Soop's welcoming kitchen!

Nellie Naturally your back will complain after a morning in the garden. I shall look out the stuff that soothes such aches and pains. After which, you shall have a pot of fresh tea, a generous slice of cake and the company of Rory. He's in a very pleasant frame of mind at the moment. How can I tell...enquires MacSporran let's say, I can sense that he's wearing a cat smile. I know, I know, I'm as daft as a brush.

Galen Take off that pinny and sit yourself down. What a day you've had. Two decent young men at your beck 'n' call...and seduced by hot cross buns. Lion's head casserole, eh! How exotic is that. I'd love to sample some. Does the ginger make the dish very hot? Chinese food isn't as spicy as Indian. Love them both.

May I sit down and put my feet up?
Not having any work is VERY TIRING.
I got up early as I was expecting a delivery. A couple of hours into the day I realised today is Thursday not Friday so I decided I'd start the preparation for the Chinese meal I'm cooking for my cleaner and gardner tomorrow.
I then realised I'd no fresh ginger and had to go down to waitrose to get some. While there I -- was seduced by-- bought some hot cross buns.
Came back and got halfway through the lions head casserole, when my decorator rang to say could he nip round and fix the wallpaper that had peeled where I'd haas a leaky down pipe. Then my financial adviser rang to say could he come round to discuss my ISA (not £15000 worth).
By now I was halfway through preparing the red cooked lamb to put in the slow cooker, when they both arrived at once! Me in me pinny and all.
They've now gone and I've only to finish off the lions head tomorrow, cook the lemon chicken and veg fresh.
I'm exhausted and it's not even vodka time yet! Help!

Lemon drizzle cake and a nice brew would go down well here. I might just crawl into a corner and stay the night. After a morning's gardening I nodded off to sleep after the afternoon play on Radio 4 and I have woken up all disoriented.

A good gentle chat is what I need right now.

My back is complaining a despite me being careful.
I will borrow Rory if I may.

Lona I believe that we have some lemon drizzle cake in the cupboard. I shall treat you to a health-giving, spirit-lifting slice. I'm pleased to hear that your friend helped to cheer you. Such friends are priceless. Lovely that you'll have your granddaughter's company tomorrow.

Dear Dragonfly you and other Granspals are deserving of good news. Please remember that although we may never meet, you are special and we hope that you will find the inner strength to cope with whatever lies ahead.

Dragonfly My lovely dad had prostate cancer too. I'll make some tea, and maybe someone will bring cake

soop Glad to hear that MacS has been treated, although being zapped on the head sounds quite dodgy!

I've cheered up a bit now,(although the problems are ongoing) due to a visit from a friend, and tomorrow morning (8.30 ) my dgd is coming for an hour. .
She always makes me feel happy and blessed.

Glad to hear that MacSporran has been zapped. I'm very fretful waiting to find out whether my dear dad's prostate cancer has spread; I fear it has. Troubling times, again. I'll bide here a while if I may.

MacSporran had the skin problem "zapped with a blow torch!"...so that's another worry less.

I've a confession. Because the normal breakfast time routine didn't follow the usual pattern...eating porridge and listening with one ear to the radio classical music programme and attempting to answer MacSporran's crossword questions with the other...I tuned in to the Jeremy Kyle show. Don't tell MacS PLEASE

I was rendered speechless by the kafuffle [for want of a better word] that ensued between some partners. Finally, a sister was reunited with her long lost brother. The audience were in tears...and so was I.

The news is concentrating on likely debris from the lost plane. It sounds to me that there is more than a mere suspicion that the sighting is related to the mysterious disappearance. I feel sick deep in the bottom of my stomach.

Gally darling girl, you are a beautiful, interesting and funny lady. Enough said.

Galen I think that our Gally has oodles of "presence". She only has to be herself...

Re the missing plane, I'm listening to the news. Debris in the sea some distance off Australia is being investigated. Such an enormous task. I cannot begin to think how relatives of the passengers must be feeling.

Oh, you know me it will be a big entrance and then I will put my foot in it, or trip up or drink too much or do the wrong thing..............

Gally don't worry. You soon get used to it.
The main problem is do you want to make a 'Grande Dame' entrance and sweep in commandingly, or creep in quietly?

Bellasnana You are in our thoughts. Since you've already lost one sister to cancer this must be such a fearful time for your family. You seem to being such a lovely time recently. And now this...

Gally You walk into that room...head held high...smile on your lovely face...and enjoy yourself. Some of us plan [buy tickets etc] well in advance...so, you'll be having me around for some time yet.

DebnCreme As the guests were arriving...cars being parked...coats being removed...greetings being exchanged...my stomach was full of butterflies. I was thinking, shucks! Or something like. I would have been on the verge of an almighty wobbly had I been the hostess. She is a star. We all tell her so.

Charleygirl Rory's prescription food from the vet is r/d...and it is very costly. We order and buy the larger size bag. It works out slightly cheaper. MacS says..."he's worth it..."

I shall return after breakfast. MacSporran has just left for an appointment at Campbeltown hospital with a skin specialist. He has a few suspect, sun-related blistery things [mainly on his head]. Not the first time he's had to use a special cream to make the matter look very much worse before the healing process begins.

Bellasnana. The unknown is always frightening and it's normal to react as you are. You will find the strength to understand and cope.

Just heard that DD3 won't be coming this weekend. Very disappointed, but as she and her family are soon moving in with the inlaws while having their house renovated, it is understandable. I will have to find something to keep me occupied. Tonight I am going to my first big 'do' in Edinburgh solo, so am feeling slightly nervous. I hate that 'going into the room alone' feeling, when you don't know anyone else apart from the host. Weather is ghastly so will arrive looking like a haystack

When are you off to the Big Smoke soop? Have a wonderful time - I know you will!

Take care Bellasnana. You are not a coward, it is good to face these feelings and you will then be more support to your sister (((hugs))). Cooking for 33 Soop . i should take to my bed at the mere thought of it . glad you had a good time.

Bellasnana much love to you, a very difficult time.

soop Tara's prescription is z/d and I order it on line when there is a 10% reduction. The one good thing is that there is never any waste whereas before she would sniff at the newly opened carton and then walk away. She is not allowed any chicken etc., but she does like curry, the minx does sniff every plate and has been known to lick it dry.

I could not imagine cooking for 33 in a million years. I am pleased that you had a good time even if your hearing aid was singing.

Just arrived back at DD2's after a five hour drive from DD1's where I have been without wifi for the past few days.

Am quite overwhelmed by all your kind messages waiting for me and thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I feel such a coward when my sister is so brave and all I can do is fall apart. We lost our other sister to cancer eight years ago and I'm having a hard time facing the thought of losing another beloved sister. It is so hard to accept things we can't change but I know I've got to get a grip. I don't want to let her down.
Thank you all so much.xx

Hello my darlin's [as my Nana used to say]...

It's blustery and cool in bonnie Kintyre. We have walked the walk and arrived home in time for our pal to return a fully over-hauled exercise bike. Now there's NO excuse for me not to get into better shape.

Charleygirl Rory has prescription food. It's awfully expensive. We add a little chicken once a day.

I forgot to mention that the curry evening was a great success. The noise level made my hearing aid squeal from time to time. I'm getting better at lip reading. How on earth our pal coped with so many mouths to feed...I counted 33...I shall never know. Cooking is her "thing" and entertaining friends puts a huge grin on her face.

Bellasnana,I've just caught up with your news about your sister. I'm so sorry and I hope the treatment helps.

Just popping in with a huge vase full of daffs. They are so cheerful and springlike, and we're worth it

It was sunny and breezy here in London- that was until I decided to hang out washing. The sun has vanished and it looks as though it may rain.

Tara is upset that there is nobody permanently near the front or patio doors to let her out The cat flap is not for her it would appear. I think that she has retired to bed and was quite upset when I did not join her about an hour ago. Every time I go upstairs she is certain that it must be my bedtime. I wish.

I think that I may do a swop with Rory, he appears to be much better behaved. Tara only eats prescription dry food, I will bring the 2 large bags with me and each bag lasts at least a month.

I agree, where is thatbags as a cup of coffee and a flapjack would be perfect.

Good morning to you all. One moment it's sunny and the next it's wet. It's also breezy. Ah well, 'tis only March.

My special love to our friends who are feeling jaded. If I could gather you all under my roof, I would give you some real hugs...and we could blether away to our heart's content. Rory sends purrs.

I'm about to make a pot of coffee and search for a tasty flapjack [which I know full well isn't there] Where's that bags when I need her!

Lona, I'll move up so that we can share Rory. Hope your spirits lift, sending you a virtual hug.

Dragonfly can I share Rory while I have a coffee? Very down today. It always helps to be in this calm place for a while.