It was getting tough in 2006 and the workhouse still threatens us in 2011

kidcat

All the talk of sorting has kicked me into action and I have emptied one shed today and sorted through al the stuff, I then emptied the large walk in cupboard in the hall and sorted that too. Managed to persuade OH to paint the shed and start the fence while I carried on sorting - this means there is now a car load of stuff for the tip, another load for recycling and a huge box for charity!! More importantly it means there is plenty of room in the existing sheds for the bikes which will save me the bother (and expense) of buying a bike shed!! I am left with loads of empty storage boxes too.

And the good news is that it appears our next door neighbour is about to move house - since we moved in he has been awful, threatening to shoot the cats for walking across his garden, shouting at the kids for playing on the trampoline, being abusive if anyone visiting parks in view of his house etc, its such relief that they are going as I know I would have ended up rowing with him if it went on any longer.

Re sausages - I bought the sainsburys butchers choice ones this week 8 for 99p - they were delicious and definitely worth buying more.

scottishminnie

HariboJunkie wrote: »

Glad the scones turned out in the end Minnie. I did mean to say that Delia makes small scone and I always double the recipe.

Yesterday's batch was fine so I chanced making another today - total disaster. They looked fine but were "empty and soggy" inside. Made in exactly the same way so goodness knows where I went wrong.

I am very worried about my oven though -it's all of 14 months old and I'm beginning to wonder about the thermostat. I get the feeling it's cooking far faster than it should be. I've ordered an oven thermometer so i can test it out.

I'll be gutted if it's got a problem after only 14 months but nothing would surprise me:(

silvasava

3v3 wrote: »

Updating clothing was something my mother used to do as the "norm" (bless her!). Something as simple as replacing/updating buttons on an outfit could make a significant difference to the look. Then you have the add/remove bits such as lace, or sleeves - at one point that would have included shoulder pads ; then there was the mini/midi/maxi look, so, depending on the garment the hems were raised/lowered accordingly (a bridesmaid dress was overhauled from a full length into a midi and then ended it's use-by date by being re-invented as a mini with leg o'mutton sleeves removed). At another fashion point, 2 skirts were cut down, re-sewn together with lace along the joins and became a "tiered skirt". Crikey, looking back, she was just so resourceful and creative!

I inherited her button box and haberdashery box. Items I still have include "bra straps" and suspender clasps - how many people even think to replace those nowadays? (Ok, maybe the suspender clasps are pushing it a bit?) Or, more pertinent, how many will return to having to think of replacing those in the coming years? (I know of a haberdashery shop which still sells those items though )

Learning to replace zips is also another skill that saves money. I bought two skirts (one red, one black) at a market (with zips missing) for 10p each! Ok, that was back in the early '80's, but that was still a huge saving for the sake of a couple of zips; lasted me a good few years too.

Ha! Memories

Oooh that takes me back - I used to love playing with the buttons in my mums box - I've inherted both hers & my grandmothers. Yep - I've got suspender clasps & bra extenders. I've also got the brass buttons from various naval uniforms that my grandad and dad wore and shirt studs!

They'll probably go down the tip when I'm gone:(

At least DGD is on the right lines - she brings her clothes to me to mend & asked if I'd put a new zip in BF's jeans. She said 'they were too expensive to throw away Nan' bless her she's only 17 but I'll make an OS out of her yet!

SDG31000

the cake- thanks for the information. I'd forgotten about M&S sausages as I've only just started going into the town centre again. DS2 is back at Games Workshop doing WarHammer this time, so I'll pick some up next time we take him in.
3v3- Thank you for the offer. The homemade ice cream sounds amazing. Shall I bring some Pistachio Madeleines to eat with it?
I must make space for the ice cream maker insert in the freezer. Although normally DH uses it to make fuzzy navel slushes before I have a chance to make ice cream in it.

I now have a new oven :T It cost £160, so £85 more than the insurance excess, but I was tired of waiting with no end in sight and didn't want to lose 5 years no claims on the insurance. DS1 has asked for mince pies to celebrate and DS2 will want something chocolate based, so I'm going to spend tomorrow baking while all the boys are off at paint ball.
I'll send you all some virtual triple choc, marshmallow and caramel brownies I would post real ones, but I doubt the Royal Mail is up to the task.

3v3

SDG31000 wrote: »

....
3v3- Thank you for the offer. The homemade ice cream sounds amazing. Shall I bring some Pistachio Madeleines to eat with it?

No, no! This is my treat time for *you* to put your feet up ... but, if it makes you feel better :drool: (wouldn't like to appear rude by refusing) :drool:

SDG31000 wrote: »

....
... I'll send you all some virtual triple choc, marshmallow and caramel brownies I would post real ones, but I doubt the Royal Mail is up to the task.

Oh agreed, RM can be so pedantic - how about you post ....

... the recipe here instead

Charis

mumoffour77 wrote: »

I loved my Bosch washing machine, sadly 2 months ago the motor went, and my repairman said I would love to fix it for you, but it wouldnt be worth your while:(

I couldnt afford another Bosch, but i needed a machine as I do at least 3 loads a day, so I bought a Samsung one, its great, it cost £200, and it has a 2 year warrenty!!!!!
I have now started saving for a Bosch when the samsung gives up the ghost!!

I have a Bosch washing machine but I'm not a fan. I can't wash dark clothes with any kind of soap powder, I have to use liquid as the powder doesn't dissolve properly. The machine, in trying to be economical with water, doesn't rinse properly. I've also noticed that if I do a 60º hot wash the laundry is still warm to the touch after it has supposedly been thoroughly rinsed in cold water. I could press a button for 'aqua plus' but I've just had a water meter put in.

My Bosch dishwasher, a few years older, burnt out in February. I thought nothing of it till this morning when my sister emailed to ask whether I'd been notified of the recall, where all Bosch dishwashers between certain dates are being repaired at Bosch's expense. Shame I have already paid to have mine taken away. Apparently the circuit board is burning out on them, both here and in the States. Not a nice thought if you leave it on overnight. It was only when she informed me that I thought to do a Google and realised there are quite a few others who have had the same problem. Others, who have got rid of their dead machine like I have, will not appear on the official totals.

lil_me

Help please A quickie question for someone with greener fingers, i forgot to dig up the potatoes (leaves all yellowed or dying now) I can either dig them up in the dark or next Thursday, will they survive under the soil? In planters not the ground

Not been about so much being at home just a couple of days and had lots to do. Hopefully catch up a bit more soon. My snow boots have arrived safely and looking for boys some wellingtons (at 10 and 12 they need men's). Resisted putting the heating on even when was only 12 degrees here over night brrrr what happened to summer!!!

I always do BBQ in winter but not boxing day usually as that tends to be a rally day up here or close to it. I BBQ in all weathers, love it but the neighbours think I am barmy

3v3

lil_me wrote: »

Help please A quickie question for someone with greener fingers, i forgot to dig up the potatoes (leaves all yellowed or dying now) I can either dig them up in the dark or next Thursday, will they survive under the soil? In planters not the ground

I'm not an expert, but, my instinct is they should be ok.

Charis

GreyQueen wrote: »

Good afternoon campers.

My new sleeping bag was £20 and replaces one I bought in 1984 which is still in decent condition but seems to have lost it's "loft" and I wouldn't regard it as a 3-season bag anymore. Still, mustn't grumble, doesn't owe me anything and there are adults loose who're younger than my mummy-bag! I shall freecycle it so it can do someone else a turn.

It might be useful for insulating your potato harvest, or some of them at least, in case we have another harsh winter.

lil_me

3v3 thanks I've popped a post on the green fingers board as I forget that is there, I don't want to dig in the dark lol