The (not so old) Crocks Cafe

Horace

Sounds like you had a fab time - I love it when its diwali because all around everyone sets off fireworks.

I have had a very busy morning - dashing to buy a hamper for a mate, then back home, then out again to deliver some leaflets for the conservative councillors in exchange for a free lunch. Had a great time today and got plenty of exercise - I am still trying to work out why I always had the side of the street with steps to all the houses Still it was in a lovely area called Austin Village which consists of wooden houses built by Sir Herbert Austin for the workers at his factory (which now looks like an orange wasteland). I was told that the walls inside these houses are moveable so you can have any layout you want and they have gardens too. Mind you, they are hard work because you would need to paint them every year.

My feet are sore now because they feel as though someone has stomped on them. I have stacks to do at home but really can't be bothered, I also need to wash my hair and have a bath (my chap is visiting again - no doubt he will turn up at 5pm demanding to go out, demanding his dinner and moaning that I will want to stay in and watch Strictly).

I can still smell the wafts of warm madeira cake but all there's left are crumbs

bluedog

Morning all. Can't believe I'm the first in today!

I'm not the greatest cook, but meat is in & veg is ready for roast today, fires stoked, cats fed, food put out for the birds, dish washer emptied ...... and now I need a rest. Can someone else do yorkshire pud please or you'll all be complaining of belly ache as mine are always super-stodgy ?

Yesterday was a bit of a wash-out as the week's events caught up big time and the meds weren't working on the pain. DS and my partner cooked the next batch of christmas cakes for me so only 1 more left to do now. Much of today will be spent trying to get car insurance sorted out - hope I'm not alone in finding it sooooooo confusing in finding the right one at the best deal.

sharon59

morning bluedog! Can l book a roast lunch please!I'll give the yorkshires a go but not sure they will be better than yours would-if any better cook comes along they can feel free to take over! I can do a pretty good apple pie so lm told so will get cracking on one.
My hubbies car insurance s up dec 5th so you have reminded me that l will be doing same as you later-its a pain but great when you get a good deal!
hope everyone else is ok -my back bearable if dont do much -so great relief
sharonx

rosieben

Morning all, I'll put my name down for a roast dinner too please; I've brought in another madeira Horace so don't despair! no cherries I'm afraid, got them on next week's shopping list though because. I love cherry madeira!!

Its very mild here, still damp but lovely to be able to have all the windows open and get some fresh air all through the house. I actually have an opening window in the kitchen now, so that will help when I burn the toast

I spent most of yesterday sorting through a pile of paperwork that's been collecting for the last 3 months :eek: I've done most of it now, but just need to sort out my cash book and my recipes folder. I've printed off lots of very simple OS recipes and getting rid of some which I know I'll never use. My idea of a simple recipes is something with about 5 ingredients and I must have at least 4 of them in the cupboard! Lucky I keep a good store cupboard though! So that will be my task today, might put one load of washing on later so I can hang it to dry overnight.

Bluedog and Sharon, hope you have a pain free day, take it easy!

Horace, you've worn me out with your leaflet-ing, I'll have to sit and have a cuppa to recover

The_Dragon

Pass me the mixing bowl please, now flour .... yep, eggs ...... yep, milk ...... okay who's pinched all the milk!!!!!!!!!! No Yorkshires without milk *humph*

Ahhh THERE it is in the other fridge, now we are cooking on charcoal! Now if everyone is going to eat these the traditional way I need to get cracking as you have them first with some gravy, that way you don't have as much meat! Now for the vegetarians I have some Quorn mince and I will make up a big pot of mince, onion and veggie gravy for pouring into Yorkies.

zzzLazyDaisy

Hi Dragon, am I too late for sunday lunch? I remember my best mate's mum used to serve huge yorkshires with onion gravy before a meal - we were stuffed before we started the main course - which of course was the idea

I have spent the morning going through a paper mountain too, Rosie. Half of the stuff has gone straight in the recycling bag, as I can't remember why I kept it. I now have several little piles on the lounge floor that need dealing with and/or filing. But annoyingly I cannot find the letter that started the mad clear-out in the first place. I KNOW it is here somewhere.... I remember putting it in a safe place so I'd know where it was when I needed it........

So I've come to the cafe for a break and a cuppa :rolleyes:

The_Dragon

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

Hi Dragon, am I too late for sunday lunch? I remember my best mate's mum used to serve huge yorkshires with onion gravy before a meal - we were stuffed before we started the main course - which of course was the idea

I have spent the morning going through a paper mountain too, Rosie. Half of the stuff has gone straight in the recycling bag, as I can't remember why I kept it. I now have several little piles on the lounge floor that need dealing with and/or filing. But annoyingly I cannot find the letter that started the mad clear-out in the first place. I KNOW it is here somewhere.... I remember putting it in a safe place so I'd know where it was when I needed it........

So I've come to the cafe for a break and a cuppa :rolleyes:

Not a problem - it will only take me a minute to heat some more through, I made extra for freezing and re-heating through the week!

M.E.

Things breakdown in threes, so they say!
Well the freezer doesn't freeze so I had to disseminate the contents to neighbours.
Now the linked fridge has frozen everything.
How bizarre is that.
Engineer can't come till Friday to mend the freezer and will look at the fridge part then.
I said oh heck and thought much more rude words.
It is less than 9 months old as well. I've asked for a replacement. Got transferred to a different department and am waiting for a return call.
Then the camera had gone phut but we got a replacement as it was under three months old.
So we have been somewhat unlucky in the electricals... but the company in the cafe is lovely.
I do a mean yorkshire pudding. So I assume everyone had a large fluffy one from my kitchen;);)
Followed by spicy pears and cranberries with yoghurt.
Have still to make the gooseberry crumble, but will give extra large portions to those in need of a humble crumble or even a humble hug.

zzzLazyDaisy

Gosh M.E. stay away from the cafe's electricals please.... :rotfl:

altocumulus

oh darn it, the bulb has just blown in the cafe - anyone got any candles ?