Soop's warm and welcoming kitchen for kindly folk.

Hello kitchen people. I’ve just got my granddaughter to bed and now she’s reading! No doubt she’ll be awake at the crack of dawn and raring to go to school.
The decorators came this morning and will return tomorrow. OH will keep an eye on them. My journey to Kew wasn’t the smoothest. The M4 had problems so my satnav sent me via the M40, M25 and M4. I’m aiming to take granddaughter to school in the morning and then drive home. Phew.
Have a good evening.

Finally the wind has dropped here in West Somerset. Yesterday it was blowing a houli all day and I didn't venture beyond the garden and that was only to oversee the arrival of the sleepers which will be used on the new raised beds. Typical me the work hasn't even started and I already have an array of plants waiting to go in. The dogs really didn't like the wind and only left the house for a brief visit when they had their legs almost crossed.
Soop... Wishing you and Mr Soop a safe journey and some defining resolutions at your appointments.
GrandmaB...I am in awe of you...an eleven hour day with the wee ones and you are still able to cook up a storm with a pud too.
SueD... Finally it looks like things are moving with the repairs...you have been so patient ( far more than I would have been). The only upside if there is one is that the weather is (allegedly) improving.
Good luck to all having 'work' done.

Rosie...we went to a restaurant called Amore...I wasn't that impressed tbh but as we were being treated I didn't feel able to point out that when a dish says creamy...you do expect there to be some cream in it. The (creamy) garlic mushrooms were actually a few mushrooms in a broth rather than the creamy hip enhancing sauce I'd been hoping for..ah well I thought there's always the creamy chicken dish to come....not so sadly so my hips live too expand another day!!!!.

Good morning all.
I have been missing for a short time but I have kept up with all your doings.
I won’t mention individuals but you are all in my thoughts.
I have commiserated when things aren’t so good and silently cheered with all the good and positive news.

I am taking ages to get over the virus I had, on the 4th week now.
No actual symptoms but total lethargy and little interest in life.
So not like me.
I had to cancel a weekend away with my D and GD so unlikely to see them now for several months, last saw them beginning of January.

I am away for two days from tomorrow with my friend across the road.
I really do have to be fit for that, she is not the easiest person and she has to be the one “ not well” 😉🫣

I must get a few clothes together and get my tablets sorted.

Thursday is the 5th anniversary of my H’s death so I shall be quite glad to be away.
Like everyone I can’t believe it has been so long yet it seems like last month some days.

Have the best day you can everyone, you are all in my thoughts.

Dear Ann, five years is not much in a life time ❤️ I hope you have an enjoyable time with your difficult friend and it takes your mind off things.

Lovely to hear from you annsixty and hope you enjoy your time away with your neighbour
Sending you gentle hugs and 💐 for Thursday x

Good afternoon kitcheners. Annsixty it's nice to hear from you. I hope you enjoy your holiday. Naughtineine I think you will have a gorgeous garden once it's all done.
The boys have been dropped off at home and I'm about to make Chinese style chicken and mushroom curry for dinner, then I'll have the last piece of pineapple upside down cake. I gave half of it to dd. Dgs2 is very funny. He runs about my house shouting "cake!" And is like a miniature Father Jack from Father Ted, only no swearing. 😂
He is a wee cuddly sweetheart and his vocabulary has suddenly exploded. Dgs1 is also a sweetheart. He's off to swimming tonight. I'm doing very little, apart from tidying up toys. Enjoy your evening Kitcheners.

Sounds like a lovely day grandmabatty with two gorgeous little boys!

Lovely to hear from you ann. Hope your friend is happy and you can enjoy every minute of your break.

Hope all has gone well for *mr and mrs soop*;

A bit of a scary and surprising session at the eye hospital today. A lot to absorb so I’ll be reading and not posting while the absorbing cogs turn.

TOYA.

Good evening all, it’s been a lovely sunny day here though quite cold. The boiler is all fixed and the house is lovely and warm and showers are available! Tomorrow I must catch up with the laundry, today I have been finishing unpacking and keeping out of the way while MrB and the Baxi engineer sorted out the man stuff .

I’m glad you had a good day with the boys Grandmabatty, sounds like dgs2 is coming on in leaps and bounds since the surgery. I love Chinese style curry, we have had pasta with minced steak, chopped peppers, garlic, onion and a dash of Worcestershire sauce. Cooked by MrB and delicious.

Cornergran hope things feel a bit more settled when you’ve had time to absorb them

Thinking of you all, as always ❤️

Hi all, yes neine if you'reeating out as a treat, cream should be cream.
Good to see you ann enjoy your break, and I hope you’ll be fully better.
Oh corner hopefully reading everything will be more reassuring for you.
Sun and cloud today with a wickedly cool wind, MrJ is really suffering with this cold, most unusual for him, still totally bunged up, it’s a nasty one.
I’ve been out and about, a decent nights sleep sets me right. Our en-suite, after much banging and thumping today, is ready for the plasterer tomorrow, then it’s a waiting game for it to dry out.

Hello kitchen people
I’m back in Oxfordshire. But I’m in London again tomorrow, but by train. I’m attending a Nordic Study Day at the Royal Academy. I’ll be driving up to Kew again on Thursday, but not until after lunch.
Our decorators have done a good job. We have asked them to give us an estimate for painting outside. It is currently terracotta, but I’m wondering about pale mauve or some sort of green. OH wouldn’t be happy with either. He thinks I’ve got away with all sorts of over the top decorating recently. What’s wrong with a bright pink hall or Barbara Cartland-esque downstairs loo?
Have a good evening. It looks beautiful here.

I forgot to say that I was introduced to my new great niece in Australia. My brother is visiting his new granddaughter so he rang this morning and I was able to see how lovely she was and how rumbustious my nearly three year old great nephew is!

corner sending hugs, I hope things aren’t too worrying x

Warm thoughts for all in soop's friendly kitchen, especially those with extra worries to cope with. x

Sleep tight everyone x

Hello to our dear Kitcheners.

Our two days away in Glasgow were super challenging. The journey took four hours in torrential rain. Once again, the road at the Rest and Be Thankful was closed due to the threat of a landslide. When we arrived at the Royal Alexandra Hospital car park it was full to capacity. We had to change my ostomy bag in the car. After which, walk a very long way to the entrance of the hospital in pouring rain and a strong wind.

We asked at the reception desk for floor H. There wasn't one. After thirty minutes of sterling assistance form a lady named Carol, she established that we were in the wrong hospital! The email Mr Soop had received from the stoma support nurse has misdirected us...to be continued...

The email was sent not by the stoma nurse that we had already had dealings with. The lady we had hoped to meet was going to measure me for a hernia support garment. Resident nurse very kindly notified the support garment lady that we were at the R.A. A room was designated in the R.A. and the other lady travelled to meet us there. What a to-do!.

Next day, we used a private taxi into Glasgow to attend Mr S's appointment. He will have scalp surgery very soon. Possibly not until we've attended the family gathering in England. On leaving, we asked the receptionist to arrange for a taxi to take us back to our hotel. We waited forty five mins in an icy cold wind. The taxi didn't show. We flagged down a passing black cab. It was very ancient. The driver whistled the same tune for the entire return journey. Taxi fare was £40. We could not pay by card. We were a pound short of the fare. The driver was very understanding and didn't make a fuss.

Journey home was more pleasant as the rain had ceased. We were shattered as we stumbled into our home. We had dealt with all the buggerations without completely losing the plot. Hence, we enjoyed a wee dram.

Hey ho! As Baggs would say.

Oh Soop! How disappointing for you both.

Just read part two, Soop. All I can say is what a day, but you survived.

I’m at the Royal Academy, so to cheer you all up:

Hello. Just to say I’m still alive (just) can’t remember if I told you that I had a stroke last August and I haven’t really recovered.
I also have COPD and possibly heart failure.
I hav e a wonderful mother who and daughter pair of cleaner come carer helping me. The daughter is partnered by a very able qualified Gardner who has my garden looking wonderful after the mess Gary had left it in.
Hope to keep in touch with you all better in future.

So sorry to hear that news Galen I hope you go on to make a complete recovery.
Pleased that you are being well looked after.
Please keep us up to date with your news.

How nice to hear from you Galen, and see you too! I’m very sorry to hear you had a stroke and wish you a complete recovery with that and your other health problems.
Didn’t know Gary had left your garden in a state, glad that you are being looked after and that you have good care and help now. When you are stuck in one place an attractive garden to look at and your view, can be a consolation.

Gosh, Galen, I'm sorry to hear that news. I thought you'd been quiet of late. Glad you are being looked after. Lots of get well asap wishes winging their way to you!

soop and mrsoop, yet again your fortitude in exceedingly uncomfortable situations is exemplary. Hope you both have had a relaxing day at home again.