make do and mend for tougher times

Evie74_2

Thank you BoultDJ, that's a relief - I was worried in case something was attacking them (the tomatoes succumbed completely to blight within hours of the first wilted yellow leaf :eek:) - I shall cut off the offending dead-looking bits and hope the new light green growth stays strong for next year!

Evie xx

boultdj

Glad I can help Evie, and a head's up, raspberrie's like to spead:D,and off the top of my head I know they can get mildew affecting the fruit.
p.s just call me boult

GreyQueen

Mrs_Chip wrote: »

Oh no, GQ, see the link at 'eggplant'in that post!

Oh, silly me, was too tired last night to notice that linkie. Checked it out now and can quite see why they're called eggplants. Weird little boogers, aren't they? Another of life's little mysteries solved thanks to MSE.

Hey, d'you remember a coupla weeks ago I mentioned in passing that I'd seen a pig's head on the cycle path earlier this year? Spoke to a colleague who'd taken the call about that one and another colleague said it was probably part of a hazing ritual from the Uni students and that pigs' heads aren't that difficult to get hold of, actually. The things which go on in Provincial City. We could be frying eggs on the roads, today. And if the price of cooking oil goes up, we may well have to. (At this point GQ wanders off looking for a nice dark-coloured motor parked in full sun.......)

At the moment it's virtually deserted outside in the shopping streets as it's far too hot - circa 31 degrees. I'm lurking indoors but went out earlier to raid Sainsbugs for their Basics teabags, which I have taken rather a shine to and which are a trifling 27p for 80. I have 16 more boxes and they are BB Jan 2014. Shortly I shall be playing that well-loved parlour game Storecupboard Tetris.....:rotfl:Honestly, if you were to visit, you would have no idea about the amount of stuff lurking hidden in stray corners.

But hey, at least we could have a cuppa. Laters, GQ xx

fuddle

Just about to make fish pie for tea but before I do I have a question

Foraging blackberries :j I have some. Not too many ripe just yet but I think I'll be coming home with a pooh (sorry) bag containing some almost nightly from now on.

Anyway, question. How do I make sure they are clean and insect free?

First lot are destined for a steamed fruit pud, hoping for some more tomorrow for an apple and blackcurrent crumble. My large marg conainer is washed out ready to freeze my loot.

It is very warm here too. I had my wellies on while walking the dog (who was great while I was picking. I put him on his retractible lead and he just wandered, sniffing) and was so uncomfy. It's bizarre because it's windy here. You would think it would help but it just makes it feel worse.

SpikyHedgehog

Sitting melting on the bus, waiting for the driver to come back from his break. Been to the Maritime thing in town, spent £10 there - £2 for 1 turn on the helter skelter for DS2, & a cone of locally made ice cream for each of us. Avoided all the tat stalls, & sat watching boats & eating our sandwiches. Saw my brothers in law, so had a good chat to them.

Also got a jumper & 4 Biggles books from the CS & a piece of grey polyester to line a bag I'm making. It's just so hot here, I've no energy for making bread or laundry gloop yet.

[Deleted User]

FUDDLE - give the blackberries a soak in salt water for an hour or so and any inhabitants will be drawn out and into the water. After that they should be OK to use.

Popperwell

You are right Fuddle...I tried to walk home but had to get a taxi(however)my driver let me share the journey with someone we both know and so we each saved 50p. It all helps and walked(if you can call it that)one way so that wasn't too bad.

It is warm but the breeze isn't helping...

The expensive journey is tomorrow going to Aldi in B.A. Pity I cannot share such a trip with someone even if I paid the petrol...Saves the driver the cst of the fuel and probably cheaper for me than a taxi...

Wish a bus went from here to where Aldi is...hope our's is good when it opens...

Here's a link for you about cleaning blackberries...

http://www.ehow.com/video_12239295_clean-blackberries.html?ref=Track2&utm_source=ask

Mrs Lurchwalker's advice sounds pretty good to me...

kidcat

Fuddle its so warm here too, am drained anyway and the heat just zaps any strength I had left. OH at work and DD decided today was a good day to bring new boyfriend back, combined with DD6 thinking we are a youth centre for all her friends and that it is my responsibility to look after them all and feed them lolly ices, crisps and biscuits constantly, both boys are having a bad day and I am ready for bed - if I am honest I was ready for bed when I got up this morning.

Am struggling with the DD6 and her friends issue, as I feel guilty saying no she cannot have them here, however its so hard for DS8 when they are here and its such extra work too. The two she plays with most appear t o have no understanding of the concept of the word no either which drives me mad.

DS8 has blocked the toilet and as such the bathroom is out of order today until OH comes home to deal - they were told this when they arrived, yet not five minutes later they were in there making comments - oooh look at that, thats disgusting (GRRRRRR.)
They were told that the back garden was water logged, yet every five minutes they were mithering to go out there, after three hours of sunshine I let them figuring the worst was gone but warned them it was still wet and shoes needed at all times. Five minutes later muddy feet through the house

Their mum made snide comments last week when I went to collect my DD from their house, shes always here she said - I was stunned, as they have spent almost all day here every day. They spend about one hour a day at their house tops some days its not even that.

Sorry for rant the heat is making me irritable.

Had shock earlier when I discovered that we are down to our last tin of tomatoes, no idea how that happened but need to do some serious restocking in that dept. On the plus side I bought loads of washing powder on offer in January and estimated it would last six months, its now been eight months and we have only just started the second box and have two more in the loft, so its possible that it may last another twelve months or even more
Fabric softener is the same, having bought loads in January we havent used anywhere near what I thought so have a good amount left.

Am going to B&M tomorrow to buy some more gas canisters for the gas stove and a small camping kettle. I figure I have a few small pans I can use to heat things but a small kettle will probably be worth getting.

Does anyone know if its cheaper for me to use a kettle on the gas hob to boil water or to use the electric kettle?

Popperwell

Kidcat,
I bet the gas is better(they say electric is more costly than gas)I think hobs are quite quick and not too expensive...I need some hot water bottles and a kettle that can be used on a camping stove/hob...

If you only boil what is needed i doubt there's much difference between the two...then again if you boil the water and put the spare in flasks for later use that probably saves something...

I have two spare electric kettles(an ordinary one)and a rapid boil one but not sure what difference that makes in time or energywise...

Today the lady at NPower said anything with a halogen light is more costly than gas but then said it is cheaper than a electric fan oven...(I know I have strayed off your point but as we are talking energy...)

She praised gas for cooking but for electric gadgets was all for microwaves and slowcookers(she still as to get a SC)

She admitted(and she sells electric and gas she has to economise and switch things off)and that she cannot afford to have the gas ch on much and wears warm cloths and uses fleeces etc...and so do her children...

katieowl_2

I've had to do extra washing - Mattie came back from her walk and threw up - grass sick - on my sofa :mad: Was really wet and went through throw, cover and onto cushion. That's now drying on the line! Good job we love dogs

My mum is here with us this week, and is demanding Victoria Sponge ...so better go and do that. Tried my hand at fudge earlier thinking it would be a good make for the market. But it's turned into caramel sticky and gooey - not solid, so that's getting turned into sauce for ice cream, and I'm starting again with a different recipe.

DD and BF are still here, but have been moved to the hippy hut for mum's visit. They are taking the only place available in town for rent in their budget, but it won't be ready until the 10th Sept.

DD has been miserable all week (despite them finally getting all their flat disaster money back) as she's just had a tax credit letter and they are loosing £100 a month as she's 'better off' so she's been having 40 fits that they can't afford an extra £25 a week rent plus the extra council tax. I pointed out that even if the horrible place had been tolerable, they would have got the same letter, and had to deal with the consequences...but for some reason she couldn't see the wood for the trees. I know it's not nice to be backed into a decision, with no choices, but we've been there with the tax credits situation ourself more than once, and at the end of the day, staying here, and blocking the room I use for my business is not an option. As it is I've lost four potential bookings already.... and it looks like they're here for three more weeks! :eek:

Ah well...They are going to have to chip in, as they are eating me out of house and home. Fortuately mum has picked up the tab several times this week!

Kate