Soop's welcoming kitchen for kindly caring folk...

Hoping to find some more treats to help me through our first evening Carer's group session on Zoom. Usually I'd put my PJs on about 8pm. Do you thing the participants will mind?

I went to Dunelm today silverlinings for a click and collect - it was bedlam!

Flora I have kitchen envy after seeing your photo.
I have lived in 4 houses in 60 years and never had a decent sized kitchen, one that can take a decent sized table.

Now my current house is ripe for remodelling as dining rooms are hardly used and mine is in front of the kitchen.
It would make a lovely sized room running from front to back of the house.
Alas I am too old to contemplate such work and my H when he was here wouldn’t even consider it.
We can plan and dream though.

Kitty hope you enjoyed munching biscuits whilst online shopping.
Yes sorry all nibbles are now gone Puzzler,they were popular its all about the chocky bits ....
Soop you sound so much brighter Lolly will be delighted to be hung in P.P. gallery .
Glad those of you who are feeling a bit low,poorly or just fed up feel a little better today.I certainly feel much brighter since making new friends here.
Greyduster what fab views , When its uber muddy it really is hard work,hope today was a restful one . Feet up on the sofa??
Susan I lost my engagement ring in 1986 ....it turned up in 1993 when we all moved house . It was inside the big yellow teapot (TOY) none of our girls would own up ,still wont (but they all know which of them it was /
Lins1066 happy to do a sweet treat swap.
Watching the snooker and chilling

I felt brave and a bit excited because today I went into two shops. Everyone wore masks ( tier 3 so we need to take care) didnt stay too long and only got a couple of small but important ( more sellotape!) items but it felt great. Little things.
Came back with a bit if a spring in my step.

I am another one who is too nervous to go near any busy shopping centres GG13. I've not been a frequent visitor to the Kitchen either, lots of reasons but I have been a regular reader. Great poem Galen.
Good to hear you're feeling better soop, well done to your son. The cat apartment has arrived just in time for the colder weather, it was to be wasn't it.
Glad you are feeling better Kitty/Pollyanna, and dragonfly.
Glad too that you found your engagement ring Susan, you are luckier than me, I lost my wedding ring while swimming off the coast of Spain back in 1988.

Good news, Mr Lins had his eye checked this morning at the Bristol Eye Clinic following his detached retina a few weeks ago, all was in order and he was discharged. We are so grateful to them. A little bit of excitement, there was a fire alarm while he was there, naturally everyone was evacuated. Everyone was called back in order, he was amused to note that the technicians went in first before the doctors.

Hope your leg is better GrandmaFrench, you are doing the right thing keeping it elevated and drawing a line around the redness. Perhaps take a photo too.
Welcome Flora I'll swap a muffin for a cookie ?

I have made pink muffins with girlie pink icing topped with Christmas sprinkles - they are supposedly for our son and partner's little girl, but there are plenty for the Kitchen too.

Galen I meant prose, not poetry in my post.
Greyduster those views are priceless, I would yomp a good way to be surrounded by such beauty.
Lolly is a great pooch Flora.
Susan Hurrah I’m your ring story has a happy ending. I’m glad the hamster wasn’t responsible after all.
Have a good evening everyone. I’m roasting a mini pork joint, crackling and apple sauce with all the bits tonight.

The kitchen seems to have been super busy as of late.

soop so pleased that you are recovering well, don’t over do things though.

Galen thank you for your Health and Safety directive, it has made me laugh.

I do think that this lockdown has been harder although it was shorter than the last. We are now in tier 2 but I am only going down to my local shops or the farm shop. I am far too nervous to face the Christmas rush in nearby town centres/shopping malls.

TOYA

Hello Peeps

Wow! "Greyduster" no wonder you wear out your boots - but so worth it. Beautiful day here but I am a bit 'hog-tied' since I have had to attend an appointment and also rest my leg. I'm being good. I do think it might be an infection, maybe cellulitis, but the only problem was no infection showed up yesterday after I had a blood test on discovering lump and heat and redness on my shin. Maybe a bite, but so hard to see. Tomorrow I shall consult the Doc again and if no improvement will need another blood test, because she said it might have been too early to see. We shall see. Thanks for all thoughts. You all need to take care of yourselves, don't forget. Maybe start off by a little reserve when approaching Flora's biccies - or am I too late? They did look super squidgy and a bit more-ish, so shall let you off if they are now all gone.

Glad to hear the engagement ring has been located, Susan. Glad everyone sounds a lot more chipper today. Always strange how it takes us a few days to actually realise we're not well, don't you think, dragonfly. So glad you feel better. How can we all be on top form all of the time.....and at the moment, where's the blimmin' encouragement? So we have to be patient and stick to reading Galen's cheery Christmas instructions. Loved that. Keep smiling, Grandmabatty, fingers crossed. Thanks again, Puzzler and oh, dear Kitty Your Mum, eh??? I'd be thrilled to be described as 'too bloody Pollyanna'.

Will let you know when I recover both legs in full working order, chaps. Hugs from France x

I'm glad you are feeling a bit better Soop. I'm concerned about Grandmafrench. I hope she's alright. I'm having a great deal to do with NHS this week and so far they've been very helpful. I have the luxury of a face to face appointment on Monday morning too. A bit more Christmas shopping done this morning and mince in the slow cooker for tea. I have deliveries due so I shall stott about the house. Keep well everyone.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202012/medium-116840-2b005be5-0591-4b6f-afa7-f73eb770132a.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202012/medium-869036-8db843c3-3ea3-4a72-ba00-380d8d916c8f.jpeg

Hello the kitchen! Stranger in the house! I have not been fit for human consumption recently due to what DH calls “my attitude”, grandchild withdrawal symptoms, trouble with my eyes, my walking boots falling to bits after years of abuse loyal and faithful service, and sundry other ridiculous things.
Galen! priceless!
Soop you sound chipper, which is good to hear. No running before you can walk, please (in fact no running at all!).
Welcome Flora - I hope you will be more of a visitor to the kitchen than I have been of late. To all who are ailing, struggling, or just generally jolly fed up of all this nonsense now, as am I, I send my commiserations.
We went out walking yesterday, as the weather was good. There was more mud than the Somme! It was thoroughly exhausting. But oh, the views made it all worth while. Won’t be doing it again in a hurry though!
Take care

Glad you are both feeling better dragonfly and kitty and soop glad that you have some improvement??

Grandmafrench,I hope you are feeling better today?

Flora,the biscuits look delicious.Will help myself to one and then retire to a quiet corner as yesterday was a long day,we left home at 4.45 and got back just in time to go to bed?

We spent yesterday looking after little B.I’m not sure if I told you DD had ‘lost’ her engagement ring.B said he had posted it through the bars of the hamster cage and the hamster had eaten it.Anyway the ring has finally turned up underneath the Christmas tree.Luckily they have wooden floors so sweep and mop rather than hoovering?

Will pop back later to see how everyone is.TOYA

baubles Although the drop bot hasn't been corrected fully, I feel less stressed/bloated/sore. Hence, I am truly grateful. Lovely to have you with us in the kitchen. How long ago was it that we first met?

Galen It's good to giggle. Thank you.

dragonfly I am sorry that you felt poorly but I'm relieved to hear that you are improving. Keep up the good work.

kitty Just the two biscuits. Be warned.

Corner Need I remind you that those biscuits need to feed the five thousand.

Flora your cookies look good enough to eat...I'm sitting beside you at your table [virtually] and I've a freshly starched napkin tucked into my top. I'm a messy eater.

Right...good news...my son who is an editor with the Conversation has managed to secure a handsome grant/subsidy for a project he's been working on relating to Covid.
Also, the cat apartment has been delivered and is being assembled. I'm all of a buzz.

soop how lovely to see you back, smiling and back to your usual upbeat self. Take things easy though, your poor wee body has been through so much.

Skips through the kitchen door with a silly grin plastered across silly face. About to play the usual catch-up game with you lovely lot.

I am so sorry to hear that our French friend has a worritsome leg. I wondered cellulitis but I'm sure that the experts would have ruled that out. Dear Grandmafrench, elevate leg. Remain rested. Mark the troublesome area. Seek assistance if at all concerned.

Nannytopsy How do you manage to juggle the commitments that assail you? All credit to you. You are made of tough stuff. I wish that we could pin a gold medal on your jumper.

Hellogirl Some areas in the book seem familiar...Gigha in particular.
The hamper is to be kept for Christmas. It contains all the goodies that we haven't yet purchased. Perfect!

kitty The down days do pass. An up day is on the way. I say so.

Urmstongran Spot on. Our kitchen is what it was always meant to be. A little kindness goes a long way. There is more than enough to share.

Flora Lovely Lolly's portrait now hangs in the pampered pet gallery. She is beautiful.

Just popping in to ask how everyone is today?
kitty good to hear you are back on your ‘top game’ again ?
soop are you feeling more like your dear self? ?
Grandmafrench How is your leg today - no more swollen hopefully? Just as hot? Keep checking it won’t you? ?
dragonfly I’m glad you can see better days ahead now you have left the dark place ?
Galen your poem is a gem - do you have more?
TOYA. The biscuits must have been tasty - all gone!!

Please do Kitty.... glad you are feeling better , a biscuit or 2 will help

Timing!!!! Thank you Flora.

That was well worth repeating galen, thank you.

Glad you were poorly dragonfly and now feel better. Iyswim.

Hope you are feeling better too, soop.

I'm feeling better too - thank you all for caring. I rarely feel down for long but yesterday was like wading through mud. Luckily, I'm too 'bloody Pollyanna' as my dear mum told me on more than one occasion.

Off to do my online shop - I'll just take one or two biscuits with me!

Choc chip

Morning all , biscuits out the oven and ready for feasting on.
Tea or coffee ? I'm going for a latte . Have popped 3-4 in a tin for you Cornergran . Enjoy

kitty so sorry you had a down day yesterday. I know what that is like. I hope today finds you brighter.

I realised last night that I have been quite poorly for the last few days. I was tearful and achey. I could still taste though and didn't have a fever!!! Suddenly I felt better last night so onwards and upwards.

Thank you to all your concern (I really wasn't myself) and to all those who PM'd me to ask how I was!

That made me smile Galen

galen good to have a smile before I (with luck) go to sleep

Sorry it’s been a down day kitty, we do all get them and you know you don’t have to keep the day to yourself. Onwards and upwards tomorrow.

Busy day for me tomorrow so if you could hide me a biscuit or three flora I’d appreciate it. They will soon disappear with this hungry (well, I wouldn’t say greedy would I?) lot.

TOYA. Off to bed and with luck to sleep.

Thank you all for such a lovely welcome .
"Kittylester" more and I also hope you feel a bit brighter tomorrow.
I'm Staying at home tomorrow , slightly worried about all the daft things i keep doing .
Will be baking in the morning so tea and biscuits around 11 am ?? see you then . { choc chip as promised}

This is from an earlier year, but I thought worth reposting in these current days.

Please be advised that all members planning to dash through the snow in a one-horse open sleigh, going over the fields and laughing all the way are required to undergo a Risk Assessment addressing the safety of open sleighs. This assessment must also consider whether it is appropriate to use only one horse for such a venture, particularly where there are multiple passengers. Please note that permission must also be obtained in writing from landowners before their fields may be entered. To avoid offending those not participating in celebrations, we request that laughter is moderate only and not loud enough to be considered a noise nuisance.
Benches, stools and orthopedic chairs are now available for collection by any shepherds planning or required to watch their flocks at night.
While provision has also been made for remote monitoring of flocks by CCTV cameras from a centrally heated shepherd observation hut, all facility users are reminded that an emergency response plan must be submitted to account for known risks to the flocks. The angel of the Lord is additionally reminded that prior to shining his/her glory all around s/he must confirm that all shepherds are wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment to account for the harmful effects of UVA, UVB and the overwhelming effects of Glory.
Following last year’s well publicised case, everyone is advised that EC legislation prohibits any comment with regard to the redness of any part of Mr. R. Reindeer. Further to this, exclusion of Mr. R Reindeer from reindeer games will be considered discriminatory and disciplinary action will be taken against those found guilty of this offence.
While it is acknowledged that gift-bearing is commonly practised in various parts of the world, everyone is reminded that the bearing of gifts is subject to Hospitality Guidelines and all gifts must be registered. This applies regardless of the individual, even royal personages. It is particularly noted that direct gifts of currency or gold are specifically precluded under provisions of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Further, caution is advised regarding other common gifts, such as aromatic resins that may initiate allergic reactions.
Finally, in the recent case of the infant found tucked up in a manger without any crib for a bed, Social Services have been advised and will be arriving shortly.
Compliance of these guidelines is advised in order for you to fully participate with the festive spirit.
Cheers
Admin Risk Management Team