Soop's warm and welcoming kitchen for kindly folk.

And relax! Just finished putting my Christmas Sainsbury’s delivery away. Only one substitution, but in my favour. All done now, ready for Monday.
Our only dgd flies off tomorrow for Christmas in the sun with ddd2 and DSinLaw. She said ‘I’m sad grandma, I’ll miss you so much’. Much sniffing ensued. We, of course, are allowed to keep the 2 granddogs for the next week.
Tomorrow will be a quiet day 😀.
Thoughts with those with worries and illness

Lovely afternoon Urms!
We are getting up early tomorrow to go for the perishables shop. I’m feeling nervous that I haven’t ordered a turkey but just going to buy one. I’m sure it will all be fine!
I hope the weather is settling down for you soop - it’s been pretty wild here today. There is still flooding on some of the backroads and the fields have water standing in the dips and tyre tracks. I feel sorry for the farmers.
We are not going to bed early tonight - I am fed up of waking at about 2 thinking it’s morning! Question Time and Newscast will keep us awake.
I hope you are nearly ready for Christmas - keep going girls!
TOYA

Good evening Kitcheners. I could have sworn I had posted earlier but nope. Urmston it sounds like a lovely time was had, particularly by your stepdad.
My cold has come to naught, thank goodness. I popped in to see dd and the boys this morning. Cue much excitement. Then I braved Tesco to stock up on booze etc. the queues were horrendous but job done. This afternoon I iced the Christmas cake and finished wrapping presents. So I'm getting there. How on earth did I do it all when my children were younger and I worked full time? I hope everyone is well and dustyangel's husband and grannmarie's husband are ok. I also hopeCornergran has a better day tomorrow. Good night all

Mixed day for us. A very enjoyable first half before the car decided to be a Grinch. The dash lit up like a Christmas tree with many accompanying beeps of a very cross nature. Should we drive it, shouldn’t we? Decided we could and drove carefully to our garage. The receptionist was calming and helpful. She persuaded the technicians to attach it to the diagnostic computer and directed us to comfy chairs and coffee. We waited, for two hours, before hearing the fault had been found, yes we could drive in safety but we’d have to cope with the festooned display. I’d fretted in case we couldn’t travel to our son on Christmas Day. He’d be alone if we couldn’t get there. A huge relief. A part must be ordered, no idea when it will arrive, never mind, the show can go on.

Driving home the dash cam told us politely it should be plugged in. Why we wondered? It’s wired in. Then it died. We’ve no idea if the fault is related to the car issue or just coincidence. It was after-fitted by Halfords. They will have a look on Saturday. Oh heck came to mind.

We can manage both issues, just please don't anyone tell me problems come in threes!

The morning had been Mr C’s attempt to lift my spirits which remain fairly squashed since covid. I have been very down in the dumps and emotional, exhausted too. It had done the trick to an extent and of course the car issues would have happened sometime anyway. No cause and effect there. As a friend said, lumps in the custard of life.

Onwards now. Quiet day at home tomorrow doing mundane things.

Your afternoon sounds perfect urms. I’m so pleased for you.

There will be the ideal turkey nannyt. I know it. .

That’s a superb house brook. Is it a shell like a gingerbread house or is there cake?

I’m still wishing for your fish supper soop. Healthy salmon for us this week, there will be chips soon. No desire to steal dessert, I am probably one of the few few people in the world who dislike trifle.

I’m wondering how things are with your husband dusty. Hope all is well. What about you neine. Equilibrium re-established ?

Time I was asleep. Tomorrow just has to be less troublesome. Goodnight everyone.

A very late pop into the kitchen. Firstly a big Thank You to you all for caring and your lovely supportive words. I'm in a better place than I was....
I've been to Bristol today...I needed my eyes tested and contact lens check and I've been going to Costco for many years. It used to be a 10 minute drive now it's an hour but the contact lenses are much cheaper there and combined with the very much cheaper fuel it's worth the journey. A few extras fell into the trolley too!!!!.
I love the tree LlfL...is there a story behind the little jug?.
Urms ... I'm so glad you had a lovely afternoon....
Grandmarie and Dusty how are your DH's now. Thinking of you both.
Oh Corner...what a thing to happen just before Christmas..did they say what the fault was? Fingers crossed it's all sorted soon.
Brook.... You sound like you are having a fabulous ( busy ); time.
GrandmaB....I too wonder too how I managed to work etc. We moved into a new house on Dec 22nd 1993 and by the next evening the tree and decorations were up and I worked the late shift on the 23rd and 24th .I do remember being utterly exhausted but the youngest daughter was 2 so Christmas had to happen.
Everything crossed that you get your turkey NannyT. Sometimes there are amazing bargains on Christmas eve afternoon if your nerves can stand it.
I haven't had to get too much in food wise as we are at friends on Christmas Day and helping out at church (Christmas meal for those on their own) on Boxing Day. We could have eaten with the guests but I said we were eating later on Christmas Day and would probably still be full. When I told DOH...his face fell....I said but surely you wouldn't want another Christmas dinner.... His expression said otherwise until I said we were having a steak supper instead. The way to a man's heart etc.
Sleep tight everyone.

Afternoon kitcheners.
Smashing afternoon Urms and a delightful house brook, I had a friend visit for coffee yesterday after a quick GP visit (I was impressed at how soon I was seen), ear infection confirmed and antibiotic spray dispensed.
This morning I was the second customer in the farm shop at 7am, apparently my daughter and grandson were at Lidl at the same time, then Asda.
All shopping done now, unless it’s in our village.
I hope today is an improvement corner.

Jaxjacky I'm glad you got your ear sorted. I've had a lovely morning with dgs2. He's a wee honey. I've had lunch and I'm about to head to my friend's partner with Christmas cake, then mum. I'll take her some cake too. Later dd, sil and I will go to my lovely aunt and uncle's for a Christmas curry karaoke night. Uncle makes amazing curries: aunt and I hog the karaoke and bellow carols and assorted songs badly
Enjoy the rest of your day

Your evening plans sound fantastic Grandmabatty right good fun, have a blast.

Good evening kitchen pals, another lovely day here with a Christmas lunch, lots of presents exchanged and a trip to the panto! I’m a bit exhausted now, it could be the wine though making me feel sleepy 😴
Gosh everyone is busy out and about and shopping, DH has a shopping list of things still needed at home, I think I’d best check later how he’s been getting on. We don’t need that much really as we will be eating at DD2s on Christmas Day
The chocolate house is just like a gingerbread house corner, just chocolate walls etc instead of gingerbread. I’m hoping your car doesn’t cause any more problems, fingers crossed for you
Hope grandmabatty is having a lovely evening, sounds fab
Tomorrow I’m travelling back home, hoping everything goes to plan. It’ll be busy on the trains and at Gatwick so I’m going to build in lots of spare time for any problems 😳

Can I as a lurker creep in and wish everyone a very Happy Christmas.
Hope it’s ok to sit here and heave a sigh of relief. We have had a fair few challenges this year. As a result I have felt quite down ( as has my DH) and not up to posting a great deal. I even haven’t been feeling much joy about the festivities. This morning that all changed for the better in an e mail received. I can’t tell you how much lighter my shoulders feel. I’m now looking forward to the holidays and also a hastily organised New Year get together with family. My Christmas miracle and prayers were answered. 🙏🎄

Quiet day today. Didn’t venture out, safer that way . Bed changed Mr C gallantly washed the car, it looked as if it had lived in a very muddy farmyard, a bonus from yesterdays lanes. Relatively healthy salmon for lunch, Mr C had a well deserved nap and I faffed about before enjoying sending a couple of emails.

Tomorrow we set off in our Christmas tree to hopefully get the dash cam sorted. Wish us luck folks. It seems we may be driving a Christmas tree for a while. Apparently the new camera could take eight weeks to arrive. Goodness.

I’m told our nearest supermarket , Sainsbury, had cars queueing to park at 6am this morning. So pleased our grocery delivery was complete. Would like some nice cheeses but they can wait until,after Christmas, more for new year.

Sounds a fantastic day brook. Thank you for the info on your chocolate house. I struggle to get a gingerbread house to stay together, not sure I’d manage chocolate at all.

I’m sure you’ll be enjoying yourself grandmab. Sounds fun.

Hope today was even brighter neine.

Best be off. There’s a glass of dry white with my name on it.

TOYA.

‘Evening All’.

I’ve had session 4 (out of 6) complimentary reflexology this morning then we both enjoyed tea, biscuits and a catch up with folk who are becoming friends now at the Macmillan Centre. Mulled wine in a bar in the square below us at 3pm. Tuna & baked potatoes for tea. Simple food but delicious. Very relaxed here! No stressful baking, queuing, cross country travelling going on here.
#lazygran

Grandmadinosaur your joy is fizzing off the page! I assume it’s about an estrangement that’s ‘no more’ hence your delight now in enjoying festivities? I’m delighted for you (whatever the cause) and if I’m wrong, please accept my apologies.

Hello kitchen people. You all sound very festive.
I spent the morning sorting out two bedrooms for younger son and daughter who are arriving tomorrow. Lots of polishing and bed making. Then, OH and I went to our favourite restaurant for lunch. Our last weekly lunch of the year. The meal was delicious. They do these wonderful garlic mushrooms which we nearly always have. My main was a perfectly pink fillet steak. We shared a lemon roulade for pudding. We called into Waitrose for a quick shop before getting home. After a few minutes respite I cleaned three sinks and two loos and OH hoovered everywhere.
Have a good evening.

Grandmadinosaur I'm so happy for you to have received that e-mail!
Brook Wishing u a safe & pleasant journey back home! I love that choc house, I've never seen one like that. : )

Right now I'm "stealing time" to let myself just plain sit down & look at our Christmas🎄 It's v relaxing. I need that.

I can feel your joy grandmadinosaur. Enjoy every second of Christmas and your New Year celebrations.

Thank you peli,corner and Urmstongran

Thankfully not an estrangement more of a legal matter.

Im so pleased for you grandmadinosaur, a lovely Christmas present for you and your family ❤️

Thank you peli, enjoy your very well earned rest

Hello friends, stressful evening at Gravy Grange trying to get excited GC to sleep, fingers crossed they will stay asleep till DD finishes work.

I try to keep up with kitchen news but fail repeatedly x

It’s lovely to read all your preparations, whether it’s a busy family Christmas you’re planning or a quiet, serene day for to yourself. I don’t have time to name check everyone but I think of you all.

Also a busy few days for us. I did the main shop today, although it was only one of the half-size trolleys. I remember the days when I would have a full size trolley filled to overflowing but it cost half the amount I spent today! I’ve ‘baubled’ enough to make the house look festive and cosy. Our bare concrete floors, hazard tape and dehumidifiers have become normal to me now and I don’t really notice them any more.

We saw the GC today, the last day of school and nursery for them. GS did himself proud by lying down on the zebra crossing in the supermarket car park to have a strop! 😂 He goes nuclear when he doesn’t have a nap and this is the result. 👀

Dd2 is safely here, I’m so happy to have her home for a bit. Her boyfriend is also here, ready to experience a Donim family Christmas with bonkers small children around. He’s an only child so goodness what he’ll make of it!

Time to have some chocolates and maybe a drink before retiring to my bed made up with fresh linen. TOYA! Xxx

What a good news post Grandmadinosaur your Christmas is made!
Lovely relaxation Urms, I assume your downstairs larder is stocked so why travel🙂
Family gatherings for many, delightful.
We went to the local, it was busy as many people finished work today, memories!
Slobbed before that watching Christmas favourites after a light amount of domesticity.
Off to bed soon.

Happy Christmas eve eve Everyone.
SueD...I laughed out loud at the little one laying down across the zebra crossing...I have to admit there have been times in the past where I've felt like doing that too.
Grandmadinosaur.... So lovely to read that your happy Christmas really can happen..enjoy every minute.
Llfl...what a fabulous sounding lunch...I don't know how you managed to be 'Domestic ' after it though!.
Safe journey home Brook... Fingers crossed there will be no delays..
Peli...in the busy hustle and bustle leading up to Christmas...you are so right to just stop and enjoy. I think we sometimes get so caught up in the food and presents and shopping that we miss out ....I haven't got the real hang of mindfulness and living in the moment.. but I'm learning.
Corner....DOH said they might be able to reset the fault codes but I haven't seen the Coca Cola lorry this year all lit up so I'm now relying on you and Mr C to step up and light up our corner of Somerset!!!!!
Jax...All creatures great and small set me off...I have a tissue permanently up my sleeve.
Urms ... You set me off on a hunt as I was sure I'd picked up some ginger bread mulled wine weeks ago...I eventually found it in the utility room ( no I don't know why either). Jacket potato and tuna I love. We have found that Aldi do red potatoes that are grown in Pembrokeshire (family county) and they make gorgeous jackets and roasts and mash.....and chips too. ( Purely for Market Research have we tried all of the above of course).
GrandmaB...curry and karaoke sounds so much fun. I went to Mr Singh's in Saughihull Street in Glasgow... I was up with 2 girlfriends prior to D1s wedding. They loved that the waiters wore turbans...all in kilts and with string Scottish accents. Happy times.
Today... The Domestic Goddess will make a very brief appearance as we have friends coming this evening. Bread and mince pies to be made...fresh bedding in the guest room. I'm reading at Mass tonight so need to look at the readings and check there are no difficult to pronounce bits. If there are I normally say them with utter confidence and hope that nobody else in the congregation knows how to pronounce them either. As always I will pray for all of you.

Good morning, Soop and lovely Kitchen people. Just a quick hello 👋 to everyone as I'm still in my goonie, I must give myself a shake.
Hello 👋 Grandmadinosaur, great to see you in the kitchen, delighted that you have good news, enjoy your celebrations.
Neine, I'm reading at Mass tomorrow morning. I've just prepared on the Universalis app, both readings and psalm are fine. 👍 When I find tricky names, I check them out online on 'How to pronounce'... just beware of some American pronunciations!🤣

Must dash, I'm taking DH to the Turkish barber for a haircut/ hot towel shave. The lovely barber says he will 'throw in' the ear and nose singe because we're pensioners!

Thinking of you all, take care.

Good afternoon kitcheners. Grannmarie you are a busy person. I'm sure the reading tomorrow will go well. Neine my uncle made us three different lovely curries. Those, plus starters and a homemade baked cheesecake, meant I had a disturbed night! Overeating and wine is not a good combination. Suedonimoh dear. Dgs2 is prone to tantrums if he's tired or hungry. I sympathise. Jaxjacky and Brook we had a lovely evening. Dear Soop, I hope you are having a good time in your village.
Today I was in Tesco at eight and got everything needed. Then I visited a friend to exchange gifts. After that, I dropped off cards and gifts to other friends. I'm currently lying on the couch but will get up to have lunch and then housework. Scrambled eggs with toast for dinner. Or a cheese omelette. Have a good day Kitcheners

Hello kitchen people. I’m having a sandwich lunch while waiting for OH to drive daughter and younger son back from the station. My daughter is bringing a bottle of chocolate mulled wine! Eek.
Does anyone else have a single 42-year old daughter who reverts to adolescence as soon as she steps through the front door? She has a very responsible job but she can drive us mad! My two sons don’t do this.
Bangers and mash and onion gravy for dinner before the mega feasting starts tomorrow.
Have a good day.

Chocolate mulled wine sounds interesting, llfl! Do report back 🧋

Yesterday I learned how hospital trolley beds work. I had to while away some time on one while ECGs and blood tests were being done because of a suspected heart attack (it wasn't one!) so, while MrB was telling me the life story of René Descartes, I tried all the levers to get comfortable. I can't sit for long in the standard reclining hospital trolley position because of scoliosis. I'm glad I can now 'work' these things.

My heart is fine. In the end the young doc who spoke to us thought perhaps I'd had an oesophageal spasm 🤷🏻‍♀️ so we are calling the episode a hobnob attack since a chocolate hobnob is the last thing I had eaten. Weird!

Hoping all is well with Kitcheners far and wide. Happy Christmas wishes to all 🎄