Soop's Kitcheners

Great! Meanwhile, I'll get out the cups n saucers. Or should we have mugs?

Mugs please and the bigger the better!

I like the sound of the dinosaur biscuits- I'm spending Christmas with DD2 and beloved grandson (aged10) who is dinosaur mad and wants to be a 'dinosaur scientist' when he grows up. I don't get to see them much now that they have moved up north. Sadly though they may be down here in the next couple of weeks DD2's father (my first husband) is terminally ill I'm not sure how to support her in this and what to do when he does pass - should I offer to go to the funeral with her. I wasn't on bad terms with him after the initial split - he is an alcoholic so he knows he has damaged himself but he's still her dad and she loves him. is it an insult to DH though - he wont discuss it - says 'its up to you'. any advice would be welcome - this cold is making me very fuzz headed- cant think clearly at the moment.

I hope you all are well and staying out of this torrential rain we have here.

No wonder you feel a bit fuzzy headed, would you like a mug of tea Teetime? Your OH response isn't helpful is it. If your daughter want you to go to the funeral with her, the way you describe your own feelings about her father suggest you'd be able to do so, without it causing you too much distress. As for the OH, if he continues to refuse to discuss it beyond telling you it's your choice, make your choice girl

You can get dinosaur pastry cutters as well. I've used them to make dinosaur shortbread biscuits

I don't believe it. It's November and I've just seen a butterfly in my garden!

I can't believe how many flowers are still blooming for November also.

Permission to carry on lurking dear soop.

So pleased today. Our neighbour has finally decided to cut down his ruddy 15' high laurel hedge, b----y thing. Whoops of delight from hubby and our garden now seems even more inviting.

So pleased the kitchen is remaining open, what would you do with your days if you couldn't check in with your GN pals.

I've seen one recently too!

I am absolutely knackered today - after morning art class yesterday, went to Oxford to see baby and help if possible..........left in the dark at 4.30, and it tool me nearly two hours to get to Didcot, 15 miles.
Hellish traffic and roadworks on the way , and as usual if one road is blocked, everywhere else jams up.
Hordes of cyclists weaving in an out of the traffic, and although more had lights than usual in Oxford (hundreds fined recently) the ones without lights were the ones doing the stupidest things! I saw one very near miss.

I stayed in bed this morning, but am not going to miss singing this afternoon.

Hellooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo We have broadband after yet another day without. I have missed you lot something awful.

It is marvellous to walk into our kitchen and see so many delightful messages.

rosequartz when did you give birth in Freedom Fields hospital? I was there in 1974. Yes, my babe was indeed an awful noisy chapling. However, it was all worth while. On the previous occasion I was admitted at the 12th week of a difficult pregnancy. I was incarcerated for two months. On the eve of what would have been a move into the maternity unit, I had a procedure that broke my waters and I went into labour. The doctor had decided that the pregnancy was not viable. I shall never forget that long night. A lovely patient sat with me throughout the ordeal. I lost a wee boy. My then husband was serving in N. Ireland and was brought home on compassionate leave. On the occasion before that, I had a miscarriage at 12 weeks, but only needed to go into F.F. for a D&C. Therefore, I have mixed memories of that hospital.

Some very good news re MacSporran. We saw our lovely local GP this morning. She got straight through to the secretary of the lady specialist to whom he has been referred. The outcome...an appointment in Oban on Tuesday next. That is such a welcome relief.

AllieO that sounds like a nightmare of a journey. I trust that you've recovered and enjoyed the singing.

POGS Please don't just lurk...we like having your company.

Teetime I have to agree with Iam's sound advice. The choice is yours. I'm certain that you will follow your heart when circumstances change.

Brenda I hope that your poor head has recovered from the nasty knock.

Grannyknot...go girl, go and enjoy Bruge.

Galen my goodness, a butterfly! How delightful is that.

soop at long last MacSporran has had some welcome news. It is rather unfortunate with all of their dithering that you may be facing the winter "on the road". A lot depends on the treatment decided for him.

Good to see things are moving now, soop. We'll be raising a glass to you and Mr Soop at our northwest meetup in an hour

soop at last, an appointment!

Teetime Your ex is your dds father, and if she wants your support,then I would go with her. I'm sure your dh will understand even if he doesn't say so!

Just waiting for my cousin to collect me, we're off out for lunch.

That is very good news soop

A wee lunch at the Royal maybe? Have you ever had a look at the restaurant Ee-Usk a modern building on the old pier. Delicious fresh sea food and lovely sea views.

Happy lunchtime, Lona and happy meetup when

Charleygirl The long drawn out business of waiting has been difficult. Whatever the outcome of Tuesday's appointment we shall cope. I've a good feeling. MacSporran also.

I'm wondering how our Bella and husband are at the moment. She is never far from my thoughts.

I'm away to sort through my side of the wardrobe. I've plenty of good unworn items to donate to the Red Cross shop in Campbeltown, where we shall be tomorrow. The shop is surprisingly well organised and attractive, and the volunteer staff are charming.

Anyone for tennis...Andy v Roger this afternoon at two. Goody gumdrops. The match promises to be a treat. Feet up and pot of tea and lots of yelling [from me]

Agus On the one occasion when we went with pals to sample the restaurant (they were full of praise for the food) it was closed. It certainly has a very good reputation. A bit like us lot We always seem to gravitate towards the Kitchen Garden. Toasted sandwich, glass of wine, slice of wicked cake. Delicious!

soop I have just been reading back over the previous posts and feel so sad to read of the losses you suffered.

Glad MacS has an appointment and you will both be in my thoughts on Tuesday.

DH is doing much better now he has his appetite back. We are having dinner tonight with dear friends who are over from the UK. We haven't been out for such a long time with DH suffering side-effects of chemo, so we are both looking forward to it.

I'm making now if anyone wants any. Might even be able to rustle up a or two

Enjoy the tennis. I'm going to have a look at it too. xx

Good to hear encouraging news Bellasnana and soop.

I've brought in some lemons so I'll have a lemon tea whist you are boileng the kettle Bella. I'm glad that you and your DH are able to go out tonight, it will do you both a power of good.
soop and I'm so pleased that McSporran has got his appointment. I'm sure it feels like a step forward for you both.

I've been lurking a lot too, for some reason I can only make very brief comments on my Ipad and by the time I have my very slow lap top out and going I've missed most of the chat in here. Today I'm anchored in one place with an icepack on my back so I'm having a good old catch up on the faster Ipad and then if I want to say something I have the laptop next to me on the settee. I'm going to see a chiropractor in half an hour so keep your fingers crossed for me.
Any spare lemons can be used for G&T s

Bella Your message put a huge smile on my face. I'm truly pleased that your husband is beginning to enjoy his life after so many recent setbacks. Have a lovely evening with your friends. You both deserve a treat.

dustyangel bless you. I hope that the chiropractor can help with your back pain. Have you slipped a disc? Ouch!

As for watching Andy and Roger... I made a pot of tea and imagined a plate of bags's flapjacks and settled down for an afternoon of super tennis. What's going on? Why isn't the match I've been anticipating isn't on this afternoon? I am soooooooooo disappointed.

The match that I'm twittering on about won't be played until late evening. I'm a twit.

That's as maybe soop, but you're a very nice twit!

Bella enjoy yourselves tonight, it will do you both a lot of good

dusty Hope you get your back sorted, I swear by my chiropractor) and he's got a lovely bedside manner!

Lona x

So pleased that things are at last moving ahead for MacSporran, all my best wishes to both the Soops.
Bellasnana, glad to hear of how well your husband is feeling, enjoy your evening.
Dustyangel, hope all went well with the chiropractor?
Just had a phone call from the plumber who`s going to be redoing our bathroom, he`s coming round in the morning with tile and flooring samples for us to choose from, and he`s hoping to get cracking on Monday, fingers crossed! My only worry is for when the one and only toilet is disconnected, we`ll have to get in some leg crossing practice!!

Please don't talk about reputations soop after my faux pas on the Christmas Bling thread . We did have a good chuckle though.Pity you missed out on lunch at Ee-Usk. One to keep in mind for another time then. Secret Garden would do me too. I just like 'doing' lunch

Andy has to win the next two matches. It's unbearable!

Oh how good to get back to some normal life again Bella. DH and I have been venturing out more for lunches and now looking forward to dinner with friends for the first time in ages. Bon apetit and hope you enjoy your night out.

number Go easy on the plumber. I hope that you have a good-hearted neighbour. Using a bucket is not to be recommended...I would get down (with great difficulty) but getting up again would be nigh on impossible.

Agus What Christmas Bling thing? I've no interest in reading Christmas stuff and nonsense. I'm a proper old fashioned miserable old lady. Yuletide begins on the 24th December and ends by the 27th. Bah! Humbug! Every year the darn festivities start earlier and earlier. As for all the needless hype regarding hurry, hurry, hurry to buy some old tat "in time for..." it drives me potty. Ha! That's better. I needed to let off steam.