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

Galen Clearly you have been too nice to them, too polite and reserved. Next time they settle down in the garden with the barbecue and the noisy children, you should move your deckchair near the fence, put on a CD of classical music (Tannhauser? 1812? Land of the Mountain and the Flood?) at full volume, and burn a kipper on a disposable barbecue. Invite in a few neighbours and discuss the finer points of the CD performance loudly and argumentatively.

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I have brought you all some Cardamon Bulle (buns) from Sweden, like the cinnamon bulle you get at IKEA but much much nicer!
I bought half a dozen on Tuesday at a lovely sculpture workshop/craft centre/"tearoom" on Tuesday and froze them to bring them home.
I am very tired though, I find travelling, especially alone, exhausting as you have to do all the thinking for yourself (!) and Arlanda airport (Stockholm) involved long hot walks under a glass roof on a sunny day between terminals.
To many of you, leaving a DH behind is no big deal, but this was the first time I have been away for 2 years and while Sis in law coped wonderfully (she is a retired GP) I think she was quite shocked at how he has gone downhill in the last 6-9 months. My own stress levels were peaking just before I left and I found myself feeling very teary on the flight out (also frustrated by 2 flight delays and no alcohol to soften the edges!)
However DD and SIL gave me a lovely time. The place was absolutely beautiful, the weather was lovely and little Flynn very funny. He waves at all and sundry (people, dogs, trees, flowers) with his free hand, insisting on holding on to somebody with other hand while walking
Actually took his first three steps unaided on Tuesday!!
Anyway I have now girded my loins for Paw's Colonoscopy (take 2) tomorrow. Off to London at 12.30, hope it happens this time!!
Now that I am back I shall be giving serious thought to another dog. I have actually put on half a stone since we lost Grace, maybe the or maybe because even a couple of gentle strolls with her were better than nothing.
Watch this space

Oh, blimey, galen hope they are simply switching agents but if not I'm with kitty, talk to the Council, also why not go back to your local PCSO for advice. I'm amazed that they want to stay, complaining as they did about being surrounded by 'old' people.

Don't encourage Mr C, please, charley. He needs no encouragement! Now, you could help me with my 'I would like a dog' campaign. So far all pleas have fallen on deaf ears, too much logic being used, like, we go away too much, we couldn't stay out all day, you can't take a dog to all the places we go and so on. Any, sensible or otherwise, suggestions more than welcome. I miss having a dog around the place.

Forget a tin of Quality Street? Goodness, I'm more likely to forget to breathe marydoll. Hope you've made it back downstairs now and Mr M is in one piece.

Oh well, time to persuade our granddaughters that their beds are indeed wonderful places and sleep is as important as the very important things they are currently doing. Wish me luck. .

Think you might be seeing me a bit more. The sky box has given up. Back to reading books (well, more books as I am never without one or two ) until Tuesday. Perhaps I might bake a cake for everyone, lemon drizzle ?

soop like Tara he could also be suffering from malnutrition. He does not get the amount of exercise that Tara gets, at her age she can still jump on to a 6 foot fence. I know that Rory would expect the fence door to be opened for him rather than exert himself by jumping. He has found the perfect servant in MacSporran.

I promise not to squander it callgirl.

I`m pleased that my 25p has gone to a good home Ann!
Soop, Rory looks sooooo stressed out!

annsixty Very droll!

Marydoll I would never forget that I'd a tin of Quality Street in the cupboard. Oh, I'm so . I love the long, thin, choc caramel type. Be a dear and throw a handful in my direction.

callgirl1 How very dare they take 25p from you. Disgusting!

Our Baggs texted earlier to say that she was in Lancashire. The pigeons were posing a bit of a prob at the station.

Below is a pic of Rory the wonder cat. He's miffed. He hasn't had a response from the Cat Protection League. As you know, he sends regular messages to report that he's awfully neglected.

It's goodbye from him. And it's goodbye from me. I shall be back after the care home visit tomorrow.

They obviously had to find mine somewhere, so to balance the books they took it away from you. Sorry ?

Ann, at least they are GIVING you the 25p, they`ve just taken 25p away from me, that was the princely sum of the pension credit that I was getting. I am heartbroken at losing that huge amount as you will all understand.

Scones sound lovely. At the moment I'm trapped upstairs, as ladders blocking the way down. I am gasping for a cuppa, so I will have to settle for a virtual one in the kitchen with my new friends. I decided to spend my time profitably by clearing out cupboards. What a surprise! I found a tin of Quality Street, which I must have put away for Christmas. I was forced to break it open. Oh joy!

NonnaW

Galen I don't believe it! Out with the brandy, cake and chocolate. We're all in need of some comfort.

Marydoll Your dear husband sounds a lot like mine. He's been given an electric hedge trimmer. He isn't safe without the gadget, let alone with it. Trouble is, he seems to think otherwise.

Gaga I don't mind helping you to shift the freshly baked scones. In fact, we'll all form a dis orderly queue and wait with our plates.

Is it the time of year? We have a problem with our hot water, possibly the boiler, and the washing machine is making the most horrendous noise when spinning. Luckily, we have a service engineer coming tomorrow as I dread the thought of no washing machine.
Whilst grandson sitting this week, we took him to a garden centre (after a visit to the park for a gallop for the dogs and play park for DGS). There we picked up some reduced price plants, one of which was (I think) a rhododendron called 'Grumpy' - I thought it was appropriate for DH!
DGS made us laugh after grandad fixed a car for him, by remarking "Well done, Grandad". He's 2, and just stringing sentences together.

Oh, poo! Galen. (Wasn't I polite!) Maybe they are just changing agents! Check out your options with your council?

?????
That is bad news indeed

I need something like a very large brandy!?????
The neighbours from hell have taken the bungalow off the market!
They're staying!

My stomach is rumbling so a scone or two would be excellent thank you. Somehow I forgot lunch- was probably asleep then. I will only have butter and jam, clotted cream or any sort of cream and I do not get along. A nice mug of coffee would also go down well. I have nothing sorted for my supper so I should give that some consideration.

corner, Mr. Corner obviously needs to rest his eyes- has he been overdoing it lately?

Would you consider a dog but not a puppy? Holidays could be a problem, I do not know the price of kennels but a cattery costs me a minimum of a tenner a day and I supply Tara's food as it is prescription food.

Lovely, gagagran, just what I needed.

Marydoll I don't know if anybody has mentioned it but do feel free to bring cake, chocolate or anything else which may appeal to the kitchen. It is all virtual of course so we can enjoy a guilt-free treat as often as maybe!

Just to set the scene, I have brought a tray of my world famous scones fresh from the oven along with some clotted cream and home-made strawberry jam . Tuck in everyone! The kettle is on the hob and the pot is warming for a good cup of tea to go with it. Enjoy!

You seem such a lovely bunch, thanks for being so welcoming. I'm off to hold the ladder for Mr Marydoll, who is painting the highest part of the stairs. As my DIL says, "He is not 25 any more!" However, he still thinks he is.
My stomach is churning at the sight of him.
We got a new bathroom installed two weeks ago. Stair carpet got damaged and walls scraped, now we need to replace carpet and paint stairs and fit it all in around childminding DGD.
No-one warned me retirement would mean having no free time at all

N&G definitely something in the air! Like Charley I woke early this morning but didn't have to get up so turned over for some more shut-eye. Next I knew it was 4 hours later!! I think mental stress turned itself into physical exhaustion, but I can't say I feel better for all that sleep

Nice to see you back greyduster and you Nellimoser - your garden looks a happy place to be.

Glad you enjoyed your visit Maw, the photos are lovely.

Not surprised you are exhausted, charley, feet up today if you can. An afternoon nap is the way to go. You can emulate Mr C who is currently snoring breathing quietly on the end of the sofa.

Sometimes life just gets too much nellie, the garden is a good place to retreat to. Good to see you back here and please be proud of your lovely garden. Moan? Don't think that's what you did, if you want to hear a moan catch me on a bad day . Hope I don't deter you. marydoll, will try not to moan until you are settled in .

Was thinking about this windfall, ann. How about starting a thread asking for suggestions for your £13 a year? I imagine there would be some creative suggestions out there .

The kitten is so cute, kitty. I may have said before that Mr C is allergic to cats, so no chance of one here, that's unless I swap him for a kitten. Could work

I'm off now, need to finish tidying up. Started it hours ago, good job I don't live in a large house

That's not a rant, Nellie - not by my standards anyway! If you can't let off steam here, where can you? That so-called conductor is quite obviously c**p.