Soop's friendly and supportive kitchen for kindly folk.

Phew, football over.
Dropped over a birthday card and gift for our sort of DIL. 29 tomorrow, so young
Picked up some bbq meat from the village butcher and MrJ assembled the new bbq for two, that’ll be us next week. I should have lettuce, beetroot and early spuds ready to accompany the meat, with one pepper, not for me, yuk.
A lovely warm day, watering is nearly finished.

Hi to all kitchen pals, it’s still a warm sunny day here in Inverness but a bit windy - I’ve got loads of washing dried outside today
I’ve never been to Kentwell before but I’ve looked it up, not too far from DD1 in Cambridge so I might suggest it next time I’m there, it sounds very interesting, thanks for the info 👍
Your holiday sounds jam packed Rosies and the weather is looking good for next week 😎
I’ve done a volunteering session this afternoon, then picked up DGD from school and delivered her rehearsals for a show she’s in next week at Eden Court. We’re just enjoying a breather until we pick her up later
That’s a lovely story mamaa thanks for sharing with us
Good to hear the second summerhouse is progressing well rosesandlilac
Take care all and have a lovely evening x

My eldest daughter went to Kentwell when she was about 10. She was a kitchen maid, no fancy costume, just an old sheet transformed into a plain dress. I went too and remember we both came home smelling of woodsmoke as we’d been cooking on a wood fire!

GS went to Kentwell on a school trip a couple of weeks ago.

Rosiesmaw that sounds like a fantastic trip - room for one more?

I’m delighted to ‘meet’ someone else who knows of Kentwell! It seems to bypass most people and I’ve never met anyone who’s been there except the person who initially introduced it to us. We haven’t been for many years now but our trips there when our DD’s were young stick out in my mind. ❤️

RosiesMaw your comment about getting ready for holidays when we were children, reminded me of what my Mum used to do, back in the 60's, the week before we went away fron NW England for the annual 2 week break (always last week in July, 1st week of August, always to Wales, often rained!).
Mum referred to that week as 'the week when you wear nothing'- meaning nothing to be worn by anyone, which might be needed whilst away-so we wore play clothes, and definitely no 'best' clothes, the latter being washed and ironed and placed in the relevant pile for each family member going, on the bedding box in her and Dad's bedroom.
One year Mum sent 2 pairs of my Dad's trousers to the dry cleaners- I was sent to collect them - handing in the ticket and watching the lady take a grey pair and a blue pair off the rack and put them into a brown paper bag. Incidentally does anyone remember the fumes which filled the air in Dry Cleaners shops, back then?
The trousers remained in the bag ( probably to ensure Dad didnt wear them as it was the 'week when we wore nothing' ) on Dad's pile of clothes until Mum came to do the packing.
This time despite Mum being super organised as usual, the packing didnt quite go as well as usual because as she removed the trousers from the bag it became apparent that both pairs were boys' school trousers, certainly not long enough or big enough to fit my Dad!
I do remember this being the night before we left and the shop being closed, so we couldn't do a swap. Dont remember how it was resolved though- maybe Dad had to buy new trousers on arrival in Wales, and what about the child who had adult trousers and not his uniform ones? Maybe that went un-noticed because it was the school holidays and his Mum only discovered the error much later?
Ooh its got me wondering now and there's no- one left to ask...

I’m sticking my head around the corner and hoping it’s safe to come in! I have no idea what the shenanigans was about and can’t honestly think of anyone here who would merit being deleted!
My BIL has the same problem with his scalp Soop, he’s facing yet another procedure in a few weeks. Scalps can be notoriously difficult to heal follow-up surgery. Please give MrSoop my best wishes and a hug.
A quiet life continues here, the summerhouse/garden room is underway, a vast improvement on the cr&p it replaces. I have left a terse review on the company’s website, still no apologies and still waiting for a refund.
The dog and I are enjoying our walks, the garden is flowering well and it’s very peaceful where we live.
Today I have art group this afternoon, looking forward to seeing everyone again.

That reminded me RosiesMaw when my DD was a reporter in Southend I would go down and stay and take myself off for the day. One of my favourite spots was Beth Chatto’s garden.

SueDonim

Rosiesmaw I’m not sure if you’re on a guided holiday but if you can please yourself, this is a fabulous and little-known old house to visit, near Long Medford. www.kentwell.co.uk/

Thank,you for the suggestion, I do know of Kentwell and in fact my daughters know it even better as their school in Bedford used to do a History day there every year when they were in lower IV and they would dress up as serving wenches or pages or whatever! (With a costume designer for their aunt they used to be embarrassed by the beautiful and authentic outfits she provided for them each year )
Unfortunately although it was on our original itinerary it restricts its opening to school groups at this time of year - so no go.
The holiday is organised by our local Arts Society (used to be NADFAS) and an itinerary with lots of art/NT houses/ churches/ music has been put together . One can opt out of a day or visit as the hotel has a spa and two golf courses but I’m happy to be a kulcher vulture for the week!

My grandson recently had a half term essay to write after asking ‘older’ relatives where they holidayed when young. I told him about sending our clothes ahead in a trunk as mentioned by Redcar usually to Rothesay or North Berwick

Rosiesmaw I’m not sure if you’re on a guided holiday but if you can please yourself, this is a fabulous and little-known old house to visit, near Long Medford. www.kentwell.co.uk/

Evening kitcheners. Sorry to hear about Mr Soops continuing scalp problems. Haircut this morning followed by a cuppa with a friend lots of chatting done about nothing really. Dgd came in as usual on a Wednesday after school a welcome sight. Only one more week here till the school holidays and the weather seems to be improving. Sister and her DBinL calling in tomorrow on their way down to Norfolk in their campervan so another good natter and catch up on the cards. Hope no one else is deleted meantime.

Nannytopsy

Yes, GNHQ have gone very quiet!
Where in Suffolk will you be RosiesMaw? . We went to Kersey near Lavenham today, supposed to be one of England’s prettiest villages. It is beautiful. The Magpie Murders were filmed in the pub, where we had lunch.
Love to the soops

We’re staying at the Stoke by Nayland near Leavenheath and will be visiting Gainsborough’s house, Holy Trinity Long Melford, East Bergholt, the Bridge Cottage at Flatford, Dedham, Beth Chatto’s Gardens, Milford Hall, Christchurch House in Ipswich, Aldeburgh, the Red House, the Munnings collection at Castle House, Lavenham, and Ickworth .
Phew!

Yes, GNHQ have gone very quiet!
Where in Suffolk will you be RosiesMaw? . We went to Kersey near Lavenham today, supposed to be one of England’s prettiest villages. It is beautiful. The Magpie Murders were filmed in the pub, where we had lunch.
Love to the soops

I totally agree with Rosiesmaw that if a post was written with support and good intention and accepted as that by the person it was addressed too then why should someone else be allowed to report it and be backed by GNHQ
The kitchen is the most respected thread on GN and GNHQ are doing their best to ruin it.

Good heavens! We are being deleted en masse,

I hope everyone is doing Ok, I will not be back on GN for the foreseeable future,

Well that’s very upsetting AGA and wrong.
I took a friend to the station at 9, picked Imogen up at 11, last exam, last day, she was beaming, results day 22nd August.
This afternoon was hair cut and to make good my dreadful fringe trimming, I shouldn’t even attempt it. MrJ is remaking our bed so lovely to be able to dry outdoors.
I hope Mrsoop has a constructive consultation tomorrow, I nag MrJ regularly, factor 50 and hat please.

Oh that’s such a shame Aga no wonder you’re feeling upset, I would be too Try not to worry too much 💐

I'm feeling a little upset. I ordered a perfume, quite expensive, for my GDs birthday. It was delivered to my safe place but all I found was an empty carton. The perfume had gone. I will be getting a refund but this has left me feeling quite bothered. I went to collect it as soon as it was left so it wasn't taken from my door.

Best wishes to Mr.soop for his poorly scalp. My mother had to have a skin graft after the removal of a small wart on the front of her leg, she always said that the skin graft site was the most painful despite the small wart being proved to be cancerous and eventually causing an enormous crater on the site.

I’d like to second Rosie’s Maw’s post on nagging of our balding men. Both DH and I have to see a dermatologist next month for check ups. His a follow up for lesions treated on his scalp.

Love to everyone in the kitchen especially dear soop. I feel it’s important to carry on and be as normal as possible in the hope that all the unpleasantness will settle down and then we can get back the caring kichen we know and love.

And then a little bit of me feels that that is giving in and letting the bullies doing unnecessary reporting get away with it.

I have just lost a long post 🤔 I was sorry to read there has been some upset in the kitchen I don't post often but have always found kitcheners to be very kind and caring. Sorry to read Mr Soop s wasn't successful . Take care all hope your worries are small .

I'm so sorry about all this 'kerfuffle'! I read almost every day, seldom post, but really I have never read anything that I considered in need of deletion from the lovely folk in soops kitchen. Those feeling hurt and upset, please stay with us. You are all valued by those who post daily and those who don't!
soop I do hope MrSoop has positive news today and is soon feeling much better. for everyone. Take carex

RosiesMaw. Yes I remember having to wear old clothes before going on holiday, also that all the holiday clothes were packed in a trunk which was collected by Messrs Carter Patterson and delivered to our holiday accommodation.
I’m getting used to living in a state of chaos while two bedrooms are being painted, but itching to get some sort of order back so I can find things again,
Enjoy the rest of your day everyone.

Looking round cautiously ….. all present and correct?
I don’t post nearly as often on Soop’s Kitchen as I used to- I have always felt it a safe space and have shared here things I would not say elsewhere. Silly I know because the thread is as open to all as any but I always felt I could be “me” . But like others I bruise easily and some encounters elsewhere have left their mark. Perhaps this is a wake up call that nowhere is “safe” from troublemakers or those who make mischief - who knows.
But I would like to think that posts are considered on their own merit before HQ wade in and possibly they could look at the majority opinion amongst us.
If A says something to B and it is received in the spirit in which it is expressed (and others agree) what right does “C” have to wade in and say this is not kind or whatever?
I know of at least one poster who is contemplating an extended break and they will be missed.
Anyhoo, that’s me for now, it’s a glorious afternoon and quite putting me in the mood for my holiday in Suffolk next week. I’m at that dithering stage of deciding what to wear and take including a change for dinner each night (not posh but dressy)
It’s all hanging up in the spare bedroom. That reminds me - did your mum used to make you wear your old clothes because the holiday clothes were all washed and ironed and in little piles on the spare bed too? I’d be in an assortment of outgrown or winter things, even school clothes to keep the packing clean and untouched!

Urms come back please do.