Soop’s kitchen, filled with kindness, understanding and some damn fine cake ! Come on in.

So, having got up at sparrow f**t this morning, why am I not crawling into my bed exhausted? I think I have my second wind!

Izabella this household could not function without post it notes!! “Black/blue/brown bin out tomorrow”; “buy a graduation card”; “take dandelions to DDs for guinea pigs”; “unlock gate for window cleaner”......... the list is endless! More power to your elbow!

We had a nice afternoon with DD and GS, kicking a rugby ball around the woods for two hours! At least, he and DH were. They comandeered my walking stick (that was meant to be assisting my poorly leg) to oik it out of dense patches of undergrowth and nettles! We stopped at the sawmill coffee shop for cake and hot chocolate and tried to hear ourselves talk over the incessant barking of a small dog; we should have been annoyed, but he was such a funny little thing that we all ended up in fits of giggles instead! We had an unbelievable rainstorm while we were in the restaurant this evening, but surprisingly, at our end of the city, it was as dry as a bone, which was disappointing as the garden could do with it.

I will bid you all a very goodnight and catch up in the morning!

I’m another who was up at silly o'clock and am still bright eyed. But at least it meant I had done the ironing, made a cooked breakfast, popped into town to get a paper. While there went to the chemist to tell them they’d shortchanged me on an inhaler (a “sorry” would have been a nice touch!), stopped for a quick coffee and then back home in plenty time to greet dd3 and sil at 11am as they dropped their 2 for a sleepover. Maybe I’d get more done if I got up at 6 am everyday....then again maybe not, I’d be absolutely cream crackered! But we've had a lovely day with them and so interesting bits of chat.

Izabella, thank you for your honesty on the post it note tactic. Have you noticed how we're all coming out of the woodwork now, owning up that we do similar things ourselves! Our washing machine is in the garage, attached to the house but a separate space really. I often set the machine to come on early so it’s all ready to hang out when I come downstairs, I've taken to leaving a note “washing” on the worktop by the garage door. I got so fed up forgetting I’d put it on and then missing the best of the drying weather! Then there are the notes I leave on the doormat to remind me what not to forget to get/do while I’m out....the list could go on and on!

Suddenly I’m wilting, best get to sleep as the youngsters will doubtless be awake 1st thing. Sleep well kitchen friends x

I am trying unsuccessfully to get everything done so I have heaps of time to sit down and relax to watch the tennis.

I had to buy another phone yesterday with 3 handsets but my Macular Degeneration almost defeated me because I could not see the holes in which to fit the jacks but this morning I managed to finish putting it together. A waste of time because it crackles and hisses like nothing on earth.

A trip to M&S to stock up with jars of coffee and a treat for supper tonight- I will probably still be watching tennis!
TOYA

I'm not sure I dare say this but I won't be too sorry when the tennis is over. Oh dear. Probably some sort of undiagnosed illness do you think?

We had an excellent but oh so tiring day yesterday, lovely unexpected family time so worth all the yawning this morning. I had decided a sit in the garden with a book would be good but the sneezing drove me in. Goodness knows which pollen it is but sadly the spray advised by N&G' hasn't worked for me, but thank you for trying. If all else fails I head for the beach for an hour, that clears it, always a sea breeze (aka howling gale) here. Thinking about it perhaps its a good thing I'm not a tennis fan, all that grass .

I'm another post-it fan Izabella, along with lists for every imaginable occasion. Second nature here and I'm delighted to have you join the post-it note club.

No rain here greyd, our gardeners decided to put some new turf down without asking if we would be around to water it, you can imagine the colour, green it isn't. Oh well, grass is sturdy stuff. It sounds as if you both deserve and easy day today, feet up with an ice cream maybe?

We've been trying to work out how best to support our friend, unusual amounts of common sense have prevailed and as we are aware we simply can't sustain a visit every few days it's a phone call a day for moral support and planned visits to help her in practical ways. Or that's our plan, I fear hers could be different.

No idea what we will eat today, perhaps that should be my focus as one of us will be very unhappy if there isn't a 'proper' meal as its Sunday. Old habits certainly die hard with some things.

Right, I'm off to commune with the freezer.

TOYA

I'll join you watching tennis Charleygirl but I shall be supporting Federer so hope that does not make me persona non grata? Have to say I think Djokavic will win though.

Thought Simona Halep was wonderful yesterday and so endearing in her post match interview. I have joined her fan club after that. Lovely girl.

DD and DGD are calling round this afternoon which may well interrupt the viewing but we can go on catch up when they have gone. They do take precedence!

Interested to read the list and post it fans on here. I always have lists ongoing! Supermarket list, garden jobs, jobs for DH, upcoming birthdays etc. Just see it as an efficient form of management!

TOYA

corner there are some positives with living alone. At times I have fancied a cereal when others are tucking into a 3-course meal.

Today, because the tennis will be on for ages, I will treat myself to something from M&S which will go down a treat with crusty bread. Something fishy I think.

I have loved watching most of the tennis and will be bereft next week. Cricket, rugby and Formula 1 leave me cold, give me tennis and athletics any day of the week.

Much as I would love to go to Wimbledon, I think that boat has sailed as far as I'm concerned. I've always followed it on TV, from an early age and would miss it if by any awful chance, it went to Sky which I do not have. It's a brilliant excuse for procrastinating too. There are so many things demanding my attention tomorrow!
DS2 is taking youngest DGS (11, but almost 12) who is quite handy with a tennis racket, to the O2 to see the end of year championships at which his company has a box - all right for some!

anno that does sound rather good sitting in a box to watch tennis. To be honest, I am happy watching it on TV with loo and coffee facilities close by. Nowadays they are both very important to me!

I agree, Simona was a breath of fresh air yesterday and she certainly deserved the trophy.

Whoever wins today- I think it will be a good match- both want it so much.

Afternoon all,

Feeling virtuous here , we had a late brunch then cleaned right through ( love a small home !!) , sorted out my fuchsia in the orangery which have been going crispy in the heat so it was a general move around. Put on my new wax diffuser with lemongrass and coconut ( scares off mozzies) on and now it smells like we're on holiday !

That's my work done for the day :-)

Grampy is evening doing sunday dinner - so that's a plus!

I am obviously ill too Corner , I'm no tennis fan. But then I have found I enjoyed sports I could play and when I could no longer play I'm a rubbish spectator.

Sorry to here the new spray didn't do the trick Corner, the only thing left is the saline sinus wash thingie which I cannot face - have you read about it?

I hope all you tennis fans enjoy your day , I shall be enjoying a mellow day recovering from our trip out yesterday. I have decided if ever I need live in care I want to be somewhere like the home down the road. It was fabulous, filled with laughter , each persons room was individual, its a single story building and everyone has a door that opens to a patio, with flowers. We had a really joyful time celebrating with them.

N&G please could you kindly book me a room there? Would Sam be allowed to stay overnight for cuddles?

A good sunny afternoon to you lovely lot

I fully appreciate that we cannot all be thrilled with a fortnight's tennis. It would be a very boring world, if that were the case.

However, I've a had a blast of a time...sitting in my favourite chair, umpiring in a very loud voice, cheering, oohing and ahhing at the energy and skill of the top players.

One of the best finals so far (methinks) - the men's doubles. I was rooting for Mahut and his partner. My word, did both pairs give their absolute all to the game. It was brilliant.

So, it's almost over. Please may Federer win. After which, the mixed doubles final and then...I shall shut up for another twelve months.

Magnums at the ready. Yay!

I took a photo of a pollen-covered bee earlier today. I would like to share with you.

What a pleasure to wander into our favourite kitchen and hear of all. the things going on within,for sure never a dull moment!!!

The sunshine continues and so does our problems!

Whilst I am delighted to add my dear man`s respite period continues for now, I have truly more than blotted my copybook with that gash on my leg.It has turned extremely nasty,now on the second lot of very strong a.b`s whilst dressings 3 times weekly is now almost daily as it remains very swollen ,infected and very painful.So its leg elevated and less of the flat sorting I was hoping for!!

However we are truly "getting there" with all our old furniture now in the auction rooms,superb recliners are duly in position with the remainin g furniture arriving this friday.,bar our garage of course, awaiting a couple of "Garage sales"

Having to remain with leg elevated is a bind, but we are thankfully coming down the other side of the traumatic move.

One of my fears was finding people with the old mind set and this was quickly dispersed on seeing the real dressingup for lunch,in fact it is more like a cat walk parade!!

Lunch today after soup was lamb with 3 veg followed by cherry pie and custard.............all very nice though I have been advised I need to gain weight fast to help this wound to heal,I have to remain on my liquid diet.I look a real skeleton....... whilst my man is actually gaining weight!!
The meals are really quite good,lots of choices,and very nutritious.
On saturdays we have a brunch between 9am and 1pm so that we can each do our own thing.

No time for tennis here and losing out on the Tour de France is very upsetting!However with a fair wind behind us we should be nicely settled by the end of this month although there will be more "tweaking" once I am again more able.

Sending TOYA to all.

Panache Thank you so much for finding time to visit the kitchen.
You leg is concerning. I'm pleased that it is being monitored and dressed regularly.
To hear that you are feeling more settled, is a blessing. Us lot think of you often.

The tennis is exciting. We're into the fifth set. I am off to watch and demolish a Magnum ice cream...as you do.
We had a visitor who stayed throughout one set. He is not a tennis fan. I therefore bit the bullet, turned away from the game and socialised. Wasn't that decent of me?

I am wishing you all a pleasant Sunday evening. I have every intention of joining you again tomorrow. A tennis-free day!

TOYA

oh save me now....Grampy has discovered the cricket final is on !!!

I think its like watching paint dry.

When we met Grampy played a lot of cricket and in those halcyon first months I even went to watch and he tried to teach me to score.... oh the pain !!!

We eventually agreed it wasn't my forte and 43 years have not changed that one bit :-)

Good to hear that the new place is shaping up Panache , hope your leg improves quickly...

Enjoy that magnum soop and the tennis!

Charley your room await...I wonder what Madam T would make of the countryside? Sam discovered a young hoglet at dusk in the garden- I am not sure who was most surprised. They both agreed to go their separate ways , no harm no foul !!

I am off to water the plants ( and avoid the cricket) - Happy Sunday all x

panache lovely to hear from you again. A member of our family in her mid 80s had a nasty gash on her leg when the nurses in the hospital accidentally dropped her on the bed frame. She was discharged from hospital with daily district nurse visits. It has been going on for some time but she is now down to twice a week visits so hope yours is on the mend soon.

What a fabulous World Cup final - I can hardly bear to watch the tie breaker. Brilliant brilliant cricket from both sides.

England!!!! Yeeeeesssss!!!!!⚡️⚡️☄️☄️???

Wasnt it brilliant and so exciting, gd.

I also watched the tennis ? what a brilliant match, I was rooting for Federer but they both played out of their skins, I made a quick cuppa just as the tie-break started and had to have a big piece of apple scone with creamy butter mmmnn! I’ll leave some on the side for you to scoff ?
I can’t possibly catch up and comment on everyone’s posts but I wish everyone a good evening.

Charleygirl I’m glad your ‘London’ meet went well.

Unbelievable! It’ll never be closer than that! Feel really sorry for the Kiwis though; they were a great team.

Sorry folks! I know many of you prefer rugby and tennis. I love to watch most sports. Sorry Roger lost. But how exciting was the cricket! And how much pressure on young Archer!

Lovely to hear from you Panache I didn’t realise that you could have meals there. It sounds amazing. I hope your leg heals soon.

Well my blood pressure is through the roof. First the men’s tennis final and then the cricket. It was all so exciting and I hate sport!

Lovely to hear from you Panache, your new home sounds so comfortable. Glad to hear that your leg is being well cared for. My MiL had something similar and it is so important to keep it elevated. Good to hear that your DH is putting on weight and hope you do too.
Have a good evening everyone.
TOYA

I was trying to follow both sports at the same time. Listening to the cricket and watching the tennis with the sound turned off. Nuts, I know! Just as well I'm not also a motor sports fan as I believe there was some motor race on too.
Pleased for Djokovic and sad for Federer. Relieved for England, sorry for NZ. A pity they couldn't leave that as a tie.

Panache, your new home sounds very comfortable and it's good that you find the meals acceptable. I don't like the sound of you poorly leg. Have they tried using a honey dressing? I am told that they help the healing process. It must be galling to have to keep your leg up. Let's hope for progress soon.

Good evening everyone, I don't post in here very often but I do read Soop's kitchen news everyday. I send my best regards to you all.
My DH was alternating between the Grand Prix and the cricket whilst I watched the tennis on my tablet. Once the Grand Prix finished we flicked between the tennis and cricket. How exciting were they both. I so wanted Roger to win but it was a wonderful game . I also enjoyed the ladies final yesterday. Simona was magnificent and such a lovely person.
TOYA.