Soop's friendly and welcoming kitchen.

My Nana worked ALL her life. She was the kindest lady I ever knew. Joe sat back and allowed her to keep him. He wasn't my Mother's father. My Mother never told us who he was. Neither did my Nana, who brought my Mother up alone (at the time when there were no benefits for single Mums.) It's sad that my mother always felt uncomfortable regarding her status. I was immensely proud of Nana.

That picture of the kitties are delightful ,thank you Kitty for being mother to them all!

Soop that is a charming photo of your Nana & Papa,and I have a feeling several will agree with me for adding that I find you resembling your Nana very much, judging especially by the last 2 pictures of yourself.

You`ve touched a nerve there for not only have I no pics of my g.parents I never even knew them...........and these days this hurts more than ever.

Sun shining nicely so I must give myself a shake down...must not get morose.......

You are SO like your Nana, soop. I actually thought she was you!

kitty Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!

Panache Although I'm a princess of Kintyre (40 generations removed) I like to think that I'm a simple girl at heart.

Latest painting in the bin. It wasn't going according to plan. Hey ho...I'm about to re-sketch it. Never ever give up. That's my motto.

I am enclosing a photo taken many, many years ago of my lovely, late Nana and our Pappy Joe. Taken in Blackpool.

This restored my equilibrium!

Oh Lordy Kitty, I sympathise over the fridge. One of ours has been known to check the dates on everything (fridge and food cupboard) and throw out anything nearing its date if I don't bar the door. Is the plastered one happy to have it? If so don't worry about him starting a new school, it will make him 'interesting'. Good luck with it all, you're having a heck of a week.

I will happily provide a bottle and 2 glasses Kitty and we cannot have one of our Kitchen stalwarts suffering like this!!!!

Are you sure your 11 year old G/S is just "not feeling" like his new senior school up ahead??!!Actually sounds nasty poor lad.

Can I hide in here please?

DD2 came to do a little Sainsbury's shop with me bring the girls. We had to look at all the clothes, toys etc and have a go in the Noddy car. We got home and DD put the shopping away. I found her, head in fridge, going through everything in my fruit and veg drawers and tutting and I'm sure I'll never find a thing again as I will have be storing things in totally the wrong places and they will now be correctly stored.

And, 11 year old grandson, who starts senior school in 2 weeks has broken the knuckle of his left thumb and is in plaster.

I need

I really should not grumble because we have had little rain here in NW London for months. Today drains are clogged roads are flooded the heavens have opened- welcome summer.

Had a double take there seeing "our Princess" here in residence early morning.......or lunchtime .....quite a happening Soop knowing all the issues you undertake with such charm.............and STILL have time for us lot
We are looking forward to your masterpiece by the way........as is Chaos!!!

Sun shining again but sad to report quite an unpleasant incident yesterday afternoon in our rather prestigeous County Show.....now in its almost 40th year trouble free.
A huge horse bolted from the showring stampeding into the 10,000 or so crowd.........at least 6 people were injured and the ambulance and helicopter were there to whisk them into Hospital,thankfully no serious injuries.
A mighty fright and panic though I am sure.

I am STILL awaiting this plum treat Greyd........tum is rumbling!

Hope we have helped in calming those pre wedding nerves Topsy and wishing you much sunshine for the event itself........and perhaps some pictures in due course?

Lunch is being served and I must wend my way when Sir calls the least I can do is get hobbling!!

Call by again later.

NannyTopsy Believe me...all will be well. Close eyes, think Zen and breathe deeply. It works for me.

Baggs I always knew that you had physic powers. Hope that's the right spelling.

I'm now painting Chaos's third delightful dog. She's elderly and beautiful with it...

Callgirl1 Yep! The tiara comes with flashing earrings and a gaudy bangle. I feel that, as an erstwhile Princess I have no need to be overly showy. Less...as "they say", is more.

...oops, clicked by accident.

As I was saying, wishing you well on the manic day before the main event. I think its always hectic, but wonderful in its own way.

Plum jam! delicious!! I tried making it once, and the rocklike result wasnt even edible as toffee.

Grey, wet, and dismal here this morning.....which rather suits my mood.

Wishing you well today, topsy

Thank you all - I am sure it will be fine. Honestly it WILL be fine

Keep believing - and breathing - topsy, it will all get done and be wonderful. for now and for later.

Just a hint of the normal pre wedding nerves Topsy you see it will all come fine ion The Day.......it always does.

Oh dear, topsy! You will manage and have fun doing it and everything with be fine on the day!

Another night of wedding insomnia! We were decorating church on Thursday and marquee on Friday but now it seems everything will be done on Friday. How?! Add in 9 overnight guests and the hairdresser arriving at 6.30am on Saturday! And it was all going so well!

Plum jam can be runny or hard. I would manage either on a slab of freshly baked crust with lots of butter.

I must log off. I have been busy in my studio (all-purpose room) complete with exercise bike, piano, easel and computer.

I do not have to go any place tomorrow. I shall therefore pop in to catch up with the latest news and views.

GreyD..........I have a giant sized chisel at the ready!!!!

To steal a line from a certain film ?, “I think we’re gonna need a bigger jar!”

Grey, I love plum jam, even if it's concrete. I will be first in the queue with my chisel. I might rustle up some scones to go with it. The first time I made jam - raspberry - it was solid, but delicious and, unlike runny jam, it couldn't escape.

You lot never cease to make me ...thank you. Home after the ironing duty. Pot of coffee ready and waiting. The remains of the day are to be enjoyed. I'm still working on the portraits of Chaos's wonderful trio of hounds. About half way, thanks to having to start afresh more than once. All my own fault. Too much "tiddling" is a No No and I'm yet to heed the warning.

Can I head the queue Greyd and Mapleleaf.......had a dicky tum for a few days and off my food,whilst desperate to GAIN weight.......and judging by my reaction on reading your two posts, I rather think I might have found the answer to my recovery!!

Pretty please!!

Ooh, yummy, greyduster. I’ll make some bread as well to spread/slice it on! ?