Soop's welcoming and supportive kitchen

synonymous glad the hospital visit went well. It is tiring worrying about it and the travelling. Hope you both sleep well tonight.

Evening all.
Panache, I love the ditty, I think Elvis would have as well, in my mind I can hear him singing those words!
Willow, I hope all goes well settling in the bungalow, and Daph and Alfie soon get acclimatised.
I`m still achey and slow moving, but don`t feel quite so down as I did yesterday, so that`s a kind of improvement I suppose.
Soop, I keep meaning to ask if you`ve read any of the Denzil Meyrick books, they`re set in Kintyre, and the author is a local man. Place names are changed, but to anyone who knows the area it`s easy to spot where places are. I`m on the 5th and latest one now, but they need to be read from the first one, which is Whisky in Small Glasses. If you like reading, and enjoy detective stories, I think you`d like them a lot.
Lovely photos again, and well done to the young athletes. We lived opposite our kids` primary school, and I went across to watch over the school wall when it was sports day. When it came to the obstacle race, our Lynne kept standing to one side and letting the other kids go first! Not surprisingly, she didn`t win anything lol!

Meant to add, Ann, sorry about your engagement ring, I do hope it turns up. If you`re anything like me, it`ll be somewhere that you`ve already looked!

Thankyou for the ditty Panache!
Ann I don’t want to get heavy but I forbid you to feel guilty - about anything. You’ve gone the extra mile time and again so please, just enjoy your new table and try not not to worry about your ring, which I’m sure will turn up.
I’m worried about DH and am counting the days till he gets the C-pap (?) machine. He is totally exhausted (but won’t give up) and it’s just so upsetting. He does so much to help others - one of those “do anything for anybody” types - and I just want him to have the energy to enjoy life a bit more. Things are piling up and I know it gets him down. Roll on 1 November.
Night night everybody, sleep well. Sorry I haven’t responded to everybody but I’ve really enjoyed all your posts - such a great place this kitchen.

Hooray! At long last we both slept and I must have slept about 8 hours, don't remember when that last happened. Hope everyone else had as good a night. Thank you Doodle for your good wishes.

soop another lovely painting! I don't know how you manage to do all that you do in your circumstances. Look after each other x

Loved your 'pome' Panache. Just hoping that the curtailing of hospital visits means you are not needing so much intervention.

Ann you are wise to buy your furniture now so do enjoy the moment! Hope you find your ring very soon.

I know I haven't caught up with everyone but my good wishes are flying over to you and I hope you all have a really good day!

Morning all !!

Despite a downpour through the night I have woken to a glorious autumn morning. The sight of blue skies , golden leaves and crisp air fills me with a kind of joy if that makes sense!!

LOVED the poem Panache , I even subjected Grampy to a sung rendition of it ( if you knew me you would know that's an incredibly bad thing as I ( and all my family) are pretty much tone deaf!)

So sorry to hear about your ring Ann , lets hope it will unexpectedly turn up somewhere. As for guilt - well you can stop that straight away :-) !! You have gone far more than the extra mile and if putting H into care is selfish then so be it - I personally believe its quite the opposite . I think its brave and shows just how much you DO care and love H.

Hows the keyboard anno ?

I like to think a sunken cake is an opportunity for extra icing Grey , pass me a slice chunk !!

Glad the trip went better than the last Synoymous !!

Hope your first night went well Willow .

Cooper was very excited to send me a picture of his Halloween costume , I have attached it. If he could be anything in the world this little boy wants to be a puppy!!!!

I hope he settles for being a vet!!

With hail staying put on our courtyard this morning I fear our weather is really turning foul.

Hopefully no one has long journeys ahead of them and perhaps we can all huddle around the warmth of the Aga in Soop`s kitchen!

Ann.... Can you not recall my little story about losing my wedding ring and being utterly demented, only for my man to see a glint of something shiny in amidst a floral pot by our front door........some 3 months later....as he was dismantling same?
Yes my wedding ring, which has remained firmly fixed on my finger since (despite loosing weight!!)
Your engagement ring will spring to life just the same way,and when you least expect it.

By all means buy in anything that uplifts you in preperation for perhaps moving into a newer home........and please,less fretting.
Our Doodle has said it as it is, and we all say amen to her words so you too must realise the time for change is over needed, and yes,it will have its benefits for you both.

Well said Doodle you have a heart of gold.

I bet that good sleep will be the one to put you both back on track Synonymous...... amazing what a good, long rest can do to both our minds and bodies.

Overthehills as you speak about your husband I can add ditto about my dear man,he is wearing himself out mainly looking after me and of course I find it worrying ......just as you do

I think the going slow and feeling achy Callgirl is the sad price you pay for your overnight debacle,however let us hope it improves daily.

Trusting the party goes well Morethan and of course the main hope is that your DiL herself will enjoy it, hopefully without realising she is the chief “star of the show” after all.......as for your home I think that will be the least thing noted..... and you are worrying over next to nothing!

Hope your husband managed that last mowing GreyD although if like ours we fear there will be yet another one or two needed!

It seems you are learning science again...........good on you!

Perhaps you could design some Christmas cards for us N & G......sounds very artistic.Something I really should be getting down to trying my hand at...

Love to hear your rendering of my ditty by the way!!!

Welcome Ella Vannin

If I come over as in good spirits Cornergran then I feel I have done my duty in the Kitchen for the day!
All is not always as it seems shall we say!

Glad to hear the back is more mobile,may it remain so.

You remind me too.....indeed Maw how is your shoulder responding to its treatment?

Thoughts very much with you Charley....hope your vision will be clearer by this morning.

It looks as if you have “talked” yourself into seeing a younger version of “The Tempest “ then Annodomini together with it being Bonfire Night, it sounds as though you are in for a treat.

Hopefully all is well and the two quietly settling into their.... and of course your new bungalow abode Willow
I can imagine the fact they know your sofas will help settle them .........after a good old prowl.
Hope the same can be said for your good self.

Soop all is left for me to add is, hopefully you are finding some much needed relief until you meet with your Consultant.
I somehow feel you might be counting down the days.......and hours.

A free weekend for us, which I presume to be spent curled up on our Derby & Joan armchairs around our fireplace,there maybe an odd “Escape to the country” to tantalise my taste buds,of course the weekend newspapers I am dying to read!!.......plus our usual Blankword...... which is a real brain teaser

If anyone offers any goodies they will be gratefully received before I fade away!!!

Sending you all blessings,improved health and good spirits in abundance.

Wow Cooper..............is that really you in there.........???

Hello the kitchen! My son sent me a text this morning saying it was snowing in York! I’m not sure what he classes as snow, but anything that is even near enough is bad news. Fortunately this bit of God’s own county is free of it, but, as they say in Game of Thrones, Winter is coming!! Anyway, if he is not snowed in ? he will be down to lunch in a couple of hours. I hope, today, unlike Tuesday, I will at least get to have a civilised conversation with him, and won’t have to have employ a whip and a chair!
N&G vets make more money, but puppies definitely get more cuddles, so I would leave his aspirations as they are at the mo! I would pour all my Halloween sweeties into the bucket of someone who looked that cute!

Panache he did indeed manage the last last mowing and it will be the very last as he says he definitely ain’t doing it again! I am quite pleased that we managed to get the garden sorted and the plant moving around done before the bad weather hits us - I have a feeling it is not too far away. DH has just seen breaking news that it is now snowing in the north western fringes of the city. We are in the south east. Only a matter of time, then?

Doodle the cake didn’t sink, but it’s not one of my best efforts. I will taste it after lunch before I decide whether to inflict it on the kitchen.

Must go, roasties to prepare! I will look in later.

We had a sprinkle of snow just after 8am.
It is very cold.

The sun is shining here in NW London but it is only 2C. I saw snow had fallen in Durham when I was watching the news this am. It looked like January, not October. At least it would melt fairly quickly.

Goodness me so much going on in this busiest of kitchens! Good wishes to everyone, strength to those who need it and hope for all.

Sustenance is provided as I have been busy filling the freezer with vast quantities of soup. So now its a little colder perhaps a temporary soop soup kitchen. So an orderly queue for either curried parsnip, carrot and coriander or sweet red pepper with paprika. Broccoli and stilton after coffee and others to follow tomorrow. Always seems right to have hot soup once the clocks change.

We awoke to glorious blue skies and a weak sun with lower temperatures, so pleased with my new lined ankle boots!!

I shall continue to hold several of you in my thoughts.

N&G please tell Cooper he is scary!

He definitely would not get so many cuddles as a vet- not from Tara!

Oh can I have a puppy like that N&G! Gorgeous!
Had a fun day in London yesterday taking Flynn to something called “Squish Space” (a sort of sensory soft play) at the Barbican.
He had a great time but especially enjoyed the Overground train journey there, repeating the names of the stations. When else got back he had his Brio train layout on the living room floor and solemnly christened various bits of it “Bethnal Geen (sic), Eric Clapton and Livpool Street”
How Warren Street made it into the mix is anybody’s business!

A bright and sunny good afternoon dear peoples in the kitchen.

Maw Awww! Torben loved his Brio train layout. I would so love to be able to return to the time when we sat together on the living room floor and let our imaginations run riot.

Panache Once again, thank you for your entertaining, interesting, and fulsome post.

Izabella I wouldn't say no to sampling all your delicious sounding soups. May I please start with the red pepper and paprika. We had a short walk earlier. It's a marvellous day but there is a bitter chill in the air. We live beside the sea. Our temperature was 3 degrees warmer than that in the village.

N&G My word, Cooper looks perfectly suited to his puppy dog outfit. Vets are good people. I would be far too soft hearted to work with sick animals. A good vet needs a well balanced temperament.

Greyduster Cake! Yes indeed, I wouldn't want any to remain uneaten. Waste not, want not.

callgirl1 I shall look out for the author you have mentioned. The name does sound familiar. I haven't read any of his books. Said hello to David again when we travelled to Campbeltown.

Synonymous A good night's sleep is good for the body, mind and spirit. Pleased to hear that you feel refreshed.

Overthehills I'm sending you a (hug). Your dear husband obviously enjoys being useful. You can't keep a good man down.

ann I am sending an array of good vibes in your direction.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I've a pet portrait to paint.

I can confirm we did have snow in county Durham, had to delay collecting GD for several hours. At 1.30pm it was still fairly thick but the roads were clear e ough to complete the journey.

harrigran you had better stockpile with food now, what will it be like mid January?

It is bitter here and about to rain I think. An easy supper and opening a bottle of wine I think. The second bottle since April and my surgery early May, so I do not think I will be joining the AA anytime soon.

Very chilly here, too. Mr C has put on an extra layer, totally unheard of and I have just wrapped myself in a shawl. It was sunny this morning, the rain is here now though and pulled the temperature down with it.

Busy again here, I'll try to catch up but am not promising, blame the cold weather .

Please good folk with snow could you keep it? Just can't think of the white stuff. A busy half term week ahead, three days of child care duties involving driving and two days without a car - the vandalism is being fixed, hooray.

Enjoy the wine charley, I think you deserve a glass or two.

Congratulations on the sleep synonymous, doesn't it make a difference? I'm sorry you're worried overthehills, I hope your forthcoming holiday will help you both,

Now panache I understand well enough the need to sound cheerful when feeling far from it, sometimes it can trick us into lifting the spirits, but please don't think you have to do so for our benefit, its more than OK to just be as you are. Don't like the sound of hailstones, please definitely keep them with you

Cooper looks an excellent puppy n&g, he's got a fan here. Like the sound of Squish Space maw, shame there's nothing like it where Littlest lives, he'd love it. He's an outdoors man at heart, has no fear of cold weather unlike his grandparent, Monday could be a challenge for one of us.

That soup is most welcome Izabella, I plan some carrot and coriander when there's space to produce it, maybe tomorrow, in the meantime I'd appreciate sharing yours.. Its taken over from broccoli and blue cheese as my favourite. Some of the cake would go down well after it greyd, not sure why you think we are a fussy bunch? Hope you managed a conversation, I'm struggling to speak to one of ours. Not sure when an exchange of text messages became a conversation.

I'm sorry, I know I will have missed some people, I will try harder. Suppose I'd better do what I switched the computer on to do As you all know I could win prizes for procrastination. Onwards then. Stay warm everyone.

I sense that a beautiful sunset is in the making. Before I say goodnight to all our lovely Granspals, here is one that I caught on camera last night.

With my love to one and all. All being well, I shall be back with you again tomorrow. moon]

Well, I have done absolutely nothing this afternoon! I settled down, revelled in the silence for a bit (yes, I know I should be very careful what I wish for), then picked up a book and have just put it down!! I don’t know whether to be ashamed or pleased with myself!
I did manage a conversation with the first born today, Corner although I had to dislodge him from his high horse once and he was suitably chastened. After that it was very pleasant! I know kitcheners aren’t fussy about baked offerings, but there are levels of shame that one does not like to stoop to. However, this one did not turn out too badly. It was just the top that looked strange, as if it was trying to make an escape!

I would welcome some of your soup too, Izabella. I like the sound of sweet red pepper and paprika! I shall be making ham and lentil next week, and minestrone but without the smoked bacon so that I can pass some on to DD when she comes back from holiday.

Harri I hope your snow doesn’t stay around too long! Ours didn’t manage to get to this side of the city, but the areas it fell were on the upland fringes and they always get it first!

Maw your post made me think of when we first took GS on a tram ride into the city centre, and the voice announcement for one stop, Granville Road, which little one interpreted as Crumble Road, and it has been stuck in our minds as that ever since! I suppose it was appropriate since the stop was outside the catering college! As for Brio trains, we have a boxful in the attic which we will never part with, and DD the same.

Well, I suppose I had at least better try and look as if I have filled my afternoon with things to do , but the lowering sun is turning the fields a lovely colour out of my front window, so I think I’ll just sit here for a few more minutes.......

Soop that is stunning!

And with the glorious picture from your camera Soop plus your very beautiful scenic view point GreyD.......... I shall leave you all with a fond farewell,having duly ...hopefully............ earn ed a rest for the next week.......

However I shall be snooping and following the distinct smell of what sounds like just the heart warming soup one needs as the weather changes Izabella!

I have just returned from a beautifully produced and moving, but not depressing film, “They Shall Not Grow Old”
It is made up of original footage from WWI which has been “remastered” and in the latter half coloured but all with commentary from the voices of the soldiers who served.
Absolutely fascinating and I absolutely recommend it to everybody. If I can find a link for it I will post it, but trust me, well worth the effort of seeing.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6Do1p1CWyc

A post I wrote this afternoon has vanished. I can't for the life of me remember what I was waffling about, but take it from me that I haven't forgotten the kitchen!