Soop's welcoming kitchen for kindly folk...

I hope your DDIL’s present arrives safely, I honestly don’t know what Royal Mail are up to- I ordered from John Lewis on Thursday, emails from Royal Mail yesterday to say it would be delivered today, all fine. Then this morning I get another email saying it’s being‘returned to sender’, no explanation why! I was 🤬😵‍💫
JL say that I will get a refund once it reaches the’Returns Centre’ but that’s no consolation, it’s a birthday present for a friend on Tuesday!
Royal Mail helpline was worse than useless.
Anyway….it’s piddling down here and I have to confess that I fancy spending the afternoon in the kitchen with a large 🍷 and 🍩.Anyone care to join me?

I’ll join you BlueBalou 🍸🍰

Thank you, Chrissielou for taking the time to post when you’re coping with an altogether more serious situation. I hope your dd does well.

The post is most unreliable these days, isn’t it, Soop?

That was obviously the right decision for you, Neine.

That tree is lovely, Urms! I looked it up and found lots of pretty photos. I’ve never been to Spain, unless the Canaries counts.

Royal Mail are certainly doing themselves no favours.
We’ve come home a day early from Dorset, plan was Poole tonight for the fireworks. The forecast is heavy rain and high winds, whether it’s cancelled or not, the idea didn’t appeal, we’re only a couple of hours away, easy decision.
Loved the face of the town centre clock in Bridport.

Good afternoon dear Kitcheners. It’s a gloomy damp November day here. I remember Bonfire Night as always raining and people worrying that bonfires wouldn’t catch light.

I love that clock Jax. I must buy a poppy next week, I shall ask Mr. B to take me to Morrisons as they always have them there.

Mr. B and I stayed up very late last night, Friday night is film night and Mr. B excelled himself with some truly tasty Aberdeen Angus burgers from a local shop topped with a delicious farmhouse cheddar. Neither of us likes the ‘fast food’ take away burgers which don’t taste anything like the ones available from the farm shop. We don’t have them very often so a real treat on a winter’s day.

Right now I’m ready for a nap. Wishing everyone a good weekend.

Thank you GrannyGravy, it’s very comfortable in here 🤗

Jaxjacky I’m gobsmacked.
A neighbour in the know says that when there’s a strike, and a massive backlog of deliveries, it’s quicker to ‘return to sender’ than attempt to deliver 😳, otherwise the sorting office gets completely overwhelmed.
I am very unimpressed.
Pours another 🍷

Hello Kitcheners.What a cold wet day here.

We ended up doing nothing last night poor grandson is still quite poorly.Hopefully going to DSI for lunch tomorrow our anniversary.Hope you had a nice break Jax love West Bay.
We’re aiming to go to DSI in a couple of weeks,even if I have to use my stick!
Brook and Naughtyneine have a lovely holiday.
Have a good evening everyone.

Good afternoon dear Kitcheners just sitting watching Leeds with DH he’s a massive Leeds fan.

We’ve had GD2 over today for a little while while mummy and daddy were busy. GD1 had her first jujitsu class and was showing me her moves. Bless her she’s just 4. That girl can do anything.
Just chatting to my lovely son in China over WeChat. Miss him so much.

We have our friends over tonight for drinks and a takeaway DH has made a white choc cheesecake for pudding but us three girls always struggle with weight🤷‍♀️ He’s a feeder. My friend has been told she’s on the verge of diabetes through a blood test so she might just have strawberries instead.

Have lovely visits with family and friends this weekend. Love to you all. Oh dear Leeds are a goal down at half time!

SueDonim I hope your visit to your mum went well. 💐 hate to think she was stuck in bed all that time.

Yia I’m sorry your grandson is poorly hope you enjoy your anniversary tomorrow

neine I think your lovely DH has helped make the best decision for you both. Have a happy holiday what ever the weather. Whatever you decide on next year will be more relaxed and enjoyable.

I've just waved bye bye to dd and the boys. I've had them all afternoon to let dd and sil get Christmas presents and today was hard work. Dgs1 was a wee star at helping me entertain dgs2. Dgs2 was seriously out of sorts today. He hardly ate then wouldn't sleep and when he eventually fell over, he woke after half an hour howling with a dirty nappy. He's teething and was very grumpy. Phew, I'm about to tidy up the toys and have a glass of wine. I hope you are all well. Have a good evening Kitcheners.

BlueBalou I am furious with the shambles Royal Mail has created for it's customers. I shall join you and console myself with and . Right this minute I am on the brink of tearing my hair out. Best not!

SueD Thinking of your Mum.

Thank you for some beautiful photographs.

Yia Wishing your grandson a speedy recovery. Also, wishing you a very happy anniversary for tomorrow.

Shazza Your dear wee granddaughter may make the Olympic team in time. How lovely of her to show you her moves. I hope that you have a very pleasant evening with your friends. The yummy white choc cheesecake sounds utterly irresistible.

It is time for logging off the pooter. I've managed a number of household "duties" this afternoon. Sort of feeling slightly saintly.

I wish every one of you lovely lot a peaceful evening. I shall raise a toast (G&T) to you all at 8:30 sharp.

GrandmaBatty Yet more well-deserved hugs.

Hello all. I collected a picture from the framer today. It is now hanging in the downstairs loo. It is a Guardian cartoon of the late Queen sitting in a train on the Elizabeth line off on her final journey. I popped into the local market and bought tulips, raspberries and dates. OH loves dates and I will turn the raspberries into ice cream or a white chocolate and raspberry cake. OH is cooking tonight - Yorkshire pies, mashed potatoes and cabbage. Younger son asked what I wanted for Christmas! Eek, it’s only November. Have a good evening everyone.🌹

Hello everyone.
I hope you are close to fully recovered Kitty. I am pretty convinced that my cold was Covid last month. I have just about finished coughing but I’m still falling asleep at the drop of a hat.

Today was our turn to clean the church for tomorrow’s service. We only have one a month. I will do the flowers now and take them up tomorrow morning.

It is cool enough to tempt me to turn on the heating for a couple of hours. Have a cosy evening everyone.

Good evening dear kitcheners on what turned out to be a most successful day for my football team 5-2 winners. I'm easily pleased as Mr BA frequently tells me 😂😂. I love that clock jaxjacky. Our village always has an amazing display created by the local "poppy gang". The outer wall of our house has a number of large poppies fixed to the stonework. I'll see if I can get some photos together this week to share. Pizza and garlic bread is on the menu tonight - and of course 🍷. Sending a gentle group hug. TOYA

Just popping into the kitchen after a good but busy day. I took DGD to her dance class them met up with the others in a cafe by the river for lunch. It was a lovely sunny day but really cold 🥶 Going to settle down later and watch Strictly. We’re more or less all packed now, we’re off to Glasgow tomorrow and then a flight to Alicante on Monday for another little adventure and to practice my Spanish!

Hopefully your DiL present will arrive eventually soop what a shambles the Royal Mail seems to be in. SiL is a postman and he’s not got many good things to say about them either so no idea what the problems really are. I just hope his job is secure as they’ve a young family to support

It sounds like you’ve really worked hard for that wine grandmabatty hopefully the little one won’t be out of sorts for too long. Enjoy your evening

Hope your DGS is a bit better soon Yia

Jax hope you’re settled back at home now after a lovely break. I’m not one for fireworks either especially when you’re standing around in the cold and wet. Lovely picture thanks

Safe travels Brook, enjoy your holiday 🙂

‘Evening All’

Well we won’t be doing this next Saturday afternoon at 4pm!
No wonder I can’t even contemplate Christmas just yet.

Enjoy your holiday brook.
The sun out here is waiting for you.
😊

Soop you’ve likely seen this article but others who have postal woes might be interested too. www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-63503634

Back from my mum’s now. She seemed ok in herself but after all the effort we put in, it smells again and is dirty. It’s hard to know what’s going on because she seems to be telling one person one thing and the next person something else. Not dementia-related, it’s more that she tells people what she thinks they want to hear. She told me today that she didn’t have Covid when she was in hospital when in fact her entire ward including her had it. I dunno. 🤷‍♀️

Anyway, we stopped at a farm shop on the way home for coffee and cake - our cakes (one apple, one gingerbread) came warmed through and with a pot of custard! Delicious and I heartily recommend it for the Kitchen menu.

No fireworks for us but we can hear other people’s. I’m happy to be indoors in the warm. TOYA. Xx

SueDonim that is a worry for you, if your Mother just says what she thinks people want to hear.
What does TOYA stand for?
Does anyone have a good muffin recipe? I have tried a few variations but cannot quite get them right.
Urmstongran I am just starting to think about Christmas as there are many presents to buy and cards to be written.I have some arthritis in my arms and hands so like to do the wrapping slowly and in good time.

Hi all, heating is on and an M&S dine in is on its way.
How dispiriting SueD it must be so frustrating for you, cake was well deserved.
Sounds like a lovely break brook the right time of year too, just look at Urms!
MrJ is a Leeds supporter too Shazza they made hard work of it, but got there.
I don’t bake Prentice so not much help I’m afraid, however, I will be attempting baking soon, 🫤.
Off to empty the washing machine, fireworks all over outside, been there, done..
Enjoy your evening x

Prentice it’s Thinking Of You All.

Just come to my bed now.
Cat flap fastened so Molly can’t get out.
She is not happy being a night owl but I can’t feel happy as lots of noise out.
Wet and miserable day here but it is Novemberafter all.
Good wishes to you all,enjoy what is left of the weekend.