soops kindly kitcheners and perfect pampered pets.

Hello and long intake of breath. By George, whoever he may be, you lot have been busy and once again, I need to do a great deal of catching up.

MawBroon Thank goodness that you're still with us. Will you please not pee off again. We happen to like you.

There have been several comments regarding annsixty and her on-going trials and tribulations. We have a Kitchener who may be able to persuade ann to meet for coffee and a chat. Please may that be so.

Galen I read somewhere, not so long ago, that a high cocoa content chocolate is proven to be beneficial.

For all of you who continue to cough...kitty that's far too long, I agree that Buttercup Syrup certainly soothes a scratchy throat and tickly cough. Do you remember Victory V lozenges? As a child I believe that I got "hooked" on them.

NanaandGrampy I'm pleased for you. I also use the "do I feel comfortable wearing my favourite jeans/ skirt" test. If the waistband is too snug...I cut back on the carbs. If the waistband remains comfortable I eat what I want (within reason). I talk a lot about cake. In fact I eat very little. It's all the mind.

It is a glorious day. Sunny and crisp and wind-free. I've only just this minute remembered that the washing machine will have completed the cycle a good hour or so ago. I had better do my duty. Unload it, have a wee sit down, after which, I shall return to do more catch up sometime soon.

Just popped back into the kitchen to warm up and catch up. Been sweeping twigs and leaves up and spread two barrows of compost on empty beds. Tidied the greenhouse and cleaned the cold frames out. Quite enough for today. It is RAW out there.

To answer someone's question, Bella is the most wonderful gentle cat I have ever known. The latest in a line of 6. A great nurse, she never left my side during "the cough" . Everybody loves her to the extent she has a personal I.d. Disc that says "do not feed me". She is house and click trained and loves listening to Enigma for some bizarre reason. Her only foibles are dragging huge rats in and tramping mud over the floors, but I tend to do the latter myself after gardening.

I am now going to relax with a cup of Yorkshire tea and spend the next hour in the company of one M. Oldfield Esq., revisiting Ommadawn.

Stewing steak in the slo cooker starting to smell divine, OH's cheese selection not so divine .......

Amazing news that a Kitchener may be able to help ann with some much needed support. Enjoy the rest of the day one and all, may your maladies wane and the sun set on gentle reflection.

Haw Maw welcome back, I wondered where you'd gone but never thought for a moment that you'd have flounced!
Feeling very grateful I've avoided the awful coughing bugs. I think you have a point cg in wondering about why a cough lingers when it's no longer "productive". I think in my case, I'm asthmatic, my airways become so sensitive/irritated after a bug that the cough continues long after the infection has cleared up and then it becomes a vicious circle of cough/irritation/more coughing etc. Interesting that your gp talks about a habitual cough nonna, which is exactly what my old boy says I have after a bug..needless to say I won't be saying there's a GP somewhere in the country who might agree with him
Since everyone's worrying about eating too much cake I'm leaving some carrot and coriander soup which you can all dip into. I made a vat pot earlier!

It's cold, damp and grey here in Yorkshire, the kind of day when it doesn't really get light. Just been out for a walk with Oscar who is allowed to have the dreaded lampshade off when he goes out. Amazing how much dirt and dead leaves get brought into the house with a dog. He's feeling a bit better now and I think the arnica which I've been applying to his bruised 'bits' (not the scar!) may be helping with the healing. Here's a picture of him enjoying the warmth from the radiator.
The birds have just rediscovered our feeders. We hadn't been able to fill them for a while over Christmas so it's good to have them back in time for the RSPB garden bird survey. We always like to get a good haul. There was a whole flock of long tailed tits just now - one of my favourite garden visitors. Just hope the sparrow hawk doesn't spot them too.

Good to see that Oscar knows where he can be warm and comfortable. A few more days and hopefully he will almost be back to normal.

Queenie I will be dropping by later to have a few words with your DH and keep him in the picture! The poor man has every right to know, considering what he puts up with!

I would love to have Bella here to cuddle having watched Tara flounce around my bedroom at 7am today and she was not amused when I switched on the TV. I promise that I will not feed Bella- she certainly does not look as though she is in need of sustenance.

Compared to yesterday's lovely sunshine, the weather is a let down today. DS came down to go to footie with his dad and was so late all he had time to do was wolf down a large piece of the quiche I had made and then they were off. I hope he has time to stay for coffee before he goes home - I don't see him that often! Still it's nice for DH to have him to himself for an afternoon. I am not the best company today anyway.

I keep putting cheese out for my robin - it doesn't last long with him and the resident sparrows. I made some cheese straws this morning with some pastry left over from the quiche and put the broken ones out for the birds. They didn't last long either!

charleygirl Your Tara sounds to be a demanding little madam! Is she an oriental breed? Our first cats had the look of Siamese about their faces and were very vocal too, so you could hold a proper conversation with them (mad woman aren't I?)
Hope your viewings went well NandG. Now that Spring is on it's way the house buyers should start to increase in number- fingers crossed!

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Well I haven't been able to share any babyBroon or doggyBroon pics for a wee while and a certain greyhound thought it was time for the canine element of the kitchen to assert itself with all these pussy cats around. For a change, Grace is lying on her rug
Young Flynn is now definitely sitting up here "doing" a Usain Bolt it seems. SIL says he is so trying to crawl ?

Izabella It's also raw here in bonnie Kintyre. We're thinking of treating ourselves to a slo cooker. Do you recommend a particular brand?

grannyqueenie Neither MacSporran or I have succumbed to the wretched bug that is rampaging around the country. I would be able to cope with it. MacSporran on the other hand, who has leukaemia and chronic asthma, would have a very tough time.
I happen to like carrot and coriander soup. Especially served with nutty bread. Our pal made walnut bread last week. There may be a sufficient remaining to toast and enjoy spread with lashings of real butter.

oldgoat Dear Oscar. I can see that he's well pampered. That's how we like it. He's doing well. Bless his paddy paws.
Long-tailed tits are birds that visit our garden infrequently. Always in a flock. They are beautiful. We have a crowd of great tits, blue tits and a few coal tits who are more or less resident in our garden. Also a wren, a robin, two blackbirds and a handful of siskin. There have been occasions when we also have a lady pheasant stroll from the forest into our garden. The sparrow hawk hasn't visited too often this winter. The birds disappear in a flurry of feathers as soon as they detect it's presence..

Charleyg Tara would not approve of a visit from Bella, no matter how brief. Forget it!

Greyduster Are you feeling poorly? I hope not.

Good luck with the viewings N&G.

I'm logging off until tomorrow late morning. Wishing you all a peaceful and pleasant evening.

MawBroon...that's more like it. Thank you for the lovely photos of Flynn and Grace. You've put a smile upon my face.

oldgoat Tara never used to be such a demanding brat. I thought that maybe dementia had set in but she finds her way home after her 12 hour daily jaunt. She is a black and white moggie, had two awful homes before she fell on all 4 paws here. She was chosen by me at the CPL. She is now between 12 and 13 but very fit indeed, looks like a 3 year old.

Luckily (for her!) she has not taken to scratching my newish 3 piece suite but most of the laminate floor edgings are now loose, thanks to her scratching. She also likes to sharpen her claws on the bottom of my bed. I am sure my neighbours hear me shouting at her. If you saw her, butter would not melt in her mouth, but she is a feisty minx.

MawBroon it is unusual to see Grace awake, that is a first for ages. Lovely to see Flynn again, he is always full of beans.

soop Tara is rarely here, I could sneak Bella in for cuddles. I only feed Tara and take her to the vet nowadays.

As so many of you are pet lovers, and you have done some lovely paintings Soop of my lovely dog Georgie, I'm just coming in to ask for positive thoughts for my precious who was hit by a van this morning and is seriously injured. I am just distraught.

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My lovely girl.

judthepud I am distraught to hear this!
You will be very much in my thoughts and I shall keep everything crossed that your vet, who I hope is wonderful, will pull your dear girl through.

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So sorry to hear about your Georgie jud. Really hope the vets can fix his injuries. Will be thinking of you both.
X

Sorry, her injuries.

jud I don't generally post on here but do like to read the posts. So sad to read about your Georgie. Very best wishes. Remember granjura and Minou with his horrendous injuries, now up and running -well hopping. So keep optimistic

Holding Georgie in the light. ?

Oh jud, will be sending get well thoughts to georgie, such a beautiful dog. I hope the vet has been able to help. So sorry she is hurt. Take care of yourself.

Jud what a beautiful young lady, as others have said, I hope that you have a good and caring vet. What a pretty young lady she is. I will keep my fingers crossed.

You're in my thoughts, Jud, and I send healing thoughts to Georgie. Xxx

MayGod grant us all a peaceful and tranquil night.
( from the service of Complin)

Oh no Jud that's terrible . I do hope that Georgie is doing ok xx

Jud I hope Georgie recovers well. How awful for you and the poor little dog.

What a shock for you. Georgie is beautiful. I do hope she pulls through this ordeal. Horrible thing to happen. Hope you get at least some sleep.