Soop's comforting kitchen for the sharing of...

Naughtyneine, we are in N.Cambridgeshire, been here for almost 54 years! I was born & brought up in the flat fens of Norfolk, (so only moved about 40 miles!).
I still love Norfolk, for the past 15 years we have had a little "home-from-home" on the NW Nfk coast. ( only downside is that we don't have an internet connection there, (so I can't keep up with all you lovely folk)).

We have one of DS's dogs here for the next 10 days, ( he will travel with us this weekend).

Warm wishes to you all, especially those with health issues & worries.

It’s just gone very dark and gloomy here in Inverness, looks very much like rain but none yet today
That sounds like a lovely holiday to look forward to dmms, no wonder you’re excited. I love the South west too and we’ll be back there ourselves the end of August
We’ve been looking after DGD again today, she wanted to go swimming this morning so I took her to the pool at the gym. She had a great time at the grown up gym and did well with her swimming. We dropped her home this afternoon then did a food shop. DH has just gone out again to watch DGS at his football training so Im having a sit on the sofa and a rest
Hoping that headache has cleared up dragonfly I remember you saying you’d fallen a while ago, you never know how these things affect you but hope it’s a one off headache.
Pleased yesterday went ok soop and the results good when they arrive, what a shame you’ve to make another trip back though

It's very dark in central Scotland Brook. My daughter messaged me to say she had heard thunder. It's certainly pouring buckets just now. I had both boys this morning and it was lovely. I developed a headache though and needed a nap in the afternoon to get rid of it. It might be weather related. I had to pick up my prescription which has run out but it wasn't at the pharmacy. I'll have to go back tomorrow which is annoying. Soop good results for MrSoop. It's just a shame you have to return. Have a good evening Kitcheners.

Hi kitcheners, I have been awol for most of July, as it has been exceptionally busy.

I have no hope of catching up with all the comings and going’s of the kitchen, but hopefully you will forgive me.

Today we met friends at a beautiful Fishing Lake with a restaurant which had decking and tables protruding over the water. Delicious home made and cooked food (which seems to be a rarity nowadays, thanks to Brake Bros ) and a catch up with dear friends. Unfortunately the sun hid behind the clouds, it was still warm though.

Good evening dear Kitcheners. Today has been a busy one, sorting out admin, housework, collecting prescriptions, exercises, cycling and Gaelic lessons. We need to be up and out early tomorrow as Mr. B is taking me out for lunch and we are hoping to do a little birdwatching along the way. It’s been a little dull and damp here but still warm. Sorry to hear you are suffering headaches Dragonfly and Grandmabatty, hope they are soon over.

Good evening lovely Kitcheners.
We’ve had a busy day with GS today. We took him to a large park with his scooter for a couple of hours and for some chips to McDonald’s. Really tired now. For some reason at the moment I’m coughing when I go to bed I don’t know if it’s related to hay fever. I’m ok once I get to sleep but it’s a nuisance at the moment.

Nannytopsy hope your headache has subsided and you haven’t caught covid?

Blossoming interesting about your DBs wedding ring I bet he was devastated when he lost it. My SILs ex husband got special permission to take her up to the towers of the bridge to propose to her.

Naughtyneine so sorry to hear you had that fall last night. I’d love to see a mole close up I always imagined them to look how they do in a cartoon? of course I have googled how they look.

Soop hope your DHs results are favourable. I have a lot of ironing to do tomorrow I usually do it to Two Doors Down it makes the ironing less boring somehow. What a team you are. My DH wouldn’t have a clue when it comes to washing or ironing.

DS is staying tonight. His ex has GS tonight but she stays in my sons house so he stays at ours. They share care of GS it’s very complicated. Don’t get me started.? my son is too mild mannered and kind for his own good!!

Anyway have a lovely evening everyone. Speak soon ?

Well, that was a good day. OH and I enjoyed a delicious Afternoon Tea in Oxford. This was a belated 70th birthday present courtesy of our daughter. It included a glass of fizz and we called for extra cream and jam. Then we decided at the last minute to take a trip on the river up to Iffley Lock. OH always has fun reminiscing about his time at Oxford back in the 1970s.

Ladyleftfieldlover that does sound like a heavenly day together x

LLFL that sounds lovely! DD and I have an early afternoon tea tomorrow - my 2020 Mothering Sunday treat at last. So looking forward to some quality time with her before the baby arrives in about 2 weeks. ?
Then we meet DH & SiL at the garage to pick up our “new” car, while they test drive an electric vehicle. Exciting!
Then it’s curtain fabric - Muuum, can you make the nursery curtains? Of course dear! I also need another summer weight quilt or we will be sleeping (melting?!) under a 13.5 tog. Think they need our king size bed rather than the spare double. It’s a big bump!
Have a lovely evening and all the best for tomorrow xx

‘Evening All’

Hello the kitchen.
I’ve had some very good health news today. I’ve been apprehensive for a couple of weeks about my bloods so I was DELIGHTED (and very much reassured) to get a phone call at noon from my lovely GP who had been so supportive. She knows I have health anxiety and couldn’t have been nicer. I’ve had 2 appointments in the surgery in the last 3 weeks, blood tests to compare results and today a huge dollop of reassurance and ‘now go and enjoy your holiday’!

I cannot begin to tell you all how relieved I am. All that anxiety which has cast a cloud over things has just melted away.

It made me count my blessings and I decided to be BRAVER going forward. I need to step up and do things in a more positive way instead of folding and thinking ‘I can’t because ...’

So this afternoon I surprised Himself (and me). I said ‘no need to run me over to the little family for swimming lessons. Where is the car key?’.

Dear reader, I haven’t driven in over 5 years yet timid me went down to the car park, put the key into the ignition, looked at the gear stick to see where ‘reverse’ is and after a slightly stuttering start (who bluddy cares?) I drove off.

I feel so very proud of myself tonight! I know it’s not much in the big sea of life but I truly feel so much stronger mentally. I’ve been passive (and worrying) about things for too long. I lost my confidence on so many levels it’s been quite sad really.... When did I become this person who just couldn’t??

So, I parked up at home in the resident’s car park (the Boy Wonder (10) and L’il Miss (5) were amazed to see me get out of the car ‘where’s grandad?’ .. they had never seen me drive and didn’t know ^I could^) I rang Himself and said ‘See you in the wine bar in 5’. We high fived as I drank my Pinot Grigio Blush. It has been an amazing day. Thank you for listening.

Urms well done you!!! Great news on your health and excellent news about conquering your fear.

Urms fantastic news for you all round today. ? your glass of wine was well earned. Health worries are awful they can really wear you down X

Brilliant Urms I really understand how big and scary that mountain is ???.
Just learnt we’re on a hosepipe ban from the 5th, not surprised.
Noted llfl for our Oxford trip in September, especially the boat trip if it’s still running then.
New bedroom window fitted today, funny how silly things are pleasing.
I’m tired, so I’ll wish you all a pleasant rest of your evening.x

That’s really great news urms well done you ??

Well done Urms! Xx

Well done Urms!???

I nearly chickened out. I didn’t tell Himself I was thinking of getting behind the wheel again (ha! A very small, old Peugeot 107 ... it wasn’t as if it was Lewis Hamilton driving for Mercedes was it?) in case at the last minute I bailed. But then I had that thought ... ‘feel the fear and do it anyway’. I’m so happy tonight!

Nanight and thank you for your lovely comments.
I do love soop’s kitchen.

It’s the place to share & care isn’t it? We know this. x

Good news, Urms, well done. x

Still not one drop of rain here, we're parched!

Oh well done Urms... That's a huge achievement and its wonderful to read how it's changed your approach to life too. A few years back after lots of traumas it all got too much for me (My GP said he had been waiting for it happen as I'd spent years trying to help me ex with his health problems). I was a completely different person from the one everyone knew...I couldn't function at all. I didn't want to go on meds so built a mental wall and only popped out of it when absolutely necessary. I really wanted to get better so in the end I set myself one target a day ..anything from posting a letter to doing a shop. I told myself it didn't actually matter if I didn't do it... Just setting it was enough. I also told myself if I achieved more than one thing a day it was a bonus. I didn't ever not achieve my daily target and most days I was able to do more. It took a longish while about 6 months) to get my mojo back but each daily achievement was a step closer. I think the expression is... How do you walk a thousand miles....you take the first step...and that's what you've done. Onwards and Upwards Urms....

Good advice Naughtie.

Well done Urmstongran ??

Oh wow Urms that’s fabulous. I’ve developed a fear of driving too, it’s been four years since I got behind the wheel. The small town I live in has lots of very narrow roads and strange, difficult junctions. I feel like such a 1950s housewife being driven by DH.

Well done Urms I think all of us in !Soopskitchen are very proud of you. Lovely to hear something positive instead of doom gloom . Upwards and onwards we go !

That’s good news Urms. My DIL 2 has terrible health anxiety I wonder if it has anything to do with the menopause as she is so much worse now,did you find this?
Hope your headache is better Dragonfly.I thought of you yesterday when using my walking poles as I believe that’s when you fell.

Some good news my Bil is now home.We will FaceTime him this weekend.
Harpers last day tomorrow then on Monday we have Boris dog for a week.All go at the Yiayia’s boarding kennels.?

Well done Urms you are brilliant.
Hot afternoon here though dark grey clouds keep appearing. Have thrown washing on the line and will keep fingers crossed.
Two lovely walks with ddog. Looking after grandchildren shortly. Picked up some lovely jigsaws in charity shops which I can give them. Kicking myself that I didn't think of grandchildren when I gave their stuff to charity shops. I suppose it's all part of the circle of life as Simba would say.
TOYA