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

Have taken the imp to the park, visited DiL in the garden where imp played with the puppy. He had his lunch, ran round and round the garden, then picked up his blankie climbed on my lap and we have both had a little doze ???

Phew have caught up with the new kitchen.
Good to see you post Annsixty but not to hear you don't feel quite right at the moment.
I was sorry to read about Hatties demise and to Maw. I still miss her posts.
Congratulations on your win Jaxy. It's nice to see a name you know win something.
GrandmaFrench I love your description of the flamingoes. We have them at the Obidos Lagoon but unfortunately as we have been on lockdown for so long that we haven't been able to drive that far.
BladeAnnie congratulations on the new addition to your family.
Getting tired now so will just say TOYA.

We have been driven indoors by the heat on our large south facing patio. We shall miss it next week. Just about to fetch the slim waterbutts for the greenhouse. G’pa needs more screws for his Lego fort. ( A wooden for for the Lego to sit on)

Charleygirl5 he’s back now, been in hospital, I think some people get temporary bans, I don’t really know how it works.
I’ve done a bit of digging at the allotment and hefted some bricks to keep the weed suppressant down, high of 21. The weekend job, with DH, is to collect 7x50ltr bags of compost to fill the raised bed and 4 large grow bags to bring home. BladeAnnie we too, down south, we have sleet forecast in a week with overnight frost, of which there was a touch on my car at 07:45 today. I took my far too big t shirts back to M&S first thing via the farm shop, both were very quiet as I like it. Feet up with a cuppa now. ttfn.

To put the cat among the pigeons- Rufus was in and out like a proverbial yo-yo at one time so why not give Maw a chance?

Good afternoon lovely people - just popping into say hello. Puzzler hot cross buns sound delicious - I wonder if I could be allowed just half of one on my diet?? It's a beautiful sunny day here in mid-Notts but, if we are to believe the weather forecast, we might have some snow next week!! Ahh well variety is the spice of life as the saying goes!! I had little Ruby yesterday afternoon whilst her mummy and daddy went for the 20 week scan. All is well and they are having a little boy ??. They said they were not finding out the sex this time but I didn't think they would be able to wait!! We have just had our delivery from sainsbury's so we will be having our usual Tuesday afternoon trip to my mum's with her shopping and we are taking her for her second vaccination too. Sending virtual hugs to all of you in need of a bit of comfort. Enjoy the sunshine and stay safe

Thank you Baggs. I really want to have a go at them - and oh joy! I know where I have a piping bag ? slurry probably describes the texture needed - quite gloopy.
soop I’m sure our friend understands you tried your absolute best to have her GN account reinstated. There seems no room for manoeuvre. I feel she was a scapegoat, to perhaps scare the rest of us.
We can still include her in our kitchen chat as we know she can read.
She must feel really “down in the mouth” right now. ? for her.

Puzzler, the crosses are made with a flour and water paste. The Vintage Chef (Olivia Potts) calls it a "slurry", which is firm enough to hold its shape but loose enough to pipe. You pipe them onto the buns just before baking them.

HQ have sent a polite response. Maw's ban cannot be reversed in fairness to other users.

I am very disappointed. I am sad for Maw.

I shall return once I feel restored. It may take a pot of coffee or a very early G&T.

Grandmafrench, I do love your phrase, 'flamboyance of flamingos'. Apart from its alliteration, it brings to mind the stateliness of these splendid birds. The last time I saw them was when I was with my sister on a trip to the South of France, but not up close and personal. Flamingos en mass at close quarters stink like a hundred barn yards rolled into one!
Another fine morning in Cheshire. The forecast for the Easter weekend is pretty dire, so best to soak up the rays when we can. Tomorrow I am hoping to see a friend in her garden. I've been knitting a beanie hat for her as she's lost all her hair to chemo. I haven't seen her since October. Another friend is having a get together in her garden, but it clashes with a dentist's appointment and I can't put that off any longer. Don't get me wrong - I like my dentist. He's a lovely and kindly young man and I'm old enough to be his granny! If only he was a hairdresser as well. Since a front crown removed itself a few weeks ago, I've been very grateful for having to wear a mask in public. I hope my gappy situation will soon be remedied, and I'll stop lisping.
ann, I hope the nicer weather this week will help you to feel more positive. It won't be so very long now before we just might be able to go back to some semblance of normality.

I too fear what Baggs says seems to be the way GN are thinking.
It’s tough, but no love ?

I have never attempted to make hot cross buns Baggs, how do you get that X on them?
Shortbread smells lovely Feeling thank you, my MIL used to make it and add semolina to it she said it made it snappier!

GrandmaFrench thank you if you have sent us this mini summertime as an Easter gift. ? After a very cold night the temp. is starting to rise, full sun, blue skies. Your pool is clean and ready now - perhaps an Easter dip is in your thoughts?
Have a grand day everyone. I hope poorly people find they feel better for some ☀️ and the start of summertime (it’s official).
? for Grandmabatty

How odd tha Boggy became Baggy! ??

HQ would be accused of favouritism if they rescinded a ban for one former gransnetter. I think they are not responding because they feel they’ve said everything they’re going to say on the subject already more than once.

Back in proper Soop Kitchen mode, I have the rest of the week off work. Date-stickified hot cross buns to a recipe of the Vintage Chef’s is on the cards along with some ditch digging and dam building on the Baggy Brae (aka our garden).

Oo shortbread! Thank you Feeling ! I intend to make a vegan millionaires shortbread for DiL this week with special condensed non milk. (Sounds a bit yukky to me!)
We had the DGC today and succeeded by a divide and rule tactic ?. DGD love to walk up to our little park and pick daisies. She fills my pockets then takes them home to mum.
We took the litter picker and got half a bag from half of the hedgerows. We can do the rest another day.
Charlie cat is howling at the bottom of the stairs - this could be a long night.
Good night all

It is so long since I have written here I should be embarrassed but the lockdown malaise struck especially after the vaccine jab since when I have been feeling odd and my sense of smell has gone awry. However the strange nausea has gone and I spent a lovely afternoon in the garden although I had on many layers in the cold wind. it looks slightly tidier now.
soop. Do you think Fern is related to Six Dinner Sid? It would explain a lot. Perhaps she is Five Feeds Fern. For sure she is snacking elsewhere.
I have made shortbread this evening as the oven was on anyway for homemade pizza. I shall leave the shortbread on the side for coffee time tomorrow.
annesixty. I hope the advent of spring and some sun helps. You might do a little more walking and if you do it routinely, you may meet others you keep to a similar timetable, to pass the time with.
Thinking of you all and wondering how Izabella and the Panaches are doing.
Sleep well.

Joyous local news on TV tonight. Open air swimming pools open. Tennis courts busy. Mum's with prams on group walks.
The sun chose it's day well.

I'll be driving off to the beach as soon as fit enough. Sciatica getting better. Woke up a few times and rearranged cushions under my leg. No painkillers. Took the day very easy. Painted my hammock support. Potted up lilies and dahlias. Walked with Mya though the wood.

Soop. I'm struggling to understand the lack of response from GNHQ. I've emailed once about talk guidelines. Had a reply the next day. They don't seem very willing to answer all questions, particularly those that would involve a decision by them. Very woolly answers.

Same here GrandmaFrench. Got some summer trousers out today. A little tight but will not buy any larger ones.

The water butt will be very handy Jaxy.

Lots of TV catch up tonight but bed now calls. Early rise as the sun is due to be out again. Hope as many of you as possible get out to enjoy it. .

Evening dear Kitcheners

Well, anno your day sounds just about perfect - and spontaneous. Well done you, hope you felt suitably restored after a dose of sunbeams.

Hope your SIL receives some info towards a diagnosis, G.batty and soon. Horrible being unwell and not knowing why - and worrying for all spectators, of course.

That Fern Pussycat, what a liberty taker she's turned out to be. I do feel that she has some big distraction somewhere not far away. She does seem to be always a bit pushed for time! Would it be completely beyond the realms of possibility that she could have some kittens - is it too early? Is it ridiculous? Or maybe she's just found a Brasserie with a different menu....you never know with those pesky cats. As long as she's safe, though, and Mr and Mrs soop don't lose sleep.

You are funny, Calli - all my summer clothes seem to have shrunk. What I flatly refuse to do is buy a bigger size. Sometimes I think that's just giving up and I won't do that, I'd hate myself even more. So, dieting again it is. (Between the odd slice of cake and a Baggs Kitchen Sink Flapjack.) How stupid I was to make a batch of those. ?

Ann you've clearly been on one of the downward runs of that Covid Rollercoaster again. What a nightmare! It's so hard trying to keep it all together and a positive smile, isn't it. I woke to a wonderful day, started doing a few things, went outside for a coffee and a chat and was suddenly plunged into a bad mood. I'm not one for moods - especially when I don't know why. I felt better after lunch and have wasted the entire afternoon going with DH to the tip! Yaaay! Later going out with him again to pick up a parcel from a collection point in the next village. I have no shame! I have never seen such a flamboyance of flamingoes on the water since I've been here. There must have been 250 or so, all pink and glossy and wading in the same direction. Always think they might be Line dancing. - so I wait for one of them to shout an instruction and then hope they'll all turn together.
After that I was resolutely cheerful. I blame the ?for that!!
So, keep going Ann. That carriage you're riding will be on one of the steep upslopes again shortly. Do hope you get the chance to go out or have someone drinking tea in your garden very soon.

Hope you are keeping well and out of mischief, Charley and that you have not Sciaticked yourself to a standstill, muse. (Do you like the new medical jargon? Thought so!) Puzzler hope you and Ruby are still reading and having lots of têtes à têtes in the conservatory. GrannyG bad news about your DD's accident - hope she makes a rapid recovery and that neither of you is worn down by the Dynamic Duo! Make sure you have your 3 Shredded Wheat before tackling them each day. Hoping that Mr D's recovery is now pretty much complete, Doodle and that you are taking good care of yourself.

Jax, how lovely to hear you have won something. And, of course, how reassuring to think that there must be someone still working at GNHQ.

Nighty night all you lovely types. Hope everyone has got something out of the day and that tomorrow will be a better one. Thoughts with all absent posters, those who are sad or down or worried or unwell. Special thoughts to the Panaches, try to be good, Cherry and a big hug to Maw.

Stay Safe, sleep well. ?‍♀️ x

What a lovely way to spend the evening anno!

When I went to hang out some washing, I was surprised to find it was really warm. I went to collect my sunglasses, my kindle and a mug of tea, and spend a couple of hours soaking up the rays. And then - inevitably - fell asleep!

Grandmabatty I’m glad your SIL is home but hope they can find the cause of the problem soon.
soop glad your hotel is still being frequented by Lady Fern ?.
ann sorry things are a bit flat at the moment. Hope things improve soon.
Jaxjacky congratulations on your win, what lovely news.

Congrats. Jaxjacky really pleased someone we know has won a prize.
What a worrying day for you Grandmabatty. I hope the hospital test can identify a diagnosis from the endoscopy.
I sat on a bench in the park today watching the world go by in bright sunshine. Many young mums brought their small children and gave them picnics on the grass. It made a happy scene.
I sent for clothes from what used to be a very reputable company but to put it bluntly the quality was rubbish. It will all go back. Certainly not worth the money.
annsixty I hope you can find brighter days ahead and chase away the low moods. It can’t be easy. ?

The weather is supposed to be very warm over the next couple of days so I looked at my summer clothes then put them away again hastily.
Lockdown lbs .
I refuse to buy a larger size although I did look at the Debenhams sale site today but saw nothing for me. However, I did order some clothes for the DGD (always rather a dodgy move) and ? they will arrive. Of course, they were not much reduced!

Grandmabatty I am sorry to hear that and hope your DH has an appointment very soon to investigate the problem.

Well done jaxjacky, it's good to hear of a name we know winning something.

Thank you for your concern Ladies. Dsil is home but not really any better. They have ruled out cardiac problems which is good news, however I'm really worried about him as he's been unwell since the beginning of January and, despite many tests, he isn't getting better. He's been referred for an endoscopy now. I'm back home after sitting with dgs while dd picked up sil. A chicken sandwich for tea as I couldn't be bothered making anything more. Take care all

I forgotten at 9 - phew
I just heard someone if Gtr Manchester, not far from me n urmston talking about the various groups who will be meeting in her garden gazebo, tonight, every night up to and including Sunday. Monday, her aged parents will visit for the first time in six months. Lovely but I couldn’t help wishing they’d been the first visitors before all that mixing. Sorry don’t want to bring a negative tone.
Sorry you’re feeling a bit low Ann. I suspect the light at the end of the tunnel is allowing us to acknowledge it’s been a long slog x