Soop's friendly and welcoming kitchen.

I meant to say that I hope things are going well for Topsy's daughter. The wedding isn't too far from here though and the weather is fairly overcast.

Can I please hide in here again?

We got ap hone call last night from one of my brothers to say our other brother had 'run someone over' and was being taken to hospital.

Turns out that a drunk man had appeared between two cars, hit the front wing of DB's car rolled up the bonnet, smashed the windscreen, went onto the roof and off the back. When DB got out of the car, the drunk was sitting in the middle of the road looking bewildered. He was taken to hospital for a check up and is ok but DB's bp was high so he went to hospital as well. It came down some but not enough and he has been told to go and see his GP this week.

We still have middle daughter, her husband and her 2 daughters - but they are going tomorrow. Tonight we have 2 more DGC so our children can go out for a meal together. I love that they want to do that but wish they had their own babysitters!!

We came downstairs this morning having left all five cats in the kitchen, with all means of escape closed, and came down to find all 5 of them (including 3 kittens) sitting on the patio wanting to come in.

I think I'll go for a lie down now.

Nonna, I hope your weather is better than ours!

I echo soop's wishes for your friend, gq! It's hard isn't it.

chaos and anno, it might be some comfort to hear that one of DD2's friends was diagnosed with MS about 4 years ago and was quite unwell but has been given a new treatment (an infusion, I think) twice which has alleviated his symptoms almost completely. apart from on going tiredness (which should improvewith time. He has been told that they expect him to not need more treatment for around 10 years. Small comfort, I know, but medicine moves on so quickly nowadays.

grannyqueenie I also hope that your friend's scan isn't as awful as you suspect it might be.

callgirl1 I like the music of Joan Baez. It has a haunting quality. As for instructions of any kind...I call MacSporran's name in a plaintiff voice...and he steps in to help me out.

NonnaW The open air concert would greatly appear to both of us. I really like the sound of an open-air picnic that other pals contribute to. I hope that the weather is kind to you. It's tiddling with rain in bonnie Kintyre.

callgirl the online instructions for returning things are always incomprehensible- I’m sure they hope we’ll all get so demoralised by the whole process, we’ll just give up!

We had a last minute invitation to an open air ‘proms’ concert tomorrow so we went out today to shop for picnic food. We (ok, DH) have made coronation chicken and a Spanish omelette and he will make a loaf of soda bread in the morning (I’m starting to feel redundant here!) to have with it and with a small cheese board/pack we bought. I will contribute some sausage pinwheels from the freezer though! It will be a sharing picnic, so we’ll also put in a bottle of prosecco (has to be done). Should be good fun.

Soop you brought the wonderful voice of Joan Baez into my head when you said "I shall overcome"!
I`ve just been struggling with the online instructions for returning something to Damart via Hermes. Lynne had to step in at the end to print off a label, the printer is way beyond my level of intelligence!

Greyduster possibly the latter.

Oh dear, darling Lola is posing a few problems that I shall overcome. I have made a fresh sketch. A new day tomorrow. I've a feeling that the painting will be successful.

So sorry not to have more time to spend with you lot We've been trying to order "talking books" online. Any normal person would have achieved what we set out to do in a flash. It's taken us ages and ages...and the washing machine refuses to empty itself...so, all the washing is peering through the window and begging to be released.

Please forgive me for dashing off. I hope to have more time to spend with you tomorrow.

And don’t forget Waggon Wheels, Chaos - they used to be huge (or was it just that we were small??).

queenie... what a gorgeous looking cake. I always think time spent baking with the GC is very special.
I wish there were the right words to offer comfort about your friend. Such sad news.

Panache ...awful news for your friend, too. How can such things happen in a modern medical service!

greyd ... doubtless candles will never have been placed with more love and enthusiasm. Its the thought that counts!

anno ... I understand your worries about your GD and do hope her symptoms prove to be something less serious. It is so hard to just watch and wait, hoping symptoms dont worsen.

I have enjoyed a more lighthearted day, making lemonade with the boys. Hoping we havent poisoned everyone, as the citric & tartaric acids had been in the cupboard for ages a while!
Why do lemons seem so much smaller than they used to be? is it akin to the shrinking thickness of chocolate in Mars bars?

Bless you, one and all. I have just returned home and have now to return to the watercolour that I'm hoping will be pleasing...eventually. You lot haven't been sitting around twiddling your fingers...nothing new there, then. I have however seen a scrumptious looking cake. Any going spare? If not, why not? I would so enjoy a very large slice with my coffee.

I shall return. Can't say when. Hope that it will be later this afternoon.

Now I come to think of it, grey, his brother had calamare at the same restaurant. I'm staying with them next week, so will be slightly wary about taking them out for a meal!

Hello the kitchen. A quieter day here today. I think yesterday’s exercise might have been beneficial. When we came home I struggled to get out of the chair and stand up all evening. (I might have been better had GS not commandeered one of my walking poles to use for everything from nettle bashing, jousting, hitting a golf ball that DH found in his pocket, and poking the aforementioned dead hare - I didn’t really want it back after that!). This morning, the hip has been mysteriously trouble free. I’m sure it won’t last but I intend to make hay while the sun shines!
Gq I am sorry to hear about your friend - I know from experience what an awful blow it is to hear there is nothing more that can be done for someone you love.
That is a truly splendid cake. Your girls did very well. There is some subterfuge going on here at the moment, as the boy has asked if he and I can make Grandad a birthday cake for next month, so there has been much hushed conversing about coming over to do it when he is at the football, and what to put on it. It will never happen, of course. He is far too busy doing other stuff and will probably only have time to squeeze in placing a candle or two, but his heart’s in the right place! I think he has been overenthused by watching Bake Off - The Professionals, which is his favourite TV programme at the moment.
Chaos I hope there is better news of your daughter. I didn’t properly read all the posts yesterday or I would have commented.
Anno I share a love of mussels with your GS - he clearly has excellent tastes! And hang the expense!
Well I am supposed to be ironing, so I had better get on with it! I will catch up later.

Another pleasant day though sunshine is in short supply, but still our holiday makers seem to be still happy bunnies!!

GQ I know what you mean coming back here after a mere few days break and its almost as if the whole world as made a visit..........just goes to show the most favoured place to be!
What a superb masterpiece concocted by very eager and helpful hands,quite a cake cutting ceremony I am sure.

Am so sorry to hear the sad news about your fairly new friends
indeed it does pull you up sharply in your tracks,knowing how much their lives are going to change........almost overnight.
A dear friend of mine thought she had emphysema and has been treated for such for at least 3/4 years,a new GP and a rushed few Hospital visits with scans and all the rest,a biopsy taken of her lung was not conclusive,so on thursday she goes to theatre with the warning,if it is Cancer she will lose her lung right there.
Not a very pleasing prospect when over 80......worse still having NOT been treated all these years does not bode well.
Sadly almost daily we hear these tales.We do need to count our daily blessings.

Seems such activities with all your many grandchildren are keeping you all well occupied............I wish you all a grand day.
Keep smiling.......... its the best tonic.

A beautiful cake- the children did so well.

Sunshine here today- so pleasant.

Phew I’ve made it at last! I’ve popped my head round the door of this new well almost new kitchen a couple of times but not had the chance to linger, so am way out of touch with goings on I’m afraid.

Loved the kitten photos kitty, although more of a dog person at heart I do have happy memories of the various cats we had, including the adopted stray who had her kittens in the children’s dressing up box!
Aren’t these youngsters so sophisticated nowadays greyduster We never really had the money to eat out when our tribe were all at home, I don’t think many folk did in those days. But all the grandchildren have grown up accustomed to eating out and can order confidently and politely.

I see a couple of unfamiliar names. or maybe old kitcheners reincarnated, either way, it’s good to “meet” you.
But always good to see familiar names too, especially of course dear soop who, judging by the lovely old photo clearly comes from very good stock!

It’s been a full on week here with 2 gds, 11 and 9 here for a few days. We’ve had lots of fun with them and have dispatched them home with a couple activities pending for next time, always a good note to finish on. They always want to bake but this time the request was “please can we not do biscuits or buns, can we do a big cake?” I agreed but by the time I’d blinked they been on t’interweb researching and presented me with some very ambitious ideas. Now I’m no star baker and the sight of these excited and hopeful wee faces.....well we baked, constructed and decorated and I have to say I was well pleased with the result. It took me completely out of my comfort zone but I really didn’t want them to be disappointed. We negotiated a compromise or two in their plans, and they were involved at every stage. I invited a friend of mine to come round to share in the cake cutting ceremony. All in all a very enjoyable experience, but I fear I may have set the bar a little high... how do I follow this next time? I’m afraid I’m unashamedly showing off by leaving a photo of the masterpiece!

This lovely time was slightly marred by hearing news today that a friends cancer has been found to be inoperable with an even poorer prognosis than was previously thought. A couple we’ve only got to know recently who are so similar in age and interests to ourselves, it’s a shock to realise how quickly life is going to change for them. A reminder to cherish every precious day we two have together.

Well I’d best have an early night, dd4 is coming for the weekend. I hear she is bringing laundry that needs the services, depending on the weather, of my washing line/tumble drier and also a tent that needs airing off! Next week we have dd2’s dog coming, an activity we usually enjoy as shhh don’t tell anyone she is our favourite grand dog! However she’s taken to absconding when out with the dog walker so we may be much more limited in how and where we walk her. On balance it was probably easier having said dd’s children this past week!

Chaos no that is not my gripe- it is the bottom of my trousers which appear to get very wet.

Chaos, so sorry to hear about your daughter, I hope everything will be OK for her.

Such sweet kittens! I want one - or more! chaos, you must be deeply concerned about your daughter. I hope the tentative diagnosis was wrong and there is a better explanation for her symptoms. Last time I spoke to my GD (26), the medics had some suspicions about symptoms that might suggest MS. She didn't seem worried but I'm almost afraid to ask. There are lots of 'mights' and 'maybes' in the process of diagnosis.
grey, your pub lunch reminded me of the last time I had a meal out with DS2 and my two GSs - then 10 and 12. The younger one had a huge bowl of mussels and they both ordered the pricier main courses, leaving their dad and me to have the early-doors specials! I think they will join your GS in the gourmet category.

chaos hope things are ok for your daughter.

soop you are sooo like your nana

Lovely kitties kitty

Choas just before signing off I am sorry to read about your daughter,"Watching and waiting" is the common practise and it does seem odd......and lets face it waiting is never good.
Hopefully this is but a temporay "blip"............however it would be good to be reassured.
A cousin found out she had MS in her late 20`s but that too did take a long while to firmly diagnose.
Fingers truly crossed eh?

Night all.Have a good one.

Kitty sorry to hear about your GS. Not good timing but you can’t legislate for freak accidents can you? If it is his dominant hand, I’m sure the school will make some provision for him if it hasn’t healed sufficiently by the time he starts. I love the photo of the kittens and their mummy! My children are not allowed anywhere near my fridge - I keep all my health hazards a closely guarded secret!
Panache I read about the bolting horse; thankfully no-one seems to have been seriously hurt. I’ve seen a few skittish animals at these shows, but never one that has bolted.
Topsy Nothing guaranteed to stress you out more than wedding preparations, but I am sure everything will go swimmingly on the big day and the nuptials will be glorious! Have faith!
We spent our last full day of the holidays with GS today, as he has summer school all next week. We went for a walk and a pub lunch. In the pub: “What would you like to eat?”
“Chicken nuggets please”.
“No, have a proper lunch today.” Peruses menu.
“OK, I’ll have the chicken breast wrapped in bacon with the Stilton sauce, except I don’t want the sauce. Or the sweet potato fries, or the salad.” So he had the chicken breast wrapped in bacon, with chips and peas, smothered it in tomato ketchup, and declared it delicious. One day he will be a gourmet, but not quite yet it seems! It was a joy to be out with him even if we did spend rather more time than was necessary or desirable poring over the corpse of a dead hare with its innards hanging out! Nature red in tooth and claw! But it didn’t put us off our ice cream. He has gone to an open air showing of a Harry Potter film this evening, but it is looking very black over Bill’s mother’s, as they say so I hope they have waterproofs.
Have a pleasant evening, folks.

Thank you for the crossed fingers and wishes. It is 2 years since the original problems, so we have been "watching & waiting" long enough for hope that the neurologists suspicions were wrong. Apparently, though, it is not unusual for diagnosis to take several years!
Hopefully its all going to settle again.

charleygirl ...Normans issue is that his tummy gets splashed. I am guessing that is not your gripe

Norman is extremely sensible- I also do not like walking when the weather is wet.

Chaos so sorry to hear about your daughter. I hope she gets a speedy diagnosis- that is such a worry.

Kitty I will be creeping in and removing all four- they are delightful. Tara I know would be very vocal and there would be at least one cat fight with me intervening and coming off the worse for wear.

At least it has stopped raining here- with luck I may get clothes dried tomorrow. I have been spoiled for so long- I am not used to our normal summer weather.

Chaos That is worrying news regarding your daughter. I hope with all my heart that the results are favourable.

I'm logging off. Tomorrow is care home visiting day. Followed by coffee and treat in the Royal and a whizz around Tesco.

The sun is shining. We've had a decent shower of rain and the grass is growing as I type.

Take good care, one and all.

Loving the kittens, kitty and I do sympathise over your fridge raider. My MIL was the person always guaranteed to find the one dehydrating carrot in the vegetable rack, or three year old spice jar in the cupboard!

soop ...what a lovely photograph, and lovely memories. It is easy to forget how very much harder life was for single mothers, in those 'good old days'.
I am so very excited about the pictures, but feeling a lot of guilt that they are proving awkward. I do hope you are still enjoying the process?!

Life is a little stressful at the moment. DD1 was referred to a neurologist with query MS. She is on a "watch and wait" brief (they held off on the lumbar puncture as she had become asymptomatic) but she is now showing signs of a flare up of the original symptoms, and has been off work for 2 weeks. Crossing all fingers that it settles back down.

At least it has stopped raining so I can walk the Horrible Hounds. Norman wont contemplate going out in the wet!

Lovely photo Soop, Bellanonna and Panache are right, you do resemble your Nana. I have several photos of my paternal grandma, but only one, taken years before I was born, of my mother`s mother.
Kitty, what a lovely family photo, which one are you keeping?