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

Good evening kitchen friends. It’s been a hot day here today, humid too. When I put the milk bottles out just now, the garden thermometer said it was still 23 degrees. A warm night to come.
grandmabatty what a good thing that the shop manager and assistant could sort out Google wallet for you. I hope you’re not feeling too bruised and battered after your fall yesterday.

nannytopsy a relief that your gum is healing well after your tooth extraction. Well done for clearing your to-do list today. Enjoy your babysitting tomorrow.

sueDonim I hope the change in migraine medication will help reduce the migraines and that the other new medication will calm your stomach. Well done for going to the group meeting too.

Enjoy the rest of the evening folks.

A very late ‘evening all’ (it’s midnight here). We’ve enjoyed a very chilled day, doesn’t ‘do’ to try to plan anything with our Yorkshire Lass - best just to ‘go with the flow’ and let the day evolve …

We did however go down to the marina at 8pm for pornstar martinis and then a delicious dinner at ‘Metro’ my favourite restaurant, where our lovely ‘neighbour’ the manager found us a table for two. Shh!

We hadn’t booked ahead and just assumed (wrongly) that now the schools had gone back, a Thursday night at 9pm would be fine for just to rock up. Not so. 😮

It was lovely for me to hear K. tell my girl how much he liked Himself saying - ‘he was indeed a good family man’. 💙

Hello everyone, it’s very quiet in the kitchen today, I hope everyone is ok?
The sky is finally clearing here after a very dull and windy day. We had a very brief torrential downpour this morning! Then cloud and a strong wind all day, until now, when the wind has eased and the sun is out, still cool though.
My day was enlivened by winning some cash at the lunch time bingo session in the village hall. It’s always fun and a good chance to catch up on the local gossip!

fgt good you were able to get a table at your favourite restaurant! It obviously pays off to be a regular customer there!

I hope everyone has had an enjoyable day, whatever the weather threw at you all.

Enjoy the rest of the evening folks.

Quiet in here! We are babysitting. DGD2 went down without a sound 🥰.
Her big brother is having a bit of Fireman Sam before he goes to bed …
Hope your unplanned holiday goes well FGT
Night night all

Redcar it was the same here this morning- torrential rain which cleared. Well done on your bingo win.
The funeral is was at this morning went well with a lovely eulogy written by my friend (her daughter). There were a number of my former colleagues there too so much chat was had afterwards.
I had a doctor's appointment later and she also thinks it is my gallbladder. So she's organised a scan for me and I have to have bloods done. Because of the prodding earlier, I'm rather sore tonight. However no ill effects from my fall yesterday, thank goodness. I've been researching the best diet for gallbladder trouble and, blow me, it's spartan. But needs must. So porridge for breakfast. No more biscuits or cakes or fried breakfasts or fizzy drinks. No alcohol neither which isnt a huge disappointment. So, I'm off to bed soon. Have a good evening kitchen folk

Hi all, a dull and blustery day here too. Hair trim this morning, grocery delivery this afternoon and pub earlier, it’s getting dark earlier isn’t it.
Gbatty I found the gallbladder diet really depends on the person, fizzy was awful, tomatoes and cheese a no no, but wine was ok! My stones/sludge was passed.

Not a lot happening here at Gravy Grange.

About to go and start cooking dinner.

Have a good evening 🙋‍♀️

I've been in bed all day with this gallbladder pain. I've had no fat at all today, just dry toast. Anyway I will head back to bed soon. Hopefully tomorrow will be better

I hope you saw my GM comment Grandmabatty, it shouldn’t be going on this long, I would ring 111.

Sunny day, I cooked some beetroot from the garden earlier, it’ll be pickled.
MrJ went to watch bowls competitions at his club, the new adapter for my iPad has been delivered along with a bulk pack of tissues.
My guilty soap, Casualty, has a mega bill tonight, wine will be consumed.
Enjoy your evening all.

Hi kitchen pals, hope everyone is doing ok

grandmabatty sorry to hear about your pain, good advice from Jax

We’ve had such an interesting day here. There was a doors open day at the Highland Archive centre so we went along expecting to be there half an hour or so, but it was so very interesting we stayed much longer. It’s a modern building built alongside the River Ness, downstairs are the registrar rooms that are used for lots of things including weddings, civil partnerships, registering births and deaths and so on, then upstairs is where all the old records and historical books are kept. They showed us around the ‘strongrooms’ which are high tech and very well protected against fire, humidity, water damage etc. There were rows and rows of books, boxes and files all stored in those tall shelves that move along runners. Then there was a conservation room where a very talented lady showed us how they can restore books, maps and pictures using various techniques to make them legible again, look better and last longer. Then more rooms with old photos, books, memoirs etc all carefully displayed with information explaining them. We could have spent the whole day there but we went into town, got lunch then had a browse around the farmers market that was on today
An easy dinner from M&S tonight with wine finished off a lovely day

Hope you can get your new iPad sorted easily now Jax

Take care all and enjoy your evening

Good evening dear Kitcheners. I was feeling rather sad earlier. Today my beautiful niece who has MS got married and I wish I could have been there, but I’m just not well enough. I’m pleased for the happy couple though and I’m glad it’s been sunny all day here. Grandmabatty I hope you’re feeling a bit better and I agree with Jaxjacky. That sounds like a fascinating day Brook, I loved spending time in the archive in Aberdeen when I and my cousins were researching family history.
Goodnight everyone, TOYA xx

Thank you Blossoming I can understand you feeling sad about being unable to attend the wedding, hopefully you’ll get to see lots of beautiful photos, sending you a gentle hug 🥰

Grandmabatty please ring 111 if you are not any better.

Hello Kitcheners. I’ve just lost my post, so will start again!
Changed the bedding this morning, washed it and dried it outside. I must have tweaked my back hanging the sheets out as it’s been very uncomfortable all day, not helped by continuing to hack back the prickly tree in my garden. It’s a blackthorn and was obviously a present from the birds as I would never have planted it. It had one sloe on it, not enough for sloe gin!
Both DDs and families came over this morning, the only time they were free this weekend. The 8 year olds have cricket commitments this afternoon and tomorrow. I had a lovely long cuddle with one of them which I really enjoyed!

brook your visit to the archives sounds really interesting.

blossoming I’m sorry you had to miss your niece’s wedding and hope you’ll be able to see lots of photos of the occasion.

grandmabatty I hope your pain eases soon.

Thinking of those in the quiet corner.

Night night everyone, I’m watching an ancient concert by Queen on tv, but will be in bed soon.

How interesting brook, I understand your fascination, great way to spend an afternoon, aren’t unexpected finds a treasure.
I’m recording Queen Redcar and was at the tribute concert in 1992, it was brilliant, but sad.

Hello everyone.

Oh Grandmabatty you are so stoic. I do (as a person who very much suffers with health anxiety, especially so now I’m on my own) admire your fortitude but please, now, I agree with others on here, it’s time I think to call for advice dear lady.

We are just in from Arroyo. Honestly dear Kitcheners, I brought the washing in from the balcony line, took off my mascara, brushed my teeth and guess what? Turned round and Sleeping Beauty - aka as our Yorkshire Lass - was flat out on the bed! Troubled to help? Absolutely no way José!

We’ve enjoyed a very boozy afternoon with friends, then dinner together (with more wine, I may pay the price tomorrow 🤷‍♀️).

It’s now 10:30pm here in Málaga. Warm. I’ve just splashed some cold water about my torso (bliss!) and I’m about to lie prone on the bed next to my daughter. Under a silent whizzing fan. As you do here.

Hot again tomorrow at 32°C. 🔥

Goodnight all. 😊

Oh Blossoming how poignant to be glad for your niece yet sad about your absence on her special day. I’m sorry, as I’m sure we all are, to hear you are not well enough to have been part of the celebrations. 💐

Grandamabatty trust it to be the weekend but please dont self treat. Get help from 111.
Jax I wasn't expecting 2 hours of Casualty tonight. The first hour was a bit frantic, but the second hour was much better. I don't know how long since Charlie left but he has aged, probably like the rest of us. The beard didn't help.
I can't believe it isn't returning until next year. At least I know.

A quick visit to the kitchen. I’m worn to a frazzle.

It’s lovely having elder son and granddaughter here. She is going into Year 6 on Monday! Unbelievable.

OH will be extracting more honey off his bees tomorrow. He will have around 60 jars.

FGT2S - daughter and I have been on a few breaks together. Helsinki was the last time. We always share a room (two single beds) but I think next time we’ll have separate rooms! My snoring keeps her awake and her teeth grinding keeps me awake.

Sleep 💤 tight.

jaxjacky the Tribute concert was shown again last week and I watched it then (saw it first time round) but didn’t go to the actual concert. I hate seeing Freddie singing “those were the days of our lives”, he looks so ill( as he was of course).

Jax, Charleygirl I enjoyed Casualty tonight. Nice to see Charlie and Ethan.
Grandmabatty I agree, ring 111 if you get worse. (My sister is waiting for gallbladder surgery)
Blossoming, sorry you weren’t well enough for the wedding. Hope you feel better soon.

Himself & I saw Freddie Mercury with Queen in one of their concerts back in the day. It was at Manchester City’s football ground - when that was at Maine Road - before they had the new stadium built at the Ethiad.

Thank you ladies. The stabbing pain has receded somewhat although the tenderness is still there. Im waiting for a scan appointment to decide next steps. I appreciate all your concerns x

grandmabatty I hope the scan is scheduled before Christmas, time is marching on. Time appears to mean nothing now. At least the pain has gone. I hope two young men don't jump on you and have some consideration.

The sun is appearing so I am waiting for my washing to finish.

I am having a massive clear out of paper, I hope the novelty doesn't wear off.