As The Workhouse Approaches....How To Do Everything To Avoid It, the Old Style Way

taurusgb

scottishminnie wrote: »

Last year I was getting rid of a dining room table and 6 chairs so as they were in very good condition thought I would do the charitable thing and offer them to a local charity which specialises in furniture.
I called them and explained what I had - they asked for me to email them photos of each of the 6 chairs, front, back and seats and half a dozen or so photos of the table, top, legs etc etc and they would get back to me. I have to say I wasn't best pleased but did it and they called back to say the table etc was obviously immaculate and they would be delighted to have it if I could just confirm how much of a donation I would be making.

I was a tad confused and said what do you mean, I'm donating the furniture? I was them informed they would be looking for a minimum of £25 towards their fuel costs for uplifting the furniture (a total of 8 miles away). I was less than charitable at that point and told them where to get off. I then advertised the table and chairs in a local shop and got £200 for it.

Sometimes you couldn't make it up the bare faced cheek of people:mad:

I'm beginning to wonder if charities have started to lose the plot. My DD wanted to do voluntary work to fill in time and do some good in the world while she looked for paid employment - but every charity she approached wanted her to PAY to volunteer.

My 15 year old DS has helped out as a young leader with the local Beaver group since he got too old to be a scout but has now given up in disgust after they asked him to pay £28 to continue as a helper

As for charity shops themselves, our local hospice shop just closed for a refit. Previously to this books were very cheap, clothing reasonably priced and bric a brac affordable. It was always packed with shoppers. Since the refit everything has been repriced at ridiculous levels and the shop is more often than not empty of customers.

I like to help charities where I can and have bought up my children to do the same, but they only harm their own cause(s) with this new attitude of greed that seems to be spreading fast.

scottishminnie

Sorry to go back to the discussion about freezing flour but I have a question about storing it. Locking tupperware type containers were suggested however I'm wondering could I store it in airtight ziplock bags?

My logic is then I could weigh out set amounts - 8,4,2 oz etc and would be able to defrost what I needed. I know you are probably thinking I seriously need to get a life but that's my methodical side:)

I'm planning a trip to Costco later in the week as I have a few days off so will pick some up then if I can freeze it in bags.
I think I'll also be buying lots of dried fruit given the ridiculous prices in the supermarkets.

littlecal

taurusgb wrote: »

I'm beginning to wonder if charities have started to lose the plot. My DD wanted to do voluntary work to fill in time and do some good in the world while she looked for paid employment - but every charity she approached wanted her to PAY to volunteer.

My 15 year old DS has helped out as a young leader with the local Beaver group since he got too old to be a scout but has now given up in disgust after they asked him to pay £28 to continue as a helper

As for charity shops themselves, our local hospice shop just closed for a refit. Previously to this books were very cheap, clothing reasonably priced and bric a brac affordable. It was always packed with shoppers. Since the refit everything has been repriced at ridiculous levels and the shop is more often than not empty of customers.

I like to help charities where I can and have bought up my children to do the same, but they only harm their own cause(s) with this new attitude of greed that seems to be spreading fast.

Our local charity shops have now started to label clothes as "vintage" and are charging 3 or 4 times what they would have sold for originally
I can only think that they are trying to appeal to the students who live in the area.

katholicos

Suzi, so sorry to read about your furbaby. Hope there continues to be improvement. My own furbaby is 12 years old and I'm dreading the time coming when she bids me farewell.

redlady_1

Suzi - I hope A1 is soon feeling A1. Having just lost the OBB it feels very empty without our animals around us. Fingers crossed for you xx

ChocClare

I don't think your links are working, oldtractor - though I've just been to look at Incredible Edible Todmorden - and very interesting it was too!

Can't remember if I told you I got a big box of plants sent to me on Friday as part of a subscription offer - sadly, there were no beans or courgettes as advertised but far more brassicas. Still, HUGE pile of plants and all for free :T

The only problem is, last year, all my brassicas got eaten alive by Evil Cabbage White butterflies, so I was determined to set up a sort of fruit cage thingy for them this year and bought some enviromesh for the purpose.

I also left a section of the vegetable garden unplanted so that I could put them in. Sadly, this section is now covered in a) grass b) thistles c) buttercups d) onions which are about to flower so I'm leaving 'em and e) wheat. Plus a few nettles.

I meant to clear it yesterday but it was such a horrible day I cowered in the house instead. Today it was LOVELY, but I was running around doing Stuff with DD.

Meanwhile, the brassica plants are stood in water-filled jugs on the kitchen side. Not ideal.

I'm hoping when I come home tomorrow I'll have enough energy to make a start on it. Wish me luck...

redlady_1

CC - I have a fruit cage for my brassicas. Some are already covered with netting but the fruit cage is for the hard core stuff. It is pidgeon central in my garden and they eat everything!!! The main stuff is going in over the next couple of weeks.

Charis

scottishminnie wrote: »

Sorry to go back to the discussion about freezing flour but I have a question about storing it. Locking tupperware type containers were suggested however I'm wondering could I store it in airtight ziplock bags?

My logic is then I could weigh out set amounts - 8,4,2 oz etc and would be able to defrost what I needed. I know you are probably thinking I seriously need to get a life but that's my methodical side:)

I'm planning a trip to Costco later in the week as I have a few days off so will pick some up then if I can freeze it in bags.
I think I'll also be buying lots of dried fruit given the ridiculous prices in the supermarkets.

Even I, famed for my OC tendencies, think that's a little OTT Why not just defrost a whole Lock 'n Lock container and keep it in the cupboard? In the long run it would cost less than all the Ziploc bags you would need to buy, wash and eventually replace. Once the flour has been frozen the weevil eggs are unlikely to hatch, hopefully they're stone dead. You then have freezer space for a bogof or two. Don't forget that it costs to keep things frozen.

grandma247

mamaninie For a start you don't need to put quick yeast in water first only ordinary yeast. I also don't think the recipe has enough yeast really.
I have a recipe I use lots and it is pretty foolproof to me. I call it turbo bread.

White version.
warm water 315ml
marge or oil 1tbsp
salt 1 to 1& 1/2tsp
sugar 1tbsp
milk powder 1tbsp
strong plain flour 600g
yeast 2tsp or 1 package of quick yeast

Place ingredients in the tin in the order they appear.
Use fast bake option or whatever your machine calls it for a 750g loaf and I use the medium browning option you may prefer more or less brown.

wholemeal version
warm water 320ml
marge or oil 1&1/2 tbsp
salt 1 to 1 &1/2 tsp
sugar 1&1/2 tbsp
milk powder 2tbsp
strong wholemeal or brown flour 540g
2tsp quick yeast or 1 package

Place all in the tin in the order they appear.
bake on fastbake option for 750g loaf. I use medium brown setting but you may prefer it more or less brown.

EstherH

Hi, I have been reading on here recently that you can freeze nearly everything. I got a lot of whoopsied satsumas/mandarins and grapes and wonder if I can freeze them and what would they be like when they are defrosted? Would they turn to mush?