Soop's welcoming kitchen for kindly folk...

Preparing myself to go into Campbeltown for a much-needed hair trim.

Have been labouring over transferring money into accounts of our grandchildren. The postal service is beyond a buggeration. The great grandchildren are our priority for the giving of a Christmas gift. Their parents can choose something appropriate on our behalf.

Still no postal deliveries to our home. It must be chaotic in the sorting offices.

I may be back too late for popping into our kitchen again today. Thank you for some stunning photos. Back with you lovely lot tomorrow.

Enjoy the start to your weekend.

Hope your trip to Campbeltown is successful Soop. It’s really cold and grey here and I’m finding it hard to do anything.

I also hope the hair trimming is satisfactory, soop. I absolutely hate having my hair cut at a salon so I just snip a bit off the bottom of my plaits every now and then. Maybe when it is a bit longer I can go back to my grown-up Heidi style (plaits wrapped around head). Rarely wear my hair loose so nobody sees the awful state of my 'hemline' 😂

The kitchen has been quiet today. I'll just snaffle a couple of bits of cake from the always full cake tin before I go.

Wishing everyone a smooth weekend xx

I'm just home from a catch up with friends. The traffic was awful. Baggs I wish I had enough hair to pleat or put in a coronet round my head! I hope your haircut is satisfactory Soop.
I'm waiting for dgs1 and DD to arrive. We are having a chippy tea then walking to the village cross to see the lights switched on. There are stalls, music and Santa too so I'm looking forward to it. Then dgs1 is staying over til tomorrow. I'm looking forward to that too. Have a good evening Kitcheners.

Hello everyone. I actually wrote some cards today! Whoopie do. I also typed up a friend’s Christmas letter. I do this every year. I wish it was a bit more interesting Finally I am in the process of making a beef pie to be served with cabbage and mash. Have a good evening.

Just popping in to keep an eye on you all.

I have spent a large part of today listening to my sister in law off loading about my brother's strange behaviour. Which according to medics isn't dementia - it's all very strange. Or frustrating if you are my sil.

So, I think I will follow baggs in taking some cake and I'll just sit by the fire for a while.

‘Evening All’

Cosy here. It’s been chilly out. No heating needed in our little apartment yet and I’m not dressed like ‘Nanook of the North’ either.

Took the Boy Wonder & L’il Miss to their dental appointments after school - just over the road from where we live. Our grandson noticed a group of teenagers carrying ‘Domino’
pizza boxes.

“Can you get these not on line grandma?”
Me: “Sure. The pizza parlour is on the next block”.
“”Ooh ... can we have one?”
Me: “you can, as a treat because the dentist was so pleased with you both doing a good job with your toothbrushes “.

In we trooped.
My goodness these children so enjoyed watching their pizzas being made, they’d never been in before! The dough being shaped, tomato base spread, grated cheese sprinkled with a pinch of herbs.... L’il Miss - “has he washed his hands?’
“Yes sweetheart “
Usually it’s pre-ordered at home apparently, then tracked on line on dad’s phone!

Some days are just a learning day with grandparents aren’t they? We often have the time and space to breathe. I remember the busy days as a parent. This is different ... and I love it.
💙❤️

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202212/medium-522490-83e3b143-9d72-4cf4-aebc-bd2706796ddc.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202212/medium-503690-9a52873a-a262-49e6-98ba-8c3e7a300b8f.jpeg

Pizza sounds good Urms, lovely that the DGC enjoyed seeing it being made. I can’t wait to catch up with my DGC soon, I’ve missed them all so much
Another lovely day here, after a wander around this morning looking at the beautiful nativity scenes around and about, we went back along the coast a bit to El Pedregalejo, there’s a restaurant there just on the beach and it’s lovely. So we sat drinking tinto de verano and shared a few tapas. Lots of activity here again tonight, last night the free flamenco concert and tonight the Malaga brass band playing a medley of Christmas carols - they were very good
Hoping you had a lovely evening gramdmabatty enjoy those cuddles

Understand what you mean Urms we’ve just spent ten minutes talking about our grandson’s football sticker book, an area I was unfamiliar with. Good job MrJ is on the ball..
Dr today for me, UTI and probable small hernia, should heal itself, hope it gets on and does so.
I also choose our Christmas tree, it will be be delivered on the 15th.
Enjoy your evening all x

Hello everyone. Goodness it’s chilly outside. .

Enjoyed a chatty coffee with friends this morning. Looked at the time when we parted and headed for a sandwich lunch before getting some food shopping on the way home, also found a very well priced sparkly sweater.

So why after a decent day and a not too bad week am I feeling incredibly tense and as if something dreadful is about to happen? It’s happened before, this sense of impending doom, rarely with negative outcomes in reality. So I’m giving myself a stern talking to and reminding myself mr C and I have some enjoyable Christmas things on the agenda for the next week,

Hope the haircut is sitting comfortably with you soop. Another one here who would love enough hair for your solution baggs. I’m enjoying your photos brook. Sounds a magical time grandmabatty. You feeling any stronger kitty?

Take care everyone. Wishing you all the best weekend it can be.

All quiet on the western front so far ladies. We went to the Christmas tree lights ceremony but didn't last long as he was overwhelmed by the crowds. So we came home and shared chips. Then he had a bath and 'had' to have four chocolate fingers when he got out. Teeth brushed and story read and off to bed for eight. Fingers crossed he stays down. I've watched strictly and will probably have an early night. TOYA

You are a ⭐️ Grandmabatty. Seriously.
Always thinking of how best to entertain the littlies in your family. Pre-empting the imminent meltdowns because you know them so well.
Take a bow dear lady.
Feet up now you deserve it!

Hello everyone! My it’s been a nasty day. The gardener and I did an hour and a half in heavy rain until I sent him home. We did get the front finished though, apart from a few bulbs. Yes, I know it’s December but they stand more chance in the ground than in the packets 🤣.
DGC for a couple of hours this evening.
I’m joining the rest of the haircut gang tomorrow - I suddenly realised how long it is.
How are all your Christmas plans coming along? We have spent quite a time today making lists, so that’s a start! No Christmas cards written yet … I’m copying Maw!
Sleep tight everyone 😴

Good afternoon kitcheners. There might be some ginger and honey biscuits later on. We polished off all the ones that came in the Christmas barrel so I've found a recipe. Fingers crossed they will be as tasty as the bought ones.

I went off this morning to post some Christmas parcels. Tried the drop off locker for Evri. We get lots delivered by them these days. It was so easy and it saved queuing at the village post office. They are still only letting one in at a time.

MrM isn't diabetic Urms. It would explain a lot. During the previous ulcers, it was discovered his circulation is poor but the compression bandages were the solution. Nurse yesterday, said the new ulcer is much improved with the iodine and he is to return in a week.

Have you to return to the doctors with a sample Jax? Hope everything clears up quickly. Our tree is still standing empty. I hope to get the lights on it at the end of next week.

Brass band playing carols 😁. I'm sure you were singing along to them brook. The food and drinks look excellent.

Off to find the jars of ginger and honey. See you later.

Thank you Urms. Dgs1 is away home now and I'm relaxing. He slept all night (grandma didn't) and got up at seven thirty ready to face the day with a chocolate spread sandwich. After a while, we went to the garden centre for breakfast and he had a hot chocolate. He told the man who served us that it was yummy. Two ladies beside us were obviously impressed with his manners. Then sausage for breakfast. He was not impressed by the singing reindeer but liked the polar bears and the model village set up. His highlight was seeing a helicopter as we came out which was really low. My highlight will be a whiskey and green ginger shortly. I hope you all have a good afternoon kitcheners.

We've been visiting friends. A very late start to the usual Saturday "must should-dos".

Thanks for the cake, Baggs. Did you like your wee pressie?

SweetiePie (feral cat) has dined and has, like Elvis, now left the building.

Hair cut is ultra-pixie. Judy Dench-like. So far, all positive reactions. I shall want the fringe to grow another quarter of an inch. After which, I shall be happy with the new look.

I must wash the dishes. I shall return later to read through all your messages.

It's great to hear all your seasonal plans.
I will soon start to write on the Christmas cards.
I've never started early, it's 45 years ago, today, since my mother died suddenly, & I remember that I hadn't written my Christmas cards, so none were sent that year.
I'm still waiting for gift ideas for some of the family, especially the 16 year old grandson.!

I hope you soon feel more comfortable soop. & that you are pleased with your hair trim.

Warm thoughts for you all, x

Oh dear I have lost a long message, doesn’t happen to me much.
Just to say I am out for a Chinese takeaway tonight.
Off to Bakewell tomorrow for a look round and a meal.
We couldn’t book for Chatsworth so this is the next best thing.
I am slightly envious of all your family goings on.
I tell myself I’ve done all that and been there many years ago but I should love to see an infant nativity one more time with packs of tissues at the ready.
Have the best evening you can everyone.

My seasonal plans haven’t even been thought about yet, I really don’t enjoy the festive season as I have always had to do all the hard work and yet rarely get a present or acknowledged ☹️ Add 13 birthdays to sort out between mid November and Christmas Eve and I’m stoned broke and knackered by Christmas Day! DH does zilch and the year I told him it was his turn no one got even a card 🤬
Today I have cleaned the house from top to bottom, done 3 loads washing with a 4th underway, made a venison casserole in the slow cooker for tomorrow, cooked lunch, tidied up, lit the wood burner and am now half-watching tv whilst knitting socks for a friend of DD’s.
Tomorrow I have a pile of ironing, what fun!
I need chocolate. And gin. 😋

Christmas trees are up and dressed,with help from GS Oscar😃
I love the sparkle of Christmas.
My hair is short this time Soop bit of a shock when I look in the mirror but I like it.Short at the sides and back and longer layers on top.I’m sure yours is lovely.
We are going to our local Indian restaurant so no cooking tonight.
Enjoy your evening all.🍷🍹🍺

Apologies, Baggs, I misread your message and assumed that the cake was one baked by your good self.

Lots of activity reported by you lovely lot. I confess to having had a very laid-back day. I did enjoy watching the second half of the Netherlands v USA football match. The Netherlands deserved their win.

BlueBalou Aww! That certain feeling assaults us all from time to time. It's because your mind and body are in over-drive. I'm sending you peaceful vibes together with a gentle hug.

NaughtyNeine was kind enough to hunt-down and capture a special M&S Christmas pud, available only in England and post it to Kintyre. It was delivered today. Our friend was delighted. She had her heart set on one. X

Yia I know what you mean when you catch sight of yourself in the mirror after a haircut and for a fleeting moment think ARGHHH! However, I am liking the look more and more. Mr Soop approves. I can run my fingers through it, and hey presto, I look presentable. I also think that it is a less ageing, more of mod look (for me).

gillgran, I have no problem with people going over-the-top regarding Christmas festivities. We tend to keep a fairly low profile. Yes, we have a few small treats but neither MrSoop nor I are sad to see the back of the hooha. I wonder whether or not the reason we feel a trifle indifferent is down to the constant barrage of reminders to buy this or that and hurry, hurry, hurry. At the beginning of November, there is no escape from the commercialization. Countless people must feel totally left out. Forgive my bah, humbug mutterings. They are of little consequence.

I shall away to help prepare our Saturday evening meal. Come 8:39, I shall raise a glass of cheer to you very special people.

That should read 8:30.

Hello everyone. I had a busy day doing Christmas things. I also made a new recipe - chocolate meringue roulade. This has been frozen and will be taken to a pre-Christmas party. Meringue is easy peasy to make, it’s the rolling up which is a faff! I had a nice chat with daughter. She is coming for four nights over Christmas. I’m not sure about the others. My granddaughter loves staying here, but her dad (elder son) works difficult hours. We’ll see. Have a good evening. OH’s turn to cook so he is reheating the left over beef pie I made yesterday and doing extra vegetables.

A calm day here. Glad to hear you’ve had happy haircuts kitcheners, it makes a difference, my fringe needs a snip.
Grandchildren went home, then we had friends for lunch, ham hock, mash and green beans, ‘twas lovely. They stayed three hours, then had to get back to their dogs, good friends are invaluable.
So, a quiet evening, watching football, no cooking, hurrah.
Enjoy yours x

Our last night here in Malaga before the long journey home to Inverness tomorrow - and the cold!! Oh my goodness I’ve just seen the forecast for next weeks snow ⛄️
There’s another light show over the port area here tonight with drones apparently so we’re just waiting amongst the crowds for it to start. Lots and lots of people out and about as usual
I’m looking forward to seeing my DGC very soon, we’ve had a lovely long holiday but missed them so much
I’ve lots of TV to catch up with when I’m home too … I can see a few lazy afternoons on the sofa next week 😀