Soop's comfortable and convivial kitchen.

Mamissimo, Izabella has reminded me that I, too, have quilt envy! That is such a lovely gift for a lucky child to treasure all their lives. I admire anyone who can sew. Cub Scout badges represent the limit of my poor talent, and I don’t even have to do those anymore!

All later ugh. Auto correct jumped in as I pressed post.

Running back to the kitchen - slammed the door and holding it shut. Whew! Was about to comment on a thread but ..... changed my mind. Seeking sanctuary. Baked for a meeting today and made extra shortbread (with butter of course). Enjoy. Indeed there is so much, take extra and share - if you don’t eat it all first! See you alter. Thinking about dragonfly in particular today.

We had a sparrow hawk in the trees between us and our neighbours. The chap next door referred to him as the “serial killer”. ? The small birds at the feeders were easy prey. The sparrow hawk simply disappeared o e day, surprisingly. We wondered if a bird posse had got him.

Yep

Nature, red in tooth and claw.

Speaking of birds taking prey, a few years agin, on Arran, I watched a golden eagle take a lamb. The bleating of the ewe was harrowing. We’d been watching it circling for some time, just thrilled to have actually seen it, but the reality of its need to survive and feed its family was a bit grim.

Suffering from quilt envy on this glorious sunny morning.

We have sparrowhawks in our garden too. Watching a young one trying to get at the sparrows in the plum tree was entertaining - he couldn’t work out he was too big for the spaces between the branches.

Callgirl I don’t wonder that your DH loved them. I love to see them soaring on thermals. All hawks and falcons might seem cruel in the way they take their prey but they have a horrible fascination. I watched a young peregrine take a pigeon over the sea on the Welsh coast and he seemed so clumsy that I thought the pigeon might actually have a chance, but I think it was a bit of an act, because when he hit the pigeon, it was an act of such superb aerial panache I was left open mouthed with the wonder of it. I wanted to applaud! Nerdy bird watcher, me!

Ann your granddaughter is one in a million. ? for you both.

Soop I hope you and MacS are getting some rest now.

Thoughts and best wishes with Dragonfly today.
So, I have to get up now as I am informed that we are going out early . I will look in later.

Mamissimo, I love the quilt! As others have said, I wish I had the ability, never been any good at sewing.
Soop, so pleased that MacS seems to be turning the corner, I hope he keeps going and doesn`t look back.
Synonymous, I`m glad you`ve been somewhat reassured, but hope that the hospital doesn`t drag it`s feet too much. My daughter`s appointment with her rheumatology consultant was cancelled the other day, because he`s been admitted to hospital himself. Another daughter said he could still have seen her seeing as he`s already at the hospital, lol!
GreyD, I thought it was a sparrowhawk, but didn`t like to say in case I was wrong, they were one of my husband`s favourite birds, he loved to see them swoop, but although they`re a handsome bird they seem cruel to me.

Anyone who can do needlework of any sort has my admiration. I can knit but anything more than sewing on buttons or name tapes leaves me cold.
Good to hear the Panache's are having some help at last, even late is better than never.
Now they need to build up their strength.
My GD has decided to sleep over one night a week and tonight is the night.
As I start to pay large weekly fees for my H from this week, I have been paying respite fees until now, I decided to throw caution to the wind and live expensively. We booked to go to Miller and Carter, we both had a steak and I have to say I had one of the worst steaks I have ever had. I called the "server" across and pointed this out. It was whisked away and I was then served with a delicious steak with all the trimmings replaced.
I was very pleased but why can't they it right in the first place?
How many would put up with it and not complain?
I am in bed now and my GD is catching up on some television.
Have as good night as you can folk, sleep tight.

Thank you Mamissimo I will look into this.

Dragonfly there are companies around who will do the quilting for you on a longarm machine? If you’ve put the hours of work in it deserves to be finished. They work out what’s best with you and the process is then computer driven. I do mine myself on a short arm but I only do small ones. I can’t pull a large one around any more.

A stunning quilt Mammissimo. I love knitting but sewing not my thing. Your whiskey cookies sound yummy

Not sure how to upload photos but beautiful snowdrops coming out today

Hi and thanks Bellanonna ?

Take care everyone

panache so glad to hear things are finally getting sorted for you at last.
mamissimo what a fabulous quilt. I dabble myself and am in awe of your skills.
swanny thank you for the lemon drizzle. My favourite ?
synonymous and dragonfly hope you are both ok. You have a lot to cope with at the moment.
soop glad McSporran had a better night. Hopefully he will continue to improve.
Hello to all those not mentioned. Little wave ?. Sleep well all.

I’m right with you there Dragonfly! Unfortunately you have to be your own health manager these days. GPs don’t have the influence that they used to and part of their role is to manage patient expectations. If your patient expectations aren’t being met the consultants secretary is a good way to go. Ring them - be clear what your concerns are and say that you are sure they’d want to know so that the scale of the surgery can be contained.

Being assertively proactive takes confidence but you really will be saving the NHS money if the op is done at the optimum time instead of a little too late! Your husband is under the care of the consultant now and they need to know if the situation has changed. Good luck!

I am pleased you are feeling a little reassured Synonymous. I don’t think the GP has much influence with hospitals or the care system for that matter in my experience. Maybe a few calls to the consultants secretary maybe in order.
Sending my best wishes.

Just home, Doctor was very good. He reassured Himself that there is no immediate danger but the hospital wheels grind exceeding slow therefore we must be patient. We will be but will also remain vigilant and praying for a speedy resolution to the whole thing. Pain is such a difficult thing to deal with isn't it! Somehow I think that the pain of someone you love is almost worse than your own.
Thank you for your kind support, it means a lot.

Meant to press Preview and his Post instead - sorry.

I was going to add that I used to know someone who took a counselling course and peppered her everyday conversations with I hear what you say and I empathise with how you feel. It all sounded so false that I'm glad I didn't need her profession support but it also marred our friendship. My best wishes to all who need support here are meant from the heart. not from a text book [hugs]

Finally I've taken the hint and left some cakes on the table. Lemon drizzle and gingerbread - enjoy!

Oh dear! I'd forgotten how much happens in the kitchen in a week ... Too many posts to reply to individually but I sincerely hope you all are seeing some light at the end of your various tunnels that is NOT an oncoming train

The sadness, grief, worry and frustration of so many is alleviated somewhat by your beautiful photos, especially N&G's handsome young boys and greyduster's birds. I was puzzled by a curious noise in my back garden yesterday so went out and found three grey squirrels - one making amorous overtures to another and the third one watching!

Beautiful quilt Mamissimo. I have a king size appliqués quilt upstairs that just needs the quilting done and finishing off.
I cannot thread a needle now so wonder what to do with it.

Thank you for the teacake, Izabella I forgot to mention your name. Sorry!

Mamissimo Wow! I am loving your quilt. I wish that I had your skill. Brilliant!

Oh! All right, then...I shall most def take you up on your kind offer of toasted teacake and proper farmhouse cheddar cheese.
As for your blood glucose levels...bless you, I'm relieved to hear that your computer specs were at the root of your blurred vision. Remember to take one day at a time. A little exercise, taken regularly, is the best way to getting back on an even keel.

MacSporran has enjoyed a restful day. Tomorrow I shall be care home visiting and supermarket shopping. I am keeping a beady on him. I shall know when to drag him back to the surgery, or not, and at the moment, I feel that he is slowly but surely turning the corner.

I shall log off for today. I am sending loving, comforting vibes to all who need them.

Until I return tomorrow lunchtime...