soop's kitchen for friendly folk and precious pets.

Thank you for yet more kind comments. I'm chuffed. Bracken stayed in the kitchen with Rory. She didn't venture into the sitting room. MacS could see them together and because the back door was ajar, B felt comfortable. The moment MacS moved closer to the kitchen...B was off out. It could be ligament damage. We are keeping a close eye on her. Best bit is that she's regaining her appetite. And, of course, the warmer days are ahead.

Galen For you, big soppy hug. If you don't want, pass it on.

MawB How on earth do you manage to keep a sense of humour. You have my respect.

kitty Well done. Relax! You deserve it.

Practice nurse wants me to have the dressing changed on Saturday (MacS's job) and again at the surgery on Monday and Wednesday. She says that it is a very nasty injury.

The sun is shining. The breeze remains chilly. I'm feeling very much more upbeat.

My love to you all. I look forward to blethering with you again tomorrow.

Just passed the accident. Lorry into the back of a car. Nasty. Feel so sorry for them all.

Oops

Wonderful news soop. Bracken is one tough cat

Doing this is the car in a traffic jam. Accident ahead apparently. When these things occur I'm always so pleased it's not us and hope those involved are ok

Will be back tomorrow. Can't cope with this on the phone. Not for dinosaurs!

Good news about Bracken soop three cheers all round !!

Galen I believe you have covered all the bases ! It sounds like a cruise is just what you need to get you properly rested and back to normal .

I know JUST what you mean Kitty !! We have young Jackson tomorrow for a sleepover, then Mummy, Daddy and Cooper are joining us Friday evening for cheese and wine ...( and although Mummy and Daddy don't know ) the young lads will sleep over. I do hate getting them up late to send home in the taxi.

By Saturday I shall be looking forward to some peace !

Won

They've gone!! I do love it when DD2 comes for a few days with her girls but I also love it when they go home!!

You have all been so busy again.

Soop, while I was reading all your news my thought was that you should think about visiting the care home less frequently - maybe fortnightly? I'm so chuffed about Bracken - it's clear you are a trusted human.

GD, my car has periodically had all its dashboard lights come on. The worrying one is the puncture light. I mention it at the garage but, of course, it never happens when they have the pigging thing. We have found out how to turn the lights off and, if it stays off we, we trust that is ok.

Mawbroon, I hope today has gone smoothly and neither DH nor Grace have given you any more angst.

Enjoy your sleepover n&g and your garden but I hope you realise that Sod's Law states that your house will sell as soon as DH has finished.

Charley - there are no words to describe how cross I would be in your situation

I'm sorry if Ive missed anyone's news but I am now on the school run in Derby and about to make tea. I helped on an Alzheimer's Course this morning so I need a BIG sitdown!

I'll pop back later to see if there is any cake left!

I was so tired last night when I came back from the courts that I fell asleep in front,of the 6pm news. This am when Kate ( my cleaner) arrrived just before 12am, I was still fast asleep. This bug has obviously-- knackered-- taken it out of me!
Can I move into Soop's to be cosseted like the cats?

soop that is fabulous news and especially as she felt chilled enough to rest on the sofa with Rory- two happy cats and two ecstatic adults. She has good food inside her and no doubt will be offered an evening meal. Tara and I will be moving in soon, it sounds a very pleasant place to relax.

MawB I would have removed the vet's hand if he had tried to inject me without prior warning- he was lucky that gentle girl only gave a snap.

Thanks for all the advice. I've thought long and hard about it and decided to take coral, red and pink, lapis lazuli, turquoise, garnet and gold necklaces instead!

Wonderful news Soop by my reckoning Bracken must have at least 7 lives left
I was skimming though Grace's "history " with our vets which was attached to the claim form which is going off to Pet Plan and was amused to see a note in 2011
"snapped when receiving injection without warning. (Shouty capitals) USE MUZZLE IN FUTURE"
That's my Gracie!!
If you know your Scots motto.....
"Nemo Gracem impune lacessit"

Good news about Bracken, soop. Cats are SO resilient. She seems to be bouncing back. Even purring!

soop. GREAT news !

Izabella A cake would be a wonderful treat. Thank you x

N&G Jackson's snack list leaves nothing to chance. He's a very bright wee laddie.

Off to get the dressing changed shortly. Back with you once I return.

Good afternoon dear Granspal Kitcheners - ironing done. Lunch enjoyed. Better news to share with those who care about Bracken.

MacSporran collected me from ironing duties. Casually remarked...I've been cleaning the bathroom. Returned to the kitchen to find Bracken finishing off Rory's breakfast. Sat on the sofa and had a wee conversation with both cats. Bracken was purring. Both cats ventured outside for a wee stroll before B went on her way. Wow! I am delighted to hear such news. B is still limping. B is beginning to show signs of recovery. B will overcome.

Izabella! Cycling, gym, more cycling, gardening. You have energy!

soop I was wondering the same as greyduster. It could be that Bracken had a sprain or a torn ligament, and not a break. Let's hope you notice some improvement in time. For now you are doing your best with nourishing food, which she is taking.

Poor Bracken. Just wondering soop if there a snares around? I hope the poor thing is not in pain.

Not been in the kitchen much lately as the weather has been good outside and there are things to do. Will put up some bean sticks later then that job is out of the way and I can work out the space for sowing carrots then.

Blood tests again this morning. The usual 6 monthly diabetic check, kidneys and lipids etc. Interestingly for those who may have seen discussions on other threads - yes they were fasting. Cycled there and then went to the gym afterwards and just cycled home. Cold and strongish breeze this morning so rosy cheeked to say the least.

Hoping all kitcheners have an improved day or an enjoyable if all is OK. JUst wondering if we will be invited to share the bank holiday weekend with GS, but not holding my breath.

I may make a cake later. I think it will be tea bread as we have some pretty dry looking currants and sultanas in the cupboard. Yesterday I perfected a recipe for 'home made' baked beans as I don't do sugar or salt. Used the Hairy Bikers one with added paprika and used the slo cooked on med. for 4 hours. Perfecto.

Morning all !!

Its a lovely blue sky morning here, and that's why I'm up so early ( well early for me !!)

Galen I believe that you will need at least one string of pearls per evening, then I suspect you have morning pearls, and should you partake of afternoon tea, another string for that. Quite frankly you can't take too many !!

soop I'm so sorry you have this worry about Bracken at the moment. Take some comfort in the fact that you did everything you could and she has enjoyed some happy moments with Rory and you and MacS.

Thank you for the support re train lines ladies. Because we're selling I understand that buyers don't want to take our word for it but the trains are ;less intrusive than where we lived on a main road before. We never gave them a thought when we purchased and they haven't woken any of the many babies that we have had stay here over the years.

Its not all bad news though, Grampy is now concentrating on the garden for us, not for buyers, so we shall enjoy it through the summer ( if we get one).

I am prepping for Jacksons sleepover on Thursday night. As is our custom the sleepover child gets to choose movie snacks for the evening. Sometimes they can be quite specific and sometimes...well see for yourself ....

Jacksons Snack List

Prawn cocktail crisps
Melon
Cookies with smarties on but not the sort from the bakery counter, the ones in the biscuit aisle
A banana ( not too bendy)
Herbie the car from the Disney Movie
A new green crayon ( his broke)

Can't say the boy doesn't know what he wants !!

Happy sunny days all !! xx

Goodness, greyduster, what a day. Hard not to smile at your description, though. Our closest shave with a Welsh funeral was agreeing to travel with our younger son who has a tendency to lateness. Mr C and both sons were pall bearers. We made it through the door for the house service just as the Minister said the first words. there was much muttering, not sure it was all as polite as it may have been. Those warning lights can be a menace, scary things, with luck the garage computer will deal with the issue quickly.

You're having a time of it soop. Pleased Bracken is eating, sounds a nutritious menu, as she is so nervous that's all you can do. Please look after yourself, time to think about you. We can't care for others unless we do.

n&g those smiling faces made me smile. You are totally right, viewers need to know about the railway in advance, it surely is also possible for your agent to check out their situation, (is their own home in the market, at least valued in preparation) before booking the viewing. We've lived by both a railway line and a busy road, have planes overhead sometimes now, give me the railway any time.

Difficult one that, Galen, depends on afternoon tea. If you plan that definitely two sets for those days. .

You may find the surveyor can help with practical management stuff, callgirl, it will be manageable, somehow and the new kitchen will make it all worth it. I decided it was like childbirth, you forget the pain once it's over.

The cake sounds to have been well deserved, mawb, hope your husband is OK today.

I truly don't know what to say charley, it is beyond now. I know you like your builder but I do wish he made better choices of tradesmen for you. My fingers hurt from being crossed for you.

Soop maybe Bracken's leg isn't broken - she may have hopefully only damaged the tendons or ligaments. We had a cat who did this - she actually dislocated one of the bones and ruptured the ligaments in her hind leg. The vet said he could only surmise how she did it, but possibly she had been chased and caught her leg in the fork of a bush or tree, damaging it as she pulled to free herself. She had to have a cast on her leg all the same and it took some healing, but heal it did, although she always had a slight limp. Does she look as if she can put any weight on it? I will keep my fingers crossed for her. You are such good people to be so concerned for her well being.

N&G my sister and brother in law built a house adjacent to a railway line - there was a small river in between it and her garden and the line was screened by trees. They hardly noticed the trains after a while (it was the main Sheffield to London line, so pretty busy) and when we visited them, we didn't find them particularly intrusive. One bonus was that sometimes steam trains used to use the line too! I hope something positive happens for you soon. Lovely photos of the little ones as always!

Swanny not just us, then! We wouldn't have made it at all if we hadn't stopped and asked a lovely Welsh taxi driver for directions. He drew us a map on a minuscule piece of paper and kept saying "now remember this is not to scale!" It wasn't either, but it got us there!

I am now curled up with a glass of red and will be catching up on last night's lack of sleep pretty soon.

Sorry, forgot to add love and ((hugs)) to all not feeling 'tickety boo' at the moment.

soop so sorry to hear about Bracken's leg. As long as she is eating there is hope but I totally agree you could cause her more problems by trying to trap her. She will know by now that you are to be trusted and Rory will have told her you're a friend

N&G my late MIL used to love viewing houses that she had no intention of buying, just for something to do. She would ask me to accompany her but I refused as it wasn't fair to the owners. Back in the mid 70s we lived 4 houses away from a railway line that had more freight than passenger trains, so a lot ran through the night. After about a week we didn't notice them.

Greyduster those dashboard flashing lights must have been terrifying but I too had to laugh at Mr GD putting his cufflinks in the wrong way round. Many years ago my late mother, sister and I attended the funeral of DM's best friend. After the church service my sister (a very careful driver) retrieved her car from the car park to drive us to the crematorium for the final bit. She took ages to pick us up, by which time the hearse and cortege were long gone. DM and I were urging her to put her foot down and 'follow that hearse' along the motorway!

HAPPY photos, N&G they help to put a upon my face.
You are most def not mad. People can be so infuriating. A deceased uncle of MacS's enjoyed traipsing through other folks properties, "as it helped to pass the time..." Other than this quaint idea, he was a very likeable man.

MawB glad to hear that your visit to A&E helped to put your minds at rest. Carrot cake! I like. Especially if it's moist. Bet you didn't save a sliver for me.

Galen that's more like it. Another cruise is the tonic that you need and deserve.

Bella and callgirl1 and all those who are concerned for Bracken's well being, she happened by during the afternoon. She approached and departed via a different route. She appears to have found shelter where she doesn't need to do a lot of climbing up through the tangled undergrowth of the woodland. I put a bowl of salmon gourmet food close to the chalet. Once the door closed, she limped over and ate half of it. We've agreed to continue to put both food and water out for her. Although I'm sure she drinks from the nearby burn. We are hoping that she is tough enough to cope with her injury. It was lovely to watch her tuck into the food. We were worried that she was losing weight. Whatever it is that caused her injury happened a month or so ago. We didn't see her for just over two weeks. Please let her survive.

Ironing duties tomorrow. I look forward to catching up as soon as I return home.

One per night, at least!

Question


How many strings of pearls duo you think I need to a weeks cruise?