Soop's warmly welcoming kitchen

What a lovely idea soop. I still have the portrait you did of our darling late dog Bobby on the wall and both DDs requested print off for their own homes. I will rummage through my collection of Poppy Cat for a suitable portrait subject, thank you.

Bellasnana What a horrible situation for you and completely understand how you must feel. Is their any chance you could take Bella out somewhere with you, away from what’s going on at home. At least until your DD calms down. Stay strong

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Anyone know what this pretty little bird is? Slightly smaller thanour resident blackbird. Very long beak. Was rootling about in our front garden earlier. Photos were through the kitchen window sonot the clearest. Our best guess is a common snipe - have never seen one but it seemed like it from an internet search. We are most likely wrong

Sorry things are tense Bellasnana, difficult for you both to be in the midde. Hope there are some relaxed times together. Envying you the weather just now, the snow has finally reached us and its flipping freezing.

It looks like a woodcock. I could be wrong.

First time we've seen it and we aren't 'bird people' - you are more likely to be right than we are! We live on the edge of a town, river at the back with a flood plain/wildlife area behind that otherwise surrounded by houses. Interesting little thing anyway, doing a grand job of aerating the lawn. That beak is huge, thought at first it had got something stuck on its face. Wasn't interested in the seed, just the lawn. Oh well, doesn't matter what it is really, nice to see it.

Hey you lot! We’ve got snow here!
Anyone else seen any?

Could it be a snipe? Although I think they are larger and usually found by water.

We live on the edge of a town, river at the back with a flood plain/wildlife area behind that
perhaps the water is iced over

I’ve got redwings. The first for years

It’s definitely a snipe, not a woodcock. Different head markings.

Galen come to London and you may well be snowed in. I have not been out since Monday because the roads are like skating rinks.

Ah, thank you. Snipe it is. Hope it comes back, pretty little thing and not as nervous as the field sparrows that swoop in and out. Fair bit of snow now so I anticipate foraging birds tomorrow and Mr C being sent to top up the feeders. .

I worked Monday and Tuesday now nothing until Tuesday. Bliss!

gaga, your experience of anti-inflammatories is exactly the same as mine. I took Diclofenac for years, initially for a painful elbow and later for an arthritic shoulder.I have a hiatus hernia and diverticulitis as a result and reflux caused me to have severe laryngitis for which the consultant prescribed Omeprazole, Ranitidine and Gaviscon Advance and I am very grateful to him for his diagnosis and treatment as I was beginning to fear the worst.

Yes definitely a snipe! We have goldcrests in our edge of town garden for the first time!

It sounds as if you were lucky your appointment wasn’t a day later cornergran but I am glad you got there and back so easily. Worrying about travel and road conditions is an unnecessary extra stress.
Is there anywhere in the country that has escaped this weather?
It would have been bad enough in January but I always feel March (my birthday month too) is a special one and definitely the gateway to Spring. The sun shines a little brighter and there is usually that lovely smell of fresh earth. Huh!
But I remember when DD1 was born (March) and her christening was to be Easter Sunday, just a fortnight later and we had unexpected snow then too.
Thank you for reassurances about Gastritis. I think I can cope with restricting my diet, although I am missing my coffee, but as long as I know what something is and what I can do about it that is fine. It is the unknown which plunges me into insecurity. I can’t explain how my reactions have changed since losing Paw. I dare say I am a bit of a control freak, but I do pride myself on being confident and coping and now there is nobody to cope for and I am finding just looking after myself very strange.
Definitely a confidence issue. But mustn’t overthink things!
Hope you are all keeping safe and warm, and thinking of annsixty (especially as I hope the carers are getting through) and also marydoll and morethan and anybody else with responsibility for health issues.

Maw please do not forget that you have Hattie to look after! She may be having a well earned rest but she needs to be cared for as she will let you know.

This is the second day that Tara is having another duvet day- I think she is fed up seeing this horrid white wet slippery stuff outside.

Please look after yourselves- I also hope that ann is coping and has sufficient help.

I am doing ok thanks, if "worn out"
The carer is here now so I have a few minutes.
We didn't have carers yesterday as conditions were awful and we managed ,so he is having an all over wash as the shower stool is not here yet.
We are cancelling the evening visit as he is so tired that we can't wait, I just wash his hands and face, he does his teeth and we get his pyjamas on and into bed..My son has been already and done my shopping and some essential chores so I am well looked after.
The wind kept me awake so I will have a nap when H does.
Thank you for your concern I really appreciate it.

Hattie is enjoying the life of Reilly/Riley (?)
She sneaks upstairs when I have gone to bed, only emerging when I do, then out to the garden for an express wee, then a bowl of dog food and thence to a sofa!
Show her a lead or coat and she tries to hide on her bed “What me, go for a walkie? No way,”

AnnSixty I feel for you but it sounds as if you are coping, for the time being.
We often found the evening carers’ visit was just too late as Paw was ready for bed by 7, but if we tried to have it earlier, they would often turn up at 6 when we were eating.
Hard to get right, but I found I could cope with the bedtime routine well enough myself.
Oh but let nobody ever tell you it is anything but HARD

Glad to hear your doing ok annsixty I just hope things continue to improve so you do better than just ok. I feel like Hattie today even though I’m getting cabin fever. It’s like an ice ring outside my front door. My upstairs north facing bedroom window is covered in a thin sheet of ice, even though the heating has been on all night. Reminds me of when I was a child and the same thing happened but on the inside of the windows. It must be so hard maw I admire your indomitable spirit to carry on. I have a much loved aunt who’s in the same position and I can see how hard it is for her, it’s hidden from everyone else but I know her too well for her to fool me. I’ve enjoyed looking at everyones photos. Who’s putting the kettle on? tea and cake are needed here. I’m starting to get really fed up.ps DiL is doing ok she having a rare break from hospital appointments and is back on track to going every three weeks for her treatment. My son hasn’t been at work he’s snowed off so I’ve backed off it’s not often they have time with just themselves. Their having a fabulous time as a family sledding, building snow men, snowball fights. Watching dvds. I don’t know how you keep up with all our coming and going soop but thank you for your care of the kitchen.

Morning all !

The wind finally accomplished what the snow couldn't and we are now cut off totally. All roads in and out are covered in high snow drifts. Not even 4 x 4 will make it today!!

I'm glad to hear you're getting by Ann and that your son has done the necessary shopping. Not much I can offer except a glass of wine and heartfelt wishes.

Sam is very like Hattie in that he has no intention of going out for anything other than the briefest visit!! We have caught him out though as once we are in bed, he noses open the door of the children's room and has made a comfy nest on the bottom bunk by rearranging a soft blanket, the duvet and any cuddly toys that were in his way!!

Other than that it is VERY quiet here - so I am off to the craft room to create some birthday party items for a Teddy Bears picnic !

Stay safe one and all xx

Our bit of Leicestershire is bitterly cold but has virtually no snow, unlike the south of the county. They say we may get some this afternoon but I am not holding my breath! Still got my goldcrests - went to buy more bird food today!

N&G, I feel for you. I remember winter in Norfolk when we lived there quite a long time ago. West of our village ,the Marshlands were very flat - not a molehill between us and Peterborough! When it snowed, the wind blew across the hedge-less 'prairies' and the drifting was worse than the snowfall. Here in Cheshire, I was going to say that the wind had dropped but now I can see the trees tossing again, so it must be gusting and just as perishing cold as ever. I'm suffering from cabin fever and know I have to venture forth tomorrow as I'm almost out of bananas.

Oh anno now you've mentioned bananas I want one !! Our little grocers is open but the ice and drifts have made it lethal and I cannot send Nanuk Grampy out in it.

Maybe tomorrow.

The drifts are things of beauty , annoying buy works of abstract art in snow. But I am a bit over it now and just want to get out !!

What a cold day! Think you win on the snow drift front n&g, ours are mini by comparison. Things are at a standstill here, no buses as its apparently too dangerous, minor roads pretty dire but I understand motorway is functioning - without me that's for sure.

Mr C cleared a path or two, then it snowed again, oh well, he likes something to do so I'm sure he'll be out there again soon.

Haven't seen our snipe today but there are four thrushes keeping me entertained as they compete with the blackbird to be the most teritorial.

Have done, well nothing, other than phone a couple of neighbours to make sure they are OK and watch the birds, oh yes and the ice sliding off the conservatory roof, makes a noise like an avalanche.

Good to hear from you ann, I'm thankful you have your son to help out.

Hattie sounds the most sensible of companions maw, agree totally about March snow its just, well, wrong. Don't give yourself a hard time, you are still adjusting and yes, you are indeed incredibly strong.

Apparently its time for lunch here, to be fair Mr C's rumbling tum is right, we had a late start is my excuse. Yesterday's soup to heat through so won't take long.

Be careful everyone, stay warm when you can and please avoid slippy roads and pavements.