Soop's welcoming and supportive kitchen

Hi everyone - thank you for the welcome. A little about myself - I live in the East Midlands so Willow know Boundary Mills well. I have 2 DAC living in London and Brighton and 2 DG in Brighton. I cared for my parents until my Dad died this summer aged 97 and my mum, who is 98. and has dementia, is in a local care home.

I have been married to DH for 50 years nect month.

I love computer games, anything from Candy Crush, Word Games and Escape Games. Is anyone else so addicted?

Quick whizz in to check on everyone before the day begins here. Friend staying so a full few days ahead. Fortunately she likes a slow start to the day. Phew. .

Think willow has a good point about batch cooking ann once you better understand your own tastes. It’s odd isn’t it, we often focus on others when feeding s family and don’t think if we really like something ourselves. Be a bit kind and patient with yourself, early days yet.

Hello dragonfly, good to see you.

I also have been thinking about Mr and Mrs panache, hoping some support is on the way. It seems from the good morning thread gaga had a tough dentist appointment, sending a hug, please rest a bit today.

Sorry can’t write more, need to stir. Not sure what the day will bring, see how we feel but suspect a coffee out this morning and a garden centre later. Too gloomy and damp for a walk.

Take care everyone. Will be checking back later.

Morning kitchen pals - I haven't looked out of the window yet so don't know what the weather is doing but it is very cold! We are off to celebrate our GD's 17th birthday today so hoping it's not too wintery out there! As we pass Boundary Mill on the A1 which we always stop at for a comfort break I've persuaded Mr W to go to the garden centre side so I can visit the Christmas decoration section - no doubt there will be items I can't live without! I've just joined a FB group to do with decorating your home - as the members are mostly in the US they've all done their homes up already for Thanksgiving so there are some beautiful trees and lots of ideas. Of course I was going to temper the decs down this year but I could be persuaded otherwise now

Welcome Dragonfly - I popped in here when the new kitchen opened and haven't left - everyone is wonderful. I hope you enjoyed the Seniors supper - often these things we dread turn out to be great fun.

Ann cooking for one can be a challenge as the temptation is to not bother and live on ready meals (I lived on my own for nearly 2 years when Mr W lived was working abroad). I think the secret is to plan meals and batch cook so you always have something in the fridge or freezer for those days when you can't be bothered. Ordering online is also handy these days.

Soop I well remember having a tartan pinafore dress when I was little - I loved it. I then had a much loved short red plaid kilt when I was in my 30's (and much thinner!) - I'm sure your littlies will love their presents.

I hope Mr & Mrs Panache are doing ok - I've not seen anything which is slightly worrying.

Have a good day everyone.

I know the feeling!
I still can’t manage to cook for one!
It’s not helped by being housebound.
I use Ocado but it’s still difficult to buy for one.
A taxi to and back to the 2 mile away shops is £13.!

I imagine Ann it is quite hard to decide what you actually want to eat having taken DH's tastes into account for so long and the DC before that.

Sorry to seem to be making all this about me at the moment but today my D took me to Aldi to do a bit of shopping.
How wierd it is to be shopping for one.
I have never lived on my own before.
Left home to marry 60 years ago, then the AC left home but still 2 to shop and cook for, plus they seemed to be back often ,then GC came along so more to cook for at times.
Now ,one, cooking small amounts, a new experience in shopping, one thing, life never stands still, we have to learn new skills all the time.
It must keep us on our toes and our brain still working.
New challenges, onward and upwards.

Welcome dragonfly there is no better place to be than the kitchen on GN. soop an empty kitchen, I don't think so. ?
Isabella, lemon curd tarts. Yummy ?

We are going to the Seniors Supper at the golf club. How dreary does that sound. Hopefully back by 10!!

dragonfly46 A big, warm welcome. And welcome to some of our Granspals who occasionally call in for a blether.

I have to chuckle when I read..."just calling in for a quick chat..." which is anything but. You lot are amazing. There was a time when I thought - one of these days I shall wander into the kitchen to find it empty. No fear of that. Thank goodness.

Now, this is going to be a brief visit. Why? Beacause I've spent almost an entire afternoon looking at tartan-wear for the great granchildren. I've bought a very useful pinafore dress for Mila. Made in Gretna. She'll look very sweet in it. I shall visit a wee shop in Campbeltown which stocks knitwear made in Kintyre. May find a sweater to go under the dress. Now, I have to search for tarten trews for Edward (Teddy).

ann On reading your post, I sensed that you are feeling slightly less stressed. Everything that has been said, is true. This is the beginning of a new chapter. We all wish you and your dear husband a well deserved outcome.

Tabitha hasn't visited for a couple of nights. She will return, in her own good time...that's cats for you.

I do need to prepare some food. I am running very late. In the morning, all being well, I shall return to spend more time in your company.

Nice to see you here dragonfly It will take a while to get to know everyone, but bear with us. There is usually virtual tea and cakes around the aga. Feel free to either partake or donate. I do not post often, but there are some very regular posters.

Lemon curd tarts for everyone. Home made naturally a la Delia

Hey, it worked!!

Nice to see you, dragonfly, it's lovely and supportive in here.

I'm just popping in to see how panache, MrP and Ann are doing.

ann you sound much less fraught.

But, no news from Panache.

Good luck with all your visitors Corner.

MOMB we had a cat that did the weeing everywhere thing and he had a kidney problem which entailed buying special food. It's a dilemma, isn't it! The spray for killing the smell is quite good and so are the plug in pheremone thingies.

DH is ok and using his 'disability' as an excuse to watch TV. Can't be good for him, can it? I cleaned the silver this afternoon - why did I inherit small twiddly bits of the stuff and not one large piece?

Just found this thread - looks lovely.
I will try and pop in if it is okay.

Just a quick hello to you all, those that are poorly or their partners are, hope today is better for you.
Annsixty, enjoy your company, take little steps and you will surprise yourself one day when you realise how far you have moved.
I'm off to sort my house out (have left cake and biscuits for you)
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ann how nice to have your family over and a lovely meal together. Hope you start to get some proper rest now.
mumof I too thought your cat may have a urine infection. That often happened to our dogs and they started peeing in places they shouldn't. Putting any loved animal down is always a hard thing to do but sometimes (when they are sufferings) it is the kindest thing. Only you will know when the time is right.
Hello soop and everyone. panache and Mr P hope you are ok.

Well Kevin the giant Carrot is apparently going for £300 on e-bay now so there is no chance of getting my friend one - not quite sure why anyone would want one to be honest

Ann enjoy your time with your family and the baking your daughter is doing for you. Having company with you will help adjust to your new routine too.

Synonymous enjoy your visitors too.

Mumofmadboys if your cat is happy and not suffering I couldn't put her to sleep yet either. There could be a few reasons she's not using the tray properly and preferring the carpet - sometimes they go off the litter or she may not be able to get in it anymore if she's a bit arthritic. Have you had her to the vets to see if she has a UTI? I used puppy pads in the strategic places when we had carpets and put the trays on them which helped. You can also get a spray which eliminates the odour and deters them from doing it in the same place.

It's very foggy here today so we have just been to the supermarket and now having a 'puter' day. We are going down to our son's tomorrow for GD2's 17th birthday lunch which I think will be in Northampton - at least it's during the day so it won't be too late when we get home!

Good morning the kitchen! Another lovely day and we have old friends staying so this is a brief visit today before we go out for lunch.

ann you sound more relaxed already. Hope you get lots done while your family are there, make the most use you can of them!

mumuof I agree with Nannytopsy that your old pusscat will carry on doing that now. She is of a very good age and you say she is well in herself so if she is not suffering it is probably you who will be doing the suffering. I wouldn't be able to end her life unless she was very miserable living it. Our last cat was in renal failure and couldn't even bear to be touched so we took that decision and our vet came to the house and injected her while I held her - it was horrible. It took us about 5 years before I could even contemplate having another furry friend. Nobody can make the decision for you so think hard!

I am away now but will be back tomorrow when our visitors leave. Have as good a day as you can dear people!

Hello the Kitchen! mumof I met an elderly cat with dementia who stopped using her litter tray properly. The problem will be that now your dining room smells of her wee, she will keep going there, I guess. Our 15 year old Charlie is asleep between my knees at the moment - that’s my excuse for not getting up yet!

Sorry everyone, tearing hurry as cornerland ends a tidivate before visitor season begins at lunch time. That reminds me, tonight’s meal is in the freezer, it must come out

Having your family, and spoiled granddog, with you sounds just the right thing ann. Did you do your master plan of tasks? Like the sound of the forthcoming cakes, please recall we are happy to test. Wishing you a more peaceful, and positive day.

Can’t help with your cat mumof, Mr C is allergic so no feline family members for us. I’m sure sound advice will, be along soon.

Get those heaters in n&g, can’t have you turning into an ice block.

I’m sure the Cake will be wonderful willow, you’ve reminded me, ours is due a feed. Small portions only for the drivers .

Thanks for the update kitty, wishing your husband well and hoping you can both relax a bit.

I knew the Labrador image wouldn’t defeat you soop, high hopes now.

Sending warm wishes to mr and mrs panache, along with hope for a manageable day.

Well, this won’t get us sorted. the freezer calls, soup for lunch to prepare and I must sanitize my kitchen then I can relax.

Just popping my head around the door as I occasionally to say how good it is to hear you Ann sounding so much more rested this morning. Having your DD and DGC and DGDog to stay is the best medicine.

I don't know what to do about our cat. She is 18 and a half and has very poor eyesight. She is very much a house cat these days. She eats well and enjoys being cuddled. She has a cat litter tray in the utility room ( oddly this is off the dining room) Recently she has been weeing on the dining room carpet - maybe twice a day. The carpet is covered in wet patches where I have washed it! I wonder if the time has come to have her put to sleep but I feel very sad about it. As it happens the dining room carpet is a poor quality one compared to the rest of the house( all inherited) so when she does die we can replace it. Any advice please?

You sound less fraught Ann, which is great. Having your girls there to support you must feel good and the worry of constantly watching out for your DH and what he is up to will have eased.

As my Dad used to say, *Take it a day at a time and when that's too much, take it an hour at a time". Good advice, which has often helped me.

Sending best wishes to all the kitcheners who are suffering in mind or body.

Come on Tabitha - we need a new kitchen cat!

Good morning all.
Good luck with Kevin Willow I believe they are now as rare as hen's teeth.
You are very good replying to everyone, I forget what people have posted and then lose the plot when I have to keep sdrolling back.
I have slept slightly better, but was srill awake very early , it will take some time before I can get out of that habit.
My D and GC arrived yesterday afternoon, it is lovely to have them here.
We talked a lot, had a chinese meal delivered and I at least had an early night.
We start on clearing and tidying this morning and my GD who loves baking is going to chtisten the new kitchenaid and get cakemaking..
I hope so much that all the poorly people soon start to inprove, although I think many, particularly spouses, have long term issues and regular hospital visits, so I perhaps hope things either improve or stay stable.
"Old age certainly isn't for wimps"*
soop good luck with the art work and Tabitha, I have a resident Grandog for a few days, he is a sweetie but very spoilt. He ended up on the sofa last night in spite of my warnings. Ah well, worse things happen I know.
Time for a cup of tea, have a good a day as you can dear friends.

Good Morning all – I haven’t been able to pop in for a couple of days and as usual you’ve all been very busy so I need to catch up!

Kitty I’m pleased your husband was seen quickly although next Thurs seems a long time to wait if there is a bleed behind his eye however I’m sure they know what they’re doing. Sleeping sitting up will be very uncomfortable though – I hope he has a comfy chair to use. Those V shaped pillows are very good at the base of the back if it helps.

Ann your life has now changed for the better although it won’t seem like that for a while. Your husband will soon settle into his new life and the staff will get to know him over time and give him the care he now needs. The clothes thing can be a bit of a trial sometimes - I would periodically go through Mum’s wardrobe to ensure what was in there was hers as the laundry staff sometimes got things mixed up. On the whole they were very good and she had excellent care – Dad too – they put him in the room next door for the short time he was there and couldn’t have been kinder to both them and me.

Panache a warm house is a must when you’re both so poorly so it’s good to hear you have plenty of oil in and food although is anyone able to prepare it? I really hope you manage to get some help – you have done so much over the years for others you definitely need the support now from whatever source is available.

Soop glad the lab picture is finally taking shape – they are all so different (like cats) it can’t be easy and you’re such a perfectionist I know you won’t be satisfied until it is just right. My son has had two labradors – a chocolate brown one and now an American yellow one who is totally bonkers. She has a Christmas jumper and brings it to them to put it on her which is pretty funny as she’s quite ahem … dumpy shall we say . Did Tabitha return to her shelter last night? Alfie for some reason decided he would spend yesterday morning in the shed – it was freezing cold and when I went out to him later he’d disappeared and didn’t reappear until his dad came home when he was very skittish and ran off upstairs to hide (Alfie that is - not his dad). I’m beginning to wonder if he heard me mention the V word when I said I’d booked them in for their boosters next week!! This morning he’s gone upstairs so will be staying up there if I have my way! Thank goodness you managed to keep the appointment for Mr S but not good missing those fish and chips – fingers crossed for the results next week.

GrannyG hope all goes well today with the radiators and you can finally enjoy your home again now the decorators are done.

GrannyQ hope the interview went well – I once interviewed my parents on the start of the NHS and then lost the tape (it was about 25 years ago) - I often wish I could hear it once more as they were quite funny.

Sar53 hope little Charlotte is feeling better today – nothing worse than a poorly baby. I hope your husband’s op goes well – my cousin’s wife had hers done a few weeks ago and is moving around very well now with no pain.

I spent yesterday morning in the kitchen finally making this Christmas cake – I then made more cheese scones (and a few extra to share in here) and a parkin which didn’t turn out very well at all. Mr W was very diplomatic and suggested we have it with custard – I think it may well end up out for the birds although they may not be able to take off if they eat it The Cake (with capitals as it is an historic moment) seems ok – if nothing else it will last forever as it has so much alcohol in it

Mr W has fasting blood tests today so no breakfast for him till he gets home – results next week along with his aortic aneurism scan which is just routine at 65. How old??!! I never imagined being married to a pensioner (mind you I don’t suppose he did either)

I don’t know what the weather is like today but hopefully not as grey and gloomy as it’s been the last couple of days. I have to go to Aldi this morning to find a Kevin the Carrot for a friend – I’m assuming it’s for her GD!

Have a good day and stay warm.

My DGD who works in a care home is very careful about residents' clothes and ensures as far as possible that they co-ordinate too.
She also finds spare moments for mini manicures and sometimes manages to set hair in rollers after a shampoo.
If all staff cared as much then I think we'd worry less about elderly relatives.
Of course if they're short-staffed or there's a virus about, these little bonus times have to go on hold.

Onward and upward Mr Kitty and all those who need help. Isn’t this thread just great ? Thanks Soop.