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

Lovely to hear from you SueD crossed posts!

Good afternoon to all my kitchen pals, it’s now a gorgeous sunny day here in Inverness, it was cloudy this morning and looked like rain but it’s blue sky and sunshine now 😀
I’ve been busy getting the bedding washed and dried and pottering in the garden. The days flown by and I’m in now about to get a shower before settling down for the evening. DH is making a nice and easy salmon and salad for dinner.
I’ll give that series a go grannmarie as I’m looking for something new to watch on the TV, thanks for the recommendation. It’s understandable that your DGD is a bit subdued, hope she feels a bit brighter soon
I’m hoping Mr and Mrs Corner have both had a good day with lots of rest and recovery
What a lovely family visit to look forward to Soop, it’ll be here in no time. Great itinerary for your DS, visiting some of my favourite places. A good few years ago we walked the West Highland Way all the way through Glencoe and stayed over at the old Kingshouse Hotel. One of my best experiences that I’ll remember forever. We’ve climbed Ben Nevis twice, we were lucky with the weather each time but it still look all day. I’d love to do it again one day if possible but not this year as DHs new knee isn’t ready yet!

Have I really not posted here since 1st August?? It’s been busy, though I’m not sure with what! Thank you for the lovely posts regarding my son. We truly hope we can put the whole thing behind us now and get on with life, though the concern still lurks in the background.

Yia it’s looking good for your house move! 🤞
Good news about your eyes, Blossoming.
Annsixty you sound in better spirits, after your trip away. And the prospect of a mobility scooter must cheer you up, too!
Our dear Soop, your joie de vivre seems to making a welcome return, too. I am so glad for you. ❤️
That’s an amazing photo Brook! 🐬Also 😍 for cousin and sister time.
I hope LLFL’s travels are going well.
That MrC is back home with Cornergran is the best news! I’m sure it feels daunting right now, having to get used to the new routines but the old saying, ‘East, west, home’s best’ always rings true.
I hope your cold clears up, Batty. Dh had one last week but luckily no one else got it.
Neine come and chat to us when the time feels right.

I hope I haven’t missed anyone out. You’re in my thoughts even if not in my post.

Trying to think back on the last five days, what stands out? 🤔 Ah…we went to the evening do of a wedding on Wednesday! We’ve known the bride and family since before her birth so it was a delight to take part in the celebrations. She was a beautiful bride (of course!) and it was in a wonderful venue of converted barns on a farm. We caught up with friends and enjoyed ourselves a lot.

We looked after GS on Friday. He was in a bit of a mump, his mum said he’d got out of his cot like that in the morning! Two days on, and we think he’s getting his back molars so fair enough, I’d mump about that, too. Anyway, we managed the afternoon with the help of food and a nap. I also heard of the safe arrival of a friend’s new granddaughter.

Then we went directly to the station to pick up ds2, who’d come up from London on the train for a flying visit, and went to our nearby pub for a glorious fish and chip dinner. We also had puddings - can you believe, the sticky toffee pudding was the least calorific option on the dessert menu!

Yesterday Dh and ds went off for breakfast in town (I’m not a breakfast person) while I supervised the people who’d come to build some raised beds in my garden. They’ve made a good job of it, now to fill them with plants! Later in, we went to a garden centre & cafe. In the evening we saw Oppenheimer, which was an astonishing movie. I’d doubted my concentration to sit through a three hour film but I barely took my eyes off the screen the entire time. It is very LOUD, though.

We were up early this morning as ds was setting off to go back to London with dd1 and the GC. She hasn’t driven that far on her own with two little ones before so he offered to accompany her. (Her Dh farms so it’s just not possible for him to take holiday at this time of year).

Like Brook we feel a bit bereft that there’ll be no little voices at the door for a week or so but I think the four cousins will have a riot together! I’m off to the Edinburgh festival tomorrow, and then dd2 and her BF arrive mid-week so time will fly by quickly.

The sun has just reappeared after a heavy shower so I hope you all have a pleasant evening. xxx

Cornergran pleased that you have your DH back home with you.

Good evening Kitcheners. Grannmarie that sounds like a good recommendation. I'm always looking for things to watch. I've coughed all day and have a bit of a headache so no visiting mum just yet. I don't feel particularly ill so I don't think it's anything nasty. I have managed to contact a gardener who is going to give me a price to get my hedges trimmed and not before time. My dehumidifier arrived but it needs to be upright for 24 hours before I can use it. Dinner will be chicken and ham salad with new potatoes. I'm looking forward to it. I hope Brook is feeling better and Mr C continues to recover. Have a good evening Kitcheners

Hello all lovely to hear Mr C. is settled at home ,hope you are resting Corner when you can. I have been on a craft stall today lots of different stalls but most like us having done much selling ,it's under standable people are watching their pennies more now. Take care you lovely lot

Good afternoon, Soop and lovely Kitchen people. 🥰

Welcome home, Cornergran and MrC, I'm sure MrC's recovery will progress in leaps and bounds now he is safe at home with Cornergran project managing his care. 💕🙏 Baby steps, one day at a time. I recommend synchronising the siestas!

Great to hear that Soop and MrSoop are recovering from their sore heads, and that Blossoming is feeling brighter. Hope Grandmabatty is feeling a bit better soon.
Neine, sending you love and prayers, when you are ready, we are all here for you. 💕🙏

Annsixty, I hope you found a suitable mobility scooter. DH couldn't find what he was looking for locally so he purchased his new scooter from a UK company online. He's very pleased with it, it's smaller and lighter than his previous one, it folds down by remote control and the Wee Boy calls it a robot!

Wishing Ladyleftfieldlover a safe journey and a wonderful family time in Australia 🇦🇺. ✈️

Hello👋 Brook, Grannygravy, Nannytopsy, Jaxjacky and all with visiting family/GC, how lovely to hear of summer reunions and distant ( by distance, not affection! ) cousins playing happily together. Gillgran, you'll be looking forward to seeing your DGC at
the end of August.

I had DGD, aged 12, staying last week, she had a great visit with my sister's 7 month old granddaughter. She gave the wee one her bottle and played with her on her lap quite confidently, it was lovely to watch, especially as DGD has been a bit subdued since the loss of DGranddog.
( She wasn't ready yet to talk about him or look at photos. )

I have been watching a very suspenseful drama this weekend, its called Witness no 3, the most atmospheric thing I've seen on TV 📺 for some time.

TOYA, take care.

The sun is shining. Mr S is gardening. I've been blethering on the phone. Middle son and his wife are to visit in September. They will then travel further north to stay in Fort William, climb Ben Nevis and visit Glencoe. They live in Rutland.

annsixty any news regarding your preference for mobility scooters?

corner It's good to know that you and your husband are home again. I sense that you will be on the phone tomorrow and will be sharing a few well chosen "home truths" .

All best wishes for Cornergran & MrC as he continues his recovery in the comfort of home.

That was a great photo of the dolphin, brook, your family time sounds to have been really good.
Just as your Cambridge DD leaves Scotland, our Cambridge DD & family travels on Monday to Edinburgh, & somewhere near Sterling.
Just as they come back to Cambs., our DS & his family are off to Crete. So we won't be seeing much of DGC until end of August.

Hope all goes well for you llfl, safe travels.

Warm thoughts for all in soop's friendly kitchen, & all with added burdens.

I wrote a post which has disappeared. Hmm. Cornergran it is really good to hear from you. I hope Mr C goes from strength to strength. Brook I understand that flat feeling.
I have felt a bit unwell today. It's a cold and a cough and it isn't serious but I decided not to visit mum just in case. I've had a fish supper - a rare event- and I'm going to cuddle up on the couch and watch disaster films. Have a good evening all

Lovely to hear from you Cornergran, hope you both get lots more sleep now.

Great to hear you are both safe at home Corner.

So pleased that MrC is home now corner, like charley says he’ll bet a bit better each day now. But please look after yourself too
I’m feeling a bit flat after dropping DD1 and the DGSs off at the airport - we’ve had a lovely time but it’s far too quiet now. I’m a big worrier and I just hope they all enjoyed their visit as much as they said they did. I’ll be seeing them again at the end of September when I next go to Cambridge
I’ve started on the washing, it’s been cloudy but dry here all day today so the numerous bath towels are all hanging on the line. I’ll tackle some of the bedding tomorrow! Tonight’s dinner is going to be a mishmash of left over goodies - like you do! And a large glass of wine to enjoy in peace and quiet 😀
I hope you have a lovely trip llfl and safe travels
Hope your cough eases soon grandmabatty and you get a good rest this evening especially after this mornings mishap!

corner so pleased to hear you both had a good night. At least Mr. C can enjoy titbits of food which he wants to eat. You must remember to have naps also. The worst is over, he can only get better by the day now.

With luck the weather will improve and you can both enjoy a coffee in the garden. So pleased you did not have to act as a taxi driver and your son took that task and got you both safely home.

Hello everyone. We finally made home just after 6 yesterday, the usual delay waiting for meds. We are both so grateful to our son for being taxi. Friday traffic was foul. Yes, we both had a decent night.

I’ve made myself a med chart, no hope of remembering. Mr C is exhausted most of the time, he’s understandably weak, he is getting a lot more sleep which can only help. The bathroom is his best friend at the moment. A lethal combination of very strong antibiotics and water tablets. Can’t be helped, both are necessary.

We’ve discovered there is a huge gap between what the hospital believe can happen via primary care and the reality. I feel a fight or two coming on. That’s for Monday.

My Mum used a mobility scooter for years ann, it gave her enormous freedom and independence. Same for my Dad for a shorter time. We joke and say we’ll have matching scooters with go faster stripes. Seriously we’d have no qualms about it.

Dolphins are magical creatures brook. I’ve never seen any in U.K. waters although have been fortunate to watch them from cruise ships.

Soggy here too grandmab. Miserable isn’t it? More like October than August.

Safe and smooth travels ladylfl. Enjoy it all

Well I can procrastinate no longer. Must sort the mess I abandoned on my bed or there will be no sleep for me tonight.

Onwards .

Us lot would like to welcome back home, Mr C. Enjoy all the familiar sights and sounds. There is nowhere better, especially when you have a special nurse who loves you.

Llfl* I can hardly believe that tomorrow you will be setting off for your visit to the other side of the world. What a big adventure. Safe and happy travels.

brook The image of the leaping dolphin is wonderful. Some years ago, we watched a pod of dolphins swimming and cavorting in the sea opposite our home. They are beautiful creatures.

annsixty Please tell us about your investigations into mobility scooters. One day, I will need to consider going down that road...so to speak.

Good afternoon kitcheners from a soggy Polmont. It's dry at the moment, but more rain is forecast. I don't know if this is the named storm or not. My washing is now on the clothes horse or in the tumble dryer. I have a chicken roasting in the oven and the housework is completed. I'm thinking of TheCorners and TheUrmstons in particular. Brook it sounds like a lovely family time together.
I'm not planning on doing much for the rest of the day as I've been waking up insanely early and I'm tired. I also keep coughing and it's very annoying. I hope you all have a good afternoon kitcheners

Hope the Corners are safe and well at home now. Bad weather on the way here, it’s wet and windy and supposed to get worse so I think it’s a pottering kind of day.

I’m interested to hear how you get on looking at mobility scooters AnnSixty. I have thought about one but have poor spatial awareness.

Your trip seems to have come round quick LadyLFL, so exciting.

Hoping MrC is safely ensconced at home and you both had a settled night corner, it’ll take time.
Test driving today then ann fingers crossed you achieve.
And llfl final packing for your trip down under, one more sleep!
We’re in for the day now, wet now and gale force winds are due, enjoy your days.

Apologies kitchen pals, I’ve lots of news to catch up on as I’ve had such a busy but lovely week with DD1 and the DGC staying here. We’ve had a great day, even the dolphins showed up at Chanonry Point this morning which was amazing to watch.
DD1 and DGSs are flying back to Luton in the morning so it’s been our last day all together for a while. Lots of hugs and goodbyes from the Inverness cousins, and I was relieved that both DDs seemed to get on ok too and I could see them both making an effort as they’re so very different in many ways.
That’s a gorgeous picture of your DGC Jax, what lovely long legs they’ve got
Pleased the call from your middle son lifted your spirits Soop
Neine we’re here for you, sending ❤️❤️
Will have a bit more time tomorrow to read all the kitchen news, take care all x

Well done to Mr C and to Mrs C for coping with the long days visiting and travelling.
It is behind you now and maybe some good weather is due so that you can sit and relax in the garden.

Two of my GC are, as I type, winging their way to much sunnier climes (Bermuda) to stay with their Father.I think sunshine is guaranteed.
We have had a lovely afternoon in Stockport, sun and blue sky.

Exciting day tomorrow, I am going to investigate mobility scooters and ramps for the doors.

Have the best evening you can everyone.

corner that is good news especially as you will not have to worry about driving.

Mr C is going to feel exhausted for a few weeks but he will be sleeping in his own bed and eating what and when he wants. You must look after yourself also and rest when possible.

You will get into a routine even if it is at the pace of a tortoise. At least the weather is about to improve, that would not be difficult.

Good to see you smiling Soop. I too am feeling uplifted after this week’s de-clutter. My eyes are much improved too, I admit I was anxious about possibly deteriorating eyesight. The lovely lady who did my eye exam said my eyesight still meets the DVLA standards, but I won’t be renewing my licence.

Middle son phoned earlier. I am feeling uplifted.

corner One day at a time. Your husband will be delighted to be back where he belongs. Your dear son has relieved you of further unnecessary stress. All will be well.

Naughtyneine Whenever you are ready to share your innermost feelings, us lot will be here for you.

Jax I love the photo.

Special thoughts for Baggs, annsixty, Urms and kalu and all our dear Kitcheners in need of tender loving care.

Blossoming I understand that you endured a major trauma. However, the details escape me. What I can say is that you, my dear, are a true trooper.