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

Thank you for the beautiful photographs.

News Flash - Sweetie Pie (feral cat) has wandered into his apartment. I saw evidence from the rear that he is entire. Oh my word! Now we must arrange for a trap and, if we're lucky, capture him so that he may be de-balled. He's not going to like it. Having been through this before, we are not going to relish the act of ensnaring him etc., but needs be.

CouCou The Kitchen - Hot and sunny France calling!

Panache dear, How are you doing? I think of you often and hope so much that life is getting slightly better. Even if it's just one step forward, two back sometimes - just a bit better. You deserve some rest and time to heal now. ?

Busy day yesterday and took an evening stroll through the vines. There's just a glimpse of 3 small sailing boats in the photo. Today, everything smells fresh and warm (we had a storm two days ago - the first rain for 5 weeks or more - and our hedges of Eleagnus are filling the garden with perfume today in 28 degrees. We'll have that perfume now until just before C-------s !!

Tired today. Own fault. I should be gardening but went to bed at 12.30am and woke, scratching a mozzie bite, at 3. More scratching and bad language woke DH who, for some reason, checked our mails. There was another very amusing and late travelogue from B9 on holiday about two and a half hours from here. That started us laughing - she should have a newspaper column - and then we were awake enough for tea and then had a post-mortem on our lovely afternoon with the neighbours, putting the world to rights and talking gardens. So, we then started roughing out plans for our garden. Then it was almost 7am and that was the end of that. Sleep denied and deprived today, so DH is having a siesta, and me? I'm catching up with all the lovelies in Soops Kitchen.

Jax hear you're home safely. Hooray. Hope Weston-super-Mud was kind and your energy levels will soon return to normal. Blossoming fabulous jewellery, how clever are you -take a bow! TillyT I know who you ARE now - and I've missed you and Ruby. ?for you Yia.

BladeA, Duncan and newly-married DD, so pleased it went off successfully, after all the stopping and starting and anxiety. Such a shame for your other DD, but sure that life will now get better. Wishing you all good health.

Soop dear, just as well I don't live nearer. That help for you had better come soon - Grans are already being alerted. We may be needed for a bit of action with regard to your treatment. All this time and I bet you don't even have a Fidelity card!! Seems dear Mr Soop has already made a start on the new plan. What a treasure he's turned out to be - please keep him.

So pleased your DD worries have lessened a bit, Muse. Change that Doctor to one who cares and fingers crossed you track down your Son, the reluctant correspondent. Sure he's too busy and fired up (and happy) to be remembering to call his Mum.

Continue to improve, brave Corner. Good sense, good care, good Buttling and good health to you now.

Urms I know how much you walk and how frequently BUT I need to know the secret of all that good food, wine and treats without the dreaded ballooning. How do you not yet have castors where your sandals used to be. How do your clothes still fit? Answers, urgently, on a postcard please. I am in the middle of a/nother diet, of course. Maybe you are simply blessed with good genes - or even jeans! Make the most of your last lovely days - and have fun - home soon to possible greyness?

Hello Hellogirl and hi, Doodle. Hope you are both well.
SueD you're a veritable whirlwind. Please don't do too much and do hope you've had cake. And Dogs, chocolate limes? Imagine that, and that's all I can do at the moment. And you've seen Happy Valley. How wonderful after such a hectic day and possibly an antidote to the fearsome Cupboard Under the Stairs.

Susan hope you won't bottle up any worries or concerns to try to save worry for your family or friends. You need support for you and to help you get a handle on things. Get well. x

So pleased that North Norfolk was fun, GG. Have missed you Brook - lovely photos, what a nice day out. GrandmaB still Little Boy wrangling? Hope you're both well, that he's keeping you on your toes but without too many shows of massive toddler strength. ?

Missed you all and hope that I haven't forgotten anyone cos you're all special. Have a good weekend everyone.
Hugs from me and France x?x

Lovely to hear from you GrandmaFrench ?‍♀️

WELCOME back to dear Grandmafrench. Don't you very dare stay away for so long in future. Otherwise, I shall be cross.

Yay,great to have you back Grandmafrench?

Heck! We shall soon be moving in to a new kitchen. How many is that to date, GNHQ. I would love to know the answer.

It has rained throughout the day. We do need water. It has been a very dry summer/early autumn.

I need to start a certain job. I am not eager. Perhaps after a and a glimpse of the newspaper. Will the news be upbeat? Answers on a postage stamp.

Good to see Grandmafrench posting

Good to have Grandmafrench back. No it's more than good, it's absolutely fandabidozi. We must celebrate in the new kitchen soop ???

fandabidozi - - that’s a term from yesteryear! My older daughter used to say that!

muse Grandmafrench returns. An excuse to get baking. I shall rootle around in the cellar, if I'm in luck, I shall have a few bottles of choice tipple to bring to the new kitchen.

I'm about to look through the kitchen window. Will our "boy cat" have had a much needed nap? Will he be wishing to have brunch? If so, I shall serve the tuna and whatever else he fancies.

My cup runneth over. Grandmafrench has returned. All is well.

Bonne retour Grandmafrench about time too! ?. Better news on your DD muse and reassuring for yours Grandmabatty.
Yes, we’re back, 2 hours and 50 minutes driving, slightly quicker than our trip away, I need two mugs of tea to feel human again. We really had a lovely time and would recommend the Beachlands Hotel, MrJ particularly loved it, opposite the golf course. We met up with friends, walked, ate good food and I beat MrJ at Rummikub over a couple of nights, he’s claiming I cheated, bad loser. It’s so lovely to have time together without any of the daily ‘stuff’ even just reading our books, I’ve even got a faint tan.
But, to the kitchen, wonderful to hear from you panache here’s hoping any hiccups have or are being overcome and you can move slowly onwards as you wish. ?. Good luck with cat trapping soop considerable bribery and persuasion I think will be neede.
Catch you all up later after our local pub catch up.

What a lovely Friday evening in the kitchen with both panache and grandmafrench both popping in to see us - how fantastic is that!
I forgot to say earlier how lovely your jewellery is blossoming - another very talented lady
I’ve been busy today with a Fitsteps dance class this morning and then splashing about in the pool at the gym at an Aqua class this afternoon. But in between I treated myself to a rather large almond croissant so there’s no chance of any of this exercise working miracles and helping my diet …
Then out to B&Q with DH for some grey fence paint - we were lucky to get the last one as the shelves were almost empty…
Your holiday sounds great jax so good to have a change of scenery and even better to beat Mr J at Rummikub!
Hope your DD is much better soon muse and you get a message from your son soon too

Dear You lovely lot, Boy Cat has demolished an entire can of upmarket feline fodder.

I've had a word with him. He merely closed his eyes as if to sat...woteva!

I may not be available to open our next kitchen. Please, will whoever visits last, do the honours? We need just the one kitchen, otherwise navigation becomes tricky. The key is under the mat. No need to tidy this kitchen, it virtually cleans itself. Very sensible.

A buffet is already arranged. Plenty of treats to cater for all tastes. New furnishings. Extra seating for all newcomers.

I thank you all for being lovely peoples. I look forward to meeting with you again tomorrow. Please save some cake and a glass of bubbly.

A peaceful Friday night and best wishes to all those needing extra tender loving care.

I thought I'd nip in to say hello, before you all disappear into a brand new kitchen.
How good it is to see both Panache & Grandmafrench on soops friendly thread.

Great photos that are on here, as always, lovely to see.

Happy to hear that folk have had trips out & holidays.

We're off to our county city to visit our DD & her family this weekend.

Warm wishes to you all.

Good evening dear kitcheners from Duncan and myself. Hope everyone is well and looking forward to the weekend? GrandmaFrench welcome back!! I keep looking at the wedding flowers and thinking I must try to preserve a little part of them ?. Enjoy the rest of Friday

Good evening lovely Kitcheners, how great to see Panache and GrandmaFrench back amongst us. You are coping so well dear Panache and we are always here for you. A good catch up muse, glad things are looking up. I am indeed feeling a lot more positive, and determined to make the most of my life.
,
I have a roof over my head, I am warm and well fed and have a loving family and friends. I consider myself extraordinarily fortunate. Big girl pants well and truly pulled up.

We have been for a lovely walk at Glasson Dock and a ‘chippy tea’ is on it’s way courtesy of Mr. B

Welcome back to us Grandmafrench. You have rumbled me! ? We all need a break sometimes. ?
I definitely would try to keep some of those lovely wedding flowers ? BladeAnnie. I still have some of DD’s from 10 years ago. They hold such sweet memories.
I hope everyone sees their own sunset tonight. TOYA.
Ruby is in very good health as you can see .

Risking being new kitchen opener here! I’m so tired, we walked to the local, caught up with friends and acquaintances, landlady has been negative for her Covid the last three days, but still ‘not right’. Everyone said we looked well, a spot of sun and rejuvenating with proper time together works wonders. We’ve eaten Indian delivered and bed is calling.
BA maybe sort of a flower press to keep some of the gorgeousness? Haven’t unpacked properly yet, but fudge and smoked cheddar cheese for the new kitchen will be forthcoming, night all x

Dearest Panache it is so uplifting to se you posting sending (((hugs)))

dogsmakemesmile TOYA is indeed thinking of you all. It’s impossible to reply to every post in sooper soop’s kitchen
I watched Happy Valley too. A good series.
Susan I hope you’re ok. It takes time to take in a new diagnosis and understand all the possibilities. I hope you have someone knowledgeable to talk it over with.
Panache it’s lovely to see you posting again. You have so many friends here and in the Lockdown gang. You always were so caring of others too. Much love x
Grandmafrench lovely to hear from you. Hope you catch up with your sleep tonight. I’m often a late night planner too.
Early night for me. I hurt my back bending to cut out a dressmaking pattern. Can’t wait to lay flat and have a good stretch.
Sleep well all.

Lovely to see Duncan and Ruby both wide awake. They look very content- probably each has just had a lovely supper.
TOYA

Wonderful to see Panache and Grandmafrench posting today, you`ve both been very much missed.
Susan, so sorry you have health worries, hopefully they`ll soon be put to rest.
Soop, what a little corker Willow is, and what a lovely smile! So Sweetie Pie is a boy then? Good luck in catching him to be "done"! I remember your exploits with Rory.
Another pic of the handsome Duncan I see, also beautiful Ruby.
Billy continues to delight, but I do wish his obsession with food would cease, he follows me every time I move, and if I go anywhere near "his"cupboard, he`s there trying to climb in!
Yesterday my 86 year old BIL said he was comng today to take me out to breakfast at www.westwoodlakes.com, but by the time he picked me up and we got there it was after 12, so even though breakfast is served all day, and I said I`d have breakfast, he decided on fish and chips, and it didn`t take much persuasion for me to have the same! Afterwards we went to the pub on site, just a bit further round, for 1 drink, then he drove us out to RAF Coningsby, hoping to see aircraft taking off, but after being there for over half an hour, ne`er a one, so he took me home, via eldest son`s house for a short visit. It was an enjoyable few hours.
TOYA