Soop's kitchen extension

Morning Everyone !

I am loving the chairlift cat! Made my morning ! She's definitely in charge numberplease.

I feel guilty because all of you are being so busy in the garden and Im avoiding it like the plague. In our defence we do have more decorating ongoing so I can't be in two places at once

Charleygirl I think we're just an old fashioned family and it is true your children do bring up their children with an element of what they learnt in terms of manners etc. I am very proud of all 4 little ones - now at home...that's a whole different ballgame

soop I hope MacS holds true to his word and goes and gets his check up . I shall watch you carefully for signs of frittering and nip it in the bed !!

I must share with you a moment from yesterday. Our 9 yr old Granddaughter went to a Karate competition where she did not win anything. She tried her best and was complimented by her Sensei on working hard but of course she was a little disappointed. So she stopped in on her way home for a hug with nana and a chocolate biscuit to cheer herself up.

Later that night her Mum called to say that her Sensei had rung and offered her a place on the Dojo Squad ( a very elite group) who are focussed on getting into the England Squad. She will be the youngest by far and it requires a lot of work on her part.

Of course Im very proud of her achievement in getting a coveted place but I'm most proud that she didn't cry when she was unplaced but was determined to do better next time.

No wonder she's the Queen of my Universe

NanaandGrampy that shows that she is a very well brought up young girl. She has done so well and achieved a lot.

numberplease I think that Mia must be related to Tara! Cat beds are not for her, she has taken over a double bedroom, preferring the bed in that room to a cat bed! Her litter tray is in that room also and the first place she visits after the minx has spent 12 hours + outside. She would not dream of lifting her tail outdoors when she has the comfort of a warm house instead. On cold nights she will spend the entire night on my bed.

The only time that Tara is on the stairlift is when she is in her cat basket and we are off to see the vet.

soop There had better be news that at least MacSporran went to see the GP today or there will be ructions.

@ Charleygirl I love that word 'ructions' !!

The peasants will be revolting

You can tell that I am Scottish!

New Ukulele has just arrived, busy practising ready for tonight's club jam.
Love it.

Its a pity you cant post a video Pompa ! We could have a virtual singsong

Deep breath...MacSporran appeared to readying himself for the phone call that us lot have been urging him to make. He does procrastinate on such occasions. Finally, he gets through to the new receptionist. I'm lurking. He says..."Oh! So I can't be seen until tomorrow..." (in his most polite voice.) At that point, ructions were imminent. I called out...no...you need an appointment today. He apologised to the receptionist for his interfering lady-wife. I then took the phone from him. and explained to the new receptionist that MacS had a possible chest infection that he was determined to conquer in spite of having Lymphoma. She immediately confirmed that he has an appointment early this afternoon. I thanked her for her patience (and apologised for being outspoken.) She was very sweet. She then said...are you the lady who painted a portrait of my mother's dog? It turns out that her mother, who is a carer in the Campbeltown home, had asked her daughter if she knew me as I was possibly a patient in that particular surgery. Funny coincidence.
MacSporran now knows that I do have an assertive side to my genteel persona.

soop you were also speaking on behalf of us lot. With luck MacSporran will get there this afternoon and get treatment- if he does not need treatment, fine at least the problem will have been discussed. He must not forget that he has more than an outspoken wife to deal with- there is a veritable army of us lot here. Somebody has to look after his health if he will not. Rory will cope on his own for an hour or two.

Hello again. It's a delightful day on the Kintyre Peninsula. A tad chilly but I do believe that the sun will shine through the hazy cloud a little later.

NanaandGrampy It was a joy to read of your granddaughter's good grace and subsequent reward. How lovely to have received such a phone call. Of course you are proud of her. Us lot wish her well.

number The photograph of your beloved pussy cat sitting on the chairlift is a winner.

numberplease where does Mia spend the night- lying on the stair lift?

Just a flying visit to say that I am so glad that MacS has an appointment today - please let us know what happens.

I am keeping an eye on the kitchen but seem to be so busy at the moment that I hardly have time to sit down and enjoy the company.

Take care everyone - I'm watching you!!

Charleyg MacSporran has, at long last, listened to the advice of his lady Granspals.

pompa Where are you practising with the newly acquired Ukelele? What is the tune? Has Mrs pompa taken herself off for some retail therapy?

kitty It's always a treat to have your company in the kitchen. Don't go over tiring yourself, please.

I'm away for a another rootle in the garden. The worst of the clearing has been attended to. Another afternoon of rough stuff and we'll be able to enjoy the more pleasant tasks. The heap of "stuff" that has been recently removed, is far taller than I am. We reduce the pile gradually by barrow-load and return it to the forest floor to rot down. The deer show some interest in the rotting Gunnera leaves.

Doctor surgery has just called. MacSporran has been given the first appointment of the afternoon. Result!

Result!
mcSporran must have realised by now what John Knox meant by the "monstrous regiment of women" -be afraid, very afraid

Oh good! I hope MacS gets the treatment he needs and his cough is taken care of.

Meanwhile I'm defrosting the freezer. This involves making crumble puddings out of the various frozen fruits I found in there (blueberries, stewed apple from my mum's garden, raspberries) and soup out of all the little savoury leftovers of this and that. The first crumble is made so help yourselves. There is cream and custard (I know soop likes custard ) to have with it if you like.

Soop Genteel?
Last week you were inviting us to have a paddle with our skirts tucked up in our knickers.
It might look lovely in the sea, but Im sure it would, in Brass monkey parlance be freezing.

What would himself do without you.

As for the garden, get a strong young man in and ply him with the kitchen leftovers, if there are any.

You might have a troop of ladies with offerings to the sainted gardening godPRIAPOS

Hope you have a cheering sunset, then all is well with the world.

thanks thatbags could do with some sustenance. Our usual 30-35 minute lunch time walk turned into an hour, half of which was uphill. We forgot that the Forestry Commission were replanting the walk we usual do so at the last minute we took a side path which looked like it went up 100 yards to a ridge. It just kept on going up. But the view was lovely when we got to the top, we think we could see 15 miles. Hip hurts a bit now but it was worth it, and the dogs kindly washed their legs in a stream on the way back.

I am sure the tree planters wouldn't have minded the dogs but they would have had to say hello to all of them and then getting them back on track is time consuming as they think they might have missed someone and go back to check!

soop waiting for an update on MacS.

He's back. The appointment took ages. Our surgery is manned by a group of locum doctors who take it in turns to officiate. The resident doctor retired recently. The locum doctor on duty also needs to visit the island of Gigha in an emergency. Hence, the locum was a little late back on duty. The new lady receptionist offered to make MacS a cup of tea. MacSporran also put a good word in on my behalf. He said that I was "sweet natured" Aww!
Well, it wasn't a bacterial infection. A viral infection that has exacerbated his asthmatic condition, for which he has two inhalers. The doctor who saw MacS is fully aware of the need for him to be vigilant.
Bless him. MacSporran has brought me a cup of tea and says to thank his ladies for the concern.

Alea I read out the John Knox quote. So very true. When youngest son graduated with his Masters from Edinburgh Uni', he was bopped on the head with a cap made from John Knox's breeches.

bags Your crumble sounds delicious. Custard would make it a dream of a treat. I'm well into blueberries. We both enjoy a generous portion with breakfast. I read somewhere recently that they may help to keep dementia at bay. If so...I shall maybe also add some to the evening yogurt. Best be on the safe side.

jollyg Yep...that's me...genteel and sweet-natured.
During MacS's absence, I totally blitzed what remained of the tough stuff that festoons certain areas of our garden. Mostly brambles, fern, that funny type of tall grass that chokes anything nearby and, Montbretia (not certain of the spelling). It is a thug. We foolishly introduced a little to a blank canvas of a would-be garden. It not only thrived but it has introduced itself throughout the rest of the now established garden. It pushes up between the heather, the hydrangeas, the banks of daffodil. The dead leaves are extremely tough. Pulling wheel barrow loads of it means that we then need to trundle to the back fence and hurl it into the adjoining forest where it does no harm.

A bank of cloud has gathered over the islands. It remains sunny hereabouts.

Thank you all for allowing me to witter on about MacS. I was worried. And, yes, he has finally understood why I was turned "all bossy".

Tomorrow is visit to the care home ladies day. I shall take some posies of daffodils to help brighten their day.

My love to all our Granspals x

Tizliz Our messages coincided. The long walk sounds lovely.

Well done soop on getting your way with Mr mcS. Better to have gone than not.

soop So pleased that MacS has been sorted! Men are so silly sometimes. All that unnecessary coughing and discomfort when he could have gone and seen the doc a couple of weeks ago. Next time (?) perhaps you should just make the appointment and then tell him!
Just going to have some of thatbags crumble, it looks delicious. I'm leaving an extra large lemon drizzle cake for the gang. I feel a bit guilty that I haven't made one for a while.

I`m glad that MacSporran didn`t manage to wriggle out of going to the doctor`s. Maybe next time he`ll remember and not incite your wrath Soop!
Charleygirl, Mia has phases regarding where she spends the night. A few months ago she started going on the stairlift every night, and was most disgruntled every time she was moved so that we could use it. Then she changed to my bed, lying on top of me, which meant that I felt guilty if I turned over and disturbed her, then it was down here on the settee, now she`s back to the stairlift. When hubby goes up to bed, he has to move her off, then she goes upstairs and gets on there again, rides down when I`m going to bed, then comes back upstairs to lie on there again!
We had a nice email today, from the company we booked our cruise with. We were booked into one of the cheapest cabins, no window, we`ve been upgraded to one with an ocean view!

I did have my suspicions about the cough, DH has had one for over 6 weeks and as it is viral, he has just had to tough it out. He was on heavy duty antibiotics within the first month for his cellulitis which would presumably have sorted out a bacterial infection. It has also aggravated his asthma, but in the circumstances could have been much worse. MacSporran will realise that he needs to help to look after himself or it is an unfair burden on you Soop especially as you were ill yourself.
Sorry to sound so "preachy" but the prospect of both of you being poorly together was not a happy one
So now, can you both please look after yourselves(as well as each other) and enjoy this glorious Spring sunshine?

Good Morning all !

Woken up to blue skies and birds song - lovely !!

So glad MacS saw reason ( with some genteel nudging ) hopefully he will soon be on the path to recovery.

Your upgrade news number sounds like the perfect good news to start the day.

Its a niff, naff and trivia sort of day here , with some put off chores to be done and some general household admin.

The only big job is checking on all the props for the Easter Egg Hunt are good to go - its a big deal in our house. I have to stuff the little plastic eggs and each must have a child's initial on it to ensure utter fairness between small legs and big legs. I hope the sunshine will linger until Sunday at least.

Wishing you all a good day x

numberplease Mia sounds a bit like Tara, except she does not like the stair lift. She also has many places to sleep during the night, including the window sill beside my computer although it will be a bit hard there, unlike a lovely double bed, lying on a hot water bottle. She has learned not to jump off the bed if I turn over and continue breathing.

I appear to have a season ticket to my local hospital. I am going today to have the nodule on my thyroid looked at. I always appear to choose a sunny day to sit in an OPD department. What I will do is buy fruit at the hospital, a fabulous turnover and it is quite cheap. Fresher than many nameless supermarkets.