Soop's comfortable and friendly kitchen...

Morning Ma’am and the rest of the Kitcheners! We have had rain - hurrah. I knew it was raining when a very wet cat came onto our bed. A much more comfortable day for everyone I hope.

Good move Bellanonna - forewarned is forearmed.
In the newspaper world they used to call it “the silly season” (before reality became even sillier)
Is everybody hale and hearty this weekend? Wondering about our post-op Kitcheners and hoping that nobody else *lands on their are please!

Ar*e - silly star!

Morning All. Damp here too. Never thought I’d be pleased to see rain. It feels decidedly chilly after the heat and odd to be playing hunt the raincoat before I go out.

Agree about the strange threads maw. I’m staying well away.

nonnaw once we knew where we were going and what wouldn’t work local selling site (I found it easier than eBay to operate). the family, Freecycle and the British Heart Foundation soon disposed of the big things, the small ones went via family and charity shops plus the odd car boot. I found it liberating once I overcame the ‘but what if we find we need it’ thoughts. Hope it all goes well.

We’ll done to persie. kitty. Wish I could carry a tune. . I find I have a mix of pride and anxiety for the young performers at these things, wouldn’t miss them though.

Onwards, not sure what the day will bring, see how we feel.

Good morning the kitchen! It is raining! Yesss!!?. It is blissfully cool at the moment. We did actually catch the last third of the eclipse before the cloud moved in again last night.
kitty Well done Persie! It’s nice to think she has the courage to stand up in front of others and perform! GS would run a mile. He did okay in their end of year production but he only had five lines! His friend, though, stole the show. He was brilliant and I was talking to his mum a few days later and commented on how good he was. She said “Well, the night before we had had tears, angst, “I can’t remember my lines” “I’m not going to school tommorrow!” etc, and then he explodes onto the stage and puts in a performance like that! I was stunned!” So was everyone else ?! I told her, even Larry Olivier suffered from stage fright sometimes!
Corner I can hold a tune, but the voice I had once sounds these days like it’s running over gravel! Shame really because there is a choir near us that is inviting people to have a try, and I would have liked to have gone along. DH, on the other hand has a very good singing voice (well, he is Welsh). His big problem, and one which amuses the family no end, is that he can’t remember the words to songs, so he makes them up as he goes along on the basis that they ‘sound like’ what they are supposed to be. The results are often hilarious.
Maw I think we all caught your drift ?! You and Hattie take care too!
I don’t know about strange threads on GN, but I was suddenly faced with a strange message purporting to come from Apple last night, saying that my iPad was infected with a virus and if I ‘deleted this message’, I would activate it. I’m afraid to say that I was like a rabbit trapped in headlights and I ended up ringing my son, who told me to ignore it and how to get rid of it. Nice when you can fall back in your AC instead of them falling back on you!
Well, I will look in later. I’m going to stand at the window, watch the rain and drink my second cup of coffee.

Morning all - we had loads of rain overnight and it is much cooler.

One the other hand, I'm boiling and likely to commit murder!! While it has been so hot Dh decided we would be better off in spectate beds and gallantly allowed me to stay in our room! This morning I discovered that he had slept in every other bed in the house - just to see which was nicest! And we have visitors soon who will need all the beds!!! I suppose I could make him change them all but that could be fraught with danger too!

I hope ann is ok and her husband has settled back in well.

gd AC. do come in handy occasionally don't they?

No more rain other than last night's 4 drops. Apparently the T has dropped but as it is so muggy I have not noticed. I am a total misery guts because I am so hot and uncomfortable.

It's a typical English summer morning here in Cheshire. Bright and breezy and not hot. The clouds come over but go away again without spilling a much-needed drop. Surely if I put the washing out, it's bound to rain .

Good morning to you all.

My word there certainly has been one massive lot of postings which completely caught me by surprise........all in a nice way let me assure you!

It first started raining the odd shower with the dark last evening then during the night it heaved down, plus some blustery wind.......this morning started back fine and dandy.......another heavy shower ......and yes that is the pattern for our neck of the woods.Sun and showers.
The outside is groaning with delight I have to say............although not so my once blooming geraniums!!

I hear your cry for help in the down sizing department Nonna.......and I can but repeat how we a almost made that move from a 4 bed/3 bath home standing in an acre of grounds to a 2 bed/2 bath Apartment in a Retirement complex last December (the purchasing gent had a heart attack and pulled out) so we have to do it all again........if and when!
The first thing was transporting all waste papers/magazines etc to the bins..........and that in itself was a marathon.We are such hoarders.I had 14 years worth of “Beautiful Homes” and “Ideal Homes” would you believe?
Older warm clothes/boots etc all sorted and went to the Salvation Army.
I called in our Hospice at Home service, who came with their van to collect the many black bags full to overflowing plus all coats/macs/jackets/trouser suits/etc that I had sorted in preperation.
My husband had a whole week of taking excess garden and garage rubbish to the local tip before starting!! We had 14 years of “Build up” and it seemed a dauntless task.
My husband arranged a garden/garage sale (Notice in the local paper in advance plus a sign outside our home) where we sold all our pots, many with plants,garden furniture,numerous tools,have buyers awaiting our ride on mower and several other large oddments & looking forward to the next Sale!!
Our Conservatory became a shop.........kitted out with the unwanted... a whole lot of ornaments, china tea sets and oddments,bedding,curtains/blinds/lights/cushion/,rugs........etc.etc.
Books /pictures/our personal items were all put aside in two separate rooms to ensure they did not get sold!! Most were packed in boxes as they were taken aside,all ready for the move.
We separated our better furniture and antique collectibles, calling in the local auctioneer to price and then put them on their next auction,(they collect and do all the rest .....at a cost of course) whilst we called in 3 Antique & collectible shops in to look over and purchase a couple of tables worth of other less valuable items.
It all took mega effort and organising ......but was working well.
We intended having an entire "clean sweep" of everything and starting afresh because the Apartment needed a few smaller,lighter items so that it was a completely new start from scratch.
It needs good organising but though I cannot do very much these days, a good organiser I am..........whilst my man is equally excellent at getting the work done.
Our one problem now is we shall have to do it all over again............if and when we sell.
I do wish you all the luck in the world Nonna............but it can be done I assure you.

What with the weather changing drastically I think it has slowed down my brain,so after all that effort, I hope you do not mind if I skip your other posts for now........all duly read and I am grateful that through your postings I realise I can skip much “news” here today....thank you.......however I note many of you are frazzled and feeling the after effects of the heat..........so to you all I send my heartfelt feelings,trusting and hoping that there is going to be some genuine respite allowing you to enjoy this weekend.

Whilst yes after a few magnums I shall surely be back!!!

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Morning all!?

We were blessed with a 2 hr thunder and lightening display and torrential rain last night so all is well with my world again !

How is the weather with you Charle, I was thinking of you slowly melting !

I know what you mean about looking small Nonna , the first night here surrounded by boxes ( and I mean surrounded!) I thought we were mad . But now 9 months down the line with some creative storage and some serious decluttering everything fits in .....just!

Ha ! I understand your zombieness * Jane* , we’ve had our big kids for 3 looooong days. Would you believe they need 3 meals a day, at least one cooked AND snacks !!! Lol

I agree Maw very odd threads and soooooo many of the same type of games.

We took the Queen of the Universe for her first riding lesson yesterday and she now needs a pony ( in case anyone has one to spare lol) . I’ve added a picture - apparently she’ll be ready for Badminton Horse Trials by next year ???

Happy days all!

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Have just this minute wandered into the kitchen and am bowled over by the business. Do you lot run on high octane energy...or what?

N&G The Queen of the Universe rides with poise. How lovely for her to have lessons.

I'm about to recap on the rest of the posts. Before I do please may I had a pic or two...

Panache Your energy is almost beyond belief. Always newsy and supportive to others.

kitty First things first. Take husband by the ear, position him beside each bed that he's done a Goldilocks on and instruct him in the art of stripping and remaking with freshly laundered linen. After which...he'll be putty in your hands.
Congratulations to Persie. It takes a lot of pluck to perform on stage.

Did I mention that I have a crown? Cost all of £1:99 from Nickle and Dime. I wore it as I supped the early morning tea. It made my head itch and ruined my hair-do. Bet her majesty would approve. My butler took a photo.

Maw Do I fall into the category of strange people? If so, I must admit that I've always been this way.

We've had gentle rain. No thunder storms. Wind is set to become a trifle brisk later on.

You will recall that I've been sourcing headphones on eBay. A very nice seller was extremely helpful. On checking a moderately priced item that I was interested in, he detected a minor fault. The item had been used, that I understood. He said that he wouldn't feel comfortable posting the item to me as it would be disappointing. Instead, he's substituting the item with a superior set of headphones at no extra cost. I like his attitude.

N&G no rain here but a very pleasant breeze which may turn into a howling gale later- I can probably live with that provided that the house is still standing and I have electricity etc.

Does -Queen of the Universe- realise how much it costs to care for a horse and that it must be looked after more than once daily?

Silly me remembered to buy icecream yesterday but not soft cold drinks- ah well I really cannot be bothered going out today.

(see what I did there?)
No your Maj!!!
But you must admit it is proving a bit of a silly season elsewhere!

I'm still giggling about an incident at 5am.
Pottered out of my room and headed to the loo. On coming out I was met by DGD who is stopping with me for a while.
Bear in mind that
a. I normally live alone so don't often bump into anyone in the night.
b. I'd fallen asleep in the middle of a fierce thunderstorm so may have been a little unsettled.
c. She was wearing a white robe in front of a white door.
d. At that moment, in the dim light, all I saw was a head floating towards me!
I dissolved into hysterics and the poor girl was sooo apologetic. The giggling lasted for a few more minutes before I fell asleep again.
She's still apologising!

Dear Kitcheners, just to let you know, in response to Maw's comment, I reported three spam posts early this morning , which have been deleted by GN.
They almost had me fooled, as they seemed to be just offering friendly advice in a thread. So be aware.

Thank you, Marydoll, I trust that you are keeping out of trouble. I also hope that any health concerns are under control. It seems an eternity since we met in Edinburgh. Time flashes by so fast "these days" I can barely keep up from one week to the next. As for keeping up with this lot

mcem I can well imagine your fright. Just reading about it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand to attention.

I've been dead-heading masses of flowers. The wind has done quite a bit of damage. There is more in store. Never mind, we are the lucky ones.

Off to untangle my hair. I look a fright. Wishing you all a pleasant evening. I shall return tomorrow.

Oh kitty, my old boy did something similar. It was in a little gap after one lot of visitors and with others following swiftly on, which much as I love having folk to stay can involve some careful laundry management skills! Unfortunately for him I woke up in the middle of the night, realised he’d disappeared and went looking for him. I was so cross with him for having bedhoped around apparently I’d been snoring I’m afraid he had a very rude awakening......funnily enough he’s never done it since!
At the risk of sounding smug I’m in the middle of a very pleasant weekend chez dd4, where I’m being looked after and indulged at every turn! It’s always such a treat to have any of them all to myself and I have to admit to enjoying it very much indeed. Given that the the week to come is taken up with entertaining a selection various gds, I’m especially appreciating this bit of downtime. I gather the old boy is less than keen on “the quietness” @ home!
I’ve just done a mini cull of dds small garden, she has jokingly suggested I become her gardener on a paid basis. I’m not sure my anxieties about the hour ,and some, drive across the M62 makes that an altogether appealing prospect!
mcem your ghostly encounter made me giggle too!
Lovely pictures of your little crew, n&g, and yes feeding a motley crowd us a challenge, especially when they eyeball you, smile sweetly and insist that the thing you saw them scoff only a week or two ago is something they definitely do not like or maybe it’s just mine who do that
soop those babes are scrumptious, as handsome as any royal babies!
Well I’m off, I’ve a glass of prosecco to get back to. Good wishes to anyone I’ve ignored, as always not intentionally xx

Evening All.

That sounds a fab weekend grannyq. Enjoy, you deserve it.

Not sure if I dare admit it but chez Corner I do the bed hopping and Mr C the bed changing. Sorry grannyq and kitty, I know I’m letting the side down.

I suspect my shriek would have woken the street, mcem, your story did trigger a giggle though.

Lovely photos soop, the crown is particularly regal and the little ones adorable,

The Queen of the Universe looks very comfortable on her horse n&g, think you’d best look for a stable . One of our is equally besotted, reasoned arguments why one is not possible fall upon deaf ears.

Have you cooled down charley? Decidedly chilly here and I suspect we will need webbed feet by the morning. No pleasing some folk

Grannyq you are not the only one to face the changing food fads. Step GD is the worst I have come across. Recently started to pick every little piece of onion out of anything.
I need to do a dead head too Soop - there are hardly any flowers left in my garden at the moment. I am very disappointed after spending so much time in the spring. My cream and peach sweet peas are carrying one single purple flower and one orange!
I am posting at this ungodly hour because of a dodgy hip (Dexa scan on Monday!) and noisy CPAP mask on the next pillow ?. Hope you are all fast asleep.
I am thinking of changing my name - it’s a bit obvious who I am - so don’t be surprised!

I don’t believe this - just wrote a hugely long post and lost it!
Grannyq - we have the food fads - currently picking out every last piece of onion.
Soop - my sympathies as I too need to deadhead. Despite all the time ( and money!) spent in the spring, I have hardly a flower after this weather.
I am posting at this awful hour because I’m wide awake - a dodgy hip (Dexa scan on Monday) and noisy CPAP mask on the next pillow. I hope you are all asleep.
You may not recognise the name - I thought the last was a bit too recognisable. I’m the one with a wedding in 3 weeks.

Oops - how did that happen?

Hello the kitchen! I can see I have some running to do to catch up here. I feel I am in a bit of a hiatus at the moment, treading water before we go away on Tuesday. DH wanted to avoid the weekend holiday rush. It’s a long drive from here to Cornwall and frankly I’m not looking forward to it much. We usually do an overnight near Bristol but this time he has decided he will do it in one go, and he will not be budged. Hey ho. DD and her menfolk are down there for two weeks, and we are spending a week with them.
Soop the babies are truly beautiful; doesn’t seem five minutes since they arrived in the kitchen! Precious, fleeting days, babyhood. As for your crown, what can I say except ‘To the Manner Born’ !
N&G looks like we have a budding horsewoman there. Heels down and in control! I only ever had one riding lesson. The riding master was an irascible Scot who yelled at me all the time to ‘keep my hands down - it’s not the bloody Wild West’! And the horse tried to bite me so I called time on that particular pastime.
mcem your story of the disembodied houseguest made me grin! I hope you managed to gain the bathroom in time! I don’t think I would have!
JaneD if I serve any kind of meat pie for GS it is always preceded by the question “Did you pick all the onions out, Nanny?” And yes, Nanny always does, meticulously. I would not do it for anyone else! My son stayed over last week and I made him a smoothie to start his day. “What’s in it?” he asked “Fruit” says I. “It’s got bits in” he said. “They are chia seeds”, I told him. “I can’t drink it if it’s got bits in!” Whereupon I told him that I would hold his nose and make him drink it, and what was more, he wouldn’t get his bacon and eggs. He drank it.
GQ all this bed hopping and sheet changing does get a bit wearing. GS stayed for a night, and then I had to change the sheets for DS to sleep in the same bed as they both like a double bed! Fortunately it was so hot that neither of them needed a duvet or, in fact, any kind of covering, so I got off lightly. And yes, I get accused of the snoring thing too, which drives Himself from the marital bed. I don’t believe a word of it - I’ve never heard me snoring .
Corner when we are passing through Somerset (albeit briefly) I will give you a wave! If, that is, I am awake! I hope one of us is!
Well, I had better shake a leg. Nothing much on the agenda today as the weather is pretty awful, so I am baking brownies and carrot cake today to take away - if there is any left by the time we go! I will look in later.

Morning all from a very wet and soggy Wales........yes the rains have arrived and with a vengeance!
Pity help those poor holiday makers arriving for this coming week, although the forecast sounds promising.

Looking back at the pictures they really are superb,those of "Queen of the Un iverse " and then your lot Soop together with your good self, complete with your crown of course............I bow low!!
By the way may I ask where do you see evidence of the energy that I have long lost??? I would be delighted to find it afresh!!!

N&G............your remarks about serious decluttering and creative storage solutions certainly ring true...........for what I need to add to my long paragrapgh addressed to you Nonna is also during our own sorting out at home I had also worked out all our new furnishings,including flooring,curtains etc .......all on line and just needing a signature and some cash so they would be delivered straight to our new Apartment.
One thing I found very useful are these zip up moth proof bags,finding three full size ones would slip in under our bed......and they would hold a lot of needful storage but not for everyday use.
I think I have completed that saga now!!

My man does the bed changing here too Corner......I sometimes assist!Though I am rarely allowed...........he has mastered the art......his way!!
Whilst GQ..............you indulge in a lot of "Me time" if it is offered and fully recharge your batteries for when you are again needed to be all things to all people!

Jane sweet peas are a sore point in this household,my man bought this rather unusual type,duly planted with ample climbing space etc and they were doing well,being looked after like babies.One morning they were drooping badly..........on further inspection all but 1 root had been nibbled.
Not to be completely defeated he has struggled on caring for this one plant!!! It finally flowered..........pale lilac with tips of purple and almost in clusters,similar to mini wisteria flowers..........absolute perfection.
Though only one solitary plant it truly gave a fairly long lasting show..... so all was not completely lost!!
Good to hear yours are surviving.Hope you get lots of blooms
I had hoped for many,such a treat within the home but sadly,it was not to be!

So many postings and I have duly read them all but time is short this morning, so for those not mentioned please know you are very much appreciated.

I do believe the rains maybe abating and so perhaps............dare I think something light,pretty and feminine........instead of those galoshes and sou`wester??!!
Have a good Sunday dear kitchen people.