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

Good afternoon kitcheners. That's a lovely portrait Soop. He looks a cheeky wee dog. Blossoming good news is good news so woo hoo! I have a child free house. Dgs2 was an angel this afternoon. He ate a big bowl of butternut squash and sweet potato soup (homemade of course) and made suitably appreciative noises. Then he had a banana before heading for a nap. Dgs1 came in with dd and had an ice lolly and then a chocolate chip cookie. Dd loved being at the nursery with him and playing with a group of wee people. I've made a walnut and cranberry loaf and it's about to go in the oven. It's a new recipe so I'll let you know if it's any good. Have a good evening Kitcheners.

Thats really good news Blossoming I bet you’re so pleased, you just need good results again from your next CT scan. I’m keeping everything crossed for you
Im almost at Cambridge now , the journey has been fine with no problems. I even managed to use my phone to order the “at seat service” on the train to save me the trip to the buffet car. In 5 mins a lovely cup of tea and a sandwich was delivered to my seat - good service ?
Hoping all is ok with your DD2 BladeAnnie it’s lovely that she’ll talk to you
Hope you’re feeling better soon Yia and Curly looks a very handsome chap!

I need to wash my hair. After which, I shall watch Pointless. Such excitement!

Take good care of yourselves. I shall my best to join you lovely lot in our kitchen tomorrow.

Urms Your visit to see your Yorkshire Lass sounds idyllic, except for the trip across Saddleworth Moor. I cannot think of a more hideous couple than Bradey and Hindley.
The visit to your local and a very tasty supper was the perfect way to end your day.

Yia Curly is an extremely handsome fella. One day, when I've caught up with other pet portraits, I may like to paint his portrait. I shall download the photo for future reference.

Blossoming Thank you for updating us with the result of your cancer antigen tests. We all share your relief. Now, as you say, we must patiently await, and hope for the lung CT scan to be unchanged.

BladeAnnie That Duncan is a showstopper

Thank you for your kind comments regarding the completion of the difficult portrait of Angus. We haven't heard back from his owners as they are away for the day. I'm looking forward to handing it over sometime tomorrow.

Grandmabatty Congratulations on managing to spend half an hour with a grumpy Mum. Bless your friend for being there to lift your spirits after the ordeal.

Hello dear kitcheners from myself and Duncan. Lovely picture of Angus soop ❤️ I'm just popping in before I get ready to go and meet DD2 for something to eat when she finishes work. What with one thing and another I think she struggling a bit right now, so it will be good to talk with only us there. Have a good evening everyone and hugs to everyone in need. TOYA

Afternoon everyone.Good news so far Blossoming ?
Love Angus Soop.
Hello Duncan.?
Hope your ok after tooth extraction Jax.
Enjoy your trip Brook.
I woke up this morning feeling terrible,ached from head to toe!then realised I’d forgotten to take my steroids yesterday!!won’t be doing that again.?
We went to see Curly yesterday,My DiL can’t wait to ride him at the weekend,he’s settled really well.
Have a good evening all.

Good afternoon dear Kitcheners, I want to share some news with you as you have all been so supportive. Nurse Sarah rang a short while ago. My cancer antigen tests are all clear, which is wonderful news. However, I have some nodules in my lungs which had been seen on an earlier CT scan. These are not necessarily anything sinister, but my consultant wants me to have a further CT scan to check that there are no changes since the scan 2 years ago. So I should receive an appointment in the next couple of weeks. Fingers crossed yet again!

I’m glad you had a lovely visit Urms, I used to drive over those moors when working on a project in Leeds and they gave me the shivers too.

Angus is a real cutie Soop

Hello my lovely, favourite peoples. I'm running late. Visitor has just this minute left. We need to vote and to deliver the Angus portrait. After which, I've several must-do household jobs to attend to.

I shall catch up. That's a promise. In the meantime, here is a photo of young Angus's portrait.

‘Evening All’

We’ve had a wonderful afternoon over to see our Yorkshire Lass, picking up my stepfather en route. The drive was really enjoyable in the sunshine but passing over Saddleworth Moor always, always gives me the shivers. Those poor children at the hands of Brady and Hindley. It’s so remote.

When we dropped my stepfather off at 6pm we came home, popped into Sainsbury’s below us, bought 2 large potatoes to bake in the oven for 2 hours and some steak, then went up the road to our favourite bar for a couple of drinks leaving said potatoes in the oven.

The bar is only a small trendy place but it had 20 punters in. For a Wednesday teatime that’s not too shabby these days.

Came home, fried the huge rib eye steak which we cut in half, with the onions. Perfect!

These days I don’t seem to ‘cook’ as such - just buy quality food, don’t mess it about too much and only ‘assemble’ it on the plates. ‘If it’s good enough it’s good enough’ is my mantra these days.
#lazygran
Life’s too short to stuff a mushroom as Ms Conrad said!
And yes, I’ve done that over the years.
No more. I’d much rather not, nowadays.
?

Blossoming

More socks LadyLFL?

Two pairs were enough!

Blossoming I have to admit I've put on the electric blanket and an early night beckons. Enjoy your cosy time too

More socks LadyLFL?

Tonight I will cosy down with my fluffy hoodie and watch rubbish on the tv. I might read too.

That’s exactly what I’m doing right now Grandmabatty! It’s so warm and cosy.

Hello everyone. Well, the rain was torrential all day. We popped out briefly to look at the sea and a lighthouse and popped into Waitrose again! OH is preparing to light the fire. Just a few short weeks ago it was so hot I didn’t leave the house. Hopefully we will make it to Norwich tomorrow.

Good evening kitcheners. It's cool and breezy here and rained earlier. Soop thank you for your kind words about my apple. And to you Muse and yiayia. I visited mum this morning and she was grumpy and unpleasant so she got the half hour visit. Then I went to see my oldest friend for solace and a coffee. She cheered me up. This afternoon I took out the autumn stuff. I don't have a lot but I like to acknowledge the changing seasons. Cornergran you've been through the mill.
Tonight I will cosy down with my fluffy hoodie and watch rubbish on the tv. I might read too. Have a good evening Kitcheners.

Good evening lovely Kitcheners. Another quiet day for me. Mr. B did the shopping and in return I sorted out his Xbox . He is not technically minded but is much better at anything involving lifting than I am, we each stick to what we’re good at. I hung out the laundry, it’s been sunny here with a bit of a breeze, but quite cold. I’m currently reading ‘Bring Up The Bodies’, the second book in the Wolf Hall trilogy and I have practiced Gaelic.

Corner you are an incredibly brave Gran, I’m glad it has given a good result.
Keeping my fingers crossed for your DD Muse.
Well done for persisting with the portrait Soop.
Safe journey tomorrow Brook, have a lovely visit.
Hope your mouth isn’t too sore Jax.
How lovely to see Duncan BladeAnnie, he’s so beautiful.

Good afternoon - look who else is popping in the kitchen to say hello ??. It's Duncan ❤️. I can report I've finally sorted the knitting....?. I've also been for my covid booster this afternoon. Very efficient - straight in and out. I remember last time waiting to get in then waiting after the vaccination to check all was OK. None of that today!! Mr BA has made a beef casserole in the slow cooker so I'm going to pop off for a quick shower whilst he does the finishing touches ?. TOYA

corner that sounds horrendous, I hope you are okay.

I had my Covid booster last week. I refused the flu jab then so I popped into my pharmacy today to discover they are low on supplies and are only giving it to the vulnerable and those who have difficulty getting there. I fall into both categories, but the chief pharmacist still had to decide. I passed so I have had it done. I can retire to bed until Spring. This is NW London so probably it is being rationed elsewhere.
TOYA

Hi all, well done on the portrait soop, you got there with your no1 supporter in the wings.
You’re a busy ? muse good luck to your daughter ?
Thank you for the cakes brook, none for me, I had a tooth out earlier, safe journey down south, hope you’ve got lots of reading material.

Well done in finishing the portrait of Angus, soop I knew you’d get there in the end.
Just back home after another busy day! An eye clinic check up this morning which went on for ages as they did additional checks, and then off to the gym for a quick swim and a cake and bake sale and a lovely blether with the ladies afterwards. I’ve bought enough cake and tray bakes for us all, so I’ll put the kettle on and leave them on all the side ?
Yesterday we got our electric smart meter fitted and got the little gadget too that shows you by the minute what your costs are. I’ve been a bit obsessed with it since yesterday, watching how much different appliances use I think it’ll help in the long run in keeping our costs in check and no big surprises when the bill comes
Tomorrow I’m off to visit DD1 and DGS in Cambridge so really looking forward to that. A long train journey there tomorrow but a quick flight back on Monday.
I’ve a bit of catching up to do on kitchen news so will pop back later

Blossoming We have our Covid and flu boosters early October.

Grandmabatty the apple looks good enough to eat. Congratulations!

Ladyleftfield lover...the socks are super smart. I also like the rug.

Urms "The boy wonder" is a very lucky lad. Your husband will be well rewarded with a warm apartment and baked potato and sizzling chicken thighs. Now I feel peckish.

Dare I say that I have finally finished the pet portrait. Never have I had such a struggle. I would have packed away the paints long ago, except Mr Soop continued to encourage me. I cannot claim to be 100% delighted, although I have done my best to do justice to Angus. It isn't a commission (thankfully) but it is a wee gift for a lady living in the village. I painted a portrait of her previous dog, Bruce. It was successful. Bruce has since died.

corner Bless you. You deserve a group hug from us lot.

muse Fingers crossed for your daughter. I do hope that she and the firm can reach a satisfactory agreement.

Nannytopsy No matter how long the journey, a cuddle with a new baby is worth every mile.

Good Morning Kitcheners.
The days fly by far too quickly. I've kept leaving visiting to read the kitchen news too late at night. Caught up now.

The sun keeps putting in an appearance here in mid Cornwall. The rain yesterday was totally unexpected. The occasional shower the forecast said ! I expect the rain back again later today. Our big door mat is still drying in the shed outside as Mya's being eating acorns and was sick on it the night before last. I try to watch her carefully as we walk but she's not always on the lead. She loves to run and it's good for her. The acorns are not though ! The vet last year said she would have to eat a huge amount to make her dangerously ill. There's no escaping them as we do our wood walk.

Today, DD is calling the firm that have offered her a brilliant job. Two clauses in the contract offer she is not happy about. Fingers crossed she still be able to accept it.

Ladyleftfieldlover. I have lovely memories of Holt as we used to visit regularly when holidaying in Sherringham. Beautiful park/woods there.

My belated birthday wishes to all those I have missed. I must do better.

cornergran. 12 injections is such a lot . 10 more than I could cope with all in one go. Glad you're now pain free and i do hope the ablation is hugely successful. My MrM has arrhythmia. I had to look up ablation and have been telling him about it. There are times he is quite poorly when he has a bad bout.

Take care Blossoming and hope the good night's sleeps continue.

Well done with the sales Grandmabatty. You're very talented.

Baking a lemon cake for DGD1 tomorrow . They arrive on Friday. ?

Take care all dear kitcheners.

All I can say about today is phew. Totally overactive for me.

Began with dust removal, it had to be done. Then on to phone calls before an early lunch. A couple of hours in the afternoon at a major hospital some miles away. I emerged resembling a pin cushion after 12 needles when into my lumbar spine region. 6 anaesthetic and 6 steroid. If it works I’ll be referred for ablation to sever the nerves feeding the facet joints. That part of me remains blissfully pain free from the local anaesthetic, shame the rest can’t join in .

You’ll get om with the portrait soop, it may just need you to take a photos. , X,

Sounds a wonderful snuggle nannyt, those are special moments.

Time for sleep now, I can hardly keep my eyes open. TOYA.

Quite a lot of driving but worth it to snuggle a warm baby! He slept a lot but has been feeding since we left, 90 minutes ago!
?for your painting soop.
Like most of you, I shall put the heating on when I get home ?.
Hope everyone has a peaceful evening.