Soop's welcoming and supportive kitchen for kindly folk...

Hello all, nipped up the allotment earlier to cover up the peeping potatoes, frost warning, maybe tonight, but definitely tomorrow night. Half hearted drizzle off and on today, not good enough, we need proper rain. Done not a lot else really, Saturday is my newspaper day, I’ve been reading at whim and started the crossword. Fern seems to think you are running a b&b soop, good for a night or two on her way, a pit stop on her travels and why not. DH spent an hour or so ironing, I snuck my two pairs of new shorts in (linen mix), they’ve been ironed and folded on the bed, he’s a good sort. Have a good evening all.
panache ?

soop I will share a photo with you all on the day . We are a tiny party of 11 (including me, Mr BA and small person flower girl Ruby). As I said to Puzzler, I think I may start to be a bit giddy over the next few weeks!!

muse A mighty big Kintyre hug for you. x

Izabella You have my respect. Your husband needs constant care and you are always there, in spite of needing help yourself. If we could all join together to help to lighten your commitments, we most certainly would. Please continue to share news with us whenever you wish to.

Well now, that pussy cat is a proper little madam. Missing for the longest time. And then, just because she fancies a cosy bed and fine cuisine, she puts in an appearance with an expression that says...I'm home. Feed me. Make it soon. I've plans.
We both smiled and had a wee welcome home chat with her. She couldn't have cared less that we had been worried about her wellbeing. That's cats for you.

I am aware that I have some way to go before I can claim to be truly up to date. It takes time. As well you know. You are a kind, considerate lot and I bless the day every one of you felt tempted to come into the kitchen.

For today, I shall log off and put my feet up. Tonight, at nine o'clock precisely, I shall raise a glass to each and every one of you.

We’ll love you sharing your happy giddiness in here BladeAnnie ? ?

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Extreme Pony Wrestling, dusty. Yes, just what you need ! ?
yiayia - I watched two diamond art videos last night. Fascinating, it reminded me a little of cross-stitch. I'm thinking of having a go.

Here are the reprobates, soop for your Rogues Gallery.
Ludo (often 'Ludicrous') is the small gingery chap, a German origin Bavarian hound, Chloe the now fully-recovered Griffon Bleu de Gascogne. Both Rescues - and 99 days out of a 100 loved to bits and spoiled rotten. ?

Really pleased you are going to see the Physio. x

Panache ??

Grandmafrench I absolutely love your dogs. I wish I had one. Chicken and mushroom curry for dinner with a white wine or three.

Love your dogs Grandmafrench, their little faces❤️?

BladeAnnie,I am looking forward to hearing all about your wedding preparations?

Izabella,it’s so lovely to hear from you.I am sorry your CH is having such a time of it health wise.

I am glad the errant feline has returned soop.Well done on all the decorating.You never cease to amaze me the amount you get done all while struggling with the after effects of your surgery.

We have had the divine Miss M with us for a couple of days.Henry was here yesterday.I think tomorrow will be a rest day?

TOYA and special thoughts to the Panaches.x

Hello lovely kitcheners, so much news to catch up on tonight, I’ll read all the posts later
Such cold weather we’re still having here, sunshine one minute then snow and hail the next minute.. I’ve not done much today, a big shop in Tesco this morning and then a walk in the woods at the back of the house this afternoon
We’re having Chicken pie for dinner with veg and a glass of wine - as it’s Saturday...
We don’t have a pet ourselves but I do love reading about all the others we have in the kitchen.... ??

Wonderful to hear from you again Izabella, but so sorry to hear how much your dear current husband is having to contend with.
Soop, so happy to hear that Fern has deigned to show up again, wonder how long for this time? She certainly knows how soft hearted you both are.
Grandmafrench, Ludo and Chloe are gorgeous, I love their facial expressions, I want a cuddle!
Now that restrictions are slowly being lifted, I`m wondering how long we`ll have to wait for our much postponed family meal out, somewhere between 20 and 25 of us.

Gorgeous dogs Grandmafrench, have I got it right and Chloe is the larger one? DH covets her. We both secretly want an Irish wolfhound. We will make do with what we have, a share in a missing Podango of no fixed abode, and I shall probably worry about him until he turns up demanding to be fed and stroked in no particular order. This little dog ? looks quite like him.

Lovely to hear from your again Izabella. Sorry to hear your CH has been in such pain. Hope you are both being well cared for.
soop glad your furry friend found her way back again.
Grandmafrench that’s a couple of characters you have there ?
Hope everyone has a good weekend. ?

Dear Izabella, so lovely to see you posting, but sorry to hear about your husband. ?

A weekend of DGC, who are not yet asleep. They are going home after breakfast but we are on the school runs on Monday and Tuesday plus tennis on Tuesday. Outdoors. ?
We are very much looking forward to seeing DD and SiL next weekend. Getting very excited and planning the best picnic food ever.
Lovely to see you Izabella and love to Panache

Thinking of you Izabella?
Very pleased to hear Fern is back Soop Yamas?
Love your dogs Grandmafrench what a happy home they have with you.Do try the the diamond art it is very much like cross-stitch I find it very relaxing.
Goodnight everyone.
Love to Panache?

Lot of lovely doggy news tonight. soop Pleased to hear Fern has dropped by . Two gorgeous pets GrandmaFrench. Love the photo.
Jaxjacky. Lovely to have this great gardening weather but let's have some☔️. Do you have a few water butts at the allotment?
Good to see your post Marydoll

Mya has developed a limp after lying down for a while, but it seems to wear off as we walk.

Just watching the forecast. Wintery showers for quite a few.

Early night for me.

Adorable dogs Grandmafrench It’s good to put ‘faces’ to names we have read about from your gn posts. And irresistible faces they are. ? ?

muse only one old wheely bin with water in it, no shed, it’s what I inherited in the autumn. As it’s only a half plot a shed would take up space, there are standing pipes next to troughs, no hosepipes allowed. You’re right, we need rain lots of!

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Love the doggy photos grandmafrench what a couple of beauties!
I’ve been for a short walk just down the road to the Culloden Battlefield, snow and sunshine again and quite bleak. Muse and jaxj you’re very very welcome to have some of our rain, you can even have snow mixed in if you like...we’ve lots to go round ... ☔️☔️
Just having a half hour quiet time before we’ve got the DGC coming for tea and a sleepover tonight... home made pizza has been requested so that’s nice and easy, I’ll try to make it a bit healthier with the addition of a salad .... DD2 has to work in the office next week and it’s still school holidays here so we’ll be looking after them most mornings next week which I’ll definitely enjoy
Will try to pop back into the kitchen later

Afternoon all,

Sam was impressed by the pictures of the dogs- he'd like to be their penfriend? :-)

Its been a quiet Sunday here although we have had sun, rain and hail and it looks like the odd snow flurry . It cant quite make its mind up.

I have had a browse through the threads this afternoon - I don't know why I bothered --- people whining about missing their soaps because of the tributes to Prince Philip? Leaves me speechless - so I am retiring to the orangery for a bit of crochet - Happy day all x

Hello peeps another quiet day at Gravy Grange!
Popped into youngest sons garden for a quick visit earlier, lovely to see them and catch up.
About to start cooking Sunday meal (roast lamb)
Beautiful doggie pictures ?‍♀️

I’ve spent a good couple of hours faffing about with seeds from my file, seeds to go up to the plot, seeds to go in the greenhouse,. I’ve had to Google a few to remember exactly what they are, for example, courgettes - green/yellow/ball, when it just has the name on the packet I get stuck. I’m awaiting a parcel collection tomorrow, once they’ve been, I can get going. I’ve got my volunteer day tomorrow and ring the bank, I’ve opened a monthly savings account, cue a flurry of emails, not one has the account number etc. Made a couple of phone calls to friends and not done much else that’s achieved anything. Still chilly with the odd sad shower, could do better. Pretty laid back dogs Grandmafrench as to be expected in France. Tulips to cheer you all, but especially for those struggling.

A sunny, late Sunday afternoon greeting to my favourite peeps.

Welcome to the pampered pets gallery, Chloe and Ludo. May I add that you are both absolutely adorable. "Our cat" is out and about right now. Otherwise I would ask her for her oh so humble opinion.

I had every intention of spending a relaxing day, and had hoped to spend some quality time with you all in the kitchen.
It wasn't to be. A kind neighbour dropped by just after breakfast with his trusty chainsaw. We had branches of willow overhanging the drive. He was busy for most of the morning. Mr Soop and I wheeled logs to a bunker, after which, he helped the neighbour with other outdoor jobs. I have given the front door a third and final coat of hot paprika paint. There were jobs needing a final coat of paint in various parts of the house and the threshold of the door steps needed Ronsealing. It all takes so much longer than anticipated. After which, cleaning brushes and bashing down paint pot lids and removing detritus.

I am wearing my painting jeans and zip-up top, together with Mr Soops wooly beany hat. Not a pretty sight. In fact, I cannot recall ever looking such a mess. Therefore, I need to excuse myself and go have a shower. I shall slip into my jimjams, dressing gown and thick fluffy slippers.

Wishing you all a pleasant evening. All good wishes to our dear friends in need of some extra tender loving care.

for everyone.

Fairly productive day in the garden. I do hope we don't get a heatwave for any length of time Jaxjacky. We take all our water from our spring fed stream. MrM says it has only dried up twice in the 45 years he's been here. The year before last the water pump was down to a trickle so we had to limit the amount of water we used. I've never gone so long without a shower. Beautiful tulips. I've seen two of my seed tray with no label??
soop Two perfect outfits today then ?! Just about to get out of my gardening attire which is very eye catching. Longing to get into the comfy part of the day. Is that the last of painting (for a while)?
NanaandGrampy I did what you did this morning and felt the same. I left a comment. Anyone would think there was only BBC to watch or listen to.

Sainsbury's delivery man brought our dinner this morning. Charlie Bigham's Thai Red Chicken Curry & Rice. It was on offer and I want a day off cooking. We shall have this before watching Line of Duty tonight. I then might feel like coping with the task of the day. Getting my laptop to find the printer it had apparently decided to ignore last night.?I tried reinstalling everything possible but still a brick wall exists. However, the printer is still on best terms with MrM's ancient pc. It will not beat me ?

Probably last visit to GN for me today so a happy Monday for everyone. Take care on your travels as there are bound to be more on the move tomorrow ????‍♀️

Good evening kitchen friends. I hope everyone is ready to have a relaxing evening, especially the very busy bees ?
We’ve had an Alpine sort of day - bright, very cold but sunny. ? On our walk we took a photo similar to yours brook , but the snow is atop the Malvern Hills.
Roast tea cooked and eaten, Mr Puzzler is just clearing up in the kitchen. It’s my time to settle down with a little cat eager to get on my lap.
The tulips are in a wonderful array of colours, thank you for sharing Jaxjacky ?
I’m going to pop onto the GN games threads now for 10 mins.
TOYA.

That’s me in my pjs now too, the DGC both tucked up in bed and we’re ready to watch Line of Duty soon. The home made pizzas went down a treat, DGS typical boy wanted ham and pineapple and DGD who’s a bit of a foodie at just 6 years old wanted goats cheese, beetroot and spinach ... goodness knows what she’ll want when she’s older! Charlie Brigham meals are my favourite quick and easy dishes muse I don’t know how they’re made but somehow I think they’re definitely tastier than any other ready meals
Lovely colourful tulips jax they’re definitely my favourite spring flowers
soop you’ve been so busy recently, I hope you can enjoy a rest soon please .. well done though with all the decorating ?
Lovely picture puzzler I really like to see the snow capped hills and the sky looks the same as it’s been here all day ..