Soops kitcheners

Agus There are many locations in Scotland that we would still love to visit. The main reason for moving here was because we love the variety of scenery that Scotland has to offer. One long weekend on the island of Mull, was particularly memorable. We also have a favourite hotel in Invergordan. Perhaps next year...

Crafting If I could have, I would have joined you as you watched the world go by. Few things more enjoyable than relaxing at the close of a busy and fruitful day with a glass or two of

It's warm here and every so often the sun peers through the clouds. I've been dead-heading flowers. The garden is over-stocked. We started with a barren site on which rubble was left after the build of our house (ten years ago)...over the years, we've been given and bought new plants and such. There is a truly and unruly wild area at the back of the house. I believe that next year we may have to pay for a gardener to help out. When we lived in Cornwall, it was I who maintained a very large garden/paddock/stream and more besides. I was very much fitter in "those days" but then I was ten years younger.

Still many places to visit on our list too Soop but we are repeating the old mantra again, "oh well, maybe next year".

One of my favourite pastimes Crafting, sipping a glass of chilled white, watching the world go by. Bliss! I'm actually rather good at it

I'm about to add an image or two the album. Give me five mins.

I only managed to upload one (of my son Matt) as for the others...

Hi everyone! A quick dip into "kitchen confidential" to see what's happening with the kitcheners.

We are immersed in new grandparenthood and as much as I am in love with my grandson, I am amazed at the dotery (if there is such a word) of the new grandad! Husband is insisting that we go once a week and spend the day (1 one hour train trip each way) which is fine but I'm slightly more aware of DIL who is still quite new to us plus giving the new parents some space! Not to mention the hordes of other visiting family and their friends.

Bubba is doing well after a shaky start because he was jaundiced and therefore sleepy and not feeding and ... that became a merry-go-round of anxious mum, fretful baby, no sleep, expressing, supplementary feeds, anxous mum, fretful baby... etc. On our second visit after watching the little thing struggle to drink I tested by shaking milk out of the teat on to my arm and had to shake like the clappers to get 2 drops to appear! It reminded me of when mine were babies and we'd take a pin, wiggle it around in boiling water and enlarge the hole in the bottle teat with it and if baby took a few too-big glugs - at least you knew they were getting the milk in! Anyway I made a discreet comment and subsequently was told (by my son) that the teats have now been replaced. He is gorgeous - even if I say so myself - a mop of black hair complete with Elvis type scowl

Our other excitement of course was daughter's wedding and I've put my favourite photo of the happy couple on the "Pictures" thread. Will post the link next.

Love looking at everyone's photos. Keep well, see ya!

Here we go, daughter's wedding day. Some of you may remember the anxieties caused by trying to find a dress for her - she looked so lovely that day:

www.gransnet.com/forums/pictures/1209255-The-happy-couple

Thank you for sharing your latest experiences and lovely photograph of the wedding with us. The bride looks fit to burst with joy. Yes...being a new grannie is pretty daunting. We now have seven and the eldest is to marry next year, the youngest is only four. When he was as good as "brand new" I stayed over and gave him all his feeds (expressed breast milk) and baths and long walks through the park and umpteen cuddles. The new parents were brave enough to leave me in charge. They had a weekend away. I loved every moment but admit to being terrified that something awful might happen in their absence. It didn't and they were very grateful for the help. One hour is just about the right distance that grandparents should travel to coo over the babe. We live a full seven hour journey away. It is the only downside to living in beautiful Scotland. However, as I'm sure you'll agree, we would go to the ends of the earth to be with family and the wee ones in particular.

I also like the name Bubba very much. We called our wee one...Bumbles

I call mine Toddler and Tiddler although darling daughter states elder is now a pre-school not a toddler

It's powerful stuff indeed become a granny Grannyknot. I remember holding GD1 for the first time, I knew of course she couldn't see but it seemed she looked straight into my eyes as if, I know you! We called our wee ones, bundle when they were babies......bundle of joy

Enjoy every minute, with your Bubba.

Grannyknot that's what we Grandparents are for, quietly suggesting a bit of advice without being pushy. Enjoy your lovely new grandson and how wonderful that grandad is so keen to see him. Special times, enjoy every minute . Lovely wedding pic by the way.

bubba, bundle, toddler and tiddler all sound fine to me but I always called ours darling little sausages. No idea why because I love them all to bits. No intention of eating them I promise!

Soop Bumbles? Bees, bottoms....... or just an affectionate nickname

We have a couple of lovely photos of Bubs when he was very tiny (about three weeks old) staring straight at DH as if he had never seen anything like it before (which of course he hadn't!).

Soop, don't worry too much about getting a gardener in to tackle your plot, at the way we are building extensions you won't have much garden left soon (just enough to enjoy)

Hello. The weather has taken a turn for the better. It is sunny and very much warmer. We've been walking around the pretty harbour in Tarbert. It has become very popular place with the boating fraternity.

We've been enjoying some events at the Commonwealth games. What is such a joy is seeing thousands of happy folk [from all over the world] having a tremendously happy time together. If only we could bottle the enthusiasm and goodwill and share it with those whose lives are blighted by conflict.

Crafting I think that our Bumbles appeared to be busy...even when he was far too little to be so. He was such an alert wee baby...watching and making sense of the world about him. Of course, all babies are like that...it's just that we grannies perceive our little ones to be a bit special. It's allowed.

rose If only we could extend our home and have all the kitcheners in for blethering, I would LOVE it to be so.

Agus Bundle of joy. That is a special name. Holding a tiny baby with it's downy head resting on one's shoulder and cupping the little round bottom for support, is a joy. That phase is far too short-lived, sadly.

Galen No word from the doctor. I'm prepared to bet that we shall NEVER know what it was that floored MacSporran. Ah well and hey ho as our bags would say. He is improving with every passing day.

Hi soop and fellow kitcheners, I'm so glad that MacS is feeling better
by the day
Sorry I've not been in here much lately, my ongoing family upsets are beginning to take their toll on me at the moment. Just a low point I expect, so I hope to be more cheerful soon.

Love to you all.

So sorry to hear that lona I can see that sometimes going over problems can be wearing but as they say "it's good to talk". We are just waiting on DH's haematology appointment on Thursday to see if there is a sinister cause for his low haemoglobin or if it is something simple. Or maybe just something up with which he will just have to put !

Some for you LONA

Dear Lona I'm also sorry that your problems are on-going. Naturally, such upsets are bound to make you feel worn out and depressed. You do have us...albeit on a forum. However, if sharing with us lot is of some small comfort to you, please hang in there, and never think that we don't care...because...we do.

Terrafirma1 The waiting for results regarding medical matters is never easy. Please keep us updated. I'm sending strong and positive vibes from Kintyre.

Nonu (((hugs)))

((HUGS)) to you and Mcsporran , so glad he seems to be on the mend!

A relief for both of you .

I hope the present situation is quickly resolved for you Lona I know how draining it is when we are drawn into family upsets. Waiting on the sidelines while something resolves is exhausting. It's difficult to switch off but try and make some time just for you as eventually, this too shall pass

Fingers crossed for a positive result for your DH next Thursday TF1.

Just realised it's past that time of day for a wee glass so I am leaving a selection of red and white, G&T, Pimms and a selection of nibbles, hopefully to cheer up our Granspals having a difficult time at the moment. Slainte

Cheers Agus, for various reasons, tonight a G&T is very welcome.

Terra,*Nonu*, soop and *Agus, thank you for your kind wishes. Sometimes it all just spills over doesn't it?

Lona We've all been in a 'dark place' at some time or other. Standing on the outside and looking in on family disputes is terribly distressing. It leaves the onlooker feeling totally isolated. Thanks to my Granspals, who have listened and tried to support me through a few down-times, I have surfaced. Agus the quote ...^this too shall pass^ is one that makes perfect sense.

My love to you all. It's a wet day in bonnie Kintyre. Rory is sitting on the door mat and gazing out as the birds peck their seed from the ground well within a pounce...but...he NEVER disturbs them. The birds, some of them fledglings, carry on seemingly without fear. Should Rory's daughter cat, Tortoiseshell, come anywhere near the garden fence, the alarm calls are frantic and the birds scatter in a trice..

I finger Julian of Norwich's 'all shall be well etc' very soothing and helpful when stressed.
Wish I could sew (well I can, but only people) would be nice as a sampler I've always thought.
Well back to the crochet.

Finger? Feel!

Your crochet work is beautiful, Galen.