Soop's kichen for friendly folk and pampered pets

Soop, what a coincidence! I knew you`d moved up to Kintyre from Cornwall, and that it was somewhere near to Fowey, but not that you lived at Lostwithiel. I really hope to get there, and that Dawn doesn`t chicken out next!
Poshgran, many welcomes to you. If you don`t have a pet, there are a lot of pets on here for you to stroke, my Mia amongst them, although, like Charleygirl`s Tara, she isn`t a lapcat, but loves being stroked (and fed treats!)

That's it for today. I need to wash and brush-up. G&T at six o'clock. We wouldn't normally have a drink on week nights but MacS always maintains that a bank holiday is an exception to the rule.

I trust that you've all enjoyed the first day of May. I shall log off and be back after care home visiting in the morning.

Charleyg Rory has been basking in warm sunshine in the garden. He has heard MacS open his cupboard. It took less than 45 seconds for him to rush amble through the door.

Now that PoshGran is one of us lot, we must try our hardest to be genteel on the odd occasion

Welcome PoshGran almond shortcake sounds just up my street. Tara my black and white cat is out and about but her rumbling tum will bring her home soon I would think. She loves being stroked but she will never sit on your lap, always on the arm of a chair or the top of it if she fancies a snooze when watching TV.

I hope that you will enjoy the genteel conversation that goes on with us lot.

PoshGran I almost forget. We usually welcome newcomers with a bouquet of and...if Galen has left some in the bottle, a glass of fine

callg when in Lostwithiel ask the way to Bassett's Yard. The house we built there was, at one time, a disused storeroom. The other conversion was a hayloft at a farm just outside Lostwithiel. We named it - The Lofthouse.

PoshGran Come on in. You are welcome to join us lot. Don't worry about not bearing ...the almond shortbreads will be most enjoyable.
Do you have a pet? If not, we'll share ours with you.

callg I don't believe it. We moved to Scotland from Lostwithiel. MacSporran was a self employed architect at the time. He converted two barns for us to live in. I worked in the pharmacy. The farm cottages are delightful.

Soop, no, only one location, it`s at Tredethick Farm Cottages, at Lostwithiel, they look really lovely. For some reason nobody fancies Cornwall outside of the summer months. I`ve been sampling the chocolate that you gave me, it`s very nice, but a little strong for more than a bit at a time, so it will last me a while!

Hello Soop & the rest of you lot, have you got room in the kitchen for a newcomer in need of gentle, civil conversation and a virtual pet to stroke?
I don't come bearing cake as such, but do a mean line in almond shortbread, jams, jellies & prize-winning mincemeat; so if someone's got scones then tea is sorted!

Talking of liquors...MacS and I sampled Tequila for the first time on the first night of our honeymoon. We couldn't stop laughing...don't ask.

MawB I've only ever seen deep pink/red peonies. My Nana had some in her cottage garden.

callg Do you have a choice of location in Cornwall? I'm so happy for you and Dawn.

Greyduster That leg is being very bothersome. When next does someone have a look at it?

I can conjure up a Champagne cocktail that blows your knickers off. No. Just joking. I seem to remember adding angostura bitters and a dash of brandy. It was some ago, mind. We had a housewarming party for our pals in the village. I remember it well.

Torben's birthday was mid-month. I'm a patient Nana. I know that at some time we shall have a photo. Today was the day. And here's another.

Never seen a white peony before, it`s very pretty.
Soop, your Torben gets more handsome as he grows, and I still think he looks a lot like you. I hope that MacSporran managed to talk Ruaridh out of calling the Cats Protection League! I hope you`ve got all your proof of his good living just in case.
Well, it looks like just Dawn and me (I) for the Cornish holiday. I`m hoping to book it for late March, as near to spring as possible.
N&G, I can`t see the day ever coming when anyone would call my bottom beautiful, let Cooper enjoy it whilst he can.

Torben is growing up so quickly- he is such a handsome young man. Rory is rarely seen exercising all 4 paws- he does like his rests.

My apologies callgirl I forgot to add Mia to the "neglected" list. Our girls and boys do lead a hard life.

Would you like me to organise an AA meeting (no, not cars) for some of you lot?

Not orange blossom Soop a white peony.

Cointreau with champagne (or prosecco if funds won't allow champagne) and cranberry juice is rather moreish! Add a few cranberries for effect and the results can be quite spectacular.

Two or three of those, galen and I’d be on the floor! One of DH's commanding officers taught him how to make an excellent champagne cocktail (surprising what these military types get up to when they are supposed to be "on exercise"!), but they go straight to my head!

soop I am glad your health is improving. Happy Birthday to your lovely Torben! He shares a taste for Ninjago Lego sets with my GS. He is coming with his parents for a late roast dinner today and, as he informed me on Saturday that he now eats mashed potato (I don't believe a word of it!), I am going to call his bluff. If he eats it I shall go into a dead faint as it took us quite a few years to persuade him to eat roast potatoes, and to date, he won't countenance them cooked any other way. We had hoped to go out for a walk with them this afternoon, but my leg is still not playing ball. It has now become a bally nuiscance because it stops me driving also. We are wasting so much lovely weather at the moment.

The last holiday H and I had was to Lake Garda. We stayed at Limone which has lots of lemon groves. The lovely hotel we stayed at overlooking the lake had a lemon grove behind it, it was very pretty.
we were often given a shot of Limoncello after a meal and on a cruise round the lake but like many local drinks they taste ok in the setting but not so good if you bring a bottle home.

I love Limoncello, but only drink it when I'm in Sicily. It is made with lemons, a sugary syrup and vodka and is delicious after a meal, or even poured over ice cream.

Love your photos, soop. Torben is indeed a very handsome chap. Hope he has enjoyed his birthday.

As for Rory - some cats just don't appreciate how lucky they are

Don't like many liqueurs. Cointreau frappé is ok. Don't mind a liqueur coffee after dinner, either Irish or Jamaican. Amaretto is quite nice, and Cointreau mixed with brandy cheers up Champagne no end. 2-3 of those and I feel quite mellow!

Yes it's made from lemons. Never had it on a cruise but late dh and I used to visit Sorrento every year. The lemons there are as big as Gallic melons!theyre lovely

corner Torben has liked Lego from a very young age. I recall an occasion when, long before breakfast, he climbed into bed armed with a new Lego fire station with all the trimmings. He was adamant that he wanted to play with it before breakfast. As it happened, it was completed well after lunch.

MawB That's a lovely photo. Is it orange blossom?

Bellanonna The dressing continues to be rather mucky when changed. The nurse commented on the depth of the gash. She told me that I shall a noticeable scar. I'm very thankful that it didn't turn septic. I can live with a scar.

Galen I didn't need to ask Google...I somehow knew that you would have the answer. Is it based on lemons? No doubt you've sampled most liquors when on the high seas. And as for that joke...

Limoncello is a liquor made in Sorrento. I don't like it but some do.
Alexa what did the magician do when he got angry?
He pulled his hair/ hare out

Torben is a lovely child, soop.
So glad throat is getting much better. Glad you got medical help.
Twice weekly dressings still? I'm sure you said it wasn't an ulcer? Just taking ages to heal. Can't believe it's been so long. Timely lesson to us all.

Happy Birthday Torben, MacSporran and Rory!

Looks like a very intense conversation, soop. Did MacS prevail? Torben is very handsome. Ah yes, Lego, the bricks just get everywhere, but don't children love them?