Soop's kitchen extension

Haha! soop! Me a fungus expert!? I wish

Lots of frogspawn here too. Interestingly, it usually appears in mid-February here just as it did down in our Oxfordshire garden. My plants, on the other hand, are always a lot later than down south. We haven't even got a daffodil flowering yet, though a few are nearly there.

Alea Oh dear! One superb try for our team (so far)...and plenty of penalties given to Ireland.

My frogs have not spawned yet, but my pond is shaded, so may still be too cold.
Adders are very shy and will slip away at the slightest vibration. It's only early morning when they are still cold that they may be accidentally found. I have hunted for adders often and have to be very quiet to spot one.

pompa I have mountains of frog spawn. My pond looked as if it was boiling with all the activity a few weeks ago. They've spawned early this year ( February)

Charleyg Rory has been sitting as close to me as he dare. I've had a blitz on a patch of wild, bramble-clogged ground under a huge, ancient willow. Some of the branches of the willow are very low to the ground and I had to go on my hands and knees to use the shears on the brambles. Having cleared them...it took just over an hour (and much bad language) I then went in again and collected several heaped barrow loads of dried bracken and that ghastly stuff called "sticky weed". I lost the shears at one point. Was afraid that I'd tossed them into the barrow and that they were now in a mountain of detritus. MacS located them for me. I had my hair caught in the brambles and he needed to beat a path to me armed with secateurs in order to set me free. Wore the two fingers of new gardening gloves right through to my bare skin. Ripped an old but favourite anorak. A total of three hours of hard graft and the land under the willow looks tremendously neat. I came across different forms of fungi and thought of bags...she's an expert on such matters.

Back indoors. Feeling that I've achieved something worthwhile. MacS has made me a and I shall wash and brush-up in preparation for Scotland v Ireland match.

Alea Grace has several smart colour-co-ordinated throws and rugs. She always manages to look chic. I shall think of you as we watch the match. PLEASE may Scotland play to their undoubted strengths. Please...may they not give away penalties.

pompa I would love to have frogs in our garden. I presume you have a pond. As I was clearing the scrub, I kept an open for snakes. I know of one individual who had a very nasty reaction to an Adder bite. His arm swelled up alarmingly.

Are we all ready? Lump in the throat time at Flower Of Scotland [gulp] emoticon ???

Alea I thought that Grace only moved from the rug to go for walks, nip out for a wee and have a meal. She looks so comfortable lying with her head against that throw or whatever. She needs her beauty sleep.

Tara is braving the great outdoors, I have not seen her since 8am. I hate rugby so I am going to change my bedding etc instead. I also have to tidy up my bedroom floor. I have decided that a woman's work is never done.

Alea. Grace must be related to the dogs I bet on earlier in the week, I'm sure the sofa was on their mind rather than the hare.

Spring must be on the way, our frogs are getting very vocal and seem to have something on their mind.

Exciting afternoon of rugby!! Wales - Italy I can enjoy while I get on with my knitting (pram blanket for you-know-who) and then THE BIG ONE.
Thought you might like to see how Grace is handling the excitement and to prove she sometimes vacates the hearth rug!

pompa No need. I know the words off by heart.

Gaga I would like nothing better than to have you lot pile in for a party. We could tuck our skirts into our knickers and go for a paddle. I spotted a seal earlier today. You never know, a pod of dolphins may join us. It's time that they returned to this area.

ann It is true that knowing something is in hand (and not overlooked) is very important. Sometimes, so many weeks pass without a hint of a follow up that one becomes depressed. You have shown great tenacity in dealing with your problems. If I could pick a beautiful bunch of daffodils from the garden and give them to you...I surely would. Take things easy. You know that it makes sense.

"pompa can you play 'Flower of Scotland' on your ukelele? "

Yes. but don't ask me to sing it.

Yes thank you soop knowing something is in hand has relieved my mind somewhat and knowing you yourself have your troubles it is so kind of you to always remember and enquire about others.

Certainly can do that for you soop - any time you want a knees up in the kitchen! Thinking of that isn't it about time we had a party there? Everyone can bring some food and we can have a good old singsong and a blather. Are you up for that?

Good morning dear Kitcheners. There is barely a breath of a breeze and there is promise of sunshine in due course.

Alea That's more like it. A comfortable, stress-free car ride and a great favourite of ours - fish and chips for supper. Well deserved.
Are you, like me, a fan of Monty Don? I love him and the dogs. Nigel, being one, but I've forgotten the name of the newer addition to his family. Also good news that Grace has completed her treatment, and is once again lampshade-free. Good reasons for celebration.

NanaandGrampy MacSporran has a small shed. I swear that he honestly believes that all the clutter it houses will....'be of use one day'. I happened across a lump of something that was as heavy as lead. I asked if it was of any use. Answer...yes. What use? I enquired. 'Not sure right this minute...best put it back where you found it'.
Enjoy your daughter's surprise lunch. I'm sure that you'll have lots of fun.

annsixty Did you have a better nights sleep? Do try not to put undue strain on your leg.

Scotland play Ireland later today. I'm off to do some gardening so that I can sit with my feet up with a clear conscience.

pompa can you play 'Flower of Scotland' on your ukelele? Perhaps Gaga will join you on the Joanna.

Morning all !

Light breakfast offering this morning as I'm out for lunch so egg and soldiers all round??

Charleygirl I am so with you about if I popped off how embarrassed would I be about the stuff in my house !! The trouble is when I have a 'go through' I see so much use for lots of the stuff I'm loathe to part with it . Himself has been decluttering our garage for the last 20 years and as far as I can see he simply moves things from one place to another !!

I think after Easter I might have another go ! You've inspired me !

Pompa I am impressed by your wife's bargaining skills and am thinking of buying himself a ukulele JUST so I can have a new iPhone !

It is our 'baby's' 32nd birthday today and we have been invited by her husband to join them for a surprise lunch with them and DGS3 and 4. Should be lively

Hope you all have lovely plans for the weekend , and that those who are still feeling unwell spoil yourselves a little x

Hello grace glad you have your freedom back and are free from the horrid lampshade. Nice that mum and dad are back home quickly and enjoying their fish and chips. I hope you all have a relaxing weekend.

pompa I really thought you'd gone down with a dreadful complaint. UAS indeed! Hope Mrs P enjoys her new phone that'll teach you.

Hope all those feeling poorly have a better weekend and to lift the spirits.

What a difference the chauffeured journey has made to both of you. If you had to make it by train etc as per before, fish and chips would be the last thing on your mind- you would more likely be collapsing into bed and your OH stressed out and exhausted.

Grace would have given you both a lovely welcome, having been abandoned for so long.

We are back from London - unstressed, comfortable and in 1 1/2 hours from leaving the hospital, and that despite Friday night M way traffic!
Popped up to our village local for takeaway fish and chips, now wrapping myself round a glass of Montepulciano and enjoying Gardeners' World.
Ahh, that's better

Grace, I am delighted to hear that you no longer have to wear that awful lampshade at night but do not forget, mum has popped it in a shed in case it is required if you do decide to have the odd nibble, especially if your stump becomes itchy.

Your mum has a lovely home, please do not leave too many doggy hairs around- she does get tired hoovering because she has so many other jobs to do like taking you for walkies and feeding you, the important ones.

Ann sciatica is pain in your lower back radiating down one or two legs at the rear. At its worst it can reach your toes. This pain can be exacerbated by eg bending down to pick up something. You need to rest but also to get some exercise. In my day somebody with severe sciatica was confined to bed for 6 weeks and if in hospital, may or may not have been on traction. Times have changed but I am aware that you have to do everything at home. The dust will wait.

Hello Auntie Charleygirl, Grace here. Because I am such a very GOOD DOG I can now leave off the lampshade altogether!
Tail? What tail?
Mum was threatening to decorate it as an Easter Bonnet ?Grrrrr

Thank you soop

Charleyg A lady after my own heart.

pompa Tyke!