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

Just popping into the kitchen to say good afternoon. We are all lovely friendly people on this thread - a tonic in these strange times. Toad in the hole is on the menu tonight or MOLE in the hole as both of my DDs used to call it! It's still always referred to as moles . An early night required again as I'm on nanna duty early in the morning. Stay safe everyone and enjoy the rest of your Sunday

Wales have beaten two teams of 14 so if England can keep everyone on the pitch we may stand a chance (^hides behind the sofa!!^)
Still a bitterly cold wind but there is definitely the beginnings of a thaw. The chillies have started to germinate, so I hope it’s warm enough in the greenhouse to move them later in the week.
Has Fern come home yet soop ?

Just walked whilst listening to Gardeners Question Time, fatal, logged onto seed website as soon as wet jacket was off! Now watching Ireland v France, Irish husband glued, soop we thought Scotland were going to get that one. Leeds play later, his team, that’s what love is, husband hogging the TV all afternoon ❤️

Evening all,

I have no idea how it happened but I have a rotten sinus infection. Its making me feel poorly so will have to phone the GP for a consultation tomorrow in the hope of some antibiotics. I wouldn't mind but I haven't seen a soul in months so I am blaming Grampy!!!

We love Toad in the Hole Blade , I remember our youngest asking how many toads were in it when she was little and suggesting she'd have a bit with no toads :-)

If you like wildflowers Ja have you tried Kabloom. I bought some for Grampy last year and they were glorious. They look like little seed filled hand grenades. The variety of wildflowers was fabulous.

I'm off to feel sorry for myself - Happy evening all x

N&G sorry to hear you are unwell. Could it have been the vet who passed on his nasty bugs or did Grampy take my favourite dog in to be seen?

Nannytopsy She has. Just a few minutes ago. She is enjoying a hearty feast in the utility room.

N&G Sorry to hear that you are feeling well below par. Rest and recover as soon as possible, please. Maybe a hot toddy...or something similar.

Jax Is Ireland winning? I hope so.

BladeAnnie I'm rather partial to toad in the hole. We have an entire squadron of moles digging heaps in our garden. Nevertheless, I wouldn't wish them any harm.

I've done next to nothing all day long. Cannot help but feel guilty. Daft as a brush, me.

anno I would be in my element if I could watch the tennis. We don't have the paid for channels and it's at such times that I am envious of others.

Anyhow, I must away. It appears that the dish has been licked clean and...I'm told, Fern needs a second helping.

Love to you all. Stay warm and keep safe.

‘Evening All’
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Just enjoyed a lovely Sunday lunch with my stepfather. We had the SOAP dish with cabbage which was very tasty. He and mum never bothered with internet etc so after we’d eaten he enjoyed a 5 minute FaceTime with our Yorkshire Lass and her partner, followed by a second one with the small family - little miss showing grandpa her nail varnish! He thought it was lovely to chat to all the family. He’s been taken home now and he and his 95y old brother in Birmingham chat for an hour every Sunday evening. They have done this since Moses was in nappies.
?

On that nice note I wish you all a pleasant and peaceful night. x

‘Goodnight All’.

Unfortunately Ireland lost by two soop and DH’s beloved Leeds 4 0 down to the Arsenal, oops! However, the UK have passed the 15 million vaccinations target, that beats any sport for now, even tennis!
NanaandGrampy no, how yucky for you, fingers crossed for some anti bees to make you better. I must get on, lamb shanks in red wine, new potatoes and veg to sort out. ttfn.

Oh heck n&g. That’s not fun. Lots of cosseting I think.

Quiet day here, ventured out to drop a letter off at the medical centre and came back rapidly. The thermometer might say it’s milder, it certainly doesn’t feel it. A biting wind and very wet rain.

Enjoy your evening everyone. Take care.

Sorry you have a sinus infection N&G makes you feel rubbish hope you get it sorted tomorrow.
Dh is cooking tonight rack of lamb and lemon tart, a nice treat.
Have a good evening everyone.

Hello Kitchen Lovelies

Hope your Sunday has been a good one. Puzzler, here in my different planet it is possible to go to the beach one day and to be needing a roaring fire the next. Depends on the wind direction, I think. Yesterday was wonderful. We took some photographs of us jacket-less people wearing sunscreen and enjoying a picnic in warm sunshine. Eventually stirred myself for a walk along the sands. Dogs were a little bit naughty and scampered back to their Daddy when I was otherwise engaged clearing up after one of them. A long way away then ran, pretending they couldn't hear. All was well, but he was a bit surprised to see them return without me! We were out from 11.30 to 3.30pm and it felt like a holiday.
Today we've had the forecast showers, tomorrow will be mixed, but later in the week we're due 17 degrees and lots more sun. So, we remain confused.....but grateful in a Southern French winter.

Total blank drawn over vaccines. I'm trying not to get into a full on sweary mode but am very jealous of all you lovely people getting yourselves organised. We have no vaccine - or very little, so no point in getting in a state over it. Patience, apparently, is required.

Glad you enjoyed Urm's soap dish today, Urms. We had a DH prepared delicious 5 curry meal to share with Son. Lovely. Haven't had Holey Toad for ages, Blade, must do that. Soap dish will appear this coming week, I just need to visit local butcher and buy some pork. Did I say how pleased I was for your test results, Urms? Well, I am. Please feel lots better soon Nana&G. I understand that sinus infections are very debilitating and painful. Hope Sam continues to avoid any surgery.

Doing nothing on a Sunday, soop. And when was that forbidden? Hope you manage to put up those tootsies and rest in between preparing gourmet dishes for that long distance cat. If she's in the utility room, does that mean she now steps over the threshold? Things are looking up.

If I've missed Susan, Cherry, Doodle or any other Club member recently, then hope you are all o.k.

Keep safe, all. Things can improve, must improve, will improve. Just keep believing.......hugs and warm thoughts from French France. x ?

Sinus infections are horrid n&g you have my sympathy. I use Sterimar nasal wash stuff periodically to keep them at bay. I hope you feel better soon.

Considering the temperature is above freezing now, cirner, it should not be half as cold as it is.

We had roast beef for lunch with creamed cabbage,*urms*. It was delicious.

Glad the cat is home soop.

No word from galen for a while - hope she is ok.

Thank you all for being kind about our Matt. We are proud of him (had you guessed?) but I'm more chuffed about the lady friend. We were there when he was carted off to the hospital and the one thing he wanted me to do was tell her what was going on. But, that's all I know!! Very frustrating!!

TOYA.

Oh no, corner, not 'very wet rain' - ? that's just the worst kind of rain isn't it? ??

Some rain is wetter that others though - or is it just me who thinks so? And, corner too obviously!

Such a busy thread, kitty, I'd not caught up. You must be seriously proud of him. And bragging is definitely allowed!
Although maybe don't buy a hat just yet! ?

And N&G. Rude. But I can go one better, 'sturdy' sounds almost polite compared with a Vet once referring to Edward, our late, great, little Norfolk Terrier as portly. Those Vets know how to hurt a chap's feelings.

grandmafrench I’m so envious of your lovely French winter weather - if only we could travel I’d be there in a flash. It’s going to be ages before we even get temperatures into double figures here.. we’ve not had rain or snow today but that howling wind almost blew me over earlier and I can still hear it blowing down the chimney now.
Hope you’re feeling much better soon n&g take it easy and look after yourself
Sounds like you’ve had another lovely day urmston it’s so good to catch up with family even if only on video calls. I spoke to my DS earlier on a video call, I worry about him and it’s always good to see that he’s actually ok! My eldest DD doesn’t really like video chats so we rarely do them but she does message me quite a lot so that’s ok.
We’re just about to have salmon en croute with fresh vegetables kindly prepared by DH so I’ll pop back into the kitchen soon
Enjoy your evening everyone ?

So sorry about your sinusitis, N&G. I (touch wood) haven't had it for several years, since my ENT consultant prescribed Dymista spray. It works for allergies as well. Also agree with Kitty about Sterimar. Having said that, I now have a headache after fighting with my sewing machine to shorten a shower curtain. I am allergic to sewing. I used to be able to make dresses, skirts and tops, so you'd think a hem on a shower curtain would be a piece of cake.

This morning we woke up to discover all the snow has been rained away so it was nice that we had received photos of the GC having a lovely time yesterday pelting each other with snowballs. Ages ago their other granny had bought them swimming goggles which turned out to be ski goggles and so they had lain forgotten for quite a while but apparently they were perfect for a no holds barred snowball fight.

Apparently it is going to be windy and rainy for quite a few days so it will be back again to the sorting this week so that we will be ready for the builders coming in at the end of the month, it has all taken so long that we wonder if it will actually happen.

soop no need for paid-for channels to see the tennis because it was on BBC2.

Delighted to hear Fern ate all of her food and was looking for more. She is looked after so well I thought I may pop in also? Would I receive the same care and attention?
TOYA

Charleygirl, yes it was on BBC2 - for just an hour.

BBC are offering only a very short highlights programme of Australian Open tennis, when there are hours of football and rugby coverage ☹️

Morning all,

Thank you all for your good wishes. Unbelievably I feel fine today. .I dug out a very good sinus spray I got last time I was in the states. Instant relief and it seemed to stop it in its tracks.

So I am back in fighting form. :-)

Neither of us got to take Sam into the vetsCharley he had to go in on his own !! Strange though it sounds I was quite proud of him as he willingly went off , tail wagging .

Sorry to hear the shower curtain gave you a run for your money Anno. I tried to shorten jeans earlier in the week and gave up in a huff. Apparently 40 year old thread inherited from my Mum has a lifespan- and it was over !! Good old Amazon to the rescue though.

GrandmaFrench I love the term portly, I might use it in regard to myself lol - our little boys call Sam Porky- nowhere near as polite !

I'm currently experiencing food envy from you lot with your racks of lamb and lamb shanks. Grampy cooked roast chicken breasts yesterday and decided to serve them sliced but cut them across instead of down. They were like old shoe leather :-( . I felt bad for him as he'd planned it as a treat as I wasn't feeling well. Lesson learned I hope.

Happy Day all x

Nannandgrampy I'm so glad you are feeling better. Sinus problems make you miserable, don't they? Babysitting sitting today. Currently we are pulling a Russian doll apart and putting it back together. I have three Russian dolls. One I bought in a craft market in Moscow so it's very dear to me. Leek and potato soup for lunch and Bolognaise with a baked potato for tea. Have a good day all

Good morning everyone. The b....y squirrel has completely emptied one of the seed feeders and after this long cold spell we are out of seeds. So today I am off to the local garden centre for fresh supplies. Our city birds used to like fat balls and blocks but these country birds are much more fussy - sunflower hearts please! And mealworms by the bucketful.
The snow has gone and by the end of the week it will be warmer - that should gladden our hearts.
Chins up gals!