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

Do help yourself, puzzler. The French - in lots of regions - especially in the Ardeche- do seem to enjoy their chestnuts. The cake looks impressive and is really easy to make. Just as long as you like meringue and ice cream, it’s a winner - and cos it’s rich you only need a small slice so will feed the 5,000 if you have a house full. Let me know if you’d like the recipe.

Thank you for the kind comments for Fred. I noticed this afternoon that his 'new' nose (circa 1999) has started to unravel since my stupid brain allowed me to pop him on a cool wash, although the 'new' feet and hand pads are ok as are his replacement eyes.

I popped back to see how you fared today soop and am sorry to read of your tribulations, not to mention the mans sore scalp. Also birthday wishes are wending their way over the channel to a worthy recipient, and all photos of little ones appreciated. I am researching greenhouses and blouses. Not easy when I forget what I read. Anyone tried Seasalt? Or Orvis Clothing I mean.

Until tomorrow ........... TOYA

Thank you Grandmafrench, I’ve p.m.’d you.

Sounds a tough day soop. Floods? Goodness, not what you needed. Hope Macs is comfortable now and your hair has agreed to behave.

Fred is a happy looking bear Izabella. Lovely photos of the little ones.

Had a walk round some NT grounds today, enjoyed the walking down, less so the walking back up.

Be careful out there everyone.

Just popping in after a very long day to see how MacS got on.I hope he isn’t in too much pain and manages a decent nights sleep.

Gorgeous pictures of the two little ones????

Glad Fred has recovered more or less intact from his time in the washing machine.

We have been over to see my mum in Cheshire today,DD and family came with us.Matilda had three naps in the car so by the time we got home there was not a chance of her wanting to go to bed.Grandpa then made her hot chocolate with marshmallows and cream which made her even less sleepy.She eventually went to bed,shopping is unpacked and I am finally catching up on the kitchen news.I am exhausted.Hoping Miss M has a lie in tomorrow??

I would love to see rain here- I cannot remember the last time it did rain. I know I should not be complaining about the heat because in January I will be moaning my heating is rarely off. There is no pleasing some folk.
TOYA

An update - the divine MissM did not have a lie in??

The weather in our neck of the woods has been pretty dire the last few weeks and the forecast wrong most days.Our son in law is a farmer,they desperately need some sunshine,normally at this time of year they are like Charley desperate for rain.Like you say Charley,there is no pleasing us!

Will pop back later if I manage to stay awake to see soop’s new do.Hope MacS had a comfortable night??

Hi all in this lovely warm kitchen.

Sending love and hugs to all who are suffering. I am having a few wobbly days and I just cannot get myself cheered up or back on track. Catch up later.

Purplepixie sorry you are still wobbling can you confide in a friend or family member? If not you know us kitcheners are here for you ???

We have had a Quooker boiling water tap fitted, having had a boiling water tap for the last twenty years I now realise that it was not in fact boiling and I need to treat my new tap with upmost respect as I do not want to be in A & E with scolded hand!!!!

DD has dropped off GSs as she does not want to take them into the supermarket or bank so my jobs are on hold as is my reading my kindle in the garden!!!

Hope McS is ok

TOYA

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MacSporran wishes to thank his ladies for their kind concern. He doesn't wish to dismay you with a pic of his bloody and bruised scalp. He did take the following of my newly razor cut hair do. I always feel that it will be the perfect length in a month's time.

I shall return.

Wow soop so stylish ??

Your haircut is lovely Soop I hope Mr Soop recovers well. I have a horrible feeling I've just been scammed over hedge trimming. The sides have been done but a promise to come back tomorrow to do the top as they didn't have their ladders. I'm feeling rather stupid but will wait to see whether they return tomorrow or not.

Love your new do soop,really lovely??

soop your haircut is divine and suits you.
It must feel so much better - and you are ready for the heatwave if it reaches you this weekend.

When my hair needs cutting and is like a thatched cottage roof I always feel clammy in the heat.

All best wishes to MacS, I hope his sore head heals quickly.
Perhaps he can rest this afternoon. Here is a photo showing how to have a supreme rest in the warmth of the conservatory - Ruby has it off to a fine art!

Grandmabatty I hope you are wrong.
I will keep my fingers crossed ? for you.

Soop - you look absolutely lovely! Eleven out of 10 for that, I think. It was very pretty before with your lovely curls but now, as GrannyGravy says, it's stylish ( and pretty.) Put all doubts behind you!! Hope that MacS will feel lots better soon as he heals.

Isn't the weather hateful when you can't plan, Susan. No wonder people talk about it non-stop. I'm sure I can remember when proper seasons used to be the thing - but I think that was a very long time ago. Hope you will get your dry, sunny weather soon, if only for the farming families !!

Sorry to hear that, Grandmabatty. I too hope you're wrong.
If it turns out to be the case, you're definitely not stupid - just a very nice person and probably too trusting. If you have been scammed, just remember next time to not part with any money until the job is completed, always keep money back even if you have to pay up front for materials, like paint, to start the job and NEVER agree to work being done on a day rate. People who get paid by the day will often stretch a job to fit the kind of money they would like to be paid, rather than completing it quickly and in the timescale promised. And, if you agree an estimate, you only pay for the figure on that estimate when the job is finished.
I speak from experience and a hard-earned understanding that English people are often seen to be the golden goose in poorer parts of foreign countries !!

Oh yes, GrannyGravy, lovely new toy BUT do be careful. Hospital trips are to be avoided at all costs.....

I've just had a wonderful box of "toys" arrive all the way from Kendal. I shall pass a very happy time this afternoon, just browsing amongst my baking and kitchen purchases from Lakeland. Such a treat.

Have a lovely afternoon, Kitchen ladies. x

You look very smart, soop, the hair cut suits you. Hope macs is comfortable today. Doesn’t sound a fun process for him if a necessary one.

Don’t fret grandmabatty, all may well still be well. If not then it’s one to put down to experience. There are some clever tricksters out there. If it should be proven to be a scam please make sure you circulate name and description as best you can, your local PCSO and Neighbourhood Watch coordinator would like to hear about it too.

Be careful with that tap * grannygravy*, we’ve thought about one, Mr C decided I do too much damage to myself already to risk it.

I’m sorry the wobble continues purplepixie, a hug on its way from me. I too could be having a wobble if I wasn’t also so angry about the issue, anger seems to overcome wobbling here, not that I recommend it.

TOYA

grandmabatty what a lovely little chap. ?
Atishoo ?? who put those stocks there. Might have known it was you puzzler (only kidding. They look lovely, as does Ruby ?)
izabella I have a seasalt raincoat I am very pleased with but I can’t comment on their blouses or greenhouses ?
Please can Fred come back another day. He is so lovely.
purplepixie pop into the Black Dog Gang if you want to. We have a number of wobblers there ? Hope you feel better soon.
soop your hair is lovely. So pretty. I do hope MacSporran feels better soon. His treatment sounds painful.
TOYA ?

Puzzler I'm in lurve with Ruby. She is picture perfect.

Grandmabatty If the hedge trimmers let you down, us lot will lodge a formal complaint.

Purple Please let us help in any way that we can.

Grandmafrench I so enjoy receiving parcels from Kendal. Wishing you a very happy playtime.

Susan I'm sending feeling drowsy vibes to the divine *Miss Matilda.

Izabella I highly recommend 'Orvis' and 'Seasalt' clothing is well made and very stylish.

GrannyGravy Beware of scolding hot water. I'm sure that you'll find your Quooker to be a wouldn't be without gadget. Our water supply comes from a spring. We have hardly any pressure of note. I've become used to hanging around whenever I need to fill the washing up bowl.

The rain has ceased to fall. The local burn is a raging torrent. Nature somehow manages to be fair. We do have a generous supply of sunshine to be thankful for.

Away to sup and catch a short session of Snooker. I shall return.

The sea is flat calm. Mirror-like. There isn't a breath of a breeze.

We did manage our usual walk this morning. The avenue of ancient lime trees is lovely no matter what the time of the year. We notice that a few leaves are beginning to turn. I can't help feeling that we've missed a whole lot of spring and summer. However...it is what it is.

I leave you all with my kind thoughts. Until tomorrow...

Purplepixie may your troubles be soothed. Come to the kitchen more often and let us pamper you.
I’m thinking of making apple and sultana cake tomorrow .....

soop do you do B&B? Your corner of the world sounds idyllic, if a tad cool, but I can deal with cool. I just love peace and serenity.

Grannygravy approach that Quook with caution! We don’t want to hear you have scalded yourself.

Doodle I have moved the vase of stocks behind the Roman blind so there is a barrier between your delicate nose and the strong fragrance of the stocks. ?

cornergran your advice is very wise.

Grandmabatty please don’t worry unduly; what is done is done. See what tomorrow brings.
A very good colleague of mine always said not to worry about mistakes made “if you don’t do anything, you can’t do anything wrong, much better to try”.
We learn from mistakes.

Grandmafrench start herding those cats up and getting them in if you’re to get to bed this side of midnight! ?

TOYA

‘Bye until tomorrow .

soop your hair is fabulous. I really must make an appointment to get mine cut. Until now I have been doing it but it really needs a professional.

Puzzler if Ruby is ever missing you will probably know where to look, She is gorgeous but she never appears to want to go outside, sleeping so much.

After yet another muddle re appointment for my eye treatment I was told yesterday I should not have received an appointment for next Thursday. It was changed briefly to the Wednesday and then I was told it was today!
A good job my diary is free. For once I was in and home again within 4 hours but my eye is red, swollen and painful so an early night is on the cards. I have a gel to insert but I find it difficult.

My next appointment is for the 9th September but I think they have made a mistake, it should be a week before. I think I know what will happen! A good job part of my brain is still working. The gopher has only 5 patients to organise monthly on a Wednesday. I could save him the trouble and do it all from here.
TOYA

A really 'sooper' hairdo! I wish your hairdresser could come and do mine. Back in my youth, I always had a razor cut, but they seem to be out of fashion, at least around here. My best ever razor cut was in Vienna in 1964!
Puzzler, Ruby is a cat after my own heart! Such a relaxed pose. Your conservatory looks to be the perfect place for a feline (or human) siesta.

Good morning everyone! Lots going on in the kitchen as usual with lovely babies, flowers and haircuts.
Trying to get myself moving as we have an appointment at the tip. Enjoy your day everyone!