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Post by brightspark on Jan 27, 2023 19:07:18 GMT
Hi everyone,
"Are you sure you didn't intend to melt the butter so you could make them? " Iris, to be honest? You would be forgiven for thinking that but no I didn't, though it worked well ! Ha ha - you know me well !
I took the carrot cake to quilting this morning and it all disappeared (!), although I had cut all around the edge because I made it in a tray-bake tin, so I cut it to fit the cake box. Then I cut it into 20 squares. I still have the gingerbread cake, plus all the cut edges from the carrot cake, with the soft cheese topping spread on them. We won't go hungry...
The marmalade I made yesterday has set well - 6 jars - and again I added Cognac-soaked dried cranberries - that seems to go down well with everyone!
Tonight we are having fish'n'chips(alv) - from one of OH's CFC Waitrose bargains - he bought a job lot of haddock, and I skinned them and cut them up into portions (2 to a bag) so we have a supply of ready-to-cook white fish - I flour, egg and Panko crumb the pieces. Yummy.
Have a good evening, x
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Post by irist on Jan 30, 2023 18:47:58 GMT
Evening folks. It's been very quiet on here over the last few days. Hope you are all well. I've had nothing of note to post so I'm hoping that's the reason you are missing. I'll keep calling in for a catch up.
Take care.
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Post by brightspark on Jan 31, 2023 0:13:42 GMT
I'm okay Iris, but as it is past midnight, I will just wish everyone a good night's sleep. x
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Post by paperman on Jan 31, 2023 8:19:17 GMT
Good morning Ladies, I hope this finds you well on this chilly morning, 6 degrees and cloudy.
I guess it’s a sign of how quiet it seems here at the moment that I haven’t posted for a few days.
We had fish and chips on Friday, steak on Saturday, roast lamb on Sunday, shepherd’s pie last night and we’ll have chicken stir fry tonight.
Today I have to go back to the hospital to follow up on my hearing check etc. last week.
I still haven’t heard from DVLA regarding my driving licence and in February it will be 12 months since I sent in my original application. ‘A’ did hers last week on the DVLA web site and got her new licence within just a few days, I don’t think I’ll go through this palaver again when the HGV part of my licence comes up for renewal next time and I’ll let that part lapse and we’ll sell Claris.
I still have some of the cough although it is much improved.
Today, being Tuesday, I have my cleaning lady here but I have arranged for her to do Anne’s place first and then mine, which should be better as I will be down at the hospital for most of it and Anne can come in here whilst her place is being done.
OK., now for some breakfast, please take care xx
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Post by irist on Jan 31, 2023 15:18:41 GMT
Hello folks from a damp SW but at last we are seeing a glimpse of watery sunshine so that's something to be grateful for.
Chris, that's an awful long time to wait for your driving licence to be held up due to the HGV section. I don't blame you for considering selling Claris before you have to go through all the rigmarole again. Hope all went well at the hospital for you.
I'm afraid our calendar at the moment revolves around medical and dental appointments (: Tomorrow I have to take OH back to the dentist to collect his denture that has been repaired. Straight from there I have to take him to the GP surgery about 15 miles in the opposite direction for a blood test prior to a follow up with the GP on 7th Feb. I also have a telephone appointment soon with the surgery Pharmacist for a medication review. It's supposed to be an annual occurrence but I don't remember the last time I had one!
Yesterday I spent far too many hours trying to attach some photos from my phone to an email. I have done this successfully before but yesterday I only managed 3 then things went pear-shaped. I ended up using a USB lead from the phone to my laptop. I had eye strain by the end of what should have been a simple operation. I felt so inadequate and frustrated I could have thrown the phone and laptop out of the window. What a waste of time but the email has gone to its intended addressee so let's hope he gets on with the job I've asked him to do!
Today I've spent until lunchtime in the kitchen doing some batch cooking. So far I've made a cottage pie for our evening meal tomorrow, a rice pudding in the slow cooker to use up some coconut milk left over from the chickpea curry I made for last night's meal and now I have a large batch of beef ragu in the slow cooker to batch up later and put into the freezer for easy future meals. Now I'm going to sit near the sunny window and sew up the little knitted jacket for the great grandchild due in May. I have already been asked to knit another one in a smaller size (jacket not g grandchild!!) - no rest for the wicked .
Enjoy the remainder of your day.
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Post by brightspark on Jan 31, 2023 18:18:41 GMT
Evening all,
We have been considering booking a property for the family for a week at Easter, and everywhere has an 'obstacle'. Whether it is not enough bedrooms/bathrooms. Doesn't have a sea view, or not close enough to the beach - I could go on! We had chosen one, then son found an aerial view which showed a lot of building work. So we did a bit more research, and unbelievably the properties are 4-storeys high, as they were on a hill, but another HUGE monstrosity has now been built very closely behind the property, (the property has a roof terrace with a hot tub) and is now very overlooked. I think the agent involved which doesn't include the large building is in danger of misrepresentation. So, the upshot is, we start again!
Yesterday I prepped a beef casserole, and cooked for a couple of hours. Today it is cooking again - I just have to cook the Brussels sprouts, so nice'n'easy.
We had fish'n'chips too on Friday, Chris. I like using the Panko crumbs for the finishing touch! I hope your hearing check went well. As for the driving licence, this is scandalous - there is no excuse for this delay, and it will be such a shame to have to sell Claris, as I know you would rather not sell. Interestingly, Chris, I still have my very irritating cough. I am taking the Boots' version of Lemsip (has paracetamol) and an ibuprofen, and it gives some respite for a while. I admit I also add honey in with the lemon drink.
Iris, it's a great sense of achievement when the batch cooking is done and in the freezer - and then you can relax a little, knowing that you have the standby meals available. Hospital and doctor's appointments seem to be a lot more frequent as we age. My bro complains that he and his wife have most weeks somewhere to go for an appointment. Knitting for the little ones is lovely, having a little pile of freshly made knits must give you some satisfaction.
I think that it must be time for cooking our Brussels sprouts, so I'll love you and leave you, have a good evening, x
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Post by brightspark on Feb 2, 2023 14:46:09 GMT
Afternoon all - that is, if anyone is out there!
I have now crocheted around the blanket twice - I like to do that to ensure all the sewing up of the squares is kept intact. Although, I now have a bag of more squares, so if I continue to get more, I shall have to make another. Interestingly, the organisation have asked that a butterfly is attached, so I have crocheted a lilac and purple butterfly, and I think I shall also put a label on it to show who made it.
Today I have made a coffee-flavoured tray bake cake, with pecans, chopped inside the cake, and whole pecans on top of it, I have laid it out into portions of 25, so when the butter icing has 'set'. then I shall cut it into portions. I have started to do that now as some folk like cake more than others, if you know what I mean !
This evening, OH has requested turkey schnitzel again - ha, especially as he bought some more Panko crumbs for me - now there is no excuse!
It has become more and more evident that we are chatting far less than we used to - I think we miss Tina, a lot, but I wonder what we should do about it? Suggestions?
Our son has been receiving regular boxes from Oddbox - they rescue fruit and veg from farmers that otherwise wouldn't be able to sell. We had our first delivery last night. Our son said that for him, he enjoys the challenge of trying to find recipes to use some of those that he hadn't bought before, so I thought I'd give it a go. We had in our box: large bag of kale; boxful of sweet seedless grapes; 4 nectarines; 7 Granny Smith apples; a bag of Brussels sprouts; 3 large sweet potatoes; 8 carrots; 2 small swedes (replaced intended peppers); potatoes; shallots; 5 avocados. Recently an asparagus grower found the weather had formed bent spears, and the supermarket rejected them(!), so Oddbox came to the rescue and bought his lot!
The couple who started it said they had tasted a wonderfully flavoured tomato in Portugal which was very misshapen, but delicious. After some research, realised that a lot of food is wasted just because of their shape. Incredible. I remember Hugh Fearley-Whittingstall challenged Morrisons (I think, it was) to sell some courgettes that didn't fit the bill of being straight. However, in my opinion, they were a bit disingenuous because they placed the box of these next to the straight courgettes, but labelled them "ugly courgettes", and asked the same price for them. After all, does it matter if you cut them up and cook them - not all of us are trying for The Masterchef award, we just like our food to have flavour. (When did we start to worry about these things?)
Anyway, now I shall do some searching - currently I am going down the route of cooking the fruits to make a breakfast fruit compote (not the grapes, they are delicious as they are); and the veg I am still working on that. Our son recommends some spicy soups for the veg we're not sure about.
So have a good afternoon and evening all, x
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Post by irist on Feb 2, 2023 19:47:31 GMT
Evening folks. I agree with you Val - I certainly miss Tina. On top of that, I'm not posting much lately as I have a lot going on behind the scenes here and don't have time for much else, other than the usual household matters none of which is very interesting. I would be sad to lose touch completely but I feel at the moment that posting is just another job to add to my daily list. I'd be interested to know what you and Chris think. Have fun with planning with the contents of your Oddbox. I'm afraid a number of the items you received I would not use eg we are not fans of kale or avocados. I'm off to make a drink then back to my knitting - just a bit of me time. Will call in when I can.
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Post by brightspark on Feb 2, 2023 20:52:21 GMT
Evening !
Iris - how do I feel about this - well, like you, it would be very sad to lose contact, and I hope we never do. I just forget sometimes to log in, but if we all continue to log in, just to say hello, and to say we're okay, as there isn't a need to write long posts (although they are very interesting!). I don't want it to end.
Just to add - the Oddbox we have was only approx £9, as I had a gift voucher from my son of £10, for being a new customer. We feel though that the next and all other future boxes will be £19 incl delivery and for the amount of fruit and veg in the box, we feel that, yes we don't mind wonky veggies at all, but I believe that what we received would be cheaper in the supermarket. So having discussed with OH, I shan't be getting another. I am disappointed somewhat.
I cooked up the apples and nectarines with a couple of pears, but OH said they were not very flavourful. So I have made a ginormous pie, with the contents of a jar of mincemeat spread over the base, and topped with the fruit, then topped with more pastry. Perhaps I'll freeze it and save it for when we are with the family for a meal. (It is 12" diameter)
Hope you're okay Chris.
Have a good evening, x
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Post by paperman on Feb 3, 2023 12:36:45 GMT
Good day Ladies, I hope this finds you well, it might be a bit grey but at 12 degrees it is noticeably warmer and some crocuses have come out to join the snowdrops which have been flowering now for quite a while. Looking at the daffodils they won’t be long either.
In the post this morning has, at long last, come my driving licence which started my day off well.
We will be having F & C (ALV) tonight, being Friday and I note your comment about panko breadcrumbs Val, I’ve never used them and it sort of grates with me to go and buy breadcrumbs so I have found this and may well have a go on another day.
Last night I made cauliflower cheese and had the intention of using the green leaves as we have discussed before however most of them had been cut off already just leaving some heavy woody stalks so I gave that a miss but it did give me the opportunity to use up several other bits and pieces I had like mushrooms, half a leek, carrot, peas, garlic and broccoli all of which having been fine sliced I sweated in butter for maybe 45 minutes before adding to the mix.
I take on-board the comments wondering about this site, certainly Tina was a challenge to me early in the morning and like you I miss her too although obviously I do not have the history you two have with her and in a way I have stopped turning on my computer deliberately early since there will be no entry from Tina to start the day.
I don’t have any strong feelings about this and will follow your decision but like you I would very much like to keep in contact.
Finally just to report that my return visit to the hospital for a further hearing check all went well.
Finally, finally Anne is off down to Cornwall next Thursday for a few days. I have said I won’t go, frankly only just recovering from the cold/cough/whatever I got from the grandchildren at Christmas I would prefer to stay away this time. I am though going to run her over to Reading to catch the train and we will overnight Thursday in Reading so she is in good time for the Friday morning train.
That’s it for now, please take care xx
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Post by brightspark on Feb 4, 2023 18:58:23 GMT
Evening,
How is everyone? There is an ongoing saga currently with my bro and his wife (my SiL). SiL is in hospital at the moment, and things are not going very well. She is very confused, and the two daughters are struggling dealing with all the issues. I have had a few hour-long phone calls from them, and one of them is recovering from Covid, and feeling unwell, so I think they need a sounding board.
Today I have cooked a beef casserole, and then I invited our son to join us, so I have added plenty of veggies to 'bulk it out'. I have a few things in the freezer that I could bring out, so I'm considering asking daughter (& family) as well. I have some smoked salmon and crème fraiche and some blinis for a starter. Plus a bag of plums, ready-prepared, to make a crumble. I'll let you know how it goes!
This evening it is smoked haddock and mash and peas, very simple.
Chris, thank you for the link to home made Panko - a good idea. Great news on your licence arriving. Crocus and snowdrops, wonderful - spring is on its way. I guess Anne is required for babysitting at half term?
Iris, having thought about it, like you, I wouldn't normally buy these things in the Oddbox, so just as I started to subscribe, I have now unsubscribed.
Have a good evening everyone, x
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Post by paperman on Feb 5, 2023 11:35:14 GMT
Good morning Ladies, I hope this finds you well, it is somewhat cooler this morning and there may have been a touch of frost overnight. Right now it is 8 degrees with hazy sunshine.
‘A’ isn’t, technically, actually going down to Cornwall to ‘babysit’ as her son is taking a week’s leave at the same time and the pair of them have plans to go to The Eden Project and various other things with the grandchildren. It’ll be a good opportunity for some quality time all ways round and I’ll have the chance to spend a bit of time on a couple of projects that I keep postponing too.
It’ll also give me the opportunity to have a Chinese meal, Anne isn’t a fan of Chinese food so generally we don’t.
Tonight we are having roast chicken (again!) as there were some good looking birds up at the farm when we were up there on Friday, at reduced prices.
It remains quiet in the village here. I need to order the blinds material for Claris so I can get them replaced during this coming month so I need to do some measuring.
Val that’s a very worrying situation with your SIL, I hope all goes well. The beef casserole sounds good, I love those types of meal where you can also throw in other stuff that you have in the cupboard. We were talking the other day about food and I was asked what I would choose for my last meal if I was a condemned man and there was considerable surprise when I said Shepherd’s Pie with plenty of burnt bits round the edges, although Steak & Kidney Pudding ran it very close. Total lack of sophistication when it comes to food; incidentally the best S & K Pudding I have ever had away from home was at Rules in Covent Garden which is reputed to be the oldest restaurant in London and somewhere, if you are so minded, that is well worth a visit.
I had a look at the ‘oddbox’ web site, it looks like a good idea if one is leading a busy life and cannot get to the shops but with many places now selling misshapen or wonky fruit & veg it does seem an expensive option.
Reflecting on both your comments about this site, my preference would be to continue if we can but maybe take away the feeling of obligation to log on every day, Iris you seem to have precious little time at the moment anyway so take some of the pressure off for now, it may ease up in time.
That’s it for now, please take care xx
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Post by brightspark on Feb 5, 2023 15:52:29 GMT
Afternoon all,
Lovely sunny day here. I was hoping that son, who regularly takes a long walk on a Sunday morning, anything from 8 - 12 miles, and he had planned a walk in the Swindon area, so I invited him to Sunday dinner/lunch. However, last night, and out with friends, they watched the rugby then went to the pub ... he doesn't plan to do any driving today !! He used the excuse that he will take advantage of the sunny day by washing his car and chopping some wood. Have to admit, it's a good excuse/reason. Oh well, we have the casserole for a few days then .. I did, however, make a batch of bite-size sausage rolls this morning. I shall freeze them now - well, I may have to test-taste first, of course. (Chris, I have sent you a pic.)
Regarding the site, Chris, I agree with you, and I believe Iris would agree too - none of us want to lose touch, and shouldn't feel obliged to post every day. Ha, shepherd's pie is one of my fave's too, and fish pie, but there's also fish'n'chips. Mmmm, decisions. Hope Anne has a special time with her son and family, a lovely break for her.
Did anyone take part in the RSPB Birdwatch (have I asked that before??). I did. We have a flock of long-tailed tits that seem to be visiting several times each day, and in the hour of the birdwatch we had a flock of seven. Once sent in you get a pie chart of the birds in the garden; and also a pie chart of those across the nation. Interestingly my pie chart showed a third of sightings were the long-tailed tits. The national pie chart had these little birds as the smallest portion in the chart. They are such a delight to watch and to listen to - their little chats amongst each other. What I find quite comical is the possessiveness of some birds. A moment a go, I watched two yellow-beaked blackbirds (males) expending an awful lot of energy just chasing each other, and seeming to say "this is my patch, not yours!" The robin has a similar habit of wanting the feed station to itself.
Chris, OH decided that the Oddbox was expensive for what we had, which is why we cancelled it. I support their idea of having to 'rescue' the fruit and veg that otherwise may end up in the compost, but to be honest, for example, the five avocados are small and solid, and they don't appear to be ripening, only shrinking, and they are very small to start with! A bit of a waste, really.
Well, time to get on, so chat soon, have a good afternoon and evening, x
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Post by brightspark on Feb 5, 2023 15:58:20 GMT
Just out of interest, I note that we have had 64 visitors to the site today - I wonder why they don't just join in - it seems strange that they want to visit and read about our contributions, but stay invisible. A message to all of you invisible folks, please talk to us, and tell us about yourselves - we don't bite, and we're a friendly group.
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Post by paperman on Feb 5, 2023 16:09:23 GMT
Here are Val's sausage rolls. Shame you're so far away Val x
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