Soop`s cosy kitchen for sincere and pleasant peoples

More good wishes for tomorrow, Soop - you can’t have too many!

Lovely roses, thank you, Tilly!

Muse I get the feeling there’s a back story to your house - can you bear to précis it for me? It sounds exciting!

There has been such a change in the weather. 20deg & sunny yesterday, rain and 7deg at lunchtime today when Dh and I shuffled around in the pouring rain as we disposed of the last carload of recycling and rubbish at the dump. At least it’s gone.

Then into town to have my ears microsuctioned at Specsavers. It turned out to only be my left ear, though you still have to pay full price. The woman doing it said she wished every client was as easy as me - I think that was a compliment! It’s so nice not to have that underwater feeling anymore and now there’s NO NEED TO SHOUT!

Had a coffee in M&S and then bought two cashmere sweaters for the winter. I had had no thought whatsoever of buying anything like that when we went into M&S but the display caught my eye and they had my size. I also had over £100 in reward vouchers and Dh wanted to get me something else for my birthday so now I’ve got some cosy jumpers for winter. I can’t wear wool but can tolerate these.

That’s another day wrapped up so I wish you all a pleasant evening. X

Well done Sue on final tip run, a real achievement. I need to get my ears ‘done’, I’m just so lax in oiling them beforehand, thank you for the nudge.

We are just back home, after spending the weekend at our little "home-from-home", on the NW Norfolk coast.
Great weather Sat.,& Sunday, but blowing a gale, with heavy rain this morning, but dry to pack the car & on the drive home to Cambs.,

Very best wishes for your appointment tomorrow, soop, we all hope it goes well, & will be thinking of you.

Warm wishes to all in this friendly kitchen.

soop all the best for tomorrow ?

Hello Hello Happy Kitchen Peeps !

Gosh, the speed of the Kitchen these last few days - I've already lost the plot with all the news and comings and goings. But it's better that way - we'll all put something in and take lots of what we need out. As long as that's not the last piece of cake, I'm certainly happy with that!

You're having a busy time, Susan. I was a bit put out this morning when I caught your journey description - bad weather, wet roads, a long day of kiddy minding and......a snoring DH in the car. Not the best start to a Monday but sounds as if it all went well. Feet up now, hopefully.

So, it's tomorrow Soop, your big foray into the surgical kingdom where you will hopefully turn up with a little note covered in sparkly bits and fairy dust asking that nice Surgeon to make your dreams come true. Well, if Gran Hopes won't do it this time, don't know what will. Don't think we could wish harder, hope harder or send you more love and luck. Drive safely and know we're with you all the way, dear lady. x

I've had an odd day today. A huge mixture of things but a general feeling that I've not achieved much. I was all set to drastically prune an Oleander which seems to have swallowed our barbeque area and a wall light. They are real bullies those shrubs if left unattended for a moment. A neighbour called, wanted some help complaining to the local Planners about a house near to them which has just been constructed. Well, not exactly constructed - more like thrown up and possibly will be back down again in the not too distant future. This will be due to the dire standard of building and the fact that they are already in breach of the permissions granted. So we agreed to help and fired off a mail to the local "Urbanisme" department.

Quick response saying that they had passed on our complaint to the Police!!!!! Yes, you did read that correctly. We checked and found that there would possibly be less complaints if someone resembling a Planning Officer could call on a regular basis to check that things are being done properly? And then a proper inspection on completion to ensure that it can have a building guarantee and be signed off as properly done.

But no. It seems that if there are any complaints (and with this house there are many), then it is the Police who deal with it.
Wonder what qualifications they have for such a task. We will doubtless find out soon. My own building qualifications are sadly lacking but I can certainly attest to the fact that you don't build walls by glueing the blocks together on one edge. Seriously! Saw it with my own eyes. Interestingly said 'builder''s trousers were still visible as he stood the other side of the wall, so you can imagine that there was very little bonding the blocks together. The window openings were all different sizes, but responded to a bit of a trim with various saws afterwards. As an English friend said "a proper little house that Jacques built!" We laughed, but it's not funny.

Since found that the house is actually too tall. (It gets better and it doesn't even have a roof on it yet) and so may have to be razed to the ground once all the major problems are to be eradicated. Watch this space. The builder has gone bankrupt, the 4 Kurds who were attempting to build the house spent most of their time arguing loudly and throwing equipment about and tomorrow some "experts" from Paris are being sent here to inspect the result of all those arguments. Can't wait!

I was minding my own business after an abortive trip to the bakers (closed), another bakers (closed) and buying some wonderful peppers and plums and pumpkin from the vegetable shop, when DH handed me a letter from Purina.

Oh no, I thought! Now what have I done? You'll recall my tangling with them over drugs in cat food which turned out to be my cat's own drugs - and a very embarrassed apology from moi. Well, they wrote to say they were very grateful for my detailed complaint and even more so for the explanation of the mystery which reassured them that their safeguards were in place on the shop floor. All was clearly well in cat food world. (I said that, not them!). They enclosed vouchers to fund 36 cans of cat food - a gesture not to be sniffed at - and they hope I shall continue to buy their food. So, it seems we are still friends and I'm grateful.

How lovely do the Two Sisters look meeting up for tea. Glad you had a nice chat and a trip out Hellogirl. Hope that Billy wasn't annoyed that you went back home without cake for him and that his constant snacking is a little more under control now.

Great flowers, Tilly. You always produce lovely flowers to add a finishing touch to the Kitchen corner.

Urms glad that small person is Covid-free. A relief for you as well, I should think. You can continue in your new role as British Pub Inspector for the foreseeable. Or maybe not at those prices, eh?

There seems to be a bit of a Magnum thing going on, Dusty. I'm sure you'll know that I'm a Magnum fan; soop is definitely another, brook has owned up too. Maybe we'll be reading about that soon - the great Magnum shortage in the UK. Well, maybe if it comes to a straight choice between petrol and Magnums, I'd be happy to give the fuel a miss........

Dogs you are being sensible and maybe being in bed so early (and exhausted) will enable you to avoid the risk of a Magnum overdose. Maybe! Nannagarra obviously finds that hiding in IKEA near a plate of meatballs is a better option than ice creams. I'm fond of IKEA, but I have to be feeling strong - that endless march around the whole building, when I only want a specific thing, is sometimes a march too far. Arriving at the check out tired and grumpy has to be avoided, so I only go when I feel I can take on the world. This makes me quite an infrequent customer.

Tomorrow we continue our search for a new microwave. Oooh what a waste of time and life. Impossible to find what we want in stock and in a shop, impossible to find what we want online. There are strict measurements to follow to enable it to fit where the old one sits, a French idea of a 'combi oven' is very different from the English and instead of being quite thrilled, I'm already fed up and have lost interest. Tomorrow I need to sound less ungrateful and - on the promise of lunch out - I shall put on my biggest smile behind the mask and traipse around a store until we hopefully find something suitable.

Wish me luck, folks. I may be some time........

Sleep well, everyone. Have the best day tomorrow - and may your wishes come true, Soop.

Nighty night from French France - and me. x
????

Bellanonna sorry to hear your daughter has tested +ve. Better to find out now than after your Sunday lunch when you and Mr. B could be susceptible. As you said, lunch can wait.

The sun has been shining all day in NW London but it is appreciably colder. My annual shower and then to bed with my hwb to read.

Bellanonna, sorry to hear about your daughter, I hope it`s only a mild dose.
Urmston, glad to hear that your granddaughter`s test was negative.
Can anyone who`s had Covid tell me how long before taste and smell come back? My eldest son had it in May of last year, and his still hasn`t returned.
The rain came down in absolute sheets this morning, plus the wind was howling. Our house is an end terraced, and looking at our CCTV pics, the passage down the side was like a river. An hour later, nobody would have known it had rained, the sun was out and everything dried up. It was sunny all day then, but still a strong, cool wind.
Thank you for all the kind remarks about my photo, I mustn`t wear the same rose coloured specs as some of you, lol.
Once again Soop, all the best for tomorrow, surely the surgeon won`t be able to resist you!

Grandmafrench your posts are such a joy to read - I love reading about your trials and tribulations of life in France, I’m sure you could write a best selling book!
I’m going to sleep with a smile on my face and a picture in my mind of a very tall odd looking house with a policeman standing guard scratching his head in bewilderment ??

Honestly brook, we can still make ourselves roar with laughter at some of our 'experiences' in foreign climes over the years. Maybe in future I'll relate the odd incident if I think that folks might benefit from a cheery-uppy tale. But I'm so glad that the thought of the Policeman Builders has made you laugh. This is a country that does bewilderment so well ! I'll have to find out how the story ends ......
Sleep well. x

Grandmafrench I have visions of you plaintively calling, "Ou est les Meecro waaveys?" It's a Nigella pronunciation by the way. Good luck to Soop today. ? Muse I think the outside of your house looks amazing. I hope you give us a guided tour of the interior at some point. Urmstongran extremely good news that your dgd has a bad cold! You know what I mean. Tilly your flowers are gorgeous. I love fresh flowers. Susan I'm sending you ? just because.
Today is another babysitting day. It's a cool, clear morning which is a definite change from the wind and torrential rain of yesterday. We will visit the fish man, go to the park and then destroy my living room. All the cushions come off the couches and become tunnels and slides and cliffs. Then the scatter cushions become rocks and we have to hop from one to another because "the crocodiles are coming!" So I shall bid you adieu til later kitcheners.

Thank you Grandmabatty.x

Your post has brought a smile to my face too Grandmafrench?

The visit to the school went well yesterday.B loved it and we ended up staying for the whole of the morning session.He cried when it was time to leave!

Halfway through the afternoon DH and I started to feel unwell.We have spent the last few days with family and it turns out there are several cases of Covid at the children’s school and nursery.We went for a Covid test on the way home.The first time we have had a test.We are now awaiting the results.In a case of deja vu DH is snoring next to me once again???

Grandmabatty, M is nearly 6 and still makes a den with all the cushions although I think it’s more to hide from Henry these days!

Hoping for good news from soop later???

Have the best day you can everyone.

Just popped in to wish you well today soop. I’ve got everything crossed for a positive outcome from your consultation.

Just popping in to wish soop good luck today. Hope I'm not too Kate!

Late not Kate - though Kate is lovely!!

Wishing soop a successful day and safe driving.

Best wishes to you today, Soop - hope there is a positive outcome

Best wishes to Soop for today's appointment- my fingers are well and truly crossed for a positive outcome too.x

The sun is out here so again I am ignoring Alexa and the BBC weather report- both giving me doom and gloom. I am trying to save petrol because heaven knows when life will be back to normal here. Nasty words and fisticuffs- totally unnecessary.

It is not the warmest day of the year but I am trying not to switch on the heating until the 1st of October.
TOYA

Susan I hope it isn't the dreaded covid! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you both. Den building is such good fun. We've just returned from the park where he saw nine baby swans, a squirrel and an airplane and spent a very happy time splashing in puddles. Now we're having a seat before I make lunch.

I really don't know where Monday went. Just looked for my Monday kitchen post, but there isn't one. These weeks are getting shorter. I lost Wednesday, last week.

DD and I had a chat yesterday morning about her few days here. She will need a full tank both ways. I've also planned two full days out visiting gardens and finding new places to lunch. Anyway, last night a text to say, after closed garages and a long queue at another one, she has a full tank. Yesterday was MrM's dressing day so on our way there we looked out for garages. We past three with none and one with a very long queue. The appointment couldn't be missed so on our return home, we did a slight detour to a small garage near the A30 quite close to where we live. Small queue. Success. I too have enough to last till she goes home with a little left for MrM's trips to the doctors next week.
The eagerly awaited visit can go ahead but I hope it won't be a struggle for her to fill up this end.

Hope your sons have managed to get some fuel Yia.

Lizzie72 I too have wondered about LauraNorder. ?

Urms Pleased your DGD is on her way back to school. We can cope with colds. Have I understood correctly, your figure of £13.40 for each drink? ?

Bellanonna Sorry to read about your teacher daughter. Hope it is a mild dose and she's coping.

Nannagarra. When I lived in Derbyshire, I loved a wander around IKEA particularly for their kitchen and office bits and bobs. My nearest one here in the south west is 80 miles away - it would take me about 1.5 hrs to drive there.

I'll attempt one SueDonim ☺️

Grandmafrench. What very decent people at Purina are but what a sorry state of affairs that poor excuse of a building structure is that your neighbour has to see. It sounds like it could fall down of its own accord. Perhaps when the police start hammering on the door, they'd better then stand well back.

Susan Seems B found his perfect nursery. I have my ??for a negative result for you two.

I shall pop back later to check for soop news.

Charleygirl. I think Alexa was looking in my direction. We've had enough rain last night and today to last through till next year. Blowing a hooley yesterday too but we are due for sun tomorrow. Hope a little bit last until DD arrives.

Phew thank goodness your DDs visit can go ahead muse and by the time she needs to go home the petrol situation might be slightly better. I bet you’re so relieved and can carry on planning your days out together

Hoping you and your DH are feeling better soon,Susan whatever it is

It’s sunny but windy here in Inverness today and we’ve both been pottering in the garden. I’ve also been prancing around at my dance class trying to look the part - definitely a good laugh though and we do have so much fun! DH was going to paint the fence but it was too windy for his gadget thingy for spray painting so it’s back to the straightforward paintbrush - he’s not too pleased ?
I’m just keeping quiet and taking out cups of tea and ginger nuts

Hope soop has had a good day and is well on her way home now with positive news!

Good evening Kitchen. Wondering if we have news from soop yet but of course she will have had a tiring day.
We are hearing of more cases of Positive Covid and you worried Mums and Grans have my sympathies. Hoping all your family cases are mild.
Urmston you must feel blessed that your GD has only a cold, unpleasant though these things are.
I have been out to lunch today and was blown home with a tail wind and downpour of rain.
Batten down the hatches everyone and stay safe.

Hi all, today has been the first rainy day for weeks with the spectre of winter at the same time. MrJ has come home with headlights on in his car, it’s squally rain, how different from Sunday when we had the family bbq. Bedding change tomorrow, with electric blanket going on the bed, dual control, it will be my side poised, I detest being cold.
I too hopefully await news from soop.
I’m also fingers crossed for you Susan ?
A right holley blowing here now, as I type the TV signal is fragmenting and wifi skittering.
Expecting microoowhaveee news Grandmafrench ping!
Hope LauraNorder and GrannySomerset are ok, both missed.
2 more sleeps muse ??.
I’ll love you and leave you x

Evening everyone - just popping in to see if we have any news from soop. Mr BA getting fish and chips as we've been for the weekly duty visit to mother and now in need of sustenance!! Hugs to everyone feeling under the weather