Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2015

JackieO wrote: »

Hi chums is it me or do toasters have a mind of their own? I have yet to own a toaster that works properly.I was at my DDs yesterday and the DGS wanted a bit of toast and butter for a snack after school.No problem says I, and the minute I started to use the toaster to 'pop--up' kept blooming popping up Grrr...

so last night I found a tea cake in the freezer and thought Mmmm a nice toasted teacake for supper with some butter and a scrape of honey,that'll go down well with some hot chocolate (I know how to push the boat out :):)wild living :):))

Blow me down if my toaster also wouldn't stop popping up so no toasted teacake .Now is it just me that toasters don't want to work with, or am I jinxed in some way with two unfit toasters .Anyone else have a toaster problem I am on the point of hurling my toaster in the bin in frustration.Even on holiday I rare manage to get the toaster working grrr

oh how I agree JackieO I don't think I have ever had a toaster that worked exactly how they are supposed to. I have got through as many as 5 in one year. It makes no difference how much you spend they are all as bad. They do as they like.

I am probably as satisfied as I have ever been with my present one. It cost me about £5 and has been under toasting for about 6 years. If I turn it up just the tiniest bit it burns, by burns I mean burned to a cinder. It will not do tea cakes and I agree they are a treat, my late father loved them and would eat them in a tea shop while mum and I had a cream tea. He enjoyed them as much.

Guess what? I have just put the toaster on with nice thick slices of seeded bread.

Pleased that your husband is sorted, Cheerfulnes. It's a good idea to keep warm. February is such a miserable month, but the snowdrops are peeping through the snow here, so the hope of Spring is on its way.

I think you are right the toaster is going to the dump as I hate things that don't work properly and its just taking up space.
I may have a go with my little G/forman grill as someone told me you can make cheese toasties on it so I don't why I can't use it for toasted teacakes I will report back on my experiment :):)

Good evening, Everyone, I've been doing the minimising part of this thread and have been exercising for an hour this afternoon; I feel fine at the moment but am wondering if I'll be creaking tomorrow! I also donated my toaster to my tribe; daughter-in-law was pleased, it takes time to make toast for eight! What was the point of keeping something I never used?

Here's a really cheap, tasty and quick pasta recipe.

Pasta with Bacon and Peas

200grams dried fusilli (or any pasta shapes), salt and pepper to taste, 3 tbsp. olive oil, a finely chopped onion, a finely chopped garlic clove, 100grams bacon bits, chopped neatly (just for the look of the thing, it'll taste just the same if you don't do it), 300ml double cream, 100grams frozen peas, 1-2 tbsp chopped flat leaf parsley, 1-2 tbsp. freshly grated parmesan.

Cook the pasta in boiling salted water with 1 tbsp. oil for 7-10 minutes until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water to remove excess starch. Return to the pan and set aside. Heat the remaining olive oil in a deep pan. Add the onion and garlic and fry, stirring, for 2-3 minutes, then add the bacon and fry until crisp. Add the cream and let it bubble until reduced by half. Add the peas, bring back to the simmer and cook for 2 minutes. Season to taste. add the pasta to the sauce and heat through, stirring, for 1-2 minutes. Scatter with the parsley and parmesan and serve in warm pasta bowls.

Any bets yet on who is going to win the Great British Sewing Bee?

Have a good night, Folks.

Viv xx