Soops kitchen for caring and sharing...

Bonjour Cuisine people ! A bit of Franglais in that greeting!

An absolute scorcher here today. Not much has been done, although I have to admit that I have just successfully carried out some online shopping and enjoyed myself greatly. All I wanted was a pair of super washing up gloves from the UK - my last pair lasted me over a year, so I was determined to get the same make. Whilst online I noticed all sorts of interesting little things that would bring quite a lot of cheer into my shopping-deprived life, so I ordered them.

What normally happens then is, either the website throws a wobbly because I don't have a UK address, or I have hysterics when I see the cost of delivery, and suddenly it all goes very wrong. However, today was hugely successful. I could now be (almost) tempted to think about a little online C........ shopping. If it works for other Kitcheners, it's fine by me. If I get some bargains, even better.

We have finished our G & T and my lovely DH is in the kitchen working on a Fish Molee for our supper. We're wondering about starting to watch "Mrs America" this evening - I see that the whole series is available on BBC iPlayer already. Has anyone watched so far and can recommend?

Hope you enjoyed your walk, soop. I expect you're more than pleased about the hair appointment. What easily pleased little souls we have become since last Spring. Mine has a day off today but I must get on the 'phone tomorrow and ask her for an appointment. I must also go for a blood test tomorrow first thing, or maybe Friday, otherwise I shall be in receipt of some eye rolls when I go for a check with my Endocrinologist on Monday! It's all go, go, isn't it - especially if we'd rather not.

Have a pleasant evening everyone. Hope that the sun has shone today - it looks like a good forecast for the weekend for all of you across the Channel. Stay safe and don't forget to smile behind those masks! x

Soop thank you. I've had a menopausal day where I couldn't decide what to make so finally went for lasagne. It's warming in the oven at the moment. I'm waiting for the door to be knocked. And looking forward to the funny story tomorrow x

Grandmabatty You deserve to have a lovely evening with your dear friends. Lasagne sounds perfect.

Nannytopsy Well done! You also deserve a mention in dispatches.

Tomorrow, I shall share a funny story with you lot. The title of which is - "Darling, do you think that this outfit will be suitable for my birthday lunch?" It goes on a bit. Hence the telling of it tomorrow.

Soop and grandmafrench thank you for the kind words about my wee grandson. He is fine. Yesterday was the day of big emotions otherwise known as toddlerdom. He's 18 months and is frustrated at his inability to do things or communicatete so the toys are getting a battering! I look after him on Mondays and Tuesdays while dd wfh and I'm always knackered on a Tuesday night. Those are lovely photos of a very moody sky. grandmafrench hopefully your Internet etc will be warp speed now. Today has been very busy. I met a lovely friend this morning I haven't seen for months. It was a two coffee meet up and a strawberry tart was necessary to keep the tonsils lubricated. Then a video chat with two other pals this afternoon. I have my oldest friend and her partner coming for dinner tonight so I'm off to make lasagne. Have a good evening everyone.

GG I am sorry to admit that I have a small pile of C.... presents too. It’s the sales!
We have made good progress in the bramble/ivy/weed corner of our garden this morning
and should soon be ready to start screening the neighbours (ugly, old, falling down) wall soon. Tomorrow is childcare and Friday is a heatwave, so it may be the weekend.
Back to it! Keep safe everyone!

lemongrove I shall need to check my diary. I'm such a busy body girl and in great demand. I shall continue to drop in for the occasional drinkie poo and blether with the rabble customers. A visit never fails to make me

GrannyGravy Seems a sensible way to shop. Far easier and safer than trawling through the stores. All those folk! All that hassle! As I say...very sensible...only don't mention C*******. I haven't fully recovered from the last one.

I have started my C*******s shopping today online. I have never bought a C gift in July before, but there are so many bargains to be had I couldn’t resist ??

The kitchen seems to get busier everyday.

TOYA ???

Soop !! You have abandoned us in The Argy and we miss your baked goods too.It’s another theme night on Friday so come along with an old shopping trolly of goodies and stay for a drinkie or two.....we have all new cocktail flavours now.
Wear your slinkiest shortest dress and killer heels.

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Doodle dear - your description of me as a poodle (complete with all the attributes) has almost gone to my head.

Puzzler - Ruby, being a feline, knows that she is entitled to do as she pleases. It may be an inconvenience but she has her her own important agenda. I have yet to hear of a cat that doesn't please itself. Daft, I know, but it's why I love them.

Nannytopsy I could, if I felt so inclined, do a n afternoon's dead-heading in our garden. However, I choose to wait until the weekend. We've had a lovely long walk.
Here is an interesting image of last night's crepuscular rays. One of my favourite Kintyre skies.

Another busy day! Glad to hear McS will get seen quickly - wish him well. It’s been windy today - fingers crossed for a good gardening day tomorrow.

maw so pleased to hear Hattie is getting back to her old self.?
charley please do not spread out on the bed. Remember it’s Tara’s bed and she allows you to sleep in it so don’t take ups too much room ?
soop I can imagine you as a poodle. Elegant, sophisticated, well groomed, intelligent and cuddly ?
grandmafrench I’d love one of your candlelit suppers it sounds lovely. I felt a bit like you did today after we had the plumber here. Frantic cleaning of everything he touched and checking wherever he went with my antiseptic wipes ?
puzzler sounds as though you had a rude awakening the other day. Nothing like a wet sudoku. ?
TOYA ?

Not wanting to completely miss the Kitchen chatter, Good Evening to all still here.
soop looking at the rainbow you have captured makes me happy, almost as happy as you now you have a hair salon appointment arranged.

Grandmafrench it’s wonderful that you are able to have evening garden soirées with your many friends. I’m sure they had as much of a lovely time as you did. It’s a little cool here with less opportunities for al fresco entertaining - however a small heatwave is promised for Friday.

Charleygirl - if Tara wants to spend the night again be sure and hang onto the edge of the bed.
Ruby wriggled and wriggled her way against me yesterday morning, I moved one more inch and fell out of the edge of the bed. My arm caught the bedside table and a cup of warm mint tea shot everywhere, wetting my sodoku book in the furore.

And where was Ruby while I cleaned up? She had vanished - gone and found herself another bed in a quiet room. ?

I’ll be off now, I’ve finished my cup of ginger and lemon tea at the table and I bid you all a peaceful evening and look forward to your company tomorrow.
TOYA

Lovely peoples, one and all, hello again.

Good to have you back again, Grandmafrench. I am a huge fan of Hyacinth Bouquet. We were watching one of her wonderful "Keeping up Appearances" episodes very recently.

Let joy be unconfined. Why, you may ask? I've been able to make a hair appointment with my favourite stylist, before and not after my birthday. Isn't it funny how something so ordinary can make the heart skip a beat? I'm now wearing a soppy grin in anticipation of a "new me".

The fact is, I'm that chuffed, I am preparing to iron the freshly laundered bed linen.

I leave you with a spring in my step and a song in my heart. I shall pop in again tomorrow. Whether or not I shall have fully caught up - well, that is a matter I shall endeavor to resolve in the fulness of time.

Stay well safe (as they say). Virtual hugs a plenty.

Hello dear Kitchen Ladies

Back from the outer limits of broadband land, I come. Having had a bit of a wrestle with the service provider a few days ago, when he turned up at 5pm with a mask and stayed until 8.15pm, I decided that a nice break would be an idea. Their little tweaks which they advertise which will then allow us to have a really good internet speed are not, of course, little tweaks. In no particular order, he emptied a corner of the utility room, removed some panelling, messed with the phone line, lifted up a half buried inspection cover in our garden and outside in the lane, installed a lot of new wiring....returned to base twice, then asked to use our loo and failed completely to wash his bloomin' hands. So.....I was just a mite wild and raging by the time that DH came into the study, where I hid so that I was not tempted to inflict pain on the worker, to tell me he had finally left. Lots of conversation relating to "I told you to watch him" and "what on earth were you thinking?" took place. This was followed by an almighty cleaning and ranting session for me. Surprised no one heard me from the Kitchen actually. It was certainly not what I expected at the end of a very hot day.

However, moving swiftly on I can see that life goes at breakneck speed in Kitchen circles. I shall try to catch up.

Bless dear morethan, her sadness must still be almost all-consuming. It's wonderful that she feels she can wander into the Kitchen just to say how she is feeling. Sending all hopes for a brighter future for all that little family. Hold on, it will get better for them all.

Grandmabatty do hope that the little wriggly GS is o.k. today and his Mum has recovered. Small children are sometimes as difficult to keep in one place as live fish!

Panache life seems to be getting slightly better? More normal, anyway. Hope that this will give you both a bit of something that you've been forced to miss for so long. Tara is still being Tara, I see. At least you know you have a routine, Charley. I now have one who has decided that she prefers to stay outside, thank you. ( "But, when I knock on the window, kindly deliver my food to the doorway - it's far too exhausting to walk inside and wait with the others". )

Big Hurrah for Hattie's Mum. Hope life is settling down properly and without all that worry and stress. Big Hurrah for brave Hattie, as well!

Sending all good wishes and crossing of fingers to MacS Another lockdown casualty, but hopefully one who will very quickly have some resolution to the scalp problem. One step forward - quite a few back. Is life to become like that more often now for all of us , do you think? Can't say I approve. Those little GC's soop. So cute - but maybe not quite as cute as your fluffed-up, shampooed poodle new identity.

Must send hugs and fond thoughts to all those I may have missed but who may also be missing from this very nice Club at the moment! Cherry, Susan, Doodle, Izabella, PPixie, Galen, Daisyboots, Anno and Puzzler. Synonymous try not to worry - take your Barrister's advice, he should know the going rates and the range of the award that the Court will offer. Don't take any risks on costs, but if you are really concerned about the figure mentioned to you, get a second Opinion. That would be worth it to set your DH's mind at rest before settling if he's not happy. Good luck!

I have taken it easy today after one of my suppers in the garden again yesterday. I could become quite addicted to having people to supper outside. It's very calming and a lot of fun - well away from social distancing, slightly scary restaurants and wretched masks. But when I think of Candlelit Suppers, I do immediately think "Hyacinth Bouquet" ..... and that will never do!

Take care lovely people. Stay Safe whatever else you all do! x

Grandmabatty Oh my word! I can quite imagine Mummy's reaction to your wee grandson's escapade. They can put the fear of all sorts into those who feel responsible for their welfare. It helps to have the constitution of an ox and the patience of a saint.

Charleyg Please continue to amuse us lot with the antics of Tara.

Maw I am envious. My haircut is booked for the 13th of next month. At present, I resemble a fluffed-up, newly shampooed poodle.

The photo that I'm sharing with you today, is, I think, full of hope. It was taken just this morning.

Panache was lucky to get a hair appointment especially when shielding. She lives in a lovely part of the country with tourists keeping the local economy running. The weather is improving this week so she and DH may manage a run in the car.

soop those photos are lovely- they are growing so quickly.

Maw so pleased to hear that Hattie has turned the corner.

soop pleased to hear that MacS is having his head sorted soon as it must be uncomfortable if not painful.

Not my best night's sleep as Tara decided to stay the night so I was almost clinging on to the side of the bed while she spread herself out.
TOYA

Soop these are lovely photos. What sunny children! My wee grandson got into a cupboard and broke a glass and when my daughter scooped him up and put him in his high chair to keep him away from the glass, he climbed up and then fell. He seems to be fine but dd is in a state and blames herself. He is a wee monkey and gets into everything. Hopefully he's sleeping. Good night all.

Goodnight all, I expect little Mila and Teddy have been fast asleep for a few hours now. ?

Night night Maw and Hattie. Great to hear she’s nearly recovered, you’ll both sleep well tonight. It’s been a worrying time. ? ? ?

I see elsewhere that Panache is back as herself - did I miss something along the way? That’s nice though (and less confusing)
And a visit to the hairdressers too, life is truly getting back to normal after shielding.

Hattie is much more like her normal self and thanks all who have been asking after her. I think I can just about breathe again!
Night, night. ?

soop good to hear MacSporran is going to have treatment for his scalp next week. Lovely photos of Mila and Ted ?

freyer I couldn’t have put it better myself. morethan please don’t stop posting. We would all help if we could but if all we can do is listen then please let us do that for you.
Take care of your lovely family and those precious little ones.

Oh morethan my heart breaks for you. The world can be a terrible place at times,you and your family will be in my prayers. Keep strong my dear it will never be the same but you will weather the storm. My love goes with you.

Thank you for the photos Soop - Mila and Ted are gorgeous.
Very huggable!

Also that is such a beautiful sunset that you posted.

Sending love and hugs to everyone.

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I did say that I would return, albeit to say that I've spent a busy day, one way and another. No slouching.

The photos of MacS's scalp eruptions have made an impression. He now has an appointment for the removal of suspicious looking lesions next week. I'm thankful. He is, too.

Many messages that I've still to catch up with. My apologies for not doing so today.

I'm sending love to you all. Thank you for being so kind and thoughtful.

Latest photos of Mila and Ted, herewith.