Soop's Special Kitcheners

Just popping in with some apple turnovers. Yes I know they're a funny shape, I couldn't get the corners to line up properly . There is some whipped cream in the fridge for those who want it and can manage the extra calories. It was snowing here this morning but quite bright now so I will wrap up well and go for a walk.

Oh Soop I'd love to be called arty. I think frumpy is more likely to be a description of me. I think I'm one of life's "beige" people

jane You describe the skein of swans in such a manner that I too can see them. That must have been an uplifting moment.
As for the knitting club...I wish that I could attend. I have had so little experience and would welcome a knowledgeable person's guidance.
It won't do you any harm to stay at home and enjoy another peaceful evening. We both love the moment when the blinds come down and the table lamp goes on...it's what we call -- cosy-time.

Yes, indeed, where is Kitty and several other of our Granspals. Do you suppose that they are out with their sledges.

Please come back soon because we miss your company.

That is very true, soop. I had only to see Ex's face the other weekend to know that the life you lead is there on your face. He looked dreadful.

I had a lovely lazy evening knitting by the fire. I don't knit very often. I belong to a kinitting club - which should be on tonight but as yet we have had had no email from the lady whose house it is meant to be in - but I don't knit there, I teach. I had no idea when it started up that the other members would all be beginners, but I don't mind, I just got used to playing musical chairs and catching up lost stitches in every wool imaginable. However, I really wouldn't mind another night off, I have been out far too often lately for both someone of my advancing years, and the weather.

Just now though, I saw a skein of swans flying above lit up by the sun. It was just so beautiful, a row of flying silver and white against the blue sky. I see thousands of geese but swans are rarer.

Greetings dear Kitcheners...another bright, crisp day to be enjoyed in bonnie Kintyre.

jane I'm all for aiming high...but, being realistic surely has to be the most important factor. If I had plenty of dosh, I would purchase the new building outright. It would give me enormous pleasure to treat the lovely inhabitants of our village to a decent, easily managed, all mod-cons hall.

dustyangel This morning I took a photo of a gnarled, ancient tree. I hope to include it in my album later today. In spite of the tree's twisted trunk (a little like mine) and twigs smothered in lichen, it has a beauty all of its own. As we mature, we may well lose our youthful freshness but we can still retain a beautiful spirit and that is reflected in our outward appearance. Sounds awfully philosophical and all that...but us lot know what it is I'm twittering on about. I hope...

I hope you are enjoying your unexpected evening off jane r .

soop that is a beautiful fountain but Brrr, it makes me feel cold just to look at it. Good for you and MacS getting out for a walk every day in the cold weather.
What a lovely compliment from your young friend, but she must be mistaken in thinking you are an old lady.

£600,000!

I think a nice big shed perhaps, or a large Atcost building. Good heavens. You could build a house for far less than that, what sort of palace is she planning? It took our village of twice as many inhabitants two or three years to raise the money for the composting loos next to our church! And that was only around £15,000.

I am skiving. The road to the town is closed completely for night-time repairs, I would have to drive twice as far tonight to get to choir. I have decided that dedication goes only so far on a frosty slightly snowy evening in February.

Just reading about the kitties reminded me that I havn't noticed Charleygirl posting. Have I missed something she has posted recently?.

I'm off to feed the felines. It is bitterly cold and the dark clouds look ominous. Keep warm and safe.

Dear POGS and loopylou That's me sorted. I feel honoured to bear such a title.

Our village boasts 150 inhabitants. At the meeting we discussed four options regarding our deteriorating "village hall" (which some say should be known as the "community centre")...a minor point, methinks. Anyway, to demolish the crumbling present hall and build a smarter version is estimated to cost somewhere in the region of £600,000 gulp!
To do major repair on the roof and insulation etc would naturally cost far less. I believe that the first option is a non starter. Funny how one lady thought that we should "aim high" and "to hell with the cost". My jaw dropped into my boots. Takes all sorts

A total gem you are soop x

soop

You are a gal that suits me fine you 'Old Arty Farty Biddy'

loopylou Well, I am old and I do appear to be "arty farty" so...yes, I was not at all dismayed by the young lady's comment. I did see the commune of local Cormorants on their usual rock...the gull was nowhere to be seen. Typical! I shall upload a rather pleasing photo that I took in the garden of a large, local house during this morning's walk.

'Old lady'! Cheeky whotsit soop , though certainly a compliment
Good to hear you're feeling better.
I love herons, a sentiment not shared by many I know. There's an amazing heronry (?sp) on the Thames near DS, and they are so supercilious when gazing at humans walking by.
Strangely there are cormorants on the River Avon not far from here, but at least 40 miles from the sea? The first time I saw one I nearly drove in to the river - a ornithologist friend said the group had been there for several years. They sit on the telegraph poles by the side of the road!

We were walking through the village when we met a pleasant young woman who always stops for a friendly blether. She said...'you always look so arty. You're the type of old lady that I hope to become...' I guffawed and waved my purple walking stick under her nose. I thought that it was a lovely compliment.

Thinking of Soutra and Bella

I shall log off and prepare myself for the meeting. Double layers of breathable clothing is called for. When we return home...we shall have a warming wee dram.

Lots of love and thank you for your company.

Galen On days like today, why not take a hot water bottle with you. It would warm you - but I cannot swear that the batteries would benefit. I was speaking to the optician's secretary earlier. She kept apologising for seeming to take forever to access my details on her computer. She said...it's because the temperature is so low.
Our broadband is that slow I can take a comfort break, vacuum and polish the house, attend to the laundry and admire the view...and that's all before it decides whether or not to connect us to the www.

It will be very chilly in the village hall. In summer, it's stifling hot and, as the building is situated close to the burn, clouds of midges add to the discomfort.

No snow here but just been to Slimbridge with darling daughter and dgd's. A lot of the ponds are frozen and so was I despite thermal vest, leggings, 2 sweaters and a sheppskin coat. It was so cold that the battery on my scooter didn't like it and I only just got back to the car before it gave up! Dgd1 had to walk the last bit as it didn't like her weight as well as mine!

Those 2 herons (yes there is another one, a bit shorter, all disappeared) were a present from our daughters for my 50th, 14 moons ago- so they came with us from the UK- a bit of a shock to them!

We brought tons of plants too- made 4 journeys with the Discovery full of plants and a trailor full too. Most have done really well here despite the altitude and the winters + v. cold temps. The David Austen roses have really surprised me- they are thriving here- but with much smaller blooms than we had in East Leics- we are now 500m higher.

Pheew, been looking out for a post to say you were OK- and was getting worried. So please you are on the mend.

We had this discussion here about our village hall last year, build 1912 and seriously in need of renewal, including heating system. Our Mayor balckmailed all the villagers in accepting a large budget for the hall- by telling us we had no choice but to accept lots of massive windpowered mills to get the revenue- or all our taxes would increase! He is a maverick and a real little dictator, and such a chauvinist. There are 3 of us female elected councillors, and he just cannot cope with women as equals!

No more snow last night or today- but the countryside is amazing. not seen so much snow since I grew up here in the early 50s.

The second image of the snow-covered heron, reminds me of myself - when I've mislaid my specs and know for certain that they are somewhere under the duvet...

A bright good afternoon to all our kitcheners. Many thanks for your kind messages. The nausea lasted well into the evening. However I'm now fully recovered. I have a hiatus hernia and very occasionally I suffer with "sicky feelings". Most of the time the medication works a treat.

So, here we are. I've done a massive pile of ironing for my pal. Whenever I return to our home, I'm aware of a deep sense of peace and tranquillity.

Tonight, a good many villagers are to meet in the antiquated community centre. There's to be an important discussion re the pros and cons of raising a whole lot of cash in order to rebuild the hall. It is at times like this that I wish we had plenty of spare cash. I would so love to be able to afford to give the villagers the hall that they deserve.

A pal told us yesterday, that he had seen a family of two adult and two younger herons, not so far from here. He commented on the cacophony of chatter that greeted him as he walked nearby.

I'm hoping to get a photograph of a commune of about a dozen cormorants and a single gull who regularly meet on a nearby rock. We had the camera ready as we passed the spot earlier today. It must have been too early for the gathering. I didn't have the chance to capture the scene...but I intend doing so.

granjura No snow!!! I shall take a look at your latest photos.

How are you today soop?

We have our first settled snow, only an inch but more than enough for me. I am feeling wimpy and not wanting to walk to book club.

Look after yourself Soop xx

Granjura ! I've only ever seen snow like that once in my life, in Kent and found it very scary We had 7' drifts and had to use a sledge and walk on the tops of the hedges to get along the lane to fetch milk from the farm. It put me off ever going skiing because I found it exhausting.

Thank you dustyangel. I am, but whether he can ever make a living from it is another matter.

Take care too soop. Hope you feel better soon