Soop's friendly kitchen

N&G I hope he is called "Bunny* it seems just right for such a lovely cuddly bundle of fur. I hope Cooper is suitably thrilled with him.
In contrast to most of the country it is a lovely sunny morning here,very blue sky, but rain is forecast.
I have as yet thought no more about having a break, frankly I am so tired I can't get my head round planning anything.
It is a tiring journey to my D's and I would have to cross London to change trains and at my age my confidence to do it is at zero.
The friends I thought about are neither of them well and I think would bring me down more than I am.
They are a lovely couple but don't exactly sparkle, which usually I do. Is that unkind?
Well onwards and upwards,we have exercises to do before the physio comes this afternoon.
Hope you get good news about Bertie soon kitty.

N&G no roast yesterday, but I think it would have been easier! I decided to make chicken and bacon pie, but DH doesn’t like chicken pie, so he had steak and kidney pie (GS has gone off beef!) but there was rather a lot, so I had some of that and SiL and GS polished off the chicken pie between them! In the meantime, DD, who doesn’t eat meat, had macaroni cheese as a change from the fish dish I usually cook for her. I did new potatoes, but GS and DH do not like new potatoes, so we had mash for them as well!! All this made from scratch (but to be fair, the meat for the S&K was cooked and in the freezer). Who in their right mind would do that?? It is not a bloody restaurant!
I love the bunny! Cooper will be thrilled! Perhaps he’ll let Jackson share?

All this talk about patio cleaning made me look at ours yesterday. It is not too bad, but will need some attention soon. We had a pressure washer but DH doesn’t like them. He prefers to do things the hard way! He lent it to DD’s neighbour and never bothered to ask for it back!

Agus and Maw the builder looked at me with pity when I asked if sharp sand was used for the job. I had no idea that there were so many different types so he decided to educate me by showing me why sharp sand will not work for that purpose.

It took him no time at all to shake the sand over the pavings and then swept the sand in between the cracks. It is something I could easily do provided I could lift the bag of sand. Because of the amount needed here it was a large bag, beyond my capabilities.

The last time I had to carry something heavy I got the store to dump it in my car, when home I then took a wheelie bin to my car and dragged the bag on to the top of the wheelie bin so I only had to lift it a few inches.

Morning all !!

Woken to a second grey rainy day on the trot !

How was the roast Grey ? Grampy did his usual good job , and we had crumpets for tea !! Is it strange that I enjoy my lunch so much more when I haven't had to cook it?

Lovely picture of young Teddy soop I bet you cant wait for that first cuddle !!

I do love a good meal for a £10 from M & S Corner , so hope you enjoyed it . Grampy was complaining yesterday about the fat wood pigeons who are getting fatter from our bird table . they really are whoppers and can empty the feeder in a couple of hours. I told him he couldn't chase them off because that would be discrimination to wood pigeons and I'm sure there's a law for that !!

Ahhh Nonna what a sweet little face Purdey has ! We have one of those butter wouldn't melt in the mouth faces in our Sam . I'm so sorry your son is experiencing issues with his daughter , the like of which could seriously impact her future. Is there a favoured Aunt ( or Uncle) who could have a calm word? I always feel children push back on their parents more than they would on those further from the situation.

It is young Cooper's 4th birthday soon ( where did the time go? ) and he is to have a BIG surprise . His Auntie is buying him a bunny. Cooper is likely to be a vet or a farmer when he is older so this is his first pet ( other than Sam and 'Catfriend' who lives next door to him !!)

It is to be revealed at his party which should raise the excitement factor by 40! I have added a picture - bunny is 4 weeks old currently , and coming from a specialist breeder. He is being handled daily as the idea is that young Cooper does as much of the looking after as possible under the supervision of Mummy.

I forecast tears from Jackson when he realises he isn't getting one too but I have tickets to go to Blenheim Palace to see the hypercar show so that should help !!

Today , we are off to do all our errands as the rendering team arrive tomorrow to give The White House a fresh coat - its going to be a long week !!

This is Bunny by the way....i wonder what he will name him !

We usually use slave labour - the dgc (currently) love doing it with Dh overseeing operations and brushing in the overspill! We have 2 patios and a bit of path at the side, Marydoll - it takes for ever but the result is really satisfying.

Galen - that must have been depressing for you.

No reply from dd to my query Re Bertie - hope that's good news!

I suspect noticing the negative changes in our bodies throws us all for a while galen. I also think the weather impacts joints and also pain. Hope it was a one off and normal service is resumed.

Maw, our driveway takes two cars, side by side.
One bag of B&Q sand is more enough for us. Remember, wait until you know it is going to rain later and that helps the sand settle in.
I love doing that job, as I find the mindless brushing of the sand very therapeutic and there is always a neighbour passing, who is always willing to chat and keep me off my work. .
It is usually a long job!

What a depressing realisation Galen do you think yesterday’s wet weather contributed to the problem with your hands? I have never known whether it is an old wives’ tale or not, but my joints have been protesting this weekend.
If you slow cook a shoulder or leg of lamb you don’t get the “pink inside” many people prefer, but you can serve it like pulled pork , it is so tender. Google Nigella’s warm shredded lamb salad with pomegranate seeds, very very easy but amazingly impressive. (From the Broon school of minimum effort cookery)

Sorry Galen didn’t mean to ignore you but had to get the kiln sand thing organised ?

Understandably you will be feeling disheartened when facing the fact that something else turns up to remind you that your body has limitations to contend with. It’s a buggeration we all have to face now and just work around doing what we can ?

Absolutely, under no circumstances could you pull off the ‘feeble white haired granny look’ ?

Just ask the nice man if someone could put this into your car, return home and pull and haul slowly at the bag until it collapses into a convenient barrow.....job done?

Thank you Agus
Do you think I have to do “feeble white haired granny” to get it taken out to the car? 20kg is more than your average toddler DGC!

I have just googled it on B&Q website Maw
20kg - £5.13
Clear bag Tarmac Kiln Dried Paving Sand

No need to look like numpties as we walk in confidently knowing exactly what we are looking for.....just have to work out quantity now??

Thank you for patio advice, likewise. Kiln dried sand - right?
I always dread looking a total numpty in places like B&Q ??

Thanks folks with your help with the lamb.
It was lovely and tender but the skin wasn’t crispy.
I found I couldn’t carve more than one slice, my neighbor with whom I was sharing the the meal had to do the rest
I hadn’t realised how disabled I’ve become!
It’s very disheartening

I will nominate DH to do the weed killing as he is chomping at the bit (which translates as....the idea is already in his head) to start spraying before the garden turns into a scene from Day of the Triffids?. Thanks kitty

OOh, isn't he gorgeous, * Soop*? ?
Can I take your dog for a walk, * Nonna W*? He looks adorable! ?

DH weed killers between the slabs then pours kiln dried sand in the cracks.

Thanks for that Charley. It’s now on my B&Q list for Wednesday (silver club) discount?

NonnaW would it be possible for your granddaughter to have some counselling? It would need to be private if you wanted it before GCSEs I guess
My niece had some which gave her a space to talk I think.

Agus kiln sand should be put between the slabs. I only know this because mine were professionally power washed a few days ago and that is what was done afterwards. Apparently each time they are power washed this has to be applied to keep the weeds at bay.

I think in future I will contact Maw and she can do the power washing here while I cuddle Hattie.

Oh soop I bet you just can’t wait to get your hands on Teddy. My favourite time at that age is when they snuggle into your neck and you take in the smell of them. I love it. Still smell behind DDs and GDs ears for the individual smell that is theirs only.

Job well done Maw. I know there should be something put in between the slabs but not sure what so will have to do a bit of research on that. Does the Spring to do list ever end???

What a beautiful girl Purdey is Nonna but that look of butter doesn’t melt isn’t fooling me?

Please do,post some pics Soop I look forward to seeing them.

Soop, to have Purdey painted by you would be a privilege that we would happily pay good money for!
Ann, I do hope you and your son can resolve things, it is after all his daughter you are worrying about, on top of all your other worries and cares. My eldest son rang Friday to tell me about all the problems he is experiencing with his daughter, who is refusing to do any revising for her GCSE’s, and furthermore is being totally rude and disrespectful to all and sundry. Unfortunately I do not have any sort of relationship with her to be able to help and can only give ‘advice’ from a distance. He has become a full time father after her mother left home and (other) family and is struggling (complicated relationships). I’m sure they will all come through it eventually but it is worrying.

Sounds like you are feeling a bit more calm Ann. I hope so. Have you arranged to go away?

soop, you are doing a sterling job with the decorating and that baby is gorgeous! Not long till your get together now.

Thank you for all your good for Bertie who is now home with a different regime of inhalers and an upcoming specialist appointment. His ma is now a little calmer. It's really hard not to keep asking how he is.

I have just sat down after loading both the washing machine and the dishwasher.
H has been in bed for half an hour.
My S and I have avoided each other all day, fortunately we have a house just large enough to be able to do this.
I am having a whiskey prior to getting ready for bed and I am enjoying it.
Sleep well everyone.

Well what a lot is going on in the kitchen. ann I am so sorry your family is not taking better care of you. Your DSshould be pleased you care about his DD not complaining. Please have a break if you get the chance.

kitty so hope bertie is on the mend. Glad his mum was able to stay with him.
maw your patio looks a lovely warm colour. The cleaning has worked well.
soop what a little smasher teddy is. I really love that name.
nonnaW your purdey looks like a thoughtful dog
wobbly I haven't yet had the chance to say hello again so please don't go. You should stay in the kitchen for a bit, we like having you around. I seem to remember you were partial to a bit of fruit cake so I will leave a slice for you if you should pop in again.
I am enjoying a nice glass of I have left the bottle on the worktop so if anyone wants to join me please do before I drink it all.