Soop's warm and welcoming kitchen for kindly folk.

Good afternoon kitchen pals, it’s been a very cold, clear frosty day here in Inverness
You definitely deserve those chips grandmabatty and well done to your little DGS2
I’ve been quite busy today what with the school drop off, a couple of classes at the gym, a really enjoyable coffee and catch up with my pal and a trip to Tesco. DD2 messaged when I was in Tesco, with a shopping list - if I didn’t mind …so I also had to drop their shopping off too and I paid for it 😳 Anyhow I’m home now, there’s not much cooking going to happen here this evening so it’ll be a quick Tesco finest shepherds pie in the oven in a minute and peas
Good luck in tonight’s quiz Jax
Hoping it’s a good football result tonight Urms my DH is also a Man U supporter
Hope everyone can keep warm and cozy, thermals on everyone!

Good evening all. Brook your post made me smile. I get a Sainsbury’s delivery every Wednesday and it’s amazing how often I get a text from dd2 asking me to add items for her. Always the promise to ping the money but somehow it never arrives 😂. Not complaining really as she provides ‘meals on wheels’ a couple of times a week. She’s a much better cook than me, so we’re always pleased to get them.
Thoughts as always with those having difficult days.

He’s not hopeful brook! “Oh no - Marshall’s playing” he’s just said. (Not that I follow any of it).
😮

Good evening, Soop and lovely Kitchen people. 🥰 I'm so glad to hear that Sweetie Pie has visited, almost first footing for New Year! 🙀

Well done to those who have commenced NY tidying, decluttering and reorganising. I haven't started any of my new year jobs yet, I feel quite tired and lacking in motivation....maybe tomorrow. I'm channelling my inner Scarlett O'Hara.🤣

Sorry to hear that you have Covid, Neine, I hope you recover quickly, and that YiaYia and MrY. soon shake off the after effects.

Clever wee DGS2, Grandmabatty, good for him!

You're a good help to your daughters, Brook and Grandmachrissy, and lucky to have them nearby.

DS3 came by yesterday and put all my Christmas stuff up in the loft in jig time, that was a good help. It was good to see him.

DH and I then had a great afternoon at my sister's, celebrating her wee GD's first birthday. The birthday girl has found her feet recently, and toddled around quite happily. That was a quick year! We met the wee one's lovely maternal Grandma, up from Manchester for the occasion. A happy afternoon!

A very cold day here, I've had the fire on as well as the heating, nice and cosy but it makes me drowsy so I've turned it off now.
Hope Jaxjacky isn't too cold at her quiz.

Wishing everyone a peaceful Monday night, TOYA, NNGB.

I hope you’re not in any danger of flooding, Yia? It seems like half of England is under water. We have had icy drizzle today, horrible.
I’m doing mini-tidying out Soop which basically means I’m doing things as I go eg I needed new socks as some of mine had holes in, so I sorted my sock drawer while I was at it. I also ‘rationalised’ the towels and bed linens to what we really need, not what I’ve gathered over the years. Although pillowcases mysteriously disappear in this house. 🤔
Good lad, your dgs2, GMbatty! Maybe he can have a word with my GS. I think his mum is waiting for the warmer weather.
Hope you stayed warm at the quiz, Jax.
Samosas, Urms. 😍
That’s a familiar tale, Brook! Does your dd also have your possessions in her house? Lots of bits and pieces turn up in my DD’s house. She claims I said she could borrow them or that I once left them there or whatever. My dd2 commented to her sister that she had the same Xmas decorations as mum & dad. ‘They are mum and dad’s’ she said. Or were…. 😂
That sounds a lovely afternoon, GMarie.

I went on an excursion today to visit both Waitrose and Sainbury’s, as we only have tiny convenience versions here. I had a happy hour browsing their lovely ranges and bringing home some goodies. That’s the furthest afield I’ve been since getting back from London in December.

Tomorrow the loss adjuster is coming to look at the aftermath of our flood, which was a month ago now. The house has dried out but of course there’s lots to be repaired/replaced. Such a nuisance. Today I had a new iron delivered to replace the ruined one. It’s a while since I have had a new iron - I think this one could fly to the moon, it’s so high tech!

All for now, TOYA and esp Urms & Baggs. Xxx

Well done to Sweetie Pie for finding his way back soop. Pleased to hear he was looking well.

Good news for us today. The clinic appointment went ahead, Mr C was prodded, poked and attached to numerous wires. The consultant more than satisfied with the findings. A couple of medication changes to make life easier and away we went. He’ll be asked to return in a year, sounds good to us.

We’d travelled by bus, takes forever but saves driving and parking stress. The return journey took longer than forever, busy traffic and a multitude of roadworks. We got off the bus into driving snow, walked back with it in our faces while muttering all sorts of words we truly shouldn’t know. As soon as the key went into the front door the snow stopped, not a flake since. Had us giggling for a while.

Hope your encounter with covid is both brief and gentle neine, please avoid the cough if you can. We enjoy both Dunster and Watchet, you’ve reminded me to put both on our list of places to remember to go this year. Sounds a good day for you, even with covid

Good luck with the loss adjuster sued, we asked in a similar encounter if we could forward a note if anything we’d forgotten. The response was yes as everyone forgets something. This was a few years back, maybe things have tightened up now.

Hope you’re not in danger of flooding yia, local rivers here are getting fuller by the day as water drains down from higher ground.

Sounds an excellent birthday party granmarie. Aren’t the little ones fun?

We’ll deposit the car at the garage tomorrow afternoon, an early booking on Wednesday for service and MoT. The wretched camera hasn’t arrived yet so it will have to go back again, right nuisance as the garage no longer offers a collection service. Oh well, there’s a bus that will bring us home.

Grocery delivery early too, I’d better try for sleep or the driver might get a scare. A hug for all managing life’s challenges. Goodnight everyone, sleep well.

And relax. Good afternoon kitcheners. Both boys have been returned to their parents and I am about to mix myself a martini before starting on dinner. Dgs2 was a little unsettled today but I think his teeth were bothering him. His less than grateful big brother was on the receiving end of lots of cuddles from him this afternoon. We went for a walk this morning and I introduced him to him to the playgroup he'll be going to after Easter. The ladies waved at him and he waved back. Later the nursery was handing out little bags of sweets and they gave him a bag too. He'll get a piece at anyone's door! A Scottish saying. Tonight I'll drag out the hoover but that'll be it. Urms I hope your cough recedes quickly. Cornergran good news about your DH. Suedonim he is a good lad at times. But definitely has his moments 😜. Grannmarie that sounds like a lovely party.
Enjoy your evening all

‘Evening All’.

Goodness it’s quiet in here today (apart from you Granmabatty of course) … is ‘Strictly’ on haha?

Anyway I might as well fill the space with my nonsense. A doctor rang me at 4pm. Bottom line, not concerned. Likely viral & getting better (phlegm loosening), no high temperature, eating & drinking normally, non smoker. If I’ve still got it in 3 weeks’ time make an appointment or if I develop more symptoms before then. Reassured & happy with that.
😁

Hope your cough gets better Urms, DH is the same,he was checked out after 2 lots of antibiotics and told it’s viral could be long covid.Sounds mad but vick on the feet at night is helping a bit.
Looking forward to getting my hair done tomorrow.It’s been 9 weeks!and I look a mess.
Stay warm everyone.

Urms I would agree with Yiayia rubbing vick on your feet cures a multitude of ills. A wee whisky from your stepfather's stash might ease the coughing too.

Hi all, quiz was toasty thanks as there were about 12 teams, we are on the periphery, so not hemmed in by bug carriers, although we didn’t come in the top three, much merriment was had.
Today was kitchen cleaning, jumper washing, then a cold walk in the sun, later I ordered some seeds and seed potatoes online.
Good news on Mrc corner I hope you’re sleeping better too.
I’m amazed the flood was a month ago SueDomin crumbs.
The FA cup draw last night means Man U might play our small local team, but they have to win their replay first, it’s leagues below the big boys and the TV £££ would mean a lot.
Anyway, pinny being donned, ha, ha, to check on dinner.

I’m a third of the way through Dry January Grandmabatty so no wee dram allowed!
😁

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202401/medium-907446-img-8635.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202401/medium-717566-img-8621.jpeg

Good evening kitchen pals, a busy day here but all good. It’s been really frosty and foggy all day, the temperature only around 0º all day. A couple of frosty garden pictures to share
I enjoyed the boxercise class at the gym this morning and then an ok check up at the dentist this afternoon. So pleased I don’t have to go back for 6 months. I’m starting to do a bit of packing as we’re off to Tenerife next week to escape the Scottish weather and warm up a bit
Hoping you’re feeling a bit better soon Urms and your DH too Yia take care
Won’t be long until Easter grandmabatty and playgroup!

Urmston I am both impressed by you and sad for you in equal measures 😂. Brook I know, Easter will be here so soon and he'll be toddling round the corner to playgroup. In August, dgs1 will start school. The days are long and the years are short

Urms that comment referenced your will power at giving up the demon drink for January

Good evening, Soop and lovely Kitchen people! 🥰 I hope everyone has been able to stay warm and dry today, another very cold one here. I didn't go out all all, unusual for me.
I updated my Christmas card list from the 88 that I took down on Saturday... then organised the recycling. I also called Scottish gas about a safety advisory issue raised by the engineer in December...I was on the phone for an hour, but another engineer is coming out next week and - hurrah!- I actually managed to find the original paperwork from the boiler installation, which they have asked to see. So not an entirely lazy day!🤣

SueD, I hope all went well today with the Loss Adjuster, and you'll soon restore your lovely new home. You are very calm about it, I'm impressed with how you are handling such a stressful situation.
Cornergran, great news about MrC's appointment, well done to both of you! If they don't want him back for a year, that is good news indeed. I hope you sleep better now, Cornergran.
Grandmabatty, enjoy your well deserved Martini, it sounds just perfect. Many years ago my drink of choice was a long Martini. I can't believe your wee DGS2 will go to playschool after Easter, time flies.
Hello 👋 Urms, thinking of you and Himself. I'm glad to hear that you've been reassured about your cough. I agree with Grandmabatty that a wee toddy may soothe things and help you sleep, purely medicinal of course! YiaYia 's tip is worth a try too. Hope you feel better soon.
Glad you were cosy at the quiz Jaxjacky, and nice to start planning for your garden.
My daffs ( in patio tubs) are beginning to peek through the frosty soil, while the heathers and hellebores give some winter colour.
How wonderful to exchange our wintry weather for Tenerife, brook, that sounds amazing. DH and I were thinking about revisiting Puerto Mogan in the spring, one of our favourite places.
I have a busy day tomorrow, I'm helping take down the Christmas tree in the church after morning Mass, then I'm meeting my oldest friend for lunch and a good catch up, I haven't seen her yet this year.

Wishing everyone a peaceful Tuesday night, TOYA, NNGB.

Hello kitchen people.
I’ve just got back from an evening at a friend’s house. Our first meet up since before Christmas so lots to catch up on. I took along a batch of spiced chocolate muffins which seemed to go down well. I am home now but OH is out with his gun club friends.
It was the WI Coffee morning and it was a hoot as usual. I alternated between chatting with a nearly 98 year old who is absolutely full of beans, has all her faculties and takes a long walk every day: and an 81 year old who still runs a handful of village clubs and helps her son run a children’s activity centre. Wow.
We are off to Reading tomorrow where I hope to replace my memory mattress. I wake nearly every morning with a stiff back or hips. If I sleep elsewhere - son’s or on holiday - I am fine.
Have a good rest of the evening, especially those of you with long term coughs.

It occurred to me, Soop, that perhaps Sweetie Pie’s current slaves are recuperating on a Caribbean cruise and he has remembered on which side his bread is buttered. Sounds plausible to me.

Morning! Bright and sunny here in Suffolk but icy.
We did the school run, I have baked for WI tonight and the pest control man is coming to look at the loft, although it’s been quiet since I phoned him.
A police officer is coming at some point, to advise on persuading two particular village residents not to use the church porch as a youth club then urinate on the medieval oak door. We know who you are …
Just a flying visit to wish you all a happy day.
Apple cupcakes with salted caramel topping on the table …

Good afternoon kitchen pals, it’s still a very cold, frosty and foggy day in Inverness 🥶
I hope the police sort out the two culprits nannytopsy not nice at all!
I’m back home from the gym and just having a sit down before going out to pick up DGD from school and bring her back for a sleepover tonight. I’ll need to pop to Aldi first for her favourite yoghurt, DH bought the wrong one yesterday and she’ll definitely notice
I always like to hear about people enjoying life to the full llfl , I admire anyone who keeps busy and enjoys their hobbies whatever they are. Good for them 👏👏

Thank you for your lovely posts and wonderful photographs.

I apologise for my tardiness of late. My fault entirely. I keep choosing to to do major tidy-ups that take up far more time than I anticipate.

Baggs is constantly in my thoughts. As are all our Kitcheners with health issues. I am not too far away. Please continue to enjoy each other's company. In due course, I shall settle down to a proper catch-up.

Good evening Kitcheners. Today has been a quiet day for me. A bit of tidying up this morning, then a visit to mum this afternoon and then a nap. A phonecall to say my doors will be sorted tomorrow morning. Hurrah! Therefore tomorrow will be spent at home making sure the correct doors are fitted this time. Brook I hope your dgd enjoys her sleepover. Have a good evening Kitcheners

Hi all, a pretty nothingey day, the wind chill was making it bitter outside, but I bought potatoes at the farm shop, an essential in our house. Nearly signed up for Tai Chi, but the payment won’t go and I’m giving our local U3A a go next week, I’ve decided I need to ‘do’ more.
Look like we might get snow next week, it’s brooks fault for swanning off to Tenerife🤣🤣, I quite like snow, while it looks pretty.

Two icebergs collected the car today, goodness it was cold, a lazy wind. Went through us rather than around.

The replacement camera had arrived. There was much rejoicing, we now have a serviced, non flashing/ beeping car, with a shiny new MoT.

There was a call from a very human sounding physiotherapist to book a cortisone injection for my sore knee, next Wednesday, all very quick. A positive day all round.

We’re the opposite jax, I rarely eat potatoes and Mr C isn’t far behind me. Odd aren’t we?

Good news about your doors grandmab. I’m sure all will be well this time.

Aren’t sleepovers fun brook? A rarity for us now as our teenagers are self sufficient and the Typhoon lives too far away for it to be easy. Never mind, we have had some wonderful sleepovers and the memories remain.

Were the police officers helpful nannyt? That sounds more than antisocial.

soop you’ll have the tidiest home in your area. I wish I had your ability to persevere with such things. Too easily distracted that’s me .

Have a good evening everyone. TOYA.

‘Evening All’.

Relaxed and cosy here tonight. Himself is watching the Liverpool ⚽️ and I’m supposed to be reading our book club read ready for our meeting next Wednesday evening, but I’m not running towards it. Only started it last night so it might pick up. It’s ’The Satsuma Complex’ by Bob Mortimer. Hmm.
It’s his first novel apparently.

Oh the washer’s just beeped. I’m away to put the laundry on the maiden it will dry overnight in the main room. I fancy buying a tartan carpet for half of it later this year - the other half is our dining area. I shall then dub it ‘The Caledonian Room’.
😁