O/S Daily thread for Saturday 16th August.

mioliere

Hi there - been busy in the garden today making the most of the dry reasonably sunny weather so I haven't had much time on here. I've sped-read the thread and am sending massive (((hugs))) to Kaat for poor Archie. You gave him a good life and he's at peace now, bless him.

Floss - Hot Buttered Plums comes from Nigel Slater's Fast Food book; it's really simple. Just grease a pie dish, place buttered slices of bread on the bottom, halved and stoned plums next (cut side up), sprinkle with sugar then put a little knob of butter on top of each of the plum halves. You can make as many layers as you want but finish with plums on the top layer. I baked mine in the Remoska for about forty minutes, covering with foil for the last fifteen minutes. In an ordinary oven, bake for 35 - 40 minutes on Gas 5/180C electric. I sort of squash the layers down once the plums have softened. Today I added some freshly-picked blackberries to the left overs and reheated and it was delicious with clotted cream!

Anyway, I'll try and catch up with you all tomorrow. I've just had a bath and may crack open a bottle of Vino Collapsio so cheers, everyone!

KathyXX

Larumbelle

Evening all

Hugs to those who need and want them, I've not had a chance to read through most of today - someone hacked into my wordpress account and trashed the website - I've spent most of the day getting it back up and running, then I figured I might as well make it prettier... then I realised it was half eleven and almost time for tomorrow's thread!!!!

So much for curling up with my book, eh?!

See you all tomorrow, good night and sleep tight.

And Kaat... I'm still thinking of you. Huge hugs.

whatatwit

Big hugs to Kaat.

smokybabe

Hi guys,

just finished another mount Everst of ironing and put it away. It's been a busy old week and yet not - I feel as if I am taking two steps back all the time at the moment. Eric's bank account has finally been closed and since the cheque arrived I have been in floods. I can't explain why. I broke down in work on Weds and just can't keep a lid on my emotions at the moment. All part and parcel I suspect but I hate not being in control.

The tax credits have decided that I owe them 13 hundred and because the claim with Eric has finished they want it back. Allthough at the same time they have chosen to ignore a letter I put in 3 weeks ago over the reduction in my hours and the extra childcare costs. I will have to phone them on Monday and see what is going on. The childcare for the summer hols is £233 per week and it is severely draining my bank account.

One of the front gates is finally on and awaits painting if and when it stops raining and I have accepted a quote to do the back gaden (before the latest bombshell from the tax credits people). They start next weekend..........

I would like to back out of it but TBH they are doing me a favour and the garden is being done at cost (good to have friends) and once it is done I can allow LO to go out and play. They even feel that they can save some of the fruit trees that Eric planted :T Silly as it sounds I am reluctant to loose them as he planted them ( I can just imagine him telling me off for being silly too!!!)

The kids are fine, just waking me up in the middle of the night (milk, nightmares, wet beds!) and as they have a fairly early bed time usually wake me around 6am and it has made me realise how much another pair of hands makes a difference. Well no - I just miss my Eric so much at the moment. Everything seems to highlight the fact that he isn't here and won't be here again. I am so lonely without him.

Anyway - bed is calling. Gentle hugs to pen-pin, Anniestar and DH, KATT LADY and any one else in need of one.

Smoky. xxxxx