Soops Kitchen, a place of refuge, reflection and revelry.

Grandmabatty how long might you have to wait for your scan? I’d be asking. It is affecting your QoL quite significantly now I think.

Oh Blossoming that is SUCH good news! I’m delighted for you. x

The film (Pressure with Damien Lewis and other really great actors) was BRILLIANT! Superb and the tension builds all the more because it is a true story. I plan to read around one or two aspects this evening. Thoroughly enjoyed myself.

I was going to have a glass of wine and maybe something to eat in the Trafford Centre but there’s so much choice - Zizzi, Est, Wagamama I became indecisive so got the bus home before the rush on hour. I called at M&S for a tempting gastro pub ready meal instead and so I’m in my favourite wine bar back in Urmston below my apartment.

Loved when I came in the staff said “how lovely to see you again - you look well where have you been? Your usual?”
Yes please 🍷😊

I feel looked after and very comfortable in here. I like the soft jazz too!

I've had a bugler of a week so far, so thought I'd bake a few cheese scones, hand them round and watch what happy people are getting up to...
That's not to say I'm UNhappy, it's just been one of those weeks.
(Spreading a generous layer of good salty butter now....)

Great news Blossoming they don’t hang about getting people up these days.

GG we bought a C present yesterday too. It will soon be here.
After a good evening we had a difficult morning with lots of tears and I want Mummy/Daddy. The day started at 5.30am too. We need to see them on ordinary days so that they don’t associate us with absent parents.

That’s good news blossoming, I hope he continues to make good progress.

That’s reassuring Blossoming

We have The Imp here for his weekly sleepover tonight, due to his early school start tomorrow (8am). He has the choice of chicken or fish for dinner, and I purchased lots of seasonal fruit from the farm shop this morning. (Also got two Christmas gifts 🙀)

(((Hugs))) to all in need 🙋‍♀️

Good afternoon kitchen pals. My brother is doing well, obviously tired and sore, but has been sitting out in a chair and drinking tea this morning. My eldest brother is going to see him later and will let me know any updates. Thank you all for your support x

Good evening. Two DGC went to sleep very happily and we are fed and wined.
I don’t think I will be out of bed too long.
Good news Blossoming. Fingers crossed

Good to hear all went well Blossoming ❤️

Hi kitchen pals, another busy day here and more or less a repeat of yesterday. I was at the gym with a bit of time in between classes so enjoyed a coffee with a different group of ladies. That’s one of the best things really about going to the gym, there’s always lots of friendly people to sit and talk to. Oh and the classes are good too! Tomorrow I’m packing a small case to go down to Cambridge on Friday. I’m so much looking forward to seeing my lovely daughter and family, it’s been a while as everyone is busy.
The villa looks lovely Sago, I could get used to it!
A good bargain there fgt, It’s ages since I’ve been to JL in the Trafford Centre but used to go a lot. At least this weekend I’ll be able to go to the JL in Cambridge unless we’re too busy with the boys various weekend sporting events. I’ll have a bit of time on Monday though if all else fails
Your DGD and her partner sound lovely uttb and so kind to invite you over for dinner
The slow cooker worked its wonders today whilst I was out, it’s been at the back of the cupboard for a while but we’ll use it a lot over the coming months. The chilli was a bit hot though 🔥
Hope everyone is doing ok, take care all x

Blossoming x

Hello Kitcheners.

We went to Lake Orta when we were staying on Lake Maggiore one year, and also went to San Giulio. It’s beautiful but also probably wouldn’t have felt comfortable at the Villa Crespi!

I’ve had quite a busy day, went for a walk, then decided to vacuum upstairs. Unfortunately the Shark was depositing more dirt on the carpets than picking up, so I had to dismantle it. Washed the filters, then had to take the brushes to pieces to clear the dead leaves out of it. I’ll put it back together tomorrow and hope it works. I’m not very good at taking equipment to pieces!
Then I decided to scarify the “lawn” with the electric scarifier, which wasn’t quite as effective as I’d hoped, so I raked most of the moss out with a rake! My back isn’t happy, but hopefully will be better tomorrow. I need to cut the grass now but perhaps not tomorrow!

fgt I’m glad yoga went well and that you’re still bendy. Satisfying that you were able to buy the rug you liked in JL and for considerably less than you thought.

blossoming I hope you get some good news about your db soon.

nannytopsy safe journey tomorrow.

Best wishes to those in the quiet corner.

Enjoy the rest of the evening folks.

Good evening dear Kitcheners. Thank you for all your kind words, my brother’s surgery went well and he is now settled in icu for a day or two. He was born with a heart defect and underwent what was then very experimental surgery in the 1960s as a child so any surgery obviously carries an extra risk.

Thank you once again, your words meant a lot to me. I’m feeling tearful right now x

I clicked on that link Sago it does look sumptuous but too upmarket for me. I’d be like a fish out of water. My tastes (and budget) are much simpler. Unless I won some money I wouldn’t feel comfortable in that villa sadly and for me that’s an important aspect of a holiday. 😁

‘Evening All’.

That place looks beautiful LLFL. You both seem to be having a wonderful holiday.

My day has gone well. Yoga was good, surprisingly so. I was more bendy than I thought I’d be. Even Warrior 2 pose, so I was well pleased.

I bought the rug I’d seen in JL Trafford Centre back in July. The store had to wait for a new stock delivery and sent me an email to say that it was in - and what serendipity to find it was £80 less than in July and that delivery was free! Happy me. Some things are just meant to be. So glad it was out of stock when I first saw it!

Aorta🤣 predictive text!

Ladyleftfieldlover

This is San Giuglio which we visited today. It is the middle of Lake Orta.

Lake aorta is one of my favourite places on earth, just stunning and not too many tourists.

I would love to have a couple of nights at Villa Crespi.
It’s apparently out of this world.

villacrespi.it/en/

Hi all, I hope all has gone well Blossoming.
Some pruning done in the garden and weed hoeing between the patio slabs, it looks a little better, a cloudy/sunny day with a breeze, chilly in the shade.
Your pictures have been lovely llfl, looks like a brilliant holiday.
Safe travels Nannytopsy
Enjoy your evening all.

Hi kitchen friends, I am home alone again tonight, DH is out galavanting for the second night in a row.

Having been to the gym and then completed all the holiday ironing I was lazy and just had cheesy beans on toast.

I am now relaxing reading the new Dan Brown book (a proper book not kindle)

Hoping all in the quiet corner of ok 🙋‍♀️

This is San Giuglio which we visited today. It is the middle of Lake Orta.

We have just finished Vigil and are packed ready for a trip to Kent in the morning. First thing we are on the local school run with DGD1 and DGGS then off down the motorways to do the school pick for DGS2 and get DGD2 from the child minder. We always leave too early but have had awful hold ups before now. Today has been spent covering the things for two meetings I should be at tomorrow and Thursday. Looking forward to a quiet day on Friday!
I expect you are all fast asleep by now xx

I had my manicure this morning which was nicely done. French again and I do prefer short nails. Then I nipped into the Loungers below for a bowl of soup and bread which was tasty.

Up to binge watch 7Up all afternoon.
#lazygran
But why not? Someone has to do it.

Stilton and oat biscuits with seedless grapes from the larder and a phone call from a friend to arrange tomorrow completed my very slothful day. I think that’s one of the 7 Deadly Sins isn’t it?

Oh dear.

Blossoming your anxiety will be sky high right now and I hope you get some very reassuring news about your brother soon. We are all rooting for him.

Kindest thoughts and good vibes for your brother Blossoming it is as hard to be the one waiting for news as the patient I think.
My new shower is finished and it is a good job done, nothing special as it looks just like the one it replaced but it doesn’t leak and it is very clean and fresh looking.
Just the disappearing landscape gardener to track down now, my S is on the case.
I have been to my GD and her partner for a meal this evening
A is the chef in the partnership, he loves it and did us delicious lamb chops with veg tonight, it was very good.
Strawberries for pudding but I was full and declined, my appetite is poor but I am not losing any weight as I get absolutely no exercise, I just can’t walk anywhere now.
I hope you all have a decent night, I just hope not to cough all night again.