soop's kitchen

That Bags reporting back to MrSoop: the plants are in and looking good. Thank you very much! I shall look forward to the ox-eye daisies next spring.

Yesterday's wee dram with our friends led us to have another not-so-wee dram when we returned home. At teatime, I had to lie down. Mr soop fell asleep in the chair with Rory curled up on his lap.

Any time, Lona...any time. How thoughtful of you.

Zengran Well, at least the bus ride was free

Have fed our friend's dogs. One is blind [but very happy with it!] We took them into the garden for a wee break. At the same time, we strolled around the orchard plot - on which we would dearly love to build a small home for ourselves. It is a lovely plot, surrounded by farmland with views towards Dunskeig. Although we have tried to put our dream to bed, Mr soop cannot let go. He's back in the attic trying to tweek things to an affordable level.

I'm going into the garden to dead-head flowers and trim back an unruly shrub.

Oh soop , the wee man looks soo excited!
I'm afraid I'm empty handed because I just couldn't resist popping in to see you. I just can't stay away any longer , so I promise to be back soon with goodies (and maybe a bottle of Bombay Sapphire)

Hello, all, just popped in to put my feet up after going to Tesco (on the free bus they put on) just to get a "few bits". Ended up spending £67!!!!!

Have brought some crumpets and jam, help yourselves

Rory's 5*** rated feed ball arrived in the post. It is supposed to be a "play thing" that rewards him with a biscuit [special stuff from the vet]. He's looked at it long and hard. Tapped it with his paw...yawned and returned to his bed.

I'm adding a lovely photo of the wee man in his new school uniform. He likes the uniform so much, he wanted to wear it in bed.

Off to feed our friends' dogs. Back for afternoon tea and sticky lemon drizzle cake.

Hello kitty your lemonade would help to revive me. We made the "mistake" of having a wee dram with pals [at lunchtime]...I'm still feeling "puddled"

mrshat, I'm so pleased to see you in the kitchen. Fancy you being in Dublin at the same time my granddaughter became engaged. Dublin will always have a special place in her heart. We'll be celebrating with her very soon.

LizG and Ariadne...it's good to see you. Stay as long as you like. I shall be dozing quietly in the corner...together with Mr soop and Rory.

Oh, I love soda bread - with better, of course! I have tried to make it but it's never quite right. Thanks, mrshat! Last time we were in Dublin, after a huge conference, we went with friends on the Sunday to a lovely little bar where they did all day brunch - amazing food. I have a photo somewhere of the four of us, at 3.30 on a Sunday, eating huge breakfasts (eggs florentine for me) with a bottle of white and a bottle of red also on the table.

Those mini quiches were excellent glammanana thank you. Due out tonight for a pub meal with the family as it is my OH's birthday. It's good to come in here for a battery re-charge before getting involved in the celebrations.

Well, I'm just checking in after my wonderful break in Dublin but it is so packed in here I wonder if there is enough room? Soop only opened her kitchen the day before I left, so how wonderful to see all these folk enjoying themselves within. I have an offering of freshly baked brown soda bread and butter (nothing like it with a )! All low calorie of course and is similar to 'the Magic Porridge Pot' in that it never runs out ..................

Sorry to hear about your house soop but I find there is a reason for everything and I am sure Mr Soop and you will find the right way forward. Also pleased to see your bruises are healing.

Hopefully will keep popping in to keep up to date with "Soop's Kitcheners"

I've finished the front garden at last and I'm really hot and sweaty so I've made some lemonade - anyone like some?

Not sure it was sensible to spend all that time and money in the hairdresser's this morning and then garden so energetically as my hair is somewhat bedraggled and very lank now so I'll just skulk in the shadows where I won't frighten anyone.

number You are most welcome.

Soop, you`re making me homesick, I must drop in later!

Hello, hello ,hello...I've returned from my Tuesday ironing session. So comforting to drop in, kick off my shoes and catch up with you lot. It's a glorious day in bonnie Kintyre. Wonderful clouds [my passion] and the sea looks like teal green, shot taffeta. Rory is sitting in the sunshine. He's at peace with the world.

Time for my mid-morning Redbush. A little respite from Gransnet, Facebook and looking at the ironing waiting to be tackled...

Just having a nice coffee and resting the eyes for a moment,up since the crack of dawn baking for the buffet I'm doing to-morrow so I have brought over some mini-quiches that I have made from the left over pastry they will go down well with a touch of salad for lunch so help yourselves and enjoy.Cheese straws next to the coffee/tea for those who just want to have a quick snack.Enjoy

Thanks, Gagagran Champagne and chocs. Perfect!
moomin You have earned my respect. Three hours must seem like a lifetime when accompanying a granddaughter round the shops. The last time I did so, was about four years ago in Edinburgh. We "popped" into every shop along Princes's Street. At one point I almost bought a canary yellow jacket. Was talked out of it...thankfully

Phew! Just popped in to put my feet up - been shopping with eldest DGD for 3 hours and whacked! Don't have the capacity for legging it round shopping malls like I used to.

Think I'll indulge in a slice of sticky gingerbread . . . mmmm, delicious, especially with a nice - just what I needed. Perhaps I may drop in again later for a glass of bubbly

Soop - just caught up with all the goings-on in your kitchen during my birthday weekend away and I am so sorry about the latest set back for you and Mr Soop in the saga of Orchard House. Was it Julie Andrews in "Sound of Music" who said "as one door closes another opens?". Maybe another one is creaking open even as we speak!

Meanwhile, here are some hand-made goodies from our weekend - chocolates, fudge and birthday cake! Plus a glass of bubbly for anyone feeling in need of some fizz! Enjoy!

I much prefer GN's version of 5 a day! Lovely selection.

kitty...no matter how many of us have a slice, it doesn't seem to be getting any smaller. Some kind of magic ingredient, I guess.

DH just made a so I've popped in to have sit down. I love that clementine cake Ariadne and it tastes sooooo much nicer when someone else has made it - thank you. Hope not too many people spot it.

Would you beeeelieve it! CharlotteGransnet has popped into the kitchen with a few extra low calorie treats. I hope that you were given one of the decent chairs, Charlotte - the one that stands proudly on thatbags rag rug is reserved for special guests [grovel]

Must confess, with so much yummy goodies doing the rounds, I'm not so sure that I'll be able to shed the half stone of excess weight that I'm carrying in the next three weeks. I had hoped to attend the family annual gathering all shapely and trim. Aww! Families love each other no matter what.

Now that's sorted, I would like to sample the lemon flan, strawberry cheesecake, summer fruit's loaf [with real butter], orange cake and to finish, a wee slice of sticky gingerbread together with a generous dollop of clotted cream. And, a large mug of that freshly made coffee. Sigh.

I see that Rory's curled up on Nellie's lap. He likes having verse dedicated to him. Purrs out loud.

Here you are, kitty! Clementine cake (Nigella) No flour at all, and I have made it for another friend with coeliac so it should be OK for you. Nice with clotted cream and raspberries...

Oh, while I'm here, I like the look of the sticky gingerbread.