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

Cat501

Hi all Popped into my local charity shop today and picked up a gas energy saver, a thing you put on top of a hob burner and it's meant to heat up a lot quicker. It looked so :money: I had to have it, but do they really make a lot of difference?

lizzyb1812

ragz - here is Softstuff's fudge recipe

Softstuff wrote: »

Here's the vanilla walnut fudge:

Vanilla Walnut Fudge

300ml milk
500g sugar
100g butter
2 tsp vanilla flavouring
100g crumbed walnuts

Bring the milk, sugar and butter to the boil. Cover and boil for a couple of minutes, then uncover and continue to boil until it hits 116°C (240°F), stirring now and then to stop it sticking (if you like a grainy fudge, stir more, if you like a smoother one, stir less) I have a sugar thermometer for this, you can just boil it for about 10 minutes and test it by dropping a bit in cold water and rolling it to see if it balls up, but that's too much hassle for me.

Remove from the heat, add the flavouring and nuts. Leave to cool for 5 minutes. Beat it then until it isn't shiny and it starts to look more like fudge (this makes sense when you see it happen!). This goes into a greased 7" square tin, but I don't have one! Instead I fold a silicon liner into that shape, and pour it onto that.

Leave it to go cool, cut it into squares, refrigerate.

Tink - could you give your mum a homemade gift card/IOU for a rag rug with a piccy of the part finished one? I'm sure she'd understand you couldn't complete it because of illness.

karren

just finished my hampers, as really cutting back this year, they contained chutney, bramble jelly and home made hob nobs with cranberry, ginger and nutmeg and for the ones who really help on a daily basis ive popped in a pot of gold x
Money doesnt seem to go far at all these days, so texted everyone this year to say its birthdays only from now on, so far only one person has snubbed so cant have been a good friend to start with! thier children never ever say thank you so now know where the bad manners stem from!!!!

Margaret54

taurus best wishes for a speedy recovery and hope you are home soon. x

3v3

Cat501 wrote: »

Hi all Popped into my local charity shop today and picked up a gas energy saver, a thing you put on top of a hob burner and it's meant to heat up a lot quicker. It looked so :money: I had to have it, but do they really make a lot of difference?

Is that a metal shaped thingy with knobbles on it? I bought something like that from Lakeland a few years ago and it didn't say it would heat up quicker, merely that you could simmer without fear of burning - which is brilliant when making .... porridge :rotfl:(and sauces, custards and stews).

karren - what a great idea! And you are so right - anyone who snubs the idea isn't a genuine friend at all. Times are tough for everyone and those who don't appreciate that are not worth losing sleep over.

Rainy-Days

On the final countdown to Christmas food shopping. Everything is done for us. DH said last night that he didn't want anything for Christmas but I have bought him some odds and bobs. We are just making sure that we are not spending unnecessarily.

I think for allot people next year heralds a really tough year financially, much more so than this year. I tend to think that Boris Johnson - love him or loathe him - is right and that the Euro will collapse which will have a massive and uncertain effect on all of us.

Cat501

3v3 wrote: »

Is that a metal shaped thingy with knobbles on it? I bought something like that from Lakeland a few years ago and it didn't say it would heat up quicker, merely that you could simmer without fear of burning - which is brilliant when making .... porridge :rotfl:(and sauces, custards and stews).

ooh that sounds good - no this isn't knobbly, it's this thing

Gas Energy Saver

Mine was £1 and looks in perfect condition, was still boxed

Hobsons_Choice

Taurus; Glad to hear you're on your way to recovery...strange way to lose weight but hey...........!
GQ: Hope your squatters move on or at least invite you to the party.
Gailey: You're a star, and anyone that says otherwise isn't worth worrying about!
Hugs and mistletoe to anyone who needs it
Hugs and home made wine to everyone else.
Been to the Farm Shop this morning and got lovely fresh rib of beef for less than Sainsbug's special offer.

littlecal

Happy belated birthday VJsmum:D:beer:

Taurus,lovely to "see" you back:D

Karren,we have a rule in the family for nieces and nephews - Christmas presents until you're 16 and birthday presents until you're 21,then the "0" birthdays only.It works well for us

Byatt

susan6780 wrote: »

Well my concentration is useless,but if I can help I'd like to,If it's just an ear? And maybe writing it here will help you to remember? I've had to read posts a few times to take in what's happened,summert about oats and butter eating fingers? Or oat shepherds pie? Dont know? But you have my hugs,surely they should keep an 'account' of your daughters finances? Maybe? And exes are useless I think if they're useful they just use that to get back with you! So that's one blessing?! xx

Thanks Susan, that's really kind. :A

They do keep an account of her finances; one thing they are really tight on, but she has her own "spends" and shopping account and can do what she wants with that. She is very impulsive though and when unhappy or bored she just seems to do things like changing her phone/gas supplier and no-one knowing until court action is being threatned by the company who hasn't got their money. She's been taken advantage of too and lost a lot of money and possessions. I stay with her as much as I can, but sleeping on the sofa at my age has its pitfalls!! Her support insisted she have a new phone and contract despite me saying she was established with my provider as they put restrictions on certain calls because she had *huge* bills in the past so it was a reasonable level. Now she has done the same. Plus she's on the internet, it's one of those smart phones, where she has access to loans and dodgy dating web sites. . She does save as well however, so not all bad.

Just thinking about it all worries me to death. I feel like I can't relax, because as soon as I think things are getting better, something else happens.

Sorry for the long moan.

I did go out and get oats today, so will be making porridge for myself and pooch who because of age, has a funny digestive syste, and porridge settles it.

Not so cold here, but rained a lot. My sunroof is leaking on my car, so had a very wet seat!

Took loads of cardboard to the recycling centre. I always feel much lighter after doing that. I noticed they are accepting all sorts of plastic now, although not clear exactly what is or not accepted despite asking one of the guys who work there. I hate throwing anything away; if it moves I want to recycle, but I don't have a garage or shed and my house is tiny; Mother Hubbard comes to mind.

Well, back to my daughter's washing; just another 4 loads to go!! :eek: I have spent 2 days washing and still more.

Wishing you a speedy recovery Taurus GB...