Soop's Kindly Kitcheners

Alie, what a relief for you that your friends are now back and you can have a shoulder to lean on. I hope your doctor was helpful yesterday too. Yes please, I would love to have a piece of your shortbread. I have a bottomless pot of best Ceylon tea, so before I push off to have a much needed haircut, join me in a .

I don't know what happened to that sentence of mine but by way of an excuse I was typing on my tablet.

I've just thought of the upside to my flipping lurgy! I am supposed to be taking minutes at a meeting tomorrow as the real Secretary is away, but I hate it and I'm hopeless at it. I either get so engrossed in the discussions and forget to take notes or I scribble away in a daze and then can't decide what to leave out. So, I'll just throw a sickie! Result, for both me and the committee!

I've nearly finished the ironing but heard talk of shortbread and tea so thought I'd pop back here for a while.

Nothing like a well thrown sickie.

Alie pleased to hear you sounding a bit brighter and I would love some shortbread. Flowers are now in vases.

Lona ((hugs))) Sometimes it feels as if it is never ending but I hope you see a light at the end of the tunnel soon.

and (((hugs))) to all Granspals who are suffering at the moment.

Dearest AlieO, Soutra,* number, Bella, Lona..special hugs.

It's a pleasant day. The swallows were chattering away as they flew in relays in and out of a gap in the boarded-up window of a derelict house. The carpets of wild garlic (now in flower) look even lovelier alongside masses of bluebells.

MacSporran is cleaning the outside paintwork with sugar soap or the likes...

As I type certain words are regularly omitting letters. Can't think why

Just popped in for a view of the sea and a quiet moment. Everyone seems to have problems, self included. Fourth week of chest virus - there was even a separate thread about this last month, so I know it's affected lots of GNs - and overwhelming tiredness, plus DH, who has two major health probs, is giving more cause for concern. So I think we all need quiet moments with soop's lovely views, shared with her two cats ( there are two?). I didn't bring any cake but I will next time. The view is lovely, whatever the weather.. Two years ago ,staying on the shores of Loch Sunart , we enjoyed a few nightly visits from the local pine marten who lapped up the cranberry jelly we left for him/her on the garden table. Otters to be seen in daylight and deer champing the grass at the back. It was a wonderful holiday with too many beautiful things to describe. So sitting here and looking at the scenery is reminding me of those gentle and peaceful times. Thoughts to everyone, and there are lots of you, who have mentioned problems whether health related or otherwise. And AlieOxon special thoughts to you.

Ps. I'm happy to be called nonna as you already have a bella.

My DH had the chest virus end of October which took until end February to get rid of. He has had numerous blood tests that show he is fighting as serious infection. So I have some ideas what everyone affected is suffering.

nonna You are very welcome. I shall give you the chaise with a view through the window of the sea and the Paps of Jura. The chest infection sounds serious. I'm hoping that MacSporran doesn't succumb.
We have a large black feral/now tame cat called Rory. His daughter remains feral but calls daily for her teatime feed. Sometimes, Mother cat (also feral) accompanies her.

Bredawymms That's an awful long time to be fighting an infection. Is your husband fully recovered?

Hello soop and Kitchener's. I have my DH at home sick. He has a very heavy cold and a really bad headache. In other words "man flu". He's miserable! Light relief needed. In a little while I think I might try and persuade my old dog to go for a walk. She is 16 and not very keen these days. Have a lovely afternoon everyone.

Hope it's only a cold and not the cold/ headache that goes on for weeks and weeks. Keep him dosed with fluids and pills.

Yes indeed, loads of tea, sympathy and sudafed. He's taken himself off to bed for the afternoon, so I'll wash up the remains of the aloo gobi mutter and homemade nann bread that we had for lunch, then go for the walk that I promised myself earlier. I'll pop in again later.

Oh No !!! not man flu, that can be very serious. It is essential that the sufferer has his every wish pampered to. Plenty of lemon/honey/whiskey, grapes (pealed of course, favourite TV programmes and not a whisper of any work (that can cause a catastrophic set back). With total care it rarely lasts more that a few weeks.
Hilda, you don't have to worry, it never affect women in the same way, they only get mild symptoms and can carry on as normal.

pompa I trust you're not seeking a sympathetic ear, are you? Hope MrsP is reading this! She may decide getting you up and active is the best cure with a bit of luck

Seriously though so many GNs battling to stay afloat, you're all in my thoughts x

soop when's DGD's wedding? I hope everyone had a wonderful day

I saw an otter in a neighbouring village last weekend, stealthily sitting under a stone bridge across the river so exciting! The fish were grouping together one side of the bridge then making a mad dash underneath the arch. I've never seen one in the wild before, so envy those who see them regularly.

pompa...you tyke!

hildaJ Ooh! I like the sound of aloo gobi mutter and homemade nann bread. Sounds very tasty (and high in calories). The walk will do you good.

The sun is shining brightly. So very different from yesterday's grey mistiness.

Time for my exercise bike routine. After which, I shall wash my hair. bags and I have a lunch date tomorrow. I shall tell you all about it when I return home.

loopylou How lovely that you saw the otter. We sometimes catch sight of the otter who sits on the big rock on the beach.
The wedding is at the end of the month.

Afternoon all. I could have sworn I posted in here last night, but obviously not!
Alie, it`s nice that your friends are there now to give you support, I hope there will soon be a light at the end of your tunnel.

Soutra, and all others with poorly hubbies, I hope they all start to pick up very soon.

Pompa, you little bugger you! I hope MrsPompa is reading this.
My hubby came home yesterday teatime, hopefully for the last time.
Soop, I`m having the same problem as you, regarding letters and spaces being omitted, it happens every couple of weeks, lasts a few hours, but it`s very annoying.

DD, DH and I were stunned, we all held our breath and nearly collapsed with oxygen deprivation and excitement
We knew that otters' spraint had been seen some two miles downstream under a road bridge but never in our wildest dreams did we think we'd see one.

Hardly any calories at all soop It is cauliflower, potato and pea curry. No ghee, just a splash of rapeseed oil to fry the homemade curry paste in. It was very tasty. We have cut right down on meat as doctor advised due to my DH having hypertension. I could live quite nicely on veggie dishes though.

((Huggs)) and to all those who are having problems and worries at the moment.

I think you are all being too hard on pompa. Manflu is very serious as pompa mentioned. I mean we all know what a delicate little flower pompa is. A gentle sensitive soul who barges tentatively ventures in to the kitchen when there's a chance he might get to scoff great mounds of cake enjoy the occasional morsel of cake and take the mickey enjoy the company of the kindly kitcheners

Crafting, so glad someone understands my delicate nature
BTW, any cake ?

What difficult times so many people are having.

Let us hope that this quiet and friendly kitchen will provide a peaceful place.

Here is some balm:

Outside our cottage are swathes of pink and white clematis that are beautiful beyond imagining.
The evening sun is going down and the orange light is spreading across the hills and fields outside our window.
The birds are settling down to sleep and chattering loudly.

A quiet night to all.

number fingers crossed that your DH's problems are behind him, you must be getting weary from all the consternation and hospital visits

Mishap that's such a wonderful image, thank you. The sunset through the trees behind us is an amazing golden hue tonight and gives a lovely mellow feel to the garden

We've had dozens of chattering starlings demolishing the suet blocks - they're fearless, coming down within a few feet of us and boy, do they squabble!

x

This new government has already put up the cost of living . Went to our usual garden centre today for a packet of honesty seeds, cost me £38, how's that for inflation !
I think I need therapy, can't go into a garden centre without buying plants that I have no room for.
Oh yes, and we had a coffee & scone, so that made it £46, all for 1 packet of seeds.