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

Hardup_Hester

I don't think my beloved will be growing tomatoes next year, he wanted to do some DIY today & couldn't fight his way through the tomatoes to where he stores his tools, lol. He needs a machete to get through & he doen't even eat tomatoes.
I checked online for a list of charity shops in Chichester, I announced to hubby that there are 6 in one street, the look on his face was priceless.
Hester

3v3

Good day to you all

My morning, so far, has consisted of reading a brochure put through the door of all things local (aimed at visitors/tourists/locals) and have pencilled in a number of free entertainments within walking distance. I'm very fortunate to live near to the local park where many of these events will take place; others are in the High Street but that's only a 15min walk also. There is a blackberry trail along the route and some are ripe so I'll be able to do some harvesting on the way home from the events

I'm predicting a mishapen tomatoe in the next few weeks, noticed on of the flowers is a triplet ... it'll be interesting to see how it fruits

There is a fig tree overhanging my garden with quite a lot of fruit on it; I'm going to ask the neighbour if he wants me to a) pick them for him or b) may I help myself to a couple? Then, I'll have to search out some ideas on how to use them (if he agrees: I'm sure he will, I have a lovely neighbour)!

The only problem I have with Lidl/Aldi ... they only have the deep trolleys. I'm not particularly tall and I find it a strain to use the large trolleys. I have a great wrist action though to keep up the cashier, so that isn't a problem, just the bending over action.

Wishing you all a positive day.

I've washed and hung out the quilts I made a few years ago and they stood up to the high spin in the washing machine, so I think I did a good job when I stitched them up.

ceridwen

Guerilla foodgrowing hereabouts - havent managed to get in contact with whoever-it-is that has started growing some food on a bit of public land yet...but working on it. Anyways - I thought I'd "do my bit" towards helping with this - so have tidied up some of the rubbish lying around on what I suspect is the next bit they plan to plant up. HOpefully I'll be able to make contact with them soon and check out it IS the start of a guerilla gardening scheme for the community.

meanwhiles - a few little clip-ettes on community foodgrowing of interest:

http://www.louthleader.co.uk/news/local/food_garden_growing_Well_1_2899610

http://londonist.com/2011/06/kilburn-a-contender-for-london-underground-in-bloom.php

http://www.meetup.com/TransitionBelsize/events/24488711/

bonnie_bumpkins

HariboJunkie wrote: »

It would be great to see more lurkers (you know who you are )

OK you've shamed me and I officially delurk...

If you'll have me I'd love to join

This morning I have used up all sorts of veg leftovers (mainly stalks and tough end bits) with leftover veg stock, garlic, onion, whatever herbs came out of the cupboard first and a tin of T***o value range mushy peas which I tried and didn't like. Simmered for about an hour. It smells lovely and I'm going to whizz it into soup.

I'm vegetarian and will eat any bits of any veg so although my children make faces and retching noises at the vege stuff I make - I love it

ginnyknit

Smileyt, Big brands for les have an offer on at the mo'spend a tenner and get £30 of food free - desperate to clear stock I guess. There are lots of rice things and bits and bobs that would stock up well. Just thought I would mention it.

OH knocked my butternut squash off the plant last night while strimming a little bit of the garden for me. Bless I should be pleased he helped but am so sad about my one triumphant squash.

DGS arriving at 4 so am all set up and off to do a bit of crafting before hand.

Bonnie my soup never tastes as good as I expect - whats the secret?

suzitiger

GreyQueen wrote: »

I also went down to Scruffy Centre where had a lovely chat with the Magic Greengrocer and learned something about fruit which I didn't know; like milk, it rots in thundery weather, even under refridgeration.

Well I never, It's been very stormy up in the toon for the last few days and the milk went on the turn early yesterday, even though it had been in the fridge. i was quite confused, so this is why?? Amazing, i wonder why it happens...

ChocClare

Hello all, just catching up as I've been in France (though I did manage to get online ONCE there).

Went to the most FANTASTIC grocery shop ever - fifty different kinds of mustard, whole meals preserved in jars, jars of soup, millions of different types of tea, coffee, pasta, oil, herbs, cheese, wine.....gggggggggg....drowns in own drool thinking about it.

Anyway, it was HUGELY expensive, so I ended up buying just one pot of mustard, but what it WAS good for was standing in front of the shelves and getting ideas for different kinds of preserves.

Came back to massively overgrown garden so must get going in a bit.

Mrs Veg Plot - can I ask, in re the chard, do you slice the whole lot including stem, or do you just use the leaves? I made a risotto using the stems last year and we all thought it tasted a bit...muddy...

A rather delicate question - someone, and I can't remember who, was posting on here (I think) about the possibility of having to dispatch unwanted cockerels. Our latest batch of chicks contains two cockerels and, if we can't find homes for them, we MAY end up having to go down this route as we already have two cockerels in our flock. Could whoever it was pm me with their experience of this? It's not something I want to discuss on the forum as I know it's a potentially upsetting subject. Ta muchly.

stiltwalker

ginnyknit wrote: »

Smileyt, Big brands for les have an offer on at the mo'spend a tenner and get £30 of food free - desperate to clear stock I guess. There are lots of rice things and bits and bobs that would stock up well. Just thought I would mention it.

Yes, I got that email too. Only problem seems to be that you get no choice in what yo get as the freebies and there's loads of stuff on there that I'd never use. Although if you get the thai red curry paste sachets they are fab! Still using up the 3 million well not quite but not far off) I got a while ago!

Well we had the most amazing thunder and lightening this morning, I was making a cuppa when the first clap of thunder arrived - I felt the kitchen window rattle! Never heard it so loud. then a good chunk of rain fell, so it was pouring down the road outside the front door, DD looked and said "ducks" - think she was expecting the ducks off the river!

We've just had a new B & M open in the nearby town - very dangerous - I've already succumbed and bought an ice cream maker, it was only £15 in my defense and I have wanted one for absolutely ages. So we've been eating fab ice cream all week, last night's strawberry cheesecake one was the best yet. It costs a little more than cheap ice cream to make but it is loads cheaper than the equivalent quality bought so will save us as OH is an ice cream monster.

Hope everyone has a good weekend.

suzitiger

Hi guys, thanks for ur tips about the big brands for less website, I had to buy some cleaning products anyway, so did it through here and will be getting my free stuff too now. I like suprises, so it will be interesting to see what things they send.
If you search the internet for thai fish cakes, you will find some good recipes for using up red curry paste. The fishcakes are yummy, you can make them with any cheap white fish and it will use up your curry paste.

bonnie_bumpkins

ginnyknit wrote: »

Bonnie my soup never tastes as good as I expect - whats the secret?

My soup never tastes as good as I expect either :rotfl:

I just focus on how good it is for me and how cheap and filling it is - whatever I've put in it...