Soop's welcoming kitchen for the sharing of...

A warm welsh good morning to my kitchen chums,these days I just cannot grasp all the different "comings and goings" but you certainly keep me amused in the main,Thank you all.To those of you facing difficulties I wish you well.

What glorious weather and life continues in our "Penitentiary"
my dear man`s fond name for us "prisoners!!
Highlight of our day continues to be taking of the air and sunshine in our garden in all its different forms.
We are so grateful for this facility when so many even do not have that little oasis at this time of hardship.
He was delighted that his chemo is now being brought to him with the nurse duly gowned,gloved and masked saving him from leaving the premises.
Unfortunately I am not quite so fortunate as I have t5o attend a Hospital some 50 miles away early tomorrow for what is regarded by the Medics as an urgent needful operation,another suspected cancer.
To give me the best protection I am being taken to and from by Ambulance,this mode of transport,it seems this is almost my main mode of getting about this year!
Not quite our year but then there are so many facing all manner of changes.We can but just get on with it best way we can.
We are Brits through and through!

Sending love and blessings to you all.
Panache.

Dearest Panache, sending love now but especially tomorrow. ???????

Dearest Panache, and lots more love from Kintyre to you. We shall all be rooting for you tomorrow.

Maw Good grief! Any fall is most unsettling. Please take it easy for the rest of the day.

I haven't read all the messages yet. It's been a busy morning one way and another. I shall do so during this afternoon.

The kneeler has been delivered. I need to test-drive it. MacS has to apply his engineering skills in order to put it together.

Please, all of you, take care. I shall not be too far away. In the sunshine, in the garden...eventually.

Izabella Your reminiscenses and observations are akin to a work of art. I was watching the same moon.
In fact, in the early hours, I heard three loud bumps and fearing that MacSporran, who sleeps in his reclining chair (due to severe cramps) had fallen. I needed to negotiate a way through to the sitting room without making noise. When I got there, I couldn't make out if he was fast asleep in the chair as I couldn't see the top of his head - just a bunched up duvet. He sleeps facing the window. I then went back to bed and worrited. Remembering that there was a torch in the bedroom, I armed myself with it and returned to the sitting room. I shone it in his direction. His head shot up with a start and he looked most alarmed. I apologised. Explained why I was checking on him and returned to bed. He thanked me for my concern when he joined me for our early morning brew.

Susan56 Good news regarding little Henry's dietician's report. You will all be feeling more settled now that you have professional support.

N&G The sad news will have been a blow. Having good memories of times spent with your friend will be of great comfort once the shock subsides.

Why do some people (not here in our kitchen) take delight in being vitriolic? Only they know the truth of the matter. It is beyond me (thankfully) to put myself on their wave-length.

Smileless Are there any croissants left? If so, that's a first. I usually happen along to find a heap of flaky crumbs. Ooooh, yes, there happens to be a virtual one recently warmed to perfection and dripping with real butter and strawberry preserve. Excuse me, I need to savour every morsal.

Dreamkeeper - in my thoughts.

izabella your posts are so wonderfully descriptive that I could almost see it myself ?
Dear Panache thinking of you tomorrow and wishing you well. Hope you make it there and back safely. In my prayers as always. x

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202004/medium-18498-9f8daf01-de7e-41e6-bdca-f90615ce48c7.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202004/medium-564361-b5d516a9-8ff1-47af-8597-e732e073e37d.jpeg

Afternoon All.

Major wobble today in corner-land. I’ll need to venture forth on Thursday for fresh food and it’s worrying me. My next food delivery slot is too far away and I can find none after that. It takes so much time and with each failure the worry increases. I think it’s hit me how alone we really are here without family close by. Lovely but elderly neighbours makes it hard to shop for each other at the moment. I’m keeping a smile on for Mr C while feeling wretched. I don’t want to burden him so forgive me for sharing with you all instead. I know it’s just a wobble and will pass, as the ever logical Mr C said something will appear.

Pleased you’ve found a slot charley, it does lift the spirits that’s for sure.

So many bereavements at the moment, old friends are hard to lose n&g. I’m so sorry.

Your husbands treatment sounds to be very well managed, panache, I hope your hospital visit will have a positive outcome

We had a very pleasant walk in the sun a little while ago and came across this mother duck and her tiny brood, enjoyed spending time watching them. . Not easy to see so you may need to peer closely

TOYA.

Thank you corner I just love the little ducklings with their mum.
TOYA

Izabella,I too love your descriptive posts ,your words paint beautiful pictures.
Panache,glad your husbands treatment can be done at home and I send you our good wishes for tomorrow.
Soop,enjoy the kneeler.My DH has just put me in mind of MacS as I glanced out the window and there he was standing on top of the wall brandishing hedge cutters.
Corner,share away with us whenever you have a wobble.It is totally understandable that you are feeling worried.It is hard at times like these not living near family as we found out when we were both unwell at Christmas.We have our last delivery slot on Monday so after that will be relying on local shops continuing deliveries.Do you have any local shops who could deliver,its slightly more expensive but better than going out.?
Thinking of you all.

You're right to share cornergran - you're wobbling not moaning and this is the place to share your problems. Before you set forth in the midst of feeling so anxious, have you tried to search for local help? I have a friend who lives in Sussex. She's on her own and not in a good way since she's been waiting for brain surgery. Neighbours all around but mostly elderly. I live in France and after speaking to her I searched online for a Covid/Volunteer/Emergency Help group, or similar in her town. I contacted them on an evening telephone number. Not only did they visit her the following day and are collecting prescriptions etc., they have shopped for her. Her local Church group have also just got going and she is now the lucky recipient of all the help she needs, on the end of a phone. Maybe you'll strike lucky. I don't do Facebook or anything like that but I bet there's a group not far away who have organised something which might help you out. If not, and you do have to go out, try not to panic. I'm always upset when we finally need to leave the house and go in search of food. My DH normally goes, but not without a mask and gloves. Everything brought home is put outside on a table and wiped down with hot soapy water with bleach in it. Veggies are put in the sink in a weak solution of washing up liquid and warm water and then dried and put away. Hardly the extra work we all need, but it makes me feel slightly better. I will wait outside any shop or pharmacy until there is no one inside and I don't speak to anyone when I'm out. A horrible way to live but we hope it won't go on forever. Hope you find some help and your wobble will go away very soon. Loved the ducks by the way !

I have been trying to get a delivery slot for this week for days now.
I have been so lucky to get one for the last two weeks but today managed to get a click and collect for Saturday afternoon.
I am not able to go myself of course but hoping someone will pick it up for me.
My GD doesn’t drive but failing all else will get a taxi.
I hope you are all as well as possible and it is lovely to hear from Panache, I will pray everything goes well with you tomorrow.

Hello all. Am putting frangipani mince pies out on the counter especially for our waistlines. Late Christmas cheer!

Mawb - good heavens, I felt every bump! Unless you are getting in trim for joining the Cirque du Soleil, I think you should practice at being.more.careful ! You had such a lucky escape, even though you must be sore in places you didn't even know you had. Feel better soon, eh? All that and a funeral too, so sorry.

Dreamkeeper If the amount of real warmth on the forum for you is anything to go by, you will go to the hospital tomorrow, safe from all harm. All blessings and highest hopes from me to you as well.

Izabella Wonderful description and we are, of course, watching that same moon ! So beautiful. The only difference in my watching was that it was warm enough to go outside and feel quite drunk on the scent of night scented stocks.

Soop In training to become a cat burglar, maybe? Poor MacS, he must have had the fright of his life. Don't blame you for checking on him, but it's easy to set off a chain of events like that which was never intended !

N&G. Truly sad about your friend - another of life's memories dims. Agree with you and others about the poison and vitriol on other threads. Wonder whatever happened to "debate?". When did it become an excuse to spew out bitterness and anger, to insult and name-call - and all in public, just to what? Make one feel better? Don't think so. There are those who - even in these dark times - couldn't even spell "self control". Thank heaven for the Kitchen and a bit of good old normality and kindness.

Sending love and best wishes for your hospital visit tomorrow Panache.

Glad there was a croissant left for you soop, they do seem to have gone down well so I'll bring some more tomorrow.

Sorry to hear about your major wobble cornergran, I'll be the same on Friday when I go out for our weekly shop. Made worse because I have go in to Aldi on my own. I know it makes sense and I don't mean to complain but I felt rather vulnerable last week without Mr. S. by my side.

That's good news annsixty, hope you have enough to keep you going until Saturday.

Oooh Grandmafrench you do spoil us, what a lovely afternoon treat.

I should have stayed in the kitchen today, just as you suggested N&G. I've been looking at some of the other threads here on GN and now have a head ache.

I'll take my daily outside constitutional with the dogs now and hopefully that together with the 2 paracetamol I've just taken, will get rid of it.

Hi all, just popped into the kitchen with some warm Banana Loaf and some more ginger snaps. I think I have made too many even for the three of us so I’ll leave some on the side. Bangers and mash for tea tonight and maybe cottage pie tomorrow. I had a quick walk out today and nobody about, thank goodness.

Burial ceremony after tea for my youngest son’s fish, Little Raymond who died yesterday but he has been trying over the last 24 hours to revive him. No luck. Mind you, the fish is 12 years old so it has done ok for a little catfish living in a tank on its own. Oh and the son is actually 25 years old and not 5 as he is acting today!!!! Grrrrrrrr! I am supposed to be writing a little speech for the fish as well but hey ho, say what comes into my head.

Have a lovely evening, stay safe and I’ll pop back later with some hot whisky toddies for anyone wanting them, as I need a one right NOW!!!. Take care x

Smileless I would happily take the dogs for a walk but the animals would be puzzled, wondering where they had found such a slow old biddy who just wants to sit down and cuddle them. Even they would be saying there is a time and place for cuddles and in the middle of their walk is not the place.
TOYA

Cor! Sit still, you lot...please give a grubby, knackered elderly lady a break.

Seriously, I ventured into the garden to test drive the kneely thingy, and return to discover the entire kitchen buzzing with updates and smelling of freshly baked goodies.

I cannot do justice to you right now. I'm certain to miss something important. Not what we're about. No way!

Will you please make allowances? I need a shower. I need to do stuff aboot the hoos. After which, I need to collapse into my chair and sink into oblivion. Every sinew in my body is screaming for respite. However, what we've achieved, looks extremely good. Well worth the effort.

I continue to think of you all. I shall do better tomorrow. I shall play catch-up big time.

Grandmafrench, those frangipani mince pies look delicious and Purplepixie I love a ginger snap.Lots of virtual goodies today?
I braved the forums outside of the kitchen as well today but soon retreated.Such vitriol,it’s awful.
I shall find a quiet corner and feast on the goodies left on the counter.

My headache has gone so a hot whisky toddy later would be most welcome Purplepixie.

No worries Charleygirl they love their cuddles just as much as their walks; more truth be told so you'd be more than welcome.

So pleased all your hard work in the garden has been worth it soop.

I think I'll have to be more selective on GN tomorrow Susan. I hope Henry is doing OK with his new diet.

TOYA

Oh dear MawB, I hope you`re not too sore today. Alas when I fall, a crane is needed!
CharleyG, it`s coming to something, isn`t it, when the highlight of our day is snaffling a delivery or click and collect slot? I managed click and collect for Thursday morning, my youngest son is collecting it. It hurts though that we have a delivery saver pass with Tesco, paid up for a year, and we`re missing out on it, but paying other stores for delivery or click and collecting.
I`ve had the CCTV on this afternoon just for something to look at, and have been watching 2 kiddies, around 6 or 7, riding bikes up and down at the front and down the passage, not an adult in sight, I hope they know about distancing, as they abandoned the bikes for a while to chase each other around.
All my best wishes for tomorrow Panache. I`m glad your husband is being treated so well.
TOYA xx

Evening all. Another one using up the mincemeat - there’s a large tart on the table, still warm.
Dear Dreamkeeper I wish you all the very best for tomorrow. God bless xx

corner do keep trying supermarkets. I have been trying to get a Sainsbury’s slot for days. I have been checking servers times a day and at night with no success but this afternoon out of the blue I got one. If you really can’t get one, is there some local service who can help you? Try ringing the council, social services or your GP or look at your surgery online. Our surgery has just posted online details of people who are willing to help.

Thank you Smileless.He had a better day yesterday but not great today.I think it’s going to be a long road but good now the support is in place.
I too will be more selective tomorrow.x

Upwards and onwards Susanx