Soop's kitchen for kindly folk...

‘Evening All’

The kitchen’s quiet. I assume you’re all at home, cosy and watching ‘Strictly’. We’ve been out this afternoon. Sat in the sunshine at a bar in a square. I did lots of people watching while I sipped my palma violet gin & tonic. Then we decided our ‘one for the road’ at 5pm would be just be where we were - as the sun although dipping, was lovely and warm. I was wearing a tee shirt dress and sandals. No cardigan needed.

We’ve eaten a simple meal of warm Spanish tortilla with a tomato salad. Himself has just watched the Man. Utd game.
I’ve taken off my mascara, brushed my hair and put on my pj’s. We are both sitting on the balcony now, windows wide open. I can’t believe how mild it is!

Hope all your tests prove positively normal LLFL and that yours are too Blossoming. You have such an accepting attitude to your health issues. You just deal with things in such a calm manner. I do admire you.

Urms ?☔️? here …..but at least I have ? ?

Hello all kitcheners.
So sorry to read earlier on the posts from Cornergran and SueDonim. I do hope the keyhole surgery is a success Sue. The supportive messages here will help too as do tears. It's the release. I hope you enjoyed all the BBC 100 celebration dances tonight Cornergran and all other GNers watching it too. Weren't they excellent.

So much to celebrate Chrissielou . I look forward to hearing all about it.

I am working my way a huge bag of windfall apples. A generous lady at our Pilates classes was giving them away. Goodness knows how many trees she has. I must ask her next week. I've frozen 2.5kg and made a crumble ... and there's sill lots left. Monday we expect the carpenter back to fit two long shelves in the kitchen area. He was meant to call last week to check the measurements. Perhaps he will call round tomorrow. ??

Good night all.

Urm I'm looking at a blazing log fire and polished off my G+T an hour ago but now finishing the last of some white wine. A large glass went into the risotto tonight first. However, the scene in the square you paint along with the balcony sound just perfectly idyllic. It makes me long for the warm Cornish spring and summer days again.

Cheers Doodle. Rain here too. Too much of it today.

Hello muse ?

I hope it`s been a good party Chrissielou.
I`ve been for my 2 jabs this afternoon, flu and covid.
It`s been a lovely day for mid October, sunny and breezy and fairly warm.
Found out today that the newest great grandchild, due early April, is another boy. I think our family have forgotten how to make girls, lol!

Happy baby news, Hellogirl, that's something to look forward to!?

Hello everyone. I expect you are all asleep. We are just settling down. It’s been a lovely day here in Suffolk and I have done the tiniest bit of work in the garden. Rain forecast tomorrow and DGC from mid afternoon until sometime on Monday. Must think of a plan …
NNST.

Ooh a very quiet kitchen this afternoon, I’ll just put the kettle on and leave some gingerbread on the side
I was hoping today might have been a bit better weather wise so I could have got out into the garden but it’s still very damp and grey
I’ve been keeping myself busy though with cleaning my kitchen cupboards, fridge and freezer. Not my favourite job but at least it’s done now. I put some upbeat music on the radio and sang along and shimmied so to say - good job I was on my own!

I had a lovely FaceTime call with DS earlier, good to see him again even though we only met up last Sunday. They’re both home safely in Switzerland now and back to work. DD2 and family are on their way back home to Inverness from their holidays in Yorkshire so I hope the traffic and weather isn’t too bad for driving

Sending warm hugs to everyone in need of some tlc just now

A soggy good afternoon, dear Kitcheners.

Hellogirl1 It is lovely to have good news to celebrate. An April baby for us lot to look forward to.

I have been watching the Wallace and Gromit film. So clever. Light-hearted and skillful.

I am in a trough of despondency at the moment. A combination of distressing events together with the side-effects of my cancer meds has sapped me of my energy.

I KNOW that I am so fortunate. I dislike myself for feeling the way that I do.

I apologise to you all. It's best if I do not dwell on things here in our kitchen. Many of you have enough concerns to contend with. I have no wish to add to them. I am not going far. I am not forsaking our kitchen. I shall simply keep a low profile until my spirits are restored. It's only fair.

Take care of yourself soop ??

Soop, I don't normally check in on this thread but I am absolutely SURE no one minds you posting about how you feel - whether that is good or bad. That is what support threads are for.. They aren't for pretending you are okay, when you are not okay People care about you and sharing might help.

Soop I've been in such a trough ( without cancer meds) and am slowly clambering out. Lots of warm hugs to you. Brook I'm very impressed at your cleaning regime. I keep thinking I must clean the kitchen cupboards and do something else instead. Boeuf bourgignone is almost ready. It smells amazing so I'll leave some for you all in the kitchen, along with plum crumble. I'm having palpitations this afternoon which are annoying. I blame the gin and tonic from last night. So I shall rest easy and see you tomorrow.

Good afternoon, Soop and lovely Kitchen people! ?

So sorry to hear that you are feeling low, Soop. We all experience that at times, it's not a nice feeling but you are 'not allowed' to dislike yourself for being human, no no no... be gentle with yourself, this too shall pass. We are here, wishing you well ??.

Thank you, Brook and Grandmabatty for the delicious food, you are spoiling us!

We have checked in to our hotel after a dreich drive up, I am sitting near the window looking out at the River Clyde and the autumnal trees, very tranquil. Neither DH nor me has the energy or inclination to go down to the pool and spa, although we have brought our swimming stuff. Maybe tomorrow? ? We are perusing the menu, trying to decide on our choices for dinner this evening. This wee break was a 70th birthday gift, in May, for DH from my siblings, very kind cos I benefit too! We weren't able to use it earlier with DH'S illness, I'm very thankful that he is able to enjoy it now. I have just sent them a photo of the view, with many thanks for their kindness.

TOYA

Before I log off, heartfelt thanks for your understanding messages. You are super-special people.

Soop sometimes life seems like hard work and we get battered in the storm a bit, but the sun will come out for you again. You are justified in feeling a bit low and there's no need to be apologetic for those feelings.

We had a wonderful evening, my DD1 loved her cake and thoroughly enjoyed the celebration with family and friends. A late night so feeling a bit tired today, however dog walked and 2 Xmas cakes in the oven so a relaxing evening for me.

Hello Soop! I’m sure you’ll feel better soon. It’s been a grey day after all.
I haven’t done much today. Younger son has just WhatsApp’d a photo of himself wearing glasses for the first time! He looks very studious and handsome. A quick chat with elder son. They were supposed to be coming to stay for a few days next week for half term but son’s partner is working. So they might be coming on Friday now. Daughter is coming on Saturday. In a few minutes I will start preparations for Sunday dinner. It’s a Diane Henry recipe. Chicken poached in milk with lemon zest, nutmeg, milk, garlic and bay leaves. I usually serve it with some sort of pilau. Apricot tart for pudding with ice cream. Have a good evening everyone.

Just had to pop in to offer soop, and anyone else who might benefit, a gentle hug. Life can be a buggeration just in itself sometimes.

We are having a lovely time with Dd2 and family but boy they are tiring!

‘Evening All’

Oh dear lovely soop I’m so sorry to hear you’re feeling low. It’s understandable. Look after yourself and do whatever makes you feel comfortable. You know we will all be thinking of you in the meantime.

Goodness LLFL I’d love to pull up a chair at your dining table! Your meals sound delicious.

We’ve had a nice afternoon out. It’s warm and sunny here at 26°C. Strolling about, a G&T in one bar saying hello to the locals and agreeing “tres semanas” for vacations is wonderful in this beautiful weather. Moving on to eat at a carvery, smiling at the noisy little green parakeets chattering in the palm trees. Then back up, ‘one for the road’ at 5pm in one of our tapas bars on our doorstep. Nice that regulars stopped to say ‘hello’. No wonder we call this our happy place. I definitely think the pleasantly warm sunny weather helps people to pause a while. In the UK folk are often busy, rushing about with a ‘to do’ list, looking at the pavements in case they slip on the wet leaves at this time of year.

This holiday shortens our winter - especially as the clocks go back next weekend and we miss Hallowe’en and Bonfire Night.

Dear Soop we have all had our ups and downs in this kitchen and found comfort, I hope you will too. My very first visit to the kitchen I was going through a major fit of the glums and I found a warm welcome, a comfy chair and no one was judging me. I hope your spirits lift soon x

Grandmabatty your dinner sounds lovely, plum crumble is another favourite of mine. Another delicious meal for LadyLFL too! It has rained steadily here all day, now the sun is starting to go down the sky is clearing!
Have a lovely evening dear Kitcheners, TOYA

Oh Soop you are as deserving of the same kindness and thoughtfulness you show to others when you yourself are down in the doldrums. I know it can feel as though you will never be able to get yourself out again, but good friends are here to help with a sympathetic ear and a firm hold of your hand.

Sending you lots of healing love Soop❤️
Thinking of everyone. ?

Everyone has said what we feel Soop you listen to us moan I speak for all when I say moan away.
Glad you had a great party Chrissie you all. deserve it.
I'm very jealous Urmsof weather and friendliness of people there,I agree when it's sunny people chat more .
I will have to look up that recipe Llfl it sounds lovely.
Wishing all a restful evening.

Sending the warmest gentlest hugs to our dear soop and hoping your feel much brighter soon. I think the weather and the dark evenings have a lot to do with things and the thought of the long winter stretching ahead. I think we could all do with a bit of Urms Spanish sunshine
Hugs to you too grandmabatty hope the palpitations ease and you have a contented evening - well done with all the cooking you do and hats off to you too LadyLFL your meals always sound delicious
Enjoy your weekend away Grannmarie it sounds really special and what a beautiful view you’ve got, such a lovely treat for you both from your siblings
So pleased you had a lovely time Chrissilou - you’ve been busy today as well!
And breathe … kitty I know that tired but happy feeling well