Soop's welcoming and ever supportive kitchen,

Thinking of you Isabella and Panache??

Afternoon all,

It’s been a mad 2 days.

Sadly my daughters MiL took a severe turn for the worse yesterday and we did the 4 hour round trip to collect the children to allow Mum and Dad to focus on her.

She passed away peacefully in the early hours of this morning. The children have taken it calmly, they had said their goodbyes and understood that she was in pain and is now at peace. We have had a number of conversations instigated by them about death etc. I am a big believer in both honesty and telling them only what is age appropriate .

It’s amazing how resilient children are .

We will take them home Thursday I suspect .

If there is a best thing it’s that I have been distracted from my impending dental visit with the new private dentist ?- long May that last .

I’ll catch up at the end of the week x

Izabella and Panache may you both gain some inner strength to help you along xx

Just thought I would pop in to say hello to everyone.
? thoughts to all who are struggling with health or other issues
Going out to pick DGS2 from school later .Then a quiet eve in.
It’s raining here in Somerset.
Forecast looks a little better later in the week.so hopefully will be able to get out for some much needed exercise and fresh air .
Have a good afternoon and eve everyone

Panache and Izabella

That’s so sad N&G but good you could step in and look after the children.
DS2 and family are booked to go to Centre Parks in Bedfordshire this weekend it now looks like they won’t be able to go.The GS’s will be so disappointed ☹️
I’m making Greek meatballs to freeze for the weekend we are having Greek Meze on Saturday so lots of different dishes to make. Enjoy your evening everyone.

Thinking of you Panache

Just finished a throw for dgc n2
I started it about 3 years ago.

The throw!

Oh I love that throw Galen. You could always start one for me if you feellike doing another one.

Lovely throw Galen and so bright and cheery, I expect it will be much treasured.

Panache sending hugs and every good wish to both of you.

Lovely, Galen! Well done.

Is that knitting or crochet? (I need to go to Specsavers)

Thinking of you both Panache and Izabella ?
Also N&G a sad time for your family

Callistenom it’s crochet. I can’t knit

I can only go round and round in ever-increasing squares, Galen so I am impressed by your efforts.
The blankets are finished either when I run out of yarn or get fed up.

Latest from soop is that an engineer will call (I'm presuming to the house) at 0800 tomorrow. Hoping it won't be a useless visit.

You Lot are missed.

Callistenom f you can do that then you would be able to make this. It’s only double crochet crocheted in lines using a self striped yarn. It’s crochet edge to edge rather than top to bottom

Just popping into the kitchen to wish everyone a very good evening. Our running away to Gretna starts in the morning with taking Duncan to the cattery, then we will be making our way north for the big day on Thursday. Everything ready and packed in the car but now I'm starting to overthink and doubt myself that it's all done. I'll post again when I can and send a photo providing I don't break the camera haha!! Virtual hugs to everyone in need of a little comfort and wishing all a pleasant evening ?

That is a marvellous throw, Galen. Have you started another one for GC3? I went on a short crochet course as a little craft shop but still can't follow instructions. Knitting comes easily as I started when I was 5.
N&G, condolences to your family. They are lucky to have you. Your speaking so openly to the boys is perfect. I remember when my much-loved Grandpa died, my parents said nothing to me (7), but I suspected that they were hiding something. When my uncle took us for a walk in the bluebell wood, I asked him if Grandpa had died and he told me the truth. They never spoke of it when Granny died 12 years later.
Panache, I don't know how you manage the way you do. You have such courage. Thinking of you and your DH.
Izabella, this weather is enough to make even the most up-beat soul feel down in the mouth. Your solution of "bluebells, birdsong and solace" is an inspiration to us all.

Very best wishes BladeAnnie hope all goes well and you have a wonderful wedding. Congratulations
and best wishes to you both???

Wishing you the very best for Thursday BA we’ll be thinking of you!
Safe journey tomorrow and we’ll see you back here soon ❤️??

Hi all, Galen I admire all crafters on GN, not my forte, you have created a burst of sunshiny rainbows. N&G very tough for the family, you’ve done brilliantly with the GC’s, a safe haven and an honest response.
We had dry weather today until about 4pm, when the power came back after a 20 minute cut, cue heavens opening and it still is. I’m reading my book club book as quickly as I can, it’s quite good (The Shadow Man by Helen Fields), I suppose taking it to friends and reading through lunch tomorrow is unacceptable! ?. Trevor the gardener will be here at 9 to place, then plant, my nursery haul from last week, I’ll take a picture when done.
Frittata for dinner, more reading. Have a peaceful evening all.
PS hope the engineer for soop has a ‘do it once, do it right’ attitude, unlike the last lot.

Oh blimey, nearly forgot BladeAnnie’ how could I? May you have a wonderful, wonderful day. Congratulations, your good health and very good wishes ??‍❤️‍?? x

My best wishes to bladeannie, wishing you the best possible day. ???

Sad news n&g, your approach sounds just right . Condolences to your family and of course to you both.

Oh soop, so sorry you’re back in the BT merry go round.

for izabella and panache,

Jolly cold here today, had a good trip out and a very enjoyable lunch as a cheer up after hearing our washing machine won’t meet with an engineer until Tuesday next week. It seems a long, long way away.

Take care everyone.

Hello all you lovelies. Sad news, N&G - good that you can reassure the children. People just didn't talk when we were young about life problems, did they Anno. It never seemed to occur to them that small people could get very worried, confused and quite upset at the whispering, concealing or silences. I remember some of those very well.

A photo would be wonderful BladeAnnie. How exciting you are nearly at the big day. Hope that Duncan has gone off to charm the inmates guests and isn't in a sulk about Mummy sneaking off on holiday without him. Sending slightly early but huge congratulations to you both and wishing you years and years of further happiness. ?‍❤️‍?? And thank you for sharing all the excitement with us.

You do so well, Izabella. Not possible for you to do miracles, though. Everyone must have a down day, an off day and you have too many worries and concerns about your very handsome DH at the moment. (Do you remember posting a super photo of him when he organised a birthday party for you? At least, I hope I remember it as a birthday and not an anniversary celebration!) Whatever it was you had lots of replies which remarked on what a lovely looking man you had as your life partner! Sending warm wishes and a great deal of hope that they get to the bottom of the problems and restore him to health very soon.

You're more than a star, Panache. Whatever life throws at you - and carries on doing so - you still focus totally on your dear man and you manage not to forget us whilst your life is in turmoil. Bless you and him - try to take a little time for you so that you are not running completely on empty - and don't forget that we are sending you strength - you are constantly in our thoughts.??

Galen what a marvellous throw, I'm so impressed. This will be something to treasure in your family, I'm sure.

Jax, oh yes...a photo if it's not teeming with rain, please. All that organisation and work, we do need to see the fruits of your labours.

soop - are you keeping calm? Maybe this time give them just the ONE chance to fix your communication problem. They mustn't think that they have weeks and weeks to mess you about without results - they tried that and almost got away with it. This time you need a plan if he's not up to the job - perhaps a bear trap in the garden, a box of snakes, a bucket of dirty water over the door frame - that's if you can't manage to take the wheels off his van and hide them (just for a day or two)? I shall keep everything crossed that you're back (and not angry) quick as a wink.

Enjoy your Greek preparations (and the results) Yiayia and have a nice, peaceful, happy evening Tilly.

And most important - do hope that the rain has stopped and you'll find sunbeams everywhere first thing tomorrow. Stay safe. Gorgeous evening here in the South of France. And I say that because I'm genuinely sharing (not gloating) ?x

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202105/medium-192842-1c837203-b526-4bdc-8869-6eb2056e51aa.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202105/medium-571930-ff618d95-e73e-42ae-86cb-e4f902e79c8b.jpeg

The rain did eventually stop here in Inverness this afternoon so I enjoyed a walk by the shoreline near home. It was so lovely to see some blue sky and feel a bit of warm sunshine at last!