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

Greetings to all my lovely caring friends whom have kept me sane when the going has been very rough indeed.

The immense heat has been a real trial and it has well and truly been the next bane of my life.

I honestly prayed that Tuesday would be much cooler,but my prayers were very much in vain.

However thankfully all the preparations paid off as the Funeral of my dearest went off smoothly, in fact many remarking upon what a really beautiful and uplifting day it had been.
All six of us met in the Dining Hall just prior to the Hearse and our car arriving.
.Outside sitting discreetly were a large contingent of residents.
There were tears when the Hearse bearing my man arrived, but with everything happening at quite a pace, I was more or less swept along.
Service sheets were distributed amongst the residents.
It was a very proud moment when the resplendant undertaker in top hat with staff led the cortege away from our home on its way towards the church.

The church was quite nicely filled with us six sitting together in the front,with my dearest just ahead of me.
The service was one of real thanksgiving for a life well lived,accompanied by singing in true hearty welsh fashion....a real joy in these covid days........those beautiful hymns chosen by my man himself.
Then the rather long journey to the Crem,a short service of committal and off to the nearby country hotel where we had our own large and airy room.
There followed a very pleasant afternoon enjoying cool drinks, refreshments and much mingling.
I rather think my man would be beaming with pride!!

Even my wreath of white roses,lilies,heather and greenery withstood the abnormal temperatures that day!......just!!!

Not forgetting the residents here,we brought back a selection of refreshments to distribute among them in the dining room

The evening and rest couple of days have not been the best,this immense heat and the aftermath of all that has gone on before truly meant I was at a low ebb,and needed simply peace and rest.

As a notable plus I also feel that I have made inroads into making some deep and lasting friendships with those that have kept close,even accompanying me on the day I needed them the most.

Another era begins.

Thank you all for your kind comments about the boy wonder. I'm a devoted fan?. Back to the Olympic opening ceremony now.

Hi All So relieved it is cooler today, though I am still drinking water galore!

I am quite excited to be going off to a small cookery class this evening to learn how to make Salmon and Spinach Biryani. I love cooking but my knowledge on spices is quite limited so I think this will be a new thing for me!

Chicken I know what you mean about how isolation has ravaged some on their own for months, my sister in law was the same, facing bereavement and illness alone, but recently has been picking up again and looking a little more like her old self. I hope your friend can do the same and her fortitude will hopefully help her to do that.

Thank heaven it's a bit cooler today although still hot by my standards. I like it between 68° and 73°, anything else is too hot or too cold!

Yesterday was the first meet up of our little group of friends that, until covid, had been a weekly
event for over 30 years. It was so lovely to see them in person after 18 months but shocking to see how one of us had been ravaged by the isolation. She is our oldest at 90 and during the gap has lost her husband and had to undergo drastic surgery for cancer of the jaw. I admire her so much for her fortitude, always brave and resolute in spite of having to face it all alone. We've all kept in touch by phone but nothing beats meeting in person.

Ann, you're certainly not the only one to find the heat exhausting.I long for cardigan weather.

Nannytopsy, what a stalwart you are to have tackled the ironing. Mine can sit and multiply until it's cool again. To

Good morning all.
Please tell me I am not the only one who is absolutely exhausted by this weather.
I am like a wet lettuce, no use to anyone.
I can only be thankful it was not like this last week when I was with my friend.
Just a very few miles from us it poured with rain last evening, enough to flood roads, us? not a drop.
We do have a breeze today but it seems to have died down.
A good night’s sleep would help.
It’s fan on, fan off, sheet pulled up then pushed away.
I read about your doings with GC and jobs around the house and it exhausts me even more.
I am supposed to be out for a meal tonight, I am hoping my friend decides it is too hot.
I am such a coward with her that I don’t want to be the one to cry off.

I hope you can all find some small pleasures today, I think mine will be going for a zigzag after lunch.

Much love to all with worries and heavy hearts.

What a handsome wee boy, Grandmabatty!
I enjoy your stories of your days with him, you're making special memories.

We drive out to Glasgow every Tuesday to look after DGS2, 18 months now, we love it, we missed him so much during lockdown when we couldn't travel.

Nannytopsy, ?, for ironing in this weather!
I've washed and dried everything that wasn't nailed down, but I've hidden my ironing basket until it is much cooler. I like to iron on the patio in the summer months, but I need a nice breeze ?

Soop, I'm in awe of your ability to persevere with your painting until you are satisfied with the results. What amazing patience you have!

TOYA, I hope everyone manages to have a comfortable night.

NNGB.

Some lovely pics there, he`s a little cutie Grandmabatty.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202107/medium-524559-951ef867-e87e-4b0d-8ffd-0a7ec98b40f3.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202107/medium-159553-f9a582f4-e6b4-442e-9441-323e91ba7002.jpeg

Awww gorgeous little boy grandmabatty and a lovely picture
I’ve had another lovely day today, the weather has been amazing and the two little terrors very well behaved! At lunchtime we enjoyed a picnic by the River Ness, DH and I sat on a bench in the shade but the DGC wanted to do their own thing and sit right at the edge of the grass near the river and take their socks and shoes off to paddle. I’m going to remind them of that in the middle of winter when it’s icy cold and snowy! After dropping them off home DH and I went to recover and enjoyed coffee and cake at the Botanical Gardens where the pictures were taken
Mum to the rescue again jaxj with the loan of the car and I hope your DD and family really enjoy their well deserved holiday
Beautiful view blossoming and such a lovely place to go walking
Stay safe everyone

Bundle of joy there Grandmabatty! and a stunning view Blossoming. We get some really lovely photo’s in this kitchen.
It’s cooled down a little, 22c, quite pleasant. I’ve lent DD my almost (last September) new car until tomorrow as hers is in having a check before their trip to Bude next week., it’ll be her and the two GC’s, she has breakdown too. I’d offered to drive her about tomorrow, school runs, cat in to be sterilised, picked up etc, it seems easier to lend the car. I’ll be a bit lost with no car, I’ve no plans but…it’s a hunk of metal and does her a favour.
Hoping you’ll sleep easier tonight, those struggling, take care x

Good evening Kitcheners, we have had a lovely day up on the fells today, took a picnic and plenty of water. I’ve managed to get through a few tasks this evening, but am nodding off now.

Grandmabatty what a cutie!

Will try and catch up tomorrow, hope everyone is managing ok, hugs to sleep who need one.

The boy wonder ready for a family bbq at the weekend. He's a grade A poser but I love him loads.

Grandmabatty His lordship and his beloved Grandma should be sitting in the shade, listening to birdsong and watching the butterflies. If not, why not?

I am at the stage with the portrait that is close to either admitting that I've done my best with the little info' gleaned from a single photo...or...throwing my arty farty hat into the recycling bin. Yay! It's that close.

Tomorrow, having sat and scrutinized the painting throughout this evening, I shall reach a decision. Oh dear!

As we drove into the village this morning, the temperature read 31 on the dashboard. I rarely sweat. Today has been an exception.

All of you, relax and conserve your energy. The pile of ironing has never been so high. Well, it will stay put until the rain comes.

Until we meet again tomorrow.

It is very hot over on the west. Us on the eastern side are getting off lightly. Only 21°. I'm doing an unexpected babysitting stint and his lordship has just awoken from a nap. I'll be back later.

Isn't it blisteringly warm? Not my favourite weather, although many of you will be relishing it.

We were hoping that "Sweetie Pie" Fern may have visited us for several catch-up meals today. It's been a week since we last welcomed her into the utility room.

I am now umming and ahhing over the portrait of Toffee, the cat that recently died. Her owner had just one photo. It's not giving me all the information that I would like. Hence, the umming and ahhing, and asking - why do I put myself through this? No comment.

The thistles are shedding their fluffy parachute seeds all around the garden. I picked up half a carrier bag full. The thistles are lovely. But, there's a limit to how many we need in our overgrown garden.

Good evening everyone! We have just come up to bed and the fan is performing well. I have finished the ironing! Three sets of king sized bedclothes and nearly all the clothes we possess! I fell behind while the ironing board was broken. Now Mrs Smug again!
Lovely photos and glad to hear your work is making progress Muse . I am glad your funeral was a good one Madgran - there are some good ones and some heartbreaking ones.
Hoping to get some gardening done tomorrow if I can find a cooler spell. We are already knee deep in courgettes and runner beans. Suggestions?
Sleep tight everyone!

Beautiful sunset soop, thank you.
Yes muse delphinium, they’re a bit droopy, maybe because this is their first year, not sure if support is required, this flower growing is new to me!
Another hot day about 31, spot of weeding about 8am, watered the greenhouse, dousing the floor too, then a quick trip to the local shop. I’ve worn a dress, not the same one, for the last three days after lunch into the evening, get some air around everything. Most unlike my normal shorts and t shirts, MrJ has been bemused, he continuous to wear jeans, however hot, I think his internal thermostat is far more efficient than mine.
Sleep as best you can kitcheners xx

Beautiful sunsets Soop. Apparently it's due to the Sahara dust. Brooke It's been hot and sunny here in Polmont too. Far too hot for me. I sat out for an hour or so after tea. Any earlier and I would have expired with heat. I did try to sit out this afternoon, but ended up like the wicked witch of the east, plaintively calling "I'm melting ..." I came in when insects found me attractive. I've just had a slice of apple pie with cream and I'm going to unpeel the shorts and teeshirt and put on something loose. See you in the kitchen tomorrow x

What a beautiful sunset picture soop thank you, you really do get the best pictures
It’s been another hot sunny day here in Inverness but I’ve managed to stay cool and out of the sun most of the day. The usual looking after the DGC this morning then I met a friend for coffee at Dobbies this afternoon. I treated myself to one of their lovely cakes and we sat in the shade most of the afternoon. Then DH went to watch 7 year old DGS play football and I did yet another Tesco shop as making daily picnics for 4 of us including 2 ravenous DGC are emptying my fridge and cupboards very quickly!

No worries madgran we know what you mean and pleased that your cousins funeral went as well as could be expected ?

I think I might have caused confusion. I went to my cousin's funeral that I mentioned in an earlier comment.

My message to Panache was meant to be on a separate line. So sorry!

That is a beautiful sunset soop

Dear Kitcheners, we were invited to have coffee with a dear lady in the village at 11:15. We arrived home at 2:15 after a very fulsome blether and sharing of family photos. Then, I started on the cat portrait (Toffee, who had died as a result of a car accident), having explained to the pal undergoing knee surgery, that I'll take more photos of Simon, her furry friend when she returns home. Then, I tried logging on and a notice informed me that a fault was being investigated. Rude words were uttered. However, Now I have the go ahead to say that I was thinking of Panache throughout yesterday.

Mattsmum2

I shall leave you with last night's glorious sunset. I hope to relax this evening and not decide to tiddle with Toffee's portrait, which, thus far, shows promise.

What a lovely gift to leave you mattsmum2.

madgran77. Thank you for the message from Panache.

Beautiful flowers Jax. What’s the intense blue one? Delphinium?

No champagne soop. Not a fan of it or Prosecco. A decent G+T is my favourite tipple or some Cornish real ale. We dashed back home as Mya was keeping cool inside the cottage. It was such a hot day. Is the water supply still OK.? We’re expecting some rain Friday.

Well the funeral was a lovely tribute to lovely man. Afterwards we were served boxes of refreshments in the pews and then chatted in a socially distanced way outside . It was very hot but so glad that I went Panache hope you are OK

Soop hope your water is sorted soon

cornergran acanal trip, stuck and all, sounds great!

Mattsmum2 ?

Evening everyone hope you are all well and staying safe. I’ve had a busy week and I’m sorry I’ve not been able to join in with the conversation. Had my dear friends funeral today. I can honestly say it was one of the most lovely services I have been to. So loving, full of laughter and memories and a celebration of her life with people that she cared and loved and for that we are so very grateful. I’d not had the chance to speak to her husband before today about what happened. From finding out there was no hope it was 5 weeks. Those weeks were filled with love and laughter. Her husband has given us each a gift, I suspect mine is a book, she loved books but never really got around to reading them, she said she loved the covers. I’m off to Pembrokeshire tomorrow for three weeks to see my partner and collect my doggy, I intend to open my gift on the beach, thinking of my lost dear friend.