Getting out of my comfort zone

macgirl

Not an easy decision for your Mum to make, but good that she's got there.

Sounds like you're having a good Saturday - good for you!

gilligansyle

Hi Mac

it's because Mum has had heart surgery before that she is nervous about having surgery again. They give you detailed information about the surgery and it frightened the lights out of her. So each time they made an appointment, she cancelled it. By the time she had the bypass surgery, she was really quite ill. This leaky valve thing is something that they may be able to deal with some other way, which is what she is hoping.

It's hissing it down today, so will potter round the kitchen. I am going to make soup and maybe quiche later. Its a while since I baked cakes, but I'll only eat them so will resist the temptation.
Yesterday I bought some mugs and coasters (because I liked the pictures) and am going to make them up as 1 mug and 1 coaster and some chocolate or something, maybe a hot choc mix, all wrapped up in cellophane. So, for £8 I have 4 presents which look far better than a set of mugs and coasters which can only go to 1 person. I quite like the idea of splitting things up like that to make them more added value.

Karmacat

That sounds really nice - I love it when thought goes into a pressie.

"Hissing down" - I like that too

I actually made stuff yesterday - not up to the standard of quiche or baking, just chopping veg and cooking it, putting quorn sausages in ther e too - it felt *so* good to get back to fresh food, rather than pasta with frozen veg thrown in!

gilligansyle

Karmacat wrote: »

"Hissing down" - I like that too

I actually made stuff yesterday - not up to the standard of quiche or baking, just chopping veg and cooking it, putting quorn sausages in ther e too - it felt *so* good to get back to fresh food, rather than pasta with frozen veg thrown in!

Quiche is sooo easy, and a good use of leftover veg. I used to think it was difficult so avoided it. I need to get some smaller cases as I get fed up eating the stuff when I've made it.

Karmacat

If I could make it with gluten free pastry, that would be brilliant - it might end up being a savoury crumble, actually - I wouldn't mind that tho

gilligansyle

Karmacat wrote: »

If I could make it with gluten free pastry, that would be brilliant - it might end up being a savoury crumble, actually - I wouldn't mind that tho

I had an idea in the back of my mind that you needed gluten free, can you get gluten free flour easily?

gilligansyle

Last year I decided that this Christmas was going to be money neutral, and have been giving it a bit of thought as I'd forgotten about it.

I have the money in Paypal, together with some extra due to come through, and around £25 in various vouchers from surveys etc, and that's just up to now. If I really get to work with surveys I can get this up a bit. There is also coke points and HMV points, and I may start shopping in Tesco again. I only need one more fill up at Morrisons to get a £5 voucher.

I have lots of wine left from the cases my friend bought last Christmas, so will make up hampers for the adults. Things I can make:-
chutney
truffles
fudge
mincemeat, mince pies
christmas biscuits a la nigella
christmas cupcakes
portions of christmas cake

none of this can be done yet though.

Search is on for some boxes, baskets etc. have got lots of cellophane still from last year.

I might also have a go at candles or soap again, as I've still got a voucher for the craft shop.
Other than DS, that all works out OK. For his, no idea at the moment.

Can't believe I'm thinking of Christmas in October.

Karmacat

gilligansyle wrote: »

I had an idea in the back of my mind that you needed gluten free, can you get gluten free flour easily?

Yep, its in health food stores & even the sypermarkets now ... trouble is, I have a problem when I have too much yeast as well - so things like crumbles even quiches and flans, and Cheery Daffs' pancakes, are great for me :j

In theory, anyway - I'm not a very good/very practiced cook!




EDIT - the gifts sound wonderful! Do you know how to do all that, or are you going to be learning new skills? I'm in awe.... I'm going to have to up my game to keep up with the people round here looking forward to that, actually!

gilligansyle

Karmacat wrote: »

Yep, its in health food stores & even the sypermarkets now ... trouble is, I have a problem when I have too much yeast as well - so things like crumbles even quiches and flans, and Cheery Daffs' pancakes, are great for me :j

In theory, anyway - I'm not a very good/very practiced cook!




EDIT - the gifts sound wonderful! Do you know how to do all that, or are you going to be learning new skills? I'm in awe.... I'm going to have to up my game to keep up with the people round here looking forward to that, actually!

Those are the things I know how to do, there are plenty of things I would like to do to. I would like to make different kinds of sweets, or little petit fours. I would like to learn to make jewellery properly, rather than just stringing a few beads on an earing wire.

I have a smashing recipe for truffles, using left over christmas cake or pud, which needs no cooking, and also one for chocolate fudge with pistachio which is really easy - I usually make at least 2 Christmas cakes and then split them up as gifts. It was poverty that drove me to make gifts and most people appreciate home made stuff.

Off to work now. The forums have taken ages to load any pages today, not sure if its my computer or something they've done, so I won't chance reading any more until I get home tonight.

Have a good day.

Karmacat

Those sound divine ... mind you, I adore Xmas pud, so never any leftovers when I'm around, not for long anyway