SOOP's kindly Kitcheners

My stepfather is a good cook, I'm not worried about what he is cooking, more about whether she will eat it!

I don't think of my mother as old, she is 79 and until she first broke her back 4 years ago looked in her 60s. It aged her dreadfully, and now despite the bone-strengthening medication for her osteoporosis she has broken it in two more places, so she is on morphine and yet still in constant pain. I can't help thinking this might be my last chance to see her - partly because I had an older best friend who died aged 73 of the same condition.

Belated birthday greetings soop.

Hello janer We shall be thinking of you during to visit to Sussex. When you return you will hopefully feel more at ease regarding family arrangements. I often think of your daughter and trust that she will also have positive news before too long.

Thank you, dustyangel for your kind comments. I agree that a good diet can help to improve the feelings of well being in the elderly. When my late Nana lived alone, she wasn't at all keen on cooking for herself. After she went into a care home, her meals were more nutritious and she seemed to buck up no end.

Bye for now. I'm away to read the Sunday papers.

Sorry janer I meant to send best wishes for your break as well.

for everyone.

janer I don't know how your Mother is eating but when my Mother eventually had to go into a home and was having regular balanced meals, we were surprised by the improvement in her health and memory. I'm not suggesting that she is not eating well, it's just something to be aware of.

soop I'm glad you enjoyed your birthday. That is a lovely photo of you.
It will do you both good to have a change and gad about. Scotland is so very beautiful.
We used to go to a lot of different places in Portugal when we first came here and have got out of the habit somehow. We plan to have a couple of short breaks in the autumn.

number I very pleased that you will be able to enjoy your holiday without worry over Mia.

We are going away for a few days too, to give DD a big hug (still no results) and to beard my mother in her den and try to find out just how bad she is. Not that I would try to dissuade her from any choice she has made, it's more to shut my sisters up and stop them from interfering, as my mother sees it. Also to reassure my stepfather that he can have help if he wants it. Even so, I do feel stressed about it, so we are hoping to go to a couple of gardens while we are in Sussex, to recover.

I'm glad you had a good day, soop, I hope you have many more such days. I managed to get DBH out for the day yesterday, he was a bit stressed about it but we had a slow stroll around Beth Chatto's gardens in lovely weather, and I think it did us both good. They also have a very good selection of gluten-free food, which was a lovely surprise.

Charleygirl Whenever Rory nestles up close to MacSporran he buries his head in the middle of M's chest. He purrs loudly and he dribbles with pleasure. Hence MacS needs to wear a hardy washable jacket around the house. The jacket is also "thorn/claw proof".

Sounds like a wonderful idea soop - so pleased you had a good birthday.

What a thoughtful family you have number - you are really lucky.

We are going away tomorrow for a few days so I have brought some left overs from DH's birthday party that need eating up. I made a HUGE Eton Mess which is more or less intact. DD3 made her sticky toffee cake with salted caramel buttercream and butterscotch drizzle but most of that got eaten although I managed to save a sliver. I've brought Melton Mowbray pork pie too - how I wish that was gf. Please eat them all up or we will have to throw them away.

Charleygirl Whenever Rory nestles up close to MacSporran he buries his head in the middle of M's chest. He purrs loudly and he dribbles with pleasure. Hence MacS needs to wear a hardy washable jacket around the house. The jacket is also "thorn/claw proof".

A few days away sounds like an excellent idea- and not within sight of a kitchen etc.

Rory would not take kindly to that- even if somebody popped in to feed him, that would not be enough for that young man, he loves MacSporran to bits and he is so used to his chicken supper on a Saturday evening. I do hope that he is hand fed- he does deserve it!

Lona It most certainly is beautiful here in Kintyre. One of the reasons for moving to Scotland was so that we could have weekends away discovering new locations. At first, we did so fairly regularly. However, not since we visited Mull, some long time ago, we've not had a Scotland look-about-break. Now, of course, we have Rory to consider. You've heard of him no doubt.

That sounds like a great idea soop ! Although I must say that where you live is as beautiful as any holiday spot could be.

number Now that is what I call a super-kind and generous gift. How lovely for you. You both deserve an extra special treat. Even better that Mia will be well catered for.

Alea annsixty and Charleygirl Had the sun shone, we would have eaten in the open air with a beautiful view of the beach and sea. Never mind, we have no complaints. It was a very happy birthday treat.

MacSporran has mentioned that he would like the two of us to take a wee break away (before the bad weather arrives). We haven't had a holiday for a very long time. He thinks that we should have a combined 75th birthday (his) and 27th wedding anniversary celebration somewhere in the Highlands.

soop I am so pleased to hear that you and MacSporran had such a lovely lunch. It would appear to be a perfect day for you both.

number what a thoughtful gesture- I do hope that you both enjoy your holiday. It sounds as though Mia is not going to be neglected. She will miss her mummy but she will cope.

One of my grandsons and his mum, my DIL, are going to come each day to feed Mia. She won`t be on her own here, my eldest daughter will be here, but she can`t manage the feeding.

Oh how lovely and how thoughtful of your family number they must appreciate you and what you have gone through recently. I am sure we all hope you have a lovely and well deserved holiday and I hope you got the cat sorted.

Two very happy posts!

Numberplease what a thoughtful gesture, I hope you will have a truly lovely holiday after all you have been through, and Soop that sounds like a nigh on perfect day!

Sounds like a lovely birthday has been had, and you`ve ben thoroughly spoiled by MacSporran. That`s a rare sized pece of fish, we`d have had to share it! I know where you mean now, the Boathoue is beautifully situated, but we never actually ate there, sat on the beach nearby though.
4 of our kids presented us with an envelope this morning, containing £520, towards our holiday next week, they said because we`ve had a rough couple of years, what a lovely surprise!

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201508/medium-437256-100-1601.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201508/medium-618153-100-1600.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201508/medium-641102-100-1605.jpg

THANK you each and every one. I am so lucky to have such darling Granspals. I've had a lovely day. Very simple pleasures that have been special for both of us. The trip on the ferry to Gigha (a small community purchased and owns the island) only took 25 minutes. The Boathouse restaurant has in fact been open for three seasons. It is small and rustic. The food is excellent. The staff were as good as it gets. We then visited an arts and crafts gallery. When we returned to Kintyre we made our way to Glenbarr. As it was my birthday (No! Really?) we had coffee and freshly baked date slices. I now feel as big as a double decker bus. MacSporran insisted on buying more date slices to go into the normally empty cake tin. So, bags I guess that you guessed we would have fish and chips and mushy peas. Dead right, we did. Mind you, the menu was vast and some of the dishes (almost all fish) were far too huge and we wouldn't have had tummy room. The pudding was apple with pear sorbet whipped cream and fresh fruit coulis. The bread was home baked. It was perfect. All a bit mixed up (this message) sorry, the phone keeps on ringing. Lovely! I'll be back in the morrow. Love to you all. Slainte!

Many happy returns Soop

Happy birthday. Don't drink too much and fall over like before!

Many Happy Returns soop.
I hope you are having a lovely day.

and still have room for and the odd dram or two.

Wishing you a very, very Happy Birthday soop
I hope you have a wonderful day and x

You didn't tell us Roger Federer shared your birthday soop. How great is that?

soop, me ole pal, I've just eaten a delicious wodge of chocolate cake in your honour. I'd better go and get some work done now.