Soop's warm and welcoming kitchen for kindly folk.

I’m not feeling too good today so will not be online much.

Wishing everybody a Merry Christmas.

Baggs Buggerations galore! I almost fell off my chair when I read about your experience in A&E. Thank goodness that you were reliably informed that you were not having a heart attack. Beware of Hobnobs!

I also have a new, strange pain. It is located behind the breast that was removed almost five years ago. When I take a deep breath, cough or sneeze, I experience a shooting, stabbing pain. Will wait until after Christmas before having it checked out. Surgery is closed for several days.

brook Your new en-suite is very smart.

The ferry continues to sail to the islands of Islay and Jura, in spite of a mountainous sea.

I have some ironing to attend to. I shall then polish the furniture. After which, a brew and a slice of the wee Christmas cake made for all Seniors by the children of the village school. The school has been following this tradition for over thirty years.

I am aware that many of our Granspals will possibly not be partaking in the usual festive high-jinx. Life isn't fair. Mr Soop and I send our kind thoughts and all good wishes to you all.

Thank you for all that you do to support and comfort and celebrate with each other. Our Kitchen special. because you are special.

I shall not be using the computer again until Wednesday. Never the less, you will remain in my thoughts.

Bless you and THANK YOU.

Christmas wishes to all and all the best for 2024!

Try again!

Another one 😀

Hi to all kitchen pals and wishing you all a very Happy Christmas
I arrived home last night, the flight delay wasn’t too bad and DH picked me up from the airport. It was lovely to see everyone in the arrivals hall meeting and greeting! I’ve had a lazy morning , unpacked, put the washer on and had a good look at the new en-suite that was finished whilst I was away, it looks really lovely and I’m so pleased with it. I just need to get a few finishing touches now, a new blind, towel holder and bath mat etc and we’re sorted
All the snow has gone here now Jax and replaced by rain although there’s quite a lot of snow still on the hills. It’s very wet and windy today but I’m going to nip out soon to try and get some last minute treats to take round to DD2s tomorrow. DH has been very helpful in getting the shopping in whilst Ive been away but sticks rigidly to his list, on the other hand I’ve been known to sneak quite a few treats into the trolley when going up and down the aisles at Tesco.
Such a shame about the lady on the next trolley baggs I hope she’s ok and has some company over Christmas

That's interesting, wwm2. They did put a cannula in my arm after the first 'blood-letting' so I guess they were covering all bases in readiness for anything dramatic. Nothing dramatic happened, thankfully. If I get another hobnob attack I'll know to just sit it out!

I felt so sorry for the lady in the next bed on the next trolley 😉. It took three people – including the one who'd just, so to speak, whipped it out of my arm in a flash – to get blood out of her and she really wasn't well. I'd have talked to her if we hadn't been separated by curtains. They kept her in. I gathered she lived on her own so perhaps it was a blessing of sorts. I hope so.

baggs did they check your gall bladder? The pain can be so bad that it can only be relieved with morphine administered through a cannula. It usually centres under your right bosom and may extend to your right shoulder and back.

My last lot of severe pain was as a result of me eating a piece of shortbread.

Just a thought.

I forgot, I also made a trifle and plain jelly for those weird folk who don’t like trifle.

Just sitting down with a G&T before heading bedwards. I’m zorsted!

I’m still loving all the Christmas spirit here. ❤️ I’m sure those doing church readings carried them off to perfection.
LLFL I don’t have a 42yo unmarried daughter but I have a 36yo-career-woman- married-with-two-kids dd and a mid-20’s medic dd, both of whom revert to 12yo when they come home. Apparently, it’s not worth coming home if they don’t get treated as children. 😂 My oldest son reverts to type when he comes to us. He makes a long 4000 mile journey to see us and heads straight to our fridge to see what’s in it. 😋
Yikes Baggs, that must have been frightening! I’m so glad it’s turned out to be relatively innocuous.
Horrid weather here in Perthshire, too, Soop. It’s rained all day and was getting dark again before it seemed to get properly light. Roll on spring.
Santa wouldn’t dare miss out any Kitcheners, Jax - of course you’re nice! ❤️
That’s such a shame, Yia. My best friend is likely to be spending Xmas all on her own, due to Covid. It’s hard to believe it’s still turning lives upside down nearly four years since we first heard its wretched name.
You’ve been busy, Blossoming, you’re well prepared!
I hope you’re home by now, Brook. It seems that delays and frustrations are part and parcel of travel nowadays.
Greetings to everyone else, I do read all the posts.

Today I went out for some last minute bits without which, my DC informed, me Christmas would be ruined. I then set to at the coal face of the kitchen - just call me Nigella. I’ve cooked a gammon in coke and a joint of beef, made bread sauce, rustled up a cottage pie for dinner this evening, made a Yule log and two lots of pastry for mince pies tomorrow and there’s a loaf of bread in the bread maker. Oh, I forgot the dauphinois potatoes.

Hence the G&T and my bed calling. Night night, all. Xxx

Baggs sending you a (((hug))) must have been scary x

Just not fair Yia I really hope you’re both negative and feeling fine in the next day so to enjoy your different Christmas together and hopefully hear of some improvement for the poorly man.
Nearly there brook? You’ll be glad to get back after delays, but it sounds like a smashing time in Cambridge.
Go gently Blossoming and have the best time together.
Gammon done, in fact everything done or not happening!

It's evg for the UK, so unlikely to be read till morning, sorry to post so late.
Baggs what a happy relief to find the likely culprit was a hob-nob (stick to the non-trouble-makers like a digestive)
Brook Thank goodness u have those yummy emergency rations, lol - defin
a sample is required!
Neine the problem w/ sitting down, is that it's v difficult to rev up again, lol - & chaos is surrounding me, arggh.
Yiayia how terribly disappointing, & on top of u both feeling so poorly! I hope being quietly at home means things will then start to improve extra fast! (hug)
Blossoming the choc will be safe as long as Mr B is reminded of the watching elves that I mentioned to Soop
Soop it sounds like u're rushing around as wildly as yr weather is, this is not a good thing - elves are watching, so try to make yrself slow down, lol!

Speaking of weather, I think my daffs will be blooming by New Yrs Eve, it's crazy - I keep adding more dirt to keep them "asleep" but they seem determined!

Good evening, Soop and lovely Kitchen people. Soop, you are a very busy bee, take time to relax! I hope MrSoop responds well to the water tablets.

Grandmabatty, your curry/ karaoke 🎤 night sounds fab, that's just my thing.

Baggs, what a fright for you and your DH. I hope you are feeling better now, take it easy. Step away from the hobnobs. 🤣
Ladyleftfieldlover, your dinner sounds delicious, that's one of GD's favourites.

I must try that on Alexa, Jaxjacky, sounds like fun!

Aww, YiaYia, I'm so sorry to hear that Covid has lingered and your plans have changed. Cuddle up on your lovely new sofa and spoil yourselves for a few days, eat, drink, rest, repeat...

Blossoming, you are all organised, that sounds just lovely, enjoy!

Aww, Brook, what hassle on your journey home! You didn't need that. I hope you're on your way now with no further disruptions.

Hello 👋 gillgran! I hope you and yours have a lovely Christmas.

Thank you for your festive wishes, Grannygravy. Enjoy your calm before the storm!

DH and I are having a late dinner after finishing the wrapping. Then we're going to watch the Christmas Hit List, I'm recording it just now.

Wishing everyone in this special Kitchen a peaceful Christmas eve eve, and hopefully a good night's sleep.
TOYA, NNGB.

Just popped in to wish you all a peaceful Christmas Eve Eve.

We are enjoying a quiet night in, before the chaos and mayhem of excited GC staying tomorrow night 🤣🎄🤶🏻

Thanks all, I’ve arrived at Gatwick, according to my flight tracker my plane is somewhere over France just now and running an hour or so late - but not too bad considering it’s Christmas Eve eve
I’ll be tracking Santa tomorrow night too .. 🤣
We’ll done with all your organising Blossoming you can sit back and relax now!

That was a shock for you, Baggs, hope you are feeling reassured now.
A shame for you Yiayia, feel better soon.
I'm pleased you are on the nice list, Jaxjacky.
Safe journey home brook.

Warm thoughts for you all &

Good evening Dear Kitcheners. A series of busy days and late nights has taken its toll on my energy levels and I’m struggling to stay awake. All is ready for Christmas, shopping done, freezer, fridge and pantry full of goodies and MrB hasn’t found the hidden chocolate . Tomorrow and Christmas Day will be laid back and comfortable at Blossom Manor, much feasting, laughter and sleep are on the agenda.
Wishing everyone a happy Christmas, I know a few of us have had plans disrupted by illness and travel disruption so hoping you can still enjoy a rather different Christmas to the one planned.

Baggs you downplay it, but that must have been scary. I hope you are ok now. Brook I hope you are well on your way after a shaky start. Yiayia that is rotten for you. 💐

Yeah apparently there’s a light covering that arrived last night Jax sorry 😞

Yia what a shame for you, sending a warm virtual hug ❤️

That’s great news Grandmadinosaur now enjoy Christmas.
All our plans have now changed we will be staying here for Christmas,still testing positive and not feeling up to much at all.It will be a very quiet one this year.Also My DiL’s dad is very poorly he has Alzheimer’s and in a home now it seems,he has a bad chest infection so not good news at all.
Sorry it’s all doom and gloom today.

Enjoy Christmas Eve Eve everyone.

Crumbs Baggs how scary, glad you’re ok.
Safe journey brook if there’s snow at your journeys end, I’ll sulk!
MrJ has disowned me since I asked Alexa if I’d been naughty or nice.
(It’s great, FC asks you questions) I am indeed on the nice list!

Crikey Baggs that must have given you a fright - so pleased all is ok though but steer clear of those hobnobs from now on!
I’ve started my long journey back home - I’ve not got off to a good start as my train to Gatwick has been cancelled 🫤 anyway there’s another one due soon so I hope that’s ok
I’ve got lots of goodies crammed into my little case, mince pies, Christmas cake and chocolates so I’ll not go hungry if I’m stranded …

A very warm welcome Grandmadinosaur {flowers]

I popped in for a wee catch-up. Eck! I shall need at least an hour to read all your posts. You lot must be super-charged.

Mr Soop has been prescribed a further week of water tablets. Some swelling remains.

We're about to remove all the ornaments and books from the high shelves in order to smarten the display (and remove unwanted dust.)

I've stripped the bed. Washing machine is doing a samba as it goes through the rinse and spin mode, and I now need to remake the bed with fresh linen.

The weather is atrocious. High wind and lashing rain. No hope of a wee stroll.

I have sent my best wishes to all FB friends. I have also decided to steer clear of the keyboard from tomorrow eve until Wednesday.

I shall return after my chores and also, I shall make a final visit to our kitchen at sometime tomorrow. We will have much catching up to do after the holiday.

PS I can't remember much of what MrB told me about Descartes but I hadn't known before that he died in Stockholm after getting a job as the Queen of Sweden's maths tutor.