Soops kitchen for caring and sharing...

Charley,Henry is 9 months old today,the time has flown by.

He is our third grandchild and the first one we are going to have to move everything out of reach for.We will be looking after him in the autumn for two days a week when my daughter is back at work.I am looking forward to it but glad my husband has retired as I think we are going to need eyes in the back of our heads!

Hope you have got your rain today☔️

Susan still no rain- I was out watering the plants last night.

I cannot believe that minx is 9 months old. It will take two of you to keep him out of mischief. He will soon be walking and talking, you will need tracksuits and running shoes- good luck to you- I think I may prefer my quiet life here!

Charley,I wish we could store the energy we are saving by not living our usual hectic life during lockdown.I think we will need to rest the day before and recover the day after looking after H!

Can I come in please? I am not enjoying Grasnet any more but I hear its nicer in here. I dont really want to leave as I have been on here for quite a long time but it does seem to be doom and gloom and some real nastiness out there.

Welcome Teetime we are never nasty here- have fun yes and try to help others with problems. You will know some of us already but it will take time.

Hi Teetime, I usually sit quietly in the corner scoffing cake. It's lovely in here and NO social distancing so plenty of ((hugs)).

Carillion My mistake. I thought that your dear husband still had multiple ops scheduled. I blame Covid. I'm not too sure what's what from one day to the next.

Susan We both enjoyed the film. I love the many faceted twists and turns. The characters were well portrayed.

Dear Teeetime Welcome big time. You can be assured that us lot do not bully each other ever. Life is difficult enough. We all need a refuge and the kitchen is just that.

Teetime - sorry for the extra "e". I'm trigger happy it seems.

Pittcity Thank you for reminding me. It's high time we had a virtual group (((hug))). So, he goes...

Carillion I hope your appointment with the consultant goes well on Wednesday. I remember that you both thought a lot of him. Take care of yourselves, gentle hugs on the way to you.
Welcome * Teetime*, did you bring cake? ?

Lovely photos of small people. We saw a 'going back to school' photo of our own GC this week and I can't quite take in how much they have grown since we saw them at Christmas.

We have had so much rain over the last week that I am pleased we live close to the top of the hill and, if it were possible, I would gladly send it wherever it is required! Watering can be very wearying.
I am very glad that our trip to the big smoke was on the dry and most glorious day of the week when we managed a picnic in the sunshine on the way home and it seems hard to believe it even happened now. Our gardening friend popped in yesterday and picked us a big bowl of raspberries while Himself and I deadheaded three geums and that was the only rain free moment we have had. The raspberries were lovely though!

Himself is making me giggle whenever he walks with his prosthetic leg on as it is now moving so much that it is 'pimping' with every step. He had a cast taken for a new one and will be very glad to get the new, better fitting and soundless leg which will be more socially acceptable when we are out of lockdown.

I don't know how you seem to keep up with all the posts as I find it impossible but am sending to all.

No doom and gloom here Teetime, we leave all that stuff outside. The kitchen is always brimming with care and consideration for each other. If we had “smelliposts” it would smell good too as there are always gifts of cake especially brought in by Kitchen-ers who bake.

I have just popped in to say Hi.
I’ve brought calorie-ridden chocolate Rice Krispie cakes to share, and putting a vase of garden lavender on the table for soop and everyone to enjoy the sight and fragrance.

Grandmafrench I’ve never had a dog but if I did I would definitely be wanting one with doe-eyes like poor Ludo. I hope he enjoys his first proper meal and gets well soon.

Dearest soop, you did not make any mistake! I wrote a confusing post, I was a bit low yesterday but have woken up with a smile again today. Your kitchen, as ever, was a great port in a storm. xxxxxxx

(DH’s operation earlier this year was on the lowest three bones in his spine. His earlier hip and knee ops were because of his years as a cricketer...he loved that time so we don’t regret any of that. Im being unrealistic but just want him to have less pain)

We’re due a fabulous thunderstorm in Brittany this afternoon so I’m hoping that will mean tonight we might have a sunset almost as lovely as the fab ones you have dear soop.

Hello and welcome Teetime! Sending you and all dear kitcheners some strawberry shortbread and a glasses of fizzy!❤️?❤️?

Just nipping out to pick a few raspberries before the thunder arrives. Thanks dear kitchen ( soop ) just for being there. xxx

Hello Teetime I think I remember you from a long time ago. Nice to hear from you again an welcome to soop’s wonderful kitchen. ?
Susan nice to hear Henry is such a fun boy. I expect you and your DH will enjoy having him 2 days a week.....then you can rest the other 5 ?
Oh can I join in the group hug too soop ? ??
synonymous good to hear your DH is doing well even if he is walking with a ping (not sure pimping is the right word but you’re the one listening to it ?)
puzzler crispy cake and lavender lovely ?
carillion glad you have your smile back today. Hope your DH gets better pain relief by treatment or medication.
Take care all.
Teetime we have ( oh dear. The word has gone from my mind. Not anagram that’s wrong, .....acronym that might be it but I’m not sure) a word we use on soop’s kitchen which you may see which is TOYA. Stands for thinking of you all. Which is what I’m doing now. Have a good day ?

I am ready to retire to a darkened room because it has taken me nearly 6 hours to find another car insurance policy and cancel my present one at the end of next month.

The cost of next year's insurance was ridiculous and this is me with a no claims bonus etc. etc and also the person who drives it occasionally also has never had any problems. I am saving almost 50% so that was no mean feat- it was very well worth the time and effort.

I do not think I can face looking at renewing house insurance today.
TOYA

I've just lost a long-ish post! I need all my energy to watch a tennis match on Prime, so I won't try to repeat what I said. Might be able to remember it later.

At last- 5 minutes of heavy rain so I will not have to water anything later. Blue skies now so I can hang out my washing.

Afternoon all. I'm another not able to keep up but I do read most days, definitely have what is now called covid brain around here.

Hello, Teetime good to see you. Am I in time for the group hug? Hope so.

You certainly will be busy come the Autumn Susan but what fun. We've never been able to care for any of ours regularly although we did manage more with Littlest than the others.

Well done Charley, had a similar experience recently with house insurance and have the car to look forward to later in the year. Isn't it more than tedious? Such hard work, I don't recall it being the same when I acquired my first car at 17, but then that was an awfully long while ago. One of ours insists it was when dinosaurs walked the earth. I a good job we love them.

The only word to describe the weather here is foul. Blowing a gale, really heavy rain showers that come from nowhere, the garden is wrecked, flattened plants wherever I look. Oh well, nature will sort the plants and on the positive side no watering needed other than the beans and potatoes, the foliage is so thick the rain doesn't really penetrate. We ran out yesterday to pull and push the large container of beans to the side of the shed, it was in real danger of blowing over although it is so heavy we struggled to move it together.

Strange old world for sure. Time to turn into the kitchen fairy here so I'm off. I am definitely TOYA, be careful out there everyone.

Ooooh Charleygirl rather you than me with the insurance. Here in la belle France, until not so long ago, one needed to make a careful note of the anniversary date of any policy, then one month before you had to cancel by registered post - no chance of ever shopping around for a better deal! In the UK - if only you can stand it and you have the patience, you have so much choice. So, well done you. Enjoy that darkened room!

I’m sitting in a wonderful breeze in the shade and watching my DH who, until my shrieks of laughter, was blissfully unaware that very territorial Swallows are swooping along and scooping up a little drink from our pool. They obviously see his presence as a threat. So many times they’ve hovered over his swimming figure and he’s gone under the water not realizing they are there. He’s outraged at this behaviour and squirted some water at one. They (maybe 6) are now having a union meeting in next door’s fig tree. Watch this space!

Synon shame about all the rain, but you have raspberries! Know it doesn’t compensate for a noisy leg, though. So pleased your DH is to get a swanky and silent new one. No comparison but I’ve just replaced my old Birkenstocks. I now have happy feet but the unwelcome noise of a Whoopy Cushion (or worse) as I walk. FGS! We could start a band, maybe, if your DH is up for that - just until he goes all high-tech. Unfortunately my embarrassing noises are here to stay. I have complained.

Puzzler, you’d love Ludo. He’s had 6 dessert spoons of boiled rice today. On the mend, hopefully.

Imagine you’re going to be quite weary managing the new up-and-at-‘em baby Ninja, ? Susan, when you’re in charge of him for a couple of days each week. Hope Mr Susan’s knees don’t suffer. Start stocking up on the Glucosamine + Chondroitin now, folks. Your joints need to be up to all that wear and tear....you could maybe send the bill to your DD ? ?

Welcome Teetime only nice considerate souls on here and we don’t do sniping, so hopefully you’ll soon feel at home.

Individual apple tarts today, with a dollop of crème frâiche or ice cream on the side. Special hugs to everyone.....Doodle Cherry Dreamkeeper Izabella Lins Carillion - and anyone missed? Excuse me.

My DH has gone for a shower and to fetch tea.....those cheeky birds are now diving past a cat.....a sleeping cat!

Thinking of you all, especially Queen soop.....hoping your day has been a really good one and tomorrow will be even better. Keep safe all. Sunday hugs from ????

Oh corner such a shame. But it’ll recover and the sun will be back.....it’s still only June. Enjoy your Fairy fodder ?‍♀️. x

Job for this afternoon...trawling through piles of photo albums and boxes of photos all ear-marked for the family when we eventually pass on die. I've left strict instructions that they should be well care for. Such memories. All precious and recorded for posterity.

So, why have you lovely lot left me with a mountain of messages for the catching up off?

Synon Your post made me hoot. Sometimes I make odd noises when I walk. I won't bore you with the details.

Grandmafrench You should write a book of humorous short stories. You have a gift with words.

corner The weather is fierce and there are white capped waves heading for the shore. No beautiful sunset for me to photograph last night. I shall however share a pic I've taken of MacS's magnificent loaf.

anno I'm dead envious. Prime doesn't exist in our household. I so miss the tennis matches and all that excitement that erupts when a favourite of mine is playing well.

Doodle The group hug is all embracing. If I could do it in real time, I surely would.

Puzzler You always spoil us with gifts that we cannot refuse. Calorie rich cake heads my list of stuff to do. The lavender looks and smells delicious.

Thank you for being kind Carillion. I do tend to get into a right guddle on occasions. I'm harmless with it.
Good luck with the forthcoming appointment. Please keep us updated.

Charleyg I've prepared the chaise especially for you. You've obviously had a very stressful time and now, we all insist that you lie down and allow us to bring you tea and home-baked cake.

TOYA. and the pic of MacS's prize winning loaf.

I have never stolen anything in my life but I would not mind "borrowing" that gorgeous loaf.

Please may I forget about the tea- I have not drunk any for I think over 60 years. Homemade cake does sounds very acceptable. I do not bake or I would end up devouring it.

It is very dull here so with luck there may be more rain on the way. It does not bother Tara, she will come home when it suits her.

I wouldn’t mind a piece of that freshly made loaf soop,looks delicious?

We have been clearing out the garage today and found a box of old records from the 70’s.Couldnt resist playing a few.Dancing like a fool to Zorba the Greek and now my knees feel 20 years older than they did this morning?

Our garden is lookin a bit bashed too corner but at least no watering tonight thank goodness.

Charley,I feel your pain sorting out your insurance.You will definitely need a lie down in a darkened room.

Welcome tee time??

I am going to rest my aching knees now and await the Tesco delivery,due between 9 and 10.Seemed a good idea at the time.

TOYA

soop, nice as it was to see some tennis, it was difficult to get used to the fact that they were playing behind closed doors, so there was no atmosphere, no cheering good shots or gasping at missed ones. Nevertheless, the players were clearly pleased to be honing their skills after all these months of inactivity. Andy was there and was narrowly beaten in the semi-final by the eventual winner, Dan Evans.