Soop' s warm and welcoming kitchen.

grannyq thank you for that.
Hugs and mince pies for everyone struggling today.

This thought will help me today. Leaving it here for anyone else with a cloudy sky around them x

Nothing will go wrong grannyq, well nothing that can’t be overcome. . Have a lovely time with the families, the children will love it all.

I do know what you mean about less enthusiasm for the seasonal activities. There’s been a lot of acting here. We realised at bed time that we hadn’t switched on the tree lights, unheard of usually. Worries remain about the family, as you say the world isn’t a straightforward place. Sadly I imagine it’s the same for many.

It worried me that marydoll, anyone, would feel unwelcome in the kitchen, thank you for understanding my meaning.

Well, cuppa drunk the alarm will wake Mr C in about 20 minutes which will be a good excuse, or indeed reason, for another. Good luck with your day, I’m convinced it will be fun, honestly . It looks dry outside so our outing should be on so a good day ahead for us.

May i join you for that cuppa, corner? my old boy is snoring gently at my side and, like you, I’ve been awake a stupid length of time already. Unfortunate that, as its my busy volunteering day with parents, toddlers and babies today....ho hum. But the mince pies for the mums and dads are packed and ready, the toddlers’ christmas books are all wrapped and I’ve printed out words of Rudolf and Jingle Bells for singing time....what could possibly go wrong?

I think distress of any sort, whatever the cause or origin is received in the kitchen with kindness, despite your hesitation corner I think you expeessed it well. So remember there’s a space for us all here marydoll

There seems to be a lot of sadness and uncertainty about, both in the kitchen and elsewhere. The big wide world isn’t always a straightforward or easy place and our wee worlds reflect that in the family troubles, health worries and the like that we all fret about as they arise. I’ve been plodding away with all the usual Christmas prep but with less enthusiasm than normal. My fears for various family members who are facing tough times are never far from my mind. Yet in another sense for them and the rest of us too Christmas festivities, albeit somewhat muted, will still carry on as usual and actually they need to - it somehow preserves a sense of normality for us all. But hand on heart, I’m finding it a challenge to accomplish!

Apologies for the random ramblings, I feel better now I’ve sorted that out in my head! Have a good day kitchen folk whatever you’re up to! x

It’s a funny old time of year. Hurts seem to be more painful just as joys can be more intense.

I’m so sorry for your sadness izabella, the loss of a good friend is deeply felt.

I’m also sad for your upset marydoll. I won’t speak for others but for myself I bave shared upset feelings here without detail whether the upset has come from real life or from venturing into other threads. I’ve found unfailing kindness concerning my distress without judgement of situations or people. Again it’s wrong to speak for others but I suspect there would be agreement that it would be a shame should you choose not to come back here. I’m sorry, I’m not at all sure I’ve explained myself properly, hope I haven’t put both feet in it.

Now, why on earth am I awake at silly o’clock? Goodness knows other than my head is full of what seem like unnecessarily complex Christmas arrangements. Think we’ll need a stop watch and a lot of luck. Also Littlest is poorly, from his Mummy’s description it’s a full on high temperature, runny nosed and coughing bug. Littlest will be fine. I’m not so sure about his hard working and overstretched parents. We are told firmly and sensibly to stay away but I’d feel better if I could help.

If it’s a reasonable day our plan is to be off out to Wells. for a pre Christmas drift around and some lunch. I’ve decided chips are definitely part of a soft diet . Looking forward to it. Tomorrow it's the final food shop, don’t think that will be such a good experience but happy to be proved wrong.

Hope there is good news of your friend and neighbour soop.

Mr C is sleeping soundly, I may creep off for a cuppa. Take care everyone.

There is a possibility that she means me Maw, so probably very appropriate to send a Glasgow kiss.
However, a little unfair as I was bruised first.

On reading this back, that seems quite a childish, comment, but there are always two sides to everything and I am quite hurt that it has been mentioned here on this thread.?

However, on reading Izabella's sad news, I fully understand now. ?
Many of us seem to be very sensitive today.☹️

I shall now retreat from the kitchen, as it's a refuge for many and I don't want to spoil the atmosphere in this safe haven.

Evening all. Sorry Izabella to hear about your friend. I have sidled into the kitchen for comfort as I wept buckets at all the sad changes in my Christmas card list then got two messages about new babies that have just arrived and remember my wee granny saying “one in, one out” in her pragmatic way. Decided to get a grip, finish the cards and send congratulations to the new parents. Looking on the sideboard for a little bedtime tipple. Sleep well all.

Izabella, so sorry about your friend, especially hard at this time of year.
Soop, take care ironing, and do try to let that burn heal.
Ann, good to hear from you, enjoy tomorrow.
Dragonfly, I hope your mum is doing well in hospital.
N&G, your Cooper is a gem!
Eldest son came this lunchtime to take a look at the lights on my display cabinet, there are 3, and one has gone through 3 bulbs in a week. He fixed it (hopefully) and was expecting his youngest son to pick him up about 4pm, but at 3.30 he got a call saying he wasn`t getting picked up until around 6pm. All he wanted was to get home to his recliner as his back was playing up since his op 4 weeks ago, but he was stuck here all that time.

Izabella sit ye down and let us see to the “bruising”
Shall we send a “Glasgow kiss “ in any particular direction?

N&G boys eh!
? Yeah kitty welcome back.
Ooh er Galen hope it's not too bad. We will be in the bay of biscay in January and I'm a bit worried about that.
ann . Hope you enjoy the buffet and entertainment tomorrow and your unusual Christmas with your daughter (sounds intriguing ?)
soop I have told you before that I will come up there to wrap you in bubble wrap soon. Please take care of yourself and I do hope your burn heals soon.
dragonfly what a lot you've got going on this week. Sorry to hear your mum is in hospital. Hope the antibiotcs work soon.
Quick hello to everyone. Sleep well. Hope you get some sleep tonight too panache. Take care.

Good to hear from you ann. Children eh? Having white haired grandparents has taught ours that not everyone over 30 should be in a care home, although I suspect sometimes they are deciding between them whether it’s time .

I’ll risk the pastry greyd, I do like a mince pie.

Be careful with the iron tomorrow, soop, no more accidents

Good night all, sleep well.

Soop this may sound strange but I use Compeed on burns as well as blisters. Try and leave it dry for up to 3 days at least.

Nothing much to say other than a dear friend and inspirational woman died this afternoon. It had been expected but that does not make it any easier. I feel bereft, confused and tearful tonight. So I have come back to the kitchen to reflect - and escape what feels like an unwarranted bruising on another thread.

I have spare mince pies but cannot remember who needs them.

Ann I laughed out loud when you mentioned that last year the children singing carols assumed you were a resident. You would not be the only one- probably anybody over the age of 25 should be there!

Sleep well, Tara is asleep but she will come upstairs with me when it is bedtime.

Good night Ann , sleep well !

Good evening to you all.
Just checking in to report I am ok.
I feel tired and achy all the time but am coping , I have a few things on this week, it will be after Christmas when I get down to the nitty gritty of life on my own.
My kitten is lovely and already a real lap cat, she is though a very skitty kitty and is very lively and would be destructive if a firm eye isnt kept on her.
My D is coming on Sunday for our unusual and odd Christmas, I am sure we will enjoy it in our own way.
It is the Christmas party at my H's care home tomorrow with a buffet and entertainment, last week year 6 of the local primary school came in and sang carols which we enjoyed, they then circulated and chatted to us all, I think they assumed I was a resident.
Already in bed so I will send you all my very best wishes for whatever you are all doing and say Good Night.

Charleyg... Yes, the food is Purina dried food. We have three flavours. She hasn't visited the chalet so far tonight.

corner the burn continues to weep. It's right on the thumb knuckle.

I'm using the Kindle. A short time ago, our neighbour's husband sent a welcome message. C's heart surgery went well. He can visit her tomorrow. We are happy and relieved.

Okay....until tomorrow, sleep tight and keep cosy. X

No spare mince pies I suppose?. Might be, Corner, might be! Depends how much you value your teeth - my pastry is, let’s say, challenging!

Thank goodness there was a bed for your Mum with minimal hanging around dragonfly Quite a week for you one way or another, please try and relax a bit when you get home.

Be careful with that iron tomorrow soop. Dangerous things. How is the burn? Healing I hope. Macs sounds a very wise man when his opinion is sought. .

Oh dear greyd, maybe send your husband with a longer list next time. . I can imagine how pleased he was with his find. Wonderful isn’t it how the world can scupper our carefully thought out and devious plans. No spare mince pies I suppose?

I’ve got the makings for sausage rolls. Apparently it won’t be Christmas unless they are made. Will get to it later in the week, and ice the cake. Hopefully I won’t muddle the what goes where .

Love the Christmas decoration willow, beautiful. How was the party n&g. Any ‘proper’ party food?

You’ll all be amazed to hear I overcame the procrastination (maybe your grandson and I could swap strategies greyd). All tasks finished, the list is empty. Do you think that puts me on the ‘good’ list this year? No, neither do I

Take care everyone.

soop would it be possible to put out dry food for Tabitha until she at least returns? I am thinking of the waste of the lovely food and the cost of it. I know, I am Scottish!

I have ironing duty to perform tomorrow. Yay! As soon as I return home, guess what? I shall pop into our kitchen for a leisurely panic-stricken catch up. Take pity on me - puleese.

dragonfly Our posts crossed. Now that your Mum has a bed, she's in the best possible place to receive the best possible treatment.

Greyduster the pickle saga made me chuckle.

Willow Your decoration is most unusual and very artistic.

N&G If anyone deserves a sausage roll, it is you. Are they warm? My mouth is watering. Funny how a gang of us would congregate on Boxing Day, and although the table was groaning with exotic dishes, everyone headed for the platters of mini sausages baked to perfection in the Aga.

Simple pleasures.

I am about to try on two outfits. Not for the first time...need to make a serious decision - what suits and fits me best for our pal's birthday party on Christmas Day. I traipse through to ask MacSporran to comment on the suitability for the occasion. He's very long suffering. He knows by the tone of my voice which I prefer. Being a darling man, he seems to agree with my choice. Then comes...which shoes to wear...which purse to take...he remains composed throughout the faffing.

Amazingly they are keeping her in for a few days to pump her with antibiotics and they have a bed already!

dragonfly he is merely covering his own back- never mind that you will be pitching a tent soon.

Unfortunately the GP overruled me and we are now in A and E!