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

The washing machine is beeping. Mine doesn't play classical music when the cycle finishes.

We sat in the garden and supped tea. I would have lurved but resisted the urge to indulge. I am convinced that, no matter how careful I am with calorie counting, I shall now need to settle for being a larger dress size. I suppose at my age it's not the end of the world. I do take care. I am no longer going on drastic diets. Done that, got several T-shirts.

I leave you all with my best wishes for a pleasant evening.

Sweetie Pie (feral cat) has arrived. Time to indulge him/her. If I can take a photo, I shall share with you tomorrow.

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A lovely, peaceful photograph. Thank you, Blossoming

Ladyleftfieldlover I have no words that a printable concerning your friend's behaviour in the restaurant. You must have felt embarrassed. I would have. Well done for keeping your cool and not allowing her to totally spoil the enjoyment of your meal.

Jax I really do enjoy bubble and squeak. Been ages since I last treated myself to it. A good plan, Grandmabatty

BlueSapphire and Nannytopsy We watched Beck. It's good to have a new series to look forward to. We particularly like his friendship with his next door neighbour.

muse It's a treat to have you back with us lot. The very thought of me getting out of a hammock makes me jittery. I know beyond a shadow of doubt that I would need a fireman's lift to extract me.

Dogsmakemesmile The weather today is perfect. We had a lovely walk and took photos of the endless ribbons of bluebells, swathes of wild garlic and gorse. What a joy to be surrounded with so much natural beauty together with birdsong.

Hello all. Apologies for not popping in for a few days. Work wipes me out plus have pleasure of DD flying visit so stayed away from laptop.
Fabulous weather here. Washing line heaving with towels. Garden looking good (I think I may have low standards) and I am taking a relaxed line with dandelions. Blossom everywhere.
Take care everyone.

Afternoon all, hi muse think I’d be a nightmare in a hammock as I’m always up and down, plus I’d fall out.
We’ve played 9 holes of golf with the grandchildren and I’ve had a tuna salad with h/b eggs, MrJ had bacon rolls Blossoming.
His football team is on the box, I’ll carry on with my crossword, there are two blueberry muffins lurking from the GC’s visit, I must use willpower.

Good afternoon dear Kitcheners. Nice to see you back Muse, you have been a busy bee! Hope today is more restful and MrM behaves himself and no more injuries.

Ladyleftfieldlover your friend sounds like a nightmare, I don’t think I would be dining out with her again. Very rude behaviour.

This being Sunday Mr.B and I have been enjoying bacon rolls and big mugs of builders tea. Sausage and mash with onion gravy on the menu for tonight. In a moment I must put a few things in the washer and go out for a stroll

Hello from a very sunny Cornwall. My apologies for my absence. I can't believe it's six days since I popped into the kitchen.

The gardening season has got under way here, so whilst still trying to move ahead with the build, days are a little hectic. Yesterday was very productive with so much filling of raised beds to do. I'm very disappointed with two of the four dahlias I bought this year haven't appeared. I investigated the pots to find a squiggy mess. ?

I should imagine you're now dreading going out with your old friend again Ladyleftfield. My sympathies - I had an ex husband who was like that.

More gardening today but I've just enjoyed a fantastic wood walk with Mya. On my return, I've found a local company to sort our solar thermal flush. MrM has strict instructions from me to not try and do it himself. I will be ringing this company tomorrow.

More washing has been hung out and my hammock is hung ready for me to leap crawl into later this afternoon.

MrM and myself love a good pint of Cornish ale soop. Doom Bar is a favourite.

I do hope this glorious weather stays or at least returns in one month when my DD and DGD come for a few days. Her past few visits have been hindered with rain.

We have seen previous series of Beck BlueSapphire and enjoyed them. We have recorded tonight’s episode.
A bit more energy today, so I have moved plants out of the greenhouse to harden off. They are a bit long in the tooth - very long runner beans and sweet peas already flowering! I have two weeks to get on top of everything or I shall lose it. We are then away for a week, seeing relatives and a golden wedding. I may try and get a couple of hours help …
Another lovely sunset soop. I still think you should do a calendar.

Good evening everyone; just relaxing with a G&T and a few little cheesy biscuits after a busy day mostly spent gardening. It's my second drink; I managed to throw the first one all over the side table, and had a fair bit of mopping up to do.

Washed all the towels, cut the back grass, and finished off the weeding. Cats came out to see what I was doing but got bored and cried to go back indoors. Was worn out afterwards. Dinner cooking as I write - burger and chips and shall have a red wine. Followed by strawberries and ice-cream.

Thought I might give the Swedish police series a try tonight, Beck, I think it's called Should have my Swedish Daughter-out-law here to explain it to me, as I'm not really keen on subtitles.

Have a pleasant evening everyone.

I have had a pretty slothful day really, until the grandchildren arrived at 3, we walked to the local and played table football. Aren’t packets of crisps big now? I never eat them and buy
multipacks for MrJ to keep in his car for work, the children wolfed theirs. They’ll eat dinner too, I found some forgotten churros in the freezer for after sausages, mash and beans, bet they eat the lot.
I really do wish for some rain, the ground is so dry, water doesn’t really compensate and I feel for the farmers.
Is your friend very picky Ladyleftfield excuse me for saying, she sounds rather rude, I’d be mortified.
Chicken and Gammon sound lush Grandmabatty the leftovers scream bubble and squeak to me.
I sincerely hope your equilibrium remains Blossoming ?
I’ll stop rabbiting and wish you all a pleasant evening x

Well, there is now another restaurant I can’t go to again! My lunch was delicious - pea and asparagus risotto followed by Eton mess. But!!! My old friend who I met for lunch in a restaurant chosen by her, had a melt down over her choice of main course. She has done this before and there are two restaurants in Oxford I can’t go back to. So, she refused to eat her food. The chef came out to speak to her, then the manager. I sat eating my delicious risotto calmly and drinking a glass of Prosecco. I then had pudding. My friend ate nothing. She told the waiter she had taken a photo and would put it on trip advisor. It was good to get back home.

Lovely photos from Soop and Blossoming. I suspect the Alexas are in cahoots. I had an unexpected invitation to coffee this afternoon and I'm not long back so the chicken and gammon aren't long in the oven. Dinner will be late this evening. New potatoes, chicken, gammon, tenderstem broccoli and asparagus tips. I'm looking forward to it already. Have a good evening Kitcheners

Good afternoon dear Kitcheners. It’s sunny here and I’ve had a lovely walk today after yesterday’s sloth . The nausea I was suffering from after starting the new meds has gone along with the gout pain. Fingers crossed I can stay on the low dose.

Grandmabatty that did make me smile, I hope those 2 Alexas aren’t plotting something! The food sounds delicious.

I was studying Industrial Archeology in my spare time when I suffered my brain injury soop, I had to give it up but I’m still fascinated by it. Have you ever been to Bonawe furnace near Taynuilt? Amazing place.

What a busy day brook, enjoy spending time with the DGC to his evening.

I’ll leave this picture of the woodland path that runs behind our house, this is where my walk took me today. Full of birdsong, so calming and peaceful.

I have a photograph of last night's sky to share with you all. I am very grateful for your company. I shall return tomorrow.

brook I so admire your energy. I unlocked a little of my dormant store of get-up-and-go. Looked through the kitchen window at a small area of garden that was yelling out for some TLC. Two hours of graft and it has been transformed. Mr Soop has a large front garden to attend to and the area I've cleared was "on his list of to-do's". He has since thanked me with a huge smile and a kiss. Well worth it!
The label on the wine bottle reads: BAIA DE TROIA Casteleo. It it the best of many that I have sampled. Recommended by a good friend. It also reads: Casa Ermelinda Freitas.

Thank you soop I really enjoy a good red wine. I do like white wine too, it just depends what I feel like on the day!

A gorgeous warm sunny day here in Inverness, I’ve been out and about this morning helping with drop offs and pick ups. I’m having a 5 minute breather just now in the sanctuary of the kitchen before the DGC arrive for a sleepover ..it’ll probably be a busy evening so will have to catch up later

That roast chicken and gammon sounds lovely grandmabatty yum - enjoy! ?

A warm welcome home, Urms.

Yia Your daughter-in-law's father will be receiving the best end of life care that the medical staff can administer. He will be pain free.

Grandmabatty When someone first mentioned asking Alexa a question, I assumed Alexa was a family member. Now, I know better. I am a very simple soul.

Blossoming I like the sound of the marina together with it's history and machinery.
Mr Soop has a liking for real bitter. His favourite being Bass. Those baguettes must have been delicious. A lovely day out for you both.

Safe travels to our Grannmarie.

brook I've been introduced to a lovely, smooth, red wine from Portugal. I shall share the label with you before the end of the afternoon.

Oh dear. I'm losing the plot. I just whispered to Alexa in the living room as I didn't want Alexa in the kitchen to answer instead. ? I've been doing housework and shopping. I'm about to roast a chicken and a gammon which will do me most of next week. I bought dgs1 kitchen implements so he can 'help me ' in the kitchen. They are child size and very colourful. I'm off to chat to Alexa now. Have a good afternoon kitcheners.

Too right Jax

Now the local farm shop has fresh local salad crops on sale I’ve extended the foods I eat to include things like mackerel with salad rather than soup on warm days. I’m not giving up now.

As long as you’re happy with it Blossoming I’ve lowered my carbs considerably following your example, I’m not pre diabetic, but I figure prevention is better than cure.

Sending love to YiaYia and DiL, such a sad and difficult time.

Good to hear you sounding happy Urmsyour holiday is doing you good.

I’m far from fading away Jax especially after today’s lunch! I think my stomach has shrunk though, my clothes are looser and I can’t eat big amounts. I lost weight quite quickly at the beginning but it seems to have plateaued somewhat so will look into other options. I have to consider things like my kidney disease and shortened bowel too, don’t want to make myself ill. I wish I could speak to an NHS dietician, but they’re like hen’s teeth round here.

Sounds like a busy day Jax you deserve a wine or two. I’m always impressed with what you manage to fit into each day and you still find time for your volunteering work - hats off to you!

Sad times Yia sending hugs to you and your DiL ?

Hola, lovely to see you again here Urms I’ve been hoping you’d pop in!

Hi all, well it was lovely here until about 5, then clouded over and got wee bit cooler.
Did a drive today, nipped to the local shops then planted my germinated parsnips. We walked to the local earlier and çaught up with friends, a pleasant couple of hours outside.
I’m sure your curry is perfect Shazza food is incidental when you have good company. We’ve curry too tonight, chicken and mushroom, I use Pataks paste with a can of coconut milk, clean plates, so I assume all fine
Sounds like a wonderful break Grannmarie have a good journey back.
And you Blossoming must be fading away with your reduced diet, I hope it’s achieving it’s purpose.
No rain here, it would be most welcome in abundance, not forecast for a while either.
Time for a glass, cheers ?x

Friday wine sounds good to me.?Safe journey Grandmarie sounds like a brilliant holiday.
DDIL ‘s father has been moved to a local community hospital for end of life care,at least he will be cared for.It’s so very sad he’s such a lovely man.
It’s been a lovely day here warm and sunny all day.
Have a good evening all.

‘Evening All’

Hello kitcheners I’ve been AWOL on my holidays in Malaga. I’ve been posting, but less frequently. The weather is glorious now. I’ve just had a shower to wash off the sun cream and I’ll join you in an 8:30pm tipple soop as we are meeting neighbours (now friends over the years) for dinner. A crisp G&T first will just hit the spot.

I’ve a lot of catching up to do in here. Best wishes to everybody in the meantime. x