Soop's Kitcheners...

Thank you, harrigran and moomin We had a lovely day filled with simple treats...and lots of laughter.

Bellasnana you are a very special lady. Your strength of spirit is inspirational. I also wish to echo Charleygirl's thoughtful message to your dear husband. No family deserves to have so much ongoing sorrow to deal with. I hope with all my heart that you are being comforted by those who love you. If Galen is able to meet you, I shall be delighted.

Soutra You make me chuckle out loud. Wow! Should a platter of your delicious mini quiches remain - together with a bottle of that cheeky Prosecco... I shall move Rory well out of the way and perhaps we can have ourselves a wee party. Slainte!

anno MacSporran is a lover of classical music. He would have enjoyed the performance that you attended. A friend of ours was at one time connected with The Scottish Opera. He now lives in London.

Please, someone pour me a large . With lots of sugar!! I'm traumatised and need a time of peace and quiet! If you want to know why, see my thread entitled Traumatised and embarrassed!!

I'll be ok in a minute, I'm sure!

kitty dear...take heart...you were not to know the cause of the niffiness. It could happen to any one of us. Even HM may have had something similar to blush about when shopping in Harrods. Here's your hot sweet and a chocolate biscuit. I shall play you some calming whale music. I may even sing...if you are unlucky enough to hang around long enough. Hug x

kitty poor you I shall look at this toot sweet!! meantime I've topped your glass - drink up.

Kittylester do not worry about your mouse. It could happen to anyone (well not to me obviously as I am such a tidy person! ). I could tell you a tale that I overheard once from a hospital cubicle about something left where it shouldn't have been that would make your hair curl! But it is certainly not a topic for our lovely kitchen .

As it's a bit later in the day now, would you like a or two

Sadly there was no prosecco served but my Thursday group evening went very well and I have brought a few mini quiches home again for DH and me to nibble on while we watch the delectable Monty on TV tomorrow night. (DH watches for the gardening, whereas I...............)
We entertained our friends from a nearby village with the local folk group, playing all sorts of instruments from a flute/penny whistle/concertina/ guitar/ accordeon and even a genuine hurdy gurdy. They are great enthusiasts but if I were to say I was reminded of the great Andre Previn/Eric Morecambe interchange-would you know what I meant? (The one about "playing all the right notes but not necessarily in the *right order*) We also sang along to the Skye Boat Song, My Bonnie Lies over the Ocean, Yellow Submarine (?) and Nellie the Elephant ! And while we and the group made it to the end of each number I would have to admit it was not always a dead heat
As always there was far too much food as all our members had baked for Britain but it was nice to have a little pig-out on tasty little nibbles.
As Pepys would say- and so to bed. I hope you are all well and have had a nice day

Good afternoon [just] to our lovely Kitcheners. I trust that you are oot and aboot and not causing mayhem in supermarkets.

Crafting ...wonder what it was...

Soutra your post has made me laugh out loud. Monty is my pin-up boy. I find him most attractive. Are you suggesting that we share?
As for your gathering, it must have been great fun. The Andrew Preview M & W sketch is rated as my number one favourite. No matter how many times I see it, I cannot fail to giggle. I like the choice of songs. Ever since Sister Gabrielle took me to one side and asked me not to sing because I was quite obviously "tone deaf" I only ever mouth the words.

ffinnochio I have been meaning to thank you for the anniversary message and beautiful image of wild flowers. It was such a kind gesture.

Phew, just been cutting the grass in the lovely sunshine and come in for a sit. I could just go a cream tea ...we are being told this is the last day of summer, boo hoo

jamsidedown I'm afraid so...weather here is about to get exceedingly blustery. I like autumn. In many respects I prefer it to summer. Having said that, when we in Kintyre get a gale, it is straight off the sea and almost always manages to bring electricity cables down. Last winter we were without power for five [maybe more] days. Compared with some countries, we get away lightly, and should never ever grumble.

MacSporran has received a further letter from Oban hospital. Before a biopsy can be carried out, he's to return for an ultra-sound scan on the groin area. The previous scan was a different kind of scan. It's all rather confusing. So...off to Oban again on Thursday. Wish that a few of you lived in the locality...it would be nice to meet up with you. Hey ho! As bags would say.

I'm off to make a and hunt high and low for a that I shall most certainly not find. Why? Because we haven't as much as a crumb lurking in the cupboard. I'm ever hopeful.

Soop, no here either so had to make do with toast and jam - lovely! Sorry I am in the Deep South so no meet up opportunities from me. What a nuisance that you have to make a return visit to Oban but at least all investigations are being done thoroughly. I hope all goes well.

soop, is there any chance that the ultrasound scan and the biopsy could be done during the same visit to Oban? It's such a trial for you to have to traipse back and forward, especially as the weather could be turning more stormy now. Hope you've got some nice classical CDs in the car for McS.

Sometimes hospitals do not do joined up thinking and it is only when things are pointed out that sometimes they realise. You may remember a couple of months ago DH was in the Royal Free in London for a colonoscopy and gastroscospy which had been booked for the same day as an iron infusion (good) but the timings didn't work out (bad) so it made for a very long day for him He was due to have an echocardiogram the next day (different department of course) so we had to make the journey back to London . When I told his gastro consultant he said words to the effect of Oh if only I had known we'd have organised a bed for him for the night in between. So now we do ask if appointments /procedures can possibly be combined on the same day because of the distance to travel,as the medics can't be expected to know this and the booking/appointments department just don't make the connection. So if you were to get on to them soop it might be worth trying for the same day or consecutive days and staying over in between just to lessen the fatigue of 2 long drives.

soop it is the long car journey which is also a pain. The problem re the biopsy is that the theatre time is usually fixed but I agree, I cannot see why the ultrasound could not be done first, with a little jiggering around.

I agree, such a pity that the vast majority of us are many miles away so cannot help in any way other than give you our sympathies on line.

Soop here have some of my moist fruit cake (the only thing I can make with any success -plenty left for anyone else who wants a slice). I'm like you, I love autumn. It's the colours that do it for me plus the lovely crunch of leaves under my feet. I hope you and Macsporran are ok. You have a lot of travelling round to do. Hope all goes well on Thursday. I wish we were closer too. I expect we would all like to meet up with you in person. for you and a wee dram (well a big one really) for you and MacSporran. I expect you could do with a drop of the hard stuff ((huggs)) for you both.

It is raining here and very dark, at least it is not cold, yet. The leaves were all swept up yesterday but looking out now, it looks as though my neighbour need not have bothered.

I went to a local bath shop wanting to buy a loo seat and cover for a raised loo bought there a while ago. I did not realise how high tech loo seats have become- to get the correct size I have to produce photos, at least four from every angle!

Crafting I do fancy a piece of your moist fruit cake, it would go well with my next cup of coffee.

A late good afternoon to my dear Granspals. I thought that I might like to search eBay for a few tempting ideas regarding a colourful, interesting, cropped jacket in a beautiful fabric. That was not such a good idea ...I now have a very long list of "possibles" that I'm "watching". I have barely budged from the computer for far too long. It is a challenge that I enjoy. I've the beautiful lace skirt, tartan silk shoes and bag that I hope to wear for my granddaughter's wedding in May. Plenty of time, you may think. Well, yes...but I do like to hope to find "just the garment I cannot possibly do without" and have it put aside well in advance. Daft as brush!!!

Thank you for all your suggestions re MacS's hospital appointment. He did phone through as you suggested. The response was that this is how the Consultant's system of procedures operates. We do receive approx. £13 to help with petrol whenever we go to Oban. That's because the Campbeltown hospital doesn't have certain facilities. Never mind, we shall cope. MacS seems happy enough that the ball keeps rolling. It is such a long time ago that the awful rash appeared. At least six months. However, compared with Soutra's husband's experiences, we are not complaining. And, of course, Bellasnana's amazing attitude in spite of the most harrowing year, is never far from my mind.

Crafting moist fruit cake will go down a treat with my cup of tea. How thoughtful of you. I shall share some with jamsidedown and anno

Charleygirl A slice of fruitcake is reserved for you. The weather here is delightful. We had torrential rain during the night but the sun is shining and the tops of the waves are all of a sparkle. I love the green/grey of the sea. I can well imagine a taffeta jacket in the same colour.
Thoughts of you presenting the bath store with photos of your lavvy, made me grin. Whatever next!

Thanks soop - what a good thing the fruit cake is calorie free. I noticed my spare tyre this morning and thought, 'that must go'! I'm glad that McS is philosophical about the to-ing and fro-ing, but I do wish things could be better coordinated for him. I'm lucky (I suppose) to live close to two hospitals but wish I didn't have to see the inside of them.

Great fruit cake, crafting. Delicious and goes well with my Earl Grey .

anno I've been noticing my spare tyre for quite a while now, but no matter what I say it just seems to like it there! Ho hum

Crafting the fruit cake is delicious, and my spare tyre is loving it too!

soop I hope you find a beautiful jacket soon, I'll never forget the fabulous outfit (with hat) that you wore, to your son's wedding I think.
You always look amazingly chic.

Bella if you're around I'm sending a (((hug)))

Is there any fruit cake left? I presume it's gf as well as calorie free? I'll have mine with strong, builders tea please!

I have spent the day being sous chef ( or whatever the equivalent is when making cakes) to DD as she as been icing and decorating 'dummies' for a wedding fair tomorrow. DH has been building storage in the garage for all her equipment, ably assisted by DGS2 while his sister has been helping me - we are both exhausted! The cakes look brilliant so I hope she gets lots of orders!

She has also made a sticky toffee cake, a vanilla sponge, a lemon sponge and chocolate cake to take as samples! I've stolen some of each and I'll leave them here for you all!

Please wake me up in half about, there is sure to be more clearing up to do

I hope Bella is ok and that she and Galen managed to meet up!

soop a belated thank you for leaving me some of the delicious fruit cake, and star baker to crafting - delicious! kitty those cakes sound wonderful too. Cake is such a wonderful thing don't you think?

I too turn to Ebay for bargains - I end up watching so many things I manage to miss everything. Good luck with putting that outfit together.

Hello all - anyone in this early in the morning. DH is in bed with a migraine- he had two glasses of white wine that's all last night such a shame he rarely drinks but he has been plagued with migraine since he was 12. Mostly we avoid his triggers but occasionally he likes to share some wine with me but only one glass. Last night as we ate out and we walked there so he had 2- shouldn't have done it. Hopefully the pills and a sleep in should do it. So I'm here in the kitchen looking for the green tea please.
The good news is that my dear friend who thought her marriage had ended this week is reunited with her DH- I hope it last for her she adores him. I wonder how they will cope with his infidelity. I always think I could forgive it but who knows when it come to it.
I hope you are all having a good weekend. Best wishes

Green tea coming right up Tee. I'll join you with my cup of builders'! Do you fancy one of these home made croissants to go with that? I was up early with a twingey lower back so decided to bake as it eases when I'm standing. Plenty for anyone else who pops in and there's a jar of home-made strawberry jam too.

So pleased to hear that your friend and her DH are giving it another try. There are worse things than infidelity in my opinion - it's usually a symptom of a deeper malaise in the marriage which can be addressed if both parties are willing to do so. Good luck to them both.

Enjoy your Sundays everyone!

Homemade croissants - never had one of those - delicious someone is a Master Baker! gagagran and I haven't had homemade Strawberry jam for years. I don't make jam anymore as I am the only one who eats it.

I went to the Melton Mowbray Food fare yesterday and bought some marmalade and Morello cherry jam there but to be honest although there were a lot of stalls overall it was a disappointment. It's held in the large cattle market which is in dire need of a refurb. The Council is thinking about it and drawing up plans. The cattle and sheep don't seem to mind although the cattle these days are very much larger than they used to be and the pens seem small. 3 escaped last year and ran into town- chaos. No-one hurt just one little boy knocked over and given a fright. Anyway every week there are Farmers markets and regular shops here and entrance is free but for the Food Fair it was £6 and nothing to show for it - no goody bag nothing. I bought my beef from the usual butcher and I could have got that on any other day from him without the entrance fee. Also although of course we want to see home produced food I also think people enjoy ethnic and street food. There was only one man selling pakoras and bhajis. There are cookery demonstrations but no big name chefs or anything like that and they drag on and on while they tell there not funny jokes- better demos on You Tube. I don't think I will go again next year. Golf this afternoon but don't worry dinner is all ready - Roast Pork etc etc and Mary Berrys rice pudding without the cream and enough for us all - c u later xxx

When we lived in Melton, our garden backed onto the Cattle Market but the only interesting thing that went in there that wasn't animal related was the Toy Soldiers Marching band used to practice there! Do they still exist Tee? They won loads of competitions!