Soop`s Kitrchen,a refuge and sanctuary for genteel folk

Hello the kitchen! What could have been a difficult day, for reasons I won't go into, turned out well in the end. You may recall I was set to sort the patio pots at the back of my house yesterday, well I had so many interruptions from friendly or needy neighbours I didn't get as much done as I hoped, which was fine. Anyway out I went again today and found my housebound neighbour's daughter had decorated her patio with garlands of flowers, cushions, plaster bunnies and chocolate eggs for a family lunch and party. Another neighbour came down for a chat, then I went to DS's family for a delicious meal. Didn't get much gardening work done but it was a lovely day in so many other unexpected ways.

mcem such a beautiful name for a beautiful baby. I remember an erstwhile work colleague named his baby William, as he felt it was a 'strong' name, Good choice as he had Scottish ancestry but unfortunately it reminded me of a (long time ago!) fellow pupil at primary school who was a proper 'Billy Bunter' and I just couldn't take to that baby at all!

panache I do hope you are able to secure the retirement home you want. I decided 10 years ago I would move to sheltered accommodation while I could rather than when I had to and it was the best decision I've ever made.

ann from what you've said in the past I had no doubt your dear GD would be there for you when you need her most. She will be grieving herself but right now you are her number one priority. Please thank her from me for taking good care of you.

Just in case some of you have not had enough hot cross buns recently I've left some by the toaster with some non-fattening butter on the side. Please do me a favour and eat them before I have to as they are too good to waste!

TOYA and Happy Easter everyone

Happy Easter one and all.
mcem congratulations! Thrilling news and what a little smasher he is ?
synonymous glad your DH came out for Easter. Hope you are getting on ok.
ann so glad you have such a lovely GD. Must be a blessing for you.
panache your story of the glasses replicates almost exactly what I did with my TV glasses. I sat on them and squashed them flat . Hope you get sorted out again soon. I hope you take the retirement flat too. I am so sure it is what you need and too good a chance to miss. I’m sure you will be able to make it a comfy home for you both. Fingers crossed all will go well and keeping you both in my prayers.
Lots of lovely kitchen babies and a fantastic cake gd thank you.
Time for me to tuck into my chocolate goodies now so with all my good wishes I am TOYA ?

Love baby’s name mcem.Congratulations to you all.
Annie,we had a lovely meal at a Gurkha restaurant in Brecon on our way home from Cardiff a couple of years ago.Wonder if it’s still there,think we may have to have a return visit.
Glad you have had an accident free day cornergran?

Re-potted a plant or three then sat in the garden contemplating the plants and reading for most of the day. Feel much more sanguine now.

Toe is sore but still there. I’m aware it caused a shudder or two with some but for those who asked I was using the shoe-less foot to try to prize the shoe off my other foot, caught the nail between the shoe and sole and instead of stopping kept pushing. I know, no sense. . Accident free today .

Super name for a super baby mcem, that first cuddle is never forgotten. An exhausted Dad raised a chuckle here.

Sounds a superb Easter gathering mamissimo with a very sensibly hatted mim.

I also suspect your daughter needs to be with you ann, she may need the family contact. So pleased you have had the support of your granddaughter.

If you finished the laundry charley I’ll willingly send you some if you’re looking for something to do. .

Of course the cake has all gone now so I just may need to indulge in some Easter egg. Does it go with a glass of dry white?

Look after yourselves everyone. TOYA.

mcem have you told daddy his work is about to begin? A lie in is a distant dream. Good he has looked after her throughout her pregnancy.

I have done zilch except having piles of clean clothes everywhere.

Congratulations to your family Mcem, Rhuaridh James is a lovely, strong, rugged name, and he is a beautiful baby. Your family know exactly what tom give as an Easter present!
Ann, lovely to hear that you are doing OK, but humour your daughter, she probably needs you as much as she thinks you need her right now.
Soop, I wish I could be saying hello at Muasdale, but we have to wait until my son has finished with his treatment and is ready to travel.
GreyD, that cake looks scrumptious, how much would I need to bribe you into making another, just for me, lol?

Now charley don't underestimate Daddy's contribution!
He had to remind her to breathe! He offered a hand to squeeze!
They do make a good team and I am proud he has looked after her so well through the pregnancy.
She just looked so good after 24hours in labour, while he looked totally kn******d!!!

mcem lovely you have seen the little man so early. How come daddy is exhausted- did he do all of the hard work, carrying him for 9 months and then go into labour?!

Another beautiful day today- a pity we could not have the same throughout the year.

My way of thinking too dragonfly.
Suitable also for Courts of Law, Houses of Parliament or Holyrood!
Not yet a day old, the world's his oyster!

I love that mcem when my son was born I gave him names that would be suitable for a top golfer and then added another one in case he became a brain surgeon. Of course he became neither!!

My sister has a DGS Rory but DS and Dil just loved Rhuaridh. Don't you think it sounds like a name to play for Scotland in the 6 nations?
Thanks, everyone for your contributions to a very happy day!

Happy Easter kitchen folk, erm did I hear someone mention cake? I can’t imagine there’s any left by this point in the day but maybe that’s just as well, there is a cute wee gold bunny staring at me from the coffee table! Dd4 has just left, it was a lovely to have her her for a couple of days. She’s good company and lets face it anyone bearing flowers, chocolate rabbits and Prosecco is a welcome and easy house guest!
Congratulations on the new baby mcem, lovely name too!
Oops will have to go, the old boy is champing at the bit to get out and about now it’s cooled down a bit. Will pop back later on. x

mcem Rhuaridh is one of our favourite names. We gave our beloved cat the name Rory...and MacSporran insisted that we should spell it the "proper way". We wish Rhuaridh the blessings whereby he will reach his full potential.

Mamissimo Mim has style. She'll go far.

I'm about to log off. The day has been perfect in every way. May tomorrow also bring sunshine into our lives.

Thanks Annie I'll let them know.

Was cuddling young Rhuaridh James (7lb7oz) as he passed the 12 hour mark.
Mum looks wonderful, if a tad tired while Daddy looks exhausted!
Thanks again for all the good wishes and hoping our Easter boy may have brightened the day of those who needed it.

This February Brecon became the first town in the U.K. to be officially twinned with the village of Dhampus in Napal,
what a lovely holiday linamillion

Mamissimo young Mim had the sense to bring something to shelter her face from the sun! She is loving it there.

So many gorgeous babies and toddlers. Anybody who knows me knows I'm not a long term fan of them- long term being overnight so all are safe with me!!!

I prefer cats and dogs even although my lodger is out.

Mcem ? Congratulations, broody alert x 2.
What an amazing encounter Mumofbadboys
You must have had wonderful views of and from Cader Idris.
. Callgirl1 so glad your son is responding well to treatment. That is good news.
I'm glad your hospital appointment went well Soop great photos of you and your DH.

Panache I hope that you will be able to accept the sheltered retirement apartment.
That's a great cake Greyd
Our DS and DiL are in Nepal on holiday and the hotel made them hot cross buns for breakfast this morning. They have thundery weatherin the Himalayas, what a contrast to here. They visited the Gurkha museum in Pokhara yesterday and saw a copy of the charter granting the Gurkhas stationed in Brecon honorary citizenship in 1985. It's a small world.

Our little town is packed to the rafters with holidaymakers, all enjoying the sunshine. We are having a BBQ soon. Hope all enjoy what remains of Easter Day.

And here’s the hat!

Just popped in to wish you all a peaceful and kind Easter....I sense some forward movement in some posts and I cherish the positivity. All my children and gd came for lunch....but only Mim brought a hat! ? TOYA!

Panache You have so much good will winging your way. Enjoy it, and whatever your decision, it will be the right one.

Greyduster That cake looks amazing. Please may we have a wee taster? Although it does seem a pity to spoil it by slicing it up.

mcem No better way to celebrate Easter than with a birth. Baby is gorgeous. The Easter bonnet suits him perfectly. Hearty congratulations to his Mummy and Daddy.

A warm welcome to Nico97...the more the merrier.

Ann your granddaughter is a treasure. Her support has been ongoing throughout all your trials and tribulations.

callgirl1 I too think that the news regarding your son's therapy is a good sign. We have wished David a very good morning. The camp site is bathed in glorious sunshine and is well attended.

kitty Us lot look forward to seeing the family photo. It was the perfect day for the shoot.

A stunning cake GreyD .Thank you,and oh!! that I dare try a slice..........although I doubt there will be much left once the kitchen fills up!!!!

Sending you Easter chocolate cake! Better get in before GS arrives! The sun is shining it’s head off here; I cut back some alliums this morning and now when I go outside, the smell of onion/garlic pervades the whole garden. I knew I should have waited until this evening!

We certainly have the most charming baby picture gallery here in GN I feel sure, and whilst loving the little Barnaby picture, I also welcome this darling new addition mcem............and may I ask...... is that his well endowed hair or a special knitted hat?
Looking forward to his name!
A lovely Easter gift,very precious indeed.

Your mishap sounds more painful than my squashed specs Corner and I hope all is now well.

Nice to have you visit Ann,hopefully you will continue to feel better,whilst of course your family wish to be with you,this is totally understandable.

I consider this to be good news re your son`s chemo treatment Callgirl and sincerely hope his good progress continues.

Thanks to the many of you encouraging us to go ahead with this offer of a Sheltered 2 bed Apartment.We have yet to view it although with several other visits to the establishment, we have a fair idea of what to expect other than the orientation and which floor.
We simply cannot afford to be "too picky" ......totally against my nature sadly!
It will mean an expensive outlay monthly whilst we shall have to continue keeping this place fairly pristine for prospective viewers,as the sale will be needed more than ever.
We shall also be forced to pay out for gardeners as of course this time of year there is so much competition with well kept lawns and beautiful displays.At least we need to keep it looked cared for.
I do not think personally we dare miss this offer as our need unfortunately.............from both of us........is growing rapidly.
So please keep praying/hoping for another buyer that does see the sale through this time!!

Good news re your photo shoot Kitty........will we be shown the results??

Judging by the amount of seward bound trafffic I expect by lunch time there will be no further parking spaces in our lovely but small beach resorts,it is such beautiful Easter weather.

Hope you are all enjoying it one way or another.Keep smiling!!