Soop's warm and welcoming kitchen...

Carrilion A photograph to treasure for always.

Hello dear kitcheners, been on a spur of the moment trip to the UK so haven't posted for over a week (although confess to a couple of bursts on The Argy thread which I can never resist)

Will enjoy reading and hence, catching up with everyone tonight but before then, can't leave out Macs birthday...dear soop hope your special meal was lovely.

So! Since DH will have his operation after Christmas we decided to make a flying visit to see both sons and families in Cheshire and Lancashire.

Pain means DH isn't driving at present so I was chauffeur and I enjoyed it; 7 hours from home to Calais and Eurostar then a night in Elham village, Kent then 6 hours up various motorways to Chester. I felt like an intrepid adventurer ??

Highlight was dear GS singing a solo at Chester Cathedral as part is the series of remembrance services. Photo attached I hope. He will be 13 in January and is a lovely, kind boy.
Needless to say, buckets of tears from all of us when he was singing.

DH is doing well at present ...still wearing 'body armour' at night in prep for the op. My bionic man in waiting I think.
Will post properly after reading and catching up but in the meantime sending love to all. Xxxxxxx

Feelingmyage Firework displays are fine and dandy when properly organised.
Bellanonna I shall look out for the film that you went to see. It is possible that the newly converted cinema goer may be persuaded to treat us to a showing. Was it good?

Nannytopsy Like you, the impetus to create a work of art, has gone awol for the time being. I am waiting for inspitation.

corner I am sending healing vibes to you and Mr corner. You've had a rough time recently. Try to conserve your energy and get well soon.

Charleyg £600 for an airer . I would want a fully equiped laundry for that price.
Tara feels safe with you. I would sooner she stayed close during the silly season.
We met the new owners of the farm this morning. We know them well. We asked permission to feed the cats. It has been agreed that we may continue until the farmer and his wife move onto the land. New year-ish. It is proposed that the three cats will be trapped and removed from the barn. It is hoped that they may be adopted. The remaining three are truly feral. I doubt that they are adoptable. It worries me.

GrannyGravy A positive move for your dear daughter and your grandchildren. I wish them well and peace of mind for the future. Your support is invaluable.

Lins Another leak. Another buggeration. Bloody flat roofs! As my retired architect husband is known to say.

Doodle You are a devil for punishment. I shall bake a cake of sorts for that lot in the Argy. You, my dear, are far too classy for the likes of their loos. Stay strong. Do not be persuaded by offers of free home-brewed liquor. It is seriously lethal.

anno May I wish you a happy birthday one day in advance. If you are able, please treat yourself to 'Farmageddon'...I promise you will laugh aloud.

Doodle Your flattering remarks (together with all the attention he's received from ^you lot^) has gone to MacS's head. Would you believe that he now wishes to buy the local paper so that he can see what's on at the cinema? Yep! Thirty one years of gentle persuasion, together with a laugh aloud film, have worked some kind of magic.

lemongrove Your kind invitation to supply the Argy with my unbelieveable tray bake, has been noted. I shall search for a few ingredients later. The flour may be a year or so out of date. I shall check it out for those silver fishy things first.

As promised, I am here to read through ALL the latest messages. I shall return when I've done so...

No Bellanonna I would not dream of it and anyway, I am Scottish so I always look for a bargain.

Tara for some strange reason spent the night in my room but not on my bed- I turn and breathe I believe. She escorted me to the loo x3 I suppose in case I decided to wriggle out of the window breaking a leg on landing.

Apart from her thinking I would spend the entire night cuddling and stroking her, which surprisingly didn't happen I have no idea why. She ran out of the front door today at 7am after I had checked the T outside

I am pleased the podiatrist is visiting mid-afternoon otherwise zilch here today.
TOYA

Lovely picture of the birthday boy soop!

We missed our next door neighbours’ firework party last night. They seem to unearth the ones with the loudest bangs. We escaped to the cinema and saw a real life spy drama with Keira knightly in a recently revamped cinema with leg rests and other luxuries. No bangs at all when we got home. The 5th will be noisy but not right next door.
Hope you didn’t pay £600 for an indoor airer Charley?

The fireworks have been going on for so long here, well over two weeks, I had totally forgotten that the 5th is not here yet.

I have just ordered an indoor clothes airer online- I did not realise the amount of choice and the cost of some, well over £600 for one. Amazingly not quite what I wanted.

So pleased to hear that MacS had a super day. Pleased to hear he is being well looked after.

Anno enjoy your day when it comes around.

I may have early ablutions and retire to bed to read my book.

Happy birthday to anno and Mcsporran. I enjoyed the fireworks yesterday, well organised, short and sweet. There were lots of families there enjoying themselves. There have been no random fireworks which is good. A funeral in the last week, but a new baby has arrived. The circle of life. Hope this new week is good yo you all.

Yes, Bellanonna, the big day for me is November 5th which is a good date as it's difficult for the family to forget it! In a year's time, if I last that long, I'll be 80. If your birthday is September it will be my GD you share it with. She is 17, going on 25.
MacS's birthday sounds fantastic. As I have no GC close at hand, I might have to drag some friends along to see Farmageddon! I need a good laugh.
Thanks all, for good wishes. It's nice when a birthday lasts a few days!

Lovely photo of the handsome McSporran. Glad you had a good day soop.
Many happy returns to anno. Not quit sure which day it is but hopefully getting birthday wishes in before time.
GG so glad you grandson is coming home. Must have been a worrying time for you.
I’m off to inspect the loos at the Argy (can’t trust lemon to organise things properly). TOYA x

A little late but Happy Birthday MacS and Anno.

Bless you all for MacSporran's birthday greetings. I shall spend more quality time with you tomorrow. That's a promise.
The meal was delicious. The chef is a lady friend of ours. The restaurant was full. The film was marvellous. MacS laughed aloud and ate chocs and I took some good photos. If any of you want to treat your grandchildren (or yourselves) to a happy afternoon at the pictures...go to see 'Shaun the Sheep - Farmageddon'. You won't be disappointed.

I took lots of photos today. Will leave you with one of the Birthday Boy across the road from the cinema beside Campbeltown Loch.

TOYA {smile] ]moon]

Just nipping in to bring Macsporran and anno birthday greetings. I hope there have been celebrations, a glass of your favourite tipple and of course cake! Sounds like there are a few generous husbands around, get well wishes for all who have the sniffles. Control freak kitty, it comes from having a large family to organise...that’s my excuse anyway.

Dd4 is higher maintenance than usual, shes selling her flat/ buying a house and as always happens it was all going so well... so the old boy’s reading survey reports/advising etc while I do the hand holding and provide the tissues, all virtual as she doesn’t live nearby! We go off tomorrow for a week in Tenerife, thank goodness for Whats App to keep us up to speed with house progress. For the hundredth time I just wish she had someone lovely at her side to share all this with. In common with you all I’ve discovered that the joys of parenting never really end! Well I’m off to check the packed bags for the umpteenth time, how did I ever do this packing malarkey for 7 of us?

Thinking of you all, especially those going through tough times. x

lemongrove some of us have standards and with the type of clientele visiting- it will be back to square one later this evening. The thought really makes me shudder.

The bombs are going off yet again tonight but I really cannot wish for 40 days and nights of rain- my house would be floating.
TOYA

Aw delighted to hear the great news about your baby grandchild GG13

I must have missed some earlier posts, sorry.

Thank you GG13 you did a sterling job of the loos, and even the picky Charleygirl5 could now eat her dinner off one of the toilet lids!

I am having fellow feelings with both the previous posters!!

Our repaired roof is still dripping into the hall, lins and we need a dry run before we can try the next solution!!

gg13, we knew the Idiot (also known as the Arsenal as my phone didnt like the word I was using!!) was a bad 'un but, as you say, a lot of lip biting went on! DD3 has a lovely partner now and the Wondrous Wolfie to add to Bertie and Persie who regard the new man as daddy. They are getting married next easter.

Kittylester As a family all of us had to bite our tongues re "The Idiot" (could not post what her brothers have named him)!!! We knew she would eventually come to her senses, it was extremely hard to be a bystander, but worth it as her new man is wonderful, so good with our GS and loves and respects them both.

Hope you are both feeling better soon.

TOYA

Many Happy Returns to MacSporran and anno ??
It has been a mainly sunny day here, which is just as well as our newly repaired flat roof has a leak and in a new spot too ?
Have a lovely evening and TOYA

Just popping in to wish many happy returns of the day to macs and anno. I hope you have had happy days.

gg13, so glad to hear that you dgs has left hospital. It's always a worry being one step removed. Well, it is to a control freak like me. I can empathise with your feelings about your daughter and her son too. When DD3 left The Idiot she moved in here with her 2 babies and we were bereft when they left.

corner and I must have the kindest husbands ever because mine has shared his manflu with me and I feel awful! I suspect my head may explode!!

So, I'm going for a lie down but TOYA.

lemongrove I am really sorry but my standards are too high for the Argy. I do think the loos should be inspected after each use and not monthly as previously suggested.

Dear Soop do you have any time for baking these days?The Argy would appreciate some of your tray bakes, and as we are so short staffed, GG13 and Charleygirl5 (and any reprobates from The Argy hiding out on here, )the toilet cleaning rota is missing you.?