Soop's warm and welcoming kitchen for kindly folk.

We took the DGC to see a starling murmuration locally this afternoon. They were impressed with the noise!
I didn’t get a photo of the birds but here is the sunset.
NNGB
Just come to bed to be entertained by scratching noises in the loft above our bedroom. My bet is squirrels and the man will be contacted first thing on Monday morning!

Good evening, Soop and lovely Kitchen people. 🥰

Spent most of the afternoon taking down decorations and tree, packing and cleaning as I went. Everything is boxed and ready for DS3 and lovely girlfriend to put back in the loft when they next visit. The house looks bare and huge! Beef olives in the slow cooker, tasty dinner after all the palaver, DH really enjoyed it. We watched our usual Saturday night quizzes, I'm now going to continue Fool me once with a nice glass of chilled white.
We're going to my DSis1's wee granddaughter's first birthday party tomorrow. We'd been looking forward to seeing my brother and sister in law there, but got word today that DSisiL has Covid.
Hope she recovers soon and my brother doesn't succumb. It's certainly not going away.

Wishing everyone a peaceful Saturday night, enjoy your wines, prosecco, cocktails, chocolates, it's the weekend!
Gorgeous photos of Caldey, thanks,
Cornergran.
TOYA, NNGB.

Are you going to share those treats with your Dh, Urms?
Such lovely photos, Cornergran. The beach is spectacular!
We don’t see many squirrels here, Brook compared with our last house. It’s not rural enough, I guess. We’re next to farmland but there are busy roads round here.

Poinsettias! They lose all their red bracts within days for me. I always thought it was because my house was too hot for them but my friend told me they like the warmth, so I don’t know. I remember going to Madeira and being amazed to see them growing by the roadside like weeds. My green-thumbed friend can make hers last right into the summer, including the red bracts.

Topsy I also water the streptocarvus when the leaves droop but they never seem to recover and go all soggy and brown. 🤷‍♀️

I have a spider plant tale of woe, too. I read that they like to be outside in the summer so I gave mine a holiday during a nice spell last summer. It’s rewarded me by leaves going brown, falling off and generally looking extremely rough. I hope it will recover in the spring, because I bought it for 99p in M&S, as a tiny little thing and I’m very fond of it.

I hope your new plants do well, GMbatty. 🪴

The weather was so much nicer today, very cold but sunshine and blue skies. Also, it wasn’t totally dark at 5pm, we’re emerging slowing from hibernation! I went into town briefly today and bought some thermals for my dd1 who is going to thr US to visit her brother. It’s going to be -15 while she’s there and I learnt that she doesn’t possess any thermals despite living in an ice box of a house (slight exaggeration).

We then popped over to her house with those and some bits for her to take for DS. We had coffee and scones and played with the children, who were being delightful today. If only they could manage that every day! 😂

A quiet evening for us and then to bed which has been made up with clean sheets.

TOYA. Xxx

Evening all - some Cosmopolitan cocktails in the shaker (I’m getting in cruise mode for next month…😂) and some of Nigellas Cafe Bar nuts on the side for those with no allergies!

I’m another Jax who can kill a plant… my claim to fame is murdering a spider plant which I was assured was indestructible… couldn’t be over or under watered! Hah!

Hello kitchen people. I’ve had a semi lazy day. OH woke up a couple of days ago with a sprained ankle so can’t get around easily. I popped into our local supermarket and bought a few provisions. Then I spent some time relaxing on the sofa with the newspapers. Finally I made us an old fashioned Toad in the Hole with mash, peas and gravy. Always a favourite. I had a glass of Prosecco with mine so feel sleepy.
Those chocolates look good Urms! I used to love going to the Thorntons in Oxford. They had an excellent cafe.
Have a good evening!

Hi all, no sweet tooth here, so I’ll happily give them up for the year, but I am having a lower alcohol glass of white.
It’s been a usual Saturday, working through the weekly newspaper treat, a chilly walk and catch up calls with the children. My daughter took her two to Winchester Science Center, my son out for a walk with his partner.
Certainly colder here, sat in the warm I think of all those flooded and now cold.
Caldey looks glorious corner.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202401/medium-562722-408046fc-df15-4b09-9e19-7eb5f0e85121.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202401/medium-694964-86aa3a7f-0888-41d9-9788-316a00bf4368.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202401/medium-886228-7d77f6a2-f543-40a7-bf4f-789ee4c8d4cf.jpeg

All this talk of Caldey has had us reminiscing. The images are all Caldey. Part of the beach, a view of the monastery and a ferry heading in.

It’s been a busy day here. Don’t t ask me why but we thought it a good idea to clean the inside of the conservatory which involved much climbing of step ladders and considerable muttering when I discovered the cloth or cleaner I needed was out of reach. Pleased it’s done but goodness we’re both tired. Mr C is fast asleep, I’m determined to stay awake now and not be wide awake at bed time.

Like the look of those chocs urms, you do indeed deserve a treat.

How wonderful to have a red squirrel in the garden brook. We had the grey squirrels in our last house, I sort of miss them although they’re viewed less favourable than the red.

Poinsettias? A bit hit and miss here. Last year it was Easter when it met the compost. This year? Bought the second week in December I’ll be amazed if it’s still with us at the end of next week. Oh dear.

Granmarie and grandmab I’m with you both with squashed mood and grey skies. It’s been sunny today and I’m much more resilient. Long may the brighter skies remain.

Best be off, a kitchen needing clearing then it’s a chilled glass of white and elevated feet.

TOYA.

Oh Urms, I'd willingly swop my very ordinary wine tonight for those tasty chocs!

Warm thoughts for you all.

‘Evening All’.

Steak pies in the oven (I’ve been down to the larder) with potato and a small bag of fresh mixed veg. I’ll make up a jug of Bisto gravy just because I can. I also popped into the card shop because they sell Thornton’s chocolate and treated myself to these bags of my favourites. Well, I’m doing Dry January so an alternative treat is called for don’t you agree?

Good afternoon kitchen pals, Im another one who kills off poinsettias quite easily, think it’s too cold at night up here. Good luck with your new plants grandmabatty I hope they thrive 🪴
I’ve had an enjoyable day, I was outside pottering in the garden this morning, there’s a few signs of life but not much yet. It was cold but dry and sunny so I wrapped up warm and sat in my little winter garden corner with my hot mug of tea. There were birds singing and a red squirrel was running around looking for food, I just enjoyed sitting there for a while. Then the bin men came and shattered the peace, I think they’re catching up on missed collections over the festive period as they don’t usually come on a Saturday
M&S curry to enjoy later, with a vino of course as it’s the weekend
Have a lovely evening all x

Jaxjacky me too! I love poinsettias but mourn them every year when the leaves drop off. They always die before Christmas. This year, I went without

I too kill all houseplants, I’ve stuck to a myriad of advice, no, they all die, I couldn’t bring myself to kill yet another poinsettia this year, so went without.

Good afternoon kitcheners. Suedonim I bought four plants, two spiky ones and two smaller ones. I'm not sure what they are called but I'll check later. I've had a very pleasant morning and I'm about to have a sandwich. TTFN

SueD I have streptocarpus plants and I’m afraid to say I mistreat them terribly but they come back and flower beautifully. Cool, north facing window sill and I water when the leaves start to flop. I repot occasionally and feed occasionally.
TOYA, NNGB

Grandmabatty sending 💐 and some sunshine your way. I’m sure you’re right grannmarie it’s the long dark gloomy evenings that take their toll, but good news that there’s an extra 6 minutes of daylight each day from now on
A good friend there SueD - Im getting better with my houseplants, I think I used to overwater them but now I just leave them until they’re really dry and then they eventually get a drink

Mentions of Tenby takes me back to our honeymoon in 1962, planned and organised entirely by DH and remembered through a very rosy glow. Were we ever that young and optimistic?

Oldies’ coffee morning always a chatty pleasure and then a certain amount of financial admin so that I go into the new year up to date and knowing where I am. Won’t last, but it feels good.

GMbatty your comment about house plants made me laugh. I’m not too bad with them, but I just cannot seem to grow streptocarpus (aka here as Sore Throat plant!).

My friend gives me beautiful ones that she grows, I have them in flower for a while, then the leaves go all floppy and sad. At this point I return them to my friend, who puts them into what I call her plant hospital intensive care unit and she gives me a different one. 😂

We did, thanks, Grandmabatty, we had a good blether, and couldn't finish all the wee cakes so they gave us boxes to take them home! DH has an awful sweet tooth so he'll enjoy them tomorrow.

Grannmarie it wouldn't surprise me. It's dark for so long and the weather has been wet and gloomy too. The lack of sunshine probably is a major factor. I hope you enjoyed your afternoon tea.

Neine, Cornergran, Jaxjacky and Brook, I really hope that you all have an opportunity to return to Tenby/ Caldey in the not too distant future, it sounds like a very special place.
I wondered who was responsible for all the flooding down South, Nannytopsy!!🤣... only joking... I know it's no laughing matter. Hoping that those affected are safe, dry and warm now.
Grandmabatty, I'm glad to hear that your Mum is on good form, long may that continue. Thinking about your mood, I had afternoon tea with a former teaching colleague today we both felt that we'd been a bit low recently, maybe a seasonal thing in our damp, dull part of the world? Thankfully the nights are beginning to stretch out a bit now. I read somewhere, possibly GN, that we have an extra 6 minutes of daylight every day now, that's very hopeful.

TOYA, especially Baggs, her DD and all the family. NNGB

Nannytopsy I'm watching it too and singing along. Just as well I live alone. A quiet day for me. I visited mum this afternoon and she was in good form. I picked up jammies and a dressing gown for dgs1 so he can stay over whenever he wants. I finished the toad in the hole and it was tasty. I've been a bit low the last few days but I'm working on it 😊
Tomorrow I'm meeting a friend for breakfast and I'm planning to buy new house plants. It's the triumph of hope over experience as invariably I kill them. Anyway, back to Julie Driscoll and the flower power days

The tree is down and the decorations are boxed. DGC are coming tomorrow morning until Sunday morning. We will take them to see the local starling murmuration in the late afternoon. We are playing a late of Mexican train dominoes at the moment but I think they are old enough for canasta!
We had another inch of rain here last night and there is an awful lot of flooding. It may be my fault - this all started when I bought DH a rain gauge last year.
I hope MrSoop is more comfortable on the scalp and that everyone else in pain is getting some relief. I have had to take cocodamol most nights this week for knee and hip. I only use it on special occasions!
Enjoy Friday - just watching TOTP from the 60s and early 70s on BBC4. My era!

Thank you for the image neine. The sun always shines over Tenby . I’ve never stayed on Caldey, a sadness, it’s a place that I think touches my soul.

Thinking fibro. Food-wise it’s anything from the nightshade family that is unhelpful for me along with an overdose of any carbohydrate. A little is fine, a lot definitely isn’t. I also have chemical triggers for exhaustion. I do think it’s all very individual. An incredible nutritionist who was also qualified in applied kinesiology (something that requires the suspension of disbelief) identified my triggers which I find hold true today. Sadly I can’t always avoid, or choose to avoid, them. It does get easier to manage as it becomes more familiar. Pacing helps me a lot, something else I don’t always choose to do.

Baggs and her family have been on my mind all day. Especially when I heard from our friend that the biopsies taken had all been clear. Delighted for her it left me with such sadness for Baggs brave daughter.

Quiet evening ahead here, I hope a restful one for you all.

Hi all, a dry day, hurrah and cooler. Cleaning here too, proper, not my usual token gestures! Curry with chicken and veg is made for dinner and we’ve just returned from our catch up in the pub.
I’ve only been to Tenby once, I was 14/15 on the cusp of much naughtiness, I remember the beach and a huge Great Dane galumphing across the sand.
As we sit in our warm cosiness I will think of others.

It's Friday so I've flung some gin and fiery ginger beer on the side for those who would like to partake. It's a bit early but by the time you've found glasses and the ice tray it'll be 6 o'clock. The pain today has reached a new level it seems or as one of the symptoms of the newly gained not wanted Fibromyalgia is an increased sensitivity to pain so maybe it's not as bad as if feels but it floored me at 4.30 and I gave in and took the strong meds and dozed whilst the 3 dogs had their usual post dinner cavort around the sitting room!!!. I've taken down the cards and stripped the tree of the decorations...the lights are still on until it's dismantled tomorrow. I had to do over a days poop patrol too as it's too late by the time DOH gets home to do it in the dark. I think the combination of bending and stretching triggered off the latest episode. Has any if you who also suffer found it's made worse by diet ( white flour, pasta,rice etc)?.
Corner It's been my haven over the years too ( your words resonated wth me very much). I've walked that beach with tears pouring down my face...the last time was when the joy of being there was lost in the realisation that I had less time ahead of me than behind and I wouldn't always be able to feel the peace and healing that I'd experienced so many times before. I couldn't actually breathe and time stood still it seemed. In my usual way..I gave my self an imaginary slap on the face went back to the cottage where I was staying and poured myself a large Chenin. DOH says we are taking Henrietta Moho there later in the year...watch this space. I'm glad it's brought back some happy memories.
Yia and Blossoming I'm very jealous at you planning trips away. I so want to but until we find out if our plan to marry in June can go ahead ( it's Annulment dependent as we'd like to marry in the Catholic church...). I can't book anything just yet.
Llfl... Yes that would be exactly right...the sea across can be really choppy ( and like a mill pond) . I'm in awe of how they've managed to sail back on some days. Caldey chocolate...so very special and back in the day cheese too but the EU regulations put paid to that sadly.
I've stayed on the island a few times on retreat. As visitors staying you can attend all the services in the monastery chapel. Hearing the beautiful morning and evening prayers chanted by the brothers is wonderful.
In my head I'm there now offering up prayers for those of you in need just now. ♥️

Enjoy your evening everyone.