Soop's welcoming and supportive kitchen

Hello all in the kitchen. We are home to a freezing cold house as I had turned the heating off so now huddled up in fleece top and joggers with a scarf. It rained, hailed and blew all day yesterday at the coast – this of course was the day we’d chosen to try and compact all the boxes and rubbish in the garage as a friend was coming with a trailer to take it to the tip. Armed with scissors and a knife we stood and dismantled them all and managed to get the whole lot into huge boxes – so much polystyrene – it could have been snowing! It all went in the trailer today so the garage is now accessible. Mr W forgot to ask the friend if he could help him get his large tool chests out of the house where they’ve been since we started – they’ve moved around from room to room as they’re on castors but had ended up in the last bedroom so it came down to me to help – we got the top one out of the kitchen door down the step onto a trolley but when we did the heavy bottom one it tilted sideways and all the drawers came open tipping it even further over as the tools started to come out. Thankfully we got it straight and down the step when he sheepishly said sorry – I forgot to lock it!

Here is a photo of Alfie at 4.30 am on Sat morning – after being up an hour running around beeping like a bumper car. We didn’t have much sleep that night. He was better last night and we got to 5 am before I had to get up with them both – strangely although they had a couple of hissing fits they got on quite well and were definitely chilled out today and fairly easy to round up for the return journey.

My friend popped in again with another cake this morning which was greatly received especially as another couple called straight after so we cut into it. After years of living here and not seeing anyone from one week to the next it’s lovely to have visitors and now we have sofas to sit on and a kitchen to make a cup of tea it’s even better!

Such a lot to catch up on so forgive me if I miss something out!

Overthehills your husband will change dramatically once he starts on the C-Pap machine – mine noticed the difference within the first week. He hates the machine as the pipe is a constant nuisance but now can’t sleep without it. When the pipe split the other week he suddenly realised why he had been so grumpy and tired as he wasn’t sleeping properly. The new one is much quieter so hopefully your husband will soon get used to it and suddenly find his energy again.

N&G love the picture of Cooper in his outfit – love his name too!

GreyD glad your son made it on Sat for lunch – my sis in law was in York over the weekend and said it was very cold but didn’t mention any snow so hopefully it didn’t lay for long. I feel guilty now for not getting our garden ready for winter – it probably could have done with a last cut but I’ll just close the blinds so I don’t have to look at it till spring! I hope your cold doesn’t materialise.

Callgirl I’ve just finished my book so will look up the author you mention – I do like a good detective case.

Maw I saw an announcement about the WWI film you mentioned – it sounded as those it would be a very poignant but a fascinating insight into what the troops endured.

Grannyq those poppies look amazing! Your upcoming itinerary sounds exhausting – your family must be so appreciative of all you do for them!

Morethan the party sounds wonderful and well worth the hangover – once again your DIL sounded amazing – you must all be so proud of her bravery and stamina. The memories created will last forever – I hope lots of photos and videos were taken.

Panache your tale of woe with the clocks is something we go through twice a year – the changeover is down to me and I invariably get something wrong and can never get the heating schedule right! I did change the clocks this morning in the bungalow but have just realised none of them here have been done! I hope Mr P was finally forgiven for the early wake up calls today.

Soop hope you have been resting with your feet up!

Enjoy your family visit Synonymous – it will be tiring but well worth it I’m sure. I’m please Smokie has realised home is best – I thought Alfie would run out tonight and disappear into the shed after being cooped up for 3 days but he’s curled up on the sofa thankfully enjoying the warmth now the heating is kicking in.

Ann I’m so sorry you experienced such a difficult lunch with your visitors – I guess your GD knows your situation and it doesn’t seem to have affected their appetites but it’s a sad way to have your decision emphasised

I hope I’ve not missed anyone out but apologies if I have! I will hopefully keep on top this week!

Beautiful sunset Soop - is there no end to your gifts? Thankyou for sharing it with us.
I love roses Synonymous,
especially that one. Treacle scones - my favourite!!
N&G that sounds the perfect solution for everybody.
Great poppy photos NQ - DH came home from church with one that a lady had knitted for their display. Didn’t like to tell him that I had one I’d crocheted a few years ago - it was a kind thought.
I’m so sorry your lovely meal was spoilt Ann but glad that it has helped you accept the inevitable. Fingers still crossed that you’ll find your ring ...
Sorry to those I’ve missed - have a good evening and a peaceful night.

N&G Sam is a lucky young man having found a new friend. They will both benefit from this new friendship.

Maw I think I am adding Flynn to my list of Hattie, Sam, Mia and Sophie- he is delightful.

Morethan definitely a bitter/sweet evening for you.

A lovely gift synonymous.

Tara skipped in the door early pm- she is doing this regularly now- I am not complaining because at least I know where she is.

GQ the poppy photos are certainly different- they are beautiful.

Panache my phones apparently do not adjust themselves timewise and my gas boiler controller used to but has given up. I can no longer see the time on it so I will have to adjust it manually.

soop a gorgeous sunset as usual. It was dull and raining here early am but the sun has shone all day although it has been very cold. I think winter has arrived.

We have eaten very early for us on the weekend.
Our routine is ,a G&T about 5.45 and dinner at 6.15.
We had visitors today, our lovely GD and her half sister, our sort of GD.
They were starving when they came ,so we ate at 5pm, full roast dinner.
We are just digesting it.
My H was horrendous, verbally abusive and very unwecoming, I now know he is only going to get worse and I know I cannot and wiillnot put up with that. I have made the right decision and I must look after myself and be able to live my life as I choose.
It was a good dinner, pot roast beef with all the trimmings, they have healthy appetites so very little left for us tomorrow ?.

Evening all,

I'm late in today. The clocks going back through me a bit !!

Cooper was very impressed that you ladies thought he was a real puppy! The downside is he has not taken it off since it arrived yesterday and seems certain wearing it to school tomorrow is possible ( I hate to tell him what Mummy said !!)

We dug the soup maker out and using a recipe from the Covent Garden one soup a day book made Sweet Potato, avocado and lemon soup. Please don't rush for the recipe it wasn't nice at all ( why am I surprised ????) Its back to pea and ham tomorrow , a tried and trusted favourite.

Lovely photo soop and grey that cake looks right up my street!! Ill have a chunk please !!! NOT a cold Grey well you can keep that to yourself thank you very much! I had my flu jab on Friday , first one Ive had in years as I seemed to get sick after them . No ill effects so far and Id like to keep it that way.

Sounds like a night when memories were made morethan so you are entitled to your poorly head!!

Wonderful images Grannie !

We had a visitor this morning , a lovely widowed lady from the village who is going to come in and visit with Sam when we have long road trips. He doesn't enjoy going and doesn't mind being left behind but we hate to ask him to keep his legs crossed for more than a few hours. So she will be coming in, letting him out and giving him company and dinner. She was lovely and Sam happily lent against her leg the whole time she was here so I think we have found a winner.

Time to go and supervise Grampy he is cooking a roast for dinner... god love him !! I picked a good un' !!!

Happy Sunday all !!

A lovely post, Synonymous

eilyann It was meant to be.

Goodnight to you all.

[Ann] I lost a treasured signet ring that my father bought me for my 16th birthday. It was over Christmas and I didn't tell the family (apart fromDH) as didn't want to spoil the festivities. On Boxing Day DH lifted one of the inspection covers in our farmyard -- there it was nestling in a crack in a pipe. He to this day has no idea why he lifted that particular cover. Never give up hope!

Good afternoon to all Kitcheners and I hope you all having as beautiful a day and such lovely sunshine as we are enjoying with not much wind. Glad you are having a sunny, calm day too soop .

GQ thank you for the lovely poppy photos, they really make you think don't they?!

Morethan so glad you had such a lovely party and have been building special memories to keep forever.

Panache there are so many things on which to change clocks aren't there! Himself was confident that he had done the lot but I woke after midnight to find the heating still on as the time was changed before it normally switches off to a time when it would already have turned itself off so it hadn't - if you know what I mean!

Maw Flynn is clearly a charmer! I wouldn't be able to stop a smile either.

We went out for our lunch after Church so no cooking or washing up - bliss! Think we are both back to normal after the last couple of weeks of hospital visits and travelling so have much to be thankful for. We received yet more Golden roses (late Golden wedding presents) in the post yesterday to our surprise but it is November when it is the best planting time. Now we just need to work out where is the best place to plant them so that will be an enjoyable task for tomorrow.
DS, DDIL and DGSs arrive tomorrow for a few joy days so we are going to be busy and feel very blessed as we thought we wouldn't see them again this year or until the spring comes next year.
Smokie is getting the idea that a log fire is bliss so has been making sure he is in by the afternoon much to my relief. Himself is hoping that the winter weather will turn him into a stay-at-home cat but I have a feeling that may only be a temporary thing.

There are treacle scones on the side - enjoy!

ann The weather here is perfect. Wall to wall sunshine with barely a breath of a breeze. Here is a photo taken in the garden earlier today.

Galen Where you be? We are missing you and your merry quips. Do stop a while and bring us update with your plans for the next cruise.

Dear Mr Panache, please don't be too hard on him. He's a treasure. Bless. (((hugs)))

Maw As you so rightly say, the film that has captured your imagination should be viewed on the big screen. I'm hoping that MacSporran (not an avid film goer) will accompany me when it comes to the newly refurbished art deco cinema in Campbeltown.

Suki70 Are you very new to the kitchen? Or, am I having a mega senior moment? Whatever, you are most welcome. The more the merrier.

Your wonderful photographs speak volumes. Thank you so much for sharing.

Greyduster Your cake looks very tempting. Well done. Leave a large slice for me to sample later this afternoon. Please.

morethan The birthday celebration sounds perfect. I am in awe of your lovely daughter-in-law's determination to make the most of every blessing. I am imagining you all together for Sunday lunch. Here is a silver lining for your family.

What a wonderful evening for you all morethan these occasions become extra precious don’t they?
I loved my trip to the cinema yesterday, it is truly a unique film. Didn’t enjoy getting soaked on my way back to the car park though, time to look out my parka!
I meant to tell you after my trip to London, that Flynn has developed the sweetest little mannerism, he will put his head in his hands and ask “You happy, mummy?”
If the answer is No because he is a) not eating up his meal, b) not sitting on his bottom c) doing something else he shouldn’t be doing, he then offers “Need a cuddle?”
It is impossible to resist a smile!

I cannot move on without mentioning those poppies you brought us GQ.......what a moving sight.Thank you, it is an area we must always keep within our sights and memories.

What a wonderful evening you had morethan, definitely one for the memory bank.
GrannyQ those poppies ate wonderful, I have never seen them displayed in such a way before.
In our local area we have large poppies on all the lamp posts they are very eye-catching, something special for the 100th anniversary.
It is a beautiful day here, blue skies but chilly, 6 degrees outside.
I hope all who can get out today wrap up warm and enjoy their day.
For those of us in for the day,
I hope we enjoy it too.

Now that is what I call a spiritual uplift reading your post Morethan, and it goes to show how resilient the human body can be..... even under the greatest stresses.
Thoughts very much with you as you meet again and those poignant farewells as your family part under the circumstances.
But with your Dil showing such courage so must all of you.

Did I dream of yesterday`s hail showers and of the snow in Durham and areas of Yorkshire?
For this morning we have awakened to the most glorious sunshine and beautifully azure blue sky...........plus our barometer is rising fast...................could there be a few more walks on the empty beach to look forward to I wonder????
See you there Corner!!!

Guess who is in the dog house?
Sitting down carefully changing the two clocks in our bedroom plus our watches last evening, I reminded my lovely man not to forget our CH boiler.......this is our Morning alarm clock.
Yes you`ve guessed it?!
We were awakened at our usual time BUT it should have been an hour later...........and this on a sunday morning is indeed such an unforgiveable sin!
As if that was not enough to slap his wrists, he had turned my watch ON and not back ..............so no he is not my favourite at the moment!!!!
But hey since I rely on him for everything it will not be a long lasting sulk!!!

Hope this weather is repeated where ever you live and do enjoy your day.

Sorry, Overthehills; a very good morning to you!

Hello the kitchen! Another here who didn’t sleep well last night so I will join you in your limbo. I think I will join you in your limbo, corner. My throat was sore and I think I am coming down with A COLD! ? Da da DAAA!!

Gq your photos of the poppies are lovely - a fitting tribute to the fallen and a credit to those who made them all. A labour of love. How is your foot? You sound as if you have a busy week coming up, but at least you will be away from the builders.

Morethan, your DiL is indeed a trouper and I’m so pleased you all enjoyed the party. Take it easy today and bask in the glow of it all!

Galen how are you? You were not feeling so chipper last time I saw you post. Hope you are feeling better!

We had some wonderful photos from the boy and his ma and pa last night from a very wet Manhattan. He looks as if he is enjoying himself hugely in spite of the weather, so I feel better now. We are off to watch the juniors play football later today, even though he is not playing. We can walk to the ground from here up the transpennine trail, so it will be a good excuse to get some exercise too. It’s a glorious day here. Perhaps the fresh air will chase the cold germs away!
I will look in later.

Another little tear here Morethan when I read your post ... So glad it went well.
I usually don’t have any sympathy for hangovers but in this case I’ll definitely make an exception! Hope you feel better soon!

What a wonderful time morethan, such loving memories. I’m full of admiration for your beautiful daughter in law and you all. Hope the head clears soon. Breakfast should do it .

The poppy images are differently wonderful grannyq. Safe journey for your travels, respite from the building work sounds good as does family time.

Little sleep for me so I’m sort of in limbo this morning. The forecast is for sunny and cold here, may venture out later in the hope it will wake me up.

Wishing everyone a good enough Sunday.

Morning all, oh dear I’ve got a bit of an hangover. So I will have to come back a re read all the kitchen news. My DiL danced all night and I mean all night. She such a trooper. None of us could believe her energy. I think she just wanted to live every moment. Watching her dance closely with my son and her children was very touching. Many tears were shed quietly and out of sight in the ladies. Everyone pulling themselves together to join in. It was an emotional, busy wonderful day. It was all very reminiscent of their wedding with two families mixing together. Presents for my granddaughter and DiL will be delivered today(we’d had to hire a hall last night) and her local pub have given us a room to ourselves for Sunday lunch. I’m expecting lots emotional goodbyes as our family leave for their northward journey home.your photo made me smile N&G and thanks all for the photos of all those poppies. I think I’ll pop back to bed with paracetamol, tea to nurse this hangover before my side turn up for breakfast. Hope you all have an easy Sunday, I know sundays are not good days for some , so I’m thankful for my blessings today.

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Sorry I couldn’t resist a couple more, sleep well kitchen folk! x

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Right then, since that last post vanished I’ll try again.
Arrived back last night from our Scottish sojourn to see the old boys family, an easier visit than some we’ve had recently, but still good to get back to our own bed! A day of sorting out bits and pieces here today and getting ready to set off again tomorrow. We were expecting gdx2 here for the early part of the week but for very good reasons dd1 thinks we’re better to go there for 4 nights instead, so that’s what we’ll do. Not ideal as we’re due go off to ds in the south on Thursday for another 4 nights, at least our 1st port of call is en route to our 2nd one! As we’re always trying to please everyone, it’s what’s mums (and some dads too) do best! This house next door is currently being extended more like demolished and rebuilt so the silver lining is that I’ll be away from it all for another week. But what do I do for the rest of the time till Feb, as apparently that’s how long it’s going to take!

I’m so out of touch I haven’t a chance of catching up with this ever busy kitchen and it’s too late at night to successfully try. There are beautiful babies, cute dogs (both real and imaginary), scrumptious cakes, stunning sunsets and so much more including a drop of . There are happenings, big and small, happy and sad, there’s always someone with a kind word or two to lift the spirits or raise a smile in those who are sruggling with health worries, family pressures, or just the general stuff of living. All mixed with kindness, sometimes a prayer or two and a genuine interest in the cares of others. That is the mixing bowl that is soops kitchen, thanks everyone for what you’ve added to the mix!

I’ll leave you with some photos of the handcrafted poppies, all 16,000 of them, that are outside our Parish Church as part of the towns commemoration of the end of the 1st World War.

If anyone is visiting Bristol with dgc, May I recommend ‘We the Curious ‘ my dgc really enjoyed it. I think it’s quite stimulating as well.

Good, but as is so often the case, it is better on a cinema screen. You could have heard a pin drop at the end!

Maw I believe this film is to be shown on BBC1 in November.