Soop's kitchen for kind and caring folk...

Good afternoon everyone, we actually had some sunshine here too Jaxjacky, the first time this month.
I have started tidying up the garden, pruning roses, cutting back the phlox and Japanese anenomes etc. I have a bunch of rosebuds I pruned off, in a vase, the last roses of summer I guess?
DH was commandeered to do the tougher bits, I simply don’t have the puff or strength to tackle the harder plants. It’s looking much tidier, yet more to do over the next few days while it’s dry. He’s taken the dog out for a walk, I did the very early one as soon as it was daylight.
Sending love and hugs to everyone who needs one x

Hi kitchen pals, I’m just in from the garden, it’s been a mild sunny afternoon so I’ve enjoyed pottering about outside. Same here Roses, I’ve been cutting down dead perennials and general tidying up, still finding lots of leaves to pick up too. We’ve got a pretty yellow winter jasmine in full flower just now, it looks lovely and bright. This morning I was at DD2s doing a quick flip round with the duster and tidying the children’s bedrooms. She did say thank you so that was nice but she really should try to get the DGC to be a bit more tidy themselves. It doesn’t usually matter but as she’s a house viewing this week she’s trying to create the right first impression 🤣 - won’t last!!
Hoping Redcar is safely at her daughters now being well looked after
Good luck in the quiz tonight Jax hope you’re feeling a bit better
Hope everyone in the quiet corner is doing ok, sending warmest hugs

Evening all! Yes, hoping things are going well for Redcar.
DH has been for his appointment and has return in a happy frame of mind. Most of his blood results are probably a side effect of his diabetes meds, so they have been changed. He has anaemia because of low vit B12, another side effect, so that will get sorted. He was relieved to know there was nothing sinister and he had a good check over by a lovely GP. PHEW!
I had my bank account raider by the dentist as the next phase of my implants was done. A mere £2100. I think they charge you as you go along in the hope that you don’t notice 🤣.
(Sorry Kitty!).
Last night we got the all too familiar phone call. “We haven’t realised we are all out early tomorrow morning. Can you come over by 7:30 and do the school/preschool run? “ it means leaving before 7 😱
I did have a nap this afternoon!
Hello soop and you others in the corner. Group (((hug)))

‘Evening All’.

Another gorgeous sunny day here. Dark now (7pm). We’ve been out for lunch with neighbours who have become friends. A lovely way to spend 3 hours on a Monday afternoon. 😁

When I spoke to my stepfather today he told me that his 99y brother is back home after a fall - then an infection in hospital. He said when they spoke last night his dear brother sounded low. Understandable. He’s gone from totally self caring to needing carers calling in x4 a day. Poor man. He was on the North Atlantic convoys as a 19y old lad. So utterly frightening for him - the tales he’s shared - and especially poignant today of course.

My heart goes out to these two brothers from Wester Ross. I know my stepfather is concerned. I’m glad we go home on Thursday. I want to give him a big hug when we go out for lunch with him on Sunday. And if Himself is up to it in a week or two, perhaps we 3 could drive over to the Midlands so they can see one another again as of course this has not been possible whilst Himself has been on chemotherapy for 16 months. Life can knock the legs from behind us at any time can’t it

Good evening Kitcheners. FGT I sincerely hope that your stepfather's brother is ok.
Today was a day not without incident. Dgs2 was mainly really good and well behaved apart from a fifteen minutes mad spell. He had a wee accident and refused to get changed and started kicking. His big brother had wound him up of course. So time out was employed. The wee scone was very tired and had fallen asleep in the car earlier. Anyway, time out was successful. He did three beautiful paintings. Grandma picked up a paint pot by the lid. Foolish mistake. The lid and the pot parted company and navy blue paint splashed on the floor, the tv, the radiator but, worse of all, on my velvet, mustard curtain. I'm going to take it down and see if it'll go in the washing machine. Fingers crossed 🤞

Sorry about your curtain Grandmabatty but I do ❤️ your posts. 😊

Oh dear GrandmaB. Will the paint brush off when it’s dry? 🤞

Oh no grandmabatty hoping you can get the paint off ok, easily done though

I'll try to brush it off when dry, but I'm not sure it'll work. It is washable paint or as dgs2 says, "gamma's special paint for me." Totally my own fault and karma has kicked me. ,😂 I was prancing about and playing classical music to inspire the three year old and foolishly didn't check the lid. That's what I get

Good evening, Soop and lovely Kitchen people. 🥰

Welcome, Roses and Lilac, what a pretty name!

SueD, glad your DH is back home with you now. Hoping and praying that all the poorly husbands are improving, and that their devoted wives/ nurses are looking after themselves as well as the patients!

FGT, we know that area well, it's beautiful, enjoy! Wishing your step Father's brother a speedy recovery.

I hope Redcar is cosy and comfortable at her daughter's home now.

Good luck with your early start tomorrow, Nannytopsy. Like yourself, I was at the dentist and hygienist this morning, two appointments back to back. I'm thankful that all is well.

Jaxjacky, I'm sorry to hear that you and MrJ are still suffering from that awful cold. It's always worse at night time. I prescribe two generous hot toddies at bedtime, purely medicinal!

Cornergran, MrC is very welcome to share our steak pie, it's a big favourite with the men of our family too.

Grandmabatty, I'm sorry you've been upset by that unkind nurse, she's in the wrong job. I hope your curtain comes out of the machine as good as new.🤞

Brook, I'm sure your DD appreciates your help with the children and the house. Tell her that two family homes have sold last week in our wee estate, it's not too late!

Wishing everyone a peaceful Monday evening. Please forgive me if I haven't mentioned you by name but I have read all your posts now and I'm thinking of you all.

Thank you grannmarie 🥰 I think her house is quite difficult to sell as when they bought it they thought they’d have the money to do it up with a new kitchen, redecorate etc. Then covid came along, money was tight and the cost of living meant they’ve never updated it. Now she’s on her own and needs to sell the house to buy somewhere smaller that is affordable and doesn’t need much work. We’re just hoping someone will buy it eventually!

Oh dear grandma batty! I remember doing a similar thing with a blender full of milkshake… turned it on without checking the lid.

Hello kitchen people. What’s busy day. Shopping , more shopping and taking a nearly new, barely used soup maker to the Red Cross charity shop in my local town. It’s the only one we can take electrical goods to,

After lunch I popped over to my friend’s house for a craft afternoon. It was fun. We made some Christmas ornaments using fimo.

Back home and I finally managed to sort out Microsoft teams. The V&A tech people sent me some hints of to get back in and it worked.

I’m in bed. I only had around three hours sleep last night so thought I’d have an early night.

Sleep 💤 tight.

Thank you for the thoughts for Dh. He is improving as the days go by. I can see him eyeing me loading the dishwasher and thinking ‘Well, that dish doesn’t go there, it should go underneath.’ He’s not up to full speed by any means but we’re getting there.

We had another upset this weekend, when dd2 and her boyfriend were attacked in a city centre by a dozen youths. They’d gone to the defence of other people being attacked and were then targeted themselves. . No one came to help them, though plenty of people saw it. By some miracle, dd escaped injury while her BF had cuts and bruises, after x-rays established no broken bones. It seems likely people will be charged over it, which is something.

I sometimes despair for this country when you can’t just go about your business peaceably.

I have just read on Facebook that the restaurant we have a booking for 6 on Christmas Day has closed with immediate effect.
No notification to us.
They hold a deposit and what’s more we are unlikely to find another which can take 6 and a highchair.
Oh well, back to the drawing board.

Oh that’s awful SueD your poor DD and her boyfriend. Thank goodness they’re ok, what a dreadful thing to happen

I hope you can get your deposit back somehow Uttb and find an alternative venue 🤞

I’m so sorry sued, an appalling thing to happen. Thank goodness your daughter and her boyfriend are OK. I worry about our teenagers when they are out and about, often think I’m fortunate not to know the detail of their plans.

What a disappointment usedtobe. What a time we live in.

Saw a GP today about my unexpected lupus diagnosis. She’s an excellent doctor and a kind person. While referring on to rheumatology she also squeezed me into the in house phlebotomist’s afternoon clinic where 7 phials were extracted without pain by a cheerful non complaining woman. The idea is to test for everything she could think of in case something else is going on. I’m very fortunate. Now we wait.

I’m sorry grandmab afraid I laughed at your paint experience. I’m sure we’ve all done something similar. Mr C did the same recently with a tub of laundry stain remover, blimey those tiny white granulates spread. Really hope your curtain can be saved.

Eye hospital tomorrow, must try to sleep now as it will be a long day.

Sleep well everyone.

Good news for Mrtopsy not surprised he’s cheery!
I’m fingers crossed for your curtain Grandmabatty how galling for you after a lovely day.
That’ll be so lovely if you can all visit FGT what an age those two remarkable fellows are, what’s their secret?
SueD I’m appalled, no broken bones, but the shock will stay for a while and they will have lost some of their trust in society making them wary.
So disappointing utbb I hope you find somewhere, I suppose it’s a few weeks ahead rather than last minute.
It was decidedly chilly when we left quiz (no rosettes🙂), and although earlier was sunny, there’s a nip in the wind.
Today I completed admin from the phones yesterday, got a few plants in the ground, cleaned upstairs and ordered a Christmas present.
Since then I’ve been tinkering with online food delivery orders, particularly the festive one as we’re hosting daughter and children.
Cloudy and dull now, I’ll pop in later, hope Redcar is comfortable(ish).

Suedonim that's awful! I'm glad your dd wasn't hurt but it's dreadful that her boyfriend was attacked just for going to help. Another good day with dgs2. We nipped to Tesco for bubbles and he's had fun in the garden playing with them. Dgs1 had a good day at school and is eating a bowl of cereal before his swimming lesson. Dgs2 produced three paintings today without mishap. Sadly the paint won't brush out so I'll probably have to get it cleaned. Or buy new curtains.

Shame about your curtains Grandmabatty hope they can be cleaned.
What a terrible thing to happen SueDI hope your DD and boyfriend are recovering.

A very eventful day yesterday.DH was diagnosed with a UTI after being in A&E for nine hours!It was extremely busy and we got home at 10pm.He has antibiotics now so should be ok.

I have now started the cold.bound to happen.😞

I remember that years ago my mum took the pressure thing off the pressure cooker before it had cooled down and it shot soupnall over the kitchen ceiling! She wasn’t pleased. I hope your curtains can be cleaned grandmabatty. I am sort of comfortable jax, thank you. I haven’t found a suitable painkiller yet, can’t take OxyContin and don’t like Tramadol so I’m just having ibuprofen and paracetamol at the moment. I know the pain will ease in a few days so will just put up with it. My digestive system will also ease soon 🤞hopefully. I’m walking along the hall on my crutches, trying to get myself moving. yia I hope your cold isn’t too uncomfortable and that the antibiotics help your DH soon. sued I hope your dad and her boyfriend recover soon from their shock.

Good evening, Soop and lovely Kitchen people. Soop, I'm thinking of you and MrSoop, hoping and praying that all is well, and he'll be back home with you very soon. 💕🙏

SueD, how awful for your DD and her boyfriend. Thank goodness it wasn't any worse, but it will shake their confidence. What is the world coming to?

Ladyleftfieldlover, I hope you had a better sleep last night. Please send photos if your crafty Christmas ornaments!

UsedToBeBlonde, what a disappointment for you. I hope you can get your deposit back ASAP and find a suitable alternative. 🤞

Cornergran, I'm sure your unexpected diagnosis was a shock to you, but it certainly sounds like your medical team are following up on it very promptly. Hope all goes well for you tomorrow.

Jaxjacky, it was decidedly chilly here this morning, 3 degrees and the remains of frost on my car at 8.30 am. I must start putting it in the garage at night now. ❄ Hope you and MrJ are feeling a bit better now.

Poor YiaYia , you've got the cold now! Hot toddy tonight. What a long wait in A and E, you must both be exhausted. Hope tha antibiotics help your DH very soon.

Grandmabatty, I'm glad you've all had a good day. Shame about your curtain. Is it worth risking a gentle machine wash, after a good soak? Hope you can save it. 🤞

Fingers crossed 🤞 also for brook's DD's house sale.

I've had an active day, for me! Morning Mass followed by a visit to the pool to do my knee physio. Home for lunch, washing done and hung outside for a wee while but although it was bright there was no drying.
I spent an hour or so tidying up the front garden, I'm very late cutting back the lavender and the remains of the hostas. I planted some crocus bulbs and the last of my winter pansies, hope the squirrels leave them alone! I came indoors just after 4 and it was dark very soon after.

Salmon for dinner tonight. I've binge watched 📺 the first 5 episodes of The Day of the Jackal, no more available until Thursday. Also, I enjoyed the first episode of The Mirror and the Light, have to wait till next Sunday for episode 2. My patience is being tested. Since lockdown I've become a fan of watching a whole series/ season over an evening or two. 🤣

Wishing everyone a peaceful Tuesday evening. TOYA, especially those in the quiet corner. 🥰

Redcar, crossed posts, good to hear from you. Great to hear that you're mobile already on your crutches, good for you! Glad you're being looked after at your DDs. Can you take Co codamol for pain relief? I was prescribed that briefly after my knee injury, I know you've to be careful cos it can be addictive, but it might help short term?

Good afternoon kitchen pals, hope everyone is doing ok especially those in the quiet corner ❤️
Good to hear from you redcar, the pain is understandable but here’s hoping it’s gradually getting better and you can cope ok. Take it easy and have lots of rest
One thing after another Yia, hoping the antibiotics work their magic and your DH is more comfortable soon
I’ve had a full on day, the volunteering session lasted until well after lunchtime as the students were running late as often happens. Today was simulated ward rounds so I was one of the patients lying comfortably in bed in my hospital gown waiting to be seen by the trainee doctors. At least I got a rest with my feet up all morning!
When I read your post first time grandmabatty I thought that you’d gone to Tesco with your DGS for bubbly 🥂🥂🥂🤣
Sounds like you’re getting well organised Jax wish I was too, must try harder I keep telling myself …
Sounds like a good day grannmarie, enjoy your salmon later, one of my favourites

Good evening all.
SueD I hope your D and her BF are ok , we do live in troubling times.
Also lots of colds and other ailments, hope they all clear up soon and folk feel better than at present.

We have now been notified about our Christmas lunch and the deposit is being returned, I am not fussed about going out but my GD, her friend, her friend’s mother all like it so I go along with it and this year we are being joined by friend’s GM and her friend who would both be on their own.
We have a tentative booking so fingers crossed but it is unbelievable that every restaurant for miles is booked up especially as it is nearly £100 per person at most of them.
There is still plenty of money about, certainly in Greater Manchester and Cheshire.

I still wait for the blood test results from last week, a GP from the practice rang today to say that one test is held up , they hope to get it next week.
I just hope it is good and not bad news.

Have the best evening you can everyone, keep warm and as well as you can.

‘Evening All’

This holiday I’ve started wearing a gold bracelet that was my mum’s. She died six years ago. I had the bracelet professionally cleaned last month. It’s the one that looks like little fans. I’m never going to take it off I’ve decided as every time I look at it not only do I think of her but I feel stronger in myself as she was a lovely mum and had great inner strength. Her mum died when she was nine and her husband (dad to my sister and I) at 47. It makes me want to be more like her - finding my own inner strength. I hope this doesn’t make me sound daft.