Soops Kitchen, a friendly place of refuge

Hi all, lovely neighbours GG13 and others, ours are fine, we exchange pleasant and keep an eye out if anyone is away.
A dull day weather wise, I did achieve yesterday, trimmed my fringe without causing damage! MrJheld my crutch and glasses (short sighted), my current limitations mean my hair is now lurching towards grey, not sure about that yet.
Thinking of those absent and hoping they are comfortable at least.
Enjoy your evenings.

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

We have entertaining neighbours! Really. They are both musical theatre actors so practice a lot. They also give lessons. They are lovely. No food sadly.

That is a worry nannyt. I’ll keep everything crossed for you.

I’ve been very grumpy, things keep breaking including a bit of trim on the car when it met a wall yesterday. Poor Mr C was mortified. It’s not major, hardly notices, we will get it fixed though if for no other reason to stop Mr C staring at it glumly.

A hair trim cheered me at lunch time, the incredibly young hairdresser noticed the signs of an unhappy client and not only took extra care with my fine and thinning hair but diverted me with entertaining tales. Saw two neighbours to chat to on the way home and arrived feeling much more at ease with the world

Pre TKR I was once captured on camera bouncing happily on a grandchild’s trampoline while he looked on in bemusement. I did love it and when chatting to the surgeon asked if he thought I could do it again. He assured me the new knee would be fine but he was less sure about the non operated knee.

He was very certain of his handiwork as on hearing I have a tendency to trip over my own feet advised me to land on the new knee as it wouldn’t break. I still don’t know if he was serious although when I did fall off the edge of the front path into a shrub the new knee landed first and all was well.

I really should be asleep, suspect it’s not a sleeping night for me though. Head like a washing machine.

Wishing you all well and a peaceful night.

I don’t miss many things now we live in Suffolk but biryanis from our old neighbour and good takeaways are missed!
I have just been to garden club where I won this month’s competition with a vase of snowdrops and a tray of primulas in the raffle. Result!
I’m not impressed with the news about the bone cement shortage - hoping for the worst and expecting the worst. I’m 8 days away from surgery …

GrandmaGravy I have wanted all my life to try an indoor trampoline. Even at my advanced age now at 82! It wouldn't be a pretty sight and I doubt my knee replacements would be too happy. I would probably be admitted afterwards, but it would be worth it!

I agree about good neighbours, we’re lucky here too. Always a smile and a wave, willingly take parcels in and put bins out when we’re away etc. No food though!
Just home from line dancing, it was another enjoyable evening. It’s been a busy day, the gym, shopping, coffee with a pal then the bus home so I’m definitely ready for bed now 😴
Thinking of everyone in the quiet corner, take care all x

I’m really lucky with my next door neighbours, we have lived door to one couple for over forty years, they already lived here when we moved in. Their daughters are a few years younger than mine but all got on well. The neighbours in the other side have been there for about 30 years and are also very nice.

I do share produce from my garden and we keep an eye on each others houses if anyone is away. I try not to take them for granted, but one of the husbands is always prepared to help out when light bulbs need changing and I can’t reach them!

I went for a walk this morning but it was so cold I got round fairly quickly, funnily enough none of the dog walkers were hanging around chatting either!

The two seven year old DGDs were involved in an indoor cricket competition this morning, held at the indoor training school at the County Cricket Ground. Not sure what they’re doing tomorrow.
I’m sitting listening to the rain hammering on the window behind me, I feel this is being a very long wet winter! On the plus side, I have a few daffodils out, some crocuses, hellebores and the witch hazel and sarccocca are in flower.

Hoping that Spring will be here soon.

Good neighbours are a blessing. The lovely couple across the road often give me produce from their allotment. They are very fond of the boys too. My next door neighbours ( I'm in a semi detached) are very quiet and I rarely see them. All of the people in my tiny street are friendly. Your lovely neighbours sound so nice

Grandmabatty

Grannygravy, that does sound nice. I have lovely neighbours but they don't send food. 😂

When the previous owner (he bought it to do up and sell on) told us in his words I’ve sold to Asians with loads of children we were unsure as to who was moving in (we are both detached and not overly close)

They have been delightful from day one, there is only a couple of months between our youngest children, they used to be in and out of our houses and gardens.

We have been to one of their DD’s weddings (amazing in a hotel in Park Lane, London)

Couldn’t wish for better neighbours.

Grannygravy, that does sound nice. I have lovely neighbours but they don't send food. 😂

DH is off out any minute now, so I was going to have a beef and red wine casserole which I have in the freezer for dinner.

That changed when our nearest neighbour knocked on the door with a delicious smelling home made chicken biryani (Ramadan has commenced) so I shall enjoy that with a glass of chilled white wine. We get lots of food parcels during their Holy Month, such lovely kind, good neighbours.

I have given up snacking for Lent, so I must remember to eat breakfast and lunch (I sometimes miss one of them, and then find myself snacking to get me through to dinner, which we do not have until 7.30’ish)

Good evening kitchen folk. I had a productive day. A quick trip to the retail park for a Hobby craft voucher the M&S for a birthday card and flowers. Then up to the school to do some tidying. One small boy was intent on destroying stuff and I had to point that out to his TA who was ignoring him. He shouldn't have been in the library at all but was refusing to write.
After that, I emptied and loaded the dishwasher and hoovered before heading out to meet friends for lunch. We had a nice time. I had a tasty steak pie. Then home to chill. I've just had a plate of soup and a cheese sandwich and I'm watching old Dr Who episodes with Tom Baker. Some days are quietly pleasant

Grannygravy, that does sound hellish, only surpassed by soft play. The 'joyful'
screams of other people's children. My sympathy.

I am currently in grandparents hell, or what is called an indoor trampoline park 🙀

At least the GC are happy and hopefully wearing themselves out.

Nannytopsy something I didn't know about alcohol!

I love pancakes but have not made any this year - I am spending so much on weight loss drugs that it seems perverse not to eat sensibly!
Grandmabatty alcohol is a cough suppressant so you are really only taking medicine in that hot toddy!🤣
Sending love to all who are ill or have sadness to bear.

No pancakes here unfortunately but yours look amazing llfl if only I were closer ….. 🤣
Hope everyone sleeps well tonight and thinking of all our absent friends in the quiet corner x

jaxjacky, I’m pleased your consultant appointment went well, just a few more weeks of taking it easy and then hopefully you’ll be able to resume normal activities (cautiously and within reason!). My back has survived the weekend and my driving this morning, it’s not very comfortable in my car so I may have to investigate a cushion for the back of the seat.

I visited my dementia friend this afternoon, she was chatting away to herself but seemed happy enough.

yiayia I hope the new meds and inhalers will help your DH feel better soon.

utbb I hope the antibiotics kick in soon and that you’ll be fit enough to go away at the weekend.

llfl those pancakes sound amazing!

I had planned to have pancakes this evening as I love them , but just with lemon and sugar, but my niece rang while I was at my friends house, with some disturbing and worrying news about her mum ( my sister in law). I rang her (niece) when I got home and then didn’t really feel like cooking. I had an instant dinner and couldn’t be bothered with pancakes. My other niece is on her way from Australia. I can’t see my sis in law because of my cold.

Thinking of those in the quiet corner and especially of those who aren’t posting at the moment.

Night night everyone, enjoy the rest of the evening.

I've had a hot toddy and am in bed in an attempt to stop coughing and sleep. It's working so far but I'm very warm. A good day was had. Enjoy your evening kitchen folk

We haven't had pancakes this year - they didn't fit into today. But, i think back making pancakes for 5 children straight after school. I had 4 frying pans on the go and had to keep remaking the batter as we went along. And, one memorable year, DS2 ate 18. I was so relieved that it only happened once a year.

Over 50 years ago I volunteered to help out in our local Primary school .
The very first day I went to my session I was faced with a large jug of batter, a brand new, cheap as chips, thin frying pan and an electric hot plate.
Yes it was “ pancake day”, and the teacher had used a lesson in weighing and measuring ingredients and then asked me to have each child come and we would make a pancake together.
There were at least 25 children per class in those days.
It was a very good job I was a mature 30 something who had been cooking for years and not a novice, the only thing I couldn’t achieve then and probably not now was successfully tossing them so I didn’t even try.
I have never made so many before or since.
We have not had them this year as I don’t have any appetite while I am not well.
I do enjoy them normally and I hope you all enjoyed yours.

Averaged out over the year, like “cost per wear”, Llfl it’s nothing at all, practically qualifies for the 5:2

As several of you have mentioned, I, too, often think of our friends who are, or their family are, poorly.
I'm sure they know they we continue to think of them & send them our best wishes & love.
Virtual hugs for all who need them. x

Rather an over the top dinner! I made pancakes and we had them with lemon, chopped chocolate, honey, cream and raspberry jam! A million calories but it’s only once a year.