Soop's friendly kitchen

Aw Panache it’s virtual cake! (Although I will have to make a real one for DGS at the weekend)

Just spent over £115 on dressings for DH’s leg ulcer. District nurses always running out of the right dressings so we keep a running stock of our own. Last holiday, he was sent with two self adhesive dressings which were too small to cover the wound and would have removed the tissue from his leg even if they had been big enough. That cost £90 in a French pharmacy!

I'll eat Jane's. I don't care.

Yesterday, I collected the Derby 2 from school and, when we got home, DGD1 preceded me into the kitchen and started wailing. Thinking she had hurt herself (at the very least!) I hurried in after her. I eventually worked out, between sobs, that the Labrador pup had EATEN her very, very, favourite Harry Potter book and now there was a big, big hole in her heart. I managed to find a similar one on ebay and she did eventually stop crying but, apparently, wailed when DSiL arrived home and when DD arrived home - she stopped at around 9pm.

Today is DGD2's 7th birthday so we rang her before school. It was a difficult conversation as her 4 year old sister was wailing in the back ground that it wasn't fair, why wasn't it her birthday as well and why did she have to eat kiwi fruit for breakfast!!

Granddaughters - don't you just love them - especially when they aren't living in your house!!

I can picture it kitty, all of it . Thank goodness you found a replacement book, the wails could have gone on for weeks.

Off to visit a friend in a few minutes. Have deposited Mr C at an all day meeting, hmm, now why did I arrange to go out today? Could have had a quiet day napping in the conservatory, I suspect with ‘real’ gf cake. Sorry panache

I am going bearing cake as my friend will celebrate a birthday in a couple of days, would be rude not to join her in eating some.

Have a good day everyone. Hope the sun is shining on you, lovely day here.

I came home from visiting family on Tuesday and for some unknown reason, couldn't find the Kitchen on line yesterday. I'd had a good weekend with DS2 and the GSs - his partner was on a 'hen week' in Turkey! Their enormous extension is at last almost complete, apart from a few fiddly bits. The kitchen is just about the last word in modernity - a vast island separating it from the living space which opens on to the wilderness garden. I won't go into detail which might make me sound envious. DS1 and GD2 came over on Sunday on his motorbike! DGD (15) likes riding on the pillion and has a bright pink crash helmet - goes nicely with her trainers. The journey back was remarkable - all three trains were on time!
ann, I'm wondering how the visit to the day centre is going today. It's terribly frustrating for you when the light at the end of the tunnel turns out to be an oncoming train. But I'm glad your DD gave you something to smile about.
galen, what have you been up to? It's a good thing you will have a 'minder' on the cruise! Enjoy yourselves you cruisers!

Came in looking for Charleygirl but no sign of her. Has anyone heard from her? I seem to recall that she was due an operation so maybe it's that. Hope all is well.

Keep thinking of DGD1 who as I write is in the midst of her GCSE Chemistry exam - I am soooooooooo glad it's not me! She was a bit stressed this morning in case the school bus was late (it often is) so DH went and taxi'd her (plus DGS) to school to ease her worry.

I swapped my winter/summer wardrobes round this morning and realise that there is another contribution to the charity shop needed. Hey ho - will do that on another day!

Is there a soft chair free in a corner? I am aching, due to having been horse riding yesterday for the first time in over 20 years. I blame DH, he has always wanted to ride so finally booked himself a lesson last week. After going with him, I decided I wanted to join in so we both went this week. He doesn’t ache at all, but my thighs! Still, we both enjoyed it and will keep going.
Hope everyone is keeping well, and hoping ann gets the help she needs.

Tut! You lot do not know the meaning of chill...come to think of it, neither do I. I am referring to the amount of catch up that awaits. Can't you sit still for a wee while - please.

Neighbours have just arrived for a chat. Back soonish.

Doodle For a moment I visualised you standing beside a pond in your garden. Newts! I love the wee creatures.

Greyduster The occasional Monumental Meltdown works wonders. Better out than in.

corner We had an academic friend who began to lose her memory some time ago. Towards the end of her life, she had no recollection of family, friends, places. So very sad. The support of an understanding family and friends is priceless.

callgirl1 I'm looking forward to seeing the latest photo of your great grandson. I like the idea of a fridge magnet bearing his image.

Baggs I'm certain that you'll enjoy Evita.
I remember very well my parents challenging me to find a job. I was a Saturday girl at Littlewoods (on the record stall) and I also did a paper round. The first record that I sold was 'Diana' sung by Paul Anka.

N&G Enjoy the sunshine together with the treat of a few cheeky beverages. Slainte!

JaneD3 ceilings are the stuff of nightmares. That was a job I did some thirteen and a half years ago when we first moved into our newly built home. I was much younger way back then.

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anno Welcome home. It's good to have you back.

NonnaW I'm hoping that your aching thighs have recovered. Will you be repeating the exercise?

Two months ago I fell on to a spikey bamboo shoot. The wound continues to weep but I'm allowing the air to dry it.

MacSporran has taken a photo of a family of swans in convoy. I think that it's lovely.

Back with you later...

soop. That still looks so painful ? Please take care.
Love the swans photo. We have a family of geese in our garden. Can't believe how much the goslings have grown in just a week. I go out every day to count them and make sure none have gone astray?

Doodle Please take a photo of the geese and goslings. We have a male pheasant (Freddie) and a hen (Freda) visit us every day. I'm concerned because Freda is limping. MacSporran says that we cannot ask the vet to call by. She lives in Campbeltown and the call-out fee is eye-watering.

It's a glorious day. Warmer and less breezy. We're about to take tea in the garden. So far, so good...the midges haven't woken up.

The swan photo is lovely Soop, I wonder if they`re the same adult pair that used to glide past us at Muasdale nearly every day?
N&G, glad to hear that you`re enjoying the sunshine state. When we arrived there it was bucketing down with rain!
Mia isn`t happy with me, I went outside and saw her stalking a female blackbird, it was only 6" away from her face and just sitting there, so I clapped my hands and shouted. Talk about if looks could kill!
I can`t make a good job of photoing the photo, but this s one that Max`s grandma took last night.

Another new day kitchen people,so warm and lovely,such a treat.I have a feeling in my bones this is our start of summer proper.

Hi to one and all.

Thank you for your welcome and whilst giving lurking a miss, I have to say I did appreciate your kind words Soop, whilst to be honest that slice of Gaga`s lemon drizzle cake completely won me over!!
I am as fickle as they come!.
I don`t normally “do” cake but that was certainly Moorish.

However on hearing Jane D was planning to have a slice of cake at regular intervals as she painted the kitchen ceiling, I was immediately rather incensed,knowing full well she had joined Nankate`s Onward and downward slimming club.
I soon had to eat my words when two of the above said slimming club hastily jumped in to put me in my rightful place................the Kitchen cake is entirely calorie free!!!!.............thanks for that gem Maw.......and JaneD herself said much the same.
So that was me put firmly in my place...............however I refuse to lurk any longer!!!

Whilst it looks as if kitty is on the cake path too!

Whilst so is Cornergran...... you too a cake muncher I hear..............ah well there is this saying.....”If you can`t beat `em,join `em”.......so yes please, I will have whatever cake is being kindly handed around.!

I rather liked the sound of Maw`s Pavlova..............so yummy and my favourite.

Nonnaw...........you may have my old “lurking” chair to ease your aches.I do remember that feeling.

Thanks for showing concern about my non healing leg Soop........I have just had a Squamour Celled Skin cancer removed......about the 8th or 9th now,some having had skin grafts.Because of my age and the position of the wound the Medics are showing some real concern.

Having learnt of your DH suffering with a leg ulcer Jane D.... and the cost of dressings, it made me have a double take............but yes I do know only too well how inadequate the dressings as dished out by the NHS.

Soop now you have me really concerned having seen the picture of your wound caused by a spikey bamboo shoot,please do take great care, because personally I am scared of sepsis with wounds such as you........and I have.....so have you seen a Medic or are you just being nurse to yourself?

Will I ever get to know you all I wonder,you must have a very large farmyard kitchen to accommodate everyone Soop...........there`s always another day and I surely will get to know you all someday...........meanwhile here`s hoping ann60 has had better fortune today.
It would be lovely to close my little chapter on a promising note.

Keep smiling folks.........and keep baking.
I am a virtual cake convert!

callgirl1 You could be right. This swan family have been seen in these parts for some time.
Max is beautiful. He's really bonnie. I especially like the photo of the two of you.

Another day is drawing to a close. We've enjoyed a long sit-out in the sunshine. Blackbird and thrush have been trying to better each other's song. Such a beautiful sound.

I'm logging off until we return from the care home visit tomorrow. We shall be opening a new kitchen before too long. I cannot imagine my day without the possibility of time spent with you lot.

Panache Your latest message coincided with my last. I couldn't leave the kitchen without saying that you are now one of us lot ...I hope to goodness that you are pleased.
I'm very sorry to learn that your treatment is for a serious condition. You are obviously being closely monitored by experts.
Some years ago, I was in hospital for well over a week with sepsis. I cut my thumb on a friend's gate latch. The ensuing pain was dreadful and in a very short time the infection was almost up to my armpit. Thankfully the intravenous cocktail of antibio's saved me from losing my arm.
This latest wound has been seen and I've been using special dressings to draw out any nasties. I'm told that it is healing. I most certainly wouldn't neglect any unusual symptoms.
Final hugs for all our Granspals. Take very good care of yourselves. Especially annsixty

Well I haven’t painted the ceiling but the walls and cupboard tops are washed, filler is done and things have been cleared. Feeling smug.

Is this a Sistine Chapel job Jane? Are you very artistic then? Our ceilings are white but I wouldn't mind a fresco on one - are you taking bookings?

Nope! White artex. Just takes me for ever climbing up and down steps!

Soop I am pleased and relieved hearing that you have had all the proper care re your latest wound,whilst my word I need not fear you risking sepsis after the tale you have related.

So I guess its a simple case of caring for our wounds and the determination to get ourselves fully back on track............sending you the very best .

Had to laugh at the prospect of you painting the Sistine Chapel Jane D3............You have a good sense of imagination for sure Gagagran!

Sun shining and our summer bedders are simply wilting .......virtually demanding they are planted out so today is planting day..............the weather had better remain kind or I shall be "spitting feathers!!"

See ya all ............have a great day kitcheners all.

Hello the kitchen. I feel very under the weather today with a horrible mouth ulcer which I have had for about a fortnight, which has been dragging me down. I now some different gel to put on it and am hoping that that will make a difference because we have to drive down to Wales tomorrow. DH’s sister had a fall last week - just pulled muscles and bruising fortunately, but she is nearly eighty and lives on her own. His other sister, who keeps an eye on her, is away this weekend so we thought we’d go and keep her company. She is also having memory problems which are causing concern, so we thought it would be an opportunity to see how much worse she is than when we saw her last year, although we do speak to her regularly. She apparently has days when she is fine and days when she is very confused. So we shall see. If she is getting worse, there are conversations to be had.
Having got SATS out of the way, GS went off on his year 6 Paris trip this morning at some unearthly hour. Mum and Dad are already missing him, and we will too. He has been on residentials away from home before, but being out of the country is somehow different. They are all growing up. I expect him to come back wearing a beret, with a string of onions around his neck, speaking perfect fluent French. The chances of any of the aforementioned happening are, I should think, zilch - especially the perfect fluent French, though his mother did at the same age and still does. He does not seem to have benefitted from that, though. I don’t think languages are going to be his forte!
Well, I have ironing and packing to do, so I had better get on with it, otherwise I won’t move from here.

Poor you greyduster. In my youth I was plagued with mouth ulcers and remember how painful they can be. Hope the new gel works better.

Lovely photo callgirl. Babies always look so cuddly, I want to hold them all.

panache, the kitchen runs on cake. If we have no cake we can get a bit grumpy. When we get a new kitchen we have champagne too so don't get lost when we move (just follow the cake crumbs)

A very good, sunny afternoon to one and all. Another glorious day in Kintyre.

We've been to visit our pal in the care home. He's a couple of years older than MacSporran with a fantastic recall of days long gone. His short term memory leaves much to be desired.
The care home will be decked in bunting and all things royal tomorrow. There's to be a proper party and I believe a local choir will sing for the residents. It is one of the better care homes that I've visited. The recent make-over is a huge success. Lovely comfortable furnishings and cheerful décor. I also like the fact that at mealtimes the table has a clean cloth and real napkins and a small vase of fresh flowers. The atmosphere is like that of a friendly restaurant.

Greyduster Sorry to hear that you have a painful mouth ulcer. I had a rodent (? spelling) ulcer as a child and could not eat. My father gave me some bitter crystals to hold against the ulcer. I almost passed out because the crystals were totally vile. I believe that they cured the problem.

JaneD3 You've good cause to feel smug. Just pace yourself. We do not wish to hear that you have strained/sprained anything. We care.