Soop's kitchen for kindly, caring folk...

Hi all, we were sat in a pub looking at the menu when someone came in and said the Queen was dead, she’s done so well throughout her life and will be sorely missed.
An emotional day for you before that Grannmarie my condolences.
We walked, avoiding the showers and found a pub doing food, then back to the hotel and played Rummikub in the lounge are, best of three games ?, I venture there’ll be a rematch tomorrow.
I’ve worn flip flops for so long, wearing my trainers has felt odd all day today, I was glad to get them off.
Sleep well all x

Thank you, Brook.

I'm glad to hear that you and Mr B. are safe home after your big adventure, what an achievement! Mind you, you have returned to a different season from when you set off! The nights are fair drawing in.

Thanks for the reminder about candles in the hearth, I must go and look some out. I've just rediscovered my furry boot slippers, flip flops no more, the season has indeed changed.

Grannmarie ?

Such a strange and sad day...
We returned from a very moving family funeral to the news of the Queen's sudden decline and death. I'm not a Royalist but I had great respect for the Queen, and I feel sorry for her family in their sorrow.

DH's cousin, 53, died after a short illness.
It was so sad to see her mother and her godmother, ladies in their 80s, mourning their daughter and goddaughter. I'm just thankful that we can now hold proper funerals again. The last funeral on DH'S side was his Dsister's 2020, only 20 allowed. Today we had Requiem Mass, burial, sit down meal and toast for 170. So glad that family, friends and colleagues had time to share memories of a lovely lady gone too soon.

The rest of my plans for this afternoon/ evening have been postponed as I sit in front of the TV. The BBC does this well, I like to see the historical perspectives, old photos and film footage.

Thinking of all those in the kitchen affected by today's news.??

Hope the weather brightens up a bit Jax and you can enjoy a wander in Oxford - there’s been heavy showers on and off here today too, I was hoping to get out into the garden but I gave up at lunchtime and went into town instead
I’ve even put the heating on for an hour as if feels so damp and chilly - I’ve lit a lovely scented candle on the hearth too

Hello all. I think I forgot to write anything yesterday as I was so busy! Anyway, today is a strange one isn’t it? I did some admin, cut a slice of quiche and OH and I sat down to watch Liz Truss make her statement. Then rolling news across the bottom of the screen about the Queen. All very sad, yet inevitable. At our WI Coffee morning yesterday was our oldest member. Like the Queen she is 96 and looking frail. I’m glad to hear all the RF are on their way to Balmoral.

We are having pies, mash and peas for dinner. I’ll then have a Zoom meeting with some friends.

Strange day. I know that if the radio is playing sombre music when I turn it on in the morning, that we have a new King.

We are ensconced in our Oxford hotel mid thunderstorm, hope tomorrow it’s drier for our wander and afternoon tour in the center, a short bus ride away.
The drive up wasn’t to bad, a bit wet, then a tyre pressure warning. There’s a garage nearby, we’ll check them before our return journey, MrJ kicking them and giving a thumbs up does not inspire confidence.
Fingers crossed for Monday llfl, try not to worry, easier said than done.
Trying times SueD it’s so tricky, you’re doing your utmost that’s all you can do.
Hope your worrying mushrooms are no more muse ?
Welcome Redagila to thé spécial place.
Enjoy your evening all, we’ll be wandering out to a local hostelry for dinner later.

Morning all! Suffolk is finally getting some rain! We had a thunderstorm with heavy rain at bedtime, after a few showers in previous days. There is even a green haze on the lawn. Such a relief.
It’s Crafternoon Tea this afternoon so I must pack up my sewing machine and patchwork to take. I also have a cardigan to finish for DGS.
Loved your dog portrait soop. And, of course, the sunset.
Better get moving - lots to do today. Have a good day everyone.

Welcome Redagila!
A lovely doggie portrait Soop, but then they all are, I have a few examples of your work in my house.

What a lovely place this kitchen is. Just a short visit does the spirits good.

I love your Labrador portrait soop, we had three guide dog pups for the first year of their life and the first two were yellow labs. Such sweet natured dogs, and very naughty! Well puppies inevitably are.

Suedonim you are in such a hard place at the moment, I feel for you ?

Finally, welcome to redagila. I love to think of the many people visiting this kitchen and finding comfort here.

Suedonim I'm exhausted just reading all that's going on in your life. Take a breath, relax and that's
just me!

We’re home in Inverness now, yesterdays journey was fine with just a slight delay to the flight. It’s very wet and soggy though and looks like there’s been lots of rain, the garden has taken a bit of a battering!
Thank you all for your kind comments on the completion of our walking adventure, I don’t know what’s next yet Yia, we’ve now done the West Highland Way and the South West Coast Path so maybe Hadrians Wall walk or the Coast to Coast - I’ll have to get planning!
It’s a difficult time for you and your mum SueD, hopefully once the house is sorted the carers will ease the pressure on you a wee bit.
A very warm welcome Redagila and good news about your cataract operation
Another beautiful portrait soop you’re such a talented lady
Be careful with those mushrooms muse it’s a good job you recognised them for what they are
Thinking and missing our grandmabatty and hoping all is ok ❤️

Thank you for your kind comment, muse.

I shall wish you all a pleasant and peaceful evening. I trust that we shall be together again tomorrow.

Good afternoon all. We've been dodging the downpours all day here in mid Cornwall. Just managed to get back to my car after having my hair cut and blow dried.

MrMuse panicked me last night. He said we had lots of mushrooms growing at the side of the track between our cottage and the new build. He said they looked like chestnut mushrooms but no stalks and brought a few in. Thank goodness for Google. They turned out to common earthballs -highly poisonous but probably not deadly ! Apparently this very common mushroom appears to be responsible for the most mushroom poisonings each year in the UK. This is possibly due to confusion with Common Puffballs or even Truffles. They have a black center. Most people end up in hospital. Armed with gloves and masks (I read how the spores escape !) we bagged that we could find this morning and off to the incinerator they went. I fear it won't be the last we shall see of them.

Sunsets and portraits soop. Beautiful. I do approve. Clever lady.

I hope Blossoming is having a great holiday. I too wondered when she said she would be absent for a while.

Welcome redagila. Excellent advice. MrM had to cancel his hernia operation due to covid but told them he would take a cancellation. He had the all clear from the covid and within a couple of weeks, was offered a date. 24 hrs notice ! Two people on the same day had cancelled their operations. I hope someone got MrM's original date.

It's nonstop for you SueD but I'm pleased to read your mother's mobility is improving and having the carer visit 4x a day will take some pressure off you I hope.

Thinking of you annsixty today and wondering what news your friend has had. Hope it is positive. Did you accompany your very old friend on Tuesday as she revisit the places she knew? Old memories can bring us such comfort.

Take care all kitcheners.

It appears that Mr S has managed to sort out the blips with the computer. fingers crossed. Although it did take an awfully long time to update some messages on Facebook. My language was most unsavory.

I should be ironing. Only I am not because I'm bushed. Several of today's tasks have jiggered me. I shall therefore put my feet up and raise a cup of tea to my favorite people. I am tempted to spell favourite with a "u". Apparently, that is incorrect.

Here is the portrait. It will be in the post very soon. It's a gift for a lady who has shown us much kindness.

A little later, I shall be showing you a photo of the portrait that I have finished of a golden Labrador. Do hope that you approve.

A warm welcome, redagila. That certainly is good news regarding the date of your cataract removal. The results of the surgery are wonderfully illuminating.

Here for you and that lovely lot is last night's sunset.

I've never seen this thread before today (hangs head in shame!). Good morning to everyone & a happy day.

Just thought I would share my good news. I had a 1st appointment at the hospital yesterday as I need a cataract removed. I was being put on the waiting list but told it could be months before the op. I pointed out that I live very close to the hospital & would be happy to take a cancellation. RESULT. Phone call this morning offering me a date next week which I couldn't accept but it's now booked for 26th September - how lucky am I?

It seems the hospital is currently receiving many cancellations because of Covid & other problems, so anyone else on waiting lists & able to go without much notice, could be worth a phone call to see if you can be offered a cancellation.

Sympathy is all I can offer SueD. I never did things the right way!

Just a quick update from me. We’re getting more organised in the new house though there are still plenty of boxes to be unpacked. We’ve had the GC over several times and they’re certainly getting their little knees under the table. Though I’m not too keen to have GS this week as he has Hand Foot and Mouth!

Dealing with my mother has been trying. She’s still in hospital but her mobility is improving somewhat. The plan is to send her home with carers four times a day. However, her house isn’t in a fit state to go back to, due to previous incontinence issues, so I’ve had to organise a company that deals with biohazard materials to strip out all the flooring - a cool £700+ gone. Then there are new carpets to be laid, a new hospital-style bed to be bought and sundry other items.

My Dh and I have spent this afternoon clearing bookshelves etc from my mother’s house, heavy work for people heading towards 70 & 80 respectively. It’s not as if my mother is even grateful! I just get criticism for not doing it her way. ? I need to practise saying Ommmmmmmmmm. ?‍♀️

Sending best wishes to everyone and TOYA. XXX

Sweetie pie looks so well Soop all the lovely food you feed her.
Thinking of you LLFL, the dress sounds lovely.
What an achievement Brook what next?
I had an appointment today with my rheumatologist.He wants me to stay on the steroids,if I have a flare increase them for a few weeks.As regards surgery my decision.
Oscar is just about coping hopefully as he gets back into a routine it will improve.
Starting to pack for our trip to France we are going to Normandy and Brittany so wet weather gear will be needed!
I love the earrings Muse.
Have a good evening all.

Galen are you cruising again, how lovely! Well, when you get past the Bay of Biscay it will be.
I was sending you happy vibes the other day when I saw photos of DGD’s best friend’s new baby. She has the same name as your granddaughter.

Ann ?
Neine ? a very painful area to damage. I broke my pelvis in February and although I presume it’s healed it’s still painful if I forget and plonk my self on a hard chair. You can get cushions shaped to cushion the coccyx and pubic area. Some in a nifty carrying bag. I haven’t got one yet but I have got the doughnut cushion that the carer I had for the first few weeks gave me.
LLFL ? for you too. You sound as if you have a very good doctor and I hope all your test results are good.

The computer screen is playing silly b's. MrS tried for over half an hour to correct it. Thought that he'd succeeded but, alas, not. Although I did manage to read my pm. I shall wish you all a good evening and hope for better results tomorrow.

Soop, that is a splendid looking pussy cat. Looks a bit like my cat Milo.

Well, I dropped off the samples at the Health Centre. I will speak to my GP. next Monday about the results of all these tests.

I then popped into my local Waitrose and spent ages in there. Not because I was buying loads of stuff. No. They were reordering the shop and I (and most other customers) were having to ask where things were. Apparently it’s all to improve the customer experience. I wondered how it could when we couldn’t find anything. When I got home I was weak and ordered a beautiful White Stuff dress from John Lewis. It may turn out to be a bit too long. But that’s okay as I have used a brilliant local seamstress before. Not cheap but you get what you pay for.

Did you know that Queen Victoria only had 10 Prime Ministers? The current Queen has had 15. Only One other PM has had the same name as the Monarch, but I can’t remember who.

OH is out with his U3A group so I have made spag Bol for dinner and completed a pile of admin.