soop's kindly kitcheners and pampered pets...

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Evening all !!

You're right Charley the magic of Christmas is in the eyes of small children who believe without reservation. Very special.

Nancyma oh I know that feeling . Last time Sam went for a haircut he came back looking so odd we have decided to try to find another groomer. Mind you he pongs smells a bit so we have decided to bath him tomorrow ourselves...should be an interesting experience for all concerned !!

Kitty I love Persie's name. How delightful !! Mind you I had a lively debate with Grampy who thought it obvious the little one was named after a footballer !! Doh!

So sorry to hear of the change of plans Ann and the sirloin !! Grampy and I are ALWAYS available as dinner guests in this situation. . I wish we WERE close by , I cant imagine how sad the change of plans made you.

Your cat is beautiful Glamma we are big fans of Ragdolls in this house but yours can give them a run for their money in the beauty stakes . Very sensible about getting him done, he wont miss it and there are so many animals in shelters.

I love the festive display soop I'm feeling particularly in the festive mood myself thanks to a flurry of sausage roll making. My cakes are nothing to write home about but I do have the knack for some light crumbly pastry. Ill leave some warm , on the side here for compliments comments

Anno such good news. I suffer intermittently from sinus problems so feel a little of how horrible it is. Hopefully this will give you permanent relief .

Lovely picture Daphne !!

We had a lovely evening on Saturday although Jackson and Coopers Dad was ill and could not attend. Mid way through the evening it became obvious Jackson was unwell and had both conjunctivitis and tonsillitis.

He was heartbroken thinking he might 'miss' Christmas but cream and antibiotics and he's feeling a tad better. Today their Mummy went down with the same thing !!

I so wanted to help but tonsillitis has been my bete noir since I was a child and a bout will put me in bed for 3 weeks + so I have resorted to making up a food parcel of lovely things , putting it on their doorstep and running walking away!!

Being ill at Christmas is the worst!!

Our evening was called where did you get that hat - pics attached !!

Ruaridh is Gaelic for Rory. Just in case some of his fans should feel

One moment I was on some steps and wafting a feather duster over the book shelves. Then I thought to myself...b*** this for a game of soldiers. I know what I should be doing instead. So, for an absolute age, I've been helping Rory and Bracken to design a greetings card for you lovely lot.

Dear Oliver, get well soon. You really do not need to stress yourself over raising a family of kits. Far better to enjoy being thoroughly pampered.

Lona Before I return to the book shelves I shall sit quietly in the corner with other Kitcheners and scoff sample the lemon drizzle cake. In my dreams.

I have to dash. Care home visit in the morning. I've a pair of fluffy red slippers for M. She hinted that her present slippers are "past their best..."

Until tomorrow afternoon. Love and gentle (((hugs))) x

Daphne I loved the photo, the couple look so happy but my favourite was the dog!

Crafting I do not care if the lemon drizzle cakes are virtual but you must think about your teeth- tut tut, what will I do with you?!

Oooh Lorna one of your lovely lemon drizzle cakes, what a surprise . I will just have a huge chunk small piece. So glad you made a nice big one so I can scoff lots and no one will be any the wiser #innocentlook

glammanana I could not agree more, sometimes it is difficult to find homes for kittens and one where they will be trained and well treated.

At least young Oliver will be bright and breezy again by Christmas Day.

I have had to stop my de-cluttering for a few hours as I had to get my hair washed, cut and blow dried. Birdbrain of course forgot to take a couple of black bags to the charity shop so they are still taking up space upstairs. Tara has had a good sniff around and I do not think she thinks that I am moving house any time soon. I would like to get my bedroom finished soon so that at the very least I could put on a fresh duvet cover.

My excuse for tomorrow's part relapse is that I am meeting up with 2 other GNs for coffee. If anybody lives close to Pinner and would like to join us please let me know and I will PM you the time and cafe we are meeting. We have been meeting monthly for well over 2 years now.

Gorgeous photo DaphneB, they look very happy.
swanny If you get a magic wand, let me know how to get one too will you please? Or even some magic dust would do so I could sprinkle it over my dd. What a wonderful Christmas gift that would be!
Crafting I did notice your veiled hint about the lemon drizzle cake (or lack of) ? so I've left an extra large one one the table xx

DB What a lovely couple they make how fast does the time pass its going on to 3 yrs for my DS2 and his wife time certainly flies.All is now on track for the big day everything wrapped and labeled and guess what ?? surprise surprise I have not mislaid any presents this year thats the first time in many a year we have not had something go on the missing list.
I'm waiting for the vet to ring me to tell me when to collect Ollie he went in at 8am this morning and due home about 6pm,he will be so hungry I'm sure,just got to keep him calm for a day or two no chasing Poppy about the apartment like a swirling dervish.
We decided to have him "done" even though he is such a handsome chap and would make a lovely litter but I would be worried that maybe any kittens would not be treated properly or ended up in a shelter and anyway what he has not experienced he surely will not miss

A cheery good afternoon greeting dear Kitcheners. Funny weather. Big swathes of blue sky bordered by angrier grey clouds. A little sunshine. A little mizzel.

DaphneB That was a very swift moving year. I can hardly believe that the gorgeous bride and groom are celebrating anniversary number one. The photo is perfect. It radiates love and joy.

Lona OK you may share some of my special sloe gin with a wonderful new tonic. I believe it's called Indian Tree.

Crafting The virtual tray bake seems to have fed all those who enjoy such fine home-cooked goodlinessess...^Us lot^ only have to look longingly at the platter, (no time for teeny plates) and it re-fills itself. And...better still, there is no washing up.

Swanny You did your best. That is all that could be expected of you. Special hugs and giggles are a fine reward.

callgirl1 I believe that you might like a wee taster of mulled wine. It gently warms the cockles of your heart.

cornergran Enjoy granny duty. I would so love to have Torben with us at this time of the year. We know that he'll have lots of fun with his Mummy and her family in Derbyshire. Knowing that our family members (wherever they be) enjoy the festivities in their own special way, is enough for us.

Right, Kitcheners -we are on the home straight!!
Hoping everybody is keeping well (as well as can be expected) and that there are no unforeseen complications ahead.
DD2's first wedding Anniversary today, it was a day of very happy memories and has been such an eventful year for them

Good luck with the tree cornergran I'm sure you'll have a wonderful day with your littlest.

Being a grandma gives me such joy - I'm smiling now, just thinking of him - and I know I'm very lucky to have him in my life and to see so much of him. I feel so sad for DS and DiL though who have to cope 24/7; they're doing amazing work and deserve all the help I can give them.

Anyone know where I can get a magic wand? I've asked Santa to bring me one so here's hoping

Back from our trip, all went well, and in for a sit down before bed. Really pleased to find some traybake left, nellie, shame the mulled wine seems to have vanished .

Can feel your disappointment, ann, a bit late now but I can attest that frozen cooked beef is just as delicious when thawed. We tend to cook a big piece and freeze portion sizes. Works like a dream and makes for an easy roast meal.

Those Christmas decorations must be very precious soop, so many memories. Lovely to read your positive news anno, it will be good to be able to breathe properly.

Oh charley, will you stop making me feel so ashamed of my cupboards and please don't tell me you are tidying drawers? One day, one day mine will also be sorted. Just not today! .

When I'm defending the Christmas tree from littlest attack tomorrow swanny I will think of you in Tesco and remind myself I can cope. Your challenges are greater but so lovely your grandson can have time with you, cuddles and giggles are well worth having.

Loving all the photos, thanks to all for posting them.

Must get some sleep or littlest will have the upper hand by the time breakfast is over, rather thN let me think I'm in charge until, oh about 10 o'clock . . Sleep well everyone.

Lovely photos Soop, what a beautiful sunset.
I`ve never tried mulled wine, wonder if I`d like it?
Oliver is gorgeous, but then, aren`t all pussy cats?
My Christmas tree is finally up, after Rena called this afternoon and brought it downstairs for me. Then David and Sharon called and put up the strings for the cards, then put the cards over the strings for me. I`ll finish the rest off before I go to bed. Mia has been investigating the new kid on the block (the tree), as is her wont, her being very nosy. She`d better not get TOO nosy after I go to bed!
Sorry for your disappointment Ann60, but as has been stated, you can freeze your beef after cooking it.

Crafting it wasn't the best of times but neither was it the worst of times (apologies to Charles Dickens) with DGS yesterday, although it may be a while before I'm allowed back into a certain local supermarket If I take him to Sainsbury's I heave him into a trolley (he's 7) and he's happy to sit there and scrutinise my shopping. However the little corner Tesco is quite tiny and I only wanted 2 things, but he was running all round the shop pulling things off shelves and throwing them on the floor! The poor lad would not have coped at all with the family outing, so I'm glad I was here to help. We did have some lovely cuddles and giggles as well.

Mulled wine ?. Over here please soop. Lovely. So Christmassy. . I shall sit here in the corner and catch up with Lona and as there's no lemon drizzle on offer a nice slice of Nellie's traybake will do just fine

swanny nice for your DGS to spend time with his granny. One to one and some quiet time rather than being with lots of noisy people. I expect you both had a good time

Thanks soop but mulled wine gives me a migraine, so I'll settle for a Christmassy gin and tonic please ?
Amazing sunset!
?

soop I could not agree more, a pity I cannot organise my demise the day after my house has been cleaned! Still, the law may change!

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Nellie No worries. I'll have Swanny's share of the yummy cakes that she can't eat. I'm up for at least two...if you can spare them. They would make the perfect teatime treat.

anno That's what I call a result. Well done. The worst it over and done with. Take time to relax and be pampered. Season's greetings to you and all our Granspals. Especially those who have on-going problems to bear.

Lona It's lovely to have call in to our kitchen. Shall we partake of a celebratory glass of mulled wine?
Sorting through stuff and "rationalising" is liberating. I try it from time to time.

Charleyg Oh the shame of being thought a lazy mare - especially after one is deceased.

As my luck appears to be holding, I shall say farewell to you all. I've just taken the image of today's sunset. It is in the direction of Gigha.

Charleygirl I don't think it is macabre at all, I've done the same thing. I'm not a sentimental hoarder, so there wasn't too much anyway, but it's quite liberating.

Lona I intend to do the entire house! Upstairs is the worst- everything is hidden behind doors, hence the reason I have not touched it for so long.

It sounds a tad macabre but the reason I am doing this is that I have recently sorted out a new will and the LPA is going through the courts, I would drop dead with embarrassment if anybody had seen the state of the inside of my fitted wardrobes. I know I would be dead by then but hopefully looking down. I want to make life easy for the two who will be left to sort it all out.

soop 5am is a bit early for Rory to be wanting attention from MacSporran but I know the feeling as it happens frequently here. If Tara does not get the attention she wants, she lies on my pillow, hoping that she will get a chin rub or two.

soop I love your decorations, especially the knitted dolls, I love old fashioned decs.
Kitty I think Persephone is a fabulous name, I bet she likes being called Persie, so unusual.
Ann60 You must be so so disappointed especially as you're feeling low. You can cook the beef, slice it, and freeze it until you need it. If you separate the layers and make portion sizes it will work.
Hope your gd is better soon. Sending you a big (((hug)))

Charley you are making me feel very lazy! ?

Yesterday I had to go to the hospital to have my chronic sinus infection cleared (under a GA) at long last. I was first on the list, so was able to get home by 3 - DS2 and his two boys are looking after me. I slept most of the evening but managed to catch up with Strictly and stay awake - just- to hear the result which pleased me enormously. Nose is inevitably swollen internally but I hope to be able to breathe normally soon. The family are taking me back to Oxfordshire on Wednesday for Christmas. Good wishes to all who and sick, exhausted, sad or disappointed; and to those who aren't!

Charleygirl you have my admiration for sticking at your labours and clearing so much 'stuff' The charity shops are going to think it's Christmas when you walk in ... oh, it is isn't it?

I have very little storage space now and although I 'recycled' a lot of clothes when I downsized, I now have to take something to a charity shop every time I buy a new item

Nelliemoser those tray-bakes look delicious but too chocolatey for me. I might have a go at making some without the choccy

Here you are I have made some of my really favourite cakes. tray bake style.

Cinnamon flour, grated chocolate, cut mixed peel, Demerara sugar, chopped mixed nuts, pear and apple spread and sherry. It is German recipe my SIL used to make made. Full of Christmas flavour.
Enjoy.

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ditto