Soop's welcoming and supportive kitchen for kindly folk...

‘Evening All’.

And a late one from me. Our daughter rang. Could we help? She’d made an appointment for the children to have their feet measured at the Clark’s shop at 4:30pm. (What fresh Hell is this? ?). Anyway, long story short she couldn’t get away from work as another teacher was off sick, her PPA afternoon had been cancelled, thereby travelling home in time would be impossible.

Grandparents to the rescue! We took them, let them choose a pair of whatever they wanted - such excitement by them. ‘Ooh, look at these grandma, they have sparkles AND a zip on the side’. This cute little 4yo was joyous! Our 8yo boy wonder chose some blue sports astro trainers. 2 happy bunnies left the store and walking back to the car we called in ‘Lush’ for bath bombs. So many to choose from! ‘Can we get one for mummy too?’.

We dropped them off at home and decided we deserved a couple of drinks in a favourite local wine bar where we chinked glasses and agreed it had been fun and that we are so very fortunate. We never lose sight of our blessings.

Dearest soop. This is your kitchen and you are going through a tough time. Vent as much as you need. We understand and commiserate. x

Hello all. Early kitchen visit for me. No archery tonight as I decided to catch up with communications. Thinking of dear son for tomorrow so sent him a text with lots of good vibs. He rang straight back. His call was to tell me news that he had been putting off. My granddaughter (who lives mainly with mum) has been referred to a paediatrician after a worrying ECG last week. Appointment is on Friday.

Then a distant lovely friend rang me. We send texts but haven't spoken for about a year.

Mya is at the dog creche tomorrow whilst I take some time out visiting a nursery about 45 mins away (never been before). That's in the afternoon. Booked to go to Trewithen Gardens in the morning. Bluebells will be out and I'll have lunch there. Book will be in my bag.

South West weather forecast is saying to expect frost in rural places. That us. ?

for soop.

Hi all, secret archer muse, now there’s an interesting skill! ?for your son tomorrow. We’ve only seen Carcassonne from a train or a car Grandmafrench enjoy your storm if/when, usually dramatic in France. And soop that sounds debilitating and depressing, take as much care and help as you can ?
Off to the tip earlier for my slot, the lorry was just entering, shuffling bins for 15 minutes, so had to wait. Then to allotment to water, my plot is near the bee hives and the besuited keepers were there ‘the bees are a bit agitated, if we run out, get in your car, close the windows’. I closed the windows immediately and watered tout de suite, no day dreaming today. Home to do my voluntary work, a bit time consuming as it’s picking up answerphone messages and people get rather flustered, sleuthing is required to find a phone number. If I don’t succeed it’s not very satisfactory. Still possible frost the next couple of nights, very frustrating, seedlings will stay guests in the spare bedroom.
Have a gentle evening all, panache in my thoughts.

Good afternoon dear kitcheners - just popping into the kitchen to say hello. Hoped you would be feeling better today soop - please look after yourself . I seem to have been a bit of a busy bee today - here, there and everywhere!! So now my poorly foot which contains all the metal work is complaining more than a little . Feet up tonight it is!! Hope everyone has a very pleasant evening and sending virtual hugs to all who are in need of a little comfort

Tomorrow, I intend calling into our kitchen and not mentioning my ongoing buggerations. It's unfair on you lovely lot.

Nighty night.

Hello lovely peeps!

Very warm here and lots of claps of thunder !!!! How very dare it! Waiting for DH to return from the Pharmacy with some rubbing alcohol/surgical spirit. Pharmacist, on phone, asked if we wanted to drink it because he does have some that is safe!!!! He does have a sense of humour but we've opted for the stuff you can't drink so that I can spray a dilute version all over my wretched orange and lemon trees which are attracting Cottony Cushion scale! (White fluffy bits with a zillion little mites inside) I swear nature just makes things up on a daily basis to annoy us would-be, but keen, gardeners. Before I lose all the leaves, we will spray it and hope that it works.

I've been cleaning shelves and finding space for some lovely new pans which arrived today from Germany. Fabulous quality, fabulous to look at, will last my lifetime definitely. Only slight problem is that I shall have to go to weight-training classes so that I am able to lift one of the pans let alone toss pancakes. You must all keep an eye on the French news to see if it's reported that a poor old dear was flattened by a pancake (and the pan) any day soon.

I shall definitely read the book, Yiayia. We are often near the Canal du Midi and have boaty friends who have sailed all over to reach far flung parts, including Greece. We used to drive to Greece a lot when we had a house there. How's that for a coincidence.

Glad you're having a good journey, brook. We had just a flying visit to Carcassonne for DH's vaccine appointment yesterday, but it's always lovely, puzzler. So pleased your day wasn't a disappointment after so many years, NannyT

Oooh you're having a hard time, soop. Sending positive vibes and every wish for a speedy recovery. In the meantime, keep that poor bot on a comfy chair, feet up and eyes gently closed until you feel well enough to drop us all a line. x

I'm off to water, just in case the promised rain fails us. So many plants to re-pot, it looks like Wisley (on a bad day, I should add!) Keep safe all of soop's lovely lot. Speaky soon!

???‍♀️?? (and a fair bit of thunderous noise!)

That’s right Urms the dog’s name was Jim! He loved catching rabbits.

I'm up to my eyes in toddler doings so just a quick wave to the kitcheners and a gentle hug for Soop

I loved that book Yiayia! I read it years ago and giggled at their escapades. ‘the little plush dog’. A whippet, if I remember correctly?

Oh soop, I’m so sorry you are suffering.As brook says it must be so difficult for you.Sending much love.x

Oh soop it must be so difficult for you, I really hope things improve a bit soon, sending lots of support and positivity your way
Good news about the vaccines anno everything seems to definitely be going in the right direction thank goodness
Thank you all for your good wishes, yes I’m well on the way with my journey just now, I’m on the direct Inverness to London train which is clean, modern and quiet so all’s going well. A long journey but no hassle at all and it’ll be worth it
Yia a sad day for you tomorrow, sending ?

Thinking of you Soop you put up with so much ?
Love Garcassonne Grandmafrench it’s a wonderful place.Has anyone read the book Narrow Dog to Carcassonne by Terry Darlington.They sail their canal boot across the channel and down to Carcassonne it’s a great read,we listened to the talking book years ago while driving to Greece.

Have a lovely time with your family Brook they will be so pleased to see you.Good luck to your son Muse hope it goes well.
Tomorrow will be a sad day for me it’s my cousins funeral I still can’t believe she’s gone but I have many happy memories.

Oh soop that sounds so distressing and painful. 'beyond bothersome' means it's an extreme buggeration. If sending vibes help, I'll send them every minute.
muse, I hope you get the best news about your son's interview.
The next generation are well on with vaccination now. Both DSs and partners have had their first and DGS (16) has also had one because he has a record of asthma. Senior DGD (29) had hers long ago as she is vulnerable. Hope they get round to the teenagers as well.

I am extremely fond of you lovely lot. I appreciate your kind messages. I shall return just as soon as. The rectal hernia is beyond bothersome right now. Enough said!

Enjoy your day and stay safe.

Good day to all kitchen friends. I hope this finds you all feeling well, or at least better than yesterday soop, especially?
Even when you feel a little better please take things slowly - you have been a particularly busy lady lately with your decorating.
Grandmafrench thank you for the reminder of Carcasonne, I remember visiting and it was indeed beautiful and good to see it still is.
You will be on your way now brook , wishing you lots of fun with those grandchildren. I hope you have packed a bag of energy with you, you’ll need it ?
Wishing your son the best of luck with his interview tomorrow muse.
We are all rooting for him! ?

Hello Galen nice to hear from you.
Soop hope you feel better soon.
Corner sorry to hear about your goddaughter. Hope she too is feeling better soon.
muse I’ve missed the post where you mentioned your son’s interview. I hope it goes well for him. Pleased you got a more positive text. Sounds as though you had a good day today ?
Nice day for you too Nannytopsy lovely to have such a friend.
Hello urms ?. Nice to see you. ?

? Urmston.
Hello Galen ! Hope you are well?
? for soop - good luck with your GP tomorrow.
N&G the hares here in Suffolk are a daily delight.
Back in 1967, I met a girl on my first day at high school who was my good friend all through school. She has lived in the US for many years but is back in the UK. We spent this afternoon sitting outside with her and her new DH. It was a lovely time and the conversation never flagged!
Sleep tight everyone.

I can’t even throw a dart in a straight line so kudos to you muse!

Reminds me of a joke.

Husband to wife: This Covid year has been awful. Tell you what, as a treat to us both, I’ll pin up a map of the world on the wall over there and wherever the dart lands that you throw - that’s where we’ll have a holiday’.

Wife throws the dart.
And says ‘well it looks like we’re spending two weeks behind the fridge’.

Wow muse I didn’t realise you were an archer! Well done you ?

It's been a long time since I can honestly say I've had an excellent day from start to finish. Went to bed a happy bunny mummy last night. The text from my dear son was very positive. I have to accept that his calls are rarely going to happen. He said he would ring today. It's not over yet so ... perhaps? Thank you for your post Grandmafrench and the PMs I've had. My guardian GNers . Fingers crossed for his interview on Tuesday. ??

soop pleased to read you've relaxed outside today. Get well soon. ?
Jax you can't beat a bag or two four (twice over) of horse poo. Great to read the new plants are poking through.

Steered clear of all gardening today to give the sciatic nerve a rest. So I was busy with the log splitter and Mya's walks.
Then finished "The Secret Patient" and started a new book whilst relaxing in my hammock. Last activity outside - I got my bow out for an early evening target practice. First time this year. Did six rounds and this was best one (420 out of possible 600).

It's a TV evening and a late chat with darling daughter for me.

Take care everyone.

After literally sleeping for over 24 hours I managed to log onto GN yesterday and post a message to Soop hoping that she felt better soon. But despite checking that it turned pink it obviously didnt post. So I am sorry about that. Hopefully I will be more successful next time.

TOYA

I’m not really that busy brook but a bit of a fidget, I had a very dark period that started about a year ago when I was almost welded to my chair, now I’m practically my ‘normal’, I relish it. I really wish you the bestest of times with your long time no see family, it will be magical. Urmst brilliant idea for a screensaver with a, we hope, limited lifespan.
Grandmafrench are you experiencing the Saharan dust predicted for the south? we’ve had some sort of dust here recently, with, of course, no rain.
The GC’s were wonderful, we both felt it a wee bit and Mr J is a mere stripling at 58, it’s the perpetual activity...loved every second!

Grandmafrench good to hear you have been jabbed again. The photo of Carcassonne is so lovely. I wish I was there. Apparently the fireworks on Bastille Day are something to behold. Maybe one day. Babysitting duties tomorrow and I'm watching Miss Marple in the perfect shape of Joan Hickson. A bientôt.

It does look beautiful. And calming.
And it’s all the nicer for knowing soop took it.

Just dropping into the kitchen to catch up on news, soop please rest and recuperate and hope things improve very soon ❤️
Beautiful pictures thank you and Urms how lovely to have downloaded the picture as your screensaver
Sounds like you’ve been busy again jaxj ?
I’ve not done much today except tidying, cleaning and washing, all because I’m away tomorrow and I always like to leave the house tidy before I go anywhere. It’ll be the best thing ever to see my eldest DD, SiL and two DGS aged 4 and 6 sometime next week. I just feel that we’ve grown apart a bit this last year so I want to strengthen those bonds again if I can without coming across as being needy so to speak. So gently does it ... ?
We’re just about to have chicken casserole and veg then settling down for LoD
Take care everyone and have a lovely evening