Yet another *Soops* kitchen for all us like minded people

Fingers, toes, eyes all crossed Baggs
DD feeling a bit better this morning, thank you for your kind thoughts x

Fingers, toes and anything else possible, well and truly crossed!

soop update! soop update! soop update! Gather round, Grans!

Just had a chat with soop. Apparently OpenReach guy called early this morning to say he was coming round in five minutes because they had been 'monitoring' the soops' (something a bit more active than monitoring would probably be more useful is what I think at this point, but it's a start) internet connection and found that it was <insert suitable words here> I'm going with soul-destroyingly unreliable.

soop hopes therefore to be able to pop into the kitchen later today to say hello. She is currently packing for a little getaway she and macsporran have planned so won't be able to talk at length. Fingers crossed en masse, please, Kitcheners!

How very frustrating for soop and the internet issues, I’d be raging if it was me but don’t know if there’s any alternative provider available . Probably not I guess
A busy day today as picked up the DGC from school at midday as they’ve finished here now for the school summer holidays. It should have been a straightforward pick up but DGS aged 7 was under strict instructions to find his 3 school jumpers and jacket that he’d lost this week. But of course came out of school without any of them. So we had to go back in to search through lost property for ages but only found one jumper … DD wasn’t too pleased with him so the holidays didn’t get off to a great start - and to make things worse it was raining too ☹️
Sorry to hear about your DD feeling so rough Jaxj I hope she’s much better soon. Its good that you could help, I’d be just the same with mine. You’re right though, life with children can be very hard, especially if you’re on your own and not feeling 100%. Good job she’s got a mum like you to turn to
Good news about your jewellery hellogirl enjoy spending the money!
Lovely post grandmafrench ?

Well done, Jax - Mum on the Run. Hope she feels much better soon.
I laughed out loud at the Billy tale, Hellogirl, but I feel your pain. Think when they're happy that going a bit bonkers becomes 2nd nature to them, and how nice that the sale of your unwanted jewellery might help buy a handsome stash of cat food to fill his tum. (Do save some of the cash for a treat just for you, though.)

You've reminded me about wonderful gnocchi, Anno. There's an Italian lady in the market at Sète who serves it fresh from a massive bowl. That and the very best gorgonzola - so I need to visit again soon. I couldn't believe the beauty of those Irises this evening. Mind you, a very large team helped put the collection back in wonderful order. Where's dear Monty? I did miss his soothing voice - just the tone needed in a pretty garden.

Good weekend to you and to all missing this evening. Better news for susan and for kitty would be good. Nighty night.

I`m very annoyed, on Soop`s behalf, with BT, thinking unspeakable, unthinkable things.
Grandmafrench, after Billy has "performed" in the litter tray, then scattered the litter to the 4 corners of the kitchen, he then charges through here like a race horse, and up the stairs, then back again, doesn`t half make a racket!
I am about to become RICH. Well, rich in my mind, anyway. Daughter 3 took some old jewellery items last week, said she might be able to sell them for me. 2 gold chains, 1 broken and 1 tarnished, and a gold wave bracelet set with blue topaz that`s in 3 pieces and never worn because it kept breaking from day 1. I was expecting maybe £20 or so, she says a jeweller in town has offered £400 for the lot! He said the bracelet would have been worth a lot more if intact.

Baggs, to answer your rhetorical question: nobody believes that Open Reach gives a damn. I am sure I have heard complaints about them on some consumer programme - maybe 'You and Yours' on Radio 4. They evidently take no notice of any negative feedback. I am selfishly glad I don't have BT, but heartily sympathise with soop who has the thinnest end of the BT wedge.
A drizzly day here. Lunch at one of our Italian restaurants where I was pleased to see gnocchi on the menu, but they weren't like any gnocchi I've ever had before - strangely chewy - and I only managed half of them - most unlike my usual self. We noticed that this restaurant appeared to be working with a skeleton staff, probably because some of the family have gone back to Puglia and not yet returned. However, I have to confess that the tiramisu was the best ever - feather-light and suitably boozy.
JJ, sorry to hear about your DD's tribulations. She's lucky to have mum available to help hold the fort. With your reassurance, she's sure to feel better after a weekend to recover.
I'm a bit late with my tomatoes, having decided rather late that I could raise some this year I got 6 healthy plugs of Gardener's Delight which are flourishing on the bathroom windowsill. In a week to ten days I will have to re-pot. Should I put them outside? I don't have a greenhouse. Tomorrow, I plan to commit herbicide on the dreadful weeds disfiguring my poor garden! I'm being inspired (alternatively,demoralised) at the moment by the wonderful collection of irises shown on Gardener's World.

Glorious sunshine here in S Hants after a wet start and ho hum after that. BT open and reaching within an arm’s length only by the sound of it, utterly incompetent.
DD rang this morning, her day off, in tears felt faint, sick crying, said she didn’t want to be on her own. Right, straight over, told her on phone to call GP who rang back while I was there, DD on antibiotics for UTI anyway. Conclusion virus, DD works in a Primary school, I stayed, nipped home for grocery delivery picked up GC’s from school, offered to have them tonight, she just wanted them all home together. Life with children is hard, particularly as a single Mum; on a tangent, she has her two cats and son plus GF have just got a kitten too.I’ve had to research all cat things. When your children bumble along, you think nothing much, enjoy their company, help with hiccups. When they really need you your inner parent rears.
Anyway, sorry for that, DH has heard it all tonight! Here they are…

And Friday's word is........LOVELY. Well, that's nice.
I never checked the mail before I posted - there are actually 5 'lovelies' in 2 small paragraphs. So sorry, peeps! I'll try to prepare another word to overuse tomorrow..... x

Thanks for letting us know, Baggs. Soop is a smart cookie - she knows, absolutely, that BT Open Reach do.not.care !
And what a totally ridiculous name - just gobbledygook!

How lovely you are pleased with your big purchase, Blossoming. I wonder how many miles in comfort you will travel before you're fed up with it? Lovely to have a reason to go out in comfort on a nasty day.

Lovely day here. I'm trying hard to concentrate as our Electrician has just turned up (with his Son as an extra pair of hands and legs). He is lovely with the dogs but very loud and is alternating with shouting instructions to his Son and making lovely gentle noises to the dogs - who are a bit confused.

Son is going where no man should have to go. I wouldn't - even if I were a man! We have a roof space which is just the height for crawling and contains all the house gubbins which makes stuff work, including all the ducts for the air conditioning and heating. (A sort of mission control for elves?) For some unknown and probably French reason, the ends have a habit of coming off the pipes after horrendous gales, thus preventing cold air (or hot air) from blowing through the vents and keeping us calm.

This week was the turn of one end of the Kitchen. Crikey it was hot in there the other lunchtime when we were cooking. Mr Electrician sadly fell off his ladder about a month ago. His arm and shoulder is pretty badly broken and he is not allowed to work until September. So, here he is today. Poor man. I cannot go out and speak to him because I shall only lecture and since I am benefitting from his visit, I really shouldn't tell him off. He also needs to earn a living!

He found someone who would do his work and keep his clients happy for a few months. After this he was able to say he could fix our problem. Unfortunately that guy then let him down and so he has agreed to come today - and send his Son into the roof space. (Bit like boys up chimneys but not quite so dirty). Last time the Electrician went up to sort out a small air conditioning blip, it was August and the temperature in the roof was just the 50 degrees! He couldn't hear me calling him because he was in another part of the roof away from the hatch. I was considering calling the emergency services - I was so relieved when he re-appeared. ?

I so love the idea of having celebrations just when we want! Service personnel families have always had to postpone things like Christmas when Husbands and Wives are serving somewhere far-flung and cannot get home for the festivities. Given that so many of us now have been deprived of the normal stuff of life, I think it's a great idea to organise some big family knees ups. Why not? (Apart from the actual hard work of preparing and planning). Something finally to look forward to.Yaaay!

Is Charlie a boy, like Billy, NannyT ? I think that might explain the excavation and general mayhem around the litter tray. Having said that, I only have girls now and one of them is like a badger. Those paws could possibly be more usefully employed helping Muse with the Cornish construction! If I catch her now, (post-dump but pre-dig, as it were!) I dive towards the tray and she scarpers. I avoid the blitz of litter going in all directions but she gets so excited, she'll often do a complete circuit of the house in celebration. Skidding across floors and scattering everything in her wake. Think that's what's caused a Lose/Lose situation!

Have yourselves a restful and calm evening, Kitcheners. Love to you and your dear, brave man, Panache

*Keep very calm, soop. Over and out from French France. x

Good evening Kitcheners, the last couple of days have been busy but we are having a breather now for a few days. We collected the new car yesterday afternoon, it’s a lovely smooth ride. We had a ride out yesterday and again today. No walk today as the weather has been awful, torrential rain! It felt good to get out though, like many people I hardly leave the house these days. I will catch up on everyone’s news now.

Good afternoon, SoopKitcheners! soop is speechless with rage and frustration because her internet link has failed again!!!!!!

Do you ever feel BTOpenReach doesn't actually care?

Morning all!

Sounds like a plan Anno !

NannyT , we too had the Turkey but our Grandaughter has decided after 14 years she doesn’t actually like Turkey so Grampy had to cook beef too. I quite like the idea of Christmas in June as well as December except lots of the things like crackers had to be kept for 6 months and some food stuffs were testing on the best before date lol ! But you’ll have loads of fun Im sure. It really cheered us up.

It’s a slow day here and the weekend looks even slower ?

Hope everyone has a little sunshine in their day x

Hellogirl we went so far as to buy a cordless vacuum cleaner because Charlie spreads the cat litter so far. It’s like the good old days of treading on Lego!
N&G I blame you that all the family are coming for Christmas dinner in a few weeks time! At least I can use up the turkey that is nestling in the bottom of the freezer. If it wasn’t for the vegan, it would be just like a big roast but a different set of all three courses is a pain! Waitrose here I come!
Sleep tight everyone x

What a lovely photo Soop, we never tire of baby and toddler pics.
I heard today that Hudson, he of the hearty laugh, and who weighed 6lbs.11oz at birth, 5v weeks ago, now weighs 9lbs.11oz! Those first size clothes won`t fit much longer!
So sad to hear the news of the Panaches, those 2 people deserve to be treated so much better. Please send them my best wishes Doodle.
Beautiful poppies N&G.
Soop, when are you off to the wonderful highlands? I so envy you.
Billy is a very handsome boy, but he is the greediest and messiest cat I`ve ever had, particularly in his use of the litter tray, I`m forever sweeping the litter off the floor!

soop, that’s a gorgeous picture of Teddy and Willow ❤️

Thanks Doodle, various ailments, all in hand hopefully but as they say, getting old is not for wimps!! Hope all is well with you and yours

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202106/medium-102356-a8a4c3b2-6d61-45c8-8977-34088b509d2b.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202106/medium-580720-fbaf57c5-574c-4d56-a082-64e159646d16.jpeg

Puzzler hope you are have a wonderful evening out in whatever you chose to wear. The flowers are Gaillardia, according to the label, flowers are a new venture for me! A faffing day today, bit up the allotment, spraying weeds up the drive and on the patio and cooing over my greenhouse veg, bit sad! Said greenhouse has healthy plants, but I’m on bug watch, even one hanging basket has tomatoes in, I’m a veg grower at heart.
Have a good evening all. Panache and others, my love and strength is winging is way to you.

Aw soop lovely photo.
More beautiful poppies. Such rich colours N&G

I will certainly pass on your message Mrs Hat . I do tell Panache how many lovely kitcheners are sending their best wishes. Nice to hear from you again. Hope you are keeping well.
Kitty hope there is better news of your brother soon.
Take care all

N&G, I will start on my family asap. They need to get their acts together as any gathering will have to take place in DS2's spacious house and garden. Cooking/catering run in the family - the male line - and DS2's partner manages a large supermarket. Food and drink will be well provided for so who will organise the weather?
We actually had some rain this morning! But it didn't last. Expecting another shower, I kept putting off hanging out the washing and it's still waiting.
Nannytopsy, the same question had occurred to me. Could it be that Fern has been eating for a family?
Panache and Mr P are in such a heartbreaking situation. It's good that Doodle can keep us informed. If only something could be done to make things even just a bit better for them.

Such a beautiful picture soop one to definitely treasure
I’m just back from a really good catch up with my friend at the local garden centre, we sat chatting for almost 2 hours but the time flew by! It had started raining quite heavily too so my washing that I’d left outside was soaking wet when I got home -it’s spinning again right now
DH has just put the salmon on for tea so won’t be long before we’re tucking into that
Sorry to hear Fern has lost so much weight soop - I hope it’s nothing too worrying
Enjoy your special evening out Puzzler - have a great time!

There may well be kittens in the forest. Rory introduced us to his wifelet and two kits. We looked after them all for a time. Perhaps Fern will introduce us to her little ones (should she have any to show us.)

I've watched a little tennis from Eastbourne. I've also selected a hostsmall pile of garments ^which I may, or may not pack for our forthcoming wee break in the Highlands. Such excitement!

Computer continues to behave. I shall therefore do my best to join you all again tomorrow.

Thank you for your company.

Evening all,

We are finally all back to normal , at least for a few days here.

Sorry to hear about your poorly brother Kitty I do hope he is improving.

The kids certainly enjoyed the celebrations and we did consider making it a tradition Doodle as they get far too much at Christmas.

Loving the poppies NannyT , ours were wonderful this year.

Willow looks gorgeous Soop - how proud are you? :-)

The boys have grown Susan , this past year has a lot to answer for .

Anno go for it. It was like one 2 day party at ours - lots of work but such joy just to be together. Dont get me started on dentists. I start my treatment in the next couple of week and already there is a pit of fear brewing ... I hate that I am so afraid .

Well, I shall sign off here, sorry for the long one, so much to catch up on. xx

Love all the photos but the latest of big brother Ted and Willow is just adorable!

Doodle thank you for the updates on the Panaches - do send my love and prayers - goodness, it doesn't sound much bearing in mind what they are going through - would that we were closer and able to 'do' something.

Hoping the latest news of your brother is positive kitty

Take care folks. Keep well and keep Positive

Is there a litter of kittens in your woods soop? Just a thought.
Today I’m jammin. Strawberry jammin! Since it has begun to rain, I shall not return to the garden but to my ironing board. ?