Soop's comfortable and convivial kitchen.

Willow I find the offer of a full English breakfast will get himself to the garden centre without too much trouble! Best wishes to Mc Soop and Mr G - get well soon both.

Just popping in to wish poorly people well - especially poorly husbands.

Welcome to all new visitors to the kitchen especially the ones bringing cake.

Back later.

I second kitty's welcome and good wishes to poorly people.
Bad night here , too much going on to sleep so my sympathy is with you all with similar worries.
Molly and I are making tea.

Bad night here too ann, over-full-head-itis is a serious pain.

Will be back much later, out for the day and evening, to check on everyone, especially poorly people. May not post but I’ll have been here

Stay safe everyone.

Ann I’m so glad you kept Molly!?

Corner sorry you are not sleeping again. I didn’t get a lot last night myself. DH’s back is still troublesome and he is behaving like a seven year old, insisting on doing things he really shouldn’t, rather than accepting help. When I have a back problem he is all over me like a rash and won’t let me lift a finger, even though I am used to managing mine! It’s going to be a long day! School run this afternoon, which means rush hour traffic on the way home so I shall have some psyching up to do for that!
I will look in later to see how everyone is doing. We had a bit of snow last night. I hope that is the last of it for now.

Soop I hope you get to the hospital today okay and that you have not had snow. I also hope that Mac's rash is nothing serious.

Sorry to hear you had a bad night Ann you have a lot on your mind at the moment.

Greyduster I wish my DH would try to do too much. He just wallows and it drives me mad. I am keeping out of his way today to see how much he can do for himself if he has to. I hope your DH's back soon improves.

Corner I have an I Ching card under my pillow which I put my hand on when my mind goes into overdrive. I do not know how it works, probably mind over matter, but seems to do the trick.

Hello, everyone.

I do hope those of you going to hospital today for yourself or your partners have a safe trip and that you aren't there too long!

* Corner* can I ask what an "I Ching" card is, please? It sounds as if it could be useful for helping me get off to sleep during those nights when the mind is whirring.

How did the cherry cake go - any left, or do I need to bake something else? ?

Good luck with the rush hour traffic, grey. I've got out of being in it, too, so when I do, I hate it!

Morning all! Demerara fruit cake and a lemon drizzle on the side, for when you all get home safely. Have a good day!

Well done Callgirl it was Educating Archie. Being a Brummie myself I loved to hear Marlene.

Sorry, that should have been dragonfly I was asking about the I Ching card! I must pay more attention. ?

Thank you, Callgirl! “Hello, each! Ma name’s Marlene!” Spot on! I hope your son’s scan will not reveal anything to worry about - a shadow on the lung does not always turn out to be sinister. I can imagine how worried you must be though?.

You may be better with a big cuddly teddy bear to hug when you can't sleep rather than start usng Tarot cards which are a form of divination !
Especially if teddy is doused in lavender! Is this a head thing to touch something to feel better or to help you to sleep? I remember kids at school using a talisman to ensure they passed their exams. The rest of us revised which seemed to work much better.

Morning all,

Its a 2 heater morning here in the West Wing. I made in last night before starvation set in and Im not winter ready with a torch both in the orangery and the WW and also an umbrella in both places. Now I just need a coffee machine out there and I'm set!!( Although George Clooney would do at a push Grey ;-) )

Willow MrW and I both have the same taste in fruit then as I am a sucker for glace cherries !!

Massimmo I forgot to say how much I loved your quilt. WAY beyond my skills but oh how Id love to produce something as lovely.

Belated Happy Anniversary Twin , I hope you had a lovely day and did something special to mark that achievement.

Good luck today Soop hope they figure out what the rash is and can give MacS something for it.

Sorry to hear your son has had a bit of a scare Callgirl hopefully it is nothing more than an infection. That poor lad has had a lot to deal with hasn't he?

I love the way your little ones mind works Corner - I always feel the same at supermarket check outs. Load the trolley, unload the trolley, load the trolley, load the car, etc etc - must have been arranged by a man !!

Sorry to hear DH is not following orders Grey , get your RSM hat on !!!

Grampy is another one who sleeps poorly, so I too am interested in what an I Ching card is. He has been practising the 7 second technique as used by fighter pilots to ensure they get off to sleep quickly as sleep is often limited. I can manage to do it better than him but I can sleep on a knife edge so maybe that's not surprising.

To all poorly people or having poorly partners, hope a little sunshine falls on you today and you feel better than you did yesterday but not as good as you're going to feel tomorrow !!

I am shocked that Grampy did not send your faithful pooch out to the West Wing with a restorative barrel under his chin!
It was filthy yesterday wasn’t it? But today is dry, cold but sunny.
I am hoping fishpieplease finds her way over to the Kitchen.DrBroon prescribes a daily dose of and comfort.
Thinking of Soop and MacS too and hoping their journey to Oban which is a long one, has gone without problems.

Fishpieplease. God, I wish I’d chosen that username! . Agree, Maw - sounds as if she needs a bit of kitchen TLC.

I have already threatened to put him on a fizzer, N&G, but there is rebellion in the ranks. He is a stubborn old b****r!

Thoughts with Soop and MacS today ??.

Brrr....is the heating on in the kitchen? We are rather chilly still with no heating until Monday - we have one fan heater and one open fire...however we have wonderful hot water from the new system so maybe I’ll stay in the bath for the weekend!

Thank you all for your lovely comments on my quilt for my GD. I’ve already started planning the next one as her brother or sister is already gestating. I’m thinking of a family tree quilt for them as I’ve learned how to print on fabric from my pc. I love a challenge!

I do hope everyone is looking after themselves whilst coping with all the health issues in their families. Adulting is hard!

Callgirl I missed your post. I hope your son gets his appointment soon. It is always more of a worry when it affects our children than when it is ourselves. It could just be an infection.

Good afternoon kitcheners, sorry to read that this delightful kitchen has still got more than it's fair share of illness and troubles.

I have still got my wings clipped with this sill sacroiliac joint which has decided to inflame and cause pain!!!! Trying to keep mobile with the help of one of those "sticky heat pads" and lots of stretching.

I shall dip into the freezer later to see what is lurking as I just cannot be bothered to go to the butchers when I have still got so many meals prepared.

Hope all hospital/doctors appointments have happy outcomes, if anyone has a fall proof remedy for sleep please let me know xxx

Thinking of you all and especially each one trying to overcome be it health issues or what so evers,the blight of our life.
Very cold but dry and cheerful and am getting desperately tired with trying to be some sort of a nurse!!!
My patient is improving but there are certain worrying areas proving a trial,so we can but hope these too will improve.

The second visit from the SS in just a week must be a record and this one, a much older gent truly meant business.He was shocked and astounded by the non visits or communications from them,saw personally how great our need is, and I envisage, at the least, a head or two will roll as it appears an inquiry is to be held.

Fingers crossed that our McS will be diagnosed and it is nothing too ominous, but I am sure this is the last thing needed after quite a period of being so poorly............so thoughts are with you both,have a safe journey with hopefully no snow.

The cakes certainly make me drool,and how wish I could turn back the clock!

Sending love and blessings in the place of edibles!

Panache at last somebody has woken up to see the state of yourself and Mr. Panache. The pair of you made the grave mistake of being ill at the wrong time of year. BHs are a no-no and I am afraid you must be less careless and stay fitter next Christmas. Totally unbelievable.

I do hope that those of you with health problems will soon be on your feet.

I blinked this morning and missed the snow. It had turned to heavy rain by then but the sun has been out for hours although it is bitterly cold.

Nipped in kitchen for a brew. while both DGDs are asleep. Eldest two next week and youngest one 5 days later. My Dil is older than my son and they were just happy to have them. First girl on Dh side for 46 years ?

Lovely sunny cold day here.

Best wishes to everyone. Take care.

Printing on fabric, is there no end to your talents massissimo?

I have been so cold since getting back from the pool so unusually for me the heating is turned up. No snow at home but a dusting on the 'tops' this morning. Keep warm team!!

Anne so please Molly is learning how to make tea. My last puss excelled at office work. i.e. sleeping in the 'in' tray or 'typing' on the computer when my back was turned.

Having been admonished yesterday you will be please to know there is now banana cake ready for consumption. Bread is still in the oven and smells divine (the latter being current husbands area of expertise.) It will be 8 grain sourdough, so get your butter dishes out ready.

Soop I hope things have moved forward on the rash front.

CURRENT husband Izabella?

oh I love banana bread. In honour of Grampys impending birthday tomorrow when I am cooking a special dinner, he has requested cottage pie tonight . Its his all time favourite, not shared by me. The things we do for love eh?

Young Sam is currently getting a short back and sides at the groomers - its so not the right time of year but his coat has grown so long he is catching his claws in it when he has a scratch and that results in shrieking and yelping and my heart cant take it !!

So we have bought him a nice warm dog coat and instructed the groomer to make it a short cut !! Ill send a picture when he returns home.

Its too cold for the WW tonight so I am off indoors, have a peaceful evening one and all.

Please send the sourdough bread over ASAP Izabella .
I have made no start on my evening meal and had just decided on bacon and egg for quickness. However sarnies made with fresh bread and crispy bacon sounds just the ticket.
I have had a tearful afternoon, the SW finally informed me that my H is now a permanent resident of the care home.
She was totally unable to give me any information about financial matters.
I have had to ring so many people to get answers and give information.
Every time I had to go through the same questions and answers and I got upset each time, it brings it all home to me everytime.
I should have informed DWP about AA as soon as he went in and may be liable to a penalty .
I am now waiting for a formal letter laying it all out, a huge backlog due to pressures of work and Christmas means it may be some time before I know exactly where I stand financially.
If only life were simple, maybe it is when we are young and in our prime.
Still sending very strong, healing vibes to all unwell.