Soop's warm and welcoming kitchen for kindly folk.

Good evening kitchen pals, it’s been a cold snowy day here in Inverness
Pleased you’ve been ok today SueD and hope you get some reassurance tomorrow. Your garden sounds lovely
We picked up DGS mid afternoon, he’s now tucked up in bed and he’s enjoyed playing his favourite board games as usual.
Thanks for your good wishes Jax, grandmabatty and Yia , after dropping DGS at school in the morning we’ll be back home finishing packing and then we’re heading down the road to Edinburgh for our flight on Tuesday morning. The weather forecast isn’t good at all so I’m expecting delays, disruption and a contingency plan!
A brilliant birthday present Jax I’m sure your DGS will be thrilled

Hello kitchen people!
Elder son and his family set off for Cheddar Gorge at 9 am - they will drive straight back to Kew afterwards. It was lovely to see them all.
I’ve just finished dinner - beef and beer casserole with far too many dumplings followed by a new recipe chocolate pudding. I am now stuffed. Antiques Road Show and the Pottery Off tonight I think.
I hope all of you with concerns can sort them out soon.🌹

Pleased there’s been no repeat SueDonim but keep that finger poised.
Ronnie fans here soop but Ali deserves to win with his health battles.
Mrs softy Grandma here has bought the enamoured grandson a Saints shirt for his birthday, how much!! It needs framing, not wearing 🙂.
A quiet day, newspaper from yesterday thoroughly read, a stroll around the garden after my walk, planning for later in the year.
I’m collecting my daughter tomorrow from the MOT garage tomorrow, I may be scraping ice, memories of work days.
I hope you get away with no weather hindrance brook.
A draw for Man U Urms, better than a loss, Himself should be reasonably happy.

Thank you all for being so kind about my ‘episode’. No further occurrences but I don’t feel quite right so my finger will be hovering over the ‘Call’ button of my phone at 8am tomorrow. I didn’t get much sleep as I was too frightened to fall asleep in case it happened again. Obvs I have self-diagnosed and I could be wrong but I have picked up a few tips as to how to manage it if, god forbid, it reoccurs.

We managed to get into the garden today, although by the time we’d finished the temp was 1deg. That will be why some of the soil was frozen! I managed to get over £100’s-worth of bulbs into the garden, in those baskets you bury. They should have gone in much earlier but events conspired against me. I hope I’ve managed to salvage them as most of them looked ok. I saw other signs of life, a honeysuckle has tiny new leaves and flower buds showing, a rosemary is flourishing, which astonished me as I thought they were tender, previously planted bulbs are through, there are dormant buds on a rhododendron and heathers are looking fine. There’s still a long way to go through winter but it cheered me up a lot.

It’s another meal from The Back of the Fridge tonight, after I emptied the spare F/F we keep in the garage, an assortment of veg, Yorkshire puds and so on.

TOYA esp Baggs and Urms. Xxx

Thinking of you Mr Soop.Hope you get some help very soon.
What a scare SueD. Need to see yor GP tomorrow.

Thinking of you Baggs, lots of hugs,thoughts and prayers.I hope you get to spend time with your your DD very soon.🌹

Have a wonderful holiday Brook enjoy the sunshine.
We have just booked a week in Malta next month, we have never been so have a list of things to see.
Slow cooked beef for dinner.
Enjoy your evening everyone.

SueD When I read your post I almost went into a panic just imagining how terrified you must have felt. GP appointment as soon as possible. That's an order from Matron.

A kind neighbour has been helping Mr Soop^ to install a safer loft ladder. We are fortunate to have several supportive friends. Once upon a time it was we who assisted elderly friends...

I have a new exercise bike. The original saddle was that narrow and uncomfortable we replaced it with a wider, well-padded/sprung model that accommodates my "beam" with ease. I have managed two half hour sessions today. Feeling chuffed.

The snooker Masters event finishes tonight. We are rooting for the underdog - Ali Carter. If he lifts the trophy this evening, you will hear an ear-splitting cheer from the Soops.

Whatever the result, I shall raise a glass of cheer to you lovely lot.

Sweetie Pie, for those who care, is doing what he does best...keeping us guessing.

‘Evening All’.

We went down into our larder earlier. Himself fancies prawn cocktail for his tea so bought the necessary. I don’t like prawns so I chose fresh goat’s cheese and pesto tortellini with a tub of sauce. Easy to assemble anyway later.
Himself is about to watch Man. Utd again through his fingers. I need to find myself a book to read. I ditched ‘The Satsuma Complex’ half way through last night. Although it’s our book club read it’s not homework so we don’t ’have to finish’.

Good afternoon kitcheners. Suedonim what a fright to get! I hope you are ok today. Cornergran what a lovely gift from a thoughtful friend. Brook is it tomorrow that you head for sunnier weather?
I've been lazier today than I intended. I did go to Aldi for food. I had to clamber in the passenger door as the drivers door was fast frozen. It was still frozen when I came out of Aldi. I've visited mum who was chatty but confused again. Tonight is my early night as I'm up at five tomorrow. Enjoy your evening Kitcheners

Please be sure to call the doctor on Monday sued, you don’t want a repeat of that incident, truly frightening.

We all survived my catering today, some pleasantly polite commends which I’m not certain (know!) were warranted. Never mind, we chatted for the world, so much to catch up with. My cousin is very talented at both sewing and knitting, she also has a heart of gold. She came armed with a gift for Mr C, a beautiful knee quilt to help him stay warm when he’s sitting with a puzzle. Since cardiac surgery Mr C is always cold, a side effect of medication, so a very thoughtful gift. The quilt is made up with fabric from their recent trip to the US, a very special gift. We were thoroughly spoiled, beautiful flowers and a wonderfully scented candle for me and yet another jigsaw for Mr C. So kind.

Hope mr Soop’s appointments go well and the computer behaves. Wretched machines, we need them for certain but aren’t they temperamental at times.

There seems to be much family oriented activity for Kitcheners and for us. Our granddaughters will be here tomorrow with their dad. I don’t mind catering for them, they are used to the chaos I create. It’s always feast or famine family-wise here.

That reminds me, my heart goes out to baggs and her family. So hard

Time to sleep now. Goodnight everyone. Sleep well.

So sorry to hear that, SueD, what a fright for you and your family. Thank goodness the cold air helped you. I hope you are breathing ok now.
I once had a choking incident, absolutely terrifying, DS3 did Heimlich manoeuvre, cleared my airway.
Good advice from brook if you can't wait until Monday for medical advice. I hope you can have a restful night's sleep. NNGB.

Oh my goodness SueD how awful for you, really scary too. Thank goodness you went outside into the cold air and it gradually eased. I bet it really shook you up - take care, try not to worry and hope the GP call on Monday is helpful. If you’re worried tomorrow call 111 - Sending ❤️

I don’t usually go onto the Good Morning thread but have been to look for Baggs. My heart is breaking for her and her family. Why is life so cruel?

Jax that’s so cute, your GS so excited! I’m not a footie fan but it’s lovely to hear of a youngster being so enthusiastic.
I hope all six pups make it, Topsy. I bet they’re cute.
Mr S is a real trooper, Soop, though so are you!
Gmbatty I don’t think GS was actually cold! He was well over 9lb at birth and, shall we say, still has a good covering of his own home-grown insulation. 😂 He’s so squishy to cuddle.
That’s a top tip about ordering in a buffet for visitors, GMarie. I find I just don’t want to do these things anymore, I’d be very happy for the likes of M&S to take the strain!
You’re brave, venturing into the garden today, Brook. It was sunny and allegedly 5.5deg here today but felt distinctly cold. I bought six bags of compost and top soil today as I simply must plant some bulbs that are still sitting in the garage. I muse t complain too much about the cold, my ds and dd in the US are currently experiencing maximum daytime temperatures of minus 15C! 🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶🥶

The day began at 6:30am for GD today, which meant it began then for me, too. I took the cheat’s way out and let her watch tv. 😳 She ate every scrap of grandad’s porridge and we later went out for lunch before taking her home. Dh and I then went to a garden centre in the hopes of getting items delivered but no joy there. Supermarket next, where my trolley was pleasingly inexpensive for these modern times.

I had a horrible experience this morning. I began choking on my own saliva and to my horror rapidly was almost unable to breath at all, either in or out. I tried not to panic and let it clear but all I could manage was the tiniest breath of air in. I couldn’t speak or make any noise at all except an occasional ‘whoop’ as I tried to breathe. I indicted to Dh to call 999 and he was fumbling about trying to find his phone. In the meantime, I managed to get outside and sit on a garden chair. I don’t know if it was the cold air but very slowly I began being able to breathe more easily though I was t able to speak much for about ten minutes. I suppose the whole episode lasted a couple of minutes which doesnt sound long but I truly thought I wasn’t going to survive. I was horrified, too, that my GD would witness it.

A friend later suggested to me that it was a laryngeal spasm and having Googled (of course) I think she might be right. I was diagnosed with asthma last summer and it’s been troubling me a bit lately, so I wonder if my throat is oversensitive from coughing. I don’t much like going to the Dr but I’ll be on the phone Monday morning, for sure. I’m on edge now, in case it happens again, because it was terrifying.

Oh dear, that’s a gloomy note to end on. I shall have more cheerful news for you next week, though! 😻😻

TOYA. Xx

Hi to all kitchen pals, Im just back home from the hairdressers looking a bit more presentable thank goodness. This morning I got well wrapped up and pottered about in the garden, I felt so much better afterwards too
Hope the baby puppies are doing ok nannytopsy lots of fun times ahead
So pleased your DGS enjoyed his first visit to the big stadium Jax, like grandmabatty says it’s a memory to last forever
Pleased you enjoyed the ballet grandmabatty and you’ve more dates arranged in the diary
Enjoy your chicken curry grannmarie a Saturday night favourite of ours too
Mr &MrsSoop sending ❤️

Jaxjacky that's such a lovely thing for them to share. He'll remember going with grandad. Grannmarie we're going in April to see Katherine, one of the history sequence. Then back in May to see Swan Lake. It's really nice to have a friend to share the theatre with. Enjoy Rob Brydon.

Hi all, bitter down South today, a brisk walk blew away any cobwebs. A few weeks ago out grandson, 10, soon to be 11, asked if Grandad would take him to a premier league football game. They’re on the way back now, 4 goals to the home team, so an exciting game, very cold, though said child now wants to live at the stadium!
Apart from my walk I reluctantly vacuumed, then had a TV catch-up, I wish the pigeons would leave some bird food for other species in our garden.
Poor Mrsoop having a tough time.
Baggs 💐.

Hello 👋 Grandmabatty, crossed posts! Your day out with your friend sounds ideal, glad you enjoyed it. We're going to the Edinburgh Festival Theatre soon to see Rob Brydon.

Good evening, Soop and lovely Kitchen people. 🥰 I can't imagine you being unladylike, Soop! I hope MrSoop's appointments go well.

Hello 👋 Ann, good to see you in the kitchen. Well done on your travels, you are a very independent lady!

Nannytopsy and Brook, we had a wonderful holiday in Madeira a few years ago. We stayed in the Royal Savoy in Funchal, overlooking the port. DH was more mobile then so we enjoyed a tour of the island, very pretty.

Congratulations to your DGS, YiaYia, you must be very proud.

It's still cold here, Jaxjacky, I think I'll have to throw some loose compost over my emerging daffs or the forecast frost will damage them.

SueD, your wee DGS sounds so cute! Sounds like his sister loves a sleepover too.
I'm sure your DDis having a great visit with her brother in the US, she's lucky that you can help with the DGC.

Cornergran, I agree, I find entertaining quite challenging now. If it's family, I order in buffet platters so that I have one less thing to stress about. If it's friends/ former colleagues, we meet up at a local hotel for lunch or afternoon tea. Makes life more manageable!

Hope the Horlicks helped, Urms. It's only natural to feel emotional at times, be gentle with yourselves. 💕

Chicken curry is in the slow cooker for dinner, I will allow my self a wee bit of DH's nan bread ... I returned to my Slimming class with a weight gain after the festive season..

I was greatly saddened to read Baggs' news about her DD on the GM thread. Holding them all in my thoughts and prayers. 💕🙏

Wishing everyone a peaceful Saturday evening, TOYA.

Nannytopsy I hope the wee pups are ok. Soop technology can be so annoying! Poor Mr Soop, it sounds very painful. Suedonim the wee pet. I hope he's nice and toasty now. Brook I'm having weird and wonderful concoctions from the freezer in an attempt to empty it.
Yesterday was such a lovely day. Ballet then fish and chips. The ballet was just wonderful. My friend treated me and I feel very spoiled.
Today I have done the housework and washings. The family called in for a while and it was lovely to see them. Dgs1 is a bit under the weather with a headache. I suspect he's coming down with some virus. Dgs2 has learned more words and was practising them. I didn't go to Aldi but I have enough for tonight. Homemade pizza followed by baked apple and ice cream. Have a lovely evening Kitcheners

Our computer is playing silly b's. My language has been beyond ladylike. Mr Soop has been helping to calm me down.

He has the appointment for a scan in Oban hospital for the week after next. At the same time, he will see the haematologist who monitors his lymphoma. He had to return to the GP with nasty lesions on his scalp. A sample of the discharge has been sent for analysis. In spite of his health issues, he remains as upbeat as always.

I wish you all a peaceful weekend. Take good care of yourselves. Stay warm. You all matter.

Hope the pups are all well nannyt. Your daughter has and will be busy watching out for them all.

A pre visitor preparation day here after my morning volunteer stint which was fun. I’m as ready as I can be and foresee a day of (far too) much chatting for my still not recovered voice. I own to finding entertaining anyone exhausting now.

Hope there was positive news for your sister soop.

Good to hear from you ann, wow that was quite a journey, not so sure I’d attempt it but then I’m a wimp where travelling is concerned.

Goodnight all. Sleep well especially anyone with worries.

DiL reports 5 pups so far - well 6 but one is tiny, so unlikely to survive. Miniature dachshund anyone?

Horlicks with a medicinal dose of brandy for you Urms.
I was convinced you were bathed in sunshine today, Brook! It was like the inside of a freezer here today and very dull but the northern horizon was bright with blue skies so I was sure Inverness was enjoying some sun.
That’s impressive, Yia! Well done, that lad! My GD is the US is a keen ‘soccer’ player though oddly it’s a summer game there and she cross-country runs in the winter instead.
Annsixty it’s lovely to hear from you again. I’m sorry your journey was challenging but you know what? You did it! 👏

I’ve just flumped down on the sofa. I’ve been on the go all day with GS (he wasn’t too keen on the cold - ‘My frozen! Icy!’ which made me laugh.) Mummy is still in the US so later on daddy and big sis came over and we all had tea together. Then bath and hair wash for the little ones, GS went off home with dad and GD is having a sleepover here. She’s been downstairs countless times already. usually, once she’s asleep that’s it for the night so 🤞.

I also made arrangements today to have a battery installed to take advantage of our solar panels. It’s not cheap but should pay for itself within about four years. Also 🤞 I’m looking forward to bedtime for myself now.

Toya. Xxx

‘Evening All’.

Complimentary reflexology at the MacMillan Centre today has stirred up emotions lurking just underneath the surface again. Couple that with Dry January (nothing to smooth the edges) and I feel a bit raw tonight. I’m hoping a mug of Horlicks soon will soothe me.

👋 ‘annsixty’ a pleasure to have you amongst us again.

Gosh ann that was challenging, good the support kicked in to help.
A big 👏👏👏 for your grandson Yia what an accomplishment, you all must be really chuffed.
A quiet day, collected prescription, unpacked the Tesco delivery, it’s slightly warmer today, but grey, no sun.
Are you going away brook? 🤣🤣.

Hi all, another cold and frosty day up here in Inverness although it was slightly warmer than earlier in the week and the mist has gone. There’s no sunshine though, just grey clouds
It’s so good to see you here again Ann especially after all your travels. You did really well tackling that long journey on your own, good that the assistance worked out well too
How exciting nannytopsy keep us posted on progress. Madeira in March sounds lovely, its still on my list of places to visit
I had a good volunteering session this morning, a virtual clinic on zoom. Then I went to the gym for the lunchtime aqua Zumba class. Lots of splashing and laughter as you can’t easily do Zumba in the water 🤣
A very big well done to your DGS Yia he must be a very talented player and I’m sure you’re very proud of him. My 10 yr old DGS loves his football too but also plays basketball- don’t know which he prefers
We’ve a sort of pasta bake thingy with chicken to eat soon, Im using things up from the fridge as shush 🤫 we’re away next week….😎😎