Also, I answer the question you've all been asking (where to get a decent vol-au-vent these days). Plus festive telly, soup to make you better, a Quality Street scandal, and the magical Gary Bunt.
Oh and ps my husband was tickled that you used pink nail varnish to claim your phone charger. Snap (and we have the same initial), I bought us identical electric toothbrushes (excellent rechargeable from Sainsburys) but they only had one colour, blue. So now mine has a squiggly S in pink nail varnish - great minds and all that, ttfn
Happy Christmas Sophia, have a marvellous holiday (with no rows I'm sure). My hubby puts things on top of the dishwasher instead of in it. He does load and unload it in the evening but I don't understand why he can't put them in when he's finished with his cuppa or whatever. We've been married 35 years and I haven't convinced him yet that it's what should happen. I too loved Cafe Rouge, was surprised when they disappeared. Was Dennis on holiday this week?😊 Happy 2025
It's so bizarre isn't it? I meant to mention the bins row too and forgot, but that's another flashpoint between couples sometimes I reckon. HAPPY CHRISTMAS!
Merry Christmas Sophia. I refused to read the Tesco card … really ?! Will avoid if I go to the shops again. Who am I kidding? Now want QS even though I think they all taste of soap nowadays. The family of the dog I walk gave me some Bare Bones chocolate. Can recommend https://bareboneschocolate.co.uk/. But I get that a bar may not be special enough. Thank you for a wonderful Substack x
Thank you for funny (all over like glitter), true (especially Row 6), helpful (quality street warning) and well written Substack. I hope you get a present as good as the pony this year as you deserve it xxx merry xxxmas
I asked my husband to bring 3 x tins of Quality Street out to Switzerland to give to my children’s teachers as a Christmas present. I wasn’t very pleased when he produced three quite stingy looking boxes of QS; he insisted that they don’t sell QS in tins any more and that he’d looked in multiple supermarkets. I am skeptical and think he probably forgot, and went to one petrol station shop before he crossed the tunnel. If they have stopped selling QS in tins this is an outrage, Christmas is ruined and someone should start a petition.
Ah no I do have intel on this. I was cross I couldn't find a tin the other day but they have now miraculously appeared in Sainsbury's. Maybe they just come out the week before?!
I love Tuesdays if only for your musings. They always make me laugh. You’ll be missed over the next couple of weeks. Enjoy your break, argument free hopefully, although Dennis will be looking forward to some VERY long walks!
Once again Sophia you've totally lightened by Tuesday - will miss your musings over the next two weeks.
In no particular order some observations - yes Miele dishwashers are very good and twice the price - but they have that very irritating shelf for cutlery on top - personally my Bosch on the hour quick programme is equally as good - but will have to get used to the Miele next week at my daughters!
Been desperate to go to Bouchon Josephine since it opened - Claude Bosi used to have a magnificent restaurant here in Ludlow - can we persuade him to come back and open another Josephine here - bit like starting a new chain of Cafe Rouge?
Quick update on the Quality Street saga - Peter Jones have got a 'pick 'n mix' on their ground floor of aforementioned sweets - you can gather as many green triangles in one bag as you want!
Thanks for the tip on the Spinach soup!
And finally that lovely animated cartoon - a perfect tribute to your new companion - however did you survive without him?
"The telly row. Someone wants to watch the Gavin and Stacey special, someone else wants to watch an old Miss Marple, someone else wants to watch the football. Also, a small child having a nuclear tantrum needs to be plonked in front of Bluey." I'm re-learning having to prioritise children's TV over adults' whenever the grandchildren visit. But I'm an expert marine biologist thanks to Octonauts, and they're perilously keen to help load the dishwasher after 20 episodes of Big Cook Little Cook.
Really entertaining, thanks, Sophia. I recognise quite a few of these festive rows!
Cafe Rouge made the very best Croque Monsieur with wonderful fries. Nothing else comes close. Merry Christmas!
Exactly - you always knew what you were getting! Perfect. And you too.
Oh and ps my husband was tickled that you used pink nail varnish to claim your phone charger. Snap (and we have the same initial), I bought us identical electric toothbrushes (excellent rechargeable from Sainsburys) but they only had one colour, blue. So now mine has a squiggly S in pink nail varnish - great minds and all that, ttfn
Happy Christmas Sophia, have a marvellous holiday (with no rows I'm sure). My hubby puts things on top of the dishwasher instead of in it. He does load and unload it in the evening but I don't understand why he can't put them in when he's finished with his cuppa or whatever. We've been married 35 years and I haven't convinced him yet that it's what should happen. I too loved Cafe Rouge, was surprised when they disappeared. Was Dennis on holiday this week?😊 Happy 2025
It's so bizarre isn't it? I meant to mention the bins row too and forgot, but that's another flashpoint between couples sometimes I reckon. HAPPY CHRISTMAS!
Thanks for a great fun read! We will be drinking our "Prince Harry" cocktail this Christmas. Champagne with a little of the "King's Ginger!" 😉
Chin chin!
Merry Christmas Sophia. I refused to read the Tesco card … really ?! Will avoid if I go to the shops again. Who am I kidding? Now want QS even though I think they all taste of soap nowadays. The family of the dog I walk gave me some Bare Bones chocolate. Can recommend https://bareboneschocolate.co.uk/. But I get that a bar may not be special enough. Thank you for a wonderful Substack x
Ooh don't know about that will investigate thank you!
Thank you for funny (all over like glitter), true (especially Row 6), helpful (quality street warning) and well written Substack. I hope you get a present as good as the pony this year as you deserve it xxx merry xxxmas
A little Shetland would actually be quite helpful for the grass in my garden. And THANK YOU right back. Happy happy Christmas xxx
A little Shetland…for so many of us the gateway drug of the equine world....remember mine as he was my first Grand Passion ❤️🔥
I asked my husband to bring 3 x tins of Quality Street out to Switzerland to give to my children’s teachers as a Christmas present. I wasn’t very pleased when he produced three quite stingy looking boxes of QS; he insisted that they don’t sell QS in tins any more and that he’d looked in multiple supermarkets. I am skeptical and think he probably forgot, and went to one petrol station shop before he crossed the tunnel. If they have stopped selling QS in tins this is an outrage, Christmas is ruined and someone should start a petition.
Ah no I do have intel on this. I was cross I couldn't find a tin the other day but they have now miraculously appeared in Sainsbury's. Maybe they just come out the week before?!
The 12 Rows of Christmas- sounded very familiar
And don't let Dennis eat the Xmas cake - or a very expensive vet bill!
Happy Xmas
You mean 'another' expensive vet bill...
I hope you and Dennis have the most fabulous Christmas and can’t wait to hear all about it! 🍾🎉🎄🍸❄️🎊😎🥂📚🍾
THANK YOU lovely Jill, and I hope you do too. Back soon xxx
Happy Christmas! Love the Dennis card! x
Sweet right? Clever clever Gary X
Denis! Love it! Happy Christmas Sophia!
And to you!
I love Tuesdays if only for your musings. They always make me laugh. You’ll be missed over the next couple of weeks. Enjoy your break, argument free hopefully, although Dennis will be looking forward to some VERY long walks!
Happy Christmas!
Hurrah, thank you, and yes he will be beside himself to be out of London for a spell!
I misread WRONG as WARNING which tells you how I feel about a bag of just strawberry and orange creams!
Very pleased I found your substack earlier this year, you definitely deserve a break!
Happy Christmas xx
THANK YOU and happy Christmas right back!
Once again Sophia you've totally lightened by Tuesday - will miss your musings over the next two weeks.
In no particular order some observations - yes Miele dishwashers are very good and twice the price - but they have that very irritating shelf for cutlery on top - personally my Bosch on the hour quick programme is equally as good - but will have to get used to the Miele next week at my daughters!
Been desperate to go to Bouchon Josephine since it opened - Claude Bosi used to have a magnificent restaurant here in Ludlow - can we persuade him to come back and open another Josephine here - bit like starting a new chain of Cafe Rouge?
Quick update on the Quality Street saga - Peter Jones have got a 'pick 'n mix' on their ground floor of aforementioned sweets - you can gather as many green triangles in one bag as you want!
Thanks for the tip on the Spinach soup!
And finally that lovely animated cartoon - a perfect tribute to your new companion - however did you survive without him?
Happy Christmas
Happy HAPPY Christmas back and thank you for all support! DO go, we had a ball.
I will if grandchild care gives me a window!! May have to make a special trip! Claude Bosi’s Brother has a pub in Ludlow - very average.
Just blending the spinach soup as have woken with a streaming cold this morning - hope it works? Quite a violent colour😧.
Feel bad I haven’t subscribed yet - your Tuesday morning read is elevating / but not sure how it works - would rather donate directly!!
Have a good one and SPOIL Dennis - but no plum pudding or mincemeat- expensive - I have experience!!!
Xx
Do take a hols ! I so enjoy your writing xxx
THANK YOU! ☺️
I find your writing irresistible. Have a wonderful Xmas with your family and I wish you exciting things for 2025 🤩🫶🏻🌟
"The telly row. Someone wants to watch the Gavin and Stacey special, someone else wants to watch an old Miss Marple, someone else wants to watch the football. Also, a small child having a nuclear tantrum needs to be plonked in front of Bluey." I'm re-learning having to prioritise children's TV over adults' whenever the grandchildren visit. But I'm an expert marine biologist thanks to Octonauts, and they're perilously keen to help load the dishwasher after 20 episodes of Big Cook Little Cook.
Really entertaining, thanks, Sophia. I recognise quite a few of these festive rows!