SOOP's kindly Kitcheners

Take them all, Galen!

I have a jewellery box just for travelling. It's a 6" cube with three layers inside and lots of little boxes and some spaces big enough for good-sized necklaces and watches. I used to shove everything in little bags and get into such a mess.

I have just returned from book club/supper night. Such a lovely evening, I really needed something like that.

Galen Have a wonderful cruise, relax, drink wine and swan about in your pearls. You really need a cigarette in a holder but nobody's perfect!
I hope it all goes well, you deserve a break

Hello you lot!
Last tribunal tomorrow, then, I suppose I'd better think about sorting out clothes for packing which I will do on Friday with Kate's (the cleaner ) help.
It really hurts my back to pack, then I'll have to lie down to recover.
Which pearls to take is a decision that makes my brain ache.
How can I cope
Help!

soop I must say I agree with you regarding quantity of alcohol now.
I made a mistake in yesterday's post. I should have put that the gin is for sale before customs.( near the luggage carousels) Not after.
I'd hate anyone looking forward to a G&T on holiday to not be able to find the kiosk.

I bet Sandy the Labrador enjoys all the petting as well.

Soop, I nearly forgot to tell you, I tried to pay a visit to Vintage Vera`s, on your behalf, so I could tell you what it was like, but sadly it`s no longer there, sorry.

I must away. Ironing duty in the morning. I shall join you in the afternoon. (((hugs)))

Thank you annsixty

soop I have sent you a PM.

Nandalot Whooppee! Patience is most definitely a virtue. Is it any wonder that you developed a migraine...you have my respect. what does "synched" mean?

Judthepud2 You are a wonder-woman of the highest order. You must have an amazing energy store. How many Weetabix do you have for breakfast? bless you.

annsixty Yes...the DT book is hilarious. Neither MacSporran nor I can read it without blurting out ..."Oh, this is so funny..." MacS often laughs so much, he hands the book to me and needs to point out the letter that amuses him.

dustyangel The stronger gins are deliciously naughty. I could not drink more than a double. My metabolism wouldn't cope with an extra glass. I therefore agree with your husband's notion that the stronger gin is more economical.

Charleygirl I often enjoy a delicious glass of velvety smooth red wine.

The ladies in the care home were all in fine fettle. Although Chrissie nodded off (with a sweet smile on her face). I not only enjoyed a with them but I also had a freshly baked fruit scone. It was not long out of the oven. Very tasty. We sang 'Campbeltown Loch' and the room rocked.

As I was leaving, a gorgeous golden Labrador was about to do "the rounds" with his master. The dog was called Sandy. It isn't difficult to imagine how pleasurable a visit from such a handsome and affectionate dog must be for the residents.

Last night's sunset for you all.

Hi all
Janerowena, I miss Hampshire and have never been to Suffolk. Shame on me!

Judthepud, just reading about your summer is exhausting.

Well. here I am. I can't remember how many hours later, about 8 I think and Windows 10 is at last up and running. The threatened thunderstorm didn't materialise, just a few background rumbles. The final straw was that email wasn't 'synched' but I feel quite proud of myself for searching on the web and finding the answer to that one, I am now fully synched. I also have a threatening migraine so a going to take the tablets and lie down!

Can I make a confession? I have never tasted G&T in my life! I have had a sip of whisky and hated it so I stick to wine with a meal occasionally.

Hello all. Just popping in to say I am still alive.

Mad busy summer looking after DGSs during school holidays, plus a few visits to England to help DD1 out with new baby, plus residential visits (All one after the other but overlapping a few days) from:
DD2 and her DD (4)
DD1 with new baby (5 weeks)
DS and DIL

plus DH having a torn retina and 2 rounds of surgery. He can't see well enough to drive so I was doing all airport pickups and drop offs.

Everyone had their own special needs including mountains of food!

School holidays end soon so I might get a few mornings of time for me! Phew!

Everyone having a good summer?

Ooh g and t - get thee behind me satan...

nandalot we swapped places! We moved from Lincs to Winchester. Then here, to Suffolk. I miss everywhere I have had to move from, but we often have little holidays in all those places and visit old friends.

What wonderful photos! I did have a wonderful view when we moved here - then acquired neighbours who fancied playing Farmer McDonald. I now have a series of pig huts, chicken pens and tractors and can't see the watermeadows at all. Where I used to see the wild geese flying in to the river, I now have a dozen sheep, a dozen chickens and half a dozen turkeys and half a dozen black pigs, huge ones. I love to see farm animals as much as the next person, but I bought the house for the wildlife and views! The local new Lordship needed to raise money for death duties, so sold off the land.

Grannyeggs your kitchen certainly does look inviting. I love the courtyard we can see through the window.

Luckygirl winter landscapes always make me wish that I could draw, in pencil, with yours I'd need to be able to paint as well.

Nature in all it's shapes and forms is very restorative isn't it?

I've brought another sort of restorative in with me.
DH has discovered that if he buys Gordon's gin on the way out of the airport,(after customs) not only is it cheaper but it is also 47% proof.
He says it's more economical,
Cheers everyone, don't worry about it being too strong, it's only virtual after all.
I'm sorry soop I couldn't get any Blue Sapphire. Maybe you would make us all a strong coffee later.

Soop we have 2 of those books if it is the DT you are referring to. They are very funny.

Luckygirl that tickles my silly sense of humour.

My dear Son-IL posted a fridge magnet in our kitchen which says: "Dinner will be served when the smoke alarm goes off" - cheeky lad!

Here is one such letter...
'Sir - In earlier years my dear Mother had a propensity to overcook food. She was know as a "Cordon Noire" chef, who utilised the smoke alarm as a timer. (When the alarm went off she knew it was done.)

nandalot it is too comfortable, I have been out since I last posted, in a thunderstorm, and now I am back in my chair doing this instead of ploughing through paperwork !

Nandalot Once you know for certain that the storm has arrived, I feel that it would be safer to disconnect. Frustrating, isn't it!

Luckygirl Your photograph is stunning. Would that be early morning mist rising from the fields? It is very atmospheric.

I shall be visiting the care home tomorrow morning. The visit before last I took each of the ladies a wee net bag of lavender. Last week I learned that one of the ladies had tried to eat hers. Bless her, she must have thought that it was a sweet. It would have tasted vile. Thank goodness a carer saw what was happening. Just goes to show how cautious one must be in such situations.

A book that we ordered was delivered today. It contains unprinted letters to the editor of a well-known newspaper. I can hear MacSporran chortling as he reads it.

Thank you for welcome, Soop. Grannyeggs that looks like a really comfortable spot to read or Gransnet.
Luckygirl,as someone has already said, you are very lucky.

I am sitting here waiting for windows 10 to load on the desktop . 2 hours gone and download 25% complete. And now there is a storm coming. Do I unplug?

I know - I really appreciate it and never take it for granted.

That's a beautiful view Luckygirl and your kitchen looks great too grannyeggs

Yes you are a Luckygirl

This is the view from our bedroom at sunrise - not today though!