SOOP's kindly Kitcheners

Soop, I seem to remember you going through the same torture and doubts when you painted Mia, but the end result was superb, so keep persevering Missus!
There`s been a pretty litle mouse running around our back yard today, Mia has spent a lot of time following it round, I do hope the lovely little thing doesn`t end up dead. Why, oh why, does it stick around where there`s a cat on the prowl? It`s hidden under the wheelie bin a couple of times, but then it comes out and the hunt recommences.
I think you`re right Charleygirl, re the weather connection. Mia doesn`t go out half as much when it`s cold, and not at all if it`s raining. I also try to keep on to of things with the sun lotion on her ears and nose, with her being white, but she promptly licks it off as soon as she gets outside!

Is this our last page?

Yes, number it is our last page and you should know by now that Mia knows best re removing her suntan lotion. I am assuming that it does not poison her?

I agree, mice do not have much between the ears. Tara brought one home last year to play with- I left the French doors open but the little mouse obviously did not feel the blast of cold air as I did and she met her maker sooner than I am sure she would have wanted.

Thankfully hunting is a pastime that Tara does not bother with nowadays. I would love to know where the little blighter goes for so long during the day. She is friendly if anybody comes into the house but will not go near anybody, including me, if outside, unless I am sitting in the garden. I doubt if she has found another house- madam has her own bedroom and en suite facilities.

Hello to all you lovely Kitcheners Bless your cotton woolly socks.

It is our last page...however, by sometime tomorrow or Tuesday, we'll all be in the new kitchen extension. Funny how it grows a little larger but never too large to make us feel snug and at ease.

It is par for the course (that I suffer) number. I have spent the best part of the day trying to do the lovely, elderly collie dog justice. Lots of "not good enoughs" but, having started a new portrait whilst listening to the most beautiful Bruckner 7th in E, I have possibly found the right touch. MacS nodded when he came through with my G&T. That's a very good sign.

There is a pretty wee vole scampering around beneath the hydrangea. Rory isn't in the least bit interested. He's far too grand/laid-back/lazy. Tortoiseshell will be calling soon. She is a little madam and will sit for yonks watching and waiting...even though she will have a full, round tummy.

I shall be back in the morning. We'll have a wee opening ceremony just as soon as...

I cleared the tomatoes out of the greenhouse today, gave loads to my neighbour to ripen and was really surprised to find a vole running around. I've found a toad, newts and the usual slugs/snails but never a vole. Dear little thing scurried off under a bin but kept peeping out. It should be safe as no cat lives here (only have visiting neighbours bl...y cat which cr..s on my borders )

Glorious warm, sunny day - just as I packed away summer clothes - was it janer who said she was hoping to wear her shorts again?

I attacked the little flower bed under my front window. It's very narrow and very dry. The geraniums which was there are now just a few very low stumps but they are already showing new shoots. I went for it with the hedge trimmer.
It's all looking very tidy but rather bald. It will be fine by next summer.

I can't remember, but yes, where is our indian summer? I have lived in shorts all this summer - which here in mid east angular has been very good - and it's been a shock to go from high 20s every day, down to 17 if we are lucky. Plus from 20C most nights down to just below 10C, which is when plants start to pack up. I have had to start keeping my greenhouse shut.

We have a large toad in residence, but he has burrowed under the walls to get in so should be fine. As should all the field mice that eat my cherry tomatoes. I've been making damson jam all day but it hasn't set - I have a horrible feeling I shall have to empty out all 18 jars and re-boil. It's for our village fete next week.

We are having a problem with slugs with our outdoor tomatoes for the first time ever. They started to go "leggy" so we caned them up and then tied them to the rails around the decking patio. The slugs are climbing up the rails and nibbling the tomatoes, I CBA to move them so may have to forget them for this year. A very good evening you all and we may be in the new kitchen when we meet again.

Slugs <shudder>

At least (I hope) the Spanish slug hasn't arrived here yet, although I do have the orange/brown ones as well as just about every other version

DH proudly told me about one eating a dead snail....yuck!

We have the orange ones and I haven't noticed them before. They are curled up with the dark brown, victims of the slug pellets I have scattered around, green or not.

The little "mouse" in our yard didn`t have a tail. Does that mean, as I was wondering earlier, but hubby and daughter were no help, that it`s a vole, not a mouse? Either way, it was a pretty little thing, and I hoped it`s survived.
Charleygirl, Mia`s been licking the sun lotion off for over 2 years now, so I don`t think it`s poisoning her!

ann60, have you tried winding copper tape round your railings? I found that when I put it round the pots, the slugs didn't climb up to get at the tomatoes.

It sounds like a vole number Quick guide to mouse/vole/shrew - www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/natureuk/2012/06/mice-shrews-and-voles---a-quic.shtml

Thank you Elegran, I think it was a vole, the tail wasn`t visible, so I presume it`s a very short one. I just hope it got away, though why it kept hanging about when there was a cat in the vicinity, I just can`t fathom.

Thanks anno I had not thought of that although I did it with Hostas a couple of years ago and it did work, now for tackling the shed.....quicker to buy new I think.

Hello my darlings...we have just a wee while left in our present kitchen. The tartan rugs and cushions have all been laundered in readiness for the next extension.

Why is it that we dislike slugs and not all of us dislike snails? I suppose it helps to have a pretty shell on one's back. I have started the worm rescue watch. What on earth is that...I can hear you mutter. Well, I make a point of assisting any worms that appear to be stranded and relocate them under rotting vegetation. MacS always comments...are you sure that the worm wanted help. If it was likely to be trodden on, driven over or too far from food and water, then as far as I'm concerned it needed rescuing.

Thank you Elegran for enlightening us lot I find voles very appealing.

I like toads. Sadly haven't one living in our garden.

janer I am very partial to damson jam. I wish that you lived a little closer. I would be very happy to sample yours.

Just popping in to check you are all still here. Don't forget to leave a trail of so we all know where the new kitchen is located.

I've got a UTI so I'm sitting under a blanket playing with my phone, I'm sorry I won't be up to doing any packing. Will the kitchen fairies be ok to do that?

Please make sure there are no small furry things in the new kitchen - I'm not keen on any of them.

Sorry you are still under the weather kitty still it is a good excuse to relax for once and let others look after you. As they say keep taking the tablets

kitty the only furry thing in the kitchen will be Rory and he will not be taking much notice of the goings on unless McSporran is involved.

Oh heck kitty, bad timing now that the heatwave is here! I have made you a nice and brought some of our favourite lemon drizzle cake (hope its your fave too)
I shall sit outside with mine and think about how thoughtful it was of you to pack your t-shirts away!

kitty please, please do not bring them out again!

I will have a piece please Lona. I am finding little jobs to do to pass the time until I go for my second eye injection. It should be the third but it got postponed twice so it is 8 weeks since the first. Not a happy bunny with that or with the timing, 8:20pm. Obviously we will have a meal before that but that is all prepared. Most of the time I am on GN!!

ann that is not giving your wet macular a chance to arrest its development. Also I agree, what a strange time in the evening for an appointment. The only good thing is that it is not mid January. How are you getting there because you are not allowed to drive home? I doubt if anybody at the hospital/clinic will know or care. Good luck.

Thanks Charleygirl I am concerned but apart from expressing it not much can be done. My son will take me and we expect to be some time as clinic starts at 6pm so waiting time will have built up. Oh well that's life.

At least your son will look after you and I am assuming that your DH is going also as I doubt if you could leave him safely at home. With luck this will be the last trip.

soooop where are you?