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

A warm hello to you lovely lot, we are having a stressful time. Sorry to be absent without leave. We've been trying to understand what it is we are supposed to do in order that an exercise bike that I'm selling is collected by a carrier and money is exchanged before it is transported to somewhere far north from here. Mr Soop has serious doubts that we are being scammed.

That’s such good news Blossoming, so pleased for you.
It’s a gorgeous warm day here too, a few clouds but very warm. The washing is drying on the line and I’m busy in the garden shifting stuff about. I think DH is a bit fed up with me as he’d leave everything where it is whereas I like to move things where I think they look better …. There’s no word from DD2 yet so I’m obviously not needed today 🤣
Good job you found the hedgehogs hiding place corner and it’s all sorted - poor hedgehog!

It’s another beautiful sunny day here. One load of washing drying in the sun and a second load in the machine. I’m being good and putting dark glasses on before I go outside. I keep checking myself in the hall mirror. Not vanity, just loving seeing the improvement.
Hope everyone is enjoying the day 🌻

Granmarie Bellamedina was out regular spot when our offspring were little they loved going to the marina to look at the fish. Grandmabatty hope you have managed to rest . That was a long day but better than going backwards and forwards .💐to all that need some .

Cornergran it is very kind of you to think about me and mum with such concern. I'm glad you got rid of the offensive smell and you're happy with your flooring. What a long time to be out! Grannmarie those photos have whetted my appetite.

Heavens Corner that was a long day! Glad you’re home and resting now, and that the fitter has sorted everything.

Ann I missed your holiday news, Wales is a beautiful place and I hope you enjoy it. Grandmabatty thinking of you

The Highland burgers were lovely, just good quality beef reared on the farm. Nothing like a fast food version!

Sounds a wonderful place to be granmarie. Lovely photos

You’ve been in my thoughts grandmab, I remain concerned for your health as well as for your mum.

Well, nasty odour traced and what a surprise. It seems an overwintering hedgehog had a very upset tummy. There is (was!) enough gap under the external cupboard for a hedgehog to make its home for the winter. We’ve had them there before with no problem. This one left a very nasty calling card on the old door mat that had been pushed underneath. The mat is no more, as is the smell, the gap has now been filled. My apologies to the hedgehogs next winter.

Mr C had several hospital procedures and folk to see today. We were out for 11 hours, long old day.

In our absence the fitter finished the floor other than a small tweak and oversaw the return of the kitchen appliances to their rightful spots. I had called the office in something of a panic when we realised the hospital day was going to be much longer than anticipated. Don’t worry I was told, we’ll sort everything. A number of texts followed checking we were happy with their actions. Superb service.

We’ve both enjoyed a restorative glass of wine this evening (well done, Jax), Mr C is sound asleep, will someone tell me why I’m not?

Sleep well everyone. Enjoy your weekends.

Very wise Jax and well done for avoiding the alcohol - I’m not as good as you but try to limit it to the weekends only!
Those pictures of the marina are lovely grannmarie, enjoy the sunshine and your boat trip tomorrow
Hopefully some appropriate care will be found your mum grandmabatty it’s a worry isn’t it - look after yourself too

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Forgot the photos!

Not envious at all Grannmarie! Have a wonderful time.
Your day out sounds just right Blossominga good farm shop is very tempting.
Cold and damp here too in south Hampshire Nannytopsy my recently painted toenails have socks over them.
We’re supposed to be doing no mow May, but MrJ is itching to get the machine out, as tomorrow is forecast sunny I think he might have to give in.
I’d love a glass of wine brook but since annual blood test showed my cholesterol levels are up I’ve totally changed my diet, including alcohol. I’d rather not take statins.
Have a pleasant evening all.

Good evening Kitcheners. Grannmarie that sounds lovely. Brook enjoy your lasagne. Blossoming your highland burgers sound very nice. Ladyleftfieldlover I hope the gf cakes are appreciated.
Soop the sunset is marvellous.
I visited mum at lunchtime and she was very tired and sleepy. My aunt visited later and said she was still quite confused. When I spoke to a nurse, she more or less said what you did Grannmarie. The frailty team are now involved as there was definitely no sign of a stroke. So they are gradually getting her up and working on her mobility. It's going to be a very long haul for her and she has never been resilient so we'll see how it goes. The nurse who phoned me was very reassuring which calmed me after yesterday's panic. I made a lovely salmon salad for dinner with a few new potatoes and I enjoyed it. It'll soon be Gardener's World which I love. Have a good evening Kitcheners.

Buenos tardes, Soop and lovely Kitchen people, from sunny Benalmadena! 🇪🇸

We've had a lovely day. Dh's scooter was delivered after breakfast, so we took it for a test drive through the Marina, just across the road from our hotel. We stopped for some sangria, and booked a boat trip for tomorrow.
Grandmabatty, I think you and your family will love it, the wee boys will enjoy seeing all the boats , and the beach is very clean and family friendly. I hope your Mum is a wee bit more lucid today. I think the combination of unfamiliar surroundings, plus an infection, causes great confusion. I remember that happened to our poor Mum too.
Thankyou, Jaxjacky, the weather is lovely, wish I could share you some.🌞 We're sporting factor 30 and I've already got some mosquito bites, my usual !
YiaYia, I hope your hives are going now that you know what's happening. Best of luck for the formalities and the flitting. ( 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scottish word for house move)
Blossoming, thank you, your seaside day out sounds great. I can see the sea from our balcony, I love a sea view.
Thank you, Brook, I hope your weather at home improves, I know how much you enjoy your garden.
LLFL, enjoy your last visit with your brother, it seems like no time since you were awaiting their arrival.

Dear Soop, I hope today has been a bit brighter for you, thinking of you and Grandmabatty, difficult days. 💕🙏

TOYA, NNGB.

Enjoy your get together nannytopsy and hope your chef is feeling a bit better soon!

How lovely to have a day out with your DH Blossoming, I hope you both enjoyed it, the farm shop sounds really good too
After a cloudy start this morning it’s turned into a beautiful sunny day so I’ve been busy in the garden mowing the grass and moving things about. We sat outside for a cuppa and enjoyed the warm sunshine 😎
The wine is in the fridge and I’ve got a vegetarian lasagne in the oven so we’ll be enjoying that later
Enjoy your visitors Llfl, hope the gf treats go down well!
Have a lovely evening all x

Hello everyone from a cold and damp Suffolk but tomorrow should be better. DS + 7 coming to lunch on Sunday but the chef is definitely under the weather tonight, so I think I shall be doing the cooking. I was always the main caterer but since we moved I am laundry and garden plus admin, he is kitchen!
Ann you will have a wonderful holiday in Wales. Don’t worry!

Good evening dear Kitcheners, apologies for absence, I have been meeting myself coming back this week! Paperwork, family stuff and appointments to sort. Yesterday we took a ‘day out’ and went to the seaside. On the way home we stopped at a lovely farm shop and stocked up with some delicious foods. We have eaten far too much and it was all wonderful. Gammon steaks last night, Highland beef burgers tonight and I have some shin beef for slow cooking tomorrow. We have eaten very little today (apart from a delicious cake that we couldn’t resist). I have been to the hairdressers today. The weather has been lovely and I am feeling blessed.

Now trying to catch up on all the news.

I’m thrilled for you Yia, hope everything goes smoothly. Have a lovely holiday Granmarie.

Good to see there’s better family health news for Soop and Grandmabatty.

Sending a group hug to you all, the warmth of this kitchen has carried me through some trying times.

Hello all. I hope we’re all having a ☀️better day.
My brother and his partner are due soon. I think I said before that she, the partner, is a gluten free vegan. I noticed today that our village cafe is selling vegan/gf lemon tarts and chocolate brownies. I bought some! OH has gone to talk to an organic farmer about keeping his bee hives on his land. I’m sat on the sofa contemplating stuff. Have a good rest of the day.

A sad situation Grandmabatty I totally sympathise with you for feeling down, I also agree with the stance you’re reluctantly taking.
Sun this morning, heavy showers and cool this afternoon/evening, I did have a pleasant lunch out with a friend though. Could do with some of your weather Grannmarie just a tad warmer would be nice.
Yes corner, as brook said, you’re on a count down now to your lovely flooring.

Sorry to hear you’re feeling down grandmabatty although completely understandable, thinking of you and sending hugs ❤️
Hope grannmarie is safely in the air now and on her way to warm spanish sunshine. It’s been cold here all day, not actually raining but very grey and damp, I went shopping in town as I didn’t fancy gardening
Thinking of Urms too and hoping all is well
Hoping all has gone well today corner 😀

Grannmarie I'm going to Benalmadena in July with the family! Please have a lovely time and let me know how you get on. It's a rollercoaster with mum at the moment. She was sitting up feeding herself when I went in which was good. However there was a tone when she spoke to me which hasn't been there for a while. Not good. She went from lucid to confused in the same sentence. Also not good. But apparently her scan today was fine. She was also wandering on her speech when my aunt visited later. The nurse is clearly pushing for care at home which would be an absolute disaster given my brother left her for so long before seeking help. So I have to step back and let the disaster happen.
I'm not long home after a visit to a friend where I ranted for a while. I've still not managed to see a doctor yet but I'll keep trying. I'm very downhearted tonight though chums. Like many of you, I send my love to The Urmstons

Hello all. I popped down to my bereaved friend’s place with a card. There was no sign of anyone so I wondered whether she was staying with her son or daughter. We have three Oxfordshire Arts Weeks venues in the village: I went to one and bought a beautiful little pot. I am taking a cake to another friend’s tonight. It is a lemon cake and I made lemon curd for the first time in ages to fill it. It is a 7 inch square sandwich cake - that is equivalent to 8 inch round. I find them easier to slice! I chatted to my brother who is currently in Brighton with his partner. They are coming back to mine tomorrow - I thought it was Saturday. Eek. I spent an hour or so reorganising bedrooms. In fact, the new spare room bed was delivered this morning. I am afraid the two delivery guys were comedically appalling. The company are giving us £50 to pay for the repainting we need to do on the landing wall. Have a good evening. Beautiful photos Soop. I’m thinking of the Urms family too.

Sincere condolences, LLL

Beautiful sunset, Soop, thank you.

Thanks to all for the holiday wishes, we are now seated at our departure gate. A very nice young man wheeled DH from check in to here, his feet never touched the ground. We're looking forward to arriving in Malaga later this evening, then a short taxi journey to Benalmadena. Mobility scooter being delivered to our hotel tomorrow, after that I can relax!
I've been thinking of Urms, hope all is well with her and MrUrms.
Good luck with your new flooring, Cornergran, and take good care of yourself, Grandmabatty.

TOYA

Stay strong, Yia You are heading in the right direction for you.

I took a fabulous photo of the sunset through our window just three nights ago. Here it be...

soop that is something pleasant to which to look forward.

Oh cornergran I am sure there have been moments when you and Mr C wanted to lock the front door, hop in the car and keep driving. In a week's time you will be pleased (I sincerely hope) with the end result.

Grandmabatty please rest, you have to look after yourself.

Yia with luck it will all run smoothly. At least the weather will have improved by the time you actually move.