Soop's Kitcheners

Happy Birthday bags.

Nobody been in the kitchen since yesterday afternoon? I hope that is because you are all happily occupied not victims of that ugly feeding frenzy labelled Black Friday.
And Happy Birthday to thatbags - you youngster.
I have finished making my pomegranate vodka and it is rather yummy (spoon licking/consumer testing obligatory) also quite powerful

The computer is giving me problems again. I've had the blasted thing cut off mid-programme several times and I'm exhausted with shouting at it. If only it would behave. Surely that's not too much to ask.

Oh well, I had better deal with feeding our three cats. Mother cat (who hasn't called for some weeks,) is outside together with her daughter, Tortoiseshell. Rory, the father of Tortoiseshell, is making a fuss of me. Means only one thing...he needs his fodder...and soon.

This morning, as we were having our early morning cup of tea in bed, we saw a group of deer, including a male with short horns, they were foraging just the other side of the garden fence. It seems as if the forest is enchanted. Since we moved here, we've been joined by a peacock (now deceased), a family of feral cats and, at this time of the year, deer that can be fed by hand. At one time we also had a weasel. He only called twice. And...a hedgehog...and lots of birds, including crows that store their daily bread under stones on the beach. Aren't we the lucky ones.

Good night. Sleep tight. I shall return in the morning light.

Lona's last message (to you) made me chortle. Oh dear, Galen whatever next? You must stress to the powers that be that you are an extraordinaire VIP and not to be messed with. ahead!

Lona Like the rest of your Granspals I'm delighted that good things are now beginning to replace the bad stuff. You and your family deserve a break from the misery of latter months. Good!

Soutra...you are a star.

Bella lots of love. x

It's our bags birthday tomorrow. I'm putting up the balloons and bunting in readiness in our kitchen. I've made a virtual chocolate cake and a bottle of bubbly is to be chilled. We'll all sing Happy Birthday to bags in the morning. I'm off to gargle as I've a wee frog in m throat.

In future Galen. Have a couple of print outs of luggie dimensions and battery details to hand over to them. Then.........breathe

Galen Don't they know who you are? Tell them you're a member of the royal Gransnet family!
I hope the service improves and you have a lovely holiday. Love to Bella.

Galen Have another glass of bubbly and you won't care so much.

I am sure though you are not the sort to let them get away with crap service.

So frustrating not to have your favourite newspaper Galen - but worse things happen at sea
Can't believe I said that

Final straw! Lots of Daily Mails, NO TELEGRAPH!
Suppose I'm going to have to read The Times. Oh tempora oh mores!

Life looks a little better after a hot chocolate, a croissant and a glass of bubbly, but what the hell do they want to know about the battery that I haven't already told them twice!
Piss ups and brewerys are springing to mind!

Hope everything goes smoothly*Galen*, have a super time and give Bella a hug and our love!

Lona,I'm really pleased that things are looking up for you!

Does anyone like panettone? There was a really snotty article in the guardian but we actually like them. We are given one every Christmas which DH loves toasted! I get so envious that I decided to try to source a gf one. But at £9.50 plus postage for a teeny one, I think I'll go without.

Instead, I'll just leave these hot buttered drinkers and a pot of tea!

Chaos already. Can't check my booking with porters until office opens in half an hour. Had to go into short stay car park and wait.
Next, despite having already given the dimensions of the luggie case over the phone they want them again. Ipad Google luggie case, there they are!
Now sitting in club lounge the assistance man comes up to me to say that there will be some delay for me at the departure gate as they need details about the battery (which I've already given them).
This holiday is getting off to a good start again!

It's not boding good. I phoned to check if the battery should be in the hold or cabin. Last time I was told hold! Plane delayed while they found it and told it MUST BE IN THE CABIN. PHONED THIS TIME TO CHECK, MUST BE IN HOLD!
Watch this space! Once I'm in the lounge and through security im normally ok!
But this battery business is driving me nutty!

Hi Lona. It's wonderful to hear how things have turned around so positively for you and your family. What a day for your DD. Well deserved and I wish her and her girls all the best in their new home. Good news too for DS.

Hope your flight goes off without any hitches Galen

Galen what a dreadful hour to set off. Are you trying to catch some sleep before then? I hope the airport staff look after you better this time.

Have a good holiday.

Lona you have waited patiently and I am so happy for you that events seem to be on the turn! Sometimes it seems that day will never come but you have kept the faith and you deserve some positive results!
I have been baking walnut shortbread for our village Christmas bizarre bazaar. I have no intention of going but have done little bags of 5 biikkies which they should be able to get 50p each for.
I have also done loads of Internet shopping and started making pomegranate vodka for pressies(maybe,hic!) so feel the festive season is getting under control!
Pride comes before a fall however, what have I missed?

Galen you can wave to me when you are flying from Heathrow! It is a very early start but hopefully you will sleep well on board the ship tomorrow night, after good food and wine of course. How long is this trip?

Enjoy yourself and I hope that there are more disabled facilities on board this time.

Yes, crafting, there should be some seasonal emoticons with little Santa hats. Lona, I'm so glad that things are looking up for your family and that you are able to relax a bit. Galen, what an inhuman hour to be starting out on your journey. Let's hope your flight goes off more smoothly than it has in the past.

All paked!
Loaded in taxi, just got to wait now til 3am when taxi collects me.
May check in tomorrow from the lounge at Heathrow terminal 5 while I'm waiting to board. (If I have time between the free food, champagne etc)

Not had a Christmas on GN yet. Do we get any Christmassy emoticons or whatever the are called e.g mince pies instead of and snow instead of and a little Santa, or am I just hoping for too much?

Glad things are looking up for you Lorna. I love lemon drizzle

So glad life is looking up for you Lona

Thanks for the lemon drizzle, my favourite. I will have to hurry though as I'm supposed to be starving from 7pm before blood tests in the morning (we are an hour ahead of UK time) so excuse me while I stuff myself

Hello Agus and soop and everyone, I'm still here, just feeling quiet lately. So much has happened this last few months, and it was taking it's toll on my body, so I've been good and rested.
My dd has completed her 13 week training course and got 90% in the exam, and has been promoted (more money, much needed).
On the same day, she was informed that the keys to the new (council) house are hers this weekend. She has separated from 'the idiot', although they're still in the same house at the moment.
My dgds are very happy to be going with her (nuff said), it will be very hard for them, but my dd will be so much happier.
My ds is helping her in as many ways as he can, which is wonderful as you may recall that they were 'daggers drawn' for a long time.

Ds's eyesight continues to improve

I am feeling so much better!

A very large lemon drizzle cake is on the table along with unlimited fizz and
whatever drinks you would like, on me.

Happy days

Grannyknot Little babes have no fear of water. I also had photos of Torben when he was about the same age as your grandson...swimming underwater, eyes open wide and loving every moment. He has a certificate celebrating the occasion.

Where you be, Lona ? We miss you. Haste ye back...and make it soon. Please.

rose I really like that song.

dustyangel Broadband! What broadband? Like you, the connection keeps cutting out. It is enough to drive me pottier than I already am.

Bella Yes, my darling girl, you, like the rest of us, were very much younger in "those days." I've just finished a morning of non-stop ironing for my pal. I'm totally cream-crackered! Yet, at one time, I did a full days work, walked a long way home and then prepared to leave for one of two part-time evening jobs. One was cleaning the library and loos at St. Andrew's private hospital [close by] and the other was clocking on at nine pm to work as a cashier (on the gambling tables) in a night club. Harry the doorman took the female staff home. Some nights the session went on until 4am. I would go to bed, get to work for 9.00 and catch up with naps under the knee-hole of my desk during lunch hour. The memory of those days and nights seem so vivid. I'm amazed that my body coped with the strains of it all.

Enjoy your time with our Galen. I'm betting that she'll love meeting you and your husband. We all send our love.

I haven't been in this kitchen for a while, excepting a quick "lurk" every now and again

With all the talk of water and sailing - I've been entranced lately at the video of my 4 month old grandson "swimming" underwater - he attends those baby swimming classes where they teach the littlies to swim and float. It is enchanting, not only does he open his eyes underwater, kicks his chubby legs and spreads his arms, at one point he floats on his back and locks his fingers over his tummy and smiles in pure contentment. (I can't share the video because his parents protect his privacy on public websites, which is a ^good thing^).

So the best I can do is hope I've conveyed the image!

Have a lovely day all.