No T Words mentioned at all - a fresh start

katep23

Mind if I join you?

Mrs LW, I live just south of Reading on a farm and when they ploughed the field behind us we counted about 17 (I think) red kites circling to get the field mice which had been made homeless - they were flying really low and freaked out our ducks and our neighbours chickens :rotfl:

Beautiful birds but they get intimidated by the crows who fly at them in big flocks to drive them away.

Have just started putting out food for the birds - we have 4 cats so I was concerned about the birds' safety but we hang the food from the thinnest branch we can manage which wouldn't hold a cat's weight and so far so good. We have finches, a blackbird, a robin and a woodpecker

scottishminnie

Welcome along Katep23!

I've never seen a Red Kite around here but I guess they would scare the living daylights out of my little sparrows. I've been watching my robin bullying the other birds so I'm not sure they would scare him. I've been quite shocked at how aggressive my cheery little robin is!

FTM - hope Mr FTM feels better soon - for everyone's sake! You sound like you have been baking like crazy - I'm very impressed and really like the sound of the snowman jars.

Our place is looking quite festive now, I even have outdoor lights on our fir tree. It was quite a feat though as it is almost 10ft high so the first set of 480 lights only covered half of it - we now have a second set so almost 1000 lights:eek: they are tiny little things though. I'm afraid of heights so perched on a ladder trying to put the lights up was a trial - I ended up sort of lassoing them on - at least all those pony club lessons in rope skills didn't go to waste entirely:D

I'm off to make a comprehensive list for my grocery shopping at the end of the week. I'm watching superscrimper just now which is very interesting as I've never seen it before. I think the MSE community could teach them a thing or two!

[Deleted User]

Morning all, I am so glad it has warmed up a little bit down here, makes life so much more comfortable.

KATEP23 - Come and join us, it's always lovely to find new friends to chat with. The red kites I saw were circling over Didcot and it really is such a wonderful sight isn't it? Your poor chickens and ducks though, it must be very intimidating if you are edible!!!!! Have you ever been down to Weyhill near Andover? The Hawk Conservancy is situated there and as part of their everyday events they fly a fair of black kites, and many other beautiful birds of prey. They have a captive breeding and re-release programme for endangered species and also owls. It is a very good day out. They have an outdoor arena with seating for the flying displays, well worth a visit if you like raptors. I am envious of your Woodpecker coming into the garden, we hear them very often and see them occasionally but it's rare for them to be in the gardens here. We do have kingfishers down by the river though and that is a real treat to catch a glimpse of them!!!

SM - how very brave to scale the heights if you don't like them, well done you. The outdoor tree sounds beautiful, enjoy it after your hard work. We can only muster a string of 100 little white lights strung round our biggest apple tree but they look pretty too!! Hope your shopping trip is successful, we are going very low key this year as I don't intend to be using christmas stashes still at Easter next year. I have most of what I need already and just need to visit the farm shop and the farm butchery shop at the end of next week and than we're there.

KAZ - Hope you are all keeping well and happy, hope you don't have to work over the christmas period and that you and your family have a really lovely christmas holiday.

Merry Christmas to everyone and I hope everyones holidays run smoothly and contentedly, Stay safe and stay warm, Cheers Lyn xxx.

katep23

Thank you for the welcome!

Got the in laws over for dinner shortly - have been on the go all morning so just sat down for 5 minutes before they arrive.

Got a beef bourguignon in the slow cooker (with dumplings), veggie lasagne, roast sweet potatoes, roast parsnips, new potatoes out of the greenhouse, the last carrots from the garden and cabbage. Think I might have over catered!

flowertotmum

Hello all

Hi katep23..welcome to the nicest thread on here with some of the nicest gals you will meet.
Your dinner sounds lovely..you may have over done it a bit but thats a good thing you will have plenty of leftovers to play with and add stuff to..to make even more meals.
Well hubby is on the mend..he cleaned out the chickens today and they as usual did the mission impossible theme tune and escaped..he had to chase them to catch them much to mine and the tots delight.
My eldest dd came today with goodies for us..she won a hamper at her works christmas do..and split it with me and her sisters..i got a gorgeous deluxe christmas pud,choclates,crackers,cheese biscuits and some choclate mints..yummy it all adds to our stash..she also cut my hair and the tots too...
I had busy day..i did the beds and bathroom..cooked sunday dinner..finished wrapping grandchildren presents and then a pile of ironing..am pooped now.
bathtime in a mo for girlies ..then me o bliss..got a good book to read and will soak for a bit..
love to you all and thanks for best wishes regarding hubby..
ftm

Lordhightiggythe3rd

Can i join please? have been reading this thread and am so jealous of your gardens Am aiming to go old style and really get on top of my house in the new year.
Have two little uns 1 yr old boy and 2 yr old girl who is poorly with a cold bless her so lots of cuddles and a 32 year old boy... i mean hubby

flowertotmum

Hi LHT3RD..welcome to the thread..wowsers you have your hands full with 2 littlies so close..aww hugs to your dd..not nice to have a cold especially when your little...
I love being old style..its hard at times but that makes it soo much better and even more appreciated.
At the moment i have 2 meatloafs inthe oven and they smell amazing..so easy too...going to have one for tea and freeze one.
I have finally finished my candle..i have been working on it all year..i have been saving all my bits of old scented candles and melting them down..its lovely i have lots of red and pink layers...going to use it over christmas..
I went to a£di this morning and had a look around...i usually go to l£ld's...was surprised at how busy it was and how much more stuff they have compared to l£dl's..may go there for a shop and compare prices..
I di buy some monkey nuts and pretzels for making lovely treats..my dd fionna had a whole trolley full and was happy at £55..she had tons..thats her and me done for food now..no more..
I have found a wonderful site called sixsisters..amazing recipes and craft bits on it...
got to go now..
love to you all
ftm

[Deleted User]

Hello FTM how lovely to get shares in a hamper, your DD is lovely!!! Glad Mr FTM is on the mend and love the sound of your home made candle, that is the thriftiest thing I've heard of in ages, you clever thing you! We popped over to L*dl this morning too and they had hardly any christmas things, certainly nothing like they normally do, I was quite dissapointed but got a tray of baked beans to go into the store cupboard and some of their lovely greek yoghurt so not a wasted journey.

KATEP23 Hope your dinner went well yesterday, it certainly sounds delicious and hopefully you have loads of leftover veg and can make Bubble and Squeak - my favourite meal!!!

Hello LORDHIGHTIGGYthe3rd - welcome to the thread, it's always nice when new folks join in, we're a happy bunch on here and everyone is very supportive. It sounds as though you have a poorly little DD at the moment, hope that she gets better really quickly and then you can all enjoy christmas.

Hope you are all shopped and ready for the 25th and can all enjoy family time and a relax, Cheers Lyn xxx.

Lordhightiggythe3rd

Thanks guys im sure she will bounce back soon hope so as she has a little xmas party with her friends tomo

Am gonna spend the evening browsing the board saving some good recipes and good ideas for building up a baking cupboard so when we are bored or fancy a sweet treat i can just whip something up.

I also fancy starting up a little veg patch in my garden so i will be nosing around for some gardening threads to, a determined to get ontop of everything this year.
Will be reading this thread for tips too as already pick some up from u guys very inspiring.

flowertotmum

Hi MLW..hope your ok..i know what you mean about l*dl was very disappointed..but a*di had lots..
My candle is lovely..and in a jam jar lol..
LHT3rd..i have some great recipes for sweet treats if you would like them..peanut butter balls dipped in choclate..no baking required just a fridge..
As for the veg patch..order some seed catalogues and have a look..some are inspiring..and some are damned expensive..wilkinsons is very good for veg and flowers seeds..they will be getting them in on boxing day..gosh how sad is that..that i know when they start selling them...
right off i go to do my ironing again..i am sure it multiplies on its own..
love
to you all
ftm