Soop's special kitchen for like-minded folk and treasured pets

(It was a cry of despair, not shriek of joy!)

You are forgiven then Maw I thought you were full of anticipation. A forgotten emotion here now.

Hello everyone - been a little while since I ventured into the kitchen although I have been keeping up with the "goings on".

I have had a busy time lately, handing over the WI Presidency which I have done for the past three years. I have finally drawn breath andhave decided my committee days are over. Now I want to just enjoy anything I join.

I have re-joined U3A and to my delight find that there is a recorder group which I am going to join. I played tenor in a group, every week for 9 years, before we moved here and really missed it but couldn't find one at my level. I did try one groupbut they were all so proficient and excellent musicians and I'm not-so it was not for me. Enthusiastic and not bad is about my level! I've had a word with the tutor and he said if I am at the Recorder Book 2 for Schools level I will be fine. So I have been practising every day and reckon I will cope OK. First meeting is on 15 November.

Very pleased you have finally got to Norfolk N&G - sounds as if you will settle in quickly and the family will soon adjust to longer trips to visit. Is it Christmas at yours this year?

Maw I thought it was just me not understanding the What? and Why? of some recent threads. Thanks soop for providing a place of calm where one can take solace, enjoy and , and lurk quietly in a corner or join in the chat.

I'm enjoying reading about everyone's favourite childhood books. Very little money for books at home and my mother always bragged she taught me to read using the Radio Times before I went to school! Of course that wasn't the fat magazine it has become but was very thin and had tiny print to get all the info in minimum pages as paper was in short supply. That's probably why I still find it hard to throw away wrapping paper and paper bags

I play the recorder, Gagagran. I learned at school and bought another when GS started learning at school. He has now given up, but I still knock out a tune on mine from time to time. I was thinking about it this morning, as a matter of fact! Nothing wrong with the recorder in the right hands, but it’s had a bad press!

Morning all.

I've loved reading about all the books too. I was not a Dr Suess Fan but loved Richard Scarry for our children - so much going on.

Glad a good time was had by all N&G. We recently had one of those pieces of beef . What are your plans for the house now?

It does seem to have got a bit weird outside the kitchen, doesn't it, Maw

We had a lovely day yesterday. DH went to watch DGS1 play football (they won) while I went to DD1's house and chatted - I don't see my children without their children often enough! We had a delicious lunch (gammon since you ask!) and then brought the children home with us as they have an inset day. Dh has taken them to the National Space Centre as I am volunteering this afternoon.

As we pulled up the drive, I noticed Maisie on our next door neighbour's roof and when we got out of the car she started crying pitifully. Dh went into panic mode, rushed to the garage, fumbled with the padlock, raced in, unlocked the ladder, swung it round, broke the fluorescent fitting in his haste, swore a lot, climbed the ladder and started calling Maisie. The DGC were hysterical when we all realised that Maisie was sitting at the bottom of the ladder looking quite quizzically at the male human (or Daddy!!) up a ladder calling her!

And, guess who swept up the broken glass.

I hope everyone is well and that your tummy is better GD.

Back later, but please try to sit still for a bit - there are plenty of books to read.

Right! You lot never fail to surprise me. Should I ever wander into the kitchen to find it empty, I shall be heartbroken. As it is, yet again, I've plenty of catching up to keep me away from the dust that's settled overnight. I shall now read through the list of happenings. Talk amongst yourselves.

Greyduster My pal in the village has suffered from a sudden onset of wicked tummy pains and the rest. Her attack started in Tesco and she had to abandon the trolley with the weekly shopping and beat a hasty retreat. It's that time of year when a variety of bugs strike without too much warning. I'm hoping that you are feeling very much better.

N&G I cannot recall when we last had a joint of beef. As a child every Sunday meal was a large joint of roast beef with Yorkshire pud and all the rest. We only ever had chicken at Easter and Christmas. Times have changed. I have to admit to having gone off chicken since certain bad practices came to light recently.

On Friday it will be MacSporran's 77th birthday. I asked him where would he would like to celebrate...there are a few local restaurants that we enjoy. He said...let's go the village school for Friday fish and chips and a pudding for £3 a head. We've booked our table. It should be fun as other local people will be dining at the same time. The school has just five pupils.

Oh dear, kitty thank goodness that only breakage was a light fitting. It could have been so much worse. All's well that ends well.

Sorry, kitty, just had to laugh, you could just be describing what is happening here post some kitchen emulsioning, without the cat. Hysteria has hit I'm afraid.

So pleased you are enjoying your new home n&g, isn't it lovely when the family share in our happiness.

You feeling better now greyd? Tummy upsets are seriously horrid. Walked in on Littlest recently to be greeted by projectile vomitting. There's a lot of it about. Fortunately it bypassed us, well, other than the bit that landed if you see what I mean.

Sadly I'm with you about the season this year maw, will try not to spread the misery.

Think macS has made just the right choice for his birthday lunch, soop, sounds just right.

Best be off. Been hiding all morning and was driven to doing the flipping filing, my least favourite job in the world. Not quite finished but nearly and think Mr C has emulsioned enough to be rewarded with a sandwich for his lunch. My dilemma is, do I point out the couple of bits he missed?

Take care everyone

soop what a lovely plan for McS's 77th. Are there really only 5 children in the school. It sounds like such fun. Hope you have a good meal. I'm more than tempted to join you, I used to love school puddings especially if they were served with custard.

Soop, MacSporran’s birthday is the day before mine! I wish I could join you for your fish and chips. Can’t think of a better birthday meal and what a great venue! I don’t know what we are doing yet, but I have told DH that it has to be chargrilled, sticky, and I want to eat it with my hands like the savage that I am! (Those planning to join the upcoming meet in York take note! You may wish to back out now! ?). So I am thinking ribs, chicken wing and/or a burger! I have a week to get my digestive tract back into GWO before I wreck it again!

corner In a word - NO! Well, if you have to, say a very big thank you for doing a terrific job and whisper gently that there are two wee bits that have escaped his attention.

Crafting Yes...just five children. It's a small village. The children are lovely, as are the staff.
Snap, I am a lover of proper puddings. If served with custard - Wow! That would be a real treat.

Greyduster Providing you have no part in the preparation or clearing up, that sounds like a perfect birthday meal. Wish that you join us. It's going to be a merry wee gathering. Lots of blethering. Suits us fine.

Care home visit tomorrow morning. I shall return to the kitchen to catch up as soon as I return.

I was relatively tactful - for me - soop, said he looked tired and as I had been sat down all morning and needed a stretch would it help if I did some fine tuning. So I was allowed, took all of five minutes and at least I helped.

Nice to have it done, a little bit of gloss and we're there.

The moral of the tale is never do what we did and decorate every room within a month, they all need re-doing at the same time. This is it for a while, next room in January I think, or maybe February, or maybe March

corner may I suggest later than March, mainly because you do not want DH to be painting in anything but decent natural light. It can be too dark from now until beyond March.

Well done, corner. Nothing like a bit of gentle moral support from the distaff side! I’m sure he appreciated it. We have been looking at paint samples today for the two small bedrooms. I will tell DH what you said Charley - I’m sure he will jump at the chance to down tools until after March! Personally, so will I - I’ve had enough mess and disruption to last me a lifetime this past few months!

April it is then . Do you think that may mean Mr C will finally put many years of photos on the computer in the right order? .

corner I very much doubt it. The poor man needs a rest after this amount of work and he has to prepare himself mentally for the next. Greyduster the same applies to your DH, you do not want him over exerting himself- I believe he is over 29 so needs more rest nowadays.

I’m lurking around. To busy during the day and too tired at night to post!
But I’m still here!
You haven’t got rid of me yet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ahh charley but we operate on the use it or lose it principle with these things .

Good to hear from you Galen. Never doubted you were still around. Don’t work too hard.

Morning all !!

We had a successful day yesterday. Popped into a mini Ikea where they only have the best selling lines, but you can order anything and click and collect ( or get it delivered) and managed to replace all our too tall wardrobe carcases. We can reuse all the insides thank goodness.

Sorry to hear you missed your visit because of poorliness Grey , are you feeling better? I love the idea of a home Bake Off !!

I'm sorry for all who are not excited by the thought of Christmas and totally understand why but you are going to HAVE to forgive me....I LOVE IT!!! and I get super excited ...so please feel free to bah humbug me !!

Yes Gagagran it is Christmas at mine and you lot are all invited !!!! That would be my idea of heaven. I love a house full.

I remember when the Radio Times and TV Times were necessary items Swanny.

There's a long list of things Kitty . After the wardrobes arrive we can clear 2 bedrooms . Then we need a studio purchased and assembled in the garden for my crafting , which will clear the 3rd bedroom and garage( mostly) . In the meantime we need the garden done ( it hasn't been mowed for 8 months- we can barely see Sam out there !!). Then a plumber to take out the bath and put in a shower and then...and then..... LOL

Two birthdays this week then.... I'm looking forward to hearing about the meals ( Grey yours is right up my street!!)

I am off to Slimming this morning after a 2 week slump . I not only fell off the diet wagon but I set fire to it, and used the insurance money to buy doughnuts !!!!

Wish me luck!

N&G ???

Sounds really busy but energising N&G - and I am with you on Christmas . I love it too! All the music, lights, pretty decorations, family get togethers, special meals with special foods and memories of loved ones who are no longer with us. Not bothered about receiving presents but love to give them and spend ages finding something the recipient will like.

I think we should have a "Ban Bah-Humbug" corner for we Christmas lovers! (Is there a word for us?Xmasfiles?)

Today I got my usual bus from Wee Town This to Village That except, what with chattering with my Bus Friend and totally steamed up windows so I couldn't see where we were at until I'd missed my stop, I decided to go on to Village Next (one mile) and visit the shop there for some bits and bobs. The bus driver was displeased. I offered him my bus pass to clock up the extra mile but he shrugged so I told him it was a mistake and departed.

I felt so guilty that I told the shop assistant who was sympathetic and gave me a plastic bag to carry my purchases in when I couldn't find one of the at least three that I knew I had in my knapsack. One Of Those Days! I'd paid for the purchases by then and offered her a £20 note. She waved it away and told me to bring 5p next time. It's in my coat pocket already!

Then I walked home in the rain. Shop Lady had actually said, in response to my OOTD (see above) remark: "It's all the rain; it addles your brain." (Think mine's pretty addled already without any help).

Anyway... walking home a solution occurred to me. Tomorrow when I get the bus I'll say I'm going to Village Next but get off at Village That so I'll have corrected my free mile. I rang the bus company to tell them. Told the guy who answered all the details. He listened and said: "No worries; dinnae fash yoursel".

So Argyll! ???