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

Mrs_Veg_Plot

I have got an 11 year old whirlpool fan oven with a gas hob, one of the very few things we let the builders put in when the house was built as all of their appliances and extras were so expensive. I love it. My dream oven would be one of the range ones but in reality I do not need one that big but it gives me something to daydream about.

Followed the link (sorry can not remember who posted it) through to British gas and even though we are not customers DD2 receives DLA so we are entitled to a free energy monitor. I have now ordered it to use in my battle to reduce the cost of our energy bills. It is cooling off in the evenings but there is nor way the heating is going on yet. The friends I visited yesterday said don't watch it when the kettle is boiling. That reminded me of a tip I read on here when I first joined about boiling the kettle in the morning and filling a flask with hot water to make the rest of your drinks throughout the day so that is what I have done this morning.

Spent most of yesterday morning at the lottie and the afternoon with my friend and her husband (he makes fab scones ), so did not get much done at home. Will crack on with that today. Have de-cluttered all of downstairs over the last week it just needs tidying and cleaning again.

The bruises from falling when collecting wild plums on Monday are now coming out and impressive they are too

Weather looks good this morning so off to wash some bedding and put it on the line.

elisamoose

All this talk of cookers has shamed me in to cleaning it. Only OS in as much as I have in the past paid someone else to do it and this time I am doing myself. I have over the last few years tried all sorts and am using oven pride with the bag as it has worked ok in the past.It is still elbow grease and lashings of hot water that really do it though. I hate it !
May need to reward myself with chocolate later!

Igamogam

scottishminnie wrote: »

That's a really nice idea - I'm sure she would appreciate something which was linked to her own belongings:)

In fact you've kind of got me thinking - it may be an option for future baby gifts - a small frame with the baby's name (or initial when it's a long name) in either blueish or pinkish buttons. I think I'll play around with my haul and see how I get on.
I guess the good thing is you can practise on a sheet of paper and sketch out your design then play around with the buttons.
Yes, this could be a nice little gift option - thanks SDG:T

A friend of mine made 2 fantastic patchwork quilts - one for her and one for her sister - from the clothes that had belonged to them as children that their mother had kept in 2 suitcases. From what she could remember, the clothes seemed to be all the 'best' ones they had for special occasions etc. She had no idea why her mum had kept them and only found them when they cleared the house after their mother died. I thought it was such a great idea that I have kept certain outfits/dresses from my 2 DDs and one day I will make something for them..............when I have the time:)

Softstuff

If anyone saw a mushroom cloud on the horizon it was my head exploding with anger when my sewing machine broke down! Not the first time it's done it, but this time it's well out of warranty and to even look at it the repairer wants $110. It seems to die each time I sew for more than a 5 minute stretch, so I'll be darned if I'm going to throw money at it again. All I can say is I'll never buy another Brother machine again.

Going to set to with a screwdriver tomorrow and take it apart, put it back together again and see if that fixes it. I figure if I can fix a laptop I should be able to fix a sewing machine, have compiled a number of online bits to help and am cautiously optimistic (and relieved I didn't throw it through a window in my temper!). I'm at least going to try, since the alternative is day after day of hand sewing in straight lines, and I don't think my hands are up to it.

Going to have a gin and orange now, I'm pouring so if anyone wants one raise a hand.

SDG31000

Good luck with the sewing machine repair Softstuff....you can do it

Igamogam

shegar wrote: »

Hi all, talking about ovens,cookers, just being nosey I suppose :)but what sort of cooker do you all have?, ive got a dual fuel rangemaster......

We have a solid fuel Aga installed about 20 yrs ago.We light it about the time the clocks go back and it stays in ( in theory !) until the clocks go forward ish. I love cooking on it if I can get near to it - cats think its theirs - but there is an art to it If we go anywhere where there is a 'proper' cooker I often stare at it wondering how to get any heat out of it and also forget it has to be turned off!
Solid fuel has its draw backs - you have to be organised with clearing it out and bringing more fuel in. The division of labour in our household is - I cook, you carry fuel:):rotfl: House gets very dusty too:(. However during times of power cuts...no worries. A few Chistmases ago I cooked 3 Christmas dinners as we where the last house on the hill to have power - our near neighbours up hill had nothing ( no gas here)
We have stuck to our principles and dont have a 'summer cooker' installed so at this time of year is a 3 ring camping stove, BBQ and combination microwave which at least gives an grill and an oven. The Aga gives us all our heat and hot water too - too much of both sometimes especially when its windy :eek::rotfl:In the summer hot water is by immersion heater but we are about to install PV panels. We also have a free standing wood burner ( which we lit last night :eek:) and I have been known to cook on the top of that.

Sometimes I yearn for sleek modern range cooker...but only sometimes! However I have said when (IF:eek::eek:) we retire I will have to re think

Mrs_Veg_Plot

purpleheather2810 wrote: »

Yes that's what I heard too - pop them in the freezer and then use for making sloe gin without further pr!cking

This is how I prepped my damsons last year for damson gin. Worked a treat.

Hippeechiq

Thanks to Frugal Dreamer & lizzyb1812 for your replies to my tomato problems.

You both seem to be agreed that watering is the problem so I'll be more frequent and consistent in that respect. Even if it's too late to make a difference to the remaining tomatoes this year, I'll at least know for next year

flowertotmum

Hi all...hope your all ok...been a bit busy...been sorting more cabbages and green beans..also beetroot...made some more marmalade..i have labelled it "Tudor's Tangy Marmalade"...wow its got some bite to it..thing is i love it..thankfully so do the girls and my son..got more jars than i know what to do with,,but it will store well and be a nice comfort food in the chilly days to come.

Igamogam..thats a lovely idea.. i have stored away posh frocks and outfits from all my babies..am thinking they could be keepsakes for my girls and son..but with having 6 of them maybe its an idea for the future lol.

Softstuff..hugs for you and your sewing machine...i have an old style one that your turn yourself (best £10 i ever spent)..my electric one scares me stiff...if you weren't overseas i would give it to you..good luck fixing it.

Speaking of cookers i have a Parkinson Cowan Fiesta..21yrs old this month..brilliant cooker..will be sad when i have to replace it..i would love a range cooker..might have to get saving..

I am ashamed to admit it but i think i am a wool junkie...have been bitten by the knitting bug...i oohh and ahh over wool now..hubby thinks it hilarious..ah well goes hand in hand with fabric and sewing addictions..

I am going to make some tomato and onion relish this week..seeing as all my toms have decided to ripen at the same time..recipe sounds good and not too hard..

Just had my gas bill from british gas..not bad..i am in credit so our thrifty ways are paying off..paid off one of two remaing CC todays..lady was lovely and knocked 10% off total ..and then wished us well for the future..
Had to take the dog to vets yesterday..don't know whats up with him...but he has started to growl at me and the girls..so hubby moved his bed to the utility room and banned him from house..feel bad about it but better that than he bites the tots...vet assures us he is fit and healthy...so not sure whats going on with him...hope he is ok..he is a lovely whippet cross..nice temperament and never ever growls at anyone...will keep eye on him.
Rights thats me i'm off to do tea..
love you all
ftm

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