Soop's welcoming kitchen...

Greyduster and Galen That's what I imagined the word meant.

We've been standing around in the Tarbert Co-op. Attending a handsome cheque presentation raised by shoppers towards our village hall restoration fund. It is so cold and the clouds are dumping sleet and snow over the peeks of the islands. I can barely feel my fingers and toes. Time to start preparing the log fire. Looking forward to the six o'clock G&T. Cheers or Slainte to you all.

Your nether regions are your extremeties

Hello, the (pre-festive) kitchen!
Maw I hope you’re DD is feeling a bit less bruised after her ordeal. That sounded pretty awful!
OG in that top you can sit on top of my tree anytime - you’ll look a treat! We will turn a blind eye to whatever protective undergarments you may choose to wear!!
Corner I’m sorry to hear you and Mr C are struggling with seasonal ailments - DH keeps thinking he has shaken his off and the it comes back again, despite the copious quantities of Grants he is downing in an effort to shift it.
Ann I cannot imagine you being anything but the epitome of decorum, but if you feel like being otherwise, why not? Go for it!
N&G like you, I can take shepherds pie or leave it (preferably the latter), but like Grampy, it is DH’s very favourite dish, so we have to have it - often! Your tale of the Christmas tree reminds me of one Christmas in Holland when DH came home with a huge tree that we had to cut the top off where it bent over at the ceiling, and still no room for the fairy! He had strapped it onto the top of our car - a mini - and when it came down the road, you could hardly see the car. Surprised the police didn’t stop him!
Soop it is a bit chilly round the nethers here too! We went to see GS run in a cross country this morning. We got there early and went for coffee. When we came out it was snowing! You could see it sweeping in across the moors. So we went and had another coffee! It was freezing cold and the children were up to their okkers in mud, but they all ran their hearts out. I admire everyone of them.
Well, DS was supposed to be here for lunch but will not make it in time before they go to the match, so it will be “hello mother, goodbye mother” and they’ll be off. Then I have some time to myself. I slept very badly last night, so I think I will just put my feet up. There are times when the noise this house makes seem to indicate that it is trying to come to life and heave itself off its foundations. The noise woke us both up at three o’clock and DH had to get up and have a check round, but all seemed to be well (all that we could see anyway ). I think it’s haunted!

Love the poem maw. Love your originals too. Do not give up posting your own offerings. Lots of us really enjoy your poems. ? Must have been a scary time for your DD yesterday. Sorry she got hurt.

I apologise if I've overlooked any one of you who needs a hug. If I could conjure up Oldgoat complete with glittery top, fleecy liberty bodice, warm bloomers and magic wand, I would ask to be able to spend some time with you all. Preferably in a warm, cosy, soundproof room with a whole lot of calorie rich cake and tea by the gallon (for those of a certain persuasion) and an enormous bottle of real bubbly for those who appreciate such treats.

Maw Is that verse all your own work? It's very good.

crafting Your supportive messages are always welcome.

corner Tomorrow afternoon I shall be visiting a much-loved, much-missed neighbour who is in a secure ward in the hospital in Lochgilphead. The Christmas festivities that we shared with him and his wife (now deceased) and another couple (one member also in a care home in Campletown). He may not know who I am. However, I know the man he was and the person he is remains a good friend.

A good albeit chilly-round-the-nethers Saturday morning. I'm not all sure what the word nethers means. It may not be a real word. My Nana used it frequently. She was a cheerful soul.

How come you lot have been so very busy. You make it difficult for a late-comer to get through all the messages.

Welcome MissAdventure please make yourself at home in the kitchen. I like your name. Is there a story attached to it? We're a nosy lot hereabouts.

Maw Your daughter must have been terrified when the alarm was raised. One never can be certain what a terrorist looks like. It could be the very pleasant individual who offers you a seat on the bus or holds the shop door open.
The Christmas verse is a winner. It's so like something that you would create. You have a way with words. I'm trusting that you are feeling a little better today. It's early days. I also think that you are coping wonderfully well.

ann Bravo! You, my dear, are well worth pampering. Do as Galen says. A thoroughly indecent lot like the rest of us, urge you to grab every opportunity to have fun that comes your way.

Charleyg The very idea of travelling on the tube unhinges me. Having to make a hasty retreat together with scores of others up an escalator would possibly finish me off completely.

ann, you must take every opportunity to let your hair down (metaphorically). That Chinese restaurant sounds great. When DS arrives with the boys before Christmas, I will drop a hint in that direction.

corner where on earth did you and Mr. C pick up coughs and colds? Have you had your flu jab? Hopefully you will be as right as rain soon, please stay indoors.

Maybe it is my past training but I do not understand why people run, screaming like maniacs to get out of a tube station, shop, road or whatever. This is why and how people get injured. Luckily your DD only had minor injuries.

Yes, a frightening experience maw, hope your daughters shoulders are on the mend. One of the better uses of technology to allow us to ‘see’ family when we are apart, especially when there has been something worrying.

The Christmas lights are untangled n&g. All ready to go. Have a fun crafting day. Sounds as if you had fun ann, I always think of the ‘purple’ poem when I contemplate something I will enjoy but I just know the family will disapprove of .

We’re a germy corner today so I won’t hang around and share the joys of loud sneezing (Mr C) and a croaky throat from me.

Take care everyone, stay warm and well.

Just read your post Maw, the word terrorist is so apt as these people do indeed strike terror into our heads.
I am full of admiration for those who still go about their daily lives saying "we cannot let them win" the reality when something happens is so different.
However we must train folk how to act in every situation.
I hope your D feels better today.

Thank you all for your encouragement, I will take your thoughts on board but not often, I feel slightly "fragile" this morning. ?
It has snowed overnight but raining now so will soon be gone.
A day in today anyway.

Just had lovely FaceTime with DD in London, but oh dear, she was caught up in yesterday’s panic in Oxford Street and if must have been terrifying. Not a “cosy lockdown” somewhere nice like John Lewis, but people stampeding up the escalators in the shop she was in and then being shepherded down fire escapes to a covered loading area with rolled down shutters where she said they felt trapped. Eventually somebody opened the shutters and they were able to leave but she fell and has badly bruised shoulders. Luckily she was on her own and able to run/walk as fast as she could out of the area and got home to SIL and littlest fella.
Fortunately it was NOT a terrorist attack, but could so easily have been and shows up a worrying lack of preparedness or communication by store staff. Pray God there are no copycat attacks.Honestly my blood runs cold.
How much evil and misery is there in the world ?

Morning all,

First an apology Maw I too didn't see your post about your sister, so I'm sorry that at this time especially there's more worry for you. I hope you got your phone call and now know more about what's going on.

Kitty and Galen there is plenty more Shepherds pie where that came from. I struggled with my portion and when I looked up both Sam and Grampy were looking at my leftovers with the same expression !! Grampy won because he was able to snitch the plate from under my nose !

I totally agree Crafting - OldGoat would look lovely and sparkly up there. I obviously have expectations outside my status because driving past a Christmas tree farm yesterday I pointed out the tree I would like and Grampy pointed out we have 8ft ceilings and the tree was a good 20ft ! Soooooooo....will that fit in the kitchen do you think?

Poem was a cracker maw , you have a talent both for finding these things as well as writing your own ! You could be the Kitchen Poet Laureate if you don't mind

Charley I can think of little I would like more than to throw a Christmas party for 'you lot' ! I can imagine it now, a bit of sparkle, party hats all round, good food, comfy chairs, a few pets....wait....its The Kitchen !!!!

Irresponsible kind of suits you Ann ...and you had a high old time by the sounds of it. If a lady of 80 cannot throw caution to the wind I don't know who can. I am immensely pleased you had such a lovely time.

Hello Missadventure can we count you in for Christmas festivities then? There is always space for one more although the job of Christmas fairy has gone

I have some of my crafting things out now so today ( after quotes etc) I am going to enjoy myself and do a few bits that have been in the pipeline.

Its a little frosty here this morning but its like the world has its sparkle on to join us in the pre Christmas run up - Happy Days all xx

ann throw caution to the wind and enjoy yourself!

maw sorry you are feeling so down (only to be xpected), but love the poem!
ann go for it, carry on being irresponsible, you’ve earned it!

Annsixty Carry on being rather irresponsible! It will make you feel younger.

Go for it Ann! Maw, love it!

Ann60 for heavens sake, carry on! We grans have a reputation to maintain

Hello, kitchen folk. Just popped in to say "Oh please do, Ann!"

maw

Cunard Queen Elizabeth would be good!
They cope with Americans and Aussies , but I’m not sure how they’d cope with more than two gransnetters

I offer sympathy to all who are sad just now . I know fully just how it feels.
On a lighter note and if you are low please don't read, I am just back from a Chinese meal with my friend who was widowed in May.
The restaurant was a favourite of her and her husband.
The owner couldn't do enough for us. After an excellent meal , we came away with a beautiful calendar for next year and we were treated to not one but three complimentary drinks.
I am fairly squiffy, not at all suitable for a lady of 80, but I loved every minute.
I could get used to it, have I left it rather late in life? Or shall I carry on being rather irresponsible ?

Flynn is as gorgeous as ever. He has a mind of his own.

There was a letter in the post yesterday to my aunt who died about 10 months ago. It was addressed to her with the word deceased after it. She would have a problem reading and replying to it. She never lived with me so how they (a bank) thought she did I have no idea. They will have a long wait for a reply from her.

Loads of sympathy from me too Maw. You can only take each day as it comes, Hattie will understand.

N&G If you are not careful I will organise a bus and pick up those of us who do not really like Christmas and descend upon the new abode. That would be a Christmas that you would never forget!

Hopefully you will get a reasonable price for the new orangery soon.

Maw