Soops kitchen extension 2

Hello to you lovely lot...it's a beautiful day. The chilly wind has abated. The sun is shining. The islands look lovely. The sea is much calmer.

Icy I'm delighted to hear the VERY good news. It has been such a worrying time for all the family.

AlieOxon Thank goodness that this year's festivities have been less stressful. You need to consider your options with great care. I'm sure that you will reach the right [for you] conclusion.

Lona, granjura, dusty, agus, Gagagran, Charleygirl and Jane...big, warm (((hugs)))

Chocolate trifle yes please....any left?

Haven't been in for a while. I have been rediscovering my family...sounds odd? I have felt pushed out for a while, out in the sticks and not seeing them very often when I don't feel up to driving to Oxford.

Now my daughter has a new boyfriend and my second grandson (23) has discovered he can talk to me - had two long talks recently about all kinds of things. Things were so relaxed on Xmas day, very different from last year - my sister then took us for a rather expensive meal, but I think we were trying too hard and it was edgy because of other things in the background.

I've been musing and mulling over the whole thing, my daughter wants me to move back to Oxford and I am just beginning to get a social life here! I don't know if financially it can be done....but my health has got worse.

I'd like to stay on this warm sofa for a bit and think.....

That sounds amazing, but it's a bit hard only to tell us when it has all gone. Now I will gave to make it myself. But DH is not keen on trifle so that means I will have to eat most of it..... Good job I'm getting plenty of exercise this week.
I still have left over
Santa Hat brownies from another GNetter's post. So pretty, please feel free.

Our Christmas 'fusion' trifle is an Anglo-Swiss combo. Sponge is wetted with kirsch instead of sherry, then take a jar (or two) or dark cherries- decant juice and cook for a few minutes, thicken with a little cornflour, add a bit of sugar and more kirsch to taste, cover sponge- then custard and cream as per usual, and decorate with a few dark cherries (dry first with kitchen towel) and good quality grated dark chocolate. Brilliant- and hmmm, sorry but none left

Chocolate trifle! That sounds wonderful, yes please. (Greedy or what?)

Can anyone finish this dish of chocolate trifle or shall I bin it? It's a Nigella recipe (felt she needed the support!) and is rather yummy but a bit rich for me and DH can't manage the last couple of portions. Please help yourselves my sweet-toothed pals!

Soop so good to hear that you are feeling better - hope that continues and 2014 sees you restored to peak fitness.

Hope everyone is gearing up for the next fandango on Tuesday/Wednesday!

Good news Icy

Icy So glad little gs is on the mend, breathing problems are always so frightening.

icy so pleased to hear your GS is on the mend. It certainly was a learning curve for your DD and her DH. No matter what plans you have made etc. all fly out the window when your child is ill.

So glad you are really sounding like yourself again soop
Thank you to everyone for their kind thoughts about my littley GS. Horrible bronchiolitis put him in hospital on Christmas Day, but now 75% back to normal. My DD and her husband say that now they feel like real parents, having all the anxiety, and all their plans for his first Christmas shot to pieces. I wish everyone here in soop's special place a belated happy Christmas, and my thoughts are with everyone who is worrying over sick family or friends. to them all.

Thankfully I do not like them but I am not averse to a slice of Christmas cake or two.

Lona enjoy!
For some reason I really fancied a Lancashire hotpot for tonight complete with suet dumplings, and found some stewing lamb in Waitroise this morning, so my house will be smelling like my Grandma's!

My house smells like a Middle Eastern restaurant, for which I blame janeainsworth totally! Yummy.............mmmmm.

I really would like a mince pie and a , but I'm trying to get on the diet wagon for a couple of days............................

soop I'm so glad to hear that McSporran if he only knew , is spoiling you, and that you're feeling in the pink.

That's it..................I'm putting the kettle on now. Anyone for a mincie?

Answer in the affirmative, Agus

All quiet and peace reigns once again at ours. Just cleared away the last of the 'stuff' GDs left here.

DH and I have big plans for today.......we are going to do The Broons jigsaw later.......Do we now how to live??

...me too, Charleygirl

Tara is sunning herself on the window sill between 2 plants, watching the world go by. She fell on all 4 paws being chosen by me from the Cat Protection League. Rory is in 7th heaven where he is living. No worries- bliss.

When I next return I am coming as a cat to a house similar to mine or soop's.

OGM What a very good idea! I bags we have a virtual pyjama party in the new year. I may persuade McSporran to join us...he can wear a tartan nightshirt.

Agus I'm well and truly on the mend. Thank you. McSporran spoils me rotten all the time. He's such a lovely man. I hope that you enjoyed a pleasant yuletide.

Charleygirl...aren't we so fortunate. Some people have had [and are still having] a ghastly Christmas. To have your home flooded is beyond grim...to be without power must be a nightmare. Especially for the elderly and those with very young children.

The rain is hammering down. White crested waves. Thankfully, cosy indoors. Rory in cat heaven. Again! He is snoring everso gently.

I am so fortunate having a roof on my house, running water (from a tap), heating and electricity. I cannot begin to imagine what it would be like to be without over the Christmas period and especially not knowing when all would be back to normal again. As for floods- I dare not think about that.

So happy to have you back soop take your time to get back on your feet! there's nothing that can't wait for later, when you are at yourself. So, enjoy letting the dashing McSporran spoil you rotten....because you're worth it.

Love the pics Soop.... methinks a pyjama party, when you are feeling up to it , of course!

Granny23 and xxx

I've added a few pics to the album. As usual, they are not at the top of the list...they start at position number 6. Don't ask me why!

Glad to hear you are feeling feeling good. Hope you have a good rest now before New Year celebrations have to be endured . I was wondering in the night why Americans call the season 'Holidays'. I work harder during this fortnight than I do during the rest of the year - enjoyable but exhausting. I'll need a holiday to get over it all.

Feeling [twice] for good measure.

Good morning dear Granspals.

Icy I'm so sorry to hear that your wee grandson is poorly. I hope that he begins to make a full and hearty recovery just ASAP.

Charley thank you for minding Rory. He is looking pretty much as if he's in cat heaven...sprawled full length on his tartan rug on our bed.

My goodness...haven't some people had a ghastly time. Those of us who have been warm and dry and cheerful, are so very lucky.

It has been a lovely two days. We seem to have had peace and quiet and noisy good-cheer in equal measure. Not too much to eat. Not too much to drink. Tummy is feeling feeling in fine fettle.

Lona (((hugs)))

OGM love your jim-jams.

I hope to have a photo to add to the album a little later today.

I'm not going far. Just needed to make sure that you lot are cosy.