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

and condolences Soop. I'm glad there are good memories and the fact that you remained friends will be so comforting for your sons.

Grandmafrench The scene through the floral archway is stunning. I feel almost able to wander under the blossoms and make my way to sip homemade lemonade at the garden table.

Dreamkeeper We have a result. Your husband's dental problem is to be dealt with. That is very good news.
The bad news is...why on earth are people flocking in droves to a place where the virus will, given half a chance, indiscriminately infect and destroy lives. It's madness. Whatever happened to plain common sense?

Daisyboots I am happy to hear you say that you are dealing with your cancer treatment in a positive manner. What a relief it is when the bone strengthening infusion doesn't cause additional aches in the joints. I usually have at least a couple of days of discomfort. I remind myself that it is a small price to pay for the proven protective benefits.

Out in the garden, a gusty warm wind is an irritation. In fact, it almost blew me over. After a fair while, I threw in the gloves and such, and headed indoors.

That time again...wash and brush up and relax with a cup of refreshing tea. Doesn't time fly when you are enjoying yourself.

Thinking of you all. All being well, we'll meet again tomorrow.

"Our two sons are a fitting legacy."

The best legacy soop.

Ooh lins a stroll to the sea. I would love that. We are lucky in having a good view from our balcony but I would love a walk on the beach,?
nannytopsy glad you are getting on with hobbies. I have just done a small tumbling block table mat. I have never done one before and am very pleased with how it looks.
izabella nice to hear from you. Glad you’ve made a new friend. Crows are really intelligent aren’t they. She obviously likes your company ?

Doodle I think tumbling blocks is one of my favourites. It is such an optical illusion.
Southend is in our TV region and seems to be one of the hospitals that has high numbers of deaths for this area. You do have to wonder what people are thinking! DGS will
Not be returning to school in y1 I am happy to hear. He is thriving on 1:1 teaching from Mum.

I saw Southend on the news yesterday and it was difficult to see the sand/pebbles because there were so many people there.

I have not been outside for many days and that was to buy a loaf of bread. Probably, like my immediate neighbours, they think it will not happen to them so they carry on their daily duties as per normal.

I am fortunate, I have a garden and it must be awful if one has a flat and young children but strangely I want to stay alive a tad longer.

Charley,I have just watched the report on the news about Southend beach.Unbelievable?Am wondering whether the public toilets were open?

Morning ladies.

My sincere condolences to you and your sons soop for your loss. He was a handsome young man wasn't he.

I've brought some danish pastries in for elevenses; the extra sticky one's for you soop.

The beaches have been busy here, so even though one is only a 20 minute walk from our house, we're staying away. Someone's posted a photograph of the rubbish left behind after yesterday's lovely weather. It's disgusting, it really is especially when there are plenty of bins in the area.

On a brighter note, he found this on FB too. 'First it was heat that could kill off the virus, then alcohol and now direct sunlight. So if you see me drunk and naked in the garden it's because I'm doing important scientific research'.

I hope that wasn't Mr. S.'s way of telling me his plans for the day.

Like some of you lovely ladies, I'm going to have to attack my hair again in the next day or two but thankfully I've got the dogs booked in with their groomer in a fortnight so that't one trim I wont have to do again.

I don't know who'll be the more relieved; me or them.

Have a good day everyone and stay safe x

Hi all! Soop - I do hope that you and your family are ok. Thinking of you all.

I had a bit of a wobbly day yesterday and this morning I got up soon and did my walk. Came back and made orange crisp biscuits (Mary berry) and an banana loaf - we will all look like bananas at the end of this.

For tea tonight I have promised to make a lentil and cauliflower curry with homemade naan bread.

I’ll pop by later with some for you all and the usual hot toddies and wine. Oh and I have some Rhubarb Gin as well. See you all later and have the best day that you can.

It is a stunningly beautiful day. I've taken this photo through the window. It's sheery. We all need some cheer.

I have not been on the sherry. Or indeed, Purple's Rhubarb Gin. That word was meant to be...cheery.

Smileless The stickiest Danish has tempted me beyond belief. I'm waiting here for you to hand it over.

Susan the very thought of visiting crowded public toilets is terrifying. I would not "go". I'd sooner sit, alone, in a pleasant country lane and admire the view...fields, trees, wild flowers, birds, sky and clouds than park myself on a beach alongside droves of other folk who are clearly not overly concerned about the risks that this wicked virus presents.

Thank you, Madgran and all those of you lovely lot for your kindness.

Goodness, soop, if I had a view like that from my window I wouldn’t want to go anywhere. To say nothing of those magnificent sunsets, that please keep on posting. I have definite view envy, living as I do in dull suburbia. I would even accept those longish journeys to Campbelltown, and much further ones, when needed, if I could come back to your room with a view which I hope you continue to enjoy for many years to come.

Bellanonna You would be made very welcome to sit with me on our wee terrace and drink in the view. We haven't been anywhere (other than one hosp visit) for more than eight weeks. Could be nine. I've lost count.

That’s a beautiful view soop. We’ve been enjoying early morning beach walks. Back home before anyone from outside the area arrives. Not sure I’d be confident going at busier times.

Good news here, our friend will be discharged later today, her cat will be delighted although I’ll miss the quiet time sitting stroking her. Our friend is shielded so no chance of visiting her.

My covid test outcome has just arrived by text. As I knew it would be it’s negative. Pleased to have helped the research process.

There’s far too much eating of cake and biscuits here. I’ve nearly convinced myself the garden tidying accomplished this morning is a suitable offset. Please don’t disillusion me .

Oh soop,that view?I don’t think I would get anything done,I would just sit and watch the sea.

When we were children,my parents had a cottage in Anglesey overlooking the sea.We used to spend the holidays there and I would spend hours just watching the waves.

My DD went shopping today.When shegot home and while she was putting the freezer food away,little B had opened a punnet of strawberries and bitten the juicy end off half of them?He wouldn’t look at her as he knew it was naughty!

Hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine today.TOYA.

Susan the little minx!

I hope Henry is okay and that shop closed down and the owners sued.

Doodle I hope that Dexter is the life and soul of your house again.

soop please rest and enjoy that gorgeous view.

corner I know that you "knew" but it is good to be told officially.
TOYA

Good news you are in less pain with your oral chemo Daisy. I had the aches yesterday and wondered if it was the bone strengthening drugs I take daily. I suffered greatly when I had the infusion but the pills seem to have a milder effect as well as not having to go to the hospital.

That is a gorgeous picture Susan he does look somewhat guilty!

Good news about your test corner. I nearly asked for one yesterday with my aches and pains but they have nearly gone now.

I feel angry with people disobeying the rules as it will mean another spike and us shielders will be kept at home longer but I have been told on another thread I have to put up with it as it is good for everyone's mental health.

My DD and SiL are coming to pick up Dexter on Saturday and we realise how much we will miss him. He does not seem very excited at the moment but he will be when he sees them I am sure. Unfortunately it will be a direct turn around as they are worried about infecting us.

Hello kitcheners, I've missed you all but wasn't up to visiting; seizures, recovery then another seizure meant that I just about posted on the morning thread. That's enough about that though.

I'm not ignoring the rest of you lovely people, I think about you all, but I've come in with one purpose in mind.

soop my lovely woman I have read about the death of your ex husband and the father of your sons. I have read about how you have laughed and cried and laughed and cried again over memories and your loss. I have read about how his health issues had depleted his quality of life and how it was contemplated that he would not survive and didn't. I read about his widow and how difficult it is for her to comprehend and how she is alone. I read about the fact that the legacy he has left behind is the wonderful son he has left behind.
What I have not done is be there to console, to hear your tales and shared memories and give a comforting embrace, if only I could I would. What I can do is say that the affection you shared with the man with the soulful eyes will always remain but you know that don't you. I hope that your sons know that the love they shared together never leaves.
I know you will hold your sons dear to you and support them in their grief.
I know that McSporran hold you dear and will support you and your sons.
? to you soop. Take care my lovely lady ☀️

Oh susan what a lovely photo of B. So innocent ?
smileless I love your idea of scientific research ?. Don’t frighten the neighbours ?
soop lovely views. No wonder you love it there.
charley I haven’t got a Dexter I’m afraid that’s dragon. ?Glad to hear Dexter is being picked up by his mum and dad. I bet you will miss him after all this time....but then you can rest ?
cherry what a lovely post to soop . Hope you are feeling a bit better today ?

Doodle my apologies- I am losing it I am afraid.

Dragonfly although Dexter has caused a lot of heartache for you I am sure you are going to miss him and when he sees you again he will not forget how well he was looked after. There is a possibility he may not be 100% certain he wants to leave your house. Life will be so different without him but no more worries.

I agree, that is a lovely post to soop from Cherry.
TOYA

No probs charley I do it all the time (as callistemon and carillion will tell you )

What a darling you are Cherry. You've probably brought more than a lump to soop's throat. Sincerely hope that you are not back in Tigger mode (bouncing off your bed on a regular basis) because we all worry about you and the exhaustion you are left with. Please ensure that you don't get tired, stressed or that you do too much?

susan please try not to be unreasonable : little B has far more important things to do than make eye contact with his Mum. Someone has to deal with strawberry quality control, you know! Just as well he's on the ball, eh? Anything could have happened otherwise.

Bet you will be excited to see your DD dragonfly - even if it is at a distance. Hopefully little Dexter will be happy to see her too - but I expect he will have mixed feelings leaving people who have cared for him so well. Glad your own pain has eased.

Hope you are feeling brighter today, pp. It's quite distressing not to be able to shake off the glooms, but it seems as if your up-and-at-'em plan has worked. Good for you. Enjoy your curry and naan. I think it might be the "Marigold Hotel" series on t.v. this evening - you could pick up some cookery tips, maybe.

Smileless you've made me laugh. Outrageous behaviour, all that nudie cavorting in the name of research, eh? Well, we're not fooled but hopefully you'll get a nice tan. Do let us have a pic of your pampered pooch after the beauty parlour session.

Glad you're officially virus free and into the record books, cornergran. soop if you're not indoors and drinking tea at this time.......well, you should be. Jump to it and get that kettle on before your limbs all seize up at once, everyone deserves a sit down especially with a view like that.

Take care all you lovely Kitcheners. Waving and smiling from France. x

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202005/medium-942961-p1013313.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202005/medium-103221-p1013327.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202005/medium-629921-p1013316.jpg

CherryC Your beautiful words brought a tear to my eye, a wee lump to my throat together with a warm smile. A huge thank you. There is nothing more that I can say. Just Thank you and thank you and thank you.

Susan Little B has made my day. Darling boy. I'm hoping that he doesn't suffer tummy ache before bedtime.

Grandmafrench Tomorrow's weather is not going to be a gardening day. I've therefore done what I can during this afternoon. You know me well. Wash and brush-up and a and I shall be ready for a quiet evening with my lovely man.

Smileless My times spent nude sunbathing are well and truly over and done with. At one time, I had a figure. Whereas now... I'm sort of saggy and baggy and my bot wobbles when I walk. Not a pretty sight.

dragonfly Yes indeed, you will miss darling Dexter. I know that I would.
I was told that there was not a bone strengthening drug as an option. Therefore, apart from Letrozole daily, I must continue with the infusion. What is the name of your med please?

Corner Good news that your friend will be coming home to her pussy cat. Cats are lovely creatures. Such a pity that your husband is allergic. I'm very relieved to hear that you have been given the all clear.

I think that you lot are amazing and I am extremely lucky to share the times we spend together in our kitchen.

Photos taken this afternoon in the garden.

Please continue to take good care of yourselves. You matter. Until tomorrow