Soop' s warm and welcoming kitchen.

Hello kitchen friends - a lot to catch up on and I fear I may miss some of you so apologies upfront.

Wolfie looks adorable in his fur hat - he'll thank everyone for that when he grows up Commiserations to Jackson on his broken arm - 3 months is indeed a really long time when you're 7 especially over Christmas with all the fun things he'll miss out on. Perhaps the issues the cast will cause with bathing might compensate a little Ella is gorgeous!

Panache losing a pet is such a painful process and we do indeed look on them as members of the family. Enjoy your hairdressing appointment - it's always good to have a pick me up like that and if your hairdresser is a regular one it's good to chat.

Dragonfly thinking of you as you wait until 13th but it's good you've got all the examinations so far over and your family are being so supportive.

Feelingmyage thank you for the cheese straws - one of my favourite snacks - we have a local bakery which makes delicious straws which have to be eaten hot to fully enjoy them.

Gagagran you are indeed brave to attend the choir after being ill - I'm glad you're feeling a bit better and well done on raising money for a local charity. I hope your decorator gets the work done quickly with as little mess as possible - stairs seem to affect the whole house. I have just posted a pile of cards today and hand delivered a few - we don't have that many young people in our circle but I do know cards seem to be on the decline which is very sad.

Soop I'm so pleased your rear is holding up well (so to speak) it must be such a relief after all the pain and discomfort you've been through. Hope the new lab picture finally comes good - I'm sure they've all been fine really.

I have visited a friend this morning who asked me to order her a pair of big bum pants having seen them on TV. She has no bum at all so can't wear trousers - we've had quite a laugh about them - especially some of the very weird ones on sale! Hoping they do the trick for her. I did offer to give her some of mine as lack of posterior is definitely not an affliction I suffer from!

I have to go home tomorrow sadly - this bungalow is so comfy and looking very festive now. Daphne is definitely at home here so will not be happy to go in her carrier in the morning! Alfie will equally not be happy to see her return

Baggs Men!

N&G Ella is totally gorgeous.

Galen Never mind, the butler will do things differently. Be kind to your cleaner. We all have lapses of memory.

Feelingmyage the casserole will be well received. A kindly gesture. Thank you for the cheese straws. I'm rather partial to such treats.

dragonfly My ironing done and put away. I'm one of those strange creatures who find it theraputic. Takes all sorts.

Hello Charleyg...all well with you and the lady of the house? I'm waiting for Tabitha to call by. Any time soon...

Am doing the usual care home visit tomorrow. Will be back with you all on my return.

Actually Bags I also like celery, apple, asparagus and cold chicken all mixed in together in some low fat cottage cheese. You can mix in a little mayonnaise as well. Serve on a bed of lettuce.

What he wanted bread for is to spread almond (or was it cashew) nut butter on. He tried the low carb suggestions of eating it on celery and was not impressed. I wouldn't be either. Celery's alright in stews. Otherwise... meh.

The other day, MrBaggs, who's on a low carb diet, said wistfully: "Aren't you making bread?" Apparently my trying to help him by not having bread in the house is not appreciated ?. I'm sure it is but I'm supposed to know which day is the day he's allowing himself each week to eat as much as he likes of anything. Hey ho.

Calorie-free bread I can do anytime and that soup sounds delicious, n&g. I'll help myself to a bowl of it. Thank you.

Evening all.....

Mmmmmm cheese strawsFeelingmyage , my favourite. I love them in virtual reality as its weigh in day tomorrow and what with Jacksons party and our afternoon tea I suspect the needle on the scales will be going the wrong way !!

I made a very nice red pepper and tomato soup for lunch so will leave the leftovers here. Would go down nicely with a chunk of homemade bread all you bakers !!

Jackson called to say it was a rainy day so EVERYONE had to stay inside . Result !!! His dress rehearsal went well.... he is an Inn spector lol but he wasn't given a tie to wear only a moustache !! But for now all is well in his world.

Its a rainy one here too so I am about to brave the commute back from the West Wing to the house but wanted to leave you with a picture of Ella in my latest crafty project ,,, I think she looks lovely ( but im biased ) !

Galen I am assuming that life on the ocean wave is over the Christmas period? How long are the two of you away for?

The latest from my slightly dippy cleaner.
Retiring to bed, I noticed the pillow case wasn’t on right. On trying to remedy the situation, I found she had put the clean pillow case on top of the dirty one!
When I told her she said ‘ I wondered what had happened to the other pillowcase’

Hello all, Missed the kitchen over the weekend as we had a surprise visitor. Thank goodness there was just enough time to sort out the spare room, which tends to become a dumping ground between visitors. Anyway a good catch up, good food and some long walks lifted our November/December greyish spirits. Best wishes to all who are having to put up with health problems. I hope you are receiving the very best the nhs has to offer.
I have left a variety of cheese straws and dip on the side. I do like crunchy things! I am just going to read a chapter of my book in a quiet corner before bracing myself to visit a friend with some family problems. I know a lot of people cannot face her but avoiding her isn’t much help. Off for a short visit with a casserole. Have a productive and/or peaceful afternoon.

Hey what is with all these people doing the ironing. I never iron if I can help it. I have pure cotton seersucker sheets and my husband only wears non iron shirts. Tight jeans mean they stretch when on.

I must add I have a wonderful DH who remains very positive and upbeat. He is a great support as were my children at the weekend. Of course my DS is very worried and wants it all sorted now but my DD is more philosophical. I hate to worry them all so much.

and hello to Izabella. You lot must learn to stay still for a wee while. Catching up with you is a herculean task. Mind you, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Off to do the ironing. And, guess what...I've decided to start a new watercolour of the golden Lab. Must be mad!

I meant to say hello to corner callgirl Doodle and belated best wishes to Aligran...

N&G Here I be. When I've tackled my mountain, if you're lucky, I shall pop in to do yours.
Poor darling Jackson As you say, a long time to keep him caged. Although, by the sound of it, he's getting heaps of treats and personal attention. Bless him!

Panache yet another newsy post from you. Enjoy your visit to the hairdresser. It always perks me up no end. Or, I should add, until I return home and fiddle with it until it's back to the way it was before the appointment.
The back passage is less tender than it was at first. Although there is still a wee amount of blood loss. Nothing to worry about. All par for the course.
In fact, my life has taken an upturn since the procedure. I feel rejuvinated.

GrannyGravy13 Have yourself a happy, clappy, chatty lunchtime treat with your friends. It's a perfectly beautiful day for it.

Gaga Oh, I thoroughly enjoyed your rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus. You were very brave to take part. Jippy tums can be so unpredictable.

dragonfly If I could, I would accompany you to attend your appointments. You are doing very well. You deserve a huge bouquet of and continuing . We are all rooting for you.

Dragonfly often a cance meet found in these circumstances can become a life long friend, so you may well cherish this day ......and not for the wrong reasons.....

Thinking of you and extending the floral gift

Just got back from MRI. Not too bad although my fingers went numb as you lie on your front with your hands above your head. Everything on time though so no hanging about. Yesterday at the CT scan they took me in as soon as I got there half an hour early.
Got a worrying little pain in the side of my head and a funny taste in my mouth but hoping it is due to stress.
Now got the long wait until 13th.
Made a friend with someone who was at all the same appointments as me. I told her we would probably be seeing a lot of each other!!

Just been catching up with everyone's news - such a lot to read about! Glad there seems to be some hope for the rear end problem soop - must be a huge relief to know that there is a solution. Sending kindest regards and best wishes to all the unwell Grans and hoping for some ease and improvement for you all.

I hope you all heard us singing the Hallelujah Chorus on Saturday evening - the rousing finale to my choir Christmas Concert? It went really well, to our great relief after a dodgy rehearsal or two recently. Funds raised were for the Rosemary Foundation, a small local charity providing hospice care at home for the terminally ill.

Unfortunately I had a gastritis flare up an hour before the start and it was touch and go whether I managed to go and sing. After dosing myself up with meds I did manage it, though felt washed out and also yesterday. Much better today thankfully, though abdomen is still tender.

The decorator is here and has started doing his prep work on the hall and stairs. We are confined to the study at the moment so I plan to do the Christmas cards.

Anyone else find that the younger generations seem to have given up on them? I have cut right down and no longer send to people I have not seen or heard from in years. We come across so many people in a lifetime and the only true constants are close family I find.

Take care everyone and enjoy the preparations for Christmas. It brings light to the dark days and soon the year will turn again as we head towards spring.

Goodmorning from my rather noisy house, so I thought I would pop into your kitchen Soop and have a quick chat, have left some vegan cookies on the side (ok so I didn't bake them D brought them home).

Last of the carpets being fitted today, stairs and upstairs landing, apparently my desire to have each stair pinned underneath the small protrusion is old fashioned, but I have insisted, consequently said carpet fitter is not particularly happy.

Mr.GG has taken my car to the garage, so who knows when that shall be back ???

Going to lunch to celebrate a dear friends "0" birthday 12 ladies in their finery, hope the restaurant is prepared!!!!

My thoughts are with all gransnetters with troubles and ill health, especially thinking of dragonfly today.

Hope your derrière is on the mend Soop.

???☕️☕️☕️

Good Morning to you all,a brand new week and yes full of fresh hope...........no harm in hoping as it keeps us "ticking over" rather nicely when troubles and cares tend to overwhelm us.

Christmas card list, which sadly depletes latterly year on year, completed....... so a big sigh of relief.

Thank you for your kind remarks about our little Barnaby,the "apple of our eye" and of course those of you without children will well understand..........just as you said Callgirl they become part of the family,whilst in his case he ruled this family!!!!

Our Barnaby was always lovingly called Barney too Doodle.........sounds far more friendly!

After buffeting winds and heavy downpours even worse is forecast so I blindly step over that bit!

Time you had some much needed relief Cornergran that tooth has well and truly blighted enough days for you now, and I am sure you are counting the days.....and I am ........for you!

Oh dear poor young Jackson with a real “hangdog look”......understandably...... but you certainly know how to keep him amused N & G........but yes 3 months with footie out of bounds will seem an age for a youngster.

A friend of mine has her Mum in a CH all year,on each week she has been admitted into Hospital,The CH `phone my friend advising her of the situation, but it is her prerogative whether she chooses to go along to the Hospital........and I suspect this is what should be happening for you Ann with your H........no way can you pay out for his care and also be expected to be at beck and call at all hours to see to him.
Time you put your foot down my friend,time those greater issues were put behind you.
Thinking of you meanwhile.

You have a very impressive young family Kitty and young Wolfie is another perfect addition........exceptionally so with that hat which truly makes him rule supreme,what a sweetie!!

Good hearing your rear end is responding kindly to the manipulating Soop!!.......... the sooner it feels even better we shall rejoice!
A kind understanding surgeon does make a big difference too.

Belated Happy anniversary to Alygran
and belated Happy Birthday Baggs

A warm welcome to all our newcomers and those facing those long dark waiting periods, my thoughts are with you.

Still no sign of GreyD........missing you .....hope you are fine.

As for those sailing away, indeed yes you Galen........you,Bon Voyage it is.

Meanwhile I shall prepare myself for a long over due and much needed hair do tomorrow.........I am sure I shall feel both lighter of head and fuller of spirit afterwards!

Wishing each one of you a peaceful and pleasant day doing your whatsoevers.

Morning all !!

Belated Happy Birthday Baggs - was there cake :-)

I have spoken to the injured warrior this morning and he is in good spirits and very excited to be able to tell his teacher what happened. I suspect this excitement will wear off pretty quickly as apparently he is not allowed to play outside at break or lunchtime !!

I had hoped this was only while he had his flexi plaster on but apparently not. 3 months is a long time to 'cage' a child !

We sent him a get well card and box of 'maccaroonies' his favourite special treat and Grampy found him a book about a little boy with a broken arm so we are all set .

We are so pleased to have found our local dog sitter. She is a real gem and it saves Sam pointless long car journeys.

Hope all who are unwell are beginning to feel a little better . I am off to do the usual mundane things and avoid the ironing mountain that I have named Kilimanjaro ( where's soop when you need her lol)

I`m sorry Panache, I missed you out, didn`t mean to, honest! Your little Barnaby was a real cutie, no wonder you miss him so much. Our pets really do become a part of the family, don`t they?

Oh, poor jackson, hope he’s getting bucket loads of sympathy.

Happy anniversary to you both alygran, sounds just the right sort of weekend. Happy belated birthday to you baggs, enjoyed a cookie earlier, delicious.

So far so good then soop, long may it last. Looking forward to seeing your latest painting. Sounds as if Tabitha is appreciating her supper, delighted for you all.

You’ve worked so hard to be positive dragonfly, yes, enjoy and appreciate each day, as we all should but often don’t.

Well, very disturbed night last night, just face ache, and my eyes are closing now so I need to turn this off.

Take care everyone.

Sorry Barnaby. Barney is my cousins dog.

Belated happy returns baggs. Hope you had a good day and thank you for the cookies.
Aaah wolfie. Going to be another kitchen favourite I think.
Happy anniversary mr and mrs alygran ?
n&g poor Jackson. I'm sure he'll perk up when he gets his cast signed.
soop glad your bits are uplifted, let's hope they stay that way.?
panache we have lost pets too and still have fond memories. Not surprised you still miss Barney
Hello anyone I've missed. Hope you are all ok.

n&g, I couldn't help smiling at your post but, yes, poor Jackson. Bad enough being limited for six weeks with an adult broken arm but three months for a seven year old! Yeesh! I hope the arm's recovery goes well.

Congratulations to alygran and MrA.

And thank you for the birthday wishes. Very kind.