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

Ann I’m glad you’ve got the date now. Fingers crossed it won’t change.

Izabella, good for you. Please let us know when in October it is. I remember when you first joined The Kitchen you talked about your long bike rides and I always thought you were a sporty girl.

I will see DD2. SIL and my 2 little GDs today for a garden champagne picnic for a pre (special) birthday celebration. What a day to choose but at least it isn’t raining (yet?). I think we will all be elegantly clad in fleeces and scarves though I
might try to leave them off to begin with.

It will be lovely to see the little ones. ?

If only I were fit enough ( operation also to be considered) I would certainly go to see you in your Marathon Izabella if permitted of course.
What a splendid thing to do, you really are an inspiration.

While not having your personal challenges, Izabella, I can empathise with your sentiments about feeling powerless. Great cause for your marathon run (you knew I'd say that!!) Can you (are you happy to) share a link for sponsoring you - or please pm me.

And, lovely to see you here.

Right - we are off for a walk. Now, hat, gloves, scarf........

Totally understand that feeling of powerlessness Izabella. Wow, that is certainly a challenge, Good for you. Wishing you all the luck there is , if you can manage it do let us know how it goes, you know we’ll all be wishing you well.

Izabella you have my admiration regarding your marathon what a truly remarkable lady you are ??

Good morning from a chilly Shire, albeit with blue skies, weak sunshine and a stilled breeze.

Apologies for my absence - I will attempt to explain whilst hoping not to offend. Lately I have found myself a little discombobulated after reading about everyone's troubles, and also feeling powerless to help. I decided to take a break from posting as I now need to concentrate on a goal that will be so hard for me.

I have registered to do the Manchester Marathon in split sessions in October. I was a distance runner in my youth but my balance is not what it was, and the slightest bump can cause a series of unplanned salco's, besti squats or axel's, so this will be completed indoors on a treadmill in relatively controlled conditions. The wonderful current husband willbe by my side.

I am raising funds for Alzheimers research (no surprise there!) in the hope that funds raised can help others in due course against this awful disease that is changing my life piece by piece.

I cannot attempt to play catch up on what is happening to everyone in the kitchen, but I send virtual hugs to all who need them and an all enveloping comfort cloak for these troubled times.

Ann ,so pleased you have a date for your operation.

Glad you have had your hair sorted NannyTopsy and glad you are pleased with your haircut callgirl.

Beautiful puppy Lins??and beautiful pictures soop and dustyangel.

Today we are celebrating Henry’s first birthday.He is one tomorrow but celebrations today.After all his illness I am feeling quite emotional but so blessed that at the moment he is doing so well.

It took us seven hours yesterday to put together the toy car we bought him.DH wouldn’t accept his hands don’t work as well as they used to and wouldn’t give up but we got there in the end!

TOYA

Nannytopsy I’m so glad you went back to give the hairdresser a chance to neaten your hair. I would have done the same. ??‍♀️
You sound more cheery about it now, and ready for your Welsh trip. Enjoy it ???????

So glad you got a haircut Hellogirl. I went back yesterday and the lady I had booked was back. Without overtly criticising her young colleague, she was clear about what needed to be done. It is now neat, tidy and even. Instead of the usual 4-6 weeks they suggest, she told me to wait 8 weeks so that she could sort the back next time. I told you it was short!
Packing today for our trip to Wales, as we shall be doing school runs and dog sitting, right through to tea and bedtime tomorrow.
Enjoy your day everyone.

Thank you all for your good wishes for Lynne.
Happy 100th to your mum Dragonfly, she looks well on it!
I`m glad you`ve got an operation date Ann, full steam ahead!
Soop, that beautiful garden of yours must surely be likened to the painting of the Forth Bridge, you reach the end and start again!
Forgot to mention that I`ve at long last had my unruly mop chopped off! Dawn asked around to find a hairdresser who would come to the house. She was recommended 2, so rang the first one to ask how much to cut and perm an OAP`s hair. She was quoted £50. I`ve never, ever, paid more than £29, so she tried the other one, £24.50, she got the job, and a nice job she did as well, she can come again!

soop

dustyangel You look sooooooooooooo glamorous.

Puzzler I can smell and almost taste those mouthwatering sausage rolls. The pastry looks amazing.

Goodnight again. I just thought that both photographs deserved a prompt response.

ann It's countdown time. Such a long time coming. We'll all be with you in spirit. You will certainly be enveloped in supportive vibes.

dustyangel I love your view. Was the photo taken in your garden? Do you have a pool? I would like to take a dip. Is the weather warm where you are? It is beautifully sunny here. The breeze is cooler than of late.

Lins Darling wee Sam, he's a star. x

Puzzler Thank you for your kind words.

Grandmabatty We both did a couple of hours each of general tidying and cutting back of dying foliage. I've had a shower and feel refreshed. Forget to remove my hearing aid in the shower. It still functions, thank goodness.

Grandmafrench I've been chuckling away to myself at the thought of the wee child of three who had some good advice for the grown-ups.

I am logging off and wishing you all a pleasant Saturday evening. Those protesting folk gathered in in Trafalgar
Square want to grow up and think seriously about the consequences of their selfish beliefs and actions. Just saying.

Until we meet again tomorrow, please may we indulge in a virtual group (((HUG))) Ahh! That's better.

It’s a long time Ann, I read but never catch up! Great news about your op. Hopefully you will get some help at home after it?

Ready to get the washing in

I’ve baked today and bring warm sausage rolls to share. They should go very nicely with the red wine Lins
Your puppy is melting my heart ?

Seems a long time since you posted Dustyangel or I have just missed your posts.
Your view is lovely.
I have had a letter today confirming my op is on Friday the 9th.
I have to be there at 11.30, op in the afternoon and will be out on Sunday!!
They don’t mess about do they.
I was in longer for my bunion being operated on.

I’ve had so much pleasure from your views Soop I’ll post one for you. Very different climate but still facing west. I think that we are all in such strange conditions that even looking at photographs of beautiful places helps us look outside ourselves.
Best wishes to absolutely everyone posting, special sympathy for thoseI share some problems with.

Topsy I had a trim 3 weeks ago and know how you feel. How can a ‘trim’ go so horribly wrong? Synonomus DH is at the moment sleeping it off *****!!! He doesn’t drink too much often but he thinks that he can still drink like a young man and he just can’t anymore. I might not mind if it didn’t now affect his balance. I too have skin cancers soop it is on my nose! You should see me hanging the washing out. I have a large hat usually clamped down because of the wind. A long sleeved shirt on top of a sundress and sometime add loose trousers to my outfit if I can’t stand with my legs in the shade. I’ve never been a sun bather either, both my mother and sister had similar cancers and were in England their whole lives.

Special love to Callgirll I hope I haven’t left anyone out. Annsixty I hope your op goes ahead, I’m waiting for an appointment for a glaucoma check. Not as important but obviously I don’t want to do anything to make it worse. ( hence the large hat)

On a happier note I had a very long chat with DD1 on WhatsApp this afternoon. Small pleasures and contact of a sort are important I think. Cake helps too.

Spot on Puzzler, he's just slept through a Morrisons delivery. I can now bring a bottle of Rioja and a Malbec for the new kitchen.xx

Your lovely Sam will be very tired after attending puppy class Lins.
Soop your talents in painting and in photography come from your soul.
Your sky photo’s bring beauty to “all us” every day.
Go steady in the garden, it’s easy to get carried away and do that bit too much ..... ??????

Soop's portrait of Sam, our four month old Cocker spaniel.
Thank you soop, we love it. He had his first lesson in the Dogs Trust Puppy Class this morning, three other puppies there, all in separate bays and very organised.
A lovely sunny afternoon here, we are in lockdown so our seaside town is quite quiet. Off to try and catch up with everyone. Stay safe everyone.

Enjoy your gardening but don't overdo it, Soop

My word, haven't you lot been remarkably busy. I saunter into the kitchen thinking that I shall catch up and discover that you are all super turbo charged.

Thank you for all your many interesting messages. Welcome back Dragonfly, Purplepixie and Hellogirl1.

Here is an image of clouds with silver linings. We could all do with some bight and cheerful times to look forward to.

I'm about to help MacSporran with tidying an area of overgrown garden. I have every intention of returning later this afternoon. It is a bright and beautiful day. As the weather is set to change mid-week, we must do what we must this weekend.

Welcome back dragonfly and Purplepixie.Sorry that you have both had an anxious time but so glad that you both feel up to posting again.