Soop's welcoming kitchen!

It must be awful having to wait so long for a doctor's appointment. We are very lucky in Malta in that we are able to see a doctor any time we need to.
Sending lots of love and wishes for a speedy recovery to dear soop.

Well, who was it said that 'when troubles come they come not single spies'? Whilst we were in the USA, DH was experiencing a lot of tummy troubles so last Thursday he saw the consultant who booked him for a gastroscopy today.
I dropped him at hospital early this morning and was called later on to be told the doctor needed to speak to me. It seems my poor DH has stomach cancer.
They are hoping it has been caught soon enough but we won't know until he sees the surgeon next week.

Can't believe it really but am trying not to fall apart for DH's sake. He took the news hard as did DD3 who came with me to hear the verdict. Dread telling our girls in the US. Oh dear, I am sorry to bring more bad news to soop's kitchen, but I know you will understand.

Thank you for your kind wishes for my sister. I didn't think things could get any worse, but it just goes to show we never know what's around the corner.

Oh dear! That can't be much fun at all. Please send her all my good wishes for a speedy recovery, B.

Message from soop: slight temperature, wicked cough, and it hurts to wee. Seeing the doc late this afternoon.

Let's hope the doc can sort her out pronto. Poor soop!

Bellasnana Sending good thoughts and (((hugs))) for your poorly sister and some calorie free for you!

soop You don't do anything by halves do you? I hope the doc can sort you out asap!

I've brought lots of sugared almonds and a traditional Easter Folar Loaf to share. DH and I have already consumed one between us. It is more of a cake than a bread, an enriched dough rolled into long strips, brushed with melted butter and spread with cinnamon and sugar, then rolled up like a giant Chelsea bun. Cut into slices like a cake so that everyone gets plenty of the squidgy, spicy, totally addictive centre. Another version has the same dough baked with one or more hard boiled eggs in it. Somehow that has never appealed to me.

soop take care and don't get chilled.
Lona and Bellasnana just being there for your friend and sister to talk openly with must help them a lot

Re my brother in law. I didn't know yesterday that DH and DNephew had decided to phone for an ambulance. They said that it came within 5 minutes and that the two men with it were fantastic. Did an ECG at the house, put BiL on a drip and decided that it would be better to take him straight to Faro hospital instead of the nearer local emergency centre. Early evening his son was on his way home when the doctor on duty said that Bil could be discharged, it was just (!) dementia. DN went straight back and argued and told them that the confusion that BiL was experiencing was not normal for him. They decided to keep him in overnight and when DN went back this morning he was told that his Dad needed further tests and to come back at lunch time. At the moment they are waiting for a consultant to pronounce on the results of the tests.
I think the Portuguese health service can be very good and very bad almost at the same time. A bit like the British NHS.

finnochio I love the scent of geraniums. I also love the orange variety. Thank you for your kindness.

Bellasnana I'm so sorry to hear that your sister is going through such discomfort of the mind and body. It must be really tough for you to maintain a stiff upper lip. Both of you are in our thoughts.

Great news that you've a double win on the premium bonds. Maybe treat your sister to something nice.

As for the 'figolli'...how much to ship a few samples to Scotland...

Just popping in to water the bonny orange geranium I left sitting on the windowsill a couple of days ago. Hope it brings smiles to you all.

Oops! Crossed posts, soop. Get well soon.x

Hi, everyone. Just wondering how soop is today. Feeling better, I hope.

Lona I had a look at your friend's cake. It never ceases to amaze me how some people can be so courageous in the face of such unhappy circumstances. I wish her all the best. You, too, as I know the utter helplessness one feels sitting on the sidelines.

Spoke to my sis yesterday. She was feeling so ill but had been to her scan appointment. Results on Friday. The side-effects of the chemo are fearsome and she is feeling like she can't go on. It is hard to know what to say. I feel very weepy on her behalf. Thank you all for your kind thoughts.

On a brighter note, I got TWO cheques for winning on the premium bonds today! Only £25 each so it won't change my life, but better than nothing.

I wish I could share all these Easter goodies with you. We have been given so many 'figolli' which are the traditional Maltese Easter pastries filled with an almond mixture and covered in chocolate. Absolutely delicious but horrendously calorific. You are very welcome to take them off my hands.

A beautiful sunny Monday morning greeting to my special Granspals. I would love to invite all of you in for hot cross buns [plenty of butter] and coffee.

Lona the cake is priceless. My mother, when told that she needed her remaining breast removing said...ah well, it will even things up. Well said, annsixty

dustyangel what news of your dear brother-in-law?

I'm pleased to hear better news of Mr bags. Shingles is a wretched condition.

penguinpaperback your good wishes for a peaceful Easter are very much appreciated. Thank you.

I made the effort to take the usual stroll around the village and was mighty glad to get back into the car afterwards. I think that I may have a urinary tract infection [again] and the cough is very productive. However, my face and teeth hurt...a sure sign of sinusitis. Shall make appointment to see the GP once the surgery reopens. In the meantime, thinking cap on bags...where shall we meet and when?

Yes indeed ann, she, in her own words has been 'putting on a brave face' but she is also prepared for the feelings to come, of devastation and great sadness, but she wants the peace of mind that, hopefully, this op will bring her.
For you who have had this pain

Lona your friend is indeed being brave but I think her humour is convincing other people that she is coping when inside she is weeping buckets and grieving.I have been there and I know.Warmest wishes to her for the coming days and to you in supporting her.

Thanks dusty, I think we are both dealing with it using our mutual humour and straight talking.
I've just put a photo of her mastectomy cake on my profile

For your friend and for you Lona. Today must have been very difficult for you.

Hope you feel better tomorrow soop, do take care of yourself

Bellasnana xx

A peaceful Easter to all..
Dear Bellasnana, I am holding you and your dear sister in my thoughts. Love and Strength. XX

Yes, soop, MrB is recovering nicely. He has only had a rash on his leg but aches and pains all over plus, on the first two days, trouble controlling his body temperature. He thinks now that that was his immune system kicking in with all throttles open. I expect the anti-viral tablets are helping too.

Get well soon! x

Welcome to the fold, jollyg Our next door neighbour is the laird of Lochaber. I believe that the title was bestowed on him as a special birthday gift. It's a lovely day. I sat outside for twenty minutes and then decided to come back indoors for a wee catnap on my bed. Had to check in with you lot first. I'm such a nosey mare.

bags my dear buddy, I shall be back in circulation just as soon as. I do believe we have run out of hospital venues... Do hope that Mr B is improving. Does he have a nasty, painful rash?

dustyangel I'm hoping that your brother-in-law is getting the very best of treatment. Keep us informed please.

Galen and anno I've a couple of wee Easter eggs for you. The ones that have a creamy centre. I had one yesterday and another today, and there is one hiding away for me tomorrow. MacSporran has his share. Got most of it on his face...much like Torben.

Bellasnana your sister is also in my thoughts.

Welcome jollyg. You have been quick to discover this lovely thread where nobody gets hot under the collar and we can all relax and enjoy the hospitality. soop, do take care and if that cough doesn't clear soon, get yourself to the doctor, pdq. I don't doubt McSporran is keeping an eye on you!

Yes, with your history, do take care. Go and see quack if no improvement.

Dear soop, do take care. I don't really want our next meetup to be in a hospital. [recovery vibes]

Dumbo here[NEW] all sites are different where you look and how to access

Have got a grip of your photos, as ever sunsets in that part of the world are stunning, best in the world

You have a fantastic following.
Mind you Kintyre is so beautiful, I was brought up in Lochaber, more rain and less sun than Kintyre, but the west is always home to me, barring the dreaded midge

Look after yourself soop it's a good idea to see the doctor if you are not improving. I hope my tea is better than yours, I'll check for hidden cameras. ]
Bellasnana I'll be thinking of your sister this afternoon for her.
I have just written a long piece on the Happy Easter thread about the celebrations here this afternoon, the phone rang and I pressed the wrong button and lost it.
Phone call was from my DH who had gone out for a paper and had a call whilst he was out to say that his brother was ill. Fortunately BiL's son was with him and they are now at the local emergency department. It sounds very worrying.

Bellasnana Will do. I'm hoping to meet with bags sometime soon. Cannot pass my germs on to her.

Our good friend who suffered a stroke is showing signs of improvement. He'll be transferred from Glasgow to Oban hospital if this continues.

I'm sad to hear that George Alagiah has bowel cancer. He is one of my favourite news readers. He has such style. He's also positively gorgeous.