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

Hi all, very ‘holiday ready* and pretty FGT, mine are in socks now!
A grey day until right now, a last hurrah of a low sun has appeared. Busy day on the voluntary phone, lots of odd calls, now being sorted out.
I had my flu jab and had to show proof of age 🙂🙂
Quiz later, I think it may be tricky as some furniture has been removed, we’ll see.

It’s very quiet in the kitchen! I’m the first to post today?

I’ve been over with the Boy Wonder who is on his own for his first (of two) weeks of half term. The sun has been shining today. It’s been very pleasant. On my way home I popped into the salon for this pedicure as we plan to go back to our ‘happy place’ next week and I shall be wearing my sandals!

No, sadly, a friend who lives in the French village we used to live in p/t posted it on FB, but we’ve seen similar.

What a fabulous sunset Jaxjacky did you see it yourself?
I would just love to experience that just once

You do so much for your family UTTB I’m sure your grandsons benefit greatly from the time spent with you, sending ❤️
Stunning picture Jax thanks for sharing

My two youngest GS’s are here now for a few days as it is half term for them.
They have a very difficult life as their mum is not in their lives.
Very long and painful story.
The one not in Paris is a very high functioning autistic boy but hates the label and finds life challenging.
However he is loving towards me which is gratifying.
They have both tucked into a roast dinner,unexpectedly, we told them the roast pork was chicken which fortunately they found hilarious when told the truth.
They are here for a few days.
Challenging but rewarding when it goes well.

neine and utbb fingers crossed you’ve had something to cheer you today 🌹.
We’ve been to our pub 🙂which was very busy indeed, so good to see people we know and we won a meat draw prize, quiz tomorrow. The new owner is big on community, reflected in his other places, fingers crossed.
Stay safe soops your view must be amazing, I’ll share this sunset sent from the Dordogne earlier.

utbb your poor grandson, how disappointing for him to have to miss the school trip.
nannytopsy, pleased you had a good weekend’s birdwatching, and also that you didn’t get too wet!
soop enjoy watching the sea from your comfortable chair! Stay warm and safe.
Storm Ashley isn’t coming this way, although it’s a bit breezy. I’ve stacked the garden chairs in a sheltered spot in the garden and put the small loose flowerpots away. Can’t do any more, so hope it doesn’t get too windy.
Stay safe everyone.

‘Evening All’.

We enjoyed our lunch with my stepfather today at his favourite Italian restaurant. This witticism on the chalk board made me laugh as I cradled my glass of Merlot.

Sending much ❤️ to neine and usedtobeblond difficult times which I hope improve soon
Keep safe soop and hunker down until the weather improves
Pleased you’re home safely nannytopsy, we delayed our journey home until tomorrow due to the forecast of very wet and windy weather
Thinking of everyone especially those in the quiet corner x

NannyG4 You are taking important steps toward a new beginning. We are here for you.

Nannytopsy The weather on the west coast is slowly but surely deteriorating. The sea is lively. The wind is moaning outside the window. We will hunker down and count our blessings.

Usedtobeblonde and Neine Our Kitchen is the sharing of both the good and the not so good times. Do not be afraid to open up your heart if it helps in any way to ease your sorrows.

Lovely words, GrannySomerset.

FGT2 Your post made me chuckle. I was a big fan of Terry Wogan.

For those of you with aches and pains, including rotten reactions to the flu jabs...reeeeelax and permit yourselves to be pampered.

I shall settle in my comfortable armchair and watch the waves crash upon the shoreline.

Stay safe and remember that you are "special peoples" as our youngest grandson was known to say.

I have just realised that as I haven’t posted for a short time I missed the wonderful news from Yia.
I am so happy for you both ,it is such good news and I know that feeling personally although I think it takes some time for it to really sink in.

We’re home, after a weekend of some rain but also lovely warm sunshine. The bird watching was great - I don’t think I have seen so many waders in one place before. Probably 50-60 curlews plus lots of others. We sat and froze for about an hour to see the comet last night but didn’t spot it. However we did see the Star link satellites on Friday for the first time.
Yiayia what wonderful news!
soop here’s a big hug, please share it with the sad and sore members of the kitchen. I hope the weather in your part of Scotland isn’t too extreme. It’s windy and a bit damp here but not too bad.

To clarify, my D ‘s battle is not connected to the passport issue but one of the Of….. bodies.

Another anniversary here so thank you for the reminder naughtyn.
It is the anniversary of my Mothers birthday.
She was born in 1904 so 120 years.
We didn’t have the closest bond but she was my Mother and I supported her until her death at 101 years and 8 months.
So sorry you are sad again NN.
We just have to battle on.
I have family problems too distressing to go into here.
One though is that my 2nd youngest GS should be in Paris this weekend with his school.
Unbelievable problems with his passport , being told wrong information on two occasions by the passport office in Liverpool and a visit by my S and elder brother to the actual office in Liverpool could not solve it and the poor boy could not go.
We are all very upset and trying to make it up to him in some small way.
My D is doing battle with a Government watchdog, watch this space.

I have not been at all well “ but at 87 what can I expect” has been muttered.
I await further blood tests in 2 weeks to see if a “ smouldering” blood disorder is stable or progressing.
My family know very little of this, I am working on a need to know basis.

What a miserable post from me today, it matches the weather here, dark and wet.
Kindest thought to you all, cares and cares !! Is there such a category?

neine sorry you’re have such a difficult time with your ex.
I hate pulling up plants at the end of summer, even if they’ve only got one feeble flower left on them!
Sympathetic thoughts to all those going through difficult and sad times.

Oh neine you’ve had a tumultuous couple of weeks and you are bruised. Hopefully equilibrium will be restored soon for you. Mean ex’s certainly don’t help I expect. 💐

Anniversaries are hard, Neine, no matter how many years have passed, so it’s not surprising that today isn’t a good one. I comfort myself each night with the thought that tomorrow is a new day and I can try to start again. My sympathy to you and everyone living with a hole at the centre of their lives.

I was a proper adult gardener yesterday and I didn't take to it....I took up the sweet peas and nasturtiums even though they had a few late blooms on them. In the past I've left everything until the last flower has given up the ghost. I can't bear to think that it's put so much effort into a last flowering and I cut it off ( pull it up) in it's final moment of glory. ( I know I sound mad). Anyway I knew it had to be done as I wanted to make sure the wicker obelisk isn't damaged in the high winds due to hit today. The really stupid thing is that I've been struggling mentally for the last 2 weeks after more unpleasantness with ex etc and this feeling of summer being over by removing the plants tipped me into a place I'd rather not be...Mass was hard and I really had to stop myself from leaving and weeping. It's my Dad's anniversary today...60 years..I was 9 he was 42. I remember the day so clearly and the sadness is still there. That's probably behind me feeling like I do. I am now going to give myself a very large kick up my btm and try and get through the rest of the day.
💐 For you all.

Well done to your son, Soop. 👏
Blair Castle, Granmarie! I wonder if it’s still as it was some 30+ years ago. Back then, it was quite unkempt. It was very dusty, with moth-eaten bears and they seemed not to have thrown away a single item since approx 1598, it eas all on display. We must pay them a visit next summer to see for ourselves.
One pot cooking esp a slow cooker, has much to recommend it, FGT. I’m also a fan of all-in-one oven bakes.
Hurrah, you’re home, LLFL!
I hope you managed some sleep, Cornergran.
Thinking of you, Nannyg4.
It was sunny here as well, Brook but Storm Ashley is imminent now. I think Sunday will be a staying in day.

I’d thought to visit a NTS garden today to take advantage of the sunshine but plans changed, as plans are wont to do. My DD’s MIL has been taken poorly and so dd and the GC ended up at ours this afternoon, for reasons too boring to relate. The little ones played and then we all ate tea together. The cats just couldn’t stay away even though they not sure about children. I then bathed and hairwashed the GC - they think it’s such a treat in grandma’s house - and then took everyone home, ready for bed.

It’s been fun though has made my shoulder more painful again, which is annoying. Hopefully just a temporary setback. Dh seems to be ok after his jabs, with just a sore arm from the Covid one.

A quiet day at home tomorrow due to the aforementioned storm. I took a trip around the garden this afternoon to admire what’s still blooming, in case it’s all wiped out tomorrow.

Stay safe, everyone. Xxx

NannyG4 I’m pleased you enjoyed your afternoon out, tippy toeing to new beginnings.
They’ve had dreadful flooding in Françe too corner and I’m sure your shopping trip will come!
A quiet Saturday, my daughter and Imogen called in, they’re all off to Wales for a quick trip at half term, the 4 waterfalls trek.
MrJ had both of his yesterday GG13, not a twinge; that doesn’t help you! Recover soon, meanwhile, indulge.
Turtle here FGT 🐢

😁😁

Hi I am on the sofa feeling decidedly off after my Covid booster yesterday.
I have read, dozed and scrolled GN, definitely had lessons from FGT2 #lazygran 🙋‍♀️

‘Evening All’.

Just enjoyed watching a film. Himself was in t’other room watching the qualifiers of the American Grand Prix. ‘Mr and Mrs Chalk and Cheese’ as per usual. 😊

This just made me smile:

“ Take it easy like Terry
BBC disc jockey Sir Terry Wogan “was a man who enjoyed his comforts and embraced them fully”, his son Mark says. “And when it came to the subject of exercise, his comment was: ‘Cheetah – fastest animal in the world, life expectancy four years. Giant turtle, 300 years. Slow down’. ”

Perfect thoughts for #lazygran!

Hoping your DGDs concert has gone well nannyg4 and well done to you too for getting out and about
What a fantastic achievement for your DS soop I bet he’s got lots of stories to share!
A gorgeous day here, lots of sunshine and more walking, legs are tired again this evening but my step count is good!