really old style living?

NualaBuala

It would have to be chocolate cake mardatha. :EasterBun

annie123

Had 3 days 'work' unexpectedly.
Got a phone call from an old work colleague saying.....help!
Over the last 3 weeks both her and hubby had lost their jobs and both had changed within the last year so nothing in redundancy payment.
Now between them they earned £80k you'd think they would have savings, they do, almost £3,000!!! earmarked for a winter holiday, well not anymore.
2 kiddies under 5 who have everything you could possible think of, every gadget you can buy is in their home.

She remembered when we work together that I was always called tight with money, I called it prudent:D and wanted help quick.

So we have turned 1/4 of their massive garden into a veggie plot about 1/2 the size of an allotment.
They wanted chickens but I suggested they got themselves into an old style way first, just to make sure it is for them.
They used agency gardeners and cleaners, they've gone now
She can sew and knit which is good, and her kids got mucky in the garden for the first time and loved it, took them out blackberry picking yesterday, which they loved too.
When I arrived on Monday they were sitting in front of the TV which they did everyday for hours, for a change they would play computer games:mad:
Kids need to run around, get mucky, interact with nature. She was amazed how quickly they fell asleep in the evenings.

So now I can start on my window quilts/jam making, whilst having a vision of Mardatha dressed in knitted commando gear on a quad bike looking for multi coloured sheep whilst speaking Gaelic :rotfl:

NualaBuala

annie123 wrote: »

So now I can start on my window quilts/jam making, whilst having a vision of Mardatha dressed in knitted commando gear on a quad bike looking for multi coloured sheep whilst speaking Gaelic :rotfl:

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Or maybe with some blue daubed on her face like Braveheart!


Annie that was a great thing you did for that family. I agree about kids playing in the muck. Childhood seems so different nowadays (hark at me - I'm not a wise old woman yet!) - too many computer games even when it's sunny and not enough bike-riding and playing outside. But of course parents are afraid to let their children go and play out of sight. I think that's so sad - I had such freedom as a child.

I think there are so many people with fancy lifestyles they can no longer afford who will turn to old style ways. I really think it's "in fashion" now. But I wonder how long it will last? The economic problems won't last forever and people will forget how tough things are now.

Winged_one

There are some very thought provoking points of view on this discussion - for me at least. There are already some things that I am starting to think about and whether my long term dreams are any way realistic (I am from the countryside, just not actual farmers).

DH was laughing at me last night - it got chilly during the day so I put on my cardigan that I keep under the desk for such events and left it on. Got home and while DD finished her dinner, I got started on sewing the seams of a knitted cardi that I am giving as a present tomorrow - he came in and called me a little old woman - with the cardi on and doing my knitting!! (I am only in my mid-30's!).

Janebo12

Hi I'm a bit of a lurker on here as I don't often get lots of time on comp esp during school hols! Anyway, I've noticed that many of you make your own yoghurt and thought you may like this recipe I was given - I made it yesterday and it is gorgeous (especially if you can wait a day to eat it!)

Yoghurt cake.

1 pot of plain yoghurt (use pot as measure for the rest of the ingredients - of course if you make your own, the pot size I used was 150g)
2 pots self-raising flour
a pinch of salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 pots caster sugar
1/2 pot sunflower oil
2 eggs
grated lemon zest (although I used a squirt of lemon juice which was fine)

1. Mix ingredients well

2. Put into well greased cake tin, about 7" / 18cm in diameter (I used 8" tin)

3. Bake at gas mark 3 or 160 deg C for 40-45 mins

4. Leave to cool and Enjoy!

PS if you leave the cake for a day in a tin it goes sticky on the top.

I don't make my own yoghurt at present, but have been reading up and as soon as I can I will get a flask and start.

Oh, BTW I found a good book in the library the other day called "The Book of Rubbish Ideas" by Tracey Smith

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Book-Rubbish-Ideas-room-room/dp/1906136130/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1281616935&sr=8-1

It has loads of good ideas in it for old style living (including making yoghurt lol) - it may be of use to somebody!

hth

zarazara

yummmmmmmmm
2 more loaves baked and going to do some cake and scones later. I really love this OS living. Taking pleasure in cooking and cleaning ,gardening too. If and when my washing machine breaks down I am seriously considering not replacing it and doing hand washing only. Some of the best things I've ever done is get rid of the microwave and the telly and the dishwasher. LIfe is so much calmer and sociable,one of us washing the pots the other drying and talking whilst doing it. Waiting for things to cook ,bread to rise and doing a bit of cross -stitch. So much calmer and leisurley,ironicaly, for having more to do!

ginnyknit

Just got this months cross stitcher mag - a rare treat and theres a metrushka doll chart , just what I was looking for for a christmas pressie. and theres a free frame and madeira thread - just the colour for Peter Rabbits jacket. so well worth the money. got ball of brown wool - thanks Mardatha got one off market - so can finish dds throw tonight.

Zarazara i have to agree that getting out of the rat race is so nice. Today has been lovely despite the storm outside and am looking forward to dd moving out so we can relax more and get organised better. i wouldnt have missed being with her for her pregnancy and Michaels birth but now we need a bit of us time. Its so satisfying making all the things we can and now I can look forward to helping Dd setting up her home too.

Janebo12 I use that yoghurt recipe al lot and have tried loads of different yoghurts in it, if its for visitors I use a luxury toffee yoghurt -62p from Mr T and its fab but works just as well with homemade and a bit of flavour such as jam or vanilla extract. Thanks for posting it as i lost my copy

NualaBuala

I just remembered I have yoghurt in the freezer to use up so will try that cake. It sounds delicious - thanks for sharing the recipe Jane!:T I wonder could I add some fresh fruit to it - I had the most delicious raspberry and yoghurt cake last year and I still drool a little thinking about it!

ginnyknit

Its quite a dense cake so takes a bit of fruit well, wish I had know this recipe years ago cos its perfect for lunch boxes.

NualaBuala

Thanks Ginny, I think I might give it a whirl one of these days.