Soop's friendly KITCHENERS

wot My heart goes out to you. Is there anything that us lot can do for you?

annsixty for you.

Galen It's been awfully quiet without you. Crafting and I are eager to know what you've been up to? Do tell. You know how nosy and hungry for gossip we are.

baubles Your wish is our command. Muffins for lunch...you are so thoughtful.

Charleyg Some cats are easily amused. Bracken has located a decent sized mouse hole in the garden. She sits as still as a statue - ears forward and eyes focused on that hole for hours on end.

NanaandGrampy I'm rather partial to calorie-free amaretto and apricot jam. I shall add a large dollop to baubles muffins.
Wasn't it fortuitous that bags just happened to have the very compass in her bag? As the words came out of my mouth...in she delved, and hey ho...'twas akin to a magical trick. I'm delighted to have found just the thing for each box.

Hello you lot
I'm only staying a wee while as I'm making meat pies and I thought I'd leave one here, just in case anyone feels peckish. They are quite delicious good, in fact my dc often fight about who gets the next one!
I'm sorry that some of you are feeling lonely and maybe unloved. I do too sometimes, but on the whole I like living alone. It must be so hard though if you cant get out or don't have family or friends nearby.
for you all xx

Phew -- thank goodness Mrs P didn't notice all those dis-order;y hugs

I guess you are right, had the consultant though cancer was possible, I would be seeing him much quicker, especially as kidney cancer is fast growing.

Looks like some other kitcheners need some hugs.

Not brilliant cruise. In fact the most disorganised I've ever been on.
1 we went to lifeboat drill and were scanned in. We then got a snotty letter saying we hadn't gone!
2 Anne had a letter telling her that her credit card company had refused her card. Turned out princess had keyed the number in wrong. No apology given.
3 food on first night was cold and my piece of pork was thick, uneven and the scrag end of the joint.
4 no slippers now provided for minisuite passengers
5 waited 45 mins for breakfast only to be told they no longer did eggbeaters although they were on the menu
6 the flowers I ordered only lasted 4 days. An identical arrangement on Cunard laste 8-10 days
7 the queues to get off the boat at ports were horrendous. Anne queued 2. 1/2 hours for a tender at St Peterport then gave up.
8 there was only one small coffee shop on board that served coffee in a proper ( not paper) cup. It seated about 50 people on a ship with 3000 passengers.

I sincerely hope that the Royal Princess is a lot better. If not I shan't use Princess again.

I am going to send a very strongly worded letter of complaint to Princess cruises.


( That feels better having got it off my chest. We did enjoy some of it and managed to drink 4 bottles of prosecco in 7 days)

Soop, thank you! You do help by being here and I love to read of all your "doings" and hearing about McSporran and Rory and Bracken!
I have to take Sophie dog to the vets first thing tomorrow to have her annual injection and check up. I know the vet will say she's overweight. That's because I have to cook her chicken etc as she' so fussy with her food. I got lost last year on the way to the vets so feeling anxious already. However, I'll set off early. Partner did his nut when I told him i'd got lost.

wot do not tell him. If you come home later than he expected say that you fancied the scenic route! If he is that bothered he could help by going with you and either driving or giving you instructions. I am with you, leave early- it does not matter if you are 15 minutes early, unstressed than slightly late and panicky.

I had a lovely lunch out with a friend spoiled by screaming brats and the parents did zilch. I had to stop myself from going to the respective tables and giving each couple a piece of my mind. Neither parent took a child outside. I will be taking a machine gun next time we visit. I much prefer animals.

Galen that was a horrendous cruise on the high seas- not well planned at all and I agree that you should send management a strongly worded letter.

Lona a meat pie would be ideal later on for my supper please- possibly when watching "Undercover".

* Charleygirl* I shall accompany you next time and sort out the parents. Once that is done the kids will be fine !! You described my worst nightmare and its why I'm so stern with our little ones!!

I appreciate that the children have to be taught how to behave but the parents should not allow it to become a nightmare for others. It is very selfish of them.
Unfortunately my friend will not try anywhere else, mainly because the parking is so good at this Harvester and we do not have a problem parking our .cars.

Where has the sun gone? It is cold here now. I am going to switch on the heating and tidy up this place- it resembles a recent burglary. I still have not found my lost items so I have ordered another birth certificate and that takes some of the pressure off me.

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Charley, he never gets up until gone 2pm. He does drive to Lidls to get his beer but says he can't see to drive to the vets. I am telling him less and less now, even simple things because he picks holes in it all. I'm going to bed in a minute to keep out of his way [I've got a cold today-that's my excuse!] Sorry to be a misery guts.
Sophie dog and I will be back before he's even aware of it. Unless I do a vanishing act!

wot Your life should be lived as you please. You should not have to ask for permission. Neither do you have to explain why it is that you are late, tired, miffed...your partner isn't exactly putting himself out for you. You've a cold. Stay warm and relax. Tomorrow's visit to the vet may well take longer than it should. What does it matter? Take as long as you think fit. Pop into a café and have a coffee and teacake. Spoil yourself. You DESERVE it. especially for YOU. x

pompa That's more like it. I'm glad that us lot cheered you up. We are here for you.

Galen That isn't exactly what we'd hoped to hear. Someone is going to get a right brollicking. And there we were thinking that you were having a right royal time. Never mind, finer cruises await.

Lona I would like a meat pie for supper, please. It will soon be time for a delicious G&T.

I've been sinking into a bog this afternoon. Two sides of the garden shed have been neglected, and as I came across a tub of green paint, I decided to give the entire shed a face-lift. At one point, I lost my boot. It is was sucked from my foot. No wonder gunnera like the "wet garden"...I needed to get the hose to wash my boots, socks and feet, before returning to the house. All's well. I'm pleased with the result.

Charleyg I sympathise with you regarding the ill-behaved children. You are right. It isn't fair on other diners. Thank goodness my own children (and in turn their children) understand how important it is to be aware of others. It isn't the children who are at fault. It's down to the parents to teach good manners. Most do. Some don't, or won't.

It is time to log off and attend to the two feline members of our family.

The day has sped by. The sun remains high in the sky. The wind has a keen edge to it. We may light the fire.

Goodnight to all our Granspal Kitcheners I shall return to read your messages in the morning.

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soop I have finally finished the firemans outfit for DGS1 . Here it is.
DGS1 is not very big for his three years so this outfit might swamp him.
I managed to buy a proper used fire and rescue badge from t'internet for about £4 for the area where he lives.

It's not his birthday yet but his little brother is 1 on Wednesday.
I am rather pleased to have finished it at last. DD will have to adjust the elastic if the waist is too tight.

That is very well made- you definitely have talent. He is going to be a delighted little fellow when he sees it and I think that you or DD will have problems getting it off him when it is bedtime! You were fortunate to find "the real thing" on line.

That's brilliant nelliem, he'll be thrilled to bits with it.

wot I'd be very tempted to tell him to get stuffed, but then I'm not a very nice person!

tizliz I do apologise, I didn't mean you personally (and am ashamed to count up how many shoes/boots I have got). Suffice it to say the Hermes courier announced "Parcel for Mrs Marcos" the last time a Hotter order arrived
Anyway, here in the kitchen is safe and warm.
Remembering my Dad with great affection today, 15 years since he died. He adored his grandchildren and would have been chuffed to bits with his great grandchildren

Alea the row of ??? was meant to show I wasn't offended. You will have to try harder than that to upset me!

It is nice to remember with love those that have gone, memories are sweet.

Hello everyone. I have been lurking for a while and would love to come into the kitchen if there is space. I do find some days feel empty of purpose and just a little bit lonely. DH and I rub along most of the time in relative harmony but at times I am sure I irritate him as much, probably more, than he irritates me. It may sound lame but I've no close friends in this area and I miss having someone to chat with. I've brought some individual meringues with nuts that will keep for pudding tomorrow with the cream and raspberries I've put in the fridge. Hope that's OK?

Welcome.

Will someone please nag me into starting the baby blanket for my third grandchild. I can't motivate myself. He's due end of July ( I think) and I must get started. It's going to be just plain blue and in one piece. ( non of this fancy granny squares like Alea's beautiful blanket.

This one wasn't granny squares, Pippa's was though.
Get going Galen what if he's early?

Welcome cornergran. Looking forward to your meringues.

Come on Galen get on with it. You've got another cruise in June, that doesn't leave you long to get it done. Get started and it will take your mind off the disapointment of your last cruise.

Wot I can recognise the situation of being with a partner and feeling lonely. My OH almost certainly has classic Aspergers. He is not good at understanding anyone else's emotional needs.
So much in our marriage has revolved around what he wants to do that I long ago started to live my own life and I have given up trying. He is not a nasty man but totally unsupportive as he cannot understand other peoples feelings.

I got a lift on my Geology trip last Sunday with two friends from the group and really noticed how close they were which made me feel even more lonely.
I have a quirky sense of humour but most of the time OH cannot understand that many of my comments are not meant to taken seriously. There is very little humour about our house.
Another drive to the grandkids tomorrow with him giving a running commentry all the way and I can't just walk out of the car.

After I've read the 2kg of files I have for Wednesday. I'll (try) to get started (unless the men arrive to fit the new stair lift)
Oh! And Gary is coming to garden and Kate to clean!?
Perhaps Tuesday might be better ......... But -----

Welcome back Galen, sorry your cruise was less than satisfactory. Our ship, the Marco Polo, was only a small one, 800 passengers, but it was well OK as far as I was concerned. If OH wasn`t such a grumpy old git I`d love to go on her again.

Galen you know the old saw about procrastination being the thief of time? Another day gone.

Not that I'm any better, if it wasn't for the last minute I'd never get anything done.

DH has gone to university to sit the first of his final exams, the poor soul is convinced he knows nothing and can remember even less.

I'm off to Tai Chi then to visit DD. Relying on public transport since DH has the car today but it means I can don my ear phones and listen to Jane Eyre for over an hour on the train.

Hope you all have a good day.

Morning all !

No time for cake this morning , early start as off to do a spot of mystery shopping for RICA!

wot I am sending you an air horn. Please let it off every 20 mins to encourage your DH to get out of bed before 2pm! I've never heard such nonsense !! I hope you're feeling a little better today . I totally agree with soops advice - take your time today , enjoy a little stress free me time. I don't know how you stay sane !! Sending you a big hug !!

soop your painting tale from yesterday made me chuckle. I don't know how you do it.

Nelliemoser that's lovely !! I too have a little boy who would love that although he currently changes between a policeman and batman . Hope your car journey is not too bad today ( how about a nice set of headphones to block him out

Lona I must not be a nice person either because I'm with you on the whole 'get stuffed' thing

cornergran hold on a tick ! Individual meringues ...pass me one please -stuff waiting for pudding !! Welcome !! We're always here for a chat and the ladies here are lovely .

Galen best you get knitting ...nothing says I love you better than a homemade receiving blanket ( do they even call them that now ?)

I hope you all have a little more sunshine in your lives than is shining over Essex today. One bright spot.....my holiday is now officially only 7 days away!!!