Soop's Kitcheners

I went with the U3A group to see The Little Shop of Horrors at Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre last night. The streets were rammed with the Christmas market and many thousands of evening shoppers - road works adding to the chaos! The show was great entertainment. The human-eating plant was brilliantly devised and the puppetry involve in handling it was brilliant. Great singing and great fun! I so appreciate the opportunity the U3A gives me to attend theatres without having to fight for a parking space or traipsing up to Piccadilly for a late train.

Sounds like a very happy evening for you anno.

It is wet, chilly and windy here in bonnie Kintyre. The ferry looks phantom-like as it drifts across a choppy sea.

Back to the portrait painting of Beni. I've had two attempts so far. Effort number three awaits.

When we got back to Poynton on the coach last night all our cars were coated in ice and the sound of scraping filled the night air. Luckily I had the de-icing spray I bought last winter and never needed. This morning's hoar frost has gone off. It's still about 3 degrees, but bright and .

Can I hide in here please! I got everybody up and out at the crack of dawn (well, 8 am) to have breakfast with Father Christmas. We weren't on the list , DH was about to have a 'moment' when I checked the tickets - it's next week!! So, we have to get out of the house at the crack of down next week too.

I'm assuming you were in the Girl Guides Anno. 'Be Prepared' never leaves us. . Good to hear you enjoyed your night out.

Oh kitty, no, I'm not laughing, honestly . So, everyone knows the drill for next week! There is always a positive

Third time lucky soop

Just noticed your post re DS soop. He has certainly improved said magazine. Well deserved commendation so boast away proud Mum

dear kitty we all love you...(((hugs)))

Thank you Agus. It is some accolade as the editors nominate those who "make the grade". Not bad for a guy who, given an old fashioned typewriter to keep him amused, (he was thirteen at the time) spent an entire afternoon click-clacking away. When I entered his room and saw the amount of paper scattered all over the floor, I imagined that he had started to write a book. Well, the sum total of all the angst was..."He looked out of the window. It was raining..." Never ceases to make me grin.

Agus It's to be fourth time lucky, I hope.

Kitty Just think it could have been last week and you would have missed it.

I had mega problems getting into my car this morning as the door was frosted up. Usually it is the lock but not today. The de icer did the trick but I need to buy another because I believe more frost is expected next week. Oh joy.

Kittylester you should not have to hide, it was a genuine mistake- your family should take some responsibility and not leave everything to you. If any need re training, please feel free to get in touch!!!!

Well said Charleygirl

Time for me to clear away paint box and brushes, rags and half finished cups of tea and leave the desk looking decent. I've decided not to attempt to paint the entire dog (Beni) and have started on a head/shoulders portrait instead. I'm quitting whilst I'm pleased with the initial drawing and washes. Tomorrow I shall endeavour to make further progress. Van Gogh would have cut his remaining ear off, had he been me.

Night night to all our Kitcheners. Keep safe and warm and I shall call in to catch up with you tomorrow.

To be fair, I booked the tickets and put the date in the diary and they were all very nice about it - well apart from DGS2 (nearly 3) who had to be bribed with a sit on the nodding reindeer.

Next weekend should go like clockwork as they have had practice.

kitty just the sort of thing I would do if DH didn't keep an eye on me. Hope you have a good time with Santa next week.

Went to Pisa yesterday. Good disabled access except for the ticket office. Got in free on production of blue badge!
Couldn't post for some reason.

Galen Keep enjoying the sights that you're lucky enough to visit. Are you taking lots of photos?

The wind is bitterly cold today. A half rainbow fell over Jura and appeared to sink into the sea. All very dramatic. Rory poked his nose outside for at least 30 seconds and backed into the warmth of the kitchen. His daughter, Tortoiseshell, is becoming attached to the wee chalet. She has spent an entire night in it. We know that she and her mother have a hidey hole somewhere in the forest. She now calls out for her supper. She had three bowls of food last night. Rory checks that she's okay from time to time. They sit either side of the wire fence and mew.

Toulon today but staying on board. Been sitting in the sun on my balcony. (Well wrapped up!)
Barcelona tomorrow, SHOPPING!

I'm pleased with today's progress re the portrait of Beni. I'm now in the mood to tackle the pile of ironing. After which, feet up in front of the fire and a long read of the Sunday newspaper. Six o'clock sharp...G&T and a wee dram for MacS.

Love to all the Kitcheners [moon

I hope you`re not going to "moon"Soop! (It came up as the word "moon", not an emoticon)

Bit of sniping going on on some other threads which shall not be named so hunkering down here!

Back from being with DD on Friday while she waited in hospital and to take her home and stay over. Happy to say all seemed to go smoothly and I do think if I dare hope, that she might have turned a corner as she seemed more positive when I came home yesterday. Not counting too many chickens but it must have affected her physically and I tend to feel your spirit can't heal until your body does.
What a strange week- London on 4 days and 2 different hospitals!

Popping in early with an apologetic plate of hot buttered toast (real butter, real bread) .... been lurking, not posting!
Hoping the 'corner has been turned' too Soutra.
My DGS (appendectomy last week) seems only to be making slow progress, this was such bad timing but he did get home for his 16th birthday. He will miss GCSE mocks this week tho'. I remain a worried Granny!

Hello again Soutra Yes indeed, you've had a busy few days to deal with. I hope that your husband's treatment went according to plan. How often does he need to keep returning to the hospital?
Good, I'm pleased to hear that your daughter's procedure went smoothly. She has been through a highly traumatic experience and she will still be feeling fragile in body and spirit. With each new day I'm wishing that she'll begin the healing process. You are a good and supportive wife and mother. especially for you.

OGM yummie...I can almost smell the hot toast oozing with butter. It's lovely to have your company.
I sympathise with your grandson. Of the far too many operations that I've undergone, recovery after the appendectomy was by far the slowest and most uncomfortable. I'm glad that he managed to get home for his 16th birthday celebrations. Is it possible that some alternative arrangement can be made regarding the missed mocks?

Galen as you are on the rampage (shopping in Barcelona)...bring us lot back some sticks of rock. Please!

Soutra what a busy week you had last week. Hope you can relax a bit this week. Hope your DD can begin to feel a bit better now. She has been through a difficult time

OGM hope your DGS better soon. We never stop worrying do we.

Galen glad the cruise is going well. Bring us back some treats from your shopping trip.

Soop glad the painting is going well. Does Beni have to "sit" for his portrait so to speak (as in a Barbara Woodhouse type command)

Good afternoon Crafting...I have almost finished Beni's portrait. He would most certainly not sit (for anyone)...and therefore I've had to take several photographs (all very fraught) and use the best as a reference. Always tricky, but not impossible. I've already painted the same pal's cat and two other Pomeranians using photos. She was thrilled and the portraits hang on her wall. I shall take a photo to share with you when finished. MacS is hoping to make a mount for me.

I can vouch for Soop`s pet portraits looking just like the animal concerned, despite being painted from a photograph, due to some of her clients living too far away. She captured my Pepper and Mia to a T.