Soop's very welcoming kitchen...

Morning all,

I am currently building an ark as the rain we had yesterday HAS to have forecast a flood !!! All welcome ( please form an orderly queue 2 x 2) - no flies, wasps or spiders will be allowed in !!

It was my first time seeing seals actually in their habitat soop , the breeding colony here is doing well so I will definitely be going back.

I think you would find plenty to see here Oldgoat , the wildlife is more than I expected and practically every trip out ( or in) I see something worth photographing. I can recommend the seal colony and the wetland centre if birds are your thing.

I'm with you, to my shame , I come from a long line of sailors, I can be ill before we even cast off . But your Northern Lights Cruise does sound like an experience worth risking it for.

Thank you for the info on Holidays4dogs, Sam is off for his second stay in kennels tomorrow but we do worry about him as he is anxious around other dogs and much prefers people. Grampy thinks he will be lonely so that would be a far better solution for him. Ill do some research.

My picture today is of the lovely Jackson , who sent me this last night.... the first tooth loss. He has BIG plans for the £2 ( extra for a first tooth) - it is to go in his Bugatti fund which currently stands at £71.54 plus a shiny button and 2 cents.

I love the boys optimism!!

Happy Day all.

I too need to get up but a wakeful spell between 5 and 7 has zonked me out. I couldn’t find the sleeping pills when I was awake at 1 and felt 5 was too late!
This is a strange period between Christmas and New Year isn’t it? Time for reflection and taking stock, I can see why some people make NY resolutions and perhaps I can see it as a sort of new direction in my life, not a new start because that suggests leaving the past behind and I don’t want that.
Can’t quite feel Spring is on the way, but definitely round a corner or two. However Winter may not been done with us yet. So keep those thermals handy!

soop That oldgreymare sounds like a wild character!!!

soop Your description of the bulbs pushing their way through the cold, damp soil towards the light really cheered me. Spring is on the way! It's very gloomy and damp here today but the snow has nearly all melted.

We will be staying home today and preparing the fatted calf for DS and family (ie taking the turkey crown from the freezer) and mucking out the play-room where the floor is covered in books which I have been 'sorting' for the last couple of months.

I've just been reading our RSPB magazine which is full of beautiful photos of wildlife to look out for in the next couple of months - nearly as good as the brilliant photos posted on here!

I think a trip to Norfolk in our campervan is called for n&g You seem to have lovely wild countryside where you live. We enjoy visiting the nature reserves like Pensthorpe and the all the birding places along the Norfolk coast.

I've just seen an advert for a cruise along the Norwegian coast next March, when we have our 50th anniversary. They refund the cost of the cruise if you don't see the Northern Lights during your holiday. Tempting, but I wonder how calm the sea will be at that time of the year? - I'm not a good sailor.

maw oscar goes to stay with a family, who have two dogs of their own, when we go away. It's organised through a set-up called 'Holidays4Dogs' . You can choose where your dog stays and visit them to check whether you like the look of them and whether they like the look of your dog. I don't think it costs much different to using a conventional kennels but we are happier leaving him in a home-like environment.

Suppose I'd better get up but it's so warm and cosy in bed. Have a good day every one.

N&G Your photo is lovely. About half a mile from our home is a place called Ronachan ^place of the seal. Not too far off-shore is a wee colony that are most visible in the spring/summertime. They sunbathe on the rocks. Such lovely, gentle creatures.

It's that time of day. Darkness has fallen. It has stopped raining. I shall log off and wish one and all a peaceful Friday evening.

Until tomorrow...

Evening all !!

I like foxes too soop , he certainly seemed more healthy than the urban foxes we used to see. I agree about buying less too soop , we popped into a store today and apart from the 2 things we went for I talked myself out of all the other things I admired ( thank goodness lol). The painting of the little fawn are just lovely . I am sure they will be cherished keepsakes.

Oh they definitely believe Charley and if you hint that their behaviour will make staying on the 'nice list' difficult it whips them straight into line

Thought of you today Baggs looking for beavers, we went to Horsey beach ( not for long because it was intermittently rainy ( throwing it down lol) but look what I found - see picture !! I was no where near as close as it looked - long distance lens. But it was my first time to see the seals .

We will be eating leftovers for some time to come Crafting I always over cater , I cant seem to help myself. But will be taking all of it down to the girls at New Year and they can test their willpower as mine is non existent !!

Sounds like it was very musical at your house anno , I believe Cooper got a drum set but it didn't travel to our house thank goodness lol

Sorry to hear of your fall from grace Grey , that's my worst nightmare. I would be left like a turtle on my back with no hope of getting up without the aid of the fire brigade I suspect!! Beautiful photo too!! Your GS looks so like you !!

Kennels are soooo expensive Maw so that sounds like you got a great deal.

Kitty words fail me... I'm sure I can find someone to sort him out for £50 ....a bargain I think you'll agree.

Well , we have leftovers for dinner so I had best go and break the news to Grampy !!

Okay! I'm back. The light in my studio is rubbish. There is next to no point in putting paint on to paper.. Sigh!

anno your lovely, newsy post made me smile. Thank goodness you didn't go a over t as you managed to do (with aplomb) on a previous occasion. Best try to remain upright. I've taken on an elderly lady gait. I appear to trip the light fantastic when there is the merest suggestion of ice. Having said that, we've got off lightly weather-wise. No snow but plenty of water sloshing around.

ann Like you, I'm pale and uninteresting at this time of the year. There are still a few weeks of grey to live through. However, this too shall pass. Under the soggy soil, there are millions of bulbs that are slowly but surely making their way to the surface.

Greyduster Your photograph is fantastic. The air crystal clear. The word kerniptions is new to me. I like it. I shall look it up and introduce it into some conversation or other.

oldgoat Apart from wanting to be an artist (when a child) I also wanted to ice skate like Sonja Heine. I went on the ice in Birmingham, just the once. Crashed headlong into the padded barrier and was carried off the ice by a St John ambulance man, having sustained a vast egg-shaped bump on the bridge of my nose. Don't laff. Some folk!

corner Sorry to hear news of your neighbour's death. It was thoughtful of the family to visit. We've a cremation to attend, close to Helensborough, during the first week of January.

Maw If I lived close by, Hattie would be welcome to board with us.

Lona Fingerless cashmere gloves. Every genteel lady should own a pair. You sound well-cosy. Here's a (hug) from me to you.
Our friend with whom we were to stay overnight for Hogmany, is proper poorly. It's a shame, because she had invited around fourteen guests for a lovely meal and a knees-up. We shall all get together at a later date.

Fennel Sorry! I couldn't help but laugh aloud when I read the Kinder Scout peat bog incident. Something similar happened to me when we were "courting" (such a lovely old-fashioned word). MacSporran pulled the car into a verge as we were intending to take a long walk in the countryside. Neither of us was aware of the deep ditch on my side. As I stepped out of the front seat, I suddenly disappeared from view. I felt most embarrassed as I sat in the watery ditch. He hauled me out, with difficulty, and suggested that as my knickers were wet, I should return home before I catch pneumonia.

kittyl Words fail me too.

Charleyg You are a very good natured lady. Sit yerself down and I shall serve you with a and . There could be a wee slice hiding somewhere in my cupboard.

Lona, ooohhh, I'm so pleased for you!! Not for your grandchildren of course but still.....!

Charley stay in the warmth of the friendly kitchen - how dare anyone be rude to you.

Corner, I'm sorry to hear about your neighbour - it does stop one in ones tracks.

I did a quick run to Tesco for essentials this morning but I'm staying put now for a couple of days.

We had a lovely time at our neighbour's last night catching up with all the village gossip and eating left overs.

This morning we had a message from DD3 saying that the arsehole idiot is playing silly whatsits again. He has bought the children (seemingly) the whole of Toys R Us and heaps of new clothes that are only for wearing at his house once DD has washed and ironed them!

Words fail me so it must be bad.

Hello my darlin's. A quick greeting before I put my arty farty hat on. I shall be back later this afternoon. NO snow! Even though MacSporran left home well-prepared with wellies and shovel in the car boot.

Greyduster your photo of the Peak district brought back memories. Especially when we were walking across Kinder Scout after snow and husband suddenly disappeared! Into a peat bog hidden by the snow.
Happy days.

soop Your paintings are really lovely, I'm sure your ggc will treasure them.
Charley I wouldn't like to pay your heating bill! I dont want to pay mine either! My underneath neighbour has gone away for 4 weeks and I can certainly feel the difference. Heat definitely rises.
At the moment even with the heating on I'm wearing ; jeans,vest, jumper, cardigan,woollen scarf round my shoulders, thick double woollen rug over my knees and thick sheepskin boot slippers! Oh and fingerless cashmere mittens!
I look a proper sight.
Nice to see bellasnana relaxing in comfort slumming it

Quiet Christmas here but nice. It's been another up and down year, but karma prevailed two weeks ago, when our ex idiot went to stay at HM's pleasure for a few months. I can't take any pleasure from this act of justice, as of course it's those dgds left behind who are suffering.
Hugs to all soopers who are feeling low

Maw what a pity I do not live around the corner from you or I would happily look after Hattie in exchange for all of the slobbery kisses she would give me! She would also stay in her own house which she would prefer. At least you have saved £80, that will buy Hattie a lot of food. At least she will be safe if not ecstatically happy being abandoned. I hope that you enjoy yourself, Hattie will forget her abandonment 5 minutes after she returns home.

Oh no, not you charleygirl? Who was unkind to you and I’ll set Hattie on to them she’d snore them to death!
I have just stopped her savaging my pincushion and am praying she didn’t get a pin out of it.
Despair of a dog with no sense.
Had a bit of “luck” with her, though. I had originally booked her into rather posher(and pricier) kennels for New Year - posher than the only place free over Christmas, where I know the owners but it’s a bit spartan.
Well I found myself thinking why pay extra when she is not really going to thank me for “dumping” her anyway, so I arranged her NY with the Christmas one. (Keeping up?)
When I tried to cancel the posh one today they said I would still have to pay (boo, hiss) but then couldn’t find any trace of my booking! So on the one hand I have saved the £80odd but also, if I had turned up on Sunday morning expecting a 5* kennels we would have been up the proverbial swannee.
As per usual there are a lot of people getting very agitato out there, fortunately we in the kitchen know the important things of life - like not falling over or falling foul of rubbish builders/plumbers and the restorative value of
Keep safe everybody!

corner there were not too many food bargains- I picked up 4 small single plastic containers with strong lids for £3.50. I bought freezer labels a while ago and I even know where they are now so there is an excellent chance in the near future I will have an ideas of what I am eating rather than wondering what is wrapped up in tin foil. It would not be the first time that a single roll has defrosted- not quite what I had in mind for supper.

I was being targeted on one of the threads so I will not be returning any time soon. It was suggested that I stick with political threads! GN at its best- I was unaware I was so horrid.

Have enjoyed all the photos, including a very relaxed looking bellasnana. Hope the current windy weather hasn't unsettled you and galen.

Pleased you made it home without mishap anno I'm a fan of fleece lined tights or leggings under trousers, bliss. Served me well for a very windy walk on the beach yesterday. Families do take their toll of us.

Arent those falls embarrassing greyd, hope no damage has appeared, recommend arnica for bruises - wherever they may be . Lovely photos, I can almost smell the clean air.

Theres a lot of tension out there in some threads on GN today, I've given up reading, it was upsetting me.

Haven't been near a shop since Christmas other than for a coffee after the beach walk yesterday. Hmm, if there are bargains in Waitrose I may be persuaded Charley, maybe tomorrow when we will definitely need a re-stock. I'm sure you will heave a huge sigh of relief when your oven arrives, hope the delivery includes installation for you.

Since I began this we have been told a neighour died this morning. I'm touched his daughter came to see us as she knows we care about them, the family are all exhausted as they have been in the hospital since Christmas night. Very sad for them all.

Well, I've been putting off the admin for a couple of hours. Our neighour wouldn't leave my mind but now I must concentrate before a late lunch. Stay warm and well everyone.

Lovely photographs Greyduster and waves of envy from me. We have walked for many many hours in the Peak District, alas , no more. Even walking around Lyme Park, always a Christmas outing is beyond us now.
The snow here didn't last long and has gone now but it is so dull and miserable. I have a very good book on the go so I will have an afternoon with that.

My exercise today was a drive to Waitrose to stock up. There were quite a few bargains so I was there! I also stocked up with staples in case we have snow and ice here as forecast for maybe next week.

I will be pleased when my new electric oven arrives around the 8th of next month. I did not realise how often I used it until it died on me.

Beautiful photos * Greyduster* and your DGS looks so happy and healthy. Oh to be that age again without a care in the world.

Great photos greyduster. GS looks very much like you in that photo. Hope you haven’t got any bruising from your fall, though you do look well wrapped-up.
We were out walking with our walking group yesterday. It was lovely and sunny, but we've got a covering of snow today. I expect it's cold outside but as I'm enjoying the luxury of a lie-in, I don't actually know.
Off to the McArthur Glen outlet today to book iceskating for the GSs next week. Yesterday the queue to get to the shops stretched for miles down the approach roads and I bet there wasn't any parking available when they finally got there. Nightmare!

Great photo greyduster

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Hello the kitchen. I put a long post here yesterday - and then lost it! We had just comeback from an afternoon out walking. It was supposed to be a day walking but by the time everyone got their act together, we lost so much time and most of the good weather, so it was hardly worth the effort. Having said that, the conditions in the Peak District were not ideal, with lying snow and lots of ice (which I naively had not expected) which made the going difficult for everyone except GS who skipped along like a mountain goat, giving us all kerniptions prancing about on the edge of vertiginous drops and tearing my nerves to shreds! I managed to stay on my feet all the way round, and then went down hard about five yards from the car! Nothing suffered except my pride as I couldn’t get up and had to be hauled to my feet!
DH was quite ill in the night so we are not going anywhere today. It snowed earlier, but not anything like the amount we were led to expect.
Soop your paintings are nothing short of superb. I hope they take on heirloom status for the little ones eventually. DS said his firm are organising a staff and family art exhibition and asked if my painting would be ready to put in it - I told him not to hold his breath!
We have ditched all our leftovers Crafting. That marks the end of Christmas for me. I have put on upwards of three pounds and it will have to be dealt with forthwith!
I will look in later.

I am very pleased you got home safely anno with no broken bones this time.
It was cold and icy yesterday so slipping and falling was a real possibility.
I hope your Christmas had some good points as well as sad ones.
I am so envious of those of you able to get out for a walk when it is bright and sunny even though cold, my skin is so grey and dull for want of fresh air (and possibly too much alcohol).

Correction: DS2 and my 2 (not 3) DGSs.
And please can we have an edit button?

I've been trying to catch up on everyone's activities, but 'skimming' means I might have missed something for which I apologise. ann, I am very concerned about your DH's outburst which is a disturbing development. I hope it doesn't happen again, but if it does, please ring the alarm bells with your GP.
soop, what a talent you have. Those pictures should become heirlooms for your descendants for many years to come.
DS2 and 3GSs came to stay for a few days before Christmas and delivered me to DS1 and family on Christmas Eve. It wasn't my ideal family occasion - DS and DiL in process of splitting up; GD(15), just 'dumped' by boyfriend (first love). By no means a quiet Christmas as DGD got a new violin and got stuck in to a lot of practice; DGS(13) was given an electric guitar on which he practised some weird sounds and some recognisable tunes. DS1 made a lovely Christmas dinner - my veggie main course was a puff pastry tart with a mushroom filling - delicious. The carnivores, including the cat, had to make do with turkey. Yesterday, DGD went off for a sleepover with two girl friends which was just what she needed and DGS was closeted in his room with the guitar.
Today I was glad of my thermal leggings under my trousers as station platforms are draughty places at the best of times and today was not that. The train was full to bursting with grandparents going north after spending Christmas with family in the deep south. Parts of the country were randomly snow-covered but mostly it was green where it wasn't flooded. I had an hour's wait at Macclesfield as my train from Reading had been delayed and I missed my connection by seconds. Still, Macc has warm waiting rooms and I was able to get a brew and a sandwich.
I'd asked DS1 to donate to charity rather than give me a present but he did give me some nice perfume as well as a donation to Oxfam for the education of girls inPakistan. Adult DGD (26 on Hogmanay) gave me a sweet pair of earrings - she has great taste. Yesterday she came round with her wild excitable pup which took great delight in attempting to clean my ears.
Well, that was my Christmas and I hope it was good for all of you. New Year - new challenges and new hopes. All the very best to all my friends here in the kitchen.

Thank you Soop and Baggs for the information about the George, I`m looking forward to April, only one teeny little worry, we travel up on Friday 13th!
Soop, I forgot to say how lovely the 2 fawn paintings are, your great grand babies will love them.

Ok Galen we can see bellasnana sitting there looking relaxed and cosy but that doesn't mean you aren't off being wild and wicked somewhere else

soop what lovely paintings. A personal and thoughtful gift for the young ones I am sure will be treasured.

Hello everyone else ? Are you still eating leftovers? Finished ours tonight and back to normal eating tomorrow. I might venture on the bathroom scales ..... in a week or two