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

Lovely photos, Soop you must all be so excited.

Wonderful weather here, very loud birdsong and good smells. Normally it would be barbecued meat smells everywhere - it gets so hot down here in the good weather that most French people prefer to cook their meat outside each day, it's normal. However, the smells today are flowery ones, orange and lemon blossom in the sunshine and blossoming hedges. I shall stretch out and look up at the sky - yesterday I saw some flamingoes, all apricot and pink against the blue, fly over the garden. Might be nice to have their freedom at the moment!

Have a better day Maw, get stronger little Henry and may our frequent wobbles be overcome by hope that we'll adjust and adapt and take life by the scruff again. Hugs to all ((()))

maw I agree with you. There is so much more to life. Family is our number one priority. We were due to go on a special cruise this June. One we had been looking forward to for years. It is not to be but in the scheme of things it is not important at all. It’s a disappointment not a disaster.
I feel for those with financial worries at this time and those cooped up with young children in cramped places. I hope for all their sakes something can be found that allows at least the younger people out again.
Happy Easter all. Take care ?

Galen Yes there is..... MORE real butter.

Is there anything else except real butter?

Smileless Yum! Bring it on...

Oh yes soop it has to be real butter

Here is the photo...

A cheery good Easter Saturday greeting to all of you lovely peoples.

Maw I believe that every one will have a fresh perspective on things that we've possibly taken for granted. The thought that a time will come when we can enjoy freedom from all manner of stresses and strains and limited contact with those we love, gives me comfort. Hope springs eternal. In the meantime, I shall help to get our garden in fine shape in readiness for happier days ahead.

Susan56 Little Henry has his personal fan club. He is a wee trooper, for sure. Thank you for sparing the time to keep us updated. (((group hugs)))

Feelingmyage I cannot remember when I last enjoyed simnel cake. I do recall the delicious spicy aroma.

GrannySomerset We had planned our annual family gathering for this weekend. We have a large bottle of good Champagne waiting for whenever the right time presents itself. Champagne keeps. The bubbles won't go flat. A treat in waiting.

Smileless Shall we treat ourselves to real butter with your hot cross buns? I thought that you'd approve.

Our granddaughter, mummy of Mila, had her 20 week scan last week. Baby-in-making doing all the right things. Mila is now aware that she's to become a "big sister" in August.
If I can upload the photo, I shall do so.

Just seen your post Susan that's wonderful news about Henry.

Happy Easter Saturday everyone; more hot cross buns for you all.

As you say Maw this is a time for reflection to realise what really does matter.

Stay safe everyone TOYA

What you say is so true maw. Enjoy the bubbly!

Thank you all again for the messages wishing Henry well.I have just had a message and photo from my daughter.Henry has had a better night,not back to his usual happy self but improving so just hoping the improvement continues.There will be setbacks along the way but the consultants and dietician are sure they can sort the issues.I have had lovely messages from fellow gransnetters who have shared their own grandchildren’s experiences which have really helped and encouraged us over the last few days.
You are right Maw,Henry’s illness has put everything into perspective.
We count our blessings every day and faith,family,friends,health,a roof over our head and food on the table are what we too will be thankful for this Easter.
Am having a quiet day today so will retreat to the garden later with my iPad and catch up on all I have missed.
Thank you all again for your support and thinking of you all.

The champagne will keep until it can be shared with family, and I do agree with what you say, Maw. If this awful affliction teaches us anything it will surely be about what matters to us, and being able to see those we love will trump anything else.

Oh dear, I will be getting myself into trouble so I am retreating here for cake and company.
I have just snapped at reading the thread about what we “should have been doing this weekend”, coming to it straight after the headline that 980 people died of CV in the U.K. yesterday.
980! That’s my village - maybe bigger than some of yours.
I am not losing the plot and I know we need to keep calm and carry on, supporting each other through individual wobbles. All of which happens here!
But I am also reminded of what is really important sometimes.
Talking of which, Smileless and Susan I was delighted to hear little Henry is making progress - what a dreadful worry that must have been. When a child is ill all other priorities rightly fly out of the door don’t they? And the relief at reassuring news is massive.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not actually having a wobble today (!)
- just pondering on what really matters - holidays? Cruises? A freezer full of goodies if there is no one to cook for? Fancy clothes when there is nowhere to go? A shiny car (well actually dusty and sporting a few bird droppings)which hasn’t been on the road for nearly 4weeks?
It’s taken a serious shock to turn all of our aspirational society’s goals on their heads hasn’t it?
For so many (at least one DD and possibly another included) there will be huge financial and career issues as they have no work, but keeping their little ones safe is their first thought.
Anyway, a roof over ones head, good friends and family and not forgetting faithful pets are what I am giving thanks for this Easter weekend.
My £26.99 bottle of Waitrose pink champagne which they subbed (at the lower price) for the cheap Prosecco I had ordered for Easter Sunday is on the side!

A Happy Easter to everyone in the kitchen. Mini simnel cakes on the side as I eventually got some flour. The sun has improved my mood and I have started to spring clean the kitchen. Tomorrow I shall go for a walk. Pleased to hear Henry is being cared for. Babies cannot tell us what is wrong which is so difficult. My neighbour’s baby has learned to blow kisses - which was the highlight of my day.

Well, it is a minor relief to hear that some of you lovely lot have also lost messages. I took ages to respond to yesterday's happenings. Now, a day later, I am mucky all over having done a total of three hours in the garden. All tough work. In fact, at the last minute, as I was leaning over a wire fence to retrieve a rake, my pretend titty eased up and out of my bra. It ended up on a shrub. Luckily, no-one witnessed the event.

I'm delighted that wee Henry is home. Also, that you had a good dream about your dear husband, ann x

I need a shower. I need a I need to sit down (minus my bra). Bliss!

I wish every one of you a peaceful evening. Tomorrow, I shall return and trust that this message hasn't joined the others in the ether. Buggerations galore! It's not on. Agreed?

Virtual (((hugs))) a plenty.

Just popping into the kitchen to wish everyone a Happy Easter. ?. Hope everyone is ok and so glad little Henry had such good care from the NHS susan. Hope you all get to enjoy some sunshine ☀️ this weekend and whatever you are doing have a rest and enjoy yourselves. TOYA?

For Henry xxxx (and Susan) ????

Smileless, thank you so much for your kindness in keeping us informed of Susan's news xxx

Panache, Izabella xxxxxx

soop it is so good to hear you and Mac have had your groceries. I know how well stocked the Campbelltown's Co-op is but also how far away it is. We relied on it totally when staying locally.

annodomini, I will save you a piece of DH's birthday cake, if you'll risk it ??? You are so kind to say it sounds luscious. Xxxx

ann thanks for telling me Henry's age. Birdbrain thought he was a lot younger.

Nice to have pleasant dreams for a change. I am amazed I can sleep so well doing so little but Ima not complaining.

My washing is drying but I do not have the strength or the inclination, mainly the latter, to change and wash my bedding.

I also lost a message yesterday evening.
TOYA

So pleased Henry is at home, it is the best place for him with his family.Charley Henry is 6 months old, Susan posted a photo of him last week when he was “a half”.
I had a lovely dream about my H last night, not at all upsetting, he came out of the care home totally his old self and we had to go out and buy him some decent “ going out” clothes.

Yes soop me too. I know I posted an earlier up date for Susan about Henry but when I cam back into the kitchen last night, it wasn't here.

Doodle's had a similar experience. Maybe we should be on the lookout for gremlins.

Hello All. Doing absolutely NUFFINK ! This was planned. It's a hot day and we've decided to just relax and enjoy it. Strange but couldn't have done this weeks ago - I was too twitchy and upset and generally put out about being shut in to have relaxed enough to do nothing. How we adjust when we need to!
Soop I think at least 3 others have suffered from missing message syndrome since last night. I always lose mine if I scroll back to check on what people have said and I lose mine if - like an idiot - I preview it and then forget to post it. But I think this is something quite different.

Hope that little Henry is weathering the storm and that the Consultant/different Hospital visit will be arranged pretty soon so that further great stress is avoided for all concerned. Chin up, Susan

Wishing you all a very enjoyable Good Friday and the best weekend you can have, doing nothing or doing everything. We all have to cope in our own way. Let's focus on next year and breaking free ! Sunbeams and hugs to all.

Am doing some gardening. Will return a little later. Thinking of you ALL. Please take care. xxx

So pleased to hear that young Henry is back home with mum and dad. Hopefully he will be able to enjoy the lovely weather. Susan how old is this little mite?
TOYA

I am flummoxed. Yesterday afternoon, as per usual, I came into the kitchen to catch up and respond. One message in particulr was as a result of reading about little Henry's admission to hospital.
I came in a few minutes ago and there was nothing relating to my response. Has anyone else lost a message recently?

Susan56 I cannot begin to tell you how relieved I am that little Henry is back with his mummy and daddy. Please may there be a resolution to this worrying development in his health.