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

Hi BlueSapphire (we’ve ‘met’ at Good Morning thread) I need some lucky socks to watch my football team, yours are doing you well. Sounds like you’ve had a pretty perfect day, ?.

My first visit to the kitchen - can I come in please?

I am driven to browsing and posting as DD and DSil have motorcycling on tv yet again and I find it incredibly boring. However they are forgiven as they have just brought a delicious Chinese from the local take-away. And I have a glass of white wine! I am a happy bunny. And we had a bottle of fizz earlier to celebrate what would have been our 49th wedding anniversary.

To top it all my rugby team had an unbelievable win today; losing for much of the match, then coming back and snatching victory in the last few minutes. It must have been my lucky socks.

Happy Easter to all.

MrsHat I'm sorry that you are having a difficult time. I will pray for you.

mrshat so sorry to hear this, you are in my thoughts with a big hug winging is way to you too.

Mrshat you will certainly be in my prayers tonight. I hope whatever troubles you are having are resolved soon. Take care

mrschat thoughts and prayers
?

Hello the Kitchen !

Spent a slow and wonderful day pottering in and out doing whatever took my fancy. Lots of that was planting and re-potting and generally making the garden look good. At one stage it was quite warm - eating lunch in the sun maybe not a good idea - but listening to the birds, weeding, watering the hedges and turning on and off the garden sprinklers has kept me occupied for most of the day. A lovely pot of Dipladenia which I lost in a sudden cold snap after Christmas has regularly required weeding! I know, ridiculous, but maybe twice a year I have patiently had to remove blasted Couch grass which has sprouted in the pot alongside the plant and drives me mad. Getting rid of that dreaded grass is obviously beyond most of us - so today, although I have thrown the plant away - I decided that this wonderful large pot of really good compost had to go. I have emptied the pot, hosed it out and dried it and refilled it with fresh growing medium. The rubbish will go to the dump tomorrow - don't even want it lurking anywhere near my garden. Such a shame, but sometimes that's just the way it goes.

Sat down to 3 of DH's wonderful curries this evening - Calcutta prawns, Hairy Bikers' potato and cauliflower and a vegetable curry. Later we will have some fresh pineapple - the cut off top of which has been dried out in the sun and put into a pot in the garden. It's quite architectural, but I don't normally warm towards spiky things. DH suggested I planted some pineapple seeds - no! I read that they need to be wrapped in wet kitchen roll (easy peasy) and put into an airtight bag for 6 months to wait for little sprouting seeds. Nope, not at all interested in that. I do need to feel that I shall be able to see the results of my labours fairly soon-ish. I'm now catching up on some mails from dear friends. Amazing how many are concerned that we in France are somehow imprisoned and having the most awful time. Lovely they think of us, but the media is to blame for so much hype, as usual. The sun has not long set in a blaze of apricot, and there are still flocks of birds drifting overhead and going home - for some well-earned shuteye.

So very glad that your appetite is slowly returning, Daisy. I think the key is to eat not very much, but exactly what you fancy and very often! That way you aren't getting used to going without or forcing yourself with too big meals. I'm eating - out of choice - off a little side plate. This avoids me overeating lunch or supper and is going to help me lose weight. It had better!!!!!

So good that you have enough energy to help out with the painting and decorating, soop. The look of it all afterwards will make up for any numb bums or stiff knees from grappling with skirting boards and awkward positions. If all else fails, maybe some little castors on the seat of your overalls and Mr Soop can propel you from corner to corner without any problem.

That Duncan - what a boy. I wonder what he's saying to himself after rampaging little ones have paid another visit to his Mum. I expect there's lots of old gentleman tut tutting and he can probably do a good eye roll when you're not looking, BladeAnnie.

Hope everyone has had some fun seeing, being with or making arrangements for a bit of normal again. Shame that lots are having to dress up for a transArctic expedition just in order to sit comfortably in the garden, but I think the weather will become more kind fairly soon. April can be a glorious month - maybe scarves, woolly hats and gloves can be abandoned once this next week is over. Hope so.

Have a peaceful evening everyone. Wishing you all a good night, some proper rest and the chance of something entertaining tomorrow.

Just keep on taking care, that's the thing.

Hugs from me in a country on the naughty step. ? x

Dear mrshat I’m so sorry to read that you are having difficulties. I will think of you, and sincerely hope things will turn around for you soon, if at all possible. ?

Happy Easter to all in the kitchen. A regular reader, occasional poster and just wondering if there are any spare prayers around they would be welcome. Things seem to be going from bad to worse in my little world just now. Thank you

Hello everyone. Not much happening in Cornerlsnd other than a wonderful couple of hours with our bubble son and two granddaughters. The simple fare I’d prepared vanished, not a crumb left. I forget how teenagers hoover food.

Pleased to see you back lins and dragonly. Life has been hard going for you daisy, good news your appetite is building again, and . to cheer you.

Good luck with the decorating soop, hope Fern shows up for breakfast tomorrow.

Take care everyone. Have a restful evening and a good night.

‘Evening All’

A beautiful day here in south Manchester. I met up for a walk with our youngest daughter. Just the two of us for an hour this morning and it was lovely. Other than that we’ve just had a quiet day, reading, a couple of phone calls from friends and an early dinner tonight. Hope we all have a peaceful night ahead. x

It's safe to come out!!

Good afternoon lovely people on this sunny Easter Saturday. soop take care with maintenance venture and I hope Fern returns home soon. Waiting to hear news of the other dear little kitty too? How precious our pets are. Beautiful flowers Nannytopsy . We have had our first bbq of the year with DD1, SiL & DGD. How cute she was toddling around the garden finding her eggs . I feel so blessed we are their support bubble for childcare. However I am now just about pooped so sat down with a nice camomile and spearmint tea - in my favourite Christmas mug of course!! And Duncan has just come to join me - he must have just realised that the small person had left so he can come out of hiding!! Wishing everyone a very pleasant evening and virtual hugs to everyone needing a bit of comfort

And further good news from my Grandaughter ---

High excitement .... Nana DID YOU KNOW ---- calories are afraid of heights so if you store your Easter eggs on a high shelf the calories jump off ????

She's a kid after my own heart !

Jax I love kittens. I also love moussaka. See you later.

brook I second your comment that Nannytopsy's delightful Easter flower arrangement deserves a prize.

Daisyboots Hearing that your appetite is returning, is such good news.

Lins It really doesn't matter how long it has been since you last visited the kitchen. Once a Kitchener, always a Kitchener. Simples!

Dear Doodle I am forbidden to climb ladders. Mind you, painting skirting boards has it's moments. When I attempted to stand upright, I needed to scoot across the floor on my bot until I reached a handy, sturdy chair. After which, there a great deal of oohing and ahhing. My late Nana used to say..."don't get old, m' duck..." She had a point.

So, after a splendid day of wall to wall sunshine, I am clearing the decks and preparing to enjoy a laid-back Easter Saturday evening. I shall raise my G&T to you all a little later.

Enjoy yourselves in whatever way you can. If family meets on the agenda...have lots of unbridled fun.

Until tomorrow.

I didn’t mean that to read no cake for Lins oops.

Beautiful Spring flowers Nannytopsy and lots of family meet ups, ours will have to wait as our granddaughter is still in isolation until Tuesday. Welcome back Lins No cake here I’m afraid, not a lot of chocolate either, I don’t like it, I bought DH some chocolate Easter cakes so he’s happy. Go careful up any ladders soop I hope Fern makes an appearance soon, DD’s kittens look delightful, photo attached. I’m making a moussaka for dinner, for some reason I’ve not made one before. Have a gentle evening all. ?

It’s lovely to see everyone in the kitchen today and catch up on all the news! A special hello to dragonfly and Lins lovely to see you here
I’m so impressed with those flowers nannytopsy you definitely deserve a prize and thank you for the millionaires shortbread- my favourite
Beautiful picture soop and a very Happy Birthday to Hannah! Hope the decorating is going well
We’re just home after being out enjoying the beautiful sunshine today, we had a walk on the beach at Nairn and then a trip to Brodie Castle to see the daffodils - all looking spectacular at this time of year
I’m another one here Anno who’ll be desperate to get on a train south as soon as it’s allowed ....
Lots of lovely family get togethers happening, yia , nannytopsy, doodle, grandmabatty and apologies if I’ve missed anyone - I hope you all have a really good time and enjoy
Wishing everyone a Happy Easter , I’m off to eat some of my calorie free curved chocolate eggs - thank you nanaandgrampy!

What a pleasure to see red squirrels we have plenty of grey ones here.
We had a lovely afternoon with the family yesterday.It was a joy to see Oscar happy and bouncing around with Boris,he’s still a little bit anxious but so much better.DS ordered a takeaway Italian meal it was very good and of course some nice wine to keep out the cold?We have number one son and family tomorrow for a BBQ so just chilling today.Nice photo as always Soop
Have a pleasant evening everyone.

Your floral arrangement is a sure winner Nannytopsy. So pretty. Thank you for bringing cakes to the kitchen too - I don’t know where you find the time, you are a very busy bee ?
Happy Eastertime.

Hello the kitchen! These are my entry to the local WI Easter flower arrangement competition. I grew them all, apart from the irises.
I have been baking today so there are millionaires shortbread and an apple and marzipan cake on the side for you.

I shall be a bit hectic tomorrow with real live church at 9.30 ( that’s going to be COLD!) and family for lunch so I shall wish you all a very Happy and Peaceful Easter now.

Thank you for all your kind words everyone. They are much appreciated. I am starting to feel more positive and my appetite is even starting to return which my DH is vety happy about.
It was lovely to see the photos of the beautiful red squirrels and as you say brought back memories of the Tufty Club when the children were small.

We are still on lockdown in Portugal over the Easter holiday so cannot go out of our council area until Tuesday morning although the general advice is stay at home and dont go out unless really necessary. Still we we have managed to reduce the number of cases down from the thousands per day to the low hundreds so it must be working.
Knowing how Fern likes to go AWOL Soop hopefully she is okay and not the kitty by the roadside. Although I feel for whoever's cat it was.
Have a good weekend to you all whatever you are doing.

A Happy Easter to everyone ? I too have been away from the Kitchen for some time now.
I'm away to catch up on everyone's news. Have a lovely afternoon and enjoy the sunshine.

Don’t hurt yourself soop please. Hope Fern comes for dinner soon.
dragonfly worry about our children never ceases does it. My DS was made redundant last September. So far he has been doing contract work for other companies since then. Hopefully a permanent job will come his way soon. Hope your DS is ok.
We’re off to visit other DS today and freeze in his back garden ?. Worth it to see them though. Have a good day all

Oh soop I can always rely on you to give the prodigal and kind welcome back.