Soops kitcheners

Oh soop, you couldn't possibly have spoiled that moment for your father when he no doubt thought that smile was just for him

We all know about the 'windy' smile though

Talk of Rory has reminded me I forgot to mention, GDs are now the very proud owners of a kitten each, Scout and Felix. It took DD1 a while to persuade GD2, just turned 5 that the name Treasure Adorable was a wee bit too long for her kitten's name so, she settled for Scout!

Lovely Gransnetters, thank you all for good wishes today. It was indeed a grand day, finishing with near, dear friends to drink bubbly. I saved a bottle specially to share here in soop's kitchen, with all friends however far. It's a BIG bottle, so plenty for everyone. Nobody has to drive from here, do they? Charleygirl may I wish you an early Happy Birthday for the 22nd, in case I miss it?

Agus, I think Treasure Adorable is a brilliant name for a kitten!

A birthday month - so congratulations to all birthday girls and boys. We were in S London in Camberwell yesterday for a family lunch celebrating 3 birthdays( DH and his 2 sisters) - 11,16,17 September and remembering FIL's which was 25t Sept and MIL's 24August. Little Pippa just missed September being born on 30 August
Long drive there and back which I was slightly dreading as it is a few years since I have driven right through Central London however managed to negotiate all the lanes and traffic without causing mayhem but was relieved to be back on the M1 for the 50 miles home.

Granny thought so too Kitty as it expresses how she feels about him. Postively besotted

Icyalittle I'm so pleased to hear that you had a swellegant birthday. That BIG bottle of bubbly will last for ages. As you well know, anything that is positvely good for us lot has a long shelf life. It is one of the perks of being a Kitchener

Respect dear Soutra Well done. If I should ever find myself driving through Central London, I hope to goodness that I'm doing so in a nightmare. If not... there would most definitely be mayhem.

Agus I agree with kitty Treasure Adorable is a beautiful name for a kitten. Felix is a fine name. Your granddaughters must be over the moon to have a kitten each.

My youngest son has sent the following text...^Ps don't vote yes. Salmond's a mad man. I am trying to remain objective but I think he is a real charlatan and an A1 bull.......^ xxx

Agus Scout's middle name could be Treasure.

As most of my Granspals know I'm on the run-up to our annual family gathering. So what did I decide to do this morning? Autumn clean the house! Why? So that, in the event that I may not return, (which of course I shall) anyone popping into the house to check on matters won't shrug and mutter...mucky mare.

I hope you've Autumn cleaned the kitchen too!!

I agree, pleased to hear that you had a great day icyalittle. I will be driving shortly but I will pop in for a glass or 3 after my driving is finished for today.

Soutra I live on the outskirts of London and I have to confess I will only drive so far into London, W1. I have never in my life driven over any of the bridges to reach south London and never intend to do so. I used to work in central London and in those days could drive there.

Yes, Agus a lovely name for a kitten, shows that it would be well loved although a bit of a mouthful so the shortened version is better.

I will be pleased when the vote is over in Scotland on Thursday. Friends of mine live in Falkirk and are nearly on their knees campaigning for the "no " vote having started 6 months ago and they are in their early 70's.

Icy happy birthday for yesterday; thank you for the glass of bubbly which is still nice and chilled!
Soutra I admire you for driving through Central London. The last time we did that when DD1 lived there, DH was driving and I was 'navigating'. Unfortunately, due to a misunderstanding between us we ended up in Oxford Street which is, I think, buses only. Needless to say, I needed earplugs.

soop I think greengages are a type of plum. I haven't seen any damsons for years. Someone brought us a bag of local British plums recently which are lovely. Unfortunately our neighbours had to chop their plum tree down so no plums from them this year.

kitty the dress is beautiful and so is your DGD! She looks so proud in that picture.

Charleygirl I am sure that Rory has that unerring instinct to find us wherever we move to! He will be back in charge I'm sure.

Happy birthday to all those with September birthdays in case I miss one.

Soutra Our kitchen as opposed to my Kitchen are separate territories. Our kitchen where Granspals meet and exchange goodies and blether for hours on end, needs no mop or broom...it's a self-clean haven of delights. My kitchen requires boring duties such as washing the dishes, peeling the veg, cleaning the cooker and defrosting the fridge to be carried out routinely. I do try waving my feather duster around from time to time...but I cannot summon sufficient magic to complete the job.

Charleygirl Should the No vote succeed MacS and I (and Rory) will have a right royal party.

rosequartz I am chortling out loud. I am usually elected to navigate. A task that I really would rather not be responsible for. On one occasion when we had an appointment in a different hospital from those that we were accustomed with, MacS missed the turning FOUR TIMES. His language was dire colourful. I was to meet bags in the hospital. We passed her going in the opposite direction. It was at that point MacS conceded that his "short cut" was anything but...

As DD and her girls are on their own now, the kittens were DD's idea to help her girls settle into their new home. It has been a winner for the kittens and the girls but regards naming them, I think DD was thinking ahead. Visions of standing in the garden at night calling, Treasure Adorable, where are you?

soop my fear is if the "no" voters win by a small margin, Alex will want a repeat performance next year. I do not think, even in his wildest dreams that he thought that the result could/would be so close to the wire.

I have enjoyed sitting with you lot in our kitchen. As there is barely room to sit in a comfortable chair (the cushions are lined up ready to be pummelled and re-arranged) and there is debris scattered hither and thither, I shall take myself back to the job of Autumn cleaning the sitting room. Rory has decided to keep well out of the way. He is outside and staring intently under the hydrangea bush. He's a happy cat.

Charleygirl Oh dear! With each passing day I'm becoming increasingly nervous. MacS may well leave home on the very day that Scotland ceases to be part of the United Kingdom. We'll return to a foreign country. How can this possibly be happening.

...should have added MacS and I. He's not going anywhere without me.

Hey ho...hey ho...it's off to work I go. Bye for now.

Just one final message. Please will the Kitchener who posts the 1000 message please open the door to the new Soop's Kitcheners . I wouldn't wish to have my Granspals wandering around with nowhere to go.

Have a wonderful time with your family soop and Haste ye Back.

I'm so disappointed. Right now I should be at the airport picking up my darling sister and bro-in-law, but she has been too poorly this past week and they have had to cancel at the last minute

Now I have another dilemma. Do I leave my poorly husband for a week to go and see my sister? I just can't bear to think we will never see each other again. Oh dear, it has been a real annus horribilis this year and no sign of letting up.

Sorry to bring the mood down in the kitchen.

for you all.

Compromise and go for a couple of days? hugs

Oh dear Bella what a shame and how disappointing for you all.

While your dd is visiting, she could look after your dh while you do as Galen suggests, and fly off for two or three days to see your sister.

I think you would always regret it if you didn't go. (((hugs)))

Bella Yes...as *Galen suggests, compromise. At this stage you should be with your sister even for a wee while. Please let us know what you decide to do.

Agus, I'm not going until Thursday. I won't be keeping touch with the *Kitcheners because I returned the fancy iPhone today. However, I shall send the occasional message through bags.

Back to moving the bedroom furniture in readiness for an almighty vacuuming session. We may well be serving tea in our new kitchen. See you there a little later.

Wow! This is where I close this kitchen door and open the next. See you all very soon.