Yet another *Soops* kitchen for all us like minded people

Grandmafrance - your description of the storm made me really nostalgic. We lived near the Pyrenees - west from you- and the storms often started there then you could see the fireworks moving towards us. I enjoyed it but our poor border collie sensed the approach and mabe a beeline for the downstairs toilet where she felt safe.
She seemed to have a 6th sense - change of air pressure?
Sorry I haven't kept up with everyone's news, good and bad, butwish you all fewer problems. And like us, being able to be close with our families soon.

So pleased the dentist wasn’t as bad as you’d thought Susan and it’s over and done with now. Lovely photos of little H too!
I’ve had a lovely busy day today, I went to Ely and had a look around the magnificent cathedral which was truly amazing! Then a walk by the riverside and treated myself to coffee and a delicious cake. DGS have both been busy at school and nursery but I’ll be doing their bath and bedtime routine soon.
The portraits are really lovely soop you’re very talented
I’m behind with all the kitchen news but hope to catch up soon if I can
Take care all

soop you must have got a double dose of talent in artistry as I have nil, clever.
Susan phew! Shoulders down and relax…
Still itchy and scratchy here, good job we’re not socialising much or I’d need a handbell!
Beautiful and dramatic Yia, I hope you have heating, it’s chilly here, longest day, a week ago I was in shorts and flip flops.
I bought some strawberry plants today and will get some blueberries for the garden, I eat both, so seems like an idea. Both GC’s had inset days today so DD took them to local theme park, drenched! Children don’t notice do they?
Have a good evening all, thoughts with panache and others just ‘coping’ xx

We are very cosy Jaxjacky. Feel for you being itchy,I have psoriasis it’s a pain in the bum!!

Good Evening Kitchen lovelies.

What a little cracker that child is, Susan. And you - very brave it seems. Hope that Two Go Mad in Shrewsbury took place very shortly after leaving the torture chamber. ?

My DH had a superb job done on a broken tooth, beginning of last week. I sat in fascination as it was etched - well assuming it was something like that - treated to some sort of light show, polished to perfection. Another one had similar treatment. Do you grind your teeth in your sleep, she said? Occasionally, was the response. Well, that's true. He was told to be careful to avoid needing a crown. We drove home with some smart new repairs. Two mornings later he was sitting in the garden with a cup of coffee and, I kid you not, reported to me that he found himself grinding his teeth. A new tooth was no more. Now he has 3 appointments for a crown fitting and wallets will be lighter very soon.

Today - after the weather holding all night and no rain appearing - started badly. My 16 year old Paxo cat went out late evening. That's unusual but she never ever goes anywhere and will appear when we call if she's outside. I went to bed, no cat. Silence. Looked in bedrooms, known hidey places (like the tumble drier) and the garage. Silence. Called her around the garden. Silence. Put aside the thought, refused to get anxious This morning I greeted DH with hopeful smiles to be told that the cat had NOT been seen. I felt quite sick. Nothing could convince me that such a creature of habit could just disappear without trace. We are not surrounded by traffic but where on earth could she be. I sat in bed and drank my tea. In some distant part of my hearing I optimistically thought I heard a wail. Just one. About 5 minutes later I heard another. Diving out of the bedroom doors into the courtyard I went into the garage because there you can get into a roof space and crawl right around the house, or go underneath the floor through an opening where all the house plumbing is. Travel (for a very small plumber) is then possible right under the house. I wondered if that's why I could hear a cat. I went into the garage and she was sitting on the Scooter. Makes a change, sometimes she sits in the Kayak. - just because she can. Last night she wasn't anywhere like that and ignored me when I was calling. The Minx ate a very large breakfast and then went sound asleep in a deckchair on a cushion. They have such a hard life, our cats. I was positively giddy with relief all day. She'd better not be in regular contact with Miss Sweetie Pie Fern ?‍⬛.......

Later we drove to see the Rheumatologist. No hospital involved, this was in his private rooms (which is normal in France). I window shopped until I was too hot and I sat in a single large chair - one of many fastened up and down this particular street outside shops, under trees and all in the shade The wind was quite strong and it was lovely to people watch in 30 degrees.

An interesting time was spent by DH who was having his very painful and swollen knee examined. Lots of x-rays taken. He was told by the Doctor that it is Arthritis which has flared up due to all the mighty work having been done retiling our pool! It needs to be rested but first it needed to be drained. This was done. DH asked if it would require some pain relief. No. Will it hurt. No, said the Doctor, "but I can always make an exception for an Englishman". Strangely that made DH feel relaxed and confident. ? It didn't hurt, but with that much fluid he was told it would have continued to be very painful unless drained. He was then given a steroid injection and told not to move about much for a couple of days. Then, strangely, he was told to go into the Pharmacy next door and buy another steroid injection but leave it there! He understood the French but was unfamiliar with the concept - which was very clever. The idea was that he paid the Pharmacist for a steroid injection which the Doctor or his Nurse would pick up (with others) at the end of the day. This meant they always had a supply available to use without needing to go out of the clinic and collect! Useful if you're busy.

He doesn't need to go back, so as long as he's a good patient it's hopeful that he will rid himself of this very annoying painful joint very soon. Here's hoping.

All that running around with small children is exhausting, isn't it Grans. I'm sure the right level of fitness for that cannot be attained after the age of about 13 - unless we properly train for it. They move faster than the speed of light and are never in the same place that they were 2 minutes ago. It's always worse, of course, because they're not ours and therefore the responsibility is much greater.

Are you suggesting that I am rather fond of a drink, young Doodle? The very idea. Seriously, I am rather hoping that the same nice Doctor will tell me at my appointment in a couple of weeks that it IS Gout, because at least I know I will be able to get some treatment for it. Other forms of Arthritis are often so much more difficult to treat. But hand on heart, I couldn't admit to it being the alcohol intake, because I don't drink enough. A G&T enjoyed before supper, maybe a couple of times a week. A Tonic without the G sometimes. A glass of wine sometimes with my supper and in the colder weather, I quite like a Baileys beforehand instead. So, it's all a bit tame really. I love a glass but much more than that now and I rather wish I'd not drunk it. There are lots of reasons for Gout, of course and the alcohol diagnosis is normally more common when people drink a lot of beer. Reading this back, it does rather look as if I am protesting too much!! Well, I'm not. It's all true. I love a drink but it doesn't like me as much as it should, so I tend to limit it all.

Lovely French stories of storms. They are pretty spectacular here, it has be said. And it's true that so many birds and animals can pick up on the change in atmospheric pressure and get excited or very stressed well before the storm arrives. Think that's why lots of people get headaches when the weather is stormy. Our current dogs are not happy thunderers! When we had a gorgeous Border Collie and an even more gorgeous Bleu de Gascogne/ Griffon cross, they used to sit on my feet. Actually on each foot so that I was trapped. They would then shake and pant until the storm passed. Now we tend to keep the shutters closed, put on lots of lights and play quite loud music. A terrible din but it does help. So apparently do those little Thunder vests which velcro around your dog in a firm hug and make them feel more secure. Not tried it but a friend reports success with her small dog.

If it's Itchy and Scratchy in your house still, Jax, don't you think you should return those poor little dogs to Simon Cowell - or are you hoping for a massive reward? Not sure that dog knapping gets rewarded but his Yorkshire terriers have those names and I expect he'd like them back, asap please.

Fennel are you one of the Grans who has been waiting a lifetime to see your GC's and family again? Just wishing hard that this happens soon for you, if that's so. For all of us, we'll never get our time back again, but when small children who are growing like weeds on another continent are involved, it's doubly sad. Don't give up hope - it'll happen soon. ?

So glad your lovely painting is complete, soop. What a trouper you are to carry on and get that as you want it when, I expect, you are driven to the edge by the dreaded D.Bot situation. I think there's hope there and you may just be very surprised once you've had your referral. In the meantime, please get enough rest and take special care of yourself.

Nighty night all
Tomorrow's another day and we need to make it a good one.
xx

We had a lovely time in Shrewsbury thank you Grandmafrench.

I was really impressed with how the dentist repaired my broken tooth with much polishing after.I had anticipate it would be a much bigger/longer/more painful job.

Hopefully your DH’s knee will be much better.I had the fluid drained then the steroid injection done a few years ago and so far so good??

Hope you are less itchy today Jax??

Susan really pleased for you the dentist went well, my dreaded next appointment is two weeks today, not that I’m counting!
Grandmafrench I had no idea about Mr Cowells dogs…I picked it up from the Simpsons. There is a film, filum if you’re MrJ, movie if American, in an episode called itchy and scratchy.
Today I’m a bit flaky, or as I call it, gross! Never mind, it’s a minor annoyance.

These poppies have self set at the edge of the grass. So colourful, that I thought I would share. I am trapped in the car while it is cleaned around me.

DH broke a tooth yesterday - it seems to be the trend on here! We have appointments tomorrow so it was good timing. We too will be lighter in the pockets.
Any news on your brother Kitty? My 96 year old aunt passed away peacefully this morning after a couple of weeks of gradual decline. A sad day but not unexpected and a relief for my cousin. My mum lasted for about twelve months at this stage.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202106/medium-398195-p1015963.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202106/medium-741294-p1015957.jpg

Ta dah!!!! Our fourth great grandchild, Willow, was born at 4:15 am, just fifteen minutes after our granddaughter arrived in the maternity ward. Are we thrilled? You bet. At 7lbs 12oz she is bonnie. Her big brother Ted doesn't know just yet. He's at nursery and he will return home to meet his sister in an hour or so.
Naturally, there will be photos (for me to share) just as soon as all the family has heard the news.

Forgive this outburst/explosion of delight. We went into Tarbert, not knowing the baby had arrived specially to buy a card and wrapping for the gift. Baby was due to be born in two weeks. I somehow thought that baby might be impatient and make an entrance a wee bit sooner.

I'm bouncing with joy.

I shall catch up with all your posts later. In the meantime, I managed to find a suitable frame for the doggie portrait. The lady from the village is to collect it this evening.

The woodpecker visited us earlier today.

Just to be trendy, I’ve a broken tooth also. Dentist has done a temporary repair. Bill for full repair plus another filling, £450!
You need to take out a mortgage for a dental appointment these days!

Love the painting Soop, a very happy looking little dog. I`m sure the owners will love it as well.
Congratulations to you and the new parents of Willow, what a lovely name.
I hope to hear better news from the Panaches, but hope, seemingly, needs to spring eternal.
Grandmafrench, I`m so glad that Paxo turned up.
I think that Billy needs to see a cat therapist, to try and conquer his addiction to eating!
I`ve just been sent some new pics of Hudson, a month old now, here are 2 of them.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202106/medium-119728-200946111-4877211982294256-7457526017972142723-n.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202106/medium-839522-201795601-4877211955627592-2471435429290979841-n.jpg

Sorry, clicked in error!

What lovely news Soop and what a lovely name. Congratulations to all ❤️

Congratulations Great Grandma. - how lovely and a pretty name. Bet Ted will be impressed!

Unbelievably hot day today with such dazzling blue skies that I've hardly taken off my sunglasses. DH actually slept through the night - something he's not been able to do since his bad knee struck weeks ago. He's being forced to take it easy and to underline this, and after a shower, we are driving (and not strolling) around to some friends locally to indulge in a cold glass of something and some nibbly things before a light supper back here. They are off home to the Swissly Mountain Kingdom tomorrow and will doubtless find a great difference in the temperature. All being well, they'll be back in 6 weeks or so after two DC families and tiny children have had holidays here.

Shocked to hear that it's unseasonably cold in parts of the UK. People are talking about heating and blankets?! What horrors are these - and midsummer too.

Hope everyone is chirpy today. Good news about your knee, Susan and your shiny teeth! Less itchy and scratchy must be your motto henceforth, Jax. Sad to hear about your Aunt, NannyT.

I'm off to shower before I get side-tracked. The day has run away from me today so I must put best foot forward now.
Take care, Kitchen peeps. ?‍♀️?x

HG - love those little smiley chops! Thanks for the Paxo comment. The awful feeling that consumes you when you can't find them...I just remember how you suffered....but now you have Billy Bunter to cope with. ? We'll have to start a Fund - for cat food and Kitchen family teeth ! You take care please. x

Hellogirl1 Beautiful baby. Amazing smile. Adorable in every sense.

Nannytopsy The poppies are joyful blooms.
Your aunt most certainly had a long life. Even so, it's always sad to learn of her death.

Grandmafrench It appears that you have started a trend for dental repairs of the costly kind. I have recently found myself grinding my teeth. Two of the lower front teeth have a ragged edge. I cannot keep my tongue from investigating. It is very tiresome.

We are going to have a wee break shortly. Up into the Highlands to spend a short time in our favourite hotel. We haven't had a break for a very long time. Our neighbours will be looking after our home, cat (should she visit) and feeding the large family of birds.
I shall tell you when a little nearer the time.

Congratulations Soop and Mr Soop lovely news and what a super name?And a beautiful baby Hudson Hellogirl
Pleased your DH had treatment on his knee Grandmafrench so much better treatment than the uk!!
It’s been a beautiful sunny but breezy day and we had a pleasant walk on the beach.Fish and chip van tonight! Will certainly be dieting next week.??
Have a good evening everyone.

Congratulations to the great grandparents on the arrival of baby Willow?Gorgeous pictures of Hudson too?love his huge smile?

Sorry about your aunt Nannytopsy?

Hellogirl, Hudson is a sweetie! What a gorgeous smile. The boy wonder is now home and I'm having a half hour rest. The weather here has been beautiful today. Warm and sunny and hardly any wind. We have been in the garden for most of the day. I'm feeling all is well in my world. Have a good evening all.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202106/medium-19171-47257359-e0fe-4fa1-af9d-65a54fa0ff15.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202106/medium-823485-218dad11-b6bb-4e6d-94b5-1d14c19427e7.jpeg

Congratulations soop what wonderful news and such a beautiful name for a baby girl too
And lovely photos hellogirl what a beautiful smile, super cuteness!
I’ve had another busy day in Cambridge today, visited Kings College chapel and had a walk by the river. I bought a sandwich and ate it on a bench watching the people punting up and down on the river - even the sun came out for a few minutes. In front of the chapel they had a beautiful wildflower meadow growing, it was really pretty with daisies, poppies and other flowers too
It’s good that you’re having a wee break up in the Highlands soon soop we’re going the other way and going to the Isle of Bute soon
It’s my last night here in Cambridge as tomorrow I’m heading home to Inverness so lots of cuddles with DGSs here tonight
Hope everyone has a lovely evening and take care all

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202106/medium-818231-img-8301.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202106/medium-235085-img-8323.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202106/medium-999059-img-8325.jpg

Hello All.

We have finally gotten through the last couple of weeks and emerged on the other side.

HUGE congratulations Soop sounds like Mum and baby Willow are doing well. A good size too. I visited a lady that I go to Knit and Natter with and she has just had a little girl Oriana at 5lbs - what a tiny little dot she was.

The funeral went off as well as could be expected without any explosions from estranged family members. I didn't attend in the end but stayed home with the children who decided they would say their goodbyes in the garden.

AND THEN...... we celebrated Christmas, had our Easter Olympics and Egg Hunt, Halloween, Fireworks Night, Valentines Day, 10 birthdays, Mothers AND Fathers Day at the weekend when we finally saw both our daughters and the grandchildren. It was crazy mad, exciting and chaotic but oh we loved it.

I'll leave you with a picture whilst I go back and try and at least catch up with all your comings and goings !!

Happy Evening all xx

Many congratulations soop to all in Willows family, beautiful name for I am sure a beautiful baby.

Hudson is adorable hellogirl, thank you for sharing his photos.

Busy day here. Cleaning this morning and a vain attempt to tame the garden this afternoon. We thought it would be easier after the changes, not so sure now . It could just be that I’m extra grumpy today .

Good luck to all needing the dentists attention, it certainly is an expensive undertaking now

Enjoy your evening everyone. Relax if you can.

Hello n&g. Good to se you back with us. Your family time sounds just magical, I’m so pleased it all worked out after the sadness of the funeral day. I would,think you both need a rest now.

I’m having iPad problems (and GN problems) so I’ll just say very briefly to Grandmafrench that I've just been prescribed eyelid cream! that has worked wonders it’s French so you may be able to get it from the pharmacy. It’s called Toleriane ULTRA YEUX made by La Roche-Posay. It’s a very small glass pump and I ke

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202106/medium-767570-3e9cf602-e5b2-4246-a95e-9ecfc91ef87e.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202106/medium-900769-43d33981-dd75-4cc6-beb8-280714ab5cc9.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202106/medium-894142-e926f69d-17c4-45e4-85a9-c5c1dde66a82.jpeg

A busy kitchen, as it should be, I’ve put jam and custard donuts on the side, local bakery, not me!
Congratulations soop, love the name and what a smiley Hudson Hellogirl, babies galore.
N&G you must be nearly celebrated out, what a brilliant idea and gorgeous photo’s. Grandmafrench ? for your DH’s knee. I’ve experienced the + and - of the French healthcare system, same as most countries I expect. We miss France, attached a favourite memory.
My strawberries are in, the weeds are growing, but the flowers are starting to bloom, the greenhouse is now full of promise! Have a lovely evening all, hope it warms up a bit soon, chilly down south! ???????