Soop's welcoming and supportive kitchen for kindly folk...

Thanks Tilly the sun has certainly reached us today. I’ve had the fan on ?
Lovely trip Maw how lucky to get shown around.
N&G I love it when I find something new to try. Your hares look good. Does it hurt your hands doing it?
Sounds like you had a lovely time with your DGD Suedonim ?
Urms what time do you want me over to eat. I like the sound of your ‘assembled something’ .
Grannygravy could your friends not have kept him there till you came. What a shame you missed him.
Hope the soops are having a good time.
Take care all

Bit late into the kitchen this evening after a gorgeous sunny day out with a picnic by the river in Cambridge. Then we went back to DD1 house for a bbq followed by a G&T and a couple of fancy cocktails that DD1 was making. A perfect day that I thoroughly enjoyed!
I’ve not had chance to catch up with all the kitchen news today but hope everyone is fine and will see you all tomorrow

It’s the wee small hours and I have woken up with a big dark ☁️ over my head remembering that today we say a final Goodbye to Phoenix .
Not that she will ever be truly gone as we remember Cursing the Gammon , the exploits of Minnie and Oliver Sprout, but poorer for that warm, witty, feisty voice being silenced.

A very special Gransnetter who enriched all our lives
RIP Phoenix

Phoenix was such a true friend to many on Gransnet and has left special memories for us all. It is a sad day Maw as she has left this life too soon.
A bright, warm and sunny day, a celebration of her life and the playing of Pata Pata at her funeral - just as she wanted - is a wonderful tribute to a unforgettable lady. R.I.P. ?

RIP Phoenix

Hello again to our lovely kitcheners. It seems and age since I was with you all...and yet, it's only been a weekend in which you've done lots (for me to catch up with) and we have spent the happiest of laughter times with some family we haven't seen since before Covid disrupted so many lives and plans.

My head is still buzzing with happy banter. Laughter is indeed the best medicine.

I have masses of jobs to attend to but wanted to pop in before getting down to business. I will return a little later.

Photos taken during the weekend will follow when I've downloaded.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202109/medium-917830-andrew-and-mum.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202109/medium-413094-tim-and-mum-2.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202109/medium-861579-all-of-us-in-carlisle.jpg

Okay! Photos of eldest and middle son and the family group.

Need to sort out the washing. Etcetera...

What lovely pictures soop - how happy you all look and what a beautiful family you have.

I too was thinking of Phoenix this morning and all the joy she has brought over the years. I am happy the sun was shining for her.

My DiL who had an inflamed nerve in her head causing her eye to stop moving is now almost better and my DGS has been 4 days out of nappies - good reason to celebrate.

I hope you are enjoying your trip away kitty to the Cotswolds - such a beautiful part of the country.

I haven't posted for a while because - well there was not much to say but I must try and do better!!

Lovely photos Soop. A very good looking family. I'm babysitting the boy wonder. He went to playgroup this morning. As he's had a tearful start most days I was stealing myself. Nope, the minute the door was opened he was off! ? It's lovely to see him settling down. He's drawing pictures at the moment. We might go out for a walk but it's very wet. I have a hankering to see what the new neighbours are doing. Lots of vans, painting etc and yes, I'm nosy. Have a nice afternoon kitcheners.

Mr Soop took this photo on the morning of our departure.

Just one more photo. Torben ready for his first day at big school.

I shall now work backwards in an attempt to read your many messages.

kitty Enjoy the charming Cotswolds. We have spent some special occasions there over the years.

Grandmabatty I feel your happiness regarding the boy wonder and playgroup.
And, I too would love a "nose-about."

dragonfly It's always good to have you join us in the kitchen. Your daughter-in-law's troublesome nerve must have been a right buggeration. Wishing her well.

I am also giving special thought to our Phoenix. She gave us food for thought. She will remain in our hearts.

brook We dined in a restaurant that specialised in cocktails. It was a merry-making experience.

Good afternoon dear kitcheners from a very sunny France.
I’m sure not many people will remember me but I had to send my prayers and love to Phoenix who was one of the best.

Also saying hello to dear lins

Until the next time, sending love and kind thoughts as always to soop and this wonderful kitchen. ???

What lovely photos Soop looks like you had a wonderful time.
We’ve arrived home from Dorset it was a nice break but the weather not great.Looks like a heatwave now! Oh well the garden beckons.
Just had a phone call to say my eldest GS has tested positive for covid.He’s ok but very fed up?will this virus ever go away.
That must be such a relief your daughter is getting better Dragonfly, such a worry for you.
Wishing you all a pleasant evening enjoy the sun while it lasts.

Hello soop, what lovely photos and a reminder of a happy get together at last.

Hello everyone

The school holidays seem to have rushed by - no sooner does the weather turn warm and sunny again, than they're in their school uniforms and back in the classroom.

Urms that reminds me of a very little DGD when we took her out for lunch in the days when we were childminding: "What would you like for lunch?" The very decisive answer was "Cake!".
She prefers raw vegetables now.

NanaandGrampy and GrannyGravy I must have seen Rod Stewart many years ago playing at The Place in Hanley but confess that I didn't notice him; he was in a band with the gorgeous Long John Baldry (I had eyes for no-one else ?).

Urms I like the sound of L'il Miss. She knows her own mind. She has spirit. I also like puddings.

N&G I would not have refused a slice of your fabulously flat sponge. Your star-gazing hare is brilliant. Will you perhaps be selling your felt work?

Jax The photo of the children on the beach is beautiful. It is very atmospheric.

Grandmabatty Although we were away for a so short a time, the miles travelled, the banter exchanged and all that goes with a family gathering caught up with both of us mid evening. We fell fast asleep in our chairs and awoke with a fuzzy head well after midnight. The Google map predicted a journey of 4 plus hours between here and Carlisle. Wrong! Even with two ferries to help shorten the journey, we were travelling (and getting lost) for a lot longer. We do not have Satnav. When, somewhere nearing the last leg of the journey, we took a wrong turn off the motorway, we got well and truly lost. Family asked us to stay put close to a certain roundabout and in due course, they arrived to escort us the rest of the journey to the rented accommodation.
I was bursting for a wee. It was a mini nightmare until their car pulled alongside and as if by magic all the frustration evaporated.

Carrilion I have missed your visits to the kitchen.

Dear you lovely lot, although I still haven't caught up with all your news, I hope to recap over the next few days. I mentioned you many times during conversations with family over the weekend.

soop, how lovely to see you in the bosom (as it were) of your family. It's been so long for so many of us to have to wait for these reunions. And surely Torben can't be that age already! What lovely hair he has - a natural blond too. I remember when he was a wee lad, I thought he looked like a young Viking!
It's very warm but a bit overcast today. I had a trip to Tesco to get a new pack of Lateral Flow tests from their pharmacy. The car was like an oven when I came out of the store. I think there's a good chance that my laundry will dry.
Today I managed to off load some of my good used clothing to one of the six charity shops in our small town. That has made only a small dent in my clutter! Another big bag is about to be loaded into the boot.

Afternoon all!

Doodle, the felting doesn’t hurt my hands ( but it would hurt your finger if you stabbed yourself as the needles are barbed!). It is hard on the shoulders I’ve found , but easily solved by stopping to sip my cuppa ?

Truly fabulous photos Soop , that’s just what you needed, family time x

I won’t be selling my felted animals but I am going to try and improve my new skill so watch this space.

Oh Callistemon , I was 14 when I first saw Rod Stewart and the Small Faces in 1970 I think , with the Amen Corner . Apart from Handbags and Gladrags that I hate , I think I have liked pretty much all the rest of his music. Happy days !

It’s been a blue sky, big sky kind of day here so we had a nice forest walk. Sadly, Sam’s poorly foot looks like it will need an op which we’re girding our loins for as the last op was pretty horrendous. I have some questions for the vet before we agree to go ahead ( and Sam probably has some too !) , it’s just not his year.

Hope everyone got a little sunshine today xx

soop

*Mr Soop* took this photo on the morning of our departure.

soop sheer joy shining out of all the family shots, sounds like a magical few days.
Grandmabatty what is this rain stuff, we need some down south (wouldn’t stop me lingering by the neighbours either!).
Your DIL must be mightily relieved drangonfly a real concern, good news.
I’ve been to my friend’s house to order her an online shopping delivery, the second time, then I took her for a drive, first time she’s really been anywhere in 10 days after hospital. Her OH is not the most amenable.
Then I picked up a client for her diabetes eye test, a 45 minute wait in over 27c, I got out and walked in the shade, a cup of tea is in order. Watering of friends garden, they’re in Greece and my greenhouse later. My car is going in for its first service tomorrow, so the boot must be cleared as they valet the car, useful as we go away next week.
anno I need to sort some clothes for the Afghan refugees, a job for my list.

Good evening lovely Kitcheners, great photos soop I’m so glad you had such an enjoyable time. Your sons are very handsome! Torben looks so grown up. It’s been a balmy 21°C today, so after housework and lunch a walk along the riverside path behind our house was in order.

I have my very own sitooterie* for a little rest and relaxation on the way home. This is just yards from our front door.

(It isn’t really mine, but it’s so quiet here I have it to myself most of the time).

Blossoming I would enjoy sharing your "sitooterie" with you. A heavenly spot.

anno You are so right. Torben does look like a gentle Viking.

Jax You are a truly kind and helpful lady. Much valued, I'm sure.

N&G Our Sam does not deserve to have to endure further surgery. If however, it will make him feel and behave so much better, I know that you will opt for the best treatment that you can on his behalf.

It has been a day of playing catch-up on many levels. There have been moments when I felt all shook up. We all get that feeling on occasions.

It is good to be back with you.
I have a telephone call from the cancer consultant to wait in for tomorrow afternoon. I shall tell her how much better I am feeling since she suggested taking a break from Letrozole. She may change the meds. If not, I shall have to bite the bullet and continue the treatment.

Wishing you all a pleasant evening. Time for a brew. After which, feet up, relax and breathe...

Until tomorrow.

I hope you can change medication soop and it has fewer side effects. It takes me quite a few steps in the morning before the joints feel oiled.

Hope everyone has a pleasant evening.

A special thought today for Phoenix - may she rest in peace ?. Lovely photos soop - looks you had a really special weekend. I've had a bit of a trying day but doesn't seem right to be complaining about trivialities today. Enjoy the rest of your Monday