Soop's kitchen for kind and caring folk

anno Long live bumble bees.

I hardly know where to begin as you lot have, yet again, gone into overdrive. It's a good thing that we have each other. Keep sharing whatever it is that needs to be said. In spirit, we are united.

Many of you have stresses of different types to contend with. Your tenacity will enable you to remain focused. No one is having a moan. The new "norm" is a bewildering concept. We are permitted to feel gloomy from time to time. However, we are a team of cake-loving pals who have enough cake and care to share. So there!

Just seen a huge bumble bee flying past the window - it thinks Spring has come; hope it's right. I had a bluebottle flying around yesterday.

I've been on the phone almost all morning so haven't even had time for a shower. Good thing I am isolated. Thanks, everyone, for your sympathy - DiL - I call her that even though they have never married - is still coughing but able to eat. DS1, who went with his GF to Barbados last Monday, thought he would be able to stay for two weeks. Of course, Virgin Atlantic has cancelled their return flight and they are on the list for the next flight out. I'd hate to say, 'I told you so', and I won't. They are both key workers, though they didn't know what a key worker was just a week ago. Even when they are middle-aged men, DSs have the ability to irritate you!

cornergran, so sad to read about your trip to the graveside it's very disappointing for you and DH.

Susan, Urmston, ann, anno... Sending kind thoughts.

Dear Dragonfly xxx
Lins hope you are now over the conjunctivitis.

Smileless...love the picture! I'm just re-reading Miles Kington's "The Bumper Book of Franglais", hilarious. The forward by Ian Hislop had me laughing out loud, I bet you'd love the book.

All quiet here but saw the army in the village - from our window - chatting with the gendarmes and having a bit of a laugh.

Not shopped since lockdown here so using up the last of the fruit bowl today. Making banana, walnut and choccy muffins. Plenty for anyone who'd like a munch with a cup of chocolat.

Take care dear kitchen friends, TOYA xxx

Susan in some households that may well be fairly close to the truth.

@chicken, I have found that Ebay is good for plants and seeds, although it's possible that some of their sellers will be ramping up their prices. I got some out-of-the-ordinary tomato and chilli seeds for my DGD that way, so you never know, you might find some strange variety of lettuce!

Just a quick visit to share this picture.Will be back to catch up later.

Anno I am sending you a virtual hug and hoping that your dear family are over this flipoing virus quickly.

tanith there will be nowhere to sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee next week so unfortunately for the foreseeable future you will be enjoying it alone at home as will the others you will be meeting up with.

You need your new glasses so as others have suggested I would ring the shop and ask for their advice.

I do not think you can do any more- look after yourself.

Morning all !

Its a blue sky start to the day here which just make everything seem better somehow !

Loved the cartoon Smileless !

Maybe Tanith they would meet you at your car to do the adjustments? It wont take a minute will it and would save you being exposed to more than one person? Everyone is being so accommodating at present I'm sure they wouldn't mind.

That's a worry anno , hopefully they will not get the more serious symptoms and soon be feeling better. I do hate not being able to help. We have a family WhatsApp group which is lovely as we can keep in touch so easily. I know what you mean Kitty you cant get too far behind on it lol

I am going to achieve 2 things today , some crafting in the West Wing and young Jackson and I are going to start work, via Facetime of his topic this term which is Brazil. There are loads of resources out there that companies have made available now school is shut , so we will work on a plan for next week .

I refuse to let the grandchildren fall behind because of this virus . I had to brush up on the curriculum last night as they range in age from 5-13 so I'm going to learn some new stuff too !

I hope everyone is keeping well and taking good care of themselves - Happy Day all!

Morning ladies, thought we could all do with a laugh to start the day.

anno---sorry to hear your news and sending best wishes for your family, hoping that it's a very mild case.

It's a beautiful morning here, if rather cold, so I hope to get on with my veg gardening today. I reckon I'm going to need home-grown produce more than ever this year. Apparently veg seeds are in short supply as well !

Sorry to hear that Anno but age is on their side and many people apparently have it mildly.

Could you ring them up and ask their advice Tanith? I’m sure you wouldn’t be the only one to do so. I’m sure they would use sanitiser in your presence, and hopefully the whole process could be fairly quick. Maybe get them to ring you on your mobile so that you wouldn’t have to sit on a chair and wait, It does seem important to get them adjusted properly.
Alternatively get your DD to collect with the proviso that you can bring them back for adjustment when it’s safe to do so.

I’m sorry to hear that anno as others have said they are young and stronger. I do worry about my daughter who also works on a till she’s trying to be careful but still I worry.

One bit of advice needed I ordered new glasses and paid a lot for them well they are ready for collection now and I don’t know what to do. My daughter works next door to the shop and has offered to pick them up but they usually adjust the fit don’t they? What to do?
I’m going to miss meeting up with 3 other GNs next week I look forward to it but looks like for the foreseeable it will be a no no.

Stay safe everyone.

So sorry to read that news anno, try to concentrate on the fact that they are young and strong and hope and pray they are the ones who get a mild case.

Oh dear!
What will a large proportion of the male population do with no pubs etc:
Even Oliver Cromwell never managed this

Cherry I am really sorry but there are no spare brains here to the extent I now call myself birdbrain. I would never ask for help, I would rather do without.

anno that is so worrying.

corner I am amazed you have the email of any councillor, mine are too shy to divulge such information. That was an upsetting experience and Mr. C could not help much because he did not have the correct footwear. You do not expect to bring wellies with you.

I opened another bottle of wine this evening- I will be joining the AA if I ever get out of this.
TOYA

I’m so sorry anno, it’s so hard when we can’t help and just have to wait for news. I won’t tell you not to worry as of course you will. I do understand about supermarket workers, one of ours is customer facing in supermarkets, his wife is also in retail but fortunately not food. I worry for them constantly. Here’s hoping your family are not too badly impacted by this wretched virus. Take care of yourself.

Anno - such worrying news. My heart goes out to you. However they are young and have every likelihood of recovery. I think all you can do is continue to take good care of yourself so they are not anxious about you as well. It's our instinct to want to rush to our family's side and help them and that's the one thing we cannot do.

It looks as if my DS2's partner has the virus. She has the right symptoms, and, as a supermarket manager, has been in the front line from the start. The two boys, 14 and 12 and my DS will now be isolated for two weeks but they are all too likely to catch it themselves. I so wish there was something I could do.

Ann60 that makes two of us? A walk from my chair to the loo is planned and performed with gritted teeth

Yep it does Urmstongran I am not ashamed to admit to shedding more than an occasional tear these last few days.

Just popping in to show that I still exist!!

Our family WhatsApp group is going all day long and I feel that I should keep a breast of things but it is so exhausting. I should never have had so many children!!

I am reading everything but there is so much family stuff going on in just general stuff and DHs brother that I'm struggling to keep up.

Nevertheless, TOYA.

Thank you Cherry and Lins for your kind messages.I am over my wobble more or less,the worry doesn’t go away but no good me getting so down or I will be no good to anybody.
Urmston,your emotions of this evening are mine of yesterday.I hope you feel better tomorrow,I think we are all going to have bad days but hopefully it will just be that,a bad day.?
Ann,I hope your operation goes ahead,they haven’t said no yet??
Sorry you have had a bad day Cherry,you are as Ann says pretty amazing in how you deal with your health issues in such an upbeat way.x
Corner,sorry about your upset at your parents grave,hope it gets sorted.x
TOYA