soop's kindly kitcheners and pampered pets...

soop I believe that Conor has visited your neck of the woods and I sincerely hope that you have not been cut off. Will Rory still be able to get his home cooked chicken? One must worry about the important things in life.

The sun has peeped out here which makes a change. It was foggy all day yesterday. I am not going to the sales, I do not need anything- I will be better employed shredding more paper. Tara has left the country as usual.

Lovely photos, Bella and Ann. It` been a fairly good day today, it started with most of the family turning up this morning, lovely, but oh the peace when they all left! When I get time, in the next day or two, I have to strip my bed, because eldest daughter, who lives with me, has bought me an electric blanket! We had one years ago, but when we changed to a king size bed they were too expensive.
Soop, I`m glad you didn`t get cut off, and I hope you enjoyed the birthday party.
And many good wishes to all who are poorly or down hearted today.

Thanks for your company today you lot. I've had my roast dinner which included sprouts from the garden and a very small turkey breast. I've watched 'Call the Midwife' so now it's a quick lurk on GN before ice-cream, coffee liqueur and bed, ready for my 'Christmas Day' tomorrow with the family. I hope you've all had as good a day as you possibly can and will be ready with the re-heated mince pies and brandy sauce when I surface in the morning xx

ann That's a lovely photo of you both. You both look happy although it must be so difficult for you.

Lovely photo of you both annsixty.

Oh what a lovely photo of you both annsixty. Thanks for your kind words,( though must admit I've never thought of myself as glamorous). Hope you have enjoyed your day as best as you can. Best wishes to all.

Glad you escaped the worst soop, and still online.
We haven't done much after all the excitement this morning, finding hidden secrets in the veg. patch when digging up potatoes.
For us it has been the first day of Chanukah, a commemoration of a historic victory of the 'weak against the strong, the few against the many, the pure against the impure, and the righteous against the wicked.'
So don't give up!

I have spent a very pleasant day doing very little except a machine wash and shredding some paper but either I was on the phone to friends or others were ringing me so I did not get a chance to hoover anywhere. My paper bin is almost full so I have a feeling that the shredding may have to stop also.

I am recording Strictly and will watch Paul O'Grady at Battersea Dogs Home- I love that programme.

I hope that none of you lot has over eaten or had too much to drink! I have not had my main meal yet, I had a selection of prawn bites for lunch- yummy, rather different from my usual yogurt.

Fabulous photos Bella and Ann. I hope you are both suitably cheered. We are having a glass of bubbly prior to a slice of turkey breast, a blanketed pig and some dauphinoise potatoes - must be feeling a touch better!

Nothing wrong with his hair- he even looks happy in that photo but I doubt if he remembers why he is there and that it is Christmas.

We were invited out for bagels and bubbly to ex DiL and got GD to take a picture. I can't say I look as glamorous as Bellasnana who looks beautiful but I thought at least you could see we are making the most of our day. Sorry about H's hair!!

Bellasnana that was a very pleasant surprise for you. Another little princess who loves her dress! She looks older than a 5 year old. I do not like sherry, coffee is for for me! I hope that you and the dog enjoy the remainder of the day.

The fog has not lifted here, it is not very cold out but I have the heating on.

soop so far you have not heard my hoover but I confess to the washing machine in action.

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That's a lovely poem soop, thanks for sharing

Popping in to wish you all a Merry Christmas. I'm slightly tiddly having imbibed two glasses of sherry in memory of my dear mother who used to enjoy a lunchtime snifter.

Thought I was to be alone all day, so imagine my surprise and delight when DD2 and DGD turned up bearing gifts and smiley faces. We went to Mass together which was especially enjoyable as Bella behaved impeccably, even though it can be a tedious business for a five year old.

I'm now settled in with the dog feeling strangely at peace with everything. Hope this doesn't mean there's something unpleasant waitng round the corner to put the dampers on things.

Lots of love to you all, special hugs to annsixty and others who are having a tough time of it.

The following poem is a favourite of mine. It contains a message of hope.

^Sometimes things don't go, after all,
from bad to worse. Some years, muscadel
faces down frost; green thrives; the crops don't fail,
sometimes a man aims high, and all goes well.

A people sometimes will step back from war;
elect an honest man; decide they care
enough, that they can't leave a stranger poor.
Some men become what they were born for.

Sometimes our best efforts do not go
amiss; sometimes we do as we meant to.
The sun will sometimes melt a field of sorrow
that seemed hard frozen: may it happen for you.^

Author - Sheenagh Pugh

dustyangel Well, if we should ever find ourselves sitting on the floor, I can guarantee that would both need to call the rescue services. I need a strong man's arm to haul me to my feet. I was on my hands and knees in the garden, in the summer, and I had to yell for MacS to come and help me upright. He was in the back garden at the time, and didn't hear me for at least twenty minutes.

Charleyg If I catch the drone of your hoover over the air-waves...I shall be displeased. NOT allowed. The dust will happily keep until tomorrow. Believe me.

corner "Littlest" will eventually reach the point when he can no longer keep his eyes open. At that point, I suggest you have a well-deserved doze.

For a brief moment I thought the internet connection was about to be interrupted. The amber light is flickering. Damn it!

Jane10 What! Of course you are welcome to join in our totally insane of-times silly banter. Please take a seat. The tartan rugs have been laundered. I've also asked Rory, the resident cat, to move along. He isn't fierce. He's had the snip. He was feral. He now owns the house, it's contents AND us.

ann If we could, us lot would rally round and give you some special TLC.

kitty The precious smiles on the lovely faces of your grandchildren are most certainly uplifting.

DaphneB As I read your message I was transported back to a time when we attended pre Christmas concerts. All a very long time ago. Thankfully, good memories remain with us.

It is Christmas Day. The weather is mild. It isn't raining. I've enjoyed a bowl of porridge topped with blueberries and Greek style yogurt with honey.

Thank you for all your messages. I understand that many of you lot have not been looking forward to today. The hype seems to invade our senses earlier with each passing year. Our family are far away. They enjoy their festivities in their own way. We are happy to be at home. Nothing extraordinary on the list of to-dos today. A close friend celebrates her 60th birthday. Later, therefore, we shall help to organise her birthday bash. A taxi has been booked for 10p.m. We like to live dangerously.

kitty Seb's cake is a winner. I thought that you had baked it. Had I attempted the task, the result would have been unrecognisable. What are the ingredients? Is it mostly made of chocolate? I wouldn't refuse a taster right this minute. Coffee is about to be served.

Wobbly Rick made us rock!

Galen Have yourself a fabulous time. Do you have a butler? If not, why not. Please share a pic with us lot at some time. Take care, and don't get yourself thrown off the boat for unladylike behaviour. As if!

Bellasnana From me to you...a warm, cuddlesome hug. x

Think you are right, kitty. Sorry you are so poorly, wishing you better very soon. Madness here with an overtired and overwrought littlest, but lovely madness. He is supposed to be having a rest

Happy Christmas to all, love and hugs.

Ah kitty they are very happy I think! What a pretty dress the princess is wearing.

Daphne I am so pleased that yesterday turned out so well for you and the pair of you enjoyed every minute.

corner am I allowed to hoover my bedroom and switch the washing machine on please? I promise not to overdo it.

By the smiles, I'd say Santa came!

Oh Daphne don't say that or I'll have to give the traditional response and its not cheery!!
I only lurk on this thread as I'm not nice enough to be a regular. Apologies for bursting in. Happy Christmas.

?Happy Christmas from my kitchen to you lot in the Kitchen ?
I am so sorry to hear you sound so poorly kittylester and others, but hope that a day of hunkering down will put you back on your feet.
I am just so happy that we made it to Birmingham and back for yesterday's concert which was truly magical. DD and Will were with us while SIL and the little ones went to Room on the Broom at the Rep next door. Will was a joy, he joined in all,the carols even if he sometimes had to follow the words of unfamiliar ones with his fingers and he and I had a little giggle at the musicians in Georgian costumes and wigs, deciding that the first violin was actually an Oompa-loompah!
But the memory of his little voice in the first verse of Away in a Manger which was sung only by the children present -well, not a dry eye in the house, certainly not mine.
Traffic there and back was fine and although it was a struggle for DH walking within Symphony Hall, he managed it and loved it. DD and SIL could not have given us a nicer start to Christmas!
Love and thanks to you all for your company and friendship in the Kitchen!!
"Here's tae us, wha's like us!" ???

Happy Christmas to everyone who visits the kitchen and thank you for your friendship and support.

Good morning all and Happy Christmas. I will not be having any alcohol today, coffee for me. At least it is very mild here in London. I am aware that you will be less lucky in the north of Scotland as Conor will be visiting sooner rather than later.

I am returning to my childhood I think and going to watch Frozen later on. Naturally BBC1 and ITV clash but I can record one.

Love to all GNers.