Soop's welcoming kitchen for kindly caring folk...

Chin up Kitty. At least they are not ignoring you! The trouble with families is that they are adults, who will insist on making (the wrong) decisions.

I recognise you Number please/Callgirl /Hellogirl at the back, JessM, Galen and Crimson/Tegan, but can’t remember the others. Gagajo came with JessM and me on the train from MK but I could not point her out.
One thing I do remember though is going up to a gaggle of ladies at the Gallery and asking if they were from Gransnet and getting a horrified “Oh, no!” Oops!

Just checking in to catch up.

Lots of (more remote, luckily) family stuff going on. Why do they lay it all on DH and me?

TOYA

Hello Kitchener peeps

I've been going bonkers trying to log in to Gransnet. Hopefully it's my server and nothing sinister. Had a wonderful day here and ended up reading in the sunshine until 6.30 in the garden. Then an hour of more watering.

Whatever next, soop ? Bet you're asking yourself the same question. I think that you may shortly be accused of starting your own personal surgical renovation project. But please start with Oban, if your hip is not too painful yet, that's a long overdue restoration and we'll all be interested to know just what a difference it will make to you life.

Sorry about you being a dog in my post, Mia. Your Mum, to be fair, never said you were a pusscat and since I am new I couldn't have known. Do keep eating your cat soup. My oldest cat loves it and we use it to spice up his special kidney diet from the Vet. He then was able to put on loads of weight and I expect you will too once the dentist has fixed your problem. For that huge sum of money, maybe you'll get your own sparkly new dentures? (You can but hope!)

Fabulous to hear from Panache. Yes, I agree - I think that the weird ones are the ones who don't care about risk or the health of others. You are much safer in your home and keeping to places where you know you're not at risk. At least for now. Please keep taking care of yourselves, you and Mr P.

I did love that photo but hoping to see names I recognise was possibly a bit optimistic after 8 (?) years. Loved your photo, Galen but sad that I couldn't spot pearls. Maybe you hadn't yet entered your pearls phase at that time.

I can't believe that I was thinking about annsixty's hip problems and any progress today, then I saw that there is life at the clinic and you were able to speak to someone half sensible and interested. That's good. Not your hip, I know, but every little helps to keep your name near the top of the pile, I reckon.

Charley hope that you and her Ladyship enjoy a delicious supper. I particularly like Iffits. (If it's in the fridge, we'll eat it) ) It's amazing to make a meal from very little - a good feeling. It's also good to feel that you've not wasted anything.

I'm finishing my G&T and then off for my supper. Then maybe a bit of telly tonight if I can find something interesting. Love George Alagiah as well as Monty Don, soop. Such a lovely manner, but sadly it does look as if he might be fading now.

Stay safe everyone. Have a good evening and the best night's sleep if you can. Hugs from France.

soop - oh no - don't say your hip replacement is giving up!
I've had mine since 2006 and have fallen on it several times.
I read once that our bodies in old age are like an old car with all the various parts slowly cracking up and dropping off.
Our hips are like the back axles .
www.quadratec.com/sites/default/files/styles/product_zoomed/public/product_images/218731.jpg

Away for today. Trying to catch up is a wondrous thing. I very much doubt that I shall ever be able to claim that I have. Never mind. You do know that I care for each and everyone of you.

Last night's wonderful sky is for you to enjoy. .

What a gorgeous gaggle of Gransnetters. Wow!

Hellogirl1 Darling Mia she'll be better off without troublesome toothy pegs. You need one of those clever gizmos that release tops. I have the same problem.

Maw I'm returning to that photo to see who I can recognise.

Don`t know how you crept in at the end Grandmafrench, lol!

ann It certainly appears that your case is now up and running (even if we are not). Having a young man who is eager to please, is a big bonus.

corner No wonder that your beloved dog lived to be a ripe old age. His diet was a reflection of your love for him.

Grandmafrench The existing titty is a wee bit floppy. It does indeed escape when I wear my comfortable sleep bra during the day. Luckily it hasn't embarrassed me by
escaping in polite company.
As for Monty, he's my heart throb. Such a lovely man. Another heart throb is George Alegiah. Swoon.

Maw, I remember when we first met at Birmingham, you walked up and said, "Hello, I`m Grace`s Mum".
Galen, wasn`t the white haired person in front of you Manic? I think that Luckygirl is on there as well, under her old name, and Crimson who became Tegan, where is she, I miss her? I`m standing up at the far end of the table in one pic, next to someone called Barrow, she seemed to disappear not long after that. I`m ashamed to say I can`t remember everyone`s names on there.

Grandmafrench, I don`t like to correct people, it`s rude, but in this case I will. Mia is a cat, not a dog.

Panache, lovely to hear from you again. I`m taking my first plunge into society tomorrow, I`m going into town. It would have happened sooner, but for my damaged back, still not right, but I`m missing my favourite sausage rolls, so off I`m going to trot, well, hobble!

Soop, I hope nobody was badly hurt in the accident. At least MacS had nice scenery to look at during the delay.

Mia ate 2v helpings of cat soup last night, but has had nothing today up to now. I`ve got another problem now, I can`t get the top off her medicine bottle, H-E-E-E-L-P!!!
Grandmafrench,

Panache You, my dear, are far from odd. You are sensible and sensitive and so far removed from the crowds who believe that they are entitled to break the rules. We are stay at homes. We rarely venture anywhere but, when we do, we wear a mask and keep our distance. It makes sense. Only thing is, sense is in short supply.

Charleyg There's never a dull moment, or so it seems.

Grandmabatty Autumn really does invite the artist to get the paint box out. At the moment, I'm painting a puppy dog. He is adorable. I'm sort of happy with progress so far. I always think...could do better. I do try my hardest to do the little creatures that I paint justice. Paint doesn't always play the game. There is always the temptation to over-work the portrait and thus ruin it beyond salvation.

Soop that's rotten for you. I hope it isn't too bad and too painful. I hadn't realised I should wear pearls! I will get mine out toot sweet. (I know that isn't how it's actually spelled). Today has been mostly doing housework and washings. I am awaiting two cross stitch kits from a quirky website so I'm trying to get everything in order as once I start stitching... I'm also going to paint something autumnal but I haven't decided what. Take care all.

soop it is more likely that the "cement" has worked its way loose. The nether regions will top of the list though. Such a pity you are now getting pain from the hip. 15 years is still a good length of time. A pity your hip has decided to play silly buggers now. It is one buggeration too many.

Good afternoon lovely kitcheners. I see that it's going to take me an age to catch up with all your messages. Talk about busy peoples!

I have every intention of reading and responding to you later this afternoon. MacSporran went early morning Tesco shopping, happened across an accident and sat for an hour and a bit until the police allowed the traffic through. Hence we're running late.

First hip replacement was 15 years ago. After several recent falls, I'm to have an X-ray on Monday. Pain increasing. GP thinks that the "nuts and bolts" have loosened. Let joy be unconfined!

Back with you for fulsome catch-up later this afternoon.

A very good afternoon to each one that enjoy time spent in this tranquil haven,Soop`s kitchen.
Ashamedly I bow my head for the gap since I last popped by,but believe me you remain in my thoughts from time to time.

At the moment life in the Panache household is pretty fair,but caring for a loved one even at this stage is very time consuming and it demands most of my thinking time........on top of which we are making an effort to catch up on such things as Dentist,Optician and Hair!..........all gone astray during the shielding period.
We try to be independant up to a point but are finding each effort is so very tiring and takes days to recover.
Furthermore neither of us are dealing with this new outside world.We have no intention of joining any crowds,visiting,meals out or shopping for instance,but just trying to walk or be in the near company of strangers truly has us frightened.
Of course the fact the "outside world around us" seem to live in the same world that we had prior to covid -19........that turned lives upside down,taking dear ones long before their time and leaving such stress, anxiety within differing groups,homes and lives.
Where is this social distancing?
Masks or face coverings seem as rare as hen`s teeth!
We see a different world to seemingly others around us.
Are we the odd ones?
Are others l;ike us?
Are we over reacting perhaps?
Certainly it has been a rough year all round.

Anyway I just want to wish you all well,hopefully sunshine and a new era will be with us sooner rather than later.

Always a joy spending time with you.Take care.

The sun has popped out here so my clothes are drying as there is also a gentle breeze. Although the T is reasonable to me it feels autumnal. The temperatures of 36C are now a distant memory, I know I spoiled it by buying my cooling mat and new fan.

soop Toby looks such a rested and happy soul and it is lovely seeing Mila sitting beside him and making sure he is okay. Mum can be assured he is well cared for if she takes her eye off him.

I cannot be bothered going out shopping today- I will make do with what I have and that is plenty. Tara and I will not starve.
TOYA

I’m in that photo. White hair with another white haired person in front of me.

Good morning, just, everyone.
This morning I managed to get a telephone appointment with my GP surgery.
I got a lovely sounding young man who seemed very eager to please.
He is going to arrange an x-ray on my very troublesome knee, he thinks the TKR is being affected by the way I am walking and the pressure being put on it by my dodgy hip.

He is also going to get in touch with the Consultant
Orthopaedic chap although he did say no ops of that sort are taking place in our local health authority currently .

A warm but overcast day here.

I hope all are coping and GC etc settling into school.
Have as good a day as you can everyone.

What didn’t our dog eat hellogirl. . Soft food initially, he developed a love of scrambled egg, then it was back to the dried food he had always eaten, although I did sometimes soften it with some gravy he was happy without. He also ate spaghetti bolognese (always had, best not to ask). When allowed he’d have pieces of cooked chicken, any roasted meat, roast potatoes and every cooked vegetable he could get his paws on. He lived to be 16, left us because his back legs failed, quite a character and still missed after many years.

Great photos - do please tell who they all are.

What beautiful babies soop!
We are remodelling our garden Cornergran and I am realising that I am not young any more! We said it would be two years and so far it is exactly one year since we moved. Good progress made but a way to go still. Best wishes for your plans!

I remember well that meet up in Birmingham- a lovely occasion with some fantastic people!
I am facing the camera- glass in hand, of course! - a couple of people along from our lovely JessM

Just caught up. Lovely photos of those babbas, soop. Mila's got such a sweet little face, bet she loves the new brother.
I won't ask why you need a new boob - hope it hasn't suffered the same fate as the one earlier in the year when you spent all your lockdown time scrabbling to keep half of you out of a hedge. It pinged out of your shirt and went off on a frolic of its own, I recall. I hope you're not due for criticism for doing too much heavy work - again. The gardening Titchmarsh person was waxing lyrical about Montbretia the other evening. (He'll never replace Monty in my affections!) I pictured you shouting at the tv screen and letting him know where he could come and help himself to the odd barrowful from your garden.

Spent a half hour this morning cutting a big Oleander - it was taking over our BBQ area. Then after some coffee, went wild with a lovely leaf blower and chased cobwebs, then washed a table. It all looks tickety boo now. DH lifted a heavy parasol base for me but a tiny little 1/2" long gecko streaked like lightning up his leg and went straight inside his shirt. I had a small panic thinking that he would injure the gecko ordrop the parasol base on his feet. But all was well and the tiny thing ended up in the geraniums.

Celebrated the successful morning by picking up a wonderful Réligieuse from the cake shop this afternoon. One each. For those ever tempted by éclairs - this is a cake comprising one round choux bun filled with crème patissière, coffee flavoured in this case. That is topped off with another smaller bun, also filled and then iced and decorated - with a chocolate piece in this case.They are meant to look like fat Nuns. I know - me neither - it's a French thing!! After a few errands in the village when the shops re-opened at 4pm (it was very hot today), we did a very rapid check on a friend's holiday home, it was 45 degrees in his conservatory and we almost fell over. We then bought our cakes and took them home to eat in the garden with a delish cup of tea. Perfect end to an afternoon.

Thanks to everyone for Ludo's good wishes. He munched his small pill, twice today, without a problem. I shall definitely think of you, Kitty next time I have one of the cats in a leg-over-arm-lock! Ludo's currently tucked into a travel rug on his couch, because his current condition means he feels the cold and is waiting for his bedtime biscuit. (Cold?....It's 25 in the sitting room)

Loved your idea of garden planning, Corner but know what you mean about fair weather gardening. Who on earth wants to be outside suffering? I save that for actual emergencies or being desperate to finish a job. The joy of gardening for me is being outside in nature on a good day. It doesn't have to be hot or cold or special weather - just without rain or high winds. We have always used railway sleepers somewhere in the garden. They make such a nice edge and hold everything together. Moving them is a bit of a mission but once in place and filled with plants - lovely.

Do hope that your little dog's dental work goes o.k., hellogirl. She's probably in quite a bit of pain which probably explains the not eating well and losing weight. Once she has had the procedure, she'll hopefully put all the weight back on. That's a fortune to shell out, though!! I'd do it in a heartbeat, but even so...... although we've found that one of the benefits of living here is that Veterinary treatment is much cheaper than in England. Well, something needs to be.

I'm now seriously thinking of getting out my pearls. I wear pearl earrings most days but had never thought that I needed that extra certain something to do the ironing, NannyT. I shall now re-consider this - let's face it, I hardly go anywhere else to wear them, post-Covid.

How are you, Doodle?. Didn't expect to see you on here so early. Is it a later shift at the Argy or do you have a night off? Those laydees keep you on your toes - and we won't name names or start discussing dancing Kintyre types, will we?

Hope you had all girls fun today, Susan. Doubtless we shall get to hear if there were any "goings on" back at the ranch!

Night all. Sweet dreams.
Hugs