Soop's warm and welcoming kitchen for friendship...

I wondered what was going on there Blossoming!
Hello kitchen people. I had my first outing outside the house for two weeks. We went for lunch at one of our favourite restaurants. Afterwards we went to a very large Waitrose in Oxford before returning home. I survived and don’t feel too fatigued. No dinner tonight (maybe a bowl of Special K) as we ate a lot! OH is out tonight so I will watch one or two Thick of Its (for the third time at least) and then Bake Off. I had a massive book delivered today commemorating Led Zeppelin. I am looking forward to looking at that too.
Have a good evening, especially those of you who are troubled.

Aargh! I don’t know how I’ve managed to tack part of an older post on to my latest one! I do type them into a text editor first as I don’t type very quickly and have lost posts in the past. I guess I copied something instead of deleting it!

Hi to all kitchen pals, just having a 5 minute sit down before I start the dinner. It’s been a mixed day weather wise, sunshine and showers with a definite chill in the air. I had a good class at the gym this morning and then another volunteering session with second year medical students this afternoon. I think I’m getting to grips with it much better now and enjoying it
How fascinating maw, so interesting to find these things out. I can imagine how difficult it was to decipher the writing, I don’t know how they managed in the past.
It’s good to hear from you neine, busy as always but all sounds in order!
Good to hear you’re feeling much better Blossoming and that neine has helped with suggesting some exercises - kitchen power at its best!
I’m away first thing in the morning down to Cambridge to visit DD1 and the two gorgeous DGSs, really looking forward to seeing them all but not looking forward to the very early start 🙁

Good evening dear Kitcheners. The weather has been dreadful here today, cold and wet and grey. No walk out for me as it’s too slippery underfoot. I ran the now sparkling vacuum over bedroom floors and landings instead, which exercised pretty much all of me! It’s very heavy, but quite easy to push as it’s free running and smooth. It’s also the only one that lies flat to get under the furniture easily.

Glad your bathroom plans are progressing Brook and you must be so relieved to have your heating working again GrannySomerset.

Hope your childminding has been uneventful today Grandmabatty and you’re feeling less tired.

Soop

Beans on toast for tea, my appetite is improving, I think I get frightened to eat when my digestion is playing up!

Hope you have all had a good day, TOYA.

Rotten look YiaYia, hope it’s soon sorted!

Hope your GD had a good time Annsixty and hope you have managed to get out on your scooter,

You are such a caring person Grannmarie, the birthday party sounds lovely and the memories made will be much appreciated. I’m sure those 3 ladies must appreciate visits too. Mince, neeps and tatties are a favourite of mine,

A well deserved “lazy” afternoon Grandmabatty after a productive morning of pottering.

Glad you enjoyed your stroll soop. I was always up very early for work and I too love a long lie in, drinking tea and reading, since my retirement in 2020.

Glad you’re on the mend LadyLFL*, your dinner menu sounds delicious.

Thinking of our poorlies, as always. Hugs to those caring for loved ones ❤️

Dear ann, we all understand how unsettling that incident was for you. Naturally you feel tearful. Gentle hugs for all the Kitcheners.

I am having a busy/frustrating time and feel lack-lustre as a result.

I'm sure that by tomorrow I shall have got my mojo back. My love to you all

How lovely to hear from you Neine, sounds like you all had a great weekend and most to look forward to. I am feeling so much better these days and a lot of that is down to you and those exercises you told me about. The pain was so bad and becoming so frequent that I thought I was looking at another round of hospital visits, tests, scans and endoscopy. I can hardly believe that it’s gone, and so quickly. I am still having a few twinges that are quickly dealt with by repeating the exercise. Hope you have some time to rest and relax before the next busy weekend x

I've been absent without leave and do apologise....but it was another weekend of friends visiting... We've had one free weekend since June..not necessarily people staying but something happening at least one of the weekend days. (Our next free one is Dec 16th). Its lovely that people want to come and see us and our new home and if I could be bothered to waft the duster around a bit more often I wouldn't have to have an orgy of cleaning that takes 2 days prior to each visit!!!!!!. In real life 2 days cleaning a week should entitle me to at least a Somerset Goddess award....but the 4 four legged friends gang up and before I can mutter rehoming have undone all my good work. Any way it was a lovely weekend....I took our friend into town to the museum whilst DOH was at work. It's so interesting finding out the history of where we now live. We went out on Saturday evening after Mass to a local pub and had their famous Exmoor venison burgers.( Lush). When we got back my injured knee was really hot and painful and we ended up having to put ice on it. On Sunday we took the 2 smallest dogs for a walk... The weather was glorious and although I had my yard boots on it was only because of the mud and I wore just a cardigan ( and jeans in case you thought I had just a cardie and boots on). Back home I had slow cooked steak and kidney in Guinness and made it into a pie so an early meal for us all before our friend departed. We both slept for 2 hours after he left!!!!!. We've started watching Three Little Birds on ITV and are hooked. No wonder generations later there is still resentment of the way the Wind rush families (and the Irish) were treated.
So to catch up..
Urms... Don't ever worry about feeling emotional...or sharing it with us. This amazing kitchen offers love and support to all of us in spades.
Congratulations to the new drivers (Corner and Gillgran). I'm with LLFL on it being a highlight of my life.
Yia...wishing you well soon and for the doctor and power situation to be resolved very soon.
Corner...Me too re Autumn and Winter. They say you love the season you are born in...this Sagittarian does not☹️...roll on Spring.
Jax... Your local must be really posh to have steak in the meat draw. My DMIL ( to be)... wins chops and bacon!!!!.
Blossoming...so lovely to read that you have 'escaped' and tummy is better.
Brook...I know they say it will all be worth it when it's done but going through it doesn't always feel that way does it?
SueD...I hope you are having a fabulous time with your DS.
Grandmarie... How lovely for your friend to have a record of her special day (and to have you as her friend too). As they say in her case triumph over adversity. Inspiring.
Maw... That was fascinating to read...I have connections to Clare and West Wales too. Was Bunratty House near Bunratty Castle or am I getting confused.
Grandmabatty... What is the saying..Never stand when you can sit...and never sit when you can lie.
Nanny topsy... How frustrating for you.. Just when you thought you had enough.
Ann... I'm sorry to read that a. You were feeling down and b. Your attempt to lift your spirits was so horrible. Is there a particular time of day when the area is busy and maybe go out then so you know there are always people about if needed. Clubbing GD...good for her.... It's what being young is all about isn't it ( we all did our version of worrying our parents/grandparents I'm sure.
LlfL... The room looks wonderful. A really gorgeous colour.
Soop... Our lovely leader...I DO SO HOPE that the new consultant brings you good news and a solution to the drafted hernia VERY SOON. You have been so patient.

Well more people coming to dinner this weekend and the 'children' have just jumped up at the newly cleaned French doors...am I going to redo them...am I hell... I'm going make onion bhajis to go with the chicken curry dinner for tonight. I'll clean the wretched windows about half an hour before everyone arrives on Saturday.

Gosh Maw what a fascinating find! I am very interested in family history and how events shape our lives and those of others.

I think it was part 3 of “Union” when David Olusoga spoke of the Wexford rebellions in Ireland. If you have been watching this might be of interest (quite long!)
It concerns Paws Anglo-Irish ancestors who lived in and around (mostly) County Clare and Wexford from the 17th century. who were driven out of Ireland on two occasions, unsurprisingly around the time of the Troubles when they lost their home Bunratty House , but fascinatingly also during the Wexford rebellions of the late 1790’s.
After Paw died, to my huge surprise, I came across some old family letters in a bundle in a box in the loft, and one of these written by Deborah, the wife of a Charles D (ancestor) was dated 1798 written to her father.
They lived in Co. Wexford outside the town where they were landowners and farmers. During the rebellion, their house, Charlesfort House, was attacked and burned down by rebels. Deborah and one child escaped by jumping out of a first floor window. The rebels had no particular argument with her and it seems they were seen as good landlords and not unpopular locally so they were allowed escape although their horses were set loose.
However the rebels “ urged Charles to show himself” (I imagine he was hiding in the cupboard under the stairs!) and he was shot in the shoulder but incredibly, also escaped. They made their way by various means to Haverfordwest , picking up their eldest boy on the way and sought refuge in Wales.
Undaunted they returned to Co. Wexford in the early years of the 1800’s and rebuilt the house, Charles dying in 1833.
It was incredibly hard to decipher- faded of course, the spidery handwriting, turns of phrase, and the habit they had of filling every inch of the page by writing sideways as well to save paper
But fascinating - such a piece of history.

Luxuriating in a warm house after visit from the boiler expert and am more than grateful though I expect the bill will have me reaching for the smelling salts. I won’t take warmth for granted in a hurry!

Sad to read about Ann’s horrid experience. Dealing with the irrational is so frightening but is unusual so I hope confidence can be regained soon because she has done so well.

Evening! The diet has gone to pot today, trying to eat the perishable parts of lunch for 6. They couldn’t come, having tested positive for Covid. Well, tomorrow is another day.
It’s been a pretty frustrating day with admin. Halfway through a big job for church, the contractors got VAT registered. That added £800 to the bill, which I have not fundraised. I am also trying to find the money for roof repairs.
A number of houses in the village flooded on Friday. I think we are high enough above the lane …
Lovely photos - I must get out with the camera when we have a fine day.
Enjoy your day tomorrow everyone
NNGB

Hoping your electric is back on ok now Yia, what a nuisance
So pleased you got out for a walk Blossoming it makes all the difference doesn’t it!
After a cold start this morning it’s been non stop sunshine all day. We dropped DGS off at school then I went to the gym. This afternoon we’ve eventually made some progress finalising the details for the new en-suite bathroom. I’m just so bad at decision making these days, I never used to be this bad especially when I was working. DH doesn’t really help as he just goes along with whatever I like 🤦‍♀️ Anyhow most things have been decided on now, we just need to get the quote (then it might all change again anyhow!)
Hope you get an early night grandmabatty 💤

That’s a beautiful photo Blossoming. Well, I wasn’t up to going shopping. We will go tomorrow after we’ve been out for lunch. Our gardener came today and spent over two hours tidying up the front garden. We had a talk about what plants to buy for the back garden and came up with a list.
For dinner we had the other half of yesterday’s beef pie and vegetables. As we speak, OH is rummaging in the kitchen freezer looking for ice cream. Only Connect later and I might watch David Olusoga’s (sp) programme about Ireland.

Great news you’ve been out Blossoming, it makes a difference to the day.
Not so great news for Yia I hope you’re all sorted now, what a flipping nuisance.
Fingers crossed your daughter in law has been given some efficient pain control corner so debilitating for her.
Phones were busy today with odd requests, the genuine requests have been sorted.
Off out to quiz in a few minutes, I’m comfy here, moving is an effort! but I will be fine when we get there.
ttfn

Good evening Kitcheners. A quick visit to the kitchen tonight as it's been a very long childcare day. Dgs2 has been so good today. Dgs1 had a good day at nursery. I've had dinner and I'm lying on the couch before I tidy the kitchen. I'm tired! TOYA

Good evening dear Kitcheners. It’s been dry and bright with a stiff breeze here. I have had a wonderful day! I gave the GTech a thorough clean and removed all hair etc from the roller brush. It’s now running well again. I put some laundry away, washed some more and went out for a walk! MrB wasn’t happy and came with me in case I needed any help but it was fine. It was indescribably good to be out in the fresh air and I took some photos. A lot of the leaves have fallen in the bad weather, I found some nice holly berries to snap instead.

Sweet and sour chicken for tea, my reflux and hernia are still behaving. I’m really tired now though, it will be a very early night for me.

Hope you have all had a good day, TOYA.

Rotten look YiaYia, hope it’s soon sorted!

You couldn’t make this up.About 5pm yesterday all our power went.We have all electric in the the apartment so had nothing.Stayed at our DS1 last night now waiting for Insurance electrician to come between 2 and 5pm.DH says it’s a problem with an isolater,let’s hope it can be fixed today or another night here.!

A final photo of the bedroom/study.

Dreadful experience ann Totally understand how upsetting it was, please don’t let him spoil the enjoyment you have going out and about. You’ve had lots of trouble free trips. As suggested earlier perhaps go out with another person while you regain some confidence. I’m very cross on your behalf.

Decent day for us. After the ironing we had a walk along the river, leaves are turning. Although I love the colours as they come I’m not an autumn person, the season encourages sadness in me.

Later I did some loft sorting before managing to get to an email to a good friend. It’s a good job she’s a patient soul.

Our elder granddaughter is across the country ready for her work experience week from tomorrow. She’s taking it all in her stride, our son took her today and reported how calm she had been. Fortunately flooding earlier this week only reached our sons drive, didn’t make it to the house. I think I’m more relieved than he is.

We’re visiting our Wonder Woman daughter in law tomorrow. I’m looking forward to seeing her. A short visit, her pain is proving hard to control and she needs rest. We’ll be useful by amusing our not so Littlest while his Dad takes his Mum for a blood test. Apparently the little lad is being very solicitous and ultra careful around his mum. No mean feat for a typhoon!

Some lovely photos on here, always enjoy seeing them. Keep getting better poorly people. Enjoy your evenings everyone.

Good to hear from you SueD but quite right that your busy at your sons!

Oh blimey baggs I didn’t realise the midges are still hanging around this time of year - you must definitely appeal to them!

There’s some beautiful photos of the water and the mountains, soop the view from your window is magical, I could just sit and look out for hours.
It’s been a gorgeous sunny day here in Inverness, I’ve spent most of it in the garden and it even felt quite warm in the sunshine. We’ve got DGS here for a sleepover, he’s negotiated an 8.30 bedtime so he’s just getting his pjs on. It’s back to school tomorrow after the 2 weeks holidays so hoping he’s remembered everything he needs.
Enjoy your winnings Jax!

What an awful experience for you ann, I’m so sorry you’ve had to go through that. No wonder you’re upset, I hope you get over it soon and it doesn’t stop you going out and about, take care x

The cats have just about left me room on the sofa!

That sounds awful Ann. At least there were people around.