Soop's lovely warm and friendly kitchen

Late again - so sorry. No real excuse, apart from falling asleep in front of the TV. Charlie has been making visits to the granddog’s bed which was in the spare room, so I refurbished it for him. He hasn’t moved all evening so perhaps we can lose the cardboard box now?

The Sixteen were a joy to listen to GrannySomerset, I'm sure we will watch it again too, it was a visual as well as a musical delight.

GrandmaFrench when Sam was tiny his tail was very thin as you can see and half white, half black, as though he had dipped it in a tin of white paint. He is about 10 weeks old there, the white half has gradually unfurled.
We have a lovely portrait of him painted around about then by the very talented soop.

Duncan is a beautiful cat BladeAnnie.
Glad that Mr C got on well today Corner.
I think tonight is going to be one of those all too frequent nights when sleep eludes me, I may have to seek out the Night Owls thread.

Charlie looks so comfy there * NannyT*, will you switch the kitchen light off or shall I .........? Sleep well ?

Hope you got some sleep Lins!
I put the dog bed over a particularly warm spot on the under floor heating and he has more room to stretch his old bones than in his box. He was there when I went down this morning ?.

Is that Santa’s footprints we see Jaxjacky ? Just look at the delight on that little boy’s face.

Thought flower lovers may like to see how yesterday’s spring flowers are responding to light and warmth...... slowly opening and the Cheerfulness narcissi’s fragrance is one I love.

Nice pics of pets and flowers, a bit of cheer on a wet miserable morning.

I wish whoever is in charge would turn the flipping taps off!
The rain has drummed on the bit of roof directly over my bedroom all night - I think there may be a blocked gutter or some reason why it is louder just here but it has led to a rubbish night and a grumpy Maw this morning.

Sorry folks! Need to get a grip!
Got a Zoom lecture on Ruskin to watch in an hour, hope that diverts me.
Just glancing up at Synonymous’s comment about builders, it is tricky. Paw was the sort who always went for what he regarded as the reliable, good quality option (I am a natural cheapskate -no class) and I suspect we frequently paid over the odds, but, fingers crossed, we rarely had issues afterwards unlike some friends and neighbours and you also have to engage somebody you are comfortable with.
I might be suspicious of a “pushy” quote or a suspiciously low one, but then again a massively high quote can indicate that a tradesman doesn’t actually want to do the job.
It’s so hard!

Puzzler61 the flowers as re beautiful. They are very artistically arranged as well. I'm still in my jammies as I'm finding it hard to get going this morning. Sheet ice outside is so dangerous that no-one has walked or driven down my street at all this morning. I'll be going nowhere!

Puzzler61 yes, Santa visited and we said he was naughty for making a mess with the snow! Lovely flowers. Grandmafrench his toe scrunching is his uncertainty...he still does it now a good few years later if he’s been caught out!

More lovely photographs to raise a smile. Thank you.

We're about to leave for the funeral procession through the wee village. At least the rain has held off.

Still no word from BT.

Positive thought for today: in August I shall be celebrating my 80th birthday. I am hoping that we will not be housebound. A short visit to the Heelands would be utterly amazing. Seeing family again, would be beyond amazing.
Each of us has a wee dream tucked away for when life becomes very much better than it is right now.

I am almost always upbeat. Right now, I'm on the cusp. I am very fond of you all. Please continue to support each other in your own wonderful way. I'm not going far. In fact I shall visit our kitchen daily. No need to worry. It's simply that I need to recharge my batteries. for you all.

? for you too Soop . Do take care x

I wonder idly if BT will have made an appointment never mind turned up and fixed the problem by the time of your birthday? I do live in hope.

It is 5C here and raining- I doubt if I will be going anywhere today although I do have something to post. Tomorrow.

We will soon be moving- I had just become used to this latest abode- still, provided all the animals and more flowers from Puzzler come I will be happy.

Duncan looks a smart fellow.
TOYA

So sorry you have lost another villager and friend soop.
A funeral is always cause to reflect and feel sad. ?

Grandmafrench I’m another Somerset gran for your collection. I’m actually in North Somerset following being transferred from Avon.
I’m very pleased about the transfer as the air is much better in North Somerset.
I have a lovely view over the Bristol Channel to Wales and can also see the Prince of Wales bridge.

Trying to snow here but not succeeding, just grey and overcast. We have had a lazy day apart from the grocery delivery and DD has gone for a walk to the post, such giddy happenings eh?

Soop sorry to hear that you are not feeling on top of the world, hope that everything improves for you very soon.

As you say Maw it is difficult to know if you are paying the right price when employing builders.
We have used the extension as the baseline for comparison purposes and have a lengthening list of other items for which we want an additional quote. There will be very few areas of the house untouched and just thinking about it all makes me feel very tired! So thankful to have DD here helping but I am concerned not to overburden her.
Smokie has spent all day stretched out asleep in front of the wood burner as usual. He has been on a restricted diet just lately as he was turning into a role poly boy so now he is trying to convince us that he is dying from lack of food and can’t do much any more.

Hold on to your wee dream soop, it will sustain you. Sending you my love and very best
wishes.

I had very little sleep NannyT, I'm finding it very hard to switch off when I go to bed and painful feet are not helping. Hey ho.

You have a great view Galen, that is a lovely sunset. I'll give you a wave ? across the water. I often wave to Cherry who is across the bay from me.

I think that Smokie has the right idea, lounging by a wood burner is the best way to spend a cold January day.
Hope you all have a pleasant evening.

Just popping in to say hello and send lots of love to all who are struggling or under the weather. Another chilly day here (and chilli for tea too...) so the log burner has been kept busy again. Duncan says hello too

Popping in to wish you all a good evening. Thank you for yet more lovely photos. I would love to cuddle Duncan. He's
a very handsome pussy cat.

TOYA

Lins I’m opposite llanwerne

‘Evening All’
?

BladeAnnie I saw all that purple and immediately thought chocolate! I associated the colour with Cadbury’s that’s how my brain is wired!

soop you’ve had a very sad day. Hold onto your wee dream.
?

I’m the bearer of sad tidings. After a spat on another thread (no mention of which as it’s not allowed) Maw has suspended herself. I’m so cross on her behalf. I shall say no more.

Hope all you lovely kitcheners are keeping well and are snug as bugs in rugs. x

‘Goodnight All’.

I'm sorry Urmston to hear that about Maw. She's such a kind person and I look forward to her posts. However thank you for letting us know.

Oh what! Not Maw. Well that’s a disappointment.
Lovely view Galen no such pretty pictures here. A normal quiet day, but we would prefer no excitement, you never know what sort it would be. I need to readjust my shopping list for tomorrow’s delivery after checking my ‘stash’. I’m turning into a squirrel!

soop sending you a (((hug))) rest and recharge

Urnstongran I also am wishing our Maw well and a swift return.

Weather here is definitely imitating my mood persistent rain, we have a flood warning in place for the brook at the back of our business premises, AC have done all they can, it’s a waiting game with fingers crossed ?

Jaxjacky lovely little boy ?
charley looks cosy Nannytopsy
Oh Lins little Sam. Who wouldn’t love that sweet little face.
Take care dear soop. We love you lots
Galen that is a lovely sunset.
Urms oh no. I am so sorry to hear about Maw, she is always so kind to everyone.
Take care all

Oh no, sending my best wishes to Maw if anyone is in touch with her.

More gorgeous pictures to cheer us??????

Hold onto your dream soop.I bought DH a book called You didn’t know this about Wales.It is really interesting and DH is planning a road trip following the book for when we are allowed out.

We have been looking after Henry and the divine Miss M today so an early night for us.Matilda has stayed over so as well as homeschool we have had zoom Rainbows this evening.
It will be another early start for us so I will love you and leave you.I hope everyone manages a decent nights sleep tonight.

TOYA