Soops place of refuge and friends

‘Evening All’
I’ve had a smooth restful day. My bereavement counselling on Friday afternoon was cathartic but gruelling as working through past anxieties and upsets from the last 10 months took it out of me to be honest.

So no wine this weekend was the best idea. I always sleep SO much better without it shame I like it really!

My tea tonight was random but just what I fancied (you can do this when living alone, well I know you can anyway - but you know what I mean) so I had two hot buttered crumpets (I ALWAYS think of EllanVannin 👋) and a large mug of hot milky Horlicks. Delicious, not gourmet dining true but it hit the spot.

Thoughts with everyone in the quiet corner today. Life can be tough sometimes and anxiety is truly exhausting. xx

Good evening kitchen folk. NannyTopsy that is very unneighbourly of her. Brook, it has been a lovely day here too. FGT eating what you fancy is a good thing.
I've had a quiet day. I went to Aldi this morning and stocked up, then pottered about. Ds has messaged me off and on all day and dd nipped in to steal carrots. I'm still waiting for the amazon delivery. Hopefully it won't be long. I had garlic and lemon salmon fillet with green beans and peas and cheesy mash. It was lovely. I have churros and chocolate dipping sauce and can't make up my mind whether to have a couple or leave them for the boys. Anyway, I hope you are having a pleasant Sunday.

Another lovely sunny day here, so I went for an early (for me) walk and met up with some friends walking their dog. One of them used a mobility scooter, so it was a fairly brisk walk!
Did two loads of washing and tumbled them dry using half price electricity.
DD1 and family called in after the 7 year olds swimming lesson, bring Macdonalds for lunch for us all. They didn’t stay long as they were going out in the afternoon.
I did a little more gardening, the garden waste bin is nearly full. There are a few bare patches at the back of the garden, I’ll need to plant something before the weeds take hold again.

Sometimes it’s good to just eat what you fancy fgt. My eating habits have certainly gone downhill since my DH died! My consumption of biscuits and chocolate has increased, he was much more disciplined than I am!
grandmabatty the churros and chocolate sauce wouldn’t last long here, but I would probably feel guilty for eating them!!
Have a pleasant evening everyone.

Redcar the churros are firmly in the fridge! Well done for your walk.

Grandmabatty

Redcar the churros are firmly in the fridge! Well done for your walk.

Churros in our family reminds us of walking home as the sun was rising and buying it from little more than roadside shacks in Spain. With coffee you could stand your spoon in ☕️

Just back from a late lunch, I resisted the temptation of looking round the antique centre. Roast beef and wine, delicious.

Bidding you a good night 🙋‍♀️

Hi all, aren’t the evenings lighter now after a sunny day. Today was domestic duties wiping down kitchen cupboard doors, then outside to do the windowsills and front door.
MrJ kindly weeded the veg bed, he watered it later too with the hose, so dry already, we checked our water butts are fairly full.
Beef casserole was for dinner, very tasty too, I hope utbb enjoyed her meal out.
I could do both something now Redcar, but nothing around, we don’t usually bother with puds.
Thoughts with those who are sad, it’s been a tough few weeks in the kitchen.

It’s gone very chilly this evening! I have had to put the heating on for an hour. A bit of gardening today with more planned for this week, slowly and gently.
I hope MrSoop is coping.

grandmabatty that’s very noble and disciplined!
jax my DH and I didn’t bother with pudding, but every now and then I fancy something sweet, the thought of churros and chocolate made my mouth water!
Night night.

Hello everyone. I've just caught up. LLFL...I hope your toe is improving daily. I've got something between my little toe and the next one that aches like mad. I don't know if it's a corn or what but the relief when I take my converses off is immense. Jax...brilliant that you are back to the pub on Friday... They have obviously missed you as much as you've missed them. I saw my consultant on Friday and apparently I was the subject of many MDT meetings locally and regionally (Somerset Devon and Cornwall) pre op and a post op one is planned very soon. I'm still in the recovery stage and could be up to a year but he was delighted to see me smiling again and walking straight and back at the gym.
Redcar...backs are a buggeration as dear Soop would say. Mine is playing up now that I'm walking differently and I get that shin pain too at times I'm hoping as time goes on it will settle down.
NannyT... The bonfire sounds hazardous....Can she not take it to the 'tip' and dispose of it?
Cornergran... You've given us an idea now for a weekend away in Maevemouse.. We've both wanted to go to the Eden project and it's not too far away from here. I really should be banned from anything to do with plants at this time of year. I stopped at Solstice Services on the way home last week... allegedly to stop my hip seizing up but the truth is there is a huge Home Bargains with a big garden centre to the rear. I was doing ok until an assistant showed me a trick of how to get more plants in my trolley....oops. I casually suggested going to Beaulieu over the early May Bank weekend. DH said he immediately smelt a rat at me a) voluntarily going away in the motorhome and b) to a place that has a motor museum. He was of course absolutely correct...it's the Gardeners World Spring Show. Watch this space!!!!
Last week was fairly manic...I went to Surrey as even though the work was postponed for the 3rd time the car had been booked in for a service at DH previous company and I didn't feel able to cancel it again. DF and I went to Knole one day...Bluewater ( my back hates it there, the floors are so unforgiving) and the Ideal Home Show which is nothing like it used to be or is it that I've got to an age where I am not a sucker for the spiel exhorting me to buy a garlic grater plate... I've survived this far so I think I'll be ok. I did get a very useful cross body bag to use when flying especially EasyJet who at times count your handbag as your cabin bag. It will hold a passport, phone, cards and some notes too.
The weather has warmed up so it's probably time to unpack the summer stuff but you can guarantee if I do arctic conditions will return.
Love to everyone not mentioned....all those in the quiet corner and those in pain or distress.

Good evening kitchen folk. It's been a lovely day here, albeit a little chilly. I dropped the boys at nursery/school this morning and they were very happy to see their friends again. Then home to tidy up. I don't know why I bothered as there's paper and pens everywhere. I did some Spanish and had lunch then worked in the school library for half an hour. Brought the boys back and they have spent two hours drawing and playing games. They've been great company today. I'm now collapsed on the couch thinking about what to serve with a salmon fillet. It'll be an early night for me. Enjoy your evening kitchen folk.

Hi kitchen pals, yesterdays lovely weather didn’t last and we’ve had quite a bit of rain today, it feels colder too
I saw the Gardeners World spring show advertised in their magazine neine, it looks good but sadly too far for us to travel from up here
Sounds like a good day with your boys grandmabatty 😇😇
I’m just having half an hour rest before going out line dancing this evening, it’s always a struggle getting myself motivated to go out in the evening but I really enjoy it once I’m there
Thinking of all friends in the quiet corner, take care all x

Hi all, the sun was clouded over earlier and the wind cool. Voluntary phone today, not too busy, all lifts arranged, happy clients.
In between, walks and exercises, I'm still lurching a little without a crutch! You’re doing so well neine.
I do hope you’ve had clean air today NannyTopsy how damned inconsiderate!
Quiche for dinner.
Thoughts with those struggling with the sorrows in their lives 💐

I met up with my GN pal today for a coffee and catch up. We put the world to rights.

The Imp has been fed and showered, he is now having quite time whilst I cook our dinner.

Will read your news later, when he is tucked up in bed 🙋‍♀️

Good evening, lovely Kitchen people! 🥰

Such a sad time in our special place in recent weeks. I'm thinking of all who are grieving, hoping and praying that they, and MrSoop, will find some comfort in the support of family and friends, and in treasured memories of happy times with their loved one. 🙏💐

Great to hear that Jaxjacky made it to the pub, what a lovely welcome back! Hope Grandmabatty is feeling a bit better, and brook is enjoying her garden. Redcar and Neine, I hope your backs are behaving, Nannytopsy well done on your mobility so soon after your operation.
I'm thinking of all with pain/ mobility issues, hoping things improve soon. I had to use a stick again on my travels, struggled a bit with the amount of walking.

I'm back from our travels with family and our Australian cousins. There were 14 of us in all, since Easter weekend we've stayed in St Andrews's, the Isle of Arran, home for the weekend for a big football match and a family gathering of around 50, then last Monday we flew to Ireland, spent two days in Galway then drove to Mayo where we traced and visited two elderly farming gents, nephews of our late grandfather who was born there in 1886. We exchanged family photos, it was the perfect ending to a great trip. We visited the Marian shrine at Knock on our way back to the airport, prayers were offered for all who need/ wish them. 🙏🕯️Our cousins were good company and thoughtful travelling companions. They are now continuing their adventures, some to Istanbul for a cruise and others to the Orkneys for a week. Now I'm home, content but exhausted as we were out and about every day. We've made lots of lovely memories, DS1 took loads of photos at the big gathering last week, nice to keep.

Housework, washing and ironing today, catching up on the things you can't do when you have houseguests. I'm feeling better now I've got that done, bedding drying outside was a bonus!

Wishing everyone a peaceful Monday evening, and a good night's sleep. TOYA, especially those in the Quiet Corner.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202604/medium-b157ki-5854.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202604/medium-ev8xtw-5527.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202604/medium-989t9f-5021.jpg

Some photos.
Croagh Patrick.
Part of the Wild Atlantic Way, West Coast of Ireland.
View from our hotel on Arran.

I’ve enjoyed a good day with the grandchildren. I took L’il Miss to school then had KFC lunch with the Boy Wonder. It was lovely spending time with them both independently. Nice chats and hearing their news and viewpoints.

As I walked home in the late afternoon sun my thoughts turned to Himself and how he’s drifting away from me. Each day is a day further from him. I could have pressed a mental bruise but decided not to ‘go there’.

Imagine my delight on opening my letterbox in the hallway and finding this card? Perfect timing and so very thoughtful of the sender two months on into my new status as a widow. Sympathy cards had all been recycled who would want to keep them? But this card came at just the right time and I appreciated it so very much.

Lovely photos grannmarie memories of a lovely time with your Australian cousins, certainly a busy time for you all.

neine, sorry your back is also being a buggeration! It doesn’t take much for our backs to protest does it! My back hated the hard floors at Bluewater too. It has been a nuisance all day, protesting because it didn’t like the gardening I’ve been doing, and wasn’t keen on the walks I did today either. I had my Covid jab this morning, then walked to the post office in the village this afternoon.

I managed to fold the 5ft winter weight duvet and squash it into a storage bag this morning, but couldn’t put it under the spare bed where it lives as I couldn’t bend that far!

I spent some time this afternoon putting some of my late godmother’s photographs and certificates in acid free plastic files. I found her wedding photos, but am only able to identify a few of the guests, and of course there’s no one left to ask who they are! I’ve written the names of those I know on the back of the photos,so DDs will know who they are!

Thinking of those in the quiet corner and those who are struggling for any reason.

Night night folks.

FGT. Your lovely man will always be in your heart.

This tale of recycled cards might make you smile. I received a sympathy card last week from an elderly lady I know a little. It was only one-sided, like a postcard, and had been pinking-sheared round two of the edges. Not only that, a label had been stuck over the envelope under which you could still read her name and address! Clearly, she’s recycling the cards from when her own husband died a couple of years ago. Waste not, want not!

Lovely photos Grannmarie.
Another fine day here in Central Scotland. It was chilly this morning but warmed up a bit. I've dropped off both boys who had a good day at nursery and school. I've made dumplings which are bubbling away in the mince and veg. Shortly I'll sort potatoes. The house is reasonably tidy, enough for tonight anyway. Enjoy your evening kitchen folk.

Hi kitchen friends, it’s been a lovely sunny day here in Inverness
I had a good volunteering session this morning, then walked across to the retail park with another of the volunteers. I had a quick browse around the shops then got the bus home. This afternoon I’ve been sorting through a few things again, trying to get rid of stuff rather than just moving it from one box to another … limited success but I’m trying!
Beautiful photos Grannmarie it sounds like your cousins have been very well looked after and you’ve hade lots of happy family memories together
A good day Grandmabatty hoping you can rest for a while now this evening
SueD definitely extreme recycling going on there! ❤️
Thinking of everyone in the quiet corner, take care all x

I’ve got a ready meal (Mac n cheese) in the oven and just put some broccoli on the hob to go with - my effort at a slightly more healthy meal. I’ve been enjoying our book club read this afternoon and we don’t meet until mid May so a leisurely pleasure which is nice. Doubtless I shall continue reading after eating my tea with Classic FM in the background as per.

Blimey SueDonim!

That’s penny-pinching taken to Olympic Gold Standard.
Quite hurtful too to think you weren’t considered to be worth the small expense of a condolence card.

Someone who knows the price of everything and the value of nothing.

Good evening all.
It’s been a beautiful day here ,sunshine all day but still a cold breeze.I went to pick up my reading glasses today and am convinced they are not the pair I chose, but how to prove it and anyway I shall only wear them in the house.Then my friend picked me up and we went for a fish and chip lunch.
It had been recommended by another friend!!!
I won’t go on her recommendation again.
The fish was quite nice but the venue was rather like what I imagine a transport cafe to be.
It was very reasonably priced though but I don’t think I shall go again.
My friend then wanted a couple of things from the shops and I was truly shattered when we got back to her car. I slept for an hour and a half when I got home.She was 85 over Easter and is like a spring chicken compared to me.
I am going to get a snack now, probably cheese and crackers and have a reasonably early night.
Enjoy your evening if you can.

Hi all, a cold wind today with little sun meant chilly walks.
What a marvellous time you’ve had Grannmarie beautiful scenery too, thank you for the pictures.
The thought was there SueD!
I must sort through old shirts/blouses I’ve had for years, at least one has a frayed collar from memory, noticed last year, a tomorrow job.
Have a gentle evening.

I had a reaction to my Covid jab last night, woke up shivering at 2.00am and had to put on a warmer nightdress. I felt a bit meh this morning, but am better now.
I went for a walk, lovely and sunny but with a cold wind again.
Planted some salad leaf seeds and found some tomato seeds left from last year, so I planted them too.

utbb a shame that your lunch out wasn’t better!

SueD,: I think that’s taking recycling to a new level!

jax I have several shirts/blouses that have seen better days, but can’t bring myself to get rid of them. I’ll need to get replacements first I think.

Have a pleasant evening everyone, thinking of those in the quiet corner.