Soop's Kindly Kitcheners

Whizzing along with the new baby pattern but will get back to the other one some time and try again - I had to give up ripping it out as the white wool is looking decidedly grubby!

Greenhouse is bursting and I need more compost to prick out.

Can't eat cake as have recently discovered that I am allergic to glutin. So will pass on that but bring on the alcohol

loopylou I know...I know I'm a marvel.

Gagagran My Nana's brother...Walter Greenfield, was blind (scarlet fever) and he was a piano tuner. This would have been around the same time and it was in Northants.

jane if you insist...just a nibble or two...

Oh yes, just what I needed after a morning of hefting large planks of wood and digging up yet more plants. Yes, our piano tuner was blind, a lovely man who used to arrive by taxi but never needed any help. I feel quite bad that we now have an electric piano.

Buck's fizz - I was practically brought up on it! Unlike my parents though, we all now make it with prosecco or cava.

Mustn't dilly dally - I have more plants to evict. I have some apple flapjacks here if anyone would care for one?

Oh yes please Gagagran they sound delicious. I will make some tea and coffee for any of us who feel like a sit down whilst enjoying your scones. Please keep tinkling away, it's very soothing.

your ..... Ruddy iPad in charge, not my brain
you're!

Yum yum Gagagran, thank you so much!

As a child we had a blind piano tuner who was also a Physio at the local cottage hospital. According to my mother, it wasn't uncommon for piano tuning to be a career for people with little or no sight.

What very salubriously soothing surroundings we have here............ soop your a gem

Talking of piano tuners has brought back a memory of the man who always came to do my Mum's piano. I am going back to the late 1940s-early 1950s. I was fascinated by him because he was blind and my child's mind could not work out how he could manage to take the front off the piano and tune all the keys let alone find his way to our house out in the sticks and then back to wherever he lived again.

I've left a tray of fresh made scones if anyone would like one and there's home-made strawberry jam and clotted cream in the fridge to go with them. Any takers?

Ta dah!...Into our kitchen I rush, hoping to find some delicious goodies to sample. bags I happen to be very partial to both Cambozola and Dolcelatte and drizzle cake and chocolate balls and Bucks Fizz and soothing piano music and japonica and tulips....so...as you can see, I am spoilt for choice. My goodness, what a lot of activity and such a buzz from so many Granspals. I barely know where to begin.

pompa Welcome! Are you sure that you can cope with us lot? That Galen is extremely mischievous. 'though she'll have you think otherwise

annsixty Oh I so wish that you could show us a photo of the new kittens. I would love to see them. Are they settling in well?

Bellasnana Isn't it a special time when the grandchildren show off their first school uniform. I imagine it brought a wee tear to your eye. I hoping that your granddaughter enjoys her first day at school and makes a few good friends.

jane Steady with that wheelbarrow, especially after a few flutes of bubbly.

Charleygirl I'm hoping that your problems have been sorted. It is possible to find colourful kettles. I like the "old fashioned" whistling kettle.

whitewave When I read about your tussle with a pattern and getting the knitting "right" I thought, yes, that's me when I am struggling with a painting. MacSporran says I'm a perfectionist.

Iam64 good news regarding the soon to be born baby. Mid May...the perfect time of the year for new life.

absent I hope to hear that your daughter's sixth child has joined the family and that all is well.

Lona I feel very sad for your daughter and her children. It is wicked and unforgiveable for any parent to poison the minds of their offspring. (((hugs)))

rubysong Leaving members of one's family is always a time of mixed emotions. I trust that you have taken lots of photographs and take away many happy memories of time spent together.

gaga the piano has been tuned. The piano tuner is a lovely "old school"gentleman. He's always immaculately dressed (starched collar and pocket watch) and raises his hat in greeting.

Belated happy anniversary greetings dear finnochio. Discovering the field of tulips must have been a magical moment. Such a lovely idea.

Elegran You are so witty.

aggie the primroses are also in abundance here in bonnie Kintyre. Soon be time for the wild Iris and bluebells. All wild flowers are a joy.

Soutra love the biscuit story. Well done. Amusing bucks fizz story Agus...oh dear...

Welcome back Crafting and OGM and every one of you that has been busy elsewhere.

and ((((((hugs)))))) to all of you going through troubled times at the moment.

Love the new title soop very apt, as it has been proved time and again how kind and caring all Granspals are.

How very decadent our kitchen has become. I love it. Bucks Fizz and piano music tinkling in the background. A very healthy morning drink, so much goodness in the fresh orange juice! This reminds me of the time we were out for dinner with DDs and the waiter asked DD2, aged 5 what she would like to drink, her reply was a F..ks Bizz please! I was mortified

No problem with a sexist remark NM, so long as I'm allowed one now and again.

Morning Kindly Kitcheners, popping in after an absence (part of my monthly New Year Resolutions where I give up something for a month.... last month it was certain 'things' on the computer as I was spending so much time sitting down that it was becoming a struggle to stand up ).
So I'll have a large flute of Champagne to toast you lovely kind kitcheners, and wish those worries away (would that it were possible in REAL life) for those who are worried.

May I share a story about "real" biscuits?
A very dear friend was coming for coffee on Sunday morning. She lives 2 villages away but commutes weekly to London so I don't see her nearly as much as I would like. Anyway, I thought "posh" biscuits might be nice so I popped into the Co-op to see what they had.
£2.89 for (albeit superior) shortbread? No way I thought, I'll bake some but not sure whether I had plenty of plain flour, I bought a 1lb bag,(49p) might need more butter, so half a pound,(£1.40) and lemons (£1) thinking I might make polenta and lemon shortbread. Do, as they say, the maths!

I've found the piano - thanks Lona. As you say it was disguised by the furry one draped all over it!

I shall try and entertain you for the next half hour - my fingers need a work out so I'll start with some tunes from the shows. Gently and in the background in case anyone doesn't care for my improvisations.

Think I better lubricate with a Bucks Fizz first (Champagne and fresh orange juice Bags). Here goes!

We will make an exception for you Pompa We will regard you as an honorary woman.
You don't usually commandeer any discussion in the manner of some men, who seem to feel they just have to give women the benefit of their extensive knowledge about everything.

I will now run and hide from that rather sexist remark.

Enjoy the morning Folks.

Kitty, heading your way for the weekend, GS's birthday. BTW did you watch "Code of a Killer" rather close to home, GS's school is on that side of Narborough.

I don't believe I've ever drunk Bucks Fizz. Don't even know what it comprises. Can I say that? Comprises is one of those scary words. Heading wikiwards to investigate the ingredients of Bucks Fizz....

You're pushing it now ann !

What a good idea, I didn't think of that. Will you send mine up on a silver tray as I am still in bed

Ann we could have a bucks fizz!
Bucks fizz have got to be drunk in the morning!

Gaga the piano has been miniaturised! It's there, in the corner!
You may have missed it because Rory is sprawled over it! Can you play something cheerful and yet soothing please?

To all with problems I can only empathise as my own life is no bed of roses so a virtual group hug might help. A large G&T would be my "fix" of choice, but it is a tad early, even for me.

pompa of course you're welcome! Have a cuppa and some hot buttered toast and you're bound to feel better!

We should have a 'flying squad' of grannies to sort out any troubles! Brilliant idea kitty

X post pompa - hope your DGC get well soon and your DD feels more upbeat too! Of course, Leics would welcome your presence if you decide to join us!

Ok, who stole my last post?

Congratulations to Iamand ffin

Please let us know how things go with your daughter absent, you must be so worried!

As must Lona - is it time to send in the gransquad, do you think? Or to get Phoenix to do one of her spells?

I'm off to have a crisis of confidence over my holiday wardrobe. Each time we check the weather forecast it has changed and I discover I have nothing suitable to wear!

Are men allowed in the kitchen ??
I see that adult GC are a worry for many. Our DD has been on Skype several time today crying because she feels that she cannot cope. Both her children are ill atm (nothing serious) and she is very down. We don't live close by (2/3 hour drive) so can pop round to help, makes us feel sad that we can't offer immediate support. As I have said before in other threads, we have considered moving closer, but we love where we love and all our friends are here. No answer to our situation, just having a moan.