Soop's Kindly Kitcheners

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I have recreated the first portrait of Mel the Collie. This version will be as a bonus for the gentleman who has commissioned the one that is at present with the framer. Long-winded but you lot will understand what I'm twittering about.

That is really good, you can almost see what Mel is thinking.

Three days in, and the cough has lessened a little and the sinuses no longer hurt, sleep is much better. No chance of resting, I am a really bad invalid.

Flapjacks are in the oven, if anyone is interested. It's raining here today, so the garden is abandoned and a housework and cooking frenzy is taking place. GF bread in the oven, too, along with chicken, and roasting spaghetti squash. It's a bit crowded in there!

The suit cost less than £70 from ' Just last season'

I was looking at their site the other day! A friend of mine's daughter buys all her clothes from them.

Are any of us lot interested in sampling your flapjacks! What sort of question is that, janer? We'll form a dis orderly queue. I bags being first Freshly baked bread...my mouth is watering. How generous of you to invite us lot into your kitchen.
Sinusitis pain is one of the worst. I'm happy to hear that it is not quite as troublesome. The garden will have to wait. You need more rest.

I am feeling awfully lack-lustre today. It's a great pity that we're unable to get more tennis on our television. I would happily curl up in the chair with a tartan rug and a pot of a tea.

Galen I have never heard of 'Just last season'. I shall take a wee look.

an orderly queue...

Soop The expression you have put into that dog's face is amazing.

Thank you for your kind comment, Nelliemoser all I want is for the owner of Mel (now deceased) to like and have pleasure from it.

Bellasnana Any sign of Zim? I am willing her to return home.

Tomorrow is visit the care home day. I shall be back with you by lunchtime.

soop that is amazing portrait, you really are very talented.

Yum yum, flapjacks, thank you janer. Your oven must be considerably larger than mine.

I'm about to have a go at making lobscouse (?sp), as DH heard about it while we were away and decided he fancies some but recipes seem to vary considerably so any advice GNs?

I have a double oven, loopy because I grow most of my own veg and so there always seems to be a lot of cooking and preserving going on.

Lobscouse - I only heard of it recently, a friend described it and I thought it maybe is something you need to have been brought up with, to appreciate it, because you are meant to poke around in the marrow bones!

www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/lobscousecasserole_91838

Oooer..... The recipe I found on Google didn't mention marrow bones (thank goodness) janer
It seems to be pretty much a beef stew with loads of carrots and potatoes in it as far as I can tell (well, mine will!) and slowly cooked for hours.
Will see how it turns out Apparently a 'good 'un' is when a spoon stands upright on its own in it.....

Yes, my (male) friend from that area said that. He said it has got too posh and just has too much beef and not enough bones to poke around in, and too much gravy. He also said it used to have yellow split peas in it to thicken it. I suppose tv chefs have a lot to answer for.

I LOVE marrow? The animal not vegetable type.
It's the main reason for having Osso bucco

Good afternoon to you lovely lot...

I am enjoying a pot of coffee and munching on a Pink Lady apple. The sun is shining and the waves are white-crested. Rory is snoozing at MacSporran's feet. MacS is reading the newspaper.

Today, I spent an hour at the care home. My friend (a WAAF) in wartime, loved the book that I'd found on eBay. The middle section was dedicated to the Beaufighter bombers and she recalls the times she spent fretting that she may have missed something serious when servicing the plane. I left her with a fair amount of archive interest regarding Turnberry, Tain and another airstrip in Scotland with which she was familiar.

The golden, long-haired retriever walked in, tail wagging furiously, as I was about to leave. The dog gives the residents so much pleasure. It's name is Sandy.

The marrow dish sounds interesting. Galen I like the vegetable when stuffed with tender mince.

Good afternoon, kitcheners. Sorry I haven't been in to see you lately but had a busy week entertaining (ex)son-in-law who brought DGD back with him after having her in the U.S. for the summer. He's a lovely young man, I think DD2 is out of her mind to have ditched him, but there's nothing I can do about it. He seems to have done a good job of looking after his little girl despite having to work long hours in the military.

Afraid Zim has not returned and I have given up hope now She has never been gone this long so I fear the worst.

DS has been in deep despair as his lovely fiancée has broken their engagement. One of his pals came to see me, he was so worried that DS would make a permanent solution to a temporary problem, so I have been very concerned. However, he doesn't want to worry me and as yet hasn't come to see me. Poor chap, he is very sensitive. I'm disappointed for him as we thought they made such a lovely couple. Seems nothing is going to go right this year

My darling sister is slowly fading. I speak to her daily and she is resigned to her fate although anxious about it. I want to go back and be with her, but as I am looking after DGD for 90% of the time, I'm not sure who will step in if I go.

Enjoy your flapjacks. I can't face eating at the moment. Too churned up with one thing and another.

Sending you some Maltese which is still in plentiful supply

What a sad time you are having Bella between a rock and a hard place with your emotions and "duty calls". You will do the right thing I am sure. We can only listen and if that helps then carry on pouring it all out.

Bella {{hugs}}

Bella Oh dear...yet more trauma for you to cope with. The year has offered you more than a fair share of "downs"...I am in awe of your fortitude. You are amazing. You will make the right decisions. PLEASE keep talking to us lot if it helps. We are very fond of you. More (((hugs))) from Kintyre.

I've just popped in and am so sad to read your post Bella. I completely echo what soop and ann have said. You know we are here to talk to if you need us. (((hugs)))

Dear Bellasnana what a lot you have had to cope with and yet you can still think of us. You are a wonderful woman and your family are so very fortunate to have you. If you needed to get back to see your sister I do hope your DD would be able to find an alternative childcare solution, although having little ones around also lifts the spirits does it not?

Bellasnana ((((hugs)))) as well.

Bella from me too! You and your family really are having a very sad time of it. Please try to eat something every day, there's precious little of you as it is. You need strength to cope with little Bella on top of all your sadness.
I'm sending a gentle ((hug)) and my hopes for better times ahead for you.xx

soop! You jolly well take it easy if you're not feeling up to much or we'll set Galen on to you! Xx

Eeeeeeeeeeeeek! Lona you know only too well how to scare me into submission. Our Galen could keep an entire army in check.