Soop's very welcoming kitchen...

Galen as long as yopu have packed your knickers and your pearls, what else do you need?!

My cough and cold came back this afternoon for a trial run. I have not had the energy to put up cards- I have been asleep all afternoon and if Tara was at home she and I would be cosily tucked up in bed.

My council has been in contact re paying for next year's removal of garden waste. They obviously have nothing better to do. I would be more impressed if they sent the lorry round fortnightly instead of "choose a date or two, we may come".

Oh Maw, that was a lovely dream, may Paw come back to you like that as often as you need him.
Bon Voyage Galen and Bella!
I`ve finally finished wrapping up, and trimming up. Just need to tidy up now, but why won`t it stay tidied up?

Can’t believe I’ll actua get away. I know Bella has arrived safely in Southampton, so I hope I’ll do the same about 12 midday.
Yes, knickers and pearls packed. I’ve just met a friend who now lives in Hong Kong and she’s going to look to see how much some pearls would be?
A girl can never have enough pearls, can she?

You lot, all behave while I’m not there to keep my beady eye on you!

?? Ohhh, a life on the ocean wave, and a home on the rolling deep...??! Well, for a bit anyway, Galen!

Have fun, galen and bellasnana!

Bon Voyage galen and bellasnana. Excited for you. No matter what is packed, or not, just enjoy and have a wonderful time. Behave! Us? When do we not?.

Oh charley, you certainly don’t need boomerang germs. Time to look after yourself.

We had a major moment today, bought a second (white with inbuilt lights) tree, so one in the sitting room and one in the conservatory. Love it.

It’s looking a lot like Christmas here.

Wishing you all a peaceful night.

I watched a very moving news programme this evening, North West Tonight which was broadcast from the church in St Anne's Square in Manchester, the scene of the many thousands of flowers after the terrorist attack.
It was very tearjerking and brought home just how lovely and caring people are.
It was a great Christmas message and a good start to the weekend.
I was getting a little bit into the mood when H got up at 7:30 and switched all our Christmas lights off!!
Ah well.

Just calling in to wish one and all a very Happy Christmas and good health, peace and happiness for 2018. Special thoughts and prayers for those of you who have had/are having a particularly difficult time just now. Keep strong and be kind to yourselves.
I don't post often, but lurk and catch up from time to time.

Hello * mrshat* nice to hear from you again. H apply Christmas to you too ?

maw I am so pleased you felt paw's presence with you. I am sure deep love between two people cannot just disappear. I am sure he was with you. Just my opinion but it's what I think. ((Huggs))

galen and bella have a lovely Christmas cruise. Glad you remembered your knickers Galen. Could be draughty without them

Galen I do hope that the pair of you enjoy the cruise and that you can relax.

corner that new tree sounds rather beautiful and different. I have never seen anything like that for sale. Please remember that two tress are sufficient- do not get carried away.

Ann at least he did not attempt to dismantle them. I am well aware how difficult it is. Is your son still staying there?

Maw that really is a comfort to you. Life is not going to be easy over Christmas and New Year, you will just have to take each day as it comes.

If Flynn is having a break it is because he is here! That young man is gorgeous. Would he mind sharing a bed with Tara? She would be the grumpy one I think.

Just dropped in with cake - I decorated mine with fruit and nuts this year, with a rum and apricot glaze. Will that do Soop?
Bon voyage to the cruisers and travellers and hugs to one and all. My Dad came and hugged me in a dream years ago - I could feel his woolly jumper.
Happy Christmas one and all.

Morning all !!

From a very muddy Nana and Grampy's house !
Not sure how its getting in ( SAM!) but it certainly means we have the cleanest carpets ever as Grampy religiously goes round cleaning up!!

Thank you for your kind words gagagran , I'm definitely a glass half full kind of person . Don't you think as you get older its easier not to sweat the small stuff because little is new so you know that things come and go? Perhaps I'm a bit of a fatalist- you know 'what will be will be' !

Maw you'd never let us lot down. I think we all wish we could pop in and scoop you up for a bit of a hug (and cake obviously) . You come in and say how you feel - its ok to share the lows as well as the highs. Truly x

Have a wonderful trip Galen and Bella, come back refreshed and with tales of daring do on the high seas !!

Grey pass the brandysnaps...my favourite...well anything sweet is to be fair.

Now that cake is a work of art Jane - Grampy would love it !!

We survived the shopping yesterday and now I have a fridge full of Christmas goodies . I know I am a little strange but when I open my fridge it makes me smile !!! Nothing gives me more pleasure than a houseful of people, a fridge full of food and a lot of Christmas cheer.

I am making sausage rolls today, to be frozen and then cooked on demand as I think they are best served warm. I am also making robin Christmas cookies( I may post a picture but they will be a bit hit and miss I fear).

In case I get swept away in the chaos of the next few days I just wanted to wish you all a merry Christmas , a new year full of joy and hope and to thank you all for your virtual friendship which means a great deal to me.

and in the words of Tiny Tim ' God Bless us , every one' !

PS - nearly forgot my photo , look who I met !!!!

Most disgruntled!
Twice now the page has “reloaded” just as I was about to post my humble thoughts.
Can’t remember what they were now BUT THAT’S NOT THE POINT!

Venison casserole in the (slow) oven, one more present to wrap. Think I’m nearly there.
Cross though because one internet order has let me down with an important present for the friend who helps me so much with Hattie.
I do have a “spare” White Company present left over but it’s not what I had planned.
Hope everybody is feeling ready for the onslaught?

Good morning (just!) the kitchen. I was down the supermarket at eight this morning, buying a few last minute odds and ends and it was fairly full but manageable - goodness knows what it is like now! Since then I have spent most of the morning b*******g about with a new hi fi system, and I have just managed to burn the spinach I was going to use for my salmon croute. I forgot about it - happens a lot these days. I hope that it doesn’t set the tone for the rest of my Christmas cooking! I said to DH that I was feeling increasingly nervous about this year’s Christmas dinner. He said “you’ve been cooking Christmas dinners for fifty years! Anyway, I’m here to help you.” Which made me feel even more nervous!
Who is your friend, N&G, and why doesn’t he have a red nose? Like you, I am also making sausage rolls today and more mince pies, but the bulk of the pre-cooking will come tommorrow, and like you, both my fridges are pretty full.
Maw your venison casserole sounds just the thing. If there’s any left......
Jane that is a stunning cake. I’ll bet it smells just as good!
I need to speak to DD, as they are joining us for lunch, but at the moment, she’s gone very quiet on me. My son, on the other hand, is bombarding me with jokes by text and this morning sent me a photograph of him in a sprout hat! I told him that I don’t want to be served any sprouts with beards on Boxing Day when we join them, so he says he’ll make sure to shave them first. Nutter!
Lunch is calling and the I will have to crack on and burn something else, no doubt!

Baggs Buttered toasted chocolate banana cake. Now you're talkin' As it's the festive season, I'll have two slices, please. One for me and one for MacSporran.
Tis a beautiful day in Kintyre. Lovely warm sunshine. Have enjoyed a pleasant walk. Rescued and rehomed two stray worms. Hair testament to the fierceness of the gentle breeze.

Greyduster Thank you for your words of wisdom. Too much polishing could do more harm than good. I shall therefore pretend that the dust is virtual.

I too smile when I see a full fridge! Sausage rolls for freezing and mince pies to be made here today too.

Galen Hope your fancy knickers have strong elastic. Wouldn't like to think of a stiff ocean breeze whipping them off. As for pearls...you are so right. Have yourselves a lovely boat trip. Us lot will keep an eye open for any messages that you wish to share. I love Greyduster's ditty. She's a clever clogs. I don't have a clue about how to add those fancy symbols.

mrshat Many thanks for your very kind words. I hope that you pop in more often.

JaneD3 Wowee! That cake is a wondrous work of culinary art. Seems a shame to eat it. Shall we all stand around and admire it...or what!

N&G A huge thank you for keeping us lot amused and entertained. Your cheerfulness appears to lighten and brighten many a heavy heart. Tiny Tim's words are most appropriate.

Maw When I visited Facebook earlier today, I assumed that the website was possibly overloaded. There was I merrily messaging and, as I drew breath, I realised that a lot of what I'd typed had vanished into the ether.

Greyduster When I read the bit about your husband helping you to prepare the Christmas dinner (and you thoughts on the matter) I burst out laughing.

ann I was watching an item on yesterday's news programme showing a beautifully decorated room that was to host a banquet for the many family members of people who lost their lives in the Grenfel Tower fire. Also, there was another programme showing all the planning and hospitality that is on offer to homeless people in a variety of large cities. There was a mobile dental facility, hairdresser and individuals to offer support, not simply for a day or two, but prepared to assist on a more regular basis. There are countless kind and supportive people whose efforts make a mighty big difference to the lives of the less fortunate. They are the salt of the earth.
Keep your dear husband well away from the tree lights. There is always someone who enjoys faffing around with the decorations. Every so often, usually when MacSporran is claiming to just look at our tree, some bauble or other falls from it. In past times we had many fragile glass baubles. So few remain.

I have a small basket of ironing to tackle. After which, the laundry room is in lock down.

Goodnight for now. Back with you again tomorrow.

Hello all!

I hope I'm not too late to wish Galen and Bella a fabulous holiday. Don't wear all the pearls at once Galen, that might be too much of a good thing.....and put the butler down!!

With, it seems, everyone else in the kitchen, I have been baking up a storm and my DH keeps popping in and asking if he can help. I keep saying that there's football on TV and he ought to go and watch it!

Did anyone see the reindeer cakes in today DM supplement. I decided to try them and they were very successful. The antlers were made of broken up Curly Wurlies (sp) which looked fabulous until they started to melt and collapse in the heat of the kitchen. They are now in the boot of the car. Mustn't forget!!

Maw, reloading seems to be happening to me an awful lot just lately - drives me nuts! Maybe your parcel will be delivered tomorrow. How lovely to feel DH so near - that must have been very comforting.

We must all love a full fridge, I think N&G. Love your friend.

JaneD, I'm most impressed by your cake!

GD, I hope your daughter is ok but I hope your son gets better soon.

Right, off to ice and fill a lemon sponge. I'll leave some droopy antlered reindeer on the side.

Can I just wish all the "soopers" a very happy Christmas and New year ??
I don't post these days but I always lurk in the kitchen because you are all so kind and positive.
Hugs too for Maw and Ann60, and as for soop, well, a huge hug, I think you must be one of the most kind and cheerful people ever.

Don't work too hard you soopers xx
Ps; a large lemon drizzle cake is on the table!

How lovely all soop's kitcheners are to a man.
My day has been challenging but no more than anyone else's.
I really send to everyone my most sincere good wishes for a very happy and peaceful Christmas, except of course for N&G who are expecting the hoardes and everyone expecting the same? I envy you so much but I have been there and done that and enjoyed every minute.
I am so grateful to belong to such a wonderful " family" I appreciate each and every one of you and especially our lovely host soop.

ann I remember my DB driving my SIL mad with his repetitive locking and unlocking the doors, lights on lights off. Getting up in the middle of the night, getting washed and dressed to go out and the upset of it all. Peace of a kind has come upon them in the last 12 months and they have shared some quiet and loving moments together (he is in a dementia care home).
I hope you manage to enjoy your Christmas and get some peace too.