Soop's kitchen for friendly folk and precious pets...

Well I'm one of the older GNers and have 2 children who are older than some who post on here. My H and I live near Stockport and sadly my H has Alzheimer's. We have 6 GC and 4 sort of steps if you know what I mean. None of them are official steps, we just accept them. We lead a very quiet life so it is lovely to come into the kitchen to catch up on everyone else's doings.

Whilst I don't post on here often, I read the thread regularly. DH and I live in Suffolk with our 2 mad spaniels, Travis and Purdey. We have 3 (adult) children each, I have a 15 year old Gd who I don't often see, and DH's youngest daughter has given us a gorgeous GS who we look after one day a week. That's my potted history.

Live in Perth with the Lads

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And I am MawBroon of Sunday Post fame. Paw and I live in N Bucks although I am Scottish as was his lovely Mum. I have 3 DDs, all married, DD1 has 3 little ones, DD2 has the inimitable one-year old Flynn plus a lurcher Basil. DD3 has no children yet but a globe trotting career and is adored by her "nephs" and niece.
Paw has multiple health issues and is quite "Pawly" at the moment with liver/kidney problems. My beautiful dog Gracie was sadly PTS 2 months ago and I was in bits. Hopefully (provided he passes the Flynn/Basil test ) Freddie, also a retired racing greyhound will be joining the family this weekend. Ooh! Squee!
Sadly DH will be in hospital for a bit still and may be transferred to the Royal Free in London.

Kitty I had to laugh at your cake eating kitten. It reminds me of a dog we used to have who disgraced himself by nibbling around the edge of an apple pie I had made and left to cool too close to the edge of the kitchen table! He hadn't even got the cheek to look shamefaced when I told him off! I bet your cakes will be just the ticket - how they taste is more important than how they look (well it has to be for me!).
Corner did you leave a drop for me? You sound as if you needed a reviver after your day out.
N&G I'm sure Grampy came up with the goods and the boys had a whale of a time on their water slide! Not often we see a picture of them without a smile on their faces!
Just had DD on the phone to tell us that GS got an exceptionally good end of year report. I wanted to chat to him about it but all he wanted to talk about was the cricket match he'd played in where he took a wicket and scored two runs ! And the fact that he has volunteered Grandad ? to play in the Lads and Dads football match they are having on Sunday. He says he'll think about it! Which means he'll play - silly man!
Hipsy I am retired and am married to the Duracell Bunny! We have one grandson, 10, who is the light of our lives, and two step grandsons 18 and 22 who are delightful young men.

As you were, the kitten has chomped her way round one sponge layer so I will need the mirror cake whatever it looks like.

A friend made a chocolate and ginger cake that is so professional I nearly threw all my efforts away.

A tip from DS2: if you put a bowl of ice cubes in front of a fan, the resultant air is deliciously cool - who knew?

Hipsy My husband, MacSporran and I have lived in Scotland for 13 years. We retired and moved from Cornwall. We are extremely happy here in Kintyre. Rory the cat is possibly 14. He came out of the forest, in which he lived with a commune of feral cats and gradually inched his way into our home, lives and hearts. He was fierce he's grown into a very loving feline. MacS and he are the best of buddies. I shall tell you more when I next log on.

I am logging off because Andy is about to play. Thank you all for your company. I have every intention of returning tomorrow after our early morning stroll through the village.

Wishing you a pleasant and peaceful evening.

FInd it a bit embarrassing talking in front of a big group but here goes:

Live in the North of Scotland (summer has not found us yet), with OH and two dogs, have small business where I work part time. Home tends to be a bit of a B&B with family, friends and customers staying over. Not known for my cooking which is on the plain side but I can always provide the

Now, now charley we've had a whole week of sunshine, who says the weather is bad here . Hope tomorrow's activities are fruitful, enough now I would think.

Agree totally, maw, it is the day to day that gets you down. Hope paw holds his own and improves soon.

Hope mothercare come good, n&g, those disappointed faces would melt the hardest of hearts.

Following in your footsteps Mr C and I live in a corner of Somerset, three grandchildren and what has felt like never ending grey cloud. Until this last week. . Apparently I make a mean meringue. Sadly Mr C has vetoed another dog. The discussion continues! Hope that helps Hipsey

Can understand you have had enough, soop, just don't forget you are important too. Rory sounds to be comfortable and a bit stronger. Good news indeed.

Enjoy that grand dog, ann, can't persuade our lot to cooperate and provide one for us. Sounds as if you have a happy get together to come.

Found the last,of the Pimms, greyduster and very welcome it was after an active day tracking round a National Trust with far too many hills involved. Off to cook supper now. Have warned Mr C I'm on strike next week. .

Hipsy I live on my own with Tara a 13-14 year old black and white cat who thinks that she is 3. She can climb a 6 foot fence with ease when she can be bothered but a cat flap is more difficult especially when she knows that a key turning lets her out without any effort on her part.

N&G that is a fair round trip but two young men will be very happy.

Gd

For the newcomers: I have 1 Dh, 2 sons,3 daughters, 4 dgds and 4 dgs (If you count the steps who are a little too old really) a stand office cat and a new kitten who is rather too friendly at times. I also have the Idiot as an ex son in law (I call him worse things on other threads but we try to be genteel in the kitchen)

Today, I have made three cakes for the library birthday party. I bought a pot of mirror glaze from Sainsbury's - it wasn't entirely successful so we might have a mirror glazed cake going begging.

He'd better not sprinkle, N&G, or I'll tie a knot in it!

soop I am putting you in the Swanny camp- batty I am not!

I have enjoyed watching the tennis off and on. I do want to save something for Andy who I think will be on around 5pm the way that Jo Konta is playing she will see off her opponent any time soon.

I am having more work done here tomorrow but it will be "quiet" work, mainly lifting weeds and placing white stones in their place. I do hope that there will be time to do some work in the kitchen. There is definitely light at the end of the tunnel.

Rory is a star- he is doing so well. That is worrying if he has a lump in his tummy. Knowing his background I am assuming that he is not insured.

As I mentioned earlier, Tara will be slumbering under a bush in the shade somewhere, will wander in when her bladder and tummy give out signals- that is the life.

Maybe we should all do a quick post for newcomers?

There's me and Grampy in our house Hipsey and Sam the dog. We have 4 grandchildren ( we post far too many pictures of them!!) . We're trying to move ( it might be the death of us) and these ladies on here are some of the kindest I have ever had the pleasure to know......

anyone else?

Afternoon all !!

Been a busy day . Popped ( a 40 mile round trip) to Bluewater with young Cooper and his Mummy to get a slip and slide( and a very yummy breakfast!) . Got said slip and slide home and disaster struck . Its got a big hole in it , so Daddy and the boys are making the return trip to get it replaced. Not one nearer sadly !!

So I have written to Mother care and sent the attached picture of sad faces in the hope that they see fit to at least refund my fuel and toll money LOL

Oh ann I've done the wrong flour in suet dumplings too... if you dropped one it would kill you

Congratulations to Torben * soop* quite an achievement !!

Sam would be happy to visit to assist with any prodding Grey. Like most pets the one he loves most is the one that loves him last [laugh]. Sorry to hear about your soaking !! I too think they should have at least given you flowers !

Welcome Hipsey stay awhile...there is always cake and often wine !! TIRAMISU !!! You're in !!!

Moomin what is that handsome chaps name?

Grey does it truly matter what DH likes in terms of tiles... he will undoubtedly sprinkle where he tinkles anyway . You are indeed a wise woman... now DH has been sorted out over the contract go and buy the tiles you like !!

Hipsy Catching up with this lot is an impissibolity ...I wander in thinking to myself, I wonder what that lot have been doing. I still don't know. The times I've scrolled back and come away none the wiser, is a given; par for the course.

Please don't get too concerned if you've good reason to think that most of us are a wee bit strange. Honest, it's not what you think! We are from time to time a bit batty, but batty in a good way. Playful batty. One thing you will not be subjected to, is nastiness. Tis not allowed.

Back to catch up with Rafa.

soop will be back shortly as Nadal is thrashing his opponent

NanaandGrampy Salmonella

Cats, dogs and OH's are all our concerns. Usually in that order of importance

Oh my goodness.Trying to get to know you all by reading back through posts and cant decide if you,re referring to cats ,dogs or OHs Was relieved that Rory appears not to be human (sleeping on a floor cushion after washing his face for several minutes)
Seriously, I do seem to have joined when some of you are having
sad times with your pets. We lost our little staffie 18 months ago but recently have realized we can now talk about her and laugh instead of cry.
Have made tiramisu but as you know it needs 24 hours in the fridge to develop a full flavour So tomorrow .....

Maw that just about sums her up. Everyone looks at her and thinks she's so sweet - little do they know!

I'm going to venture into the fruit cage to see what raspberries are available - when the muffins are made I'll put one aside with your name on n&g

Maw You are bound to feel sad and teary with Paw being in hospital. Special warm hugs from me to you.

Nonna Save me a courgette and lime muffin (or two)please, and Hipsy MacSporran and I have a very real passion for Tiramisu, could you reserve a couple for later?

Thank you all yet again for all your kind comments regarding Rory's recent blip. He continues to get stronger. He made it on to the bed this morning without too much help from MacS. I found a lump around his abdomen. The vet lady noted it too. She rules out surgery. We went to the care home. He opted to remain in the garden. When we returned, he was asleep in his chalet. He was pleased to see us. Ate a hearty lunch. Washed his face for several minutes, and is now sleeping on his ginormous cushion just inside the back door.

Rafa is, I believe, about to play on Centre Court. I'm away to put my feet up and drink tea. I shall return to our kitchen before Andy's match.

By the way, the undercarriage examination was more than a trifle eye-watering. I coped. I've had enough and, as I haven't had a response from the private hospital in Truro, I am also very cross. However, MacSporran is my main concern. I can cope with my lot.

N&G . I could go a raspberry muffin too! I made some chocolate, banana and walnut brownies this morning. They need a day to "mature" before anyone samples them though (fat chance!).
After yesterday's little contretend over the cancellation of the maintenance contract for the dishwasher ("20% increase?? Highway robbery! Give me the telephone!"), I took matters into my own hands and reinstated it, after gently telling him that I understood where he was coming from, and what it would cost to get a little man out (that made his mouth drop open!) and that, if he still smoked - which, thank god he doesn't - he couldn't buy twenty cigarettes for what the contract is costing us a month. All is now quiet on the Western Front.

Just a quickie but on the subject of dogs names , I suggested we get Sam a girlfriend and I thought I'd call her Ella , until Grampy pointed out what a twit I'd look asking people in the park if they'd seen Salmonella ,!

Back later x

Ps save me a raspberry muffin please !

This is for Purdey