Soop's kitchen refuge for the sharing of...

Morning all,

It has been a hive of industry here this morning unusually!!

Three shepherds pies and banana walnut loaf later I am waiting for the laundry to finish . I don't know what came over me lol !!

Pass the pie Purplepixie that sounds right up my street !

Morrisons always used to Maw this is new and suspect its down to sheer volume. I love Ocado and used them often before we moved, but they do not deliver here and I cannot get a Waitrose slot for love or money. Sainsburys are the most reliable but only for a slot in the same week so its impossible to forward plan.

I am sending you all a little Norfolk sunshine , a chunk of warm banana bread and much love x

My morning has just got much brighter!!!!
Indeed so lovely to catch up with you Izabella and either with or despite the fog you remain so colourful in your postings,they are a joy to read.
Yes my friend this is Panache completely "lumbered" with a brand new name!!!

Did I hear correctly Purplepixie......more wine and hot toddies for us in the kitchen?No wonder you are a popular poster!!

I have very strong recollections of that saying about men in white coats Grandmafrench and with talk of us mortals over 70 with a host of health issues may having to survive not only another 12 weeks in hibernation,but quite likely more like until the vaccine is available.Not exactly looking forward to that idea put into action.
With these probably being the last months ..........or hopefully perhaps even a year.....together with my beloved.it is so sad that our lives are thus curtailed.However the bottom line simply has to be we are so very grateful for this time spent closely together,things could indeed be very much worse.
So the men in white coats can spend their time within the confines of Hospitals taking care of those suffering from this virus.

I too add my name to the list Sar.......your husband truly needs to get in touch with his GP.Could you do this perhaps and then hand the phone over once you have made the connection?
I well know how stubborn our menfolk can be!

Can totally understand your sentiments Synonymous it is `nt as though we ask for much,just a simple break would be just fine.

Always good hearing how life is for you and Mr C Corner and I note still the same wicked sense of humour!!!
It helps hearing how those that lived during the war years lived their lives,after all it was for years not the weeks we have all been housebound in this extra ordinary way.
Although things haven`t much changed for us in reality we still have the odd yearning for things that are now "out of bounds!!"

Whilst we have had a couple of rather grey days we too can boast wall to wall sunshine just like you have in beautiful Kintyre Soop...........it certainly helps uplift the mood.Hope it continues........ours is due to break on Sunday it seems but we are not listening!!

I do believe you offered your services as my PA Smileless now if your wages are not excessive I warmly say yes!!!!
I have always loved writing, but with my vision issues it is getting to be quite a pain,and it is only determination that keeps me going.Sometimes I cannot read back what I have written because of all the mistakes!!!

Having taken up enough of your time I think it time for our first morning stroll and it will be a real pleasure having some sunshine around us this day,question is,will it be by foot or a wheelchair?
Have a good day my kitchen friends,keep safe at all costs.

Izabella, so happy to see you back and de-fogged. Your description of the starlit night is beautiful. You have an artist's eye (think Van Gogh) and a poet's pen. It's a beautiful morning here, with the trees tossing gently in the light breeze. Someone (probably my mother) once said to me that green and blue don't go together, but when I look out this morning at the fresh spring green of the trees with the sunlight on them, against the blue of the sky, I can see how nature gives the lie to that old dictum. Oh, Izabella, I think you have inspired me, though I don't have your touch.
Last night I prepared a kilo of parsnips for soup which will be made today; then there's a butternut squash also for soup. The last lot was carrot and coriander. You'll all be thinking I live on soup! My freezer will soon fill up as there are leeks and potatoes waiting for the same treatment. I made cream of mushroom last week, using Philadelphia cheese instead of cream. Perhaps I can spare a wee bowl or two for the kitchen.
Thinking of a brand name - 'Isolation soup'?

Hi to soop and all in the kitchen.

DH has gone off to do the weekly food shop and so far only two phone calls about stuff he cannot find or get. Cooking apples and fish being non existent! I'm going to take over the shopping next week.

Corned beef, leek and potato pie, chips and beans for tea tonight.

More wine and hot toddies later for all in this lovely kitchen.

Stay safe and sane during these mad times. X

Good morning from a sunlit and peaceful Shire. 'Al' seemed to take charge in an unwelcome manner for a while , but I feel I am out of the fog again and more or less functioning. I feel totally unable to catch up with events here - I am not even sure how long the fog lasted for. It was however the longest period of time and sadly a portent of things to come I fear. So I won't dwell on it - and hopefully continue to keep my cup half full.

Yesterday current husband organised a delivery of fish and chips which we enjoyed in the evening sun in the orchard. The dappled sunlight through the apple trees was beautiful. We dined to the sound of amazing birdsong. The realm was otherwise silent , the sky clear. A locally produced cider was enjoyed. I have to say CH looks frazzled and I fear he found my altered state both stressful and confusing. Not only did he have me to cope with, he nurtured all the seedlings.

As if ^al fresco^ dining was not enough, someone much later organised the most wonderful moonlit evening, bathing everything in an almost iridescent silver. The sky was completely clear and the stars magnificent. We were then alerted by messages to the satellites passing overhead which was pretty amazing. There then followed an stunning shower of meteorites. I almost felt I could reach out and pluck a silvered trail for myself. So clear and everything so still and quiet as if mother earth was holding her breath whilst giving us an insight to what we have lost with our frantic modern day living. I felt so calmed and peaceful although sad that my lovely man with his failing sight could not enjoy the full spectacle.

I hope everyone is well and I am sure there will be newcomers in the kitchen. So hello to all. I have just one pre-fog post-it note with 'Panache on it. Have we heard anything?

So, I am not a particularly houseproud person, but even I must now tactfully go around cleaning all the crumbs and sort out the toilets with things unseen by my lovely man.

Enjoy the sun and apologies for my ramblings

Phew.....that’s one brave soul if he plans on taking on the Kitcheners! ?. What he does need is for his lovely other half to point out that as far as unnecessary worry, anxiety and stress is concerned, why would he want to cause her and himself more problems if they can be sorted out easily. Surely there are enough risks creeping around at the moment to last a lifetime!

Soop I do love cooking/baking but somehow I can't see me on TV. No I haven't watched the Hairybikers but I love BakeOff; MasterChef amateurs; MasterChef Professionals, Jamie Oliver, Best HomeCook. . I am a bit cooking mad!

Planning Raspberry scones tomorrow but will have to buy clotted cream to make them worth the wait!

Cooking cheers me up when the lockdown gets too depressing. We all seem to have good and bad days don't we!

SAR53 Sorry I had not seen your last message before sending above. I think you know that your DH is being unwise. I hope that you can use Doodles message to make him see sense. x

SAR53 I think your husband needs to talk to his GP urgently

Sar I have PMd you. Please read my message to your DH and over rule him. Hope all is well.

Thank you to all who suggested my DH contact his doctor. He would not, is a typical stubborn man. He says it will be ok tomorrow. I cannot go behind his back so we will see how he is tomorrow.
It is so lovely how caring you all are. I just needed to let off steam as I don't want to worry our girls.
Talking about flour, DH managed to get me a 3kg bag a couple of weeks ago. I have been doing a lot of baking, I made cupcakes today.
The sun is going down over the sea and all looks peaceful at the moment.
Once again thanks I'll update you tomorrow xx

Has anybody heard how Callgirl is?
I haven’t seen her here for a couple of days and my PM’s have not been picked up.
I know she was in a lot of pain before the weekend and hoping to speak to a doctor.
Worried.

I have just washed all the last bits of vegetables I could find lurking around and Himself has chopped them so once we have had this cup of tea I will fling it all into the soup pan and what comes out will be a surprise and hopefully edible! .
I am becoming weary enough to confess to being so now and will be so glad to have my lovely cleaning lady and my home help return. I just hope that they will want to return after all this time at home. The reason we have these wonderful helps is because we are not very able so it beggars belief that it may go even beyond the expected 3 months without help, I am so very tired.
As for the pair of us we would appreciate being allowed to just go out for a drive with our flask to somewhere flat so that Himself can walk a little and we can just have a cup of tea out in the woolly wilds well away from anyone. As we are on a hill on the outskirts of our small town we are thinking that we might just do that tomorrow and I don't suppose anyone would even know.
TOYA

Afternoon All. A very pleasant day in corner-land. Cleaning accomplished, an easy lunch cooked and consumed, a walk in the sunshine snd lots of phone chats with friends. What’s not to like?

The not so good news is a friend in Norfolk has covid. In hospital being cared for it sounds manageable for which we are very grateful.

n&g I always refer to my Morrison’s delivery at a lucky dip. . We have one due tomorrow, this weeks excitement. If you email customer services with a list of unacceptable items (no matter the reason) a refund is forthcoming, the customer just has to work out what to do with the item, In case you’ve not found them receipts are available via your account once the delivery is picked. Good news that Cooper has bounced back.

Has there’s been any advice from the doctor sar?. Could you phone if your husband is reluctant to? Sounds concerning.

Mood and enthusiasm dips seem to be inevitable at the moment, fortunately usually short lived before resilience returns. A nearly 94 year old friend assured me this experience is far worse than her experience in WW2. Although losing her family home to a bomb she was with her family and friends, and could hug, laugh and cry together. Wise woman that she is she reflected on the dangers of social isolation and lack of freedom to go out on impulse. Made me think a bit about the need to be kind to ourselves.

Time for yet more food here. Special thoughts to all feeling wobbly.

TOYA.

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Thank you, Grandmafrench. How very dare that Tiger wotsit attack you. (hugs) I also send loving vibes to you all.

Wall to wall here in Kintyre. Have removed a bucket full of invasive montbretia corms from a variety of hidy holes in the garden. Will leave clumps. Refuse to permit it free-range. Highly satisfactory thus far.

I need a shower. I fully intend returning to catch up with all your latest news and points of view in the morning.

You lot are totally amazing. Just thought that you should know.

Night night...

Hello All. Do you remember there was a song, Dreamkeeper? "They're coming to take me away, ha ha, hee hee, to the funny farm - where life is beautiful every day"
I thought of that and laughed when you mentioned the white coats at the thought of being incarcerated for much longer!

Think we are all getting a little tired now. Having said that, our date for a freedom dash is next Monday, 11th. I am happy, of course I am. BUT, I shall be anxious enough not to stroll out and start mixing with all and sundry on that first day. I need things to settle a little and find my feet again before feeling happy being fairly free. So we shall see.

Don't know about you all, but I think we have done so well. For myself I can hardly believe it. My first 3 weeks I was wobbly on and off and not very optimistic about the future. Then the tide turned and I cheered up a great deal more. I think accepting it was the thing for me, not thinking about "out there" and becoming absorbed in all things in and around the safety of home. I think that is a common feeling, if all the papers etc., are to be believed.

It's lovely not to log in and find that the lovely Kitcheners are falling about like skittles. (There's always an exception for you, Cherry, it's not nice but you do have a valid excuse). The rest of us all, think that has just been bad luck.

2 days ago a fair amount of bad language rained down on a corner of our garden where I was bitten 3 times on the same arm by a blankety blank Tiger mosquito. They are on the increase and not very nice at all - much more dangerous than the average mozzie. I went and put anti itch cream on the lumps, cream also containing cortisone which normally works a treat. I expected to be woken up in the night by scratching but no. Today in the shower, there's not even a bump. Maybe it was newly hatched and not very good at its job. I now put on my anti insect lotion each time I'm outside. One of the boring parts of hot sunny days here! Today 26 degrees and last night we needed the air conditioning on in the bedroom. I can't sleep in a hot room.

We have a bit of a flour problem here, but worse is the yeast shortage. I thought to make a Sourdough starter but since it takes about 6 days, I have not concentrated on making a start yet. .

If you are sad today, any of you, I send hugs and commiserations and the real hope that it will pass like lots of other rotten things in life. Stay strong because I feel sure that come Sunday, there will be the first Government plans to ease restrictions. I am now trying to remember who is having problems : if I get this wrong, I am so sorry - it's just that I will lose the post if I try to scroll back. I normally write things down! I know you have been sad, Smileless - hope it has passed by now. Hope too that Sar's DH has received sensible advice from the Doctor and I'm guessing that GrannyGravy is in need of a big dose of cheer. Something that you are guaranteed to get on this thread.

Hope I haven't missed your "end of working day" announcements and comical remarks Soop and trust that you are back and firing on all cylinders again.

Take good care all your lovely Ladies. xx

DH gets the flour in the store on our weekly shop. Xx

It's okay Purplepixie , I've managed so far ?. I'd just like to be able to bake more etc that's all. May I ask if your ASDA shops were online or in store? I can't go out (shielding) and haven't been able to get any online with them (or anywhere else). It's all just virtual baking for me atm ?

Good afternoon dear kitcheners. I didn't make it to the kitchen yesterday as I just seemed to go from one wobble to another. I think I'm all wobbled out for now, and hopefully for some time.

We'll have to make a date for your trim Cherry I've plenty of tools we can make use of; scissors, thinning scissors, thinning comb and clippers, well on second thoughts we wont out the clippers to use.

Well I'm pleased to see you've been doing some "gentle pottering" soop and even more pleased to your're feeling so much better.

What a handsome young man Coop is N&G. You must all be missing your GC so much;for you all.

Oh that Henry Susan I swear he looks more gorgeous with every photo. I hope you've managed to track down the dietician and health visitor.

I love carnonara Madgran and your take on it sounds lovely so I'll have to give that a go.

Good news about your Morrison's deliveries Charleygirl; there's nothing quite like going from famine to feast is there.

GrannyGravy I hope these cheer you up a little.

I hope your DH has contacted your GP Sar it's better to get these things checked out and we keep being told to do so if we're worried about anything.

I take my hat off to all of you who aren't getting out at all. We walk our dogs and go out once a week for our shopping and are still struggling so well done all of you.

You're not being "Mardy" GrannyGravy, you're amongst friends here (albeit virtual). Apart from my unplanned (and rather unwelcome) excursion I like you have been "incarcerated". I too would love to get out and about but as Dorothy said "there's no place like home" at the end of the day. soop's kitchen is a refuge to so take a comfy chair and sit here with a ☕.

GrannySomerset, don't do a soop and go injuring yourself in the garden will you? Good for you getting stuck into it though ?. Pigeons ( or rather as my WP calls them -flying rats) are pesky nuisances. We've tried all sorts to keep them away from the feeders we have for the smaller birds. A water pistol works well but it's rather cruel.

Hi cherry, I've managed on the last 2 shops to get flour at asda OK. Also our little farm shop which is nearby has loads. Sorry you cannot get any. X

I think we need to send out a search party for the delightful Izabella, as I know many of you along with myself miss her most amusing and colourful posts.

Am mesmerised by young Henry`s ready smile and I do hope his health issues will soon be resolved Susan,such a worry for you.

Pleased hearing your pains have eased somewhat Soop a step in the right direction for sure.

Whilst Granny gravy it is my turn to offer you the comfort of my warm caring arms as I well recall the many times you have offered me such kindness.
These days it is easier than ever to feel a little less perky and we cannot always be the life and soul.Hopefully tomorrow will prove much kinder.

Had a phone consultation with my Doc yesterday and it was perfectly satisfactory so indeed Sar I echo what my friends here have said,time to give your GP a ring.All our ails,whether big or small are best dealt with at an early stage.

No garden cavorting today since the weather is dull and grey,sunshine promised however for the next few days.We do need some welcome changes in our monotonous indoor life style!
There is talk of extending these 12 weeks to a further 12 weeks plus possably until a vaccine is found for those of us over 70 years with multiple health issues.
I think the men in white coats best head this way.......and fast!!!

Keep well and stay safe my kitchen friends.

Sar53 please contact your GP asap- please do not leave it for weeks, get it sorted now. I'm good at giving orders and that is an order!

GrannyGravy that is a long time when I see the number of days in print. I only go out once a week.

I left my front door open so the Morrison fellow could leave the bags in the hall. I was getting dressed when he arrived so I did not see him. I did not want the bags dumped in the street even although it is a cul de sac. It is open plan and my front lawn is next to the road- there are no pavements.

I think things are returning to normal in Morrisonland because we are returning to short use-by dates again- still, I cannot have everything.
TOYA

NanaandGrampy ?. Sounds like you bought the perfect present for Cooper ?. Good that he's bounced back from his disappointment.

soop ?

It's perfectly understandable to have a wobble now and then atm Purplepixie, hope you are okay now ? On a different note, how on Earth do you manage to get so much flour I managed to get one bag just before lockdown and that's it. I'm getting flour . What's your secret, are you buying it off the "black market" ?

I'm another one of us missing * Izabella*. Wherever you are Izabella we miss you and hope you are okay ?

Sar, please take soop's advice and ring your GP surgery. My surgery are currently doing telephone consultations and the GP rings back a few minutes after you ring reception. It may be minor but it is always a good idea to check!

No sitting in the garden today ?. It's a complete turnaround from yesterday, rainy, windy and distinctly cool! Nevermind, I'll just "chill" indoors instead ?

Maw Us lot nominate you as our spokesperson regarding matters that irk us.