....as I wait......

I am sat at the kitchen table waiting for a delivery man to drop off some vital computer equipment for Chris....of course no time can be specified, given the Christmas deadlines....so I have to be around, and available all day....
There is an upside to all this....for as  I  wait here...I have been making lists for the "Christmas dinner" shop we are embarking on this evening......In between the planning of the sherry trifle and the reviewing of a recipe for Braised Red Cabbage ( thanks Pat), I have had time to notice
those grubby little marks around the kitchen that have always been previous neglected.....namely the dog snot on the back door ,the dribbles of kittikat down the side of the fridge and that lump of something unmentionable under the sofa.....
Not being content just to look at these little badges of pet ownership, I have got off my arse and scrubbed the offending areas clean.......so much so....that the kitchen is actually starting to look......er.....well....... habitable......
A first for me, I can tell you.
Most of the dogs have stalked off for a sleep, all that is except Mabel who feigning slumbers is now keeping one eye open to see what  I would start scrubbing next......she closed both eyes firmly when I found myself muttering in true Joan Crawford style 
"Its not you I'm mad at...I'm mad at the dirt"
Being a typical bulldog, she cannot cope with any bad feeling!

Anyway, it's 1.10pm and still there is no sign of Mr Delivery Man.....all visible signs of dog snot have now been removed from the kitchen and I have completed at least three " to do" lists on the back of three envelopes.........I am confident that most Christmas day boxes have now been ticked...
My two sisters and their husbands are all coming for Christmas dinner here.....Non of us really feel like celebrating but the effort has to be made to mark the day .....tomorrow I am going down to B& Q to buy some cheap as chips Christmas lights....with the aim of transforming something like this

into something like THIS
This being......Nigella's twinkling Kitchen....
Hopefully the effect with raise a few , well needed smiles!!!!!!


37 comments:

  1. Anonymous1:40 pm

    Looks like you've got your work cut out for you.
    Kitchen messes can be so overwhelming can't they? I'm always amazed when I finally get at it how quickly it all goes.

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  2. Cant wait to See picture of the after John. lol
    wishing you and your family a blessed Christmas.
    Sue.M

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  3. I know the holidays will be difficult but your brother would want you to celebrate his life, not mourn his passing.

    Chriatmas lights may be draped over anything...including dirty dishes.

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  4. It's a choice isn't it John. Either squeeky (paid for) clean, or take me as I am. I tend to go for the latter.

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  5. its marvelous what you can do when you put your mind to it.

    I agree with Gail celebrate Andrew's life he would want that.

    Gill in Canada

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  6. so basically you want someone to wave a magic wand it doesnt work I already wished for one

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  7. BTW

    THAT SHIT HOLE PHOTO IS NOT our kitchen!!!
    LOL

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  8. How did you find a picture of our kitchen on the net, John? You should gift wrap the lump of unmentionable stuff and place it under the tree.

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  9. Twinkly lights and booze....job done!!
    Jane x

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  10. Oooo. Can you coe round and remove the traces of our three cats? I sat in yesterday waiting for a delivery man because I was told he'd be here sometime between 7am and 9pm. Plenty of scope there then.....

    I made mince pies and soup and stuff. But I should have cleaned up.

    Have a great Christmas with your new twinkly lights. (And booze and food of course!)
    XX

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  11. My face is redder then Rudolphs nose.

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  12. "BTW

    THAT SHIT HOLE PHOTO IS NOT our kitchen!!!
    LOL"
    Phew, that's a relief then. ;)
    Although you don't feel like celebrating, it will probably be a comfort to all of you to spend the day together. Hope all goes well.

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  13. Good luck with that red cabbage recipe - try adding a good spoonfull of red currant jelly to it, just before you serve it - it makes all the difference.

    Add red currant jelly to the list on your envelope and add 'shopping list note book' to your list of Christmas wants!

    Oh how I long to give that bulldog a hug.

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  14. My tip is to buy a few disposable table cloths from the £1 shop and drape them artistically over all the grotty bits LOL

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  15. Anonymous3:37 pm

    Twinkle lights in the kitchen, brilliant! I've got an apartment full of "little gifts" from Baron! So happy you had time to clean up beastie deposits! Mabel is a sweetheart! I agree being together with your family at Christmas is a good thing, raise a few for Andrew and remember the good times! He'll love it!

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  16. It's amazing what a few well-placed lights can do.

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  17. I have asked Kim and Aggie to call on you at their earliest opportunity. You will be aired (and not before time) in a January episode of "How clean is your house?"

    ;-)

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  18. Perhaps you need to lower your expectations! just a little! xxxxx

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  19. Good luck with the cleaning bug!

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  20. Are you having Boris for Christmas? When ever we buy turkeys from supermarkets we can never be sure when the bird was slaughtered but eating your own bird means you can be sure of its diet, free range credentials and time of death. When ever you have posted pictures of him he has looked simply delicious.

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  21. I knew it wasn't your kitchen John, because I didn't see the dead mouse!! :-))

    I remember the first Christmas without my Mom--I know just how you're all feeling. Being together and remembering the good memories and lots of light I think will brighten the day!

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  22. Good for you, John, actually getting some cleaning done (I never thought that grotty shithole was your kitchen!).

    I just bought a new strand of sparkle lights and as I'm not putting up a tree this year, maybe I'll put them up in the kitchen.

    Drink a toast to Andrew ~ We'll be drinking a toast to our Mum. Holidays go on even when one doesn't feel in the mood. Cheers, m'dear.

    ps: I always use the back of used envelopes for notes and lists.

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  23. I do hope the delivery man finally arrived! and well done, you for making such good use of your time.

    I always use the backs of envelopes for lists, and a few of the boxes are still unticked. Mostly the tidying up the grotty [insert room name here].

    I'm glad all of you will be together on Christmas, even if you don't feel much like celebrating. I hope amidst the solemnity, all of you can find something silly to laugh at and feel good about it.

    megan

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  24. Don't you just LOVE to wait for those delivery men! I wonder if they ever show up ANYWHERE at the start of the day? Not here for sure!!!
    Go crazy with the lights John! Create a fantasy of lights for your family....they have earned it.

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  25. Turning the lights down will definitely help, but turning on the fairy lights might ruin effect!

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  26. Turning the lights down will definitely help, but turning on the fairy lights might ruin effect!

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  27. That's not a kitchen - that's Hiroshima post A-bomb!

    I love Nigella! I also like her cooking! LOL!

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  28. You can't beat a good fairy light, I always say! Merry Christmas to you and all of yours.

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  29. Have fun John...I know you'll make your sisters smile. Mmmm that Trifle sounded delicious....my Nana ...yes THAT Nana made the most delicious Trifle I've ever had. Enjoy the time with your family. XO

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  30. You'll need a bit of Dettol in that mop water !

    Remember Andrew in the good times, all the laughing and music playing, and living larger than life.
    There may be an empty chair, but he's right there,in your heart.

    Delivery-men : "cannae abide 'em"
    ~Jo

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  31. Very impressed with your efforts for Christmas. I have not even dressed our tree although have at least got it out of the box. Sending blessings to you and your family for Christmas, and wishing you all the best for 2012.

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  32. I love Mabel sleeping with her tongue sticking out.

    I hope you have a peaceful happy Christmas. I know it's difficult, having just lost your brother, but I hope you all have some happy times sharing memories of him. I'll raise a virtual glass to him over the holidays.

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  33. Sorry about your kitchen! Water damage is not fun. Our pipes froze once and we also had a great flood. My aunt always says don't worry about dust and dirt...just light candles when people come over and no one will see it. The lights should do the trick! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas. I know you will be thinking of Andrew, and maybe it can be a day to celebrate him.

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  34. Hate to tell you, but looking at that kitchen I have to tell you that you "missed a spot"! Hehe!

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  35. Those kitchen messes seem insurmountable, don`t they? Merry Christmas!

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  36. I have a house that looks like your kitchen... As Gail said, I'm sure your brother would want you to remember his good times.

    *hugs* ♥

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