Soop's kitchen for kind and caring folk

Morning all. I have been around the world before breakfast this morning talking to various relatives and friends in far flung places. So lovely to be able to keep in touch and we are grateful to do so.

CH and I have decided we are in a good place and thankful for our lot. We refuse to be downbeat and look for the magical moments in each day. They are there. This morning the amazingly eerie owl orchestra followed later by the rap session from the woodpecker followed in turn by the mournful congregational call of the rooks. Now we have sparkling blue skies and seeds to plant into mother earth. Our copper beech has decided to progress its unfurling procedure and the heron is paying the usual morning visit to the pond.

Yesterdays moment was opening the door to find a bunch of flowers - we know not from whom as yet.

CH is baking more bread (any takers) and racking off some wine later.

As ever, I read of everyone's trials, tribulations and frank buggerations with sadness. I try and remember what you post but things get hazy when I move onto the following post. I don't have answers but please be assured I empathise and TOYA often. CH is preparing scrambled eggs and chilli and I smell coffee, so I leave you all in anticipation of breakfast, albeit delayed somewhat today. Please try and keep safe everyone.

The lovely sun is here but cold.

It is a long story but I receive communication from the local police daily about crimes and apparently the Romanians are out pickpocketing and lifting purses and specifically targeting the elderly. They were in our local Waitrose, around 7 of them, 3 of them were pretty young girls, one I think as young as 7. It was done mainly at the till queue using distraction techniques. When security arrived they moved to the two stores next door. Just please beware.

The Sun was out but has hidden since I decided to hang out the washing ! There is a wind which is drying everything
My intrepid Cleaning Lady rang to cancel , she is concerned that she could be bringing the virus so is not going to any of her older clients , but will stay in touch
I texted my younger sister for sympathy but she is laughing , glad I could cheer her up ?

So sorry to hear you have been suffering Daisyboots I hope you continue to improve.

mbmb I too received the email from Sainsbury saying I am a priority customer. We will see how it works.
I have an Ocado delivery tomorrow but I was not allowed to amend my order until today and now they say I cannot do it as they sold out over the weekend!

Just had Facetime with my DS and DGC. He and DiL have spent the evenings Skyping all their friends. Their social life has never been so good as with two young children they cannot go out anyway! He was upbeat despite being told his contract will not be renewed at the end of the month. He is always so cheerful.

My DD is somewhere between Perth and London. I am not sure where. I thought she was on a direct flight but now not sure so I am awaiting anxiously to hear from her.

Hello everyone, sunny day here as well. Let the garden furniture out of hibernation, makes me think of Summer. No proper gardening today, as usual overdid it yesterday. Once I start I don’t know when to stop.

FaceTime here as well today. Hilarious 15 minutes. It’s the first time I’ve eaten toast via the iPad. Don’t ask .

One of ours is in food retail, apparently home delivery orders can only be 60% filled at the moment, stock can’t keep up with demand. Supermarkets are under siege and staff exhausted as well as vulnerable.

No cartoons to share so I’ll attach a photo of our little camellia which is flowering it’s heart out. It’s a joy to look out on, as is the forsythia. Wonderful against the blue sky.

TOYA, be careful out there.

A (((((hug))))) for all those like me who won't be seeing their families this Mothers' Day. I have had calls from both of mine, plus an Amazon token from one and a Waitrose bouquet from the other. I disposed of the long cardboard box and washed my hands - twice, you will be glad to know!
I gave my neighbours a wish list which they submitted to Tesco last night and picked up today. A few things were missing and my neighbour has made good the deficit by visiting Waitrose which he says was never so quiet though the shelves are still waiting to be filled. My DiL, a Waitrose manager, is working from her bed, as she is recovering (I hope) from Covid. I am now very well supplied and will be making some French onion soup later today, and probably a cheese and onion quiche - will leave some of both in the kitchen. Yesterday I made a pancake which was not successful as I somehow made it too thick. It was not by any means a crepe. You should be very grateful I did not share that with you.
Izabella, you are a poet. I love your avian concert. Our birds seem rather subdued today, though they usually revive towards evening. Just now, the sunlight is catching the tiny red leaves on the ornamental malus. Soon there will be the glorious deep pink blossom. Yesterday, in the early evening, DS2, who was out for an isolated bike ride, found himself riding alongside a barn owl which was hunting along the verge. They kept company for a minute until the owl found what it was looking for and took off with its prey. A magic moment for him in a time of great anxiety
Take great care, everyone and enjoy this sunny spring weather.

Hello the kitchen. Happy Mothering Sunday to all, which ever way you are tackling it! We had agreed, having given it much thought, to a social distancing walk with DD and her menfolk today, down our valley because it is always very quiet down there. We had kicked into touch the idea of going into the Peak District, which will be busy, restrictions or not. They went out on their bikes on the Monsal Trail yesterday and said it was thick with walkers and cyclists. Anyway, from a series of texts from DD, I deduced that she was getting very nervous about us going out, so we gave her a get out of jail card and her relief was palpable. The walk was actually my son in law’s idea; he is a bit gung ho about these sort of things, and DH thought we could probably get away with it, but DD has a fixation about rules and regulations (?no idea where she gets that from!). They are bringing us some shopping over later but we’ll talk to each other across the length of the drive and later have a quiz on Face Time. GS said we should go out at night when everybody is in bed. I told him they are setting up a machine gun post with search lights at the end of the road to put a stop to that! He said “Is that one of your jokes, Nanny?”?‍♀️
So here we are, in continued splendid isolation. I have no gin, and DH has a litre bottle of Scotch. I don’t drink Scotch, I only drink malt and, looking at the bottle, I will have to drink it from a thimble to eke it out! Happy days! To add to my disappointment, I realised yesterday that I am going to miss yet another fly fishing season if I can’t get out. Even though I am often the only person fishing my favourite stretch of Ladybower, I know it will be frowned on if I go.☹️
So, seeing as I have nothing better to do, I will go and make a fruit cake! If it’s edible, I will leave some in the kitchen!

At a more prosaic level I am sitting down to a delicious roast dinner cooked by the village pub as a takeaway.
(There is as much again going into the fridge for tomorrow too)
White chocolate cheesecake to follow , then perhaps a nap ?

Good afternoon to you lovely lot. Have you been busysince I last came into the kitchen? Er....

Welcome back, Daisyboots. I sympathise with you. I also have the bone strengthening infusion, the next being sometime after the crisis abates. Letrozole, cancer inhibitor, to take daily for the next nine years. The annual check up with the oncologist will, I imagine, be cancelled. We should be going to Glasgow next Friday. My husband has leukaemia and will need to wait in the carpark. Needs must. We all have to play our part as best we may.

chicken I like it...'Dig for Victory' - ish.

CherryCezzy Add me to the list of Granspals who think that you are amazing.

As is Izabella - our resident poet. You have a gift with words. Whenever I read your posts, I am in the moment and can hear the birds and see the dappled sunlight through the canopy of trees. Thank you. x

dizzyblonde Way back in the days when I was a small child, there was a large meadow of cowslips in the village in which I lived. I would dance bare foot in that meadow. A lovely memory.

Nannytopsy Thank you for putting a grin on my face. I particularly like the 'Gertrude' cartoon.

Dec46 When we lived in Cornwall, I discovered a stranded Slow worm stranded on the pavement as I walked to work. I placed it in a box and, once home at the end of the day, I re-homed him/her in the safety of our cottage garden. I haven't seen one since.

mbmb Our neighbour sent a text asking if we needed anything from the village shop. He kindly left the paper and milk just inside the front porch. We all hope for such acts of kindness during this stressful time.

Telephone calls from sons living in the Midlands and London. Lovely long chats. Now understood that the annual family gathering cannot take place. It's sad but inevitable. There will be another date to look forward to. Only not just yet.

Charleyg Isn't it beyond sad that a young child should believe that stealing someone's belongings is "normal" because the parents say so?

corner Wow! What a joyful sight. The camillia is stunning. Forsythia and 'pussy willow' in a very lage earthenware vase...memories from the visits to my own Nana way back when.

anno MacSporran was roused from sleep late one night. An owl was sitting next to the chimney and hooting away like something demented. After some time, he heard another distant owl hooting in response. All's well. Spring is in the air!

Greyduster We do not have unlimited stocks of anything. MacSporran has decreed however, that our favourite bottle of malt must at all costs be replenished long before the cupboard is bear. Life must go on. 'The water of life' is essential for our well being. He says so.

Maw Our village doesn't have a pub. I am very pleased that yours now provides such delicious looking takeaway. The white choc cheesecake sounds moreish. I'm almost relieved that we don't happen to have any in our cupboard. Temptaion can be a buggeration at such times.

I should be getting on with making the lamb casserole but have, instead been watching the comings & goings and antics of the birds in the garden. There's been some strange behaviour from some of the sparrows and green tits this last week. They have taken to regular visits onto the window ledges, even standing on one leg and pecking at the glass. It's been fascinating to watch and putting my own spin on it I have decided that they are just coming to check that me and my WP are okay. We keep them well fed so perhaps they are ?
My WP and me are quite concerned about his sister atm since she doesn't have internet or smart phone and lives about 240 miles away from us. We know she has her son who lives about 15 miles away but he's the only person who can help her. So far there hasn't been much in the way of community spirit where she lives. We're hoping that will change and she herself has always had a generous nature we are crossing our fingers she'll be "paid back" for it, even though she never seems or expects it.
Charleygirl you do know I'm pulling your leg don't you?
Nannytopsy I love the cartoon and cornergran the camillia is beautiful, is there ant chance of a cutting?
soop you are an amazing person yourself just for you x
I so agree with you too soop that Izabella has a wonderful and evocative way with words. Still being a newbie I know so little back history of the Kitcheners but I am slowly gleening a vague gist and from what I have gleened, if correct Izabella is a remarkable lady indeed.
Izabella it seems too rude to talk of you as a "third person* so I really want to just say Hi to you and your CH x
I really had better see to this casserole now or we'll never eat today!
TOYA x

I have made a soup for lunch from bits and bobs of leftovers put into the freezer and the verdict was "most interesting" - not convinced I want a translation. At least we aren't wasting anything!

Love the description of your morning Izabella

Beautiful sunshine here with real warmth in it so we have turned the heating off and will wait for the evening before lighting the woodburner - it feels like spring! In the sunroom Smokie is basking in the sunbeams with regular turning to ensure even heat distribution!

Cherry I am so hoping that we don't get repeats of the aggressive spring behaviour of the local chaffinches as they fly at the windows to attack the bird they think they can see in the glass. Standing on one leg is acceptable!

In fact I am quite used to a male standing on one leg in this house!

I have difficulty telling a weed from a daisy but I have just ordered tumbling tomatoes online. I never knew they existed. Growing anything outdoors is not one of my strengths- I did manage one minute tomato one year- I think a bird probably devoured it- its need would have been greater than mine.

To my knowledge, I am not pregnant but every day I crave for a tomato sandwich so my growing these should help. By then I may be on to egg and cress especially as I have not seen an egg for many weeks.

My immediate neighbours came to check on me today- I thought that very kind considering I told them the other day what I thought about their abandoned wreck taking up a car park space since before last September!

corner it would appear you have green fingers, like my mother. I take over from my father, more used to the labouring side, cutting the grass, painting sheds and fences etc.

"Cherry" just call me thick!
TOYA

CherryC . We always have a blue tit that does the window peering in and glass pecking at this time of the year. Possibly not the same tit. Isn't it peculiar? MacSporran has pulled down the blind in the bedroom. This year's wee bird, we've named her Harriet, spent so long peering and fluttering up and down the window earlier today, it was as if she didn't want to have her breakfast. Our birds, like yours, are exceptionally well pampered.

Synonymous I appreciate your sense of humour. I haven't sent a (hug) for Mr Syn this week. So...here it is... (((HUG)))

Charleyg Good for your neighbours. Good for you. We all need a helping hand right now.

The sun has shone all day long. MacSporran is well wrapped up and working on the rockery. I have been busying myself (on and off) in the house. He forbids me to assist in the garden. Rightly so. One more tumble, and who knows?

We're about to listen to the PM's daily update. It's important to be aware of all the latest developments.

My thoughts remain with you all. I do not say that lightly. It would please me greatly to be able to do something, anything to help those of you in need, in some small way.

I shall be back in our kitchen again tomorrow. Please look after yourselves. A gigantic virtual group hug and my best wishes.

A lovely post Izabella, your descriptions are wonderful.
The cartoons made me chuckle Nannyt.
I love camellias and yours are beautiful*corner*.
This is the card I received from DS this morning, his sister is most put out ?
Enjoyed a walk in the sunshine earlier, social distancing strictly observed. Didn't see many walkers though as we stuck to quiet paths. TOYA

Oh I hope your daughter has a good sense of humour, Lins !
?

Lins I loved that, it appealed to my sense of humour!

I am in the middle of cooking supper- no doubt the lodger Tara will appear as I am about to put a piece of steak into my mouth.

TV is reasonable for once.
TOYA

Love the sense of humour lins, hope your son remained safely out of his sisters reach .

Love that card lins, I’ve had a nice day one daughter brought me toilet rolls, Belgian buns and a crossword book all very welcome we had an at safe distance chat, then my other daughter and her son brought flowers and chocolates we sat in the garden at distance had a cuppa and had a loud chat? my neighbours must of heard every word. They put their cups in my open dishwasher so I didn’t have to touch them.
Nothing from my son but as I never expect anything I’m never disappointed ?

I hope all the Mums were remembered today.

corner, he was well out of the way, he knew what he was doing alright.
Charley he knew it would appeal to my sense of humour too, his sister is a work in progress! Fotunately they get on, it is her birthday on Wednesday, watch this space.....

tanith a very different little tea party for you and certainly one to remember. You had an array of gifts, both practical and pleasurable, thoughtful girls. I'm sorry that you didn't hear from your son ?

tanith that was a lovely day today with such pleasant company. Very thoughtful to bring loo rolls. If it were not so serious it would be funny. I only hope we are not wrapping up loo rolls and sanitiser for Christmas presents.

Lins is your son older than his sister?

Yes almost four years older Charley xx ??