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

panache, as others have said you have given many of us so much comfort and support over the years and now it is our time to support you.I am so glad that you are surrounded by so much kindness and support?

soop, sorry you are unwell.Hoping that leaving out the letrozole helps?

Grandmabatty, the afternoon tea looks delicious.We have been guilty of giving sweet treats at the wrong time too!!

Have had a tricky couple of days with some extended family??so am out the loop on everything.

Hope Imogen is doing well.TOYA

Grandmabatty That looks splendid! Soop I think many of us hate ‘making a fuss’ but you need to make sure you get any help and support you need. Panache it’s good to see you and glad to hear you’ve found some support at such a difficult time.

The wardrobe is finally empty and yes, I did find some errant shoes lurking in the bottom! I have a small heap of clothing to be folded and packed ready for the charity shop, and a larger heap waiting to be returned to the wardrobe in a tidy fashion. I also found a rather nice pair of smart black trousers that I bought in Rome a few years ago that just need turning up about 6 inches. They are pull on with a stretchy waistband, but it’s not elastic. It sits quite flat with no pucks or gathers. They’re like a suiting cloth, IYKWIM. I also found a long summer dress I’d forgotten about! I shan’t need to buy anything for a long time at this rate, which is just as well as I spent a lot on the new car! Loving seeing all your lovely photos, Willow and Hudson are beauties. I love that pic of your DH muse, it looks like he’s about to be swallowed!

Dear Panache, bravest of the brave. How good you are to even think of thanking everyone. We feel humbled to have been let into your thoughts and struggles. You could not be more deserving of love from anyone and everyone around you. Take good care of yourself - slowly, day by day, we hope you'll start to feel better. xx

Well done Soop - you don't ever complain and you're as good as gold at taking advice or seizing on a chance to get yourself better. Hopefully you will feel better soon. xx

GrandmaB Wotta spread! Afternoon tea is so special. I have a selection of bone china cups and saucers and plates which are really old family bits. Nothing nicer than home made goodies and tea and napkins and good company. So pleased your efforts were rewarded. (We shall nothing about that Boy, or how you're now fixed with his Mum) ?

Good luck with those smashing plants, JJ - hope Imogen continues to improve.

Madgran

Grandmabatty Wot! No leftovers? Maybe a glass of chilled Prosecco will have to suffice. It all looks wonderful.

Watching the second semi-final. As usual, I'm rooting for the underdog.

Until tomorrow, love to you all.

I hate making a fuss. Especially when there are so many people in far worse situations

There are always people in worse situations soop but that doesn't diminish one's own worries and troubles. I hope the plan with the nurse helps a bit

Grandmabatty that looks lovely. Afternoon Tea is just my favourite and always brings back happy memories of my mum!

Here, for your delectation, is the aforementioned afternoon tea, all laid out. Needless to say it didn't stay like that for long! We have had a very pleasant afternoon and I'm glad I went to the effort for my chum. Dd and dgs arrived and I blotted my record by giving dgs a macaroon. Apparently he hadn't eaten lunch and thereafter poo-poohed the sandwiches and sausage rolls. We were busy blethering in the lounge and the bold boy appeared with another macaroon! He had quietly gone into the dining room, climbed up on a chair and snatched one. "Mmm, tasty" was his retort. I think my dd is mad at me as he then went on a crazy sugar spree. Oh dear. Soop I hope the chat with the nurse has helped. Panache it is good to hear from you. ? Kitcheners, I have no leftovers I'm afraid but I'll have a glass of prosecco and think of you all.

Let’s hope that helps you soop, nothing ventured. You don’t make a fuss, but we know when you’re in distress and are here to try and assist best we can. X

Panache it is our pleasure to provide comfort, warmth and love to those who need it, when they need it and long after. You deserve nothing less that the kindness being given, may you find a little more strength every day xx

I award a gold star to Mr Muse...with bells on.

The cancer nurse phoned and we had a meaningful chat. I'm to cease taking Letrozole for three weeks. After which, she'll call again. If I'm feeling better, she will refer me back to the specialist for further alternatives.

Thank you all for being so thoughtful. I hate making a fuss. Especially when there are so many people in far worse situations.

Dearest Panache, you are a wonderful lady. You are an inspiration. Us lot love you. You have given all the kindness your heart holds. Now it's time for you to receive in return all that you richly deserve.

Greetings from Wales and apologies for the far too long gap in messaging you.

However I am so pleased to be able to let you all know that I am being looked after very well.
The residents here have proved themselves to be the family I no longer have.
My home is a picture, filled with cards,messages,blooms as well as a few astute friends have brought fruit .......thus tempting me to eat.
Whilst the Funeral arrangements are complete, the Funeral itself is not until 11am Tuesday 20th July at our Calvary Church with commital at the nearby Crem,with refreshments at a near Hotel.
My dearest deserves only the very best of send offs.

I am slowly coping and trying little by little to test the waters around,finding only kindness everywhere.
I remain rather numb and cold though.
Although there has been a lengthy period prior to the Funeral,it as in a way been a blessing,allowing me extra time to get over this extreme weariness.

Thank you for your kind caring,it has helped enormously.

So many others going through their own battles,I sincerely hope that each one finds comfort and relief as they journey on.

Your kitchen Soop has been proven to be such a sanctuary to us all both in our hour of need, as well as in celebration.
Thank you for creating such a meaningful haven that we can find that peace that so often eludes us in times of need or grief.

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Grandmabatty i would expect the best hats to be worn and little fingers crooked when genteelly sipping tea with that fine spread, I hope you all thoroughly enjoy both it and each other’s company.
Oh soop what shall we do with you..it’s rhetoric… I have little advice but to take it as easy as you can with some gentle umpiring.
Muse very fetching overalls, I’d find it difficult to resist a fond bottom tap! Speaking of clematis, both of you, Grandmafrench too, I ordered a couple a few days ago, they won’t be delivered until mid September though. Pictures hopefully attached, Taiga and Bill MacKenzie, two new honeysuckle failed, so I’ve changed tack. Galen hope today is an improvement on the previous one.
Catch up later.

Soop, that has a nice ring to it, Willow and Hudson, we`ll have to matchmake in a few years!

Hello lovely peeps.

Thanks gill for inviting us around to GrandmaB’s for such a wonderful spread. Saves me sounding pushy! I wouldn’t mind being your friend any time you need for a chance of a squeeze with little L and some of that posh afternoon tea. Living the highlife in Scotland!

Poor soop yet a’ bloodygain. ? I do feel now that those UTI’s are beneath contempt, especially when you’re already under the weather. So good that kind souls on here can offer advice - sometimes all it takes is a change of medication, but often it’s like asking people to reinvent the wheel! Feel lots better soon, please, and in the meantime if you’re washed out and struggling, do listen to dear MrSoop.

What a pair of darling babes. ??

Thrilled you found the Clematis, muse. It would be nice to raise our plants together. ?. Before reading that you’d found it, I was going to describe it as a kind of purple version of Nelly Moser (which I have.)

To clarify my French residence permit. No, I’ve not had to do this stuff endlessly, but having no need for a permit whilst the UK was in the EU., it all kicked off during the years of ‘negotiations’ when no one had a clue as to what might happen, so the year before last we got a residence permit, with sooooo much faffing! Copies of every paper known to man were made and submitted with pages of online forms to…wait for it….a French Govt., overwhelmed by the sudden workload and the fact that their new computer programme for it all never worked! So months later and back to the drawing board, we went to get (in person) permits for another 10 years residence. So far, so not so worried. Then, when Boris awoke and things started getting a bit spiteful, we were told that we’d need to apply for a different card ‘because of Brexit’. You had to do this prior to 30 June just passed, or too late. We applied, in view of the sloth-like earlier delays, last October. Never received any acknowledgement. Now, you can’t mail them, phone them, chase them and you can’t go to the Prefecture without an appointment……and so how do you make an appointment?
A few months ago, we started again - proof of residence papers dating back to 2001, etc., File papers all copied and collated, application sent in. Bingo! Acknowledgement - then appointment and yesterday’s visit. Now we’ll have the correct documentation if we are stopped or there’s a department needing to contact another department….we iz legal.

British tv ad’ was regularly advertising the need for all foreign nationals (and their families) wanting to live and work in England to be registered there by the end of June, so it obviously now works both ways.

Loved the photo of MrM with his head down into the tank. Is it a sort of Cornish version of’When Santa Got Stuck in the Chimney.’ ??

Have a good afternoon. I’m now in the ?‍♀️ ???‍♀️

xx

Galen, hope your bank account has been replenished. Did they tell you it had been hacked or did you find out when you looked at your balance?
It's a hot and humid day here in Cheshire. It's so still - not a leaf stirring even on the giant birch that looms over the end of my garden. I thought I'd expire while I was hanging out the washing. Now it has clouded over and I fear I might have to run out and take it all in again. Must have a word with Jupiter Pluvius and ask him to hold off.
Hellogirl, Hudson is a lovely wee boy and growing so fast. He looks so cuddly. You are a very lucky great-gran and he is a very lucky lad.
Got to go now - friend is expecting me in about ten minutes.

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Sending a massive hug to Mr Soop. What a number one DH he is. Glad you did ring soop and hope the call gives you an answer.

Grandmafrench. Tie Dye is perfection. My colour and it is late summer/autumn flowering. Search now starts for someone who stocks it.
?*Grandmabatty*. Your dear friend will feel like a queen.
Hello Willow, bathed in dappled sunlight. Beautiful.

From beginning to the end. The drainage saga is nearly over. By the end of today all the ground will be level. The rear end is MrM. That was the tank with the frog in it soop.

MrM has tested it out with a hosepipe. Amazing system. It's a fully biological one without the need for chemicals or power source. Eco-efficiency at it's best. That ticks a big box for us. Next is to finish joining the final two dots. Drainage from house to the tanks.

I am about to take my place in the umpire's chair. Should keep me out of mischief for a wee while.

dragonfly When I speak to Fiona the breast cancer nurse, I shall ask her about the medication you mention. Thank you.

N&G Oh, the number of pairs of shoes with heels that I've parted with over the last few years. When in my youth, I loved my high heeled shoes. Could dance the night away without as much as a yawn. Happy memories.

gillgran I'll join you for afternoon tea at Grandmabatty's pad. Having said that, I am trying my best to be careful with calories. I've a special outfit that I would enjoy wearing on my birthday in August.

Afternoon all,

Sorry to hear you're feeling poorly Soop , time to have a bit of rest ? Listen to MacS I'm sure he's saying the same thing !!

Lovely baby pics !! We were surprised by a visit from one of my Knit and Natter ladies who has just had a baby. She is absolutely gorgeous - and tiny at 5Lbs. She has a very big name for such a tiny one- Orianna. But they call her Dotty which I love .

Oh Blossoming I know what you mean. I'm still getting rid of corporate wear ( and shoes !!). Looking at how much I had it must have cost me a fortune to go to work !! We have a charity nearby that helps women with appropriate wear for work or interviews if they don't have anything so mine all went there.

Sorry to hear of all the buggerations Galen . Its not the being hacked I always feel but the amount of effort you have to put in to get it all straight again.

I am hopeful I might get the children's photos back this weekend from the photographer. That will give me something to do whilst the football is on :-)

Happy day all.

Thank you for those beautiful baby photos, how lovely to see Willow & Hudson.
You must be so proud. soop & Hellogirl.

I hope you soon feel better soop & get this UTI sorted.

My DH has just gone off to golf, so I get 3 or 4 quiet hours to myself.!

Grandmabatty, that afternoon tea sounds delicious, (are we all coming?)

Gorgeous babies and gorgeous flowers this morning - how lovely.

So sorry you had a bad day yesterday Galen I hope today is better!!

I take Exemestane soop instead of Letrozole. Maybe that would be an alternative. I find I sometimes have achey muscles but not all the time and my hair has gone straight and is thin and receding!!

Dear Galen Buggerations galore! We also reported what we believe to be a Pay Pal scam.
Every time the wretched pre-paid funeral plan comes up, I shout out naughty words...and some.

A warm welcome to Lindy56. You will be happy here in our kitchen.

A lovely, newsy post from muse

Bella Yes! Nitrofuratoin. I've been prescribed that med.
Today, I feel like a well-used dish wipe. In fact, Mr Soop has persuaded me to call the cancer nurse that I have only spoken to on three occasions since the mastectomy. She is to call me back. Some of the chronic fatigue maybe as a result of Letrozole. It prevents production of the female hormone responsible for my particular cancer. Whether or not there is an effective alternative remains to be seen. All I can say with certainty is...I am totally knackered.

Nannytopy Your photo put a smile on my face.

Jax If only we could experience a fraction of the buzz that we enjoyed when young and fit and blest with unlimited energy. A big ask.

blossoming Snap! I have a large selection of good but unsuitable garments to take to the Red Cross shop.

Away for coffee. Back shortly.

Another beautiful baby! Soop. I'm deep in the throes of making sandwiches for afternoon tea. Smoked salmon and cream cheese, roast beef and tomato, ham and chicken, egg mayo. The mini sausage rolls are in the oven, the scones and tea bread are on plates and the macaroons, individual victoria sponges and millionaire shortbread are waiting to go on the tiered cake stand. The table is set. It isn't the Queen visiting but my dearest friend and her partner. Her mum died this day last year and she herself has health worries. I may not get on here til much later.

Hellogirl1 Hudson is beautiful. A suitable match for our great granddaughter, Willow.