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

Aww such a lovely photo soop of your great grandchildren, thanks for sharing!

Adorable photos, Soop and I’ve enjoyed all the other photos, too. Thank you for sharing. ❤️ I think there are too many posts for me to reply to individually but I’ve read them all.

I hosted the family and a dear friend on Christmas Eve, which was chaotic with excited children but lovely. We had a lovely day on Sunday. We and our dd2 opened presents in the morning then spent the rest of the day at dd1’s, where she laid on a magnificent Christmas dinner. My DD’s are such good cooks! I’m a ‘good-enough’ cook, but they excel and my boys are not slackers, either. We all Zoomed in the evening, such fun and very touching to see the six young cousins chatting as if they lived next door to each other and not thousands of miles apart. ❤️

We went to dd1’s in-laws on Boxing Day, they’re very welcoming folk. The dog enjoyed us making a fuss of her, we all homed in on her, not having our own pet now.

Both DD’s have gone off to friends overnight so we’re eating leftovers and snacks today. I had had plans to go out but when I looked out of the window this morning to be confronted by a snow storm I rapidly changed my plans to watching tv and eating chocolates! Dh is currently busy putting the bins out for tomorrow’s collection, then we shall batten down the hatches for the night.

Stay warm and safe everyone. TOYA. Xxx

Gorgeous photos soop. Fancy having 4 ggc - aren't you lucky.

Someone asked DH how many grandchildren we have, he looked very confused and then just said 'lots'. Heaven knows how he will cope if we are ever lucky enough to have great grandchildren.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202212/medium-669481-our-great-grandchildren-.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202212/medium-448765-willow-18-months-old.jpg

Photo of our four great-grandchildren. Willow has a toothy smile.

Hello, brook, I have also lost track of the days. I believe that it's Tuesday.

Grannmarie Many thanks for your interesting post and very kind comments.

Llfl Thank you for sharing your family photo.

Jax When I was pregnant (umpteen years ago) I had a craving for pickled onions. Now, they make me burp in a very unladylike fashion.

Urms How lovely that your family, including your grandchildren enjoyed chicken tikka, rice and coriander naan. I told Mr Soop. He is envious.

Nannytopsy You have been the hostess with the mostest. Such an energetic day deserves a period of tranquil reflection and no cooking. I am looking forward to returning to normal mealtimes. So many rich foods can be hard on a delicate digestive system. My stoma keeps gurgling and making other noisier complaints.

BladeAnnie, Thank you for saying that I look "glamorous". I made a special effort. Do not normally sparkle as I did on Christmas Day.

Well, the fuss is as good as over. Good! I suppose that we've now to count the days to Easter and losing weight for summer holidays.

Hello to everyone in the kitchen
It’s snowing again here in Inverness so I’m snuggled up warm on the sofa with a coffee, mince pie and my box of Christmas chocolates, trying not to eat too many ..
I’ve washed the Christmas jumpers this morning so they’ll be put away soon until next year. I’m leaving out a few sparkly jumpers to wear on the next few days and over the weekend
We’ve the last of the left overs to eat later before going to the shops tomorrow. I have to keep thinking what day it is as I’ve definitely lost track of the days!
Enjoy the rest of today everyone whatever you’re doing x

We have just come to bed after hosting family for a buffet lunch - 15 adults and 3 babies. It’s been lovely to have so much company but now I’m finished! The day nurse kept my cold at bay and I’ve just had a swig of night nurse!
The fridge is full of left overs, so no cooking for a day or two. It will be so quiet when the stragglers leave tomorrow.
I hope you are all safely tucked up in bed. NNGB

‘Evening All’

Back home an hour ago from our family curry night. We had a drink first in the bar opposite. L’il Miss met a school friend in there at the next table and it was sweet to listen them chatting about their best Christmas presents. I was amazed later to watch the grandchildren enjoy chicken tikka and rice with coriander naan. Who knew? My stepfather enjoyed both venues. He does enjoy the company of our son-in-law, they are often in a meaningful conversation which is lovely.

All in all, a very enjoyable evening.
😁
We count our blessings that’s for sure.

I’m starting to get restless legs now. A sign that I’m tired and ready for my bed. If I sit here much longer my muscles will really ache after I’ve stretched them into convoluted knots ... I’ve noticed the Boy Wonder displays similar actions sometimes when we babysit - a family trait perhaps!

What a brilliant Christmas Day we had, a much quieter, lazy one today as my daughter and children went home yesterday late afternoon. We all had lovely gifts, no exchanges needed, lucky people to be together, warm and fed.
Bubble and squeak, cold meat and pickles are ready for what will be a late dinner, my friend made us all pickled onions, I used to do it, he took over when we lived in France.
May you all have a peaceful evening x

A little photo: daughter, OH, elder son and granddaughter.

Happy Christmas to Soop and all the lovely Kitchen people, including our new arrivals!

First chance I've had to read / post for a few days. Apart from the usual Christmas busyness [ 13 plus dog for buffet lunch, before driving through to DS2 and family for Christmas Dinner and sleepover, high jinks with a super excited DGS2!] I had the added concerns of DSis 2 [ The Bossy Little Sister 🤣] testing positive for Covid on Christmas Eve, and my dear friend, who cares for her lovely sister, phoning to say that her sister was very ill.
So, a few extra visits to offer support, plus essentials and lentil soup for DSis2, doorstep delivery, I was fully masked and keeping my distance...

Thankfully, things seem to be under control and DH and I were completely spoiled by our three sons and their lovely partners. We had a special time with our three grandchildren, lots of photos, and DSis 1 and her family joined us for lunch so my sons had a chance to catch up with their auntie and cousins. I'm counting my blessings cos I know I've so much to be thankful for. In the summer it didn't look like DH would be here for Christmas...

So I'm thinking of all of you, especially those with illness, worries or sorrow. Susan, I've been praying 🙏 for your wee grandson, I'm delighted to hear that he is improving, that's the best Christmas present of all.
Blossoming, I'm thinking of you, I have a close family friend with MS, after a worrying time she is doing really well, working and enjoying life, I hope things improve for your dear niece.

Treetops and Mypennyfarthing, hello and welcome, please come back and post again if you can because you will find lots of friendship and support in Soop's welcoming Kitchen.

Soop, once again 'Thank you'💕 for this very special place where we are always welcome, no matter how often or seldom we post, and we can all offer/ receive support and understanding, as and when required. Lovely Christmas photo, Soop!

I have read all your posts now, I'm thinking of you all even if I haven't mentioned you by name. Sending love and prayers to all who need/wish them, and wishing you all the very best for 2023. NNGB 💕🙏🕯🥰

Good afternoon dear kitcheners and I hope everyone has enjoyed a peaceful Boxing Day 🕊🕊 soop you look so glamorous (as always 🥰). My neighbour thought Duncan looked rather regal in his bow crown 👑 😂. Sending a gentle hug to all in need of a little comfort. TOYA

We have had a wonderfully laid-back day. The wind is bitterly cold. We haven't ventured beyond our own garden to replenish the birdseed, nuts and fat balls.

Spoke to middle son and our granddaughters on the phone. Our small great grandchildren were far too busy and excited to come to the phone. We did however get a super video of Mila. There will be more photos to come. The sound of the childrens' laughter was heartwarming.

I am hoping that treetops will return to the kitchen sometime soon. Her last message was disconcerting.

Warm hugs for all our Kitcheners. I shall be with you again tomorrow.

Hello everyone. What a beautiful photo, Soop. Elegance personified. We’ve had a lovely day. Elder son, partner and our granddaughter drove back to Kew after lunch. We always have Coronation Chicken and Rice Salad (the original recipes) - Elder son reckons it’s his favourite meal of Christmas. I made a chocolate meringue roulade for pudding and it was delicious. It is great to see granddaughter and uncle getting on so well. What with the pandemic and other things, they haven’t seen each other much this year. But he is obviously a favourite. After they had gone and there was some sort of normal, I had a peek at the John Lewis sale on-line. I’m afraid I succumbed - I ordered a cardigan, dress, duvet cover and cast iron casserole. Actually we did need a new casserole as our current one is losing lumps of enamel off the inside. Tomorrow after we have dropped daughter at the station we have to buy a new fluorescent kitchen light, which blew on Christmas Eve. Also a new kettle to replace the one which broke on Christmas Day. I hope all of you have had the Christmas you were expecting and are looking forward to a peaceful evening.

Soop you look beautifully elegant. Me, not so much 😄. I'm lying on the couch watching TV dressed in an oversized hoody and slipper boots and thoroughly enjoying being lazy.Dinner is ready to be put in the oven courtesy of dd. A whisky and green ginger awaits.

What a lovely picture soop , you really do look amazing and thanks for sharing. I took lots of pictures yesterday but DH forgets to take them of me, not that I mind that much these days
Hoping your DH is ok dustyangel what a scare for you both
ann sounds like you had a lovely day yesterday, I’m so pleased for you. A shame about having that job of cleaning up in the fridge though - bet it made a right mess
We had a really enjoyable day at DD2s yesterday, played lots of games with the DGC and had lots of laughs. It was a very late night for me so I’m not doing much today. We’ve got more snow here in Inverness so it’s a bit too slippery to go out for a walk - that’s my excuse anyhow
Welcome to mypennyfarthing and mamaa lovely to have you with us here in the kitchen
So sorry to hear about your DH mypennyfarthing 💐
treetops hoping for some positive news today

Oh soop you do look very stylish and elegant! I’m getting ready to go out with the family. I shall try my best to emulate your effortless chic.
I can only try.
Be back later, after our curry.

annsixty Bless you, darling lady.

Mr Soop took the obligatory Christmas Day photograph of me yesterday. Here it be.

Treetops How are things with your your father-in-law? What happened? Hugs from us lot.

dustyangel What an awful scare for both you and your husband. I would have been in bits. Thank goodness that the medics were able to assess your husband's condition. The sooner he has an appointment with the doctor, the better.

Charleygirl Sweetie Pie (feral cat) popped in for a hearty banquet on Christmas Eve. He lolled on a tartan rug, polished off four pouches of turkey in jelly, finished a bowl of upmarket cat biscuits...and left the premises. I ask you...

TillyTrotter Thank you for your kind words. X

BladeAnnie Duncan appears to be in a feline festive mood. That's cats for you. They keep their feelings very much to themselves.

Hello all and I hope Christmas has been all you wanted it to be.
I had a very nice day, did harp back a few times to wonderful Christmases in the past but no point in that at all.
My GD and I opened our presents in the morning and then went out for a lovely meal with her friend and friend’s mother and sister.
They were great company and the meal was delicious.
The young ones then went off to a party and I went to bed.
Problem was I was awake by midnight and after a pot of tea about two and reading a whole novella I went off about half three and woke at nine thirty.
I then discovered they had had another drink before leaving and had not closed the freezer door properly.
It was bleeping away, I just closed the door and hoped for the best.
Opened the fridge door for milk to find a carton of opened double cream lying on its side.
That took some clearing up I can assure you.
Not what I wanted on Boxing Day but so trivial compared to some.
I send my best and sincere wishes for all with cares and worries during this festive time.

Welcome to dear Mypennyfarthing41 My heart goes out to you. The last thing on my mind, were I in your heartbreaking situation, would be to celebrate in any way, shape or form. Surely, those who expect you to deal with your grief in an upbeat manner are lacking a trace of empathy.

Thank you, mamma. All good wishes to you too.

Sorry to be so late but just wanted to pop into this lovely kitchen and wish you all as good a Christmas as you can have under whatever circs you may have, and all the best for the New Year when it arrives. xx