Soop's Kitcheners...

Hello Soop, what another kitchen extension, how wonderful. I don't come often but would love to come this afternoon, just for a wee relax and to stuff my face. I will bring Jojo with me, and oh is it ok to bring DD pointer puppy, I am looking after him while she is at work. Hope Rory won't mind.
By the way I have a newfangled thing called an Apple iPad, just finding my way around it. It's great for GN.
Better set off just now as the A9 will be busy, and we now have average speed cameras all the way down. I will be expecting a few tickets then.

Spent the afternoon at U3A open day, trying to attract new members to our writing group. Maybe with some success. I've bought some packs of bulbs in the pound shop at half price and must summon up the energy to pot them up. I need to buy some blue pansies to share a pot with mini daffs. Now coming to relax in the kitchen with the rest of the kitcheners. I can brew a pot of Earl Grey if anyone else is interested and there's that ginger shortbread I promised.

Well, it ^is ^almost 6.00 so I have arrived with a selection of aperitifs, soft drinks and nibbles to celebrate the opening of soop's well extended kitchen.

I would also like to raise a glass to those looking forward to engagements and weddings but also remembering those of our Granspals who are going through difficult times.

Slainte

Hello kitcheners, good news for a change! My dd has got a full time job thank goodness! She is over the moon and so am I!
Now all we have to do is get rid of 'our idiot' and things would really be looking up!

We (dd and me) have spent a glorious day at Trentham Gardens, which are magnificent. It was almost like being abroad as the weather has been fantastic.
It was so enjoyable that I'm going back on Thursday and taking my friend!

Can I interest anyone in a glass of something bubbly to celebrate?

Lona I can almost feel your joy. Very well done to your daughter. It is high time that you had something well worth celebrating. I shall certainly join you in a glass of bubbly...

Agus Yes indeed...Slainte to all our Granspals who continue to go through trying times. Bella is never far from my thoughts.

anno I am very partial to gingerbread. The very thought of it makes my mouth water. Better join you in a cup of Earl Grey before we pop yet another cork.

thistledo Lovely to welcome you back into the kitchen. You must introduce the new puppy to Rory. He's a gentle pussy cat and loves company.

You can certainly interest me in some bubbly, Lona. Your happiness for your dd sings of the page.

Great news lona - good luck with getting rid of your Idiot as well! Ours is being a complete one at present so see if you can do two for the price of one!

Off again to hold the fort! Take care everyone!

Another bottle of bubbly here to celebrate - my word, we will all be quite squiffy!
Perhaps some lovely smoked salmon on granary followed by lots of nibbles and will soak up the bubbles. Ooh, gingerbread shortbread, lovely

Lona I used to go to Trentham Gardens when I was young, and they used to hold dances there; I remember going to see The Hollies too!
suebailey I am sure you will be a very glamorous great-granny at the wedding and I am the opposite to you, being much older but having a DGD of only 2 years (very slow starters, all of us, we did realise in the end how it worked).

Bella I hope you can manage to go and see your sister, your DD is there for DH and I am sure they will want you to go.

Thinking of you all, just sitting quietly in the corner with Angus on my feet, I see Rory protecting his own space!

I bought some crocus bulbs at the garden centre, hoping that the little black slugs don't eat them before they manage to produce flowers.

Galen I'm not an instruction reader. Far too boring. I press buttons and hope for the best. If I fail, I call out VERY loud for assistance...and MacS always comes to my aid.

rose How lovely for you to be have been able to see and hear The Hollies. I have a few of their records.

I must say that Angus is a very well behaved woofter. A pal [who will be Rory's minder] has just called in to be updated with Rory's "needs"...Rory, unsurprisingly, remained aloof. Only a cat can look that way. Dogs jump up and pant and wag their tails when a visitor calls in...cats remain totally unmoved by the experience.

We are inundated with slugs in our garden. Our pal has ducks. Ducks scoff the slugs. I have a feeling that Rory might reconsider his position in this family should ducks enter the equation.

I have to sign off for now. A very pleasant evening to all the kitcheners. I shall return at coffee time tomorrow.

roseq My dd was telling me that the old house used to be a venue for all sorts!
It's all been revamped since 2004, and is absolutely fantastic now. Well worth a visit.

soop, I am hopeless with visual instructions. Show me a diagram and my eyes don't function! Whereas my 9-year-old grandson just has to look at the instructions for a Lego model and it's as good as built. He doesn't have my genes! I hope you weren't disappointed to find that the ginger shortbread wasn't gingerbread. I'll make that another time. You can supply the lashings of butter to spread on it.

Lona my DB and SIL met there many years ago at the dances they used to hold on Saturday nights.

On my list of places to re-visit if we are up that way again.

Popped into an Edinburgh Woollen Mill today (shall we have to change the name if Scotland votes 'Yes?) - it reminded me of your kitchen, soop as there was a dog (on a lead) and a cat in the store. No fisticuffs though, thank goodness, as there could have been clothes flying around everywhere!

soop Tara loves visitors. Whenever she hears the doorbell ring and knows that somebody has come indoors and is not just dropping off a parcel, she is there, wanting her cuddles.

Even better if a person such as one of my neighbours is allergic to cats- then she will lie on the arm of the chair in which he is sitting. She never sits in a lap, not even mine. It is only used to get from a) to b) without too much effort from her.

Good morning dear kitcheners...I am about to enjoy coffee from the beautiful mug that bags gave to me. I would so enjoy a tartan shortbread biscuit. However, because I'm now able to fit into the smart jeans that I've set aside for the family gathering, I must resist the urge.

To be honest, I'm both excited and apprehensive. I enjoy the family reunions more than I can say...it is leaving Rory that bothers me. I KNOW that he'll be safe/well-fed/cared for by our pals...but, I also KNOW that he'll miss MacSporran dreadfully. Also, of course, I'm getting edgy about the Scottish situation. I love this country. It would break my heart should a certain bod stir up a hornet's nest of resentment.

I've lots of last minute jobs to do. I intend dropping in for a with you all this afternoon. If you are blest with sunshine today, enjoy.

That is the problem with our beloved pets isn't it? Grace seems happy enough to go to kennels but I hate leaving her and if I didn't have a dog I probably would go away more. However she brings so much love and joy into our lves! Rory will be fine- even if he givesyou a hard time when you come back

At least Rory is staying in his beloved home. Tara always goes to a cattery and I feel that she thinks that she has been abandoned (as she was twice before I looked after her). He will while away the days sleeping and eating, occasionally looking out of a window looking at the wild life.

Yes, he may ignore you when you first return but he will give you a massive welcome when he has stopped sulking.

Have a great family visit soop. Rory will be fine! x

When any of our pets had to go into kennels/catteries they would be a bit huffy when we returned but after some treats and cuddles, we were forgiven.

Bon voyage soop and MacS. Have a pleasant journey and a wonderful time with your family. Being at home, Rory will be fine and he knows you always come back when you have been away for a while.

soop Rory is relying on you worrying about him, it makes him feel important and superior.
Don't let him suspect that you know his tricks!
I hope you and MacS have a fun filled family meetup, it's a lovely way to keep in touch with your nearest and dearest

Hallo all can I just sit here on the sofa and drink my tea today - something has gone wrong and I don't know what or why.

Oh dear sue nothing serious I hope? Rest awhile and maybe some will help?

But how do you know something has gone wrong sue? Can we help? Would you like too?

soop, I hope you can both get back in when you return! Take passports just to be on the safe side.

I wonder how Bella is?

I love you lot. Thank you for all the comforting words regarding a certain moggie very important pussy cat. Lona you are soooooooo right.

suebailey1 Now then, you have me concerned and I do not like leaving you so. Please, do share with your Granspals because there will be support.

I'm sorry to have to leave you all. I shall send the occasional message through bags and, when I return, I shall call into our kitchen to catch up. I know for sure that you will all be looking out for each other. It's what we do very well.

I wish you all and contentment. No matter what the outcome of the Scottish vote, we'll remain pals and no bun fights and naughty messages will appear on our forum.

Bella will remain in my thoughts.

As I was typing my message Lona and kitty were already asking after you, sue ...

I don't know what it is but it feels like my battery has gone flat - I think its our friend Lupus again - probably my bloods up the shute again. Apparently the consultant appointment is in the post. I'll be better tomorrow- going to have a feet up DH is doing the tea its only salad so he cant do much wrong there. thank you for being so nice - I enjoyed the tea and cake.