Soop's welcoming kitchen for kindly folk...

Good afternoon all on another dreary day.
My plans to go to Bakewell yesterday went slightly awry although we did drive through Bakewell in rain.
My GD’s friends mother who drove,has a GS aged 6 who has ADHD.
She decided to gift his parents a free Sunday so we took him with is.
To be absolutely truthful he was fine, really good but on the go all the time, running, jumping etc.
However he liked me and I was the object of most of his short but frequent attention spans.
We called at a small shopping outlet owned by the Chatsworth estate which is improving all the time under their relatively new management.
We had a light but nice lunch in the cafe and then did a fair bit of Christmas shopping.
By 3pm we had had enough and the rain was coming down more so we left and came home.
It was 5ish when we got home so my GD and her friend got the tree and the decs from the loft and they are ready to do.
We have a small real one for the conservatory so that need bringing in later on in the week.
I hope you are all well and not too stressed by all your preparations and plans and have a good week and very special thoughts to all who are ill or caring.

Good afternoon dear kitcheners. Talking of treasured decorations soop I bought one each for our DGC in Scotland. Beautifully made rustic-y type ones - one with a bird and one with a reindeer - and hopefully they will be treasured for years to come 💗. I had to treat myself to one these gorgeous reindeer, our tree has been delivered today 🎄🦌🎄 and I've posted our cards 🤞🤞. 🎵 Starting to feel a lot like Christmas 🎵. Sending a gentle group hug. TOYA 🌷

Good afternoon dear kitcheners, I’m just sat on the sofa with a blanket after a busy morning. I was at the gym first thing catching up with all my gym pals and then did a big shop in Tesco. I must still be in holiday mode though as once I’d got home and started unpacking my gym bag I realised I’d left my swimming costume in the showers at the gym. How I did that I don’t know, but back I went to retrieve it 🤣.
DH was back to work this morning but he’s now braving the cold outside and putting up the outdoor Christmas lights,
Hoping the new supplies arrive soon soop and they are a bit better suited for you

Good Monday afternoon greetings to you lovely lot.

The 'puter has been playing silly b's. We had to log off and restart twice before it played the game. It came close to being hurled through the door and on to the beach!

We are still awaiting a delivery of stoma supplies. the delivery was promised for last Thursday. Tomorrow, the Glasgow stoma specialist will phone to hear how I am managing the recommended changes. Well, I won't be much the wiser at this rate.

I've a couple of emails to send to friends. My next duty prior to tackling the week-high ironing. All good for soul, I believe.

Morning all! School run done but I am so glad I am not teaching DGD today - my word can that 6 year old sulk! All was not well in her world but at least she is over her latest virus and back at school.
The dentist has just moved my appointment from Friday to this morning so I need to get brushing before I go. I will vacuum the stairs on my way to the bathroom - no time and motion study needed here to improve efficiency! 🤣

Oh annsixty, the joy of an infant nativity! I’ll probably not see another in my lifetime which is a very sad thought.
I hope your haircut is deemed worthy of being shown to us all soon soop but I know exactly what you mean. My hair is somewhat shaggy at the moment, DD1 is arriving on Friday for the weekend, both daughters have commented in the past about Portuguese hairdressers cutting being a bit extreme, so do I leave it ‘shaggy’ or have it tidied up? I think I’ll probably wait until she’s gone home. Incidentally, stopping for a coffee before shopping for an English newspaper today, I bumped into a couple of friends. Can any one explain to me why I couldn’t hear them clearly while standing next to them but once we were sitting on the other side of the room, I could hear my friend’s voice above all others?

Good luck to your DGS1 for his prelims, YiaYia, its such a stressful time for them.
When I was at High School we used to have
'schedules' in January before the Highers in May, certainly put a damper on the Christmas holidays!

Jaxjacky, you've had a busy day! I'm sure your wee grandson is his Papa's best pal.💙

Soop, how lovely that your dear Nana's Baubles have become much cherished family heirlooms, being enjoyed and appreciated by future generations for Christmases to come.🎄

Welcome home brook and BA.
Even at 9 Grannmarieour grandson needs a chivvy along, normally Grandad takes the helm and reads him a made up story.
We’ve been out and about today, sorting house issues with my daughter and son, all done 🤞
Stay warm and cosy Blossoming, our heating is at full tilt, for a while.
How delightful your baubles have a new home soop, I’d love a log fire, not feasible.
Dinner awaits, come on 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿.

‘Evening All’

We’ve had a lovely afternoon. A couple of drinks in a busy pub in Flixton, decorated for Christmas with a tree, twinkly garlands and a cosy log fire, with my stepfather - then back here to eat chilli. Himself then went over to have a game of chess an hour ago with the Boy Wonder who has been chosen to play on the school team. Grandad was impressed by how much his insight into the nuances of the moves has improved - so much so a ‘rookie’ mistake (being too keen) let grandad back in the game ... yet the old man still lost! A joy for them both nonetheless to have time together.

Himself is now in his slippers, on the sofa, waiting to watch the match against Senegal in half an hour. Good luck England!
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

I am shattered having spent most of the day in the kitchen baking along with freezing mince pies ready for the big day

Now waiting for the pork and roast potatoes to brown nicely before putting in the cauliflower cheese and veggies.

Have a restful evening dear friends and safe journeys to those travelling 🙋‍♀️🤶🎄🎁

Late good afternoon greetings to you lovely lot.

I've been talking on the phone for a very long time with eldest son. All very cheering.

I've also written a good number of Christmas cards together with a few birthday cards. We hope to have them delivered before the due date. Don't get me started.

Our eldest granddaughter (in her thirties) has shared a photo with us on FB. We posted a box full of treasured, 'though not valuable Christmas baubles to her in January. They all belonged to my late Nana who gave them to me. Anyway, the photo shows the "family heirlooms" decorating her own home. I felt warm inside when I realised that she valued them as I had done for countless years.

BladeAnnie There is no place like home. And the welcome of a beloved furry member of the family is a big bonus.

muse I likes chewy hand-baked biscuits.

SueDonim Five year olds are expert at prevaricators' come bedtime. Great fun though.

Blossoming Listen to your body. If it says, rest, then that's what you must do. I hope that you begin to feel better real soon.

My thoughts are with all our Kitcheners who may be struggling with health or other concerns. Us lot are here to offer you our support in whatever way we can. Sometimes, opening up and voicing our problems with good, caring listeners, is helpful.

I shall slip into my cosy pj's, and it is on a Sunday that we treat ourselves to a log fire. Also, of course, as it's still the weekend, I have a G&T to look forward to. Simple pleasure!

I shall return tomorrow. Stay safe and keep warm.

Hello Kitcheners.Welcome home Brook and *BladeAnnie.
My DGS1 is also doing prelims Grandmarie revising so much,another week an then the real thing in May.

Finished my diamond art cards at last,bit of a slog but pleased with them.Tomorrow will send our cards to Australia very sad to think D.B.L is no longer around.It will be a hard first Christmas for my S.IL.

Roast chicken for dinner.Enjoy your evening all.

Thank you, Brook, safe onward journey.

There's no place like home, with a Duncan welcome Blade Annie! So glad you enjoyed Scotland. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

I’ve had baking day. Church first and then back home to finish off the Barmbrack. I also made a raspberry and yoghurt loaf. In a minute I’m making a chocolate steamed pudding for tonight. Leg of lamb to start. OH has been doing things with paving slabs in the garden. Football tonight

Just popping in to say hello and I'll need to go back and read everyone's posts I've missed. I had problems posting on Thursday and Friday but we're back home now so hopefully the Internet is behaving itself!! Scotland was wonderful but it's nice to be home and Duncan is pleased to have his mummy and daddy back 😼💗 TOYA 🌷

Hi lovely kitchen pals, we’ve arrived safely at Luton after an easy flight, so we’re just waiting around now for a while until we can get the flight up to Inverness. Brrrrrr I’m already feeling the cold though and it’s much worse at home. Luckily we’ve got the Hive heating system to I’ve just been able to turn on the heating from here so it’ll be nice and warm when we get in. Technology at its best and much better than a couple of years ago when we always got home to a freezing cold house 🥶

Sorry to hear you haven’t been feeling too good Blossoming I hope you stay nice and cosy warm under your blanket. I’ll be doing that very soon too
Hope your DH is feeling better soon grannmarie take care and wrap up warm when you go out later
Safe travels next week SueD and hope you get everything sorted in time.

Thank you, Grandmabatty, enjoy your movie!
Blossoming, you sound very comfy and cosy!

Good afternoon dear Kitcheners. I have been watching the annual Santa Dash around the Marina and waving to the excited children on the Santa Specials run by the steam railway museum. Now back in my recliner wrapped in a fleecy blanket.

Afternoon kitcheners. Grannmarie they would have you heart roasted, wouldn't they? I'm sorry to hear your dh isn't so good. I have been at an art exhibition at my tutor's house, then picked up a few things and collected a parcel at M&S. Then home to clean the bathroom, polish and hoover. I'm currently watching A Muppet Christmas Carol before I make a chicken and mushroom curry. Have a good afternoon kitcheners.

Good afternoon, Soop and lovely Kitchen people! 👋 🥰

It's very quiet in the kitchen today, maybe everyone is busy with Christmas shopping and preparations. I'll just pop in with some home made tomato soup and crusty bread for when people pop in from the cold. It was very frosty here in Lanarkshire this morning, we have snow forecast around Wednesday/Thursday. 🌨 I haven't been over the door yet, but I will get wrapped up at 4pm to head out to early evening Mass. Candles 🕯 🕯 will be lit and prayers 🙏🙏offered for all who need/wish them.

I'll just have a wee rest in the rocker by the fireside until then! I'm so sleepy these days, I'm sure I was a squirrel in a previous existence, designed to hibernate. 😴
Hope you got home safely, Brook, wrap up warm now! You'll be desperate to see your grandchildren.
DGS1 has the second week of his prelims, so he is studying hard. DGD was here last Thursday because of the school strike, we had a good day. And wee DGS2 had my heart roasted on Wednesday when he shot away from me on his balance bike. I had to run to catch him, thank God he stayed on the pavement but I got such a fright because I realised my own limitations, when it comes to speed he beats me hands down. So we had a serious
' conversation ' as his parents call it, hopefully he'll get the message. DH hasn't been great recently so I was on my own with the Wee Boy, or DH could have chased him on the mobility scooter....

TOYA, take care. 🥰

Late call from Cornwall.
Biscuits turned out fine. Chewy but a little too much bi carb. One tsp next time.

Safe journey home brook.

No football in the muse household. I’ve watched an Agatha Christie documentary on Netflix and swapped strictly news with my DD.

Enjoy Bakewell annsixty. I have lots of memories of that town. It’s only 10 mins drive from where I was born and lived for over 50 years. I’ve enjoyed many a warm Bakewell pudding.

Night all.

Soop, I chuckled at you wanting your fringe to grow a quarter of an inch. If you’re anything like me, your hair will then be perfect for 48 or even 72 hours and then you’ll start thinking, oh, no it’s getting too long/frizzy/curly/wild and start looking forward to the next appointment.

Blossoming. Hope you feel better soon. Same for your, Corner, too. It’s horrid being out of sorts.

Safe journey home, Brook. It’s really quite raw, weatherwise and hardly getting light at the moment. Roll on the longest night and looking forward to more daylight eventually.

We have GD for a sleepover tonight. Her mummy is away visiting my other dd and having fun! My goodness, I’d forgotten how much 5yo’s can prevaricate when it comes to bedtime. We took her into town this afternoon to see some of the Xmas activities going on in the streets, then back home to make festive spiced cookies with her. The battery in my scales had gone so I had to guesstimate the measurements. Let’s just say that the cookies will be better dunked first in coffee than eaten as they are! 😂

GD also had many questions about our late cat. It’s hard trying to explain without scaring them. She seemed very keen to know whether he fell over as he died! Then she wanted to know if I had any photos of his body. Oh dear! The answer is no, by the way.

Dh and I have made plans to visit our son down south next week. He moved to a new house in a new area some months ago but with our own move we just hadn’t had the time to see them. I now need to try and get all their presents sorted by Tuesday so I can take them with me.

Wishing you all a quiet evening. TOYA. XXX

‘Evening All’

We’ve eaten (chalk pops as my mum used to call ‘em!). Delicious. Himself is watching the football. I’m about to choose something more to my liking on Netflix or iPlayer.

soop I did think 8:39pm was very precise! 😁
Pleasant journey home tomorrow brook you’ll be adding extra layers at each stop along the way. Hope your aches & pains lessen tonight Blossoming. Keep snug. x

Good evening dear Kitcheners. It’s been very cold here today and I’m struggling physically with various aches, pains and bits that refuse to move. I’ll just wrap myself in a blanket and snuggle down in this corner if nobody minds ❤️💤

Evening Friends

DH is cooking (scollop starter and venison steak main) I have just watched last night’s Strictly and about to watch the Downton Abbey Film with a glass of chilled wine.

(((Hugs))) to those in need of them 😘🤶🏻