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

Grandmabatty You deserve a gentle evening. I sense your frazzle, for want of a better word. I wish you a lovely, hassle-free Sunday evening. At 9 o'clock I shall raise a chilled G&T in your honour.

Nannytopsy Your decoration is truly beautiful. You are very talented.

Maw I would have chosen the rich slate grey coat. Wow! You will get lots of wear from it and look a million dollars...or the equivalent. Will you wear boots with it? My tartan boots would look amazing. I've only worn them once. Perhaps, over Christmas, they will get a second airing. They are very snazzy.
Yes please to the Lingonberry vodka. I haven't come across that fruit in my 80 years on planet earth. Slainte!

This afternoon we've busied ourselves with decorating the twinkly twigs, wrapping gifts, displaying the usual festive stuff that lives in the attic throughout the year. As per, I've shattered two delicate glass baubles. Why is it that decorations twist when being hung? Is there a mathematical reason for the buggeration?

Beautiful decoration nannytopsy well done it looks really stylish
I’ll happily join you in the mulled wine and mince pies if there’s any left ?

Good morning everyone - yet again we stayed awake far too late and are just waking up. I made this yesterday at a very distanced workshop.
Today it’s mulled wine and mince pies for the village but I don’t think many people will risk it.
I hope you all have a good day.

always go back if I checked out!
That should be if I chicken out

That’s an amazing tree, then, Topsy! We’re using an artificial one this year, as we hope to go away. I like my artificial trees to look artificial, so it’s a pre-lit white tinsel pop-up thing and takes about two minutes to erect. I got it from M&S in a sale some years ago, one of those buys when you congratulate yourself on having made a good decision.

I did a tour of the shops today to put in place an alternative Christmas, if we don’t go away. It’s almost all in the freezer (which was still almost empty post Storm Arwen). We can eat it at NY if we do manage to get away.

I think I’ve finished the present wrapping at last. Though there’s always that one sneaky item that manages to evade you until you’re about to heave a sign of relief and put away all the wrapping paraphernalia. The rascal was lurking in my hall, but I got it in the end!

‘Evening All’.

I’ve been watching The Power of the Dog this evening on Netflix. A brilliant adapt of Thomas Savages’ book that I read last summer. Benedict Cumberbatch was outstanding as the tortured Pete. I thoroughly enjoyed it - plus the two glasses of chilled Croft’s Original sherry to go with!

Oooh, maw, I've bought a very similar jacket for DD3's wedding next week but in a very dark pink. I love it!!

I bought some Bailey's which I am scared to start - so please join me, please!!

I totally blame Urmstongran as I have succumbed to a faux fur jacket/ car coat . Not brave enough to go for pink , this is a rich dark slate grey.
Ah well, as it’s an Internet purchase it could always go back if I checked out!
I am bottling Lingonberry vodka this evening, it should be cranberry, but when Ocado delivered the (frozen) so- called cranberries they turned out to be Lingonberries (no, me neither) but it actually sounds more exotic. Giving bottles to the AC and (only) best friends.
I’ll leave some on the side, shall I?

I have wrapped all but one gift (saw it under the bed as I put all the wrapping paraphernalia away ?

GrandpaGravy is cooking dinner (chateau briand, dauphinois potatoes and baby courgettes) I am at the island in the kitchen with a nice cold white wine, having put The Imp to bed and desperately hoping he stays there (DD has popped to her friends for a girls night, The Imp is not known for sleeping)

Wishing you all a pleasant Strictly Final night ? cheers ???‍♀️

A pragmatic resolution Ena.
Well, I’ve moved presents downstairs to the kitchen table for wrapping, awaiting the magic fairy to do it!
Put out the Christmas ‘ornaments’, snow globes and wind up things bought for me over the years by MrJ and he has decorated the ceiling with old fashioned decorations the GC’s love.
Sausages, mash and beans in a while, have a good evening all ?

? I've just lost my long catch up post, so I'll just say TOYA and wish everyone well especially those with illness, worries or sorrow. I'll try again later.

Good afternoon kitcheners. I have made Christmas tree cakes which aren't very successful so I'll not bring any to the kitchen. I tried green food colouring and it didn't really work. I might freeze them and use them in the Christmas day trifle. A busy day for me. I went Christmas shopping in Stirling and met ds for breakfast. Then dd and both boys visited me in the afternoon. Then my cousin and her husband unexpectedly turned up and wouldn't leave! Because the baby was here, she wanted a hug but definitely outstayed her welcome. The boy wonder was acting up again. He is struggling with managing his emotions and needs careful handling. So they finally left at five o'clock. I don't think they would have gone if my dd hadn't got the boys organised to leave. The upshot is I'm knackered and can't be bothered making tea. I'm a bit unsettled myself and I feel grumpy so a gentle evening is required. Have a good evening all.

Urms Oh for hair like L'il Miss. We all wish...

Hello again to many of our friends who whose company we enjoy occasionally.
WELCOME back Carillion1 .

Away to sup tea. I shall do much better to be sociable tomorrow. I feel less tired right now. Every night I need to wee on the hour. This afternoon, I slept for two without needing a trip to the bathroom. Bliss!

My love to you all.

Nannytopsy I have your Christmas tree envy. It looks delightful.

We hoped to decorate our sparkly twigs this afternoon. However I have let the side down by having one mighty long after lunch zizz. Have not long surfaced.

I shall do very much better tomorrow. I owe it to you. Thank you so much for putting up with me.

Good afternoon dear kitcheners - a quick hello from me and Duncan and hope this finds everyone well. TOYA

Hello dear soop from your friend in Brittany France.

Sending love and best wishes at this Christmas time to you and all dear friends (and absent friends ?) but especially to Lins and Doodle. Until next time xxxxx

I used to have a Motability car EnaSharples. I don’t drive, so Mr.B was my chauffeur . It was stress free as Motability cover the vehicle tax and insurance and servicing, etc. as part of the hire contract. You sign over your mobility allowance to them to cover the contract, then you just have to pay for petrol.

The only reason we stopped was because Mr. B needed a different type of vehicle.

Great poem, Maw, to be copied into my commonplace book tomorrow.

Several very long phone calls, including one from a friend not seen for twenty-five years though we have kept up via Christmas cards. So lovely to be reminded of our younger selves when we were always busy and apparently never tired.

Made a batch of mince pies (last year’s mincemeat which has matured happily on a shelf in the garage); I don’t remember having to keep stopping for a little rest in the past but my back took exception to rubbing in and rolling out. Results are good, though, so now I have something seasonal to offer callers.

soop Sweetie pie is eating a lot- could she have worms?

BladeAnnie I am definitely on Duncan's side and really a small person should not be invading his personal space.

For a second I got a shock thinking that Duncan was stressed and overworked then I read it was yourself so I could relax again with the knowledge that Duncan was being cared for. He really is so handsome.

Seriously do not overdo it, put your feet up.
TOYA

Its me again. Thankyou for all being so kind to me. My dh says we will get a new car because I can get motability which will help so he is starting to look at something that will hold a wheelchair because I will have to give in and have one soon.
I am sorry some of you are having covid scares with your families. My dd and her two kids had it in September, she had only had one jab then. Luckily she was alright. I hope all your families will be alright as well.
That is a lovely tree Nannytopsy I like coloured lights they look more christmassy and bright.
Time for bed
Ena

Thank you Mrshat!
I think mama was just grateful I got her through the door.
?

Yes SueD it’s a real tree. First time at this place - all the trees are trimmed into a very perfect shape. All the cut branches mean it smells nice too.
Love the poem Maw.

Lovely poem Maw. Thank you.
Pleased your new coat was not a disaster Urms and L'il Miss is a sweetie! Beautiful hair. Hope mum liked the end result!

‘Evening All’

No your post isn’t too long Ena Sharples you’ve obviously not been here long enough to see mine!
??

Lovely poem Maw I really liked it & will share. I like the hope in it.

Goodness an enjoyable but long day entertaining littlies! Grandad was a ⭐️ took them both out on bikes for an hour. I took L’il Miss to the salon for a dry cut ... her first ever visit to a salon. Much needed to be honest. It was looking straggily yet so far, mummy had done her best whilst she was sat in the bath! She was SO nervous, but very well behaved. Good job it’s thick & curly (lucky girl). Here she is.... so no Dixon tonight. x

I forgot to send appreciation for Maw’s poem! Very topical indeed. ?

Is that a real tree, Topsy? If so, it’s beautifully even! I love it. ?