Soop's welcoming kitchen...

Problem is, Maw, they enhance the dishes for both the still and the tv cameras, and the peas in the dish were probably still raw because they look better. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve cooked a recipe from a book and thought, “well mine doesn’t look anything like as good as that!” (Not that I’m any great shakes as a cook either)! Sorry to hear Paw is back in the doldrums. I wish him a speedy recovery.
N&G good to hear the garden has been rescued from disappearing into something resembling the African veldt and that Sam is once again in his element. Has he spotted any more deer? Lovely montage of young Laura on her birthday. Where does the time go? I was looking at some albums with photos of GS a few days ago - I was looking for one of him with his other Grandad who is now sadly gone. GS never really got the chance to get to know him, and I don’t think he has a photo of him and I have a nice one of them together, so I thought I might put it in a frame. As your photos of Laura show, they change so much in such a short time.
Well, we have some matchpots, so let the tournament begin. Himself does not like any of the colours I like and I think he is colour blind, or an idiot - or both!

We once had 14 match pots for one wall! I assuaged (is that a word, is it the word I meant?) my conscience by giving them to DD1 for painting at school!

Lovely photos N&G and it must be a relief to see what the garden looks like. Hope you have an alternative form of heating.

Ann, how are you today - do you have a hangover?

Good news about paw, but a lot for you to cope with again, Maw.

In case I don't get back - good luck with the journey and the hospital visit Soop. My oldest friend has gone for a check up today and I've not heard yet how things went.

A memory has just come up on face book of our niece's 18th birthday party - 30 years ago - and, apart from the fact that I don't remember ever looking that young, it's amazing to see that our DGC look like their much younger relatives. DGS looks just like DS1 (his uncle) but DGD1 looks just like her mum (DD1) as do DGDs2 and 4 look like their mum (DD2) and DD£ hadn't even been born but she looks so much like her cousin. Sadly, our neice's son looks just like her brother who died a couple of years ago.

I've got all maudlin now!! Off to make a hot chocolate and watch the birds a bit. Then the school run wearing my new jacket!!

Greyduster just tip all the matchpots into a big paint kettle, give it a bit of a stir (not too much) and go with it ???

Maw don't tempt me!! .

We've been "jagged". That's that! Tomorrow, first thing, we'll be away to Oban. First stop - our favourite fish and chip restaurant. Second stop - MacSporran has the aneurysms in his legs scanned and measured. Third visit is to do the weekly shop. Fourth stop - back home for a cosy evening and a nine o'clock wee dram.

Maw How many buggerations have you and Paw suffered so far this year? Far too many. That's what. Do try to catch up with your need for several nights of unbroken sleep.

N&G Laura is such a pretty young lady. We treasure our photos. In the event of a fire I would do my utmost to rescue the albums.
You must be feeling so much better now that the garden looks tidier. Sam will have great fun getting to know the deer. I shall add a photo (if I can find it) of me hand feeding a very young deer across the back garden fence. Mother deer stood close by and officiated.

kitty Looking at the younger generation and seeing a strong likeness between individuals of the previous generation, is a game I like to play.

Ann To return from a happy treat and being ready for your bed, is GOOD!

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201711/medium-853546-bambi.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201711/medium-496808-deer-being-fed.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201711/medium-511879-72594-1647995964161-515679-n.jpg

The deer that dined on hand-fed chopped apple...

kitty We bought a spiraliser after seeing Mary Berry using one. My advice to you is Don't bother! We've only used it twice. It was really fiddly to operate and wasted loads of vegetable. I do like MB's recipes though. They seem to work for me, unlike Nigel Slater's which have always resulted in disasters.

Good to hear that paw hasn't broken any bones maw. Hope his infection will respond to treatment.

Lovely photos soop . Enjoy your fish and chips in Oban. Are the hospital planning to do anything about MacSporran's aneurysms?

Pity about the boiler NandG .Do you think it was already on the blink when you bought the bungalow and the sellers kept quiet about it?

Having a quiet afternoon before trying to fit in attending three events this evening. Why does everything happen on the same day?

Hello all.
I did not post before as I had a GP appt and wanted to leave it until then.
Result of that is that I must get it x-rays to see how bad it is and then a plan will be sorted.
It is very painful and stopping me functioning properly.
I had a lovely afternoon yesterday.
The Hilton in Manchester is very nice and we had afternoon tea in Cloud 23 as the bar on the 23rd floor is called.
A dedicated high speed lift whisk you up there and you sit at tables by the huge windows which overlook Manchester, not the most illuminating view but it must be spectacular at night.
We had a glass of wonderful champagne and after a lovely tea we had a taxi to the Slug and Lettuce where we had cocktails then home on the train.
I was exhausted but it was so worth it.
Now to get my ailments sorted so I can do it some more.
We had to use taxis everywhere and it gets expensive.
Sorry to hear Paw is in hospital again, it is getting to be a way of life for you and I really feel for you.

I survived my session at the dentist. I did have a filling but not the usual type- this one did not involve any drilling or scraping. A pity that they are not all like that, painfee.

It is a lovely day here, the sun is out but there is a chilly wind.

N&G I do hope that you can find somebody to have a look at the heating system asap and that you do not need to spend a fortune. Sam has to be kept warm.

It is lovely seeing photos of Laura growing up, now 11 going on 18.

oldgoat MacSporran's aortic aneurysm is "borderline" so he's having regular scans to monitor it. The two others (one in each leg) have only recently been discovered. The scan will give the specialist the necessary info'. We feel very grateful for the NHS.

ann What a wonderful afternoon treat. I'm delighted to hear that you enjoyed yourself.
Hopefully x-rays will enlighten your GP and enable him to start whatever treatment you require. Take care.

Charleyg The very thought of having a filling, makes me feel jittery. I've a feeling that the next appointment may confirm that one of my back teeth needs attention. It's a very strange thing. Some days I can eat hot and cold and chew away happily without a twinge. On another day...for whatever reason, a nerve pain shoots through my jaw and makes my eyes water.

It's been a nippy, grey day. We're away fairly early tomorrow morning. If I can, I will pop into the kitchen when we return home from Oban. If not, I shall almost certainly be thinking of you lot - especially those of you with buggerations to deal with.

Good news that Paw hasn`t broken anything, but sad that he`s back in a hospital bed. Better news that it`s a single room, David preferred that, he kept saying when on the ward, that they were all staring at him.
Soop, that sounds like a good day planned for tomorrow, apart from the long and winding road yet again. A very picturesque road though, with some lovely views.
N&G, more lovely photos, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Laura.
Good to see you made it back CharleyG.
Lynne and I are feeling tired and grumpy today. At 2am, our neighbours seemed to come alive, and were talking, quite loudly, for most of the night. At 5am we heard what sounded like furniture being lumbered about. I trked putting the duvet over my head, but could still hear them. Even Mia was staring at the wall in disgust! The neighbours have been quiet all day today, maybe they`re catching up on their sleep, I hope it`s not so they can have another session tonight, if so, I`ll be complaining to the letting agency.

Tried, not trked!

Yesterday's view through our side window. Silver linings for all who need them.

That`s beautiful Soop!

Look who has got a new toy!
It may have to be hidden overnight though as the squeak is VERY loud and it seems indestructible ?
Still she is happy (animals are just babies /toddlers aren’t they?)
Paw is feeling miserable, in considerable discomfort but if he tries to stand even with 2 people supporting him, the pain is too much so the Dr has said he is not to start physio until he is “ready”. I also think the infection is making itself felt, you know how you can feel wretched before the anti-b’s kick in? Added to that is just the setback of being in hospital AGAIN, it is really demoralising and he is not in a mood to lie back and let it wash over him.
I do feel so sorry for him, those of you with chronic illnesses/parters or family with the same will perhaps recognise the sinking feeling of “Here we blankety blank go again”. I try to be sympathetic but we are still at the stage where I can’t do much right, hey ho, I can thole that.
Good luck tomorrow Soop and mcsporran, wishing you safe journeys or as we say in my hame toon, “Safe oot and safe in”

Soop another magnificent picture. Really raises the spirits. Safe journey to Oban with good results.
Maw, sympathies.

Iagree, good luck tomorrow soop and MacSporran-it is a long journey but at least it is not the middle of winter yet.

Maw at least Paw is in the right place- there is no way that you could look after him at home even with help.

I do love Hattie's new toy- I would definitely hide it around bedtime because you need your beauty sleep.

Maybe with luck Stannah will be able to deliver and fit the staircase sooner. At least it does not take too long to fit. Mine is a straight staircase and took around 2 hours.

Tara as usual comes to my bed for her nightly cuddles and general fuss and the minute I switch out the light she retires to her own room. Now that it is colder, she creeps back after 10 minutes and usually spends the night on my bed.

Hattie is really still a baby isn't she .

Charleygirl posted ....,
I do love Hattie's new toy. I would definitely hide it around bedtime... " because you need your beauty sleep.
Now just what is Maw supposed to make of that remark Charleygirl ?

That’s a beautiful photo soop, and the ones with the deer too are just lovely. Wishing you safe travels tomorrow and tasty fish and chips too!
Poor * paw* what a rotten time he’s having and you too of course watching, waiting and worrying and trekking backwards and forwards to various hospitals. Hope you’re getting some decent nights sleep while he’s in hospital.
I’m glad you’ve come back unscathed charleyg, I’m due a check up but so far have managed to avoid responding to the two reminders I’ve had.
Sounds like getting a man in was a better option than having to send grampy our with a flamethrower, n&g, mind you given the current boiler issue a flame thrower could come in handy for keeping warm . Lovely photos of your gd, don’t the years just fly by.
callgirl I hope your neighbours give you a quieter night. It’s amazing how some folk can just carry on regardless with whatever THEY want to do no matter how much it inconveniences others.
Ann it’s so good to read that you enjoyed your trip to Manchester. Something lovely to remember on the harder days at home. Good luck with getting the medical problems sorted, your life is hard enough without chronic and limiting pain to cope with.
We’re supposed to be having all 3 bedrooms decorated, well that’s if the man who has estimated doesn’t continue to prevaricate about a start date. My old boy has many skills, sadly decorating is definitely not one of them...and if I’m honest I’m only marginally better, so a man coming in is the best solution. After all this marriage has lasted 48 years, it would be a shame if it all fell apart over a pot of emulsion! The jury is out on colours, we may end of just repeating what we already have i.e. neutral and verging on a tad boring. Oh well at least it’ll be clean and fresh!
Wishing you all restful nights sleep.

Things are quite serious. Paw had a massive haemorrhage while I was with him this evening and vomited copious amounts of blood. Everything swung into action but despite starting to transfuse him he kept on vomiting more blood.
He is to have an Endoscopy under anaesthetic (probably happening now) to try to find whether something has ruptured or what, stop the bleeding and stabilise him.
But I have been warned he is very poorly.
Sitting up tonight.
If you do praying, it would be appreciated.

Have done so Maw. Sending you love.

A prayer on its way to you Maw. Travel hopefully through the night. Sent with love and positive thoughts x

How worrying Maw, thoughts and prayers with you and Paw tonight.

So sorry to hear the latest on paw, thinking of you and praying you’ll both get through the night safely x

Endoscopy did not show any more active bleeding but there is/was blood and a large clot in his stomach. Reversing his INR has stopped the bleeding but nothing visible that could be sealed off surgically/stitched so if he were to restart a bleed there's not a lot left they could do. He is stable but will be kept under so that they can try to see further in the morning. Not out of the woods yet. Waiting and seeing.
Might try to go to bed now.