soop's friendly kitchen for like-minded folk and pampered pets.

Just to let you all know we're still alive and floating. Lovely table with lovely people. Very nice butler we want to take him home!
I've booked a private launch to take us to Torcello for lunch at Ciprianis. Don't ask how much???
Regards to all and a pat for Hattie and a stroke Rory

Good Morning all !!

I'm so sorry to hear both you and Macs have the nasty bug. Our practice nurse said it was rife at the moment. I hope you both feel lots better soon. The promised improvement from the steroids and inhaler hasn't materialised yet and I sound like a wheezy old train at the moment with a cough that would kill a man ( luckily we women are made of sturdier stuff ;-) )

Glad to hear Rory is making the most of his 10th life and his diet is way better than mine ! It is slimming tonight and I'm going if I have to crawl in. the one benefit from being poorly is a guaranteed weight loss !! I may not have mentioned but I was Slimmer of the week last week with a 4lb loss AND I won the raffle !!!

Sorry to hear Tara was unwell too Charley is she feeling better now?

Homeless people would certainly enjoy our soup Charley , my Mediterranean Tomato was lovely !

Give DH a shove next time you're on that path Grey see how confident he feels then ! Humphhhh Men !!

I saw the thread maw and was extremely surprised by some of the comments. I know the written word can be taken in many way buts ...well words fail me. Stay here....soup||???|

Paw seems to be making wonderful progress but I did smile when you had to remind him about the carers being there to support you too. Bless him !! I think getting you up 4 times in the night means he is a way off yet because neither of you will benefit from an exhausted Maw. I should pop in to help as I am up most of the night coughing my heart up anyway

Hello Jane and Aggie always safe in here , a little kindness goes a long way I think.

Well I am off to read for a while. It is young Stevie's birthday on Monday - he will be 8- and I have yet to make his card so time to get my thinking/crafting cap on.

Happy day everyone !!

Hi jane it is safer in here lol.

I do hope that your germs beat a retreat Soop

Lovely to hear that Paw is continuing to improve and I hope he tolerates the Carers for as long as possible , they are a great help

Well done Paw - keep it up! There have been a few snippy post on other threads so I think I will stay here.

Maw, good for you to point out that the carer is there to help you too!

I suppose it's a case of deciding when it will be appropriate for "normal" service to be resumed?

maw that is such good news about paw. I felt quite exhausted myself reading his exploits today.
whispering quietly...... I'd stay in the kitchen if I were you. She's still around. I've tried to reason with her on the "other" thread (as have several others) but she's still going strong... I think she might have moved on to someone else now ?

Venturing gingerly above the parapet (has she gone?)
I still feel very defensive as if every comment on GN about "killjoys" is addressed to me and short of appearing in a red clown's nose and a tutu, I will forever bear the stigma! ???
Paw has been having another good day today, downstairs at 9 for brekkie so that my fortnightly cleaner could have a good go upstairs, then back upstairs when mobile hairdresser arrived to give him a long overdue haircut, followed by the lovely "Mercy" the Carer who helped him shower, wash his hair and get dressed.
Back downstairs for lunch then some reading in his chair while I popped out to Boots then a quick visit from the Physio who made him walk around and was very pleased with progress to date. Back upstairs to bed after supper so that was TWICE in one day.
He dared to suggest as he was feeling so much better we could dispense with the evening carer to which I replied that when he is able and willing to restart the things the Carers do for him, he may make that decision, but if it merely means that I am doing it instead, then I think I should be the person who decides!! I pointed out gently that the Carers are also there to support and help ME and he looked suitably abashed!!
(Up 4 times last night for him - it takes it out of you!!)
I do hope mcsporran stays fighting fit, likewise wishing "Gute Besserung" to N&G, soop, Charlie dog and anybody else poorly.
You will be able to dine out on your holiday exploits greyduster, but thank you for sending us your rain!! ?☔️☔️☔️Don't expect you want it back?

Tell MacS I'll have the salmon if Rory can spare it, please, Soop?. And I'll have soup to start, if the soup kitchen is open, Ann!
Well, after a wet start to the morning we decided to venture up to the forest park after all, and were very glad we did. There were some lovely trails to walk through the hills and the weather was kind to us. I did have a buttock clenching moment when a path we were on became very narrow, with a dizzying drop on one side ?, but DH said I was making a fuss about nothing. He says he is amazed at how much less confident I seem to be recently. We finished off the afternoon watching the red kites being fed. They seem to know exactly when feeding time is and turn up in huge numbers. Quite a spectacle! They are such beautiful birds. Got back here just as the rain started again. We are waiting to see what the weather brings tomorrow. Storm Aileen, apparently! Hope everyone has a calm night of weather!

Evening all, and sending good wishes to those (furry or not) who need them.

Charleygirl when you have posted about Tara spending a lot of time out and about, I did wonder if she is "dining out" somewhere on a diet that doesn't suit her?

Does she wear a collar? If she does, you could perhaps attach a note explaining that she cannot tolerate ordinary cat food.

If no collar, maybe a notice in the local shop with a photo of her saying "please do not feed this cat" and explaining why?

soop I am surprised that you cannot hear the goooood girl calls from here! Tara really is a poppet and I think, like Rory she knows it.

She was very sick very early am and came to bed for a cuddle afterwards. She appears to have put on weight- my only concern is that she has found a day home for herself and is being fed food which is obviously not her prescription food. I think her age is catching up as she appears to be a bit stiff some mornings and evenings.

I do hope that you poorly souls start to feel better soon and there will be a riot if MacSporran cancels his appointment. Three of you ill under the same roof is not on.

N&G I am certain that those two young fellows will understand if you are not feeling well. Their parents would not appreciate them taking back your personal lurgy. There are some things one does not share and that is one of them.

Greyduster you really must take more notice of the weather before you go out to get drenched not once but a few times. I am not one for advocating alcohol but you need a few decent Scottish toddies to get you on the mend again.

Maw I am certain that Hattie will soon suss out who is a dog lover. Tara susses out cat friends and makes a fuss of them. Delighted to hear that Paw appears to be marginally better. My personal advice to you is that you should stay in the kitchen- it is safer and people are kinder and more understanding.

Ann and &N&G* maybe the three of us could set up a soup kitchen?!

I hope that you`re feeling much better by tomorrow Soop, and also that the GP can do something for MacSporran. But now a cry of "COME ON RORY!" That boy is certainly a gutsy little trier. I love the rainbow picture.
Best wishes to everyone else feeling poorly. Stay warm, and remember, a little of what you fancy does you good.

NanaandGrampy
I've been thinking of you and hoping that we might hear from you sometime soon. I can understand that Jackson and Cooper will miss one of their favourite treats. There's no way that you (or Grampy) could cope at the moment. You will no doubt make it up to them. You are a super special Nana. It's a horrid bug. My legs feel like knitting and MacSporran is also feeling poorly. He has made an appointment with the GP. Something that he rarely does unless nagged by the missus. His innards are playing up. He tells me that he's felt iffy for six weeks!!! He also has a cough. I'm watching him like a hawk. Any infection has the possibility of getting serious due to his lymphatic leukaemia.

As I was ironing I watched the heart wrenching news from Bangladesh. Those poor, desperate people with no shelter, food or clean water. The heavily pregnant lady who is sleeping under a tarpaulin - the wicked injustices heaped upon the innocent and most vulnerable for what? It has made me very sad.

I'm still whispering...^ that cat has a much improved appetite. His rear legs are wobbly but he manages to walk through the garden in search of intruders^. After which, it's either a cat nap in the cat cave or back to his ginormous feather cushion. I can hear a chorus of "gooooooooooooood boys" coming from the kitchen. MacSporran is checking which of the following high teas Rory would prefer. Chicken/salmon/liver ?

I'm logging off and promise to return tomorrow. (hugs)

Afternoon all,

I have lots to catch up on so will have to pop back tomorrow for that . Hope you're feeling better though soop .

I ended up at the doctors and now have a short course of steroids and an inhaler for my germy lungs !! The Doc assures me I will feel batter soon but I have had to let Jackson and Cooper down for an overnight sleepover this weekend as Grampy's pales at the mention and I am not really up to it.

Glad Paw is sounding so much better and Grey stay in drink lots of hot toddies( a wise woman recommended that to me ;-) ) and stay out of the wet!!

I shall be back tomorrow and more on the ball I am sure xx

PS Ann and Charley my new soup maker is a life saver and I made a kind of cut down minestrone which was delicious and tonight's offering in Mediterranean Tomato !!

I am convinced that I left my usual logging off message to you lot yesterday afternoon. If so...where did it go?

Good afternoon dear Granspals. It's a better-ish day weather-wise. I didn't go to the care home as it's not fair to trade germs with the residents.

There is indeed some good news to celebrate today. MacSporran took a photo of a rainbow earlier today. I always think that a rainbow should be a symbol of hope. A little hope goes a very long way.

maw bellanonna ?

Oh dear * Greyduster* you certainly chose the wrong week for your holiday. I hope the cold doesn't develop.
I am hoping for a dryish day myself.I felt let down by a friend yesterday, she rang me yesterday to suggest going out for a coffee today, I haven't seen her since early July and was pleased, she then suggested asking a mutual friend who I am slowly trying to see very little of as she brings me down to a point that is making me so upset, long story.
I was too much of a coward to say no, but very cross with my friend, who knows how I feel, but I think she didn't want to see this other woman on her own.
We agreed to go to a garden centre if it is dry but the other one's flat if wet so I am praying for a dry day so I can draw attention to other things. Does that make sense to anyone else?

Hello the kitchen! Soop. I hope your throat is on the mend and you are feeling better. Ditto N&G; she hasn't posted for a couple of days. I think I am getting a cold. We have had a couple of days where we have got seriously wet while out and have not been able to change. Yesterday was one of them. We went to Aberystwyth where the sea was doing its best to invade the promenade, and then went on the mountain railway to see the Devils Bridge falls. It rained on the way down to the viewing point, but on the way back up we got so wet we might as well have been standing under the waterfall. It was pretty spectacular though. We saw the Krimml Falls in Austria in similar weather as I remember. Note to self: stay away from waterfalls! My waterproof trousers failed me completely for the first time I can remember and I sat out the train ride back with wet legs! I am paying the price. We are supposed to be going to walk in a forest park today but there is a yellow weather warning out . I may just stay in bed!

And really good news about Paw's improvement!

I trust the poo bags were empty Maw? ?

A quick laugh, well, wry smile for the dog owners among us (but of course including the dog lovers so that is everyone covered)
The lovely Alison who came in to help Paw with his ablutions etc this morning suddenly asked me "Do you have a dog?"
(I usually keep Hattie away from the Carers, strangely not all are "dog people") anyway I asked why she was asking.
"You've got poo bags hanging out of both back jeans pockets!"
So true, every jacket/ coat/gilet has bags in the pockets and I regularly have to do a quick check on jeans and trousers before they go in the wash!
She has an elderly GSD and lost a Lab not long ago but now also have a Rottweiler puppy and a young black Labrador.
So lots of dog chat and fussing over Hattie who she said looked like a pointy slim Labrador!
Aren't our Social services/NHS wonderful?

It is a good day in the kitchen I feel - positive news about various people and pets. Let's draw the curtains and shut the door tonight and cosset those who still need it. Anyone for a glass?!

morethan so glad to hear some good news about your DIL. That must lift the spirits ?
soop hope the sore throats is better soon. Is a wee dram in order do you think? . Hope a certain furry person continues to amaze with his progress.

maw that is good news about paw
You are right not to be bovvered by the comments elsewhere maw. We kitcheners know what you are really like. Forget their nastiness, just flush it away ? .

What a lovely surprise !
I think as mums there is little we like better than having our chicks back in the nest with us! ? ? ?

soop I hope you feel your usual chirpy self again soon.

Maw I've not been keeping up with GN lately so haven't seen that thread but second soop's comment. You always seem to cope with your problems with humour and positivity and so I can only add DLTBGYD!
I'm very pleased Paw is home and hope he is continuing to improve.

I had a lovely surprise this morning. DD1 and her husband are staying for a few days. They have been keeping up their habit of going for a run every morning.( I don't know where she gets it from)
When we got up and saw that the car wasn't there, we presumed they had taken it to the park for their usual run. Pottered about doing stuff until after they'd come back and when SiL said he wanted us both to come outside for a moment thought it was to look at a photo of his new born niece. Out of the old cottage came DD1 closely followed by DD2!
A complete and wonderful surprise as because of her husband's illness she has only been able to come out here once nearly ten years ago. Only a flying visit but lovely to see her in our home for a change.

'Sanctimonious'! Maw? Some people don't know the meaning of the word.
Glad to hear that his home environment is having such a reviving effect on Paw.