soop's kitchen for friendly folk and precious pets.

I don't even have a cat , all the children have various feline friends ! But I am following Brackens life story with bated breath ! I do hope she survives and is Happy

Stevie enjoying the sun in D's garden. He has settled in so well in two weeks and even gets on with the three cats who tolerate him until he chases them. They are all bigger than him.

Me too, aggie, as another non-cat person (Mr C is highly allergic). She is being cared for as well as any cat could be, soop, and we are all willing her on. Please keep us posted, we all want to hear.

The grandchildren were taken back home after breakfast orders were taken and consumed, their parents were at a party last night and easier to have them here than go there. They were perfectly behaved, we are wondering where our grandchilddren went. . Hoping for a day together before they go back to school, yes, we do know how lucky we are greyduster, it won't last, senior school beckons for one and other things will take priority so we are making the most of it while we can have this time.

Had a lovely walk in the sun afterwards, just a stroll really, very warm until a cold wind appeared with the tide turning. Still one coffee and one ice cream (each!) later we have returned to deal with laundry and putting the spare bedroom back together, a good day overall.

Grace sounds very well mannered, MawB, even if she has you up and down to meet her needs, I agree, better than than the alternative. The baby alarm is genius. We had one fairly incontinent dog, it was very hard work but he was fine for a number of years other than that so we managed as best we all could until other problems overtook him.

I admire your determination charley, it matters not if there is a gap between your expectations and that of the builder, you are the customer and so your wishes must prevail. Nearly there now, very pleased for you and Tara of course. Hope she will approve of the new floor on Friday.

Well, this won't get the ironing done, so onwards. Take care everyone.

annsixty Stevie is gorgeous, I am so envious!

Ann he is just gorgeous! You'd think he was a lot bigger if the football wasn't there to give a bit of scale!

soop please blether away to us lot about Bracken as much as you want. I think the whole kitchen is wishing her well (((hugs)))

Just a fleeting visit.

Stevie ann , looks as cute as a button.

I have all my fingers crossed for Bracken soop !!

We had a fleeting visit from the boys this afternoon , they had been to a working farm ..... look what they have asked for for Christmas .......

N&G I have a feeling that will not be a Christmas present in Cooper and Jackson's house any time soon. The kids are gorgeous and it is good that the children are learning about animals other than cats and dogs.

ann Stevie is very cute- I will dog sit any day he is so gorgeous. He is on my long list but Grace does top the list.

We had double yellow lines painted in the Mews this morning and true to form the cars are parking outside our front doors. I would have a problem getting out because my path is blocked. It will be interesting tomorrow evening, wondering where people who live in the next street and have no parking facilities are going to park. I will make sure that my car is in its allocated car park space when people are returning home from work. I would never buy or rent without adequate parking. I do hope that the traffic warden makes frequent visits so that people get the message.

Aw, Stevie is sooooo cute!
I`m another who`s waiting every day for news of Bracken`s welfare and progress, bless her.
Anyone know if I can dye a white cat black? Then even if she DOES go under cars and get oily, I wouldn`t know or fret about her being mucky! She looks like a poor, neglected little orphan these days, a right little scruff bag!

callgirl how do you keep her from being in the sunshine as she is a white cat? I also am anxious to hear the daily updates on Bracken. She is feisty and if any cat can get through this will loads of help from soop and MacS she will.

All I dream about these nights is building work- there is little point the builder returning to do the finishing touches until the plumbing has been finished on Saturday. I do hope that the scaffolding comes down today as promised.

Waiting with bated breath for more news of Bracken like many kitcheners. She obviously knows where to find sanctuary so we can only hope that she does recover there with Rory to comfort her.

I have brought a batch of scones to the kitchen - warm and fresh from the oven so help yourselves (but make sure you leave one for soop) There's a jar of last summer's strawberry jam and some best butter to go with them. Enjoy!

Charley Im sure your services will be in demand, if you CBA ..

Dont think ads are allowed here except for the rubbish site we are on, sorry mods but you are doing a thankless job for peanuts.

[However there are the most kind people who post, and continue to do so, almost friends by their empathy]

Most impressed with your snagging/nagging skills.

How you have remained sane is beyond me, maybe its due to your bed companion

I am looking forward to meeting my 'grand-dog' at the weekend. My DGD has acquired Maggie, a cross between a Westie and a Jack Russell which should be a feisty combination, to say the least. It will keep her on her toes!

Good Morning all !

Its a another blue sky day here in deepest darkest Essex !!

I love it when our grandchildren behave impeccably for us when they have been holy terrors at home Corner . Sometimes I think my daughters think my parenting skills are sooo old fashioned but funnily enough I often get the results they try for with their consultative, lets treat them like adults approach I try not to be smug.....

I think you're right Charley baby animals of any kind are a step to far for the boys Mummy right now. They borrow Sam when they need a pet . Its a shame because little Cooper loves all sorts of animals .

So how were the whole double yellow line scenarios this morning? And how is the house, is it today the scaffolding is going?

Thanks for the scone Gaga nothing like a home baked one !

Today we are home alone - its been a hectic few days and hopefully the week will stay the same leading up to utter chaios at the weekend !!

Everyone to ours for roast beef ( not my first choice but they buy it so rarely its a treat for them !) . Then we have an Easter Egg Hunt, followed by a photo scavenger hunt ( that way even the littlest can join in ( technology is a doddle for them !) and finally egg and spoon races for mummies and daddies to make fools of themselves for the entertainment of the little ones

I'm tired already!!

Sounds like fun annodomini!! ?
Not talking about Easter weekend as we are, for the first time ever doing *absolutely nothing*
DH will be recovering from his procedure at the Royal Free on Easter Saturday (yes) and as I am seeing DDs 2 and 3 plus SILs and Flynn while he is "in" there didn't seem much point in expecting them to drive up here on Easter Sunday. The other DGCs will be at their holiday house in Somerset and we won't see them at all before school restarts
So. Not too gruntled. Also trying not to think too much about all the family and friends who will be at DD's 40th party at the BFI on the South Bank on the Friday night as I won't be there, I shall be here while DH has his Moviprep "cleanse" as he will be feeling rubbish.
Bad timing all round.

I've been enjoying reading all your messages and looking at the delightful photographs. Thank you for your kind comments regarding Bracken...I must confess to feeling anxious for her wellbeing.

She enjoyed resting on her feather cushion in the utility room for some long time yesterday. She stumbled into the kitchen and ate a little food. She then tried to join us in the sitting room. The house is open-plan and the floors are wood. Bless her, her hind quarters were constantly giving way. She looked a bit like Bambi on the ice! A second cushion was placed closer to where we sat. She couldn't get comfortable. She was very vocal...not shouting but mewing plaintively (in response to my efforts to "talk" to her). MacSporran left the back door open all night. She went out at 5:00 this morning, we haven't caught sight of her since. Of course, she may turn up at lunchtime. If so, you lot will know about it within minutes.

You may like to use a turtle mat or runner(s) between the door and where Bracken can lie down, Soop. Grace can't cope with hard floors either and I have turtle mats all over the kitchen/dining room as that is her way to the garden.
Better safe than sorry!

I can see how your life is being taken over by worrying about Bracken soop I do hope she soon shows some sign of recovery if of course that is possible.
To raise a smile my H is getting ever more confused and has just asked me if I have a shower at the same time as I have a bath!! there really is no answer to that.
Commiserations Maw I also feel that everyone else is getting on with life while I just sit and wait.

Bracken has been put to sleep. The vet came to the house. She made her way back from wherever she'd been since the early hours, and we sat beside her on the kitchen floor. I feel as though my heart has been battered.

soop this made me cry. I am so sad to hear about Bracken although I know it was the right thing for the vet to do. Bracken knew she was loved. Give Rory a hug from me and some for you both too. ?

What a sad end but the right decision I am sure. You have done your very best for her and she is out of her pain.

Oh Soop I'm so sorry to hear about Bracken. I saw Izabella's post on another thread which led me here. You were so kind to Bracken and she obviously knew who to come to when she was in trouble. ?

Soop, I'm so sorry about Bracken. She knew she was loved with you, Rory and McSporran. Much love to you all. Xxxxxxx

Oh Soop, that's so sad. She was loved and cared for so well by you and MacS. Sending hugs and xx

... and Rory, of course, sorry. x