Soop's newest kitchen for the gathering of kindly folk.

GrannySomerset We two are concerned about the state of our finances. When we moved to Scotland we hoped to be able to feel comfortable about taking a wee break from time to time. We have discovered that our savings are not healthy after all. It's a worry. All that we can do is count our blessings and make the best of what is.

Ladyleftfieldlover I have never tasted barmbrack. What is it please?

Blossoming A 1,000 steps per shop is an achievement. We went for our usual daily walk. We do not have a step counter. However, at one point, the heart beat def increases as we climb a mini hill.

Grandmabatty You are blest with bags of energy. Isn't it lovely when people (such as those nice men) are helpful? You must have a winning smile.

Grannmarie I had to chuckle when I read that your dear husband was a wee bit tipsy in charge of his mobility scooter. It was, after all, a special birthday celebration. It sounds as if you had a right royal time.
Yesterday's burst of activity hasn't yet disappeared into the ether. I decided to empty all the drawers in the bedroom and have had a thorough clear out (of clutter) and tidy-up of what's not. Lots of space. I like it.

Yia I can make myself almost invisible providing you've space in your suitcase. Enjoy every moment.

Jax Our favourite meal is fish in crispy batter, chips and mushy peas. We are simple souls.

brook I think that you've been energetic enough for the two of us.

Time for me to help prepare this evening's meal. Before I do, I need to read through an important document and sign it. After which, the evening is for relaxation.

TOYA

My son has done something clever with a photo taken of me as a chubby baby. I shall share with you. Titter ye not.

Grandmabatty , it's great to get rid of stuff isn't it? One of the joys of life after lockdown is that you can put your rubbish/ unwanted treasure outside the house and people will take it away. My daughter and son in law are emptying their new place, which was owned by a hoarder, and most of it has been carried off from the pavement outside the house by happy passers by.

Chocolatelovinggran it is very nice to get rid of stuff. Soop the burst of energy has gone now! I am lounging on the couch for the rest of the evening. Good night all.

Soop, you haven`t changed much!

Thank you to all for the best wishes regarding my foot, I think and hope that the podiatrist will be able to help, she seems to know her stuff although she has a very abrupt manner which put me me off at first. I think that might be due to her nationality though. (not Portuguese)

soop I think you might have mentioned some time ago that you have one leg shorter than another but I didn’t realise that it was such a big difference. Do you have to use the crutch all the time? Apparently much can be done to help correct scoliosis if diagnosed early now but we grew up in different times.
I hope you don’t get too much pain from it.

For some reason they think a stick is better for me than a crutch and most of the time now I can manage without it. However when I’m trying to get back to normal (for me) the combination of Portuguese cobbles and my eyesight make it more sensible to take things slowly and carefully.

We’ve had beautiful weather today and I’ve been lazily watching birds enjoying the bird bath. Mr Blackbird has had a really good splash and the starlings are so energetic that I think half the water must be emptied by the time they’re finished. A whole family of young Azure winged Magpies scare most of the other birds away but depart as soon as the Jay appears. I will try to get some photographs but usually get light reflections in the way.

Awww cute picture soop!
Just in now after a busy but good day, I went to the gym for a dance aerobics class which was good, but the catch up and laughter with the other ladies at the class was better! Then home for lunch - we sat in the garden well wrapped up and then weeding and planting out this afternoon. A happy day with simple pleasures
DH has gone into town to watch DGS play football so I’ll get the dinner on later - just quiche and salad tonight so nice and easy
Pleased to hear your relaxing now grandmabatty I’ll be putting my feet up and snuggling down on the sofa soon too. You too GrannySomerset take it easy now ..
Hope you’ve had another great day on holiday Grannmarie with lots of warm sunshine - enjoy! ?

A bonny bairn soop
I have a wonderfully relaxing facial and head massage earlier, and booked another for a months time. I have decided to start pampering myself. I have spent most of my life, like all of us on here, looking after everyone else to my detriment. No more.
So…..I have also booked myself on a painting holiday and decided to start enjoying myself now I have a small inheritance from my parents.
I am treating everyone to a holiday in Wales at the end of the month too.
And as we’re no longer moving I will get the house sorted out to my choice (DH really couldn’t care less about decor etc)
Perhaps by the autumn I will be a rejuvenated 68 year old!
Can always hope ?

Reading about having quiche and salad (probably my favourite meal) Brook2704, do you make your own quiche?
I’ve never been successful so any tips from you lovely kitcheners will be gratefully received!

Beautiful even then soop. You obviously come from good stock! .
Keep safe and well everyone

Hello everyone! Brook we are very fond of quiche too. I have just bought a new deep tin for making quiches with more filling to pastry. I need to try it out soon.
We had some rain yesterday and last night, the first in weeks. I am hoping to get planting over the weekend, although DD’s dog arrives for her summer holidays tomorrow. She is such a time waster!
We have both had two long naps today - post Covid fatigue is still with us. Something else that wastes so much time. Please can I have my energy back?
Have a good evening, everyone!

Good evening lovely Kitcheners. I’ve read all your news. You’ve all been such busy bees.
Soop I love that baby pic of you. You still look young.
We’ve been on the train to Leeds today. We had a walk around the city and basically just bought food and drink and then back again. 17,000 steps in high ankle boots so my feet are throbbing.
Now it’s Masterchef final time.
Speak tomorrow ?x

Barmbrack is a rich tea bread. The fruit is soaked overnight in tea and whiskey. Cherries and mixed peel are added with an egg, flour, spices and brown sugar, all baked in a loaf tin for 90 minutes. Delicious spread with butter.

Oh I wish I could cook better and make my own quiche BlueBalou but it’s just a shop bought one ? Spinach, feta and red pepper and it was delicious. I did make my own salad though, does that count? ?
Wow shazza 17,000 steps in high ankle boots ? well done you - I think my feet would be more than throbbing after that lot!
The Barmbrack sounds delist ladylfl , I can make a basic tea loaf but I’ll definitely need to up my game if I’m to be a proper kitchener!

Of course it counts brook2704 ?!
Gosh, your step count in high ankle boots makes me wince ?, sadly I can’t wear heels at all since wrecking my ankle - but then I can’t remember the last time I might have had the chance to!

Ladyleftfieldlover Yum!

BlueBalou Good for you. You sound upbeat and positive.

brook The quiche that you describe sounds delicious.

Shazza Goodness gracious me! So many steps and while wearing high ankle boots. That is beyond impressive. I used to wear high heeled shoes...a VERY long time ago. I now use an arm crutch and can only keep my balance in flatties. Hey ho!

Nannytopsy You are doing well. It takes time to recover something as debilitating as Covid.

Hellogirl1 Tyke!

dustyangel I need to use an arm crutch all the time when out of the house. Inside the house is not too difficult providing I have something to hold on to when climbing or dismounting a few steps. Scoliosis can be corrected these days. It is far too late for me. Like most disabilities, we learn to adapt.

Nannatopsy xxxxxxxxx

Good afternoon lovely Kitcheners.

You really are a talented lot with your cooking and crafting. I aren’t a great cook though can make a good old gravy dinner for everyone
Watching masterchef last night and was positively drooling I wouldn’t have a clue.
Tonight I’m making a pukka yellow curry it’s a Jamie Oliver one and is lovely. My sister is coming this afternoon from Canterbury and staying until Monday, now she is an accomplished cook. I find myself apologising for everything cooking wise but she says no it’s just wonderful to have someone to cook for me. She’s very polite thank goodness.

I’m back in my flat shoes today ladies and won’t be back in high heels for a good while until we go to a wedding at the end of June.

That Barmbrack sounds wonderful Ladyleftfieldlover. I make a banana tea bread but that’s it.
I can’t make quiche but being gluten free I make frittata usually a leek, cheese and potato one which goes down well.
Gosh I’m making myself sound useless aren't I ?
Have a good afternoon everyone I’m just parked outside GSs school so just going in to get him. Speak soon. ?x

soop did you ever buy the tree?

Shazzak hello and welcome from me xx
dustyangel thank you! My grandson called me Carillion. Some gransnet folk thought it should have been carillon. As far as I’m concerned, you and I have it right! X
brooke2704 Brittany is always lovely but my heart is in Scotland xx
Grannmarie I send you apple dumplings and créme anglais xx

Buenos tardes, Soop and lovely Kitchen people! Beautiful baby photo!

Last call from sunny ? Ibiza, we fly home tomorrow, having wined, dined and relaxed in the sun, happy memories.

Thank you Brook, for your good wishes, we've had a wonderful time in the sun.?

Perfect timing, Carillion???????❤, we've just returned to the apartment after being out since Popmaster. Apple dumplings and creme Anglais most welcome!?

We strolled/scooted along the promenade from marina to river, then strolled back midway for delicious lunch near the fountains, paella and sangria, my favourite.
Then we went to the accessible area of the beach, where DH could take his scooter down a ramp onto a boardwalk right next to the sand, excellent! I had a few paddles and sunbathed, DH took photos of the boats and paddle boarders out in the bay.
On our way back we stopped for The Last of the Mojitos??, a lovely last day.

Shazza, enjoy your weekend with your sister.?I've done just over 10,000 steps today, in espadrilles, but not a patch on your 17,000 in high heels!

Nannytopsy, be gentle with yourself with your post Covid fatigue, it affected my sister for some time.

Bluebalou, how lovely that you can share your good fortune with your family, a lovely holiday to look forward to.

Dustyangel, it sounds so relaxing, watching the birds in your birdbath. Fingers crossed ? for a photo!

Kind regards to everyone in the Kitchen, I'll need to think about packing soon.

TOYA, and an early NNGB.??

Carillion No. I did not buy that beautiful tree. It is, however, amazing.
Would it be okay for me to share apple dumpling and creme anglais with Grannmarie? She could be calorie counting. I'm prepared to help in whatever way I can.

Shazza I'm certain that you'll have a special time together with your sister. Tonight's curry will be a winner.

After a very wet start to the day (we both returned home from our walk drenched), the sunshine has taken over and it is positively roasting out in the garden. The birds are having a marvellous time. We saw this year's first swallow. Such an achievement to reach our shores, having flown all the way from Africa.

Today, I tidied the utility room yet again. Managed to fill another sack with an assortment of textiles. The local school has a "rag bag" bank in which such things can go for recycling. The school receives payment according to the weight of the collected items. I'm enjoying making space. Not for new stuff but because I am tired of clutter.

I wish you all a pleasant and peaceful start to the weekend. Wine-time at 8:30.

Until tomorrow,

Shazza, I’m a bit late and just catching up. 17,000 steps you say? Well I’m most impressed. I get very excited on the rare occasions I manage 10. Your feet must be feeling it. Hope you have a foot spa?

Same weather here today soop - wet this morning and then the sun eventually came out this afternoon. DD1 in Cambridge sent me a picture of herself sitting in her garden, sunglasses on and feet up in the sun … better weather there obviously!

After a splash around at the Aqua class at the gym, I had a lovely catch up with my friend, a couple of hours chatting whilst sat in comfy seats with coffee and a sandwich - an enjoyable afternoon and time well spent with friends

Safe journey home tomorrow Grannmarie and please bring that sunshine back with you ?

Have a good time with your sister Shazza she sounds like a lovely lady

I’ll join you with that Friday wine at 8.30 soop ?

Good evening dear Kitcheners. It’s been cold and rainy all day here but the gardens need it as we’ve had quite a few sunny dry days recently. Today we have been for a drive up the coast, just meandering really. Lots of fresh air, but not a lot of exercise. I’m afraid my step count will be nowhere near as impressive as yours Shazza. . Hope you have a lovely weekend with your sister.

We had lunch in a lovely pub overlooking a dock, I think I have a bit of a thing for our industrial maritime heritage! This one is a busy working dock though, where we live is a marina although large pieces of machinery and boats are landed here sometimes as sea transport is faster and cheaper than by road, plus we have the big cranes. We had lovely chicken and bacon baguettes with a really tasty side salad. I confess I left half the bread off mine as I just couldn’t manage it. I also had half a pint of Thwaites Original. I seldom drink alcohol nowadays, but I do enjoy a good bitter, or a smooth red wine, from time to time.

Safe journey home grannmarie, your holiday sounds wonderful.

Lots of mentions of food and baking, I think tonight’s tea will be a mug of tea for me. Still in a carb coma…

TOYA