Soop's warmly welcoming kitchen

N&G reading the sheer number you will be catering for has made me almost go and have a lie down. I do hope that some of the little helpers will really help you. Sam will love the excitement and extra cuddles.If and when Grampy's table piece works out- maybe he should patent it.

Ann I do hope that H had a happy day yesterday, if only in his own little world. It is so difficult for others.

We had an enormous table top at my parents house, made by the pattern makers at the steel works (shh!). My nephew was the only person with space to hold it but we have a large, hinged piece of MDF. So useful for big dinners!

Welcome back to the crazy gang, Doodle . Please stay with us and enjoy the company.

corner I do not know why it is that you are feeling "out of sorts". I dislike any form of confrontation/unkindly attitude towards others. I have no inclination to participate in such forums. The Argy Bargy Caff is good wholesome fun. I happen to enjoy the company of all that lot. It's the sarcastic few that loiter elsewhere that I avoid like the plague.

Happy birthday dear Mr Sixty and

My H says Thank you all very much. He is looking forward to his salmon and a glass of Oyster Bay sauvignon blanc.
"Just the one Mrs Webley"

ann Why not! xxx

you lot have been at it again - please just take it easy over Easter and I'll try to keep up!!

Many happy returns to MrSixty and a huge (((hug))) for you Ann as it must be sad looking back on happier times.

Corner - stay in the warmth of the kitchen for a while until you feel more able to go back out there with a leg of lamb.

Good luck with the laundry GD and I hope it doesn't happen again tonight. Is you DGS worried by blood - especially his own? Bertie hates it and DGS1 faints.

I can't cope with either rats or spiders and I get quite agitated when anyone leaves the loo seat up, especially at night, in case a rat appears.

Good to know about the lack of calories in Easter Eggs N&G. I hope someone has bought me one or I shall need the leg of lamb.

Now, all sit where I can see you and don't move until tomorrow.

kitty You must be jokin'! This lot have no idea how to sit still and twiddle their thumbs. Far too busy what with one thing or another. I'm away to read the paper and chew the cud. We're having fish pie tonight. We shared~ a hot cross bun earlier. By gum, we sure know how to live the life of Riley. Who was Riley? I bet that Elegran knows.

Not a bad day, weather-wise. A tad chilly but otherwise nothing too dramatic.

I'm working on one last watercolour. A red squirrel. Once it is finished I'm ready to some home decorating. Nothing too strenuous. At least, that's the plan. We shall see. I've been known to go over the top and paint every inch of the house. Those days are a distant memory. Especially standing on a ladder and painting the ceilings.

I send all good wishes to you for a pleasant Easter weekend. I shall return tomorrow.

Hello lovely Kitcheners. Thank you for your kindness and concern. There was nothing specific directed at me although some comments in some threads hit very sore places in me. Overall an overdose of reading threads which were painful to read. I should know better than to spend time doing it. There’s huge family pressure just now, much sadness and a new physical pain buggeration. I just need to recover my resilience and normal service will be resumed. Three days rest ahead. Wishing you all a peaceful and contented Easter.

corner please ignore other threads and stay in the kitchen and try to forget about any buggerations going on at home. Most things get sorted eventually.

Between yesterday and today I have not seen so much rain for a long time and in a few months time I do not want to hear the D word, drought.

I have no idea how Tara manages to come home with two drops of rain on her coat.

Doodle are you going to a Retirement Plus Mc Carthy & Stone?

charley I've been to the retirement plus and posted my review. If you mean are we moving there then no we are not. We are very happy in our apartment where we are but because of DH's varied and numerous health problems we are looking at alternatives for the future should there come a time when we need some help in terms of care or mobility.

We enjoyed our stay. They were all very nice to us.

The paintings are beautiful Soop ,they will look amazing framed up
Ann I am glad the birthday worked well
I feel a bit out of my depth too on some threads , I type an answer then delete it , just gets it off my chest !!

Best wishes for Easter to everyone! DGD is 2 tomorrow and we are off for a picnic at the zoo. She has a unicorn headband but insists she is a rhino!
What do you take to a zoo picnic? Lion cakes!

Not Penguin biscuits?

Teehee!

Corner I’m another one who can’t be doing with the caustic responses I read around the place. I don’t do well with those kind of jibes in real life so won’t go seeking them out anywhere else. Am I wimp? Yes probably but hopefully a kind one!
Like kitty I can’t keep up with all the goings on in this lively kitchen. Must try harder!
Love those lion cakes JaneD hope you have better weather than we have today for your zoo trip.
It must be the week for nosebleeds gd, I was babysitting for 2 of ours this week when 11 year old gd had a spectacular one just before she went to bed. It took ages to stop and then only after some very determined pinching on my part! She was very calm about it all and messaged me the next day to tell me not to worry it was all fine.
soop your art is beautiful and will delight those who will receive it. I’m sure you’re counting the days till your big family meet up.
Anne, your fortitude amazes me you've such a lot to cope with but your sense of humour still shows through. I hope I’d be able to manage a smile in your circumstances.
Nana I’m pleased to see that Grampy has survived the floor laying episode. I’m sure that room will give you both hours of pleasure, especially when the family all pile in. I know that’s when our conservatory comes into its own.
I’m just waiting for dd4 to arrive, some of you may remember she has a boyfriend who’s been to Africa volunteering. Well he’s off again in a couple of weeks, she’s struggling to cope with it this time and he seems to be a bit dense in understanding why. She’s coming here on her own this weekend, which wasn’t the plan. I’m not sure what that means but I have tissues and cake at the ready and will hide the Easter egg I've bought for him if I need to. Doesn’t it make our hearts just ache when we see them hurting. Oops here she is, best be off and get that kettle on!

Hello the kitchen. Dismal day here. There was much discussion about what we were going to do today but GS said “we’ve done something every day; can’t we stay in today?” This is shorthand for “I want to play on my XBox all day”. Not going to happen. We are going swimming this afternoon if the session is not full. I did get him into the kitchen long enough to ice the cake we made yesterday - from a mix. First and last time. It looks strangely large and artificial and doesn’t smell like chocolate cake should! I had some fluffy chickens that we were going to put on top, but can I find them??? I love your lion cakes, JaneD - they look the business!
No more nose bleeds, Gq but they are alarming! He is not phased by the sight of blood, but he got upset about the mess I had to clean up. I assured him it didn’t bother me in the slightest so it shouldn’t bother him. He has a classmate who has them frequently and they are corkers.
We had a call from DD and SiL just before they boarded their boat, and I’m not sure when we’ll hear from them again. They will no doubt come ashore somewhere (intentionally I hope!!). I have given her a note to say she is excused walking the plank or sitting in the crows nest! I also gave her an Easter egg to eat if she is not seasick.
I will look in later.

granniequeenie In an ideal world there would be no heartache. Sadly most of us have experienced the high and lows that are part and parcel of affairs of the heart. Your daughter needs you right now and she will receive the benefit of your love and experience. for you both.

JaneD3 Your lion biscuits are a work of art. Enjoy sharing your granddaughter's second birthday and the treat of a trip to the zoo.

corner Please remember that us lot are here for you. I'm sending my best wishes to you and trust that there will be satisfactory solutions to buggerations that are troubling you.

aggie Thank you for the kind comment.

Charleyg Have you had the pleasure of watching the programme on television - 'Big Cats About The House'. If not, please treat yourself and Tara to the next episode. It is amazing.

Doodle I know of two people who have sold their homes and moved into a McCarthy & Stone apartment. They appear to be very happy.

soop no, I have never heard of it but thanks for letting me know about the programme.

Doodle I was idly wondering if you had spent your time there. I have not spent my voucher yet.

Re the McCarthy &Stone apartment where I stayed- I mentioned I had a cat and was told that my cat would be welcome but she would never be allowed to leave the apartment. Not quite what Tara is used to here.

She thought that cuddles were in order at 2am when I sleep walked to the loo. A tad too early for me and she had to wait a few hours in spite of pawing my face.

Jane I loved the look of the lion cakes and Greyduster that chocolate cake was perfect and to die for!

All of the time I was out and about it was raining but now I am at home having a coffee and a sandwich there is a peep of sunshine.

Here was me thinking that GC did not have nosebleeds and other nasties when not at home! I hope that they are better now, or at least until the next one!

I decided when the postman delivered my mail this morning that I am now officially old. Three hospital appointments, different hospitals and departments. I have to ring on Tuesday to find out the date for my knee replacement and then I can get Tara booked into a cattery. Tara will love that, being stuck indoors for a week + and abandoned by her mum.

Charleyg If only we lived close-ish, Tara would be made most welcome to board with us. x

Greyduster That is one mouth-wateringly marvellous Easter cake. I would so love a large slice. However, it won't be tempting me because it's safely put aside in your kitchen. I wish you and every one of our Granspal kitcheners a contented Easter weekend.

I shall pop in again tomorrow. Take care of yourselves.

soop I know, thanks- she probably would not want to return here! She would adore the woods, I just would not be too keen because I would not know what she would meet and how she would react.

gq, I hope all is well with your daughter. If all is not well she will be happy to be home and you can spoil her a bit and share the other easter egg. One has to see the positives. You are right, it is terrible when your children are hurting, however old they are.

Glad the nosebleeds have not reoccurred GD and that chocolate cake looks stupendous but I know what you mean about mixes not seeming real.

I hope you had better weather at the zoo jane than we had here. It was not picnic compatible at all.

Crumbs, charley, you are getting your money's worth. I hope it all goes to plan.

We have had a fairly successful day, DH found 2 jackets he liked, one of which was in the sale - so a bonus.

Then, I had ordered 36 bottles of my wine as it was 25% off at Sainsbury's. 24 bottles came, 8 of them as ordered and 16 of them more expensive replacements. So far so good, so long as I don't get a liking for the better ones. But, the discount has only been applied to 19 of the bottles and I am typing this while on hold for the refund team. I have never shopped on line for groceries before and suspect I won't again for a while.

Meanwhile, anyone like a glass of Riesling? I've got quite a lot!

kitty I would say a resounding ‘yes’ but I am on the waggon until the boy goes home ?. I allowing DH a small scotch this evening though, for keeping GS company on the inflatable obstacle course at the swimming pool. He didn’t manage to get to the end though! Early bath every time . I wouldn’t go on it!

Happy Easter to all The Kitcheners