Soop's KITCHENERS

Yes Tizliz he did and slowly too .

The boys sheer joy has made this a memorable holiday .To see the world through their eyes is a gift and one I'll treasure x

What heaven for the DGSs N&G and for grown ups Annodomini!
Thank heavens for the Kitchen, there are more and more "no-go" threads on GN these days which are either depressing or plain frustrating!
When will I learn to AVOID them?
Sitting in the kitchen at the moment metaphorically holding poor Graces paw as we are in the middle of a hail and thunderstorm and she , poor doggie, is a quivering hyperventilating wreck!

Lovely to hear so much positive, but so sorry Lona at the very strange outcome. It's all so odd. Karma is a wonderfully thing.

NanaandGrampy it is lovely seeing the holiday of their lives through Jackson's shiny eyes and smiling face. I am so sorry that they are leaving the pair of you for a week- what are you going to do? Their mum and dad will hopefully have had a rest when the boys were with you. wot and I will be desolate.

Oh Alea poor Grace- I hoped that being indoors with you she would be okay. It does not appear to upset Tara at all. She was outside when the heavens opened but she was very dry when she walked in a few moments after it stopped the torrential downpour. I have no idea where she was hiding. All that you can do is cuddle Grace- she knows that she is well loved.

soop it really is the lowest of the low taking that money- the parents should be made to replace it in triplicate.

Lona as others have said, the law is an ass.

Nanagrampy, still want to see pictures of you having fun! How's grampys toe?

Alea, I hope that Grace is feeling more settled now. Strangely, thunderstorms don`t bother Mia, neither did the fireworks, and yet Heidi, our greyhound cross, would cower in the corner, shaking like a leaf, wouldn`t budge till it was all over.

Dogs appear to be more affected than cats. There was no thunder and lightening here yesterday but there was a time when Tara would run from front to French doors, wanting to go out, would not get a paw wet and there may only have been a light shower. Nowadays she will be outside in the most awful of weather and comes back when she fancies. Maybe it is old age. She was a rescue cat so I am unsure of her precise age but it is between 11 and 12 years now the vet thinks.

Good morning to our lovely Kitcheners

The weather is beautiful The early morning haar lifted as the sun became stronger.

Given bloods (again)...goodness only knows why so many specimens are required. Thursday off to Glasgow hospital to have pre-op assessment.

We then carried on into Campbeltown and I sat and chatted with the care home ladies. At one point, C was reminiscing about her duties (when a young woman) on the family dairy farm...and at the same time, M was telling me about her time spent servicing Bow fighters ? spelling, (in war time). It was an interesting conversation, 'though a trifle muddled.

A year ago today Bellasnana's dear husband died. She is in my thoughts.

Away to try to make a decent third-attempt start on portraits. Wish me well. I shall report back a little later.

It's a medical week. GP yesterday, consultant today. Outcomes good enough. Lovely wander round some independent little shops and a coffee on a sunny terrace after the hospital as a reward, so a good day really. Sometimes think there are vampires benefitting from all the blood samples,. Soop how kind to remember this is a sad anniversary for bellasnanna, if it's not presumptuous I would like to send her warm wishes. Of course good luck with the portrait, you can do this! There's a lighter note to the rest of my week, just some blood letting of my own then off the hook for a while. I've been catching up with general threads, there seems to be some tension about, where's the kindness gone? For those of us with a day, enjoy what's left of it.

Big hugs for Bella

dear Bellasnana

I had to give up a couple of vials of blood myself today, cornergran - now waiting to see if all the iron tablets in the past six weeks have brought my blood up to scratch. I'm sure there are vampires in the basement of our local hospital.

Good morning all!!

Those with pets would not like it here, the fireworks whilst magnificent are incredibly loud even from a distance.

Bellasnana took a moment to think of you and hope you have some wonderful memories to reflect on.

Yesterday was a quiet day for us as the little ones went off with Mummy and Daddy to meet Mickey again and be storm troopers !

Grampy's gout is improving but still causing walking problems so he is the now proud renter of a mobility scooter and is zipping around with enthusiasm. We went along the boardwalk last night and discovered this culinary delight which I have brought to share with you all ....funnel cake!

I had never heard of it but it's like drizzled doughnut batter, fried and topped with icing sugar. Best eaten hot and FULL of calories!! But it was delicious.

Tonight we are eating at Ohanas ...a Polynesian restaurant where we will be leaning to hula ..... I'm not sure I'm the shape for hula but think the boys will be giving it a go!

NanaandGrampy I like the look of funnel cake. Us lot wouldn't say no to a plateful wee sliver. For a moment I thought that you were eating at the Obamas It has been a wonderful experience for all of you. Grampy will miss his scooter when you return home. Still, best not hang on too long to the wretched gout.

cornergran I trust that your hospital visit went well. And...remember please...our kitchen is bursting with kindness. It's what we're about.

I would so love to be able to tell you that the portraits (so far) are pleasing. That would be a big, fat fib. Guess what? I shall start afresh after my ironing duties and silver cleaning (for a mate) tomorrow morning. Hey ho! As bags would say. Onward and upward. Never, ever give up hope of achieving whatever it is you have set your heart and mind on.

Hello anno How's life treating you?

Heaven only knows where today has gone. My mind has been totally fixed on the artwork. Not a bad thing. It keeps me out of mischief.

I wish you all a very pleasant evening. Warm (((hugs))) for those Kitcheners in need of comfort. Not forgetting our four-legged friends.

That funnel cake looks scrumptious. Still, you are on your holidays so you are allowed the occasional treat. Tonight's adventure to a Polynesian restaurant sounds interesting. Rather better than my paella and no doubt you will be having liquid refreshment in alcohol form whereas mine will be coffee.

I also gave Bellasnana some thought today re this painful anniversary.

I have snatched a quick look at that cake and hastily looked away again! Ooh, wicked!
I am reminded of the Tony Hancock "Blood Donor" sketch when I hear of you parting with tube after tube of the red stuff. My aunt always used to maintain that her blood test results would like as not come up as PG Tips (positive)
I hope it has been worthwhile though and send you warmest wishes for the results.
I hope the next pics will be of N&G in their grass skirts?
(Breaks into chorus of ;
"She wears red feathers and a huley, huley skirt...")

Thank you all for your kind thoughts. It is so good of you and I really appreciate it.

I went up to the cemetery today and gave the grave a good wash as it was very dusty and covered in the dirty rain we had recently. I'm usually quite brave, but today I really had a good cry. Good thing nobody was around to hear me.

Collected my little sunshine (DGD) from school and she is always the tonic I need.
What an amazing family my beloved H left me with. I'm very, very lucky.

Lucky to have such kind, caring granspals too

Thinking of you, bellasnana

Bella (((hug))) I wish I could give you a real one.

NanaandGrampy Ive never heard of Funnel cake. Is it made by pouring the batter through a funnel into hot fat? It reminds me of a snack sold at carnival and celebrations here. The smell is tantalising and absolutly irresistible. They are called farturas.

Your little ones comment reminds me of a similar one made by by GS when he was barely 8. Towards the end of a day out with us he said, "This is the best day of my whole life.
I think it was all in anticipation as it was just before his and GD's very special treat of swimming with dolphins.

It is his twenty third birthday today. His GF has put a photograph of his cake on Instagram. I shall try to post it on here.

GDs comment was "amazing".I think it is my DD who is amazing.

I've just lost a post I was writing! Anyway, hello to you too 'soop*. I've had a catch-up day - it's astonishing how much can happen when I'm away for just five days. Today I was pulling a drawer out to find a missing sock and the whole thing came down on my hand. I won't quote what I said, but it was very painful and had to be put under the cold tap. Turns out that I hadn't broken it but there's a rather spectacular bruise - thin skin, but tough bones! I hope you are keeping yourself safe and steady and that the pre-op assessment goes according to plan.

Bellasnana, thinking of you. It's not a happy day for you, an anniversary you can't and wouldn't forget, but remember with sadness and love.

Bella thank goodness for our DGC. They are such a joy.

Been poorly (sickness bug) not stopping in the kitchen as I don't want to pass it on.

dustyangel I cannot believe that is a cake! Will there be any help required eating it?!!!

Tara has spent the entire day sleeping somewhere indoors. I wanted the computer chair so loudly she left this room and has retired to bed, probably mine as I changed the bedding earlier.

I think that I have been washing for the entire local area today and I still have not finished.

I must make the effort and take a pile of shirts, all ironed to the local charity tomorrow as I doubt if I will be working full time (or even part time) again in this lifetime. The minimalist look is in my head only in more ways than one!