A new 'tougher' thread... and so it continues

modern_millie_2

Morning all, black as yer hat here and raining.

Taurusgb, very glad to here all went well. Take it easy.

Some of you working so hard for your families - hope they appreciate you and help out if they can over Christmas.

We have a tradition of DH and DD cooking Christmas lunch - one of the very few meals they cook all year. This year they have decided it will be vegetarian toad in the hole(!). I don't mind, could be beans on toast as long as I don't have to cook it! I have offered to make the gravy though as this is probably less fraught than watching them do it.

Finally got around to making a door curtain from a large wine coloured table cloth and a cheap purple fleece for lining . Looks OK and definitely warmer in the hall. Idea from MSE OS as usual! Should be putting up the decs today but don't feel v. enthusiastic.

Have 5 days work over Christmas in my regular/casual cafe job - hurray! Don't rely on work at Christmas, so will be a bit of extra cash - will probably have a meal out, and save the rest for the lean months ahead (maybe better buy in some oats).

Gq, hope your possible new neighbours are benign, or if not, swiftly moved on.

Have a good day everyone, try not to get too stressed.

Kimsmum

Taurusgb, Glad to see everything went well.
Know what you mean about the hospital food.
Sending postive thoughts that you are home soon with the family

Softstuff

That's one heck of a spleen Taurus. Glad you're doing ok, hoping you get home soon. I think they figure if you survive hospital food you can survive anything!

I proved this evening that you can make a decent mulled wine with a $2.50 (about 1.60 quid) bottle of red. Took it round to the neighbours with a few nibbles and had a lovely evening *hic*

I hope your potential neighbours prove to be nothing to worry about GQ. You could find even if they were squatters that they'd be better neighbours than IB.

lizzyb1812

Phew Taurus, 6kg, no wonder you were so poorly. Hope your recovery is swift and your appetite/digestion survives hospital food.

rosieben

we haven't seen D&DD since the beginning of the month and getting a bit concerned for her; with imminent redundancy for her oh and more heart surgery for her eldest son, she certainly had a lot to cope with

If anyone is in touch with her could you please let us know how she is (don't need details, just to know that she's ok)

Taurus, glad the op is over for you, what a whopper of spleen! take care and get well soon

<get well wishes> to all our poorlies and <positive vibes> for anyone in need

charlies-aunt

:jSuccessful trip to town this morning, the first win was getting an hours free parking spot !

Spotted that Poundland are selling cute half and quarter sized hot water bottles - I have bought a few as I think that I will be able to make some pretty fabric/knitted covers for 'next year' presents - feel I'm a bit of a saddo for planning for next year but things are tough here and set to get worse!

Spent £93.50 on food for Christmas & Boxing in Sainsbury's but using a £2.50 voucher and my accumulated points valued at £90 - it cost m:Ae just £1 :j
:T Yay! :T A small victory :rotfl:

kidcat

Taurus - you have managed to lose weight over Christmas, a very rare thing!!:rotfl::rotfl: take care and get well soon.

Morganarla - hugs stay and enjoy a coffee with us and some of softstuff baking:)

Have been shopping today and managed to spend a fortune, in fairness alot was a restocking from whne I was ill, I cannot believe how much stuff we had used up and how low our stocks had gone. I am confident that other than buying more milk and cream at end of week we are done!! :j

3v3

So pleased to see a return to the "tough" threads!

Been away awhile, some of it due to illness and hospital so its lovely to come back and see that sense has prevailed in the end

charlies-aunt wrote: »

...
Spotted that Poundland are selling cute half and quarter sized hot water bottles - I have bought a few as I think that I will be able to make some pretty fabric/knitted covers for 'next year' presents - feel I'm a bit of a saddo for planning for next year but things are tough here and set to get worse!

Saw those, but the one's I saw had fleece covers and will be going in this years stocking! I've done the rice bag thing, but, to be really honest, nothing beats a HOTBOT, they keep their heat for far longer!

I've done much of my Christmas shopping in the Poundshops to supplement the things I've made throughout the year (coupled with those items I'd bought in last years sales).

As was stated earlier by another poster, I refuse to get into debt for a commercialised robbery of an entrenched in history tradition. However, my "take" on it is that I have established a "need" vs "want" tradition. By that I mean, I may be able to stretch to a "want", but only if the "needs" are met first. For example, this is the time of year I utilise the "need" for new pj's/dressing gowns/slippers/toiletries (all bought in sales last January or throughout the year) and balance that with ONE want. Thus, even though the family *know* they will get slippers, sleepwear, toiletries ... they would simply be sooooooo disappointed if it *didn't* happen Stocking fillers can come in the guise of small, practical/silly/insane as long as it raises a chuckle.

Ultimately, we put more emphasis on birthdays than Christmas; after all, birthdays are unique to the person, whereas Christmas is celebrated by the masses (even if they are not Christian ). My mother's birthday was Boxing Day and she instilled the importance of birthdays over Christmas :rotfl:

Friends will be given homemade food related items as a gesture of the season. And, it gave me something to do with the glut of apples this year

Despite the family being off school now, I have kept the heating to simply first thing in the morning and evening hours only. Ok, so I may be sat here with a few layers on, but, its comfy and not costing me the amount it would to have heating on!

Huge pot of chicken broth in the slow cooker, utilising yesterday's carcass with a bag of "Country Soup" dried mix. That should fill the teens stomaches!

Wishing you all prosperity of wisdom, freedom of choice and a season "spent" wisely

tink1981_2

Wow what a weekend!!!!

We have decided to give most of our friends and family hampers of homemade treats for christmas. We did some last year that went down really well and as we've had less pennies to spend this year we've expanded what we're including. Have had some great foraging walks with DH and the dog and have managed to make up all sorts of goodies including chutney, rosehip syrup, hawsin sause, and pear and apple fruit cheese. DH wanted to put in some sweet treats too, so we've had an epic weekend of making. He was an absolute star and made up a batch of 104 gingerbread men, 72 butter cookies, 3 yorkshire brack, 2 trays of rock road and a load of flapjack.

I was left in charge of decorating and packing and have been really please with the results. Had the first one packed up in and old box and topped with celophane. When DH saw it he said it looked like it could have been from on on the deli's near his office it was that good (especially as he works in Harrogate and the deli's there are really posh!!)

Just got another 8 to put together now... much harder to do when home alone, especially when faced with an army of gingerbread men that would go prefectly with my brew! Must resist!!!!!

Starting to panic a bit about the rag rug i started making for my mum. She's wanted one for years and I started making it before I started being ill, I've only got one panel done and I'm not sure I'll manage the other 3 in less than a week. I'm driving myself mad about it because I want to get in done but then can't get motivated to start

Anyway, will shut up and get on... still got half the washing up from the weekend to do!

gailey - I do admire all you do... we can't manage to keep on top of things after a baking session and there's only 2 of us and the dog, you should be so proud of all you and the littlies manage to do

Katieowl - have just caught up on the news about your friend, hope you're ok ::hugs::

taurus - get well soon

tink x

ragz_2

mardatha wrote: »

:eek::eek::eek: PORRIDGE MURDERERS!!
One cup porridge oats
Three cups water.
Bring to boil stirring constantly.
Simmer 5 mins.
HOW HARD IS THAT??! :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Did mine like that yesterday, slightly different consistency to when made with milk but was nice enough. I even tried it with salt the other day but decided it's not for me!

Tried making my own wine this year, well I just got it all out and racked it off again... had to taste it all for sweetness, vinegar etc. Now am slightly fuzzy headed and have a headache! It's gone back in the cupboard to mature... things may get TOUGH and DH may resort to drinking it if he can't get his cider :rotfl:

Gailey I had a bit of trouble following your posts but it sounds like you are doing the best you can and your kids sound well looked after and that's all anyone can ask for. It's certainly good enough and take no notice of what other people think, they don't have to live your life so it's not their business.

Taurus - glad you're back safe (if a bit sore!) and nearly a stone lighter!

Off to turn Friday's LO meatballs into pasta bake...

Need help with fudge. I keep making it and it keeps not turning out right! I wanted some for putting in mugs that I bought as gifts. I know a few of you have made fudge this year so an easy recipe would be great. I bought a thermometer but it's not reading accurate so will have to get a proper one but that won't get here in time so have to do it by eye/feel.