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Hi, Rusty!
The postman has just been, so I have been opening a pile of cards......
I'm like a kid, at Christmas!
I get quite excited opening all the cards, and reading people's "news"!
I have finished my crossword.
I thought it a good one today?
I have answers for all, and but two to parse (I am not giving up yet, though!)
I especially liked 16a and 26a, but 19d was my favourite!
I have had no trouble at all recently in sending posts ( using Edge) other than ticking the box!
Long may it last!
What variety of soup have you made?

Hello, Elle!
I liked 16a, too, and 30a, and 17d.
I am not convinced I have 12a correct, or if I do, the parse is iffy!
You are correct, Elle, a fine puzzle today.
I think I had about four posts and only the box to tick, but am back to traffic lights and store fronts again!
My soup is carrot, lentil, and split peas in it, too.
It usually turns out fine!

Hi, Rusty!
There isn't a 12a, Rusty?
Did you mean 13a?
I have "flex" = "crook" (def)
But I cannot see the rest of the parse?
Yes, 30a: proudest; and 17d: Squanders were very good.
I had a job remembering "Squeers" from "Nicholas Nickleby.....I was wanting to call him "Squires"!
The soup sounds very appetising!

Hello, Elle!
Sorry!
Meant 13a!
I have "flex", sounds like/on phone, "flecks", but are flecks dabs?
That's perplexing me!
I think "penicillin" is my clue of the day!
Wind is pretty wild here, and driving rain, but no snow.

Hi, Rusty!
Well done on "flex" sounds like "flecks".
I didn't see that!
You are fine with that.....yes, a "fleck" is the same as a "dab"
It is pouring with rain here, too.
I have decided against taking the dog out for another walk!
I am going to wash my hair.....
And then we are going to put up the Christmas tree!

Hello, Elle!
This thesaurus agrees a fleck is a dab.
https://www.thesaurus.com/browse/fleck
So, with that and your opinion, I'll consider it fine!
It is wild here. Storm Deirdre, apparently.
I am staying home for today.
Getting dark, too!

Good evening, Rusty!
Well, the Christmas tree is now erected... with a little help from the cat!
My husband is just nailing the base onto a board to prevent said cat from pulling the tree over as he plays with the baubles.
And once the light are in situ, it will be my turn, as I always decorate the tree!
( Again with feline assistance!)
You mentioned Storm Deirdre?
I thought she was meant to visit us back in November ?
Around the same time as Diana?
Weren't we discussing from where each storm was supposedly coming?
Or am I confused? (uhmm......easily done!)

Good evening, Elle!
Well done with the tree!
I have heard of Deirdre before, too.
I get mixed up with these storm names!
I think the last storm was named in Portugal, but I am not certain.
It is wild and wet outside, anyway!

Hi, Rusty!
It is still very wet here, but as yet, anyway, we have no wind.
I hope your bad weather won't interfere with your trip to the Pine Cone tomorrow with Miss O.
I guess you will have to see what tomorrow morning brings....
I still have one parse remaining ..... I wonder if you can help?
5d: Women's best classes used to be (3)
I have "was" = "used to be "(def)
"W" as in "women" maybe?
But what has "best classes" got to do with it, please?
I suspect I am being dim here.....

elle, I imagine "as" shoud be read As as in top marks.

Just finished watching Strictly, glad Kevin won. Not so bothered about Stacey, but he deserved to win. Also lagd that's over for another year.