Soop's kitchen for caring and sharing...

Thank you for all the lovely birthday wishes everyone. I had a quiet day at home but it included a good face-time catch up with my oldest friend - we've known each other sice our first few days at grammar school. She has just walked the entire South Coast Path by herself over several weeks, wild camping along the way except for the occasional offer of a sofa overnight from local people she met along the way.

MrB and I had lovely Aberdeen Angus steaks for tea and polished off an entire bottle of English 'champagne' between us.
Today we drove to Tayvallich, joined up with a bunch of other Argyll Bird Club members and tramped around Danna Island bird spotting and enjoying the scenery and briskly breezy but dry weather. MrB wore the woolly hat DD1 knitted for him some Christmases ago and, driving back, I wore a crocheted shawl she made. She loved birds too.

Thinking especially of the SueDs with their stress exhaustion and Hellogirl in her grief ❤️❤️

‘Evening All’.

We’re babysitting. Probably only until 9pm. The Boy Wonder is upstairs on his PlayStation now I’ve fed him, L’il Miss in her pyjamas watching cartoons, lolling on the sofa as you do at 7y.o.

Huge congratulations on the safe arrival of baby Haisling Hellogirl. I’ve never heard that name either but I do like it!

All the best next week Thorntrees let us know how you get on. x

Congratulations to you all, hellogirl. An unusual name for sure

Totally understand your dismay usedtobe. Once the shock has settled perhaps you can hatch a plan with your granddaughter to minimise disruption for you both. Not that you should have to! It’s certainly not the best time for you alongside adjusting to the diagnosis. I hope clarity about that is helping.

Some adjusting for you both as well sued. A truly exhausting time. .

I’ve busied myself with Christmas decorations today. A bit early for us really. We have friends staying for five days from next weekend, wanted to install Christmas before the panic sets in . Whatever my posts may imply over the next few days I am looking forward to it hugely, they are the least demanding of guests and dear friends. It’s a pleasure to be in their company - even if I do panic in advance .

Some good news from our friend. A long chat with a consultant and she has the excellent news that there had not been a stroke or TIA, rather an unusual event that is unlikely to recur. Huge smiles all round.

Time for Strictly now. Feet up here. Wishing everyone the best of evenings.

A poignant post Baggs. x

Congrats, hellogirl. DD3 had a friend at school here in Scotland called Aisling. I believe it is Irish. the s was pronounced like 'sh' and it was nearer to Ash than Aish as people said it in this area.

Baggs

Congrats, hellogirl. DD3 had a friend at school here in Scotland called Aisling. I believe it is Irish. the s was pronounced like 'sh' and it was nearer to Ash than Aish as people said it in this area.

I think we have a really nice weather lady on our local ITV called Aisling, pronounced as Baggs says.
Is your new baby GGD, Haisling pronounced the same, hellogirl?

Good Evening Lovely Ladies……

New Kitchen. I’ve not visited for a while but will take a seat in the quiet corner. Lovely to hear all your comings and goings. I hope all of you who are dealing with health difficulties, nursing poorly partners and those who just feel out of sorts with life’s struggles I really wish you well.
I’m trying to deal with all the festivities but it’s so hard, just miss my DH so so much 😢.
Much love to each and everyone of you ❤️❤️

Congratulations hellogirl a beautiful name for your new great granddaughter 🩷

I'm very late to this cosy new kitchen, just catching up on your news.
Belated birthday wishes, Baggs, what a special way to remember your dear daughter, beautiful. 💕
SueD, I'm sorry to hear about your DH, but glad that you now have a diagnosis and a treatment plan can be made to manage his condition. Thinking of you both.
Hellogirl, many congratulations on the birth of your DGGD.💕 She will help to lift your spirits.
Hello, NannyG4, nice to see you in the kitchen.

DH's sister phoned today with the sad news that their lovely Auntie died peacefully this afternoon. We visited on Thursday, she was in good spirits although very frail. I tempted her with some gorgeous huge Spanish raspberries, she managed two or three. So sorry to hear of her passing. 💕😴

Wishing everyone a peaceful Saturday night and a good night's sleep. TOYA, NNGB.

Good evening all.
A late visit for me but I have visited my friend with whom I have a Chinese takeaway about every 4 weeks.
We both have things on now each weekend until Christmas so this was our festive get together.
We enjoyed and set the world to rights as you do.
Thankyou all for your thoughts on my Christmas dilemma.
I am out for a meal on Christmas Eve with a friend and out for Christmas lunch.
My S will cook for his family but I have the house full syndrome which I could well do without.
Also my dear cat will hate having her home invaded by dogs which she is totally entitled to.
I will cope because I have to but oh how I long for some peace of mind.

However worse things are happening to so many people and I am mindful of that.
I cannot say how happy I am for Hellogirl to be welcoming a new GGC in the midst of her grief.
It just proves that life goes on in spite of everything and our meddling with the world.
I wish the baby a long and happy life.

Oh my goodness...so much to catch up on... probably not helped by checking the I'm on status and not realising we had moved!!!!I amaze myself at how utterly blonde I can be at times. So a very belated Happy Birthday to my fellow Sagittarian Baggs.. It was lovely to read that your DD1 was 'with you' both on your day out. Never far away. ♥️
Hellogirl...a new baby with a gorgeous name to bring joy to you all. Welcome to the world Haisling...Health ..Wealth and Happiness always.
Granmarie...I'm glad you were able to see DH's aunt just before she died. May she rest in peace.
UTBB... Very wise to be out as much as possible over Christmas...your cat will find a comfortable place to hide until she feels it's safe to emerge. Are you able to set a time limit for the visitors? ...say until the day after Boxing Day after which you will need the house back to normal. You don't need the stress along with your recent diagnosis.
NannyG4..it's still very early days and the 'firsts' without our loved ones are the hardest. We are here to help you through. ♥️
SueD..you are such a strong inspirational lady...you have been through so much in the last 18 months or so..it's no wonder you are exhausted. Whilst not the diagnosis you wanted at least now you can plan your lives and enjoy every moment together for what I hope and pray is years and years to come. ♥️
Corner... lovely news about your friend...have a fabulous time with your guests too.
Well it's official....I am profoundly deaf in my left ear... nothing registered above the level of normal hearing. I had a 24 hour bug when I was 11 that damaged my inner ear so have had tinnitus and heating loss since then but it is has been getting steadily worse in recent times. I have always compensated by making sure people are always on my right and lip reading but it's been a struggle to follow conversations unless it's one to one with no background noise. I've to have an MRI to just check there is nothing else going on and then in a few weeks time I'll have an all singing all dancing discreet heating aid courtesy of the NHS
...it will liaise wirelessly with my phone apparently. What can possibly go
wrong? Talking of wireless connections...I got reminded this week of one of my really really blonde moments...when strolling through the underwear section of Primark (pretty nighties) when I spied a sign saying 'Wireless Bras'
I stood staring at it for many minutes trying to work out how on earth that could work....did you tap the right breast to receive a call and the left for an email...and then the penny dropped. I crept away and when I told DH...he just said ,'there is no hope' . I think he is probably right.
Marydoll...if you do read this thread..don't judge me but I used to be a computer programmer in another life. 😂
Happy December everyone.

neine I had a little giggle at your wireless bras in Primark! Sometimes I look at newspaper headlines and wonder what on earth they mean. Sorry that you have such a hearing problem, but hope that an all singing all dancing hearing aid will improve matters for you.
usedtobe blonde it sounds as though you have a plan to mitigate the Christmas invasion. I hope it isn’t too difficult for you.
This afternoon we’re going to DD2 for tea and birthday cake, to celebrate the littlest’s 2nd birthday. It will be noisy!
I hope Sunday is good to us all.

In the midst of other doings I forgot to say that my scooter battery is dead.
It is my own fault, I haven’t used it for months, I didn’t take it out to bring into the house and it is stored in the garage.
We tried to charge it but ..nothing.
I shan’t replace it now until the spring and I really must try to use it more next year.
I only found out on Wednesday when I had smart meters fitted and tried to move it to give the engineer more room, he managed fine though.
Dry and blue sky here and quite mild.
Special good wishes to you all now Advent is here.

Hellogirl Welcome to the world dear baby Haisling. [smle]

A warm welcome to the kitchen Crosstitchfan and my thoughts are with our Granspals who are feeling sad or have concerns for the health of family or friends.

Thank you, Neine.
Good luck with your hearing aid!
TOYA

I speak as a person with a very full tum after a delicious lunch out with friends, roast chicken, four veg, roasties and parsnips, then sticky toffee pudding and custard.
I usually eat at about 11:30/12, first food of the day of cereal with two or three fruits, then dinner about 7, thats it.
Aren’t good friends an absolute joy.
So we then waddled to the meat draw in the local and are now reclined watching the moving box!
First window opened on my Advent calendar,it’s so mild outside, I’m hoping for more frosty mornings.
Great news for your friend corner sighs of relief, good to see you neine.
MrJ has closed his eyes..
Have a lovely evening all, thoughts with those for whom this season has sorrow as well as happy memories 🌹

‘Evening All’.

I’m home from our book club Christmas meal. Delicious food and cracking company. I’ve really enjoyed myself. Pj’s on now, make up off. Himself: “I didn’t realise you wore make up darling” hehe! Time to make my mug of Horlicks.

Granmarie, condolences regarding your husband`s auntie.
Typically, I got it wrong! The baby`s name is Haisley, pronounced as it looks. She`s lovely, like a little doll.

Glad you had a good lunch Jax. We cooked for DS and DGC but DiL couldn’t make it. It’s ages since she came. DS took food home for her.
It’s a busy week - I am out every morning then we go to Kent on Friday to DD and family.
Sleep well everyone 💤

Good evening kitchen pals, I’ve just come through to bed after another really enjoyable family day here in Cambridge. It’s been quite mild so we’ve been out and about at a country park with the DGSs and then spent a fortune on Christmas decorations at the local garden centre. I don’t mind though, DD1 has looked after us so well that it’s nice to treat them. We’re heading into Cambridge centre tomorrow morning for a bit of festive shopping and then travelling back home from Gatwick tomorrow evening
Sad news grannmarie about your husband’s auntie, sending condolences 💐
Sounds like you had a lovely day with good company Jax
Thinking of those sitting in the quiet corner, take care all x

Thank you, Hellogirl and brook. We're just waiting for word about the funeral arrangements. She was a lovely lady, much loved by all the family.

Sounds like a great day, Jaxjacky!
Enjoy your family visit to Kent, Nannytopsy.
Sounds like a great afternoon, FGT. We had our Christmas Book Group night out on Friday, lovely evening with my sisters and friends.
I can't resist pretty Christmas decorations, brook, the perfect gift for your DD. Enjoy the rest of your family visit.
UsedToBeBlonde, I'm sorry about your scooter battery, hope you can manage OK without it until spring. 🤞
Hope Grandmabatty is feeling a good bit better.
Thinking of the Soops and all in the quiet corner.
Glad to hear the good news about your friend, Cornergran, you've been a great support to her.
DS3 and lovely girlfriend came over yesterday and brought all my Christmas stuff down from the loft, DH and I just can't manage that now. It's all stacked up in the guest bedroom, I'll make a start tomorrow, clean the windows, clear the surfaces and floors then start decorating!! It may take me some time... We used to do it all in a day, sigh, ages and stages.
TOYA, wishing everyone a peaceful Sunday night and a good sleep. NNGB.

Evening all. Late night visit for me. Been out at memorial service at the hospice. It was lovely there but singing Silent Night and looking at the candle I was holding just made me think that DH should be there with me. Fortunately our son and grandson were with me and we had enough tissues!
Can’t keep up with all the news but thinking of you all. 💕

Hello 👋 Doodle, glad you had family with you for the poignant but emotional memorial service. 💐

Just hoping that you all have a good nights sleep.😴

Good evening Kitcheners. Grannmarie I was sorry to hear about your family loss. And even more so at this time of year. Doodle I'm glad your family were with you.
I have pottered today and achieved a fair amount. My hip isn't too painful at the moment but I'm being careful. Most of the decorations are out. The tree will have to wait til I get the new curtains up. They arrived too late to put them up tonight. Hopefully I'll manage that tomorrow when dgs2 is at playgroup. I'm usually fast asleep by now so that doesn't look good for my early rise tomorrow! My best wishes to The Soops.