TODAY WAS THE DAY...

Good evening lovely Blippers,

Today was the day that Mrs. HCB reached her target weight at Slimming World and also the day that Mr. and Mrs. HCB had booked to go out for Afternoon Tea.

We weren’t actually there this morning, but we understand that there was a great shout when Mrs. HCB stepped off the scales to be told she had reached her target.  It’s been a few weeks coming and she was mystified as to why it didn’t happen before, but as her younger son is prone to say “It is what it is”!  Today though, she did it and well done to her.  It’s not been easy and it has taken her almost a year, but she has stuck at it and had the support not only of all the people at the Badbury Park Slimming World Group, but also a lot of support and encouragement from Sharon, the Group’s Consultant.  You can see Mrs. HCB looking happy at the top left of the collage, taken by Lizzie Beth and underneath a shot of Sharon and Mrs. HCB, taken by Nicky.  

We knew that there was something in the air though when Mr. HCB got a phone call this morning at about 8.15 and when he answered someone shouted “Star Baker”!!  You know what Mrs. HCB is like and that was her way of telling Mr. HCB that she had reached her target.  We thought that was silly, but then we are part of the Silly Saturday Gang!

Mr. HCB was feeling fine today and said he just had a dull ache in his face where the tooth was extracted yesterday, so they decided to go for their planned Afternoon Tea at Sudbury House Hotel at Faringdon.  He said he hadn’t even had to take any paracetamol today -  how good is that - and what a great Dentist he has!  The Afternoon Tea was a Christmas gift last year from their grandson, H, and his partner and it had to be used by tomorrow, the day the voucher ran out so it was a good job they could go today.

They felt very spoiled and Carol, the young lady who showed them to their table, was delighted to see both of us with the HCBs.  When Julie, the receptionist came to check that everything was all right, she was pleased to see us too, and you can guess what Mrs. HCB gave to them - yes, one of her little wooden hearts - and she also sent some to the kitchen for those who had prepared the Afternoon Tea.

Lots of the other members of the SSG were a bit miffed not to be chosen to go, but Mrs. HCB said she was really sorry she couldn’t take us all, so chose two of us who were small and who she knew would appreciate a scrummy Afternoon Tea.  And boy, was she right!  We really appreciated the dainty sandwiches that were filled with smoked salmon and cream cheese, egg and cress, turkey and cranberry sauce and chicken and tomato. 

After that there were lovely scones with jam and clotted cream - and lots of it, as you can see in the photograph of Mr. HCB enjoying his.  We were drooling over these and were glad to see that the HCBs put the jam on first and THEN the clotted cream, which they always say is the proper way, but no doubt some Blippers might not agree with that.

There were some lovely cakes too - Mr. HCB went for the boring fruit cake, but Mrs. HCB was quite happy to sink her teeth into the chocolate mousse cake, which she said was delicious, so Mr. HCB did a deal with her - if she let him have the other piece of fruit cake, then she could have the second piece of chocolate mouse cake - DEAL DONE!  Well you all know that Mrs. HCB is a chocoholic! :-)  

The other things on the cake stand were two little pots of trifle and you can see one of them in front of JH Ted in the bottom right shot.  Both Mr and Mrs. HCB said they were delicious - in fact, you can even see Mrs. HCB in the bottom left shot poking her tongue into the pot to get the last little bits out - we weren’t impressed to see her doing that, but she said she couldn’t waste any!  

So now Mrs. HCB has to settle down and read up on how to STAY at her target weight - after all, she doesn’t want to put it all back on again - that would be silly!

The Silly Saturday Gang may not be around tomorrow, as they need to go and do their Christmas shopping, so we would like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and what better way than to show you the Nativity set that Mrs. HCB knitted several years ago, because after all, THAT is what Christmas is all about - not just presents and chocolate and eating and drinking - but being KIND and HELPFUL and generally LOVELY to all those around you.  You know that we always encourage you to BE KIND and that is even more important this year, when so many people are finding it hard to make ends meet.

Just remember that your most important presents are NOT under the tree - they are in your heart, waiting to be given away to those who need a kind word or deed.

Bless you all - see you again soon,

Love from
REETH AND JH TED xx

P.S.  We don't want to be tale tellers, but Mrs. HCB "blotted her copybook" by knocking over her cup of fruit tea and it went everywhere - but thankfully not on any of the sandwiches or cakes!! What is she like?