Finally I have a mortgage I can start to pay off!

shangaijimmy

Hazelnutty wrote: »

Good work Vix. Your chicken has reminded me I really need to fix ordering the turkey crown for Christmas. We are 'practicing' pigs in blankets this Sunday (obviously don't want to risk it for the big day )

I trust practising involves copious sampling!

themadvix

Chicken has arrived. Looks lovely, if you like that sort of thing (rosemary sprigs on it! For cats!!!) but won't be ordering again as it was an environmental disaster. Back to the drawing board for ethical, affordable cat food

themadvix

shangaijimmy wrote: »

I trust practising involves copious sampling!

Agreed!! :rotfl:

Crumpets

Bad news about the cats food Vix, I have come to the conclusion that pets aren't very environmentally friendly We have quite a few pets and the food, bedding, treats etc are an environmental nightmare. I love animals though, but some pets will not be replaced when they go

How are the biscuit experiments going? dd2 and I are going to make mince pies today. yummy. For your horrible biscuit dough, could you bake it and then turn it into crumbs for a cheesecake base or similar?

themadvix

Hey Crumpets, you're right about pets not being environmentally friendly but I wouldn't be without them. That said, I couldn't justify going to a breeder for a pet when there are so many unloved animals out there We cooked the chicken up this morning and it smelt lovely with the rosemary :rotfl: It gave us enough for a couple of months (far less shrinkage than non-free range) and there'll be turkey too soon. I'm going to have to investigate the local high welfare farm next, I think, to see how much that will cost. At least i should be able to get it plastic free from them if I go and talk to them.

Re biscuits, I've tried the normal recipe without the raising agent and while edible, they weren't great and the pattern still faded a bit. I'm just going to do plain Christmassy shapes in normal dough now. I'll have to keep looking for a recipe for the rolling pin!

Hope your mince pies come out ok!

(Random top tip: Want to get sticky from sticky labels off a glass jar or bottle? Make a paste from bicarb and olive oil, smear it on, leave one minute and rinse off... Amazing! )
:money:

Busy_Mee1

Hey MadVix just catching up and glad to see everything all well in your corner of the world.

I have just made sticky ginger cake as an experiment and it has worked out well. I think it will be better for leaving for a few days wrapped in a tin....not sure that it will last that long though ....

themadvix

Mmm, sticky ginger cake sounds fab Busy Mee! But we have a similar problem with letting it mature.... :rotfl:

themadvix

Morning all,

So, I spent most of the weekend (all?) in the kitchen! We cooked off and prepped all the cats' chicken, which definitely didn't shrink as much as non-free range stuff. DH even got to keep a breast of it for him to eat! Then more biscuit experimentation and then actual biscuits-that-I-could-use were baked. Then yesterday, the gluten-free biscuits for someone else! (They are delicious ) In the afternoon we called on a friend and then popped to the in-laws to drop off some presents for delivery oop north (postage saved). In the evening we went to the carol service at the church we got married at. It was lovely, although they'd changed the words to Silent Night, which was *very* unacceptable! (No doubt to make them more 'accessible', but really?)

All in all, it was a lovely but tiring weekend!

MS things:
* SBs survey
* £50 Am gift card received from client
* First batches of biscuit Christmas gifts made and packaged - much cheaper than the gifts I'd normally buy for these people
* Meals from freezer - trying to clear odd bits out
* Bread baked

Gratitudes:
* A quick cuppa with Sis and Niece - she was especially cute
* A quick catch up with a friend and her little one - always nice to see her
* Church service

Have a good day all! (Another busy week here, none of this breaking up for Christmas a week beforehand - several bits of work that need finishing before Friday!)

shangaijimmy

At least those that are work this week get to enjoy office Christmas chocolate! By the time i get back in January there's only bountys left.

themadvix

And what's wrong with Bountys??!