Soop's warm and welcoming kitchen for friendship...

A late hello to the kitchen people! I’m sorry to hear of the difficult times so many of you are undergoing.
I had a hair cut today! At last after covid and closed roads caused me to cancel. I don’t look like the Dulux dog anymore. I’m having my roots done in a fortnight. I told my hairdresser that I’m not quite ready for grey yet!
I wrapped the Australian presents today and will post them tomorrow.
Have a good rest of the evening.

A sad day GG13, sending 💐
Soop look after yourself and take care, hope you feel a bit better soon
Hope the boiler gets fixed gillgran it’s too cold to be without it at the moment. Cambridge is great for families isn’t it - so many good places nearby and lots of activities to do
Safe travels SueD sounds like a lovely weekend ahead - I think I’d love the glittery nails too!
Sounds like you’ve been busy again Jax - you’ve so much energy, all that housework then a walk too
It’s all quiet here …both DGSs are fast asleep and hopefully me too soon 😴

I aim to do the same GG, Although I have had my nose pressed up against the window keeping an eye on things since I last posted. Sending you a gentle hug.

Just wanted to send condolences to GG and hugs to you soop, founder of this lovely space.

I also want to tell Maw that it's her fault that we are going shopping tomorrow for a prelit Christmas Tree. We had no intention of buying a tree of any description until she started that thread.

You poor thing, Soop. I hope you start to improve soon, you must be so frustrated with everything.
That looks inviting, Jax! I can just imagine having a mulled wine by that fire.
What a lovely day you had, Maw.
You sound as busy as ever, GMbatty!
Great news about your son, Yia, I’m so glad he’s feeling life is more worthwhile.
I hope the birthday gathering was enjoyable, Brook.
Grannygravy for your sadness.
It’s lovely to see you posting, Urms.

We’re almost ready to set off on a trip down south tomorrow. We’re going to a posh wedding in London at the weekend (black tie!) and then down to our son in Hampshire. I think we have all our glad rags packed for the wedding, and son’s family Christmas presents are ready to go in the car as well as the cake and puds. The car will be packed in the morning, we’ll stop somewhere on the M6 overnight, then into London on Friday, where we will meet both our daughters.

I had my hair cut and nails done yesterday - I went mad on my nails and have silver glitter on them! They do match part of my wedding outfit, in my defence.

It was GD’s birthday yesterday and we went to see her opening her presents. She told me she feels more grown up now she is six. Today we took her to her dance class, though the combination of them being late out of school and the heavy traffic meant we were late getting there, too, which was annoying.

I hope everyone avoids the snow, it’s been cold but bright here.

TOYA. Xxx

Oh no soop enough already 💐.
What welcome news about your son Yia I’m pleased for you.
GG13 a reminiscing day for you.
MrJ’s car is back, hurray, I have my car again. I had no excuses not to vacuum, wash floors and clean the hob. A brisk walk in the very ‘fresh’ air, dinner in the slow cooker, now eaten.
Ttfn.

Extending a hug to you GrannyGravy - I am an infrequent contributor as I rarely feel I have much to offer, but tonight, special hugs to you, Soop YiaYia and anybody else in need.
I meant to add last night that I felt my first surge of “ Christmas spirit” yesterday evening where there was a group of charity Carol singers on the concourse. Magic!

Good evening Kitcheners. Soop how rotten for you. A gentle hug coming your way. Brook enjoy your family in Cambridge. Yiayia I wish your son a continued improvement. Grannygravy a particularly sad day for you 💐
Today I made sure my tyres were at the proper pressure and tidied the house. I wanted to clean the windows but had no kitchen roll so that was out. Then I wanted to hoover but the battery died so that was out. I picked up a friend and we met others for lunch and a blether. Then I visited mum who was very forgetful again today. She had been in the chair and had had physio so I suspect that tired her out. Tonight will be lentil soup and a cheese toastie. Other than that, I might open a bottle of red wine and drink a glass to you all. Have a good evening Kitcheners

I am on a personal mission to reacquaint myself with this gentle kitchen’s comings and going’s.

I shall take a leaf out of dear Urmstongran’s book, start my day with the GM thread and finish here in soops

By the way Urmstongran Whispering Angel is my absolute favourite rose wine (apparently it’s also a firm favourite of the Obama’s)

Have started decorating the house, one day earlier than usual. Today would have been my darling Mum’s birthday, this year it has been exceptionally sad as my brother-in-laws Father died in the early hours this morning. We shall be raising a glass to them both at 6pm.

(((Hugs))) to all in need 🙋‍♀️😘

I understand that many of you lovely lot have health issues and worries to contend with. Consequently, I am not about to linger and offload. Fibromyalgia has reared it's ugly head. As I'm feeling yuk, I shall refrain from boring the pants off you. One further buggeration to cope with. My best wishes to all our Kitcheners.

Stay warm and take care on icy pavements.

Enjoy your family time in Cambridge, brook. Happy 9th birthday to your DGS.
Also in that fine city, our 2 youngest DGDs are a very similar age to your 2 there!

Tomorrow we have the heating engineer back to fit another part on our boiler.
At the same time we have the TV man out to check our outside TV aerial & booster thingy in the loft.
We seem to be dropping to bits!!

Warm thoughts for you all.

Just popping into this gorgeous warm kitchen to catch up on all the news.
It’s clear blue sky, sunny and cold here in Cambridge. We’ve been out for a walk and back home now before picking up the DGSs at 3pm after school. We’re having a little family get together this evening for eldest DGS 9th birthday so looking forward to that.

So good to hear your DS is feeling more positive Yia and you’ll be spending more time together soon

Nice to reminisce Rosies where do the years go!

Keep well wrapped up and warm everyone!

annsixty 😁

So glad to hear your son’s MH is improving Yia.
I’m pleased to remind you I said ‘told ya’. Great news. You’ll all be dropping your shoulders from beside your ears now. x

I do not usually wax so lyrical but was inspired.
Yia I hope very sincerely that the improvement you are seeing with your S is sustained, I have been there.
Cold but sunny today and plenty of frosty conditions to come.

Urmstongran
One of my favourites but have you tried it with M&S French salted butter with salt crystals.
It is divine, also the same on thickly sliced , straight from the oven, baguette.
Simple things but sublime.

Love a jacket potato Erms enjoy.

I felt very heartened today,spoke to DS2 and he seems much more positive.They are coming for the weekend next week to see the family and he is very happy that we are spending Christmas up north this year.

Getting very cold today,beef in Guinness for dinner.My Irish Great Grandmother would be pleased.😀
Have a good evening and keep warm everyone.

Good evening Kitcheners. RosiesMaw what an amazing experience for you. Jaxjacky I love a good quiz. Well done. Urmston that sounds delicious. Soop poor Mr Soop. I hope he isn't in too much discomfort.
Today went well with the boys. Dgs2 is picking up words every day. Today we had van, book and jumper. He's very proud. My lovely neighbour handed me potatoes from her garden. I'm very lucky with my neighbours. They are all so kind. It's been very cold here all day so I'm huddling in a large hoodie with the heating on too. A lazy evening ahead. Have a good evening Kitcheners

Ooh Jax I love that cosy nook in your pub! So inviting.
And Maw what a fabulous day you’ve had - and home nice and cosy at a not ungodly hour too! Win-win. 😁

Good evening Kitcheners
I have just had the best day at the ROH at. a “general rehearsal” of Cav and Pag .
It was amazing -and all the more so as everybody there had been invited by either cast or creative team members, so I had eg a fascinating chat with the Mum of one of the girls in the chorus. . She must have been so proud!
The singing was out of this world , the music unforgettable and (for me) the novelty of rocking up to the ROH at 10.30 am for nearly four hours of unforgettable music was just the icing on the cake. Trains and taxis didn’t let me down either and I got home at 6 still on Cloud Nine.

Sounds lush Urms 🥂.
Voluntary phone was not too bad yesterday and we were second in quiz again last night, the pub has been decorated for thé festives and looks lovely.
MrJ’s car was collected today to have the alternator replaced, it wont be cheap, but necessary, I’ll be glad to get mine back.
Have a pleasant evening all.

‘Evening All’.

I’ve been out this afternoon to have my nails snipped and gelled in pale grey. I like them short. As it’s ‘5 o’clock somewhere’ (here, for starters) I’m about to pour myself a large glass of Whispering Angel while waiting for baked jacket potatoes done in the oven - so they will have delicious crispy skins. Salt, black pepper and plenty of block butter. Delia - eat your heart out!
😁

Hope we can all enjoy a smooth comfortable evening dear kitcheners.
x

A flying visit, it's been one of those days and I'm chasing my shadow.

Mr Soop had several scalp lesions cauterised and, although he maintains that he's recovering from the ouchiness, he has slept for the best part of the day. His scalp now resembles a patchwork work of art.

Have also received photos of our youngest grandson on the rugby pitch. He is a "flanker".

It is bitterly cold and there is an ominous bank of black clouds on the horizon.

Hugs for you all.

Hello Kitchen people. After a busy few days I’m relaxing on the sofa with one of the cats. He purrs and snores simultaneously.
Well, I’m up to date with the WI admin at last!
What is looming though, are the presents for my Australian relatives. They have to be wrapped. At least I’ve printed off the labels for all the Christmas cards.
My Christmas pudding has been steaming since 10 am and will finish at 6 pm. Two or three of the family don’t like anything with dried fruit so I will make them a chocolate log. My granddaughter (7) can describe exactly what last year’s effort was like down to the decorations.
I hope we’re all having a good day. There is definitely a chill in the air and I think snow is forecast for Thursday in Oxfordshire. It had better not snow tomorrow. Hopefully it will be third time lucky for my hair appointment. First covid stopped it and then the road was flooded. I’ve had to trim my fringe and my general appearance is rather ragged.
❄️

brook2704

Thanks ann I remember it well and used to shop there quite a lot - wish I could go back for a visit one day! We used to alternate between John Lewis and M&S .. is the Sainsbury's still next to John Lewis there ?

My son might have been there at the same time as your DD rosies, he had his first part time job at that M&S when he was studying his A levels, would have been about 1998 or thereabouts … happy days!

I think she graduated from Manchester in 1998 (you’d think I’d know, wouldn’t you?) and went more or less straight into the Graduate Management Training programme that September. She was very happy there and went on to manage a store in Leeds (Briggate?) but saw which way the wind was blowing for M&S with the departure of some of the better people at the top and went into Financial recruitment instead. So long ago, but it seems like yesterday! As you say…happy days!

Good evening kitchen!
It’s been a horrible wet day today and there’s quite a lot of flooding in the lanes around here. We had a very successful shopping trip this morning but I’m not as organised as SueD and have a lot of wrapping to do.
The moving around of things in shops is deliberate Ann. I worked for Tesco in the 90s and the theory was that shoppers are creatures of habit, going on the same route. By mixing things up, they see new products that they might be tempted to buy.
I am another believer in a hot toddy. It was hot milk with sugar and a tot of whisky when I was young but I prefer the honey and lemon version. I haven’t got a cold but I could fancy one now!
Sleep tight everyone - with or without a toddy.