Soop's friendly and welcoming kitchen.

Oh callgirl you are going to upset some on another thread who are complaining about C.......s coming far too early.
I have had a much better day today. Yesterday is better forgotten.
Nice roast chicken dinner just finished and not long to H going to bed.
Am I allowed to say TG.

Maw, what a lovely wedding photo, Paw looks so proud, giving the bride away.
I know it`s early, but don`t tell me off, I`m about to order a new Christmas tree. Ours gave up the ghost just as Christmas was over last year, and if I leave it till too near the time there won`t be any decent ones left.

Yay! Tis the time of day for me to pack away the paints, say a fond farewell to you lovely lot and await my much appreciated G&T with plenty of ice.

corner any frangipani tart going spare? I'm a right wee piglet at heart.

It has been a happy day. I would like to send you all some happiness over the air-waves. Thank you for your company. You are the TOPS.

corner it is so cold here I was contemplating switching on the heating but it is still August so that will not happen. I may well like you, be sitting here with a blanket around me or even a coat when watching TV later. I know, I was moaning a few weeks ago that the T was 33C. There is no pleasing me. Maybe an early shower would help.

Oh dear, Pip has gone down in my estimation- such a sweet dog but also a killer.

Hope the sneezing will subside. I’m sure kitchen sneezers are quieter than Mr C who could win awards for volume.

I did wonder why you’d choose Sunday for a trip to Ikea kitty. I’m not allowed there on Sundays, or if it’s essential I’m walked smartly past the knives.

Pleased to report the ironing completed without mishap. We don’t have that much filing n&g, it just seems so as I make so much fuss about it. I do like tidy paper so I should just do it as it arrives, no problem then. No hope for me.

Oh dear, grannyq, animals eh? Hope you’ve recovered. Suspect I would have retreated rapidly and left Mr C to it. Aah. The mystery of the cooker. I am certain they attract, well, grime. The last time ours moved forward we had a repair person here who laughed as I spluttered apologies. Pleased the pram gave in eventually, an interesting day you’ve had for sure.

The sleeve decision sounds the best one greyd, I’m sure the crumble will do the trick.

The rain continues here, ark time soon. We’ve been watching an aged film with me sat under a blanket. Mr C was looking at me with horror, our thermostats work very differently.

Time to sort some food, apple frangipani tart here. Will try to persuade Mr C not to eat it all - assuming its edible .

corner Sorry but I did laugh at your shredder antics. Yesterday afternoon I collected a small dolls pram from A***s, I’d ordered it for the toddler group. When I got home I set to opening the box, what could possibly go wrong? Answer: quite a lot!! Put said pram on top of the cooker, along with the various components to fit 4 wheels, don’t panic no fire ensued as the glass lid was in situ. Tried to put the blinking thing together, but nothing seemed to quite fit and in the kerfuffle that followed one rod dropped down the side of the cooker. At that point had to enlist the help of the old boy, some of you will remember that practical skills are not his forte, to help me move the cooker out. Maybe you kitchen folk all have no grunge under your cookers... sadly not the case here, it was truly hideous, yuk much worse than I expected hangs head in shame Anyway between us we shoved and pushed and huffed and puffed, a few “bad words” were said! Eventually got it out and then I scrubbed and scraped the cooker sides and the floor as best I could. With some difficulty we retrieved not only the missing part but also found 3 metal skewers and 4 knives, there’s always a silver lining! The pram when eventually put together was perfect for the purpose, the toddlers will love it.

This morning we had operation pigeon gate! Those of you with a sensitive nature or a particular love of pigeons may wish to look away now. We were just about to set off to collect gc x2 from their other grandparents, about an hours drive away. In my wisdom I thought Pip the pup had best go out in garden before the journey - error! She shot out the back door like a bullet out of a gun, swiftly reappearing with a soon to be dead pigeon clamped firmly between her jaws, I’m guessing the same hapless creature I’d seen sitting in the bird bath half an hour earlier. She was very pleased with herself and clearly the spaniel/gun dog instinct kicked in, there was no way she was going to be parted from her prize. So some 45 minutes later and after much running around by we two and her she eventually conceded..... so all you kitcheners who have been saying aaah what a sweet dog may now want to revise that view!

I’ve been writing this in between this and that so am aware I’ll have missed more recent posts. Just had to get that lot off my chest, before I go and lue in a darkened room. Oh no, that’s not an option, the 2 gc will see to that!

.

Evening all,

One thing I cannot claim is sleep deprivation soop , I can sleep on a knife edge :-)

You seem to have an inordinate amount of filing Corner , I sympathise with you . Its one of my most hated jobs. Here we have a scan and shred policy :-) Sometimes we even just shred !!

Send Flynn over to us Maw , the layout of this new place is perfect for indoor driving ( or riding !!) as tested by our little boys !

Its raining cats and dogs here but I don't mind because it needs to be dry on Tuesday as we are taking the little boys for their first ride on a steam train. There is much excitement as according to Cooper' Our train can fly - it makes clouds'!!

If I promise not to skid on the rug Grey may I have some crumble and crackling ( not on the same plate!!) . It sounds wonderful on a dull , grey day.

Ikea is not for the faint hearted on a Sunday Kitty , I do hope you stopped for a cuppa !! I am dragging Grampy there in the next few weeks as they have some new storage which I think would work in the soon to be West Wing.

The Arborist came and took down the conifer and couple of scrawny trees where the West Wing will go and put the fear of god in Grampy over our monkey puzzle tree in the front garden ( which I love) . I am currently considering chaining myself to the base but need to avoid the prickles ( its spiteful) but I suspect head will win over heart and it will have to go. BUT on the plus side I feel a beautiful Japanese Acer going in its place.....don't tell grampy !

My rhinitis is often much worse at this time of year GD - well, when it's not raining!! Well done on escaping the dreaded sewing. I was going to suggest that you find a little man like the one in the next village to us. He will do all those sorts of jobs for very little and he is soooooo much better at it than me!!

Dh has a shredder in the study - I don't go near the blessed thing as it always overheats if it even sees me coming!!

We have just got back from Ikea. Everybody in the world seems to have been there and they had changed the layout too just to upset me. The chair for the playroom we went to look at was a huge disappointment. We did manage to get the lights DD1 asked us to buy for her but I feel like a piece of chewed string now we are home.

And, the roof is still leaking - just not quite so much!!

Back later when my equilibrium is restored!

And...please, please, please try to share a big bowlful of blackberry and apple crumble with me. Will it be served with cream or custard? If I've a choice, could I please have lashings of custard.

Greyduster I too have been going through fits of sneezing. Yesterday, while out walking, my nose dripped...I thought to myself - oh, heck, is this another buggeration of getting elderly. I'm not there yet. Elderly will be when I'm truly old. A way to go...

Good afternoon all! To quote the words of (I think!) a Bernard Cribbens song “and all the time, the rain it was a-raining!” I thought I would take time out from nurturing my crackling to look in on you all.
N&G please don’t slide across the rag rug! They don’t have non skid backing and I have no public liability insurance!

Soop I have a shredder. Can’t remember the last time we used it. Sounds like MacS needs an industrial model though, not a piddling tabletop thingie like mine!

I have made a command decision that I will not alter the sleeves on the aforementioned football shirt. Having thought about it, it will only ever look a mess despite my best efforts (whatever they may be!). I had a word with DD and she agrees. GS would be the odd man out in a team of long sleeved footballers and she says it’s about time he stopped all this silliness about not liking his arms covered. She can’t think why his dad indulged him in it. Hope I don’t spark off a domestic! So that is something I don’t have to worry about now; except for the disappointment when I tell him it’s not going to happen. I think it might call for extra crackling and blackberry and apple crumble this tea time!
I have had a day of non-stop sneezing and runny itchy eyes and ears today. I think my allergic rhinitis has come back. It’s odd that it always flares up at the end of the summer and not during it, and then I tend to sneeze all through the winter! Years ago when it started I was tested for every allergen known to man and the hospital came to no useful conclusions. I don’t suppose there is much mileage in going back for another go before I manage to blow my brains out through my nose (not much to blow but even so.....).

I will look in later.

Doodle We live 13 miles from Tarbert. It's a village with a harbour.

Doodle MacSporran has often said that he would like a shredder. I imagine that, should he ever have one, he'll spend the rest of his life feeding old files of drawings of buildings he designed (when an architect) into it. Apparently there is a corner in the loft stacked high with files he is loathe to part with. I can no longer safely climb into the loft. I'm aware of stuff being shifted from A to B but very rarely does anything emerge for disposal.

soop in the 'Homes*section of the paper today there was a bungalow for sale in Argyle and Bute near a place called Tarbert. Is that anywhere near you? The views were wonderful it looked a gorgeous place to live.

maw hope you have a good time at the party. Don't eat too much jelly and ice cream ?

I do like Flynn's shorts- he does look a smart young man.

There was very light rain here but it has now stopped. A day of doing little methinks- why change a good life?

Maw How time flies! I trust that you and family will thoroughly enjoy a very happy birthday celebration. By the way...your hair looks beautiful.

corner I have been shredding a lot this week too. DH is rigorous about every piece of paper with our names on or information about us gets shredded.
We have a smallish shredder and I take great care not to let it overheat (it takes hours to start again if overheated) by emptying it frequently and stuffing all the shredded paper in a bin liner. I too had a kitchen covered with tiny bits of paper and they seem to stick to everything, my slippers, trousers even with static to the cupboard doors. ?

corner

This was clearly NOT taken today! But I had had hopes...
So, own up! Who left the taps on?
I know we needed rain but did it have to come in Biblical proportions?
Waiting for DD, SIL and Flynn to arrive as we are all going up to Birmingham together tomorrow for Pipsqueak’s 4th birthday.
I hope it fairs up for that, even if it has cooled down as the little boys will need to let off steam in the garden.
I don’t think Flynn will be driving his “beep beeep” here today either.
Hope people’s buggerations are receding and that there are no celestial banana skins waiting for us

Nothing wrong with a battery re-charge n&g. Might have been safer around here today if I'd chosen that option.

Filing done - hooray

On a roll I thought it a good plan to do the shredding. Emptying the hopper thingy I tipped most of the shredded paper on the floor. Scrabbled about then thought I'd pick the last few pieces up with the hoover. The hoover disagreed and jammed. Mr C to the rescue so with an unusually clean floor I continue, feeling less enthusiastic but determined to finish. Have I? Of course not. Why oh why does the flipping thing always overheat when there are just three pieces of paper to go?

Off I go muttering and moaning to tackle the ironing. Wonder what I can do to the iron .

Back to the easel. Happiness is a paint box and suitable inspiration. I shall return a little later.

Ta-dah! Here I be. It's piddling with rain outside the window. A brisk wind is whipping up the sea. On days like this, I enjoy the cosiness of home and a tiddle with the paintbrush.

N&G We all have lazy days. I really do commiserate with those of our Granspals who suffer sleep deprivation. A really sound sleep helps to recharge the batteries. Although I sleep soundly, I need on average half a dozen trips to the bathroom throughout the night. Prolapse problems continue whether one is active or asleep.

I remember that my Nana had a rag rug. It was colourful and I wish that I had it to put in front of the fire on a chilly night.

Please, Panache take a comfortable seat, put one of my many Scottish tartan rugs across your knees...look out to sea... and^us lot^ will do our virtual best to keep you well supplied with refreshments. In other words...relax.

Morning all !

Just made it in time, skids in , falls over the chair and slides across the rag rug !! whew !

Haven't caught up yet, but I will I promise.

Ive got no excuses for my tardiness. I was overcome by the lazy bug for the last 2 days and struggled to even get out of bed. But I am in fine fettle now . So will catch you all later once Ive had a read.

Oh panache if I told you I'd have to shoot you . All I will say as not as many as I used to have as I can no longer manage a leather bag, too heavy before anything goes in.

Pouring here today, not venturing out so I'm about to tackle the filing. The pain of the process is almost worth the feeling of satisfaction when its done.

Corner believe you me yes I know very well...... and I am only able to show my head this early for last night is the first night I have had MORE than 2 hours kip for well over a week.............you become just a shell of yourself,are on auto pilot but do not actually get anywhere really!!!

I suppose recovering again from your flare up makes a big difference.

Whilst there is nothing quire as refreshing and stimulating as that stroll across almost an empty beach............whilst having cancer treatments away from my beloved beach...........every weekend we are allowed home, and although we were told to rest I walked the entire length of our three beaches ......Glen Beach,Saundersfoot main beach and Coppit Hall beach both ways on every morning .............and I vowed it was one of my greatest healers.

Whats this about sort of walking in and buying yet another handbag...........dare I ask how many does that make your collection???

I can forsee an early exodus from this county starting today,it is absolutely bucketing down and there will hardly be many happy campers...................even caravans are not that attractive in the rain, and I lived in one throughout many a summer............counting the raindrops!!!

My day out on Friday has truly had me taking a long rest as I felt absolutely "done in"..........enjoyed my hair do and gossip whilst drinking coffee, but viewing always sets me on edge.This next and final move is SO important and the pressure is getting through.................anyway a new start next week.

I shall run along whilst still feeling human...........trusting you are all in individual good places,lots to chat about,lots to do............and Ann may your day be one of comparitive peace,you are never far from my thoughts and your position reminds me often to simply Count my many blessings..............until I next pop by...............