No T Words mentioned at all - a fresh start

[Deleted User]

Great Grandma Ethel's Lemonade Syrup

3 lemons
1 and a half pounds of white sugar
1 oz of citric acid (from the chemist shop)
2 pints of boiling water

Grate the peel from the lemons, then juice them both. Put the peel, juice, sugar and citric acid in a large bowl and pour over the boiling water. Stir until the sugar has dissolved. Cover and leave to sit until the syrup is cool/ or overnight. Strain the liquid into a large jug and then bottle into clean dry bottles. Dilute to taste to serve. Keep bottles of syrup in the fridge.

For a variation in flavour add in 6 Elderflower heads to the bowl when starting to make the syrup and leave to infuse overnight before processing as above.

We run on this in the summer and I hope you and the girls like the taste too FTM, Lyn xxx.

hoglet121

Hi all

I'm fine thanks Candlelight, we are having internet problems at home so I've mostly been reading posts but not posting. Hopefully it will be sorted soon, then I'll be back properly :-)

Hoglet x

hoglet121

Hi everyone,

Still struggling with the internet but managed to get on at work.

The little kitten has been called Alfie, the vet says he's about 14 weeks old. We thought he'd found his way back to wherever he came from yesterday as he completely disappeared mid afternoon and didn't come back. Then this morning a very cold and hungry Alfie turned up at our back door. He obviously hadn't been in anywhere overnight, and although we have a cat door and he understands what it's for he's not yet strong enough to push it open (it's held in place with a magnet). Anyway, he's home with us and we are very glad. Vet checked him over on Saturday and said his tail had been broken previously but as it wasn't causing any issues at the moment to leave it alone, and take the tip off it does become a problem in the future.

I had a big batch cooking session at the weekend.. got lots of meals and soups made up and stashed in the freezer. Chicken gumbo, chicken and cowboy beans, mexican tomato & bean soup, spicy miso soup and corn chowder. gave in and bought some better freezer bags which are resealable and I can wash them out and reuse them.

The grape picking starts today and sadly I'm at work and can't do it :-(

hoglet121

Just in case you were wondering how I know the kitten understands how to use the cat door, he goes through happily if I hold it open for him.... Just in case you thought we'd had a full on question and answer session about it with him ;-)

flowertotmum

Good morning all..

Hoglet just had a chuckle at you and your chat with the cat..poor thing ..glad he is ok ..how on earth did he break his tail?..sounds like he has found a great home with you..o shame about the grape picking..

MLW..thanks for the recipe it does sound delicious..

Well yesterday was lovely again..not so warm but nice..we had 2 lovely surprises..a squirrel in the garden and a red kite flying over head..so beautiful both of them..
We worked all day til about 3ish and the girls went out to play for an hour..all this sunshine is doing their appetites the world of good..i made hm fishcakes for tea..wolfed it down with treacle tart and ice cream for pudding..
I have been inspired by MLW trip to Paris for Easter..so we are going to have a French day one day next week..i have got my eye on some little charms of the Eiffel tower..going to make the girls a necklace and some card Eiffel Towers..i have some pics of France and Paris we can peruse and a template for Eiffel Tower pennant banner..
I had to make up some more wash powder yesterday..and sewed up a pair of trousers that had split down the leg..had all the windows open to let fresh air in..so nice to be able to do that..nothing better..
Had a bit of a do with neighbour again..he thought it was funny that one of his 4 cats had pooped on my path..because of course his cats always poo in the litter tray..yea right sure they do..so i told him after i had put the brush down..that next time it does its stuff on my path then i will bag it and leave it on his doorstep..i like cats just not what they leave behind..he actually had a moan about Jack barking..so i said your cats carp,my dog barks..at least that's not disgusting..he denies its his cats..i can't prove it..but they are always in my yard front and back..but then again i suppose with 3 neighbours having 11 between them its got to be one of them..o well will just have to find away of keeping them out my yard.
So today we are doing Time work..have got some blank clock faces printed off and lots of games to do with Time..Fern can tell the time but needs to learn time difference..its tough going..but she will get there bless her..Iris is tagging along with it too..she can do the Hours which is cool for being 5..
We didn't buy the kitchen..i read small print and it was for basic cupboards and doors..no handles, plinths ect..so will keep my money a bit longer.
Right the girlies are up and raring to go..
take care all
love
ftm

[Deleted User]

FTM I'll make sure and send them a postcard with a french stamp on when we go and see if I can pick up some brochures and menus to send them when I get back. It will teach them a few french words and I'll get DD1 who is fluent to do a translation for you to crib from!Are you going to have french food to continue the theme? French bread with Pate, Baked eggs on a plate (Ouefs sur le Plat) with butter and a sprinkle of parsley, mixed salad (Salade Compose),and an Eclaire for pud wouldn't cost the earth and would be very Francaise!!! Have fun all of you.

HOGLET Love Alfie for a name, poor little one with a broken tail so young, still I'm sure he's fallen on his feet by adopting you as a family, sensible kitten. Shame you missed the grape picking but then a girl's got to earn a crust hasn't she? Lyn xxx.

kezlou

Lovely morning up north

it was so icy and frosty this morning, the suns shining and it looks stunning

Aot ((hugs))

Glad to hear you all feeling better ftm, the french day sounds fab, enjoy

Alfie so cute

Going to start in the garden soon,the rhubarb and mint are growingback slowly. Smells wonderful.
well going to watch the rest of, this film and get started.sorting out revision for ds1s exam and practice english with the boys. Busy time at school with gcses. So scary.

candlelight_2013

Good afternoon everyone.

Another glorious day and we were up early because DD1 had a physio appointment at 8.20. I said to Himself I am glad we don't go to work anymore, I don't think I could start turning out that early again on a regular basis:)

FTM my goodness you have been busy and the girls sound as though they have recovered. It's amazing what a little sunshine does for us all, I think we all feel better for it. The right kitchen will come along when you least expect it I am sure.

Hoglet, the other ladies know this story but we were adopted by our beautiful Flora last year. She seemed to have been mis-treated and used to come round to be fed. Then she spent a good part of the day in our home. It then got to the point when she didn't want to go out at night so we made her a bed in our back porch and she was happy. Then it became apparent she was pregnant and in the fullness of time she brought 5 kittens to us. DD2 loves cats and had 2 of her own so she looked after Flora and the kittens until they were old enough to be re-homed. She found homes for the 4 girls and kept the boy. We had Flora chipped and speyed and she now lives with us, and we love her to bits.

Some one told me that a cat chooses where it wants to live and I think they were right.

Grandchildren coming for their dinner tonight (the 2 youngest, although they are 17 and 14) so Himself has gone to pick them up from school.

Kate and VJs Mum are you both OK?

Charlies-Aunt I agree with FTM, although you must think sometimes I can't help everyone and that must upset you. So many people are being affected by all the cuts in benefit, and I am sure the people who implement these changes have no idea how hard it is for some people. (rant over). Sorry.

Well every one enjoy the rest of the week, will "see" you at the weekend probably.

Much love
Candlelightx

hoglet121

Morning everybody :-)

FTM - the French day sounds like a great idea and lots of fun. The summer before we left the UK for NZ we were looking for things to do on a week off from work and everything was so expensive.. As we lived relatively near the south coast, a day trip to France on the boat was a reasonably priced day out for us (I think it was 40 pounds return for the car, and all local 'attractions' were adding up to over 100 pounds all things considered) and we had a great day, so France always reminds me of my last European trip :-)

MLW - yes Alfie's got his little head screwed on... He's changed so much in the almost 2 weeks he's been with us. His games are much more seriously related to hunting now and everything is fair game - toes, feet and legs especially, he loves to pounce from nowhere! He now flings himself at our legs as we walk round the house and hangs on... my cousin is coming for dinner on Saturday and I've warned her to wear long trousers...

Candlelight - yes I do believe that cats choose their owners, and what a lovely story about your Flora. My parents were adopted by a young cat 14 years ago, and he's still going strong. I'm not sure that he's actually moved from the back of the sofa in that time, but he's certainly happy where he is. Alfie will be getting fixed (that's what the kiwis call neutering) next month as he's still too young at the moment.

Hope everyone enjoys their evenings, I'm just starting my day at work :-)

Hoglet x

flowertotmum

Hi all..
MLW..ooh would you mind with the menu's and pamphlets..they would absolutely love a postcard with a proper French stamp on it..the translation would be great too..
I have bought the Eiffel tower charms..and as a treat some choclate moulds in the shape of the tower too..the food you suggested sounds great will definitely do..i like to try and be a hands on teacher and show them rather than tell them..so practical days are fun.
Today we had a hula hoop on the floor with the numbers and hours all around it to make a huge clock..we had to use knitting needles as the minute and hour hands..Fern enjoyed it and Iris was doing the hours and caught on the half hours too..i printed off some times and stuck them to wooden bricks and had them roll them and then match the time to the hula clock..it was good fun.
I have started a new thing called a busy book..every night i put something they have to do the next day in it..today Fern had to find the word courageous in the dictionary and write up its meaning and then learn to spell it...Iris had to find 3 things beggining with a B..and then draw them..it gives them something to do whilst i set up the days work..

I think when we have our Capitals of the World topic days..Paris,London,New York etc..i will buy a small charm and put it on a bracelet for them...
Its was a lovely day here however very cold..girls went out to play but came in after half an hour..
Candlelight..hoping your girls physio is going well..no i am glad i don't work anymore..i do get up early but at my pace..it would drive me potty going through traffic i think..i hope you enjoyed your tea tonight.

Hoglet..ooh i have been to Paris once when i was younger..it was magical and always wanted to go back..so as i can't get there at the moment i will transport myself and the girls to Paris via imagination..am going to do the same for other Capital cities of the world too...i do love home schooling..so glad that alfie has found you..he sounds like a leg hugger..Jack is the same..he acts more cat like than dog like..but cute.

Hello to everyone else and hoping your ok...
love ftm