It's STILL tough and not getting better - so how are we coping?

katholicos

lilac_lady wrote: »

Flowertotmum - you're showing the way by OS-ing a children's birthday party. My daughter has done the same thing for her children and they've been a great success (mainly because the weather behaved and the children could play outside too). She was shocked when one mum explained why her son wouldn't be attending the party. "He doesn't like parties that are held in a house". He's 6.

Is there any hope for each successive generation?

:eek:

Sounds a right spoilt brat. His parents fault though, children of 6 usually like to have fun with other children along with party food and playing games...undoubtably the boys parents have influenced this 'dislike' of house parties. They are not doing their son any favours!

seasalt_2

Hi flowertot mum, calabrese is what the shops call broccoli - green domes of closed flower buds. Each plant usually grows a central head - mine have never usually been as big as the ones you get in the shops but they were this year - I think "marathon" may be an f1 variety so that may be why - first year I've grown it. You need to cut the head BEFORE the flower buds start to open and go yellowish. Once you have cut that, the plant will then put out side shoots - helps if you keep up with watering and feeding if soil is poor (I didn't feed but I did water) - these are usually smaller but if you keep picking them, the plant keeps growing more.

I grow caulis as well - and they were good this year too, main problem is that they were all ready round about the same time as each other and the calabrese and the spring cabbage so a bit of a glut - and a too small freezer! This is the first year (10 yrs in this garden now) that I have grown decent sized caulis - soil gradually improving with seaweed and compost (was only about half an inch deep over sand when I started gardening here) - they do need feeding and watering - and protection from cabbage root fly and caterpillars - I grow mine under mesh over hoops made of water pipe. They also need to be well firmed in/deeply planted.

Pumpkin is more watery than eg butternut squash or uchiki kuri (onion squash) which is the kind I normally grow, so not quite so tasty roasted. Makes nice soup - I do two kinds - one with onion, apple and rosemary (can add smoked bacon as well if you like) and one with coriander, fennel oregano and garlic (same spices as for roasting it), plus onion and either coconut cream or coconut milk. (Salt and pepper and veg stock for both.) I blitz both so nice and thick and velvety before serving.

Last dish is a risotto made with the spicy roasted squash/pumpkin. Think this one was a JO recipe originally. Have never got on with pumpkin pie a la American Thanksgiving but I'm sure someone else will have a recipe.

Am a bit puzzled about what is and isn't on topic in this thread, pink winged, seems to me almost all of it is about how we are all coping, from OS style b'day parties to OS money management and dealing with debts or debates/thinking about what's on the news. Isn't it all from an OS perspective? I am really not trying to be awkward or argumentative just not sure what counts and what doesn't.

AnnieG

Hello!
we had a sad day today, DS's guinea pig died. He only got it a month ago, so I'm not very pleased with Pets at Home, but didn't think I'd be able to take it back and ask for a refund. It's buried in the garden now. DS had a bit of a cry but he's been much better about it that I thought he would be.
On the flip side.... I've got a job interview next week! The job is 45 miles away and the other side of the Severn bridge so it'd cost me a fortune to get there every day, but I on't feel that I've got much choice. DS (aged 10) will have to have a key and let himself in in the evening, as the childminder I've used previously and would use again as he knows her, finishes at 5.30 and I don't think I'd be home by then. It's a realy worry, but I've been out of work for 5 months now with only 2 interviews...
I saw Martin Lewis on Watchdog earlier. DS announced 'he knows everything' and I had to agree!
A programme about the forthcoming cuts has just started on ITV. That'll cheer me up!!!!
I'm on the lookout for cheap vegetarian meals that don't rely on tinned tomatoes, anyone got any suggstions?!

katholicos

seasalt wrote: »

Am a bit puzzled about what is and isn't on topic in this thread, pink winged, seems to me almost all of it is about how we are all coping, from OS style b'day parties to OS money management and dealing with debts or debates/thinking about what's on the news. Isn't it all from an OS perspective? I am really not trying to be awkward or argumentative just not sure what counts and what doesn't.

I concur. I think it would be very helpful for a definitive list to be given by the Board Guides as to what is considered acceptable posting on this 'things being really tough now' thread.

In one way or another we are all going through tough times so i think more needs saying about what is understood by the BG's to be suitable postings and what are not.

seasalt_2

Sorry to hear about your guinea pig, annie G.

Most of my really cheap veggie meals are variations on potato bakes, with leek, cabbage etc. Sometimes i just put eg cooked leftovers in a dish and top with breadcrumbs and dot with butter, or add a splash of milk or cream and grated cheese and cook in oven.

Or fry an onion with cumin seeds (especially good if including cabbage) before adding potatoes etc and just cook it all in the pan, scraping nice brown crusty bits off the bottom as you go.

Or rice and veg mixtures - really whatever you have got in the fridge! Brown rice with fried onions and mushrooms and maybe a splash of soy sauce is nice.

Or rice with peas or chick peas, onion or spring onion and lots of mint and/or parsley drizzled with oil and lemon (bit like a hot tabbouleh).

I think with the rice and veg meals, the trick is to use only some combinations each time - so it doesn't always taste like the same meal!

Spinach and feta cheese (with nutmeg) - or shredded carrot and leek with feta cheese makes a nice filling for pasties or filo pastries.

If you like eggs, how about vegetable frittatas (spanish omelettes/tortillas?). Works well with spinach again, or onions, peppers,courgettes, potatoes,mushrooms - you don't need much. Sprinkle with grated cheese once it's nearly set and brown under grill.

Vegetable pakoras/bhajis served with rice/naan bread and mint/yogurt dip? You really need gram flour for these. From asian shops.

Lentil dal? Vegetable curries? Soups? Pasta? HTH

Fruball

Lindy_-_Loo wrote: »

I never realised that, I always thought your NI was paid while your children were in education or receiving child benefit. Even getting a part time job may not mean you need to pay NI and like you say making the voluntary payments may not be visable

SEASALT AND LINDYLOO

I have been worried about NI Contributions as I am also self emloyed but earning peanuts atm and was worrying about paying voluntary contribution... With 2 little ones does that mean I don't have to pay until they are 12?

If that is correct its a weight of my mind (for a few years at least!)

Anybody know about this?

Many thanks

Pink.

seasalt wrote: »

Am a bit puzzled about what is and isn't on topic in this thread, pink winged, seems to me almost all of it is about how we are all coping, from OS style b'day parties to OS money management and dealing with debts or debates/thinking about what's on the news. Isn't it all from an OS perspective? I am really not trying to be awkward or argumentative just not sure what counts and what doesn't.

Hi seasalt,

I know that you aren't being awkward or argumentative.

When Martin first set up the board he described the Old Style concept as ''all about being clever, and using older methods to cut costs. In many ways its about doing things yourself without relying so much on modern consumerism."

Old Style birthday parties, money management and dealing with debts etc would all be considered on topic in an Old Style thread. However, debates about world affairs and what's on the news is not strictly Old Style, but relative to all of MSE so these topics are much better placed on the Discussion Time board.

I hope that this helps to clarify things.

Pink

anguk

Frugal wrote: »

SEASALT AND LINDYLOO

I have been worried about NI Contributions as I am also self emloyed but earning peanuts atm and was worrying about paying voluntary contribution... With 2 little ones does that mean I don't have to pay until they are 12?

If that is correct its a weight of my mind (for a few years at least!)

Anybody know about this?

Many thanks

This should explain about National Insurance Credits for parents & carers:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Caringforsomeone/DG_10018691
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Pensionsandretirementplanning/StatePension/DG_183760
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/life/benefits/national_insurance_contributions_and_benefits.htm#credits_for_parents_and_carers

Fruball

Pink-winged wrote: »

Hi seasalt,

I know that you aren't being awkward or argumentative.

When Martin first set up the board he described the Old Style concept as ''all about being clever, and using older methods to cut costs. In many ways its about doing things yourself without relying so much on modern consumerism."

Old Style birthday parties, money management and dealing with debts etc would all be considered on topic in an Old Style thread. However, debates about world affairs and what's on the news is not strictly Old Style, but relative to all of MSE so these topics are much better placed on the Discussion Time board.

I hope that this helps to clarify things.

Pink

But we are OS people and we live here on this board

We are comfy here with our friends chatting about things getting tougher and supporting eachother in the face of massive government cuts

Fruball

anguk wrote: »

This should explain about National Insurance Credits for parents & carers:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Pensionsandretirementplanning/StatePension/DG_183760
http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/life/benefits/national_insurance_contributions_and_benefits.htm#credits_for_parents_and_carers

THank you I will sleep easier for that now phewwwwwwwwwww and breathe

(Best I have some more kids before the next 8 years then..... actually,,, No chance, the last ones were IVF and its not possible again so JUST KIDDING!!!)