Soop's warm and welcoming kitchen...

I so love reading what our kitheners are doing especially with GC.
However it makes me so nostalgic and also so old and fairly useless
I just cannot contemplate doing what you all desribe.
I miss all the things you do with family but glad I did it once up a time.
I am very tired and ready for bed so early.
Please continue to do all youu do and appreciate it all, it is so soon over.
Sleep well everyone and TOYA.

I’ve had a really nice day so why is it I get to thinking about problems ahead and feel so frightened ? I know it’s daft as so many people have burdens to bear today. When I step back I know the response is anticipatory. Processing is happening now so I can be what I’m expected to be when it happens, the calm, rational and reassuring one. It does make today hard but perhaps makes the future easier to manage.

I will do as you say, ann and appreciate family today, no matter how tiring it is and how much the weight of worry presses me down. So please understand if I say little and just pull up the drawbridge. Time to sleep now, tomorrow is another day and may dawn brighter. Sleep well everyone. TOYA.

corner take each day as it comes and enjoy your family- they will soon grow and fly the nest not needing child sitting any longer.

If I am being honest, this is the trouble (well, one trouble) with “social media” -even the kinder sort.
We very rarely post that we have not spoken to anybody for 4 days, that we wake up tired and fall into bed similarly exhausted, that cooking for one is an oxymoron so I’ll just have a piece of toast for now, that it doesn’t seem worth the bother to get showered and wash our hair because who is going to see us, that while it would be lovely to see the GC we are shattered when they leave or else they are so far away it is a major organisational feat, that we feel our years and then still recoil in horror when we look in the mirror, that everybody else is out doing something/having the family to lunch/crafting or knitting exquisite things for new babies/ or simply coping with bereavement better than we are (of course I mean I am)
And I decide to give up on social media because it depresses me.
I do not begrudge anybody one nanosecond of all the activity and company but if I hadn’t read about it I might not realise everybody is fulfilled and happy ........are they really?
But then, perhaps, I also read, and especially here in the Kitchen, of great courage in adversity, of the heartache of ill members of the family, of doctors and hospital appointments, of ongoing treatments, of coping with caring for partners with long term illnesses or dementia and I count my blessings!

Was today the day we were going to celebrate Galen’s retirement with a kitchen party ? ? ?. I think N&G volunteered gold and pearl decorations. I have just been to Waitrose (only the best for Galen ?) and bought some delicious nibbles. On the table, help yourselves and the bubbly is in the fridge waiting for someone to open it. I’m off to dress up in something festive

It is a sparkling, frosty, sunny day in bonnie Kintyre.We didn't go walking as the pavements are slippery and I am bound to go arse over t**.

Maw I was moved by your eloquent and matter of fact post. It needs saying that none of know how well equipped we are for the time when our "normal" lives are turned upside down and inside out. I marvel at the fortitude of so many of our Kitcheners. You have taught me a great deal.

Dear Ann, you are one of us lot that I admire greatly.

It's okay to feel lack-lustre and totally pooped for whatever reason. It's understandable to look back and rue missed opportunities, as I do from time to time. This moment is what is real. I try to accept all my limitations because I am lucky enough to have this moment. I miss our family who live a very long distance away. Ours will not be a family Christmas as seen on TV adverts. Knowing that those who live close will gather and have a very noisy celebration of their own making, is a comfort.
This time of the year makes me feel sad for others. I cannot help wishing the season over and done with.
Enough of my ramblings. I apologise for being a bore.

My special thoughts to corner Ann Maw and all of you who need a comforting hug.











i admire greatly.

Doodle Yay! It is party time for Galen...how could we not celebrate. I shall look out some of Tesco's finest nibbles to add to the buffet. How about Bucks Fizz? As for a party dress...I may wear my Eliza J purple form-fitting frock. High heels? Perhaps not. I cannot risk falling flat on my face and not being able to get up without the assistance of a muscle-bound fireman. On reflection...

I will donate a bottle of vintage rosé. Well, it must be 'vintage' as it was discovered at the back of my cellar during a clear-out! I think I'll stick to Prosecco. Just got to seek out my diamond earrings and my gold shoes. What's going in between is anyone's guess.
Some smoked salmon paté coming your way too.

Rootling in the freezer to make space for some stock and soup I have made, I have found some Smoked Salmon and Blini canapés which I think I bought for Christmas 2018 - or maybe it was 2016?
I’m sure they’ll be fine ?

I’ll contribute a cake I made to celebrate my graduation in 1968!
I’ve worked nonstop ever since!
The kids have just left, they came so that I could take them all out to dinner last night to celebrate my birthday.
Thanks for all your good wishes.
My birthday is actually Tuesday, but as I’ll be on my own I’ve been celebrating it this weekend

I am feeling very melancholy, our family have left after a hearty breakfast, I have only one bed left to change.

I have started decorating the house for Christmas, but this is the first time since Mr,Gravy and I have been together that it will just be us here, I am missing our D and GS so much it hurts. They are only a 15 minute walk away, their home is beautiful, they are happy, but it is so quiet and empty here.

Sending wishes to all kitcheners with sorrows.

I have some vegan sausage rolls, and prosecco to add to Galens retirement party, I shall go and put on my own pearls as a tribute to our dear kitchen friend.???

Have I missed Panache posting? I do hope things are as well as can be expected with them

.

I have a box of mince pies I made yesterday which weren’t an outstanding success but keep filling the glasses and no-one will notice! I can volunteer to blow up balloons too, as I have hot air to spare!

Corner Processing is happening now so I can be what I’m expected to be when it happens, the calm, rational and reassuring one. I will be happy to remember that next time I am lying awake at some ridiculous hour. It makes perfect sense. I hope you have regained your equilibrium and there is some sunshine in your day.

Soop I think TV adverts - and Dickens - have a lot to answer for. Christmas is two days of the year; knowing you are loved and cherished by your family, wherever they happen to be, all the year round, is a gift beyond measure.

DD sent me a text this morning saying don’t buy a Christmas pudding; she has one for finishing in her running club’s annual Percy Pud race. All runners get a Christmas pudding for taking part! I would want a whole Christmas dinner and wine to persuade me to get out of bed on a freezing morning to run a race! At least the sun has been shining.

I was in and out of bed last night with what felt like a burgeoning UTI. Then this morning, nothing! So we have been out for a shortish walk along the river. We pass a house where there are chickens in the yard and DH always stops to lean on the gate and “chat” to them! And they always look at him as if to say “Oh, it’s you again! We were hoping for Alan Bennett!”?

I will look in later. Have a happy day folks!

Another one here feeling less than positive. DH has been off colour for a day or two and the resulting clearing up and additional washing have made me bad tempered to say the least. I need something to look forward to but can’t imagine what.

This morning I sorted out DH and got him dressed and shaved, went to church, provided and washed up coffee (fortunately for a small congregation), came back and cooked and washed up lunch and am having half an hour on GN before more organising DH so that I can go out at 5.00 pm to practise and be ready for our lovely candlelit Advent meditation at 6.30 pm. Have arranged for a neighbour to call for DH, zip him into his coat, and ensure the front door is locked and walk him up to church.

No wonder I am tired!

I am very fond of you lot. A day without your company is not on my list of favourite things. Far from it.

We are having to have our ancient puter "updated". Why? I've no idea. Anyway, I have been asked to trawl through trillions of photos and the likes. We are "burning" must-keeps to disc. I have spent hours doing just that. I have a mini migraine as a result.

Time for me to log off and forget the amount of stuff that I've still to attend to.

I am concerned for Mr and Mrs Pananche Please may we have an update.

By the by, we are going to the pictures on Tuesday. 'Knives Drawn' and, what's more, we've booked our seats. Goodness me, MacSporran has at long last been converted.

Until tomorrow

Evening all!! Gold and pearl banners up, gold balloons, the table is laid in cream and gold . We’re all good to go ! Pass me a glass please !

I’m weary just looking at your day GrannySomerset

A moving note Maw , it’s a rock and a hard place isn’t it? Part being aware not everyone is having a Pollyanna kind of day and part not turning into the grinch .

I tune in some days and am overcome by other people’s sadness and troubles to the extent that I can’t think of an apt or appropriate post . Other days I can share some small joy from my life ( like. Sam’s poorly tummy having cleared up !)

I think at our age we KNOW that life isn’t a bowl of cherries but that doesn’t help when we’re in a place of despair.

Hopefully , everyone can find something that brings just a little joy each day.

And on that note, pass me a mince pie Grey! ?

Congratulations on your retirement Galen . Hope you enjoy it. ???????☄️?. Pearls and cruising time to relax and enjoy life. More visits to the kitchen? I’m putting on some music for some bopping. Come on N&G shake a leg. Cake for me please and a large glass of something bubbly

Cheers

N&G I am so pleased to hear that young Sam is feeling better. That dog, like Hattie really needs to be taken better care of in my opinion.
TOYA

We have discovered that Sams poorly tummy responds well to a good bio yoghurt * Charley* so Grampy always gives him the pot to lick out lol ! Spoilt dog !

Doodle , considered your glass filled and a serious chunk of cake ???

Enjoy your cinema visit, soop. My DS2 took both his sons - one of whom is 12 today - to see it. They all said it was very good - especially Daniel Craig. And they have very good (inherited) taste.
Yesterday I had a lovely afternoon at the Lowrie Theatre seeing The Red Shoes by Matthew Bourne's company. Beautifully danced and the choreography told the story brilliantly. There was a Christmas market in the plaza outside and plenty of window shopping to do in the mall. A good day out and the traffic was easy because Man U were not playing at home.
Cheers to you too Galen and congratulations on your retirement. Is there any fizz left?

Some of the offers of food for this party were reminiscent of the Argy Bargy - have you been visiting Soop?
Vegetable samosas on the side and veg spring rolls.
TOYA, particularly Panache today.

So pleased to hear that Sam is now back to normal. Good you have found a medicine he actually likes.

Iy is too cold here to allow Tara out so she has been walking all over my body, ever hopeful.

Today is the day I will win 1 million pounds from one of my premium bonds- that is a dead cert. Until now I have been forgotten about.
TOYA

Charley???.

You’ll share it with us Charley? The news, I mean....

I think there is a Black Hole Charleygirl where those emails from NS&I disappear into. Hoping for mine too, but, unsurprisingly, not holding my breath!
One of your favourite dogs (mustn’t forget Sam) has decided to keep me company.
Good thing it is a king-sized .???