Soop's welcoming and supportive kitchen

That's a lovely pic of a lapwing and the swan also. You must have shouted " duck " at the third pic.

Grebe

Have decided to start a new portrait of a golden Labrador. As dear MacSporran has a meeting to attend, I shall amuse myself with pad and pencil.

Ironing duty tomorrow. Wishing you all a peaceful evening. Thank you, Panache for ongoing good humour in spite of your trials and tribulations. You are inspirational. X

Evening All. Two very positive medical appointments today plus a walk round some shops. Makes for a good day in corner-land.

Good to hear from you greyd, sorry you and your family are having a difficult time, love the photos, especially the err, bottom one. . Hello again, panache, I’m envious of your recall, I can’t hold posts in my head to give sensible responses. Take care of yourself.

Some sadness for you soop, I was sorry to hear it. Beginning a new portrait sounds a relaxing way to spend an evening.

Oh dear, charley, a bad hair day is never good. Two positives I can think of. More time will pass before you need to pay for your next hair cut and your hair will grow, so soon be right again. Not convinced? Oh well, I tried .

Your spreadsheet sounds impressive maw. I have a part list on a tatty piece of paper, the rest is in my head. You’d think I’d have learned by now that’s the route to disaster. .

The new mixer seems to have lifted your spirits ann, in spite of some more frustrations, worth every penny. Looking forward to the cake. Happy to be experimented on. .

Apologies to those I have inevitably missed, the day is catching up. Guess what? Dentist tomorrow - just hygienist for me but still not my favourite place.

Hello all. Sorry to hear about your friend soop she was a lucky lady to have your company. Nice to hear her passing was peaceful though.
Looking forward to some goodies from the new mixer ann. Always willing to do tasting sessions in the kitchen ?

So sorry to hear about M Soop, but you can console yourself with thoughts of how you helped to brighten up her life over the last 3 years.
Good to read another of your missives Panache, you make them so cheerful when you must be feeling anything but. I admire you no end.
GreyD, lovely photos, even the camera shy grebe. Our Dawn has a very large German Shepherd dog, name of Duke, who will happily play and romp around, but as soon as he sees a camera he immediately departs the scene. How does he know what it is, or is for?
I went for a B12 jab this afternoon. Afterwards I had an errand to run(run, that`s a laugh!), and walked along West Street, for the first time in years. It was like walking through several foreign countries, restaurants, bars and shops run by Chinese, Indian, Brazilian, Italian, and it seemed every one of the E.European countries, not a British establishment to be seen, I truly felt as if I`d been transported elsewhere.
Corner, best of luck at the dentist`s tomorrow.

I believe the political comments were those referring to JC's attendance at the Cenotaph, whether he was wearing an anorak instead of a proper overcoat and whether it was appropriate.
Must admit, as an occasional poster but frequent visitor, I was slightly dismayed to see this in the kitchen which I always understood was to be free of any kind of political comment. I did wonder if it might open the floodgates (like the controversy over Michael Foot's donkey jacket) but am pleased to see that's not the case!

soop, you always spoke of your visits to M, and I’m so sorry to hear the sad news. It must have been upsetting for you.
GD, love the lapwing.
Panache, thinking of you x

greyduster, it’s lovely to see you back, sorry you’ve had a sad and worrisome week though, hope you’ll feel easier in your mind soon. Great photos, btw, these grebes are amazing how do they manage to just disappear the way they do?

I’m sorry soop that you weren’t able to see your friend in the last weeks of her life, you will have given her such a lot by just being there over the years you visited. I’m glad you had a good day corner well deserved with all the dental goings on. I’m glad to report my tricky filling was successfully and painlessly replaced yesterday and early indications are that it’s going to stay put too...hurrah!

panache the stamina, humour and thoughtfulness in your posts are amazing given all you’re coping with. I hope you know how much we appreciate you here. Ann I’m another who will happily act as a taster for any experimental baking you do with that new gizmo of yours. Ready, steady...bake! Like you I’m puzzled, I appreciate the calm kindness of the kitchen.

Sorry, I’ve run out of steam to keep writing its been a busy day today and looks like a busier one tomorrow so I need my beauty sleep! x

Morning to one and all! Sorry to hear your news Soop and Grey - sad times. This has all been a bit lively - a bit of work, a visit from the family, MOT test etc. Off to see my friends in lovely Derbyshire for the day tomorrow and then things should begin to quieten. Well, until things really get moving for Christmas!
Lovely to hear from you Panache - I hope today is a good one.
Happy days to everyone x

The Kitchen is surely the only place to be,take my word as one who,its true, is not finding life altogether easy.
I so appreciate your interesting and varied stories,the humour,pictures and perhaps for me, most of all your uplifts.

Thank you for your kind words which make my days that little brighter and enables me to return the favour with a good heart.

Sorry to hear of your family bereavement GreyD together with family health worries making it quite a stressful period.
Not only would I give a fortune to be with you out walking in the SUNSHINE.....and also in your local country park ......just the sort of place that I would enjoy.
Whilst of late we mainly have rain or storms to contend with!
Of course the birthday camera needed testing and you did it proud

Life seems to be spent in Medical establishments again Corner all successful though which is great news, whilst when I heard you were off to the Dentist I felt your pain.........but on reading Hygienist........... I felt loads better for you!

My turn for the dentist tomorrow.......only a check up hopefully.

Enjoy your time at the easel Soop I can well imagine it to be very relaxing.......and with all that is going on round and about you, relaxtion is much needed I guess.

Indeed Callgirl I echo your sentiments regarding our towns,when did all the rest of the world take over our High streets,and so many “eateries”.....makes you realise the amount of differing nationalities who must be pandering to them.....thus keeping them open.
Such a shame but its true........we are being taken over.

That is very uplifting hearing your tricky filling which was replaced, and appears to be highly successful this week GQ.........gives us all a new hope!

Talking of beauty sleep........that is something very short in supply in this establishment and my face tells the story!

Waving a cheerful hand to the remainder who made up The Kitchen yesterday,hopefully you are all having a reasonable day, whether being at those Spreadsheets,planning “The cake” or perhaps out there trundling looking out for some pressies......make it a good one!

Hello all – it’s been 2 days since I last dropped by and what a lot of traffic has been through here since – I shall get the floor cleaner out to pick up all the crumbs before I leave.

Soop and GreyD my condolences on your sad losses and hoping the health issues for your GS prove not to be serious. Soop it must have been something of a shock to get to the care home and find M had passed away but I’m sure T will appreciate the time you’re able to spend with her now. There was such a lovely lady in my mum’s home I often spent time chatting to when I visited – Mum couldn’t communicate but smiled when she came in. I’m sure your labrador portrait will be lovely and hopefully you can share it with us when it’s done. I finally bought two frames yesterday for Alfie and Daph only to get home and find they were the wrong size and type – another trip now needs planning.

Grey your pictures with your new camera are brilliant – love it when ducks all do the ‘bums up’ - it often looks synchronised. We used to have a 2nd floor apartment right on the side of the canal and the swans would all fly in formation down the water on a level with our window which was a wonderful sight. I’ve no idea why I didn’t take a photo of it – I’m very lax!

Panache my heart goes out to you not being able to eat a meal – it’s such a basic thing we do and don’t appreciate until we can no longer do it – the social aspect is also affected. I’m sure we’ll all come up with some interesting flavours for the Ensure though for your party – it might be as well if some are less memorable than others but I think for your GW one we should sprinkle the edible gold glitter on it –it might not taste up to much but will look fab! I remember Complan – my dad often had it along with slippery elm and drinks of hot water. He had a very big op when I was a child and often had stomach issues so tried all sorts of remedies.

Maw I’m impressed you’ve got a spreadsheet going for Christmas – I did try it one year but kept forgetting to update it and ended up with duplicates of presents! I bought 3 packs of cards yesterday but then got home and remembered I didn’t use the ones I bought last year. Still wondering who to give the card saying Brother and His Partner to – BIL & SIL celebrated their Golden Wedding in Sept!

Ann I’m pleased you feel a bit better now but sorry you’ve now got the added burden of wet carpets to contend with. Sadly I don’t think there’s any way round it other than replacing the carpet with some kind of wipe clean flooring but that involves taking all the furniture etc out to do it which is a huge task. I hope you get your prosthetic sorted out - sometimes you wonder how anything get done these days! Enjoy your new mixer – those ingredients sound like a mammoth cakeathon coming up!

Happy to report (fingers firmly crossed) that the broadband seems to be more stable after the tweaking the other day. It’s nowhere near as fast as the one we had disconnected but on the IT guy’s advice I went onto Open Reach’s site and expressed interest in the super fibre – he said the more people who do it the sooner they get the box upgraded. I can only think when we had the other line put in all those years ago it wasn’t at full capacity but I do wonder who got the line we had when it was switched off?

I’m off to return a pair of jeans bought yesterday which I fear are too tight – my legs were never designed to squeeze into such narrow openings – I think my days of spray on jeans are behind me (or my behind is too old for the discomfort!)

Have a good afternoon

One of the best moments in my week - home after a whole lot of ironing. Greeted with a pot of freshly made coffee. Wonderful!

As expected, you lot haven't been sitting around and twiddling your thumbs. No siree...I shall need most of the afternoon to read through all your posts. Tennis on t.v. - the perfect opportunity to put feet up, enjoy my favourite sport, and use the Kindle for catch-up.

Afternoon all, just a quick pop in .

Mcem , I think all subjects have been and can be discussed in the kitchen but the difference here is we say what we think , no one throws their teddy out of the pram, people willingly agree to disagree and off we go.

It’s not all ??? and ??? Lol

It’s all go here , no further forwardwith the West Wing as we wait for Ikea to deliver new storage so Grampy is working in the garden .

I have some crafting to finish so willpop in later to have a longer read through.

The TV engineer has been back for the 3rd time- he cane half an hour early but let's face it, at my age I never leave the house.

I spent a superb morning over a coffee or two with 3 GN's.

I had told the TV man that my new recorder had frozen but he did not believe me until he saw for himself. He was here for 90 minutes and said he was not going to charge me. I managed to button my lips because I had no intention of paying him because he did the damage the last time he came.

I am going to have an enforced rest from using my computer because my left hand has tenosynovitis- to the extent I cannot lift the kettle and dressing is a problem. My right hand is going the same way. Please do not all skip around the room together- you will fall over. Enjoy the rest from me babbling on, otherwise I am fine.

N&G Us lot demand hope for lots of pics of the West Wing ...we're a nosy crowd.

Charleygirl5 Lovely to hear that you have had a coffee and blether with 3 GN's. Bet it was fun. Wouldn't it be lovely if us lot could meet up? I suppose we shall have to settle for our virtual (and much appreciated) gatherings in the kitchen.
Sorry to hear that you are having a problem with your hand. It sounds like a right buggeration.

Talking of hands...I have a hard lump in the centre of my right palm. It appears that one of my fingers is beginning to curl inwards. Also, on my wrist, I have a another lump thingy. I haven't been able to lift anything weighty for a very long time.

Never mind. Compared with the serious trials and tribulations of many of our Kitcheners, I feel that there is nowt for me to bleat about. So, I won't.

Watched some tennis. Still trying to draw the golden Labrqador. In spite of asking for detailed images of the muzzle and such...I'm needing to use "artistic license"...in other words, my imagination.

I'm going to feed Tabitha. It's dark and she usually waits until this time to pay us a call. I also need to swap the chalet mat. She has two. One in use, one being aired.

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Evening all,

Finally had time for catching up.

Love the photos Grey , your new camera is fab!

Glad to hear you had a lovely time Charley , is your tv fixed now too? Sorry to hear about your hand , what a buggeration !! Don't stay away too long !

One end of our village is having to express interest in BT broadband Willow , as you say they wont do anything until they reach a critical mass. I have to say in all the years I have had the internet ( right back to a home dial up connect in 1991) this is the best signal I have ever had !! They also just put a new mast on top of the church tower so even mobile signal is much improved and the church benefits with some extra funds.

Ann , Maw is definitely on the right track with a dog urine cleaner. They are very powerful and the enzymes in them can destroy the toughest odour. The food mixer sounds very swish and I think there should not only be spares cakes for the kitchen but photos too!!!

Grampy and I have taken the leap and signed up for 12 weeks at Slimming World to lose some weight so virtual cake is the only sort we're getting any time soon !!

Sorry for your loss Soop but how you must have lightened that ladies last months. That's a very special talent.

I am away as Grampy is making spag bol served on courgetti :-( it doesn't sound …...appetising but I am happy to stand corrected !!

Oh thats interesting N&G. I need to present my (Italian) husband with some pre-diabetes-friendly pasta and spiralisied veg would be just the thing. I’m so doubtful of how it will be received though although I have just about got him to understand how important it is not to cross the threshold into Diabetes. He does love veggies so maybe I can present it differently; call it something else? Let us know how/whether you enjoyed it.
Soop I’m delighted to hear updates on Tabitha. Love the name too.
ann I actually envy your sense of humour. What an amazing lady you are.
Panache I’m looking forward to some Prosecco flavoured Ensure. You are a great lady!

Oh dear Soop your poor hands.
I hope it can be held at bay or better, cured as your paintings are so very lovely.

Bellanonna , it was fine. We both ate it and we’re prepared to have it as a matter of course and save real spaghetti for ‘special occassions’. To be honest even I , a non veggie person found it palatable.

Sorry to hear about your hand soop , that’s a buggeration !

Now I just need a low cal substitue for a slice of cake with my coffee for dessert lol

Bellanonna you can use spiralised butternut squash too or make a lasagne type of dish with aubergine slices instead of pasta.

Sorry all, no cakes for eating yet.
H has had two falls today, I am shattered, we had a visit from a very helpful CPN, who weighed up the situation in a very short time.
He thinks H has a UTI, I will get a sample in tomorrow, also thought he has done some damage to his knee on one of his falls last week.
Apparently people with dementia don't always articulate pain, he is very bruised and has a small lump on his knee.
Can you imagine how I feel, elderly neglect?
He agrees full timecare is the answer in the long term, quite frankly ,tonight, it can't come soon enough.
On the positive side ,apartfrom being full on, it has not been a bad day and I have got some C.......s presents sorted and ordered.
H is asleep and apart from being on GN I am relaxing and watching a bit of tv.

I realise with my online shopping I am one of those people responsible for the problems in the retail segment.
I actually could not manage without online shopping and say thanks for it everyday.

Annsixty is your H any closer to the top of the list for the care home?
You have so much on your plate these days I am amazed you are still standing!

Evening All. I’m very impressed with all the healthy eating, lunch was good here, home made soup, I’ll cast a veil over the evening .

My excuse is the flipping tooth. Playing up seriously. Discovered today there is a consultant dental surgeon who appears monthly at my surgery to remove wisdom teeth and perform other procedures that I don’t want to think about. Of course at a cost but do you know it would be oh so worth it. He will be asked to inspect my x-rays and say if he thinks the tooth is suitable. My fingers are tightly crossed. I can’t believe I actually want a dental procedure.

I’m relieved for you grannyq, the filling will stay in, I know it will, hope you had a good sleep.

Hello, willow, sorry about the frames and the jeans. Hopefully better luck with both next time.

Oh dear soop and charley, what is it with hands and wrists? Look after yourselves and don’t overdo it.

Your morning sounds good charley, hope the tv man worked some magic.

Looking forward to hearing about progress in the West Wing n&g, hope the furniture installation will be trouble free. I’m looking forward even more to testing your cake ann, well, it is soft .

Good to hear from you panache, wishing you a trouble free dental checkup.

Right, feet up time now. A few fuller than usual days ahead so if I don’t appear that’s why. Take care everyone.