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

I'll join you in online mop-buying, charleygirl5. I looked in our local hardware store but the mops they had were too new-fangled for my liking. I just want an old-fashioned mop that will work in my still functional old-fashioed mop bucket! ?

Unheated. I hate autocorrect!

Please pass on my love to Hattie and her mum too. So sad and at such a time too. Good idea to appeal to Lara, soop
More gardening today - I have lost 3 out of 4 cucumbers - I think I planted the seeds too soon. I must learn that an I heated greenhouse doesn’t work miracles!
Enjoy your evening.

Good afternoon - just popping by the kitchen to say hello. I'm not sure I can be trusted here with doughnuts, sticky toffee pudding, banana bread and the like!! Ruby is looking adorable as always Puzzler - I'm sure she lives a privileged life just like Duncan. So sad to read of poor little Hattie - heartbreaking for her mum. Sending virtual hugs to all who need a little comfort tonight and everyone please stay safe

Charleygirl5 reason to celebrate indeed, a new mop, how very daring!
I too have pottered about today, an M&S delivery; their t shirt sizing is all over the place, way too big, still, better than too small but they will have to go back. A simmering beef mince in the slow cooker which will eventually be served over pasta one day and used for a cottage pie another. Thank you for the compliments on my hair, it’s just a nice n easy colour, soop I’m a wash it, dry it off with a towel and leave it, lazy, hair person.

Just in from tidying the garden as we’ve sunshine and showers and the showers are winning just now, so that’s me done for the day ... oooh I think there’s a rainbow ?

I don’t think I’ve ever been lucky enough to see a kingfisher puzzler but so pleased you managed to spot one - well done! I always think that if you’ve had a long walk then you really do deserve whatever you fancy ....so I think the guilt free and of course calorie free sticky toffee pudding should definitely be on the menu later

Sounds like the garden work is going well anno
Ooo charleygirl , 2nd dose ... brilliant!
Save me a bit of banana bread please grandmabatty!

Please do that, Soop, we need to be able to share her sorrow and anxiety. Life is tough enough without one’s closest companion being so ill, and if our support would help we should be able to give it.

A quiet day. Pootled around the house. Mr Soop pottered around the garden.

I am about to log off until tomorrow. I intend asking Lara if our friend with a very poorly pet can come into the kitchen.

Thinking of you all.

Oh Urmston such sad news about Hattie, I really hope her mum is coping ok, so sad too that she’s unable to come on here for support, please pass my thoughts along with all the others onto her ?

That’s such sad news of Hattie so hard to have a sick pet sending love.
Nothing very interesting to say today but hope you all have a good afternoon

Puzzler your beautiful girl is obviously having a hard life in your house. Perhaps she would like a move here?

My cup overfloweth with joy- I had my second vaccination today-I doubt if I will see much beyond these four walls but to celebrate I have bought myself a mop online. I know how to live.

I was aware that Hattie was so ill and the news is heartbreaking after all her adopted mother has been through the last few years.

anno please do not be tempted to climb into the trees alongside the surgeons. Best relax and remain an onlooker/supervisor.

O heck Urms - that is so sad re Hattie and her mum. Please give her my love and wish her strength from me

Jaxjacky I give you full marks, both for your hair style and the colour. Fabulous!

Urmstongran It is wonderful to hear you sounding less stressed and more upbeat. I totally understand what it is you mean by health issues clouding one's life. If someone offered me either a million pounds or good health, there would be no way that I would settle for the money. Health, is wealth.
Your step father sounds like a lovely man. It must be a pleasure to spend time in his company. Hello to Duncan...both of them.

brook Your photograph is picture postcard perfect. I can sense the tranquility.

muse An armful of from me to you.

Urms, thank you for the very sad update on Hattie's prognosis. I know how our absent friend has treasured her through a sad and difficult time in the last few years.
Tree surgeons are busy in my garden and my neighbours'. They are incredibly meticulous - apparently taking each tree and bush apart twig by twig! The biggest challenge seems to have been the Cornus Mas which has become enormous but its yellow blooms have lit up the garden for a month already. Now there's a big ladder outside my window, ready to tackle the rowan and the ornamental crab which, just today, has put out its first tiny red leaves. There's still a bloke up the maple tree which provides lovely shade but recently a bit too much.
They are now sitting in the garden having their lunch, so I will now have mine!

Urmstongran

I have some very sad news to share dear kitcheners. The ‘lady with the thin dog’ tells me this morning that Hattie is very very poorly and her Mum is in bits. That the prognosis is poor and there is a strong possibility she will lose her. She may have to take THAT decision later today - and says playing God is so hard. ???

If surgery is involved, she is having to look at a 5 figure sum to the vet (as she says, honestly the charges are ridiculous, but you go with it because you love them) and she will have reached her insurance limit before that, although that is not the point.

If surgery cured Hattie she would agree immediately but it apparently seems to be more complicated than that.

She just cannot contemplate seeing a young happy dog decline and struggle with her breathing as she was on Tuesday.

Hattie has had to have more fluid drained from her lung this morning, which says to her that this is not an isolated incident.

This is just heartbreaking isn’t it? ??

That is awful, and scandalous that she is banned from this site GNHQ were very unreasonable.

Puzzler Your lazy tabby is beautiful. I would enjoy pampering her to bits. And, the answer to your question is, Fern remains on the wanted list.
If you like, I shall share the sticky toffee pudding with you. Will there be real custard? If so, make it a full portion, please.

Our dear friend needs our support. Hattie is much loved, as is she. The hardest decision when an animal lover/owner, is when is the right time to let go. We've been there on several occasions. Our friend will make the right decision. Us lot are here for you.

Mmmm is it still warm ..... ? ? ?
I haven’t made banana loaf this lockdown but it but be rude not to have a piece of yours Grandmab. Thank you.

Puzzler61 lots of said loaf still available. I've made a banana bread with walnuts this morning so you can have some of that too.

Urmstongran I hope your neck is easier today?
And Grandmafrench have you done a health & safety assessment on your cat so that she may safely step on keyboards? ? ?

Oh Urms so sad.Like Doodle I wish that our friend could come on here and be supported by us all.Please let her know I am thinking of her and Hattie.

Sorry, it was jaxjacky who brought the flowers.

Exactly jaxjacky. So many of us on here have cared about this lady and her dear companion friend. The decision if it has to be made is heartbreaking. Please send our love when you next write to her Urmston.
Grandmabatty is there any of your scrumptious loaf left? I could just fancy a slice of it toasted with marmalade.
Brook that photo could be a postcard! So picturesque and a lovely place to walk.
I walked by our river yesterday and saw a kingfisher but wasn’t quick enough to snap it with my phone.
I may have happened by a cafe that did fresh doughnuts and I had to have one, I am helping the economy is my excuse.
Still hoping that Mia will make it home. soop, has Fern been around? Duncan looks like he never strays far from home as he is a senior feline citizen. A bit like my lazy tabby.

muse beautiful flowers you brought into the new kitchen yesterday. Thank you,

Have a good day all. I’m off for a walk now.
Does a long walk mean I can have a guilt free sticky toffee pudding later ?? ?

Oh Urms that is so sad and what’s worse is that our dear friend cannot come on here to seek comfort from us all herself. I will pray for them both. Please pass on my love and hope that somehow Hattie will pull through. Thank you for letting us know.