Soop's friendly kitchen

kitty You've made me chortle. We have the same palaver when we meet with friends. There is barely a good ear between us.

I too hope that N&G is improving and will be back in the kitchen before too long.

Can anyone tell me why it is that my appetite has increased hugely fairly recently. I'm continually feeling peckish. I thought that as one aged...the appetite decreased.

Away to do some useful gubbins...empty the washing machine, do a pile of ironing, flick a duster casually over the furniture, especially where the dust settles without as much as a by your leave. Yawn!

I shall return tomorrow.

So much has happened for us lately, I can't keep up with it.
so haven't tried to record it.
In short, we're homeless since leaving France, 'sofa surfing'.
Hopefully we'll have our own roof over our heads in 2 month's time.
But it's worth it to be back 'Home'. Not that we were unhappy in France, but it wan't real life.

I`ve only just noticed that whereas I used to be blue, I`m now back in the black, therefore no profile. I wonder how long ago this happened, seeing as I`ve only just noticed it?! I also see that Soop is now black, gone are the zillions of brilliant photos that she shared with us, pity.

There was something on the ‘site stuff’ forum yesterday about this. It’s all to do with GDPR. Sorry don’t know how to do the link to it. ?

www.gransnet.com/forums/site_stuff/1248052-GNHQ-here-Gransnet-s-approach-to-data-protection-and-GDPR

Info on changes to site.

Thank you.

Hello Fennel! Welcome back.

This new Data Protection thing has I hope, given me a chance to “prune” some email contacts from things I once subscribed too, all perfectly harmless, but sometimes irritating.
Would it make any sense to you if I say that in a strange sort of way I feel I am beginning to emerge from a long dark tunnel? Not missing Paw any less. (and I really needed him earlier in the week when I was in a dilemma over a matter concerning his family. I am fairly certain that my decision and course of action were exactly what he would have done, but how I wished I could have talked it over with him)
But I feel a little less rudderless and wonder if it was the few days away which have helped.
Anyway, it is good to feel a bit more positive.
Hoping all is well with you Kitcheners. I am making meringue for a pavlova later on today so look out for it! Do you prefer cream and raspberries, or cream and lemon curd? Nigella’s recipe so better slip into something slinky

Goodness me, maw slipping into something slinky is too much for me at this time of the morning! Raspberries and cream for me please.

It’s lovely to hear you’re feeling more positive about life, not the one you had with your dear man, but a life with good things in it nonetheless. I for one appreciate your honesty in sharing how things are, thank you ?

How come I’ve been awake over an hour, have lots to do and I still haven’t made into the shower? Right this simply won’t do.....have a good Saturday everyone!

Maw it’s wonderful to read about your new positivity. Enjoy the party tomorrow, and if there’s a choice I’d like the raspberries and cream please!

It's good to hear that you feel you are emerging a little, Maw. I think not having DH to talk to would be the thing I would struggle with the most.

I'd like raspberry pavlova please and a photo of a slinky Maw.

I'm doing an Eton Mess to take to DD1'S tonight. Not sure whether we are having a barbecue or a fondue - the weather will dictate, I suppose.

I'm culling contacts I'm no longer interested in too. it is quite liberating. No doubt I'll add more!

It is a glorious day in Kintyre. The sea is mirror-like. The birds and bees are busy. The garden looks swell. We've had a lovely walk and stopped to put the world to rights with friendly villagers we met along the way.

Maw Your latest update is uplifting. Well done, you. Paw would be so proud of you (and Hattie).

Hello, the kitchen. Please don’t anyone mention the words Marks and Spencer (oops!). I have had three wasted journeys to two of their stores since yesterday trying to buy a pair of trousers, and I was so angry when I got home just now I ate four chocolate biscuits. They didn’t work - I’m still angry (but not hungry). I also bought a 30 cm basket liner to fit a 26 cm basket - and it is too small. I am losing the will to live. All the lovely calm feelings I banked from my fishing trip on Thursday have now completely dissipated. Not sure if I can even post a pic now can I, what with all these new regs coming in. I will try. Evening light with rising fish. I will come back when I am fit to talk to!

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201805/medium-476264-100-4663.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201805/medium-283391-p5116730.jpg

Two photos taken through the window at different times last evening.

Fennel I understand exactly how you feel being back ‘home’. We returned home from France during which time we loved the lifestyle and wonderful neighbours but it never was home. Welcome back and good luck with settling in again.

So pleased to hear you are feeling more positive now Maw. Sincerely hope you can go from strength to strength and find acceptance in this new stage of your life.

Grey I am enjoying watching the trout jumping out all over the loch but unfortunately a visiting heron is taking great advantage of this and feasting as if there was no tomorrow. Beautiful photo.

It really was a beautiful sunset last night soop and you have captured it so well. I often send snaps to DD2 in Australia and her friends and colleagues are surprised how light it is here late in the evening.

They must be after mayfly, Agus - it’s that time of the year. I get huge pleasure just from watching the mayfly hatch in large numbers and the fish coming up to take them. Almost better than fishing! Almost! And the heron is always welcome to his share. They usually do better than me!
Soop your photos are lovely and very soothing!
I have worked off my ill temper on some gardening, and discovered some plants I thought I had lost to the winter, so that’s a plus for the day.

Greyduster Your photos are always beautiful.
Never mind the wasted trips to M&S...four chocolate biscuits will soon restore the spent energy. I've enjoyed a nutty, crunchy yogurt bar with two ginormous mugs of tea. I sat in the sunshine on the garden bench and didn't feel an inkling of an urge to tend the garden. It's looking grand.

Fennel I also know how you feel. You've taken the most important step. You are where you wish to be. Your home will materialise when the time is right. It took almost eleven months until we were lucky enough to be offered our plot of land. From thereon we were re-energised.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201805/medium-471652-p5126732.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201805/medium-87903-p5126736.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/201805/medium-30989-p5126734.jpg

I shall leave you with an image or two taken in the garden.
Time to away and read the newspaper. Glass of wine at six o'clock sharp.

Thank you for explaining about mayfly Grey. I knew nothing about them and understand now this is just how the cycle works. Personally I don’t really have a problem with the heron feeding however I will keep schtum about this as the local fishermen have almost brainwashed me into believing the heron was a problem.

Right
Pavlova with guaranteed no calorie whipped double cream and raspberries (one of your 5 a day) on the side awaiting your delectation.
Bought a new baking sheet at Lakeland yesterday as I thought mine was too small - guess what? Couldn’t shut the oven door so I had to look out the old one. Oops.
Enjoy!

Delicious!! Thank you

Ooh maw my favourite, how lovely and such sweet raspberries too.
agus when we moved into our home 9 years ago, there were thousands (I do not exaggerate) of mayfly (ies) surrounding the property. We could hardly see out of the windows for them. Funnily enough this has never occurred again. We get a few bit nothing like that day. We are very happy in our home so have taken it as a good omen.

Don’t believe anything a fisherman tells you, Agus - we all tell lies! . There are worse predators than herons on lakes and rivers - herons only take what they need and will hardly upset the balance. And of course, they were there first!

I will heed your advice Grey as another lie I disregard is the tale of the one that got away or the one I almost caught which can be discussed ad infinitum. ?. They are a nice bunch though, probably just miffed that the heron appears to be the only one actually catching any fish ?