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

A day for good things. A huge well done to your sister soop. A break to look forward to for you as well.

A huge phew to urms, such good news. I’m relieved and pleased for you both. That meal must haven all the more enjoyable.

Good to hear you had such a wonderful time grannyg.

Another one here who enjoys the Pitt Rivers museum, a fascinating place. We were close enough for a day trip before we came to be beside the sea, now it’s an excuse for a couple of nights away in Oxford.

Our elder son and his daughters called in to give Mr C his birthday gift. Although we had seen them on Friday our son had been so stressed with work he’d forgotten it. We’re still in shock. It’s a very generous gift of a special two night break for us both with a very thoughtful day ‘experience’ while we’re there. We are so touched. Have to get our thinking caps on now to work out how we manage the practicalities of transport there and back. There will be a way.

They also gathered up some garden chairs we have no need of along with a huge padded bed cover that was on my charity shop pile, apparently ideal for their motor home trips. A garden table will also disappear in our sons direction when he has appropriate transport. We’ve treated ourselves to a new bistro set which will come tomorrow. Mr C isn’t as energised as he was and it will be good to have something comfortable waiting on the patio for the days he needs to rest a while.

Feet up time now. We’ll be watching Endeavour, a glass of red for Mr C and a chilled white for me. A good finish to the weekend.

Hoping all is ok with Finn Jax and his rash soon goes.
Just in from youngest DGS Clip and Climb party- I think all the little ones enjoyed it!
The wine is now open and Thai green vegetable curry is planned for later -yummy. DD1 is such a good cook
So pleased you had a such a good evening yesterday with your DS and Dil GG13 how lovely!

A big congratulations to your sister Soop, that’s a fabulous achievement! 👏

Me too LadyLFL but some of my in laws are ManU!

That sounds good news Urms hopefully tomorrow will bring further good news put both your minds at rest 💐

That’s very good news Urms. Hopefully he will receive more good news tomorrow. I expect he’s a bit miffed about Man U?! I’m a Liverpool supporter

That sounds like better news for you Urms. Yes, an early rise tomorrow. Dd has to go into her office so she has to leave the house at 6.15. She's made her team brownies to help assuage the early start. Jaxjacky good news for you too. I hope wee Finn recovers quickly. I love his name!

What brilliant news Urmstongran, I’m so very pleased for you both.
Fin saw a GP today who thinks his spots are a delayed reaction to amoxicillin (he took for strep throat), but to keep an eye on a purple patch. He’s still fine in himself.
A lazy day here, roast chicken for dinner.
Enjoy your evening all.

Evening all

I had to pop in to say to my dear Urmstongran what a relief, I do hope you sleep well this evening.

We had a wonderful evening at La Dame du Pic, luxurious surroundings and so many tasty dishes (we had the taster menu) DS spoilt me with multiple glasses of champagne, he is such a lovely young man and we adore his wife.

Time to check on the roast pork…

Nightie Night😘

Great news Urms. Will continue to have fingers and toes crossed for tomorrow.🤞

Congratulations to your sister soop, brilliant achievement. Sounds like a fun, if tiring, time Grandmabatty, hope you get a good night’s sleep.

Oh that’s wonderful news Urms! You must be so relieved. He still needs investigation to find out what’s causing it but it’s great to have that eliminated x

Goodness, 5:30am Grandmabatty? 😱
You will have to give the birds a shake.

An early ‘Evening All’.

At 3pm Himself received a text message from our GP surgery just as we were about to eat our Sunday dinner with my stepfather, to say his recent stool sample was negative for blood. Such an immense relief as you can imagine.

He still has an appointment in the morning to discuss possible reasons for his anaemia. He has insisted this past worrying fortnight that he feels well in himself. He does have GERD and takes omeprazole. Perhaps he has had a bleed in that region?

Anyway we will know more tomorrow following further discussion about his anaemia - but tonight we have lighter hearts and guardedly feel ‘so far so good’. And a big Thank You to everyone, too many to name, who have been so generous with their time - offering support and best wishes, prayers and thoughtful posts. GN again at its very best and I do most sincerely appreciate every good wish for my lovely man. For now at least, I can drop my shoulders down from my ears and breathe.

Congratulations Soop to your sister! Well done to her.
I am relaxing after a day and a half with dgs1. It has been joyous. Lots of playing and cuddles. The steak casserole is simmering away, chicken and lentil soup ready for tomorrow too. I didn't sleep particularly well last night and I have to be up at half five tomorrow so an earlyish night for me. Have a good evening Kitcheners.

My award winning sister...

Hello to all our dear Kitcheners. The phone is red hot. Long calls from two sons and a best friend. All most welcome.

My sister (twenty years younger) has won the Inspirational Woman of the Year award for Northampton. Good for her! She is always "on the go" and the award is very well deserved. I shall add her photo this afternoon.

The contracture will need hand surgery in time. I had carpal tunnel surgery on the same hand some years ago. Never a dull moment.

Middle son and his partner and the boys will be meeting up with us in Glasgow for a wee break in April. Something to look forward to.

I shall download the pic of my sister. Back soon.

Evening! Sounds much more like you Urms - still thinking of you though.
I like the Pitt-Rivers museum in Oxford too LFL and Jax we had a Spice Tailor lamb rogan josh tonight!
My football team beat step grandson’s this afternoon. Much winding up tonight 😂.
Sleep 💤 tight everyone

Hello everyone. I’m shattered! Six year old girls can be exhausting. But we still had a lovely day. We went to the Pitt Rivers in Oxford. We used to take out children there and now it’s our granddaughter’s turn. We did Park and Ride which was also exciting as she rarely goes on a bus. She insisted that we sat on the back seat. Dinner was Guinea fowl and all the trimmings. Pudding was a selection of my home-made ice cream. They have to leave straight after breakfast tomorrow as granddaughter has a birthday party m my. Sleep tight folks.

‘Evening All’.

I’ve really enjoyed 3 hours with L’il Miss this afternoon. She is such a poppet and completely took my mind off my anxieties which is no bad thing. I called and it took 10 minutes for her to sort which dolly, the pram covers, what to put in her back pack. Don’t ask. You’d be amazed. We went to the library, then dived opposite into Poundland - goodness a whole bag of ‘stuff’ like mini packs of Cadbury fingers, a box of cereal ‘oh grandma I’ve seen this on tv’ (not the least bit nutritious but then not everything in life has to be, when most of it is) - only cost me £6! and she SO enjoyed ‘doing the shopping’. Then she said ‘shall we go to the cafe?’. It was 4:30pm. I rang her mum. “Is it okay if I take her to this cafe for her tea?”. Course it was - just no sweet treats please as she will have a ‘snack pot’ after bath time as it’s Saturday.

We went in and hurrah! A friend from her class was in there. Well, they both enjoyed a good 45 minutes, eating their sandwiches together and playing with the dolly, the pram covers and all the essential paraphernalia in the back pack and pram bag.

I enjoyed a glass of Pinot Blush and sat there contentedly, counting my blessings and enjoying listening to these two little girls who had a sweet unsolicited hug when it was home time.

Thinking this evening of GG13 who is in London enjoying fine dining with family at a Michelin starred restaurant. 👋hope you had a great time. We’ve just had quiche and baked beans... but they were the H.57 variety!
🤣

Oh hulahoop and Yia I’m so glad to hear your lads are doing well.

👋 Doodle.
Your nights sound horrible. I can only imagine how utterly exhausted you must both be feeling.

Right, time for me to button it and let someone else have a turn centre stage. Nanight dear kitcheners. I do love this little place on GN.

As you can probably tell, I’m feeling less worried. I’ve managed to pin my hopes on something that just might account for Himself’s severe anaemia. I’m going to focus on that till Monday. 🤞

Your picture has reminded us of so many Cambridge days brook. We just love it. First visited back in the early 1970’s when we lived in East Anglia. The last visit was two years ago when we enjoyed a punt trip for the first time. We were both very impressed we could get out again 😂.

Decent day here today in spite of very cold grey skies. During an unplanned shop walk about a jumper somehow decided it just had to come home with me. Oh dear.

Hope that injection helps soop

. Poor Fin jax, he must be wonder what’s going on.

I’m with you Charley, snow can simply stay away as can very cold weather.

Exciting times yiayia, 🤞 for you.

There seems to be a chilled glass of white waiting for me so I’ll wish you all a good Saturday evening and a restful nights sleep

Good evening dear Kitcheners. I felt rather overwhelmed yesterday evening, lots to process but at least there is a plan. Mr.B and I have had a quiet day at home today, the weather was grey and gloomy. I’m trying to catch up on the last week. Glad your DH is improving Jax and Finn is feeling better albeit spotty! Also glad your DS hasn’t suffered any lasting damage Hulahoop, it sounds horrendous.
Have a peaceful night all x

Hi all, we’ve just eaten chicken biryani, made using The Spice Tailor kit, very tasty.
Smashing picture brook a tad too nippy for me. Unfortunately Fin’s rash is back, it doesn’t itch, he’s not unwell, but daughter rang 111, a paramedic called back, a Dr will call tomorrow. Fins just fed up with his Mum and Imogen checking him!
I hope that injection gave some relief soop. I’m pleased to hear about your son Yia and yours hulahoop too.
Enjoy your evening.
Hugs to dusty and Urms.

Good evening kitchen pals, I’m sat on the sofa at DD1s in Cambridge, we’ve just had a delicious pasta dish and going to settle down and watch the tv soon. We’re looking after the DGSs whilst DD1and SiL go out for a well earned rest
We went into town this morning, had a walk by the river then a bit of shopping. Even though it was a cold day people were out punting on the river. I think I’d prefer it in the summer!
Pleased to hear your son is doing ok hulahoop, you must be relieved
Pleased to hear your DH is on the mend Jax but hope your DGS rash goes soon
Lots of changes ahead Yia hope all goes well when you get your house on the market
Have a lovely Saturday evening everyone and take care all

soop* have you been offered surgery for the Dupytrens Contracture or is it beyond that?

This old age lark is really not good for us- if it is not one thing it is something else.

I want neither snow nor cold weather but I doubt if I will have much say in the matter. I may leave the heating on low overnight because that is cheaper than trying to find and pay a plumber to visit if I have burst pipes.