Val's Cafe

crinkly1

Just to say that I'll be thinking specially of all for whom Friday will be a very sad day. I hope that happy memories of your friend Aidan will remain with you to enrich your lives always.

barbara12

A late Evening for me
Thankyou DD..Aidan would love the candle xx
crinkly it's very kind of you to pop in
.Aidan would be very pleased xx
Toni you have a safe journey tomorrow and I hope all the trains are running for you.it will be an hard day all round t4591
Kath.i love your poem ..very fitting for this time of the year...and the burritos were very nice..
I am glad to hear your flu jabs are all done..how did your infusion go...xx
Right better try and get some sleep..bloods at 10 30...
Love to everyone
t4591 t115006 t4591

frogmorton

Morning everyone.

Well sadly today is the day when our beloved Bubbles/Aidan/Matron will be laid to rest beside his Mum and Dad

Sleek has just come in and is planning to spend the day with Tosca, Mrs D is going to and believe it or not ROSIE is going with them. They are going to try to force some fishy broth down her

I will pass on all your best wishes hugs and love to Bill.

Barbara best of luck with your bloods this morning I hope maybe it was a blip :?

Thank you I am leaving really early and should have time for plenty of coffees on route including maybe one in Aidan and Bill's Nero's :?

Thank you Crinkly1 you are right our memories will be happy and enriching once this desperately sad time has eased ((()))

Some breakfast before I get ready to leave.

Smashed avocado and poached egg warming for this upsetting day:



Take care everyone.

Best of luck to Joan today for that camera ((()))

Love

Toni xx

dreamdaisy

Bon voyage, Bubbles.

I will light another candle when the service begins and think of Aidan, Bill and our wonderful Frog. DD

dachshund

Morning everyone
we will be thinking of Aidan Bill and all Aidan's friends there. Thank you for going Toni I still cant believe it (((((((())))) I hope the journey goes well.
. Sue's carer funeral is Monday.
Kathleen are you feeling better thank you for the poem's. How is your Dad((((((()))))
Barbara how is your husband (((((((())))))) it all happened so quick with Aidan we will have so many memories of him ((((((())))
. DD how are you doing it's nice seeing you (((((())))
. Carol thank you for the photo's yes children grow so quick (((((((())))))
. thank you everyone for your kind wishes for me this is the second time I've had this done.
. take care love to Mig (((((())))
. Joan xxx

Kitty

Daily Poem

Anticipation
By Kathleen

She bit into the skin,
juice oozed over her lips
and down her chin.
Her flicking tongue caught the drips.
Flesh stuck between her teeth and gums
the gelatinous mass slid down her throat,
as she devoured the last plum.

t115006 t115006 t115006 t115006 t115006

Thinking of Bill, dad, Mandy and all Aidan's family and friends as we say our final goodbye to him today.
Tarrar mi duck, we miss yer loads. t4591 t4591 t4591

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgaHy7DYs3g

The Last Goodbye
The Kills
It's the last goodbye I swear
I can't rely on a dime a day love that don't go anywhere
I learn to cry for someone else
I can't get by on an odds and ends love that don't ever match up
I heard all you said and I took it to heart
I won't forget I swear
I have no regrets for the past is behind me
Tomorrow reminds me just where
Can't quite see the end
How can I rely on my heart if I break it with my own two hands?
I heard all you said and I love you to death
I heard all you said don't say anything
It's the last goodbye I swear
I can't survive on a half-hearted love that will never be whole
Source: LyricFind

Joan, my dad is doing well now thank you. My spine and hips are very painful since my infusion but hopefully it will only last a few days. Chris has a very sore arm after the flu jab. :roll: Hope you aren't feeling too bad after your tummy examination. t115006

Toni, Beautiful breakfast thank you, just enough to keep the hunger pangs away during the funeral today. Thank you for representing us and passing our messages on to Bill.

LOVE TO ALL OUR FRIENDS AT VERSUS ARTHRITIS.

t4591 t4591 t4591 t4591 t4591 t4591 t4591 t4591 t4591


Mushroom and leek pie
Creamy mushrooms and leeks encased in a crispy, golden pie crust. Delicious, filling and a great choice to serve for everyone! Serves 4.

Ingredients
Mushroom and leek pie
1 tbsp olive oil
2 medium leeks, trimmed and sliced into discs
3 cloves garlic, minced
500g button mushrooms
1 tsp dried mixed herbs
A pinch of salt and pepper
For the sauce:
1 tbsp vegan margarine
2 tbsp plain flour
350ml dairy-free milk
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
A pinch of salt and pepper
1 roll vegan puff pastry (or gluten-free, if needed)
4 tbsp dairy-free milk, for glazing

Method
Add the olive oil to a large saucepan on a medium heat. Fry the leeks and garlic for 2 minutes, to soften.
Add the mushrooms, herbs, salt and pepper and stir for a minute. Place the lid on top and cook for 8 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, melt the vegan margarine on medium heat. Add the flour and stir until combined. Slowly add in the milk, a tablespoon at a time and whisk, until you have a smooth thick mixture. Stir in the nutmeg and season with salt and pepper.
Combine the cooked leeks and mushrooms with the sauce and leave to cool completely.
Make sure your puff pastry is at room temperature (if using frozen, leave at room temperature overnight) and preheat the oven to 200C.
Add the leek and mushroom mixture to a pie dish and top with the puff pastry, cutting off any excess pastry around the edges.
Crimp the edges using a fork and score a criss-cross pattern on the top with a sharp knife. Finally, dip a pastry brush in a little dairy-free milk and brush the top of the pie, to help it brown.
Cook for 25 minutes until golden brown. Serve straight away.

mig

I have lit one candle and I am remembering the fun times on the forum with Aiden and I thank him when he was in his Matron mode when I was ill, I shall also light another candle for the services ,hugs for Frog on this sad day. Mig

frogmorton

Just so you all know I'm on the last train will be in Skipton in about 8 minutes.

God bless you all today will be incredibly sad for all of us but far more do for Bill and his and Aidan's family.

I will pass on all our love.

Take care

Toni xxx

barbara12

Afternoon all..Toni got there safe and sound..and in time bless ..not an easy journey...
.she reported back each part of her journey..and has said the funeral went really well but so very sad..has you can all imagine. .they had the faces of there two cats that they lost on his casket ...and a picture of him and Bill when they were young bless them both...so Toni is now on her way home.safe journey and a big thankyou for going t4591 t4591
Thankyou to DD and Mig for lighting candles t4591
Kath thankyou for the lovely poems..Toni has a surprise for you... t4591
Joan I hope you are doing ok after the camera..I know you have had a few now..and hope the results are good
My OH has his bloods in January..mine were today but wont get the results till after Chrsitmas
We have Niamh here..so better go will be back later
Love to all
t4591 t115006 t4591

frogmorton

Hello everyone I will fill you all in in the morning but I am on my last train now and Paul is picking me up from the station xxx

Turbogran

Evening all

Today is a very sad day for us here on the forum as our beloved friend Aidan is laid to rest.i don’t know what time the funeral is so I will be thinking of Bill and the family all day. Again Thank you Toni for representing us all at Versus Arthritis. I wish you a safe journey today and I look forward to Your next post letting us know how things went.

Migthank you for your candle for Aidan He became a very special friend of mine during my time in the cafe it is so hard to realise he has gone.


Kaththank you for your poems they mean so much to us all at this sad time.
The mushroom and leek pie looks really nice.


Joanyour right children grow so quickly you don’t see them for aa few months because of the distance and before you know it they are not little anymore and if I can get the photos to post I will put some on Here today. to cheer us up a bit.


Oh ToniI have just caught sight of your message about the funeral time and you will not believe this but I was sitting in my favourite coffee place at 1pm waiting for my friend and I suddenly thought about Aidan being laid to rest that is so spooky. Do you think the pusskins were sending messages to me.

It has been a sad sad day so to cheer us up and I think our Aidan would approve I have some pictures for you of our (as he would say) little peoples hope they cheer you up and give you a little smile.

Here goes

First one the Birthday girl herself Graycie with her cake.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/1q0gk1nyqz76suy/2019-12-12 18.33.16.jpg?dl=0

Next I don’t like selfies of me but as requested by Lillie here is one of me and Lillie

https://www.dropbox.com/s/v2631nx2ra4fofn/2019-12-12 17.46.51.jpg?dl=0
Mind you I must say I do love this one of us both.


And the last one of our ever growing Kian who is now 4 months and his daddy.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/8i420t186qxwuz0/2019-12-13 19.44.34.jpg?dl=0
I do have more pictures but can only post 3 at a time so will post some more over a few days.

So the time has come for me to potter before I become armchair shaped.

Love and sparkles to you all t4591 t4591 t4591 t115006 t115006 t115006

applerose

I had to pop in to say a final farewell to Aiden. I haven't been in here for a while but saw quite a lot of him on Facebook. Still expect to see something from him. Glad the funeral went well. Hope you are ok Toni after your journey. Glad to hear that Bill is coping so well.

I don't know how to do cakes so here is a rainbow for Aiden. t115006

I'm on the waiting list for several operations-in-one on my eyes. Hopefully by February. They have been getting gradually worse so I can't look at the computer screen for more than a few minutes. Been looking for a white stick as the sun totally blinds me. Nowhere seems to sell them.

Love to everyone. x

frogmorton

Good morning café friends

Yesterday was very tough, but nowhere near as tough as for Bill and his family. He did Aidan proud I promise you he looked smart and held himself upright with dignity and strength he got from somewhere.

When I arrived everyone was standing waiting to go into the service room and Bill recognised me straight way so I gave him the hugest hug from us all.

Aidan's casket had pictures on it of Cookie, Pepe Longstockings and Tosca. Everyone was mentioned in the Vicar's eulogy even us lot for the café at Versus Arthritis. Nothing was forgotten it was perfect for Adan.

BUT the most amazing thing was that Bill had asked him to read out KATH'S POEM t4591 AS you can imagine that set me off again, but how lovely to know he has been reading all the lovely messages you've all been posting and knows we are grieving along with him.

Bill's brothers and SIL looked after me really well and took me to the Natural Burial site where he was laid to rest. I waited until last and then threw some soil on for us all.

I just want to post this update for all of you and thank you for thinking of me yesterday, but I really felt privileged to be there to say goodbye to our wonderful Aidan/Bubbles/Matron on all our behalves.



I will come back later to see how Joan got on with her camera and look at some photos of those gorgeous Children of Carol's

Love to everyone

Toni xx

dachshund

Hello everyone
. Thank you Toni for going yesterday on everyone behalf. That was lovely of Bill to ask for Kathleen's poem to be read. Thank you Bill we will always remember Aidan ((((((()))))
. Barbara I hope you are not to worried about your blood pressure has Mr B got his results ((((((()))))
Christine have you tried a mobility shop ((((((()))))
. Carol thank you for the photo's ((((((()))))
. with the camera they could not get it down I kept reaching and water was coming out they stopped I'm not having it again.
. take care all love to Mig and DD (((((((()))))
. Joan xx

frogmorton

Oh dear Joan can they possibly try barium swallow instead. You poor thing what a nasty experience

Lucy's had two seizures but she's ok bless her. She's up in Scotland at her friend's so a real worry for me. Aidan will be keeping an eye I expect.

Now to look at the photos from Carol: Wow! Graycie has grown so much she is so sweet. Nice cake that will do nicely

Lillie clearly adores you and vice versa that's a pic you must print off.

and Kian has changed so much you can see his character in his face.

Christine - I hope the operation is soon and that maybe once you can se a little better you can pop in to see us we miss you and your Elfie tales and gardening amongst other things Sorry you are struggling so much ((()))

Here's some food for us all

See you all later

Toni xxx

barbara12

Morning all..the sun is shining again..thankyou Aidan
Toni we are so grateful tou made the long journey for Aidan..he will be pleased and would have been watching over you all the way..bless his cotton socks..so glad it all went well and we were mentioned..he will always be a part of the forum especially the cafe t4591 t115006 Kath will be so proud..that her poem was read out for Aidan.. and we are proud of her....
sending love to Bill I cant imagine what he is going through..but Aidan will be there watching over him t4591 t4591



Poor Lucy ..its such a worry for you and especially her not being near.. t4591
I hope you can have an easy day today..xxxx
Joan I am sorry ..I'm afraid the camera would do the same to me

All is well here thankyou.. t4591
Carol I adore the pics and the one of you with ..Lillie is so nice..it could be framed..the birthday girl is beautiful and so cute..has is little Kian with Daddy..I hope I have there name right...xxxx
Christine I hope they can help your eyes..I really do..I have MD..so I feel for you..I do love my comp but struggle now..you take care and let us know when it's your op. will get the cloak out xxxx
Love to everyone
t4591 t115006 t4591

dreamdaisy

Firstly, thank you Frog for being there to say farewell to Aidan. He was an old friend very few of us met but he was always there, with his chatter, optimism and cake! Think Bubbles, think cake: the two were (and are) inextricably linked.

Secondly, how touching to have Kath's beautiful words read at such a personal time. I think that surely shows how important the cafe and its customers was to Aidan.

Thirdly, I will light another candle today, it feels the right thing to do: I'll include thoughts of Val and Trisha too. DD

Kitty

Daily Poem

The Watcher
by Kathleen

The man on the stairs
leans over the rail,
but I don't see
his face so pale.
He doesn't smile:
he doesn't frown.
He won't go up:
he won't come down.
He has no mouth:
he has no hair,
some people say
he isn't there.
But still he stands
and watches me
with blackened eyes
that I can't see.
As I sit gazing
down the hall,
his shadow flickers
on the wall.
Just one glimpse
and then he's gone,
but he'll be back
before too long.



WOW, what an honour, to have my poem read aloud to all of Aidan and Bill's friends and family. Thank you Bill for allowing that. t4591

DD, it's a testament to the love the cafe dwellers have for dear Aidan and Bill.

Barbara, you're right, I am very proud and happy that dear Bill thought my poem was good enough to have read out at Aidan's farewell. I shed a few tears when I read the post. t115006 t115006

Toni, thank you so much for being our representative at such an important event. Oh poor Lucy and while away from home too. I'm sure she will be her usual brave self. Thank you for the lovely healthy breakfast. slurp.

Joan, I'm sorry you couldn't have the camera down, I know I wouldn't either. Glad you don't have to have it again. :shock:

Christine, lovely to see you. Sorry to hear of your sight problems, you can join Barbara and I as the terrible trio. Have you looked on Amazon for white sticks? or perhaps the RNIB might sell them?

Carol, as always, such delightful photos of Grayci, Lillie and Kian. thank you for sharing them.

Colcannon Cakes Recipe
You can also add some chopped fresh parsley to the colcannon mix.

Here's a fun idea for breakfast, serve the colcannon cakes with a poached egg on top!

INGREDIENTS
Colcannon:

Colcannon:

2 1/2 pounds of russet potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks
Salt
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 lightly packed cups of chopped chard, kale, spinach, or cabbage
1/2 cup of green onion greens, chopped
1 cup milk or cream

Colcannon cakes:

About 3 cups of colcannon
1 cup flour
1 egg
2-3 teaspoons salt
4 tablespoons butter or vegetable oil
Lemon for garnish

METHOD
1 Make the colcannon: Make the colcannon first (see our colcannon recipe.) Put potatoes in a pot, cover with cold, well salted water by an inch, bring to a boil, and cook until fork tender, about 15 to 20 minutes.

Drain the potatoes and remove them from the pot. Melt the butter in the still warm pot, add the chopped greens, cook for 3-4 minutes until wilted, then add the green onions and cook for another minute.

Add the potatoes, milk or cream to the pot, mash until everything is well mixed.

2 Mix with egg, flour, salt, and chill: Mix the egg, flour and salt in with the colcannon. You may want to chill the mixture for 15 minutes or longer to make it easier to shape the patties.

3 Form into patties: Form into little cakes of whatever size you want, but make them flat so they will cook through without burning. If the mixture is too wet, add more flour until the mixture is easy to shape.

4 Fry until golden: Heat the butter or vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Working in batches, place the formed patties in the pan so they are not touching. Lower the heat to medium and gently fry until golden, about 3-4 minutes.

Turn and cook the other side. Let the cakes rest on a paper towel while you cook the others. Serve with slices of lemon.

mig

Thank you Frog yesterday must have been very difficult for you my candles were burning brightly for Aiden as they are now, we will carry on as Aiden would have wanted us to I think he would be cross if we didn't shake ourselves and carry on, my love and hugs to Bill (((()))) .

On a lighter note I continue to be well though I think the RA is trying to rear its ugly head I see my rheumy in january who should have heard from my oncologist about the next course of treatment.My hair has grown back and I had a trim because it was different lengths but I'm keeping it short and spikey.

We are going to our eldest sons for Christmas( he will have a house full )so no cooking for me though we all help with the prep and clearing away.
God bless you all and lots of love Mig.X

ps where can I read your poem Kath.

applerose

Oh poor you Joan. I've had the camera. It was like trying to swallow a garden hose. Awful. Will they not sedate you?

Sorry to hear that Lucy has had two seizures, Toni. I'm sure her friends will be taking very good care of her. Thank you for going to Aiden's funeral on our behalf. I know you were a great friend of his so it was difficult for you. Elfie and a girl elf (can't remember her name. Oops) are staying with my youngest granddaughter over Christmas. They have, apparently, been making rather a mess but they did bring her a new unicorn bed while she was at school. As for the garden, I didn't cut the grass all summer. I loved it. The grass grew to about 2 feet high and swayed in the wind. I found quite a lot of things growing I didn't know were there. At the end of the summer, I cleared a section and have planted lots of things, all mixed up. Will post a picture when they grow.

My auntie has MD Barbara. Sounds awful, especially when you like to do things like the comp or reading. I only manage 20 minutes of a book at a push.

How lovely to have your poem read at Aiden's funeral, Kath. I have tried several mobility shops and opticians. None of them have any idea of where to get a stick. I have a feeling that my son has bought me one as he told me, just after I said I was looking for one, that he's got a funny Christmas present for me. If not, I'll check online after Christmas.

What a strange day yesterday. While at work, I got a glass of water and put it on the worktop. Turned my back to do the ironing. After about 10 minutes, there was a big crash behind me. The glass and water were all over the floor. Got home at 4.38 and found my watch said 11.38, my clock said 1.38 and another clock said 3.38. They were all still ticking. Went in to the living room to find my tree had fallen asleep and was sprawled all over my chair. And I keep losing things and finding them in strange places.
t78020

frogmorton

mig - Lucy's hair was different lengths for ages and the front around the hairline took the longest to come back after her chemo if that helps?

Sorry the RA is making it's presence felt typical :roll:

Christmas will be really lovely for you all this year ((()))

DD thank you for lighting another candle for Aidan I have to agree it is still fitting.

Oh yes Aidan = cake and cake = Aidan! I am told by his Sis in law that chocolate orange cake was his most favourite of all.

Kathleen! The watcher :shock: scary! AN excellent poem.

It was so emotional hearing your poem read out at Aidan's funeral it was wonderful. Bill knew how much we all loved our special friend we aren't 'just people off a forum' are we

I am of course extremely worried about Lucy but am assured by the nurse that I am not needed - gosh it's hard letting them grow up! in fact she's just phoned me and Paul and I will be off up in the morning to see her she wants to see me.

Not putting anything online about it as her Nan (natural father's Mum) is a worrier.

Loving the colcannon cakes

Christine the Elfies of both genders have been up to mischief then - maybe they changed the times on all your clocks :? :shock:

and pushed the tree over. How odd.....spooky!
Lucy had 3 seizures in the end, but just rang me Paul is back from London so we will go up in the morning to see her.

The grass probably appreciated being left 'fallow' you know did you see the pic of the cows in my garden on Sunday morning?

Pictures yes please!!

Barbara next time I travel up I hope Aidan gets me a seat The trains were heaving with Christmas shoppers etc.

He will definitely be watching over Tosca, Bill and Bill Snr with Pepe and Cookie nearby with him. His own Mum and Dad too and Bill's mum t4591 t4591 t115006 t115006

Gosh yes we'll get the cloak out for Christine's eye op. Of course we will ((())) I hope you still have Niamh to keep you happy.

I'll have to work Aidan's chocolate orange cake but in the meantime I hope this will do for him and us:



Love to you all

Toni xxx

barbara12

Evening all Niamh had gone home now..but will be back soon she says
Toni what a worry you have with Lucy..like you say it's so hard has they grow up..but extra hard for you t4591 ..I hope all is well when you get up there.. will Paul drive :?:
Thankyou for the chocolate cake..you are getting good at this baking..
DD it's nice of you to light candle for Trish and Val..they would have like that..xx
Mig glad your hair is back, bet it looks nice all spiky ..I hope your appointment goes ok and then your next treatment can go ahead..you enjoy your Christmas with your famliy xx
Christine you might have ghost.. :shock: ..but like Toni I think it's that naughty elf ..I remember you said you wasnt cutting the grass..its amazing what wild flowers spring up..we just left a patch at the top the garden..was hoping for hedgehogs.. but none has yet
Kath another brilliant poem..but scary...you did the forum and Aidan proud with the one they read out..Bill must have liked it very much
Right I will give these eyes a rest
Sleep well everyone
t4591 t8011

frogmorton

Good morning everyone

I was awake since 3am worrying about EVERYTHING! Bill, Tosca and Bill's Dad, Charley, Tia Christmas cards you name it, but especially how Lucy is doing. 3 seizures is too many. We'll be off up to Glasgow about 8am. The furthest we've ever had to rescue her after a seizure before this was Manchester Piccadilly! :roll:

Barbara yes Paul will drive up. It will be fine he's a good driver and I feel safe in the van hopefully the roads will be nice and quiet.

Niamh has gone for now I bet the house is quiet she is a little ray of sunshine that one!

I think it's just lovely that Bill knows how much we care and has hopefully taken some comfort from our words of love and grief.

Joan I hope you're ok and Sue too and that you're not to disappointed about not having the camera. I'm sure the Dr will still be able to help.

Does anyone remember how much Aidan loved butterflies and called them earth angels? Well that was said too at the service 'Aidan - our earth angel'. He's now a real angel.



An earl angel for him Cookie and Pepe.

Right off to locate some food for us all:



a bit of this and that so pick at what you fancy.

Love to everyone

Toni xxx

dachshund

Morning everyone
. Toni I'm sorry about Lucy i had hoped there was no more of them it's a shame ((((((((((())))))
. How is Bill and his dad thank you for going on Friday we will never forget him ((((((())) Bell ((((((())))) Dad ((((((())))
. Barbara Niamh will keep you busy over Christmas and her sister ((((((()))))
. Kathleen I hope you are coping thank you for the poem's (((((()))))
. Christine did you find a white stick in the mobility shop (((((())))
DD thank you for lighting the candles (((())))))
. Mig you have done so well ((((((()))))
take care love to Carol ((((())))
. Joan xx

dreamdaisy

Morning everyone, I don't know about you but we have a dreadful day here, grey, damp and incredibly dull. Mr DD tried to cheer things up by dropping his cup of tea all over the cream carpet at his side of the bed. Careless or what? Yup, what.
:x

Frog, I am so sorry to hear about Lucy: I wish you and Paul a safe journey and I hope your girl is OK.

I am plagued by the nagging feeling that something important for Christmas remains undone but, for the life of me, I have no idea what it is. Do you find that the day itself can often be an anti-climax? DD

t8011