Soop's kitchen for kindly folk...

I don't post much nowadays, but I've been so moved by your DD's plight, Baggs. One of my best friends has been treated at Christie's and, with her cancer dormant, is still having checks there. There is no better place for your daughter. They have opened a new annex at Macclesfield hospital, though I'm not quite sure what types of treatment are done there.
Glad you are back home for some R&R. Look after yourself,

What a lovely homecoming for you Baggs after such a long journey. I've done the first half of that one quite a few times and it's quite a drive. Glad your DD has got into the Christie.

Quite evening here with lots of TV. Spag Bol from the freezer and MrM found some garlic bread in there too. I made a beetroot chocolate tray bake this afternoon for pud. Hope I'm not tempting you too much Urm. Well done you ?

Urms I know I need to lose weight. Cancer, 2 surgeries and a very serious illness in the 2 years prior to the first lockdown had left me very unfit and out of condition. Lockdown encouraged me to lie on the sofa feeding my face with comfort food! So I was glad when the GP suggested Healthier You. I have 3 motivations.

1. I don’t want diabetes.
2. Carrying excess weight makes my mobility even worse,
3. Vanity. (I’m gorgeous already obvs )

My intention is to fit back into my favourite walking trousers. If I can lose 6.5kgs in the next year I think I’ll be there. Once I’m lighter and can exercise more it should help with my weight.

muse the old me was often tempted hehe! That’s how I got to be this heavy. Now? No problem. I went out for coffee on Thursday. My companions ordered cake and I declined. That’s how motivated I am! Yet when I came up I realised I’d had a lovely time chatting and until I shift the poundage, cake doesn’t have to be part of the enjoyment. Now that’s a revelation in itself (for me).
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Me in my favourite walking trousers . My natural hair colour before it started to fade, cut very short following the brain injury. It was much easier to manage. I love this pic, taken at Long Meg and her daughters near Penrith. I did quite a lot of (rather wobbly!) walking once I got out of hospital. I was much younger then so I don’t expect to be the same but I’m sure I can do better.

Baggs at least you are home, safe and sound. Your daughter is being treated at one of the best hospitals in the country-one cannot ask for more. Thanks for keeping us updated, it is appreciated by everybody.

kittylester Persie has grown so much, she is a beautiful young lady, just like her mum. I am still laughing at what she asked you-have you decided yet?!
TOYA

Have been more absent than present recently and have just been catching up.
I’m so sorry to hear your daughter’s news, Baggs. My fingers are crossed for her treatment at The Christie.
Kitty, keeeeeeep resting!

Blossoming you are my inspiration to stick at this.

Aw, thank you! Now I’ll have to stick at it too, which is no bad thing

I second that Baggs Christie’s is the best cancer hospital in the country. I used to pass it every day when I was a student. Manchester is where I met my DH!
I hope you have a restful couple of weeks and charge the batteries.

Good morning dear Kitcheners.

I hope you have had a good sleep Baggs and will be able to recharge your batteries over the next few weeks. You too Soop.

Hoping kittylester, annsixty and any others in the ‘sick bay’ are on the mend.

The sun is shining, the tree I see from the window is beautiful with its autumnal leaves. I’m listening to Susannah Lipscomb on History Hit and Mr.B is heading to the kitchen. He will reappear shortly with bacon rolls and big mugs of tea. My Sundays don’t get much better. I will pop back later to catch up on the news.

Baggs, I’ve read of the Christie and the amazing work it does. I hope your daughter’s treatment there can bring a little light into the shocking situation you’re all in. .

I was also with you for most of your lovely description of your drive home. We’re well used to the roads from London to Aberdeenshire, though we peel off at the M73 to head east.

I am home alone for now as dd1 has hauled her dad off for a trip to Aldi and a bacon roll at the M&S cafe. It’s sunny here and the cat and I are both enjoying the warmth.

My mother is due to go home from hospital tomorrow, this week we’ve overseen the laying of carpets, the installation of a hospital bed and a new microwave and left a ‘starter pack’ of fresh foods.

I don’t have the head space to respond to individual posts but I am TOYA. ❤️

Baggs good to know that you are safely home after such a long journey. It must have been hard for you to leave your daughter. I grew up in Lancashire and have known of the excellence of the Christie Hospital all my life. I do so hope they can help your daughter. Sending you and your family my kindest, warmest thoughts. Hoping for the best, and sending you strength for the future.

Good afternoon, Soop and lovely Kitchen people!?

The Kitchen has had lots of visitors since I last posted so please forgive me if I do not respond to everyone, I have enjoyed reading all your news.

Baggs, I am so glad that you are safe home to a warm loving welcome, and it's great to hear that your DD will be treated in such a wonderful centre of excellence, very reassuring.

SueD, I hope everything goes smoothly for your DMum's return home tomorrow.

Sarah, my lentil soup recipe is pretty basic, based on my DMum's homemade soup that we grew up with.... it can be easily adapted for vegetarians.

500g red lentils , well rinsed
4 large carrots, grated
2 leeks, 2 onions, sliced and diced
1 large potato, cubed small
Mixed herbs, or just parsley
Ham haugh/ ribs. * veg stock if you wish.
I often add a pint of veg stock if the soup is very thick.
I don't use salt and pepper during cooking as I make this often for my grandchildren.
You can add seasoning at the table if you wish. I just add pepper cos the ham hough is naturally salty.

Cover lentils and ham haugh with cold water, bring to the boil, cook over medium heat for about 30 min, stirring regularly to prevent lentils sticking to bottom of pot. Use ladle to remove any 'scum' that rises to the top.
Add all vegetables and dried herbs,
plus veg stock, bring to boil again then cook over a low heat for about 20 minutes, until potatoes are soft but not disintegrated!
If using fresh parsley, keep this til nearer the end of cooking.
Remove ham haugh/ ribs with a slotted spoon, cut meat from bones and add to soup. Enjoy with crusty bread!
You can keep the soup in the fridge for up to 3 days, or portion and freeze it.

DS1 and DGD came to reclaim Granddog, my house seems very empty now! The family had a wonderful holiday in Majorca, they are looking well.

TOYA, enjoy the rest of the weekend.

Grannmarie that lentil soup sounds very tasty. I hope you are feeling much better now. I've got a slow cooker pot full of bolognaise which is ready to eat and a soup pot full of leek and potato soup which I'm about to liquidise. My family like it smooth. Then I'm putting an apple crumble in the air fryer. The house smells of cooking today. The weather cleared up so I put jumpers out to save using the heated dryer. I've done an hour of Spanish and I'm watching The Guns of Navarone which has one of my favourite actors in it - Gregory Peck. Have a good afternoon kitcheners

You’ve both inspired me GranMarie and Grandmabatty! Now that my hands are all healed I must get some soup making ingredients and do a couple of batches. It’s definitely the weather for warming soups.

Hoping all goes well for your mother’s return home SueDonim.

Thank you, Grandmabatty, I'm feeling much more human now, just tired.

My goodness, you've been busy, three delicious courses all prepared! I sometimes blend my soup cos DS1 likes it smooth..whereas DGS2 likes to identify the veggies in his ?
I have chicken curry in the slow cooker today, a wee change from a Sunday roast.

Just in case anyone is looking ? for ham haugh/ ribs, I get mine at the butcher's counter in Morrisons. Enormous haughs are £2 each, the butcher cuts them in half for me so I get two pots of soup from one haugh. The ribs are sold by weight.A strip of ribs about the size of your hand costs around £1.20. I love the flavour of the ham off the bone.

I'm glad your hands have healed, Blossoming.?

Hello everyone. Son, partner and my granddaughter have gone back to London. We had a lovely weekend. My granddaughter helped me make a batch of lemon icecream (she zested the lemons and squeezed the juice) and I did leg of lamb and all the trimmings. She peeled the garlic and sliced it into thin slivers. She picked the rosemary too. She’s only 6! I am now shattered and about to read the Sunday papers. Later I will slouch in front of the television and watch Frozen Planet, Stanley Tucci and Antiques Road Show. Not necessarily in that order!

Thank you for updating us Baggs. There have been a number of messages from Gransnetters who speak highly of The Christie Hospital. Their input has given us a glimmer of precious hope for your dear daughter.
Thank you, annsixty, Susan56 and Urms. My heart and spirit feel lighter.

We were invited to have a bacon butty at our pals' house. That was at 12:30. We haven't been home long. I shall therefore not linger longer.

I wish you all a peaceful Sunday evening. Bye for now.

Thank you for the recipe, Grannmarie. I shall make the soup tomorrow.

Hi folks,

I am in the kitchen beginning to cook our late Sunday roast having just watched My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 not Shakespeare but it made me giggle.

Enjoy your Sunday evening those who can (((hugs)) for those with troubles, an extra big ((((hug)))) for our dear Baggs

Hi everyone.Pleased you arrived home safely Baggs. All fingers and toes crossed for your DD’s treatment but please look after yourself.

We have been to Ikea today for bathroom fittings, we are upgrading our main bathroom.Found what we wanted but now feet up can hardly move!.I’m very lucky DH cooking dinner.
The Yia boys arrived safely in Majorca and seem happy sitting round the pool,watersports tomorrow.I could never keep up Soop.?
Have a nice evening everyone.

After seeing all the family yesterday I saw them again earlier today on a scarecrow trail, it was sunny then, bucketing now. May not see them all for a while, it goes like that, but it’s been lovely, we’ve sorted Christmas plans, started an online group for present lists and had big hugs.
We’re having an hour with heating, it’s miserable out with a ‘feels like’ 12 degrees, chicken in the slow cooker, veg on the way. Double veg for me, Urms and Blossoming are doing so well.
Enjoy your evening, thoughts with Baggs and her family x

You are very welcome, Sarah 74.?