Soop's new kitchen being built while she's absent!

We have had a lovely few days with DD and SiL. Fortunately I felt pretty fit and cooking the turkey was not a problem mainly thanks to M&S.
DS, DiL and GC coming next Thursday.

Lovely to see the pictures especially of the grand children.
Sorry to hear some of you have been poorly.

Greetings to all. Had a lovely day yesterday at DS DDIL and GC. They hosted 15 of us including DB DSIL from New Zealand ,who are staying with us just now. It was nice that mum could join us this year.Agreat fun filled day. lots of food and the odd sherry or 2 !!. TOYA.

Charleyg Listen to your body. If it tells you to sleep...then that is what is required to get you feeling very much better. So...take as many naps as you need.

Synonymous Two months is far too long to be feeling under par. Get thee to the GP as soon as the surgery re-opens.

granniequeenie Now that's what I call a busy round of festivity celebrating. The more the merrir. Glad that the teenage granddaughters were able to join in. It makes for a very happy gathering when everyone makes a real effort.

Nannyfaraway Ellie is a charmer for sure. She has a dog almost identical with one that we sent to our great granddaughter. Mila's is a Scotie.

dragonfly It appears that a few of the be well vibes reached you in good time for the festivities. Stay well. You deserve it.

gransal A fun day indeed. I could hear the laughter right here on the west coast of bonnie Scotland.

Well, for those who are not particularly fond of this time of the year...good news is...it's over and done with. Now, after the post Christmas sales, we have all the gumph about getting away on us hols. I for one will not be doing either. I'm happy with my lot. It must be exhausting to be forever on the go. Who will join me in the quiet corner for a coffee and a shortbread biscuit?

I have put some shortbread in the kitchen for everyone, enjoy.

Good afternoon everyone.
Quiet here at the moment after a busy Christmas.
Starts again later as off to the big family Christmas at my sister's.
Soop. That dog Ellie has is actually a donkey. My middle daughter bought it from Primark. It makes noises and walks

Very quiet here as well.
My D and GC are in their way from W Sussex, they have been on their way now for two and a half hours and are still on the car park which is the M25.
Already seeing signs of congestion on the M40.
They have to have regular stops anyway as they have the dog with them.
I have said I am not cooking tonight as I can’t plan but we have a very good Chinese takeaway near so they will phone me their choices and I will get it delivered a boy 7pm.
Hope you all have a good day, peaceful if that is how you want it, full of fun if that is your choice.
We have two members of (very) extended family probably having their last Christmas, one 92, one not yet 40, it puts it all into perspective.

Thank you, venall. I am rather partial to buttery shortbread.

Nannyfaraway OH! A donkey that walks and makes noises. That sounds fun. Mila's Scottie dog is lovely and plump and cuddly. Actually, it's for her birthday early January. She had a locally hand-knitted, kilted doll for Christmas. Ted had a velvety pug dog on a lead.

ann Huge, all encompassing (((hugs))) from me to you.

We are having a relaxing day...^again^. After this weekend I am going to get on my exercise bike and pedal away the extra inches that have settled on my hips. I need to be a foot taller in order to call myself slender. We all know that isn't going to happen.

Well the fourth of eight chemos completed today so half way through.
As my DD says I am a tough old bird so hoping to be fine but I will join you in the quiet corner soop for coffee and some shortbread.
Hope your family arrive soon after their tiring journey ann.

How quickly, to us, your chemo seems to be going Dragonfly although I fully realise that isn’t the same for you, however halfway is better news.
I hope the next few days aren’t too dire for you.
I know you are looking forward to the GC
At 20 and 17, mine are more interested in keeping up with their friends on various bits of technology.
I am sure my electricity bill doubles while they are here, always several things charging.
I do insist they are not brought to the table though and my GS in particular loves a good conversation, he is very mature.

Afternoon All. Funny old day here, grey and drizzle outside and a bit flat inside. Done a bit of cleaning and tidying, truly enjoyed a simple jacket potato for lunch then on to some catchup tv.

Hope you’re feeling better today Charley, rest if you need to, you too dragonfly, tough or not there’s a time to take it easy. soop’s right synonymous, a check over is a good plan, better be safe than sorry as the saying goes. Hope the travellers arrive safely ann and indeed all those travelling, the roads here have been unreasonably busy too.

I’ve just watched Elizabeth is missing. It has quite unsettled me so I’ll be off and find something else to tidy.

TOYA. Take care everyone.

It's that time of day. Log off and wish one and all a peaceful and pleasant evening.

I had planned to visit the sales today- one thing about lurgies is I have spent under a fiver since Sunday.

I was coughing so much I decided it was not safe to drive anywhere but after a snooze, I feel well enough this evening to cook my turkey leg with trimmings. I may even open a bottle of wine.

Tara came home at 3 pm which was a minor miracle.

I thought that ITV could have produced something other than a repeat at peak viewing- this is Vera, one of 5, marvellous.
TOYA

Pleased to hear you are feeling a little better Charlie.

Carry on getting weller Charlieg

You continue to be in my thoughts, dragonfly.

An extremely wet day in Kintyre. I drove to the shop and from time to time the car was enveloped in deep puddle spray. A wee bit worritsome at the time.

Another quiet day in store at chez Soop. I really must plug myself into the mains and recharge my batteries. Only joking.

Bracing myself after a quiet Christmas for the arrival of the family. Traffic problems mean they are already running late which is a good thing as so am I and I have not left the house! Rethinking the food for today and working out what to have that will not spoil plus I think there will have been a lot of snacking while travelling. Hoping for dry weather as New Year so that the fireworks can be enjoyed. Only soup for lunch as we have several days of feasting ahead and there will be some surprise meals as the young folk are taking over at least two days of cooking. I have shopped as instructed and am trying to work out what the menu is ?. It is interesting how food fashion changes. Some new delights but some old fashioned things that I really miss. Home made pate seems passé and avocado on toast is “in”. Like both. Can see Jalapeños far enough though.
dragonfly I do hope you can rest at the same time as enjoying the family. soop so glad you are back at the helm and do look after yourself in preparation for the medical whatsits to come.
To you all - wishing you a peaceful and contented time in spite of any “buggerations”. Home made milk and dark chocolate truffles on the side though not as many as there should be as I had to consumer test them.

Just popping in with some warm bread rolls and turkey soup.
That is the last of the turkey crown - it did us well, Christmas dinner, cold on Boxing day, Turkey curry yesterday and now soup.

Hope everyone is feeling well and sprightly. My DH has a cold which he managed to put on the back burner over Christmas but now it is quiet here he can wallow!!

Feelingmyage Us lot will share the truffles. Mind you, a
few latecomers may be disappointed unless we squirrel a few away. Trouble is, I am becoming forgetful when invited to find such goodies. MacS had a heck of a job sorting through the hard to reach top cupboards for a box of chocs. On finding them we were forced to eat three each (and store a few for later). I think that mine are hiding behind Roget's Thesaurus

dragonfly Turkey certainly is versatile. We had a superb Skipness Smokies Luxury fish pie on Christmas day. There wasn't a scrap left over.
I would love fish and chips and mushy peas later. May have to compromise. Not a lot left in the fridge or freezer. I like the fact that we haven't had any waste thus far. My waistband is testament to the fact.

dragonfly Be gentle with Mr D. It is the season for such buggerations. Not Mr D... I mean bugs and such.

Well done Dragonfly with using up all the turkey - I did same with mine and am feeling quite virtuous! Anyway, I’m sure you’re meant to be resting today!

I’ve left some Christmas cake in the pantry as we’ll never eat it all - someone might be feeling peckish later!

OK who gave us germs? Mr C resembles Rudolph and is looking proper poorly again, I’ve a horribly sore throat which is hampering my ability to speak, much to Mr C’s delight. Hand signals seem to work well enough though .

We’ve a family day to host tomorrow which just has to happen, we’ve not all been in the same place at the same time since June. Tomorrow will see a vast improvement in the germs, I am determined. Hope your family have arrived feelingmyage, the roads all seem far too busy.

My sympathy to your husband dragonfly, not the worst thing that can happen, just a flipping nuisance while it’s here. Please try not to catch your husbands germs, you surely don’t need them.

No idea what we’ll eat this evening, nothing that requires much effort that’s for sure. Oh soop chocolate is one thing I never mislay. The computer keyboard (don’t ask!), my shoes, keys and glasses but never chocolate.

TOYA and take care everyone

corner would you like turkey stirfry? Either your butler or mine could do the necessary. Sorry, yours is ill.

Sorry to hear that Mr. C is unwell. It is no time at all since he last had bugs and lurgies- is he not being fed properly? Is he doing too much at home so does not get enough rest.

You will both have to have a miraculous overnight recovery if you are entertaining family tomorrow.

dragonfly please, you must rest. It will have to be self service for Mr. D.
TOYA