Soop's warm and welcoming kitchen...

No cake from me as I am also trying to lose the Chistmas weight! Have just made two lots of healthy soup, minestrone and butternut squash if anyone is interested. Off to sewing class this pm and as DH is going on grandfather duties later which involve him staying away I shall try to just have soup for lunch and supper.

As anno has already indicated it is a horrid morning here. The garden is close to having ponds.
At least it seems mild but I am not going out to test my theory.
I have spent most of the morning programming in our most used phone numbers on the new cordless phones we had last week, it seemed to take forever, but unlike the previous ones ,once put in one they are automatically transferred to the others, that saved some time.
Not much cooking being done today, we have "leftovers" from the weekend, so cheese and biscuits for lunch and cold meat for later. What bliss.

Good Monday morning dear peoples...as Torben would say. Having read through all that you lot have been up to, I'm knackered. Good grief! Galen, you're far too good to Gary. Is he still ensconced in the garage? Bless!

I have to return to the owl portrait as a lady at the care home has a lovely coppery coloured Labrador and I can't begin that painting until the owl is finished. Do I sound manic? Yep...you are right.

I promise to return when I've sorted the art studio out. I tell a lie. The easel is the studio and it's parked beside the exercise bike that's parked between the piano and the desk on which the computer is parked. Okay! You get the picture.

I did take a photo of the most wonderful rainbow this morning. Part of it dropped right into the sea. This is for you all.

As you are all aware I have had to tell the world and his wife about my new email address. Some companies have been fabulous, Octopus being top of the list but I have just spent an hour on line with Amazon- it is now sorted but it was so difficult. Why not just cancel my yahoo account and start again with gmail? As Torben would say soop simples! There is another company with which we are all familiar and they have been difficult so if I vanish again you will know the reason why! I need a coffee and a lie down.

I have almost finished this exercise!

Ann which company did you choose when you bought your new phones because mine are on their way out. The way that I feel I may beat them to it.

Soop your ‘studio’ sounds exactly like mine, though my easel has had to give way to all the gubbins from the spare bedroom which DH is painting as we speak (at least someone is painting something!!), so it is languishing, ‘alone and palely loitering’ (how did Keats get away with a word like palely? Is it even a word?) in the garage!

Charleyg "Simples"! and Greyduster chuckles!

Charleygirl I just bought Panasonic from Amazon as I don't get out to choose.
My previous ones were Panasonic but I dropped one.
They were only £42 for 3, one living room, one bedroom , one kitchen.

Afternoon all !!

Hello Happychops !! Great name - welcome to the kitchen. Great place just to share your life or come for a virtual pick me up . Cake always available !!!

I know what you mean Corner , Id miss them if I didn't see them , but usually we just have them for a couple of days then rest. I think a week might kill me , soooooo I shall be dropping them off in the Kitchen to be cossetted by the grans

Sorry to hear about the breakup . Its funny , but I'm sure those involved don't understand the impact on the larger family. Its like dropping a stone in a pond and watching the ripples reaching far and wide. Nothing you can do I think except offer support. Its the changing dynamic of families these days I guess .

I love how the little sponges soak up new words Kitty , I taught Jackson 'aesthetically pleasing' and love to hear him use it.

Sounds like a lovely time was had Maw

Jane NOOOOOO those scales cannot be right . Try standing on one leg only ?

Sounds like you've cracked this technology lark Charley!!

Well, time for some housework .....

back later !

Nana wash your mouth out with soap! We don’t mention the H(ousework) word in here!

About to remove from the easel and mount. It's not too bad...she says modestly!

Now for the chocolate brown Labrador. Back a little later. Nice to have you back, N&G

JaneD3 I have washed the dishes, made the bed, swept the floors. That's enough housework for one day.

annsixty That's what I call a proper bargain.

charley our phones are also Panasonic, they talk to each other so only programme one. God value as ann said and so far so good, had ours about a year I think.

Thank you all for your understanding about the family stuff, I’m decidedly ratty a lot of the time, definitely a large boulder in our family pond.

Our phones are Panasonic too. We replaced the last ones which were also Panasonic as we wanted one with an answerphone. Ours has 6 handsets. I love the fact that these ones talk to each other too

I found the ones we wanted and then searched for them on line. The online market place was not the cheapest!! Iyswim!

corner I doubt that there are many families that from time to time are without a large boulder or two in the pond. Such situations call for a huge amount of give and take, and even then, some boulders refuse to budge. All anyone can do, is offer advice (when asked for) or listen, and allow those who are having to cope with the stresses, the space in which to deal with their problems and hopefully resolve them. I've been there. Done it. Have the Tshirt. Keep confiding in us lot if it helps.

I should think there are few of us who have not coped with the odd boulder in the pond! Not taking sides if at all possible is the answer. But, that is really difficult!

Kitty Keeping one's opinions to one's self is an art form.

Have spoken with the nurse at the QE hospital. Our friend may be returning home on Wednesday. First things first - all the travel arrangements need to finalised and the assistance in place for when she is in residence. Friend attempted to speak to me on her cell phone. The signal faded three times. We finally got to talk for a wee while. All very frustrating. As we shall be going to Tesco tomorrow, we can get a few stocks in for the cupboard. It will be grand to meet her from the plane in Campbeltown. En route, she'll have assistance throughout.

The car in Campbeltown garage should be fixed and ready for collection tomorrow. MacSporran is cleaning the borrowed car in readiness.

It's been a day of mixed sunshine and heavy showers. Our windows are sticky with sea-salt spray.

Well, that's about it for today. Thankfully the computer has behaved. I shall log off until tomorrow. Wishing you all a peaceful Monday evening.

But that's what GN and Soop's Kitchen are for- getting it off one's chest. I'm sure everyone was fed up of my rantings about the Idiot and reports about my Mum but everyone was kind enough to let me rant in safety here.

You are a very kind neighbour (as well as a rant enabler!) and I'm sure your friend is truly grateful. I do hope she is realy ready to come home.

Maw, I hope you had a lovely nostalgic time with Paw's sisters and all the memories you must have prompted.

Corner, I hope you feel easier knowing which way things are going. If you are like me, you will like things to be organised and plan!! I hate indecision! It's a sad situation and maybe a rocky road ahead but GN is here for you.

Right, I'm off to make dinner - Dover Sole with anchovy and parmesan butter - nice and quick.

Thank you kitty, I know I can vent if I need to.

Onwards - nice day out coming tomorrow, plans for some decorating and a holiday in the not too distant future. Its not all bleak that's for sure.

Hope your friend will make it home soop and your car returned finally in reliable shape for a good while.

Take care everyone.

Charleygirl as you can see Hattie is totally discombobulated and suffering from chronic insomnia -NOT!
as the kids used to say

Thank you everyone.I feel so welcome.
Soop I love the tartan rug. I am further down from the midland and in the frozen North.brrr it is freezing today.
KittyLester I will bring gluten free next time,although I am trying to be good, and when I buy cake I eat it, so you may wait a while.Annodomini I missed out, as I was at work And missed the lemon curd,what a shame as I make cracking scones mmmmm.

Happychops You bake cracking scones! Hang on, I shall find you a footstool and a wee side table on which to place your book and whilst we fight over the scones that you will surely bake in large, piping hot batches. The subtle hints trip smartly off my tongue.

Maw Okay! When I've finished the chocolate Labrador painting, please may I paint a watercolour of Hattie? It will be a gift. Get photographing her in the meantime. A good photo showing clearly defined facial features would be the ideal.

kitty I like the sound of last night's dinner. I am a lover of all fish dishes.

corner A holiday to look forward to is a very positive thing. I enjoy the anticipation as much as the event. I'm also thinking of doing a bit of "tarting up" the paintwork. It's such a rewarding job (when finished).

Morning all !

Just scraped in !

Don't worry Jane the H**sework was minimal !!

Lovely owl soop ! Is it to go along with the fawns?

At worst Kitty and Corner you can pick up that great boulder and we'll help you drop it on someone's head :-) , after all GOOD friends don't ask why did you do that , they help you bury the body!!!

Happy scones are always welcome here - they are Grampys favourite so if you have the touch - we'll be in the queue !!

Young Jackson had to make a crown for a school activity. His Mummy is keen that he do as much of it as a 6 year old can who still considers you dangerous if you have scissors !! Anyway I have attached a picture. You will all know its Jackson , not only from the smile but amongst the jewels on his crown is a Bugatti logo as I am reliably informed all Kings have them !!

Happy Day all !!