Botanical blunderings on a budget - good life starts here.

starnac

Keiss_21 wrote: »

OOh, will PM you later unix ..got to take DS2 to the docs in a mo...he's really not too well today

hope everythings okay at the docs x

Uniscots97

Keiss_21 wrote: »

OOh, will PM you later unix ..got to take DS2 to the docs in a mo...he's really not too well today

No rush, have pm'd you with details. Hope DS2's ok.

EssexHebridean

starnac wrote: »

me please. it'll save me cooking too. I have a massive rosemary bush out the garden which is completely in the way of our new veg plot so if anyone wants cuttings you are quite welcome

Starnac If possible could I also take you up on the offer of a cutting (And Stripes instructions from you on what to do once I've got it please!) on the same basis as Pippi said regarding the postage though of course. I have a small Rosemary already but it refuses to grow as much as I would like it too - yours sounds like it might be a more determined breed altogether!

Pippilongstocking

Good plan eh

Stanac I'll look in my book

Keiss (()) poor u - laptop gorgeous - hope ds ok x


In garden til 6 and bits tea - called a couple chums and watched some big bang with cellist, poached eggs for my tea pasta for hers.

My cucumber has a well developed fruit on it which was a great find.

Oh and I accidentally took up the stair carpet and lam ding carpet. Stairs are gorgeous and wooden will varnish them. Carpet carefully folded up - it's navy and swirly and sucked the light out of that part of house will see if plain wooden stairs and a White painted boards landing works better.carpet cN go back down if required when we move. Spotted couple mirrors in charity shop which I might grab, lighter colours and more mirrors might help. Have varnish in the shed I think..

Been wanting do that since moved in lol!

Hope u Re all good. I like being busy glad it's not thesis anymore

EssexHebridean

Mirrors are a great idea for bouncing the light about - the other thing is if you have windows set into alcoves paint the alcove white - REALLy increases the light coming in!

Glad you're enjoying thesis-free busy-ness!

Pippilongstocking

Oh good one eh - this is an old farmhouse and is very dark especially in middle of house. But then blinding in sitting room as it's a conservatory but upstairs. Very odd house. But navy carpets in most of inner house where it's really dark, crazy. Might nip into town and buy those two mirrors £2 each should have got them today but wasn't sure

I'm loving bashing things etc. I love DIY and weeding oh dear what kind of a freak am I?

Lemon_Tree

unixgirluk wrote: »

sounds lovely, can I suggest you quarter the meatballs before you put them in the sauce? Thats what I do it means they cook through easier and it looks more .
As for the garlic bread do you have any coriander or garam masala (sp?)? if so sprinkle a tiny bit into a desertspoonful of butter or marg (melted), then pour it onto the garlic bread.
As for the lamb shank make up vegetable stock and tear up the mint and rosemary (roughly chop this to release the flavour), leave the stock to infuse (minimum an hour) then put it over the lamb in the slow cooker and switch it on.

thanks for these tips Unix, the meatball curry was yummy, scrummy in our tummies and it goes very well with garlic bread
I followed your lamb shank destructions pretty much and i hadn't even caught this post - great minds etc. I cooked the lamb shanks overnight in the end, and then reheated for a roast tonight and the meat just fell of the bone. Sorry for all the details for those non meat eaters on here.

troglodyte

Radish pickles - found an easy allegedly Japanese style recipe on t'internet a couple of months ago - of course I can't find the original again now but this is what I've been doing anyway.

One and a half cups sliced radishes
Half a pint (about 280 ml) vinegar
10 peppercorns
1 bay leaf
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons sugar or honey or strawberry syrup
1 small onion, thinly sliced.

Put sliced radishes and onion into a jar.
Put all other ingredients into a pan and warm to a simmer until sugar is dissolved, then cool and pour over vegetables.
If there isn't enough liquid to cover the veg then you have to make up a bit extra of the mix and top up.

The recipe said this would keep for a week or so in the fridge; in reality it seems to be fine in the cupboard for a couple of months (as long as you seal the jars when warm, I guess)

The original recipe asked for rice vinegar and strawberry syrup or honey. I didn't have enough rice vinegar, and didn't have any strawberry syrup, so used a mix of vinegars including some raspberry vinegar, and some honey. They turned out nice. The next time I had different ingredients so tried a different mix and still good - just experiment with what you've got!

troglodyte

Pippi how do you 'accidentally' take up a carpet :rotfl:

By the way I meant to ask for some botanical advice - have you ever successfully propagated a bay tree from a cutting? I've tried a few times but never managed it.

Lemon_Tree

NorthernLas wrote: »

I have my pot and compost and today I shall be planting ... basil

did Basil ask to be planted or has he just annoyed you and is now under the patio? lol

mine seems to be recovering quite well after it's new hair do. Wonder if Mr LT will recover as quickly from the hair cut i'll give him tomorrow lol