21:16
Dex said...: I don't know if I have ever asked you this before but when does your family normally put up Christmas decorations? Is it a big deal in your house? I have a feeling it might be just because you are all so creative :); 30 November 2023 at 18:09
Louise Boyd said...: The most important thing to know at any hotel/resort/airbnb: is there a pool?
At least that's what my kid brain still needs to know, but my grownup brain is fixated on the amount of bodily fluids in said pool and how much I do not want them touching my skin =/
...
Sorry if I just activated a new ick :)

At least you know how to make two things! I'd probably live off sandwiches and French toast =/
We don't even have UberEats et al. available in this Podunk town >_<
Do you have delivery in Lerwick?

Christmas decorations go up a couple of weeks before Christmas and exactly twelve days after (suspicions run rife in this family), but it really depends on how desperate we are for fairy lights.
...
We are very desperate *-*
There might not be a tree this year, though! After doing the office a couple of weeks ago, it kinda depleted the space for an evergreen to sit dressed in glitter for a month of the year.
Which is sad, but Em made a non-gingerbread gingerbread house a few years ago and it could totally take the trees place, right?
She's so fucking clever, it pains me :) :) :)
...
Will you put up any decos? I know Christmas isn't the biggest deal on the Eva household but a few tinkle lights here and there couldn't hurt?

Still no 2 bar KitKat in sight to conduct my experiment, I'm gonna have to rely on you and the cake fridge (which looks so pretty!) for biscuit research:

- Bailey's Brownies
- Gingerbread Mini Loaf Cakes
- Snow Ball Brownies

Go forth and sugar, good sire, make me proud ^-^; 30 November 2023 at 23:16
Dex said...: It must have had a pool. All resorts have a pool, don't they? At least that is what my brain is telling me, as that is 90% of what I did at resorts on holiday :) Either that or table tennis in the games room! Holidays really are wasted on me :) From memory, even the ones where you could swim in the sea still had a pool. So that kid me didn't have to get swallowed by a sea monster! I never saw the appeal of swimming in the sea, even if I had to deal with the thought of bodily fluids in the pool :)

No, delivery of takeaway is still only a myth up in Shetland :) When I lived in Edinburgh, I used to order pizza quite often. No wonder I never had any money :) If you could choose a takeaway, what kind would you get?

Emily really is so clever! I would totally let her decorate our house any way she wanted :) I think you could definitely use the non-gingerbread gingerbread house in place of the tree! I do like fairy lights but I somehow don't think I will get around to putting up any this year :)

Leftover Bailey's brownies for my tea :); 1 December 2023 at 16:47
Dex said...: Dessert news. I bought microwaveable chocolate puddings from Tesco. They were new and on deal so obviously I had to buy them :); 2 December 2023 at 19:08
Dex said...: November monthly time! I was completely losing track of the dates :); 3 December 2023 at 09:34
Louise Boyd said...: Y'know what I find fascinating and terrifying? Infinity pools.
I know they don't literally drop like a waterfall over a cliff face, I know that, but the illogical side of my brain refuses to accept it.
I don't think I'll ever go near one with thinking I'll somehow plummet to my death x_x
It's fun in my brain.
...
Is there anything seriously dangerous in the Philippines, animal/insect/fish wise?
The only dangerous beast in Scotland is Charlie *-*
Who, by the way, sort of... bopped himself in the face with the treat I was feeding him last night - no idea how, got upset about it, and then bit me to reacquire his dignity and status as the alpha male.
...
I love him but he's a psychopath :)

Why is takeaway pizza both horrendous and tremendous? Nothing should have that much grease but still taste blandly awesome.
What was your order? I'm gonna predict the classic pepperoni? You seem like a no frills, all taste kinda gremlin :D
I'd totally order pizza here, if I could, but I think I'd be an absolute nightmare with delivery, because I wouldn't order a meal... I'd order all the starters and extras *-*
Just piles and piles of spring rolls, garlic bread, curly fries, pumpkin korokke... it'd be a feast of tiny foods :D
Oh, and various ridiculous drinks: boba, bubble tea, frappucinos, milkshakes, chai lattes... I've made myself real hungry and I entirely blame you :)

Ps. How were the chocolate puddings? Was it a sponge and sauce kinda deal? 'Cause that sounds immense *-*; 3 December 2023 at 23:42
Dex said...: I liked the chocolate puddings. Sponge and sauce as you say. What more does anyone need :)

Yes, I am definitely a no frills pepperoni pizza gremlin :) I don't even liked stuffed crusts! I am quite easy going when it comes to food though so I would be happy for you to choose the topping. I know you would choose well :) I like your idea of just starters and ridiculous drinks though :) What is pumpkin korokke?!

I did not know those were called infinity pools! I don't think I would like it either. Anything that gives the impression of a being able to fall from a great height is not for me! I do feel so stupid though as I didn't realise it was just an optical illusion. I'm such a moron!

They have poisonous snakes in the Philippines! I've even seen one in the garden at Bagacay! Charlie is a much better kind of dangerous creature even if he has to resort to violence to save face :); 4 December 2023 at 19:51
Dex said...: I had a video call with my parents last night. They seem to be enjoying their holiday (can you call it a holiday if it is 3 months?). It was my dad's birthday on 2 December so they had a party in the garden at Bagacay. And then they went to another party at the Rotary Club (my dad is a member in Shetland so when they go on holiday, they can go to local club if they have one). So many parties! Did I ever tell you that the farm is right next to a cemetery? When my parents send things to the Philippines, they address it as 'Eva Farm, by the cemetery' :) We are a very strange family!; 5 December 2023 at 19:00
Louise Boyd said...: Two things:

1) So, you're basically the Addams Family but somewhere warm?

2) My dad's birthday's the 2nd of December, too... <_< weird.

Bonus 3) The Bagacay garden looks so fucking pretty, I'm so jealous! >_<

So... what did you do when you saw this poisonous snake? And were you ever able to go outside again? Because, personally, I'd've swam back across the ocean to the UK where the snakey-ist thing you'll see is an extra long worm i.e Charles sunbathing at full length.
Seriously, though, snakes are fucking terrifying. Where are their leggggggs?! x_x

Pumpkin Korokke is a croquette but made with pumpkin instead of potato. It's sounds kinda basic, but trust me, it's not, it's even better than croquettes and I fucking love croquettes *-*
It's sorta sweet and you eat it with tonkatsu sauce or, my preferred, plum sauce.
So good!
I love deep fried things :)
And btw, being a no frills pepperoni pizza gremlin is a-ok with me. If I was doing he ordering, there'd definitely be a pep section.
And a Hawaiian.
But no peppers! Spicy food is evil 0_0; 5 December 2023 at 23:13
Dex said...: Oh! I can't believe that it has only taken us over 10 years to figure out that our dads have the same birthday :)

I think the cemetery does help keep people away :) I don't remember being terrified of the snake. I was more worried about our dogs getting bitten! I was very fond of the dogs as they used to protect me :)

I really need to try some pumpkin korokkes with plum sauce! Where would you even get those?! Or is it something your amazing sisters can make? :)

I'm sorry that Charlie can't sunbathe at the moment. Looking at the met office, he will definitely want to stay indoors tomorrow! I hope you are both keeping very warm and comfortable!; 6 December 2023 at 19:18
Dex said...: You definitely got me in the mood for pepperoni pizza. I've ordered one to pick up on my way home from work :); 7 December 2023 at 17:20
Dex said...: The ice has finally disappeared but has been replaced by wind and rain :S; 8 December 2023 at 17:23
Dex said...: With my parents being away, I'm starting to get slightly obsessed with our electricity bills! It does seem to cost so much to heat this house! I've started keeping a daily record of how much we are using :S Just another boring insight into my mind :); 9 December 2023 at 14:58
Louise Boyd said...: Dexterous... that's so grown up of you *-*
I don't think I've ever looked at the house bills in general, too afraid =/
Heating prices are fucking ludicrous right now, though, and electricity in general. I've signed so many petitions over the last few years to get the government to put a cap on the pricing, but they won't, they're too selfish and privileged.
I know our country truly isn't the worse, but it's a shitshow to live here in my many ways >_<
...
I'm going to recommend you put the bills down and watch an episode of Scott Pilgrim instead :)

My dad does have English relatives, we could be... distant cousins? :O

The only place I've ever had Pumpkin Korokke is YO! Sushi, and there happens to be one in both Edinburgh and Aberdeen, if you feel like stopping in while you're there :)
Although, they've changed the name to Pumpkin Katsu, but I think it's the same thing!
Fun fact: I don't actually eat the sushi at YO! It's terrible, because of course it is, but there's some tasty things to be had. This is the menu:

https://yosushi.com/getattachment/cf5b5ef1-5046-4d7d-b106-d8376e947be6/605x324mm_YO!-Menu_Belt_JUN23_Kcal_C.pdf?lang=en-GB

It's all very westernised, but because I'm a basic taste-budded goblin, so I don't mind :) AndI love small food! I'd order the entire starters menu and a plate of chips over a traditional meal ^-^

Ps. Did I miss the last cake fridge Friday?! Tell me I didn't! There were Christmas Cookie Bars goddammit >_<; 9 December 2023 at 21:36
Dex said...: I often wish you were here to make me stop worrying about things :) And yes, let's just say we are distant cousins :)

Thank you for the menu. I will definitely mention YO! Sushi to my cousin. Maybe Freya would like to go there :) Kerry hates seafood (even though there are plenty of other things on the menu) so I probably won't suggest it to her :) Did I tell you she is a vegetarian? I'm actually not fussy at all when it comes to food (so long as it is nice) so I'm usually happy to eat out at most places. I'm sure you and I could happily eat our way through a bunch of small starters at YO! Sushi :)

Someone said it was the last cake fridge of the year too! Don't worry, we will get the Christmas Cookie Bars next year :); 10 December 2023 at 18:45
Dex said...: I think I am going to have to be even more of an adult tomorrow and phone the energy company. I think I've figured out why it is going up so much. We have a separate meter for the storage heaters which should only come on during the night. But it seems to have been coming on a lot more than that. Sorry to tell you about things like this :); 11 December 2023 at 19:30
Dex said...: I keep meaning to ask, is Sarah feeling any better? Hopefully she is well enough to hurl sarcastic insults at her favourite people :) I hope you have been able to relax despite Christmas being so close by. I'm sure you will make me jealous of all the kinds of Christmas food that your family have planned :) Do you have a favourite kind of Christmas food?; 12 December 2023 at 20:28
Louise Boyd said...: I'm a simple creature at Christmas, give me all the stuffing and roast potatoes, the turkey can get fucked ^-^
Also when Em makes Christmas Cake >_< Omfg it's amazing, you smell the booze coming off it before you've even entered the room!
You'd hate it, though, you raisin hater :)
What sates the Dex belly at Christmastime?

Sarah is feeling much better, still at the nurse every other day but very much on the mend, and is indeed sassing us every chance she gets.
Now we just have to get through the end of the year without anyone else ending up in urgent care. Keep your fingers crossed for us!
How's the Eva clan? Your parents enjoying not being fucking freezing?

Did you phone the energy company?
I'm gonna have to starting calling you Detective Dex; that was some expert sleuthing :)
I hate phone people, it's the worst. I hate my voice when I'm doing it because I don't think I sound like me, it's like a grownup, super polite pod person has taken over my body <_<

Serious question: what the hell does Kerry eat?! If it just carbs and wine, I highly approve.; 12 December 2023 at 22:52
Dex said...: This is a really stupid question but what is the difference between Christmas Cake and Christmas Pudding? Is brandy the alcohol? I definitely think that the best way to consume alcohol is through desserts :) Is it possible to get drunk off Christmas Cake?! You are right about me and raisins :) I think at Christmas, I'm a bit like you and I much prefer the trimmings to the turkey. Apart from the stuffing and roast potatoes, I also love roast vegetables :)

I will definitely keep my fingers crossed for your family! But that's really good news about Sarah :) I really hope she is well enough to fully enjoy Christmas. I think my parents made the right decision in going away :) I try to video call them every few days and they seem to be having a nice time. Did I tell you that they have friends from Shetland going over there to stay with them in January?

I hate talking on the phone as well even though my job gives me plenty of practice! I'm very glad that we are both pod people and that it's not just me :) But I'm sure you have a very nice voice! I did phone the energy company and they are sending an engineer in January. I'm a bit more relaxed now that I have figured out the problem and I have an appointment.

I actually don't think she eats that much fruit and vegetables! Cheese and baked beans and pasta and baked tatties and chips and toast and eggs and, of course, wine! :); 13 December 2023 at 21:13
Dex said...: Hi Lilliputty. I hope you don't mind that I've ordered you a very small Christmas present.; 14 December 2023 at 19:41
Louise Boyd said...: Do I mind getting a present?
It's like you don't know me at all :)
Expect one winging it's way to you, hopefully before you leave for Aberdeen!

Christmas cake: is cake.
Christmas pudding: is pudding.
...
Which means I don't really know! I think it's the way they're cooked. Cake is baked and pudding is steamed, so the consistency is different. Personally, I think Christmas pudding's disgusting and has the texture of rubber =/
Not good.
Not good at all.
I'd rather stick with something dessert-y for my post xmas dinner finisher, like Tiramisu or just an entire tub of ice cream ^-^
I hope you get well fed at your cousins and Freya doesn't torture you by keeping all the sweets to herself :)

What's in your roast veg mix?
I'm a big fan of the tubers and squashes: sweet potato, parsnip, et al.
And roast garlic *-* I didn't eat it for years because i'm really sensitive to garlic and I can't stand the taste sticking around, but roast garlic doesn't do that and it's so fucking goooood >_<
I try really hard not to steal it all when we have it, but it's so hard :)

No cake fridge :(
I insist you get something from Tesco. Maybe something seasonal!; 14 December 2023 at 22:41
Dex said...: I'm sorry for the short message, Maggot. It was Christmas party night so I have only just got home and feel very tired! :)

Roast carrots and parsnips :) I don't think I've ever had roast garlic but I really want to try it now!; 16 December 2023 at 02:34
Dex said...: Sorry, I do ask very stupid questions :) I don't think anyone in my family likes Christmas pudding. The only person I can ever remember eating one was my granny when we went to West Kirby. I think toffee pavlova was our idea of a nice dessert when I was growing up. For some reason, I especially liked it when it still slightly frozen. I was a weird kid :)

I actually don't know what the plans are for Christmas. We might even go out for Christmas dinner! Or have something that isn't turkey! Personally, I would be happy with something very easy and then just lazing around the house for the rest of the day, except for all the pillow fights with Freya :)

And even though I was home late, the Christmas Party was very boring. Just a meal at the Chinese restaurant and then sitting around the office for hours and talking to people. I didn't even drink alcohol because I wanted to drive home :); 16 December 2023 at 22:09
Dex said...: My main worry this week will be keeping an eye on the weather forecast in Lerwick and Aberdeen for Friday night / Saturday morning. I'm on the boat to see Freya on Friday night :); 17 December 2023 at 22:38
Dex said...: I promise I will have a look for something sugary and seasonal when I go to Tesco tonight :); 18 December 2023 at 13:36
Louise Boyd said...: I'm always in admiration of your dedication to socialising, even a tiny bit.
Just the vague idea of making small talk gives me the shivers *-*
And alcohol really is the only way get through it! >_<
You poor thing. How many days of recovery did you need? I'd need at least a week.

I don't think I've ever had Toffee Pavlova and I'm kinda mad about it!
We were always Viennetta people, or Sara Lee's Chocolate Cake. I was obsessed with the frosting on that cake, it was like chocolate mousse *-*
I love trash food and our childhood was epic for it, everything feels too bougie, now. I liked the Little Moons but they will never compare to Viennetta or ice poles. No way.

Ugh, your Christmas sounds like it's gonna be so nice and not stressful at all.
Apart from being beaten up by a fairy queen :)
But that also sounds delightful.
Did you get her a gift for Christmas?

Good sir, tell me what you got from Tesco, I want to be jealous!; 18 December 2023 at 22:15
Dex said...: It will probably take me a year to recover. Just in time for the next Christmas party :) If you were there, hopefully we would just retreat to some unoccupied corner to talk quietly about nonsense :)

I just got Freya a washable make up box, and some colouring books and pencils so not very exciting! I'm sure she will attack me with a pillow if she doesn't like them :)

There is definitely something very satisfying eating through the layers of a Viennetta :) I did like the Sarah Lee cake as well but haven't had it in maybe a couple of decades! I'm sure I had a Viennetta not that long ago... At least they still sell them :)

I know it doesn't count as seasonal really but I bought another box of Ferrero Rocher! Have you had any Christmas themed sugar?; 19 December 2023 at 22:32
Dex said...: My cousin's plan is to go out for a meal on Christmas Eve and then to order takeaway on Christmas Day... So I think it will be quite an easy going Christmas :); 20 December 2023 at 22:17
Louise Boyd said...: That sounds so nice, lazing around, gorging on food you don't have to worry about preparing or burning while Freya runs around covered in tinsel, I imagine.
So nice :)

Are you all prepared to go? Packed and everything?
Do you make a list of everything you put in your suitcase so you don't leave anything behind on the return journey?
I do =/
OCD is really handy sometimes ^-^

Excuse me, sir, colouring books are never not exciting! I've been looking for the perfect one for ages now. I love colouring inside the lines. I know that's not cool but whatever, it's the only time I'm any good with colour and I won't fuck it up by going rogue! >_<
What theme are the colouring books? Please say dinosaurs!

Christmas themed sugar has not been achieved, unfortunately. I did get some BN chocolate biscuits, though. I forgot how good they are in a kind of shitty childhood way. Like if you spread chocolate on a Ritz cracker. Salty sweet goodness.
Would I prefer a box of Ferrero Rocher? Yes, I would, because I'm not a total imbecile :)
Sarah's planning on making a Bouche Noel traybake for Christmas dessert, though, so I can't be too mad about my lack of FR's.
...
*Is still totally mad*

Ps. At any social event, I assume we'd be those obnoxious people in the corner who only talk to each other, steal all the best food, and leave early.
That's our vibe, Dex ^-^; 20 December 2023 at 23:13
Dex said...: I really need you here to help me get organised for going away :) I have a bunch of clothes, although looking at the size of my suitcase I'm probably only going to be able to fit in half of them! I'll take my small laptop and kindle and toiletries, and I'm hoping that will be all. So the answer is 'no, I really haven't packed at all' :) My parents put me to shame. They always have a checklist when they go away. Although they still somehow manage to get stressed :)

It is a dinosaur colouring book! You know Freya so well :) I really think she would love to spend time with you and a colouring book. Actually, so would I! It would probably be the nicest day ever :)

Even though I know what BN biscuits are, I can't actually be sure that I've ever had one! My childhood was definitely lacking :) I have bought some Doritos and chocolate fingers for the boat trip tomorrow though. Hopefully it won't be too rough :S Also, I'm going to have to ask you to explain a Bouche Noel traybake to me and make me super jealous :)

That is clearly what we would do at social events :) Either that or sit around the living room with snack food and tv and pretend we are just about to get ready to go to the event but never actually move :); 21 December 2023 at 21:30
Louise Boyd said...: sit around the living room with snack food and tv and pretend we are just about to get ready to go to the event but never actually move :)

That one. This. 100%
Why go out and feel awkward when you can stay home with your bestie and veg out with good tv?
Extroverts are such weirdos :)

I would absolutely make you a list for packing. It'd be categorised, possibly colour coded, and with ticky boxes so you could get the serotonin surge of checking it off ← that's non-negotiable.
I fucking love lists >_<
And you absolutely need to be managed, dearest Dex. You disaster monkey :)
You've got the snacks, though, which is arguably the most important part!
It's so windy, though, so I'm gonna cross my fingers for you and hope you don't barf. I'll cross them real hard!

A Bûche de Noël is a Yule Log:

https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/buche-de-noel-yule-log/

You must have had a Yule Log, right? It's just a Mini Roll but with buttercream or something like it on the outside instead of a hard chocolate shell.
It's so gooooood! But Sarah's never made one and there's a high chance it could horrible wrong.
...
We have emergency ice cream in the freezer ^-^
You'll get dessert when you're out for dinner, right? Captain Candyclaws wouldn't let the sugar side down at Christmas.
Krampus'll come for you and whip you with sticks 0_0

I don't know why but the fact that I didn't know you had a Kindle is shocking to me. Shocking!
Is that where you keep all your murder mysteries?

Ps. Bon Voyage, Fungus! Don't get kidnapped by Kelpies *-*; 21 December 2023 at 23:11
Dex said...: I forgot to say that a parcel arrived yesterday from Amazon. I'm just going to assume that it's from somebody awesome :) It is packed in my suitcase ready for opening on Christmas Day! Thank you so much :)

The weather doesn't look too bad here this morning but things can change... We did have snow last night so everything is very white :) I did give Kerry a lift this morning to the bus station as she is getting the bus to the airport and then flying down to Inverness to spend Christmas with family. She is currently checked in and sitting in Sumburgh airport doing puzzles :) I have a taxi booked for 3.30 to take me to the boat. The sailing isn't until 5.30 but I always like to check in very early :)

Because we are flying back, I have spent the morning putting toiletries into small plastic bottles :) Most things I could just buy and then leave down in Aberdeen but I use a couple of products that I can't easily buy in the supermarket so thought it would be for the best. Don't know why I felt the need to share that with you :) I would have loved to have gone through the fun of ticking a checklist with you :)

I actually love my Kindle :) Campion, Sherlock Holmes, Jeeves & Wooster... I'm such a loser :) Did I tell you I finished the original Foundation trilogy? It was my biggest success of 2023 :)

I'm sure I must have had a Yule Log at some point, although I'm quite certain that I haven't had anything that will be as good as Sarah's Buche de Noel that she will be making! I think we can safely say that I will be having dessert when we go out on Christmas Eve. Actually, here's the menu my cousin sent me - http://www.covebayhotel.co.uk/pdf-2023-nov/Festive2023MainandDessertMenu.pdf?fbclid=IwAR3r0MCivF_dM9xGHBBhPpHxLAD20W2QJ_lpHSAK7wENdpV3cdwNGLg5qTg; 22 December 2023 at 10:39
Louise Boyd said...: Hopefully you've arrived safely to punchy cuddles from Freya by now (not jealous, not at all), and haven't Linda Blair'd it the entire journey.
I actually don't know how long it takes to get from Lerwick to Aberdeen *looks it up* ... 12ish hours.
...
That's doesn't feel right =/
So, maybe you're not with Freya yet?
Fuck sake, I know nothing.
No matter where you are, I hope you're your fine Dexterous self :)

I am going to guess that in one of those small plastic bottles is some Manuka honey?
I hope you put the bottles in a sandwich bag for extra safety!
Which is a totally normal thing to do >_<

Clear something up for me: why is it called The Foundation Trilogy when there's six books?
Ps. Why don't you tell me these thingggggs?! >_< That's awesome! You could totally nerd out with my mum about Sci-fi.
Does it count that I love my Kindle app?

I was gonna tell you my full order if I was going to that restaurant, but my brain got stuck on Belgian Waffle Pudding and Salted Caramel Crunch & Cookie Dough Pie *-*
Sweet Jesus.
The Festive Hero does sound intriguing, though...
What you gonna get, dearest? Or will you decide on the day? Or let Freya choose!

Is it weird that I find it weird that you're not in Lerwick right now?
It's like a fixed point in my life has unmoored itself *-*; 22 December 2023 at 23:50
Dex said...: Freya has already attacked me with a pillow several times today :)

No, 12 hours is right. I love that you looked it up :) Actually, this one was a bit longer as we went via Orkney. The boat left Lerwick at 5.30pm, stopped at Orkney between 11am and midnight, and arrived in Aberdeen at 7am. But I managed to sleep for most of it so didn't get all Linda Blair :) It has been such a long day, Lilliputty, My cousin didn't pick me up until 9am (which I thought was likely as she is the kind of person who is always late - apparently she had been out last night and so I had to phone her to wake her up and said I could just get a taxi but she insisted on the lift!), then we picked up Freya from a sleepover and stayed there for about 2 hours! We were only at my cousin's house for half an hour before she took me to play badminton for 2 hours and then go swimming! I haven't done so much exercise in years so I am very achy :)

Kerry had an absolute nightmare travelling though. I gave her a lift to the bus station at 9am but when she got to the airport, the plane she was supposed to be travelling on to Inverness wasn't able to land in Shetland because of the snow and had to turn back. So her flight was cancelled and she only just managed to get a flight to Aberdeen at 6.30pm and landed there at 8pm. The airport were supposed to arrange transport for her to Inverness but when she landed, she found out they hadn't done that. They eventually arranged a taxi for her but then her family were late picking her up in Inverness! But she's there now and currently in bed with a book and glass of wine. The place she is staying does look really nice.

Actually, I have taken a jar of manuka honey as I am pretty sure I will be able to get through it all in 10 days :) But I did put the little bottles in a freezer bag. Just so you don't feel you suggested something weird, I think it is a normal thing for people to put things in a freezer or sandwich bag as airline guidelines actually state that these items should all be able to fit in one of those bags :)

I think the Foundation Trilogy does just refer to the first 3 books as these were all written in the 1950s. I think the other books in the series came out much later :) Sorry, I definitely should always tell you these things! Especially since I remember you telling me that your mum really loves sci-fi :) And it totally counts that you love your Kindle app :)

Anytime you suggest a dessert, I just want to get it :) I haven't really decided on anything else but please rest assured that you will get a full report :)

I also find it very weird not being in Lerwick :); 23 December 2023 at 23:52
Dex said...: I ended up going for the stuffed mushrooms, some kind of cajun chicken baguette (with sides, of course!) and the Belgian waffle pudding :); 24 December 2023 at 17:55
Louise Boyd said...: Wow.
You and Kerry make travelling sound like the secret tenth circle of hell 0_0
I may never leave the house again (as if I was going to anyway).
I can't believe it takes that long to get from Lerwick to Aberdeen. In my head you just kinda hop over the sea a bit, couple of hours tops, and then you're on land again.
It never seems like you're that far away! But we're almost 14 hours apart! That's more than half a day!
You can tell I'm stressed out by this by all the exclamation points *-*
To be fair to me, I have no understanding of distance or time or where anything is on the planet (me trying to answer the geography questions on any quiz show is hilarious), so me thinking you're a few hours away isn't that surprising.
Dumb but not surprising :)

I can't believe your cousin made you do sport!
That's just cruel!
Can you walk today? Or do you have the stature of an old crone? I certainly would =/
I hope Freya's taking it easy on you, although I imagine you've been clobbered with a cushion more times than's considered reasonable at this point :)

You're on the same island as me.
Right now :)

I'll forgive you for not telling me you're reading world-renowned Sci-Fi, but only because it Christmas.
Next time you gotta say. I might not have read it or even want to read it, but it'll still make my brain go oooh.
I like knowing what you're putting in your brainpan ^-^; 24 December 2023 at 18:12
Dex said...: Merry Christmas, Maggot :) I've just spent the morning watching Freya open her presents. She really is very entertaining :) I'm sure I never got so many presents when I was her age! Her mother is just making us Christmas Tree pancakes for breakfast :) I might actually get some time to myself today as Freya and her mum have been invited to a friend's house for Christmas dinner. I was invited too but the idea of spending Christmas Day at a stranger's house just makes me too tense :)

Most importantly, thank you so much for Saga Volume 1! I remember you posting about Saga on your blog ages ago and I thought at the time that I thought it looked like something I would love :) No doubt I will be buying myself more volumes in the future :)

You deserve to have a completely stress free day with amazing presents and food. I hope you know that you'll always be my Maggot and that I love being on the same island as you even if it's only for a couple of weeks :) If it makes you feel any better about the travelling time, it only takes about 40 minutes by plane from Shetland to Aberdeen :); 25 December 2023 at 11:07
Louise Boyd said...: Merry Christmas, Fungus :)
Sorry it took me this long to say it, but I've basically been afk for the entire day. My social battery is in the negative right now *-*
And I've got to do it all again tomorrow *-* *-* *-*
How was your day? Did you get takeaway and veg out until the tiny terror returned?
Did she like her dinosaur colouring in book? And how many more times were you pillow attacked before you were allowed to eat Christmas Tree pancakes ← amazing, want one!

I love that we've reached that stage in our friendship where we're the boring people who buy each other books :D It's a dream come true, and a deep dive into all the Ghibli movies might just be the thing that keeps my brain going into the new year. Thank you! You remain the reigning champion of stellar gifts ^-^
And there's no doubt you'll like Saga, it's genuinely one of the best comics I've read in years. And it's sci-fi!

I am SO tired. Existing on 3 hours of very shallow sleep on Christmas Day is not advised. Never do this. My whole being is one giant ache.
If I made the rules, Christmas would happen in the afternoon :)
I might make an exception for Freya, though. And pancakes. And Belgian Waffles Pudding! How was it? As good as it sounded?
Sarah's cake turned out great, and the Häagen-dazs on the side made it even better. All things should be àl a mode, especially if it's biscoff or pralines and cream flavoured :D; 25 December 2023 at 22:35
Dex said...: I'm sorry that you can't just relax on Christmas and Boxing Day. But it is nice that your family make such a big deal out of it as well. If only there was a happy middle ground :) I was on my own for a lot of the day and it was a little bit miserable but I did get brought back some food :) So no takeaway but a Christmas dinner stolen from someone else's house :) There was even tiramisu & macaroons!

She did like her dinosaur colouring book :) But she got so many other much fancier Christmas presents. A Nintendo Switch from her dad (who is currently working abroad) was the main one. Also, did I tell you that she has a mobile phone? That seems insane to me but apparently it's a normal thing as some of her school friends have phones too. She was sending them emojis and making video calls on Christmas Day! Although all this technology doesn't distract her from beating me with pillows :)

I love that you always think about what I will enjoy when you buy me presents. You really do know me so well :) I'm sure we will have many more years of exchanging books at Christmas like the amazingly boring people we are :)

The Belgium waffles were very nice (especially if you liked cinnamon) but probably not a patch on Sarah's cake! I'm not surprised that it turned out great. Your sisters really are such talented bakers! I hope the cake and ice cream helped you to recover from getting on 3 hours sleep! I hope after Christmas you spend a week getting about 10 hours a night! Also, were those really the ice cream flavours you had?!; 26 December 2023 at 22:31
Dex said...: It is so rainy here today! I think Freya and I we will just stay inside and eat chocolate :); 27 December 2023 at 13:02
Louise Boyd said...: So... you said 10 hours?
10 and a half :) I feel like a human again!
But oh boy, Boxing Day did not go as expected *-* My poor big sis ended up in the hospital again, only briefly to check she was okay, but still, it was not where anyone expected to be the day after Christmas.
After about five hours sleep (so, eight in two days total; I felt wonderful x_x), I woke up to my mum sitting with Sarah in extreme pain in the living room, throwing up, knife-to-the-gut feeling in her stomach, cold sweats, the whole food poisoning shebang.
No idea how it happened, everyone else is fine, but it was exactly what I had a few years ago on New Year's Day, so we're just assuming we've been cursed and it's working its way around us family member by family member :)
She's okay now, a little roughed up, but eating again and tired. It has not been a good year health wise!
Cross your fingers for us for next year, Dexterous, we need all the help we can get x_x
Everything going delightfully with Freya, watching the rain and eating chocolate?
It is legit bonkers she has a phone (I bet she loves her colouring book just as much because it's from you), but if I was a kid right now, I'd totally want one so I could photograph my gravel collection and play endless tile matching games. That sounds fucking immense!

Wait, wait, wait, you got free Tiramisu?
Amazing *-*
And were they macaroons or macarons? Very important distinction!
I hate that you were lonely on Christmas Day :( At least you know for sure you and Kerry will be together on New Years. Unless I just jinxed you! >_<

Ps. We also had pistachio ice cream :)

Pps. I love cinnamon :) :); 27 December 2023 at 22:33
Dex said...: 10 and a half hours sleep is the least you deserved after Boxing Day! I really hope Sarah is okay and that you are all feeling less worried now. Sarah totally deserved to have an amazing Christmas after everything she has been through this year! I'm very glad to hear that she is eating again, especially if it was a case of food poisoning. You know I always have my fingers crossed for you and your family. All I really want is for both our families to live happy, quiet, stress free lives. Obviously, in an ideal world, we would be living right next to each other too :)

It was crazy, Lilliputty. On that stormy day, we ended up playing tennis for 2 hours and going swimming! I don't think I could cope with my cousin's lifestyle for more than a week :) At least the gym has a nice cafe where I can get pancakes :) She is out tonight so I was on babysitting duties. I have managed to get Freya to bed even though she convinced me to let her have a bag of animal crackers for supper :) Kerry should be getting the train to Aberdeen tomorrow and we will hopefully meet up about 3pm.

I did get free Tiramisu :) And I think it was macarons rather than macaroons. The ones that look like tiny, colourful burgers :) Sorry, I didn't even realise they were different things!

Pistachio ice cream! I reckon you and I could happily spend a day in an ice cream parlour trying all the different flavours :); 28 December 2023 at 23:04
Dex said...: Hi Lilliputty. I'll be leaving my cousin's today at about 2pm and then meeting Kerry at the train station. We will be staying in a holiday flat until 2 January and then flying back that day. I know you don't need to know all this but I like to keep you informed of all my plans :)

Hopefully you got my message yesterday (I think I forgot to check if it had actually posted okay!) but I really hope that you get more sleep over the next few days and that Sarah is feeling much better.; 29 December 2023 at 12:10
Dex said...: Hi Lilliputty. I hope you have an excellent New Year with your family and that Sarah is feeling okay. I'm still in Aberdeen with Kerry. All we have been doing is staying in the flat, ordering food deliveries and watching TV! I've even ordered more Tiramisu from an Italian restaurant :); 31 December 2023 at 20:01
Louise Boyd said...: Happy New Year, Dexterous :)
Promise I'll message properly when I gain back the use of my brain cells!; 1 January 2024 at 15:09
Dex said...: Hello Lilliputty. That's okay. Please just reply when you can :) You deserve so much rest at the moment! I'm back home in Shetland now. Our travel went okay despite the terrible weather and I am now warm in my bedroom :); 2 January 2024 at 19:13
Dex said...: It's so cold up here, Lilliputty. And I was back to work today so I didn't get to hide under my duvet :); 3 January 2024 at 20:11
Dex said...: Lilliputty! Did you send me another awesome book?! Thank you so much!; 4 January 2024 at 18:35
Louise Boyd said...: If it was Sarah Scribbles, then yes?

Hello Dexterous :)
It's been a hell of a winter season at sea for the Boyd clan, hence my total lack of communication *-*
First we had Sarah come down with the lurgy, then my gran's next door neighbour (who used be our neighbour! We once got an entire crate of Orangina from them, it was amazing) who checks in on her a lot caught Covid, so we had to check her and make sure she was virus free, luckily she was but as you can imagine we were all pretty much climbing the walls with worry (90+ year people with heart problems, y'know?), especially after the Sarah ordeal.
Then everyone seemed to get collectively depressed after the chaos of it all, and Charlie's been an absolute menace through it all (the boy won't sleep when the people sleep and he's noisy about it >_<) so it's been, uh... interesting? 0_0
I swear to god, 2023 just wasn't our year, and I don't expect 2024 to be our year either (I don't really believe in all this NY stuff, it's all just one clump of time to me!) but can it, I dunno, be a little bit kinder to the Boyd clan?
We're tired *-*
SO, yeah, that's why I went radio silent. My spoons were in the negative. Sleep was all I could manage, when Charlie allowed me, that is. I love him but I'm gonna murder him if he doesn't chill the fuck out :)
...
And how are you? :)
Was your New Year's and the plentiful Tiramisu everything you wanted? Genuinely hope so, even if I'm jealous of the dessert.
How're the folks? And tiny perfect Freya?!

Ps. Your cousin sounds like my worst nightmare 0_0 That's too much sport! What about the sitting and watching tv/movies and reading portion of the day?!
When does she sit, Dexterous? *-*; 4 January 2024 at 18:49
Dex said...: Yes, Sarah's Scribbles :D You really are the best!

You know I will always understand whenever you don't feel up to communicating. It's one of the perks of being best friends :) You must have been so worried about your gran. I'm very glad she's okay. I wish that both of our families were safe in a timeless bubble where we didn't have to worry about anything. In 2024, I think your family deserve at least 300 days of nothing but books, tv, food and sleep. With some warm weather too. I wish I could prescribe these things to you like some kind of weird doctor :) And maybe also something to calm Charlie down a little bit!

I did enjoy the Tiramisu :) We didn't go outside at all for 4 days! Just stayed inside and ordered food delivery! I'll miss Freya though, even if she spends 90% of her time trying to attack me :) And my parents are okay too, thank you. Still in the Philippines and avoiding this cold weather :)

I don't think my cousin has a sitting and watching/reading part of the day! I definitely prefer our lifestyle :); 5 January 2024 at 20:51
Dex said...: I forgot to say that I went to the Japanese coffee house for pancakes the other day :) They were very different from any other pancakes I have had but still very nice. The texture was almost like a souffle!; 6 January 2024 at 14:44
Dex said...: I am definitely missing getting food deliveries now that I am back in Shetland :) I think we were very lazy and got them 3 of the 4 nights over New Year! And a lot more to choose from. We got Mexican one night and Italian another.; 7 January 2024 at 13:42
Dex said...: I bought some chocolate pretzels for tonight. I just like to keep you informed of these things :); 8 January 2024 at 19:22
Louise Boyd said...: I must always be informed of chocolate pretzel ingestion, so I may curse you for having yummy things I want.
*proceeds to curse*
Also for the soufflé pancakes! I think they're also called Cloud Pancakes, but it doesn't really matter because they're huge and fluffy and I really want to know what they came with! Jam? Butter? Syrup? Cream? Chocolate?!
Tell me before I curse your further! >_<; 8 January 2024 at 21:14
Dex said...: I hope they are called Cloud Pancakes as that is a perfect name for them :) The one I had was a Biscoff pancake :); 9 January 2024 at 19:29
Louise Boyd said...: Well that sounds stupidly delicious!
Was the Biscoff inside? Or drizzled on top?
I really need a pancake, now <_< But the best we have are scones and honestly, this is sincerely un-British of me, but... I just don't get the fuss =/
They're so lumpy and floury and not even jam can make them taste that good!
You know when jam doesn't make everything better then you really are an inferior baked good x_x

Is it mildly ridiculous that I keep checking the Cake Fridge's Facebook page to see when they'll reopen and I can send you uphill for sugar?
'Cause I am :); 10 January 2024 at 18:23
Dex said...: The Biscoff was on top. I think it would be impossible to fold the pancakes without breaking them as they were really fluffy :) I will need to try the chocolate pancakes next time. Chocolate granola, chocolate cream, marshmallows...

Maybe if was a fresh scone made by one of your sisters I would get slightly excited. Although I would get excited about anything made by them :) Weird question but do your family ever make your own jam?

I love that you are checking their Facebook page :D It's so much better when you tell me what to get :); 10 January 2024 at 19:21
Louise Boyd said...: Nooooo, you could totally do it because it's not just a huge pancake, it's actually two pancakes layered on top of each other, so before you layer, you could plop some Biscoff/Nutella/custard/jam/peanut butter in the middle and bam! Your very own filled yummy cloud :D
Oh, and if you don't try the chocolate pancakes I will cross the sea, face my fear of the Kraken, and make you <_<

They were actually homemade scones. Sarah's first bake since Christmas :)
And homemade are infinitely better than bought, but still, I just don't get it *shrug*. Gimme a muffin any day of the weak instead of a floury rock :)
I think I might even choose a good muffin over a cookie =/ And I love cookies!
Did you ever go to a place called Millie's Cookies? I'm not sure if they ever had one in Edinburgh, so possibly not, but there's one in the big shopping centre in Dundee and you could basically smell it before you entered the building. I haven't been there in years, but they flavoured a good chunk of my teen years. My best friend at the time used to eat an entire box to himself in one sitting (at least five in a box) and have the audacity to never grow a belly.
What is it with me picking up sugar demon besties with super fast metabolisms? :); 11 January 2024 at 18:13
Dex said...: You always know how to make things better :D I can just see you shaking your head at my pancake naivety before helping me to build my cloud :) I promise the chocolate pancakes will be ordered next time!

Kerry was slightly shocked at New Year with how much food I can put away! If we ever have afternoon tea together, I will make sure there are plenty of muffins and jam :) I'm assuming jam goes with muffins... Do your sisters ever make them? I know they can make everything :)

No, I've never even heard of Millie's Cookies! I think the only cookie shop I have been in was inside a shopping mall in Cebu. If we had been best friends as teens, we clearly would have spent a lot of time there :) I am just imagining the smell of freshly baked cookies! Did you have a favourite kind?; 11 January 2024 at 19:31
Dex said...: I've been saving your December monthly for a weekend when I can really enjoy it fully and give it the attention it deserves. I think this is the weekend :); 12 January 2024 at 18:24
Louise Boyd said...: I honestly can't remember what the hell I put in December's Monthlies, I was that wired *-*
So, uh, enjoy? :)

I genuinely think you might be a supernatural creature with a bottomless stomach.
You know that scene in The Simpsons when Homer's in hell and being force-fed doughnuts?

https://media.tenor.com/eC3a6BlqZ_kAAAAM/the-simpsons-homer-simpson.gif

That wouldn't even phase you 0_0
You're so lucky >_<

Favourite cookie: I don't have one!
I'm believe in cookie equality, as in, they should all live happily inside my belly ^-^
I did have a really good coffee cookie a couple of months ago. Why are coffee desserts so good but coffee tastes terrible? I don't understand this sorcery 0_0

Ps. Em makes excellent jam! Raspberry is her forte, which is perfect because it's obviously the best flavour.; 12 January 2024 at 21:16
Dex said...: Your monthlies are always worth reading! I really do think you are an amazing blogger :) It is amazing how you managed to upload a December one with everything you were dealing with! I'm hoping so much that January will be a quieter month for your family.

I think about that Simpsons scene quite often. I must relate to it :)

Your belly is obviously the perfect place for cookies, where they can all live in harmony :) Did you tell me once that you had coffee eclairs or am I making that up?

I think I would be very happy with some of Emily's raspberry jam on one of Sarah's freshly baked scones :); 13 January 2024 at 22:12
Dex said...: I hope you're not too cold in Blair! It is snowing here today and the forecast for this week looks quite bad.; 14 January 2024 at 19:28
Louise Boyd said...: It's snowed here briefly as well :)
I wish it would stick around longer, but a little flurry is better than nothing.
Remember those winters where it felt like the snow would never end?

You didn't imagine the coffee éclairs, they happened and they were delicious! I'm not a traditional éclair fan - not liking whipped cream and all - but as soon as you fill them with something flavoured, I'm all in.
I'd eat a tower of coffee flavoured choux pastry!
You gotta love the French for being so invested in their baking :)
If you could only have one dessert, what would it be?; 14 January 2024 at 20:59
Dex said...: I was just watching a Youtube video on 'The Big Snow' in Shetland over Christmas in 1995/96. I'm definitely glad I lived in town :) The snow here hasn't been as bad as forecast so I managed to drive to the work. You and I definitely need our own magic valley where we can choose the weather :)

I really would love to try a coffee eclair one of these days :) Favourite dessert... That's so tough! I'm going to discount pancakes as they don't always have to be dessert :) I love everything - chocolate mousse, profiteroles, apple pie, lemon meringue pie, bread and butter pudding, baked alaska, rice pudding, creme brulee, tiramisu, banoffee pie... you can probably tell that I love listing desserts :) I'm going to cheat a bit and say profiteroles so long as I can fill and top them with different things :); 15 January 2024 at 19:12
Dex said...: So much snow today!; 16 January 2024 at 19:15
Dex said...: Not that I'm jealous (and I know you like the snow) but I see that Blair seems to be getting plenty of sun :); 17 January 2024 at 12:29
Louise Boyd said...: As it happens, we've got snow and sun :)
Everything's so sparkly and fresh looking. Em said the snow's so soft it feels like powder - I'm taking her word for it because it's -2C and I'm not going outside!
Is it terribly gloomy on the island?

You and I definitely need our own magic valley where we can choose the weather :)

My mind immediately went to Moominvalley *-*

Profiteroles is such a good choice! They're like the toast of desserts, just a tasty receptacle for whatever delicious filling you want!
You're a genius 0_0
I might have to be a basic nightmare and say ice cream, though =/; 17 January 2024 at 21:22
Dex said...: It really is quite gloomy. We've had almost no sun and our snow isn't as soft, although we did have thunder and lightning yesterday! An actual snowstorm :) I'm glad you got sun and snow as I know you like both of those things. And I always think you deserve to get plenty of the things that you like :) We would definitely have days like that in our Moominvalley. Obviously, we would enjoy them from inside with our profiteroles and ice cream :) What kind of ice cream?; 18 January 2024 at 21:15
Dex said...: I think the snow is starting to melt... The forecast says it should rain tomorrow.; 20 January 2024 at 00:14
Dex said...: The snow has thawed a huge amount today!; 20 January 2024 at 20:52
Dex said...: Did I tell you that my parents have some friends from Shetland coming out to stay with them in the Philippines for a couple of weeks? I think they should be arriving in a week. Also, my mother was apparently blessing the food at a wedding and giving away a prize at a beauty pageant... I have no idea how she gets involved in these things!; 21 January 2024 at 19:17
Louise Boyd said...: You mum sounds like something out of a story *-*
Are beauty pageants a regular thing at resorts?!

So, weird thing, the house across the path at the back of ours, their garage blew up =/
I heard nothing because I was in the shower, blasting music like I normally do, but Em was outside when it happened and there was this enormous blast, firework type noises, fire then pouring out of the garage door, and then a whole bunch of firetrucks hosing the place down 0_0
It was pretty dramatic!
I'm trying not to think about it too hard, because things exploding in the house is a genuine fear of mine that I think about roughly three times a day minimum x_x
Tell me this isn't an omen, Dex!

I missed the first Cake Fridge day of 2024! And there was Sticky Toffee Pudding Cake! >_<
The one time I don't check!
Next week, mister, you're trekking up that hill and eating like a king!; 21 January 2024 at 21:25
Dex said...: My parents are staying on their farm rather than a resort. I say it's a farm but I'm not sure how much actual farming goes on. And I'm certain that my parents don't to any of it :) I don't know if the beauty pageant was that glamorous. I think they said it was held in a giant gymnasium!

I'm just glad you're okay! It must have been quite a show for Em! And I hope it didn't give Charlie a fright! Did anyone find out the cause of the explosion? I always worry about things going wrong about the house too so I don't think you are crazy at all to think about these things :)

I had forgotten about cake fridge too! But it's definitely not as much fun if you're not the one ordering me to get something :D; 22 January 2024 at 21:50
Dex said...: Please don't judge me too harshly but for lunch at work today I had waffles and syrup :); 23 January 2024 at 16:35
Dex said...: I almost lost my house keys yesterday! I was on my way to work and had just locked the door when I accidentally dropped my keys in between the back door and the concrete step. It's a very narrow gap (just thin enough for my keys to fall down!) so I couldn't reach in to grab them with my fingers or a stick. I was locked out of the house and my brother was at work so I ended up just going to work without my keys. I went home at lunchtime and fashioned something out of a stick, blu tack, cellotape, and a bent paper clip. After about 15 minutes of fishing, I had managed to hook them :); 24 January 2024 at 18:57
Louise Boyd said...: Dude, that's practically MacGyver-esque!
I'm impressed, truly, I would've probably waited for Em to rescue me, she's a handy little shit.
But honestly, she'd have probably done the same as you :)
One question, though: did you bring the blu tack an cellotape from work or do you normally tote that stuff around with you? <_<
No judgement, I love blu tack.

Please don't judge me too harshly but for lunch at work today I had waffles and syrup :)

It's like you don't know me at all!

Ps. No official info on the explosion but we reckon it was a gas cylinder gone rogue. No one got hurt, luckily.
This is why you shouldn't keep crazy shit in your garage. Or at least I shouldn't; I don't even like having spray cans around =/; 24 January 2024 at 22:38
Dex said...: I'm sorry to disappoint you and admit that the blu tack and cellotape was taken from work. I wish I was that prepared :)

Lilliputty, I genuinely had no idea that's what 'tote' meant! And now 'tote bags' makes much more sense! This is what it is like being me :S

I secretly knew deep down that you wouldn't judge me for the waffles and syrup :)

Does your house have a garage? In my head it does, although it's probably not the massive playroom that it is in my imagination :); 25 January 2024 at 18:32
Louise Boyd said...: Nah, we don't have a garage anymore, it got renovated into my parents bedroom when I was in my early teens, but when we did have one, the siblings and I use to basically use it as a playroom because my dad rarely parked the car inside for some unknown reason. Probably 'cause he was always tinkering with it *-*
I'm guessing there's a garage at the Eva abode. Nothing showy but perfectly car sized and full of things that couldn't possibly live inside the house, like hammers and cardboard boxes with old toys in them. Am I right?
I would have the most organised garage ever, if I had one. There'd be peg board on every wall (fucking love peg board!), a dartboard because darts are the best, tables abutting every wall for, I dunno, fixing stuff, and of course, a tiny toolbox for the five screwdrivers and one hammer I will own :)
And fairy lights, for atmosphere!

It's timmmmmmmmeeeeeeee!:
We're going classic:

-Mini Egg Brownies
- White chocolate Bueno Millionaires

Go forth and get sugary, dear boy.

Ps. I like when you don't know stuff I know, it feeds my ego *-*; 25 January 2024 at 23:28
Dex said...: I think we both know that I had to go for the Mini Egg brownies. I love being sent up the hill by you :D

I'm sorry for the late reply but Kerry took me to the cinema to watch Poor Things with Emma Stone. Never ever watch this with your parents, Maggot! So much graphic sex!

Actually most of our garage is taken up by an old car! For some reason, my parents thought it would be a good idea to buy a classic car (this was maybe 25 years ago) but these days it just sits in the garage. This has suddenly reminded me of a holiday in Sweden where we went to this farm which was pretty much a graveyard for classic cars. Very creepy! Talking with you always brings back the most random memories and it's one of my favourite things :)

Also, I love how much you enjoy things like peg boards :) You really would have the best, most organised and atmospheric garage! Talking of darts, that's what my sibling has gone out to do tonight so I have the house to myself for a few hours.; 26 January 2024 at 21:39
Dex said...: This was what I have bought to stop my key falling down that gap again :)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/AuPra-KeyRing-KeyChain-Surprise-Addition/dp/B09T6SP9DG/ref=asc_df_B09T6SGKY8/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=570219292488&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14071702062356617954&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9047007&hvtargid=pla-1655649932572&mcid=7c43c5218b873e8f9649dfa8386a0d9f&th=1; 27 January 2024 at 15:18
Dex said...: I've just finished the last of the Mini Egg Brownies. Thank you, Lilliputty. You really do make the best choices for me :D; 28 January 2024 at 15:06
Dex said...: Someone at work made a very strange cake today. It had candied bacon in it! Obviously, I still had a big slice and actually quite enjoyed it :); 29 January 2024 at 19:07
Dex said...: Up Helly Aa tonight! Obviously, I'm staying inside. And I get a day off tomorrow as well :); 30 January 2024 at 19:54
Dex said...: Hi Lilliputty. I hope you have managed to avoid the storms in Blair!; 31 January 2024 at 23:14
Louise Boyd said...: As you may have cottoned on to, the Monthlies got the best of me yet again, and I went dark!
I've really gotta give myself a month or two off at some point, my brain cannot cope *-*
So, hi :)

We only got one storm, I think it was called Jocelyn? When did we start naming these things and how are we up to J, already? <_<
Global warming's a real fucker.
Did Lerwick get hit hard?

Poor Things porn show has been noted, I will not watch it in the presence of another living thing. Not even the cat.
I might not watch it all, though. I really hated The Favourite, like, really hated it, which sucked because Olivia Coleman, Rachel Weisz, and Emma Stone are three of my favourite actors, but I'm just not sure I get this director.
It feels weird and unsettling with no payoff, and that's just not for me. If I'm gonna squirm, then it's gotta be worth it.
And this might be blasphemy, but I've never really gotten Mark Ruffalo =/ Undeniably the best Hulk, but apart from that... eh.

I don't know if you'll go, but just in case!:

- Boost Brownies
- White Cho Bueno Millionaires
- Cinnamon Roll Cookie Bars; 1 February 2024 at 20:48
Dex said...: I actually did think that you might have been working hard on January. I'm sorry they take up so much of your time but they really do seem worth it. I'm always excited when it comes to the first of the month :)

It has been very windy here but I feel like I can never really tell the difference between a storm and just very bad weather in Shetland :) I'm glad that it has been okay in Blair.

I think Kerry liked Poor Things a bit more than me. I didn't really like it at all. And not just because of all the uncomfortable sex :) I don't know what it says about me but the whole thing just seemed a bit wrong. I'm really not the best at putting my thoughts into words :) And I definitely rate your opinion on films (and just about everything else) very, very highly!

Thank you so much for taking the time to give me cake fridge orders. I love when you do that :); 1 February 2024 at 23:38
Louise Boyd said...: The internet here is going bananas because of the wind and it turned off just as I was posting my message so it got deleted >_<
I'm so madddddd. Ughhhhhh.
Here we go again:

You're welcome! :) But just as long as you're aware that it's half because I like you having nice, sugary things, and half my belly living vicariously through you ^-^

I rate your opinion very highly, too!
I feel like I'm not forming any new ones lately, though. I'm only watching repeats of things because my brain can't handle anything else >_<
Is it just me or is the brain fog intense this year? It feels like my brain's been shut off since early December and is showing no signs of booting back up *-*
I miss watching new things, dammit.
Hopefully the old noggin will wake up enough for the new (and last *cries*) of Our Flag Means Death dropping soon and I can cry over Ed and Stede in peace :):):)
Did I force you to watch it? I can't remember.; 2 February 2024 at 21:14
Dex said...: I'm sorry you lost your message. I would be very annoyed too! I'm probably much worse in that I fly into a complete rage whenever we have even the slightest interruption to our connection :)

I hope your belly would have been okay with the white chocolate Bueno millionaires. Mine certainly was :)

I think you have watched so many things over the years that you deserve a bit of a break to re-watch your favourite ones :) Anyway, my brain has been like that for years! I'm very much like an old man when it comes to my tv shows :)

You haven't forced me to watch it yet but one of these days I hope you are going to trap us in a very comfortable room with plenty of sugar and force me to watch so many things :) I see it has Murray from FotC in it!; 2 February 2024 at 22:37
Dex said...: The one good thing about February in Shetland is that it finally starts to get lighter!; 3 February 2024 at 16:44
Louise Boyd said...: I know, it's like I can actually feel my body come back to life the closer we get to Spring.
Do you do that thing that cats do, though? Where you find a patch of sunlight and just sorta stand in it until your endorphin levels are topped up?

I never managed to watch FotC, but I do know all the songs.
...
Not sure how it happened, but they're definitely bouncing around inside my brain, specifically "Leggy Blonde :)
I love Rhys Darby, though, and he's the sweetest idiot in OFMD. You should definitely watch it, because y'know, it's excellent and gay pirates,, but I'd wait until the second season's all loaded up on the iPlayer so you get the full effect.
I'll be so interested to know who your favourite character is :D; 3 February 2024 at 21:38
Dex said...: I wish we had enough sunlight so that I could stand in it (it's still so cloudy here). I love that you do that though :) I bet you have to fight Charlie for the best patch :)

I haven't seen FotC for over a decade. I don't think it was something I went out of my way to watch but I have seen a few episodes. But I'm really bad at remembering the songs. I bet you have an excellent brain for that :)

You do have the best taste in tv shows so of course I will watch it :) It sounds like I will have a lot of characters to choose from!; 4 February 2024 at 23:25
Dex said...: Did I tell you that Freya now has a mobile? I have given her my number...; 5 February 2024 at 22:51
Dex said...: It was very strange weather here today! Some parts of Shetland were completely covered in snow while Lerwick and other places hardly got any snow at all!; 6 February 2024 at 18:49
Louise Boyd said...: Do you ever think about how weird it is that everything you experience weather wise is the exact opposite of some others?
Like it'll be raining in Scotland but it's the predict summer weather in Australia.
I know the reasons, it's all very logical and sensical, but my brain gets weirded out by things I can't see or feel in other places in the world.
Does that make sense?
It's like sometimes I suddenly become really aware that there are people in New York just existing.
...
That's just weird, isn't it?

Has Freya been blowing up your phone with dinosaur videos?
I didn't have a phone until I was sixteen. Wtf *-*; 7 February 2024 at 21:10
Dex said...: I love that you have thoughts like that :) I often think about what is going on in the world and what people are up to. I don't mean big things in the news, but just thinking about all the small actions going on behind closed doors between individuals. Or looking at a large building and wondering about all things that are happening in each room, or walking down a street and wondering what is going on behind all those doors... It makes me feel weird too :)

It does seem very odd that a 6 year old has a phone but some of her friends do too. It was very funny watching her text at Christmas. She'll just send random emojis of things she likes with no context :) I forgot to give her my number when I was there but I said to her mum the other day that she can share it with her so I'm really hoping I get some random emoji texts soon :); 7 February 2024 at 22:05
Dex said...: This cold weather really is bad for my hands. I keep getting these small paper cut like cuts on them!; 9 February 2024 at 00:02
Louise Boyd said...: Ahhhh I don't have enough time for a proper message, I'll empathise with your sore mitts tomorrow (ouch!), but I just gotta tell you to go get Biscoff Millionaires or Tunnock's Millionaires or Malteser Cake because you deserve nice things! >_<; 9 February 2024 at 00:31
Louise Boyd said...: Okay! I'm ready to commiserate. I get that, toooo! They're called hacks and they sting and itch like a bitch, and if you're anything like they'll leave little scars on your hands <_<
Isn't it about time Winter fucked off forever so this nonsense can stop?
I'll take an eternal Sprummer as long as I could still celebrate Halloween and eat stuffing.
...
Food tangent, apologies, but you've gotta get a good emollient moisturiser, my boy. Something heavy duty like e45 or O'keeffe's, that'll help ward off the little cuts and dryness. And you really wanna lock that moisture in, put a little vaseline on top. It's messy, so be sparing with the amount and probably don't sleep with it on, but otherwise... two well moisturised thumbs up!

The moment you receive a Freya text, you must tell me.
It's very important I know her emoji preferences *-*; 9 February 2024 at 21:57
Dex said...: Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a message about the cake fridge :D I went for the Biscoff Millionares although it was a really difficult choice between those 3 things today! But her Millionaires really are so good and I love Biscoff too :)

And thank you for the information about the hacks! I just knew you would have excellent advice :) My skin has been coping with the cold weather much worse this year and this is actually the first time I've had these little sliced cuts. They sting so much when washing my hands! I will definitely do all the things you have suggested. I really hope your skin is okay at the moment. You definitely deserve to have a much easier time!

You know I always love to tell you about Freya :D; 9 February 2024 at 22:44
Dex said...: It should hopefully get a bit warmer here next week. At least it won't be freezing. Probably just a lot of rain :S; 10 February 2024 at 19:02
Louise Boyd said...: I haven't stopped thinking about Biscoff Millionaire's since I saw it, so you made the right choice!
And I'm not jealous at all, not one itty bit *-*

I know the temperature's going up, but I swear I'm colder than ever. It happens every year, as if my body can't catch up to the change of seasons, so I'm still fully in Winter mode, not Spring's less than a month away mode!
Thus why in Summer, I'll still be wearing fleece-lined sweatshirts while everyone else is in shorts and t shirts, which doesn't make me feel like an alien interloper, not at all :) :) :); 11 February 2024 at 22:35
Dex said...: I really wish I could have shared it with you. That is genuine :)

What do you wear around the house in winter? I hope it is very comfortable and keeps you warm :) I keep thinking that the temperature will automatically warm up as soon as the clocks change in March even though I know that never happens around here :)

I like the sound of your summer wear and I would find it a lot more normal than someone wearing shorts :); 12 February 2024 at 00:17
Dex said...: The Mario question block lamp really has been getting a huge amount of use this winter. Thank you so much :); 12 February 2024 at 21:32
Dex said...: I keep meaning to ask, is Sarah feeling any better? I hope she's not had to stay in hospital again. You all definitely deserve a rest.; 13 February 2024 at 18:28
Dex said...: Only 3 weeks until my parents fly back from the Philippines. They will be staying with Freya for a week though so I might get some video calls :); 14 February 2024 at 21:45
Louise Boyd said...: Yay! Freya!
I genuinely don't believe there's a more magical creature than her :)

Y'know, I sometimes think about the Mario Block lamp and wonder whether I forced something I like on you, instead of getting you something you'd like.
But then I remember you're a total nerd as well :)
Does it give off a real soft, warm glow? 'Cause that's the optimum lighting, imo.

Sarah is indeed feeling better, the nurses officially dismissed her from checkups and she's basically back to normal.
We all seem to have caught some sort of bug this week, though, so everyone's a bit... *-*
Remember when everyone wore masks and no one got sick for a few years :) :) :); 14 February 2024 at 23:54
Dex said...: That's really good news about Sarah. Although I'm sorry you have all caught something! I know I shouldn't but I do think back fondly to some covid rules like masks and people not behaving like animals in the supermarket :)

Soft, warm glow describes it perfectly. We will definitely have a room permanently lit like that in our fantasy house :) And I like when you force things on me because I end up liking them to :D

I do actually miss seeing Freya every day even though she was permanently attacking me at Christmas :); 15 February 2024 at 18:50
Dex said...: I forgot to tell you there had been a murder in Sandness last weekend! Some Canadian man stabbed his partner and drove off the Melby pier (he's now in hospital)! What is wrong with people?!; 16 February 2024 at 23:15
Dex said...: Kerry and I were supposed to be spending the night watching ridiculous tv and films but sadly her grandmother has been rushed to hospital. It doesn't look like she will last the weekend but they are really hoping that she stays conscious until Kerry's mum manages to fly home.; 17 February 2024 at 20:08
Louise Boyd said...: Aw man, that sucks, Dexterous, it really does. It's not really something you can ever prepare for or get used to. I certainly wasn't.
I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for Kerry's mum getting there in time, and for Kerry.
You okay? Supporting people through loss can be really hard.

Ps. My mum told me about the Sandness murder, and her and my first thought was I hope David's okay!.
(See, my family totally loves you :) )
I like to think most people aren't terrible, but the world's really proving me wrong, right now =/
It genuinely freaks me out about dating someone again! A house of books and cats is looking more appealing by the day *-*
...
That's a lie, it's always been appealing!; 17 February 2024 at 20:23
Dex said...: Thank you, Lilliputty :) I always want you to know what is going on around here even if it sometimes isn't good news (although I do sometimes feel like I don't want to share bad news so you don't have to worry or think about it - but I can never keep things from you for very long :)

Kerry's grandmother did pass away on Saturday before her mum arrived home but she did have a lot of other relatives with her so I think that helped. I've never been very good with providing emotional support, and Kerry does tend to bottle things up, but I did run a few errands for her just to try and be helpful - not sure if I did much good :S

I love your family too :) I always just imagine Sandness to be full of old people and crofters so it's difficult to think that something like that has happened there!

I would always choose to stay in a house with you and your books and cats :); 19 February 2024 at 00:38
Dex said...: For some reason, I bought some of those microwaveable rice pudding pots from Tesco... I have a feeling you hate rice pudding :); 19 February 2024 at 20:02
Dex said...: There is actually some sun today! I hope it stays okay as my parents have asked me to take their other car to the garage for an MOT. So I have to drop it off at the garage (which is near the edge of town) this evening and walk home.; 20 February 2024 at 13:27
Louise Boyd said...: You're such a weird hybrid driver, most car people hate walking, but you're like, yeah, I'll totally walk a couple miles home in the dark *-*
I assume it's a couple of miles, I'm not very good at this distance thing. Ask me to show you an inch with my fingers and it's a total disaster :)

How are things going with Kerry? I'm so sorry about her grandmother, it sucks, really sucks, and as one who also bottles shit up, I hope she lets it out at some point, she'll feel better for it.
And as for you? Errands, being around, and generally existing as your awesome self is more than enough to support her. You're like the human equivalent of a blanket, a cup of tea, and a hug, ie. the best kind of human ^-^

I do hate rice pudding! At least I did twenty years ago when I first tried it, I might feel differently now, but... I probably still hate it. It's too chewy, and not in the good way >_<
Gimme a bowl of custard and I'd be way happier. Or Semolina Pudding! Which is basically the same as rice pudding I guess, just sans the rice.
...
I like pudding, let's put it that way :)

Ps. Charlie is snoring next to me, big dragon snores, it'd be adorable if he didn't have his muddy little paws on my bedsheets. The trials of being a pet owner: nothing you own is ever clean -_-; 20 February 2024 at 18:26
Dex said...: I am a very odd creature :) I definitely drive a lot more than I used to. I was always one of those people who would prefer to walk somewhere rather than drive if possible but I can't really say that anymore! At least I wasn't too tired after the walk home :) I think you are a good judge of distance - it actually is a couple of miles :)

Thank you for asking about Kerry :) She's okay, I think. She did take a couple of days off work as she was getting a little bit stressed by it all. I think the funeral is on Monday so she will be going up to Whalsay at the weekend (that's where most of her family live). It's an island in the north east of Shetland. Maybe about half an hour drive to the ferry terminal and then another half an hour ferry trip. She really doesn't like going there though :S

I don't think I've ever had Semolina Pudding! I have always wanted to try some as it looks a little bit like dry ice cream :) I just remember my dad saying that he didn't like it because it reminded him of school :) I think you and I deserve all the puddings :)

I love hearing about Charlie! Even if he is dirtying your bed sheets :) Dragon snores is definitely the kind of snores I would have guessed :); 21 February 2024 at 22:44
Dex said...: Sorry, I'm sure I must have asked this before but what kind of food does Charlie eat? I do like hearing about his habits :); 22 February 2024 at 20:08
Louise Boyd said...: Charlie Bear, the king of cats, eats whatever we bloody feels like.
It's exhausting -_-
I've never known a pickier cat, who doesn't like fish, but will eat fishy cat food, but only sometimes, and that goes for chicken, beef, lamb (we've tried all the brands!). He's so faddy and stroppy when the fad is over and we haven't realised!
The only thing he'll eat with any consistency are these treats that are like the cat food equivalent of Frubes. He fucking loves them and bullies everyone at different times of the day so he can trick us into giving him more than he's allowed.
I live with a fluffy demon 0_0
...
Speaking of which, here's your Friday Cake Fridge order! Because after this week, you deserve it :) Well, you always deserve it, but this week especially :) :) :)

- Guylian Truffle Billionaires Brownies
- Caramel Cornflake Brownies
- Biscoff Brownies

I was gonna leave Biscoff off the list so you wouldn't be lured in by it, but hell, who am I to deprive you of ground of biscuits smothered on top of a brownie.
No one's that cruel *-*

In my head, Shetland is so small but I'm starting to think my spacial awareness is tricking me the more you tell me about places I've never heard of 0_0

Ps. Semolina is not like dry ice cream! What would dry ice cream even be like?!; 23 February 2024 at 00:41
Dex said...: I'm so sorry, I don't know what I was thinking. I've just looked up pictures of semolina and that is not what was in my head at all! I was basing this all off a vague memory of some children my mother used to look after when she was a childminder having semolina for their lunch one day. In my head, it was the white lump of something that looked a little bit like vanilla ice cream. I will definitely look things up before making stupid comments next time!

Shetland really isn't that big. I imagine someone could easily drive the length of the mainland in well under 2 hours. And then there are the smaller islands. I think Whalsay is the most populated island after the mainland. It's relatively wealthy for Shetland as it's where a lot of the fishermen live.

I'm glad you didn't leave the Biscoff off the list as I couldn't resist :) Although I'm sure I would have been very happy with anything else you chose for me. I think I'm probably less picky than Charlie :); 23 February 2024 at 20:33
Dex said...: If Freya ever comes up here again, I think I will definitely take her to the cake fridge :); 24 February 2024 at 18:16
Dex said...: I saw a Samoyed dog the other day (the same kind as we had when I was growing up) bounding along the road near Kerry's the other day with its human in hot pursuit! Fortunately, I saw later on when going back home that he had managed to catch up.; 25 February 2024 at 11:31
Dex said...: It was Kerry's grandmother's funeral today so she went back to Whalsay yesterday to help out with things including organising a takeaway for about 40 family members! I just picked her up from the ferry terminal an hour ago as she really couldn't wait to get home to her couch :); 26 February 2024 at 19:08
Dex said...: Apparently my parents are going to see Freya perform in a ballet when they are back in Aberdeen...; 27 February 2024 at 21:20
Louise Boyd said...: That is the rudest thing I've ever heard.
They better take video for you to see!
What's she being in the ballet? Chorus? Main role? Star of the show?! Which she clearly should be, obviouslyyyyyy.

How's Kerry doing? Pretty shattered I'm guessing?

Wait a minute, you had a Samoyed?!
I hate you so much right now >_<
They're such perfect floof clouds *-*
There was one that lived in town when I was a teenager, and I swear I became completely immobile whenever I saw it out for a walk, and had to just stand there and stare with big anime heart eyes as it waddle by.
What was yours called?
I'm sorry if you've told me all this before but my brain really can't be trusted to retain information x_x; 27 February 2024 at 22:38
Dex said...: I'm sure there will be film evidence that I can hopefully share with you :)

Kerry's okay. Thank you for asking :) I think she's very tired and had a delayed reaction to it all. She was quite emotional last night.

Our Samoyeds had very strange names. Whisky and Sheba. They really were very good dogs though :) I will need to see if we have any photos of them. I keep meaning to go through our old albums so I can feel nostalgic :)

I do love your reaction animals :) I bet they love you too!; 28 February 2024 at 18:35
Dex said...: Hi Lilliputty. I'm not sure if my last comment saved. I hope so!; 28 February 2024 at 18:37
Dex said...: I hope you're not stressing too much about the monthly.; 29 February 2024 at 19:44
Louise Boyd said...: All stress is over, I just finished editing :)
Just in time to force you to go to the cake fridge tomorrow!:

- Jammy Cornflake Slice
- Banoffee Slice
- Mini Egg Cheesecake

I already know what you're gonna get :D

Whisky and Sheba are great names for floof clouds! Especially Whisky. Were they both boys? Girls? One of each? From the same litter? Did they have the most boopable noses? Were they so big that little Dex could ride one into battle?!
If you find pictures, you gotta share!
Speaking of animals... there's a squirrel living in my gran's loft :); 29 February 2024 at 22:29
Dex said...: It really means a lot that you take the time to order me to the cake fridge. And you know me so well :D I took it to work to share but there was some leftover that I have taken home for the weekend :)

They were both boys. Sheba was the slightly older one, while Whisky was more fluffy. My dad already had them before I was even born so they were my childhood protectors :) And they were much too friendly for battle but excellent to play with :)

A squirrel?! I wonder how long it has been there?! I definitely wish we had squirrels in Shetland :); 1 March 2024 at 20:10
Dex said...: It really is so impressive that you always get your monthlies posted! I know they must take so much work!; 3 March 2024 at 00:24
Dex said...: I also remember that I used to sometimes take the dogs for a walk around the Clickimin loch and getting dragged along as I was so small and they were quite big and excitable :); 3 March 2024 at 20:15
Dex said...: I'm not sure if it will be any better than the Cadbury's Caramilk, but I've bought some Milkybar Gold buttons to try tonight...; 4 March 2024 at 19:03
Louise Boyd said...: ...
And?!
How'd the Milkybar Gold buttons hold up?!
I've got until May to eat my last Caramac, tell me there's hope, Dexterous!

I have the cutest vision of a tiny Dex being dragged full pelt by a couple of land clouds ^-^
Adorable.
Obviously not so much if you skinned your knee, though.
I haven't skinned anything in years *touch wood*, but I still know exactly how bad it stings >_< And if it happens now, I'll gripe for days instead of crying a bit, getting a parental hug, maybe a sweetie, and then dashing off to chase bugs like would've when I was little :(
Being old/young is the worst!

Did you ever lay your head on Whisky or Sheba's bellies and just kinda hang out?
I used to do that with Cariad, she was such a patient girl, except with the postman. Fucking hated the postman 0_0
Which is fair, I sometimes I hide from them, too :)

Ps. I've privately named the squirrel Captain Hazelnut. No one else knows. It's our secret.; 5 March 2024 at 17:52
Louise Boyd said...: Pps. Facebook (which I've never used in my life) randomly sent me a message about Orca sightings in Shetland.
Do you commune with sea giants, Dex?; 5 March 2024 at 17:54
Dex said...: I decided to save them for tonight as I was too full of strawberry pencils yesterday. Fancy Haribo strawberry pencils that Kerry ordered from Amazon :) They were just for me as I think I've told you that she doesn't really like sugar!

I don't really remember but I am telling myself that I definitely used to rest my head on their bellies as it sounds like the nicest thing in the world to do :) Cariad is such a lovely name! I know you will have told me this before but what kind of dog was she? I wish we could both just hide somewhere with all of our happy memories :)

We should definitely still get sweeties if we ever skin our knees. I don't care how old we are :)

Telling me secrets like naming your grandmother's loft squirrel Captain Hazelnuts is how I know that we'll be best friends for eternity :)

Yes, I think there is a Facebook page for Shetland Orca sightings that some people seem to follow quite obsessively. Basically get in their cars and drive to places where the internet tells them! I would love to see Orcas if there weren't so many people around but there never seems much chance of that.; 5 March 2024 at 19:20
Dex said...: It feels like a long time since we have seen the sun! I hope it is appearing a bit more in Blair :); 6 March 2024 at 21:42
Dex said...: The parents should be flying back to UK in the next day or so. I think they arrive in Aberdeen on the 9th. So not long until I get video calls with Freya :); 7 March 2024 at 18:21
Louise Boyd said...: Yayyyy, Freya!
But most importantly, how did her ballet recital go?!

Dex, I'm getting worried about the Milkybar Gold Buttons, you've said nary a word of them and I'm down to three Caramacs 0_0

Cariad (or Carrie, as we always called her) was a Border Collie/Spaniel mix. She had the sweetest temperament, had freckles on her nose, loved affection and would herd us around the house (true to her sheepdog ancestry), and had floppy, curly ears I loved squish between my fingers.
She looked a bit like this:

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/bc/ac/67/bcac673759f75f4185ebda17149aa53a.jpg

She really was the sweetest dog alive and I miss her alllll the time.
I'm pretty afraid of dogs (childhood trauma thing) but never of her, she was my snuggle buddy ^-^
I bet you used to use Whisky and Sheba as pillows, it's an evolutionary need that humans cannot resist!

I just checked the Cake fridge menu for this week and they have Mother's Day cupcake boxes.
Now, I know you're not a mother but I fully believe you deserve a box of cupcakes.
HOWEVER!
There's always the Biscoff Millionaires if you're not feeling spenny!

Ps. THERE'S NO SUN AND IT'S KILLING ME x_x; 7 March 2024 at 23:05
Dex said...: I really hope you don't mind but I chose the Biscoff Millionaire's over the cupcakes. Although I have a feeling you already knew that :) Thank you so much for always taking the time to look at the cake fridge menu!

I was just thinking 'I haven't told Maggot about the buttons'! I must have liked them because I bought another bag :) I hope you get to try them as I would be very interested to know your opinion. I haven't had a Caramac in so long that I can't really do a fair comparison. Also, I love that you had a stock of Caramacs :) I'm just sorry it is getting so low!

She sounds amazing! I would definitely love a dog like Cariad :) The dog in the photo looks so kind and friendly and I bet Cariad was even more so! I sometimes wish we could go back.

I think the ballet recital isn't for another week yet but I will definitely let you know how it goes. She's a lot more talented that I ever was :); 8 March 2024 at 19:12
Dex said...: Parents have now arrived in Aberdeen. And there is actually some sun today! :); 9 March 2024 at 11:56
Dex said...: I had a video call with my parents and Freya yesterday :) She was showing me some coral and apparently she's going to Egypt in the Easter holidays!; 10 March 2024 at 16:27
Louise Boyd said...: Egypt?!
She's gonna look so tiny next to the pyramids *-*
Is she visiting her dad? He works abroad, right?
Also, coral is creepy but I'd sit through an entire oceanic lecture if Freya was giving it :) Especially if she was being a ballerina dinosaur professor :) :) :)

I read this thing years ago that Neil Gaiman said about kids having pets:

They don't teach you the facts of death, your Mum and Dad. They give you pets. And actually it's true. For many of us, pets are the way we initially discover death and the heartbreak of death. And we have to discover it. We encounter it, we learn how to live with it, learn how to survive it. And that, in some horrible way, is what pets are for.

It's such a devastating thing to realise but it makes sense.
If I had magical necromatic powers I'd totally bring Carrie, Whisky and Sheba back, though. In a heartbeat!
And Dizzy, Gilliespie, Misty, and Pepper!
All the floofers!; 11 March 2024 at 18:13
Dex said...: I think her dad will be the one taking her. He works abroad a lot of the time but still lives in Aberdeen so I'm assuming he will be coming home first and then they will travel there together. I definitely hope I get some photos of tiny Freya next to the pyramids :) I know you don't like the ocean so it really makes me feel warm inside that you would happily listen to Freya lecture us about it :)

Thank you for sharing that. Totally heartbreaking and true. I am hoping for a Good Place where we are neighbours and are visiting each other all the time. I know that Whisky and Sheba would be happily barking every time they saw you approaching the door :); 11 March 2024 at 18:34
Dex said...: I've taken a few days off work to prepare for my parents coming home on Monday!; 12 March 2024 at 18:38
Dex said...: Cereal recommendation: Coco Pops Chocos!; 13 March 2024 at 09:44
Dex said...: This is going to sound like a random stupid question but do you have a favourite type or brand of peanut butter?; 14 March 2024 at 15:38
Louise Boyd said...: Peanut Butter preference questions are never random and stupid!
And the answer is, of course, Whole Earth Crunchy.
I don't like any sugar in my PB, the more natural the better :)
That isn't saying I won't eat any PB going, however. It's basically a dietary staple, imo.
Yours?

Cereal recommendation acknowledged!
I'll try and con Em into picking me some up for when I've finished the Frosted Shreddies I've been working on :)
I did eat plain old Coco Pops a few days ago, though, and they were oddly bitter =/

Dex! You gotta get Oreo Nutella Caramel Slice from the Cake Fridge! That sounds insane >_<

Ps. Anymore Freya sightings?
Also, did she name the Coral?; 14 March 2024 at 20:24
Dex said...: I had a feeling you would go for crunchy peanut butter :) I have always preferred smooth. I often buy Whole Earth but I've recently moved onto Meridian. We would definitely have a jar of your favourite peanut butter in the house if we were neighbours so you could always have some whenever you dropped by. You would obviously be allowed to come over any time :)

I only really bought the Chocos as I remembered them from years ago (they may have even been sold under a different brand/name but basically chocolate shells) so I was excited to see them again. And they did not disappoint :) I hope if you get to try them, they won't be bitter! I will understand if you have other sugary cereals to work through first though :)

Yes, I just had to buy the Oreo Nutella Caramel Slice. I love that you knew there was no point in suggesting other options :) And I am not working today so I get the whole box to myself!

Just a couple of brief Freya sightings... I think she must be getting ready for her ballet tomorrow night :) She didn't tell me if she's named the coral but I wouldn't be surprised. She really does love the sea! Did I tell you that at Christmas she continually made me watch this adventure/educational cartoon about the ocean called the Octonauts? :); 15 March 2024 at 16:27
Dex said...: My Saturday is consisting of leftover cake fridge :); 16 March 2024 at 16:00
Dex said...: Parents are coming home tomorrow so today has been a day of cleaning :S; 17 March 2024 at 14:22
Dex said...: The house seems so crowded now!; 18 March 2024 at 19:27
Louise Boyd said...: It's amazing how two people can fill so much room *-*
My folks do it just by entering a room; so much chaos!
Did they have a nice time, though?
I'm still seething with jealousy over how warm they must've been. I'm so sick of being cold x_x

Meridian is a totally acceptable PB brand! Any natural one, tbh.
And smooth? Can't say I hate it. And I would probably come over and steal the entire jar :)
Do you buy jars? We get tubs. Giant tubs. The Boyd clan are feral for peanut butter. Eat it by the spoonful!

Did I tell you that at Christmas she continually made me watch this adventure/educational cartoon about the ocean called the Octonauts? :)

NO! YOU DIDN'T TELL ME THIS! YOU TELL ME NOTHING!
...
That's so cute *-*
Has she discovered axolotl salamanders yet? You gotta tell me when/if she does!
Has the ballet recital happened?
I don't normally care about not having tiny cousins but I'm feeling green, right now. I love the ballet >_<; 18 March 2024 at 21:48
Dex said...: Why is it not getting any warmer?! They always like coming home but they definitely wouldn't have minded another month are so in the Philippines :) I think it was a shock to the system coming home to this after 4 months in a warm climate! At least we are fairly used to the constant cold... What would be your ideal temperature?

I'm glad to know our we both feel the same way about our parents causing chaos in whatever room they enter :) I will miss having the living room to myself in the evenings and weekends.

It does make me feel better about my PB choices knowing that you approve :) I do just buy jars though as I'm the only one who eats PB in our house. And you would always be welcome to drop by and help yourself to spoonfuls :)

I'm so sorry, I really do mean to tell you everything Freya related :) I've just looked them up and axolotls were in an episode of Octonauts so she probably does know what they are as she has seen every episode about 100 times :) I will definitely ask her about them next time I speak to her!

My parents said that the ballet was quite chaotic as you could imagine but I think Freya enjoyed leaping around while pretending to be a leopard :); 19 March 2024 at 22:24
Louise Boyd said...: SHE WAS A LEOPARD?! >_<
OMFG!
That's... that's legitimately the cutest thing. Did she have face paint on? With whiskers and cute little black snoot?
Ughhhh, she has the best life!
And she knows about axolotl salamanders, too *-*
It's humbling when you realise you're not as cool as a tiny human who's brain isn't even fully formed yet.

My ideal temperature? It depends on my mood, I guess, but if I had to choose it'd be around 18-20 degrees C but with a coolish breeze so nothing felt too stifling. Comfy warm, where I can wear a t shirt and feel perfectly comfortable.
Also there's gotta be sun with minimal cloud cover.
...
ie. the kind of weather Scotland never has 0_0
I gotta move to the south of France, already, Dex. We can build adjoining houses and build a bridge between second story balconies so we don't even have to use each other's front doors.
Sound good?
I'll pack the cereal and peanut butter!; 20 March 2024 at 21:07
Dex said...: South of France, adjoining houses, sun, 18-20 degrees, cool breeze, a bridge between our balconies so we can drop by each other as often as we like to borrow peanut butter and cereal... I think that is the perfect dream :D

I choose to believe that is exactly how Freya looked as a leopard :) One of the things we would do at Christmas was she would make me copy her drawings and then grade my work. She kept giving me a D and herself an A. Apparently because I didn't listen to instructions :) And she also loves the game where you use your hand to spell a word on the other's back and they have to guess the word. She's really good at guessing :)

We actually did have some sun today! Although it is supposed to be horrible weather tomorrow!; 20 March 2024 at 22:23
Dex said...: I always look at my No Face and realise how lucky I am to know you :); 21 March 2024 at 23:04
Dex said...: I have been doing my best to make myself warm in this weather. New blanket and space heater :); 22 March 2024 at 23:32
Dex said...: Something I have not missed about my parents being home is their tendency to wake me up on weekends for breakfast! As much as I like bacon and eggs and coffee :); 23 March 2024 at 14:29
Louise Boyd said...: I don't think I have ever had bacon and eggs and coffee for breakfast. Ever.
I'm problematic, though, because I don't like just eating a strip of bacon on its own, I need bread; I hate eggs - especially fried; and coffee is warm dirt water :)
Give this gremlin a bowl of cereal or a pile of toast and all will be well!
But not in the morning <_<

I love the word/back game! Haven't played that in years! What kind of words was she making you guess. I'm thinking some real fancy oceanic stuff?
I've never asked before, but can you draw, Dexterous? I know you can play piano, and musical/arty people tend to flock together, so... can you? Or were you deserving of those Ds from Professor Freya? :D

Y'know what I think when I look at my No Face?
...
Dex has the better one 0_0
Em really refined the design when she made yours (and I sewed up one of his tiny hands!), and mine's awesome, but yours is better.
I'm kinda bitter about it :D; 23 March 2024 at 22:10
Dex said...: I'll eat most things. And a lot of them. I think I did shock Kerry a bit at New Year with the amount of food I can eat :) And cereal and toast is an excellent breakfast option :)

She had actually never played the word/back game before so I was glad I was able to introduce her to something :) We did just do simple things but I will definitely be in for a difficult time once she can easily spell some of these sea creatures :)

I don't play the piano anymore (despite having a piano in my bedroom!) but I had plenty of lessons in school. I'm not really creative at all though so probably very deserving of those Ds :) I just enjoy other people's creativity :)

You and Emily really are so talented and I do love that you helped with No Face's tiny hands :) I'm sorry I got the better one :) If it helps at all, it is genuinely the best thing I have!; 24 March 2024 at 19:30
Dex said...: Speaking of No Face, it has been a ridiculously long time since I have watched any Studio Ghibli!; 25 March 2024 at 22:42
Dex said...: We had a little bit of snow last night. It was quite sunny today though so it has all gone now.; 26 March 2024 at 19:40
Louise Boyd said...: Gotta love our weird ass seasons.
You think it's Spring, but really it's false Spring and Winter comes stomping back in!
I hate it here 0_0
Which Ghibli movie are you gonna watch first?
My vote would always be Spirited Away before anything else, it's kinda perfect.
Or Ponyo! Which wasn't even in my Top 5 for a long time but it's grown on me so much with repeat watches :)
I'm desperate to see The Boy and the Heron >_<; 26 March 2024 at 20:54
Dex said...: I wish we could do a Ghibli marathon :) Spirited Away is definitely the one I feel like watching the most at the moment! But I would happily watch most of them :)

It was definitely still winter today. So cold but rain instead of snow!; 28 March 2024 at 00:36
Dex said...: I hope the Boyd family have managed to avoid all the coughs and colds going around. How is Sarah doing at the moment? You really are the best bunch of humans and deserve to have a completely stress free few months! Charlie too :); 28 March 2024 at 18:49
Louise Boyd said...: The Boyd bunch are doing our best. Not great but not the worst. And not a cold in sight!
Does that mean the Eva's have got the lurgy?
I hope not.

Okay, I need your order of Ghibli movies.
Start with number one and work your way down my friend.

It's Easter :)
Who's going to the Cake Fridge?
You are!
And you're getting one of these:

- Biscoff Mini Egg Rocky Road
- Malteser Bunny Cake Tins
- Caramel Egg Brownies

...
I already know what you're gonna choose ^-^

Is Freya doing something fun for Easter? A hunt, perhaps?; 28 March 2024 at 22:43
Dex said...: Just me! I seem to have caught a cough from somewhere. I haven't managed to sleep very well these last couple of nights and I'm worried about giving it to other family members. I'm really glad your family are doing okay. You know you can always tell me if you're not doing so well.

Thank you! I was really hoping you would give me a cake fridge order for Easter :) Obviously biscoff and mini eggs :)

Freya is in Egypt with her dad! I hope she's having a nice time and that I will hear all about it. Her mum is a bit nervous as it is the first time she has been abroad without her.

I will have to give some serious thought to my Ghibli rank (I might have to limit it to Miyazaki films). Spirited Away is definitely a serious contender for top spot!; 29 March 2024 at 20:22
Louise Boyd said...: Nooooo, not the lurgy! There's only one thing for it: hot chocolate and toast to soothe a scratchy throat.
Best medicine around :)
Getting colds in Spring is the worst. Surely our bodies should realise we're prepping for Summer, right?

I can't believe the tiny fairy queen is all the way in Africa being tiny and amazing. That's too cool. I'm super intrigued what she'll bring back as a souvenir.
Camel plushie? Pyramids snow globe? A vial of sand to do magical spells with?!
The options are endless *-*
I hope she has the best time ^-^

Your time has come, Dexterous, gimme that Ghibli list (and only Miyazaki entries are perfectly valid; they probably the best ones anyway!)

Happy Easter, Fungus :); 30 March 2024 at 22:14
Dex said...: Happy Easter, Lillputty :) I hope you have plenty of chocolate!

Spirited Away (probably the perfect mix!)
Howl's Moving Castle (I love this world but it does go a bit mad towards the end)
Porco Rosso (Maybe placing it a bit too high but I love fun adventure stories)
Princess Mononoke (not the easiest watch but it is an amazing film)
My Neighbour Totoro (a film where so little happens should not be this much fun!)
Ponyo (so easy to watch)
Laputa: Castle in the Sky (I know this isn't your favourite but it does have everything that I love about Miyazaki films)
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (quite eerie but I love that)
The Wind Rises (maybe unfair to rank it so low but it is the one I have watched the least)

But the main thing is that I love them all :) What would be your list?

I'm sure I would feel much better if you were here prescribing me hot chocolate and toast :) But I have definitely improved today. It is still hanging around but is almost gone.

I'm sure if Freya gets a camel plushie, she will give it an adorable name :); 30 March 2024 at 23:59
Dex said...: I just ate a whole Easter Egg and now feel slightly ill! A successful day :); 31 March 2024 at 23:23
Dex said...: I meant to say, I also bought some Cadbury's Mini Eggs :); 1 April 2024 at 17:58
Louise Boyd said...: What kind of Easter Egg did you devour like a unhinged jaw snake, mister?
Congrats by the way, that's super impressive, your reign as Captain Candyclaws stands firm!

No chocolate was devoured by I this Easter, not even a Mini Egg, but there was homemade Hotcross Bun Loaf and Maple Pecan Hot Cross Buns residing happily inside my belly.
Especially the Hotcross Bun Loaf; Sarah needs a standing ovation for that *-*
I'm guessing you're not a fan, though, what with the dried fruit?

How's the lurgy doing, my dear? Did an abundance of chocolate evict it? That's how it should work, right?

I approve of your Ghibli list, wholeheartedly, but Totoro being so far down hurts me a little :(
My order?

Spirited Away (same reason)
Ponyo (every time I watch it, I love it a little more)
My Neighbour Totoro (because, because, BECAUSE)
Howl's Moving Castle (everything, but Howl being canonically Welsh has always pleased me)
Arrietty (so freaking beautiful)
From Up on Poppy Hill (first watched when i was feverish with Norovirus, I understood nothing but loved it ever since)
Kiki's Delivery Service (Jiji)
The Cat Returns (it's a movie about cats that talk, that's the dream)
Princess Mononoke, Pom Poko, and Porco Rosso are about the same level
Whisper of the Heart and Castle in the Sky (I just couldn't connect with them for some reason)

I've really gotta make myself fill in the gaps and finish my Ghibli education, they're is freaking amazing, even the ones I don't like as much >_<; 2 April 2024 at 18:38
Dex said...: The cheapest Easter Egg I could find. A Smarties one. I crushed it with my bare hands and ate the pieces :)

I think that your sisters' baking would make up for anything :) Even if it is something I wouldn't particularly like if made by someone else, I would totally demolish a Hotcross Bun Loaf made by Sarah :) I'm actually not sure if I have ever had a Hotcross Bun!

I think I'm doing a bit better, thank you :) The cough has almost gone but my body is aching a little bit from all the coughing these last few days! So weak :)

I love your Ghibli list! Anytime you make a list, I get very excited :) And I would always be happy to bump Totoro up my list :); 2 April 2024 at 19:24
Louise Boyd said...: I crushed it with my bare hands and ate the pieces :)

This is why I fucking adore you :)
I can't remember whether the Smarties Egg comes with loose Smarties inside or a little bag...
And it may be the cheapest, but it's arguably the best one!
Have you ever put a Smartie one a teaspoon and held it over a cup of tea to melt it a little bit?
If not, you should, it's epic *-*

Okay, seeing as we're both list enthusiasts, let's do our Top 5 Ghibli characters!
I'll go first:

1) Calcifer (do I even need to explain why?)
2) Boh (he's such a sassy little baby/mouse)
3) Ponyo (when she's running over the waves it makes me kinda insane with the feels)
4) Jiji (a deadpan void, he's majestic)
5) The Meow King (an absolute goblin and Tim Curry voices him, enough said)

I've actually surprised myself not having Totoro in there 0_0
Tag, you're it!; 3 April 2024 at 17:28
Dex said...: This one had loose Smarties :) I have never even thought to do that to a Smartie with my cup of tea! You really are the best human :) I would totally be doing that tonight if I had some! I do have some chocolate pretzels and salted caramel chocolate fingers though :)

You are so good at lists! I would be very happy with having your list as mine :) But I will try to choose different characters!

1) Nausicaa (she is pretty much perfect)
2) Howl (who wouldn't want to travel around in his castle)
3) Kiki (maybe just because she has a Jiji!)
4) No Face (of course! and like me, he's an eating machine)
5) Totoro (just so you don't feel too bad about missing him off your list); 3 April 2024 at 19:27
Dex said...: I do really like to keep an eye on Blair's weather forecast as it is very important to me that you get nice weather! I'm sorry that it seems like it is so cold there today. It is the same up here :S; 4 April 2024 at 17:53
Louise Boyd said...: Oh my god, I can't believe I missed out No Face! Shame on me!
He's the sweetest demon >_<
I definitely have to watch Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind now, seeing as she's your top girl.

The weather's is driving me nuts. Truly. We had the nicest day of Easter, so sunny and warm enough to linger outside, but since them it's dropped in temperature and it's always raining. Non stop.
I just want winter to be over alreadyyyyy, it's like being in fucking Game of Thrones! I even have my own dragon!
Argh!
So, seeing as we're both stuck in typical islander weather hell, I'm sending you to the Cake Fridge :)
And you're gonna get one of these!:

- E Wedel Choc Hazelnut Brownies
- Orkney Fudge Cheesecakes
- Kinder Brownie Millionaires

Choose wisely :)
I'll just be here finishing the Hot Cross Bun Loaf :) :) :); 4 April 2024 at 21:31
Dex said...: Thank you for making me go to the cake fridge. It really made up for the cold weather :) I went for the Kinder Brownie Millionaires. I think it was the right choice :) And I definitely would have been opening negotiations to trade a piece for some of Sarah's Hot Cross Bun Loaf :)

Charlie is definitely a dragon :) I hope you both get some sun very soon! Apparently tomorrow in Shetland is supposed to be very heavy rain but we are supposed to be getting sun on Sunday...

I can't wait to make a start on your March monthly :); 6 April 2024 at 01:40
Louise Boyd said...: Fair warning, I'm a grumpy shit in the March Monthlies.
Enjoying stuff is becoming increasingly hard for some reason 0_0
Do you ever get like that?
Maybe not, because you rewatch things to often?
I love trying new things all the time, but fuck sake, it can be a disappointment spiral!
At least Bob's Burgers never lets me down >_< Seriously, how is that show still amazing at season 14?

I would've absolutely traded you some Hot Cross Bun Loaf for a Kinder Brownie Millionaires! Fuck yeah!
I haven't bad a Brownie in so long.
Are you a fudge brownie kinda guy? Or cakey?

It's warmish and sunny today :)
I keep standing at windows and preening like a cat. I fucking love Vitamin D.
I hope you get that sunshine tomorrow, m'dear, so you can bask like a cat as well :); 6 April 2024 at 18:08
Dex said...: I always enjoy reading them! I'm just sorry if so many things have disappointed. You really do have amazing energy levels when it comes to finding new things! I'm always very happy when you find something you love and I'm glad you are still enjoying Bob's Burgers :) Season 14?! That is crazy!

I really only watch old shows these days when left to my own devices. Even when I decide to try something different, it will still be old :) And I spend ages reading about it before actually makes the decision to watch it! Did you tell me one time that your mum reads the plots on wikipedia of books or films before she has read/watched them? Because I can very much relate to that :)

When it comes to a brownie, I would definitely go for fudgey over cakey, despite the fact that I absolutely love cake :) What about you?

You really do deserve much more Vitamin D :) They are still forecasting sun tomorrow so hopefully we will both be able to enjoy it...; 6 April 2024 at 22:01
Dex said...: It has clouded over now but we did get sun for most of the day :); 7 April 2024 at 19:04
Louise Boyd said...: The sun was shining on us as well :)
Until it pissed it down in classic April fashion with the sun still shining :) :) :)
I won't cry because the weather sucks. I won't *-*

Cakey brownie, all the way.
If I want cake, I'll get cake.
Which I also love, too!
I pinned a coffee chocolate chip cake yesterday and I legitimately have not stopped thinking about it *-*
That and Sarah saying she'll make chocolate hot cross buns at some point.

So, what's on the Dexterous watch card right now?; 8 April 2024 at 21:16
Dex said...: I think I dislike showers even more than full blown rain. Showers feel sneaky and unfair :)

That does look amazing! And coffee/chocolate is always a magical combination when it comes to desserts. My awesome Maggot taught me that :) I really hope Sarah follows through with the chocolate hot cross buns!

I'm always embarrassed to tell you what I am watching because they are so old! I'm currently watching The Prisoner tv series from the 1960s and the original Twilight Zone!; 8 April 2024 at 22:10
Dex said...: Did I tell you that my parents are going to Aberdeen for a few weeks in May to help look after Freya while my cousin starts her nursing placement? Hopefully I will get plenty of video calls.; 9 April 2024 at 18:57
Louise Boyd said...: And I assume she will regale you with tales of her grand adventures in Egypt.
You lucky fucker >_<
Is she back yet?

Those are two shows I've never watched. I'd never even heard of The Prisoner! I do enjoy Patrick McGoohan's name, though. McGooooooohan. McGoohanMcGoohanMcGoohan!
Yeah, I'll be saying that on repeat inside my head for the next hour ^-^
The Twilight Zone's one of those infamous shows that I've always been semi-intrigued by but not enough to seek out.
Are the stories worth it?
And also, I'm addicted to Married at First Sight: Australia. You should never feel embarrassed about telling me what you're watching 0_0; 9 April 2024 at 21:20