Soops Kitchen, a place of refuge, reflection and revelry.

I posted earlier but checking in, it didn’t send. 🤷‍♀️
Oh well.

I was musing on observations I made today.

How the Irish ❤️ the Costa del Sol. So many out at present. I love their accent and such a friendly bunch.

And how only in Spain on a quiet side street could a zebra crossing be painted at a tiny nondescript cul de sac!

Gorgeous bougainvillea spilling over villa walls as I walked along said quiet street, with a heat shimmer and noisy cicadas.

👋 from the quiet corner.

Weather hasn’t been too bad here today. We had booked lunch at a newly renovated pub up at Flamborough that I’ve been wanting to try for a while. They have a lot of seafood on the menu so right up my street. It didn’t disappoint - I had half a lobster in garlic butter with fries and salad. I don’t know if it’s because it’s locally caught but prices are reasonable. Despite being on a health kick I gave in and had a dessert. Also delicious. I don’t think we will eat anything else today. As we drive back it seems like we’d avoided the showers back here at our home away from home. DH is now sitting snoozing (and snoring) on the sofa and I have spent rest of the day relaxing and reading a book. It’s by Sue Barker where she shares memories of behind the scenes at Wimbledon. A charity shop find and very interesting.

Hope you find somewhere for a break brook September is a lovely month and places quieter too.

Enjoy your evening everyone.

Hi all, a blustery day meant the washing dried well.
I took ages to get to sleep last night, so won’t be late tonight, it happens occasionally. Hope your gallbladder has behaved today Gbatty it is a horrible pain.
Daughter back to school tomorrow on the inset day for prep work, that break has passed quickly.
Good to be planning a break brook, I hope to be doing the same soon.
Roasted a chicken yesterday, so reheating some with veg for dinner.
Have a lovely evening all.

An early post from me 🙋‍♀️

All washing is now ironed and put away, yippee!

Youngest GS has just rang (he got DD’s phone) and asked if he can come to dinner tonight. I asked to speak to DD, she didn’t know anything about it 😹. So now I am hastily going through the freezer to find dinner for 5.

Best get on it, thinking of all in the quiet corner, I may join you later as long as I an put my feet up, and have something naughty to eat and drink…

Good afternoon kitchen pals, it’s set up here in Inverness so I’ve had to abandon my plans for the garden. Never mind it’s a good excuse to sit with my feet up for a while before going out line dancing this evening. We’ve some homemade scones just waiting to be eaten so I’m enjoying one with butter and jam and a nice cup of tea 😀

I hope you managed to get some sleep corner, luckily I can usually sleep well.
I definitely agree hireath such a great group of ladies on here, you always feel there’s someone you can talk to and share life’s ups and downs

I keep browsing on line for a few days away in September, maybe B&B at a nice hotel or maybe a little cottage in the country - I can’t decide 🤷‍♀️

Hello to everyone in the quiet corner, it’s nice to know you’re still there reading our posts, take care all x

fgt you,re doing very well .Himself would be so proud of you . Es Cana is where I met my late husband 50 years ago ! Great memories . How time flies !
I always read your posts and others but don’t write often .
What a great bunch of ladies . You all motivate me with your good and bad days .Like John Denver sang „ Some days are diamonds , some days are stones. „

Your cunning plan is an excellent one fgt. Go for it. No matter if there are sad moments, I suspect you’d be sorry if you didn’t try.

These family times are so special jax. We were fortunate to have a relaxed few hours with one son and his elusive daughter yesterday, I came away feeling so much lighter - although I’d eaten far too much of a delicious Chinese takeaway 😂.

Hope you’re comfortable grandmab and you’ll sleep well.

Nothing wrong with an afternoon nap utbb. Best to listen to our bodies.

I’m hoping my body will listen to me now and settle for sleep. Managed three hours last night and I do need some sleep if only my body would stop for a bit. Wish me luck everyone. Rest well.

Hoping you feel a bit better soon grandmabatty 💐
Good decision fgt
We’ve had a wet day here so not much gardening done, the day has passed quickly though. I had a catch up call with DS which was good, tentatively putting some dates in the diary to meet up
Sounds like a lovely family day Jax ❤️

Good evening all.
A good decision FGT good to leave your comfort zone sometime, I am sure you will enjoy it.
I was out for lunch today at a venue new to me, it was a lovely place but I must say I have had better Sunday roasts.
It was ok just not special.
The young friend who took me came back for coffee here and when she left I fell asleep for a decent time, it wasn’t the wine, I just had one glass.
It has rained all afternoon, at times heavily and a thunderstorm but not a bad one.
I just had a sandwich about 7 and a cup of tea.
Now watching some mindless tv.
I hope you all have a decent night

Feel the fear and do it anyway fgt! Enjoy your extra holiday, yes, the first day will be emotional for you but as you say, your grief is always with you… we’ll all be cheering you on!

grandmabatty I hope your dinner doesn’t cause too much pain overnight, it sounded delicious.

jaxjacky how nice to be able to have a family lunch at a well loved restaurant.

A pleasant day here, just a brief shower this afternoon while I was at a Summer Fayre on the recreation ground. It rained for long enough for me to put my waterproof coat on, then stopped. This morning I decided the ground was damp enough to put in a few plants, so put in four penstemons that had been languishing in pots for weeks. I hope they survive!

Enjoy the rest of the evening everyone.

Always good to remember to count your blessings Jax and enjoy the good times. Sometimes we dash about too much and forget to take stock when we are fortunate.

Yes FGT himself would approve, definitely.
A delightful Indian buffet with my children, sons gf and Imogen this lunchtime, Imogen first went there when she was 2 months old, our wedding breakfast. We were treated like family.
So, full tums and warm feelings of thanks we can do this.
No dinner for me!
I hope you’re dinner doesn’t cause a reaction Gbatty.

Good for you Fgt! Go and enjoy.
My gallbladder is giving me gip this weekend. Last night it was particularly painful, so today has been one of rest. My friend phoned me in the afternoon for a very long chat. I've just had gammon, potatoes and cauliflower cheese. I'll monitor the effects later! Enjoy the rest of Sunday

An early ‘Evening All’ (although here in Málaga we are an hour ahead so it’s not far off 7pm).

I’m about to shower and dress then go down to Juan’s bar where I’ve earned my Ribera red wine, estofado (beef stew) and potata asada (baked potato).

The family left this morning and I spent most of the day doing laundry and mopping tiles in the two apartments (good job they’re only small 😁) Anyway all done now!

My cunning plan had me wondering whether I’m brave enough to do something solo.

Our Yorkshire Lass comes out on Wednesday night and we have 4 nights together in here until her husband flies out a week today, to join her for a week.

My dilemma was “do I fly back to Manchester next Sunday or shall I hop over from Málaga to Ibiza for a week?” After much deliberation I’ve decided to go. Feel the fear and do it anyway kind of thing. I told my stepfather today and he said “good for you, I think you’re brave and Himself would be proud of you”.

I hope I’ve not bitten off more than I can chew … Es Caña was always a favourite holiday spot - Himself and I spent many happy times there. When I arrive, the next day would’ve been our wedding anniversary. I’ll be emotional but then, I’d be emotional in Manchester. My grief six months on, comes with me wherever I go, so …

NannyTopsy no one thinks badly of anyone struggling to speak at a funeral. Or if they do, they’re not really a very nice person.

GrannyGravy do expand on your GC trying to drown you! 🏊‍♀️

Thank you for the migraine sympathy. I still had a headache this morning but got up, showered & dressed and did a few small chores. I did a bit of food shopping though had to have a sit down when I got home (I’d not have managed the walking in Edinburgh, for sure) Later on, after my evening meal, I had a stroll round the block and that’s all helped clear my head.

This evening I’ve set up a Firestick on my tv and at last can watch programmes without having to negotiate my way through a zillions remote controls and apps etc.

Sleep tight, everyone. Xx

Hello kitchen people.

I worked for several hours on my enormous quilt! I made the ‘quilt sandwich’ today so all is ready for hand quilting. I’ve had to order some quilting thread on line as there aren’t any haberdashers for miles. There used to be a brilliant one in the next town but it closed a few years ago. I’ve also ordered a thimble, I can’t find mine anywhere:

Sleep 💤 tight.

Good evening all.
A wet day here in Stockport, I have to feel sorry for the organisations who have worked so hard to put on things, barbecues and charity things, after so much good weather to have a wet day is so disappointing.
I have had a very quiet day, mostly on my own, my youngest GS stayed overnight as my S was taking him for a new blazer to start the new school year on Tuesday.
Tomorrow I am going out for Sunday lunch with one of my GD’s friends, they are so kind to me, I am very lucky.
Have a decent night everyone, my sleep is elusive, but I hope yours is better.

Quick post as pop ups keep interrupting!
It’s rained all day, hurrah, MrJ was playing bowls, he got very wet.
So sorrySueD migraines are absolutely makes everything else worse x
Lovely end to the day Nannytopsy
X to all.

It’s so tough for you SueD but you’re doing really well, sending a gentle hug
It’s been a good day here, myself and a few of the line dancing ladies were at a community gala day, all good fun with lots to see and do. Yummy home baking too (not by me 😂) Home late afternoon and not done much since
Pleased you’ve had a good holiday with the family GG and survived!
I’ll definitely have to try one of those nannytopsy if I can find one …
Hoping you can get out in the garden tomorrow redcar and your back behaves
Thinking of our friends in the quiet corner, take care all 💕

Pleased you had a good time with family grannygravy hopefully tomorrow will be drier so you can put the washing out!
Wet day here, I managed 20 minutes gardening this morning before it started to rain and my back started to protest! Did some ironing, and I’ve been reading my book for the rest of the day.
DD1 and family were out shopping most of the day and I think DD2 and family are camping somewhere fairly local. Not too bad on a well appointed site with dryers and such like, but I think the site she’s on is a field with a lake and a cafe!!

nannytopsy I’m pleased your brother’s funeral went well and well done for getting through (most of) the reading. Nice to be able to wind down at your nephew’s afterwards. Enjoy your DG’s birthday party!

SueDonim what a shame you’ve had to abandon your plans to go to the Edinburgh Festival. I hope you can get some relief from your migraines. They are very debilitating aren’t they, and it’s miserable feeling ill when you are on your own. I hope today has been a little better and that tomorrow will be better still.

Enjoy the rest of the evening everyone.

We have been home 45 minutes, first load of washing going round in the machine, sitting down with a glass of water.

Chinese takeaway ordered, wine in the fridge.

We had a brilliant time away with DS3 and family, it was lovely to spend time with the teens, despite them trying to drown me 🏊‍♀️ 😹

I need to eat healthy for a while, my waistline has expanded.

Will try to catch up with your news before my next visit.

Sorry you are having problems pseudonym. I hope you can find a solution to the migraines.
My brother’s funeral went well yesterday and the crematorium was packed. I almost got to the end of my reading but thought I had it cracked, which was a mistake. So cross with myself. The wake went on for a very long time then we went to my nephew’s nearby and sat around a bonfire and saw a beautiful full moon.
Off home today after a garden centre breakfast and DG’s 13th birthday tomorrow. It’s at an all you can eat buffet, so I know he will get his money’s worth 🤣🤣
The new double caramel magnums are very good!

Thank you, GrannyGravy. I’ve brought a bunch of deliciously scented sweet peas from my garden.

I’m not managing to leave the quiet corner much, I’m sorry to say. Hover, recent exploits have been a visit to the Edinburgh Festival and spending some time in Hampshire with my son and family, where thankfully it wasn’t too hot. I’m home again now but have been floored by migraines and feeling very sorry for myself with no one to look after me. I’ve had to cancel another visit to the Festival tomorrow as I just can’t face the bus journey or the crowds.

Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day, though. TOYA. X

Jax no, by the time I removed my clothes, the sun was shining again.

Thanks GG just found you all 😀 Any nibbles left?