Soop's warm and welcoming kitchen for kindly folk...

Sending best wishes for the New Year dear soop and kitchen friends, especially absent friends, from a wild and windy Brittany, France

Hi all, I’m hoping this cold is on its way out, just been to our local wishing friends a Happy New Year. Another lazy day, wet and windy, more tomorrow.
Last of the gammon being used tonight, however we did give my daughter a large chunk. We’ll be quiet too tomorrow evening, as others, we’ve had years of fancy dress, party games and groaning the day after.
Enjoy your family time Yia.
Enjoy your evening x

Hi to all my kitchen pals, just settled down on the sofa after a lovely but busy day entertaining 9 year old DGS and 8 year old DGD. They’ve been good but they’re not the quietest of children and they’ve worn me out! Anyhow we’ve just dropped them back home so I’m going to settle down with DH for a peaceful evening
I can picture you in a M&S cafe with an iced bun bluesapphire it’s a favourite treat of mine too
Have a good evening everyone

Good evening lovely Kitcheners, the weather is wild, wet and windy here so I have had a lazy few days snuggled up and scoffing Christmas goodies. It’s lovely hearing of your get togethers and outings, time spent with family is so precious.

I am not up to doing much for new year - doubt if I will even still be awake. It wasn't always thus. We used to party with the best of them but having to hug random people and wish them 'Happy New Year' soon pulled and we started to host family 'dos'. Then, of course, the children needed taxis and guess who drove those.

I am happy now to stay in the warm with dh and take phone calls from the family.

BlueSapphire I was born and lived in Northampton until my late thirties. Is the M&S Cafe in Abington Street? If so, when it first opened, I trained there to be a supervisor. We had to bus to Bedford for the training. After a while, I chose to return to Avon Cosmetics, a job that I had previously enjoyed. Less money but a whole lot more satisfying.

Grandmabatty Putting the world to rights with a friend and enjoying coffee and cake seems a splendid way to spend an afternoon.

corner I am planning on another clear out after the New Year shenanigans. Not that we will be partying tomorrow night. Been there, done that, got far too many t-shirts. A relaxing evening beside the fire is, in our opinion, the most gentle way to greet the New Year.

Yia Enjoy every moment with your family.

I shall return tomorrow. Sending my love and best wishes to all.

Good afternoon from the M&S Cafe in Northampton where I have just enjoyed a cup of tea and an iced bun. Very quiet in here this afternoon, think most people must have come out this morning. Not much to get in here today, but will have a toddle over to Boots and Sainsburys. Might have a peek in Next.

Gave the bathroom a good clean and tidy this morning, then had cheese on toast before getting the bus.

Curry defrosting in the fridge for tonight, only got rice to cook and a naan bread to reheat. Maybe a glass of wine.

Have a pleasant evening everyone.

Good afternoon Kitcheners.Just having 5 mins sit down before the onslaught.We have DS2 and DIL coming for the weekend.Tonight we are doing a family dinner will be very hectic but nice to have everyone together.We are going to DS3 tomorrow evening,(will need the painkillers to get me through)🤣🤣

Wet and windy here but still have the Christmas lights twinkling.
Have a good evening all.

Hello everyone. I’ve been reading about your ‘doings’ but not. had much to say. Good to hear about happy family times although I know it’s been a hard time for some folk.

The post Christmas tidy up has begun. I like to de-Christmas a bit at a time and will do some each day until we’re back to normal. I do miss the lights and will keep some in the conservatory, we’ll call them winter lights should anyone ask.

A general clear out has also begun. So far two charity shop bags are filled and two beach towels have been unearthed our son can make use of. I think I’ve finally persuaded Mr C if we’ve not needed things in nearly ten years we’re unlikely to suddenly have a use for them. A good feeling.

The sky has decided to clear after a very murky and wet morning. We may venture forth. Not far, we have trailed about a bit this week.

Take care everyone. TOYA.

Afternoon kitcheners. Soop I'm very partial to an Agatha Christie film or two. I'm not long in from coffee and cake with a friend where we put the world to rights. I have a tesco delivery due in a bit where there are 8 substitutions, some of which will be returned. I'm going to potter about and do some housework. Have a good afternoon kitcheners.

Good afternoon, my lovelies.

I'm about to do a whole pile of ironing. May watch an Agatha Christie film as I do so.

I'm happy to hear that many of you are enjoying the company of your grandchildren. Whe my third son was a wee lad he would like to make me up. He used to say, don't forget the lickspit ..aww!

A late visit from me too. I collected my new casserole from Waitrose and I’m very pleased with it. Cast iron, JLP’s own make and a nice blue/green colour. A Le Creuset one would have been probably six times the price! I tried a new recipe in it for dinner. A Clarissa Dickson Wright recipe which was delicious but won’t be repeated for a while - you will see why! Pheasants with apples, calvados, cinnamon, raisins, quite a lot of butter and three quarters of a pint of double cream. I think the 2 Fat Ladies were famous for the amount of cream they used. I made a pilau to go with it. Afterwards younger son and I watched Evil under the Son, followed by Death on the Nile. I hope you all have had a peaceful evening.

A late visit from me to the kitchen today, I’ve had a really lovely day, DD2 and family have been here since late morning and the two DGC asked if they could stay for a sleepover. Of course we said yes so we’ve just got them both tucked up in bed. I’m happily exhausted!
Sounds like you had a lovely time with your Lil Miss Urms , playing salons. My DGD always makes a bee line for my dressing table and comes out of the bedroom later wearing most of my jewellery and smelling really lovely after sampling most of my perfumes!
Thank you for the pictures soop the boys look like they’re having good fun
Hope you feel a bit better soon Jax, take it easy

‘Evening All’

Himself took the Boy Wonder to take part in a NW football tournament which lasted all morning from 9am but it didn’t rain. Yay! I had L’il Miss up here. We played ‘salons’ for an hour with my real makeup. No wonder she likes coming here as she applied red lipstick on both our lips, then gloss on top as she puckered up in the magnifying mirror on the table. Brushes of powder eyeshadow, blusher ‘rose pink madam, or this other brownish one?’ and “shall we put on your rings grandma and pretend we are getting our wedding make ups done?” as the jewellery box came out ...
😮

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202212/medium-739240-322336372-1886125441741359-3495027444896304061-n.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202212/medium-644699-322052299-859611405409147-8913861204172922040-n1.jpg

Jax Continue to take things at a leisurely pace. Hope that you make a good recovery in time for the New Year celebrations.

Grandmbatty Time spent with good friends is highly recommended.

BladeAnnie I shall also enjoy a glass of fruity red wine a little later.

Here are two photos that arrived today. Torben (12 year old grandson) with his younger friend, Miles.

Goodnight. Stay warm. It is throwing hail down outside the window.

Hi all, 11 hours in bed last night, unheard of for me, rather hot and sticky, but I slept and coughed less. Still coughing and sneezing today, but feeling a bit better, just a cold, but I’ve not had one for about three years.
Not done a lot today, but a cottage pie is made, MrJ off to bowls later, I’m going to make a list of ‘things to do’ tomorrow.
Enjoy your evening all x

BladeAnnie our mothers sound very similar. See also Susan! My heartfelt sympathies. I detached emotionally from mum four years ago when I retired and was 60. She ruined every special occasion that year.
I'm not long home from having lunch with a group of friends. We had a lovely time and have organised another get together next week. I'm not hungry so a sandwich will do for dinner. The rain was terrible earlier but seems to have subsided now. Have a good evening Kitcheners.

Afternoon dear kitcheners. Talking of people being a PITA, I've been to my mother's today. Ungrateful, rude, narcissistic - I'm sure you get the thread 😭😂. Anyway I'm home now and think I'm in need of a large glass of wine 🍷🍷 - making the most of December as I'm doing Dry January. I cheated last year as I had a glass on "mother" days!! Football on the box for us tonight ⚔️⚽️⚔️ Enjoy the rest of Thursday. TOYA

How can it be Thursday! I am flabbergasted at the rate the days are hurtling by. Yes, after New Year has been chimed in, I shall be a lot more aware my calorie-intake. As it is, we've still a few tempting treats lurking in the cupboards. Sigh.

Nannytopsy My late Nana always used the term "me duck". Born in Northampton, as was I. "Me duck" was what I grew up with.

SueD and a gentle hug.

GrandmaBatty Our Kitchen is for the sharing of all things that matter to you lovely lot. Never forget that we care.

Evening everyone! Early to bed, despite staying in it until mid day and having a nap this afternoon. I started with this bug on 23rd and it’s been pretty horrible. I am
suddenly coughing less and hoping that continues when I lie down. DH still sounds rough. We managed over Christmas but my mind went a bit soggy - I have pork pies, vegan treats for DiL etc etc in the fridge which I just forgot.
Sorry to hear the mothers are playing up. My mum had her moments but last night I dreamed I was redesigning her kitchen. I woke up in great confusion, trying to picture where she lives now. She died a few years ago so I blame the cold cures!
Well done kitty! You have been proper poorly haven’t you, to take this long to recover. Onwards and upwards me duck!
NNGB everyone.

‘Evening All’

Out to M&S food hall with my stepfather. He made me laugh because apparently last night he’d suffered what he described as ‘the most spectacular nose bleed - tissues were less than useless’ at bedtime. He said he was so weary when it eventually stopped that he just went back to bed, and went in to clean up the bathroom this morning. He said “it looked like a crime scene ... If you’d walked in you’d have been looking for a dead body!”.
😱

This afternoon has just been relaxing. Reading etc.

Himself is in the other room watching the Man. City -v- Leeds match ⚽️ and I’m here on GN with BBC Sounds on the iPad too, catching up listening to Kirsty Young who was the guest on Desert Island Discs on Christmas Day. Lovely interview by Laverne and beautiful tracks chosen by Young.

👋 to you Blossoming. Good to have you back. Baby steps.

Oooh yes SueD I know the House of Bruar, a lovely place to look round. We’ve often stopped off there on many a trip down the A9, our purchases are normally limited to a coffee and a cake in the restaurant!

I didn’t cook dinner😵‍💫 Younger son cooked salmon in a cream and prawn sauce. Yum.

Blossoming I went with a friend to see the Galloway Hoard exhibition in Aberdeen. It was utterly fascinating! We spent so long looking at it all that we didn’t have time for everything else in the rest of the museum.

So sorry about your friend, Grandmabatty and sympathies about your mother. My mother is currently being a right PITA. 🙄

Soop I appreciate your wish for good health for everyone and all whom they love. My poor ds has been told he needs a longer course of chemo than initially thought. We had been hoping he’d get away with the minimum but it’s not to be.

That sounds a nice day, Brooke. We’ve been to the House of Bruar today, which you’re probably familiar with. My youngest dd thinks she’s found her spiritual home, even if she can’t afford anything except a packet of tablet. 😂

LLFL I’m chuckling at your rum punch!

Hope you throw off the cold, Jax.

Granfmabatty, Don't worry about telling us how you feel. That is what the kitchen is for!! Enjoy the gammon and chips.