Soop's kitchen for kindly folk.

So many lovely memories of North Wales, one of my very earliest childhood memories was a family holiday to Llandudno, we all piled into a morris minor and I remember getting stuck somewhere on a hill and we all had to get out and push! My gran was with us on that holiday and I remember sitting on the beach making sandcastles with her. I think she had knitted me my first bathing suit, I was probably about 5 or 6 then. I think I still have some very old black and white photos somewhere of that day. Donkey rides and Punch and Judy too but I’m not sure if that was Blackpool instead .. happy days 😀

Hello everyone! I have made it into the kitchen before bedtime - aren’t you impressed?
We had to go out at 7.30 (am!) to get the car MOT done and since then we have done a lot of tidying up in the garden, repotting etc.
A gang of horologists have been dangling out of the church tower today to repair the clock and fit electric winders. Feeling smug that I got all the grants by myself!
DH is making chicken fajitas ( a real throwback to the days when we had teenagers!) while I have a nice glass of white. I think he’s a keeper. Well I have kept him for 45 years! 🤣
I have never been stopped for speeding, nor had a ticket! 😇
I do feel for you soop and you never complain.
Hugs all round!

We had a caravan holiday in North Wales when I was a little girl. Just a basic caravan in a farm field.
We got milk( unpasteurised) still warm straight from the cows- it didn’t seem to do us any harm.
We wanted to walk to Swallow Falls and asked how far it was- couple of miles we were told. It turned out to be at least 6 miles there and back
.It became a family joke when asking how far somewhere was to ask- is that in Welsh miles or English ones!
Happy days.

Brook Punch and Judy is still on the promenade in Llandudno, don’t know if they still have donkeys.

A reflective day for me as it was today 53 years ago in St Andrews that DH and I promised to love and cherish each other in sickness and in health until death would part us. Only it hasn't has it?
"To live in the hearts of those we leave behind
Is not to die"
With especial thoughts to Iam64, Kalu, Urms, AnnSixty, GrannySomerset and ALL others who know whereof I speak.

Foxygloves

My twin brothers were born in Llanrwst- I saw the doctor bringing them in his black bag.

Foxygloves 💐❤️

Well done on getting the grants Nannytopsy 👏👏

You sound to be making the best of your not-quite-as-expected holiday, Annsixty! 🏖️ 🍦 🌊

for you, Foxy, I think I understand your meaning. Regarding PF, my feet, one in particular, are giving me some gyp. I don’t know what else to do. I’ve been seeing a foot physio, who gave me orthotics and also a boot to wear in bed (how romantic!). At first the boot worked a miracle but now the PF is back with a vengeance.

Hope the video appt went well for your Dh, Brook. It’s so chilly in Scotland right now, isn’t it? 14.5deg today! 🥶

Is that a baby blue tit, Soop? It’s adorable! Regarding your hernia - is there anything else that can be done to help? Having to get rid of your clothes sounds awful.

Glad MrJ is back home, Jax.
Can I borrow your gs2, GMbatty? My kitchen cupboards need gutting and setting to rights but I keep putting it off. A little ‘un turfing it all out would be a good start. 😂

The horologists look most entertaining, Nannytopsy!

Another busy few days here. Sunday we went out with dd and the little ones. I ended up feeding them all then hair-washing and bathing the GC before they went home to bed. Yesterday I did a bit of shopping and later made redcurrant ice cream, which is delicious. I think I last made ice cream circa 1978!

The electrician came today to install some lighting. One ceiling light I’d chosen was too deep for our ceiling height so I had to make an emergency visit to a lighting shop to get something else. He also put in lighting beneath the kitchen wall units. The whole thing is so much better now and I am sure will make a big different in winter. I just hope the electricity bill doesn’t ramp up as a result.

Last but not least, it’s my younger son’s birthday today. He’s going to be older than me, at this rate! 😬

Sweet dreams, everyone. Xxx

Interesting, but disappointing that the “boot” hasn’t worked SueDonim as I had been wondering about getting one.
Honestly apart from doing the recommended exercises, I suspect rest is the best thing which is not a lot of use with a dog to walk and hoping to lead a reasonably active life. I felt much better yesterday, perhaps because various things kept me from taking the foxy (grey) hound for a decent walk - but that’s not an appealing prospect!
Back to square one!

Thank you, Foxy, for the membership of the club we didn’t want to join. I think I only now appreciate what love is and I expect that is true for so many of us. I try so hard to look forward but keep being tempted back into the past by momentoes of the life we had.

. For those missing loved ones.

We have had some super holidays in North Wales ann. Once stayed in a brand new apartment in Llandudno. Beautiful views but an incredibly slippery leather sofa I spent a week sliding off. The things that stick in the mind . Our last holiday in that part of the world was in a tiny apartment almost in the harbour at Porthmadog. Steam trains from one window, boats from the other. Loved it. I’m delighted you’re having a good time.

Phoned hospital appointments today and yes, Mr C remains on the list for Thursday. We will report at 7am as instructed in the hope an ICU bed is available and an emergency hasn’t appeared in the night taking priority. It could just be fourth time lucky. Keep your fingers crossed for us, please.

Hope your husband had a positive follow up brook. Good to get a seal of approval.

Good to see you soop. Gently does it. That is one very cute bird.

Sleep well everyone. TOYA.

I’m in here early cornergran to hope of news from you, I have everything crossed 🤞.

Morning everyone. I've popped in to catch up on the news before the getting ready for visitors madness hits me.
PF...is horrible Foxy. I got it in my right foot after I had a Morton's Neuroma removed from my left foot. DOH woke up to find me crawling round the bedroom as I couldn't stand ...when he saw the state of my knees he said we are going to A and E now. At the hospital they announced I'd have to be admitted ( middle of the pandemic) unless I could walk with the knee length plastic boot and crutches. Luckily I could and as my left foot healed and I started to walk properly again so the PF healed too. I hope you get some relief soon.
Ann ..I too am so pleased that you are enjoying your holiday..it sounds wonderful . Just what you needed.
Jax...Mr Jax had a fabulous break too by the sounds of it.
Corner... Everything crossed that this time tomorrow Mr C will be at the hospital.
Brook...that 6 weeks has flown by..I hope it all went well with the appointment for MrB... Does it mean he can drive again?.
Baggs... Your DD is inspirational in her acceptance of what life has thrown at her...and a reminder to me of how precious life is and not to take tomorrow for granted. Your love for her sometimes falls from your eyes and trickles down your face....and let it be so....we are all here for you.
SueD... I've never made ice cream but I'm going to give it a go this weekend as there were some lovely recipes in the Waitrose magazine.
Talking of Waitrose..I popped to our local one the other day and there were 2 trolleys outside with free plants. They were all in need of TLC but even so 5 fell into my trolley and have now revived beautifully.
I've got my aqua class at 12 so had better get a wriggle on...and then the Domestic Goddess crown will be donned once more....not. I had to phone Vax yesterday as one of the cordless machines was making a horrendous noise. I'd checked everything ( or so I thought) but it was still sounding like a car whose exhaust pipe was broken. A lovely lady talked me through undoing bits and turning it on...still noisy...take of the head...still noisy...check the drum...still noisy. (The dogs had run for hills because of the noise). Finally with the machine in bits all over the floor she said can you check the wand...I looked and could see a bit of fluff which I pulled out...only to be followed by another bit and another bit and another bit...cue hysterics from me and the lovely lady as I continued to pull fluff out of the wand until I had a mound the size of a large grey cat in floor in front of me...and guess what...the machine once reassembled just purred. Ladies..there really is no hope!!!!!.

kittylester

My twin brothers were born in Llanrwst- I saw the doctor bringing them in his black bag.

😂❤️

I'm so glad you are enjoying your holiday, ann. You deserved some good times.

Sorry, no pics, soop – they are never still for more than a split second! – but I've been watching what seemed like whole clutches of willow warblers* and coal-tits flitting about between our garden trees and shrubs this morning.

*they might have been chiff-chaffs. We get both.

There have been so many baby birds this year Baggs and there are new families all the time. We have nearly bred our own murmuration of starlings!

Bit off starlings to be honest! We put meal worms out in a lovely feeder - for all the birds- blinking young, but not small, starlings all fight to get to them and empty the lot on the flower bed and in the bird bath. And the noise!!!

Hello Kitcheners. Had a bit of a mishap yesterday. Early evening in the entrance hall, went to bend down to undo my shoe laces...went headlong into the edge of the opposite wall. Was disoriented for several minutes. Mr Soop was urging me to speak but I couldn't. The wall, floor and my head were splattered with blood. Mr S used kitchen towel to dab my scalp and then he realised that he couldn't lift me off the floor. He called the neighbour who did get me upright and into my chair. I had a dull headache for most of the night. Now the beginnings of a bruised forehead. My hair remains matted with dried blood and MrS think it wise to let the gash heal before shampooing hair. He has mopped the floor and washed the walls down with diluted Milton. What a palarva! Although at the time, it was extremely scary.

Lots of love to you all. Especially our Kitcheners in need of tender loving care.

Baggs We have a tribe of feathered friends that enjoy cavorting on the shrub outside the window. Their antics make us laugh. I did try to photograph them. Sadly they are too acrobatic and won't remain still for long enough. Here is one of the images. I shall try again tomorrow.

Oh heck, soop. Please try to stay upright. Take care now.

Sorry to hear about your latest mishap Soop, hope it soon heals. It’s so easy to lose your balance like that.

I’m still turfing rubbish out of my office, shredding old documents and putting important ones that must be kept in a fireproof case. It looks like a leather briefcase but is very heavy and is metal under the leather. A lot of work related stuff to get rid of. It all seems a world away now. I’m finished for today, my throat is full of dust and my joints are aching. It’s hard work but feels good to be moving on. I retired at the end of 2019, then I fell ill and then Covid arrived. All 2020 plans were cancelled. Now I’m feeling ready to start enjoying my retirement properly after a lifetime of intense work.

Have a good evening all x

Poor Soop. How is your blood pressure? Might it be on the low side which can be a common contributory factor in dizziness. It has happened to me when bending down to pick up a dog poo after Rosie has “done” I’ve stumbled forwards and been close to falling flat on my face.
Please take things gently, you may be trying to do too much in an effort to shake off the black dog. 💞

Oh my goodness soop how scary for you and Mr Soop, please, please take it easy. Sending gentle hugs and much ❤️