Soop's kitchen for caring and sharing...

nannytopsy I got into a real panic about various aches and pains (including toothache) before my hip op last month, but everything was fine. I’m amazed that your surgery is scheduled for Christmas Eve, but you will probably be home on Boxing Day!
The Christmas trees all look magnificent- both DDs have their trees up and lots of sparkling lights everywhere. I’m thinking of getting a miniature tree to take home with me when I go, otherwise my house will be horribly bare and unloved! I do have an amaryllis which I bought thinking it would be in flower in January, but I think it will flower before that & I shall probably miss it. DD2 is taking me to a local garden centre tomorrow so I may get myself something cheerful there.
Thoughts with those in the quiet corner and those with troubles and anxieties and those in pain.
Night night.

Thank you Redcar. When do you hope to go home?

A very late Good Evening, Soop and lovely Kitchen people!
Sounds like a very successful, enjoyable visit for your friends, Cornergran, I agree that hostessing etc is more tricky now but your visitors were very well looked after and entertained!
Lovely tree, Jaxjacky, I love the coloured lights.
Best wishes for your surgery, Nannytopsy, it made me think of Max Bygraves
' All I want for Christmas is my T K R ' 🎶🎵

This evening we attended the Rosary and Reception for DH'S Auntie, her Requiem Mass is tomorrow morning. Lovely, comforting readings,

Think of the love that the father has lavished upon us by letting us be called God's children...
Do not let your hearts be troubled...

It was strange to recognise that there is only one other Auntie left on DH'S side, after that we are the ' Old Aunties and Uncles '.
Ages and stages...

DD in law 2 sent super photos of the Wee Boy as Innkeeper in the Infant Nativity, his line was,
Ye cannae stay here!!
We would have loved to have been there but the numbers are such that only parents were given tickets.

Thinking of you all at this busy, emotional time, especially those in the Quiet Corner.
NNGB. 💕🙏😴

The emotional wreck that appeared in the mirror earlier in the week has been given a very hard kick up the .....and sent packing. I gave up trying to get through the sadness in the end and went to bed only getting up to eat pizza that was the only defrost casualty of the power cut. Probably the unhappiest birthday ever but on Tuesday...the 'hope' had gone and it was somehow easier. If that makes sense. I'm now looking on the positive side...my 50th was a subdued day as H at the time had had a stroke in the Oct and my Mother had one 10 days previously....My 51st however was spent in New York and mostly in Macy's. ( Funnily enough it turns out that DH was there at exactly the same time... who'd have thought). My 60th I worked on the actual day but on my 61st I was swimming on the Great Barrier Reef during my solo tour of Oz and NZ. SO..I now have high hopes for my 71st.
Firstly though.. Thank you all for the lovely messages and emails of support. I read them and cried. There is something beyond explanation to those not in the know about how so many people I have never met ( and sadly never will) share the ups and downs of my life with such joy and compassion in equal measure. You truly are very special people.
I can't scroll back to the previous pages without losing what I've written so far so forgive me for not mentioning everyone.
Mrshat....a very very belated Happy Birthday...a fellow Sagittarian I hope you had a fabulous day.
Brook... We were watching a Police programme that included Inverness and I was thinking about you. ( Not that you'd be on the programme of course 😱) Just the views of the town and surrounding countryside.
Granmarie...A beautiful reading. So many at this time of the year...full of hope!. I hope today's Requiem is the perfect ending to a much loved lady's life well lived. May she rest in peace.
FGT... Despite how I was feeling there was a definite lift to my spirits when I read your post about himself....enjoy your Christmas and New Year and every day...and long may the 'sleep' continue.
Redcar...you are on your way now...walks outside are very positive and soon you'll be feeling less apprehensive about venturing out on your own. I hope you find a little tree to take home too.
Nannytopsy... Those last few days are nerve wracking aren't they... I'm glad your tooth is ok and now full steam ahead to Christmas Eve.
Jax... What a pretty tree..and how lovely to be able to hear properly too. I will be thinking of you on Sunday as I got a phone call last week to say I had won a competition ...a day trip by coach to the Christmas Market in Winchester. I only vaguely remembered entering it and nearly didn't answer the phone. It will be lovely to do something really Christmassy with DH. I cancelled tonight's Christmas get together for our neighbours in the cottages. I just wasn't in the right frame of mind....the upside of it is that the cottage is sparkling as we had cleaned everything in preparation ( nobody is ever going to look inside the cupboards on the landing but you never know) so now I can be slutty housewife until January. I told DH that and his face lit up....I think he was thinking something completely different to me!!!!!normal service is resumed🙂🙂🙂🙂

Hi neine pleased to hear you’re feeling a bit brighter now and good that you didn’t spot me on the Police programme! 🫣

grannmarie ❤️

nannytopsy I’m planning on going home on 27th December, when I hope to be more or less independent. DD2 took me back today to collect the post, on the way we stopped at Hobbycraft and then the garden centre. I bought some hyacinths in a basket for neighbours and delivered them. I’m now really tired!
cornergran you certainly looked after your guests well. I haven’t had friends to stay for a number of years, and doubt I could cope now.
neine I’m pleased you are feeling a little less sad now, perhaps you should start planning your 71st now! Enjoy being a slutty housewife until January!
Enjoy the rest of the day everyone, we may have a little sunshine tomorrow afternoon before more wet and windy weather arrives on Sunday!.

Good afternoon all from a dreary Stockport.
You all seem to be busy getting ready for the festivities, we put our tree up last night.
It is a new artificial one and once again I slightly miscalculated the side as I did with the wall clock.
It is very tall but much wider than I anticipated, we had to rearrange furniture to accommodate it, I need to get a skirt for it now. Molly has ignored it this year, I think her playful kitten days are over however I took her for her vaccination this morning and she is very quiet and sleepy as well as sulking with me.
Have the best weekend you can manage everyone with some sunshine if that is around.

Should have said size ,not side.

I remain in the quiet corner. I am writing the remaining greetings cards and wrapping gifts.
I no longer paint. My hand is arthritic and the joints are deformed. Thankfully I have several albums containing the scores of paintings that I enjoyed creating over the years.

Mr Soop had his dressing changed again this morning. Next week, he has to return to the Queen Elizabeth hospital in Glasgow to have the surgeon check progress. He'll leave on the 7o'clock bus and return home just before six in the evening. A long day! It will be some time before the scalp heals sufficiently well to go without twice weekly dressing changes.

Thank you for some lovely photographs. We'll be adorning our tree this weekend.

My best wishes to you all for a pleasant weekend. Stay safe. Keep warm.

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The tree:

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Tree!

I love a multi- coloured tree.
It was always my H and my choice.
However I can no longer deal with installing the lights and getting them evenly distributed so a ready lit tree it is and as far as I could see they are lit with white lights.

What a gorgeous picture Uttb looks very pretty and festive
Sounds like you’re doing so well redcar and still being well looked after by your DD and family, take it easy though
Soop hugs to you and all our kitchen friends in the quiet corner

Yesterday’s water problems are sorted now so I’ve just enjoyed a really long hot shower after our walk earlier. I should have been meeting DD2 but she had to cancel so DH and I went out for a walk instead. We went to Brodie Castle which was looking very festive with lights in the garden and on the trees etc. I just need to think of something to rustle up for dinner now as I didn’t go food shopping, will see what’s hiding at the bottom of the freezer - Llfl I could do with some of your culinary skills and ideas please!

Gorgeous tree Llfl thanks for the pictures 🎄

Beautiful trees uttbb and llfl 🎄🎄
It’s been another, grey, cold day, possibly sun tomorrow.
I had a cheque (how quaint!) from the tax office, so, having lost the will to live trying to pay it in online, I braved the post office which wasn’t too bad. Not so a disagreement with our printer, the printer won.
Tesco delivered, they were out of our requested beer, the substitute went back; over to Amazon, delivery Sunday.
Off to the pub for a catch up soon, then home for an easy quiche dinner, admiring the decorated houses on the way back.
I’m pleased you’ve passed those unhappy memories for now neine your 71st will be brilliant!

Past!!

Lots of lovely trees!

No grumbles today, at 8am there was a large thump and no less than 14 envelopes came through the door. No idea where they have all been, it matters not they are here now and included the latest incomprehensible analysis from the eye hospital. Something I’d been waiting for. Hooray.

Onwards now neine. Sometimes we just have to go with it. The positive bits will build and next year’s birthday will be very different. Sending love and a hug.

Wishing mr soop well for his hospital visit. What a journey soop, puts my 90 minutes in the shade, I’ll never whinge about it again.

That sounds better brook. Your walk sounded just right.

Lovely trees. Thank you all for sharing.

Feet up here now. Have a good evening everyone.

‘Evening All’.

We’ve enjoyed a good day. Caught up with folk at the MacMillan coffee group. Himself went out earlier to watch the Boy Wonder at his ⚽️ training session … not sure who enjoys it more! We’ve eaten gammon, potatoes and cauliflower cheese which was not only delicious but a pleasure to watch Himself tucking in. Life’s good.

Lovely 🎄 trees utbb and Llfl. It’s like I’m writing in secret code. 🤣 happily we all know who I mean! soop your darling man has a long day ahead tomorrow. I’m sure we all send our best wishes for a good consultation. 🤞

Dear Soop, I'm sorry to hear that you no longer paint. Arthritis is a bugger as I'm beginning to know only too well. I wish Mr Soop all the best. Grannmarie I hope the service went well and gave you consolation. The tree is lovely Ladyleftfieldlover. FGT I am very fond of cauliflower cheese with gammon. I might make that tomorrow.
I've had a fairly quiet day. Dd popped in with dgs2 after playgroup for soup. He has an upset tummy and is off his food so only had a very small bowlful. I'm in bed now but struggling a bit with pains in my feet. Diabetic related, so paracetamol and I hope to sleep soon. TOYA

Soop, I’m so pleased I’ve got that lovely painting you did of Milo. It’s got pride of place on a bedroom wall. Such a shame you’ve had to give up.

I do hope all goes well today.

Morning all! This is early for me but DGD has infested my side of the bed! We are crafting today - decorating wine bottles then adding a string of lights. Christmas cake will be decorated with apricots and cherries and glazed. Then we will start on some decorations…
Have a good day everyone and best wishes to Mrsoop

Best wishes to mrsoop for his long day next week and hoping for a positive outcome for him. Lovely photos of Christmas trees today.
After several visits to the 3 o’clock in the morning club this week I decided today that I would abandon the compression socks. It’s 5 weeks since my operation, so I’m wearing M&S thick black knee high socks (called tired legs?)which are quite tight, drinking lots of water and moving about a lot, and have my fingers crossed that will be enough.
grandmabatty I hope your DGS2 is feeling better today.
Have the best day possible everyone, the sun is shining today but tomorrow it’s back to grey skies and rain 😢

Has anyone else never had a tree with lights? I so liked my paternal grandparents' tree with its tiny candle holders (no candles lit while we visited! - five kids and two adults, can you imagine? - that I always stuck to old-fashioned, as did my parents.

Also, as a sufferer of misophonia (unnecessary noise aargh! in short), I wonder sometimes if I also suffer from the brash lights of the modern Christmas decorations. They are kind of.... noisy! As a student I worked on Blackpool trams as a clippy over the summer and into the first part of the hallucinations as we always called them. Nice from way out at sea, apparently 😉. Close up, un-lit.... OMG!!

I have been tired. New finance admin job to blame a bit no doubt, as well as having to fight off a couple of early winter lurgies. And then, the ten month (luniversary?) of eldest DD's death hit me quite hard for some reason.

All good wishes for MrSoop's epic journey to and from the Glasgow hospital he has to visit. It angers me that the blessed NHS cannot make these appointments easier for him.

Good wishes to all kitcheners. I read daily but generally from the quiet corner. This is a precious place.

Grief isn’t timetabled Baggs 🌹
You’re doing so well Redcar I’m sure with all you’re doing all will be fine.
I’m having a lazy day with the paper, we have had some wintry sun, very welcome after days of grey. I’m itching to see if my few parsnips in a tub will be edible for Christmas, a week tomorrow is the day to find out.
I too find the journey Mr soop will have to make next week unacceptable and I doubt good for his general health.
I’ll catch up later kitcheners, keep the fire going!