Soop's warm and welcoming kitchen for kindly folk...

Your kindness is very much appreciated.

Mr Soop remains extremely weary but did enjoy a teeny wee dram before bed last night.

Once he's more like his usual cheeky self, I shall begin to relax. Right now, I am discombobulated. I do however send each one of you lovely lot my very best wishes.

Away to do a few jobs. Nothing too strenuous. Needs must.

I hope Mr Soop is starting to feel stronger now Soop and the antique are doing their job. It sounds like everyone mostly has had a much happier weekend which pleases me no end. We helped someone move on Saturday and then they all came for a take away Chinese at the cottage. We missed Mass at our usual church on Saturday as we were dropping off some items to a nurse who has recently arrived from Nigeria with her 2 small children and she literally has very little. The little ones were sleeping in a mattress in the floor. We had some single beds in the storage unit that we were giving to sell but it felt better to give them to her. We went to Mass at a different church yesterday and it was just lovely...very charismatic and just right for DOH who is following a course to become a Catholic. This morning I had my telephone call from the spinal triage unit at 9 am and by 11am I was in the ED for an emergency MRI to rule out Cauda Equina syndrome...it's all a bit of a surprise...I blanked out what she was saying mostly as once she said medical emergency I zoned out. I think all will be ok... Surely I'd have known if it was anything else? I'll be back later to let you know how I get on. At least the sun is shining.

Well a good ending. I shall say no more!
Sleep well everyone 💤

Thanks very much, Jaxjacky. 🥰

Happy Valley, we have just watched the first episode of the first series, I guess that we shall both be avoiding TV and media until we catch up 🤣🤣🤣

‘Evening All’

I’m saddened to hear Mr.Soop is still not himself quite yet soop. As he has an infection that will drag him down until the antiB’s kick in. Hopefully you’ll see an improvement tomorrow after another night of restorative sleep.

I’m settling down to watch ‘Happy Valley’ which is on in half an hour. There are so many ends to tie up I’ll be like a wring out dishmop by 10pm!

Glad to hear your husband is making progress Jax. Slow but sure.

Lovely photo Blossoming! Thank you for sharing. I’d love a stroll around that little marina. Being next to water always lifts my spirits.

I’m in darkest Lancashire * SueDonim*. So glad you’ve had a lovely weekend after recent traumas.

I’m sorry Mr Soop is still under the weather. . If it’s anything like the throat dd1 had, it took four or five days before she really started to perk up. So maybe by tomorrow Mr Soop will be smiling again.

Blossoming would it be an intrusion to ask where you live? Not your full address, of course, it’s just that it looks a beautiful area. If I were a betting person, I’d guess maybe Hampshire?

Bellasnana - twins! ❤️ My nephew has twins, they had four children under four at one point. All are teenagers now and delightful with it. Though I’ve just realised their oldest child will be 20 next month! How did that happen??

It sounds as though there have been some very pleasant weekends amongst the Kitchen folk. We have had the nicest weekend for ages, too. Yesterday we went to a huge outlets place which was much nicer than I had expected. I unexpectedly ended up with a new purse, which will join the new handbag I unexpectedly bought on Thursday. I’m ready for Spring! I also found some lovely bedlinen by Sanderson, which had 60% off and glory be, Dh now has two new pairs of Levis. He’s been looking for new ones since well before the pandemic.

We topped off the day by eating at a pub close to our house, which meant we could each have a cider to accompany our fish & chips and then burn a very few calories as we walked home on a clear, moonlit evening.

Today we’ve pottered, sorted a bit of recycling out and I’ve been teetering on a ladder attaching some fairy lights to a nearby tree, which doesn’t actually belong to us but is part of the shared areas. Our young neighbour came out to ask me what I was doing. Oops! 😳

My dd1 phoned for a chat, having recovered from all her ailments. She has asked us to have the baby one weekend while she and SIL have a couple of nights away. She’s also invited herself and the two children here for a sleepover next weekend, as her Dh will be away for rugby. She only lives three miles away! 🤣🤣

I’m also planning a visit to my son in the US. He’s really wanting to see us so I’m going with ds2 next month. I’ve been looking at flights and car hire this weekend. I think Dh and I will go to see dd2 down south later this month, as well, so more plans to be made.

With that, I shall say goodnight and TOYA. Xxx

Hello all. I am now stuffed and waiting for the Pottery off to start! I cooked roast chicken, stuffing, bread sauce, peas, carrots, roast potatoes and gravy. Pudding was a marmalade pudding with custard. Oh, and we shared half a bottle of Prosecco. OH is now clearing up I hope Mr Soop is feeling better now and can manage a hot toddy.

They’re magic Blossoming, pleased they help.

JaxJacky thank you for telling me about the silver gloves, my hands were absolutely fine despite the temperature.

Pressed post too soon! The water was so calm today that the masts in the boatyard were reflected below.

Just popped in, sorry Mr.Soop is poorly, hopefully on the mend.

Good to see you posting Bellasnana

Good evening dear Kitcheners. Sorrow to hear Mr. Soop’s still so poorly, hope the antibiotic does its work soon. It has been sunny here, very cold but no wind for once.

Thank you, Brook.🥰

Grannmarie sounds like a special afternoon with your family, the recipe is here, it was yummy!
www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/leek-cheese-bacon-tart
It was sunny here for most of the day, but definitely chillier, a short walk left me with rosy cheeks and nose! Then sport and faffing around with a crossword, ham hock is in the slow cooker, such an economical joint.
Thank you Yia he’s back to the nurse tomorrow, but definitely perking up a bit.
It’ll be Happy Valley here later, I’ll have a cushion to hide behind!
Enjoy your evening all x

Wishing MrSoop a speedy recovery soop, I hope he’s a bit improved tomorrow and a bit more back to his normal self
We’ve not seen the sun today, it’s been cloudy and grey all day with a very cold wind. I wrapped up warm and went into the garden looking for signs of spring. There’s a few signs of life and the snowdrops are out but not much else starting to grow yet except some other bulbs just starting to show.
Hoping your DGS has a happy 3rd Birthday grannmarie and so pleased his birthday party went well

Sounds like baby steps forward soop. Of course you’re sad, we are aren’t we when those we love are unwell. You’re right, some nourishment will help. Hoping every day brings improvement to mr soop and less worry to you.

A very sunny if chilly day here saw me pruning for a while. Now it’s rest time until two teenagers and their dad arrive to eat with us. I guarantee they will be all hungry .

Good afternoon to you lovely lot. I trust that the sun is shining upon you.

Mr Soop thanks you all for your kind comments. You have raised a smile. He continues to be "weary and needing to sleep". His appetite is a little improved. No hot toddy last night. I am sad to see him so unlike his normal, cheeky and cheerful self. He will continue with the Penicillin and hopefully, before too long, he'll begin to recover.

Away to prepare lunch. He'll say that he's not hungry...but a little nourishment wouldn't do any harm.

By the by, the rugby match was brilliant. Scotland did themselves proud. Duhan van der Merwe was amazing.

Good evening, Soop and lovely Kitchen people. 🥰
I was so sorry to read that MrSoop is not very well, but I'm relieved to hear that he is a wee bit better now. A hot toddy sounds like the very thing! Hoping and praying for his speedy recovery. 💕🙏

So lovely to hear from you, Bellasnana! Congratulations on your twin grandchildren, twice as nice! How wonderful that you got to visit your American family, it must have been wonderful to see them all, especially your DGD.

YiaYia, moving house, what a big decision, I hope everything goes well for you, and I hope you feel better soon.

Jaxjacky, your leek pie sounds tasty. I use lots of leeks in soups, but I've never made a leek pie. Please share your recipe? I hope your DH recovers quickly and completely.

DH and I had a lovely afternoon through at DS2's home, for DGS2's birthday party. He will be 3 on Tuesday, and is such a happy, energetic wee boy. DS2 and DDiL2 were together for 20 years before he arrived, we think he was worth the wait. The theme was Blaze and the Monster Machines, cake, balloons, banners, table ware...Nice to see our three sons and their partners, my sisters and DDiL2's Mum and family all together. Her brother and sister in law had their new baby boy with them, he was much admired and passed around all the Grans for cuddles! The men were down on the floor playing with the Wee Boy and his presents ❤️ I'm counting my blessings, very thankful.

Hoping everyone is having the best weekend possible. TOYA, NNGB. 💕🙏

‘Evening All’

We’ve eaten. Bigham’s. Norty but nice - we rarely eat ready meals these days, so a Treat.
#lazygran

The weather here has been mild so spur of the moment I invited L’il Miss to spend a couple of hours with me in the square. The fresh air, a walk and talk for us both, did us good. We went to the library which she loves. Had to go up in the lift as she had her dollies with her in the pram, as you do on a Saturday afternoon. Then into Quality Save for a new colouring book and colouring pencils “ooh grandma Emma in my class has these”. At 89p it was an easy “go on then”.
🤣
Sweet marshmallows were bought to share with the Boy Wonder once home. At 5pm it was dusk. “Do we have to walk grandma?”. Yes, indeedy. Did her good to have a blow of air and some exercise as her brother had been playing football this morning and all we had done was sit and play Barbie’s.

I love the amble about, no rush and time to listen. “Oh really?” prompts much further chat! Once home, I received a text from her mum “thank you SO much for this afternoon mum. No wonder she loves grandma”. Made my day that’s the truth.
🥰

How lovely to hear from you again Bellasnana! It’s been too long. You’ll be busy with those twin babies. Do you still have time for the gorgeous nail art you had done regularly? I used to be most impressed with the designs!
💅😊

Trust mr.soop continues to make good progress on his antibiotics. Like you soop I’d have panicked if not. We take for granted our strong supportive menfolk. x

soop I have just seen that Mr soop is poorly. I am sending my best wishes and hope he feels better soon.

How lovely to see Bellasnanna posting. Pleased to hear you made it to see your DGD. Does she still put you in her pocket?

Maw we are going to see DD’s new home tomorrow. It is a palace with several outbuildings fo gym, two offices, games room etc. I think they will get a shock when the heating bill comes in.

We had good news this week as my DS who works for himself got a new contract with a different firm. It will involve working up in London on occasion and some travel. It will be good for him as he has been tied to the house recently and hating his job.

So glad to hear that Mr Soop is on the mend. I’m sure a hot toddy will be the perfect medicine! I am back from my Science Fiction in Culture day in Oxford with OUDCE. It was a brilliant day with four lectures and a delicious lunch. OH would have loved it but the side effects from his multiple medication render him unable to do much before noon. I had to leave the house at 8.45 am as the first lecture was at 10 am. Have a good evening.

Quick whizz in to check on mr soop and other poorly people. A huge get well from me.

I’m sat with steaming feet. We’ve had a super time with our not so Littlest, the boy is shooting up. We’ve walked much further than we usually do. Definitely worth it. Chaos here cleared up its a restful evening with the tv ahead.

We’re so lucky this weekend. We’ll see our other son and his daughters tomorrow. They are coming to eat with us so we’ll hear all about the teenagers lives. A rare treat to see them all in the same weekend.

Take care everyone. Look after yourselves TOYA. .

Hope your DH is feeling better Jax.