Soop's welcoming kitchen for friendly folk

I am retiring to darkened room. I need to recover from the complete shock and wonderful surprise. The 'Latitude vive' name for the three seater sofa and chair is 'Gail' colour-way - gold. Mr Soop is all smiley. It must be Spring!

Good evening dear kitcheners and pampered pets. I shall raise a glass of cheer to you all a little later. moon]

Oooh exciting times ahead soop I too have googled and they look fabulous !

I have googled away, Soop and they are lovely and colourful. Well done!

soop ????. A new sofa and chair ???. Wow MrSoop you have excelled yourself. What a wonderful treat/surprise. I should think you both deserve it. Cant wait to see the photos.
Good to hear Duncan wasn’t upset by his trip to the vet BladeAnnie
N&G are you eyeing the peacock up for some feathers for your craft work ?
Have a good weekend all
TOYA ?

Just looked soop very definitely not beige or grey, quite lovely, if we had a bigger room, I’d be tempted, very exciting.
BladeAnnie did you get any more clarity on your matrimoniales, hope it was you that mentioned it?
A pretty nothingy day today, read the meters for online entry, Tesco delivered, only missing MrJ’s potato bread, no, I’m not going to make some! Went for a walk to post two forms to NS&I, listening to Gardeners Question Time. NS&I forms as we’re buying our two GC’s some premium bonds, I couldn’t do it online, because the website didn’t recognise their address; then, I had to pay by cheque, so played ‘hunt the cheque book’ talk about the dark ages! Eldest GC, 13, has been, as she said, ‘chosen’, for random sampling for Covid, she’s quite chuffed, I told her it’s because she’s special. Oven fish and chips for dinner with mushy peas.
Keep staying safe all

Good afternoon lovely people - just popping in the kitchen while I enjoy my cuppa. Mr BA is on a conference "tipple" call - as someone is leaving it's a virtual get together with a g&t or two!! He likes these kind of calls....!! So I've had my bone density scan this morning but obviously no results at the time. And poor little Duncan has been to the vet for his teeth to be cleaned and he needed two of them removing. But he's come home remarkably unperturbed about it all and apparently he's in excellent shape for such an old boy, which is good to know. soop please take care and annsixty I'm pleased you are feeling a bit brighter. Virtual hugs all around - stay safe and have an enjoyable evening

Hello my lovely peeps. You would never believe what I'm about to tell you. It is the truth. I swear. We have a huge corner sofa and three mismatched chairs that take up a lot of space in our wee sitting room. I happened to mention that I wish we had selected something more fitting to Mr Soop. That was about ten days ago. I was scrolling through a furniture website and happened across the most colourful sofa I have ever set eyes on. I mumbled to Mr S that I had found my dream sofa. I expected him to have a major fit as it is ultra ultra super-duper and not at all beige, or grey etc. He sat with me for well over an hour. He wrote down all the measurements and so-on and then, as he sipped tea, he said, go for it. I almost fell from my chair. We paid and then, he added, we should get rid of the dark grey fireside chair and buy the matching arm chair. Which we did. I am speechless. Mr Soop is the most cautious of men. He thinks matters over for weeks months on end. And yet, in four weeks time...Wow! Naturally I shall share photos with you when the new furniture is in situ. A clue - it in the 'Latitude vive' range.

I can’t wait for the garden centres to reopen grandmabatty and their cafes too ... Lovely to have some visitors ?

Hello lovely kitcheners, just popping in to see how things are and who’s about ....
Well would you believe it my scales seem broken too ! I’m sure they can’t be right .... surely??
This morning I had my eye clinic check up which was fine and then this afternoon I’ve been for a lovely walk around the University gardens which are looking very spring like. We’re going to have an early tea and sit in the conservatory for the first time this year as it’s warmed up nicely in the sunshine.
I hope your pheasants settle in well nanaandgrampy and they like their new home ?

Garden centres are still closed in Scotland. I would love to go and spend money on my local one! I've just had an unexpected visit from dd,sil and dgs. Just ten minutes but it was nice to see them. Zoom escape room game tonight with family to look forward to.

Very cold here but we had a nice trip to garden centre and farm shop.It’s been a long time since our last visit but I’m now four weeks post jab and DH is six weeks plus I don’t look like a smallpox victim anymore?
Hope your feeling a bit brighter Anne and your o.k Soop after your fall.
The scales certainly don’t work in this house N&G!!
Have a nice afternoon everyone and keep safe.

Morning all,

Every days a school day here ! We have been busy asking Alexa about pheasants as Norbert and his lady love Gracie now visit 2 or 3 times a day ( I think we are the Pheasant equivalent of McDonalds !!).

It looks very much like they are setting up home behind the West Wing which is lovely and a bit of a nuisance as it means Sam will have to go into the front garden if he needs a wee, as we cant risk him chasing them away.

We have our fingers crossed to see a clutch of chicks in the garden sometime later this year.

Other than that - no news from deepest darkest Norfolk except to say someone broke my scales and now they aren't weighing right because who can have put on this much weight !!! I even tried standing on one leg but it didn't help !!

I'm off for a cake in commiseration !!

annodomini apparently visiting others indoors, or having others to theirs, predominantly family, no clubbing!
muse pleased for you having a long chat with your daughter, a good natter with friends or family is just what’s needed, bucks us up hugely. I think everyone has had enough, we’ve all persevered, stuck to the rules, done as we’re told and it’s wearing. Need to gird the old loins for a last push. I always think it’s a bit like England (substitute your own team) playing in a major match, you paint the children’s faces, get the snacks and drinks in and oops, they’ve lost and out again. But you do it all next time, full of hope and then one day they do it.
We’ll smash it!!
Night all, happy dreams.

anne you say you worry about being a burden to your DGD. From what I remember you have helped and supported her and been a rock for her to turn to and in turn she has been there for you. Taking you out for meals with friends and enjoying your company and being with you. You took her into your home. I am sure it means a lot to her.
Not surprised you are feeling low though. Many are at the moment . The lockdown, the weather, the waiting for it all to end. Summer is on the way and things will look brighter I think.
soop not another fall. I hope you are ok and not badly hurt.
Please take care.
Keep safe all
TOYA ?

Thank you Grandmafrench and Soop for your uplifting messages. They gave me a much needed boost.
My daughter rang last night and 90 mins later we said "Goodnight" saying we'll chat again at the weekend. We've done reverse roles throughout our adult lives. She's been there for me as much as I have for her.

Busy day yesterday but hugely successful one with Mark, who's helping with a garden that far too big for me to cope with. Booked a couple more days with him at the end of the month.

MrMs doing another job from the new build 'to do' list. Boiler!

Had to go out today to get some oil for the car so by chance went passed the pasty shop, Cornish steak and stilton pasty for dinner in half and hour.

Must book car in for service and MOT. Forgot today.

Have a safe day tomorrow everyone.

Jaxjacky, I'm disgusted that it's my age-group who might foul things for everyone else by disregarding the rules! What does puzzle me is, how and where can one 'gallivant' at the moment? There's nothing doing by way of catering or entertainment though I have been thinking of dropping into a garden centre en route to or from the petrol station - such excitement!

P.p.s. (sorry)
annsixty my stepfather who is 88y said similar yesterday so you’re not on your own. He’s in our bubble and we see him 2 - 3 times a week for a couple of hours and we speak twice a day, noon & 6pm. It must be so much harder on your own, day after day. Sometimes he says, after doing the crossword in his morning paper, he just hears the kitchen clock ticking and he feels low. He wants to be out and about meeting up with people and having a life. He said to me on the phone today ‘this isn’t living it’s existing’.

I know you have your lovely granddaughter with you but she works too so you must also have great swathes of time on your own. This isn’t good for our mental health and your restricted mobility makes a bad situation worse.

You’re amongst good friends on here who care and you’ve had a tough time this last couple of years. Plus you live in Stockport. Someone has to.
Joke!!
??

Keep the faith. It’s not much longer. You’ll be out enjoying those cocktails before you know it, I promise.
? ?

P.s. sorry to hear you had a fall soop. Shakes you up. Glad all went well at the dentist. You’ll be shattered.

‘Evening All’
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A nothing sort of day today. In fact, I’m still in my pj’s. Why not? Sorry to hear you feel low. annsixty. Not long to go now hopefully but maybe that’s why is hard? We’ve all had enough.

Thinking of you GrandmaFrench out on your field trip today for a jab and a picnic. Did you both get it done?

A peaceful night ahead for us all, hopefully. x

‘Goodnight All’.

Evening all,

So sorry to hear so many are feeling blue . I totally get it. I spoke to my daughter today for just a couple of minutes because quite frankly I have no news !

I am so over this but I’m in it for the long haul. I hope those who feel blue have something to look forward to, it could be as easy as a treat for dinner, a new book or a phone call from a friend.

Soop , hitting your head to get out of your dentist appointment is going a bit far lol . I’m glad you’re not too hurt.

Sending you all a little sunshine x

Today's dinner was pork medallions, the last out of a pack of four. I roasted baby new potatoes with apple, onion and cabbage wedges in olive oil, honey and balsamic vinegar then added the pork halfway through. It was lovely. Soop please take care. No more falls. Annsixty I'm glad you are feeling a bit cheerier. JaxJacky what a sense of achievement! All that tidying. Kittylester I had an unexpected phone call from a friend this afternoon and it definitely lifts you up. Have a good evening all.

Ann, I'm sorry you feel so down- I wonder if we feel worse now there is a bit of light showing. And, isn't it strange how we know a phone call cheers us up but the effort of making one defeats us?

One of my oldest and dearest friends rang this morning and we blethered for nearly an hour and we had a video call with Bertie and Persie this afternoon so I am on cloud nine but on lots of days life seems so dull.

ann Good for you. I always enjoy a phone call, especially from someone I like.
It is chilly hereabouts. We've upped the thermostat. Let's all live a bit!

anno I have a really rotten record when it comes to falls. All that I was trying to do was trap a couple of daddy long-legs who were hiding in the corner of the bedroom. They were safe enough. Mr Soop introduced them to the great outdoors. As I was straightening up, wallop! Fell into the wardrobe door. Mr Soop as per, lifted me and sat me on the bed. For a few minutes, I considered offering the fall as an excuse not to attend the dental appointment. However, as you now know, I bit the bullet and was glad to have done so.

I need to log off for today. Please continue to take great care of yourselves. We will come through this tiresome time. We will have happier times in store. [sleep]

annodomini according to Sky news some are not behaving, over 80’s who had both Covid jabs are out gallivanting!
I’ve had a good day, garden has been cleared of accumulated rubbish by two lovely chaps. Lumps of concrete/rubble from the old fences, goodness knows how many years ago, panes of glass, old pots, six old gro bags, a broken mini greenhouse and just, well rubbish. Then I went to the chemist, my acid reflux tablets were withdrawn about four months ago, I’ve struggled a bit, but now have new ones, hurrah. Into the butchers, who now stock fish and had a whole rabbit lurking. Icing on the cake, DH just checked lottery, won £140. Cheers you up these small things.

soop! Another fall? I suppose it's no use advising you to take more care? No, I thought not! It's true that many (even most) falls happen in the home, the place we feel safest in - our sanctuary; but because of that, it's the place we are most likely to let our guard down. When I had several falls a couple of years ago, my sons both said, 'Mum, watch where you put your feet'. And I do - when I'm outside in the street. But I confess that I've had a few narrow escapes in the house. Here endeth the lesson!
A dreich day in Cheshire and I feel dreich too. It's an effort to get up in the morning when there's not much to look forward to. Let's hope that everyone behaves according to the rules and we get our freedom from restrictions according to the 'road map'. Cheers, everyone.