Soop's comfortable and convivial kitchen.

Hello the kitchen and welcome, Bradfordlass.

Sorry your trip has had to be postponed, N&G. I’ve only been on the M11 twice and I hated every minute of it, but most motorways scare the hell out of me now. That road sign sounds like ‘prapper Norrfo’k’!?

Ann my dad would have been 115 this year. Both my parents seemed old even when I was young, and I envied friends with younger parents. I agree you get more reflective as you get older and as I said to my cousin recently, I wish I had asked more questions about the family when I was younger, but by the time you’ve thought about the questions, there’s no-one left to answer them. He agreed.

Willow we had a bit of a trauma with the soup just after I posted - an accidentally overgenerous application of Worcester sauce led to him nearly tipping it down the drain, but he has been persuaded to let the flavours mature and see if it is any better this morning. My feeling, as a seasoned cook?, is that it will be and his equilibrium will be restored! What with that and the Brexit debacle, he doesn’t have a lot of equilibrium at the mo! We have a Cuisinart soup maker in the garage which has been used four times. Each time we have been disappointed.

Hope to hear better news of all those who are ailing. I should get moving. I’ll look in later.

Oh Ann I would love to be going out today! We have the men in this week to install a new heating and power system. The mains water is disconnected today, we’ve had to let the wood burner go out, there are scaffolders all over the outside and no one seems to shut a door.

Quite glad we’re in the drizzly south but may put more layers on as the day progresses!

Sorry no cake to bring but if anyone’s batch baking I have 14 hungry damp men here! ?

It is now as black as night and the rain is lashing down.
So pleased I am not going out today.

Morning all,

A brief pop in and not toally caught up so will be back later.

Woken to the 7am alarm today for a day trip back to Essex only to find the M11 is already closed in 2 places and the alternative route is double its usual time. So its all change here - we are off on a jolly instead !!

We will rearrange the other trip for Monday .

Good to see you got information Dragonfly - most important - cant remember who said it but someone here will- the only thing to fear is fear itself - the unknown is always scary , so very pleased for you there is a plan in place.

Welcome BradforLass - made me smile about the pastries. One thing I have noticed is the local grammar and spelling since we moved - a sign just down the road says ' Roo deer, cross ere' !!

Back later x

Good morning all, well not the weather which is dire but a good one in other ways.
I went to see a friend last night, she has just become a GGM, I am so envious, the baby is a few days old and beautiful.
She has a photo of the four generatins and everyone looked so young, my GP's were old looking when I was born.
My F would have been 119 today, born in the first days of the 20th C.
He has been dead for 70 years and I hardly remember him.
I am getting very reflective in my old age , I must snap out of it.
Get well all you poorly people, spring will come.

BradfordLass and welcome if you're new in here.

Dragonfly your news does sound encouraging and hopefully will have eased your mind somewhat - the sooner they get started on the treatment the better.

Happy anniversary Twin2 - definitely ok for the celebratory drink.

Soop I do hope MacS continues to improve - I've also heard about the Vicks remedy although I've not tried it. Shame I didn't know about it last year when I had a chest infection although I did rub it in my chest at bedtime.

GreyD hope the soup finally arrived and was worth the wait. Maybe buy him a soup maker although I did try to make Mr W's favourite mushroom soup in mine which tasted ok but was so frothy it looked like washing up water!

Happy to report little grandson in NZ was fine after his op on Monday although he did say to his 3 year old brother 'I don't think you appreciate it's very difficult to walk in my condition'. Priceless

GrannyQ how lovely to celebrate the life of your friend in such a way - sad occasion but what a wonderful age to reach.

I am well on with painting our wall unit and shall today start applying the wax and attempting to paint the handles. Mr W had apparently woken up at 4 am worrying how he was going to get it in the conservatory - he was mightily relieved when he realised it was staying where it is hence the reason for painting it!

I think I had better go and batten down the hatches for this polar blast we are about to experience - then again they've got it wrong before so I might hang the washing out

Have a good day everyone. Sadly I have no cake this morning having given the last piece to Mr W for his pack up.

In my local supermarket they sell Danish pastry, listed, for some reason as "pan au chocolate' Franglish run riot.
Well, we're multi-cultural now!

I did try to point out to the Manager, whom I know well, he's a nice chap that if they were going to use a French name for a Danish at least it should be "pain au chocolat".

He said, 'Yes, but if we spell it properly, it looks like "pain" and people don't buy them.'

To cap it all, when I bought one, it wasn't a Danish but a croissant!

Dragonfly, as Soop says, treatable is GOOD, and it was good to hear your news.
Happy Anniversary Twin2, how many years?

dragonfly that sounds like hopeful news to me!

Lovely post Grannyq! I get a feeling that many kitcheners and their other halves are coming out of the other side. Bless you all x

Evening all! Goodness knows why, but I never seem to manage to pop in long enough to keep up with all the comings and goings in this busy kitchen, never mind sample the various goodies left on the side.

We were away for a couple of days last week, saying a final farewell to an old friend who died aged 101. It was a happy rather than sad occasion celebrating a long life so well lived. A gentle and self effacing soul, it was moving to hear the many anecdotes and tributes paid to her. I’m sure she had no idea of how much she was both loved and respected by many.

As always it seems that kitchen folk are experiencing a whole range of highs/lows, joys/sorrows, sickness/health and so on.... just as it is in all of our “real” worlds too. The various photos of smiling youngsters, beautiful birds and inspiring handiworks serve to lift the spirits of any who’re feeling low. While a funny story or two always raise a smile, even for those who aren’t feeling positive at the time. Health worries are voiced, support and sound advice are offered and accepted. Then when there are family upsets to share there’s always a listening ear, or several, and a kind word said. Then of course there are all those tasty, and blissfully calorie free, goodies to sample - seriously what’s not to like?
Wishing you all a refreshing nights sleep. x

Happy anniversary, Twin2. I think that warrant more than one G&T!
I am stuck on my phone. DH has my iPad which has the recipe for his ‘signature dish’ soup on it☹️. He has been preparing it for an hour and a half and it is not even on to simmer yet! If he were responsible for preparing meals in this house, we would starve. But he isn’t, I am and while he continues to b****r about, I can’t start to prepare our dinner! Yes I know I should be grateful for small mercies and I am! But I am actually very hungry so if he doesn’t get a move on I may just go into the kitchen and gnaw on his leg!!

ann Having read the latest update regarding your husband's next visit to Urology, I am in agreement with you. There is no need at this stage to worry your husband. The most important thing is that he remains pain-free. If that continues, then you will be able to cope. You have been through so much together, I am wishing that from hereon, his condition can be managed by the experts. I'm sending my love to you.

Tomorrow is ironing-duty day. My word, the days rush by at a great pace. It doesn't seem five minutes since I last dashed away with my pal's smoothing iron.

Tomorrow, as soon as I return, I shall pop into the kitchen for catch-up.

Wishing everyone good wishes. Selfishly so thankful we are all well.

Saw a notice today said. ‘A banana 105 calories. A G and T with slimline 91 ?.

A G and T later it is to celebrate Wedding Anniversary ?

Dragonfly such a blessing it has been caught early, every good wish to you!

Glad to hear you are able to have treatment dragonfly. It sounds positive.
soop hope McSporrans improvement continues.
ann that does sound a bit worrying but as you say, a relief in many ways that your DH won’t have a clue about it all. As long as he is not in pain, that is the main thing.

Kindest good thoughts and very best wishes to you Dragonfly.
As you know I "have been there and done that" the early days are the darkest and the hardest. When you can begin your treatment you will feel that something is happening and you are on your way to recovery.
I am just back from lunch out with a friend, it was a lovely treat and welcome.
I had a phone call just before I went from the Urology dept at the hospital bringing my H's appointment with the Consultant forward to next Tuesday as a matter of urgency, not really what I wanted to hear but the sooner it is faced the sooner we know what we are dealing with, he of course it oblivious to it all, a fact I am very relieved about.

Dragonfly A positive diagnosis. Thank goodness that the wheels are set to go for forthcoming treatment. I am happy for you. I am relieved on your behalf. Treatable is good.

Not long back from the care home visit.

MacSporran appears to be on the right road to recovery. He didn't have a full night's sleep but he said that he feels a lot less rubbishy. I bought the Vick...he will have the soles of his feet "seen to" before retiring to his chair. As some of you are aware, he has to sleep in a reclining chair. Has done for a very long time. The circulation in one leg is iffy. He gets wicked cramps if he lies flat.

Indeed Dragonfly it is AFTER these appointments you come home with leaden legs and really need some time to truly recover,whilst yes knowing your "enemy" and believing you are in good fighting hands is more than half way to getting there.
Seems indeed this second lump has been well spotted nice and early and so you are now well on the road to treatment and ahead lies........ recovery.
Take time and yes...............B........R.......E......A ........T .......H......E!!

Dragonfly, Mamissimo is right. Knowing your enemy is half the battle. I hope it has eased your mind if only a little. Take it easy; I’m sure you are in good hands.

dragonfly that seems encouraging, sit down with a nice cup of tea. You seem to be getting excellent care from your NHS provider. Wishing you a successful outcome ??

Dragonfly that does sound encouraging for you! Somehow these things are less worrying once you know what you’re fighting. I always find I’m very tired after those sorts of outpatient appointments so sit down and take 5.

Just got back from the hospital.
It would appear I have two primaries in the same breast and both of different types so requiring different treatment. I am seeing an oncologist soon to discuss targeted treatment for the second one, which by the way, is less than a third of an inch so I regard myself lucky that it has been spotted so early. It could also mean a mastectomy sooner rather than later but I am okay with that and staying upbeat as they told me they are both treatable and so far no spread.

Dragonfly I am echoing what Panache says.

With you very much in thought Dragonfly and hopefully the news will prove more reassuring than the other.

Another one with Quilt envy...........especially since I cannot thread a needle myself!!!!