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Post by irist on Jan 11, 2021 19:12:17 GMT
Oh Tina, please take care. Sending hugs and hope your heart has calmed down now. We did think about fostering years ago but I couldn't face having to let a little one go. You must have made lots of children very happy and loved over the years. What will you do with your felt bread, eggs etc, Val? Will they decorate a quilt or be used as toys for a child? Like you, I haven't achieved much today apart from take OH to the dentist where he had an impression taken for his denture repair. We have to go back again tomorrow so the dentist can check the denture fits well. Truro looked desolate. So few essential shops open and so few people which was a good thing. I felt quite safe with my mask on outside and OH only took his off while having the impression taken. I did pop into M&S foodhall for my coffee and a red pepper then we immediately came home. There were no queues and people were keeping their distance. The weather has changed here and we are supposed to reach 11c tomorrow although the flipside of that is rain and high winds. Can't have it all You sound really happy in your new home, Aly. So pleased for you. Must now sort out what we will have for dinner tomorrow night so I can take any ingredients out of the freezer. I bought the red pepper to use in a pork stroganoff so it may be that. Enjoy the rest of your day.
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Post by ambersparkle on Jan 12, 2021 9:18:42 GMT
Morning Girls, supposed to be a nice Day, well, the Snow is dazzling, will say that! Am going back to Bed, which I hate doing, but for a couple of Hours, anyway, then get up and do very little. Do hope Jan, is ok and just taking time out. Must put a Wash on, you just can't say, am doing nothing. Have to stay up to let the Carer in, as she will need to put on my Socks, hopefully, I will manage to put my Padders on. Be back Lunchtime, have a good Day. Tina x
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Post by Aly on Jan 12, 2021 11:19:47 GMT
Morning Thick drizzle here which is horrid. Took the recycling to the bins this morning. My beautiful fitted kitchen has two fairly small recycling bins so training myself to empty them as often as needed to avoid having excess hanging around in bags. Doing well with emptying boxes but it takes a while to find homes for things. Taking the opportunity to thin things out further. Had a phone call from normatrans a French delivery company to check our address for a delivery tomorrow afternoon. This should be the chicken coop. We also have wood being delivered tomorrow, we are now using a company who pack it onto pallets.which means no stacking. It is a bit more expensive but worth it we think. First thing P has to go for fasting blood tests. He will call in at our doctors surgery which is opposite to give them our new address. The notaire gave us two bits of paper with our new address one has the price on the other doesn’t. They are called attestation of moving. It provides proof we have moved. Back to the boxes.
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Post by irist on Jan 12, 2021 12:02:49 GMT
Morning ladies. Misty and drizzly here but no high winds yet which is a blessing. Have been to the dentist and we are back home. The new tooth on the denture had to be reshaped slightly but all good now. Nothing much planned for the rest of the day. I'm hoping to get hold of the local woodburner company who fitted the one we have just taken out. They are reliable and have good reviews. I've seen photos of some of the work they have done and it is very impressive. I'll take their advice on the stove which would be most suitable. They have a showroom which, in normal times, we could visit by appointment but not sure it would be sensible at the moment. Although the R rate has dropped slightly over the last few days in Cornwall can't take unnecessary risks in view of OH's health. I suspect the company has a backlog of work and that stoves may be hard to come by from the manufacturers. There's no rush for us. I'll have time to repaint the hearth when I can get hold of the heat resistant paint and OH can seal the vent pipe which is funnelling the noise from the air pump outside into the lounge. My polystyrene "plug" has deadened some of it but it would be good to reduce it as much as possible.
Exciting times with your chicken house arriving, Aly. Will bring your garden alive when the chooks are there. Good idea to have palletised wood delivered. We couldn't get pallets through our woodshed doors (it used to be our goat shed!) so had to stick with small lorry loads. OH used to stack the logs when he was able but over the last year I've had to deal with the deliveries. I just threw the logs into heaps - not ideal but still hard work.
Good idea to rest, Tina, after your heart scare. I'm sure you have plenty to occupy you in the way of books and cardmaking etc. Take care.
OH requested a pasty for lunch so we picked one up from our local shop whilst collecting our paper on the way back from town. So will make something light for tea tonight. I've take out some chicken pieces from the freezer which I'll turn into a chicken casserole and portion up to refreeze. Unfortunately OH unpacked some of my shopping last week and put the portions in the freezer. I didn't realise until too late - I usually freeze them separately and take one out for myself when OH has a pork chop.
Hope you are OK Jan. Please don't leave us again! Take care all.
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Post by brightspark on Jan 12, 2021 16:26:21 GMT
Hello ladies,
Ha, remember I mentioned that OH had bought the DVD for "The Greatest Showman"? When opened, it wasn't that one inside!! It was "New Tricks". We are having to order another - the company told us to keep it or give it to charity. Shame though. My knitting yarn, ordered from The Netherlands, went "on tour"(!), and as I hadn't heard from them, I tried to get an update on their 'chat' menu online. They told me that they are 'in discussion with GLS' (GLS are the postal company). Doesn't look like my yarn may arrive soon, then...
Iris, you asked about the felt food - I have the pelminism game that I made for two littlies, and when I saw the how-to making felt food, I thought I'd hold off sending the game if I could make them some play food. Ha, I might just send the game and forget about the felt food.
Tina, hope you're feeling brighter today. Look after yourself. Looking forward to your daily storytelling.
Aly, quite exciting getting your chicken coop! Am I right in thinking that you have kept the beehives too? You'll soon be wondering why you didn't move earlier!! Next project I guess will be the fencing.
Come on Jan, where are you? Just hope you haven't taken a tumble while still healing.
When we came back from France, I brought some Brick pastry home which is similar to filo pastry, only thinner. I think you have to be 'in the mood' to use it, as it was quite fiddly. I first saw reference to it on Delia's website, she used it roll up pieces of Christmas pudding, but I fancy a savoury one. They are rolled up a bit like the spring rolls from the Chinese take-away, which I love. We've now finished the little pies that I made with that lovely new pastry recipe. So, I would like to make something similar with the Brick pastry. Today I made spicy carrot and parsnip soup. 3 small onions; 2 large carrots; two parsnips, and pint of vegetable stock plus seasoning. I then added a tablespoonful of curry powder. Quite thick, as you'd expect and it kept its heat, too.
Have a good evening, x
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Post by ambersparkle on Jan 12, 2021 20:31:20 GMT
Marginally better today, but still looking and needing a hot Bottle on my Tum, it does help by relaxing the Muscles in the Stomach. It would be nice if you had any Questions about the 'Story' give me some Leads, so to speak. I do hope an is ok, it has been so dangerous underfoot. Hoping Tomorrow will have my Mojo back. Night, Night, love Tina x
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Post by ambersparkle on Jan 13, 2021 9:28:15 GMT
Morning Girls, a miserable Day, no dazzling Whiteness, just dripping and cold. My Stomach Bug, is still with me, but not as bad, not much News, in fact none, but am very happy, that a Dear Friend, was approved as a Foster Carer yesterday, am over the Moon for her, and for the Children She will foster. I really wish I had something to talk about, but I don't, so will be back later. Fitted Kitchens are not the norm in France, so you must be over the Moon, Aly, and having such Fun getting everything in Place.x love to all Tina x
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Post by brightspark on Jan 13, 2021 10:21:54 GMT
Morning all,
This has come to our attention:
petition.parliament.uk/petitions/569214
It is a petition to stop the use of the bee-killing pesticide.
Please sign it, as our bees are already struggling, and we really can't do without bees...
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Post by Aly on Jan 13, 2021 11:21:04 GMT
Morning As a bee keeper myself I deplore the use of pesticides that kill them. I lost three hives to the Asian hornet over the last two years which is also a problem. I plan to start again this year with one hive then see if they swarm next year so I can populate the other two over time. I love working in the garden with the bees buzzing about. My new saucepans came first thing delivered by what looked like a farmers van. They are space saving with handles that can be removed so easier to store. I could no longer manage the Le Creuset pots. I am keeping the China bits that were a retirement present from my last place of work. My kitchen is from IKEA with a beautiful electric oven and gas hob. I have a gas canister that takes up a cupboard which is normal here. I absolutely love my new kitchen and the fact it is easy to keep clean. The whole house is easy to clean even with the wood burner in the lounge. Put together the armoire yesterday evening so P has his clothes hung up. Need to find another for me. Slowly getting there. We have a large ornate dresser in the lounge that I have now filled with best glasses and some of my special China. I have a beautiful cheese plate with a mouse on it and a cheese knife that has a mouse on the end. It was a present years ago and has hardly been used. It is wonderful to finally be using these things. No more managing with a halogen oven and two ring hot plate. The gadget P ordered for finding wood, metal and wires in the wall has come so finally the cat flap can go in. Lola cat briefly investigated out doors today. Now waiting for the chicken coop to arrive and the wood. Another grey day but might get into the veg patch for a bit.
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Post by irist on Jan 13, 2021 13:43:52 GMT
Hello all. It's a grey day here but not misty or drizzling for a change. I've spent part of the day in the kitchen and have the slow cooker full of chicken casserole bubbling away, three chicken pieces cooked separately and cooling ready for the freezer and all the ingredients for tonight's pork stroganoff chopped ready to cook later. In between chopping etc I've been helping OH to replace a full length mirror on the door of our fitted wardrobe in the bedroom where the new tank is now situated. We bought two lots of mirror screws - the first without grommets and the second set with. Neither of them can we use without adaptation as the screw heads are too small for the predrilled holes. So we've had to cut some corrugated card to use as a spacer behind the mirror and OH has fashioned some washers from a plastic lid. This afternoon we will find out if this works.
The plumber has just arrived to hand over some documentation. Be back later.
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Post by ambersparkle on Jan 13, 2021 16:19:51 GMT
Back again, feeling marginally better that I did. Is there a Veg Patch there already, or do you have to dig one Aly? The Ground will need turned over anyway, to let any late Frost break it down. My Daughter laughed, when I told her I was getting another Greenhouse, the Greenhouses I have had, and just given away. Keeps me happy looking at them, it will be a small One, enough for Tomatoes, and Cucumbers. Felt like making myself some sort of Dinner, then got a Stomach Cramp, so better leave it another Day, and stick with Custard. My Mum, always used to say, Custard , puts a lining on the Stomach.Don't even think I can have Custard, just got another lot of Cramps. My Sister, just phoned, and she said they have all had it. Seems to be going the Rounds.
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Post by ambersparkle on Jan 14, 2021 11:45:00 GMT
Morning Ladies, no One been on to cheer me up, and boy do I need cheering, never got my Head up from One thing or another since Xmas. It is the worst Outside, dripping, but cold, and have just spilt a boiling hot Cup of Tea over my Hand. What about a Limerick, here goes, THERE WAS A YOUNG LADY FROM LEEDS WHO SWALLOWED A PACKET OF SEEDS SHE SAID, I DON'T KNOW, REALLY, IF THEY WILL GROW BUT I CANNOT SIT DOWN FOR THE WEEDS! Does a little Jig, well, more a Wriggle. Everybody is so down, at the moment, trying not to be, but it is hard, going to ring a couple of Friends, because, everybody likes to be thought of. Better have a Bite to eat, think Toast, is the safest thing, be back later. love Tina x
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Post by Aly on Jan 14, 2021 12:45:19 GMT
Afternoon Morning mostly spent sorting out a transfer of money from my English account to my euro account. A very painful task. Hopefully next time will be easier. Have friends coming for a cuppa and bit of cake this afternoon. Made a chocolate cake. Lots more sorting out done. Now have a clear dining room with just what I want in there. So many boxes to take to the tip. Three of my cats have been out this morning and come home again. Had to leave the dining room window open which they are happy using. This will be their door until the cat flap is fitted. My new chicken coop and run arrived yesterday just need P to put it together. Also our wood came and is sitting under the big back porch neatly on pallets. It meant two very large lorries came down our road then reversed all the way back. Impressed me . Another miserable day here. Quite windy too. P had a disaster in the workshop, a tin of bitumen leaked. Horrid to clear up. I have a fenced off veg patch with two beds and room for more. It has a water butt in place that is fed from the workshop roof which will be great in summer. I want to put a small poly tunnel in too. This year I am going to buy plug plants as they are easier to manage and seem more successful. It will also mean I will grow what is local . Longing to get out there. Keep smiling spring is on the way
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Post by irist on Jan 14, 2021 13:39:22 GMT
Afternoon ladies. Grey, windy but not too cold here so can't grumble. I've even put a line of washing out. I've spent almost the whole of morning sorting out admin. Not my favourite task but necessary. The greater part has been linked to the new heating system. The plumber came yesterday and sorted out a couple of snags for us and handed me a lever arch file filled to the brim with paperwork to do with the heat pump (that's in addition to the inch thick folder I already have!) most of which you would need a degree in engineering to understand. I've contacted the stove company who fitted our ecoboiler (couldn't believe it was fitted in 2011) and they are going to advise on models and costs for the installation of a room heater. Going to be an expensive time as we are going to have a walk in shower fitted in the bathroom too. OH is quite tottery and last week managed to badly bruise his ankle getting out of the present shower which is an over the bath electric sort. Can't risk him slipping and falling so needs must.
I made soup for lunch from the last of the mushrooms I had in the fridge. Tonight I shall have some of the chicken casserole I made yesterday and OH is having beef in black bean sauce with rice. Pud will involve fruit.
Sorry to hear you are feeling down, Tina. Not like you but hope your phone calls to friends will help cheer you. We really need some sunshine to lift us - roll on Spring when at least we should be able to get outside into the garden.
You have done so well, Aly, with your settling into the new house. It will be lovely to see what pops up in your new garden when the weather warms up. Is the fence around your veg patch to keep rabbits/deer/boar out? Hope P was able to clean up the bitumen successfully. I can't bear the smell of it and it must have been a devil to remove.
Hope Val and Jan are OK and their absence is due only to lack of anything to report. It is difficult when we can't go anywhere and have only mundane matters to post.
Take care all.
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Post by ambersparkle on Jan 14, 2021 19:33:41 GMT
Had to phone the Surgery, as my Stomach should be improving, but it is not doing so, so the Doctor is coming out tomorrow, he thinks it is Gastroenteritas, but of course needs to check me out. Will be the first time have seen a Doctor since before Covid. Hope Val, and an are ok. Am going to have an early Night. Nighty, Night. love Tina x
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