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

Ah, soop, you had your doubts! Eat your words. The Calcutta Cup goes back to Scotland. What a good match that was! The Flower of Scotland blooms again ?

Excellent match, my DH reports - and he says he's very glad for soop after all that shouting and stressed vocal chords.

Homemade chips are just the best, aren't they GG, though I wouldn't encourage Mr GG to think he can just expect the Kitchen, his own Kitchen, to be open all hours. You should tell him that the Chef's gone home! . Brook, Jax and Urms - you are allowed to be out and proud about the non-ironing! Why not? Retired people can do what they want any old time without guilt or shame. Maybe Urms can change her name to GrannySlattern? I don't like ironing but I do love the effect of ironing. Until we moved South and downsized, I had a cleaning lady who ironed like a dervish. I used to sweep home from the shops just before she finished for the day and all I had to do was put every pristine item away! Those were the days. I'm happy to cope just as long as I don't get behind with it - a Ben Nevis of a pile in my house swiftly turns into Mount Procrastinate. Very few people climb that one! I know that soop's an ironer, and I think Kalu too (?) so we're fairly evenly split.

Grey is 'thick rain' rain that's too stupid to see it's not welcome? We used to have Coconut Pyramids in our house when I was little - made using egg cups as moulds.
Hi Izabella - hope life in the Shire is settled and comfortable. How lovely you've had some sunshine, Charley. And Kitty.... ?. Nighty night, sweet dreams, sleep well all. x

I asked Alexa and rain and snow is due in NW London tomorrow so it probably will not linger- I hope not- I hate it.

Well done Scotland, she said with bad grace..and well done Everton too.
It’s raining down South, not a sniff off snow and I say that because I have been known to smell snow coming and proven it. Probably not up there with ironing, baking and crafting, but different! You are correct Urmstongran slattern is a good description for me. Actually, perhaps not, just looked it up, ‘dirty, slovenly woman’ I’m not that bad!

Well done Scotland .
We're on the border with rels. at both sides.

soop, you must have been yellingat the television

Oh dear, I have been cooking what seems like all day and The Husband aka GrandpaGravy fancies fish and chips, so I am off to the kitchen to begin cooking Haddock and Chips (I cheat with the fish and pop it in the oven) but homemade chips are on the menu ??

Just popping my head round the door to see if there is still space for me. All the shenanigans else where have been quite depressing and various things in real life are very sad but I have pulled myself together now.

I'm so sorry to hear panache's news.

I've brought a piece offering for the kitchen and I'll be back.

‘Evening All’
?

Well I’ve done nowt today but sit and use this iPad, read some of my novel which is okay-ish but I’m not running to it (The Thursday Murder Club) and has two great long chats this afternoon at just under one hour apiece!

Jaxjacky I think you and I are the slatterns in here.
?
My standards are nice and low. I hop over that bar quite easily.

Take away curry for tonight. Himself will be watching Man. Utd and so I shall probably read another few pages.

Thinking tonight of anyone with worries or upsets - whether with health, family, pets or situations in general and wish you all a peaceful and hopefully less anxious night ahead. x

‘Goodnight All’.

Just popping by head around the kitchen door to see who’s in .... thank you for the delicious tasters GG13 they’ll do nicely and of course the coconut macaroons yiayia - yummy ?
As it’s Saturday I’ve just opened a bottle of red if anyone fancies a glass ...
Whats all this talk about ironing though? I’m with jacjacky on this one and don’t do ironing...... well very occasionally if we’ve visitors staying I’ve ironed their bedding but as that’s not allowed now anyhow I’ve not ironed for ages ...

I didn't expect so many new messages when I strolled into the kitchen this late in the afternoon. You never cease to amaze me.

The ironing board is ready and waiting. The Calcutta Cup match between Scotland and England is on the horizon. I shall be rooting for Scotland, although I doubt that they will win. Maybe if I yell loudly it will help them on their way.

Tomorrow, all things be equal, I shall return to catch up and spend more quality time with you.

Do continue to take good care of yourselves.

I keep telling so many of you it is time to move-we have had sunshine here most of the day but it has been cold. I asked Alexa what the weather is forecast for tomorrow and it would appear snow and rain which means it will not lie.

Granny Gravy I am totally envious of your hard work.

N&G I do hope Sam's wound settles down and is no longer painful or worse, itchy. He needs loads of cuddles.
TOYA

A brief foray into the kitchen from the Shire. Thank you Soop for the message. panache you are in my thoughts.

Hello the kitchen. We have ‘thick rain’ here rather than snow, and I got wet as I stupidly decided to walk down to the supermarket to get some ingredients for a birthday cake I have volunteered to make for GS. It won’t be the usual themed extravaganza as the shop I use for cake decorations is closed, but I’ll do the best with what I have. There is no party this year, of course, so it won’t have to be a big cake. Fourteen! Where does the time go?
What passes for our village pond is overflowing and hopefully we may have some frogspawn too. We did last year - quite a lot - but shortly after the tadpoles hatched, the water dried up, as it does most years (perhaps someone should tell the frogs!), and that was that!☹️
Yiayia my mother used to make coconut macaroons - haven’t had them for years! I’ll be glad to try yours!
Fish and chips for supper - DH has volunteered to queue in the rain outside the chippie! Bless the man! He has his uses!
To all those who are struggling with health, or just b****y fed up with the weather and lockdown, may I send you a hug? TOYA.

Crumbs, you lot make me feel lazy, I don’t do ironing, that’s Mr J’s area, unless he’s very busy at work, but never iron bedding, either of us. Hopefully progress with Mya Muse, we’ve never had pets so I follow others pet news with a value add of zero. I do cook 300 plus days a year, but that’s getting wearing now, I like to intersperse cooking for two with friends/family visiting or the odd meal out, all orf. Steak, cauli cheese, brocoli and homemade chips tonight. Tesco have delivered, so we are stocked up against the imminent onslaught of turbulent weather, which is a joke here on the south coast, if we get a few flakes of snow tomorrow I’ll be pleasantly surprised.

I have for some unknown reason been batch cooking all morning, serves me right for going to the butchers at the end of our road! We have chilli-con-carne, spaghetti bolognaise and chicken curry all in all about twenty portions of each, so I know need to reorganise the freezer to make room.

The temperature is dropping and we have an Amber warning for snow in this part of Essex the GC are beside themselves with excitement, especially the elder two who live by the sea as it is a rare occurrence.

I will leave some tasters on the side

TOYA

Anno thank you so much for your kind remarks. I know what you mean - the passing of time doesn't change things too much, does it. To everyone who was so sweet about our loss of little Nouba, thank you so very much.

Laughed at Sam, N&G. He doesn't seem to be much of a doughnut chap then? Do hope that his problem responds to some treatment after this hiccup. It must be so worrying. I'm a great believer in their wearing something to protect any wound or after effects of a procedure. Problem is that those cones are lethal: often the dog or cat needs to have a little collar made from cutting the top part off a sock, to stop the hard plastic cutting into their necks; then there's the discomfort from not being able to sleep or eat comfortably, and finally....the anxiety for us at the thought of being bashed in the shins by an oncoming cone wearer who has no spatial awareness. Hateful things, so I'd opt for an inflatable collar ever time. But....in your case, maybe it's the smarty trousers dog that needs adapting and not the collar? Just a thought. . Get well soon, bad boy. Doesn't take a lot to make us feel low these days, does it BladeAnnie? With a friend like you, she's bound to have a better chance of perking up soon. -. Corner hope your problems quickly resolve - stay safe and well, please.

I've ironed two lots of bed linen and a basket full before lunch, soop. How virtuous I iz today !! I shall finish another small basket before the afternoon ends, when Mr French is Rugby watching. Hope you and the wonderful Mr Soop are well, Fern is behaving, and you have now heard from the BotDrop Surgeon man? If not, maybe Mr Soop's wonderful way with those reluctant to do what they promise (as recently evidenced in his dealings with the delinquent BTers) might come in very useful if he will make a telephone call on your behalf? Bet he' s already done it - days ago and I missed it. Keep well, keep sane, hugs to you all.

Soop - Forgive Me by Susan Lewis. I've just read and enjoyed it - we are both bookworms who like the same sort of thing.

Yiayia yum. I didn't like coconut when I was younger but love it now. There's no snow here in central Scotland but more rain and sleet and wind. I think it's forecast for tomorrow with a sharp temperature drop. I have covered my outside tap with two old socks and a plastic bag to keep them dry. Hopefully that'll avoid burst pipes. I might leave the heating on overnight, although I don't like to do that often. The snow shovel is out ready and I have a Tesco delivery coming in the morning so I'm prepared. I have done all the housework, changed the bedding and the washing is up to date. Have a good afternoon all.

Dear Panache - our hearts are filled with tears for you in such hours of need and when we aren't able to offer you any practical support. Please know that we are thinking of you all of the time, wishing hard for some respite from his pain for dear Mr P, and praying that you will stay safe and strong enough to give him the love and strength to keep going - back at home with his dear one. ?Love and warm hugs to you both. xx

Coconut macaroons for you all today enjoy.

I have just taken daffodils to my father’s grave.After seventeen years I still miss him always a daddy’s girl.

Thinking of you Panache and hope things improve a little.

Snow forecast for later stay safe and warm everyone.

Galen That frogspawn wouldn't dare not survive. I says so.

Nannytopsy The catkins are lovely. I wish that I had a large pitcher full right now. My late Nana was a lover of catkins and "sticky buds".

BladeAnnie That is a kind gesture. Which book have you selected for your friend?

Good afternoon dear peoples.

muse I enjoyed reading your last post. I've been wondering how Mya is and am relieved that she's making progress. Your husband needs to heed the sound and sensible advice. Otherwise, you may need to lock him in a secure place.
You take care with assembling the bed. You have plenty of energy but need to reserve some for the wonderful moment that you move into your new home. When that day arrives, we'll throw a party.

N&G The colour of that donut collar did nothing for Sam. It was far too gaudy. He's far too refined.

corner It's good to have you back with us. I've a Ben Nevis of ironing ready to be tackled a little later this afternoon. I shall watch Scotland v England in the Calcutta Cup as I do so. I also like ironing. I live a simple, sheltered life.

Panache Thankfully you'll have all the support you deserve during this sad and stressful time. Do you know when your husband will be coming home? I wish that I could hug you and offer to do something useful to help you cope with whatever lies ahead.

Just popping to say hello to everyone in the kitchen. Virtual hugs and best wishes for everyone with worries and health problems. A good friend of mine messaged me last night and I sensed she was feeling quite low with life in general atm. Usually meeting for a coffee - albeit a socially distanced one - would help but that's not possible right now. So I've ordered a book which I know she will enjoy from Amazon - hopefully that will cheer her up a little. Stay safe whatever you may be up to today