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

Let's hope that at last BT has got its act together and that the engineer will be with you ASAP if not sooner, soop. If he demurs or tries to make difficulties for you, I suggest that you imprison him and don't let him out until you have WiFi. Don't 'play nice'!
Disgraceful isn't, it that some areas have vaccinations well under way while others haven't had a sniff of one. I'm in one of the lucky places - our mega-practice vaccinated 1134 octogenarians (including me) in two days last weekend. Still going strong: this weekend they have dealt with the 70+ group.
How lovely to see pictures of children sledging. It takes me back! Today I have had a picture of my very large 13-year-old GS riding on a rather small sledge. He looked happy if not entirely comfortable.

Soop, I just thought I`d show you that your pictures are still on my wall, after more than 12 years, along with actual photos of Pepper and Mia.

Hi muse We saw them in France at Garorock 2016, last concert/festival we went to. We see local bands, or did...can’t complain we or I have seen a fair few live bands and artists over the years. You must be busy during the day, I try and do the Good Morning thread, hosted by the indomitable Mick then dip in and out, certainly more during lockdowns.

Jaxjacky and others. Thank you for the welcoming messages. It's easy to get sucked into gransnet forums. I have a little time during the day but it's the evenings when I think I'll do more wandering in and out of threads.

Jaxjacky My user names tend to be music related.
Muse are brilliant. Lucky enough to see them live twice. First time at Wembley on the Black Holes tour. Wondering if you've ever seen them.

Good evening kitchen afficianados, which I'm pretty sure is misspelt. Kidney turbigo was a favourite of my ex husband Nannandgrampy but not in one of mine! Soop I sincerely hope MacS has given them a flea in the ear. Urmstongran your stepfather sounds like a lovely chap. My beef olives and haggis didn't arrive in my Tesco delivery this morning so it was Roast chicken and gravy. I was bemoaning their absence to dd and she promptly invited me to share their haggis tomorrow when I drop off dgs. So I'm a happy bunny. I've made eves pudding so I'm going to have a little and bring the rest to the kitchen. Happy Sunday to you all

We have enjoyed pictures of our grandchildren in London and Liverpool forgetting about being cool and shrieking as they hurtle downhill on their sledges. Being outside and the social interaction have done them lots of good and cheered me up vicariously. Our snow is melting but we haven’t needed to go out and are provisioned for several days should it prove necessary. Hope Soop’s pampered lodger is safe and warm as are all kitcheners.

‘Evening All’
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It’s wonderful to hear how many of us are getting vaccinated! Truly world class roll out in the UK - something to be proud of.

My stepfather was over for Sunday lunch. We got talking about Burns night. Memories of some from years ago. Tartan, bagpipes, great friends - some of whom are sadly no longer with us. Then we chatted about haggis ‘the great cheiftain o’ the pudding race’ he said!

He told us it’s banned in the USA! Didn’t know that. Haggis, Scotland's national dish that provokes love and curiosity in equal measure, has been banned from the US since 1971 as its food standards agency prohibits sheep lungs -- one of the key ingredients of haggis which helps give its distinct crumbly texture -- in products.

I ❤️ haggis (with a wee dram of course). Anyway a pleasant afternoon was spent in his company. He’s grand for 88y and since mum died, almost 3y ago now, I’m very proud of how he copes.

I’m away to watch another episode of ‘The Duchess of Duke Street’. It was recommended by a poster on another thread last night. I’m joyous! Something really good to watch ... from September 1976 can you believe? The poster kindly gave a link. Click on, it’s easy and FREE!
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Hope everyone here has a pleasant and peaceful evening. x

‘Goodnight All’.

I do wish you lot would keep still between my visits.

First of all soop, I'm very jealous of your son - I might just go and move in. We are about 15 miles away and not a sniff of a vaccine in our neck of the woods!

galen,, I love devilled kidneys. You've given me an urge!! And lamb's liver with mash, crispy bacon and onion gravy.

Evening all! We have had a little snow which took all day to melt but we are due more tonight. I do like a nice deep snowfall!
I wasted an hour or two this morning taking photos for our W.I. competition. “3 photos of one shrub or tree in your winter garden”. Not easy in a fairly new garden so I used the walnut tree.
The beef short ribs are in the oven and there is a lemon curd and buttercream sponge cake on the side.
Glad to hear positive news from soop & Yiayia and so jealous of GF - a haircut, croissants and a walk on the beach.
Enjoy your evening peeps!

I sincerely hope you are still not paying monthly for totally no service and if it is ever sorted you should have at least a year's free internet.

I see their advert on TV daily and I think of the abysmal service you have had.

Evening all !

Galen I share your love of offal. I had Kidneys Turbigo the other evening ( a dish that was often served up in the mess= I love it) or a nice lambs liver and mash!!

Glad to hear you put a rocket up BT Soop , here's to some action from them !

Glad to hear some kitcheners are getting their vaccines. I for one cant wait !

Sunday has passed in a blur of coffee, books and snoozing. Hurry back Spring -I'm bored with this weather already!!

silverlining All done!

Well now, re the BT saga - we have lift-off. Mr Soop is very eloquent and he wrote a first rate letter to the Chief Executive. It was emailed about an hour ago. We've already had a very promising response. We should hear something more conclusive within the next 48 hours.
THANK you to those of you who pm'd me with the details. If Mr Soop could he'd hug you. I would permit a quick cuddle.

On an upbeat note, I shall leave you to relax on this chilly Sunday evening. Fire to light. Newspaper to read. Wearing a big on our faces.

TOYA

Good news, nearly 6 million vaccines administered, just think MawBe Charleygirl and MrY are in there!
Snow busy melting away, ready to freeze overnight, boo, it was lovely while it lasted. As I was a tad bored, I ordered some new pans, table mats, plus a set of salt and pepper shakers this afternoon. I know salt and pepper grinders are the done thing, but we use Lo salt and are partial to a spot of ready ground white pepper as well as fresh ground black, kept me quiet anyway.

We have no snow hooray, but also no vaccination appointment, boo, but am trying not to dwell. Hard though as we have high numbers as well as the new variant to steer clear of. Much Patience required , so in the meantime have lit a fire and wish you all a warm and peaceful Sunday.
Soop don’t forget that washing.

Have only just remembered that the washing machine needed emptying a couple of hours ago. I'm so laid-back these days.

Also popping in to say good afternoon dear peoples.

Eldest son has been on the phone for a lovely, smiley, long chat. He lives in Leicester. Vaccinations are well under way in his area. We understand that we may vaccine in the local GP surgery mid week. I shall feel more comfortable when Mr Soop is given a dose.

Lovely scene again through the window. Bright sunshine. Snowy peaks on Jura and Islay. We'll not be venturing out. It's slippery under foot. Which means...a 30 minute ride on the exercise bike is a must. I have selected tapes of the Ink Spots and The Platters for this afternoon's session. All very melodic and not too bangy and crashy. Can't be doing with a lot of yelling going on in the background.

Away to peer through the kitchen window. We are expecting a rather handsome black cat to return for a lunch of tuna.

Just popping on to say good afternoon everyone - hope everyone is having the best day possible in these strange times. Beef casserole tonight which is simmering away gently and starting to smell rather yummy. I've changed the bedding this morning and now I'm going to sit down with a camomile and spearmint tea and see what delights iplayer, Netflix etc have to tempt me with. Stay safe wherever you are and whatever you are doing

I have had 5* service- the poor nurse had to park two roads away and walk to my house because of the snow and hilly roads but that is it for 12 weeks. Mine was the Astra Zenica vaccine which I believe only has 62% efficacy but that is 62% more than yesterday. It will make little difference to me- I have spent so long indoors I will be needing a map to find my way locally.

I cannot see the bin men coming tomorrow.
TOYA

I love offal Galen. Always order it if it's on the menu. I've even had chicken livers at Nandos!

Lots of snow here must be the first for three years.
Thank you all for your kind comments this is such a lovely thread.

DH just back from his jab was very impressed and said how will run it was.Glad you had yours done Maw.

Keep warm and safe everyone.

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Saw the hard frost early this morning and wondered about possibly icy roads.
My appointment for my jab was at 9.52 (so exact!) but I thawed the car out and set off 10 minutes earlier - of course, clear roads, ample parking so I was early. Chat with the doctor before the jab, she did the deed - which I did not even feel- then 15 minute wait before I was let out. I was home just over 30 minutes after leaving so took advantage and took Hattie for a quick walk as it was just beginning to snow.
Now settled with a large mug of coffee and I don’t need to go anywhere except for dog walks for the next 4 days! Which given the snow which has fallen in the last 45 minutes might be just as well.
Keep safe everybody!

Hi all!
Think I’m going to try and cook some devilled kidneys tomorrow. It’s a dish I’ve loved in the past, but, haven’t tried for ages.
Does anyone else share my love of offal?
It’s haggis and neaps on monday of course.

Great news about the vaccine charleygirl. Good to hear you don’t have to travel.
Galen thanks for the cake. I’m surprised Gary left any for us. Your meal sounds delicious. ?
Soop I would be out there on those snowy peaks if I could. I love snow ?
Yiayia glad to hear you are feeling a bit better.
Urms hope you enjoy Neil Diamond.
Grandmafrench I’m very jealous of your trip to the beach and the hot croissants. ?
TOYA?

Hello dear Kitchen Peeps.

Sorry you're under the weather, Yiayia. Glad to hear you have the antibiotics to save you. Nothing much worse than regular UTIs. Think it's right that you don't delay with treatment. My lovely Doc in Northern France used to give me a spare prescription to use if I was ever 'taken short'. Oh the relief of those first couple of doses. Get better soon, please, and rest because the antibiotics play havoc with your immune system as they work to get you right again.

Bit drastic your house move, soop. But, if you really can't get broadband coverage, suppose you just need to vote with your feet. It looks a lovely country - so pretty, Norway, is it? Hope you've provided young Fern with an extra blanket and a hot botty for her quarters and Mr S is safely tucked into his thermals whilst he sits and composes something vitriolic for those BT Bastids.

Seems that everyone has had or is threatened with the white stuff. As long as it's pretty, clears fairly soon, isn't an icy death trap to prevent outside movement and everyone has a choice to stay in, it's fine. Otherwise, bring on the Spring and some of that lovely blossom. Lots of white stuff here in the mountains but it's been announced that no ski resorts will be opening up and that half term ski holidays will be impossible in France. Another vast blow to the tourist industry.

It's been a beautiful day here. The GF's went to the Hairdressers this morning. Only one other wild looking male customer in there just before we left, so it was very quiet and we felt reasonably safe. Overslept earlier and missed breakfast in the end, so used the excuse to buy croissants and a warm baguette to bring home for coffee. Then went to the beach in the warm sunshine. Much later, made Macaroni cheese and there's a spare dishful for the Kitchen - for tomorrow. I decided not to freeze it with the others. Kitchen Peeps' needs might be greater.

Heard on another thread of dear Panache's warm wishes and thanks for soop and Kitchen people who are so supportive. Passing that on in case you missed it.

Hope Saturday hasn't been too unkind. Thrilled to hear that the somewhat arbitrary Vaccination fickle finger of fate has already pointed at some of you lucky souls. No sign of any Vaccinations here in France yet - what can I say? Did hear today that the restaurants and bars will be able to open their doors again on or about the 5th April. Yaaay! Not sure about any shops, though. Actually I'm not sure what I would do if I was allowed to walk through a nice French clothes shop now. Or, a trip to IKEA to simply replace some storage containers, the odd broken plate, some new everyday glasses. Ooooh be still my beating heart! One day, though. Meanwhile, we shall not be downhearted.

Hope you all get a decent night's rest - especially you Cherry - happy dreams and a chance of a good day tomorrow, whatever you manage to do. Continue taking care - continue smiling. TOYA. ??

Ooh, two Jack Warner’s.
Don’t know how I even did that!