soop's kindly kitcheners and pampered pets...

Charleyg Our nearest Marks and Spencer is at Dunbarton. A good two and a half hours drive away. I love visiting their food hall. I've this thing of feeling that if an item of food is from M&S, then it has to be the best.

I need a pot of tea and a little ziz. The bubbles have gone to my head. Before I do, just wish to say goodnight to all our Granspal Kitcheners. I shall be more with it in the morning.

soop unfortunately mine is a short drive away, around 2 miles. I could also go to the M&S in town but there is a fair distance to walk from the store to car parking whereas at the food store it is beside the council owned car park- too handy!

It is so easy to run up a large bill but I could not look at any food today because my freezer is stuffed full and my fridges are not a lot better. I doubt if I will starve any time soon.

Three glasses of champagne soop?? Wow, lucky lady!
Happily Flynn's equanimity seems to have been restored today but they are going home tomorrow as Granddog's dogsiter had problems with her flat involving taking floor boards up so he has gone to the other GPs for a couple of days. All very complicated.
DD still has a stoning cold and I would have preferred her to stay another day, but she is an adult and will be happy to be back in her own house.SIL is due back from Hong Kong early Tuesday morning so I hope she will be fine.

Kittylester Thu 05-Jan-17 13:58:42

"I told him after 6 pregnancies I could be examined at the Clock Tower and not worry!!"

Well I got the reference to The "clock tower" if not many others would. I see "The Clock Tower" as an important landmark and we moved away when I was about 3 or 4.
What I missed when I went by train many years ago was the scale model of the train carriage in the station forecourt I was so impressed by that. Did you ever see it?

Oh dear. I meant "stinking cold" and "dog sitter" but heigh ho, I expect you know what I meant.

Nellie, the reference to the Clock Tower was for MacS, who had lived in Leicester and for Soop who had her nether regions 'interfered with'.

I did see the train model but haven't been to Leicester Station for years.

Daphne I love seeing photos of that young man but he has taken over Grace's rug which cannot be right. Flynn looks so happy playing with his mummy.

A bonnie good afternoon to you lovely lot. I have recovered from the giggles brought on by three glasses of Champagne (and a very wee, farewell and thank you dram.) If I talked a lot of twaddle when I returned to the kitchen...I beg your understanding.

DaphneB Flynn's colourful tights are a must for all fashion conscious tots. I would love a pair. Sadly my legs aren't as shapely as Flynns.
there was a party-going pal who was beginning to recover from the stonking cold that your daughter is suffering from. I made sure that *MacSporran sat on the opposite side of the room.

kitty I'm happy to report that my nethers have recovered from the prodding and poking. I'm not a wimp. But...

Nellie We do know of the Clock Tower. The scale model of a train carriage in the station forecourt isn't something we're familiar with. I shall ask two of my sons. Leicester is their patch.

During the very jolly gathering to celebrate our pal's birthday, I was asked to join the W.I. In spite of liking every member of the "club" I once again had to say...it's not my thing. Am I odd? Answers on a postage stamp

I am doing a watercolour painting of a handsome dog. As progress is going according to plan, I shall put away the paints at this point. Best not carry on tiddling and faffin'. You lot know the score.

It is mild and dank. We had a walk this morning. I've completed a 20 min spin on the exercise bike. Although it's some time before we attend granddaughter three's wedding, I'm determined to stay on track and look half decent in the outfit that I've put together for the event. I shall share a photo with you sometime. I would like an honest opinion.

Wishing you all a very pleasant and peaceful Saturday evening. I shall return tomorrow.

It was very mild here today- I have not switched on the heating since early am to warm up the house. I have spent hours sorting out paperwork again. I can see the difference but I doubt if anybody else would.

I have a beef curry bubbling away in my slow cooker so only rice to boil later. Not much on TV for me but I have more than enough to do here. I needed a rest.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201701/medium-565818-img-0794.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201701/medium-87546-img-0799.jpg

Well we are on our own again and I have to admit that while I am I am also looking forward to starting the day tomorrow later than 6.45
DD is still not well but I think Flynn is over the worst and he had also got used to sleeping or having his naps in a different room.
I drove them back today, through an eerily misty Epping Forest as we went first to her in laws who have had Basil since Thursday. I think I now do feel more confident on the M25 although there had been fog warnings near us so I went a longer route south via the A1M.
Grace is looking VERY much more relaxed!! The little chap loves her and gives her huge gummy grins but she is very wary-tolerant and patient, but wary!
Last pics from the visit, one at the coffee shop at our local nursery where DD and I went for tea and cakes yesterday while DH had another blood transfusion, and then sitting properly and playing this morning. Sitting is absolutely a new trick. Lovely to see the progress he is making!

soop I always found that the hardest bit of painting - knowing when to leave it alone! I've ruined many a one by constantly 'tinkering'. I can't paint animals.

charleygirl the thought of your curry is making my mouth water. I was all set to cook bouef stroganoff this evening, but DD has been back in bed all afternoon. He was a lot better yesterday evening after taking it easy and then insisted this morning, against my better judgement, to go out and watch GS running in a cross country because "it's only just down the road from here - it would be a shame to miss it"! We weren't out long, but as soon as we got back home he went downhill again. So I didn't get my stroganoff and had to make do with leek and potato soup! . Good job I love him!

daphne your grandson is gorgeous! They grow up too fast though.

soop I do so envy people who can paint or draw

Flynn looks so proud of himself, Daphne, as well he might. Sitting is a major skill.

Didn't notice anything untoward that was champagne fuelled soop, maybe try harder next time' .

Goodness, charley, you are determined with your clear out. Good for you

We've had another technological headache, blu ray player this time, apparently it needs its firmware updating. Now if I knew what one of those was . A job for Mr C on Monday me thinks. I now have hope of recovery from the boomerang bug. The exploding head that has been my constant for weeks went away for an hour today, it's back, but there is hope. It sure does lift the spirits. .

Lovely photos, thank you Daphne

I can't really paint and definitely can't draw but it is a very relaxing hobby.
The worst bit is putting the first stroke on to the page, I used to hover anxiously for ages.
Then I tinkered too much as well and everything got too detailed. I met a local artist (can't remember his name) once and he has great effects with a very broad brush.

Ropn Ranson
www.youtube.com/watch?v=60FAUkSTL4E

Sorry - Ron!!

Love looking at Flynn growing up. What a lovely chap.

ann60 please try and get some home care for your DH soon. You need a break. There is no one in the world more private and determined not to have anyone else in the house than my dear brother. He refused point blank to have someone sit with him as he "was not a baby", "was perfectly capable of looking after himself" etc. He and his career (from the council social services) developed a good bond. The lady concerned had lots of ideas on how to keep DB entertained and was an enormous help and support to my dear SIL. Please do try and get something organised to help you.

soop hope your poor nether regions are more comfortable now. There are parts of our bodies that should not need poking and prodding.

Hope all the poorly kitcheners are on the mend now.

I have one of Ron Ranson's books, jalima. He paints with a hake. I bought one - definitely not the way to go for a niggly painter like me. DH uses it now for "cutting in" when he's decorating!

Just popping in to say hello. We have the 2 grand children who live closest to us here for a sleepover tonight, while their mum and dad go to a friend's 40th. The girls, 9 and 7, come often so have settled down to sleep easily with lots of pre bedtime giggling! Hope you're not missing your little man too much daphneB, he looks gorgeous.

Glad to hear you've recovered from all that prodding and poking soop, a glass or 3 of bubbly never goes amiss!

Very impressed by those of you who paint and do other creative stuff. I'm occasionally, I'm talking every year or so, inspired to write a verse or two. Yesterday I was looking for the last one I did, months ago, can I find it? Can I heck! Thought I'd copied into my "neat" book, but obviously it's kicking around somewhere on a bit of scrap paper! Think I need to purge the little bedroom, it must be there somewhere!, charleygirl I need your determination to get it sorted!
Think I'd best hit the hay a bit earlier tonight as the giggling girls will be up with the lark, luckily the old boy is better at 7am than I ever am!

Greyduster I didn't get on with the hake either - broad brush is not my style at all.
I went to Ron Ranson's house when they were selling up (I think they wanted to go to America) and bought a couple of books - the house was lovely too but I couldn't afford it.

grannyq I am lucky because DH is an early riser too (well, earlier than me) and the DGD know they can come downstairs as soon as they hear him go down when they stay!

Why do I never think to do a curry in my slow cooker. DS does his in the slow cooker too and they are delicious.

The meat from the curry was melt in the mouth, I have enough for tonight and tomorrow and 2 portions in the freezer. I do not normally eat the same food 3 evenings on the trot but I could not stuff anything more into the freezer. It is a 50/50 f/f, in theory fine for one but me being a hoarder I could fill anything with bargains.

I know I have been rabbiting on about the great clear out but the enthusiasm waned and recently for every 3 hours I have been working I have had 3 days off. My cleaner returns on Tuesday, hence the last gallop.

Daphne you will enjoy your lie in now that young Flynn has gone home. Grace will appreciate the peace also.

Tara allowed me to sleep until 8.30am, a minor miracle because I an normally up before 7am. Flynn and Tara's hours are similar.

Very foggy here but not cold.

Could do with some of that curry, charley, managed to lose half a tooth yesterday evening, dentist not open until tomorrow. I'm scared to eat in case the other half follows, a melt in the mouth curry would just do it. There's a joint to roast for us today, could mince it I guess .

I'm hoping 'my' dentist has an emergency slot tomorrow, I know I will be offered an appointment with someone but I don't fare well at the dentist and would be less scared with the one I know. Trying to stop my thoughts scaring me more. Also worrying how a dentist can work with 'the cough'. Bad timing that's for sure.

Other than that all is well .

I do get envious of those who can draw and paint, sadly not a talent of mine. I used to get much pleasure from producing celebration cakes but the hands don't ice any more, if you see what I mean. Can still arrange flowers but would love to find another outlet I could be absorbed in. It can't take up much space though, we don't have any to spare! Any thoughts most welcome.

I did enjoy my lie-in, charleygirl!! (Didn't wake up unti 10 past 8) Grace slept through too.
However I have succumbed to Flynn and DD's lurgy (or Cornergran's "boomerang cold" ) which is less than convenient as I still have all the decs to get down and packed away, tree to put out for the recycling, mountains of washing and ironing because I had MUCH more important things to do!
I hope everybody is as well as can be expected. I have glanced at some other threads but either I have acute brain fog or they are just too political abrasive for my tastes.
Here's to the simple life!

I wonder if us lot can relate to this. I just liked it