Soop's welcoming kitchen for kind and caring folk...

Nannytopsy I have started painting yet. Tomorrow, perhaps. I needed to tidy the so-called studio. Then I cleaned the paint boxes and brushes. Set for a first wash of portrait sometime tomorrow.

Getting tidied up for a brief visit to our pals in the village. My first time out in a very long time.

Many congratulations Nannytopsy. A new baby is wonderful at any time of the year but at New Year seems especially wonderful. Spent the morning looking after our two grandchildren. There is something soothing about dressing and undressing Sylvanian animals for long periods of time as Gd kept changing her mind about their attire. We need to go away in a couple of days so we have taken down the tree and decorations. I was deluged with beautiful candles and am lighting those to keep the spirit of Christmas going. Not very hungry theses days so have oodles of truffles/amazing chocolates for anyone. Stay safe.x Just walked Ddog. Such a pleasure.

Beautiful photos of Alby hellogirl he looks so tiny and gorgeous. Good news about your great nephew Jack too, pleased he’s now home

I hope you enjoy your long awaited trip out soop it’s very well deserved ?

Good afternoon dear kitcheners. A lazy afternoon Netflixing here - just about to start a new series which looks good - "Stay Close". Mr BA has just brought me a nice cup of Lady Grey as I'm doing Dry January - so far so good (only day 2 though ?). Enjoy the rest of your Sunday

Enjoy your trip out and company soop. We’ve been out en famille for lunch as it’s my son’s 31st birthday today and I’m stuffed. I normally eat a very light lunch, if any, so I think that’ll be all for today.
Good to hear from you Dogs I can understand the calmness playing with your GD x.
I think a quiet evening here, it’s rather nice not cooking a meal.
Enjoy yours all x

‘Evening All’

I’m still full from a late lunch with my stepfather. He loves an Italian family run restaurant round the corner from us. It’s been here over 40y and he and mum called it their ‘special place’. Mum had her 80th meal there years ago.

I’m going to surf the platforms for something to watch now. Netflix is my ‘go to’ but I fancy the Christmas ‘GoggleBox’ with highlights from 2021 so that might just win out.
?

soop that malt was a Speyside sent to my stepfather in the post from his 96y old brother. Highly recommended tell mr.soop! Hope you both enjoyed yourselves this afternoon. Getting together lifts the spirits.

Good evening Kitcheners. I'm struggling tonight. My dear dear son has stopped communicating with family this week. I'm assuming he and his girlfriend have split. I suspect he was more invested than she was but the nub is I haven't heard from him since last Monday. I've sent messages but they go unread or there's no comments. I am sad for him but as I don't know for certain what has happened, I can't even contact the girlfriend. He would be furious if I turned up at his house so I have to just put up with it. I'm not looking for sympathy, but just had to get it out. I know muse has a son who isn't good at contact. I hope you are having a good evening.

Grandmabatty, ?

It is so difficult Grandmabatty. My DS, over the past 20 years, has been a worry and concern on and off. It started in such a similar situation that you are in now. I'll send you a pm with the hope that it will help you with your anxiety.

Take care?

Grandmabatty many of us have family who aren’t good at communicating or miss messages. I have often thought something was wrong when in fact my son thought he’d replied but hadn’t.
My SILs daughter goes for a long time without communicating either. I think it’s just the way some people are. I can understand your concern and worry though. We never stop worrying about our children.
Hope things are ok and he’s back in touch soon. Take care.

Hellogirl, what a lovely little boy Alby is. His mum looks so contented too. Good news also for Nannytopsy. I have until June to complete the baby blanket for my expected GGC. My DGD took me out for lunch last Tuesday. She is blooming, despite having MS, and proceeded to 'eat for two'! Mind you, so did I and I don't have her good excuse/reason. She had her 30th birthday on New Year's Eve, the oldest of my DGC.

Grandmabatty ? from me too.
I would keep sending messages to your beloved son, keep them light but let him know how much you love him. I hope he feels he can reach out to you soon. ?

Goodness! I did not expect such lovely messages and posts. Thank you all so much for your concern. I have to admit to being quite overcome by how you have shared similar stories. He is a very private person and doesn't share worries easily. I'll keep sending him messages in the hope he responds soon. What is it they say: "you are only as happy as your most unhappy child?" This time of year isn't great for my family! Last year it was my son in law who lost his job and was unwell, this year my son has problems. I'll keep on keeping on.

Grandmabatty as you say your son is a private person I imagine he finds it hard to share his feelings. I think if you let him know he has your continuing support he will contact you when he feels ready. It is hard not knowing what is troubling loved ones.

I have managed a walk again today down to the river. I love to watch the water, it’s peaceful and soothing.

Goodnight dear Kitcheners, TOYA.

Good evening, lovely Kitchen people ❤
I thought I had posted a wee message this afternoon but it seems to have disappeared into the ether?

Hellogirl, Alby is a beautiful wee boy, congratulations to you and yours. I'm so glad that Jack is home and celebrating Christmas ?

Soop, sorry to disappoint, but the steak pie has a puff pastry lid, family favourite. However, I have just left a slow cooker full of lentil soup, made with ham ribs, and a tin of shortbread on the side ?
I hope you enjoyed your visit with friends this afternoon.

Well done Blossoming, you are so motivated and disciplined, I haven't managed to step away from the treats yet!

Grandmabatty, I'm thinking of you, I hope you hear from your dear son soon. I have three sons, different worries with each of them, like you say, I'm happy if they are happy, we are Mums, our dear children never outgrow our concern.

We had a lovely surprise visit from our dear Goddaughter this afternoon, she was dangerously ill with covid last year, ventilated for months. Her dear Mum, my lovely SiL, died of covid while her daughter was in the coma, absolutely heartbreaking. When our Goddaughter regained consciousness it was to learn that her Mum was dead and buried. It's been very hard for her, emotionally and physically, she had to learn to walk again and still uses a stick, but her husband and teenage sons, and her sister, look after her really well and she is now in good spirits and working hard on her recovery. It was lovely to see them today, DS3 and partner arrived in time to chat awhile with them too.

I hope you are relaxing and enjoying the rest of Sunday. I'm now watching the Christmas Gogglebox.
TOYA, NNGB.

Granmarie what an awful time your goddaughter has been through, any one of those things would flatten anybody. I hope she continues to make good progress

Thank you, Blossoming, it was so good to see her today.

grandmabatty we also have a non communicator. Waiting to hear can be harder than what we eventually discover. I feel for you. We’ve tried explaining the impact on us of lack of communication. It gets better, usually for a week then back to his normal. Hang on in there. He’ll be in touch when he’s ready.

Germs are having a party tonight, wish they would keep the noise down so I could sleep.

TOYA, take care.

Thinking of you grandmabatty and hope your DS gets in touch soon ?

Also for your goddaughter Grannmarie what a brave lady she is, I wish her all the very best with her continuing recovery

Thank you, Brook, she is doing well but still has a long road to go.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202201/medium-883948-fcebc880-2f31-4940-a080-f67bf46f07d5.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202201/medium-651041-83a1ac75-cb7c-49ef-997a-f17830d4106f.jpeg

I have been dying to share a pic of Remy with you all and have trimmed this down so that nobody else is recognisable (except the dinosaur!)
And this of Otis and his baby brother ??

Wonderful images maw. You must be rightly proud.

Beautiful pictures MayBeMaw

Urmstongran we watched the Gogglebox Festive Special we had a good laugh…

Grannmarie ?
Such cute photo’s MayBeMaw. I love the children’s names too.