Soop's pleasant (if boring) kitchen for friendly folk and precious pets.

Corner when I had my knees X-rayed last year my right knee had mild to moderate arthritis, my left was severe .
I had the left one replaced within weeks but was told the right would last " a couple of years".
I suppose this means you may get another year out of yours.
If it gets bad, just stress how much pain you are in and how it affects your life and good luck.
Hope Paw had a good night.

GQ those gingerbread men look very good! Mine always come out looking like amoebas! They spread all over the place. I'm glad your granddaughter had happy day after you said she was a bit unsettled. GS is sometimes like that when he stays here if his parents are going away. He's okay if he knows they are at home. Not tearful, but he goes very quiet which is not like him, but Grandad can usually manage to jolly him along.
Corner I am wondering how I will manage to too, but it will be free, so they will either eat it or they won't ?! I still don't know who is actually coming. DS said he would phone last night after he had been to the gym, but he didn't and I was so tired I went to bed at half past nine. Hope your knee is feeling a little better. Arthritis is a beggar.
Kitty I'm sure you will lap up the chance to have your other two GC as well, and they'll have a terrific time with you.
Tizliz I remember reading that about salmon too. The apprentice cutlers in Sheffield were fed salmon daily as there was so much of it in the River Don. That was when it was clean, before the industrial revolution took hold. Now it is clean again, and to everyone's delight, the salmon are coming back. I hope they will do something to safeguard them.
Well, I will now go and take Snoring Sid his first cuppa of the day. He has now decided that the radiator he has ordered for the new bathroom is too big - so we have to go and try to get that changed before the order comes through. I am not pleased.

Quick pop in for an update.

Hope you had a good night corner - we bought a pillow spray that I think helps me to sleep well. The only good thing to come out of a stay in a truly dreadful hotel was a sample of the spray. DH managed to track down the manufacturer and we now use it all the time.

I'm afraid I can't help with 'moderate' but hope it is manageable.

I hope MacS is recovering from his zapping soop. Please give Rory a gentle stroke from me!

I hope you have recovered from your busy day, grannyqueenie. I think I've recovered from Bertie and Persie's visit but DD1 has messaged asking if her two can come for a couple of days!

I hope Paw continues to improve, Maw.

I'll try to come back later for another catch up but, in the meantime, take care everyone!

Pleased hope has returned, maw, your description of paw was so much better.

I'll pass on the gingerbread men, grannyqueenie but I'm sure others won't . A tear-free bedtime is a wonderful thing .

Pleased nacs returned home safe and sound, Soop. I worry when Mr C is out alone, I somehow think he will do something daft. . I'm sure you have no such worries with macs.

Goodness, greyduster would be hugely interested to know what you will cook to cope with the dietary requirements. Don't envy you that's for sure.

Finally got x-ray outcomes for my sore knee today. Apparently it is 'moderate' osteoarthritis. Anyone know what 'moderate' means in this context? I have OA in my hands and wrists so guess I shouldn't be too surprised.

Shattered tonight so hoping for a peaceful night sand wishing you all the same.

Envy!!
I have a friend who goes stalkingband also helps with culling on the Castle Ashby estate between us and Northampton and I can buy it from him at £4.Oo a lb which is a bargain as it is delicious.
But compared to Pedigree Chum or whatever it is like "Let them eat cake!"
Do you shoot (and butcher) it yourselves?

maw is that sarcasm or envy? You are welcome to some. In the Middle Ages the apprentices objected to how often they got salmon.

They do look better iced, they did look rather freaky before they had faces!

Grrr, 3rd time lucky, last 2 posts have gone to that mysterious place along with lost socks and other missing items
Your 2 lovelies look cheerful in spite of it all n&g hope it's all plain sailing for them from now on. My ds had his tonsils out when he was 5, the theatre sister was a friend. She
kindly arranged for the said humongous tonsils to come home in a pot of formaldehyde. Ds was thrilled, me less so, especially as he was keen to display them on the kitchen mantelpiece where they stayed until I could persuade him otherwise!
maw you must have been there and all the way back again, choosing and re-choosing those hymns, I do feel for you I hope Paw's improvement is steady but sure from now on and he is back home with all the support you both need asap.
I too have an old boy who once had red hair, soop, he's sensible enough
sometimes now but I fear the damage was already done before sun protection was ever thought about. Hope macS regains his usual dashing good looks before long!
Well gd enjoyed a girl's morning with me, involving a milkshake and a new book, then an afternoon with pops which involved a museum visit...each to their own I say! While they were out I made gingerbread men ready for decoration when they returned. We seem to have a surplus so help yourselves! The day ended for her with a bike ride, a long bath and no tears, she was too tired to remember mummy wasn't here! Come to think of it I'm a bit tired myself, night all!

Poor doggy, I am sure he can make do "slumming it" with venison!! (Don't tell Hattie!)

Poor Anlon has been at the vets for a scan today. Thinking now is pancreatis. He is a bit woozy still. Very low fat diet for him - knew all that venison in the freezer would be useful.

We had to go to Invergorden for this. There were two cruise ships in. Invergorden is not exactly the most interesting place and I am sure some passengers were regretting not booking outings. I can't understand why more effort is not made. Our friend opened a lovely gift shop there last year and is doing really well, but there are many empty premises, and no banks at all.

MacS is home again, Greyduster His head looks a tad angry. It soon calms down. He has cream to soothe it. The skin on his forearms is also sun damaged. In his reckless youth, he had thick red hair and a pale complexion. In "those days" we thought that plenty of sunshine was good for us.

kitty get cooking!

callgirl1 We shall say hello to David as we pass Muasdale tomorrow.

Rory has decided to grace us with his presence. He's the canniest cat on the planet. MacS is telling him that he's such a goooooooooood boy

and

More promising sounding news Maw, onwards and upwards Paw, Hattie`s waiting to meet you.
Soop, Rory may be slowing down, but he`s just keeping himself in good nick so he`s with you for as long as possible. I hope that MacS hasn`t been too stressed during his scalp treatment.
I remember having my tonsils out, aged 5, I was sent home in an ambulance the same day, but had to stay in bed for a couple of days, I clearly remember being sick and bringing loads of blood (TMI?) up into a kidney bowl on the way home. That would have been late `48 or early `49.
Mia seems to have lost her ability to open the door leading to the stairs. She usually hooks her claws around the draught excluder, pulls a little till the door loosens, then opens it and goes through. Since last night she`s been sitting there, staring at the door, then at me, till I get up and open it. She just wants a servant!

Great news Maw!! Onwards and upwards Paw !!

GD, shall I come for lunch too, just to complete the set!! DS1 is vegetarian which stresses me out a lot but Vegan and dairy free - eeekkk DH's parents just told out and out lies to their two grandsons who became vegan. As in 'that quorn is just like real mince, isn't it'

N&G, I hope the tonsilless ones are doing ok now!

Off to make gluten free chicken kievs for dinner - sort of trial and error, they were lovely last time but heaven knows what I did - so wish me (and DH!) luck.

That's more like it, N&G. Smiles all round! Glad it all went well, and quick too. (I am stunned by the coincidence that Herbert Sherbert is one of my nicknames for GS, along with Grubster!). DS had his tonsils out in Northern Ireland when he was about five, and he was supposed to be in hospital for three days. They let him go after two - I think they were glad to get rid of him!
Soop Rory is not the only one who is slowing down at a noticeable pace ?, but I am glad he still seems to be enjoying his food! Hope McS's visit to Campbeltown is not too onerous.
Maw good news about the upward spike in Paw's condition. Long may it continue.
I have just had a text from DS who is coming to lunch on Sunday with his entourage. They will be five, but he hasn't said who the fifth member is. It will either be SGS1’s girlfriend, who I know, or SGS2's friend, who I don't know. One is a vegetarian, but I can't remember which, so I will have to rethink the main course, and SGS1 has apparently given up dairy, so I will have to rethink the pudding! ?‍♀️ Does anyone want to give Sunday lunch to a slightly stressed out person who is seriously thinking of leaving home for the day? I am house trained and don't eat a lot.

Herbert and Sherbert All over! Time to rest, eat ice cream and get well as quickly as poss. NanaandGrampy will no doubt have a few homecoming treats in store. Don't tell them I said so...

That's more like it Paw...your dear wife, Maw, needs you back where you belong. Our very best wishes for a steady improvement. You are one tough cookie!

Poor little things! I hope al is now well and that the mountains of ice cream have materialised!
Brave kids!

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Great news Maw !! More improvement please Paw !!

'Herbert' and 'Sherbert' as their Grampy calls them are all done. Stevie has eaten the required crisps and sandwich already but Laura was sick so cannot go until she can eat something but all went well...I got pictures !!

Hello Hipsy

Maw You have real concerns to think about. Your comment on the TM thread is your opinion. Mine may differ from yours. Who knows...I haven't given the matter any thought,
PLEASE do not allow yourself to react in a negative way. I know how easy it is to dwell on stuff that doesn't matter...if I can do it, so can you.
How is Paw? Any further developments?

Rory is slowing down at a noticeable pace. He spends almost all day in his cat cave. He strolls into the kitchen for regular meals. That's a good thing. He rarely accompanies MacSporran around the garden. He was like M's shadow at one time.

MacSporran is in Campbeltown. He is undergoing the regular scalp zapping procedure. His bald head bears serious signs of sun damage.

So good to hear that news Maw xx

You will need a long break yourself Maw , not that you will get one of course. Your job will be even harder when he gets home.
However , onwards and upwards.

Paw might have to change his name to Lazarus or "back from the dead". He is actually looking as if he has rejoined the human race, still v poorly but last night he was tachycardic , temperature spikes, verbally unresponsive and today he was sitting out and although still needing his oxygen, generally a big bit better.
Nerves in shreds, but feeling more hopeful.

Ah, there you all are. Just been to the old kitchen and all I could see were crumbs and pet hairs.You are a slovenly lot
My lovely neighbours moved yesterday to Stirling. I expect all you Scottish kitcheners to give them a warm welcome.Its sad to lose them,good neighbours are a godsend.
My sympathy to those of you who have lost close ones recently

Maw sending big (((hugs))) for you . Sincerely hope your DH turns the corner to recovery xx

As for that dress of TM's I totally agreed with your light-hearted comments and am sad at the later posters ' vitriole

NanaandGrampy All good vibes winging across the miles for your grandchildren who are to have their tonsils removed. When the surgery is over and they are on the road to recovery...^us lot^ know for sure who is going to pamper them to bits.

Gaga To be remembered as a dear, funny, kind man is a fitting tribute to your brother-in-law.

anno Your slab slice of cake is ready and waiting. Don't leave it be for too long!

Hello Baubles we like having your company.

I've just this minute logged on. Naturally there are bundles of messages to read. Nothing new there then.

Before I do catch up, I would like to say to granniequeenie that your message was PERFECT.