make do and mend for tougher times

fuddle

grandma I think posted the original link this morning.

Been a-foraging for blackberries. Ooodles turned overnight. They're steeping nicely. I waited till 7.30pm to go to give some others a chance, particularly if children wanted to go BB picking. It seems no one has so I don't have to feel guilty about my glut.

Plenty of nettles where I've BB'd. If I pick them will nettles freeze. I would like to make up nettle soup for my lunches, and to make nettle tea. Would they be ok to use from frozen?

The girls are coming with me again in the morning.

My sock knitting is now in it's 4th attempt. I've sussed to the heel flap, and even then my ribbing stitches are somewhat hap-hazard. I've pulled it all out to start again.

gailey_2

aww thanks rosieben and d&dd

I dident feel like a very useful mummy today.

took kids local shops on scooters.
did sme crafts with them.
but they seem tired today my toddlers bit under the weather,baby doesnt get enough sleep in the day and my eldest had busy day yesterday and late night so she was grumpy.

shes 7in feb but cant tell time yet.
That was something wanted to teach her this hols but feel like we running out of time.

kidcat -ohh yes we have a pets at home vets nearby as dds rainbow group went on trip there. kind of worries she might have fleas although dh always cleaning out her cage hes taken quite a shine to it seems weird a grown man having a conversation with hamster maybe this money saving driving him mad and the hamster understands him better!

d&dd will look at that link as most meal planning stuff I managed to find is american they seem much more organised than us brits.

Im glad i dont drink tea but find coffee pricey enough.

surprisingly normally hate cheap coffee I always try pick supermarket gold but the sainsburys basic 49refill bag is drinkable and might get a few for dire emergancy coffee.

Depressing thourght I know as august not had much of a summer but anyone wondered what freaky weather we could get winter.
Think need to be better prepared.

need to start my stockpile again.

well im on the lappy in bed as feel crap.
downstairs semi presentable.
hubbys out and all 3kids asleep.

im sure good nights sleep feel lot better and might try and achieve round house tommorow.

re cheap shops.

my mam has b&m where old woolies used to be its quite good for some things.

bristol i dont think has even one swindon my nearest.

but there are others equally as good

poundland
pound world
family bargains
home bargains
occasionally poundstretchers.

some have good range food deals

tea /coffee
biscuits.
if anyones poundland they had good range weightwatchers products and pack of beef oxo for £1.

I said to hubby we need to shop pound shops for more bits.
then do butchers
do farmfoods for freezer
lilds/adlis for rest

then only go big boys if somethng on offer
check out reductions
or something we cant get.

liking morrisions again latly our tescos too big and pricey and our sainsburys just too busy, long queues.

D&DD

Fuddle would think nettles will freeze similar to spinach so should be fine.
Lisa on Jamie at home he used an old baking tray with coals in and put an old cooling rack across the top for a Barbie if that's any help?

Sorry mean to type Barbie not Barrie lol on iPad I hate technology insert embarrassed smiley here..

Possession

I think you blanch them before you freeze them Fuddle, but I've never tried it.

Popperwell

Fuddle...
http://www.ehow.com/how_2363833_make-fresh-nettle-tea.html

http://www.herbsociety.org.uk/kh-hedgerow-to-kitchen-nettle.htm

BTW if you were out until 7.30pm you've done well as the weather is pretty awful...

kidcat

Gailey I cant see how the ham would have picked up fleas if its not been near anything to catch them, cats and dogs obviously go out and mix so can catch them easily but hams usually dont mix. It may be something simple like an allergy to a change in bedding but I am no expert, we had two that I loved dearly but when they died I would replace them as they were alot of work and one turned out to be houdini with his escaping and the resulting panic tears and recriminations were all too much to bear.

Am not sure if you have a PDSA anywhere near, whilst you probably do not qualify for free treatment the may be willing to allow you to pay for treatment - which is bound to be cheaper than a normal vets. Our branch does this but some do not, I think its luck of the draw.

stiltwalker

gailey wrote: »

dh always cleaning out her cage hes taken quite a shine to it seems weird a grown man having a conversation with hamster maybe this money saving driving him mad and the hamster understands him better!

Oh I don't know gaily - I once came downstairs MUCH earliker in the morning than you would expect a teenager to rise :rotfl:to find my Dad in the kitchen giving my elderly rabbit a warm bath (rabbit wasn't to good at cleaning his paws anymore) and having a lovely chat about his week! (Dad's week - not the rabbits!) At time Dad was an allegedly sane and respectable headteacher!

Well I am absolutey cream crackered and so thoroughly not feeling MSE like so I'm sat here with a large glass of vino and I'm ordering take away tonight! Took the kids on the stay and play day out today and you have never seen 2 kids enjoy themselves more thoroughly! DS was literally IN the water play - laying on his tummy in the middle of the table with an inch of water and the toys on it and DD managed to get underneath the stream of water for the mini waterwheel and was drenched head to foot! After lunch she made short work of the adventure playground and the tunnels on the assault course and even managed to wear holes in the knees of her leggings - not half bad for a kid that can't walk!! Can see a little girl sleeping in tomorrow morning! But that's fine as no plans til the afternoon.

Kidcat - DLA doesn't mean forever, you only have to have the expectation of need for 6 months + and if it helps take some of the load off your shoulders maybe you should consider it? You can always tell them you don't need it anymore once you get a decent doc who fixes it not the muppet who fobs you off with pills. Parenthood is hard on backs anyway without the added stuff of kids with additional needs - I'm feeling very sympathetic for you as yet again I have a support bandage on my arm for a pulled muscle - me one way, DD adamant she was going the other! You take care and let us now if you need the pinnies and rolling pin brigade to ....erm..... help convince the docs!

Popperwell

I wasted some money whilst I could on some ready made cocktails/mixers reduced in Tesco's(I'll see if I like them)if I do I'll make my own which will be cheaper...they are quite small but each has 1.5 units in each can...so a little goes a long way. They were reduced to a £1 so I was not paying full price...In the future I probably could not afford them so whilst I am able...why not!

I have no plans or reason to go out over the Bank Holiday(I'm ok for food, the weather is horrible)I'll try and stay put!!!

[Deleted User]

now the blackberries are out, blackberry vodka
http://www.badgerbushcraft.com/wild-food/how-to-make-blackberry-vodka-recipe.htm

I made some last season and it was loverly. Nice for christmas presents

fuddle

Popperwell wrote: »

Fuddle...
http://www.ehow.com/how_2363833_make-fresh-nettle-tea.html

http://www.herbsociety.org.uk/kh-hedgerow-to-kitchen-nettle.htm

BTW if you were out until 7.30pm you've done well as the weather is pretty awful...

Thank you I was out in the rain with the dog. Nothing was stopping me from getting my free fruit :rotfl:

kittie wrote: »

now the blackberries are out, blackberry vodka
http://www.badgerbushcraft.com/wild-food/how-to-make-blackberry-vodka-recipe.htm

I made some last season and it was loverly. Nice for christmas presents

Brilliant, thank you

Cheapo vodka? Would that be ok? Aldi? Is that the cheapest?