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

GreyQueen

grandma247 wrote: »

Gardenia if it is sunny get outside for a bit, sunshine is a very good healer and mood enhancer.

I'll second that. I'm not a depression sufferer but I get a bit low when deprived of natural light and feel much better, physically and emotionally, after a couple of hours outside, even if the weather is less than stellar.

Another grey day here in Provincial City. No danger of getting my lilywhite skin sunburned then (one must always think positively). I've let nature take its course and didn't get up until nearly 9 am and will potter around, have a light luncheon and then wander to the lottie on foot. I want to forage en route for pea sticks.

In previous years, I have used bought pea sticks, the cheapy ones 50 for £1 at Poundland and the trouble is that the peas don't climb straight sticks brilliantly and I end up supplementing the straight sticks with twined twine. All of which takes time to do and undo. Last year I vowed never again and will get twiggy sticks from under the trees and just jam them into the soil in approximate rows. I once heard Bob Flowerdew suggest an even lazier way of working; don't pod your peas when saving your own seeds, just save the whole pod and chuck it into the ground unopened. :rotfl:Peas are growing away nicely in their t.p. tubes in the cold frame and I'll leave them in there until they're about 3 inches tall and bushy enough that they won't suffer to much when the blackbirds peck their leaves.

For ages I thought Early Onward peas had scalloped leaf edges......blinking birds.:o

Once the peas are outside, I'll be starting the runner beans in the cold frame. It's been such a cold few weeks that no one I know has started theirs although a few bean teepees and rows are appearing in anticipation. The apples and cherries are blossoming beautifully although the blackthorn and the wild plums have long since finished. It's my favourite month, May, but I would like to see a bit of sun and be able to leave the fleece jumper at home.:rotfl:

:j I dejunked the linen cupboard last night, in 10 minute bursts between internetting. It's only 24 inches wide but was very well-stuffed. I have now found my pinny so will be able to be proper old-stylee next time I cook. A coupla things will leave via the c.s. and Freecycle so that will free up some space.

I can actually see the slats on one shelf. Just a wee peek of them, y'unnerstand, but it's the principle of the thing.

Hoping everyone has some goodness in their day and that a bit of sunshine appears to lift our spirits. GQ x

meme30

Gardinia:- Hope you are ok. :grouphug:

The sun is here again today and yes, more washing is on the line.

Does anyone have a recipe for Pigs Cheeks? I know they have to be slow cooked but would like a 'one pot type' recipe if possible. Am looking to have an almost Bone Idle day! :rotfl:

Only 'must' do job is to take up DH's new trousers. I think I will do that sitting in the SUN! :j

mardatha

Light snow and dark blue skies here Having a not-very-good day. Can anybody tell me how best to cook pork stir fry?

GreyQueen

mardatha wrote: »

Light snow and dark blue skies here Having a not-very-good day. Can anybody tell me how best to cook pork stir fry?

Sorry to hear that you have lousy weather, Mar. I'm no expert cook but just in case no one more competant wanders across to post before you need to cook, here's how I do it.

Cut pork into small strips about an inch long and less than half an inch wide and fry in the pan/ wok in their own fat, gently, until they've gone brownish. Add the chopped veggies and the soy sauce or whatever seasoning you're using and stir fry on top for a few mins. Add a wee splash of oil if things seem to be getting a bit sticky, IYKWIM.

I think you can marinade the pork but that would involve starting it yesterday and is a bit beyond my expertise. Hopefully a good cook will wander in and help us soon.:p

mardatha

Ty pet will do that and shovel some mash and turnip on with it. ME wiping me out, the RV is a total nightmare, we have a rat living under the hen coop and he's going on as if its a 15ft anaconda. (I wish - it would save me having to hide the body.)

mama67

meme30 wrote: »

Gardinia:- Hope you are ok. :grouphug:

The sun is here again today and yes, more washing is on the line.

Does anyone have a recipe for Pigs Cheeks? I know they have to be slow cooked but would like a 'one pot type' recipe if possible. Am looking to have an almost Bone Idle day! :rotfl:

Only 'must' do job is to take up DH's new trousers. I think I will do that sitting in the SUN! :j

Meme, when we've had pigs cheeks I've tended to do a curry with them or a basic pork casserole, sear the meat add in onions etc and bung in the slowcooker and leave all day.hth

ginnyknit

Gardenia, hope the weather is better there than here, a bit of sunshine may help - chase that black dog away and do something nice for yourself! I know its easier said than done

Just had a quick clean up ready for a visit from DGS that will wake me up

Found out I have field mice in the greenhouse so all my peas have disappeared :mad: they also nibbled the seed packets but couldnt get into the seeds themselves luckily. No wonder the cats keep wandering around there.

meme30

mama67 wrote: »

Meme, when we've had pigs cheeks I've tended to do a curry with them or a basic pork casserole, sear the meat add in onions etc and bung in the slowcooker and leave all day.hth

Thanks for that Mama have just seared them and put them in to slow cook with onions and leeks. :T

GreyQueen

ginny, it's the thieving fieldmice that dig up 9 out of every 10 peas planted in open ground on the lotties, hence my palaver with sowing them in t.p. tubes in the cold frame.

I have an old galv zinc "meat safe" which was cast-off from Nan's and which I use to keep the seeds inside in the lottie shed and so far, so good. Would sealing them in an old biscuit tin be a help?

I'm fighting with CBA'dness today. It's cold and intermittantly raining, I don't feel particulary well and have decided not to go to the lottie. I'm spending the day pulling stuff out of cupboards and drawers and bunging a few bits up on Freecycle. Got someone coming this afternoon, just hope they're not a no-show.

Have been out as far as the recycling banks on the street as my flats only have black sacks for general waste and that means that I go thru the most ridiculous hoops. Things which don't fit thru the portholes of the on-street banks need to be saved and go to the folks' when they come this way to exit via their recycling wheelie bin. Tell ya, if I didn't have a "green" conscience, my life would be a lot easier at times.:D:p:o

Rightly, time for a light luncheon and a little more decluttering and h*usew*rk between internetting.

VJsmum

We have some sun - though it is clouding over.

OH has gone on a corporate to old Trafford, DD and DS have made some use of their annual theme park passes so I am on my lonesome (:T)

Have been to a boot fair - poeple do sell some old tat don't they? But managed to get 2 pots of coconut oil for £1 each and some tomato and pepper plants for 50p each. Have been very lax in sowing seeds so 50p each isn't bad going.

Am going to have lunch then have a bit of a go on the garden, still got ironing, tidying, dusting and marking to do. What I really want to do is make up the new skirt i have material and pattern for, but can't waste the weather as, apparently, tomorrow will be foul.

LO christmas pork for me and DS tonight, DD has gone veggie so she is having a veggie bake - nice and easy.