Soop's kitchen for caring and sharing...

weenanni aw thank you, it’s good to hear from you and hope you’re doing ok ❤️

Good to hear fgt. Should have known you’d have checked which way he was travelling. It didn’t occur to me he was actually heading home. Lucky man to chat to you.

There were four hours of uninterrupted sleep thank you granmarie, more than enough and so much better than my usual pattern.

Nothing clear from 90 minutes of hospital consultations today. As ever I’m described as unusual. Who wants to be usual? .

Yet more blood testing is needed. One apparently requires specialist analysis, I’m to wait for a phone call to tell me when that can be scheduled. In the meantime it’s all back on a shelf as far as I’m concerned. Rather than frustrated I’m grateful for the time and care coming from our beleaguered NHS. My concern voiced today at wasting their time was firmly rejected, kind people. We were certainly pleased to see the Costa handily located by the hospital exit, needed a re-group before moving on.

That is indeed a beautiful image brook. It’s been misty with some drizzle all day here, didn’t manage the walk along the coast we’d hoped for, made do with a turn or two around a garden centre. Enjoyed some excellent fish and chips there before visiting a couple of shops on the way home.

Quiet weekend ahead, I’m beginning to sort through 55+ years of photos. Plan to let go of most of the views which will mean not a thing to anyone else. I’m hoping to reduce the existing (large!) quantity of albums by half and label every photo. It will take time! I do need to acquire some new albums to move the keepers into, meant to look today and of course didn’t.

Go gently Redcar, all will be well.

Wishing you all a peaceful weekend along with a hope poorly people are comfortable.

Hi kitcheners, lovely picture brook memories of the castle and the boat trip over Loch Ness.
I’d missed you were home Nannytopsy good to hear, go gently; you too Redcar, find your rhythm and good luck to you both.
Well done FGT it doesn’t surprise me of you, but over and above comes to mind 🥰
Grannmarie a whole parcel of love, hugs and fun, how delightful for you, memories too.
Another grey, slightly damp day here, I could do with snow in about a week, once everyone has finished their NYE celebrations. Fat chance down here, but I can wish 🙂. Presents tidied, swift amount of domestic vacuuming, dusting and hob cleaning done. Our real tree has been magnificent this year, such pleasure sitting quietly in the morning with my cuppa looking at the lights, small things.
As you say, back on the shelf corner, but niggling I imagine.
Off to sort leftovers for dinner, later all.

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Evening Kitcheners.I hope you all had the best Christmas you could.The castle is magical Brook I remember it from a few years ago.
Our Christmas was hectic but it was
lovely to be with the family.Now chilling today.
Pic of Curly the muddy horse on Christmas Day and granddog the reindeer.

Every day is the worst, because tomorrow will be easier, IYSWIM is my daughter’s reassurance. I’m walking about but starting to feel guilty that I should do more physio. I keep trying but my knee is more swollen and reluctant to cooperate. Otherwise I think things are going well. The stairs were a real challenge last night - let’s hope they are easier.
Thank you for all of you good wishes - so much experience in the kitchen 😉.
Sleep tight everyone xxxx

Good advice from your daughter nannyt. I found that one day I realised how much more I could do than a few days before. My surgeon was a bit anti formal physio, his advice was to keep walking, certainly a very swollen knee can’t bend properly. Between movement it’s the rest , ice and elevation to keep the swelling down. You’ll get there, promise. x

cornergran and jax I’ve been pottering around most of the day, putting things away and cooking dinner, the first in seven weeks. I’m aching now, but it will get better.
nannytopsy you may find it easier just to walk about, rather than try to do the formal exercises just yet. As the swelling in your knee goes down, you will be able to bend it more and do a few of the exercises. It’s very early days yet. Stairs are a challenge for a while I think.
I won’t go out for a walk yet because the pavements are so damp and slippery. Plenty to keep me occupied indoors!
It would be nice to see some sunshine rather than the mist/fog we’ve had for the last few days. I’d like to see what’s growing in the garden but it’s too muddy to go out there.
Night night, sweet dreams and a good sleep for those who struggle to get more than a couple of hours!

We’ve snow forecast for next week jax but it may or may not happen 🤷‍♀️⛄️ I’d send some down your way if I could ….
Good to hear you’re managing ok nannytopsy, when my DH had his knee done he found the ice packs really useful in reducing the swelling - although it was in June so a bit easier than in December 🥶 Like corner says though you’ll definitely get there
Lovely pictures Yia thank you
Hope you don’t need many more tests corner and you’re just unique in a positive way 💐

Good evening, Soop and lovely Kitchen people. Great to read all your news, best of luck to Redcar,Nannytopsy and weeanni. Lovely to see you, NannyG4 and YiaYia! Good to hear you managed some sleep, Cornergran. Hope you hear some results soon. Super photo brook, DH and I enjoyed a wee sail along Loch Ness earlier in the year, very scenic. Jaxjacky, we have snow forecast for Hogmanay, we'll send you some!🤣 ❄ 🌨

Not long home from DSIS2's Christmas Quiz and curry night. All three grandchildren and their parents were there, plus all my siblings. Sorry DS3 missed it, his lovely girlfriend is still unwell, I dropped off stuff to them this morning.
We had great fun, all three children ( 17, 13 and 4) were fascinated by DSIS2 's old rescue cat, who tolerated them very patiently! The quiz was hilarious, DS1, DDIL1, GS1 and GD won, thanks to their knowledge of music and movies. Good fun, lovely to see our grandchildren having a great time with their great aunts and great uncle.

Wishing everyone a peaceful Friday evening and a good night's sleep. 😴 TOYA, NNGB.

Hello kitchen people.

Daughter and elder son went back to London this morning.

I spent time making an enormous batch of turkey and pheasant stock from all the carcasses, I have frozen half of it in boxes and the other half will be turned into soup tomorrow with the addition of ham, turkey meat, parsley and cream.

I still feel full of food so dinner was a stuffing ball, two sausage rolls and a tomato,

Sleep 💤 tight.

Grannmarie that sounds like a wonderful family evening. DH’s father always got the Trivial Pursuit out!
Better on the stairs last night - getting there!
Love to the quiet corner
X

Nannytopsy you sound to be doing well sorry knee is swollen as recommended ice packs work well.
That a lovely thing you did FGT .
Best it's good to be home Redcar take it easy.
We had a lovely boxing day with ds,dil,and his 3 and As her partner and 2children all got on well lots of games and food ,very quiet since then. Best wishes to all.

How good to be able to come into this lovely, peaceful place. I’ve just had a lovely catch up with you all and hope you all had as good a possible Christmas.
I wanted to say how pleased I was to see you Blossoming but very sorry about the deterioration of your heath.
I hope that USTBB had a reasonable Christmas and is now recovering her equilibrium.
Like Cornergaran, I was concerned about the elderly gentleman returning to his own home, but now I know that he has, I wonder if he is on his own there?

We had a disastrous Christmas, I’m only just feeling like writing about it.
The plan had been to get the house spick and span on the eve of Christmas Eve leaving only the cooked and ready to eat crab to collect on Christmas Eve morning.
Feeling exhausted I sunk into my chair on Monday evening about 7pm, DH brought me a glass of red wine and went to get one for himself. Somehow he missed the table when putting it down! Result red wine all over the freshly cleaned carpet. I just put paper towels all over it to soak up the worst. I still haven’t faced the floor underneath.

DH got out early on Christmas Eve and collected the crab and two prepared langoustine for Boxing Day, he bought a bottle of Portuguese champagne as a treat too.

So late Christmas morning we unwrapped the crab only to find that although cooked, it certainly wasn’t ready to eat. The claws had been separated but the shell was whole and solid as a rock. And the inside certainly wasn’t “ready to eat”!
We long since gave away our shellfish board and hammer so had to improvise with heavy pliers, couldn’t find a decent hammer.
We had a some champagne, ate what we could and rescued the overcooked new potatoes, so not too bad. Although DH was really, really silent and grumpy all day but in the evening asked if I’d like to share the end of the champagne with him. Unusually considering the time of year, we hadn’t drunk at all, all day. He caught his glass on something, it shattered and we had champagne and shattered glass all over the floor. At least it didn’t stain.

Boxing Day, I tend to think of as a day off, usually far more relaxing with little cooking, cold foods etc. Unfortunately the ready to eat langoustine weren’t cooked either.
DH who had resorted to extra grumpiness by this time was also insisting that he would cook a proper meal for both of us. I was trying to relieve the tension so agreed although I would have been happy with bits and no washing up. I gave up on the leathery langoustine although DH struggled on and insisted on cooking a small salmon piece for me and the prawns that he struggled with. If we are around next year I think we’ll be going out.

Yesterday thankfully life was restored to normal. Whatever black cloud was hanging over DH’s head had gone away and everything feels relaxed again.

Oh heck dusty. What a catalogue of misfortune. Once things start to go wrong don’t they always continue ? I’m pleased and relieved all was well yesterday. Long may life stay that way.

Good to see you dusty but my word, I’m glad we’re not fond of fishy things in shells, I’m glad your husband is back in the sun!
No sun here, damp murky stuff all day, cosy indoors where I froze leftovers, cooked and froze swede and parsnips, then made cottage pie for dinner. Being served with carrots and sprout tops, no fancy pomegranate seeds, jus or dressings, just plain veg.
I’m hoping those in the quiet corner have had a reasonable few days with some good memories, hugs and love.

‘Evening All’.

Oh dustyangel what a catalogue of culinary disasters! No wonder you’ve felt shaken up by it all. Crikey.

We’ve enjoyed another good day. I’m getting very used to this. It’s bluddy wonderful to be honest. Lucky us.

A brunch with Himself’s two brothers and their wives. Then mulled wine in the Loungers Bar below us (see pic) with our little family late afternoon. The place was rammed. Quick head count from up on the mezzanine? 200 people! Families, friends, dogs. Wonderful. Some pubs/bars would give their right arm to be so consistently busy. What they do, they do brilliantly!

Evening! We are watching Spectre for about the 5th time - well, half watching and half snoozing!
Today was better on the stairs this morning and I hope the improvement continues at bedtime. I’m gradually learning how to be more comfortable about the house.
Hugs to the soops and everyone in the quiet corner.
NNGB

Good evening kitchen pals, I’ve just come through to the bedroom for an early night and some quiet time. DD2 and both DGC have been here since mid morning and staying over tonight. It’s all been fine and good fun but I’m ready for my bed now after numerous board games and quizzes. The DGC are still up but hopefully in bed soon and I’m leaving DD2 with the TV remote and a box of Lindor for company in the lounge
Oh dusty what a shame about the food, I’d definitely plan to go out next year
Sounds like a lovely evening yesterday grannmarie happy family times and so nice when they all get on!
Thinking of everyone in the quiet corner, take care all 💐

dusty what a disaster for you! What a shame that neither the crab nor the langoustines were edible.
I slept badly last night, despite being back in my own bed. I got myself a warm drink at 2.00am and went to sleep after that until 7.00. The lights of cars passing disturbed me several times, I’m in a room at the back of DD1s house and no passing traffic there. If I slept at the back of my house, I’d be woken up frequently by the neighbour’s security lights coming on. I’ll get used to the traffic again.
Unpacked some more stuff and put some out of date clothing and shoe catalogs into the recycling bin.
Another grey day here, but not foggy. I had to put the lights on at 2.30 it was so gloomy. Hopefully tomorrow will be brighter.
Night night, hope we all get some sleep.

Hello kitchen people.

I mainly made soup today. I made a batch of turkey and pheasant stock yesterday. Today I added rice, cream, turkey, ham and parsley. Not bad. I had a bowl for lunch and it was very filling.

OH visited his bees and they were doing very well, all cosy in their hives.

I’m snuggled up in bed and about to continue reading a History of the British Country House up to WW1.

Sleep 💤 tight.

Evening Kitcheners. I'm just home from visiting a friend and a group of former colleagues. Despite not looking forward to it, I had a lovely time. Lots of chat and reminiscing. Ladyleftfieldlover your soup sounds delicious. Redcar fingers crossed for a better night's sleep tonight. Dusty what a disaster right enough! Poor you. Grannmarie what a lovely family time.
I'll head to bed soon. Toya

Good afternoon kitchen pals, a very quiet cosy kitchen this evening
DD2 and family have just left, they stayed the full weekend so it’s been busy but lovely having them all here, except fot the children’s teasing and falling out of course which happens all the time - sibling rivalry at its best, it’s hard work trying to keep the peace 🫣
Good to hear the bees are doing ok Llfl
I’m going to have another glass of Prosecco, a few chocolates and some Christmas cake as a treat later
Hope you sleep better tonight redcar, it must be hard adjusting to being back home
Hoping everyone in the quiet corner is doing ok, take care all x

‘Evening All’

Crikey - It is quiet in here tonight! We are not long home. We’ve been out with my stepfather into Oldham to see my uncle, which was a real pleasure. He is mid 80s and lives on his own now as my aunt died two years ago. He is my only link to the past with my mum and dad. He offered us all a drink and poured my stepfather a whisky. I went into the kitchen to put the kettle on to make tea for Himself and me. I had to laugh when my uncle reached across to a kitchen cupboard and took out a mug saying put Himself’s tea in this. It was a Manchester City mug ha! When I took the tea in Himself laughed when he saw it and said yes, okay - I’ll drink it providing you’ve got some mouthwash for afterwards!

It was a lovely visit catching up on old times, Christmases past and memories held. It was heartening to hear my uncle saying my darling man is looking so well. Truly we never get tired of hearing people say that.

We then drove back and the three of us went for a curry which was most enjoyable. Home now, cozy and warm in our pyjamas!

Hi kitcheners, delightful FGT, you have a lovely family.
Enjoy your evening brook feet up and no refereeing!
Quiet day, son and fiancée working in the pub, we called in for meat draw, no joy again, we certainly can’t be accused of ‘fix’. My daughter was taking down their tree today and sawing it up to go in our garden bin.
I cleaned the oven, washed the floor and we watched three episodes of Detectorists, seen it before, but a grey day escape, so gentle.
Lasagna from the freezer in the oven, that’ll do.

Hello kitchen people.

Church this morning in a tiny Georgian church. Just 11 in the congregation, plus the vicar, the organist and two dogs.

It’s not often OH and I have different meals but he just wanted pie and beans tonight. So that’s what he did. I had salmon, new potatoes, a small salad and a mayonnaise based sauce which I cobbled together.

The Antiques Road show tonight is about cooking so I’m looking forward to that.

Have a good evening.