Soop's kindly kitcheners and pampered pets...

I have just had a dress rehearsal for a turkey, ham and cranberry raised pie which I am planning for 13 of us on Boxing Day. I shall try it out on DD3 and SIL who are passionate foodies and are coming to lunch on Sunday.
It was an afternoon of serious cooking (!) and as I now know how long this part takes,not to mention the clearing up,the kitchen was like a bomb site, I am forewarned for Christmas week. The jelly goes in through the hole in the top tomorrow after it has cooled overnight.
If it is a disaster I could buy one from nice Mr Waitrose, but my streetcred with DD and SIL would plummet.
Calloo callay, DD2 has emailed and asked if she and Flynn can come up next weekend as SIL has a huge amount of work on.

https://signal-corridor.live/uploads/talk/201612/medium-990359-img-2104.jpg%3C/span%3E https://signal-corridor.live/uploads/talk/201612/medium-790910-img-2105.jpg%3C/span%3E

Fuchsia dead hedge is about five and a half metres long. Very springy to stand on

I'm fine, thank you, apart from cold number 13 since late summer. I think it was this that made my knees feel burny the other night. I have a cough, which is unusual for me, but I did some fuchsia dead hedging today and had a bonfire of dead brambles ?

Soop I hope you continue feeling better, just so you know this thread is one of the kindest and most welcoming on gn

bags Yep, I'm feeling perkier. Hope that you are too. (hugs) and all that jazz. xx

Just looked at GN Active page and was very relieved to see your name, soop! I was just about to send you a text asking if you were allright. Glad to hear that you feel a bit better xx

A good and bright (getting darker by the minute) Friday afternoon to you lovely lot.

Just returned from a trip to the GP. Blood in urine and other bugs. Different antibio's and mood improving as I type.

mumofmadboys I love the name...and know the feeling. Welcome.

oldgoat Both the tale of the randy spaniel and the half-eaten squirrel offering on the floor of the tea shop, made me grin. Thank you.

Charleyg Tara, like all other pampered pets, is a treasure. Rory has been kept waiting for his lunch. He's made up for it and is now nuzzling alongside Bracken on the utility room rug (duly warmed on top of the boiler.)

jollyg The care home that is moving is a private establishment. The Kintyre Care Home is business as usual. In fact, it was recently awarded a certificate for excellent standards of care. Been visiting this morning.

DaphneB Keep up the good work. It's always good to read something that raises a smile.

NanaandGrampy Your week away sounds idyllic. I'm chuffed for you. By all means enjoy the Christmas buzz. I'm happy for those who find the event uplifting. I'm at the other end of the pole. I'm not a bah, humbug type moaner but, I wish with all my heart that more could be done to share so much excess with those who have very little comfort or joy.

nancyma The Red Cross shop in Campbeltown is doing a brisk business. Much needed funds for the refugees whose numbers swell with every passing hour.

wot I shall reserve a special mince pie soaked in Brandy) for you.

Just been to the Christmas performance at DGS2's junior school. Lovely! That's one of the joys of having small grandchildren - you can still get involved in the excitement and magic of Christmas through them.

NoCharlie there was no forgetting Sam. He was met at home by Cooper who was very excited to have bought Sam an advent calendar. He kindly opened the 1st and 2nd for Sam who was not impressed by the doggy chocs....BUT ITS OK...... Cooper ate them !!

Small moment of panic as we scoured the box for ingredients . He may have a cold nose and glossy hair tomorrow but he'll be fine !

I'm afraid I shall have to work on that whole Bah Humbug thing Charlie :-)

Hope you are feeling a bit brighter today soop and that whatever was making you feel down will soon have passed.
X

N&G I cannot believe that you have been away for a week- I would have said 2-3 days- where does the time go? I do hope that him indoors did not forget Sam- poor chap going downmarket eating out of plastic bowls. I am the opposite to you, not quite bah humbug but not far away.

I agree, another great poem from Daphne.

For me there is zilch on TV this evening so it would be an excellent time to start writing cards. It is not the cards it is the letter that goes with many of them to people I rarely see and with whom I do not have email contact.

Soop, the kitchen will never be a dump! It's a sanctuary for us all. ?

You must have a poetic gene, DB. I wish I had. Members of our writing group put me to shame with their facility with rhyme and rhythm.

Loved even.....

Just seeking refuge from the refugee thread ! Daphne I lived your poem cheered me up no end.

Love it Daphne that's a real talent!

We're back home, the only casualty being Sams food and water bowls that I Grampy forgot!! We've called and they're going to donate them to a local dog rescue and Grampy as penance is ordering new ones as we speak . Sam will be relegated to plastic bowls till then.

Had a wonderful week, the weather was glorious , bright blue skies and crisp frosty days. Hard to beat when you add a log fire and the best hot chocolate EVER !!

Now it's on with Christmas ?

I apologise here and now for the next month of giddy Christmas posts. I'm a lover of the whole overdone, over commercialised, family angst ridden bejazzle!!!!

Sorry ?

"I'm dreaming of the new kitchen
May it bring cheer like those before
Where the moggies scamper
And pets are pampered
And friends bring by the score.
I'm dreaming of the new kitchen
With every GN post I write
May our days be merry, and bright
And may all our be calorie light."

SOOP I read that one care home in Kintyre is closing down, folk going to Oban!! Poor rellies to have to do that journey, and with real winter beckoning.

What to do?!

oldgoat I do not have a clue where Tara goes but in the last year she has only come home twice looking like a drowned rat, normally she is warm and dry.

She likes people but only if they are inside this house. She will not go near anybody outside and that includes me. If I went out shopping she would hear the car engine and be there to meet me but not nowadays. Her bladder and tum remind her to return home. Nothing like a clean litter tray in a warm dry room!

She used to be a good hunter but thankfully does not bother any more. I did not like seeing dead rats on my doorstep- she could not fit through the cat flap with one in her mouth so gave that up. I doubt if I will ever know.

Don't worry charleygirl . I think Oscar might be too young for the snip but it will happen at some point. When I was a child we had a randy old spaniel who made my mum's life a misery when he wanted to go out womanising. He would sit and howl unless Mum sat and held his paw to calm him down.

Do you have any idea where Tara spends her time when she's out, charleygirl ? A nearby NT property has been adopted by a 'stray' cat. It was taken to a vet who found the name of the owners from the cat's microchip. It lives on the other side of the racecourse at least half a mile away. The cat was returned to its owners but just came back again. It also visits the hotel next door and private houses on the other side.
Apparently, it's a very good hunter and disgraced itself in the summer when people were enjoying a refined NT afternoon tea, by walking into tearoom and dumping a half-eaten squirrel in the middle of the floor!

I have loved all of Daphne's poems- each hits the nail on the head.

I received my first Christmas card 2 days ago so I thought that the least I could do would be to buy some cards so that was achieved today. I also bought a book in a charity shop, bearing in mind I have at least 30 lined up to read.

Poor Oscar, not much of a Christmas for him if he is having the "snip".

Although it is so hard caring for your DH at home as his dementia progresses Ann you should be so proud of yourself that you are coping and are managing. xx

Oldgreymare - your last post rang a bell with me too (re Daphne's latest poem.)
To be kind, maybe it's the Trump effect, it seems to be popping up in unexpected places.
In any case , I hope it passes.

A bit "off colour". We all get such days. Haven't achieved a lot. Busy doing nothin'

Tomorrow is another new day. Start off with care home visit and eventually return home, log on, pop in, catch up.

Until then, wishing you all as peaceful an evening as the Fates allow.

Wobbly It's good to have you back with us lot. You are good company. x