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

Just back - the doors were open, everyone spaced out and masked so it felt pretty safe. Plus, we are very rural without many cases.
Now watching our boys play rugby, which we recorded early. They are winning so far!

Every year the local village schoolchildren bake and decorate a wee cake for people of a certain age. It is just the right size and far better than anything I could conjure up. It comes cellophane-wrapped and tied with a tartan ribbon. I believe that there are less than a dozen pupils at the school. Kindness makes a huge difference. Especially to people living alone.

Away to sup tea and finish tidying away the detritus. By the way, do any of you watch and enjoy 'Vienna Nights'? It is very well acted and has tremendous atmosphere.

Best wishes for a pleasant Sunday evening. I shall do my best to join you all again tomorrow.

Good afternoon dear kitcheners and the weekend is almost over. Another still and misty day here. I think I've managed to tidy the dining room up enough for our cleaning lady to give it a pre-Christmas makeover on Tuesday ??. Mr BA cooked roast pork with all the trimmings this afternoon and very nice it was too. We are having roast pork when we have DD1 et al on Boxing Day so I think he might just have been practising ?!! I've just heard a shout of attend to my needs... immediately from Duncan!! I know my place so that's where I'm heading. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday everyone

Thank you Soop. A much quieter day today for me. A quick trip to Aldi for food and I've been pottering, doing housework and wrapping while watching rubbish on the tv. I feel a bit more like myself now. An easy tea of mashed potatoes,beans and mince round. I wish you all a good evening Kitcheners.

I think I had your coat as an option when I was choosing but, being a bit longer, made my already substantial hips look ginormous so I did chicken out and hose this one looks like the same girl though.

Some very nice coats/jackets being paraded. I like em all. Being somewhat short and rotund, coats never look great on me. I keep persevering though.

‘Evening All’.

We’ve had a lovely afternoon with my stepfather. A couple of scoops in the bar underneath us then up in the lft to enjoy a plate of chilli and rice with garlic bread. One of the finest we agreed.

As ever it was comforting to be spending time with family. People matter. Possessions don’t. But we all know this at our age don’t we?

Had to laugh as we sat and reminisced.
“This time next week it’ll all be over”. My mother’s words - every year.
?

All over bar the shouting was my Mum’s phrase urms. Found myself saying it yesterday. Oh dear .

Lovely coats, I tried a similar one recently, very sad it just wasn’t ‘me’.

You’re exactly right, urms, people matter far more than possessions. So, sending love to all especially those with health worries or heavy hearts just now.

TOYA.

I absolutely agree with you Urms - people and especially family, do matter.

We did our LFTs this morning before travelling half way between DS and us, to meet them for lunch in the pub we like. We have grown used to meeting there, since we live 100 miles apart.

They too had done LFTs and we were all negative so risked a hug in the car park before going in for a lovely lunch and catchup. Lots of laughter and reminiscing for us too.

Before leaving the car park, for home, gifts were exchanged and we headed back to the south coast, out of the fog and back to a blue sky.

Our other DGD, who lives just 1 mile away from us, came home from university in London on Friday and has now had a positive confirmation of covid, after a CPR. It seems that plans for us to go there on Boxing Day are therefore cancelled!

No matter, she will be round to see us as soon as she is allowed and we just want her to be well asap.

It's the shortest day this week then back towards the light and springtime!

Hate to be to the bearer of sad news but this place seems a sanctuary - Carlos Marin, baritone with Il Divo has died of COVID today.

I had a bit of a thing about him and actually got to shake his hand at a Meet and Greet before their Liverpool concert a few years ago. A brilliant voice and funny character on stage - sad loss at only 53.

Hope no one minds me helping myself to a cheering cup and a biscuit ?

My gran used to say, "See you all next Christmas, if I'm spared." We adopted the saying and used it completely inappropriately. ?
Pantsglas I saw the sad news. Gone far too soon. Have a biccy and a chamberpot.

Just read that Pantglas on SKY news. I went to see Il Divo in Manchester about 15y ago with friends. Carlos was my favourite. He reminded me in looks of my dad (who died at 47y). Dark & handsome. So very sad. He died here in a Manchester hospital. When I heard he was in ICU with Covid I thought ‘he’s young, he’ll be getting the best care’. I can’t believe he has died.
RIP Carlos.

All over bar the shouting. I like that cornergran.
In turn we do become our mothers in some ways. I don’t mind. I find it comforting - the cycle of life. My daughters though are somewhat horrified bless.

Pantglas, I’m absolutely stunned and devastated that Carlos died in just under two weeks, despite having been vaccinated. I’ve been an Il Divo fan since they began and was lucky enough to see them perform in Glasgow, Dublin and Amsterdam over the years. My heart is heavy tonight. Even if he is replaced, Il Divo will never be the same. Life is so unfair,??

We have a student in the family who came home and promptly tested positive. At the moment we have 4 positive family members and potentially 2 more, with 5 meet-ups cancelled round them all. Boris is succeeding in cancelling Christmas by stealth.
Glad you had a good lunch Urms & Gaga.
We have a click and collect tomorrow then I really must start to wrap some presents!
Sleep well everyone! ?

Such sad news Pantglas, I too am an Il Divo fan, can’t believe Carlos is gone ?

Good evening lovely Kitcheners, just a quick visit to catch up on your news. Some lovely coats on display, love your decoration Nannytopsy it’s beautiful. Off to bed now, Mr. B is taking me to a farm shop tomorrow to pick up some goodies. TOYA

grandmabatty my granny used to say that - 'If I'm spared' - and she also said 'I've been thinking about you' which I took to mean she was remembering me in her prayers. Someone said that when your grandparents and parents have gone you realise that you are next in line. A sobering thought - it does make you realise that you will not be here for ever!

Hello everybody, lots of sad news about the covid. I was supposed to be trying new cars today but I fell off the chair in the shower so my shoulder and my leg are a bit sore. I have asked dh if we can leave it until covid is less bad after new years. My old mum used to say if I'm spared and now I say it alot. I am baking mince pies today for ds to take to his work tomorrow and I will add in an apple pie for dh his favourite and some jam tarts with left over pastry to share here.
Ena

Soop your fund is now £14,531!!!! Hoping by tea time, when we can eat some of Ena's jam tarts and a slice of chocolate log from me, the fund will hit £15,000.

That’s exciting news Aldom! Nearly there soop ?

That’s great news !! Thanks for the update Aldom
Almost there Soop ?

Glory be and please beware that I am in a giggly frame of mind. A red letter day! A wonderful tribute to all our kind and generous Gransnetters. Both Mr Soop and I are on cloud whatever.

I've done so little today. Apart from the most important task of all...saying heartfelt thank you to countless people both near and far. I need to send more personal messages. It may take me until bedtime.

Surgeon's secretary phoned this morning. She is "chasing up" admin so that we have all the details we need VERY soon.

I love you lot.

I'm sitting with dgs1 who insisted he come to grandma's house. We are watching baby shark and playing with animals. Poor wee boy has a huge egg on his head where he ran into a door at his own house and he's quite emotional so an unexpected visit suits me fine. I can give lots of cuddles and the baby gets mum's undivided attention for a couple of hours.

Delighted for you Soop
Keep us posted re the date for your op.