No T Words mentioned at all - a fresh start

flowertotmum

Hey all...
Katie here you go hun..

Apple porridge
2 sliced apples
1/3 cup of brown sugar
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
Place these in the bottom of your slow cooker.
Pour in 2 cups of oats and add 4 cups of water.
Do not stir.
Cook on low for 8-9 hours overnight.
Wake up to the lovely smell and enjoy.

ftm

flowertotmum

MLW..hi there..glad your ok and that your girlie is home to be looked after by you...i bet she will totally enjoy it..
The poor docky dog..patch hated going out in the snow..he didn't mind 5 mins to do his ablutions but that was it..he would cry if i took him walking..i miss him..
You have a lovely weekend with you girlie..fill her full of good food and she will be rested and ready for next term...
enjoy your weekend
love
ftm

scottishminnie

Happy Easter everyone:easter:
Hope there is lots of this going on!:EasterBun

I'm not a great fan of chocolate (I know it makes me a complete weirdo!) but I did make some chocolate biscuits tonight from the Asda magazine and they are to die for and so simple. They absolutely melt in the mouth and I can tell they will become a staple so I've already written the recipe in my "bible". It consists of my absolute stand by recipes, most of which were dictated by my grandmother in her later years as they had never been written down anywhere before.

Today was the first day the snow didn't lie:j It just fluttered around for a while but no more on the ground which is great news. I dropped in to visit some friends earlier today and they told me they have now had over 50 lambs which have either been frozen to death pretty much as soon as they were born or succumbed to the freezing temperatures soon after. It's absolutely heartbreaking. They had two in the kitchen which I doubt will survive and I found myself struggling not to cry when I saw them. My father always maintains I'm not hard enough to be a farmer - he's right:o
They also had a visit from the cruelty people as someone had reported them for leaving their sheep outside in this weather. The authorities know that the chances are anyone who has sheep outside cannot bring them in or they would do so but they have a duty to log a case and investigate. Only doing their job but just added pressure unfortunately.

I had hoped to be out in the garden today but it was just too cold so I limited myself to some sweeping up and I think I'll buy a gardener's world magazine tomorrow and that will be my Saturday night reading - from my nice warm armchair!

We finally got our oil on Monday FTM - I'm sure we were running on fumes by that time and the tank is only 2/3 full, even with the top up. It's scarey - £900 of kerosene and it's not even close to a full tank. The last one only lasted just over 3 months - I'm hoping that they were the coldest 3 months ever or I'm going to have to start making cutbacks elsewhere. Hubby suggested I start using my wine cellar as fuel - he refers to my wine as "diesel" anyway. Some people simply have no taste!

I made a fruit cake about 6 weeks back from a reduced pre packaged Christmas cake mix in Mr T so I marzipanned and iced it and tonight I decorated with mini eggs. Tomorrow I will take it to the farm and mum can serve it up as Easter Cake. I don't suppose anyone will mind that it's really Christmas cake.
I also used up some vacuum packed chestnuts which were left over from Christmas today and made cream of chestnut and bacon soup which is very nice so I will donate that for tomorrow's lunch. Mum always has quite a few to feed at weekends so it will be used up quickly. I may bake some fresh scones in the morning too - just need to get some buttermilk.
Do any of you know how long I can keep buttermilk for once opened - I never seem to use the whole carton and keep forgetting to freeze it.

Anyway just noticed how late it is so I'll pack up and head off to bed. So much to do tomorrow!

p.s FTM - I'm definitely an odd creature - I love those demolition type programmes (mega machines is my absolute favourite) and I'm the footie fanatic in our house - hubby hates it!

ash28

scottishminnie wrote: »

Happy Easter everyone:easter:
Hope there is lots of this going on!:EasterBun

I'm not a great fan of chocolate (I know it makes me a complete weirdo!) but I did make some chocolate biscuits tonight from the Asda magazine and they are to die for and so simple. They absolutely melt in the mouth and I can tell they will become a staple so I've already written the recipe in my "bible". It consists of my absolute stand by recipes, most of which were dictated by my grandmother in her later years as they had never been written down anywhere before.

Today was the first day the snow didn't lie:j It just fluttered around for a while but no more on the ground which is great news. I dropped in to visit some friends earlier today and they told me they have now had over 50 lambs which have either been frozen to death pretty much as soon as they were born or succumbed to the freezing temperatures soon after. It's absolutely heartbreaking. They had two in the kitchen which I doubt will survive and I found myself struggling not to cry when I saw them. My father always maintains I'm not hard enough to be a farmer - he's right:o
They also had a visit from the cruelty people as someone had reported them for leaving their sheep outside in this weather. The authorities know that the chances are anyone who has sheep outside cannot bring them in or they would do so but they have a duty to log a case and investigate. Only doing their job but just added pressure unfortunately.

I had hoped to be out in the garden today but it was just too cold so I limited myself to some sweeping up and I think I'll buy a gardener's world magazine tomorrow and that will be my Saturday night reading - from my nice warm armchair!

We finally got our oil on Monday FTM - I'm sure we were running on fumes by that time and the tank is only 2/3 full, even with the top up. It's scarey - £900 of kerosene and it's not even close to a full tank. The last one only lasted just over 3 months - I'm hoping that they were the coldest 3 months ever or I'm going to have to start making cutbacks elsewhere. Hubby suggested I start using my wine cellar as fuel - he refers to my wine as "diesel" anyway. Some people simply have no taste!

I made a fruit cake about 6 weeks back from a reduced pre packaged Christmas cake mix in Mr T so I marzipanned and iced it and tonight I decorated with mini eggs. Tomorrow I will take it to the farm and mum can serve it up as Easter Cake. I don't suppose anyone will mind that it's really Christmas cake.
I also used up some vacuum packed chestnuts which were left over from Christmas today and made cream of chestnut and bacon soup which is very nice so I will donate that for tomorrow's lunch. Mum always has quite a few to feed at weekends so it will be used up quickly. I may bake some fresh scones in the morning too - just need to get some buttermilk.
Do any of you know how long I can keep buttermilk for once opened - I never seem to use the whole carton and keep forgetting to freeze it.

Anyway just noticed how late it is so I'll pack up and head off to bed. So much to do tomorrow!

p.s FTM - I'm definitely an odd creature - I love those demolition type programmes (mega machines is my absolute favourite) and I'm the footie fanatic in our house - hubby hates it!

Can sympathise on the oil front - we filled up early December and then topped again in early March (£800)- haven't looked to see how much is left, we are just hoping the cold weather changes soon. It's very cold here this morning, beautiful blue skies but bitterly cold.

Unlike one or two of our neighbours we can afford to fill the tank so I guess we should be thankful for small mercies.

flowertotmum

Hi all...hope your all well...wow the sun is shining here..very cold though but better than it has been...

SM..you and my hubby would get on well if you like the same programmes...and i am glad you got your tank filled...had to chuckle at your "wine cellar"..i bet it don't taste that bad...
I seriously can't believe some one reported your friends for neglecting the sheep..i mean have they looked out the bloody window or are they the type that think no matter what the weather/conditions/circumstances your friends should put themselves in danger to try to get the flock to safety..something i am positive all farmers would do if they had warning and could actually get to them...ooh it makes me mad...i know all farmers are going through it at the moment and need support not reporting...
I hope your fruit cake went down well.

MLW..heya how are you all?

Well we have had a busy week..making Easter decorations and learning about it too...we made some bunny banners,placemats and also draped glued up colurful thread around some blown up balloons...hubby then popped them next day and we got some egg shaped thread eggs...look good but won't last..a good breeze and they will fall apart.
I have decided to have a few days off and let girls just play..thing is Fern keeps asking for work...i have given her some but not much..
As i said i my post before i have re-arranged lots of things..menu plans,school plans,pantry and my dining room...i feel much more regimented..sounds daft but i need a routine.
The girls have got chore charts..they have chores to do and when its full of ticks or stars they will get a treat...
I did the Easter egg hunt this morning and forgot i had hidden some under the chair..yep they went up the hoover...eek..thankfully they were just small choclate eggs...i made little bags up for everyone..and a nest box for the girls...they loved them...
I never got an egg...hubby forgot...will make his life miserable til he gets me some choclate...o i am joking by the way...i will just raid his stash lol.
Have had a lovely lunch followed by a great film...The rise of the guardians"...was brilliant..no-one moved for an hour or more...total silence..we have plenty of turkey left over from lunch for tea and a meal or 3 in the week...but everyone is too stuffed to even think about tea at the moment.
We have decided to get a pressure cooker..had one years ago and took it for granted..all your veg done together on one gas ring...today had all 4 going plus oven...i think its an investment and hopefully save some money on fuel at the same time...i have gone around the house looking at each room and trying to figure out how to keep it warmer..we have lined curtains in every room but i am going to do another lining on them..we all have big wooly blankets at the bottom of the beds for cold weather...we have roller blinds up at all bedroom windows and bathroom..door curtain at front door(needs another lining)..roller blind and voile plus curtains in living room,voile and lined curtains in dining room(another lining)...got draught excluders at all doors...hot water bottles..sounds daft doing this time of year but i want to get it all ready and done for next winter..assuming this one ends..our house is warm and cosy but i think it could be better.The way things are going we will have to cut back on everything...we have the one income and manage it well but after talking we have come to the conclusion we could do better.
right hubbs has made a cuppa,girls are playing on their computers..half an hour a day is all they have..son has disappeared upstairs xbox king...and i am going to have a look on ebay for a pressure cooker...
love to you all
ftm
p.s..hi ash...

[Deleted User]

Afternoon FTM hope you have all had a lovely day together, it all sounds like so much fun in your house. Do you actually want a Pressure Cooker? I have one and use it for things that need a long cook, like beans or gammon joints but, what I have for veg is a couple of old fashioned steamer pans that fit on top of one saucepan. I got both of mine for 20p each at jumble sales and they stack on top of one another on top of the pan. It gives me much more flexibility than the pressure cooker as I can cook things like potatoes or carrots directly in the water in the pan and put the veg which take the next longest time to cook in the bottom steamer and things like broccoli or peas in the top one furthest away from the pan and let it steam gently. You get better veg in my opinion and it still only costs one pans worth of gas on the hob. I finmd pressure cooked veg is easily overdone, Hope that helps, Cheers Lyn xxx.

flowertotmum

Hi lyn...you have given me food for thought re the pressure cooker..i'll be honest i agree with you about the soggy veggies in a pressure cooker...so i will look for a steamer instead thank you.
And yes its lots of fun at my house...best time is bath time...they never know what to expect...
Movie star bath...lots of bubbles,light up tealights around the edge of the bath ,sunglasses,little plastic champagne glasses with a cocktail umbrella with a little apple juice in it...
Glow in the dark bath...some bubbles but not many..and as many glo-sticks as you want..turn off the lights and see the pretty colours..
What colour is it tonight bath...lots of bubbles and food colouring..
I spy bath...bubbles and then lots of little toys dropped under them and you have to guess what it is by touching...
Crazy paint bath...HM bath crayons..and let them go wild colouring the bath and walls...
Whats in the egg bath..a couple of those water balloons with a little animal popped inside..filled up with water,freeze and then cut ballon away..let them slowly melt in the bath water and see if you can guess whats in it...
so thats bath time..want to join us..
OMG..i have just heard an awful crunch..a car up the road has just rolled down and hit a car parked outside my house..great big dent in it...well both of them tbh...glad the car was there otherwise my fence and front room wall could have been hit...the neighbours are out in force..and the police are here..
wow exciting for our road...
better go i can see a policeman coming down my path...
love to you all
ftm

[Deleted User]

FTM hope there is no one hurt in either car, even more hope it wasn't your car, Cheers Lyn xxx.

flowertotmum

Hi..me again..no-one in either car thankfully...the car up the road didn't have its handbrake on properly and it rolled down..hit one car bounced off it and hit the car belonging to my neighbours...oops...made a real mess of both of them..
The girl it belongs to told the police that the handbrake was dodgy...unbeliveable..so she parks on a hill...
Just grateful no-one got hurt..
love
ftm

[Deleted User]

Thanks for letting me know, just glad no one was hurt in the shennanegins!!!!! Silly girl, if she'd only left it in gear she would have avoided this entirely, I wonder if her insurance covers things like this? Let's hope so, hope you enjoy the rest of the Bank Holiday without such immediate excitements!!! Cheers Lyn xxx.