Soop's welcoming and supportive kitchen

Whilst you are all coping with various "predicaments" from the big move to entertaining and preperaing the fine cuisine,others suffering without much sleep and wandering legs,plus a nasty painful wisdom tooth which is about to be extracted!............

I come in to say we have the most glorious day,clear blue skies and sunshine,dipping temperatures it seems though preparing us for this Siberian blast.

Make a schedule Ann and you be sure to stick to it,remember you are in command!!!

I however have had another of those sleepless nights, together with rather a lot of discomforts which renders me rather helpless today.
So I will just pop by to say Hi wishing each one of you the very best,freedom from your pains and issues and lots of uplifts as you hopefully enjoy and make the most of the day.

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Panache, it seems that no matter how rough you feel, you put on a smiley face and, with cheerful words, continue to offer support to us lot in the kitchen. On behalf of us all...heartfelt thank yous.

N&G Please leave the bear alone. The message is great fun to listen to. Made me chuckle out loud.

We also have a cloudless sky. We had a pleasant walk and, as usual, I took a few photos. I'm into light and shade right now. Here is an example...

Nannytopsy and Overthehills A hearty thank you for you know what.

Agreed about Panache, soop. She’s amazing.
Loved your pictures, and also the lovely sunset from Izabella yesterday. Even if I don’t comment I always enjoy everyone’s pictures. Look forward to them.

Lovely snap Soop and we also have a stunning day here. Blue skies and Red Kites circling overhead.

The last of the minces pie done and the kitchen table is groaning under the cooling trays. I get thinly veiled hints for supplies every year but have now produced 8 dozen in total - but not all at once! Funny thing is rolling pastry is the only thing that hurts my hand and wrist following the spectacular dismount from the mountain bike some time ago.

I hope the winter sun is making life little easier for all struggling with various things. It never solves anything but certainly makes me feel brighter on a bad day. I now have 5 friends struggling with dire diagnoses and l alternatively feel caring and compassionate and then rage at the injustice of it all.

I am now going to attempt a short nap, so what are the odds the parcel delivery man will ring the bell just as I settle down?

Oh btw Greyduster what camera did you settle on in the end?

Yes N&G, hands off the bear - it will put smiles on people’s faces for years to come.
I’m sorry about your less than peaceful night Panache but if it’s any comfort I too had a broken one. DGD arrived in my bed at 4am saying she couldn’t sleep. She dozed till 5am after which we practised the songs for her Christmas concert till 6am when we got up! I hadn’t slept before 4am by the way - just in case I didn’t hear her if she called - she was all of seven steps away, we measured it! But it was a big achievement for her as she hasn’t been wanting to go to her father’s to sleep because of his nasty partner. So it’s good that she still has confidence in us.
Lovely photos as always Soop, do you paint from photos or life or both?
Hope you’re having a peaceful day Ann.
This is not my usual time to visit the kitchen but I’m taking it easy today wrapped up in my latest quilt with the Sunday papers to hand - not that’s there’s anything cheerful in them ... Later on I may bestir myself to do something with the chicken I got out of the freezer yesterday.
Hope all our suffering pals are having a better day and that all the various buggerations are not getting you down too much.

Hello the kitchen and what a gloriously beautiful day it is. Hope you are enjoying it as much as Himself who is sleeping in the sun rays whilst stretched out on his recliner. Smokie has been out but heard me starting the washing machine after lunch so has been 'supervising' the entire operation, He watches the washing going round in the drum and for the really exciting bits when the machine empties or clicks on to the next phase he leaps up on the sink to check that all is well. He has never recovered from the day I put too much powder in and the bubbles came up the plughole - I think he is hoping for a replay! He knows he shouldn't jump up on the surfaces but just can't help himself so I try not to let him see my amusement!

Nana&G you really have to keep the bear with that recording! I couldn't help chuckling and so will the family particularly in years to come.

Panache blessings abound!

anne make lists so that you don't forget anything and be as kind to yourself as you can be by having easy food and delegating all that you can. You will still be jiggered but hopefully have everything ship shape and as you want it.

I have been using a very clever little gadget which I was given for my birthday last week. It is called a 'gimble' and it holds a book open for you so that your hands can just relax. Brilliant! I used to love reading but had pretty much given up as my hands couldn't hold a book open. Didn't know such a thing existed so thought I would share my joy just in case someone else would benefit from such a thing.
(((Hugs))) to all those who could do with one! x

And now the sun has set, the dish awaits filling for a certain Tabitha to enjoy. I am closing the main computer. However, I shall top up the batteries on the Kindle and return a little later.

Still no positive progress with the golden Labrador. I have discarded yet another no-hoper. Have emailed the lady concerned and asked if I may visit the house to take photos on my camera. She uses her phone. The images are fine enough but...I need crisp deatil of the eyes and muzzle. Otherwise, I'm guessing...and guessing isn't going to please me.

Please relax, if you are able. My best wishes to everyone in the kitchen. You are the tops!

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I’ve just spent a happy time catching up on kitchen goings on and and another while writing a post which then disappeared in a fraction of the time ittook to write! Note to self never try to preview a photo, it always ends in tears, metaphorical ones that is.

N&G and overthehills those tales abour the bear recording and the early morning wake up call had me in real tears of laughter. It just sums up the world with small children - funny, tiring, varied and unpredictable as it is!

synonymous I’d never heard of that gadget but have made a note of it as a possible gift for an elderly friend with aching hands and wrists.

bellanonna like you I enjoy seeing everyone’s photos. It’s amazing to see the difference in climate and environmen in the various locations where we all live or visit.

ann I’m greatly relieved to read that a place has been found for your husband. It’ll be a huge change for you and I’m sure will bring some tears too as you think of “what might have been” for this chapter of your long marriage. But life hasn’t turned out how you’d hoped and as things stand now this is the best and only way forward. I hope you’re able to set aside feelings of guilt and benefit from this new period with the same indomitable spirit, dignity and good humour you’ve shown through the difficult and demanding days you’ve had recently. I can understand your doubts about visiting family, I’m sure they mean well and its lovely they want to be with you.....but....! So make use of your organisational skills and don’t hesitate to direct operations, preferably from a comfy armchair.

Like others we’ve had some beautiful late autumn days. We were at a wedding yesterday, sadly for the bride the sunshine took its time in appearing. But nothing could dim the happy smiles a young couple full of their hopes and dreams for the future.
We were out and about enjoying the sunshine the other day, I’ll leave some photos for you- those Victorians certainly built things on a grand scale!

Wishing you all a restful evening and sending s gentle hug for all with family worries, sore hearts, or teeth for that matter! x

Morning All, flipping cold here but the sun is trying to shine which is wonderful

Unexpected family day yesterday, noisy, fun, manic, exhausting and wouldn’t have missed it. It’s rare to see one of ours relaxed so a real bonus. Not much on the agenda today other than catching up with faffy things.

Enjoying the photos, good to hear from you grannyq. Haven’t been to a wedding for ages, they are very special days.

Wonderful that your granddaughter was so comfortable with you overthehills, special moments, but hope you had more sleep last night.

Think it’s coffee time here, although that may mean hot chocolate for me - well, something needed to keep out the cold . Hope you are all as comfortable as life allows you to be.

Sadly life very much at a complete standstill at Chez Panache,my dear H,my one and only Carer is completely laid up with a very painful spine........mis diagnosed as Sciatica but now he is rendered immobile.

Needless to add another totally sleepless night and both of us are truly dragging our heels and everything else.

So should I be rendered as missing from the Kitchen you have been informed my friends.

Sending you all blessings in abundance and please do take care.

Panache I hope you are still checking your iPad/computer/phone even if unable to contribute. Can you get some help along, maybe by contacting your GP in the first instance? You can’t go on like that. Others will hopefully be along with good advice. Thinking of you and hoping and praying you get some urgent help.

Panache I agree with Bellanonna's advice. You do need assistance right now, not in due course, now! If us lot could rally round, we'd be able to offer some support. Sadly, all we can do is offer suggestions on how to proceed. The fact is, you cannot cope without practical help. I'm really concerned for you both.

corner Hot chocolate sounds very tempting. None in the cupboard. I shall have to settle for a nice cup of coffee.

granniequeenie Thank you for yet more superb photographs. Also thanking you for a very supportive message to our ann.

The portrait of the Labrador is not going at all well. This afternoon, I hope to complete a suitable sketch, from which I shall endeavour to do Klara justice. Trouble is...I cannot see detail in the photos that I've been given. I refuse to be beaten. Will check in with you all again a little later.

Hello the kitchen. Having five quiet minutes on my todd while GH has gone off to an appointment.

Gq I love your photos - we have walked up there many times, towards Wernside, but never managed the whole way to the top. We have always run out of time (and steam!). Out of the three Yorkshire peaks, Wernside is the easiest but the most time consuming! Too late for us now I think to do much but stand, admire and take photos!

Corner glad you enjoyed your manic family day yesterday. They are the best kind. We had DD and her menfolk round for a post junior footie family lunch and everyone was very relaxed - even me, except for when DD decided to come and help with the dishes. Now I don’t know which makes me the more nervous - having DD in my kitchen or being in hers. I am not the tidiest of cooks and she is a neat freak where not a single crumb is allowed to deface any surface, so I think it is always a shock to her system to see the aftermath of a big session in my kitchen, but she threw me out and got in with it! Fair enough!

I have been researching poo this morning. I found some strange droppings out by the bird feeder and my first thought was that our rat was back, but they are the wrong size and shape, and now I am leaning toward either squirrel or hedgehog but as I have seen neither in the seven years we have been here, the jury is out at the moment. The are round black and shiny (at first I thought they were some sort of berry!) about the size of a one pence piece. Any poo specialists out there, I would welcome your ideas!

I took a photo of the moon last night. I thought you might like to see it.

I will do a catch up later. I have to (find and) write my ‘Sin in Law’s’ birthday card and then we have the school run to do.

Panache, what a sorry plight. Your poor DH must be in so much pain and you in a lot of discomfort. You must be feeling quite helpless with him in so much pain and you exhausted by your frequently disturbed nights. I hope that some help will be at hand.
Ann, it's going to be quite a week for you. Banish any feelings of guilt - they should be outweighed by the relief of knowing that H will be cared for in familiar surroundings by people who know his condition. It's good that your family are coming to help with your clear-up. Thinking of you xx

Oh dear Panache your poor husband must be feeling very frustrated being laid up and in so much pain and worrying about you while you are feeling so helpless being unable to help him. Is there anyone you can call on for help? If not do you have a health visitor at your GP who could maybe advise what help you could be entitled to? It must be very worrying for you both. I do wish we could help too.

Ann it's good your family are coming to help get things sorted out but its definitely not a time for a holiday break for any of them so stick to your guns and delegate all the tasks needed. The next few weeks will be an emotional time for you all and a big upheaval but it will be a time for you to regather your thoughts and also start to think about yourself for a change.

N&G the story of the bear is hilarious – I hope the recording is kept for posterity! It would be worth buying a new bear with a proper recording so it can preserved and played to their girlfriends in years to come Glad Jackson is feeling a little better today.

I concur about the tinnitus – I’ve just developed it a couple of months ago and it’s extremely annoying especially during the night. Coupled with the loss of my sense of smell and taste 7 years ago and my ever decreasing eyesight I’m just hoping the last sense doesn’t let me down I’ve had to smile at my cousin’s wife who I’ve just spoken to – she said she’s had 2 new knees and recently a hip replacement so as they're moving up her body she’s waiting for the boob job – she was 80 earlier this year

Soop lovely pictures as usual – I hope your painting is eventually beginning to take shape today. Tabitha sounds to be settling in well – how soon before she ventures inside to the warmth of the house like Synonymous’s Smokie.?

We had a lovely weekend with a meal out with friends on Saturday night, a trip to Scarborough with some other friends yesterday and then a meal out with my SIL and her husband last night. Today I have taken the exchanged jeans back with a skirt bought yesterday as neither fit – I wonder why There are some gingerbread whirls to share on the side – I’m making lasagne for tea so must refrain!

I have finally got Daph to lie in her bed by putting it on the desk again as she was constantly attacking my hands so I will away to do the ironing now. Have a good afternoon everyone.

I am making painfully slow progress with sketching the Labrador. Every so often, I make a brew and my mind goes into slumber-mode. Had I a decent image from which to work, I would be totally absorbed and 100% focused.

Willow As I have just made a please may I sample your gingerbread whirls? If only I could increase my height by six inches (or so) I would be the ideal weight.

Tabitha didn't call last night. No doubt she was patrolling her vast territory. We both think that she has more than a handful of Scottish wild cat genes. In which case, she could never be domesticated. It's good that she is in fine fettle. Not at all scrawny or lack-lustre. She has fended for herself for some considerable time. Our offering is made to top up her reserves of energy. Plus, in wicked weather, should she need a cosy den, she has the carpeted chalet for stop-over.

Greyduster Love the image of the moon.
Talking of poo identification...when we were thinking of building close to a burn, we had to be certain that there was no sign of an otter living close by. A man visited to search for otter "spraint" (may not be the correct spelling). Had he found evidence of otter activity, we would have had to reconsider. As it happened, the farmer withdrew the plot from the market. The otters were relieved. In hind sight, so were we.

Hello anno...both Panache and ann have been on my mind throughout the day. I wish that us lot could be of positive assistance.

I am about to log off for today. Tomorrow is care home visit day. M will be missing. I shall therefore spend some time with T. She has had a major stroke. Conversation is often tricky. Somehow we manage to make each other smile. That's what counts.

On Wednesday MacSporran has to have his regular CT scan in Oban hospital. I shall pop into the kitchen before then.

I have popped in after thinking of Ann and Panache all day. I hope your days have been tolerable.

panache so sorry to hear about your poor DH. You two have so much to cope with. Like everyone else I hope you can get some help from somewhere. Take care.
So soop our Tabitha is a nightlife girl. I expect she'll make her way back when she needs a rest from the highlife. Hope MacS's scan goes well.

It wasn't me greyduster I promise. I always put my poo in e right receptacle....does sound a bit like mine though ?
willow your story about your cousin's wife made me laugh ?
Sleep well everyone

Goodness panache that’s not good to hear. I hope Mr Panache is more comfortable now and you did put out a distress call to your GP. you two need come help quickly.

I’ve also been wondering about our ann, hope today is at least bearable. There are challenges ahead but I hope positives as well.

Oh dear soop, frustrations abound with your new portrait production. Better luck next time. Hope all goes well for macs on Wednesday. I know this is early but I may not get in tomorrow.

Hello to everyone, apologies to those I have missed, bit weary now and the concentration has left me.

Look after yourselves.

Hare poo?

Panache so sorry about your latest problems and hope MrP's back is better very soon. I hope you both have a restful sleep filled night. I hope your
doctor is on the case.

GreyD sounds like the droppings you found belong to a squirrel. They are are usually up to 8mm, round or cylindrical and often found where they feed and very commonly by a bird table. Not that I am into poo in any way but we had red squirrels at our last house. We have had one or two brief visits that we know about but not any residents here yet, sadly.

Willow I really had to laugh with you at what your cousin's wife said, this getting older is not for the fainthearted !

soop you have really got me scratching my head with your comment about needing to be 6" taller because I an now trying to remember who said "I'm not overweight, just under tall". I thought it might have been Harry Secombe when he was being Sir Cumference but I can't find it. I asked Himself who is absolutely of no help whatsoever as all he can think of is the tale about Harry Secombe who was dug in with his platoon on a beach during the North Africa campaign when a howitzer came flying over the cliff and landed just feet away. A man appeared at the cliff edge and yelled, "Anyone seen a gun" and the immediate reply from Harry was "What colour?" That was how Harry Secombe met Spike Milligan.
Well, I have typed all that and so I am leaving it there for you as I think it is funny - just hope you do too. I now know where that quote came from - Garfield of course! Can't understand why I mixed him up with Harry Secombe?!?

I am hoping to sleep as I did last night which was the first full night for ages! I can't remember which of the Kitcheners it was who said that you can do so much better if you have slept ( or words to that effect!) but it is so very true. My cleaning fairy came today and we achieved quite a bit between us which made me feel soo good! The sun shone on the pv for so long that I managed to run the dishwasher, then the washing machine and then used the tumble dryer to finish off a load of towels so that made me feel even better!
Hope everyone sleeps well and rises refreshed in the morning!

Was this what you were looking for?
Much sympathy to Panache. I am just wondering how on Earth you are coping and hoping there are some friendly helpful souls around you.
I have also been wondering what today has brought Annsixty and her OH.
Hoping for reassuring news from both of you.