Soop's warmly welcoming kitchen

I have run out of bird food so am improvising with whizzed up bread and lard to make “fat” breadcrumbs for my feathered friends! Proving very popular too.
I also nipped into the butcher for some suet but he didn’t have any, however he gave me some wonderful strips of fat off a side of beef he had just got in so I have hung some of these from the washing “umbrella” and the hanging basket brackets! Quite a garden design feature

I am pleased to hear that Hattie and Sam are applying plain common sense and staying indoors.

Tara was pawing, pummeling and jumping up the door trying to open it. When I did eventually she was not enamoured with the cold hall which hit her so decided that my duvet was the cosiest place to be.

The heating is on but I have to keep testing the radiator because it seems to be so cold today. It is snowing heavily at present- when will it ever stop?

What a busy lot you have been. Nothin' new there then!

NO snow, clear roads, the most bitter, bitingly cold wind ever. Been poked and prodded by a very nice consultant. We've agreed that I need not endure another colonoscopy unless I feel the need for reassurance We dashed out of the room and went for a comforting hot drink in the Royal. My, am I relieved? Yay!

corner The beautiful bird is most definitely a snipe. Lucky you. We had a woodpecker visit a couple of days ago. Our feeders are visited daily by tits, finch, blackbirds, thrush, siskin, robin and a wren. Inside what used to be Rory's outdoor wee chalet, a dormouse has taken up residence. It dashes out from time to time and collects any left over bird seed.

Tesco shelves are extraordinarily short of food stuff. Thanks to the carriers are getting stuck on the motorways.

morethan How lovely for your family to have some fun-time together.

Ann Your son's support will mean so much to you and your husband. I raise my hat to all the medical staff and carers who do their utmost to manage visits in spite of the awful conditions. Sometimes a crisis brings out the best in a lot of people. Many examples of unselfishness lift the spirits.

Agus I need to see Poppy's features clearly. One good photo is all I need.

Maw When I awoke this morning, I could hear MacSporran preparing our early cup of tea. Sure enough, at the same time as always, he came through to the bedroom, placed the tray on a table, lifted the blinds, arranged my pillows so that I was sitting comfortably and said...you look lovely this morning. Same routine has kept me smiling for almost thirty years. And then I thought of you, and how you must feel since Paw died. The very thought of the possibility that I may need to come to terms with something so awful so final brought tears to my eyes.

Hello everyone. I am not sure why but this pesky weather is just making me tired and lethargic. It took me hours to do a twiddly bit of ironing this morning.

soop, I bet you were glad to make a fast exit from the consultant!! It's too cold to be prodded about!! What a lovely MacSporran you have there.

Ann, it's nice to see you in the kitchen. If you can manage a quick hello from the door every now and then, in between looking after DH, I know I'd be very grateful as I'm sure would everyone else - it stops us worrying.

N&G, I was very grateful for the food parcels you provided when we had our road issues so can I reciprocate with

Morethan, how lovely that your family are having a happy time.

JaneD DD3 lives near Market Harborough and the roads are treacherous with, as you say, more snow predicted about now. Hope DSiL makes it home.

Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your point of view) the roads will be too dangerous for the Idiot to collect the children this weekend.

We seem to be missing a few birds in this weather. The goldfinches and long tailed tits are ignoring us but the wren, robin, blue and great tits, dunnocks, sparrows and blackbirds are still here as are the world's fattest pigeons. We also have a lone blackcap who sits on the a branch of the ivy with his feathers all puffed out making quick dashes for food.

Back later but all keep warm till then.

We have just been out! We had shopping to do, so we poked our heads out of the igloo and decided to give it a go. My God the wind is cold, but there is actually a bit of a thaw going on. There are bits of grass poking through the snow in my lawn - yesterday, it was just snow. And the pavements are quite slushy. But we are expecting more this evening, it seems. I hope they’re wrong!
We are up to our knees in fieldfares. I’ve never seen such large flocks here. The landscaping of this estate includes many fruit trees and they are feeding greedily off what remains of ornamental crab apples and some berries. I spent so much time watching them feed, we missed the bus and had to stand in what is laughingly termed a bus ‘shelter’. It consists of panels not of the usual Perspex, but of something resembling an aertex vest made of metal! The wind whistled through it cruelly. Serves me right! The birds are beautiful, though, so it was (almost) worth it!
Ann I hope that your DH’s care settles into a manageable pattern soon, and that you are managing to get a break now and then. ??

Greyduster Your story re missing your bus reminded me of an occasion when MacSporran was waiting for the bus to Glasgow. There isn't a bus stop, the bus slows down with the raise of a hand. He was watching a pair of otters cavorting on the beach...back to the road...bus almost sailed by but he managed to break into a gallop and with flaying arms was lucky that the driver stopped in time. Four hour wait for the next bus. Not advisable!

kitty I would say luckily...'nough said. Make the most of extra time with your lovely grandchildren. Wotisname can twiddle his thumbs.

I am logging off and will most certainly be back with you all tomorrow. Internet willing and able to function.

Once again, stay at home in the warm if at all possible. It's a vicious wind outside these four walls.

A special goodnight thought to Ann and Mr Sixty. Try to sleep soundly.

I am not surprised you are missing some birds kittylester, they are run ours a theft' party.
It has now been snowing heavily all afternoon and the optimism I was feeling about getting away tomorrow is disappearing as I write. I did have the option of taking Hattie to the kennels earlier today but had been advised there were drifts on the road, plus I didn't ant to part with her before I really had to! Well it won't be any better now.
Soop that is such a kind thing to say and yes, it is heartbreaking to know I shall never hear Paws voice again I wish I had had something like a recorded message on the phone, but there is nothing.
Every couple has to face the knowledge that one of them will be in this position one day and the "until death do us part" is not a meaningless phrase you stumble over at the altar.
It's what we signed up for. Ah well.

Bloody computer
a "fat" party!!!

Evening all, I used to be able to call my late son's number, and hear his voice, sadly that no longer works.

Oh phoenix that’s so sad it makes me feel really selfish I’d just popped in the kitchen for a bit of sympathy son number 2 is lost his posting and back to rehab. It’s a year since his injury. He only managed a few weeks back to normal duties and ended up in hospital. I don’t think he’ll ever really recover enough to carry on. Next to what your feeling it’s nothing.

Your problems and worries are just as important and stressful * morethan* It isn't a competition.
My sympathies to your son , it must be so hard for him and you, you have enough worries without one more.
We are both in bed, H was ready tonight at 6:30, he gets so tired, so I took the opportunity to do a bit of clearing up and came myself at 8:15.
It is so cold and windy but no more snow today.

You’re exactly right. ann, life’s worries aren’t a competition, each is as important as the other. This is a place to share. I’m sorry you have this added worry morethan.

Ann I hope you and your husband have a restful night.

Sending love to all who are struggling, hugs to maw, phoenix and anyone yearning to hear a loved ones voice.

Still snowing here. Our cleared paths have disappeared again. The snow seems to have brought a heaviness to us both, it’s a quiet evening for us.

Stay warm and safe everyone.

Tara has enjoyed her duvet day at home- I will be having an extra early night because although my heating has been on for days and nights- there seems to be a draft in my double glazed house.

Look after yourselves, sleep well Ann.

Maw and phoenix there are no words to describe what you have gone and are going through.

I have just struggled home through the deep snow ?? in my wellies from a Quiz Night at the Village Hall. So many people came up to me and gave me a hug and said it was nice to see me!
Perhaps not all that wise in view of my continuing cough but they made me feel very welcome. Paw would have been mortified at my team’s fnal score - he only knew one way to approach quizzes - play to win! But it was a pleasant evening with fish and chips and a fair bit of wine and lots of laughter.

I am glad you made it to your quiz Maw - a happy evening with friends. I have lots of coughs and since they hang on, I tend to carry on regardless once the worst is over. Show ‘em who is boss! Shame about your final score - I would have been with Paw on that!

Morning all !

The only new thing here is ....more snow ! Our paths are likes yours Corner :-)

Glad you made your quiz Maw its nice just to get out eh?

Sorry to hear about your son Morethan , its not nothing either. To your son and to you its everything , so it matters to us lot too. Is there a plan in place or is it now a case of changing the future he envisioned?

Sad for you too Phoenix. Not quite the same but my Mums birthday pops up on my calendar to remind me every year even though she's been gone 8 years now. I don't have the heart to remove it.

Thanks for the food parcel Kitty . I am sulking at present. I have Tesco booked for a delivery at 4pm but I will be surprised if they make it through so told suggested Grampy should tramp down to the shop for treats !! He refused declined ! At some stage I shall remind him about the starched underpants incident...he may change his mind !!!

soon !

Hope Tesco get through, n&g: our delivery was cancelled yesterday, no more slots until Monday. Oh well, we won’t starve, there is enough chocolate left here - just .

Had a little rain, not moved the snow yet, roads are still dire, some buses functioning with no guarantee they will continue. Found a heap of feathers outside this morning, looks like there is one bird less. It has me worrying about feeding them as there are so many local cats, but then if we don’t they will all suffer.

I’m the same with birthdays n&g, I think I need that connection.

Sounds a good evening, maw, I enjoy a quiz, suspect I don’t make the best team member as I don’t seem to have a competitive bone in my body.

Still little energy about here, decided to go with it and just do, well, not much at all. Stay warm everyone. Be careful out there.

You lot are truly lovely. I feel privileged to know you as virtual friends. I like the fact that there is a bond between us. That no matter what each of us is going through, there are kind words and thoughtful gestures in response.

N&G Oh do tell us, Nana...what was the starched underpants incident all about? The mind boggles.

morethan and Phoenix and Maw and Ann (((a huge group hug)))

We are heading towards a mini heatwave here today at5C and the roads and my rear garden are thawing quite rapidly. I will not be fooled because it looks as though there is a sheet of ice on the road.

This is Tara's third day indoors- maybe she is enjoying the warmth and being close to me.

ann I do hope that you are not too exhausted and you are able to battle on.

The rest of you must look after yourselves and keep cosy. Young Teddy will be amazed in a few years time that he was born when the weather was so dreadful. He looks so alert- his parents must be very proud.

I stayed in bed all day yesterday as I have a cough and difficulty breathing.
Felt better enough to get up for a quick shower then lay down for an hour to recover.
Have got dressed now and done quick tidy in kitchen ( neglected. Since Wednesday night ) now feeling absolutely knackered.
I have lost a few lbs though.
Not sure I have the energy to cook a meal though.
Gary and Kate couldn’t make it up on Friday ,so, haven’t seen a soul since Wednesday

Don't you have a freezer Galen!

Get better soon and keep us up to date will all your jollies in the sun

Oh dear Galen, it is totally knackering isn't it. Keep warm and do nothing!

Oh dear Galen that is hard isn't it?
My DDs mock me for the quantities of food in my freezer (references to “nuclear winters” etc) but I could last out for a few months if necessary. So yah boo to them!!
Trouble is not being in the mood, or physically up to preparing or cooking it as I don’t want to live off ready meals. Single Waitrose chicken or beef pies are good, and tubs of soup with rolls are among my staples.
However there should be somebody near enough or accessible to call on in an emergency.
As a Dr you are the best person to judge your present state of health so please don’t be a martyr.