Soop's Kitcheners...

Lona {{hugs}}
roseq not yet, making the green Tom chutney first! Which recipe are you using?

Well, I worked with someone who always said that she loved children but could not eat a whole one!! She has none of her own but I heard that she married someone much older in later life and now has (grown-up) step-children.

Soop, you are both keeping very cheerful and upbeat and I hope you will soon find out what is next on the agenda - so many wonderful advances these days in treatments!

We are feeling very warm chez Quartz as, although the central heating is switched off because it is milder, the heating keeps coming on. DH has kicked the 3-way valve a few times so we hope that works!

Wondering if you made your grape jelly, Galen - I was allowed a couple of pounds of grapes left from DH's wine-making activities and have just made 3 jars of grape jelly. The first time I have made it and it has a lovely ruby-red glow, so I must bring a jar with some crumpets to share with you all. I am also wondering if I am a cheapskate as I am making do with last year's wool skirt as my 'best' this winter (only worn two or three times as I am more of a trouser person really).

Have had a glassortwo of which is the first since we returned from overseas so am feeling quite mellow. Here is another bottle to share with you all . Cheers!

Back in circulation - more or less. I have a new prescription to replace the antibiotic to which I reacted so violently at the beginning of the week, and am now gradually getting rid of the nasty sinus infection. Relief! So now catching up on everyone else. Also getting the appetite back and the kitchen is full of the pans and bits of food processor involved in making my gourmet fish pie - one for immediate consumption and four more for the freezer. I may be am the world's messiest cook.

Dear soop and MacS, I have everything crossed for you and I hope the envelope arrives sooner rather than later.

I'm not visiting much at the moment, as my family has reached crisis point and I can't concentrate on anything much.
No one would believe me if I told you what is happening, it's jaw droppingly horrible.

Bella I think of you and your dh often, and send positive thoughts always.

Keep eating and drinking or coffee, and hopefully I'll be joining in soon.

I think you are sounding very pragmatic and brave soop and my thoughts are with you both during this awful waiting.
I'm afraid I didn't take any pics while I was with the DGC but did have a laugh when Toby ( 2 3/4) announced in a loud voice just as we were passing a school group at the Botanical Gardens, that he was so hungry he "could eat a child"!! (Ref the book about the hungry little crocodile) . As we were having lunch in a vegetarian organic cafe he was disappointed!

Good luck soop and MacS.....

Waiting is awful isn't it soop, I do hope you get that envelope very very soon and that it contains positive news for you and MacS. Love the word tizwoz, it was one my late father used from time to time!

Thinking of you soop and Mac S
Please keep the mild weather, we are travelling to Cardross on Wednesday for the funeral on Thursday.

I agree, the waiting is awful. If treatment is required, you just want to get it started and be done with it .

I hope that you are experiencing the mild weather in your part of the country that we are having down south. I think that Tara has spent a total of 10 minutes outside today, she is bone idle. It was a lovely day for cat sunbathing but no, a double bed with a king size duvet was more preferable.

With luck something may come by post tomorrow, fingers crossed.

Dearest soop and MacS, the waiting is awful. You are both in our thoughts and we hope with all our hearts that the news, when it comes, will be good. (((Hugs))) and

Galen THANK you for those kind words. I feel such a wimp right now. You lot are the tops.

ffinochio I'm extremely fond of pansies. I went through a period of painting them. I love the velvety texture of the petals - especially the purple and deep wine coloured variety.

Soop we will ALWAYS LISTEN. You know that.
We're all ears (nosy in other words)
That's what friends are for, and I feel in this kitchen, that's what we are!

Talking of having a spare part...

Long ago, we purchased a "rogue Saab" from a "rogue dealer". We were cock-a-hoop as we left the garage forecourt and both dealer and his side kick had silly grins on their faces. The Saab spent more time being rescued and transported home via the AA recovery than it did on the road. One day, as we were driving on to the dealer's forecourt a bolt clonked on to the ground. MacS didn't let on that he was holding the said bolt and cheerily asked the owner to check things over as we had a few concerns. After putting the car on to the ramp, the dealer said quite casually that there appeared to be nothing major wrong. MacS asked his side kick whether the bolt was an important feature of the car. Side kick went very red and was about to nod knowingly when he was escorted some distance away out of ear shot. Dealer returned and suggested that there could indeed be a problem and would we wait a while....and could he please have the bolt. The car was a botched job. It had been in an accident and had been patched up. The mileage had been fiddled with. We had to cut our losses or, spend a great deal of money that we didn't have on having the car made safe. Sometime later, we read in the paper that the dealer had died in a road traffic accident. He was driving a Saab.

This sense of limbo you and Mr. Soop find yourselves in is indeed frustrating so I do hope you hear something soon that will inform one way or another. x
This afternoon I potted up some pansies. I don't really know if I like them or not, but they appeal in a jolly sort of way. I've left some on the outside windowsill of this kitchen for some winter colour.

Well done Mr jamsidedown. What a crummy way to treat a customer What! No instructions? Treat yourselves to a lovely glass of wine a little later. You both deserve a treat.

Very funny. Galen...

I'm sorry to bellyache over the waiting and wondering thingy. Every day I wait for the postman to deliver the envelope that really matters. All we get (at the moment) is the usual stuff and nonsense that goes immediately into the recycling sack. MacS tries so hard not to let on that he's a tad concerned. Every so often we reach out and hold each other's hand. Then we smile and he nods knowingly. Whenever I get myself into a tiz woz, I do so when he's not around. And...I always turn my thoughts to Bella and Soutra and many other Kitcheners who have much more serious health concerns of their own. If the news is positive, then we shall celebrate. If not...we shall knuckle down and cope. It's this on-going sense of being in a state of limbo that gets to me. Thank you for listening. It certainly helps to get things off my chest.

Galen as someone who ended up with the last piece of the jigsaw attached to the bottom of her jumper I know how that feels! As long as it doesn't wobble, the doors slide and it doesn't fall over I'll be happy

It's when its finished and there's bits left over that you want to worry!

soop I can imagine the tension building for you and MacS as the days go on. Distractions aplenty is what you need - why don't you have your kitchen remodelled , that should do it! Seriously though we will all be holding our virtual breath along with you (((hugs))).

The wardrobe is progressing, there are fewer bits on the floor so that's a good sign. DH is also a bit chirpier as he seems to be getting the better of it. The trouble is that Hammonds want you to use their fitter for £200 and therefore don't supply any instructions at all, the rotten lot. Bits also have to be cut to fit under the eaves, so the margin of error is quite small. Still, it is looking very professional so far! More tea required, so see you later.

A very good afternoon to my dear Granspals. Home again after a spell of dog sitting for our pals. When we left home it was sunny and very much milder. At the moment the weather is grey and misty.

My sympathy, Nellie...the kitchen is your domain and you consider the chaps who are turning it upside down and creating chaos to be intruders. The job will get finished. You will finally have things spic and span. You will then wear a supercharged grin. In the meantime, (((hugs)))

Soutra I'm sure that you are enjoying a thoroughly hectic time with the family. If you take a photo of your grandchildren, will you share it with us, please. I remember Torben having some mighty tumbles when he was a little younger. He was climbing a wall frame when he lost his balance, fell (face down) and knocked out a tooth. The speed at which the wee ones travel on their scooters is a trifle scary.

AlieO Well said...

jamsidedown...stay cooel!

rosequartz and Charleygirl and Galen If I should be looking for an item of clothing (because we are a long way from decent shops) I go to eBay. I have not yet not found the item that I desire. In fact, sometimes, I am spoilt for choice. It's possible to search for whatever style, fabric, colour, size - and I finished up with a four page list of jackets (all most suitable for the wedding) from which I made my final choice.

I have neglected to visit my Facebook page for some time. My concerns for MacS prevent me from trawling through yet more on-line activity. I shall feel a whole lot chirpier when we get the results of last week's biopsy. The "not knowing" is troublesome.

You have my sympathy Nellie. Sit down and have a while telling yourself it will all be worth it.

As you say, there is something about the kitchen being different to any other room, probably because it is the heart of the house and a place where most activities take place.

I can go along quite happily with any new plans but once any snags happen, I go into a downward spiral of frustration as I'm sure, if I had the skills, I would complete the job a lot quicker.

I think I am going to take up residence.
I am having my kitchen cupboard updated and its taking longer than expected.

I don't know if the lad is slower than he should be or what but he has encountered a problem or two and its likely to overrun.

I am exhausted with all the hassle. There must be something about our relationship with our kitchens. I did not feel like this when we had cupboards put up in the bedroom.

I have been without washing up facilities for two days now. A cloakroom tap was all we had. The utility room, a sink with no draining board, is now functional but every where's a muddle. We were washing up camping style for three days.

I can't quite see the lad being finished tomorrow looking at what work is left. The effect is looking good as it goes, but now my appliances look all shabby. There are tilers and flooring men to come yet and the flooring might take about three weeks before they can do it. I can't get a decorator anywhere. Get me a big G & T someone.

My vowels remind me of the policeman in 'Allo'Allo!! Sorry about the typos I did mean incandescent and hugely relieved of course. FFS- fat finger syndrome strikes again!

Galen have you looked at Cotswold Collection for classic and classy skirts? Higely relieved Kitty's DD unharmed but I would have been oncsndescent too! Gagagran every sympathy and I hope you have a better night to all of you going through it the moment.
I am in Birmingham visiting DD and the lovely DGC. Pippa is filling out nicely but giving DD a hard time at night. Poor Will went head over heels in the playground today and we were summoned to bring him home. Split lip but fortunately no dental damage but he had another little tumble off his scooter on the way home which was a tumble too far- poor little boy. Toby was pretty good considering (!) and we made it to the end of the day without a meltdown. Tomorrow is however another day! Bless them but I am exhausted already!!

That was intended to be italics!