Soop's Special Kitcheners

Lovely pictures granjura and I agree with purpledaffodil, much better in photos than on the paths!

Enjoy Rome Bella. We went on honeymoon and keep threatening to go back again but never quite make it. I had to check with the (male) hotel receptionist before I went out so he could tell me whether my attire was ok for our itinerary and more than once I had to go and put trousers on as my mini skirts were not fit for the Vatican etc

I've toasted and buttered the last of the panettone (theme developing here) so please enjoy it. (I wonder if the gluten filled panettone miraculously becomes gf in here?)

Yes, kitty everything in here is gf and calorie free too!
Thanks for the pannetone, it's very moreish

Spelling's gone awry!

Toasted teacakes-to-be are currently proving in the boiler cupboard here, they should be ready at around 11am, with loads of butter, and damson jam for DS. Not gluten free sadly, but I do have some meringues if anyone wants some.

Glad some of you enjoyed the photos. The key to enjoying snow is to be well equipped- and we are here. Kitty I spent years having to commute to Loughborough via the hill at Barkby Thorpe- cars all over the place, and used to driving in snow, in my little 2CV, would just zigzag up the hill slowly and surely between them ;) happy days.

the floods on the other hand...got me stumped a few times.

granjura Your photos are stunning. A winter wonderland! Thank you so much for sharing them with us lot. The church is extremely pretty.

Bella I hope that you and your dear husband enjoy a restful break in Rome. Lots of love to you from us lot.

Gaga Tinka and Belle are gorgeous girls. Thank you for sending me the images.

A toasted teacake smothered in real butter would be a wonderful treat, jane...I've completed my first exercise bike session and deserve a norty reward. As I pedalled, I listened to Placido Domingo singing a selection from French operas. I turned the bike so that I could watch the ferry crossing the sea against the back-drop of the snowy islands.

Beautiful photo's granjura. Snow to,that degree was once the norm in winter where I live in W Scotland but only happens on the odd ocassion now.
The only place I see conditions like that are in the Cairngorms ski resorts in N Scotland.

Another plus for my Citroen Diane was, as it was an air cooled engine, it never froze in winter unlike DH who had to wait for his engine to thaw

Bella when I was passing through Rome a year ago, there was a very handsome Roman centurion hanging around outside the colosseum! Do go and see if he's still there and if so, tell him there's a lovely english lady dying to see him closer up than through a coach window!

I'm in a humungous muddle. I've been a trifle lax recently with images on the computer, many of which are on a walkabout or residing in the wrong folders. I cannot for the life of me concentrate on getting stuff sorted. Help!!!

Galen

Should I ever complain to you lovely lot again about my disorganised computer files/images...PLEASE give me a good talking to. I've managed to make a little headway...but, phew, there is a mountain of stuff still needing my undivided attention. I've given myself a banging headache. Off to tackle the ironing. Back to catch up a little later.

Help! I've got book club tonight and I haven't read it! (Climate of Change by Hilary Mantel). Do you think I can blag my way through it if I read a couple of Amazon reviews?

Can't have a diplomatic headache (*again*)!

I've tried that Soutra - better to nod your head wisely and claim that headache.

I am getting a headache too, so commiserations soop. I wondered why and I think it was because I was at the hairdresser's this morning and leaning back to have a hair wash tends to press on my neck quite uncomfortably. Or it could be that I have shoals of family history in front of me which needs to be sorted out into some order.

I don't think you could even skim read it in that time, soutra, just read the write-ups on Amazon and blag your way through

Damson jam, yes please! I will make a large pot of for anyone who would like a nice hot cuppa.

galen, had I but known last week that you were hankering after that centurion, I'd have got a picture for you. Too late now. There were several hanging around outside the Pantheon as well.My younger son took me to Rome for four days and we had the most amazing weather. I often needed to take my coat off because it was quite warm - up to 17 degrees. We saw everything I wanted to see and ate extremely well, as you can imagine. We got back on Friday, a little late, thanks to a strike by Italian ATCs and I have spent the weekend in Oxfordshire, nursing my feet back to normal - although we used buses and the Metro a lot, we also did a good deal of walking. I was especially impressed by the courtesy shown by passengers on crowded public transport where I was invariably offered a seat and was grateful to accept. The waiters all treated me as if I was their granny. The service in almost all the restaurants was first class. Now I am home, quite surprised to see snow on the fields and station platforms of Cheshire and yes, feeling cold after sunny Rome.

That sounds wonderful, Anno. Just wonderful!

Oh jings! I couldn't even get the name right! Change of Climate apparently -same difference?

anno Glad you enjoyed it Five days walking about Rome nearly knackered my feet!

I should add that I am an extremely lucky Mum, having a son who looks after me so well and has organised such a lovely trip for me. Two sons, of course. Can't forget the caravan holidays in France with the other family.

Soutra...the answer to your question is - does that help? No! Just be honest and you will be forgiven.

anno your treat sounds perfect. How lovely for you. I'm a weeny bit envious.

Hello rose. Commiserations. I know exactly how you feel. Dear MacSporran has offered to lend me a helping hand re the faff-up of files and other stuff. If I could, I would pay some expert or other to tidy things up. I shall eventually reach the stage when I shall celebrate having everything in the right folder and in the appropriate order. In the meantime - I still have a thumping headache.

Tomorrow morning I shall be ironing for my pal. As soon as I return home I shall check that you lot are fine and dandy.

Keep cosy warm and take care on slippery surfaces. Love to each and every one of our Kitcheners

soop feel free to come and practise here!

Rory would be horrified to hear that I offered Tara a piece of freshly roasted chicken (courtesy of Waitrose) as I was having a chicken roll for lunch, and she turned her nose up. I could not believe it and I know one young man who would have accepted it gratefully and graciously, as it would have been extra to his Saturday treat. Luckily I only offered madam a tiny piece. She will love tonight's curry, more her style!

Bella delighted to hear that you and DH are going to Rome for a few days.

Anno I am dead jealous- rather different weather on your return- stay warm.

No no Soop - come here instead. As said, Jura-Jura exchange would be fun.

Bella have a lovely time in Rome.

Granjura I love Switzerland and especially in the snow. I am so

Galen there is a lovely centurion at Bath in the Roman baths ...he appears at dusk..if you can't get to Rome try Bath. Backlit by huge torches he's very appealing

Large box of chocs left on the worktop for you all. No good trying to diet with that in the cupboard so I've put them in the kitchen to share. Please eat them quickly before I give in to temptation

bellasnana, what a shame we weren't in Rome at the same time. We could have had a glass of Prosecco together. I do hope you have the lovely weather we had last week.