Soop's comfortable and friendly kitchen...

Well it’s been a nice relaxing weekend after last weeks surfeit of gds. Clearing up yesterday I came across a note in the little bedroom, gd aged 10 has an ongoing Monopoly challenge with her Pops. I’m pleased to say her motivational slogan did the trick, she won the last game fair and square!
A mostly quiet week coming up, but tomorrow am I’m helping a young friend, who is short of s granny figure, bake cookies with her 2 and 3 year olds. That’ll teach me to show her a pic of last weeks biscuit exploits!
Hoping Cornwall holiday fun is still going well gd and no amputations have been needed! I hear from dd3 that today it was warm but too misty to go in the sea where they are.
chaos what lovely spaniels, so good natured they’re one of my favourite breeds. Be in no doubt that the talented and very generous soop will more than do them justice.
Those babes are so cute, soop, and growing up before you can blink an eye.
corner, these inexplicable grey days can be hard to bear, feeling like that always makes me feel guilty if I’m not able to attribute it to anything significant. But in truth it’s ok not be “not ok” whatever the cause, or no particular cause at all. I hope your littlest brings a bit of sunshine into tomorrow.
Ann hoping that today has been uneventful in the best possible way. You’re amazing. x
n&g, I can understand your rural excitement. We now live on the edge of a small town, after always being city folk. We still ooh and ah when we see a hay lorry or a flick of sheep etc and I really hope we never lose that wonder - it’s a delight to find ourselves in such a beautiful location and it still makes us smile.
Well time to bid you all a good night, with apologies to anyone I’ve missed

N&G, I'm glad you enjoy the agricultural activities of Norfolk! When I lived in a village on the A10 between King's Lynn and Downham Market, I used to drive through the Marshlands to work in Wisbech - such a flat landscape with straight roads that would suddenly turn at a right angle and there would be a tractor with a trailer full of beet, some of which usually dropped on the road. We lived on the edge of the 'prairie' that stretched most of the way to Peterborough and the dust was everywhere in dry weather. In those days, at the end of August, the farmers set fire to their fields and the sun was almost obliterated. I was so pleased when this activity was outlawed in 1993 by which time we had come north. During the 'beet campaign' when the sugar factory on the outskirts of Lynn was in full production, the smell drifted in our direction on a north-west wind. Those were a few of the downsides of Norfolk, but we enjoyed the life of the village; there was space for the boys to get out and about with their friends and the coast was close enough for me to get my 'fix' of sea air from time to time. I must say that I missed it when we had to leave.

I grew up in the country, and remember long afternoons in the
fields,rolling around flattening crop to make "rooms" to play house in.
We must have been, in all innocence, a farmers nightmare!
Those days of disappearing with a friend or two, and a paper bag of squashed sandwiches, are long gone.

grannyqueenie....thank you. I am thrilled by soops very kind, and unexpected, offer.
A surfeit of GC'S! I have never heard it put more succinctly. .....and what a determined young GD you have!

corner..... grey days, not ok days, low days. Argh. I have a niece who works in mental health, and she terms it the bubbling depressive state......not full depression, but a rumbling potential to lose the pleasure in life, with the capacity to 'bubble up" a notch or two at any point and often for no particular reason.
I can empathise, as cannot actually remember a time in my adult life when I didnt feel that way. The niece says it is medicable. I have told her I am a lost cause ?

Panache....I hope you managed a reasonable amount of sleep.
Feeling your tourist overload pain. It is the road issues, in this area, which drive me to despair as narrow lanes fill with cars driven too fast, or at a snails pace because people are admiring the view.

I need to do some housework, and sort out the spare room for visitor next weekend.

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Morning all !!

Its bright but fresh here this morning , which is lovely.

We were saying the same thing yesterday Grey as we watched a bailer making short work of the cut field . Its better than the TV :-). Hope DH's finger is much improved. I had to have my wedding ring cut off some years ago and although surprisingly easy the repair cost a bob or two!

The pools doing well Corner ! The trouble is Grampy thought it a great idea to put it in the mesh sided gazebo to stop the number of flies trying to swim with us. The effect of this , is that the sun is NOT warming the water and when I got in yesterday I rapidly lost feeling in my feet!! It was slightly more refreshing than I bargained for !!!

But I have added a picture and one of my trusty inflatable doughnut !! What else could it be for a 'kitchener' ?

And one of my latest crafting make , to go next to a giant picture of my 'erberts'!

Don't worry about soop Chaos , sometimes her internet goes down but she will let Baggs know so we don't worry where she is. But I totally understand where you're coming from. Our friends here on line are as precious as ones in real life and to have one disappear is worrying .

We share your delight Grannie , we spend a large amount of time complimenting each other on our great choices !!

We take the smells and sometimes slow moving traffic as benefits almost anno , after years of living in the city for work its a small price to pay for the glorious views, countryside and such friendly people.

We have a lazy day planned because tomorrow we are on a recce to the coast to find the best beach for rock pooling when the little boys arrive next week. We have big plans for them including the SeaLife centre for Cooper and Bressingham for the steam trains for Jackson. So we're taking time to smell the roses because next week we'll be trampling on them !!!

Those babies are adorable soop and how fast theyre growing .

Okay, this morning was my second attempt at catching up with you all. Last night, the post disappeared without warning, and just now, it has done the same thing again! Clearly, it is not to be. I have run out of posting steam! Today is our last day here before we leave DD and her menfolk to their last few days and push on up to South Wales to see The Tafia (DH’s family). Then it is home, and though it is wonderful here, you can have too much of a good thing so we are ready. Right, greyduster, press the post button NOW before it disappears again!!

`Afternoon all .....limping in feeling grey as the sky but putting my best face on......or trying too!

On reading through your posts it seems you are, in general, very fond of the hustle and bustle of the farmers lot,perhaps the fact,like you Chaos I too was brought up on a farm.......and in those days it was a real hands on with the neighbours and communities joining in,so much fun,that today I cannot say I am at all enamoured with the bulky agricultural vehicles.............however I still love the pastoral setting with those rolling green fields,glorious open views and gamboling lambs,and where we live now we get a lot of what we like and also too much of the other!!!

However Charley you may notice we are doing exactly what you suggested at some point recently.....and we are viewing what seems a brand new refurbished flat in a grade 2 listed building in our town.......it is a rental ....so a new line of attack!!!

N & G I hope you find space on your coastline to do just what you have planned in rock pooling........preparing for two young men who will be mightily impressed!

Time I was not here so here`s wishing each one of you a good day........and yes Ann especially you.

Whoa! Hey ho! And a very cheery, good afternoon greetings to you lovely lot.
First thing to greet me was N&G's happy, smiley face. It certainly is the best way to start my day.

granniequeenie What a sweet note to self. We used to call it "Moanopoly"...a sure fire way to invite such comments as..."that's sooooo unfair" etc. etc.

Today, I've decided to pop in to check on the comings and goings in our kitchen before I get side-tracked by beautiful dogs begging to have their portraits painted. As you know, once I'm in top arty-farty gear, time seems to stand still. Hence, by the end of the day, stuff such as housework remains untouched.

I'm about to attempt tp catch up...an almighty big ask.

So hot here, the poor dogs are lying sprawled on whatever cool bit of floor they can find. If only they were as sensible as Sam, and would wear a cooling coat, or use the cooling mat..... Poor things, they don’t understand that it’s too hot to go for their usual afternoon walk lately, and need to wait until I start a bit cooler in the evening, or even forego it completely.

We viewed a couple of houses last week, one of which would have been ideal. However, when the estate agent put forward our offer it was turned down and we won’t be able to afford it at the price they want. Ours is going on the market, with an appointment this week to go through the finer details with young R, our estate agent. He seems too young to know all about it but that’s just me getting older I guess!

DH has been trying to sort out the accumulated ‘stuff’ in the garage, with one trip to the tip undertaken and a decision to get a skip for a lot more of it. My problem will be stopping him binning things which someone else may male use of, either giving away or selling. He is a ‘chuck it’ merchant

‘It’s a bit cooler’ not ‘I start’!

Panache I really like the sound of the brand new refurbished flat in a listed building. Please update us.

ChaosInc What you most certainly are NOT, is a lost cause. You are, in fact, a kind, good-hearted lady.

Greyduster Like you, I know the running out of posting steam. The language that leaks from my mouth on such occasions, makes me

Talking of bygone days and playing in the fields, as a child...a gang of us would build dens with hay bales. I recall that the stubble scratched the legs and inside the den, it was awfully stuffy, but great fun as well. Throughout my childhood, we played outside all day. Roller skating, biking. adventuring, dancing barefoot in the park. Left the house with either jam or Marmite sandwiches, ^and returned home dirty, exhausted and happy at the end of the day. I'm glad that I have such special memories.

NonnaW I'm wishing you success with the young estate agent. If your husband is a 'chuck it' merchant, count your blessings. MacSporran has been sorting clutter in the loft for at least ten years. He makes a lot of noise up there. Shifting stuff from one end of the attic to another. So little comes down with him when he finally emerges. He always wears the same that was a good morning's work. Makes me

Oh! dear Nonna let me state loud and clear ....keep a close eye on a "throw it" husband type when clearing out your garage,mine did that completely unsupervised because of my poor health,when our sale fell through ....although he had done a remarkable job all on his own.......but there were many things that we would give our eye teeth for right now.......a very nice wicker Picnic Hamper being just one!!!
But good luck with your house sale,I hope you have far better fortune than us,and the owner may very well accept your offer further down the line............whilst we have another viewer this Wednesday......so some morsel of hope...............

As for our viewing .....sorry Soop for rising your hopes.......after climbing one lot of narrow stairs I just knew they would make living there impossible.........but the flat we were viewing was up yet another........very well refurbished but absolutely not us at all,I will not bore you with the details.

But yes life in the countryside,drinking in the fresh air,enjoying the freedom the poor young ones today lack to some degree ......I loved my bicycle,making "house" was a big favourite with my best friend, skipping,rounders,playing "hide & seek,and Oh! my hands were raw from those straw stooks!
Whilst we had miles of beach to roam..........with out another soul there for the best part......yes there was a lot of very cheap fun back then.

When I get back to my childhood there is just no stopping me.............catch you later kitchen friends.

Panache It wasn't to be. Onwards and forwards with heads held high.

I haven't made a scrap of headway with the paintings of Charley, Lola and Norman. Nothing unusual. First attempts are always messy. I never give up. Instead of the three on one portrait, I've decided to do separate portraits. About to sketch. Wash brushes. tidy paints. Hey ho... I shall make a fresh start tomorrow - after care home visit. I'm all fired up. Determined to do the much-loved trio justice.

Time to log off for today. All good wishes to you all.

Hello all. Have read posts but don't have the oomph to respond. I have been on the floor most of the day struggling to get our scalextric set connected so that the DGC can play with it when they come. I have just popped in to apologise in case any of you heard the language coming from our place this afternoon. ? I have finallly got the b...... * ###~~~**!!!! thing working!

'evenin' all.

nonna ..... I am impressed by your capacity to stand back from the de-clutter process. My ex once "decluttered" all my books...to the dump! the very mention of the process now gives me the shudders
That said, since the last move I have been very good about not keeping things in the first place.

panache ...... sorry to hear the viewing proved disappointing. Have you always planned to move locally, or is this a change to search area?

nonna ....it is a nightmare trying to keep the dogs cool, isnt it. One of my crew insists on sunbathing!!! how ridiculous is that.

greyd ...have a safe drive tomorrow.

soop ....I do hope the creative process isn't proving too stressful.
Bless you for the affirmation, but it is obviously time I revealed my 'other side : ? ??
DD has an expression which combines wry smile with rolled eyes, most recently used when I confessed to adding Norman to the crew.
The look is more usually reserved for 5 yr old DGS escapades.
Which says it all, really.

Are we all braced for the advertised 10 degree drop in temperature!
.

Morning all,

Bright and fresh here this morning but I think its going to heat up as the day progresses.

I did chuckle at your mention of the 'Tafia' Grey !! I hope there are no horses heads in your bed !

Sam got a VERY early walk* nonna* this morning courtesy of his best mate Grampy! You're right , its even too hot in the evening for the poor dogs. I am trying to get Sam a last summer cut for his coat this week but seems like everyone has the same idea.

Nonna don't lose heart with your move, I learnt a lot from our move last year, mostly that I am a hard negotiator! Your ideal home may not have accepted your first offer but maybe increase very slightly. Of course once your house is sold you will be in a much stronger position. I'm sure the perfect house is out there for you.

Sorry your viewing did not go better but the perfect place is out there somewhere I am sure Panache

Oh Doodle I feel your pain, here its always hot wheels track !! Hope you had a chance to have a relaxing evening .

A drop would be welcome Chaos in the temperature but I KNOW Ill be wishing the sun back . I don't really feel I can complain too much about the heat because I find winters very long and I hate those oppressive grey/yellow skies. So I'm trying very hard to be positive about the heatwave.

Hope everyone has a little something to make them smile today ( even ifs its just a Magnum!!)

Scorchio here on the south coast and our water is off all day as they tie us into the new main they have laid to serve the new houses being built on the field across the road.

I did the ironing at 7am before it got too hot and have been to the library and done a bit of shopping and now intend to keep in front of my desk fan for as long as possible until I have cooled down a bit. A Magnum has my name on it in the freezer!

Hope you have an easy journey today Greyd and find a warm welcome in lovely Wales.

Good morning.
I am stuck in, waiting for the water board who sent me two letters last week....one to say the bill was £717! and the second to say they had noticed my usage had considerably increased and I may have a leak!!
A look under the meter manhole cover in the road revealed the meter to be under water.
If they tell me the leak is under the house, I may need a long lie down in a small dark room!

Sam would not like a day here at 33C. I am well aware that soon I will be moaning because I am cold and the central heating is on, costing me money.

Tara appeared last night after I was in bed reading. She had been out all day from 7am. I could not be bothered going downstairs to close the door so she was out sometime between 6 and 7.30am today. She is bright enough to work out that she can have more choices coming in later.

I have no energy except to look for an ice cream which I know is hidden in my freezer.

I do not intend doing much today because tomorrow it will be 10 degrees C cooler.

Good afternoon dear kitcheners. I'm home again. The care home visit was a positive one. One lady resident treated us to some beautiful singing. I shall ask J, (the manager,) if I may record her voice on my camera with a video connection next time I visit. Firstly, I need to figure out how to operate that programme on the camera. I'm not in the slightest bit tech-savvy.

It isn't hot in bonnie Kintyre. It is pleasantly warm with a refreshing breeze.

My 77th birthday tomorrow. We're taking a pal out for lunch at our favourite restaurant in Glenbarr.

I need to get cracking on the woofter portraits. Later, I hope to report that I'm on track.

Dearest soop I have just logged in and I really don't think you meant what you posted re "woofters"?

Ann Is 'cracking a rude word'? I'm such an innocent. I've always thought it meant to be getting on with. Heck! Ooops! Please don't report me to GN management. I may need to leave in a hurry.

Off to have a wash and brush-up. Sweating profusely thanks to a trip to nowhere on the exercise bike.

I shall call in again sometime tomorrow. I intend enjoying my birthday. Still a kid at heart.

Log off time. Bless each and every one of you.

Ann Is the word "woofters" that's rude? Double trouble for soop xxx

??

Have a wonderful day tomorrow Soop !! I hope you are royally spoilt xx