Soop's welcoming kitchen for friendly folk

I have (hopefully) attached a picture of me and mum from our visit yesterday.

We had a pleasant visit.She looked really well and the house and garden were looking lovely thanks to her brilliant cleaner and gardener.We live 50 miles from her and yesterday was our first visit since Christmas Day.We had to drive over the border into Wales and then back into England!

Corner, hope today isn’t too awful?tomorrow will be a doddle in comparison???

Hellogirl, I understand your anxiety about Mia. I can remember when you first got her and know she is a big part of your life. One of my family's cats disappeared when she was quite young. My DiL put out flyers around the town but weeks went by until one day she had a phone call to say, 'I think I have your cat in my garden'. It was her! about a kilometre away and the other side of a busy main road. She has never left home again, in the past seven years, although she does have a propensity for finding the best places to hide, around the house and garden. We wondered if she had found her way into a tradesperson's or courier's van and travelled with them until the door was opened. I'm sending vibes to Mia to make her way home.
As a rule, I don't put pictures of GC on line, so you will have to take my word for it that they are handsome/beautiful and look just like their granny.

N&G I have "known" those two handsome waiters since they were babes in arms and it has been lovely reading and watching them grow. I do hope the meal was edible if they cooked it!!!

Hellogirl I am so sorry to hear that madam has still not returned. Could she be stuck in a local shed or garage?

soop I hope that minx returns. It is very worrying because I know she loves the menu.

I have done zilch today but is that a surprise? The washing machine is running so I at least will have clean clothes so that is a bonus.

Later today the builder will let me know when he could start work. One large job I have postponed because I could not empty the second bedroom in two days, mainly because I have nowhere to put the stuff. Some but not all will go to a charity shop. A lot is cat items like litter trays and carrying basket which take up a lot of space.

My garden shed is neat and tidy but I cannot find the key to the lock, or the shed could have taken quite a few items. I do not want to part company with my Zimmer frame because heaven knows when I may need to use it again.
TOYA

I'm late, I'm late...I've been out walking in the sunshine and, once home again, had a mad thought. As Fern is still absent, I decided to completely empty her apartment and wash the blankets. One thing led to another, I then decided to shift the old kennel (no longer in use) but it is rotting from the feet up. Wheelbarrow at the ready, cart away detritus. Then, I decided to sweep all the back paths and wash the window ledges and other shabby bits and bobs. Long story. Much progress. Still no sign of our pussy cat.

Hellogirl1 I was hoping to hear that Mia had returned. I know how you are feeling right now.

Susan The photograph of you with your Mum is filled with love. Have it framed. I would.

N&G The boys may be budding actors of the future. They have "the look" and their mummy must have been chuffed to bits that they waited at table on her special day.

My granddaughters and sons have no qualms whatsoever about me sharing photos of the children in the family. In fact, they often mention that a particular photo is for the sharing of. I certainly would not do so if they felt in the slightest bit uncomfortable.

Charleyg A garden shed minus the key to the lock is something that the builder may be able to assist with. A new lock. A new key. Hey presto!

What a lot of lovely Mother’s Day presents were able to be given yesterday. We had a present from DD1 that because of the postal problems, we were told wasn’t really a present for Mother’s Day or our birthdays which are this month, just a present because she wanted to. It is a shopping bag with a picture of a rather cheeky looking Octopus with the word Abrabraço? printed underneath. It means Hug? I must admit it brought tears to my eyes. It’s been such a very long time now but hopefully she may be able to get over later in the year.

Urms I know what you mean about N&G’s lovely photographs, and my goodness those boys are looking very handsome and growing up fast. When N&G first shared her grandchildren with us all I had concerns, I think there was a lot of publicity about children’s photographs being used inappropriately at the time. But since then there have been far more family photographs shown everywhere. I was included in my DGS’s partner’s Instagram photographs yesterday. They went for a 17 mile round walk. Not entirely deliberately I think. ?

mrshat I was rooting for the Scots. However, the Irish were worthy winners.
What was it that has upset you so? Do you feel like sharing? We are here for each other through the good times and bad.

dustyangel Your Octopus hugger is just perfect during these socially distanced times. A good thought. Most appropriate.

She always chooses lovely presents soop. Not only that she made an internet friend of the seller.

dustyangel

I have to carry on with a few odd jobs. I shall be back before too long.

N&G, I feel guilty. You are kind enough to ask after Mia, but I have been so obsessed with her disappearance that I haven`t asked after Sam, I hope he`s doing OK?
Still no sign of Mia, I don`t think that she`d pick now, after all these years, to wander off, I`m sure she must be shut in a shed. 2 neighbours have looked in their sheds, but the rest of the ones Dawn asked aren`t of British origin (must be careful how I phrase that, 2 people have lectured me in the past!) and she said they didn`t seem to know what she was talking about. This morning, Lynne suggested I ring the highways department to ask if they`d picked any dead animals up lately from the roads, but I couldn`t bring myself to do it. She`s just informed me that she did it by email, and the answer was "no", thank goodness.
Susan56, that`s a lovely photo of you and your mum, I presume you look like her because you have identical smiles. How is Henry these days?
Soop, I hope that Fern has come back by now, surely she`s missing your menu.
TOYA xx

Afternoon all,

Its a beautiful blue sky afternoon - proper cheers me up.

She was thrilled Soop . I think sometimes that she feels her sister is spoilt more as she has a daughter and she thinks that's easier?? But I think her husband gets very creative to do things the little boys enjoy helping with. Wearing a tie is one of their new favourite things lol

Charley I believe the meal was good but she did say they watched every mouthful she took as they had eaten earlier :-)

That's a lovely photo of you and your Mum Susan .

Yiayia I did smile at your recollection of your boys trying to sneak a taste of the wine .I remember my brother getting very tipsy at the age of 4 as he crawled under all the chairs at a family party stealing sips of beer !! My Mum gave him what for !!

I am off to write a quiz at it our daughters birthday on Friday and we are having a zoom party!

Soop and NannyTopsy thank you for your concern. It will take awhile - it is still very 'raw' but we just continue as best we can.
As for pictures on line for DGCs - it is a 'no' from the parents of my GCs - they limit their own photos to certain 'folks'. Their children, their rules which is fine! Shame really because they are gorgeous - well I would say that, wouldn't I?

Hi all, quite an annoying day, queued for ages on the phone as I was tracking the two replacement panes of greenhouse glass, it said ‘ order destroyed by sender’. When I eventually spoke to someone, they’d been damaged in transit, tomorrow for their replacement, we’ll see. Then tried to rebook cricket tickets for The Hundred as games were cancelled last year, an online queue, I gave up in the end, we’ll do something else with our friends hopefully. So similar to Charleygirl5 I’ve done little, not even washing, oh, tell a fib, farm shop at 8am, seems ages ago.
I think those cats need to get back toot suite the amount of concern they’re causing, or they’ll be on the naughty step. I faced the dreaded BP machine four times today, it gets easier as the week goes on. It’s odd, blood test next week, no problem, BP and the voice of doom whispers to me.
Easy dinner tonight, quiche, new potatoes and veg, yesterday’s leftovers will be eaten tomorrow, two easy days. Have a gentle evening all.

Henry is doing ok thank you Hellogirl.He is developing well and is a live wire but his allergies are not improving.He had an airborne reaction a couple of weeks ago, his daddy cut a chocolate brownie next to him and the airborne particles made him very sick.He responds really well to his medicine luckily.He will be eighteen months old next week.I have attached a picture of him and big sister on St David’s day.

Thank you for your kind comments about the picture with my mum.I can’t see the resemblance but all my life people have said I look just like her!

Most of the photos I post on here are ones that my daughters have shared on line so i know it's ok!

Although, i don't show photos of DD1's children as they are big enough to say they don't like it.

It's mostly the Wondrous Wolfie now as he is sooooo gorgeous and I could actually post millions of those.

What is your worry urmston?

Not sure I'd eat anything served up by those waiters n&g.

I’m really hoping that Mia and Fern return soon and they’re safe and sound- what a worry ?
Today I’ve enjoyed a longish riverside walk with DH near Beauly, just outside Inverness. We took sandwiches and a flask and sat outside near the river - so peaceful just watching the river birds. There was a rowing boat at the side of the river just waiting to be taken out... I would have loved it!
It’s a quick and easy stir fry for tea and then nothing else planned
Beautiful photo of you and your mum Susan - lovely memories made

brook That is lovely tranquil scene. The boat needs to be taken on a trip down the water. Toad of Toad Hall would be away in a trice.

Susan How heartening it is to see our Henry looking full of beans. It's as it should be. Although the dastardly allergic reactions remain to blight his life. If only we could be assured that he'll grow out of the distressing symptoms. His sister is beautiful.

Regardless of my zealous apartment refurbishing, Fern has not visited. This is the longest time that she's been away from her thrice daily feeds and cosy bed.

Away until tomorrow. Thinking of you all, including our kitcheners who are absent for the time being. You matter.

soop yes, I had the builder in mind to use a sharp metal cutter. It would be easy because it is a small, cheap lock whereas the one I have bought is much larger.

So sorry to hear there is still no sign of Fern or Mia. I know from past experience how worrying it is.

Susan life is going to be so difficult for that young fellow.

I thought today was Tuesday but I was wrong- at least Unforgotten is on tonight.
TOYA

‘Evening All’
?

Apologies to one and all. I seem to have stirred a hornet’s nest so please forgive me if you felt I was speaking out of turn, N&G.

You ask me what my concern is kitty?

A few months ago I was reading an article about this subject. It’s known as ‘sharenting’ putting photos on line. The NSPCC pointed out that photographs of young children, if shared on an open forum as this one is, can be seen and accessed by anybody.

It’s not as safe as say, sharing via WhatsApp. Photographs can be screen-shotted, digitally altered and used in nefarious sites on the dark web.

The article said that as an example, what if your cute 3 year old was smiling and clapping looking at a birthday cake, the cake was ‘chopped’ out of the photograph and something else was added in place that was ‘unsavoury’. I won’t go into details here, I’m sure you know what I’m getting at. It horrified me to be honest.

Anyway it’s probably none of my business and I’m really sorry now I brought the subject up at all.

I wish everyone on here a peaceful night ahead. x

‘Goodnight All’.

N&G I have always loved seeing your pictures of those handsome boys and all the other grandchildren we have seen.
I don’t think Urms meant any offence by her comment but was thinking of children being seen on social media and perhaps being identified by others by their name or background.
Urms being a newer member of the kitchen I think wanted to caution (as GNHQ) have done in the past about this being an open forum perhaps not aware that these things have been considered before in the kitchen. Some new members are not aware of concerns and I think Urms just wanted to point this out. I’m sure she didn’t mean to upset.
I love all the baby, children and pet photos but I know some GN members aren’t allowed to post pictures of their DGC as their parents won’t allow it.
Those boys N&G I fully expect to see in films or TV when they grow up. They have such character, they always make me laugh. ?
Hope Sam is feeling a bit more cheerful.
So sorry there is still no news of the missing Mia and Fern. I do hope they both return soon.
TOUA ?
P.s. any news of Galen (if I’m allowed to ask ?)

Urms sorry crossed posts. Hope you don’t mind me commenting on what I thought were your reasons.

Urms, you have my support, though I know it's not a competition as to who is right and who is wrong. I think I did show a picture of DGD in her prom dress a couple of years ago - gorgeous girl in gorgeous dress! But DS, her dad would hav been furious had I shown pictures of her and her brother as small children. He, as a police officer, has held positions in child protection and has seen more than anyone should have to see of the kind of pictures distributed on the black web.
Nuff said?

Urms, I agree wholeheartedly with you. It’s a real shame, but there are some unpleasant manipulative people around. Personally, I certainly wouldn’t risk it and, absolutely not without their parents’ permission.

Late evening greetings, Kitchen peeps.
Hope everyone has had a good day. What a fabulous river scene, Brook - you don't lose any time experiencing lovely scenery, do you?

It was lovely to be able to put a face to a name Susan. I don't know about looking like your Mum, but I was amazed at how like you, Matilda is ! That cute Henry remains quite edible, in my opinion.? Shame he hasn't 'grown out of' all of those allergy problems, but he's still very young so there's plenty of hope, I feel.

Hellogirl - are you allowed to put posters on lampposts in the UK now? I'm way out of touch. A photo of Mia and some details taped to a post asking people to search their outbuildings might help, especially if you choose something near a shop or post box. Printing off posters with a photo, to put through the letterbox of every neighbour in the area might yield some information - especially if the weather has been good enough for people to have been in and out of their garden sheds and garages etc.,

I'm hoping with everything crossed that both Mia and Fern put in an appearance soon. It's very worrying and so sad that you and soop have to endure the stress of not knowing. We always need to know, don't we. ?

Sleep well, lovely people. Sweet dreams and a fresh start filled with optimism and hope for tomorrow.

Night night ?? x

Can’t settle for sleep yet so popped in to see what everyone has been up to.

If there’s a NextDoor site in your area Hellogirl or a local Facebook page both could be a huge help to find missing Mia. Apologies if you’ve tried them already. I do understand how worrying it is.

We had a Houdini dog years ago who somehow escaped from a securely fenced garden. After a very worried day and night he was tracked down to the police station. Two very upset young boys were deposited at school and off I went to retrieve the wretched dog, was he grateful? Of course not. As soon as he was let out of the police kennel he ran - away from me with a large police officer in pursuit. In hindsight it was funny. . After paying for his b&b it was home via the school, understanding primary teachers deserved medals for allowing a dog on the premises. Once home the runaway demanded food, curled up and slept leaving me exhausted. A happy conclusion which I hope will be replicated for both wandering felines.

I’m sorry Henry is still facing challenges susan, the St David’s day photo is adorable, thank you for sharing it.

Time for sleep now I think. Early start for me tomorrow. Sleep well everyone.