Soop's kitchen for kindly folk.

I have managed to lose a very detailed message to you lovely lot. Buggerations galore!

The funeral was attended by an estimated 250 people. Our village only supports about 150. Police had the task of closing off part of the main road through the village. Our friend was born on the island of Islay. We met him and his lovely wife when she ran the village shop after we had moved from Cornwall to Kintyre...many years ago.
He was a modest, kind hearted, industrious and well respected member of the community. At one time, he worked as an engineer on the Calmac ferry service between Kintyre and Islay and Jura.

On returning home, we discussed in detail what our individual wishes are for when we die. Our funerals will be very different from the norm. No religious ceremony. No black. No burial, as we are opting to be cremated. No flowers but donations to our two favourite charities would be lovely. We would have a gathering for family and friends in the new village hall with happy music, refreshments and Champagne. This isn't meant to sound maudlin. Quite the opposite. In the meantime, we enjoy our days as best we're able. Sounds perfectly sensible to both of us.

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Last night's sunset...

Afternoon all.It’s a bit overcast but still very warm here.
Jax so sorry to hear of your terrible nosebleed, a bad week for you hope next week will be better.
Your very sensible Soop and Mr Soop your plans sound just right.

It’s been a very quiet week for house hunting nothing to view at all.We we’re advised to try and keep our buyer even if it means renting as it will get much harder to sell very soon.😖Easier said than done.
Waiting for Number2 DS to arrive for the weekend,we are having a big family BBQ tomorrow at number 2 son’s tomorrow should be fun.
Have a pleasant evening everyone.Thinking of Urms and family🌹

What beautiful sunset pictures soop, how lucky to have that view from your window. Good to have things discussed and sorted out and your wishes known. Well done to you both
It’s a bit cloudy here today and a wee bit cooler - which I’m happy about. The day has flown by and I don’t really know what I’ve done…… DH sat in the garden with his leg up on a chair and was happily planting up the patio pots. I was fetching and carrying to order….. 😳 He did make us both a cup of tea this afternoon though and emptied the dishwasher so things are definitely looking up!
That’s an eye watering amount to spend on a car neine, and I’ve not heard of a showroom tax before
Hope you’re enjoying some lovely family time dusty
Have a lovely time tomorrow Yia and I’m still keeping everything crossed for you that you’ll find your ideal property soon
For the Urms 💐❤️

Good afternoon all.
We have a cloudy day with a few spots of rain earlier but still very muggy feeling.
I have had an outing today to a brand new M&S food hall, it opened on Thursday.
It was very busy, very confusing and because my GD kept putting things in the trolley it was also quite expensive.
However it may prove to be used more in future by me.
I went out last night for a meal with my friend across the road.
The last twice we have been out we can’t help but notice just how expensive eating out is getting.
Even my friend who is a lot better off than me remarked on it.
I think in future we shall get ready made or easily prepared food and do it ourselves.
Apart from the food being so mush less expensive the cost of drinks would be so much cheaper.
However I am very very thankful that I am able to get out and still enjoy life.
So many can’t.
I hope some of your problems can and will be solved and that you all enjoy the best evening you can.

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Hello everyone. This is the first day I’ve struggled with heat, I think because the humidity has picked up.

Disappointment hit yesterday evening. Back from a very enjoyable two night break we learned Mr C’s much needed cardiac surgery has been postponed to mid July. It did feel a huge blow, much to rearrange for us and our family. Of course we know we’re not alone with postponed appointments, a sad fact of medical life. . It’s hard seeing Mr C becoming more unwell each day. My worry is the July date will also be in jeopardy should more hospital disruption occur. Not helpful to worry about what might be though. We’re back just getting on with life today.

We’d agreed to end our break with a lunch out, the kitchen here reopens tomorrow. Off we went to the little local garden centre where a very reasonably priced and delicious lunch was enjoyed by us both. I’m waiting now for the temperature to drop enough to water the pots which will undoubtedly trigger a thunderstorm and torrential rain . Onwards!

You’re very sensible soop. We’ve done something similar. Our wishes are similar to each other’s but not the same. Clarity seemed the kindest way to be for those coming behind us. I’m pleased your friends funeral was as good as it could be.

Oh heck yia, perseverance will pay off. Enjoy the family time.

Your granddaughter sounds like Mr C , ann. There has (far too) often been a puzzled face around the checkout when ‘strange’ items slid past me. I do agree with you, it’s better for the purse to eat good food at home.

Your husband is doing well brook, good to hear. Another one here who’d not heard of a showroom tax neine, that car is certainly what might be called a considered

The sunset was from our room while we were away. The other two images are from Blenheim Palace. We sat under the red umbrellas by the water gardens and enjoyed excellent coffee.

Sorry folks, my head won’t hold any more of your ‘doings’. Hope those finding life hard going will have an easier time very soon.

I’m off to water those pots m

A quiet day, MrJ got my paper, I’m a bit ‘twitchy’ after the events of the past week, I’ll be better after Tuesday when I have a haematology appointment.
No rain today, I’m hoping we get the storms forecast tomorrow.
Lovely pictures corner, disappointing news for your OH’s operation.
Enjoy tomorrow Yia hope you don’t get storms!

Good evening dear Kitcheners. Just a quick visit from me as I have diarrhoea. I’m a bit disappointed as it has been much better with careful management of eating and drinking. Still, hope it’s just a blip.

Hope everyone is doing OK x

corner words fail me, I am so sorry especially when you do not know if there will be a repeat performance in a month's time. As you said, it affects others as well so your poor family will have to do some rearranging.

You appear to live in a lovely part of the country, so close to the sea. You will have to continue as you were and stay away from crowded places.
TOYA

So sorry to hear of your DHs postponed surgery corner, how frustrating for you both and a hassle you could well do without. Keeping everything crossed that the July date goes ahead as planned and Mr C stays as well as he possibly can until then. Beautiful pictures thanks for sharing, it looks like you had a lovely time away
Eating out is expensive these days ann, we often have lunch out rather than an evening meal these days as it suits us better and can be a bit cheaper too.
Hope you’re doing ok Jax, no wonder you’re twitchy, hoping all is ok until Tuesdays appt
Hope things settle soon Blossoming, take care 💐

Blossoming..I hope you are feeling better today. I caught too much sun yesterday so was a bit unwell last night and went to bed early only to wake up twice in the night for a very urgent visit to the bathroom!!!!. It's overcast at work today thankfully as I still don't feel too great. My friend comes back again this evening..she stayed in Paignton last night as she was visiting 2 different people yesterday and today and made no sense to drive back to ours. I'm glad she did as I really wasn't up to cooking any thing fancy... She doesn't mean to but does tend to sit and wait to be waited on and served delicious home made food.
Yia... We rented for 9 months before finishing the cottage..it's not ideal but does put you in a good position when it comes to buying.
Jax...you are bound to be a bit twitchy...we all would be in your shoes...good luck for Tuesday.
Brook...sounds as if MrB is doing really well...it about mental attitude too I think.
Corner...I know it's very frustrating and disruptive but when I worked in Admissions ( a very long while ago) the Consultants would tell us who was 'well enough' to be rescheduled....meaning they felt that patient could safely be put back by a few weeks without it affecting the outcome. I hope very much it's the same for MrC too.
Soop....a lovely upbeat celebration when it comes sounds perfect for you both.
I used to make my girls laugh as I would say they'll need to serve tea and biscuits half way through my funeral as there are so many hymns/pieces of music that I wanted...including Edith Piaf singing Je n'regret rien. Lol
Ann..I agree with you..eating out of really expensive at times...I don't mind paying when the food is good but recently we paid £17 for a burger... It was from the local butcher and although it was nice..I didn't feel it justified the price. As for drinks...well over £6 for a glass of wine when I can get a decent bottle for a bit more from Waitrose and 2 from Aldi!!!!!
Enjoy your Sunday(Father's Day ) everyone.

Warm and muggy here, I saw some bright lightening flashes about 2:30 am but no thunder and no rain.
Perhaps we will be awash later as that is what was forecast.

I’m feeling really strange about Father’s Day today which has never affected me before.
My father died when I was 11 ,long before the day was marked by a special Sunday and to be truthful I never even thought about when it did come round.
I feel I hardly knew him, isn’t that strange, he was 49 when he died ,so an older father when they didn’t have much to do with children.
I hope those of you who still have them get in touch today to let them know you care.

I am jiggered just now, I have been trying to sort a spare bedroom out, what a job.
It has become a dumping ground for who knows what.
Anything that comes in a box, large or small , the box must be saved in case it goes wrong and needs returning in the original package, well no longer, most must be out of guarantee now anyway.

I enjoyed doing it but must stop now as I am roasting hot.
Have the best day you can everyone.

Good afternoon kitcheners. Annsixty it's very muggy here and overcast. I think rain is forecast later. I have been to the garden centre and spent more money on plants and also birthday gifts. Then home and potted up the plants and watered them so I'm also hot and sweaty. Not pleasant. Later on I'll prepare my pork medallions and broccoli and cauliflower cheese before I visit mum. I go most nights but I'm finding it more and more difficult to 'entertain' her as she doesn't reply and last night was particularly difficult. I suppose I consider it duty rather than joy which is a sad but true indictment of our relationship. Anyway, have a good Sunday kitcheners

Grandmabatty
A day of reflection for us.
After my father died my mother became very possessive of me, I was there to do her bidding and later was constantly reminded of” all she did for me and how hard her life was because of it”
Just once my H turned and said to her “I don’t think it was much fun for Ann either”.
Everything I did was out or duty with not much else considered.
I know you have a wonderful relationship with your D and her family.
Cherish it.

Hello everyone. I’m resurfacing from my infection, after a rough few days. I hope by tomorrow I’ll be back to feeling normal. 🤞 I bought a pair of sandals the day before I took ill and I haven’t have them on my feet since so I need to get out and about!

I’ve missed too much to reply to everyone but I’m sorry for canx ops, and other buggerations. I spotted Urms on another thread, maybe she’ll visit the Kitchen too?

In a first for me, I’ve paid for a TV sports subscription! 😵. I decided I wanted to watch the Ashes tests and so my dd and I are sharing a sub for the duration and will cancel it after the Tests. So that’s what I’m doing - sofa, snack, knitting and cricket.

Have a good day, everyone. Xx

Good afternoon dear Kitcheners. Thank you for your kind thoughts m I had a night of broken sleep but all seems settled now. At 3am I was watching rain falling for the first time in weeks, it looked beautiful. Today is much cooler and quite a bit of cloud about, more rain forecast for this evening. Fathers Day is quite sad for me since my father died, even though it’s 28 years ago. I was Daddy’s Girl and have lovely memories so I hold on to those.

Annsixty 💐 thank you x

Good afternoon kitchen pals, it’s another scorcher here today with gorgeous blue sky and about 25º - no sign of rain yet but it’s forecast for overnight and in the morning
I’ve just come in for a quick cuppa from the garden, it’s too hot to sit outside and I wanted a comfy seat. I’ve been on my hands and knees weeding most of the day, got quite a lot done though. DH has been sitting sharpening the tools and trying to fix a broken lawnmower. He’s also into the cricket SueD, something about rain stopped play earlier?.
Pleased to hear you’re feeling a wee bit better Blossoming enjoy your lovely memories of your dear father.
Hope you have a rest this evening annsixty, I know what you mean about boxes, I’ve probably got far too many too!
My mum was always very difficult Grandmabatty, especially in her later years. Having said that though I do miss her now she’s gone, I didn’t think I would but I do. Strange isn’t it. Anyhow hoping tonight’s visit is a bit better, sending ❤️

Hello dear Kitcheners from a sultry Kintyre. We had a few spots of rain. I cheered. Before I could draw breath, it stopped. Isn't this all a trifle tedious and very, very exhausting.

Corner When I read your post, my heart sank. I am so very sorry that both your husband and you have to deal with the delay of vital treatment. It seems so unfair.
Your photographs are lovely. Thank you for sharing with us.

SueD I'm pleased to hear that you are slowly but surely on the road to recovery. Go for a stroll in your new sandals. Then relax and enjoy the cricket. I am longing for the tennis to be shown on television. My umpire's chair is ready and waiting.

Naughtyneine Edith Piaf...what a performer. I hope to have Shubert Impromptu No 3, 2nd movement of Rachmaninoff Symphony No 2 and the English version of Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman singing 'Time to Say Goodbye'.

Gentle, comforting hugs for Grandmabatty and Ann, Blossoming, Yia and Urmstongran.

In fact, a hug for every one of you lovely lot.

Hurrah, we have rain in parched S Hampshire, it can carry on please.
Glad both of you, Blossoming and SueD are feeling better, let’s hope you stay that way.
Cricket was on here, yes brook Edgbaston is getting hefty rain, I’d imagine that’s it for today.
I hope your bbq is dry Yia.

Hello everyone from an extremely muggy West Oxfordshire. OH is currently driving daughter to the station for her train back to London. We had her favourite lunch - roast chicken and all the trimmings. I am one of the few people on this planet who makes bread sauce! It was too humid to sit outside so watched a George Michael documentary. One of the best singers around IMHO. Annoyingly all the flashing lights triggered the first migraine I’ve had for a month. Ah, I can hear rain on the conservatory roof. Our garden certainly needs it. Have a good rest of the day.

I blinked and missed 3 drops. The garden chairs were still dry. We had none last weekend whereas there was major flooding of roads less than 2 miles from here.
TOYA

Thank you Brook and Soop. I didn't make it over to the hospital today as I felt unwell. A diabetic thing. So a quiet evening it is. I'll be back tomorrow after childcare Monday. Ladyleftfieldlover I make bread sauce too! I use Delia's recipe.
I've just had pork, smashed potatoes and broccoli and cauliflower in cheese sauce. I'm stuffed. So an early night for me. Have a good evening Kitcheners

It has rained very briefly here.
One rumble of thunder, I wish it would break and get the muggy feeling over.
I have had chicken and salad for my meal , it is too hot to cook.
Must admit to two glasses of nice red to go with it.
Now watching Come Dine with Me and still sweltering.
Enjoy your evening everyone and I hope you aren't disturbed by storms.

Raining as I type. Hooray - or it is as long as we don’t get downpours to cause floods. Sky doesn’t look too threatening.

That’s what we’re hoping neine. There will be folk in more need we’re sure. New date is only two weeks after the first, there was much concern at our last appointment, apparently Mr C should feel for more unwell than he does. An odd one that. We’re more accepting of delay today, will make the most of life, the news has settled

This mornings high humidity has disappeared with the rain. It’s much more comfortable now.

Have a good evening everyone.