Soop's lovely warm and friendly kitchen

Thank you Grandmafrench. I'm very relieved too. All systems are working well. I had a lazy day today after an early start and a doctor's appointment. I visited dd and had a cupcake and a toffee latte both of which were delicious. Then dozed off and on this afternoon as I didn't sleep well last night. I hope all the kitcheners are well and keeping busy. See you tomorrow.

Thanks Puzzler! I’m trying to remember to come here more often.
It’s a lovely thread isn’t it?

Did anyone notice maw? .

I didn’t know Urmston
Hello to you and Grandmafrench. ?

Along the lines of Cornergrans Camp coffee/gravy browning story, Paw’s cousin Dorothy was chefing with a friend at a hotel on the Crinan Canal (I think) many years ago. Too late they realised they had no chocolate for the sauce for Pears Belle Hélène on the menu that evening - yes that’s right, gravy browning plus extra sugar!

Love the crib Maw. Just beautiful and so full of memories for you. No wonder it takes pride of place. As you say it’s sad no one else will see it this year, but even sadder to leave it packed away in its box when you can gaze at it.

Showing my ignorance - am I the only one who had to look up what meerschaum is?

?

Evening lovely Kitcheners. Where is everyone?!

What a sweet cat-in-a-box. What cat doesn't love a box, a bit the same as toddlers. Lovely Christmas decorations and nice to hear that people are already indulging in Christmas foods, glasses of wine and cheese etc., All these things are needed to aid a steady hand and good eye and endless patience as the wrapping is grappled with.

So thrilled and relieved to hear your news, GrandmaB. Tara is going to be your ruination, Charley. We shall have to send you food parcels if your furry gourmet continues to spend your money in this way.

Are you new, Jaxie? If so, welcome. What a memory that was, Camp coffee. It's chicory-based, isn't it? Last time I used it was to make milk shakes for the children in the summertime. Many many years ago. Must be very useful as a flavouring for cakes etc., I shall search online for some since I had no idea it was still made. Corner that's a lovely story. Bet he never lived that down. Good that your neighbour was able to reconnect you, Maw. Talk about one step forward, once step back. You dress your room and make it look all festive and then find you're cut off from the rest of the world. I hate it. Just shows how much we all take this easy communication for granted.

Hope you are still adrift, dear soop, and not unwell. Feeling better, Cherry? Do hope so. To everyone otherwise occupied, hope you are taking care of yourselves and getting the most out of every day, hassle and pain and worry-free.
Hugs from French France x

Just popping in and it’s very quiet in the kitchen.
We must keep the fire stoked while the soops are busy with internet problems and taking care of their new friend Fern.
MawBe the crib scene is a delight and a gentle reminder of your DH’s childhood. Diddy trees are popular this year and look just as pretty on a windowsill.

Cornergran Camp coffee and gravy browning are equally Yuk! to me. My mum also had both on a shelf in the pantry and each is easily mistaken for the other.

I hope all our regular grans are keeping well today. A possible reason for not having been in this kitchen could be a general
busy-ness in your own kitchens at this time of year ... ?

There’s a family legend about Mr C’s father making coffee with gravy browning after he failed to put on the light when reaching into the pantry. Yuck

jaxie I use camp in coffee flavoured sponges

In those days I hated coffee- now I do not drink anything else. I was unaware Camp coffee could still be bought.

Tara redeemed herself by eating most of her supper- we are having yet another early night I think.

I use Camp to make coffee icing for walnut cakes. Yum

I have a confession; I’ve rediscovered a favourite drink from the 1950’s: Camp Coffee. I feel ashamed to love it made with all milk. But what about the label?

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202012/medium-173763-b5c80cec-75a4-48d6-b90e-77352dafa928.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202012/medium-620934-ee9987c7-92bf-4d8f-9eef-d099b7f6c2e0.jpeg

Oh the nostalgia of Clothkits!
I actually blame Clothkits for my having a credit card some years later - they used to let you pay by three post-dated cheques which you sent with your order , my first experience of credit and great with three girls and a much more hand to mouth budget than now! If I wanted to buy anything for myself I would save up family allowance but the Clothkits 3 cheque system was my first step on the slippery slope!
All my electrical sockets died on me yesterday afternoon and my iPad and mobile were both low on battery -it was awful, I felt totally cut off (plus no Strictly) so my sympathies to all with internet problems. How we have come to count on it.
Fortunately my lovely neighbour’s husband came round and flicked a couple of switches which did the trick. Relief!
It’s a bit sad trying to put up a few decs when only Hattie and I will see them but here is my diddy little tree and the olive wood and meerschaum crib set from Paw’s earliest years in Switzerland. What memories those pieces hold!

You don’t mean that Charley! I hope Tara doesn’t hear you say that. She may be trying your patience but she knows she is adored by you. ?

My trip next week will be to Aldi and Lidl to see if cat food made in Germany is more upmarket for madam. It was so much easier when she only ate prescription dry food and had been for the last 12 years +. Easier and cheaper.

There are 8 different makes of food not to mention varieties in her personal food cupboard at present.

I may try soaking a few dry pieces with her medicine and see if the little beggar will eat it. I doubt if she would fancy me squirting 0.5mls in the side of her face x2 a day. I think she would spit it back. It is a good job I love her or she would be looking for alternative accommodation by now.

Ha! It’s like the “Where’s Wally” game.
The beautiful puss is well camouflaged Nannyt.

Commiserations BladeAnnie a nice cheese selection and a glass of wine should ease the disappointment.
I ventured out in the car today and some roadsides and fields are seriously waterlogged.
Methinks no golf again for Mr Puzzler tomorrow. ?
Good evening wishes to the soops and Fern, Charley and Tara and BladeAnnie and Duncan, and all other kitchen friends.

Where’s the picture gone??

☕️ Kitty? I need ?. You must get a tree! Ours is outside having a drink before we bring it in.
Clothkits have started up again but on a much smaller scale than in the 80s/90s.
Spot the animal ...

Just popping in to say good evening to all you lovely people. Mr BA is just doing us some cheese and crackers (& of course wine ). Very disappointing result in the football earlier for our team - need to keep reminding ourselves "it's only a game"!!

Just popping in and I'm full of admiration for the clothkits jacket. We had loads when the girls were little but I'm afraid I bought the readymade ones. I didn't know they were still around.

I have decided that 'clarty' Christmas decorations are my thing. Trying to be refained just ain't me!! And I'm going back to having a tree!!

Back later, I'm in dire need of

So pleased you're off to see Dr Rummage, GrandmaB. High hopes for good results. x

Internet came on (mysteriously!) just before lunch. Thanks, NannyT I almost feel life is normal again! Love your little jacket...was that the ClothKits one? Bet your little GD will be super thrilled with that. I would be.
It's o.k. to say 'I is wonderful', puzzler, when you know you are!
I am wondering if Miss Tara is employed by the Michelin Guide - she seems to know an awful lot about food!!
Hoping you are back in the land of the interweb, soop dear, that the bad language has ceased, Fern is about, Mac's hair is looking glamorous and all is right with your lovely world.
Have the best late afternoon today, everyone. Keep warm and keep safe. Hugs x

Thank you Grandmafrench, I'm feeling lots better at the moment. An early doctor's appointment tomorrow morning for some rummaging. Nannytopsy that is a beautiful work of art! Well done for being so creative. I hope all your wee cats are inside keeping warm. It is very dreich here in Polmont. I'm being lazy today. Maybe I'll wrap some presents, maybe not. I'm watching columbo at the moment and have just finished a bacon butty. Enjoy your Sunday, one and all.