Soop's warmly welcoming kitchen

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Hattie is in a state of permanent relax!
The cartoonist Richard Skipwell has captured the essence of greyhounds in his cartoon images of his dog Magic, but I actually think they are of Hattie!

Maw what does Hattie do to relax?!!!

I go on Wednesday to the retirement flat- it is only just over 2 miles away. I will be away for 24 hours- Tara will spend the night here- she will arrive home at 7pm as usual but I hope that she will settle down and sleep eventually.

They take animals in some homes but not others. It is not the place for a cat- this one is too close to the road and I doubt if I would be allowed a cat flap. It will be an interesting experience.

There’s posh charleygirl (the retirement flat) I’ll be interested to hear about it, but if there’s no room for a greyhound it won’t be any use to me.
Has Tara gone with you or what have you done with her?

Back down to earth and feeling a bit (more than a bit) low today. I had to pay the solicitor’s bill for the administration of Paw’s estate this morning and along with sending off cheques for the three bequests he made, that’s another box ticked and another thing behind me. You’d think I would be glad but each time it’s like cutting another cord.
Arranging for his stone will presumably be the final one
It really doesn’t get any easier but as long as I am with people whether in RL or here in the Kitchen, I am finding I can keep on an even keel.
Those are gorgeous baby pics Soop I can feel,your excitement at the thought of seeing and cuddling them from here.
Wishing you all a pleasant evening, you can see how I am being pushed off my sofa! (That dog has NO shame)

Come back soon!

lemongrove ???don't tell everyone. soop still thinks I'm in therapy from the last time. What happened to what happens in he Argy stays in the Bargy.

Thanks to those who made karaoke night memorable, and made the journey in spite of the snow.
Drink was taken, songs were sung, the fire brigade were called ( the stuffed sporran was burned) nevertheless Jason the alsation scoffed it all.Marydoll ran off with an Italian waiter and the night’s takings.
Crafting sang rude songs and wore only a thong and tassels,
Jane sang the same song five times, it got worse with each rendition.?

Yumm kitty. Any fish going spare?

I feel exactly the same N&G. It's daunting trying to keep up and then having to find something half as interesting to add, is worse.

Anyway, I'm loving the baby photos - don't they grow up so quickly.

Everyone is correct, imho, about pot noodles although I am reliably informed by my sons that they could have helped the people who were silly enough to go to Argy last night

As for cake mixes - those cake in a mug mixes keep some of my DGC quiet for at least 10 minutes so they can't be bad!

Ann, just sending you a as I think you deserve (if not need) it!

Part of the reason for being missing is that DH decided to refurbish all the teak furniture so I have been making lots of . The smell in the dining room is horrendous and I hope no one strikes a match! Still it kept him quiet!

I need to go and do plaice in anchovy and parmesan sauce now - DH's request and he's worked soooo hard!!

Charleyg You, my dear, could never let us lot down. I'm willing to bet that you will greatly enjoy your night at the posh flat. I've always thought that I could happily live in one. They appear to be highly priced. You get what you pay for...

N&G I've been concerned because you seem to have been missing for an awful long time. I know that you haven't - it's just that I'm well used to seeing your posts on a regular daily basis.
Well done, Laura. Fountain pens are a classic. She will love her gift and treasure it.

Today's weather couldn't be lovelier. Fearing snow, MacSporran asked to change today's Oban hosp appointment for one in Campbeltown (when it can be arranged). Our pals are in Oban today. They offered to treat us to fish and chips at our favourite restaurant. It hurt to decline their invitation. Bah! Humbug!

I shall hope to catch up with you all again tomorrow. Please take good care of yourselves.

Afternoon all !

Seems I no sooner catch up with all you lot than I fall off the radar again !! Must do better :-)

Firstly, my sympathies Jane on the loss of your dear Mum . I hope you have lots of family to support you .

Lovely picture of your GS Soop , very handsome young chap.

Hope you enjoyed the champagne maw !!

Yes I want to know if ducks get ear wax too Corner & galen :-)

Our GD Laura phoned me earlier to say she had been awarded her pen licence !! Apparently once your writing is all joined up and legible you get a pen licence in school and can move on from a pencil !!! I have ( courtesy of Amazon) just sent her a child's fountain pen as a surprise !!

Damn it Lemongrove I missed the Karaoke night ( might be for the best as I cant carry a tune in bucket !!!)

The painters are here for the week painting the orangery and then the hall. The lounge and dining room will be following post haste.

We have had far too much snow but made it back from Essex late yesterday. Our Irish night went down well, although I was in charge of cocktails . I dusted the rims of the glasses with sugar I had turned green with food colouring...which promptly turned everyone's lips pea green !! Wont be doing that again !!

I have just returned from Waitrose- I would put money on it that it was colder inside the store than out- I felt sorry for the staff and I was glad to get out.

I am staying at a Mc Carthy Stone flat locally for one night this week so I have bought myself a new suitcase. I must not appear to be the local tramp allowed in out of the cold temporarily. I will try not to let you lot down.

A lovely interesting post, Cornergran. Our daffodils are looking and smelling delightful. I believe that sunnier days are a comin' and all will be well.

Afternoon all from an almost thawed corner. Snow has vanished, there’s a bright blue sky. Looks glorious, freezing cold wind deters venturing out. Daffodils are looking to the sun again, amazing as they were buried in snow this morning.

Those babies are scrumptious soop and how lovely your friend will be driving again, a big day for her.

There’s always a box of cake mix in my cupboard, greyd, the granddaughters can follow the instructions without me now. All I have to do is clear up . It’s what a friend calls making use of available resources .

Delighted you had some company ann and more to look forward to. I imagine you will be tired of hearing this, but do keep the help you have and maybe consider more, the future seems so very uncertain.

Pleased your lunch happened maw, a good end to the week for you. I could do with a cheer up piece of chocolate cake if there’s any left. Bit squashed again.

Its not been necessary to give cupboard room to pot noodles since our elder son left home, fortunately he took the stock with him and did grow out of the habit eventually. Even eats vegetables now . Agree with charley, no need to feel deprived if you have never encountered them. Gloopy comes to mind.

Oh well, need to do some reading now in preparation for a meeting in the morning. Hmm, now where did I put my head?

Stay warm everyone.

Charleyg I would hate to think that I was missing something delicious.

Our friend is most certainly improving. Tomorrow, she will drive me to the care home. It's her husband's 80th birthday. I'm thrilled for her, as she has been through a traumatic time.

soop no you have not. In my personal opinion pot noodles are disgusting.

Those babies are gorgeous and that young lady is catching up fast.

Greyduster Thank you. I can remember my mother bringing in washing from outdoors (in bitter cold weather) and the items were rigid.
The sun is shining brightly. No sign of snow. We've almost managed a snow-free season hereabouts.
Roast pork and treacle pudding!!! Bliss! My mouth is watering.
I've never ever tried pot noodle. Am I missing something.

Having finished all the paintings, guess what? I've withdrawal symptoms. I have sketched a stag and will do my best to paint it beautifully after lunch.

Gosh, what a change in such a short time, Soop! She’s quite the little lady now and drop-dead gorgeous! Keep the photos coming!
Glad you had some company last night, Ann. Your GD is a pearl beyond price. I can only reiterate what others have said about your fortitude. ??
The sun is out here, but it is bitterly cold and blowing a Hoolie. I have, perhaps foolishly, put some washing on the line. Given the wind direction there could be unidentified flying pyjamas spotted over the M1 by mid afternoon!
I was delighted that the DD and her menfolk managed to make it to a late roast dinner yesterday; it was very much in doubt in the morning as they had as much snow as we had and nothing was moving. All change by lunch time though, as a thaw set in. Roast pork, followed by home made steamed treacle sponge went down well. At one point, I asked DD to get something out of my larder for me and she came back and said “Why have you got a cake mix in your cupboard? I’ve never known you use a cake mix! Is this the beginning of the end, mother?” I had to admit that I had bought it on a whim, thinking I might like to try one. It may end up being like the other thing I bought on a whim and couldn’t bring myself to eat - to whit, a Pot Noodle! It sat in the larder for the longest time, appealing to my dark side and daring me to eat it. It ended up, untried, in the bin. Slightly different to a cake mix I know. Appropriately, it is a Devil’s Food cake! I shall wait until GS come at Easter and we will make it together ?.
School run this afternoon. I will look in later.

And this was taken of Teddy at the weekend. Aww!
Forgive me for being a boring little old lady.

I did warn you, Crafting. The Argy Caff is not for the faint hearted. My mind wouldn't settle and I fretted over you lot all night through.

Maw Surely you've saved a few wedges of that delicious sounding choc cake for our mid morning coffee. I shall go get a starched linen napkin. We do things proper in this upmarket kitchen.

Ann I feel sad on your behalf. Providing your husband is feeling comfortable and secure, he will experience far less stress than you, his loving, caring wife. I so admire your fortitude. Should I ever find myself in a similar position, I hope with all my being that I shall manage half as well as you do.

Baby pic coming up. Little Mila is 10 weeks old.

Hello maw. I have been away and missed your birthday. Belated happy returns. ?.
Just popped in with a Victoria sandwich cake freshly baked. I will leave it on the table for anyone who wants a slice.

Went to the Argy last night so going to lay down in a darkened room for a while to recover ?

gro.co.uk/product/gro-clock/

Thank you Annsixty ??They all made it and this time I think the snow forecasts for here at any rate, were unnecessarily pessimistic.
I am so sorry to hear your husband is now also losing track of time. It is easy to understand, after all how many of us often lose track of time and it is only the daily routine or having a clock/watch which puts us right. Would one of those “Gro-clocks” where you can set a “sun’s up” time and the clock face changes from blue to yellow be appropriate do you think? It might at least stop him getting up in the wee small hours, thinking it is morning.
You will need all the help you can get -don’t dispense with the SS carers too soon or do at least look into a private service. We were quoted £17.50 an hour I think.
I am now back down to earth after a week of Mother’s Day and Birthday festivities. Without the excuse of flu/Gastritis/ the snow I really need to get up and out more and drink less

Maw I hope I am not too late for the champagne, has it gone flat?
I am a real lover of bubbles but don't get to indulge very often.
I hope your day went well and was not spoiled by the snow.
We had a fair bit here but it blew about and dispersed, it was very cold though.
My dear H is losing it fast I am sorry to say. He has wanted to get ready for the carers , who will be here at 11am tomorrow, all day since 7am. Time no longer registers with him, he got into pyjamas at 2:30 pm and was in bed before 7pm.
Our lovely GD came for dinner and stayed until 9pm so at least I had some company.
Our D and GC are coming for the weekend on Friday, they are going to see such a change since they came in the middle of December, even I am surprised at his decline, but after his fall and hospital stay I knew it would happen.

Maw because of the snow I have not been outside since Friday so I am becoming stir crazy so as Wobbly is picking me up everything should be okay.

Admittedly I would not mind a piece of that gorgeous chocolate cake- you can keep the champagne- coffee is fine for me. That will go nicely after my spag bol and red wine. Hattie would not say no to more cuddles.

Not wishing to appear ungrateful, but the perhaps gentler environs of the Kitchen will do me nicely.
Now got the most amazing Ottolengi chocolate cake from DD and more champagne to finish up before it goes off.
A hard life!