My home is a mess

Cat501

jps a sunny day spent sitting in the garden is NEVER wasted!! That's definitely a glass half full moment! I think we all come to take certain things for granted, so imagine being stuck inside without the privacy of your own outdoor space, and ENJOY!!! It won't be long now till sitting out won't be so pleasant, so make the most of it while you can! x

bearcub

Afternoon Messies.

Sonastin, I can understand your need for time on your own. Because OH and I are both retired, and our house is small, we do spend a lot of time togethe. Most of the time, that's great, but I do love the couple of hours every day that OH goes out to see to the horses, then goes for a beer. I actually enjoy my own company. How infuriating about the WM.

Snookey, loved the mouse story! :rotfl:

YL, as Buffy suggested, a journal/diary can be very therapeutic as well as a good record of feelings, events etc. Wouldn't be without mine, although I don't write in it every day.

Cat, you shall have the recipe, of course. It comes with a 'danger' notice, though - highly moreish. Think you're woman enough to cope? When I come back from taking Mum to the hairdresser, I'll dig it out.

Procrastinator, well done for resisting temptation! :T And don't worry about posting about your holiday prep - it is supposed to be about de-messying and related subjects, after all. It's just the Messies seem to be bombarded by probles, greater or smaller, atm.

Emms, it does sound as if you're being messed about. Only in the NHS would that go on without the staff staging walkout!

Buffy, good luck with the bathroom.

De-messying chez Bear? Hmm, not a lot tbh, athough I did poo-pick the horses' field this morning. May not be de-messying in the forum sense, but it's considerably better exercise, especially as the field is a fair slope, and pushing a full wheelbarrow is hard work. Re portion sizes, I've cut down over the last 3 weeks, and have lost 3 pound. I'm quite pleased with that!

bearcub

Right, cake recipe. Although I can guarantee that the recipe has no calories, the non-virtual cake definitely does, so you've been warned!

Somerset cider cake

1¼ lb sultanas
½ pint cider
1lb caster sugar
1½ lb cooking apples
12oz butter
4 eggs
1¼ lb plain flour
3 level tsp baking powder
2 level tsp mixed spice

Put sultanas into cider and soak overnight. Brush a 12”x10” roasting tin with butter (or line with parchment). Peel and core apples, and weigh 1lb prepared apples, then chop. Cream sugar and butter together until light and fluffy. Beat eggs and add gradually. Sift flour, baking powder and spice and add to creamed mixture with apples, sultanas and any cider left from soaking the apples. Mix well with a metal spoon and turn into the tin. Bake for 1½ - 1¾ hours. Leave to cool in tin.

PS. OH says that he’s found sometimes that a little extra cider is needed for the mix. Also, this cake freezes wonderfully, and improves with keeping. HOWEVER, it is a very moist cake, so if you can resist it enough to keep it in a tin for more than 5 days or so, do check it, or it may well grow a fur coat!

Cat501

bearcub I'm most definitely NOT woman enough to cope - I LOVE cake!!:D I can get through a loaf of genoa cake in a disgustingly short period of time, and to compound things, it's even better with a glass of milk!:o:o Well done on your weight loss!:T

eta ooh thank you for the recipe!

kraftykat

Hi everyone, big hugs to all who need them

Today so far I've emptied the dishwasher and put all the breakfast and lunch dishes in it.

Made the beds.

Put away MrT delivery ( I ordered a 4 pk of Branston baked beans on special £1.27, they didn't have them in stock so they substituted with a 6pk of Branston instead. The receipt said "own stock - price charged 20p". I asked the delivery man what this mean't, he said that if they couldn't find a product on their system they charge 20p for the item. 6 tins of beans for 20p...HAPPY DAYS :T. ) Yes, I am easily pleased lol :rotfl:

Made lunch and cleaned down the worktops and appliances.

Got some lovely big spuds that will make nice baked potatoes tonight.

Conservatory and bedrooms are still messy, but I think DD's room might be best tackled when she is back at school.

bearcub

I hasten to add, Cat, that I'm not overweight, but I was about half a stone heavier than I'd like to be - too much around my middle for my liking. It's got nothing to do with health implications, but absolutely everything to do with pure vanity!

Cat501

kraftykat I'd be thrilled with that bargain too, bet you wish you'd ordered more now!

bear I'm about 2 stone overweight and most of it is on my middle, I'm very apple shaped which is the most awkward shape to be I think. Most clothes seem to be designed for pears - or sticks!

eta I suppose I really should post something about demessying - 2 sinkloads of dishes done.

bearcub

What a bargain, kraftykat! We always buy Branston beans, and usually get them at a good price in Lidl. Fancy Mr T almost giving something away! :eek:

kraftykat

I know, It doesn't happen very often :rotfl::rotfl:

jpscloud

Oh Cat how can you say you're not wise!! You're so right, sitting in the garden is not wasted time and I'm a lucky girl that a) I have a garden and b) I have the luxury of time. Never mind if it's a bit of a mess! As I've said before, all gardens are a work in progress, and there little gems shining out that you have to stop and appreciate, or all the work is for nothing anyway!

Yes, clothes are styled for sticks or pears, never for apples. Apple shapes are never in fashion either. That's another good thing about being a mad old bat, I don't really give a hoot about fashion - I choose fairly loose-fitting, conservative clothes so I don't look scary and cool I am not.

Bearcub that recipe looks amazing, I am going to have to try it when Mum brings apples from her tree.

Kraftykat well done with your top MoneySaving! :money:

Bread is in the machine, washing on the line, another load in, and I'm loving my lazy day!