make do and mend for tougher times

GreyQueen

fuddle wrote: »

Some people! :mad:

Hey pooky what a good idea Now I know about it, it seems such a logical thing to do. I never would have thought of that, thanks

My Mum taught me this and I've told quite a few people, even experienced stitchers and it's often a revelation. Bit of a Doh! moment as it's so obvious when you think of it, but often we don't.

Got the day off work on leave and waiting in for 2 lots tradesmen so they've all been and gone now and the rest of my day is my own, yippee! And it's even sunny (sorry to those under rain but I've barely seen sun for days and am a bit over-excited.:o)

Gotta have a quick browse around the c.s. and then on to other things (my lottie needs me this pm). Hope everyone is having a good day........

VJsmum

Re shortening curtains from the top - someone not very "make do and mendy" told me this and I was dubious until she said that it hides "all the mess" under the curtain tape and you don't have to worry about hemming curtain and lining. It makes it a much easier job.

I am the curtain queen in our family - making from scratch, shortening, repurposing. I have saved us and others fortunes in my time.

Well, this is odd. Both kids gone back to school, MIL just gone home, OH at work. Listen, what's that noise?


Silence

God, it's loud

DD has started a new school today for 6th form. Haven't seen her that nervous in years. SHe is the only one she knows going, all her friends are elsewhere. It is a brave thing to do.

DS has gone off in his brand new school uniform - they've gone back to blazers and ties but he's never worn that before. He wouldn't let me take his picture in case it ended up on facebook

I have shedloads of work for my teaching trip to Korea next week and shedloads of housework. SO I thought I'd start on here! :cool::rotfl:

Anyone know a good way to keep apples that doesn't involve dehydrating? Or freezing. Can you make apple jam?

valk_scot

lisakay wrote: »

yep, use conditioner, but they definitely need a trim. both girls have fine blonde hair down to their waist. I normally have it cut way before now but seem to have lost touch with my barber friend who normally trims it for us in return for tea and a chat, and my other friend has lost her scissors!
the girls have never been inside a hairdressers and i haven't seen the inside of a salon in 7 years ( i normally trim my own, but dont trust myself with the girls :eek:)

Off to bed now to hit some zzz's ready for another busy day tomorrow.

My DD also has long fine hair to her bum and she's never been to a hairdresser either. I trim her hair, just comb it straight when barely damp and snip across the bottom inch or so. It takes off the fine wispy ends and makes detangling a lot easier. She wears it plaited most of the time, in bed as well as during the day. I change where I do it though to minimise stress on the roots, if it's in one plait during the day I put it in two for sleeping and vice versa. I never put a brush near her hair, brushes are useless on tangles imho. Wide toothed comb for detangling, standard comb for styling.

She hardly ever wears it totally loose because it tangles so badly but when she does it's real princess hair, all shiney blonde ripples. If you've seen the old Victorian pictures of girls with long, glorious hair that's how they did it, kept it plaited or tied back under a cap all the time. Minimises the tangles!

jamanda

VJsmum wrote: »

Anyone know a good way to keep apples that doesn't involve dehydrating? Or freezing. Can you make apple jam?

Hi,

I make apple jam and it is quite nice. Also make one with some mixed spice in and my parents love it.

I also bottle apples in syrup (I think it is 4 oz sugar per pint - ish)

Because guess who else doesn't have a dehydrator or any spare freezer room

born_blonde

Apple Jam
6lb apples
2pints water
2 level tablespoons citric acid
12 cloves
6lb sugar
Wash dry and slice apples do not peel or core. Simmer to a pulp with the citric acid and cloves tied in a muslin bag.
Remove cloves, sieve and weigh pulp. Return to the pan with one and a half lb of sugar to every 2lb of pulp.
Stir until disolved and boil rapidly to setting point.

jamanda

My version is the idiot one - chuck prepared slices of apples and same weight of sugar in pan. Boil up to setting point. Put in hot sterilised jars and seal.

Although, I do sprinkle lemon juice over the apples to stop them going brown.

savingqueen

I'm having a really good day today. The sun is glorious, children back to school and all up and ready super early. First year ever no tears from either and DS2 who is starting Year 1 today with a brand new teacher (new to school I mean) was fine, slight wobble at the door but then fine and teacher seems nice too -said her child was also starting Year 1 today and she feels sad not able to see him off poor love.

Had a lovely pot of Earl Grey and slice of homemade coffee and walnut cake in a cutesy teashop with a good friend who haven't seen for weeks. Actually we really pushed the boat out and had second cuppa. Used to do this every week with her but decided a while back to change to once a month - feeling like I could save by inviting her over to ours but then thought what the heck, one of my very few indulgences.

My friend has just come back from a rare visit/holiday to family in Sri Lanka and I have a gorgeous mug (with a 24ct gold elephant embossed on outside ) and Earl Grey tea in a little wooden box -can't wait to try them. She bought boys a T-shirt each with Sri Lankan wildlife on, just the sort of things they like and not 'orrible touristy tacky ones.

Roasting chicken legs as I type as kids requested their favourite tea - fahitas (sp?) so will be easy to prepare with the chicken part cooked (not that the chicken will be partly cooked ). DH & I having jackets - bit hot but what we fancy - nice, cheap and easy

Need to put away last bits of shopping, sort chicken and washing out then off to collect my boys. Hope their first day has been good, everything crossed.

right the posties just been and washing finished, better look lively. Be back later...
sq:)

[Deleted User]

simply knitting arrived today and always surprises me with the nice free gift with it. I was going to stop the sub but I think I`ll renew. I got a vac packed ball of bergere yarn plus a small pair of needles, so I will make the pattern for the pretty fingerless gloves, that will be a nice present for someone. The yarn packed flat and I suddenly caught on yes I can do that to my yarn stash and make room for something or other. I always keep the patterns that I like and the alan dart patterns. I now have a lot of alan dart patterns in a folder and it would get a good price on ebay, if I were to sell but I have made a few things and they are so lovely.

I went to bed aching yesterday as it was another pretty strenuous day getting winter -ready in the garden. Lots to empty at the dump, where the men are oh so nice and kind. All pots and containers washed and put away and it feels like I have feng shui`ed outside. I am most definitely cutting down hugely on high maintenance containers next year. All aches and pains were gone when I woke up. I sleep on a full size (was expensive) magnetic mattress topper, covered all over with norstar magnets and then padded. Had it for years and it always has that effect. Seems to take away my muscular and joint pain from too much activity

Feet up now and some knitting to finish, been a busy few days for us but was worth it. I can`t be doing with tackling it all when it is cold and wet

SpikyHedgehog

lisakay wrote: »

yep, use conditioner, but they definitely need a trim. both girls have fine blonde hair down to their waist. I normally have it cut way before now but seem to have lost touch with my barber friend who normally trims it for us in return for tea and a chat, and my other friend has lost her scissors!
the girls have never been inside a hairdressers and i haven't seen the inside of a salon in 7 years ( i normally trim my own, but dont trust myself with the girls :eek:)

Off to bed now to hit some zzz's ready for another busy day tomorrow.

Crumbs, no wonder they get tangles :-) ! They sound lovely, with 2 boys, I never had beautiful long hair to play with.

VJsmum wrote: »

Re shortening curtains from the top - someone not very "make do and mendy" told me this and I was dubious until she said that it hides "all the mess" under the curtain tape and you don't have to worry about hemming curtain and lining. It makes it a much easier job.

I am the curtain queen in our family - making from scratch, shortening, repurposing. I have saved us and others fortunes in my time.

Well, this is odd. Both kids gone back to school, MIL just gone home, OH at work. Listen, what's that noise?


Silence

God, it's loud

DD has started a new school today for 6th form. Haven't seen her that nervous in years. SHe is the only one she knows going, all her friends are elsewhere. It is a brave thing to do.

DS has gone off in his brand new school uniform - they've gone back to blazers and ties but he's never worn that before. He wouldn't let me take his picture in case it ended up on facebook

I have shedloads of work for my teaching trip to Korea next week and shedloads of housework. SO I thought I'd start on here! :cool::rotfl:

Anyone know a good way to keep apples that doesn't involve dehydrating? Or freezing. Can you make apple jam?

I made apple curd from Weezl's recipe last year, it was lovely though I had to sieve it as my good processor didn't blend it all enough.

I've only turned up 2nd hand curtains, & I've replaced the horrible old heading tape with new tape, makes such a difference.

DS1 has his induction at 6th form this afternoon before starting lessons properly on Friday, DS2 goes back tomorrow, so we've just got home from a pop to the supermarket to return some trousers that didn't fit me, & get fruit veg & a few bits. Now sitting with bread & jam &a glass of water before putting it all away & turning up DS2's school trousers for tomorrow.

katieowl_2

fuddle wrote: »

Hey pooky what a good idea Now I know about it, it seems such a logical thing to do. I never would have thought of that, thanks

Yeah MUCH easier like that...same with some skirts that are too long, or those with fancy work around the hems


Kate