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

hornetgirl

((((jedi)))) hope you baby boy quickly makes a full recovery.

Beautiful sunny day here today. We had the back door open until it got dark to cool the kitchen down a bit. Every meal we eat at the moment seems to be accompanied by a combination of tomatoes, cucumber, sweetcorn and runner beans. I also haven't purchased a potato since early June as we've been eating home grown ones, and there are still plenty left. Definitely our most successful year to date for growing our own. We still have parsnips amd brussel sprouts to come, so I'm very pleased.

Treated myself to a halogen oven today - they're on special offer at Costco at the moment. The offer only began on Monday and this was my third attempt to get one. Apparently they're flying off the shelves as soon as new stock comes in. I'm hoping it will save a little bit on the electricity bills. Does anyone else here use one?

SDG31000

Jedi I just wanted to let you know that my DS1 who is now 15 had meningtus at 6 weeks old and I know how scary it is to hear those words. I was told that the fact his skull hadn't fused worked to his advantage as it moved to allow for the swelling. He is now tall and highly intelligent and wonderful, if very stroppy in a typical teenage way.

jediteacher

Thank you everyone. Also thanks to those who have had children in the same position as my baby and have reassured me that all will be ok. Bless you all.:A

Now I need to get on with some serious money making and paying debts off as I am desperate to cut down my working hours especially after this scare.

7_week_wonder

Just popping in for a quick read as we are down at my mum's where time and internet are at a premium.

Jediteacher, so pleased your little one is on the mend - it must have been terrifying for you.

Haribojunkie - thanks so much for the recipe,I love ginger so it sounds perfect. I'm just hoping the plums survive the weekend. At the moment they are in a plastic carrier bag in mum's pantry, but they are very ripe. They need to last til Monday night at the earliest as that will be the first chance I will get to deal with them.

Have a good weekend all

Rosanna79

Kidcat
OH used to be insulted frtom one end of the high st to the other. His crime?....to have size 6 feet!!- samaeas my friend's husband - We had this nonesense about boys' sizes finishing at 5 1/2 and 'we've only got size 7'-- a great help when you've got size 6 feet!!- anyway since moving back to my home town we've discovered that Brantano do have size 6, more competitively priced than Clarks which used to cost him an arm and a leg.. Some of the styles seem more suitable for younger chaps or so OH says . You'd really have to 'suck it and see'.....hope that helps..

bluebag

drinkupretty wrote: »

Thanks for the links regarding help financing a new boiler, unfortunately we are not eligible for any help as we are not disabled and do not have children

I have to confess I don't know anything about it but I remember something about Magic boiler scheme for a discounted boiler. A quick phone call to check it out may save you some money when you finally have the money to replace it.

Red_Doe

Gentle hugs to everyone who needs one, especially those coping with health issues. I always think, no matter how bad finances can get, so long as our health holds out, we can cope, somehow. So here's a hug to warm folks on the outside, and a virtual hot toddy to warm our insides.
(recipe....gently warmed Scotch, tablespoon of honey, sprinkling of powdered ginger and a splash of blackcurrant juice )
I have a dog and a cat, but am normally just a dog person...the cat we kind of adopted after his owner died and nobody else wanted it. He's semi feral but very cuddly and friendly all the same. But I don't know so much about cats. Quite often he disappears overnight, comes in next morning looking like a typical delinquent teen....kind of knackered and almost hungover! Then he sleeps the day away in the dog bed. Does anyone know if cats are really 'night creatures'? I'm asking because our night time weather is starting to turn, and last winter when temperatures got really cold, he looked kind of unwell when he came in some mornings, and shivered a good while. I've tried keeping him in but he just makes a fuss to get out! He's around nine, I think, not too old for a cat, is it? Is it worthwhile forcing him to stay in at nights and letting him out during the days, or would that be cruel?
Dogs are easier, gotta say!
Does anyone kindly have a foolproof recipe for a simple corned beef hash please? I followed one from online and it wasn't very nice *blush*
I have no bacon, but have onions, tatties, and corned beef and can make gravy.
This weekend I'm looking out stuff to sell on Ebay. Now is the time I'm wishing I'd been a hoarder throughout life! I keep looking through stuff and saying to myself, "But I might need that!" lol
Was thinking about the title of this thread...I know there are no workhouses anymore, but does anyone know if soup kitchens still exist? I remember reading a while back that some were being forced to close down somewhere and wondered if that was because of the law or finances or anything else and did it apply to all soup kitchens?

Memory_Girl

Why not just make corned beef stovies Red Doe?

Slice as many tatties as will fill your slow cooker (5mm thick)
Slice a couple of onions and seperate into rings.

Layer the veg in your slow cooker with plenty of salt and pepper and a knob of dripping / lard every inch or so (this is what gives it the yummy flavour)

Pour a teacup of water over and cook on high until the tatties are soft.

Crumble over an oxo cube and half a tin of cubed corned beef and stir with a wooden spoon till mixed.

Stick to your ribs stuff with an oatcake and glass of milk. Can also make it with the leftovers from a roast and spot of gravy.

MG

Red_Doe

Ooh that sounds lovely MG, just what we need today too, as it's chucking it doon here today again, groan....

ceridwen

RED DOE

Dont know about soup kitchens - but there are groups that give out a few days supply of food at a time. They tend to be connected to churches AFAIK.

Goes off racking brains to try to recall generic name of them and names of specific groups....

EDIT: The generic name of these groups is "food banks". I seem to recall the Trussell Trust is the name of one of these groups..