Soop's Kitcheners

Wrong fancy? I meant don't fancy. Think I'll go back to bed.

What a brilliant combo-confection...all the sticky, crunchy, chewy stuff that I crave. Leave a tray-full and us lot will chomp nibble away to our hearts content, after which, we'll cast a vote.

It's kind of damp and blowy here in bonnie Kintyre. A grey day. Mind you, it's a palette of interesting greys that somehow seem most appropriate for a cosy, indoor, relaxing Sunday.

As we drank our early morning tea...Rory between us and snoring gently, we remarked on how far he had travelled during his life. Once upon a time, he lived in the forest - a member of a community of feral cats. He would walk some distance to find food. He was "feared" because he was deemed "unapproachable". He wandered into our garden. He found a little dish of scraps. He kept returning...sometimes accompanied by a female and younger cats. MacSporran made a wee chalet-type shelter to keep the food dry. The cat moved in. We acquired an unused wheelie bin and turned it on it's side. Inside, we placed a straw cat basket and a fleece. The cat moved in. After some months we bought a very swish kennel. Inside which we placed an igloo-type cat bed and more bedding. The kennel was equipped with an indoor mat. The cat moved in. We put food just inside the kennel and he stayed for some months. In the meantime, the female cat and her two daughters were trapped (thanks to the man from the cat protection league, who let us borrow the traps) and the three females taken to the vet. They were spayed and returned to the forest. The male cat became less vicious and he moved in to our home. He was neutered. Don't ask! Long story! Now, he is a valued and affectionate member of our household. He is devoted to MacSporran and MacS is, believe me, devoted to the cat...Rory. Mother cat and the two girls remain independent. One daughter cat has, we believe, left the territory. Mother cat visits the garden two or three times a week. Tortoiseshell kitten/cat visits almost EVERY day...sometimes twice. Both cats are well fed and appear to be in super condition. Rory, the cat who had no name, has enriched our lives. Bless his paddy paws.

Just packing up some rocky road to take to the family tomorrow. But there's some left, so here you are. Then brush your teeth vigorously!
Visit to Waitrose this morning to pick up a salmon for Hogmanay - it's now in the freezer. They didn't have a fish kettle available but the girl at the 'entertainment' desk rang round other branches and found one at Wilmslow which I will pick up on the day. Very helpful they are.

anno

I do have a fish kettle (MIL's) but Saint Delia says tinfoil in a roasting tin is just as good. They were desperate to offload sides of salmon a couple of weeks ago at our local Waitrose as they had apparently massively over ordered(?) so I have one in the freezer which should do a lunch party or whatever in the Spring. Wish I had had freezer space for more as theyvwere 1/3 off and then reduced again to just over half price

Such a good offers for sides of salmon, Soutra. Our pal has a fish kettle that belonged to her late mother. She always serves salmon for her Boxing Day gathering. We have bought a few packs of Scottish smoked salmon. Our freezer is only fit for a hobbit house. No point whatsoever in "stock-piling." We have opted for a leg of lamb for this Christmas. The village shop ordered it from a local-ish farm. I believe that the shops are expecting a mammoth last Tuesday before Xmas rush. Heck! I wouldn't wish to be in a busy city at this time of the year. Our local shop is busy enough when half a dozen locals gather for a blether.

My ds is bbqing chicken and a slow cooked shoulder of lamb as none of us like turkey. I'm really looking forward to us all being together.

He (ds) bought a singing doll (Elsa from "Frozen") for dgd, and tried it with the batteries while he was in the office. It didn't work! So he rang the Disney store etc..... then it suddenly started singing "Let it go" and he couldn't stop it.
Clients were ringing and being treated (?) to a chorus or two before he could get the batteries out!
That film has a lot to answer for this year!

My f/f is 50:50 and full to the gunnel. I would have problems fitting in a pea. After Christmas I can save money by chomping my way slowly through the freezer section, that is until I see the next bargain which I must buy.

Mine too and DH Has just come back with a bag of 'bits that we're going cheap' as he puts it.....which need to go in the freezer, fat chance!

Just sticking my head round the door to say hi to all kitcheners. I'm all of a dither having DGD here and in turmoil because DD2 has decided she doesn't want to go back to the US. Her husband is lovely and I feel she is being very immature in just wanting to abandon ship, not to mention the international custody laws as DGD is a US citizen.

On a brighter note, DD1 has arrived from the US for ten days so it is lovely to see her and will be the first time we have all been together for Christmas for about ten years. Just hope everyone behaves and there are no arguments.

I have been expressly forbidden to drink by my doctor due to my liver function tests being high. I never thought I was an old soak, but I suppose we had got into the habit of imbibing as soon as 6pm came round. Oh well, there are worse things to worry about than being banned from the booze.

Anyway, thinking of you all. Glad to hear you returned home safely, Galen. Meeting you was one of the few bright spots of this year

Bella I've been hoping that you would call by and update us lot. There is time for your daughter to change her mind. I imagine that, over the Christmas period, some soul-searching is bound to happen. I'm really pleased to hear that your other daughter is with you for ten days. That in itself is a gift.
Sorry to learn that your liver is misbehaving. However, as you say, avoiding the booze doesn't have to spoil a thing.
As for that Galen - she was so lucky to have had the chance to meet you.
Lots of love, Bella. Take very good care of yourself. We love you lots.

Bella that would make me all of a-dither too. More than once my MIL would say to me "You stick it out now! You don't leave your problems behind, you will simply create a whole bunch of new ones!". I'm grateful to her for it now, 30+ how many years and a happy marriage later.

soop I never tire of hearing The Story of Rory.

I've spent time today knitting the tiniest of fingerless mittens for my bonny 5 month old grandson.

Good wishes to all squeezed into the kitchen.

Grannyknot I could not agree more- Rory has a lovely life now, so well loved by soop and MacS and he loves them in his own way in return.
Your GS is a lucky young man having such a doting granny knitting fingerless mittens for him.

Bella lovely hearing from you again. Enjoy Christmas, there are more important things than a glass or two of wine.

Bella How nice that your dds and dgd will all be with you for Christmas. Don't dither, just enjoy yourselves

Hi, just popped while DGS is in our bed watching some thing on CBeebies.

I hope you have an enjoyable Christmas Bella, despite everything!

Dd made me a gf sticky toffee cake yesterday and I expect you lot to eat it before I do - please!!!!

kitty no need to ask. We'll all dive in daintily and demolish the sticky wotsit.

Grannyknot I bet those fingerless mittens are a work of art. So much love going into each wee stich.

You lot are so kind. I do keep on about Rory. I would not be surprised if some of you move on to more interesting happenings.

Yet another soggy day in bonnie Kintyre. Rory stepped outside briefly and then dashed back indoors...shaking his feet. How come that he, the cat that lived exceedingly rough, no longer likes his paddy paws to get wet.

Just about to start painting two fairy doors for GD's bedrooms. These will be attached to skirting boards where of course the fairies come and go

Luckily, just made it in time for some sticky toffee cake as it's disappearing rapidly. Yum.

I love hearing the stories about Rory as do both GDs. Keep them coming soop. Poppy cat who much prefers being outside only went out once yesterday and looks like she will be doing the same today due to our non stop rain at present.

Lovely to hear from you Bella. Pleased to hear you will all be together this year and I mean it in the kindest way, concentrate on yourself and DH.

Bless him! Clearly knows which side his bread is buttered, very canny cat! He's so lucky to have have two doting servants owners!

Dear all in the kitchen thank you so much for all the postings, all the friendship and cake and tales of your beloved cats which sadly I cant share as am horribly allergic to cats and DH wont let us have a dog anymore!!! (too much of a tie apparently and as most of it would fall to him I get the point.

We are of to see DD2 tomorrow then back home Boxing Day. Turkey for us bought this am in Sainsbury though - for New Year and a stuffed Guinea Fowl for the day after Boxing Day.

I shall raise a glass to all on Christmas Morning before DD2 and I burst into our usual melody of Songs from the Shows. We vary them but I like to belt out 'Whenever he needs me' in my best /worst cockney accent which believe me I can put on +++. DD2 does Annie- 'The Sun Will Come Out Toommora!!' to perfection and we finish off with a River Dance (including the bit where they hold waists and turn 360 degrees) on the ceramic tiles so we make most noise. By this time the menfolk has shut themselves in with the TV and reruns of the Rugby World Cup (the one where we won they have the DVD).

I wish you all a Very Merry Christmas and Health and Happiness in 2015!!! xxxxx

Dearest Teetime, safe travels and very merry Yule tide. Thank you for being such a special Granspal. I shall raise a glass of cheer to ALL our KITCHENERS on the 25th. [tchwine] [tchcupcake]

You'll have to imagine the wine and cupcake wearing a bonnet!

I have just this minute seen on the news, that a bin lorry has crashed into a crowd of shoppers in Glasgow. Six people have died. I am horrified. Imagine being one of the family members to have to be informed.

It was on the telly at the gym when I was there. All I could think about was those poor people not knowing they have lost loved ones. Like the Australian cafe tragedy it's a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I feel so sad for everyone involved.