Soop's Special Kitcheners

Bright blue skies and sunshine here! A bitterly cold wind, though. This morning is being spent chasing up DS for all his dirty washing and crockery before he goes back to Uni this Saturday. I shall so miss him, despite all the extra work. He is very helpful, which makes up for all the food that disappears as fast as it's made. His taste in food is the same as mine, so maybe it's a good thing he's not around all the time as my weight drops when he's not here! The last sweet and sour for the next six months is about to be made for tonight. Chilli, pasta puttanesca, curry - we like strong flavours and DBH likes bland 'delicate' ones.

I hope your portrait of the cats turns out well, soop. It must depend hugely on what light you have, for the black one, I suppose?

What a morning! Andy on TV and snow drifting past the window. I am getting nothing done! Now it's getting brighter by the minute but the flakes keep falling.

Ah loopylou and crafting you do make me smile
I would so love to be able to paint......... Absolutely no talent I'm afraid.

Goodnight, Soutra and sleep well.

Well I am North of the Border again! I got the train earlier today and saw some impressive snow in the Lake District which worried me a bit. A school friend picked me up at Carlisle and I am now between Melrose and Galashiels and it is snowing here too! DD2 is coming down from Edinburgh by bus first thing for my uncle's funeral, having trained up this evening, but too late to get down to the Borders. I do hope the roads are OK for her as we are on a bit of a schedule tomorrow morning and she will have to head back to Edinburgh by 2 as she has to be back in London on Friday morning! Everything looks so beautiful under its coat of white, doesn't it?

At that time I sort of imagined I might have a tiny glimmer of talent Not so!

At least you had the courage to try loopylou. My attempts are so pathetic I keep them well hidden. I do still dabble though, I love the thought of painting but just have no sense of scale or perspective...or style....or talent..or colour ....or design... I think I'm what you might refer to as a "beige person".

I'm very relieved that I'm not alone Crafting!
Years ago I did a watercolours art class that turned in to a 'What on earth is she painting' guessing session every week for the rest of the class.....at least it kept them amused!
The tutor was a larger than life character given to whipping the paintbrush out of your hand and 'improving' my pathetic attempts ; I didn't go back for a second term!

I wouldn't mock Soop I have always wanted to paint but unfortunately have about as much talent as a blind frog with both hands tied behind it's back. I would love to be able to produce a picture that bore any resemblance whatsoever to the subject but alas not. So I'd better snooze sit quietly in the corner with another glass of wine. I've brought my last box of Christmas chocs for you all to share.

When you get some snow Soop please send us a photo. I love snow. I once painted a tree covered in snow - my DH thought it was a spider

Drove home in a snow storm when,in what seemed like 10mins, everything was white, dark ominous sky and the snow is Definately landing now.

I can vouch for our resident artist, aka soop, as I have an example of her skill hanging on a wall at home. Beautifully captured portrait of our late dog.

I can't resist cuddles from both GDs even when unwell Galen but on a few occasions they have kindly passed on their virus to Granny. Little darlings

For goodness sake remember the tissues anno. I watched GD1 age 9 narrate at school assembly on Monday. Emotional stuff indeed.

Well, I've been fortunate to have spent some valuable time with our Kitcheners in spite of flickering lights and funny stuff happening on the computer. I must have been "disconnected" at least a dozen times throughout the day. Never mind, I am well pleased to have not been cut off from you lot.

It really is a howler of a wind out there. Snow, hail, distant rumbles of what could be thunder.

Please keep warm and dry. I shall return in the morning. Off to prepare the cat suppers. xxx

Ash? Ah!

Ash!how nice

Galen You are worth all the cuddles in the whole wide wonderful world...

Mock ye not, Crafting I did make a start with an initial light wash on the portrait. I've had to close my studio and take off my arty-farty hat because the lighting is atrocious. The sky is jet black. We've had several snowstorms this afternoon...none settling so far.

anno I trust that you will recover from the chest infection very soon. Safe journey to your family at the weekend. You will need your handkerchief when you watch your dear granddaughter's performance. Swallow hard and smile...

loopylou you are a darling girl.

I gold you that cat was no good! Attacking a protected species God well beyond the pale!
Just got back from Gloucester where I've been visiting two poorly DGDs
Lots of lovely cuddles though.

Sensitive disposition Soop that must be me, I'd better have a to prepare myself for your norty words. How many norty words do you know Soop? I'd better have another just to be on the safe side. Ok Soop I'm ready hic! paint away. Don't forget a photo when you're done....... I'm just off for another bottle in case the black cat doesn't behave

The trees are tossing and there are occasional snow flurries. When I ventured out to the Library this morning, there was ice on the wind! But the snowdrops in the garden are flourishing. I am now hibernating. Book group tonight and I hope that my cough, which is showing signs of improvement, doesn't make a comeback. Visiting Sandhurst family at the weekend for GD's performance in the chorus of a local panto. Christmas present flying lesson now postponed because chest infection would be, at best a distraction, at worst, a disaster!

I love the landscapes on your photos page soop, wow!
I'm sure your cat portraits will be marvellous- as someone with zero art skills, I'm .

...for those of a sensitive disposition, I would like to apologise well in advance.

loopylou and Agus The sun is shining here in bonnie Kintyre. The sea is an amazing grey/green capped with rolling white surf. All very dramatic. Just take good care of yourselves please.
I am about to paint a wee portrait of two beautiful pussy cats. One is tabby and the other, black. Now, as most of you know, I tend get into a bit of a panic as I trust that my drawing reflects the character of the cat. You see, a tabby cat is a gift (to paint) and a black cat is somewhat tricky. However, within the hour, I would at least to see some hopeful signs that I'm on the right cat-track. If not...you may hear an awful lot of loud norty words.

soop the wind has calmed down a bit here at the moment and the sun is out , but I am due to go out in half an hour so what's the betting it all comes back full force just as I open the front door? I have dug out my old wax coat to keep the chill out, go and do what I have to do and quickly return to a cosy house. BRRR

soop, you are such a gem, bless you!
Better not let Galen know that the Rory cat & co might just be to blame
Unbelievable the mess chooks can make...and ducks aren't any better! MiL had ducks years ago and they reduced the farm orchard to a slimy mud bath (I hated them with a vengeance as frequently ended up flat on my back!) and it used to take ages to shut them in at night. I have to say I was highly relieved and not the slightest bit sorry when they shuffled off to duck heaven!

loopylou Of course! The answer to the question...who attacked Rory? The haggis may have been waiting on the bank of the burn when Rory happened across it. A mighty tussle ensued. The haggis, realising that Rory was a very tough cookie, backed off and visited the neighbour's chickens instead. Then...the chickens came into our garden. MacS fearing that the fox might be lurking, allowed them (the chickens) to roost overnight in our front porch. By gum, did those chickens make a mess...poo and feathers all over the place. MacS cleaned up once the neighbour had retrieved his flock.

Agus The wind is gusting well over 80 mph...I'm hoping so much that the cherry tree can cope. If not, we lose it and that would be an awful shame.

IS over and it's safe to come out again