make do and mend for tougher times

Mrs_Chip

Crinkle test - Put a saucer in the fridge or freezer box before you start making your jam.

When you want to test for setting take a teaspoon of jam and put onto the chilled saucer and leave for 1 min. If, when pushed with tip of finger the jam 'crinkles' up it is done. Just push from the edge of the blob inward. I find the crinkle can be quite subtle, but it is easy to see when it is not ready as your finger just goes through the jam.

if you like a nice soft set subtle is good! I don't like jam that has been boiled to set really solid.

grandma247

I had a friend who used to buy very expensive French bras and she always washed and rinsed them in cold water. No conditioner. It also rots lace because the stuff in it relaxes the fibers.

I stopped using it when I found out some either contain or form formaldehyde.
I found these two sites.

katieowl_2

Gordon Bennett - you lot can chat!!!

I've been holding on for Tax Credits for hours :mad: The first time when I eventually got through, the guy on the other end couldn't hear me, and he hung up (wail, sob) Second attempt 22 minutes wait for a three minute exchange of info - grrrr. Still - done for another year. OH's figures for the year were pathetic - when you look at our income on paper, really I do wonder how we survive?

I'm utterly exhausted today...I mean face down in my breakfast exhausted. I don't know what's wrong with me. I just don't seem to be able to catch up on sleep ( and I'm in bed by ten no matter what) and I'm waking feeling as bad as when I went to bed. Think I may have to visit GP at this rate. I started taking my iron tabs again, about a week ago, but to no avail.

Anyway...I've tons and tons to do, so I'd better not sit here like a wet lettuce chatting, as it's prolly going to take me twice as long to do anything, and the laundry won't do itself!

Kate

kidcat

katie I am exactly the same, I keep blaming the weather I called tax credits on Monday and was stunned that I got through in only a few minutes, they were surprisingly helpful too which I assume means something will go wrong.

We were supposed to go to the zoo today, but to go meant we had to be out by 9.30 or it just wasnt worth bothering with the length of journey etc.
I got up organised breakfast, clothes etc but DD17 and DS14 wouldnt get up. DD eventually wandered down at 9.00am and DS at 9.10am. but Ds was in stinking mood, which kicked DS8 off so its now almost 11am and no-one is ready, I am furious, DS8 is in total meltdown and I just want to sleep.
I have sat and explained to DS14 that these days out cost a fortune and that turning up for a few hours in the afternoon is just not worth the money, besides the fact that the travel involved is usually an hour each way.
OH is off work tomorrow which means that anything we do will automatically be more stressful anyway. Sometimes I wonder why I bother !!

Possession

Phew it's hot here in Kent. Yesterday I could barely scrape up the effort to put one foot in front of the other, who'd have thought it after all that rain? The paddling pool is out and I almost feel like flopping in it myself. Very frugal living at your parents for a week though, I recommend it!

smileyt_2

kidcat wrote: »

katie I am exactly the same, I keep blaming the weather I called tax credits on Monday and was stunned that I got through in only a few minutes, they were surprisingly helpful too which I assume means something will go wrong.

We were supposed to go to the zoo today, but to go meant we had to be out by 9.30 or it just wasnt worth bothering with the length of journey etc.
I got up organised breakfast, clothes etc but DD17 and DS14 wouldnt get up. DD eventually wandered down at 9.00am and DS at 9.10am. but Ds was in stinking mood, which kicked DS8 off so its now almost 11am and no-one is ready, I am furious, DS8 is in total meltdown and I just want to sleep.
I have sat and explained to DS14 that these days out cost a fortune and that turning up for a few hours in the afternoon is just not worth the money, besides the fact that the travel involved is usually an hour each way.
OH is off work tomorrow which means that anything we do will automatically be more stressful anyway. Sometimes I wonder why I bother !!

Kidcat, why don't you just take the young ones (DD6? DS8) out tomorrow and leave your lazy teenagers and your OH at home? Would that be less stressful?

Pooky

Possession wrote: »

Phew it's hot here in Kent. Yesterday I could barely scrape up the effort to put one foot in front of the other, who'd have thought it after all that rain? The paddling pool is out and I almost feel like flopping in it myself. Very frugal living at your parents for a week though, I recommend it!

I'm in Kent too :wave: and yes itis silly hot. I've just cut the lawns and put our pool up (it's a spa one rather than a paddling pool) but I'm determined to sit in it later and have the bubbles ease my back.

I made huge bowls of fruit salad, salad, coleslaw and potato salad last night so we can just dip in when we fancy. DDs are at my parents until the weekend so DH and I are having a mini staycation. We may well venture down to the beach for an ice cream later but then again we might just opt for a sit in the pool with a glass of something cold. Who needs to go abroad when we've got weather like this!

Possession

Hi Pooky
That sounds a great idea to make the big bowls of salad, who feels like cooking in this heat? chicken salad sandwiches for lunch here and then the plan seems to be to go to Rochester but I'm more in favour of just lying down myself.....

Pooky wrote: »

I'm in Kent too :wave: and yes itis silly hot. I've just cut the lawns and put our pool up (it's a spa one rather than a paddling pool) but I'm determined to sit in it later and have the bubbles ease my back.

I made huge bowls of fruit salad, salad, coleslaw and potato salad last night so we can just dip in when we fancy. DDs are at my parents until the weekend so DH and I are having a mini staycation. We may well venture down to the beach for an ice cream later but then again we might just opt for a sit in the pool with a glass of something cold. Who needs to go abroad when we've got weather like this!

cat_smith

OK. I am officially sulking. Can someone send that yellow ball up here PLEASE. My veg are non-existant. I think GQ's slugs have moved in however. Mardy can I come and share sweeties?

Pooky

Possession wrote: »

Hi Pooky
That sounds a great idea to make the big bowls of salad, who feels like cooking in this heat? chicken salad sandwiches for lunch here and then the plan seems to be to go to Rochester but I'm more in favour of just lying down myself.....

My DDs are in Rochester today, grandparents have taken them to the castle and cathedral.

Of all the things to be doing today and I'm crocheting a winter blanket! It's far to hot to sit out in the garden, so I'm sat in the shady living room with the fan going. Just made a solicitors appointment For tomorrow to sort out DHs work stuff and his official leaving date is 31st of this month. Have tried speaking to various benefit officials to see what's what but they don't want to know until he's official laid off....not much good for those of us that like to plan ahead and know what's coming in/going out. :mad: