Soop's very welcoming kitchen...

It’s been a good day for us. A very excited Littlest gave us such joy. His parents provided a delicious meal, we could see other family. We were blessed and it was easy to forget our sadness over family issues.

I’m sure the elves had you awake early n&g, equally sure you didn’t mind a bit. Oh dear, nellie, an egg for Christmas. Aren’t the little ones so resilient but don’t these things scare us?

I know exactly what you mean about family on this day soop, we have been blessed today but important parts of the family were missing. It leaves a space in us I think.

Your lunch and day sound to have been just right. I’d have loved to see your waltz and hope you both are relaxing now.

maw: annie and anyone carrying sadness and worry have been in my thoughts. A neighbour was admitted to hospital as an emergency yesterday, very ill. we aren’t sure of the outcome, his family were so worried. It’s a difficult time for many.

Hope you were able to have something tasty today charley, what a time for your oven to give up. Our heating is playing up, fingers and toes are crossed it lasts for a few days until we can get the hearing engineer to it.

Well, the many thousand calories I ate at lunchtime are making me sleepy, it will be feet up with the tv and a glass of wine, I may eat again in a couple of weeks

I hope there has been some happiness for everyone at some point today.

Oh oldgoat your picture is hilarious. Really made me laugh.
As others have said, I hope everyone has had some happiness and peacefulness today. It seemed a long time coming and now it’s over.
I enjoyed a lovey Christmas service last night and thst really kick started everything. Lots of bonhomie among everyone, lots of carols, and a very cheerful priest exhorting us all to be nice to one another.
My turn to be waited on tomorrow at DD2’s house, with all 3 gchn. I’m looking forward to that. Happy Boxing Day everyone. X

Great photo oldgoat, cats they never miss an opportunity!
We’ve had a good day here, 10 strong minded adults, 6 giddy children and 2 daft dogs all managed to happily co exist and enjoy family fun ...phew!! A “space in the family” is a lovely way of putting it cgran It was a shame our ds and family couldn’t be here too, but 4 more including a troubled teen and another dog, much as I love them all, may have been a step too far! We’ll enjoy seeing them later in the week. Especially nice to have dd4’s boyfriend with us for a lot of the day
Just relaxing now with those who’re staying over, well to be more accurate posting here while dd1 is trying to sort out the old boys new phone it could take a lot of patience Gearing up to celebrate dd1’s birthday tomorrow ...happy memories of what I was doing 47 years ago
Sending good wishes to all my kitchen pals and a special ((hug)) for any with. sad heart this evening.

Good morning all and I hope all are well and sober this morning.
My day is best having a veil drawn over it, that is the most I can say, I packed my H off to bed at 7.30 as we had eaten the large leg of lamb when my D was here last week,otherwise it may have been employed.
I resisted his asking if I was going to bed as well and put the tv on for the first time but it was as expected rubbish, so I was also in bed by 9pm.
Today won't be any different but I feel no sense of expectation so it will be less fraught.
I hope those of seeing family have a lovely day.

You’ve a very generous spirit Ann, I hope that and your memories of happier times carries you through the day x

OH was in bed by 6'30 , so I had time to watch the Strictly Christmas special and then Midwives , but I missed how the wee baby survived due to administering tablets ,, will have a look at iPlayer later

oldgoat You've started the day for we two with a chuckle. Aren't cats amazing! xx

corner I also like the way you've expressed the feeling when certain family members/loved ones are absent.

granniequeenie Your description of those present to celebrate Christmas day, should be put to music. Forget 'A Partridge in a Pear Tree', you could compose a more "with it" tribute to the family gathering. I know that the birthday girl will have a wonderful day. My eldest is fifty five. He was the most 'troublesome' to make his way into the world, and the most accommodating ever since.

Bellanonna Relax and enjoy Boxing Day. We've had a long walk. The sun is shining. What snow lay on the peaks earlier today, has since disappeared.

ann You are right. The least one expects, the more one is satisfied. We had three gifts, because we asked our family to not spend money on us. We have all we need. Phone calls from family were a special treat. The meal was simple and far from stressful. We each had a glass of wine midday. Cake and tea in the afternoon. A sandwich for supper. MacS had a wee dram. I had elderflower cordial. Bed by ten thirty. If either of us was not to be present, then the day would have been pointless. I therefore understand how you must have been feeling. I think that you are a remarkable lady. Please may 2018 be very much kinder to you.

aggie We have a box set of Dad's Army. Watched an episode of that. It's such innocent fun.

A bit late in the day, but best wishes to all for a Bonne Année as they say here.
Hopefully next year at this time back 'home' and nearer our family.

Just to say I am living with Dr Jekyll today, Mr Hyde was here yesterday.
It is very peaceful. My GD saw another side yesterday when he got terribly angry when I wouldn't let him have more and more alcohol, this is a totally new development and not welcome.

ann I am so sorry to hear that H has taken another route but I am pleased that another member of your family has now seen the other side and what you have to live with on a daily basis. Your GD will hopefully relay this to your daughter. I am aware that H will not accept any help because in his view there is little wrong with him. I do not have an answer I am afraid. and [hugs]

Afternoon all. Quiet day for us today. Not a scrap of cold turkey in sight .

One little piece of excitement this morning when I noticed a wet patch on the ceiling in a cupboard. So, up the loft I go, cleared enough suitcases for a family of 10, crawled into a very small space to find what I assume is a valve leaking on a pipe from the boiler. No idea of it’s purpose.

My very technical temporary fix was to wrap a ‘j’ cloth round it and put plastic and a very large bath towel under it.

Do you think it will last? Hopefully, with a change of bath towel, until a plumber is working again. The joys of home ownership

Other than that a pleasant day, caught up with a bit of tv, read a bit, phoned a friend who is on her own. With luck, uncertain as yet, there’s more family time tomorrow so a bit of hopeful baking. Looks edible so fingers crossed.

Hope today has been less difficult ann. Christmas holds so many inbuilt expectations, consciously or not.

Your day sounds just right soop, managing expectations seems to be the key, not sure I’ve mastered the art but I’m learning.

Hope the birthday celebrations are going well grannyq, now why do I say that when I know they are [Tchsmile]. Enjoy it all and a very happy birthday to your daughter.

Best think food now. Could get used to someone else providing it.

It’s getting colder I think. Stay warm and well everyone.

Oh dear. Took so long with that post I missed yours ann. A worrying development indeed but as charley says good you weren’t alone. I’m sorry you have more to manage and am relieved and pleased today is calmer. It’s so hard to know what’s for the best but at some point there will simply have to be an intervention, which I know will be a struggle in itself. More and hugs from me.

corner when your plumber has finished could you send him in my direction? I refuse to pay silly prices- my leak is containable with a bowl under the kitchen sink until life is back to normal after the new year.

oldgoat cats are not stupid, that was the warmest and most comfortable bed for him so why not?

ann Charleyg is right. It was a blessing in disguise to have your daughter witness the mardy tantrum. You may have to use some cunning tactics, Alcohol prizes have dramatically increased. Part true here in Scotland. The housekeeping budget cannot cope. That doesn't mean that you have to forego a wee tipple when your husband has taken himself off to bed. May I add more (((hugs))) from me, to you.

corner Do you know a friendly plumber who will take a peek to make sure that leak isn't going to cause you more problems somewhere down the line. You did very well to get into the loft to investigate.
For tonight's quick and easy meal we shall have a jacket potato with chicken and creamy sauce topping and a few veg. There is just sufficient pudding remaining. It wasn't home-made. BUT, it was delicious. Tesco finest, with glace cherry topping, soaked in brandy.

Hello, Fennel it was lovely to see that you've visited the kitchen.

Ironing duties tomorrow. Back to a normal routine. The two fawn paintings are pleasing. When finished, I shall share a photo with you.

As I'm about to log off, I thought that you might like to see today's sunset.

Lovely sunset Soop. Grey skies here.

Don’t worry, we won’t leave the drip dripping for too long. As charley says not about to pay hugely inflated prices. I’m hoping to have someone here by the end of the week, hopefully the company who installed it will be working tomorrow. If not we’re in trouble.

The boiler has been dropping pressure for a few days, had no idea why until we saw the wet patch. At times like this I wish with all my heart we hadn’t moved. We had becomes used to a whole collection of tradespeople who had become friends to call on. Just could do with a quiet spell. Life in all its glorious technicolour at the moment.

Still, worse things happen at sea as my Dad was wont to say .

I’m starting to feel guilty at the lack of purposeful activity today. Mr C is sound asleep. Guess I’d better think about some food, that will wake him up.

Take care all.

soop many thanks for your very kind wishes, yes I do live up to my name, am good at hunting out the bargains, but what I really love are the huge department stores, very rarely buy anything, much too expensive, my absolute favourite is liberty in London, it really is an Alladins cave to me, my dd and dgds are carrying on the family tradition as well, we all love a posh carrier bag

Seasons greetings from Lanzarote. Lovely and warm and sunny skies.

The weather here (SW France) today has been wild - sudden gusts of freezing wind sometimes bringing hailstones. Huge waves of black clouds from the West.
There was a funeral in the village - the 90 year old mother of the former Mayor, and there were hundreds there, in spite of the weather. There was a long church service first, then everyone follows the coffin to the nearby cemetery.
I went with my friend to the cemetery, (you couldn't get into the church), most people had umbrellas which were blown inside out. We had managed to find warm hats suitable for wear in NE England which did better.
It's a strange time of the year, a mixture of happy and sad.

Just a pop in , our last guests have left and we are collapsed amidst the leftovers !

I’ll catch up later and see what you have all been up to but just wanted to send our best wishes from all my lot to all you lot!!

Back later !

Boo Hiss, Galen! ?. It was snowing in York this morning!
Corner I hope that you manage to get your plumbing problems sorted out - not what you want at this - or any - time of the year! It happened to us our first Christmas in our last house and was no fun at all.
Ann my heart goes out to you. I’m glad you had your dear GD with you over the holiday and that you were not alone.
Soop your Christmas lunch sounds idyllic, peaceful and very civilised!
Well, we had a very busy Christmas Day; far too much food, acres of Lego, and one busy, happy, small boy who was, as always, a complete joy. He partnered me at Cluedo, as I have never understood the game, and we won! Mummy said it was a fix. We travelled up to DS’s for another Christmas lunch on Boxing Day with his two adult stepsons and one of their partners. We played board games there too and I think DH felt a bit out of his depth. He prefers card games to board games, and would sooner have parked himself in front of the tv and left everyone else to it. But he joined in and did his best. But now we are back at home and he can put his feet up and fall asleep on the sofa. As can I, now, for five minutes at least. I will look in later.

Just missed your post again N&G! What a fabulous photo! Glad you all had a good time. We are up to our necks in leftovers too! I sent a huge bag of food home with DD, but we will still struggle to get through the rest! Then this morning, DS was trying to send some of his home with me! Why on earth do we do it?

Yay! Another marathon ironing session completed. The best bit...arriving home and enjoying a pot of coffee with MacSporran. Certain treats are hard to beat.

N&G That is one wonderful happy family photograph. We look forward to hearing more of your news.

Greyduster When catering for more than we two, I always go over the top and buy far too much of everything. This year was different. There is barely a crumb to spare.

corner No need for guilt. Chill! It's the easiest and most sane option. Life will gradually get back to normal. I welcome the return of routine but, the last few days have been extraordinarily relaxing. In fact, I've never felt so cool, calm and collected.

Nannylovesshopping Ah! Liberty of London. Even the window shopping is a treat. I could happily spend a few hours sauntering around the different floors. I would enjoy just looking and not mind in the least that I had no cash for spending.

Galen It is a beautiful, sunny, crisp day in bonnie Kintyre. Continue to enjoy your boat trip and please, do not get our Bellasnana into wild and wicked ways. As if!

Fennel You have painted a picture in my mind's eye. I can place myself in the heart of the village as the inhabitants gathered for the funeral. On the third of January, we shall be journeying to Glasgow for our very dear friend's cremation. After which, there will be a celebration in memory of his laughter-filled life.

I have completed the second portrait of a fawn. MacSporran is to put both paintings (gifts for the great grandchildren) on to a board and mount them. After which, I shall photograph them and share the results. Then, they will be framed, and hopefully hang in the babies nurseries.

Bye for now. I shall be back with you tomorrow. Stay warm and safe.

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Evening all !!

I am refreshed after a lengthy nap and half a box of Ferrero Roche :-) tis the season and all that!!

Just playing catch up with you all !!

Wow that's one heck of an 'ouchie' Nellie . Hope it went down a bit .

Oh no Charley that's terrible luck. I'm so sorry to hear about the darn cooker !!! Did you manage ok?

Loving Torben's latest photo soop handsome young man. I got the best present from all of mine, a photography session WITH all of mine. I am too often the photographer so not in the pictures. I am VERY excited !!

I'm sure there was a cat in the nativity oldgoat LOL How lucky of you to see it !!

Glad to hear littlest brought you such joyCorner its something to cherish eh?

Sorry to hear your day wasn't the best ann ( Lucky you ate that lamb eh ) . The new development is disturbing but good that your GD saw him at his worst - then at least you have someone who really appreciates how things are.

All is quiet here - we shall be eating leftovers for quite some time !! I hope everyone found just a little joy in the season over the last few days - I wish I could share some of mine .

The best I can do is post a couple of picture. One is of Jackson's delight at our gift of a remote controlled Bugatti !

One is of Grampy and the two little boys. And lastly , we all got new hats....although Jackson's might have been a touch too big !! LOL