No T Words mentioned at all - a fresh start

scottishminnie

katep23 wrote: »

Looks like another nice day here (sorry Scottishminnie! ) so hopefully get last two loads out on the line to dry and save using the TD.

I'm glad someone got good weather - certainly wasn't here - another miserable day - almost like a Scottish summer:)

Washing had to go in the dryer:(

Used up the sour cream - adapted the Hummingbird Bakery sour cream and blueberry loaf to use glace cherries instead - it is delicious so that is another to add to my regular list.

Also saw a recipe in the HB book for Apple Streusel cake so think I will make it next weekend.

I washed my antique shop crystal in the DW - I know it's not recommended but it's lovely and sparkly now and I'm a real bling girl anyway.:o

Defrosting braised steak and sausage casserole for tomorrow nights dinner and the veg are prepared. I hate to start the week without being ready. Off to look on ebay for a darning mushroom - hubby is wearing through working socks like you wouldn't believe so after 20+ years of saying I would never darn them I'm ready to cave in. You can bet though that once I've found a mushroom I'll be back on here asking how to use it!

[Deleted User]

madeira cake made yesterday and I am so glad I got myself a good stand mixer, I like getting back to making all my cakes and biscuits again. It has kind of taken me back to my old days and I have been re-visiting my old cookbooks, like the 1981 readers digest farmerhouse cookery. I am storing 7" cakes in inverted lock and lock basins, so easy to cut with a plastic knife (for lettuces) and I store in the fridge as a cake lasts all week

I have been so achy the last few days, no coincidence as I have been to the allotment (it sounds big but isn`t) so have upped my iron and calcium via blackstrap molasses
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=118

not a twinge this morning so fingers crossed. We joined a suma wholefood co-op in 1978 in kendal and that is how I started to learn about wholefoods. I have and do, lapse from time to time but not for long. Dh and I have also taken vit D (cholicalciferol) for 4 years and been monitored via blood tests as we were part of the d`action study group. People used to laugh but not any more, I take no meds at all and I am almost 65.

Anyway 2 tsp molasses in 300 ml of hm almond milk and a 1/2 tsp linseeds all whizzed in a smoothie this morning, lovely. I am making granola later on, it is great as a topping on say, stewed apple or as a snack with hm yoghurt. Fresh alfalfa seeds are soaking now for sprouts and they`ll be ready in 3 -4 days. I am trying to incoprorate greens when I can, this hungry gap time makes it harder so I am determined to grow a couple of seakale next year. I have spinach and kale but not enough. Seakale was always good but I didn`t bother this time and I regret it

MaLarkin

Hello Everyone

Still here but real life has been getting in the way big time just lately but in good ways so I'm not complaining.

I was just reading what you said about Vit D Kittie. I have dithered about on this one for ages, mainly considering it for Mr L who works nights, hates walking and spends way too much time playing on his computer with the curtains shut. I just didn't want to do him any damage inadvertently (often tempted to do him deliberate damage but that's another thing altogether):rotfl: but recent research seems to be pretty conclusive and I'm sure with his lifestyle he must be short of it.
Anyway I shall dither no longer and get some this week. Will it turn him from a grumpy couch potato into an action man I wonder? I'd settle for him taking the dog for the odd short walk.:)

scottishminnie

Thank you ladies - you've prompted me to go rummage to find some vitamins which I brought back from the US earlier in the year. I'd bought them because I read something about the benefits - just looked at them and it's Vitamin D 2000 IU (whatever that means) and Vitamin B6. I must get my act together and begin taking them - if I thought it was worthwhile buying and bringing them home then the least I can do is try them.
My mother was nagging me at the weekend about taking something as she has noticed my index fingers, right one in particular, have protruding bits at the top knuckle. She's apparently been watching and they according to her they have been increasing in size. I suffer dreadfully from cold hands, even when wearing the thickest gloves and I do wonder if it is connected. Anyway, on to the vitamins from tomorrow and we will see what happens.....


I'm planning a baking cupboard stock take this weekend. I suspect there are some things in there which need to go out - like orange water (no idea what I used it for) and gelatin sachets - both of which may be well out of date. I also find I buy cornflower and then use very little of it so it is another thing which often gets binned when very little has been used. I'm not one for religously sticking to best before dates but once they've passed the 12 month mark I tend to think I should let them go.

You gardening people may be able to answer me this question - if I buy one of those strawberry pots with the bits cut out the side how early could I plant the strawberrys- bearing in mind I'm in wet, windy Scotland?

I also had a fruit salad yesterday which had some redcurrants in and I've taken a notion for redcurrant jelly like my mum used to make - think I may have to see where I could plant a redcurrant bush - would the birds bother it and would I need to cover it?

Sorry - many questions - I should go to bed before I come up with any more!

FTM - Hope the girls are on the road to recovery

flowertotmum

Hi all...thanks for well wishes ladies..girls are recovered..amazing really they go down like skittles and bounce back quicker..unfortunately me and hubby are both ill now..i have never felt soo bad..no energy at all..and very tired..such a shame as the weather is lovely and we have got no get up and go to do much..the basic jobs but thats it...

Scottishminnie..i have blueberry bushes,white cuurrant and red current bushes on my south facing wall..i haven't put a net over them yet as the birds haven't bothered them up to now..might change this year as they have grown really well...

1st of March and its come in like a lamb..does this mean it will go out like a lion.
Hubby has managed to fix my sewing machine so i am itching to do some little bits and bobs..will wait til i am not so tired..
I have tried and tested the perfect choclate muffin recipe and i am shocked they are lovely..will post it for you or have i already done it??? o damn it i can't remember..
We have had to have a serious talk uncommon in this house..about schooling..we are not happy with the school at the moment..continous accidents that teachers don't tell me about..no new reading books for weeks on end..infact if i hadn't said something then she would have same one still...seriously considering removing her and home schooling..still mulling it over but the idea is winning..she is soo quiet and gets kinds overlooked because she isn't jumping up and down and shouting her head off...will see what happens at parents evening..last year it was almost a criticism of her ...i thought being quiet would be a nice thing for the teacher..we shall see.
right off to bath tots and then i have a date with a twix and hot choclate..
ftm

[Deleted User]

If you ever need vitamins at a very good price then I recommend www.iherb.com I have used them for years and their products always arrive very quickly. Prices are better than uk prices, I can get lamberts at practitioner prices and iherb often beats them for price. Quality is superb

I tend to live in the moment and often don`t know what I`ll be doing day to day, well today has been busy all day and I have just sat down. I started by going through my food stocks to get some bags together for dd, I`ll just say that I had too much and was doing a clear-out. She and her dh are finding it hard going at the moment. It was very misty outside but even then I had to swap my jumper for a long sleeved shirt. Then lunch, lambs liver with onions and steamed veg, it was lovely.

By 12 the sun was well and truly hot at the back as we are a sun trap, the ground around 3 sides is 3m higher than our s facing garden, which is tiered, so it is hot and sheltered and even at 4.30 was at 15 degrees. Sowing seeds called me and that is what I have been doing all afternoon. Lots of companion plants ie 4 kinds of marigolds, calendula and poached egg plants and also rudbeckia for constant colour and good in drought. Little gem lettuce, coriander, radish, and broccoli raab

I planted up 6 grey plug trays which are absolutely amazing, http://www.gardening-naturally.com/acatalog/Compact_Plant_Trainer.html I got them cheaper in a sale last year. They stack so are now 3 high and all the marigolds are getting light, which they need to germinate. Everything else is in seed trays, either in or out in mini greenhouses. I tend to sow older seeds in trays as germination can be poorer

I think I can sit back a bit now re veg sowing, it won`t harm to wait a couple of weeks

Sm I bought two lots of strawberry planters last year
http://www.greenfingers.com/superstore/product.asp?dept_id=252&pf_id=LS4865D
then I put marigolds on the bottom and planted up 12 mara des bois brom ken muir. They went in during april and honestly we had strawberries right up to the frosts. Strawberries are as tough as they come. Ken muir plants are the best. At the end of the season, I planted up 12 runners and now have 24 mara des bois. They are the most gorgeous strawberry

edit: I just saw your post ftm. I would say to go with your instincts. School sounds very poor as all children should be taught according to their needs (I am an ex teacher).

MaLarkin

Good Morning Ladies. Where is everyone? Practically had to go mining to find the thread.

Well the rain is persisting it down here - I opened the door for the dog to nip out this morning and it left me in no doubt that it wasn't at all keen on the idea. :rotfl: If i insist on taking it for a walk it will probably ring the RSPCA.

Been very busy here batch cooking meals. I have attempted to make faggots which will be road tested tomorrow. I struggled a bit because I haven't done it before and I am a coeliac so I couldn't use any sage and onion stuffing or a bit of bread to bind them so I have yet to see if they hold together in the cooking process. May be a work in progress and need experimenting with. I also intend trying my hand at sausages as I don't rated the bought gluten free ones very highly. I may treat myself to an attachment for my kenwood and give it a try.

Despite the weather I feel very upbeat today. I have done a lot of walking this week and everywhere I have been there have been signs of spring and a blackbird has sat on my roof every morning singing his little heart out for a mate. Makes you glad to be alive, I love spring. :j

Well off to do a bit of housework before I head off for work but only for 3hrs so even that isn't getting me down today. :j

Take care everyone. Hope you are feeling better FTM. :wave:

[Deleted User]

I've been wondering where everyone is too! It's a wet day down here in Hampshire as well but we really need the water so even though the lurcher was also very reluctant to go out - his parents were happy with the rain! Hope all is well with you and the littlies FTM and hoping everyone has a good day. Cheers Lyn.

flowertotmum

Morning all...thanks for the well wishes..girls are fine bit snotty but ok...i am better too..never ever felt so rough..poor hubby caught it really badly too..he had to got to doctors on friday..his sinuses are totally bunged..he got some nose drops which he hates..lol..just a big kiddie really..grab him a in a headlock and down they go..he told me i am merciless..i told him its 25yrs of having children..be swift and just do it..

Well we have made our minds up and tomorrow we are buying a rotivator..bit expensive but at the moment we have the money and if we don't then the lotties will not get done ..he is whittling about..me i am looking forward to buying it and then using it..very excited.

I went for a mothers day meal last night with my older girls..it was lovely..nice to have a meal i haven't cooked and no washing up either..had a sharing dessert..full of choclate,icecream and god knows what else..we ate the lot..then felt sick lmao..got home to find hubby and tots had a girly night..sat on sofa in housecoats with popcorn,choclates and crisps...they watched a disney film..tots were fast asleep and hubby was not far off it..got them to bed had a bath and a cuppa and i went too..lovely.

I got given a huge bag of clothes for fern..they are so lovely..some have not been worn..lots of long sleeve tops,nice leggings and cardigans..super..

O and my bargain of the week..i won an auction on fleabay for a Brexton Picnic Set..all the bits included..its fantastic..proper cups and saucers..keys so i can lock it..i was willing to pay a bit more than i got it for but in the end i got it for £3.60..shocking really..and i did feel slightly embarrassed when i went to fetch it...i offered her more but she insisted on the price i won it for...its in perfect condition too..me and the girls love it and just can't wait to go for a picnic now...

Its raining cats and dogs here..but we need the rain so i am happy with it..got to be or else i would end up a sour puss...

love to you all
ftm

flowertotmum

Sorry change that to its snowing!!!!! and freezing cold..had to put the heating on..
ftm