Soop's very welcoming kitchen...

Happy Christmas to you too Lona nice to hear from you again.

I am stuffed slightly full after a lovely meal out with some of the family. Couldn't eat another thing but there are some delicious chocolates in the cupboard that I might just force down I should get on with the rest of the present wrapping but I'm too full.

Evening All. . Cooking finished here, fairly minimal to be honest compared to Christmases past, it’s odd but OK. Sausage rolls are frozen here too. The last batch made by our granddaughter and bound to be the best. . I’m in awe of the rest of you today, so much achieved. Reindeer cakes sound just the thing kitty.

Been faffing with a table decoration. Will post a picture if I dare .

That cake is superb janed, much smarter than my runny icing.

Just a thought mawb, if needed the stand by gift could be for Christmas and the as yet undelivered one whenever it arrives - just because she is your friend.

We’ve stopped at two trees, charley, well, probably! although I was tempted by a very beautiful poinsettia today.

ann has summed it up for me, I’m grateful to belong to the kitchen family. Bit of certainty among much uncertainty just now.

Tomorrow is likely to be just a bit active here so if I don’t get back I wish you all the best Christmas it can be

I'm another who doesn't post very often but pops into the kitchen every day to read about what is going on.
I would just like to wish everyone a Very Happy Christmas. You are all so kind and caring and there is so much support for those going through tough times.
Love to all and a big hug to anyone who needs one .

What a lot of lovely cooking has been going on around here. My mouth’s watering just reading about it and as for that cake, yum! And reindeer cakes, kitty wow! I’ve been on a mince pie marathon today with very satisfying results, do help yourselves everyone. I’d also intended to make some boozy truffles a la Delia, really to give to friends but somehow ran out of time. I think my pals will have to settle for a New Year present instead!
Dd4 and her boyfriend are here, I think joining dd3 and her family for a walk and the Christingle service are on the agenda for tomorrow. So not much chance for cooking then, it’s a good job I’m --more or less--on target.
But I do want to cook a nice meal for the two lovebirds tomorrow evening. Oops mustn’t forget to marinade the steak.
Maw I admire your honesty in sharing how life is for you without paw The raw and searing pain of loss is so often glossed over and sanitised, no wonder we sometimes feel under a wholly unrealistic imho pressure to “get over it” asap. As if you can just magic away a lifetime of loving in an instant. Thinking of you, and others, with an empty place at the table this Christmas.
Ann you’re so very gracious, you never begrudge anyone else a happy time even although your days days are often so fraught. Thank you x
Things seem to be getting a bit complicated for you gd, I hope things settle down as you’d like.
soop, there are indeed some good people around aren’t there. 2 different cafes in our little town are offering free lunches for folk either without a home or with no one to share Christmas with. Heartening in the days when sometimes it seems everyone is only out for themselves.
n&g what lovely photos you taken, your new home seems in a beautiful location. Hope you enjoy a happy family time over Christmas with fun, laughter and not too many muddy floors or Grampy will be on permanent mop duty!
Well it’s bedtime for me, wishing you all a restful night and happy times tomorrow x

GrannyQ what common sense you talk about expectations to ‘get over it’. Thanks for the lemon drizzle Lona - so moist! ( that sounds like something from the ArgyBargy Cafe!)
Sorry for lowering the tone Soop.
Off to see Mum tomorrow- the Home has had D&V so first visit for over two weeks. I can’t believe she is still here.
Love to you all
—hugs—

Safely arrived at our cottage yesterday, cue 2 manic dogs yapping and charging around getting in the way! A quick run on the beach sorted that. We walked to that famous Whitby fish & chip shop last night to get dinner. I confess I was rather disappointed - not as good as I’d hoped. DH got up this morning and toook dogs out for a run letting me lie in a bit.
We came equipped with a hamper of food courtesy of DH’s 2 children, supplemented a bit by us (extra wine, steaks for our Christmas Day lunch). We forgot the potatoes for baking though so will have to brave the local supermarket later.
Happy Christmas everyone!

I do like to come in here and read your posts ?.

May I wish you all a very happy, joyful Christmas x

Lovely meal out with DS2 and two boys last night - Turquoise restaurant in Bramhall - Ann and Lona probably know it. In an unguarded moment, I took a bite of a seriously hot green chilli which nearly burnt my tongue out! Recovery aided by copious amounts of water and white wine. Today they are taking me south to to stay with DS1 and family. I hope we don't leave the Christmas cake benind this year! Merry Christmas everyone! [Tchsmile]

Something wrong with that emoji!

Lona I wandered into our kitchen feeling a tad emotional...it's par for the course at this time of the year. Anyway, what I wish to say is, an enormous thank you for your kind message. Yours, too, annsixty and every one of you lot who never fail to raise a smile and make me feel grateful for knowing you, both in reality and virtually. You are very important peoples (as Torben would say).

Just a quick pop into the kitchen to wish everybody a Merry Christmas. I read the thread quite often but very seldom post as I don't seem to have such busy and interesting lives as you lot. Looking forward to your bletherings (?) as Soop would say in 2018. Now looking forward to a visit from my new GS who was due on New Years Eve but decided to arrive 15 days early.

Tippy how lovely! What a joy for you! Every good wish to you and your family. To our Soop and all who have made the kitchens in their various incarnations such comforting, supportive and often hilarious places to be, may I wish you all a very happy Christmas and a peaceful new year. I’m getting quite emotional now - I’m off to weep over some sausage rolls!

corner I think that your table decoration is the tops.

Crafting We did have chocs put away for the festive season. They have been long scoffed by we two. Now, of course, there is cake, mince pies, and some other bits and bobs that are a trillion miles away from being calorie-free. I have already made a new year resolution. However, before I diet, I fully intend to enjoy the treats. A good plan!

Sar53 A lovely hug is winging it's way to you from Kintyre.

granniequeenie The meal that you cook for the lovebirds will be a reflection of your pleasure on their behalf. Have a lovely time.

JaneD3 You...lower the tone of the kitchen. Bah! Humbug! You are a true lady (note the proper spelling). In that caff you'd be described as being a laydee. In fact, I like the Argy Bargy gang. They are a good hearted lot.

AnnieB And very best wishes to you. I hope that 2018 will be kind to you.

NonnaW If you like fish and chips...may I please recommend George Street Fish Restaurant in Oban. It's a long haul. Maybe sometime. Have yourselves a wonderful time. Bet the supermarket will be manic. Take care.

anno My son tried to explain why it is that chillies "burn". I cannot recall the facts of the matter. There was an occasion, when the cooking of seriously strong chillies, emptied his kitchen of guests whose eyes were streaming.
Safe journey and good wishes for your visit to family.

Tippy22 LOVELY that your new grandchild decided to join the family for Christmas. Happy cuddles and many more to look forward to.
Please visit us more often. The more the merrier.

Greyduster Fret ye not. You have done your best. You are a star.

I'm just popping in to say Merry Christmas to all and to thank you for your company over all these years.

corner, I have just made 3 table centres and not one looks as good as yours.

kitty

Don't post on here, don't know why really, the comeraderi and general loveliness you show to each other is exemplary, long may soop and her kitchen reign! Merry Christmas to you all and a healthy happy 2018

The latest fawn watercolour is looking promising. I dare not use the term successful, as there is still plenty of time for me to overwork the areas that should be left well alone. You would think that experience would have taught me when to put the brush and paints aside and do other useful stuff - like tidy the kitchen drawers.

Looking through the window, there is no clear horizon. The islands are shrouded in mist. It isn't cold but the forecast promises a cold snap anytime soon. For us in Scotland, that is.

I hope that all our Granspals who are travelling will have a comfortable journey without too many hold ups. If I could, I would pop in to share a mince pie and a glass of cheer with all our family. One afternoon (with them) would thrill me beyond measure. It cannot happen. I shall therefore settle for hearing their voices on the telephone. Knowing that the family is well and thriving is one of the loveliest gifts of all.

I am about to tidy the studio/computer room/music room and mini gym of clutter. Tomorrow, the room will become our dining room. Candles will be lit and we shall listen to some of our favourite Chopin as we enjoy our meal.

I'm intending to return later this afternoon. In the meantime

Hello, Nannylovesshopping Have you lived up to your name? Did you come across just the thing at a bargain price? I hope so. A merry Christmas to you and yours.

A very happy Christmas and healthy New Year to our lovely Soop and all the Soopers x

Bless you, Bellanonna. Sending my very best wishes to you.

Our tomorrow will be quiet and peaceful. I wouldn't say no to piling into one very big room with you lot for an exceedingly noisy blether.

Whatever you do, wherever you are, don't forget to return to the kitchen(in due course) and share your news.

And don't forget your photos!

Another just popping to the warm and friendly kitchen to wish Soop, McSporran and all the lovely Soopers A peaceful Christmas and a healthy New Year.

That is very kind of you Cherrytree59 Please visit us lot more often. A peaceful Christmas and a healthy New Year is about the best wish of all. and all manner of good things.

Until tomorrow. and thank you for your company. It means a lot to me.

Just a quick pop in , our 2 little elves are in bed and I believe Santa will be arriving very shortly so poor tired Nana can go to bed!!

Merry Christmas to all the kitchen regulars and to all the visitors ! Stay - there’s always cake !