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

Just lost my post!!

I hope you soon feel better utbb and grandmabatty and that your contractors come back soon to finish your patio utbb
Another warm and humid day here, cloudy but no more rain yet.
I bit the bullet and put several plants in the garden, I bought them in July and they’ve done well in a big tray in the shade in the back garden. Hoping they’ll do well in the front garden. Although my back is aching this evening I feel satisfied with my efforts. Two larger shrubs to go in next, in a few days time.

Enjoy the rest of the evening everyone.

urtbb has managed to transfer her cough to me. It was a chesty cough a few days ago, but it is now dry and naturally worse at night.

Apart from utbb 's transference I have no idea how I caught it because I have hardly been outside the front door.

We still haven't had rain here. The odd drizzle during the night but I haven't seen a puddle for months and most days the sun is out so I can sunbathe watching my clothes dry and the weeds grow.

Otherwise I am fine and thanks for the concern.

‘Evening All’

I’ve enjoyed a nice sociable day. Lunch with friends in the square, calling in at my stepfather’s I stayed an hour and a half, then at 6pm knocked on my friend and neighbours for an hour.

We both enjoy this time together. I could tell she’d been crying - no make up and a slightly puffy face. Widowhood is hard especially in the early days. She’s only 4 months in.

We are supportive of one another and it’s a comfort to know we are only two doors down. This evening I had an alcohol free beer and was more ‘the listener’.

Hope you feel more yourself in the morning utbb. Sad to think your trusting nature has been taken advantage of.

That scan can’t come soon enough I expect Grandmabatty.

Lovely to hear how much you enjoyed family time yesterday Jax. As a mum, seeing everyone getting on well, is definitely something to treasure.

Good evening Kitchen friends. MrB and I have been to Lytham today, despite the wild weather! Very exhilarating .

My brother is having surgery tomorrow to remove a tumour and part of a lung. He has been having chemo so shrink the tumour and his oncologist says he’s doing well. I, meanwhile, am feeling helpless and anxious. My big brothers are supposed to be immortal! Please keep your fingers crossed x

Blossoming sending a hug x

blossoming I do hope that your brother’s operation goes well tomorrow and is successful. I agree, big brothers are supposed to be immortal!

Blossoming a difficult time for you, waiting is the worse thing, big hug and hope it all goes well.
Hour long phone call earlier today with our very good friend in the forest, sorted out a Christmas lunch meet up, sorry for the C word. Swiftly followed by another friend here for coffee, a good friend of hers has had a stroke and is resistent to carers, so C is stepping up, but needs to step back, tricky.

Leftover pulled pork with mash on top tonight and veg.
A blustery afternoon woth sun has dried the washing.
Have a pleasant evening all.

I walked to the GP surgery and had to remove my cardigan because it was warm and sunny. Still no rain here. At least this weather has saved me money, I have only had to have the grass cut once this year.

Blossoming fingers crossed for your brother's op tomorrow.

Just back from dropping DH at his friends house they are going off to meet their pals for a regular dinner date

I found a Cook boeuf bourguignon in the freezer, so that’s my dinner sorted.

All holiday washing done, now need to crack on with the ironing tomorrow 🙀

Pilates was rather hard this morning, I guess I will ache in the morning, but hey tomorrow is Callanetics so more aches…

Wishing you all a good evening 🙋‍♀️

Thinking of you and your brother tomorrow Blossoming ❤️

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.

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.

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

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

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 🙋‍♀️

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.

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/

Aorta🤣 predictive text!

‘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!

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. 😁

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

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.

Blossoming x

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

Good to hear all went well Blossoming ❤️