*Soop's* ever welcoming kitchen for kindly folk.

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Phew! Ain't it 'ot? Guess what? I succumbed and slaved over sorted the towering pile of ironing. Where's the Brasso? I need to polish my tarnished halo.

Some lovely photos. Grandmabatty's wee grandson has every right to pose. He's a charmer, for sure.

Ann This weather doesn't suit me. I am all aglow and, in spite of the windows and doors being open and a fan running at full speed, I'm struggling.

Since stopping the cancer drug, Letrozole, I have slowly picked up. The nurse will check with me in three weeks time. If I am feeling much more "with it" the meds may be changed. We shall have to wait a while. As I went to my bed two nights ago, I felt so like the old me. I was truly happy and hope that the improvement continues.

The portrait is ready for mounting. We'll buy a suitable frame for it tomorrow. All things considered, (just one image of reference) I do feel that I've done the wee cat justice. The photos are not truly representative because the monitor does strange things to the colours. The lady is away until Monday. I shall deliver it on her return.

You are the first to view. Imagine the colours being inbetween the two images.

See how different the colours are?

The portrait of the wee cat is excellent Soop. I'm sure the lady will be delighted.

Grandmabatty Just seen the photo ...what a cutie.

Panache it sounds like the day was a great tribute to your husband.

Soop hope that improvement continues. It is a bit of a roller coaster as I know too well!

Hello to the Kitchen’s sad remains. And I don’t mean a few leftovers, but the struggling peeps who have desperately tried not to melt completely into puddles in recent days. Not surprising that you’re weary - and sleeping badly or briefly is hardly going to set you up for the next (hot) and busy day, is it?

Two things wrong with a heatwave in countries that are just not used to having really hot temperatures. Firstly, no one is ever prepared or used to coping with such heat and secondly, on a holiday somewhere in a nice hotel, away from running a home, we can all give in and put our feet up in a nice air-conditioned room if it all gets too much. No responsibilities at all! Going about the usual routine (no holiday) in a location which appears to have been replaced by desert conditions is quite a different story. If you’re shattered, Ann and feel that no amount of luxuriating in a cool shower or bath, and a nice pre-dinner drink is going to hide your present ‘wet lettuce’ persona, why not cancel? There’s no way you’re letting anyone down. It’s disappointing for you to miss out on a treat but you know best how you feel. Don’t fear your friend’s (or anyone else’s) opinion!

Lovely positive posts recently and - step forward Panache. Wonder woman, you are! What a marvellous thing that dear Mr P’s service to celebrate his life went just as you hoped. I won’t forget when my Mum’s coffin was almost silently driven through the gardens of the Crem’ to a tiny Chapel. Every flower and shrub dazzled in the sunshine, there was no sound other than birdsong when a beautifully dressed Undertaker walked slowly in front of her car and down the hill towards us. Every summer flower was trembling in the breeze and spilling over the sides of her wicker coffin as it was carried inside. It was such a truly beautiful (and English country garden) scene that just for a moment we forgot our sadness.

He deserved all the love and devotion you showed him and you should be just so proud of all that you did. It’s hardly surprising that everyone showed their feelings and supported you on ‘his day’. You so bravely continued to confide in all of us here when your strength was almost gone and your heart was breaking. You’re an absolute star and you now deserve that new era - not the life you would have chosen, but slowly, some happiness again. ?

Another triumph for you, soop. You are so patient. To be able to report that maybe a change of meds may now put an end to some of the struggles you’ve had recently is wonderful. Getting the old you back is long overdue and you deserve better…the Kitchen has decided!

You may collect your trophy for the laundry sorting/ironing - in all this heat. You can collect an even bigger one for grappling with a paintbrush and little Toffee’s tribute. Bet his Mum will be thrilled. You’ve obviously had a good couple of days. Is that darling Toby doing well? All you need is for HRH Sweetie Pie to grace your humble abode with her silver knife and fork at the ready and enjoy some fine dining, and your cheery mood will again be boosted. Hope you see her soon.

Have a super evening, dear peeps. Take it easy - and enjoy any plans or just some peace!

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You are all so very kind and supportive. Thank you.

Madgran I seem to recall that you also had difficulty with a certain medication. What was it?

I am having to close for today. I am baking hot from within. My thermostat has lost it's ability to cool me down.

Let us pretend that we sitting under an enormous shady tree. Although it's a little early, shall we share some chilled bubbly? I would love to do just that.

My love to you all.

It's much more like a perfect summer day here in Cheshire: still bright, sunny and warm but with a cooling breeze. I had an excellent lunch with a friend in a pub restaurant, sitting beside an open window. I had a huge salad, attractively presented, and so satisfied was I that I have dozed away half the afternoon! Could be that Beatrix Potter was right in saying that lettuce has a soporific effect!
I love the picture of your GS, Batty. He's very cute, and doesn't he know it! Your cat picture has turned out so well, soop, that I'm sure his owner will be thrilled. The portrait shows real character. I'm relieved for you that the change in medication has brought the improvement in your condition. You do sound much more like yourself already.
Panache, what a beautiful account of your dear husband's funeral. Your courage and resilience are inspirational. It's good that you have found friendship through this time of grief.

Good to hear from you Panache it sounds as though everything went smoothly and you were well supported. It was indeed such a hot day.
The weather has been 30 degrees all week in South Wales, even here on the coast the air has been so still, no cooling breeze off the sea.
We have wind today but it is bringing no relief.
It is our 44th wedding anniversary, we have done nothing, too hot and our seaside town too crowded. I am currently lying on some garden furniture in the shade with a cool beer. Sam is lying on the other side fast asleep. Our daughter took him for a walk at six this morning, too hot during the day. A friend came for coffee this morning and we sat in the garden, again in the shade. A good day.
A lovely portrait soop so pleased that you have as you say, picked up. Chilled bubbly sounds just the thing yes please.
Have a good evening everyone.

Evening to you all.Sorry for my absence this week,I’m taking steroids and feeling very spaced out.I’m sure anyone who’s taken them can relate.The good thing is I can stand up straight in the mornings,and I’ve lost the Quasimodo look,really didn’t suit me?
I love your painting of Toffee Soop such talent.Grandmabatty what a stunning grandson you have.
Bless you Panache may your days get easier as you cherish your happy memories?
We have Boris puppy coming tonight staying a week while his family go on holiday.DH will do the walks, I will do the rest!
Enjoy your evening everyone.

So lovely to hear from you Panache and thank you for sharing the details of your DH funeral with us I hope the days gradually get easier for you over time
A beautiful portrait soop you’re so talented, unlike me as I haven’t got any artistic flair at all.
Today we enjoyed looking after the DGC for the last time for a little while. DD2 has finished work today for 3 weeks and starts a new job when the schools return in August. I’ll miss the little ones so much but understandably my DD wants to spend as much time with them as she can during the holidays. So it’s just me and DH for a while now, much more relaxing but nowhere near as much fun!
We’ve come away for the weekend to our cosy cabin in the woods near Rothiemurchus in the Cairngorms. We’re sitting outside listening to the river and enjoying a glass of wine. Chicken salad soon and maybe a game of scrabble - we know how to live it up!

I hope looking after Boris is fun yia it sounds like it!

Take care everyone and have a lovely evening

Good evening Kitcheners from a still hot, but thankfully breezy, Lancashire.

Panache thank you for taking the time and trouble to tell us about the funeral day. It sounds like a beautiful and fitting memorial and I am glad you had friends old and new there. The coming weeks will be hard but you will have support.

Ann I am with you, I can manage about 20 minutes of activity at the most before I have to sit and drink lots of water. I have things to do but they are taking much longer than they should.

Soop good to hear you’re feeling better and I love your latest portrait.

Goodnight all

I had to blink and blink again tonight but I swear I felt a few drops of rain. We are told there is plenty to come during the night but I am still sat with bare arms and sipping my G+T outside.

Such a brilliant painting soop. It reminded me so much of our little Sam, when my two toddlers were toddlers. You need a medal?and a?to go with your halo. My ironing has gone into drawers without a glimpse of heat. MrM won't notice? I do hope coming off the meds continues to keep you feeling with it. Hope you are enjoying the bubbly. As you can see, I've opted for a G+T.

So good to hear from you Panache. The day, filled with all of MrP's wishes would most definitely have made him beam with pride. Your flowers sounded perfect.

Yiayia4. Please take care and enjoy your time looking after Boris. You do the playing and let DH do the long walks.

Grandmabatty. The photo of boy wonder is so uplifting. He must be amazing company.

ann. I hope you survived the meal if you did go but I really don't blame you if you postponed the invite out to eat. I've had that 'wet lettuce' feeling for days.

Grandmafrench. My two clematis are arriving soon. ? Yes two! I was tempted by another to join Tie Dye. It's called Blekitny Aniol Blue Angel.

I'm feeling quite uplifted after quite a few chat with DD over the past two days. On Monday I was so concerned and worried about her. She is a tough cookie and it does upset me to hear her cry and say she feels so alone. She sounded so different last night.

Of course, it would be lovely to hear from DS this weekend. I hope that new job is going well. He has to travel into Europe quite a lot so I'm wondering how that is possible for him.

The injuries from my fall nearly four weeks ago are slowly healing. All silliness is far from my mind but I did manage a little more mowing this evening.

To all kitcheners, and I include Urms in this, have a good evening.

It's been overcast & much cooler here in Cambs., today.
Ann, I too found the heat overbearing, 20c is just right for me!!

Our family are all OK at the moment, DS & his family out of isolation & well. Although school holidays now, so life is busy.!

soop, I'm pleased you are feeling better, & I do admire your talent, that's another great portrait.

Grandmafrench, I always enjoy reading your posts, you have the ability to say the right things, ( I find myself thinking "that's exactly what I would have liked to say"!).

A beautiful tribute to your beloved husband, Panache,
our thoughts are with you, .

Take care all. xx

soop gosh you set high standards, not only a talented artist, but completing your household chores too! All things crossed your buoyancy remains and grows.
‘What chores?’ I’ll have a spritzer please’ couldn’t resist ?

My car survived! Our lovely mechanic had checked over DD’s car, said rear tyres would need changing in the near future, burning smell was overfilled oil, checked brakes and refilled necessary fluids, cost was £35, a treasure.
Friday pub was a good catch-up, heard the detail on a random rogue who caused some slight disruption yesterday, subsequently arrested and we reminisced with friends about old holidays.
The air has been fresher today, with more of a breeze, garden cushions put away, bbq covered. I’d quite like today’s weather, with a drop of rain overnight all summer. Pleased to see you Yia hopefully you continue to feel ‘straighter’, go easy with the puppy. Pleased you are feeling a little more settled about your daughter muse hopefully your son is so enjoying himself he’ll call with good cheer.
You have utterly done your bestest man proud panache, long may you have the kind support you’ve had this week and gently step forwards to a different world. X
Take care all, sleep tight you lovely kitchen crew x

Pleased you're feeling stronger, Yiayia - give a huge squeeze and a kiss to that little Boris Pup - but don't wear yourself out spoiling him.

Glad your car is home safe, Jax and your Daughter's car service is not going to break the bank.

You're very kind about my rabbiting on, Gill. I possibly can say what you'd like to say because I had some practice living on the Cambs border - in 1975. I expect some of my endless words are still at large somewhere, floating around in such beautiful countryside, where they might pick up some of your thoughts? Glad your DS is o.k., and hoping like mad that there might be an end to all this madness one day....soon?

Happy your DD is feeling more positive, Muse - she mustn't forget it's really important to get some professional help and show that you mean business. When she starts to get results, she's going to feel less of a victim and feel a lot more hopeful for her future.x

Now! Early night for me. Out carousing until 2.00am last night. That way lies madness for old dears, methinks! (But it was fun) And looking at a magical moon whilst listening to a Dad and his teenage Daughter barefoot on the grass, playing Mozart on violin and flute in a midnight garden was just the best.

Night night all. x

Good evening all.
I went to my meal and so pleased I did, I had two hours sleep this afternoon and woke up feeling so much better.
We had a lovely meal, we both had lamb cutlets, so delicious and perfectly cooked.
A glass or three of red helped as well.

Just preparing for bed, so late for me but whatever.

It is so much cooler here long may it continue.

Loving thoughts go to Panache those of us who have gone through it know just how you are feeling, the terrible loss is tempered by the thought that our loved ones are out of their suffering and we no longer have to contemplate them in that awful place.

We miss them but they would wish us to go on with what life we have left, hard but true.

I will retire to my bed now, two hours after normal but worth it.
Sleep well everyone and face tomorrow with resilience and courage

I had such fun at my Biryani cooking class last night ...and as I was the only attendee (2 had cancelled) I got a personal lesson which was great. We will be eating it tonight and really looking forward to it. I have never cooked rice in this way before, in layers with the salmon and spinach and spices but it seems to work really well. I love cooking but really trying to extend my repertoire and learn about Spices.

Soop You asked about my treatment. I did not have trouble with different drugs but with various methods, "doses" and positioning for radiotherapy that caused me some real problems, made me ill and exhausted me. I said to you it is like a roller coaster and I ⁰imagine the trying out of different drugs is the same

Haven't you lovely lot been extra specially busy. My word! I wander in for a brief catch up and discover that I shall need very much longer if I'm to be "in the know".

Have bought a frame for Toffee's painting. I shall deliver it to the lady in the village tomorrow afternoon. We've never been formally introduced. However, she was very active when the school children used to put on an annual panto'. Her son plays the bagpipes.

I'm about to frame the painting. After which, Mr Soop has chosen a new cover for his favourite chair (which was a wreck and destined for the tip, but didn't make it.) An upholsterer in Oban has given us an estimate. We've accepted.

I shall return very soon.

Dearest Panache, your account of your beloved husband's funeral was, for me, uplifting. He was a positive presence in your life. There is no finer legacy that I can think of. How very generous your new friends have been with their support and time throughout the saddest of times.
Now is the time to enjoy some well deserved peace. We would have loved being able to sit and reminisce with you. You know that our kitchen door is never closed. We will continue to welcome you and wish you well as you venture on your next journey.

Madgran I was always busy. That is until I started the medication. Simple tiredness it is not. Completely floored by the simplest of jobs, day in, day out has, I'm ashamed to say, depressed me.
I understand that I am extremely fortunate. I would enjoy celebrating my good fortune. I have a wee feeling that I am coming through the fog. Please may this be so.

ann Your message made me smile. You are a sooper trooper.

Little by little, I am beginning to bring myself up to date with our kitcheners.

I know that I have thanked you all time and time again for being truly inspirational. You are a constant source of comfort when I feel down. You are always there to celebrate the happy clappy events. I owe you all my heartfelt appreciation for just being there. Thank you.

Hello everyone, I’ve read all the posts but of course will remember just a few. Thank you for sharing the detail of your husbands funeral panache, I’m so relieved you have found staunch friends. The portrait is excellent soop, hope the cooler weather we have today has reached you are more comfortable.

Quiet day here, I’ve become very lethargic, plans for some sorting this afternoon have been thwarted by a call from a friend, I may stir and do an hour now.

I hate the thought of sending furniture to landfill and have had all our sitting room stuff - 3 seater sofa, 3 unmatched armchairs and a chaise longue/ottoman - reupholstered over the past year, spending money we would normally have spent on a holiday or two. Buying new could well have been cheaper but the quality would have been poorer, nothing significant sent to landfill and no endless hunt for a comfortable sofa. Mr Soop is quite right!

corner it is still roasting hot. A cloudless sky. G&T to look forward to.

GrannySomerset Mr Soop has two personal chairs and a sofa. Because he's worth it. The wrecked chair was in fact going to the re-cycling centre. However, it is to be recovered and a chair of mine will be re-cyled instead. We have a wee hoos. Too many chairs are cluttersome. He is delighted that his chair will return looking spic and span. I shall photograph it and him especially for you.

Time to log off. Before I do, I shall share last night's glorious sunset with you. The camera needs a night off. It won't be tonight.