SINATRA: YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE BUT IF YOU鈥橵E LIVED LIKE ME, ONCE IS ENOUGH ! (I know exactly what he means, here we go then.)
What a weekend !
Full as an egg. Woke up this morning barely able to open my eyes, they had the heaviness of those of a teenager, you know, when you鈥檙e dog tired.
A brief resume鈥.
鈥. Show finished FRIDAY鈥 off to the COMIC RELIEF MILLION POUND CARNIVAL鈥 ASHLEY COLE in the STOCKS, TRACY EMIN on the coconut shy, MICK HUCKNALL tending three-balls-in-a-churn, GIRLS ALOUD getting you to have a go on the dodgems, GERI HALLIWELL in charge of the raffle, A.W.T. and JO BRAND serving up the food, I could go on....
All these good souls were part of the COMIC RELIEF APPRENTICE SPECIAL, you鈥檒l be able to see it all in full on telly in February.
Next we went out for din dins. I couldn鈥檛 be too late or get too tipsy because of SATURDAY KITCHEN on Saturday morning, so it was a quick two courses at my favourite Italian.
Up at five ! on SATURDAY morning to get ready for SK.
Went through my recipe a few times and then had a think about what JAMES might ask me and what I could say that might be amusing or entertaining. Headed for the gym for a sauna at half six and then off to the studios for rehearsal at eight. SATURDAY KTICHEN is broadcast LIVE from Richard and Judy鈥檚 studio, it鈥檚 their production company that make the show.
NIGELLA LAWSON, who was also filming that day, was given the big dressing room, and quite right too, though I did have to nip in there to use her en suite, well that鈥檚 my excuse anyway.
The show went well, I thoroughly enjoyed it, one of the bosses rang up to say it was as good a show as they鈥檇 ever done. I don鈥檛 miss doing telly for a second but when I dip my toe in the water now and again all the old feeling of how at home their I feel come flooding back A good show is so much fun to be involved in and SK is a great show. Simple, relaxed, 鈥渙f it鈥檚 time鈥, warm and most important of all LIVE !
James was exactly as I鈥檇 hoped him to be, a nice guy, nervous yet confident in a funny sort of way, on the crest of a wave and most important of all a very very good chef. SATURDAY KTICHEN is thrashing it鈥檚 competitors and when you analyse the ingredients of the show it鈥檚 not difficult to see why.
People love watching other people having a genuinely good time. It doesn鈥檛 matter how skilled you are, if you鈥檙e grumpy or it looks or sounds like you don鈥檛 want to be there then the viewers and the listeners don鈥檛 want you to be there either.
The one and a half hours that the show lasts flew by and so did the fact that we had inadvertently started drinking at 10.15 in the morning.
SATURDAY was also our CHRISTMAS lunch day, every year me and my closest pals meet up and treat us selves to a proper big feed. Four hours at a fab London eatery by the name of SENOR SASSIS would see the slide from hunger and sobriety continue to slip towards a more general feeling of fullness and fuzziness.
From Knightsbridge back to the relative safety of the Surrey Hills and don鈥檛 spare the horses. A few pubs and then a late night curry鈥. OOOh me tummy鈥檚 about to burst.
Sunday was new house time, a quick once round and final plans for moving this Wednesday, and then off to see Mummy Evans snr.
She said she liked SATURDAY KITCHEN, her exact words were, 鈥渋t was very entertaining,鈥 that鈥檒l do for me. James also talked to her on the phone afterwards which she was very pleased about. Final plans for CHRISTMAS were discussed, bacon butties were had, phone calls from AUSTRALIA were taken and with that I was away again, this time to sell CHRISTMAS TREES for CHASE HOSPICE..
The reason we started selling CHRISTMAS trees was because when I bought my last place eight years ago it came with eight acres of lovely NORDMAN FURS, (when it comes to CHRISTMAS TREES they are 鈥渢he best a man can get1鈥) anyway we didn鈥檛 know what to do with them so we thought we鈥檇 chop a few down and sell them at the local pub for the local kids鈥 hospice. The ritual, like the trees, has continued to grow from there. We have since replanted and should have enough trees to do what little we do for tens of years to come. The village joins in helping, especially six or seven die hard blokes. Everyone wins: we all feel Christmassed up, people get great quality trees for a good price and the hospice bag several thousand pounds each year. Hurrah.
This year is the first ever year we've actually run out of trees, we sold our last one at four o鈥檆lock yesterday afternoon, we鈥檙e on the look out for thirty more for next weekend, so if you know of any going spare, nod me the wink.
A quick shower and the final appointment of a mental three days was a date with GEORGE MICHAELS at WEMBLEY ARENA.
Now if I could swear on this blog I would. He was @鈥%$*%^& &^%*$拢 (*))&^uous.
A man who has dealt with his demons, stuck two very large fingers up to his detractors and got back to what he does best鈥.
鈥楨rm sounds familiar.
So arrived back in LONDON at my pad just before one a.m. this morning and then proceeded to watch an old KITCHEN NIGHTMARES that I had on tape.
That RAMSAY boy really is something special.
Bed and then awake and blogging and already chasing my tail, something that you know I don't like to do. Must get ahead of myself. I know I can and I will.
This week DRIVETIME is going tobe so festive you might end up bursting with excitement
I love my life but it ain鈥檛 half tiring.
x.
Comments
Will respond to the blog in a sec but can I just say...
Saturday Kitchen: Although the food looked lovely, how delish did our Mr.E look ? Yummy !!
x x x
You've certainly been busy Chris. You're an inspiration to us all.
Lynne x
Sounds like you had a fantastic weekend. Comic Relief really are putting on some fab things for "The Big One". I was supposed to be going to A Question of Comedy tonight at The Beeb for Comic Relief but unfortunately don`t feel up to it. Would have been good too I should think. Hosted by Jack Dee with Frank Skinner and Dara O鈥橞rian as captains.
Can鈥檛 wait to see it all on TV next year. I love Comic Relief and all of the amazing things they do. It has got bigger and bigger over the years and made such a difference to so many people. Long may it continue.
I went to see George at Wembley last Tuesday and although it really took it out of me I was so glad I went. He was utterly faultless. The set was AMAZING and everyone had a really good time. My fave for sentiment, set design and pure crystal clarity of George鈥檚 voice had to be Praying For Time. It was outstanding.
Meds are really kicking in now. I don`t want to get too hopeful and say I think I am beginning to feel like the old me again but.... I think I just might!
A fabulous week to one and all
Nearly Christmas !
Wooo Hooo !!!
All my love as always
Tracey-Ann x x x
P.S - Chris, a friend in Hascombe is OVER THE MOON with his Christmas Tree !
P.P.S - Anyone wanting to know more about Chase can visit - www.chasecare.org.uk
Morning Christophe and all the bloggers
Loved SK on Saturday, you were fab! Good on yer for putting the rest of the show behind!
Looking forward to the show this week, any chance of hearing that Muppet 12 Days of Crimbo again?
TTFN
Tiggy xxx
Aw heavens Chris
That is just amazing. What a weekend.
I had christmas works night out on Friday, spent most of Saturday in bed, watched you on SK, was VERY entertained. We laughed at James face when you sharpened your knife on his car. ha ha.
Then I went dropped my Daughter at swimming pool, went and watched my sons team hammer another team at volleyball, then went back to bed for a couple of hours.
Lay on the floor and slept for most of Saturday evening and then up and Christmas Shopping on Sunday morning / late afternoon and then headed to DWNB's Mum's house for Pre-Christmas PArty. We had a lovely walk across the golf course to get there, and then sat in lovely company all evening eating M&S specials (DWNB Mum can't cook), and drinking lots of juice.
Managed to scadge a lift home, and then up at 6.45 to do my son's paper round, cause he was trying to keep up with his big cousin's drinking..... and he has a Biology Prelim today.
Just now, building up to speaking to Teacher from Hell.....decided I can't let my daughter face this on her ownsome any more and am going to tackle head on.
Speak to You All Soon.
DWNB
PS - Thanks to everyone who visits me at home and signs my book. Big thrill for me. Cheers!
PPS - Pork Escalopes (Not medallions), for tea this week me thinks.
What a weekend! You lucky sod!
Fab show on Saturday...loved every minute of it, great to see you still have it in you.
Im sure it wont be too long before we see you on tv again. Please do us all a favour though and dont have anything to do with a certain Mr Murdoch.
Im preparing to fly off to France now to cook for a few farmhands at a Chateau and enjoy some good wine. What shall i cook? Well, i pass a fab farmshop on my way to Cheltenham, Im thinking of cooking a big pot of beef and Guinness stew tonight and flying it over in our tiny plane tomorrow. Just re-heat and enjoy.
Hang on...that makes me a lucky sod as well. Whey hey!
Ay up kids!
Malcom my Nordman Fur christmas tree is smelling delightful this morning.
Glad you've had a fun and full weekend Mr Evans...preparation for the fun and full one approaching next week!
Misteltoe and cracker snaps to you all!
S x
Tracey-Ann (1) - you're not wrong girl - he looking deliciously handsome...twas a great start to my weekend!
S x
Wow Chris, busy man!!! So when are you moving into the new place?
Well I went to my new place of work on Friday and thank you all for encouraging me to go - I am deffo going to start there in Jan, it's (fingers crossed) going to be a great job. I am slowly picking up the pieces of my life after my relationship breakdown, and actually feeling better much more quickly than I thought I would - thanks to great support, great counselling, and some positive thinking/self-affirmation cds which i've been listening to in bed. Oh and I bought myself a teddy to cuddle - how comforting is that????????
Anyway, have a great week all, looking forward to very festive shows!
xxx
Hello Chaps, Chapettes, The lovely Chris and the A Team
Chris, You were great on SK, it obviously was as good for you as for those watching鈥ou definitely were not an 鈥渦nsqueezed Lemon鈥 Was the Home Economist..Janet, as you expected?
I have to share, cos I鈥檓 excited..I鈥檓 off to Paris tomorrow, to look at the products I developed, on shelf..exciting hey, but the downside is being in a store at 5am on Wednesday!
What's the most exciting thing you are doing this week?
I might not be able to comment for the rest of the week, so all of you..chaps and chapettes, Have a very Merry Christmas
Joke: What does a hedgehog have in his lunchbox?
Cheese and Prickle sandwiches
Love
Caroline x
Chris;
You were very good on the SK i thought you kept him in place and your dish looked very good
Good to hear about the christmas trees and all the money you and the team have raised hope you manage to get somemore to sell.
Glad to hear you enjoyed the George Michael concert the man is back was suprised that you werent invited to the little britain wedding?? looking forward the show all week 7 sleeps till the big day Hooray!!!!!
Morning all
Glad to hear you had a wonderful weekend Chris. As mentioned yesterday (see comment 90 on previous post), I unfortunately missed you on SK due to a small fire at the Institute. DENISE was truly sorry for starting it, and spent the rest of the weekend hiding due to her embarassment. RAVEL tried to comfort her, and even took her out for a drink to cheer her up. DOLORES, in the meantime, busied herself with preparations for our Christmas party, tomorrow. McCAVITY rang us from London, where he spent the weekend with friends, to tell us that he met someone and would like to invite them up for the party. After grilling him for twenty minutes on their suitability, I granted his wish.
I am looking forward to this Christmas, mainly because I've survived the previous year intact. The twins are coming home on Wednesday, and have promised to remain on good behaviour for the entire holiday. Are they beginning to grow up, I wonder? They have, thankfully, dropped their demand for personal tuition at the local golf club, and have said they will settle for the top ten playstation games instead.
regards
J McC
Morning all,
Chris, SK was brilliant. Loved the plate you produced with James' posey picture on it!! Stroke of genius!!
Had a great Xmas do - got home at 3.10 am Saturday morning but up at 7.30 with no hangover - fantastic. Unfortunately, not used to dancing so did have cramp in my left calf on and off all day.
Made mince pies yesterday and went for a Xmas drinky poo with the neighbours.
Please play the Muppet 12 days of Xmas to open the show today. I'm picking up the girls from town at 5 so we can all sing along on the way home!!
Love and stuff(ing)
Claire xx
Norman, is my Nordman.
This year I bought a ickle one in a pot, cause I almost cry each year when I have to recycle the old one.
It's that old chestnut of the wee tree not achieving its potential. So this year, in the new year, Norman will take up his position in the garden, entertained by Thumps and Blue the BUnnies and the assortment of Birdie.
Then next year, he can come in again, and hopefully when he gets too big to come in, he'll be taking root in the woods up the road from my house.
DWNB
PS - I am feeling SOooooooo christmassy today.
Chris and all,
I feel exhausted just reading about Chris' weekend. I did absolutely nothing and spent the vast majority of the weekend in bed. Darned bug or something...
Up and back at "work" this morning, but still with so little to do, that...
Caroline - I have already done my most exciting thing for this week...
I WROTE THE FINAL SENTENCE OF THE FINAL CHAPTER OF THE BOOK!!!!
It is: "Nobody would believe it!"
Of course I'm not really finished yet, as I have to do the complete re-read, correct any continuity errors (I know there are some) and do all the punctuation, corrections and edits. But it sure feels like a huge milestone has been reached. 210 pages and 64,000 words. Phew! Editing over Christmas hols and then will search out a literary agent in the New Year...anyone out there in that line of work?
Looking forward to some Christmassy shows this week.
Glad to hear you're feeling like you're getting better, Tracey-Ann. I don't normally do hugs, but I'll make an exception for you {x}
Moose
PS (to the conga tune) "whoa, whoa, whoa, Nigel Reo-Coker!!!"
Mornin Christoph and fellow bloggers!!!!!!!
What a weekend you have had Chris - you were fabulous on SK - I watch every weekend and this was truly one of the best - very funny
I saw George Michael last Thursday nite - AMAZING is the word, he had a heavy cold but the voice was still great - and my favourite song by a mile was Praying For Time - the whole nite was fantastic and still haven't stopped smiling am still on a high.......
Have a great day people, a great week and a sublime Chrimble
Luv
Mayhem
xx
Magical times, Chris, it's amazing what we can get through in a day if we have the right attitude - as you obviously do! The wizards are on your side.
Usually think my life's hectic (not in comparison with yours) .... but when I get stressed and pause just for a second I often find something great and unexpected happens (flick of a wand or brush of angel wings), and the dark waves part, and it's plain sailing.
Tinsel and baubles, smiles and twinkles to everyone here
Jill xxx
Morning CLP and all bloggers
Well Mr E - you looked the business on Saturday Kitchen!! We both thought James seemed nervous and a bit snippy with you, but you were completely fabby - especially loved the knife sharpening on his car window - LOL !!!!!!!!!
Reading your blog, no wonder you're tired, but nearly all of what you do is for the good of others and you must be really chuffed with your life right now.
Any chance of playing "A Spaceman Came Travelling" by Chris de Burgh? It's not widely played but it is still a Christmas song and an alternative nativity story - pretty pleeeeese?!!
Love to all
jillygoat xx
So, we round the bend, into the final furlong.......
Good morning Chris
May I say first of all that SK was top drawer. Saturday mornings are usually spent in the supermarket, or dependent upon what happened Friday night, in the gym, so its not often we catch the programme, but this week a tape was dutifully despatched into the machine and we caught up with your antics whilst wrapping presents late in the afternoon. You did seem to shake Mr M up a bit 鈥 good for you!
Well, things seem to be falling into place nicely. We鈥檝e planned a crack of dawn raid on the supermarket early on Thursday before heading off to South Wales for a couple of days r&r. Then its back to Rudgwick on Saturday for Christmas proper.
This may be my last 鈥榩rimetime鈥 blog this week, so would like to wish my virtual friends Moose, Big鈥檜n, Gaby, jillygoat, Hazel, and everybody who blogs here a wonderful Christmas.
Don鈥檛 lose sight of your dreams, one day they will come true.
I鈥檒l try and keep up with the show 鈥 even if our 鈥楥hristmas Crackers鈥 don鈥檛 get an airing!
Chris 鈥 good luck with the move.
Peace all.
M f R
PS You can鈥檛 really dust for vomit.
absolutley loved SK - one of the best i have seen. i usually tape them, so sat down saturday evening and watched it.
Cant wait for friday - don't have my girls for christmas, so friday is our christmas eve (and saturday c'mas day) can't wait for all that excitment and its all request friday as well which will make it more fun
thankfully my weekend was nothing like all the rushing around that you did - congratulations on the christmas trees!
Christophe Lammy Pie, have watched and listened to you 4 years, TFI Friday early and late shows are surely missed. Watching u on Sat brought it back on how quick your mind works, you said to James "your crap at interviewing and I'm crap at cooking, lets swap" FANTASTIC LIVE TV. Could imagine the producers cringing.
2 hrs a night on drivetime is no where near enough.
Happy Chrismas Chris
You can come up to ours anytime
Paul
Oh dear, christoph, Zapped all my energy just reading about your hetic life. top tip dont plan to far ahead.... get on with to day. plan tomorrow, any futher than that is a to do! :) cheers all.
Sintra rocks chris, keep on "the best is yet to come" baby!
Morning bloggers and schloggers,
It must be Christmas as the house of the BigUns put up the Christmas tree this weekend ;-) Lights in the windows and mistletoe above the front door :-)) I still have to admit it does not really feel like Christmas at least in a picture postcard way but I get the feeling people are starting to get onto the swing a bit more!
I have to admit I missed the Saturday Kitchen due to me being unable to get off the beer scooter in time ;-( I can still drink like I used to but not recover the same (will I ever learn?) our Christmas party on Friday was great and I think they might be recording record sales in beer and wine ;-( Still it is only once a year ;-)
Keith
x
P.S. Happy Monday everyone ;-)
Butch the Rooster
John the farmer was in the fertilized egg business. He had several hundred young layers (hens, called pullets) and eight or ten roosters, whose job was to fertilize the eggs.
The farmer kept records and any rooster that didn't perform went into the soup pot and was replaced. That took an awful lot of his time so he bought a set of tiny bells and attached them to his roosters. Each bell had a different tone so John could tell from a distance, which Rooster was performing. Now he could sit on the porch and fill out an efficiency report simply by listening to the bells.
The farmer's favorite rooster was old Butch, a very fine specimen he was too. But on this particular morning John noticed old Butch's bell hadn't rung at all! John went to investigate. The other roosters were chasing pullets, bells-a-ringing. The pullets, hearing the roosters coming, would run for cover. But to Farmer John's amazement, Butch had his bell in his beak, so it couldn't ring. He'd sneak up on a pullet, do his job and walk on to the next one. John was so proud of Butch, he entered him in the county fair and Butch became an overnight sensation among the judges.
The result? The judges not only awarded Butch the "No Bell Piece Prize" but they also awarded him the "Pulletsurprise" as well.
Happy Monday Fair Krystoffe and fave babes
Due to circs. beyond my c. I was unable to subscribe to SK. I am not happy with this. I will now have to wait until 2009 when it is on UKGold Cookery (other cookery channels are available). I wouldn't mind, but I had a few festive beverages with a few festive friends on Friday, and would still have been in a fit state to watch telly on Saturday. Hey ho...ho ho...
(I would just like to point out however that my lack of viewing had nothing to do with hot chip pans. I do hope Denise is ok now.)
CHRIS - Have I missed something? I know my memory ain't wot it used to be, but really! Are you buying the house where the nice man lived? How can I have missed you talking about anything to do with a new house recently? I didn't think I was so out of the loop. Possibly loop-the-loop...
J McC - My BOTB arrived - SOOOO excited - am saving it to read in the new year as seem to have almost as packed a diary as our esteemed BlogLeader...at least up until 2nd January. Dr Mark Booth is terribly efficient. You must be SO proud to have such a man on your side.
As it is a signed copy I shall only read it whilst wearing white cotton gloves in a controlled climate. This way, when I take it to the Antiques R*adshow in 30years time it will still be in mint condition and worth LOADS of cash so I can simper and say what a lovely surprise etc etc and I can sell it and send all the money to Matangini then too.
...and it has just been up to me to open the HUGE tin of Qual*ty Stre*t (other festive chocolate assortments are available) that has been left on a desk. The green triangles are now stashed safely in my top drawer...
There is/was a chap living in Crawley in Sussex called Orsen Carte. I PROMISE you! I also heard of someone named Cynthia Squirrel...Not sure if she was a Mrs or a Myth...
I think I should go now.
HOW GOOD WAS HOGFATHER LAST NIGHT?????????????
BIG CHRISTMAS
LOVE
hazel
knutte
x
please please please an you start every show with the 12 days of christmas a la muppets?
I have decided it is the best ever and miss piggy is my favourite...
many thanks and merry christmas
-x-
Caught Satrday kitchen whist at the gym. You added a 'ighter note' to it- well done!
Caught Saturday kitchen whist at the gym. You added a 'lighter note' to it - well done!
Hey Chris,
Your life seems amost as hectic as mine......Friday night met up with some old friends in the pub for a bit of Christmas spirit, Saturday morning up early banging on door of post office collecting all those gifts bought online, back in time to see SK....superb by the way, your right, it's great watching people have a good time, it seemed everyone enjoyed your company and the show benefitted from your appearance...I've never watched it before!!
Saturday afternoon off to choose a Christmas Tree, visit Father Christmas and sip a lass or two of mulled wine....5pm meet friends for dinner and big night out in town.....7.30am Sunday roll in from a top night, shower, change, on the tee at 9am.....38 points later Medal won.....not sure how, but hey!! Sunday afternoon at friends for early Christmas dinner....phew!!!
I'm away to Spain on Friday for Christmas, so have another hectic week ahead......
Love the show,
Dicko
Hi to all you bloggers,
never done this before but I've been reading your contributions for a while...
Reading today's blog struck a cord with me Christoph, I too run around from appointment to appointment, with a thousand things to do, I've even been named "Challenge Anneka"! However, how can we be chilled, yet have a perfect house, be successful at our jobs yet appear not to care?
What I am asking is... any advice on how to reach perfection, be a perfect host, without getting our christmas knickers in a twist? Advice on a Christmas card please?! Chris - how do you do it? AND moving house to boot?!
Love you all
squeaves xxx
Good afternoon Bloggers and CLP
Well, this will possibly be my last posting of 2006 as I finish work this afternoon until 8th JANUARY!!!! Hurrah!!!!
Missed the first half of SK as we went to buy our crimmy tree and I was just soooooooooo excited I forgot to set the video and the penny dropped in the middle of Waitrose - Doh! Saw it from about 10.40 and agree that James was a tad on the snippy side .... chefs eh!?!
We too had a hectic weekend but managed to find time yesterday morning to go and watch a friends' 11 year old lad play footie - magic! They were playing against 9 men, went 1-0 up to an OG after about a minute, then played like they'd forgotten what footie is!!! It was hilarious and a prime example of dads reliving their yoof via their kids - some of the touchline comments were priceless!!
The drive to work this morning was amazing ... OK, so the fog wasn't very nice, but the landscape was heavily frosted and very crunchy. I had Christmas music on in the car (sorry Sir Wogan!) and took my time - afterall, why hurry to get to work?!?!?
Anyhoooooo ... I'd better take my office decs down soon - I don't want them looking at me on 8th Jan all sad so I'll put them back in their boxes 'til next year then go home to my very own Santas Grotto in Suffolk.
Merry Christmas to all Bloggers - although I'm new to the group I feel like I'm in fab company!
Take care.
Cheryl x x
In the words of the famous grouse - I DON'T BELIEVE IT!!!
Not only have I been absent AND not been able to watch SK (due to c's beyond my c) I HAVE BEEN BLOG POLICED AGAIN - T W I C E ! !
Blaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarh!
Gaby, Keith...help!
i is sad now
love
hazel
x
I know that between now and Friday there'll be more blogs to respond to, but in case pressure of work means that I can't get to my computer for a while and you all slope off for the holidays without me knowing, I'd like to take this opportunity to say to:
Tracey-Anne, Lynne, Cathmel, Moose, Big鈥檜n, Gaby, Hazel, SusanS, Dissing Dave, DWNB, Cath, J McC, ChrissieS, Cheryl, lyndyloo, Susan, Joannie, Matt from Rudgwick, Jax, MWK, anyone else who I've forgotten to mention by name and of course the almighty CLP -
I really hope you all have a happy Christmas, wherever you are and whoever you're with, and that 2007 is a healthy New Year for you all (Tracey-Anne we're all hoping that are soon feeling stronger).
Thank you so much for the laughs, advice and inspiration over the months - Gawd Bless you all.
Love jillygoat xxxx
Chris your blog read as exhausting as your weekend had been. SK was good to watch and you all looked like you'd had a great time.
I went out for my promised walk on Sunday as the day dawned very sunny but cold Knowle Beach was wonderful. In the evening caught the first part of TP's Hogfather and looking forward to the next part - David Jason is really funny.
This week is looming quite busy at work with some time off to have extra time for lunches and a Friday off to boot.
To all the bloggers and Chris all the best
Phoenix
Good morning everyone,
Well.... Topher, I am exhausted reading your itinerary. What a good soul you are! You are a genuinely all around good egg. Sorry I cant get SK here but I am sure it was a blast. Great that you sold all the trees and I hope you get the 30 more you need. Somebody in our likkle family will be able to help you I am sure.
George Michael sounds wonderful!!! Hope he makes it over here, that would be great!!!
Good luck with the move too, in your new place for Chrimbo...how exciting is that!!
Soooooooooo.... I have an interview tomorrow for a really good job - not what I had planned but it came out of the blue through a friend. I cannot pass up this opportunity so I am going to go for it....So please keep your stuff crossed for me :-)
((((Tracey-Ann))))
Hey you were first this morning, way to go!!
Moose - congrats on the completion of your book...oh, what a feeling that must be!! I cant help you with the literary agent... I am sure you will find one. We will all be waiting to buy a copy :-) I hope you feel better.
Caroline - Well done - great news. Have fun.
Cath - I am so glad you are doing ok...been through it myself and it is not easy, that is for sure. Great news about the job. You go girl!
Big Un - loved the joke :-)
Matt - Merry, Merry to you and yours. Enjoy
Later peeps :-)
Joannie xxx
Good afternoon all.
Chris SK wa brilliant. Your dish looked amazing, could you possibly come and cook for us on christmas day? hehe.
Your weekend sounds brilliant, i'm not sure how it is in london but in norwich its a beautiful day. Cold, Dry and Frosty! its nice to be wrapped up in my new winter coat and my lovely gloves. A lovely start to the mad week leading up to christmas.
Can't wait to listen to the show tonight, i hope there will be some chrimbo songs!!
Take care everyone, missy xx
Matt from Rudgwick and anyone else disappearing from here for Christmas...have a great one. See you all back here in the New Year.
Sad as I am, I've worked out that I'll be able to access every day...so,
We'll all try and keep your end up...
Moose
Hazel - Glad to hear the book arrived. Hope you enjoy reading it over the new year (though I encourage to read it sooner as you may find yourself ordering several last minute stocking fillers for your nearest and dearest)
You are indeed wise to use gloves when handling, as within the next thirty years I intend to have overtaken JK Rowling in the popularity stakes - even if I have to send one of the McCrumble characters on the trip of a lifetime taking in Middle Earth, Hogwarts and Jamie Oliver's kitchen.
Now there's an idea for the sequel....
J McC
moi aussi Jillygoat...the thing is one just KNOWS there are so many more!
Jillygoat, Jill, Cate, Cake, Tracey-Anne, Lynne, Cathmel, Myra, Moose, Big鈥橴n, Gaby, SusanS, Steevie fae, Ashy, Fillybay, Dissing Dave, DWNB, Hel, Jo, Jax, wilsmar, soozy woo, Sigh not Simon, Cath, Dr J McC, ChrissieS, Cheryl, Lyndyloo, Susan, Joannie, Matt from Rudgwick, Jax, MWK, M.W.a!, Anna, Mayhem, Joannie, Littlest Hobo, Professor Plum
Many many festive felicitations to you all, Happy Hannukah, and most of all...
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!
oooh look it's snowing (no surprise here but wanted to sound jolly etc...
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see you all later *
love * * * *
hazel * * * * * *
x ***
by the way - i did the snowflakes all pretty and random, but it dint work on the preview. I tried.
I`ve posted some of my George pics from last week at Wembley. Feel free to take a peek !
Hi Chris and all the bloggers,
The SK was great. Were you doing Rick Stein impression with a teacloth over your
shoulder ?
Did you do the special sign ?
Love the Xmas tree charity/sales tradition
& looking forward to tonight's show.
Love all, mange tout
Hazel Love - I know, I know, there'll be plenty more blogs written and read, but I thought I'd get my sincere bits out into the open now (oo-er missus)!!
I've just had to turn the heating up - all that snow is making me feel really cold.
A bientot
jillygoat xx
I don't normally watch cooking programmes but I made an effort this Saturday. It was most enjoyable, You should have your own show Chris.
Poor Denise what a terrible shock Dr Mc Crumble. However it states clearly on the front cover... cook book .. maybe she took it too literally.
A tip if you forgot to send that special somebody a Christmas card. Try sending a an audio message on your mobile. A little diity.. show off your X factor. Get that old guitar out or Bontempi organ. MUSIC IS THE FOOD OF LUUUUUUUUV
Saturday kitchen was fab Chris, it was so funny and great to see - I can't believe you even got to demo the Nigella rub!
I don't know what's happened to you Chris but these days you seem far more relaxed and its great as your far more entertaining - I'm loving it!
Looking forward to the show tonight
xx
Happy One-Week-Until-Christmas!!!
I am so excited about the holiday I could just burst!! The tree is up and decorated, the mantel is full of treats, evergreens and lights, and best of all, the Christmas Baking has begun!!!
I missed SK on Saturday, but I am glad all went well. I had no doubt it would. When Chris posted a couple weeks ago about making Spag Carbonera, I tried it for the first time that weekend. I loved it so much I have made it twice since then!! We do have a foodie or two amongst us, so why not share it with the world?!
EVeryone, take time to enjoy the season. Whatever your beliefs are, you have to admit, everyone and everything is just lovelier this time of year.
Merry Christmas,
Amanda
Hello bloggers/schloggers/Chris
I have been seemingly neglectful of late, but would like to assure you I have been reading avidly and have just been too crazy busy to post any comments of note. I have been following developments closely and don't want you all to think I've lost interest!
Whilst I have the time I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2007.
Peace and good will to all,
JFxxx
Hi again all.....
In case you all disappear for your Chrimbo.....me and mine wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and health and happiness for 2007.....now I have written down all the names again and if I have forgotten anyone, I apologise.....
NOT FORGETTING of course Mr. E himself and his luvly mum, oh and Enzo too woof woof :-)
Jillygoat, Jill, Cate, Cake, Tracey-Anne, Lynne, Cathmel, Myra, Moose, Big鈥橴n, Gaby, SusanS, Steevie fae, Ashy, Fillybay, Dissing Dave, DWNB, Hel, Jo, Jax, wilsmar, soozy woo, Sigh not Simon, Cath, Dr J McC, ChrissieS, Cheryl, Lyndyloo, Matt from Rudgwick, Jax, MWK, M.W.a!, Anna, Mayhem, Littlest Hobo, Professor Plum, Hazel, SusanS, J McC, ChrissieS, Cheryl, Susan, MWK and from my neck of the woods....Littlest Hobo and Karen from Calgary.
Tracey-Ann - great pics - wow, looked fantastic!
Hazel - thanks for the snow. Apparently, for the first time in I dont know how many years, we are not going to have a white Christmas!! There is no snow in the forecast for a while !! Its lovely to look at but not to shovel :-)
I will be back later
Joannie xxx
PS - Any thoughts on how to get rid of nerves for my interview tomorrow???? EEEkkkk....
Hey Chris!
Just read your blog for the first time.
WOW Knackered mate - just reading it
Gone for a lay down before the show!
Rummers
Plum - DENISE is alright now, thank goodness. She is determined to learn how to cook, as she thinks this will help secure herself someone to love.
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And now for some BREAKING NEWS...
DR MARK BOOTH, my highly efficient and dangerously charming marketing manager (DOLORES'S words), has managed to get his local radio station interested in my book. He tells me by email that RADIO CAMBRIDGESHIRE will be interviewing him during the breakfast show on THURSDAY. I'll be listening on the internet to make sure he doesn't make any factual errors. He claims to be an old hand at radio, having appeared on a programme called THE NAKED SCIENTIST during the summer to talk about the link between parasites and allergy.
regards
J McC
ay up Chris "its better to burn out than fade away"
Life is a journey. Live it.
Dear Chris -t - Mas
In response to your posting on Eddie's Beach today, I offer you the following in return:
Enjoy!
P.S. We don't mind you popping by, honest!
Good evening friends
I got 'done' by the blog police earlier : (
I had only tuned in very briefly as my car broke down this morning and I had to sort everything out ie a hire car as my car is going to cost a fortune, which I don't have and the people that come out to help you when you break down said it would happen again, and soon, if I drove it as it was.
Anyway, I don't know why I was zapped - here is a precis of my post:
1 My car broke down
2 Sorry I haven't had time to read your posts today , with the result that my post is non-interactive
3 I would quite like Ali McCoist in my stocking (I think that is the correct word order)
4 I also allowed myself (in unsuccessful post) an additional ps, due to the stresses of my day. I had a couple of my usual lustspects, sorry....I mean suspects , Daniel Craig for example and then I added 'Mr Right, wherever you are'. Maybe the blog police thought that I was being too flirty, nay too available, online
5 I also offered to be 'a little helper' to our busy maestro ( please see above comment for possible suggestion of objection by BP)
6 I also said how much I was going to miss you all when you all disappear for the holiday : (
and I thanked you all for your positivity and friendship : )
Gaby
x
ps Reo-Coker
pps cauchemare de voiture
Hi Everyone
I havent blogged for a while as life has been frantic, but have enjoyed the snippits I have read.
Sounds like you had a wonderful weekend Christof - good for you - just the thing to get in the mood for the big one. Enjoying the show tonight.
Tracy-Ann - thoughts and prayers to you. Take it one small step at a time.
Happy monday to all
CateD
x
I'm buying an ickle one in a pot next year! I have almost no needles left and may have to buy another before Santa comes!
Have been at work for almost 12 hours now but I like it here!
Eight acres of Nordman Firs! You jammy barsteward! I used to sell Christmas trees, the Nordman is a lovely tree.
For those who don't know, it's the type that keeps its needles quite well. It's got flattish softish needles. The traditional and cheaper Norway Spruce tends to lose its needles but if you prepare it properly it will hold them quite well.
To prepare the tree. Just before you put it in the stand, cut an inch or two off the bottom. When the tree is first cut, the resin in it forms a seal where it is cut, so if you make a fresh cut, you get open waterways as it were, just like a cut flower.
They reckon that a tree needs a pint of water per foot per day. Put your tree in a stand that has a water bowl, and keep it topped up!
Hello from the mountains!
It's very cold out here in Andorra but the mountains are gorgeous. I saw Chris on SK and thought he was marvelous (as did we all). This is a bit of time when I don't have to be quite so busy, though compared to Chris I'm a novice! As predicted it's snowing since I got here as it normally does, though I'm hoping for lots more as it's a bit sparse on the ground.
Jilly-goat thanks for offering me the chance to take you to see Jools, I normally get to see him in the summer but missed out this year. seriously though I may well have 2 to sell for this saturday.
Happy Mondays
Luv
Lynda
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How an earth do you find the motivation to get up that early and go to the gym? No wonder you looked positively glowing in your SK attire!
I thought SK was great this week. You certainly brought a little mischief to the show; trying to pry little snippets from James about his cars and who he was going to dinner with! I haven鈥檛 laughed so much for a long time.
As for searching for truffles with Lagotti, aren鈥檛 they the cutest funkiest looking dogs?
Chris - if you think you're chasing your tail .... I've still got SK to watch on tape. Tried to speed watch it on Sunday am - you know fast forward the picture when you weren't on - but the camera kept panning (oooooh - technical term) to you and I thought I would miss the 'sign' so would then rewind. Decided it would take me longer to watch it this way and would be less enjoyable. So .... I'll wait until I'm on holiday and watch it then.
Festive wishes to all bloggers.
EG
'Off Peak' Blog Alert!
Good to hear my 'Christmas Crackers' idea put in motion.
Sleep well all.
Peace.
PS HH
PPS Mac
PPPS Royale. With Cheese.
Not been around for a while - been off living the dream!! (Or just not logging on as much as I'd like).
Good to see most of the guys from the early days of the Blog are still kicking about Big Un etc... & some "new names".
The community is thriving as we all knew it would.
Take care one & all & have a fab Christmas.
Joannie - to get rid of nerves, tense your body (or just your bum if you think other people would think you odd!) and then relax! Works a treat ... apparently. Hope the interview goes your way.
Tracey-Ann - good to hear you sounding and acting so positive, you're doing such a lot in spirit to cure yourself physically, well done you. The New Year will be a new start. Goodbye to illness and the restrictions it brings, and welcome to freedom and being able to appreciate life to the full.
Christmas awe and Lord-er to all you fantastic virtual friends
Kisses under the mistletoe too xxxxxx xxxxx
Jill
One thing, Chris. Once the Saturday Kitchens stopped rolling did JM go racing out to his car to make sure it was all in one piece?
Your boundless enthusiasm constantly inspires me Christos!!
What a journey you have undertaken and what a fasinating multitude of twists and turns we have yet to hear about.
Your a Phenominal talent coupled with an amazing capacity to live in the present. I could use a plethora of compliments but instead it's a joy to read your blog and wish you a wonderful christmas and new year.
I am currently awe inspired by you matey. x
God Chris reading your blog has left me exhausted..............how do you do it!!!!!
Can you say a big merry xmas to my 2 gorgeous boys Daniel and Ryan on air for all request Friday. If poss play Curiosity Killed the Cat by the band of the same name - no longer available to buy unfortunately. If not, anything else will do.
Merry xmas!!!!!
Hello Christmassy Christophe!
Am sad to report did not see you on SK - both me and huzzband wanted to watch but ended up forgeting to put the jolly bopx on... our sorrow - though glad to hear you enjoyed it.
Also pleased to hear your tree selling went well - perhaps you could encourage the big superstore chains to do somethign simlyar?
Have to have to HAVE TO say heard the O Come All Ye Faithful on the radio a few days ago (sorry am behind, have been madly busy) - and it made me blub like a girl. Possibly because I was trying to be clever and sing the descant. As Terry Pratchett would say, I sounded like a cat trying to go to the toilet through a sewn-up bum.
The festive spirit has most definitely landed chez nous - though we've spent most of the past week putting all the spangly paper chains back together that I hung up. They seem to break randomly, and usually two at a time - but what they hey! It's making my hubby (who hates ceiling deckys) a little less Captain Grumpy over the whole thing.
The Squiggly Pig is fascinated by everyone else's decorations, but this weekend (she's just started to walk by the way - heart melts) she discovered she can reach one of the golden stars on our tree and she can't leave it alone. I suspect it's only a matter of time before it ends up in her mouth...
But, it's humpday today, which means work (boooo) and then Thursday - and that is Christmas Concert time at the Pig's nursery. We've been practising jingle bells (with real jingle bells that go jingle) and she's getting quite good, after that it's off home to do the traditional baking of mince pies and jam and curd tarts.
Then it really is Christmas. Phew.
Hope you all get something suitably squishy and eye-openign in your stockings - speakign as the most materialistic person in the world, I now have everything I have ever wanted.
PS Chris - any chance of a track by The Killers form Sam's Town? I got the album for my birthday and am completely addicted to it - it's fab - apart from number 7... that's not so good.
Ooo, I've gone all rambly...
Chris i WAS never an admirer of either your TV or Capital radio show but oh how I miss judged you.
Your radio 2 slot is just brilliant. You are just brilliant. what a changed man you are. I can't say it enough times , just brilliant.
Nick