How to Get Through The Tough Times The Old Style Way.

maryb

I went on a cake decorating course and they said to use Madeira for cakes that will be decorated. It doesn't go stale so quickly and it's firm enough to trim without crumbling.

My local cake decorating shop sells Madeira mix and looking at the list of ingredients there don't seem to be any nasties - it's just flour, sugar, dried egg etc. You add water and mix for about 5 minutes and it makes a lovely sponge which is perfect for decorating. I costed it and I couldn't make the sponge from fresh ingredients for less. Worth thinking about. I used it for all DD's birthday cakes and they always used to say it was lovely cake.

Re recipes, I use Microsoft One Note. It's brilliant for that sort of thing. You can set up sections for all sorts of useful information and then tabs within that section and pages under each tab, all with one click of a mouse, then just cut and paste into the relevant page. Moving things between sections is very easy too

Pitlanepiglet

jackieglasgow wrote: »

Aldi have a nice Sekt too which is the German equivalent of Cava.

Yep agree, sekt is good, as is something like a sparkling Saumur which is the French equivalent - we buy really nice bottles at 3 euros 99 in French supermarkets!

The Sainsbury's Taste the difference is the more expensive one, they have cheaper ones which tasted OK but gave me a stonking migraine!

Lidl used to do a nice prosecco as well although I haven't tried it for a couple of years.

JIL

Now i need some advice here - I want to buy a bottle of champagne for when we move but dont want to spend a fortune but have no idea what to look for (I personally prefer lambrusco - got no wine palate at all!!) so does anyone have suggestions for a not too expensive nice bottle ?

A knowledgeable lady I work with explained that champagne is called champagne because that is the area in France it comes from. Cava is Spanish champagne, but due to the geographical conditions (like Melton Mowbray pork pies etc) it can not be advertised as such.

Lakeland sell wild hibiscus flowers, that you can put in the bottom of the glass of fizzy bubbly and they change the flavour and turn it pink. There is also a site on the internet that sells ORO its £16 for a bottle of cava but it looks stunning in a glass as it has flecks of edible gold in it.

kidcat

Jil - loving the idea of the hibiscus flowers - wouldnt that be gorgeous for a wedding?

Am so tired now - its been such a rollercoaster of a day - have finally told friends in RW about house ( had told a few but didnt want to tell everyone in case it failed) and my parents relief is tangible - I think they are desperate to see us settled before they get too old to help - and the advantage here is that the house is so new it shouldnt needs loads of work.

Must share our latest drama - DS7 who has ASd is always much worse behaved in school holidays - we are used to it but it does make school holidays full of entertainment!! - started screaming earlier - I dashed upstairs to find he had managed to trap his leg in the slats (metal) of the top bunk - his leg was starting to turn blue!! I panicked and called my dad to find out how to remove slats ( pulled him out of very important meeting ) to discover he had fixed them to be not removable when he last repaired the bed - trying to stop DS taking it apart - had to lever the slats apart - took some doing and as a consequene the bottom bunk has now buckled under the strain of the leverage!!! DS said - oopsy!! And people wonder why I say he is an expensive hobby!:rotfl::rotfl: What I have learnt is that no matter how far ahead of him we try to think he always outwits us so now a new bed is required.

Carolyntia

kidcat wrote: »

Just popping on quickly to share my news -- we have a mortgage agreed!!!!!!!!! Am so pleased I cried at the mortgage broker - oh the embarrassment.

Congratulations Kidcat :j:j:j

espresso21

I'm new here...hope no-one minds the newbie! I came across this thread quite by chance and have spent a while browsing it. There are so many good ideas on here - thanks all. I work part-time and am already finding it hard to get to the end of the month; in a few months time I am going to have my hours cut even more (not my idea!) so things are going to be even more difficult and I am really stressing over how I am going to manage. At least now that I have read this thread, I feel a bit more hopeful that I can do it.

EstherH

Thanks everyone for your suggestions on greasing cake tins. I used foil as ChocClaire had suggested and it turned out great. Will probably try the grease and flour though next time as that will be cheaper. I was doing the tealoaf recipe from the cheap cakes thread. It is so easy and cheap. I can't do links or would put it here.

On the subject of microwave plates I have three or four. They are great for using on buffet tables.

ChocClare

espresso21 wrote: »

I'm new here...hope no-one minds the newbie! I came across this thread quite by chance and have spent a while browsing it. There are so many good ideas on here - thanks all. I work part-time and am already finding it hard to get to the end of the month; in a few months time I am going to have my hours cut even more (not my idea!) so things are going to be even more difficult and I am really stressing over how I am going to manage. At least now that I have read this thread, I feel a bit more hopeful that I can do it.

Welcome espresso21 - we are a very supportive bunch on here as I hope your browsing has shown, so feel free to ask for help or to put your two penn'orth in at any time. As Esther said a couple of pages back, the people on this thread always seem to manage to come up with answers - I have found it very helpful myself, and it's nice to have friends - even if they are perhaps "virtual" friends - rooting for you when times are tough! :T

purpleheather2810

Espresso21, you have come to the right place! You have more strength than you think you do. The wonderful people in this thread will help you find it! xx

Mrs_Veg_Plot

Kidkat congrats on the mortgage. I am not surprised that you cried.

Delamo have you tried learning the lingo? Saying that I have never been able to master another language.

Welcome espresso 21. All newcomers are welcome. They are a friendly bunch on here.

Had lasagne for tea tonight that DD2 made at school. I wish they taught them how to bulk out meals as I find the recipes she chooses for school are usually quite expensive.

Have been saving and crushing egg shells for the last two weeks to spread around my brassicas as a slug deterrent. The seeds I have sown seem to be doing well. Cannot wait to be eating the fruits of my labours.

The big yellow ball appeared this afternoon so OH and I have started painting the fence at the front of the house. It is really quite rotten in places but looks much better for having a fresh coat applied.

This weather brings a fantastic feel good factor with it.