Soop's comfortable and convivial kitchen.

I have just this minute returned from our best mate's 79th birthday party. Sadly, not only MacS was unable to attend, but two other members of the gang. All laid low with the same dastardly bug. It was a very pleasant gathering. Lots of blethering and chuckles. Have returned with a goodie bag for MacS...including a large slice of cream filled birthday cake.

GrannieGravy You also have a dose of the Winter bug. It is awful. Stay in bed for as long as it takes to recover.
Greyduster likewise with that back of yours and you too, corner.

Panache, thank you for updating us. From hereon, we all hope that your needs will be met. You deserve better.

As I've been absent all afternoon, i feel that I should join MacSporran and share a pot of tea.

I will return in the morning. That's a promise.

Ann Stew and fluffy dumplings! Yes please!

Evening all,

Rest assured you assorted pigeon fanciers - our shooters were hopeless. They were there for 5 hours and by the end pigeons were doing multiple fly bys giving them the 'bird' !! I have never seen two men so totally hopeless with guns !!

I hope they weren't planning on pigeon pie for dinner :-)

You're right grey leave it to the women !!

Sam was mystified but willing to retrieve for them but I suspect he wouldn't have been much good. He will willingly chase 'ratty' his beloved stuffed toy from Ikea as long as you are willing to throw but anything else ...meah no thanks :-)

Sorry to hear your back is bad Grey is that lifting those heavy boxes of chocolate liqueurs ?? ;-)

Feel better soon granniegravy - the dull weather doesn't help does it ?

I am off to offer unsolicited advice to Grampy on his dinner prep :-) I love to live dangerously !!!

Fast forward to when our children clear out our home, they’ll be saying.... Gq strange you should say that. Having looked at all the cards I was saving, DH said to me “When we’re gone and the kids go through this lot, they’ll be saying “Why did they keep more of your cards than mine?” and will probably have an punch up in the loft!” I think I’ve been reasonably fair, but come to think of it..... Thing is, like yours, this latest lot is the tip of the iceberg - there are a whole lot more keepers stashed away somewhere!

N&G what these pigeon chappies need is you and I out there with a couple of L7A2 GPMGs and we would have it sorted in no time. I used to have a cat, too, who was a dab hand at catching pigeons. Unfortunately, many of them had rings on their legs ? and may have been worth a lot of money!!

I am once more nursing a bad back as of this morning, but I did struggle out to watch GS play football, and, on the plus side, the sun was shining. It’s not as bad as last time (the back, not the football) so I am not stressing about it much, but this is the second time in as many weeks so a bit of a puzzle.

GrannyGravy I’m sorry you are feeling so poorly. Take it easy and stay warm.

A cup of tea is the order of the day. I will look in later.

So relieved for you panache

Have peeked in but not lingered these last few days so am a bit out of date with kitchen news.
Glad to see the Panaches are at last having some support. soop I hope your lovely man is feeling much better, I’ll bet all the good wishes from his fan club here will have helped him along! Hope you’re feeling better soon too grannygravy, and any others under the weather, there do seem to be lots of bugs around at this time of year.

Belated birthday good wishes kitty, hope you’re surviving and also enjoying your busy weekend. Hard to relax when you’ve half an eye on health worries for Mr L. N&G, shall I send our pigeon catching grand dog to help with the cull? I’m sure she and your Sam could sort it out between them!
I smiled at your accounts of stuff you’ve kept /not kept N&G and greyduster. While I can be quite ruthless about getting rid of things we don’t use I am hopelessly and unashamedly sentimental about other things. Amongst my extensive and ever growing “stash” I’ve engagement/wedding cards, birth congrats/1st birthday cards for all 5 children and lots, lots more besides. This includes probably every card my old boy has ever sent me, I assumed he’d kept cards too... but recently I found out that’s not so...apparently he’s always kept them for a year why? then the following year bins them and keeps the new ones for a year and so on. Fast forward to when our children clear out our home they’ll be saying “aw that’s so sweet just look at all these lovely cards dad sent to mum, what a shame she never sent him any!” But when they investigate further and find his small shoe box of keepsakes and my several suitcases they may guess the real truth of the matter!

Well since dd2 and her crew, including that pigeon catching pup are coming across for a late roast dinner, I’d best get off my ample bahookie and get the show on the road. Eek just had a text to say they’re en route....!

Just popped in to catch up with you all.

I have taken myself back to bed, I feel really grotty, pounding headache and exhausted. I normally brush these things off unless it is a migraine. Not so today!!
Pleased that the dear Panache’s are getting the support they need.

Hope all poorly kitcheners have a restful day, I will pop back tomorrow bright and breezy hopefully xx

Any sightings of MawBroon ? I haven't seen her for a day or two

Morning all !!

We thought we had come under fire here this morning , Sam was startled enough to run into the orangery door in error !!

Seems like we have some avid hunters in the field behind our home. They have pigeon lures out so looks like they are aiming to thin out the huge flocks of pigeons that have made the field their home .

Mind you , judging from their performance the pigeons have nothing to fear :-)

Good news that the Panaches have finally filtered into the system and looks like they will be well looked after. Isn't it always the way that you tick along nicely for ages and one thing throws everything into disarray. Hope Mr P continues to improve.

Grey I wish I had kept more 'stuff' , many moves meant I actually didn't and now those bits I did keep are precious. I have a large memory box for my 4 grandchildren and when I come across something of interest I write about it and pop it in an envelope with the relevant child's name on it for when I'm gone. I wish I had asked my Mum and Gran more about their lives pre kids but left it too late :-(

Charley yes both boys got new winter coats this year - their Mum likes them to match but I fear those days are coming to an end ( she doesn't know it yet!)

Corner glad you're beginning to improve - your walk sounds just the ticket.

Ann we love a good stew, I just keep topping it up and it often lasts 3/4 days.

Hoping you all have a mellow sunday x

So pleased that things are looking up for the Panaches, not before time.
I`m glad your wobbliness is diminishing Corner.
I hope that MacSporran is feeling better by morning, and gets some much needed sleep.
GreyD, a kindred spirit, my second daughter despairs of me for wanting to hang onto things, she doesn`t have a sentimental bone in her body! Whilst clearing out the back bedroom this week, I found behind the bedroom unit one of those large birthday cards (around 3`x 2`) that were popular 20 odd years ago, it was to my youngest son from his then girlfriend, now wife. He moved out about 20 years back, I thought how lovely, he`ll be thrilled to get his card back, his response? "Chuck it in the bin"!!
I was out earlier to a meal, one daughter had a birthday on New Year`s Day, another today, so they had a joint birthday meal. I love it when I don`t have to cook!

Belated happy birthday Kitty!

So pleased to hear you being more positive Ann

We had stew and dumplings too... great minds annsixty...

God, I love stew and dumplings! Is there any left, Ann? ????!

The teeniest tiniest accolade please.
I am trying to live out of the freezer apart from veg and fruit and found sorting out yesterday 2 large banana shalotts and 4 mushrooms.I knew I had a portion of stew in the freezer so on my grocery delivery today I ordered some Atora suet. I lightly sauteed the shallots and mushrooms, added them to the stew and made the lightest, fluffiest dumplings.
My H would not have liked that for Saturday night but it was delicious.
I feel I will cope with paying full fees for him, it will be a challenge but no more than we all faced when newly married and then with small children.
We are a generation of copers and managers I am pleased to say.

panache so glad things are looking up. mamissio and luckygirl how wonderful you were able to help.
kitty many happy returns. Hope the results are all good for mr kitty
dragonfly your poor DH. Hope relief comes soon.
Hello everyone else. Hope you are all ok.

That all sounds so very hopeful panache, almost there with a safety net in place. Thank you so much for telling us, there has been much concern for you both. Hope those meals appear before you shrink any more.

Sounds a packed and fun weekend kitty. Celebrate in style . You deserve it.

Wobbliness is diminishing. Had a chilly 15 minute walk on the seafront, a coffee and a 15 minute walk back to the car. Enjoyed every second and relished the achievement. No idea what it is, haven’t had bugs. Just me being odd. It feels like post flu wobliness, haven’t had flu so suspect it’s a fibromyalgia/CFS flareup. Oh well, this too will pass and there are worse things. You never know I may find my brain tomorrow. .

That plumber sounds a keeper charley, delighted you’ve found a tradesperson who does what they say they will.

I’ve also got a stash of ‘special’ cards greyd, wont part with them. They include our engagement cards, 51 years old. Ours are in boxes in the top of a wardrobe. We live in a bungalow, so safe from floods . Hope all proves to be well with your husband.

Your husband sounds in horrible pain . dragonfly, so sorry the amitriptylene isn’t helping. I wonder if it’s worth a call to the GP to see if there is anything else that could help. Please look after yourself, as soop said, is there anyone who could help a bit?

Take care everyone, feet up time here, lazy or what?

The time has come for me to wish you all a good evening. I've been busy with a watercolour painting. Have discarded the two previous attempts. I have put the paint box away until tomorrow. It's called...knowing when to stop tiddling...

My best wishes to each and every one of you. Stay cosy and keep safe.

Hi folks;

The white chargers raced in at knots bringing help from every direction?! ....................(I wish!!)

There is a slot for a Flying Carers Service and Mamissimo I vote that you and Luckygirl head the Service............What a team!!

But seriousely, thankfully indeed the SS arrived and sat listened intently, apologised for their lack of earlier attention,asked several questions and offered some real helpful advice, providing me with a host of needy numbers.

In fact perhaps not handing out miracles, but in our situation as it had been, believe me both of us were highly delighted.

Following the sad collapse of the “Meals on Wheels” service that had been a great provider for people of need, a new company has been set up in the town just recently......they provide a hot 3 course dinner daily.The same company also provide great packages to aid the likes of ourselves over difficult periods........they run a light cleaning service,a laundry service,a gardening cum handyman service..............all vetted and safe.
This certainly serves us well and will be well used.

There is a “Country cars “ service for senior citizens,disabled etc and the charge is half the bus fare and can take one up to a 40 mile journey........needing just a 48 hour call.

So a massive thank you to the dear ones whom went beyond the call to get us back on the road again,whilst our elderly gentleman neighbour has been a great blessing.

Thanks also to Charley whom has provided me with valuable advice,wrapped up in lovely uplifting letters ............much appreciated.

My dear one is making a good but slow recovery, and I think knowing there is this help will further aid him.
His rehab programme starts at the end of the month.

Our Hospital,Surgery and Pharmacy continue to be a real pain...........

I cannot add that I am feeling that well,as the whole weight and concerns of all that has happened is taking its toll,and the new wardrobe I delighted in only last year may well need replacing for yet a smaller size!!!!

With only just starting to get things running more smoothly, my time has been extremely limited and I take every opportunity to rest my weary limbs and body,hence far too tired to even join you all.
Nevertheless I am thinking of you all and as ever, wish each one feeling unwell ........or family members of course...........improved health and less problems of any degree.
Whilst love and blessings for everyone and hopefully I shall resume my position in The Kitchen fairly soon.........at least you will now know the Panache household is alive and ALMOST thriving!!!!

Happy birthday Kitty

Hello the kitchen. A quiet one here at Chez Duster. We had a time slot, which has been and gone, to have a delivery. Now it seems that they will be extending it into early evening, so I feel as if I have wasted a complete day. However, both the fridges needed cleaning and I drew the short straw and got to tackle the health hazard in the kitchen (there are things in there that even Darwin would have backed away from) whilst DH gave the one in the garage a quick wipe round!
Yesterday while sorting out a small chest we are chucking out, we found a dvd (I nearly thew it out!) which turned out to have GS’s first baby photos on it. He was just hours old in most of them, taken at the hospital. It brought a tear to my eye. Also in said chest were a hundredweight of old birthday and Christmas cards, mostly from the kids and GS but all the lovely handmade cards my niece ever sent me, which I will not part with. After a good sort out, I ended up with half a hundredweight of ‘keepers’. DH was shaking his head in bewilderment. He’s given up on getting me to throw stuff away.
Dragonfly I’m sorry to hear your DH is still struggling. Sciatica is an awful thing to suffer with. I hope he gets some relief soon.

Corner I hope you are feeling less wobbly now. Could it be a middle ear infection? Take it easy until it settles down.

Kitty you sound as if you are going to be a busy household again this weekend and though there will be anxieties clouding the proceedings I’m sure having your GC around you will lift both yours and Mr L’s spirits. My very best wishes for your birthday.

Good to hear that things are looking up for the Panache’s at long last. Thank you for that news, Mamissimo .

Soop hope MacS is improving. My DS is out in sympathy with him. Had to go for an X-ray yesterday, but just precautionary (I hope). Look after yourselves both.

Apologies to anyone I have missed out. Junior football starts tomorrow. I must get out my ‘1001 excuses for not standing on the touchline in the freezing cold’ book!

Ah Dragonfly if only they were being cared for.....but at least the right people are now talking and things will change. I reckon there’s a fortune to be made if you could set up a flying carers service for short term but instant help! Do take care of yourself- no heroics in the lifting dept!

Mamissimo Thank you yet again for bringing the plight of the Panaches to the very people who can and will do something useful and supportive for them. You are a very kind lady.

dragonfly Is there anyone who can give you much needed assistance? If so, please ask.

Good to hear the Panaches are now being cared for.

Thinking about getting the carers in here. My DH is in such pain he cannot get out of bed!

Happy Birthday Kitty!

I bring news of the Panaches ? Things are beginning to look a little brighter on several fronts now that Drs and Social Services are working with them. I’m sure Panache will pop into the kitchen when she has caught up on some rest and has a few minutes. I think we all feel happier knowing that they’re no longer off grid!

kitty It sounds as though you'll be extra specially busy on this your birthday.

I'm just rushing in to say thank you for the birthday wishes and to say that DH has 'only' gone for an ultrasound today. We have a few more appointments before we get any results I think.

Nannytopsy you need to be careful around those pesky Russians!!

Take care of that MacS, soop, he's worth his weight in gold.

Corner, wobbliness is awful. Is it a sinus problem? Both DH and I have awful head colds and, as I'm a martyr to my sinuses I use Olbas Oil (rather too liberally on my pillow according to DH) Hope you feel better soon.

Anyone had any news of Panaches?

Anyway, I'm in charge of picking up DD2 and DGD4 from the station so I must rush off. DGD3 has a sleep over tonight so she is coming with her Daddy tomorrow and DD and DGD are 'having an adventure' and coming by train today so she can spend time with DH ( I can guarantee that she will ask questions galore and cry) and then going home together tomorrow.

Thank you all again for your good wishes.