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

I am very upset as I had got semi final tickets in the ballot after years of trying.

Good afternoon Kitchen gatherers ! What a lovely space this is. Have had a terribly productive day responding to lots of emails. Love to receive them, love to think that friends and family are thinking of me, but it's taken a lot of time to deal with replies today. Still, weather a bit miz and still not very warm. So....

Decided this morning, off on holiday tonight. All linen changed and so we're travelling to a complete change of scene in another bedroom. The view will be different, the morning light will be different and we are looking forward to it. It's probably the furthest overnight trip we'll do for a while.

Loved the Teddy Bear "duel" annsixty. Go for it, who's being childish? Not you. Keep piling in with those bears, it'll only help teach the kids to count and compare. I have enough bears here to fill a toy shop, can't part with them. They all have a history and only two are "bare", but those 2 are the oldest and most wise so they can choose to put on a vest or not.

It's almost G & T time in France, so I'm off to sit by the fire and watch The Crown. So enjoying it - it does depict the Queen as someone who had a great deal to put up with !

Be careful everyone, your statistics are overtaking ours. Stay home and stay safe. x

Hello smileless it was definitely you that I posted the message to, it was just after you posted the brilliant picture of the gendarme from 'allo, allo'. If that wasn't you..my apologies!! I sent info about a book called The Bumper Book of Franglais by Miles Kington with a forward by Ian Hislop. It's hilarious and I thought you'd like it. ?

Afternoon All. Agree with kitty, you can never have too many bears.

Feeling a bit stunned this afternoon, three of our neighbours have died, one on each of the last three days. No, not the virus but rather a very sad coincidence. I do feel for their families with the constraints on funerals. So sad for them.

Enjoy your holiday grandmafrench, you’ve given me an idea. I’ve been reading all the posts, too many to reply to.

I’m definitely TOYA, be good everyone.

Talking of bears, do you remember one of the TV antique shows , when Mark someone or other bought an ancient bald bear and called him Fred....just say "bear"with Fred in front of it. Always makes me laugh.

On the estate near me, they’re putting bears in their windows and the children can bear spot on their walks

Thanks soop

galen his nether regions have not been right the whole of his life. I shan’t go into details but suffice it to say, last year when we visited Glastonbury he refused to get out of the car.

We have no bears, but a toy dog might be acceptable I suppose?

anno Sobs...we shall miss the thrill of it all.

Grandmafrench I have pm'd you.

What a lovely newsy post from Dreamkeeper. Moving to your new abode was a very smart decision.

Thank you all for your company. I shall return for more of it tomorrow.

You're absolutely right Carillion I do apologise. After I'd seen your post I had a look and found it. I shall get
Mr. S. to order it for me on line; he'll like it too I'm sure.

I am sorry cornergran that must have come as quite a shock for you.

Your new home sounds lovely Dreamkeeper.

I managed to get some dry shampoo for a lady from our Church; got 2 cans so hopefully that'll keep her going for a while.

I hope they honour your tickets for next year Pittcity. Maybe they'll show some of the wonderful matches we've had during the fortnight. I'd love to see Andy Murray's final again and numerous others.

We could eat strawberries and cream and sip a glass of bubbles.

Hope you enjoyed your G&T Grandmafrench, was it a double.

It's so good to have the kitchen to pop into during these troubled times and read all of of your lovely posts.

Thank you for this much needed place soop.

Sadly Doodle sorting my DH out was nowhere near as exciting as you imagine. I certainly was not naked.

What a wonderful son you have soop!

I don’t have a teddy Ann although I am expecting a picture of a rainbow from my DGD.

TOYA

Well we have run out of sherry and the gin is running low. Aaagh!
On the upside, we have finished putting in railway sleepers and I have started planting. It’s very satisfying.

corner so sorry to hear that- that really is horrendous.

Pittcity I agree, I am sure they will be honoured. I was so looking forward to Wimbledon and the Olympics- 7th heaven for me.

In the dim and distant days when I worked- I had been known to take 2 weeks annual leave especially to watch the athletics.

Smileless I am not sure if Tara really should meet Dylan in his home because she has long-standing abdominal problems and is sick a couple of times a week. I do not have carpets any more because it was becoming too much so I would not like to think she would ruin yours. I am aware Dylan will be devastated. He could always come here.
TOYA

Nannytopsy, a great photograph and wonderful idea. What are you planting?

Carillion I am putting in things from my old garden. My favourites are hostas and Brunnera macrophylla at the moment. There will be lilies, iris, night scented stocks. I need to find late summer colour too.
Any ideas?

Good to see you posting again Panache

My G & T was not a double, Smileless - and even if it was, I couldn't possibly admit to that on here, knowing that NannyTopsy's supply is running low! Love those railway sleepers, by the way. Have wrestled with sleepers myself on many occasions. It's going to look super, those levels filled with plants. Nice to do something very creative and outside in these times.
So very sorry to hear about your neighbours' losses Cornergran - absolutely horrendous and, as you say, the worst situation in which to try to organise funerals or properly grieve. Soop was your threatened PM a test for me? Nothing received and surely it's now too late for shouting April fool ? . Rest and nice dreams, everyone. Night night.

Yes, Wimbledon are giving us a full refund now as they know things are tight for everyone. They will offer us the opportunity to buy the same tickets next year bypassing the ballot.
I'll join you with strawberries and bubbly Smileless ?

Good evening to all.
Well, my son`s swab results weren`t well received, he has tra ces of coronavirus in his system. We`re hoping that "traces" means not too serious, but with only one working lung, who knows? His whole family is grounded now, his youngest son has had to stop working, and the 2 Siberian huskies will have to make do with the small back garden for a while.
Lovely to be reading one of your long posts Panache, I`ve missed them. Your new home sounds smashing, even in the present climes, I hope you`re pleased that you moved there?
Soop, don`t let MacSporran get too adventurous in that garden of yours, and definitely no tree climbing.
I love my mental picture of Dragonfly sorting her husband out!
So sorry about your neighbours Corner, so sad for their families, will they be able to attend the funerals?
My youngest daughter went to Asda this afternoon, and as well as her own she did some shopping for her brother`s family, and a couple of things for me. She said that some folk were still going round the store in groups, at one point she held up her hand to tell some not to come any nearer.
Ann, definitely MORE teddies!
Sorry to those I`ve missed, but I truly am TOYA xx

You must be worried about your son and his family callgirl, I truly hope any symptoms that appear are mild. What a time we’re living in.

Thank you everyone for your kindness, I’m usually a pragmatic soul but this week has shaken me. I’ll bounce back. Two families involved are huge callgirl, and no, there can’t be the funerals they would like.

Your garden looks superb nannyt, one of ours has sleepers in his garden, awkward blighters to move, you’ve done wonders.

I’m about to plug myself in to some music and try for sleep. TOYA.

callgirl I echo corner’s post and hope your son had a mild case. At least they know now and can keep an eye on how he’s progressing. I do hope he feels better soon.
corner hope the music works and you get a good night’s sleep

No Wimbledon .......... shall we petition the BBC to replay the best matches of all time? Sigh. Worse still, the entire grass court season is cancelled.
There are two teddies in my window. We need all the small pleasures we can find. The sun shone for a couple of hours today, not warmly enough to sit but pleasant enough to do some tidying up. The birds are exceedingly exuberant and there is the tiniest calf in the next field but one. The frost has already fallen and the night is going to be so cold that I hope the baby cow will be warm enough.
Commiserations to all those who have so much sadness to contend with. panache it makes me so happy that you are comfortable, well cared for and most of all, together.
I have no flour to bake for the kitchen but have made Marydoll’s macaroon bars dipped in dark chocolate. Sadly no coconut but I am sure some of you will nibble at them just the same. We have to compromise and improvise just now. TOYA

Morning from the shire echoing with the wonderful sound of new life in the barn The lambs are arriving. Most of the ladies are second time mums, but some are newbies. They are equally proud albeit with slightly startled looks in their eyes. As for the youngsters, their ability to overcome the wobbly leg stage and start gambolling around is truly impressive. Just one to bottle feed at the moment.

The zest for life is wonderful and to some extent counters the news that CH's eye appointment (understandably) has been cancelled. However, with vision fading I worry about any possible recovery/treatment etc at this late stage. The irony is my mum was totally blind, so I have first hand experience of support and help, but my brain is not always in a fit state to help and CH in turn also worries about me so. I always hesitate to scribe my personal woes as so many others are struggling with far worse things in life - apologies.

Breakfast beckons. Some delicious looking field mushrooms gathered by friends with home made bread. I had better hasten to the kitchen having just heard a terrific crash followed by some rather restrained cursing. CH misjudges distance now

Finally whoever mention bikes - my pal Kate is trawling back through the thread and I will endeavour to reply with her help. In the meantime I continue to enjoy pictures posted by all, I TOYA, and send healing thoughts to those who need them, hugs to anyone alone and cuddles and strokes to pawed pals who may be missing out on walks etc.

Nannytopsy, your planting sounds wonderful. The only plant I've ever taken cuttings from and have moved with us is houttinya (not sure about the spelling!) and although it's really a bog plant it spreads like mint but mingles with other plants without choking them. It has ivy shaped leaves with a lovely red and cream colouring and a mid green coloured edging. It quickly makes a new garden looked lived in!

Grandmafrench, a girl after my own heart. Double G&T always ?? I've woken up with a voice like Marlene D today. It's only a cold and mild sinusitis but it sounds impressive. DH says take a lemsip and suck a strepsil. I think not. Perhaps a G&T just after the sun shows over the yardarm!?

Dear Callgirl xxx???
morethan thinking of you and the family xxxxxxx

soop are things still being delivered out of Campbelltown's brilliant Co-op? I hope so.

Stay warm and safe dear kitchen friends, sending love and TOYA xxxxxx

Grandmafrench I have tried yet again to private message you.

callgirl1 Troubling news regarding your son. However, looking on the positive side, he will now be well monitored. Sending you love from Kintyre.

Nannytopsy Your planting is creative. Such a clever idea. One plant that I would love to add to our garden is the wallflower. My Nana's garden was heady with the scent of them. I also like the variety of colours.

Izabella Your post conjures up some magical moments, sights and sounds. Thank you.

Feelingmyage Did you mention chocolate coated macaroon bars...with or without coconut...I'm more than happy to compromise.

We indulged in a double malt at precisely 9:pm yesterday...and it was a real treat.

Smileless It is the people who gather in our kitchen that make it special. Without you lot it would be a very lonely place.

corner Continue to enjoy listening to music. It is a fact that doing so lifts the spirits.

My son's indoor mountaineering challenge has made the daily newspaper. I shall try to add a photo if I can upload one.

Carillion The local village volunteer group deliver our daily newspaper and items we need from the wee shop. On Friday, our fit and able neighbours do our bigger shop for us. Everyone is supportive. We are extremely grateful. TOYA x