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

3v3

Just a heads-up if you didn't know already:

Met Office issues warning of snow and ice on Tuesday

And a link to the Met Office showing areas which may be affected (although they have it under the warning "Be Aware")

Byatt - add a pinch of sugar when you cook your toms

Mrs_Chip

Byatt - all the *BIG* questions there! As for tomatoes in sauces, I find adding a tiny bit of sugar helps to balance out the acidity - I am not a fan of adding sugar into food if I can help it, but it certainly helps in this case. Jst a little - try half a teaspoon, taste and add a little more if needed!

Mrs_Chip

Ooh, just seen on weather, you lucky people in the north might be able to see the aurora tonight! I soooooo want to see it!!!!

Shame about the weather tomorrow though:(, hope it's not too bad for everyone.

Byatt

All 3 of us posted at the same time!

Thanks for the sugar tip; like you Mrs Chip, I don't like adding sugar to food, but will try the bicarb first, and the sugar second when I next make pasta.

3V3, I will check my area. I need to be out tomorrow.

modern_millie_2

Hi everyone, hope you're all having a good day. Think it might be 'Black Monday' today (supposed to be most depressing day of the year) but I am feeling surprisingly upbeat!

Byatt, re tomatoes - possibly add half a tspn sugar? Have seen this in some pasta sauce recipes.

Gailey and Kidkat, don't know how you do all you do - read your posts with much interest.

Mardatha, glad you are feeling better now.

Feeling more focussed on moneysaving now as realise keeping a fairly tight rein over Christmas and the sales has actually left a small surplus - something to put towards a holiday or home improvements fund. Food shopping I am finding I'm much more buying what is cheap on the day and building meals around those items - tonight just having eggs on toast and a pud as eggs were whoopsied, only buying peppers now if reduced and freezing surplus - basically, if too expensive just not buying it. Milder Winter has meant we haven't needed second delivery of oil, which has made a big difference.

Glad you are back on form too Grandma - like you our income is likely to reduce this year with changes in tax credits and family circumstances, but we'll find a way. OH and I both have occasional second jobs which have been really useful lately.

Mrs Chip, forgot to say, think your van round would do well in coastal villages like Trevine and Mathry, where there is a high percentage of holiday homes (holiday season obviously). Not so sure about further inland, but might be worth a try.

littlecal

Byatt wrote: »

Want to say Hi to all the newbies.

and where are some of the "oldies" ? Not good with names, but Softstuff? Saratoga? all the s'ssssssss and I'm sure there are a few others.

Can't type much as I seem to have something like RSI with my right hand...I use the touch pad on my lap top and hold my hand in the same position and it hurts like heck now! Can I sue myself???

What's the best way to stop cooked toms tasting so acidic in things like pasta bake? I love toms but somehow, in pasta they taste different and I don't enjoy the taste, yet I can eat cooked toms on their own no problem. Odd.

Oddities of the universe questions...I don't go out often, so why when I make an appointment and it's the only thing marked in my diary, is that date or dates then needed for something else too? Why? :cool:

also, why is it not possible to only eat one Thornton's chocolate?

because they're made by the same evil fairies that make pringles - they've cast their spell over me 'cos I can't resist either of them:D:o

mardatha

Just looked and no aurora yet, will keep checking.

3v3

modern_millie wrote: »

Hi everyone, hope you're all having a good day. Think it might be 'Black Monday' today (supposed to be most depressing day of the year) but I am feeling surprisingly upbeat!...

Really? :think:

Ok, try another one:

Today is Chinese New Year (Dragon!) and for them it is the biggest celebration of the year.

"Gung Hay Fat Choy!"

"Xin Nian Kuai Li"

I've been invited to a Chinese celebration on Wednesday - lots of activities - can't wait!!

katieowl_2

Mrs_Chip wrote: »

Ooh, just seen on weather, you lucky people in the north might be able to see the aurora tonight! I soooooo want to see it!!!!

Shame about the weather tomorrow though:(, hope it's not too bad for everyone.

Is there no chance we'd see it here? The article I was just looking at said Ireland...I guess you look to the North? I did go and have a squint outside and it was as black as Newgates Knocker...Stars are bright though.

I always add some sugar to anything I cook with tomatoes in, have done so for years.

Did EPIC shopping in TKMaxx in Carmarthen today. DD and I got loads of stuff to put away for next Xmas as pressies for our girlie friends. Cashmere mittens for £3! DKNY scarves for £4 (box says original price was £98) I also bought a handbag, which says it was originally £395 - drum roll please.......£26!!:D I've been looking for a red bag for ages! Probably now the poshest thing I'll ever own!

OH got seen by the clinic and has to do unpleasant thing involving long thin tube twice a day :eek: They rescheduled the Biopsy for 6-8 weeks, and redid the blood test. He's looking a bit wild eyed at the mo...think he's a bit sore.

We also used my £5 off a £40 shop voucher in tesco, and got given another one...not sure if I can scrape together another £40 worth of need for next week, but I'll give it my best shot using non-edibles/tinned etc.

Really sad to hear about that little girl that got her ear bitten off, sorry for her of course, but because my dogs are both Staffies, and the Staffie hating press will start again. I've had people scream and run away from mine, while they were wearing coats with hearts and their names embroidered on...We've seen some stuff in London that would make any dog owner just break their heart, perpetrated on this breed by the scum that think they make them look 'hard' I don't pretend to know what the answer is, but I'm REALLY glad again today that I chose to move away.

Kate

Mrs_Chip

Thanks Millie - both those villages are on our list but we have to get a council ''permission' to trade on any road in Pembs - we have to tell them when and where we want to be every trading day, and comply with a lot of regs - some places they wont let us trade due to there already being somewhere selling hot food, or they don't think there is a safe place to park. So we have got to pick carefully... our 'permission' costs £1300 pa. We could trade on private land if we could find it. And yes, lots of holiday cottages, we used to stay in Trevine when we first visited Pembs, it's a lovely remote
village.

Kate - know what you mean re Staffies - I love them but so many are badly treated and inbred for fighting, they get a terrible name because human owners treat like weapons. I don't know why they don't pass a law to say all dogs and cats have to be neutered unless it can be proved they are going to be bred properly by licenced and responsible breeders, there must be some way to stop all the horrible puppy farms and !!!!!es bred and bred till they are knackered.