Soop's comfortable, cosy, friendly kitchen...

Welcome back, mrshat Please keep us lot company more often. If I could, I would send you a big bucketful of We are sweltering here on the Kintyre Peninsula.

Whatever you decide is best for your husband, that gets my vote. I'm so sorry that I shouted on yesterday's post. I felt utterly frustrated on your behalf. Please forgive me.

Charleyg I trust that you are improving with every passing day.

Gentle (((hugs))) to one and all. Especially those of you who are having a tough time for whatever reason

Ironing duty in the morning. I shall therefore return to the kitchen sometime after lunch.

Another bright and breezy day in Cheshire and good for drying the washing - until some anti-social person lit a bonfire and the ash started to drift across my garden. I had to make a swift dash to rescue the laundry.
My sympathy to all of you (and your pets) suffering from storms. I hope they will die out soon -the storms, not the pets. At present, it's a bit overcast here (though still hot) but seems to be starting to clear again.

Anyone watching the French Open Tennis? I was very puzzled by Serena Williams's black body suit. It took my mind off the match!

ann I realise you can’t wait till the end of June. That’s just ridiculous. I hope you are happy with what you see on Friday. You badly need a break.

I hope that Panache is having a pain free restful time- I agree, it probably will be HDU.

I did not enjoy my 1/4 cheesy potato. Tomorrow I promise to have a look in my freezer and see if anything takes my fancy and is easy to reheat.

I was hoping my nephew (by marriage) who is a chef would pop in and cook me something simple but he is trying to work extra hours because he needs the money. I would never ever ask him or anybody else to do it for me.

Hmm *charley’, sometimes, just sometimes we all need some help but most folk aren't clairvoyant and so don’t know unless we tell them. Or at least drop heavy hints . Hope the freezer divulges something you will enjoy eating. Nag? Me? Of course not .

I’ve had a busy weekend with a young friend arriving as soon as we returned home from our holiday. We first met her 18 years ago when we lived in the south and then attended her wedding in Africa in 2005 - quite an experience! We last met 8 years ago when we were visiting our daughter who was working in Africa then. It was wonderful to see our friend again this weekend she’s a very resourceful and able woman who I admire enormously. It was hard to say goodbye today after so much catching up and chatter.
But a change of plan for tomorrow with 2gds now coming to spend the day with us. Sadly their other granny was diagnosed with cancer a couple of days ago and understandably doesn’t feel up to having the girls tomorrow. I feel very sad for them all really, it’s not yet clear what the way ahead is for her.
Lots going on in the kitchen too I see, I never seem to be able to keep up - so if I ignore anyone I’m sorry it’s not unintentional.
maw I too love the rug, if you should tire of it after a while it seems you will have plenty of volunteers to rehome it!
Like others I’ve been thinking of you ann, do keep on remembering and stressing the urgency of your needs as well as those of your dh - you really can’t go on like this without a decent break. Good luck with the place you’re visiting at the end of the week.
I’m not a great lover of reptiles, although I did have a tortoise as a child - are they reptiles? But your story did made me be smile greyduster, “picky eater” indeed!! Glad to hear your day got better today with some garden therapy, nothing like it is there?
corner I was thinking just the sane about Sam (especially now he has a love interest!) and wondering if those cuddly dogs were actually for you n&g, maybe some substitutes if Sam should vote with his paws on your return?
Charley, I hope your appetite improves, maybe it was just the hot day that put you off food. Not easy to think of preparing any food in clammy weather even when you’re well.
soop sunshine in Kintyre does sound delightful, especially as rain is expected here tomorrow.
Hmm it might be a long day with those 2 giddy girlies! Best be off to bed then, wishing you all a restful night x

Maw would Hattie like some daytime cuddles with me on my bed? We could snooze the day away.

I think Tara thinks I am on the mend because she went to her room when I switched off my light last night. She did return to make sure that everything was okay when I got up x2 to go to the loo and switched my light on for safety.

You might find yourself pushed off Charleygirl!
But I am sure she would love it!
I hope you are beginning to pick up and that you regain your appetite. Taking painkillers on an empty stomach is always dodgy.
Have you ever bought “Cook” ready meals?
They are the closest to home made I have ever known (if not better!) Highly recommended!

Maw Hattie has more manners!

I have heard of Cook but never bought any. Unfortunately I do not have space for a chest freezer so space is limited but that looks a good idea once I make some room. Thanks for that, it would be a change from M&S. I have some of my own pre-cooked and frozen food but I have no idea what is in each container because I label zilch!

Good afternoon dear peoples. The sun continues to shine. It's another glorious day. I'm happy to be back home after a full morning dashing away with the smoothing iron.

Yesterday, early evening, MacSporran called me to look through the window. Rory's tabby daughter cat was in the back garden. She stared into our eyes and moved cautiously past Rory's chalet and then went through the garden fence into the forest. She looks well. We last saw her some three or four years ago. I have a photo of her climbing the cherry tree to get to the bird's peanuts. She, her sister, and their mother, were trapped and taken to the vet. All three females were spayed. I shall try to find the photo so that I can share with you. Astonishing!

I couldn't locate the photo of Tabby kitten in the files. I have photographed the original. It was taken at night. She climbed the tree to reach the nut feeders.

https://signal-corridor.live/uploads/talk/201805/medium-553513-100-4759.jpg%3C/span%3E https://signal-corridor.live/uploads/talk/201805/medium-944086-100-4758.jpg%3C/span%3E

Have finished two watercolours. I thought it would be lovely to sit outside with a cup of tea. The midges thought otherwise.

Optician's appointment tomorrow morning. I shall make every effort to be back in our kitchen early afternoon.

Love to you all.

Love the owl- I wonder if the daughter will about moving indoors?

I have had a side dish of M&S sticky meat something on the bone- it was delicious and just enough. At least it is a start.

My four legged carer has come home- I will be well cared for now.

That sounds better, charley. Hope there’s something you fancy tomorrow.

Love the paintings soop,each for different reasons, either movement or stillness.

Horrid, grey, wet day here today. I’m hoping for better tomorrow.

Have we heard from Panache?
I do tend to worry and hope it is just inadequate wi-if in hospital, not that she is too poorly to post.
If you’re listening Panache love from all of us!

I am feeling very sorry for myself today.
I realise all you people on your own have no-one to look after you when you feel/Are ill, but today I feel dreadful and I can't just give in and go to bed , I have H to look after.
He is past the stage of any understanding and if I say I am not well he just looks blank.
He has been up since the early hours and from 5 am he has constantly asked me to get up and come downstairs.
The good news is that he is going for 2 weeks respite care at a home 15 mins from here.
The manager and a carer came out to assess him yesterday , and are happy to take him.
I am paying the balance between what SS will pay and the full cost.
If he settles he can go anytime they have a vacancy for a week or just a weekend if I pay the full fees.
He can also go for a day for £60.
I am not going to look at it, he will have to go as I am exhausted.
It can't be worse than the geriatric ward he was in and the two staff who came were nice people.
Also sending good wishes to Panache

Also sending good wishes to panache.

Sending congratulations to Ann on just going with it. That's perhaps a sign of desperation but I'm sure you will benefit.

Hope you are gradually improving Charley and cam find something you want to eat.

I did ask you lot to sit still but you took no flipping notice. We had an exciting couple of days with Bertie and Persie. Including a trip to Macdonalds - never to be repeated if I have my way, a trip to the garden centre where Bertie slipped into the ornamental pond and Persie fell over and hurt her hand, requiring two plasters and a bandage all the way up her arm! And, to top it all, she was sick in my car! I definitely need a new one now!

Flying visit from my subbed in Kos to say hello and wish everyone well! I have joined the fallen women I’m afraid - feet went from under me on slippery pool steps on my first visit to the pool! Fortunately nothing broken(plenty of padding) but some excruciating bruises. Can’t sit comfortably !

Exactly annsixty!
As you say, nothing can be worse than the geriatric ward and as for paying for it well “you can’t take it with you” TBH having any money in the bank is counterproductive if it ever comes to permanent residential care, but they can’t take your home away from you.
You desperately need a break from all of this, I can so easily identify with the pressure on you to struggle on even when you are ill.
I used to boast I didn’t “do” ill , but since Paw died the years of denial have caught up with me and I have succumbed to flu, Gastritis, thrombophlebitis and general exhaustion.
Hang on in there, thinking of you

Ann . Well done for 'going with it'. Look after yourself. x

Thank the Lord, Ann, you are going to be getting a much needed. I’m sure you’ll make the most of it and your DH will be in good hands. ??
JaneD what hard luck, but I can sympathise because the last time we were in Kos, I was walking along a jetty and put my leg through a rotten board; then spent a week of my holiday with a dressing on it! Hope the bruising is not too painful.
kitty never a dull moment with grandchildren is there? Hope all dunkings and injuries are not too severe! GS is here today and we have just come back from swimming and are having lunch. Then we are going to buy his first “proper” cricket bat. He’s getting quite interested in the game and if he is going to improve further he needs something other than the bit of beach cricket firewood we have been playing with! I hope grandad is in a generous mood - they are not cheap!
I will look in later.

Talk of cricket bats takes me back to Gunn and Moore in Nottingham, they made their own very fine bats and when we lived local to there, it was the go to place for aspiring cricketers.
One of my uncle's by marriage was a very good amateur as was his son, my cousin, and his son has lived in Australia for some time playing as a professional.
I hope your H has a good limit on his plastic, they do not come cheap. I am sure your GS will appreciate his present.

A quick hello to my new Kitchen caring friends.... with a heartfelt thank you for your warm support which is very much appreciated.

Phew!....`Op over and the life threatening problem dealt with, though I know only the bare minimum...........hope to be back with a fuller account tomorrow.

Utter pandomonium here.

Thoughts with you all,...........Ann60 I am so deeply worried about your desperate plea...........at long last...... hope,hope this respite offers you just that .......
Whilst a special leg up to you charley,nourishment needed but I advocate just a little and often.......

Take good care all and keep your peckers up........I am trying!!!

Ann my son’s first bat was a Gunn and Moore Harrow, bought at the same age as GS is now. I think for the same price as a current bat costs, we also got pads and gloves! We will confine ourselves to the bat!