Soop's welcoming kitchen!

anno gold star for you [and your fridge]

bags we awoke to bright sunshine. Ate breakfast throughout a heavy hailstorm, went for daily walk in bright sunshine, having coffee as sombre-looking clouds gather for whatever the weather decides to do next...the Paps of Jura are also wearing snowy bonnets. There is barely a ripple on the sea. It looks like dove-grey, blue-green, shot silk-taffeta. Like you and Mr bags, we always say "our bit of bonnie Scotia" whenever we pass the sign that says - Welcome to Kintyre.

I awoke in the early hours in a full-blownbit of a panic. Why? Well I shall tell you. I have promised a lovely Granspal that I shall paint a portrait of her dear deceased dog, Bobby. I've also agreed to paint a portrait of Big Cat and Edith for another dear Granspal. BUT...I'm suffering from a serious lack of confidence in my ability to do justice to these special pets. Nothing new. It happens from time to time. I suppose the doubts are part and parcel of an artistic temperament. Van Gough sliced his ear off. I fully understand why he felt such despair. However, it really isn't logical to worry so. Both Granspals have given me oodles of time in which to get into the mood and do my best. It's kind of you lot to take the time to listen to my silliness. I'm about to have a second cup of coffee.

Impressive looking clouds as we drove north from archery this afternoon. Travelling up alongside Loch Lomond, the mountain Ben Lomond stood out like a white sombrero between the darker lower hills and the dark clouds hovering above it. Then through the glen and up over the passes to "our bit of Scotland" MrBags commented on the "northern" scene – lotsa snow on the hills – and that warm homecoming feeling.

I see the date slices plate is empty. Hope yous enjoyed . I took some homemade ginger biscuits to the archery club today too. All gone.

Went out to the bins and decided to clear/clean the fridge instead of going out. Shopping can wait until tomorrow. The fridge is now pristine and some very dodgy looking unidentified objects are in the bin.

Gally Peploe & McTaggart. Lucky you.

The cloud formations are stunning right this minute. I see that it's raining heavily over Jura. The ferry appears to be sailing through a haze...really rather spooky.

Charleygirl What I find alien are the crowds of folk that all appear to know precisely where they are heading and doing so in great haste. We have approximately 200 people living in the village. If the one, wee shop has more than half a dozen customers, we consider that to be busy...
I suppose that arriving at Euston at six in the evening is about the busiest time for commuters. After which, we continue the journey in a jam-packed carriage on the tube. However, what we have to look forward to, more than compensates for all the stress and strain of a very long journey.

rosequartz The earliest books [some almost 40 years old] have already been passed on to the wee man. When we next visit I shall hope to take a few with us. It all depends on the size of the bag that MacSporran thinks most suitable. As he has to carry the thing, I need to consider his recent hernia repair. Fair's fair.

Talking of apple trees...when I was a child my father grew Cox's eating apples. My Nana grew many fruits and vegetables. She also kept chickens. Food seemed to taste better in "those days"

I'm about to discover whether or not Tortoiseshell kitten has arrived for her supper. She has been away for about three days. At first we were concerned whenever she went missing, but she always puts in an appearance eventually, so she obviously knows how to take good care of herself.

Rory is waiting...it's roast chicken night. He won't budge until the bird is cooked and he gets his share. After which, he'll sleep for the best part of the evening and through until breakfast. That's what I call "chilling"...

At six o'clock sharp I shall raise my double G&T [with a slice of lime] and wish you all a very pleasant evening. Slainte!

Are there any date slices left?? Just got back from a visit to see an art exhibition at Kirkcaldy Museum and Art Gallery. I also had a look at some amazing McTaggarts and Peploes. Went on the train which is a first for me - I am such a public transport virgin

I daren't look at my gas/elec bills. I pay by DD and am very naughty as I don't check on them very often - out of sight, out of mind. I did change provider just before christmas so am hoping I will be paying less.

soop I'd love to be a fly on the wall........

I am listening to Widor's Toccata on the radio - it takes me back to DD3's wedding - they let me choose the 'going out' music. I wanted it at my wedding but not possible as it was at a registry office.

I've been waiting all afternoon for the weather to clear - another very noisy hailstorm. I need to go down to the shops but getting wet would only bring on the aches. I might just have to go down in the car, but that goes against the grain. To think that a week ago, we were sitting out on DS's deck and then had a wander to the pub where we also sat outside until the sun went behind some big trees. Perfect spring weather that was. Now it's typical March weather - not the same thing. Back soon!

Bellasnana I live on my own and I am very careful with gas and electricity but the bills are still outrageous. I am well aware that I wash clothes too frequently and that may run away with some but not all. Plus I have solar power which heats the water only, that should be a saving.

I know how cheap petrol is there, they are so fortunate if their gas and electricity bills are much lower also.

Charleygirl. apparently the electricity here is not the extortionate price we Europeans are forced to pay! I do have a drier but rarely do I dare to use it. I, too, have Scottish blood and I also have a DH who goes round turning everything off while lamenting the cost of the electricity bill. I told him he will make us use candles before long

soop. happy birthday to your DGD - you must have been a very young grandmother

Soop as you know I live in London and most of the time I cannot hear a pin drop. My house is not a million miles away from Northolt (military ) airport so we do get a few of those flying over and some bright spark thought that it would be good to change Heathrow's flight path so we are now getting some, but thankfully not many, flying low.

I like nothing better than slipping into night attire early evening, cooking supper and enjoying an hour or so of TV. If I go upstairs for any reason early evening, Tara gets excited, thinking that she has an invitation to come to bed with me. She is usually a few hours too early.

I am so lucky I do not like custard and I am not a big fan of cream or any desserts. My downfall is bars of chocolate.

Bellasnana it must cost a fortune to dry clothes in the USA. I have a small kitchen and no uitility room so I have no space for one. Anyway, my mean Scottish trait would not allow me to switch it on!

The hailstones and rain have now changed to sunshine but it is cold.

I need a little p&q as I am worn out after the haka/haiku. Taxing physically and mentally.

Shelves are now sort of sorted and some bags of books ready for charity. Soop - we have more boxes of DC's (and my) children's books in the attic in case DGC would like them, but will they? They all love books at the moment, thank goodness, but tastes change.

We have a Bramley apple tree, it was very productive last
year so we still have some in the freezer.. I do like the sharpness of a baked bramley (with sweet custard of course).

Good afternoon ffinnochio and dustyangel lovely to have you call by.

bags my dear pal, what are you? A star is what you are. The batch of flapjacks will feed this lot for the next few coffee/tea breaks. How generous of you. You mentioned custard. Perfect! I shall save my treat until this evening. luvly jubbly...

anno we had just the one almighty clap of thunder late yesterday afternoon. It piddled with rain for some time. Went for our usual stroll through the village this morning and got thoroughly wet through. Coat drenched [and smelling of wet wool] is drying off in the utility room. It's chilly with it. We shall light the fire later.

Bellasnana Snap! Our granddaughter [the eldest] will be celebrating her 25th birthday on April 1st. The start to your day sounds idyllic. I appreciate peace. I'm happiest when surrounded by silence. When we visit London, it's peace and quiet that I long for...although for the time we share with family I'm equally happy to be surrounded by laughter, especially Wee Man's

Good morning Lona...I trust that you slept well. It was thoughtful of you to tuck my flapjack well away from the rabble rest of the gang.

rosequartz keep up the good work. I've all of my son's childhood books to pass on to the wee man. Must be getting on for fifty or more. Thing is...when to start taking them off the shelves. Seeing them brings back some very happy memories. I shall miss them when they go.

Gally at seven o'clock sharp I take off my day clothes throw them on a chair hang them up and slip into a pair of large Sloggis, baggy pyjama bottoms and an even baggier long-sleeved top. I've treated myself to a set of "sleep bras". Now, that's what I call being comfortable.

Just realised that I'm on the wrong thread. It's because I stared thinking about the weather in Georgia.

dusty You'll have to come to my garden then for the Bramley apples. I have two of the lovely trees. One bought in the UK and the other here, in France.

Good morning all, a few clouds around earlier but they seem to have gone now.
I'm going to plane some sweet pea seeds this afternoon. Two of the vines look as if they are not going to do anything this year, DH attacked pruned them rather heavily, so I'm going to try sweet peas there instead.

We can't get Bramleys here either. Get lovely baked apples but they are nothing like a Bramley.

You also , Bella
x

Hello everyone. It is still early here in Georgia. A lovely, peaceful view from the window, birds singing, DH still snoring contentedly, DGD not awake yet, so I am popping in to see if there is a going.

Charleygirl you have reminded me that I will be back to hanging my washing out next week. Here in the US I have yet to see a washing line. Everything goes in the tumble drier. It doesn't have that lovely outdoor smell though.

Bags how delicious your date slices sound. We don't get Bramley apples in Malta. I have to use Granny Smiths as a substitute but they are not the same.

soop I hope your stormy weather has passed and that Rory was tucked up somewhere cosy whilst it was raging outside.

Today DD3 turns 25. Where have the years gone?

Take care, all

bags, hope you've left some for us soop. She does enjoy a slice with her coffee.

Made a batch of date slices yesterday. This batch contains some Bramley apple and some apricots as well as the dates. I'm beginning to think of it as a fruit crumble pudding type thing but with pressed crumble underneath as well as on top so you can pick it up to eat it. I just did with my morning Harmutty

But you can also eat it warm, like a crumble pudding, with ice-cream or custard. I've done the testing

We have been sorting the rest of the books this afternoon. Unfortunately some of the very old one that belonged to MIL seem to have landed back on the new shelves. And there are more boxes in the attic.
However, two or three big piles to go to charity.

Getting there, slowly.

Although the sun was shining here, it was very breezy and cold. All my washing dried but once it was indoors I switched the heating on. It is still only March.

Rain is forecast later this evening. At least I will not have to water the hanging basket.

I has been so cold here today, that I just had a bath to warm up . As I have no plans for this evening I have put on my 'lounging-about pj's'. I hope no one calls at the door - I will have to pretend I am out.

We've had a stonking hail storm. Typical March weather - sunshine one minute, hail the next. Now it's bright again.

We now have a very noisy thunderstorm, so I shall close down the computer. It's been lovely catching up with you lot. I shall return tomorrow.