Soops kitchen extension 2

Mm hot toddy, thank you soop. I have brought some chocolate cake - vegan and free from everything including calories.....

Hello there McSporran and Co, and soop, glad to see all is getting back to normal, so I'll put the kettle on for afternoon tea.

No cake for me as I've just had a delicious lunch, followed by the lightest choc brownie cake with Ferraro Roche ice cream [piggy emo]

I'm very happy today after my ds and dd have ended a 2 year estrangement with a huge hug, and my dd got to cuddle her little 2yr old niece for the first time since she was a babe in arms.
The best Christmas present as far as I'm concerned!

soop, enjoy your hot toddies and rest a wee while on your tartan chair, where you belong!

I will bring along some damson gin. I hate to offend Scotland but I don't like whisky.
I am making some "Berliner Brot", a cake concoction with flour, cinnamon, sugar, grated chocolate, cut mixed peel and a fruity concentrated syrup of pear and apple, much loved in Holland and Germany. It's very Christmassy in flavour and smell, just right for a wintry evening. When it's ready I will pop round with it.

I put the recipe in GNs recipe bank last year.

Well now, McSporran is all light-headed and twinkly-eyed. I didn't know that he'd paid you a surprise visit.
The twiggy tree with little lights and lots of baubles [some going back to my own late Nana's time] is looking very festive. Rory has perked up no end. He's been thrashing around the room chasing the odd reel of mislaid sellotape and other wee bits and bobs...all now residing under the sofa.
It is coal-black outside. The wind has abated. The rain has ceased. Time to drop the blinds and light the log fire and prepare the meal for this evening: roast chicken [Rory's favourite.]
Then out with the Saturday newspaper. At six o'clock sharp I shall taste a chilled G&T...the first since well before I went into hospital.
McSporran has left lots of goodies for you lot. He's even found a few extra cushions and wee footstalls for your comfort. I can see that I'm going to have to watch him
We shall raise a glass of cheer to you all. We also wish you a peaceful and relaxing evening. Until tomorrow...

Lona A happy resolution.

Lovely when things come right Lona, and a lovely Christmas present for you.

Lona such good news - I can feel your happiness.

Lona so happy for you. There is nothing like that feeling when things come together as they should be. The kind of present that money can't buy.

No offence taken Nellie . When I tell people I don't even like the smell of whisky the usual reaction is, but, you're Scottish!

Well, isn't it looking lovely in here. Love the extra bits and pieces provided by mcsporran. Shall I drape these fairy lights around too?

Great to see you back and on good form soop, it hasn't been the same without you.

Lona, what a lovely Christmas present.

Lona that's lovely news. Your Christmas will be that much happier now.

Lona that is so good!

The roast chicken will have done you the world of good soop. Hope you ate loads and did n' t give it all to the moggy Rory.

Good news Lona s all round.
Last night's Christmas dinner was a success, now a week to recover ( and finish washing ALL the dishes, no dish washer except for the OG and me!)
before the next one.
'Fraid I watched the recording of Strictly and left the dishes 'til this morning.
DS and DIL set off today so I shall be feeling in need of the comfort of the setee, tartan rug, and good company.
P.S. DIL polished off a huge amount of the OG's Laphroig!!!!! AND hinted about taking the remains of the bottle

Very good news Lona. Oh no OGM that is almost criminal ...I am led to believe! .

i have been conned asked by church to make mulled cider for the carol service tonight. Not something I have done before and not something I would drink. If it turns out alright (open to doubt) I will bring some in here for you all to try.

Thank you all, I'm still smiling here. It's only the first step, but I'm so proud of my ds for making the first move, he's beginning to realise (at long last) that his father's way is not the right way!

OGM Glad the dinner went well, and the tartan chair is free at the moment if you need a rest from the washing up!

Liz Mulled cider? Make sure that they drink it all so there's none left for us!

LizGg you'd better bring it round to my house to taste before you go to the service!

I was given strict orders by DGC to hurry up and get the tree up, but not to decorate it till they came because they were now fully practiced tree decorators. Their will was done, they had a great time and made a grand job. I asked them to select the best bauble to go centre front so all the baubles were laid out and judged. The winner with all 3 votes? A Red and green Tamari ball.

Now if all visitors to Soop's kitchen look closely at her twiggy tree, I bet you will see a near identical one hanging there. Thank you Bags . Guess which other Gransnetter is in my thoughts re the tree?......... Well Baubles of course

Good afternoon you lovely lot There are lovely spicy aromas in the kitchen. Thanks for the fairy lights, kitty I'm about to fill a large jug with holly.
I had really looked forward to last night's G&T. I took a few wee sips and had to leave the rest. My tum is grouchy. Best not make matters worse.
McSporan is doing his best to read the paper. Rory is spread across his lap. It's a cosy sight.
Rory has adopted a new routine. When we have our early morning cup of tea in bed, he insists on tucking himself between us. We take it in turns to stroke behind his ears. Rory's purrs are very hearty. When either of us takes a break [to drink tea] Rory licks the withdrawn hand...and gives it the most delicate of wee nips. He is such a super cat. His daughter, who still lives in the forest, visited us twice yesterday. We enjoy helping her through the wild winter weather. She appears to be in tip-top shape, considering that she lives in the woodland. We're very thankful that she was neutered. Had we not managed to capture her, she would most certainly have produced countless kits.

Granny23...I'm about to hang Bags Tamari ball on my twiggy tree. Yes, Baubles certainly springs to mind, especially at this time of year.

Rory has fallen on all 4 paws in that lovely household. His new routine is excellent, just what a young man needs, love and attention by the bucket load.

Charleygirl

Just popping in with some smoked salmon sandwiches and some date flapjacks. Keep warm.

Date flapjacks sound wonderful. Things feel good here in soop's kitchen once more tonight.
Presents wrapped and prettified, cake iced, I just need to decant some of this year's mulberry vodka. My sloe gin is still a bit raw tasting yet, but the vodka is amazing. I'll drop some by, with a special GN label.

Have you finished the smoked salmon I left for you Soop? Let me know and I'm happy to send some more by Santa Express if supplies are needed!

Have you got snow? Lots of pictures of snow in the Highlands online. It's just very wet and very windy here in south west Hampshire. We are very cosy and Christmassy though!

P.S. What is a tamari ball please?
P.P.S It sounds as if Rory has forgiven you!

Icy Did I hear you mention sloe gin? If so, yes please. It is one of my favourite tipples.

Gaga Santa express is welcome to drop by with more smoked salmon. That's so kind of you.
Ask thatbags about tamari balls. She's a wizard when it comes to creating some amazing works of art.
Rory has almost forgiven me. Especially round about mealtimes.

Icy Mulberry vodka sounds delicious, and I could murder a smoked salmon sandwich,(brown bread and butter, black pepper and a squeeze of lemon) please.

I'm about to make a sherry (very) nana trifle, which I will bring tomorrow. They are the stuff of legends though I say so myself!

I may decide to sleep on the sofa tonight if there's enough room, it's so cosy in here