Soop's new kitchen being built while she's absent!

Apologies. The grey matter mixed kitty up with dragonfly. Please forgive me.

Greetings on NYE from sunny NZ. We awoke as usual to the lovely birdsong. Huge flocks of sparrows busy chattering and socialising as they do. We don't see many at home sadly. Also the Tui's and Bellbirds with their glorious calls echoing around us as they change perches in the trees. Lots of blackbirds too and starlings. The downside is they eat copious amounts of cherries from the trees with the inevitable result of purple ? everywhere with our white hire car being the centre of their collective aim..

Some beutiful pictures in the kitchen, although we are alarmed at news of a rather grumpycorner and hope things improve there. kitty to us your tretment seems to be steaming ahead, but I am sure that it does not seem so to you. Keep strong. To everyone else - the usual TOYA and hoping life is not too arduous.

We shall drive down to Doctors Point shortly and stroll along the beach calling in for coffee before returning for a nap.

Personally I have had an iffy few days but the fog is fast clearing and I am resuming activities. CH helped me with this post - but as ever apologies to anyone I may have glossed over.

Later this evening we shall walk to the local beach and drink in the sounds of the waves, breathe the clean air and toast in the New Year as we count our blessings and reflect.

To you all , best wishes for 2020.

Last night we had beautiful tender and fresh asparagus. The apricots and berries are lovely too. Sorry if this all sounds disjointed. Despite help I am still trying to be independent despite the support of CH - who I notice was missing from the NY Honours list. He is certainly worthy of something, as are all other carers. The load they carry is immeasurable and I salute you all.

So we join you all striding into the future months, knowing not what is in store. However, we know soops kitchen will be there for each and everyone of us. See you all next year.

(Still thinking of the Panaches)

Hello all. Lovely family photos. Can’t believe how much Torben has grown soop ?
Glad you are half way through the chemo dragonfly. Hope you are ok.
Hope all the poorly Kitcheners on the mend soon.
Had a beautiful sunset here last night. It was quite cloudless and we could see a star shining. It took us about 30 mins to decide it was a star and not a plane or helicopter. We just stood there looking at it. One or two asked what we were doing. It’s amazing how compulsive it is if someone is pointing at the sky how people stop and look too. The app on DH’s phone reckoned it was Capricorn but it could be Venus ?? so now we know

Evening All. A very grumpy Corner here. I feel foul and reluctantly agreed to cancel the couple of nights away booked from tomorrow. Disappointed but better to rebook when well.

Hope you’re well again soon n&g. Kind of the young ones to share their germs.

A sunny day here today (for a change) , by the time I stirred myself to venture out in the hope some air would clear the germs it was very misty. Sea front was busier than it is in the summer. Amazing.

You’re right greyd, some of the fields resemble lakes. Apparently the rain is back tomorrow. How lucky are we? That’s a happy photo, the young ones shoot up over night, our 13 year old is taller than me, it does feel odd.

These adult children have their moments don’t they? Good job we love them. We’ve never been away over Christmas, Mr C thinks it would be a good idea, I’m not so sure. What is it with children and coats? Ours are the same, other than Littlest who is more amenable.

I also like the Christmas gift top soop , it is hard to judge sizes and children do grow overnight, a bit like the spider webs in our conservatory, if more fun to have around.

Well, I’m mooching off to bed now. If my temperature would go down I’m sure I’d feel far less grouchy. I’m sure n&g will cope with more fortitude, I’m being a serious wimp .

TOYA.



.

Happy New Year to you and yours, N&G and hope you feel better very soon. Just made a very fiery curry sauce - if you rub it on your chest, it might chase your germs away! Mind you, it might chase everyone else away too! I’ll leave some on the side in case nothing else works!

Good evening to the Kitchen. I agree with so many of you - the youngsters (30 ish!) enjoy each other’s company so much and make so much noise! We got delayed by an unexpected appointment for DH ( ulcer is infected, needed redressing etc etc) so we were not fully prepared and then the vegan was able to join us after all - nothing prepared for her at all.
Lovely to see them all though!
Thinking of all of you with drug side effects and bugs. Hope you all improve very soon!

Evening all,

Just popping in , I caught up, but I’ve borrowed the boys germs and I’m not feeling the ticket at the moment.

We had a lovely Christmas and we’re doing it all again tomorrow for New Year - so I’ll wish you all Happy New Year ( in case I don’t make it lol ) and I’ll catch up when I’m feeling better xx

Sorry, GrannyGravy, our posts crossed. There is a lot to be said for "peace and quiet". I'm very much a fan of such situations. I wasn't always thus. Staying out until the milkman delivered was, long ago, a heartfelt wish. Thank goodness I grew up and out of such madness. x

Hello kitcheners ??

I have left mince pies and shortbreads on the side.

Having a catching up day today, washing, fridge and bedrooms after family have gone home. Enjoying the peace and quiet.

Hope all feeling poorly are on the up soon.

Thinking of the Panaches

TOYA ???

Lovely smiley photo, Greyduster. They seem to grow grandchildren to tower over grandparents these days. Like Torben, he's a handsome young man.

I'm changing into my Huffle-buff ...an old word meaning scruffy clothes. I've a few others to share with you over the next few days.
Here's another before I log off...For all our dear Kitcheners who are Frobly-mobly (neither well nor unwell) TOYA and sending love. Thank you for your company.

Back again tomorrow.

Hello the kitchen. Well, with Cornwall consigned to what already seems like a distant memory, we are enjoying a haven of peace and tranquility here at Duster Towers. The weather has been springlike today, and having washed the muck and salt off the car and struggled out from beneath a Munro of post holiday laundry, we had a walk to try and get rid of some of the pesky calories. Then my young neighbour came over with a box of chocolates?! She hadn’t realised we were going away. I would have been happy with the chance I got to cuddle her gorgeous baby. Cuddles are calorie free and the best present. I didn’t want to give him back but I’m too old to go to jail for kidnapping!

Much as we have loved having the company of our grandson for a whole week, we have decided that Christmas away from home is not really for us. I missed seeing my son and DiL, for one thing, and much as we enjoyed the Christmas dinner we ate in the pub, which was very good and beautifully presented, it wasn’t quite the same. It was an experience, though.

Soop I like young Torben’s top; it suits him, but that’s the problem with young lads - they will insist on growing! I gave GS some of his favourite football team pyjamas, thinking that there was some wriggle room in them. Well, only just, but they certainly won’t fit him for long the way he is going.

If it’s any consolation, Ann my DD drove me to distraction while we were away - not because she is untidy, but because she is the opposite and it is often more difficult to deal with that than the other scenario. When I learn to walk on my hands, she may find me more acceptable to have around (as long as I keep them very clean!). Oh well, these things are sent to try us, and we love then in spite of it all. Don’t we?

Superb photos, Gq. Hope the water levels are dropping in the Dales. When we came through Corner’s neck of the woods I have never seen such a lot of water lying on the fields still - let’s hope for a spell of settled dry weather to start the New Year.

I will look in later. I’ll leave you with a picture of The Lad and myself on one of our breezy walks. Could he be persuaded to wear a jacket? Nah!

granniequeenie I welcomed the atmospheric tranquility of your photos to wash over me. Bliss!

Anneliese The Christmas Work Shop was, for us, the best of joyful television. I admit to wiping a tear or two away when the people returned to pick up their treasured possessions. Aren't the team delightful in every sense. If I could, I would love to be one of them.

Also, Gordon Buchanan is always a pleasure to watch. He was working with a Russian who devotes his time and effort to rescuing captive Lynx and gradually preparing them for their ultimate release into the wild. We were transfixed.

corne I also think that sometimes an unannounced visit works wonderfully well. I get a bit bothered if I have to prepare for a formal do. My parents never entertained (if they could help it) and I didn't socialise much as a child.

Doodle I have gained weight. It's my metabolism that is to blame. Either that, or lack of height.

A photo has just come through of Torben wearing the top we sent to him for Christmas. He's not yet ten . The top is supposed to be roomy but doesn't appear to be so. He certainly has put a smile on our faces.

Just popping in with a quick hello to all the Kitcheners. Sorry for all those with the lurgy (please keep your germs to yourself ?). Hope you feel better soon.
We are half way through our turkey. I have another slab in the freezer but felt like a change for a few days. Really pleased with this year’s turkey very tender and succulent. Not so impressed with my weight gain over the last week though.
TOYA?

Evening All. Will power worked a treat and they day went perfectly. I’m sure positive Kitchen vibes helped. As predicted we’re now in a heap, both resemble Rudolph at his brightest, but truly don’t care. It’s been such a happy day and tomorrow we can sleep.

Those unplanned visits are sometimes just what we need anneliese. I’m sorry it’s been a difficult Christmas, hoping for better health and a warm home for you.

Your post made me think ann. Our lot rarely stay here, well the children do but not the adults. I sometimes wish it were different but reading your post I remembered how on the few occasions the adults have stayed here I’m also driven to distraction by the general chaos. I’m realising I’m a contrary soul. Please rest when you can.

It’s like living on a sponge here geannyq, your photos are very atmospheric, we’re just soggy. . You've a busy time on the horizon.

Hope you've been able to rest dragonfly, You’re wise to listen to your body. Do you need a rest as well soop? Look after yourself.

I’m all over the place with days of the week, that’s Christmas I guess. Now the family have been I’ll start to pack the decorations away. Also promised to do our neighbours so it will be a climb into two lofts for me.

TOYA, be good everyone.

We have had quite a difficult Christmas as DH hasn’t been too well and our central heating is on the blink! But all the family came on Boxing Day afternoon. It wasn’t planned, so I wasn’t entertaining or feeding everyone, but it was lovely for all of us to be together. We have just watched ‘The repair shop at Christmas’. I love this programme, and I must admit I found it quite emotional! It made me think of Christmases when I was a child

TOYA especially everyone who is sad, feeling poorly or looking after their loved ones.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201912/medium-679460-edb81a04-d66d-4294-9f43-bb670ee5837e.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201912/medium-724331-af16ea3c-4f05-492f-a2c2-a467489e8b06.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201912/medium-295928-6c6c12de-b22d-4da3-8734-0522a74ca3d3.jpeg

Sympathies to all those entertaining family, much as we love them it’s not always plain sailing! If ours are here en masse they have a tendency to regress and become so busy enjoying each others company that they don’t notice I’m running round like a headless chicken trying to “keep the show on the road”. It’s less of an issue now the grandchildren are a bit older and unlikely to be causing mayhem without their parents noticing! Not all my children have inherited the ”tidy” gene, so I can sympathise Ann. In the name of love we plod on and smile, albeit through gritted teeth, grateful that they all come and that we can accommodate one another’s faults and foibles most of the time !

Thinking too of those with ongoing medical issues, you are more of an encouragement to the rest of us than you realise so never be afraid to have a moan about it all. After all that’s what friends are for. Sending tissues, paracetamol and hot toddies to all those battling with lurgies and bugs.

We’re enjoying a pleasant lull here after the Christmas hustle and bustle. After church this morning we took off for a walk in Nidderdale, with the unremitting rain of recent weeks everywhere is damp and squelchy. Fields where we normally see sheep were like a lake. If those sheep come back anytime soon they're going to need wellies! There was a stunning sunset on the drive back home, so a beautiful end to a relaxing afternoon.

On Tuesday we have dd2 and her family here for a sleepover to bring in the New Year, the “no longer little” girls will doubtless want to stay up! Then on Thursday we go off to help Dd4 move into her new home. It’s been a tense few weeks with her solicitors wanting quite a lot of money in return for seemingly doing very little and rather slowly at that. So it will be a relief to see her in and settling down in her new locality.

As always toya and appreciative of this warm and cosy kitchen. x

We've been watching a film about the great steam trains - including the 'Flying Scotsman'. Fascinating and awesome in equal measure.

A dankish day. We haven't done anything too strenuous. I opened a pack of locally made tablet. Bad girl! The calorie count is off the Richter scale.

We shall be visiting the care home tomorrow instead of Tuesday. I'm wondering whether or not my pal will need me to do her ironing on Wednesday. There is going to be a very large mountain to tackle.

My love to you all. Wishing you a peaceful evening.

ann Roll on the return of your dear, supportive granddaughter. The sooner your home is vacated by seemingly inconsiderate folk, the better. A huge (((hug))) from me to you.

dragonfly and ann I've talked this matter over with the consultant. For my type of cancer, Letrozole is the best medication long-term. I am grateful in so many ways. It's just the fatigue that saps me of my energy for a few days at a time. After which, I seem to slowly recover and feel almost normal again. Thank you for listening. I appreciate it.

soop I too do not feel the kitchen is a place for a good moan but as you say it helps to get support from others.
I had anastrozole and didn't find it too bad. Maybe you could change.
I too send you healing hugs.

Dear ann I can sympathise. I too have always been the tough, strong one in the family and it is hard for the younger ones to accept that you are not able to do as much as you could.
My DD comes home and plonks herself down and hopes I will fetch and carry. She was a little better this time but I think it is because she still wants me to be strong and doesn't like to feel I am getting old(er).
My DS tries to help but he is shoring up a wife and two young children ( i have that to look forward to on Thursday).
Grin and bear it - they will be gone tomorrow.
Sending you strengthening hugs.

soop it was tamoxifen that didn't suit me, when I went onto Anastrozole I was better.
I wish all the poorly people well.
I am going to vent now, My D and Gc are getting to me bigtime, when I read of everyone's wonderful helpful D's I wannt to weep.
I am dping everything, my live in GD has been away for a couple of days visiting the other side of her family, I cant wait for her to get back.
I have always been the tough one in the family, getting on with things, never giving in and now I am expected to be the same, well I am not.
They are the untidiest family in the kingdom, I am not, it is driving me mad.
They go home tomorrow, to my shame and horror, I can't wait.?

corner Sending you an extra dollop of willpower. Onwards and all that. After which...you are entitled to collapse into any heap that beckons.

dragonfly My heart goes out to you. I also feel lousy today. every so often, the Letrozole meds zap me like a blow
with an almighty hammer. Was not going to say anything here in our kitchen. And then I thought...hang on...it's what us lot do so well. We share and offer comfort if and when needed.

Feeling like a truck has hit me today so little sympathy for DH. I shall surely be resting and doing very little until it passes, which it will!!

I hope the Corners are feeling well enough to enjoy their family party.

Charley tomorrow will provide irrefutable evidence that willpower can conquer germs . For a day anyway and then we collapse in a heap .

Pantglas2 And there am I also leaving Christmas cake that we cannot to justice to.

Oh dear! Mr Corner and Mr Dragonfly may need to take to the beds in our wing for poorly husbands. Who shall will name as Matron in charge. Someone with a kindly nature and a no nonsense attitude.

Away for today. TOYA. Back with you tomorrow.