Avoid using GAS and ELECTRIC !

mardatha

Don't try to clean porridge out of anything--fill it with cold water and leave it for 24 hours, then the porridge skin falls out in one.

maryb

I always make porridge with half and half milk and water - it tastes fine (if you make it all with water it's utterly disgusting IMHO) and the big advantage is that the porridge skin falls out with just 5 minutes' soaking. I find if I use all milk it's impossible to clean even a new non stick pan without getting horrible bits of porridge in the washng up brush

mardatha

LOL Mary, I cant stand it with milk, I need water, salt, and cream on top

Uniscots97

kbarty wrote: »

Hi all,

a quick way I've found to make rice bags is to get a pair of girls tights (my dd had a lovely rainbow pair she'd grown out of, prob age 4-5 or something) and chop off the legs where they meet the body. Fill with rice about 2/3rds or whatever and then get a hair bobble and tie it tightly round the end. They hair bobble mustn't have any metal on it though - v important as will be putting in the microwave. And voila - easy quick and nice looking rice bag. I'm going to make some more now I've found more tights, a black one will do nicely for the male members of the family!

Had a bargain in Wilko's the other day. They were selling off the smmer quilts and there was just one left in King size and so I snaffled it. Should have been £6 and as it was reduced once to £5 and then had a half marked price sticker I got it for £2.50!! Is on as main duvet now, but will change it to go under our sheets once it gets cold. Need some for the kids now as all my spare ones go round the water cylinder. Might have enough to spare, must check!

Also made some very basic nightlights for the kids based on Sun Jars. I really liked the look of them but didn't want to spend so much esp as I fancied them for the kids rooms and so I'd need 2. So I got a very cheap solar garden light from the £1 shop, took the top bit off, shoved it on top of a jam jar with some tracing type paper inside and ok it doesn't look brill, but it works and the kids were over the moon with their new lights. Should save a bit on lighting as it gets darker. We've only just weaned the kids off having lights on all night but hopefully these will also help for when they're in bed and I'm still up times.

Thanks for the idea baout the sun jar, I've fancied one for ages but resented the cost. This will be perfect for our en-suite (no windows) if you need to go during the night. Putting the big light on totally wakes me and then i can't get back to sleep!

sammy_kaye18

Well Im getting in some practice now.

We have mudslides galor in south wales valley today - to the point that i can see my village near enough from town if its really clear and it has just cost me........








wait for it








seriously - the bus costs me £2.70 return








ready








£8 in a taxi to get me home to my beloved poochy dog. We are int eh bottom of the valely but far enough that any fallign debris would be near but not on us. Im literally watching people run to the local shop and running back out with more than they can carry. Power (electric) is still to us (thankfully) but the opposite side of the estate is having flickering lights. i have a bag of 42 tealights (was 50 but i used some) so im ok for now. Have plenty of things i can cook easily- ie pasta, soup etc so should be ok for now - also have plenty of bread and the like that doesnt need cooking. I'm jsut praying my bf can get home - there are 3 ways into my village - and they are all around the sides of the mountains. and as far as i know one is completely blocked, one has mudslide warnigns on it (anyone remember the mudslide that went through someones conservatory - well thats the road!) and the other way is the valley floor at the bottom of the mountain so will be easily blocked.

God i hate wales some days

Edited to say
I am now

• filling every available container i have with water
• have dug out gas cooker lighter to light cooker with (gas but electric spark)
• got the fleece blankets on the beds (its still raining)
• am currently making my candle stove
• all windows shut to conserve any heat i get
• checking all friends are ok as they are also either in the village or on the mountain edges
• am tryign to remain calm - thankfully i have my storecupboard so have plenty to last us if we get completely closed off

anyone think of anything else i should be doing???? we had a tornado down our main road in town last week too!!!!

newlywed

sammy_kaye18 wrote: »

anyone think of anything else i should be doing???? we had a tornado down our main road in town last week too!!!!

Charge up any batteries, mobile phone, laptop etc while the leccy is still on??
Get stuff you need for now out of the freezer so that when leccy goes you don't have to open the freezer?

Dig out the board games for when there is no telly? We always used to play monopoly by candlelight at the kitchen table in a power cut

I hope everyone is safe and well

sammy_kaye18

newlywed wrote: »

Charge up any batteries, mobile phone, laptop etc while the leccy is still on??
Get stuff you need for now out of the freezer so that when leccy goes you don't have to open the freezer?

Dig out the board games for when there is no telly? We always used to play monopoly by candlelight at the kitchen table in a power cut

I hope everyone is safe and well

Thanks newlywed - ive got my phone charging up now - and bf is charging his in the car - hes tryignto get home but have told him if its too bad to go and stay at his mates but hes a soft touch and wants to get home to me and littlie.

have found out some cards for us to play later - have the lamp on for my terrapins now so they will have some heat if the electric goes so the warmth will be conserved in their tank. Have got the water on becasue it is so cold at least we will all be able to have baths (ok shallow) but at least its something to keep us warm.

Dug out spare duvet to cwtch in on the sofa and have now got me long sleeved jacket and fluffy socks on to keep me nice and warm - am also feeding little one now whilst the gas/electric is still working so i knwo he has something warm inside him, was hopign to cook bf somethign too but realised i have no way to keep it/reheat it etc for when he gets in because the only available road into the village is crammed with cars - hoping it doesnt slide again like last time

needmoney

So sorry you have all that worry Sammy I hope you all mange to stay safe and warm.

It's cold grey and tipping down here too, who wants to live in Wales with this weather.

rchddap1

Crikey. Good luck to you. Sometimes I hate it where I live....but being around flat land does have its advantages occasionally....mud slides are a bit trickey.

mardatha

It has poured here all day too, roads flooded and the M8 seemingly been a nightmare. Isnt this bloody awful in AUGUST ? Sammykaye the candle stove is brilliant, really. Takes 25-30 mins to boil my big 4 pt kettle, so put it on then go and do summat else. Just noticed my strawberries that I treasured all summer are rotten and mouldy.