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

Yes, safe journey back tomorrow Urms. I too wouldn’t be tackling the shellfish, but it looks appetising.
Your garden looks so lovely brook, very tranquil.
Gutting grandmabatty happened to me a couple of years ago, most plants salvaged, but labelling in total disarray, part of my decision to get a greenhouse.

Finally back. Kept reading while I was working/looking after GD but didn't have time to post. Greatly touched that people had noticed my earlier absence. Thank you. Wrote a long post last night and then lost it. So I am back.
Good morning everyone. Best wishes to all. Weather veering from cool almost harsh wind to glorious sunshine. Even ddog bemused. Have made tea, lunch and just popped out and bought a big bunch of peonies. Will be glorious when open. Also have big bunch of bluebells from my garden.
Noted that several people dismayed by lack of weight loss or weight gain. It must be dispiriting but you will be beautiful to those who matter.
About to tackle skirting boards... Have avoided for about four years so will enjoy the transformation. Take care everyone.

Yia and (hugs)

Urms Although it's good to go travelling, it's also good to arrive home to buttered toast and nice cup of tea. Thinking of you.

Grandmabatty I am so sorry to hear that your greenhouse has been dismantled by the wind. You have put in so much time and energy. A buggeration of mammoth proportions.

Son and his partner have had the book that they've toiled over for at least eighteen months, finished and will be on sale in August. We are very proud of the effort that they have put into writing it. Naturally, I've pre-ordered a copy.

Good evening lovely Kitcheners, it’s been mixed weather here today. Very windy, sun shining now but we had a few showers earlier. I’ve had a wander around the boatyard and Marina, everywhere is so green at the moment and wildflowers springing up in every corner. Sweet and sour stir fry later with lots of peppers but no sugar!

Dogsmakemesmile How true is your comment about those who love us, do so because we are, as we are. And that means warts and all.

Good to see you back Dogs good luck with the skirts.
Pluses and minuses, on the positive side it’s been raining for a good few hours, the garden will be happy. On the negative, boiler pump went kaput this morning, all fixed now but nearly £400. At least it wasn’t in mid winter and they sorted it today.
So, out of the window goes my low carb malarkey and MrJ will ‘cook’ tonight, this involves him nipping to the f&c shop.
I managed one of my two drives, had to delegate the other and not done much else, resisted online shopping other than tinkering with my Tesco delivery list.
I hope you’ve all had a more productive day.

Yet again, the sun is shining and everything in the garden looks marvellous. The drifts of bluebells along the verges are better than ever. Spring has most certainly sprung.

Sweetie Pie (feral cat) has enjoyed almost a full tin of chicken. After which, a short wash and brush-up and away into the forest. We cannot help but

Log off time has come sooner than I thought. The reason is...I've been looking at possible suitable gifts to take with us when we finally see our great grandchildren. It seems sensible to have them delivered to our son's home. Taking more stuff than we need on the plane isn't sensible. Plenty of time yet. It's just that I enjoy browsing the early learning options. There are seemingly hundreds to consider.

Until tomorrow. Please take good care of yourselves. You all matter.

Jax I would opt for fish and chips every time. Enjoy! To blazes with the calories.

Ouch Jax I bet that’s a bill you could have done without, but on the positive side it’s been fixed quickly. Enjoy your fish n chips I’m sure it’ll taste delicious
I’ve just back home, been to the gym for a splash around and then quick trip to the doctors for my annual review. It’s hopefully all ok - Its been both the doctors and dentist for me this week but at least there done and dusted now and I can move onto more enjoyable things ?
Good to see you back dogsmms the flowers sound beautiful.
Nice of Sweetie Pie to pay you a visit soop and enjoy browsing for gifts for your GGC - so many lovely things to choose from
Enjoy your stir fry tonight Blossoming we’re on butternut squash, pepper and lemongrass curry tonight. It’s a Gousto recipe that DD1 cooked for me when I was there last and it was yummy. Probably mine won’t taste as good as hers but will see!

Thank you ladies for your supportive comments about my now defunct greenhouse. The remains are lying in the garden. JaxJacky it's really frustrating, isn't it? I've added my first life drawing in pastel. It was a quick sketch but I'm happy with how it turned out. I'm going to attempt a bigger version. It was from a photo. No naked people were harmed. ?

Good evening lovely Kitcheners good to read your news today.

Grandmabatty that’s a brilliant sketch. Laughed when you said no naked people were harmed.

That curry really does sound yummy Brook. DH cooked a smoked haddock risotto for tea. DS had some when he picked up GS.

We often have fish and chips from Bridlington they do gluten free everyday and it’s really nice. I have two tubs of mushy peas totally covering the whole of the fish. Yum! No chips.

Soop it will be wonderful when you get to see your great grandchildren.

What a pain your boiler pump going Jax but pleased it’s sorted quickly.

Dogsmakemesmile we are going to visit Dad and stepmum tomorrow and she will possibly tell me I need to lose weight. She sometimes doesn’t have a filter with what she says. ? not though.

Enjoy your evening everyone speak soon x

‘Evening All’

And home again, jiggety-jig! No queues at Malaga or Manchester and the O’Leary flight trumpeted our arrival onto the tarmac - which always makes me smile. A pleasant black cab driver for the 15 minute drive to Urmston and it’s not raining!

Tea and toast made. Lovely. It’s very nice to be back. This small apartment is slightly bigger than our Spanish one and for the first couple of hours it seems palatial ha!

Goodness, what a welcome home ... Himself is opening the post (as you do) and our water bill direct debit has jumped from £18 p.m. to £32 p.m. a jump of 30%. Crikey.

Welcome back Urms I think we’ll all be getting similar bills, all up, I do enjoy your tales from abroad as well as at home.
Your curry sounds lush brook bar peppers, yuk for me, but I’m sure I could substitute, I’ve discovered Tesco sell half tins of coconut milk, a good size making meals for two.
I like that Grandmabatty, a lot.
Grown ups eh Shazza think they know it all ?
Chish n’ Fips (thanks Rufus) went down nicely, even better, no washing up, plates into dishwasher.
Seeing your great grandchildren is very special soop you’ve come a long way in the last year.
I’ll bid you adieu all x

Aw thank you Jax what a lovely thing to say. x
I do like to come in here and the GM thread and witter away

Welcome home Urms good that your journey was trouble free and hope you sleep well tonight

Grandmabatty a very good drawing, well done you!

Welcome home Urms. Thanks to Brook, JaxJacky and Shazza. It's very satisfying to find a hobby that absorbs you.

The sun has set after a glorious afternoon here in mid Cornwall. I got up to rain and have to say the garden, in particular the raised beds, look so much better for it. I getting quite used to sitting on our new veranda and can't wait to be able to step inside to get a drink.

Three days since my last kitchen visit. I'm getting to be a regular again?

Beautiful photos of food and flowers. Thank you Urm and soop Blossoming and brook. I love spring colours. The new green leaves are so vivid.

Boiler buggerations Jax - sorry it was such an expensive repair.

Just written my DS's birthday card. He is 50 on Monday so must catch the post tomorrow. I don't think he plans much but I will ring on Sunday when I'm sure hoping to catch him.

A bigger version Grandmabatty! Glad it's not my rear view you are drawing. I think you are very talented. Love the colour mix.

Morning everyone. You are a wonderful artist Grandmabatty. Thank you for sharing your work. And Soop too! sweetiepie intrigues me as one of my children was obsessed with the notion of acquiring a wild cat. I wonder if there are any wild cat genes in Sweetiepie?
Jax sorry about the boiler but hopefully you are now guaranteed a good few more years of perfect service.
Welcome home Urms.
Shazza hello to you though know you have been around for weeks. I am sorry your step mum will pull out the same old script. She must feel insecure. Your father will be so pleased to see you. Don't let her dull that joy.
Had a rather casual attempt at dyeing my hair last night. Bizarrely decided to not wear gloves (not advised) and read a book while waiting for the twenty mins to be up. Desperately attempting to have a fringe today to obscure my mahogany tan forehead. Never mind. Tried rectifying situation with toothpaste and vigorous brushing but to no avail.
On second wash. First wash out and to balance out last night's folly I hung everything out properly. Duvet cover and sheets hanging perfectly. Not my typical shot putt throwing clothes over the line effort and then crossing my fingers and using lots of pegs.
My skirting boards clean went well yesterday. Used the brush extension on my hoover. Perhaps lazy but my knee still a little wonky so went for ease.
Wishing all of you reading a good day. Leek and potato soup and seeded rye bread made. Help yourselves.x

Thank you Dogsmakemesmile. I'm trying to improve all the time. It doesn't help that I judge myself against friends who are incredibly gifted. ? I will practise more.

Good morning, *Soop and lovely Kitchen people!
Like the coo's tail, I'm all behind ! Still to catch up on all your news, we had a busy spell of childcare for DGS2, poor wee lamb is cutting the last of his back of his teeth, so needed extra cuddles.
Back home now, trying to arrange a walk with my sisters.
TOYA, I'll be back later!

Congratulations, Grandmabatty. You are gifted. I love your pastel. Fab!

Dogsmakemesmile Your latest post plastered a huge on my face. It was most amusing. The soup and seeded rye bread sound delicious. I shall be happy to partake of your generous offer.
Sweetie Pie is 100% feral. Before she arrived on our doorstep, we used to feed other feral cats. One in particular, moved in with us after twelve months. He was named, Rory. Mr Soop adored him. Rory adored Mr Soop. He lived with us until his death. We still miss him. I shall look out a photo to share with you.

muse Us lot enjoy having you here with us in the kitchen.

Jax Sorry to hear that your boiler repair was costly. We dread any electrical breakdowns presenting themselves. Cash is tight right now for many of us.

Grannmarie Extra cuddles are the perfect prescription for bothersome teething problems. You will no doubt have the magic touch. Grandmas are known for such things.

Urms A warm welcome home from exotic parts.
A 32% increase for your water bill is crazy. How can that be justified? Ours come from a natural spring from way up the hill. Since we've been living here, and relying on the supply, it has never let us down.

brook Your curry sounds delicious. I'm afraid that any we eat come for M&S. I believe that home-made dishes cannot be bettered. It must be something to do with the "personal touch"...food prepared with love is special.

Apologies. The photo is not of Rory but Sweetie Pie. My mistake.

Love your painting Grandmabatty you are indeed very talented.
Sweetie pie looks very well Soop it’s all the lovely food you feed her?
DH has his cataract operation tomorrow afternoon.It will be good to get it done, but he’s been very lucky to have such a short wait.

Have a pleasant evening everyone.

Yia Best wishes for your husband's successful cataract removal tomorrow afternoon. *Mr Soop*will be having both cataracts removed next week. They should see things very much clearer after the procedure.

I am away for today. Not a lot achieved - but some days are less productive than others. I'm certain that we all know the feeling from time to time. I need a get-up-and-go tonic. Needed to visit the bathroom half a dozen times during the night. An ongoing thing. Googled the problem and read that low estrogen is to blame. The cancer drug that I take every day, cancels out my ability to manufacture the hormone. It is what it is.

Be with you all again tomorrow. Please take good care of yourselves.