New Soop Kitchen in her absence

Beautiful cake, LLFL. I’d love to make one but I’m the only person who likes marzipan and that would mean I’d have to eat it all myself - how sad!
UTTB I remember you sadly losing your dh, though I’d have said maybe two or three years ago. I think the pandemic kind of telescoped time, I realised today that two of our closest male friends both died five years ago. It still seems recent in many ways.
I’m so sorry about your sister-in-law, Dustyangel. Your mind goes all over the place with such news, doesn’t it?
What a lovely day for you, FGT. I think i could quite happily spend time hopping from one wine bar to another and chatting with folk. There’s a newish wine bar in our town and whenever I go past, it’s populated with older ladies relaxing over a drink or two. I’m always driving so sadly can’t invite myself in! My dh gets his scan results next week, too. I’m trying not to think about it.
The misery of d&v bugs, Jax. The absolutely worst aspect of having children, imo.
I wonder if you’ve had as much rain as us, Brook? Though thankfully today has been dry.

The talk of alarms reminded me of when we lived in Nigeria. In one place, the fire alarm, which was a gigantic old-school red bell, in the hall wouldn’t stop ringing. We were being deafened and in the end Dh had to take a hammer to it to make it stop. In another apartment, the fire alarm repeatedly rang at night - the worst night was eleven times! I mentioned to the maintenance manager that I was grateful they’d sorted it and he said ‘Ah, yes, madam, we simply turn it off at night now!’ 👀👀👀

I had an ‘indoor day’ yesterday and got some tasks done. I’ve made all the travel arrangements to go to my brother’s funeral next month. It starts off easily enough - ‘we’ll fly down, save driving 500 miles’. Then comes, oh we need to hire a car; book a hotel; book airport assistance; find airport parking; ditto a cat sitter; arrange a key for the sitter. It took me all afternoon!

I’ve also been browsing the IKEA website to find some wardrobes/cupboards for the smallest bedroom. It’s a junk room atm but is needed for sleeping in by June. I’ve finally found something suitable, I think, and my local handyman can fit me in next month.

Today we just did some shopping for the weekend. My best friend is coming for lunch tomorrow, a roast chicken. I’ve a crumble in the freezer although I cannot recall what fruit is in it. I decided to make a slow cooker rice pudding as well. It should be super creamy as I had an opened pot of cream that was going out of date, so I threw that in, too. I also made some ‘Cornish ginger fairings’ from a recipe in a magazine. I’ve never made them (or heard of them!) before and it’s so long since I baked anything, I’d forgotten the lovely smell of home baking.

Sweet dreams everyone. Xxx

Thank you all x

Poor Imogen, Jaxjacky.

Thank you ladies. The table is set and the food is in the fridge. I hope he comes but I'll understand if it's too much. Have a lovely day tomorrow

Think it’s tomorrow your son joins you 🤞 for lunch Grandmabatty. Bet you’re excited (and a little bit apprehensive).

Dusty I can appreciate your yearning. You are far away. Makes it frustrating and upsetting in equal measure. Thoughts with you both tonight.

Jax this awful bug is doing the rounds isn’t it? So transmissible. Hope your family gets well soonest.

Hi kitchen pals, hope everyone is doing ok
Sounds like a lovely day fgt enjoy the Easter egg too
Sorry to hear about the D&V Jax hope Imogen is feeling much better soon
A busy day here, mainly spent helping DD2 but I also went into town to return a few online purchases. Nothing much planned now for the rest of the weekend
Dustyangel take care and look after yourself, sorry to hear about your DHs sister
Hope tomorrow’s lunch goes well gramdmabatty
Thinking of everyone in the quiet corner, take care all

Hi all, well the D&V Finley had overnight Thursday, gone late last night has now transferred to Imogen, just hope my daughter doesn’t get it it, a miserable weekend for them and todays family Chinese meal abandoned.
I’ve made that chocolate b&b pudding llfl it is delicious, small helpings only!
utbb I'm so pleased you enjoyed your visit away, your so kind and generous with your family, I hope it’s appreciated; memories 🥀
We’ve had a quiet day, I planted some beetroot and spinach seedlings, the wet morning became a sunny afternoon, paper is read, cottage pie in the oven (late).
A very happy long Easter weekend kitcheners, I hope those absent are having a whale of a time, those closer are finding their own quiet joy. 🐣

‘Evening All’.

Yay! I have an Easter Egg! ◀️ Absolutely my favourite chocolates.

A great Saturday here, one for the memory box. After helping my stepfather with his shopping we then called in to see old friends, who were neighbours when we had a house, with an Easter egg for their delightful 2 year old grandchild. A lovely two hours ensued with an impromptu invitation to lunch. They’ve been friends for 40 years now & they always give us such a welcome whenever we just call.

Then we dropped in at our little family on our way home. Guess what? Himself took the Boy Wonder and L’il Miss on a bike ride … for an hour! I was delighted to hear how much the 3 of them really enjoyed themselves. Such laughter when they came in! 🥰. My heart melted.

Finally, home.
We went up, then down ‘for drinks’. We intended going to the recently opened Irish themed pub on the railway station platform opposite, but on our way over the road, we passed a bar newly opened (last night apparently) so crossed the road to try it. Goodness, it was buzzing at 5pm! Brilliant wines. And after our first drink, an ex-colleague of mine and her husband came in. Icing on the proverbial. So great to see them and catch up (she said ‘Himself looks really well’ which always delights me whenever anyone says that). Professor Mansoor said “you will never get fed up of people telling you that”. So true.

Anyway, sorry for the long screed, it’s just that I’m anxious about next Thursday’s scan results and we’ve had the most marvellous day. Thank you for reading. x

It’s very quiet in the kitchen this evening. I had a bought lasagne for dinner with a small side salad to make it feel a little healthier! I haven’t done much today, changed the bedclothes and washed them. Did the ironing from yesterday’s washing and very little else. I visited my friend with dementia again today, I know her husband appreciates my visits.
DD1 and her husband have finished laying their patio and both are tired and achy, it’s been two days of hard work. I’m guessing that DD2 has looked after all the children so is probably also exhausted.
Hopefully I’ll hear from one of them this evening.

dustyangel I’m sorry that life is so difficult for you at the moment and that your DH’s sister is ill. It must be hard to be so far away and unable to be with her. I hope you enjoy your Grandson’s visit.
Happy Easter to the soops and everyone on this very kind thread.
Night night.

Good evening all, we have had a decent day weatherwise.
I took my GS’s 15 and 14 out for new school shirts and trousers, they really needed them!!
My GD is out overnight ,with her friend, looking after their mutual friend’s baby while she and her partner have a night away in a spa hotel.
The young ones certainly lead a different life to the one we led when young.
And thinking about that, today it is 6 years since my H died, it seems light years ago but last month in other ways.
You widowed will know just what I mean.
Have the best evening you can ,

I've just had chicken curry and it was delicious even if I say so myself. The housework and washing is all done. The table is set for tomorrow lunchtime. Rain has stopped and blue skies are there. I might have a wee gin tonight. I'm wishing you all well.

So good to catch up with you all. I love your Simmnel cake Llfl.

Wishing both our dear soops a very Happy Easter and please can I join in the group hug too? Life is …difficult at times but we are both managing. DH’s sister in England is very seriously ill but we are being kept up to date by both DDs to save her daughter yet another phone call. Really we just want to be there.
Sorry my post is so disjointed, I’ve caught up with all your news which is what I intended but now of course I can’t remember what I wanted to comment on.
Grandson and his partner are arriving tomorrow and staying for a week. I hope they get better weather, we have had torrential rain on and off for what seems like months now, hopefully it’s set to improve after Easter. Happy Easter everyone and “ Be careful out there.”

Hello kitchen people. It’s good to hear from Soop! I hope they both have a wonderful Easter.

Well, after finishing off the Simnel cake, I prepared a chocolate bread and butter pudding which will be in the fridge until Sunday when it will be baked and served with lashings of whipped cream. I also made and cooked a beef bourguignon which will be reheated tomorrow with the addition of mushrooms and cubes of bacon.

I flagged a bit in the evening so OH cooked chicken curry for dinner.

Sleep 💤 tight.

‘Evening All’.

All good here from Urmston where the rain has been softly drenching us since 4pm. We’ve enjoyed a very relaxing day. I’ve watched 2 films - one on Netflix one on Sky Cinema. Himself was watching F1 qualifiers. We’ve eaten, pj’s on and are now sat in bed with Smooth Radio on in the background. Nice. Life’s Good.

Just creeping out of the mouse hole to give soop a enormous hug and to wish you all a very happy Easter.

A beautiful cake Llfl well done, it looks really delicious
Pleased to hear your friend is back home Jax, hope he’s ok
We’ve had a lovely day with DGD, so much easier having just one on their own as there’s no bickering or teasing. She’s really excited to be going to the MacMoray local music festival this weekend with her dad, she’s got all the gear and the crazy sunglasses, hope it stays dry. DD2 is off out somewhere with DGS, festivals aren’t his thing at all
After we dropped her home we went for a walk by the river, it was very busy today with loads of tourists out and about
Pleased your home safely uttb travelling always makes me tired too, hope you can rest a bit this weekend
Hope those in the quiet corner are doing ok, take care all x

Try again

Oops

Our friend is out of hospital, apparently ‘vitamins’ but he doesn’t ask questions, we’re just pleased he’s out.
We’ve had glorious rain since about 1, the garden is drinking it up, it is cold though, heating on, it’s chilly where we used to live in Françe too, out ‘other local’ today pictured.
Just in from our local, pretty busy inside, from the outside it looked quiet.
Redcar my daughter took the grandchildren to London on Wednesday, hence picture of Paddington.
Pretty cake llfl wasted on us, not that you offered! Neither of us are big on sweet foods.
Wishing you all a pleasant Easter, a wave to the quiet corner too 👋❤️ 🐣

Wishing the best for you both, Soop, at Easter and always.

grandmabatty all these alarms are a real pain when they keep beeping aren’t they! Until my carbon monoxide alarm went off I hadn’t realised they only last seven years or so. Mine was about twelve, so went in the bin like yours. I hope you’re a bit warmer now after your cup of tea!
It’s been a sunny day here in Essex,but has clouded over now, not sure if we’ll have any rain - who knows!
A pottering about sort of day for me, washing dried outside, a bit of weeding, a bit of tidying etc.but I’ve been quite content.

My DDs have been busy today, one is helping her DH lay a new patio, the other has taken her girls to London for the day. One or other may come over for a while at the weekend.
Have a peaceful evening everyone.

You lovely lot are simply the best. Bless you all.

Ladyleftfieldlover an absolutely lovely cake. Well done.
I have been out with dd and the boys, trying out a new café. I had a very nice bacon roll. The boys had various combinations and dd had a roll on sausage and a tattie scone. I have just had a visit from Dsil who has fixed the annoying beep on my kitchen wall. It's now in the bin! I will buy a new one soon when I get a combined smoke alarm set up as required by Scots government. I am having a lazy afternoon. For some reason, I feel cold and the heating is on, so a cuppa is next on the agenda. Enjoy your Friday everyone

That cake looks brilliant llfl I love simnelcake but am the only one in my family who likes marzipan so I’ve never made it!

Superb cake llfl , bet every crumb gets eaten and enjoyed.
It’s dull and raining today - such a pity after all the nice weather we have had in the past few weeks.
I hope all can find some joy today.