Soop's friendly kitchen

I've also eaten too much lunch today. My friend and I decided to try a Lebanese restaurant which is fairly new. We were the only customers which was a shame because the food is good - spicy without being hot. The woman who served gave us a portion of baklava 'on the house'. I think we will be back. I got chilled waiting for my friend to fetch the car - I was wearing my spring coat and the wind was cold, I've scarcely warmed up since.
I have bitten the bullet and decided to have help in the house. Today they did a 'deep clean' and now I'm scared to put my feet on the lovely shiny floors. I had to clear the clutter and now don't know where I've put anything!
No biscuits for me, thanks. I've gained a few pounds, comfort eating over the winter. Now watching Master Chef and feeling slightly nauseous!

Been out to lunch today and eaten far too much ? So I'm just popping in to leave all my biscuits ? on the table. Please help yourselves, I won't be able to eat another thing for days........well I might pop back and see if there's any left when I have my bedtime drink

kitty I am not sure if I would have stayed.

every couple of months I go to a meeting and I stated publicly yesterday that I am only going to turn up during the "summer" months, that is if I ever recognise them because we pay good money to hire the hall and then most of us slowly freeze.

Greyduster| please form an orderly queue behind me because I invited soop here first. Tara would love cuddles from her.

N&G please ignore Sam's pathetic "I am half starved" look because you know he hates dieting (as we do).

Gaga that is good news. The days your face is angry looking will be the times you spend indoors putting your feet up with a cup of coffee.

soop are you going to have a pump fitted to the shower? At least you have running water again if not awfully efficient.

Back from a few days with the DGCs in Birmingham.
I had not realised until now how used I have become to a quiet life.
The noise the three gorgeous little ones can make was deafening, all wanting a piece of granny at once and the little DGD( 3 1/2) with a voice like a foghorn to be heard above her big brothers!
(I think she’ll make a PE teacher when she grows up! )
But it is lovely to start to rebuild the closer relationship which we were not able to have to the same extent while my time was so taken up with paw. I don’t want “excitement “ verging on hysteria because granny is visiting, pleasure, yes, but also acceptance that I have my place with them (sometimes...)
Doing a Flynn sit next week as DD has the opening night of her production of Much Ado at the Rose Theatre in Kingston. Life is hectic!
If anybody lives in south or south west London or Surrey it will be worth seeing. Mel Giedroyc ( of Mel &Sue/Bake Off) is Beatrice.

Sam! Gorgeous boy! Our house is sort of dark even when the windows aren’t covered up - like something out of Edgar Allen Poe on poor weather days. Mushroom Manor!

Hello busy people !!!

I'm in awe of all your hard work. Its a bit like the twilight zone here , all our windows are covered with opaque sheeting so everywhere is sort of dark.

This rendering work is the worst so far , the noise as they take the old stuff off made my fillings vibrate !!!!

Excellent news Gaga !!

We're big biscuit fans too Grey and like you Jane why have one when you can finish off the packet . I blame Sam !! Its hard resisting this look :_)

Greyduster After this afternoon's testing spring clean of the "activity room," I am well and truly done-in (as my late Nana would say.) May I put my feet up, (after a much-needed shower) and I shall consider your request.

kitty You've made me chortle. Ha!

Gaga Excellent news from the specialist. I'm very pleased for you. Waiting for results from procedures can be a very worrying time.
MacSporran has to regularly attend a clinic to have "suspicious" nodules taken off his scalp. He then needs to use Efudix cream. It does make the skin look very angry for a while...after which, his scalp looks a great deal better. He is fair skinned. He hardly ever protected his scalp from sunlight. Daft as a brush - not you - MacS.

Hello Marydoll have you finished with the perky Scotsman? There is queue of lasses who are in need of his services. Please return him in good working order.

Ironing duty in the morning. I shall be with you again asap. Please take good care of yourselves.

Gaga, that is great news concerning your face .

Mega progress in the garage decluttering has been made chez-nous (well chez-garage) and we just have the last bit to sort - should not take long. A car full went to the tip yesterday and our kind neighbour who volunteers at the Sue Ryder charity shop has taken a big box of donations from us.

We had today off as it's a lovely day here on the south coast and DH wanted to go out on his bike and I had a cupboard to sort out in the kitchen. It's choir this evening so am looking forward to that.

I had some good news yesterday when the GP rang to say that the results of the teledermatology of the thing on my face are back and it's not cancer. It could be pre-cancer and I now have some chemo ointment to lightly smear it with once a day for four weeks. Apparently it will get a lot worse before it gets better and will then heal to leave clear skin. It's called Efudix cream.

I shall try and send some sunshine up country for you all to enjoy - I think everyone is in need of it!

The trouble is, I am a bit like Ann’s DH. Why have one biscuit when you could scoff the whole packet?! I am in M&S cafe but must get moving! Byeee!

Hi everyone, I'm waiting to collect the children from school and could be described as depressed in dismal Derby in the drizzle! It's horrid!

I hope you enjoyed your bit of exercise Gd, you DH is only looking at your best interests and keeping you away from the buscuits.

Ann, all that up and downing must be exhausting. Have you looked at getting away, yet. Wish we could help.

Crikey, soop, sit down!!

Charley on our course yesterday we were allocated two rooms. One was cavernous and freezing and the other was small and boiling. Guess which one I was in?

I'm an expert at being busy looking as though I'm busy. It's a bit like people who wander around offices holding bits of paper! I do it with potted plants!

Right, school time

What is all this talk about biscuits?? Please save one for me, Jane - I have tried to give them up but I am a failure. It didn’t help that DH kept buying them. Like your DH, Ann, our morning usually starts with coffee and a couple of biscuits before we even get out of bed! I’m glad your DDs cat is recovering. We had one that had to have several in house vet treatments and always sulked, both before and after we brought her home!
Corner I have been busy looking busy, too, today. We were confined to quarters this morning waiting for someone to call, so, while putting socks away I was gently led down the path of sorting out the drawers in my dressing chest. I found all sorts of things that had not seen the light of day for an age, including a nice pair of tiny gold earrings with pearls and garnets. I can’t remember the last time I wore earrings - I hate them, and the holes in my ears healed up years ago. I know my DD doesn’t wear them anymore either, so it’s times like this I wish I had a GD to give them to. Don’t think they’d suit GS!
N&G you never know - you might have a chance to get involved in the amateur theatricals. If they are anything like our local company, they are always looking for people to join in, either on stage or back stage. I hope you enjoy it anyway! Our lot put on some very good stuff.
Soop the paint colour you have used is lovely. It looks very warm and welcoming! Now I’ll just give you our address.... if you start in the hall you should be finished by Christmas! .
I am now being dragged off for a walk to the village to post a card for my step GS that I could have put in the box down the road!! Apparently I need the exercise. It is cold, extremely damp, and quite a long way...... what have I done to deserve this?

Charleyg Baby's name is Mila (pronounced Meela), it's a Dutch name.
I've decided to devote the afternoon to taking everything that I can move out of the computer/music/art studio. Then, I'm going to do a thorough spring clean.

I shall return later this afternoon.

soop I keep telling you I will gladly pay for transport for you to make a start here. Tara's bedroom is the worst so if you could also apply some plaster that would be marvellous.

Seriously I do hope that you can have a few extra cuppas- the time will soon be here when you can give those gorgeous children big cuddles in the flesh. Teddy is adorable and Torben is growing up so quickly. I have forgotten the name of the other baby- sorry!

Another dull day here but no rain (yet).

I've said so many times before and I shall say so again you lot are amazing. I wander into our kitchen and there is always something going on.

Charleyg The sun is shining. A chilly-ish breeze is ruffling the wavelets but I'm feeling optimistic that the worst of winter weather is over and done with.

Grannie You are a very good photographer.

JaneD3 If I could, I would eat a biscuit with every cup of tea that I drink during the course of a day. Very occasionally, I succumb and bite into a Scottish shortbread. Otherwise, biscuits, like chocolate, are treats.

Nanna&G* Go on...treat yourself. You deserve it.

Dear ann enjoy your afternoon with friends. I wish that you had more such opportunities to relax and recharge your batteries.
Your daughter's cat is hopefully over the worst. Cats are very resilient.

corner I had to chuckle when I read...'busily looking as if I was busy'.
When I returned home from the care home visit yesterday, I saw the sweeping brush propped against the wall. A dust pan and brush close by. I walked through a wee pile of dust and asked MacS why it was left in the middle of the room. He said...so that you could see that I've been busy.
As for plans to do some decorating, my advice is to go gently and pace yourself. It's daft, because now that I've finished the task, I wish that there remained more for me to do.

I’m afraid you’ll have to stock up on cheap biscuits Ann !!

Ooooh I could do with a spell In a comfy garden centre cafe right now but sadly I have agreed to open more boxes from the loft and see if homes can be found for the contents .
Not quite done yet Corner , lovely Levi the painter is back next week to do the lounge and dining room and we met with a garden designer yesterday ( although she was only about 12) and she is going to help us with the muddy bog .

We’ve never had a blank canvas so it’s a bit overwhelming.

And then we’re off on our hols for a well earned break before coming back to finish off ???

Goodness ann, come and share the biscuits here, I just brought two new packets. Good news about the cat, I smiled when I read about the frosty reception, reminded me of our dog who would turn his back and walk away when collected from kennels.

Sounds a good enough reason for a shopping trip n&g. The rendering will be over soon enough. Anything else on the list or is that for now?

The colours look great soop, you hae almost spurred me on to do some brightening here, notice I say almost .

Oh well, no more procrastinating, on with the admin.

Budge up Jane, I'm in hiding from the admin, yes again.

I think its the grey weather, dispriting that's for sure. Or that's the excuse of the day, tomorrow who knows

Not a lot going on here. Mr C has been to a meeting and returned to find me busily looking as if I was busy. Washing is in the machine, thank goodness for the conservatory to dry it, lunch is prepared. The usual really.

So, here I am sitting down, nice cuppa thanks to jane and I did bring a new biscuit supply.

Mr C has just told me he would like an outing this afternoon, I've left it to him to decide where - the parameters are:- inside out of the rain, a nice cafe, gluten free cake, no loud music and comfy chairs. I could just stay in the kitchen but I suspect a garden centre is on the agenda. That's if Mr C can decide which one

Take care everyone.

Oh I would Jane my H's latest thing is to sit and eat biscuits until I get up in the morning.
He is up sometimes at 5:30 am and I make him go back to bed, if it is 6: 30 I give it up as a bad job.
I was greeted this morning by "where are the biscuits?"
He has eaten 3 packets of very good biscuits since Monday.
He was wandering round at 10:30 last night after taking to his bed at 7:15, 7:30, 7:45, and finally at 7:55, when I put the tv on for him, arguing with him that it is too early is useless.
Oh well, out for a cup of tea with 2 neighbours this afternoon and GD coming for a meal about 6.
My D's cat may be home tonight, they have " an appointment to see her" at 6pm and she may be allowed home. They went to see her twice yesterday and got a very frosty reception from her but she did allow a stroke last evening.

Morning all ,

I saw that JaneD3 !!!! Step away from the biscuits

Lovely sky Grannie could do with a bit of that today , its grey and misty same as yesterday. I am so ready for Summer to arrive !!

The paint colour looks lovely Soop .

We have the workmen back, they are re-rendering the outside of the house so there will be no afternoon naps for a few days as they make a LOT of noise. Our neighbours will be glad to see the house finished I'm sure .

We have been invited to a play in the village hall on Saturday evening by a lady i met when I was campaigning against the proposed planning consent for the field behind out home.

Our vicar is apparently in the play too so it will be a chance to meet some new people . Now I have until Saturday to worry about what to wear. I'm far too used to sloping around in scruffies......

Maybe a shopping trip is in order

I'll let you know x

Morning everyone! I’ve been sitting in the corner for a couple of days watching you busy folk run around but feeling lethargic myself. I seem to have the place to myself this morning. That is never good because there is no one to notice how many biscuits I eat. ??

At this rate my heating will still be on in July. It was not raining here today but the next best thing- cold and dreich.

I went to a meeting this afternoon and there was no heating- I was so glad to arrive home 3 hours later. The chairman does not feel the cold and was sitting there with a short sleeved shirt and light trousers- I was dressed for mid January as were others.

Well! That's another marathon ironing session over and done with. It seems more pleasurable if there is something worth watching connected with the games. Aren't athletes amazing...such stamina and tenacity. I particularly enjoy the gymnastics. Too late for the likes of me.

I need to log off. I shall return tomorrow. Rain appears to be clearing at last. I can see the islands emerging from behind a curtain of low mist.

xx

callgirl1 As we're meeting at noon, there should be a decent table available without booking. We'll try to get there on the dot. Meet you in the bar. See you soon.