Stir up S̷u̷n̷d̷a̷y̷ Monday

Yesterday was stir-up Sunday, traditionally the day when Christmas cakes and puddings are made. The name comes from the opening words of the collect, or prayer for the last Sunday before Advent -
Stir up, we beseech thee, O Lord, the wills of thy faithful people; that they, plenteously bringing forth the fruit of good works, may of thee be plenteously rewarded; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

I made my cake a while ago though and it's been soaking up its feeds of brandy ever since. I've never made Christmas pudding before though, so I decided to give it a go this year, only a day late. The recipe came from my maternal grandmother, given to her by her mother in 1925 and by her to my parents when they married in 1951 and from mum to me when we got married in 1975 so it's about time I gave it a go. The only thing I did differently was cooking it in the pressure cooker. I've made a spare so I'll be able to check it out before the big day. I haven't put any charms in it, I may end up heating it in the microwave, so that wouldn't be a good idea!
Colin's cousin and our friend, Sandy, came to visit, well, she really came to meet Josie who came for lunch with her mum! Josie was on her best behaviour, smiling and gurgling away to herself. They'd been at a baby massage class before coming to us so were very relaxed.
I tried Josie with the baby gym, (extra) but she can't reach the toys yet. She was doing lots of looking and generally making good eye contact though. She's a very sociable young lady.
I wasn't in the right frame of mind for OC or UC tonight, we'd watched last week's episodes just last night and I'd been right on the ball, not tonight though.
Still lots of cases here in Blackhall, not sure whether there is a hotspot or just a local outbreak but it does make you be aware that things are not yet over.
Stay safe everyone.