Soop's cosy kitchen for kindly folk...WELCOME

Baggs... What about you sending her a card with all our names on...maybe if it's big enough we could send a little message that if you didn't mind you for write in for us.
GrannySomerset... I'm not sure if you are GrannySomerset because you live there or its your pen name. I hope it's the former as I know for sure the sun is shining for you today. We've only lived here a short while but I already know my way to most of the garden centres including those just over the border in Devon!!!!
I'm still recovering from the trauma of the flower arranging so am laying on a sunbed in my bra and pants... Somewhere in the still to be unpacked packing cases are my shorts and my hopeful bikini...so called as every year I'm hopeful it will still fit.
Sue..maybe take note. Enjoy whatever it is you are doing this afternoon everyone. ?

Baggs I like Naughtyneine's suggestion. If you agree, I could buy a large card from eBay, have it posted to you and, if you are agreeable, perhaps you would kindly add our names. Let me know what you think.

Oh, thank you, naughtyneine! Yes that's a far better idea.

If you're truly happy to find a suitable card, soop, I shall await it in the post and then everyone who wants their GN name on it can let me know, either by PM or here in the Soop Kitchen.

Nannytopsy Such wise words. Take a bow.
"Gin-time" can be of your own choosing. On special occasions, I have no hard and fast rules.

GrannySomerset An extra comforting group (hug) just for you.

dustyangel The azure-winged magpie is a beautiful bird. I've never seen one, not even in photographs.
The sunsets are delightful. Thank you.

The gathering at the bake and plant sale was a happy-chatty affair. Although we are part of a small community, we are very fond of the people we have known since moving here 18 years ago. We purchased cake and hostas and a tray of plants with a name something like gazinia. The hostas will no doubt be attacked by slugs. We live in hope of seeing them prosper.

Baggs I'm about to select a suitable card for Baubles. It will be delivered to your address. Many thanks. Watch this space.

Baggs Have selected a personalised A4 card. It will be with you in approx a week. It was the best that I could find.

Time to make a for Mr Soop. He has cutting the grass.
I may have a couple of photos to add before I sign off.

Hello everyone! Am I allowed back in to the kitche?

We have had a bit of an exhausting time at Lester Lodge and I have struggled to read GN some days. Things might have calmed down a bit now so I will try to keep up.

I have made a chocolate cake with salted caramel buttercream and gold sprinkles , only the best for the kitchen.

Off to catch up with all the news but I am pleased to hear that baubles is getting better.

I have no idea how that photo appeared. We had one of the cats groomed and that is the result. I will post a picture of the groomed cat.

kitty You are ALWAYS welcome. And we are most grateful for the chocolate cake. That is a bonus.
What is that a photograph of, please? It appears to be hair.

Oh I'm glad it wasn't only me...I was just about to go back and find out the meaning of the lilac blanket!.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202205/medium-131616-p1016871.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202205/medium-2144-p1016872.jpg

Kitty Our posts crossed. My goodness, what a fine, furry feline.
I thought for a moment that you had had a serious trim.

The wild yellow flags are bursting into life all around our home. The gunnera has gone crazy since the rain fell and the sun came out.

Night night. I shall join you all again tomorrow.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202205/medium-947704-p1016871.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202205/medium-195108-p1016872.jpg

Here they be...

Thank goodness kitty, I saw your first picture and thought that I really shouldn’t worry about my own much smaller amount of hair loss! I expect your cat having recovered from the indignity is feeling much better now.

Bellanonna the blue magpies are beautiful to watch but I have mixed feelings about them. They chase away all the smaller birds and although we used to have a group of Hoopooes here they seem to have chased them away as well.

soop your wild yellow flags are lovely, I look forward to seeing your gunnera when they have reached their magnificent best. You really have an interesting climate where you are.

I have been thinking about Baubles so much and think that your idea about the large card is excellent.

Lovely photos, soop, you are quite dwarfed by that huge gunnera!

kittylester, that's a handsome groomed cat, ( I, too, was guessing what the lilac-furry-cushion was!).
Anyone with chocolate cake gets a smile from me...!

Great idea about the card for baubles, well done baggs,soop & NaughtyNeine. thank you all.

I made chicken stock from scratch this week. It was a bit dark coloured and very rich when I made chicken soup. Think it was nutritious though. Wouldn’t bother with the faff without the dishwasher.

It's a great idea for a card for baubles can my name be added please. I hadn't posted for a while but read most days.

Please include my best wishes in Baubles card, Baggs! ❤️

That sounds a hard day, GrannySomerset. Sometimes taking action and getting a dreaded task out of the way can be helpful.

We handed over the keys of our house yesterday so that’s drawn a line under a long period of our lives. It still feels the right thing to have done, though, and we’re excited to be going on to pastures new.

Our temporary abode is more liveable now. I lost my organising skills yesterday, due to a migraine (and lack of enthusiasm ) but it was back this morning so now the place is much tidier, various boxes can be disposed of and I can see the floor again. A new BT hub has been delivered (although won’t be connected until Tuesday) and a new fridge came, so the smelly one has gone and we can now keep the milk etc cool.

The cat has been adjusting, too. He had a treat the other night by being allowed to sleep on the bed with us. Of course, being a cat, that wasn’t enough for him, he wanted to get in the bed with us. ? I put my foot down with a firm hand about that.

I love your gorgeous cat, KittyLester, what a beauty!

We’re off to see our dd1 and the little ones tomorrow, so that’ll be a fun day out and a change from boxes, boxes, boxes.

Have a great evening and TOYA! Xx

I've started the list ?

Good evening Kitcheners. Chocolate cake for me Kittylester please. I hope things have settled down for you now. Baggs I would like my name added to the card for Baubles too please. I haven't known her as long as others but we did meet in Glasgow earlier this year at the Glesga Grannies day oot. Soop beautiful plants and so prolific! Suedonim a move is both exhausting and exciting.
Ladies, I have been possessed by the tidy fairy today. Weeding, pruning, watering the garden, stripping the bed, washing on the line and everything ironed, kitchen cleaned, bathroom cleaned, dusting and hoovering done. I've even washed down the wrought iron railings front and back to remove many spider webs. Urms will be horrified ? no lazy gran here today. Tonight will be quiet with a gin and tonic or two. Have a good evening Kitcheners.

Soop I am so envious of your yellow flags...I had forgotten about the mass that I had in the 2 ponds in the family home.... The new people got diggers in and removed every plant...bush tree...pond decked area...fruit trees and the graves of pets gone over the rainbow bridge. My heart broke when I saw it....but life does go on and I'm enjoying planting up a new garden... it was a bitter sweet memory but I loved seeing your picture and being reminded of happy gardening of yesteryears

Please add my name to the card for Baubles. So pleased she appears to be on the mend.
As with everyone here, I know no-one personally, but over the last eighteen months, I feel part of one large, happy family, warm and welcoming.?

Thank you Naughtyneine, soop and Baggs kitchen team effort, please add my name to the card for baubles sending my very best wishes to you.
Mr J and I tried out bowls this morning at an open day, I think there will be muscle aches tomorrow. I’ve never played before, but he has, I did ok though, as Arnie said ‘I’ll be back’. Then son, GF and her daughter came for a late lunch, fortuitously I’d made the lasagna yesterday.
I have had plants delivered (beautiful flag Iris soop) to get in tomorrow and watering, after which a quiet afternoon.
Glad you’re settling SueD.
Not fond of magpies here either dustyangel we have few small birds now, the magpies are noisy and messy too.
Time for wine, your good health all ?it’s precious x

Please add my name to the card Baggs
It is so good to have virtual friends like you and Soop

Baggs, please ad me too. Thank you!