make do and mend for tougher times

kidcat

Thanks PAH as soon as I am sorted I will call and pop over over

No idea re manchester, I always get lost, doesnt matter which sat nav I use or if I am following written directions, I have a mental block and get lost. The number of times my dad has had to "find" me based on my awful descriptions over the phone and then tell me the route is unbelievable.

fuddle

monnagran wrote: »

Baby Mia Grace Joy arrived safely at 2.53am weighing 7lb 12oz.

Besotted Dad says she is "very, very pretty."

Proud Mum says, "It did smart a bit!"

Monna and Granny God recovering slowly.

Congratulations! A lovely name too.

kidcat wrote: »

Possession - He let freezer door open so loads of food defrosted, used a big chunk yesterday but am left with a whole duck to cook, never cooked one before so have no idea, was going to just roast it but in some ways it seems a shame not to do something special with it as we never have duck normally.

I feel your pain I'm absolutely devastated. Come back to find a pool of water at the garage freezer. It's kaput. All my meat for my meal plans up until 15th October is soft. All my milk is defrosted, all pack lunch yoghurts defrosted. I have used my meat budget this month now and don't know what the heck I'm going to do.

We'll have jacket potatoe, cheese and beans tonight. I've got chickpeas soaking for a chickpea curry tomorrow and have UHT milk in the pantry. Beyond that I'm lost.

betony

The Cake I know what a difficult day this will be for you. Sending you virtual hugs x

Mrs_Chip

Oh Fuddle :mad::(

Is it your only freezer? If you can cook as much of the meat as possible, it should keep in the fridge for up to a week (as long as you have a good cold fridge).

If you have other freezer space (ask neighbours?) cook down meat into basics for re-use later, chuck out anything that really does not deserve the space for the stuff that will feed you.

Grrrrr on your behalf!

[Deleted User]

I just received a book from amazon that will enable me to make 76 items of dolls clothing and accessories, that is going to be such a life saver in keeping the children entertained in the future. I was so lucky and paid a total of £11.70 and I see it is now £32
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/2848312610/ref=oh_details_o01_s00_i01
my first projects will be the whole outfit on the front and all using the kemps wool that is still going strong. I have made 4 short sleeved cardis so far and have enough left for 2 tank tops for a boy, all aged between 3 and 5. I got angry birds motifs on the way from ebay so plain will be good with a motif on each. All that lot for £10, amazing

The doll that the clothes will fit is
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000N6K5QU/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00
It is 4+ and is a lovely doll. Less than half price and the cheapest corolle les cheries doll anywhere

I have also bought 2 wicker shopping baskets for the dds, ebay and they are so well made. I love my os shopping baskets, so tactile, strong and roomy. £11.99 + £3.5 p + p. Such a bargain. That quality is normally so much more expensive

I need to catch up with you all but tonight as washing calls me

prepareathome

Oh Fuddle can any of it be salvaged or don't you know how long since it went off.

How can I help, just wished you were nearer but could come over at weekend with food, freezer has enough to feed an army, don't have to say where you live we can just meet up somewhere near Darlington.

fuddle

It could have been off since Monday pah, It was ok Sunday. No it's not my only freezer. There's one in the kitchen so it will be ok. Don't you worry about us. We're more than fine... hey I've a pantry full We'll not starve. It's just thrown my best laid plans into turmoil. I'll come up with a solution, even if we're veggie for a month It's gobbled my meat up but still money left for veg fruit and other things. I've the emergency fund and DH fishing winnings pot so don't take any pity - it's not that bad. Just very, very annoying.

Good of you to care though... and offering like that. Lovely Thank you x

Oh your just gorgeous pah. I'm all mushy inside. I hope you get some goodwill in return someday and If there's anything I could help you with, you give me a shout

the_cake

Congratulations Monnagran, great news!
Pooky, any sign of your missing cat yet?
Fuddle, am so sorry about your freezer. Was all the meat already cooked? If not, can you have an emergency cooking session and borrow a neighbour's freezer?
Thank you all so very very much for the kind messages: catto has completely confused my plans by being bright, purry and hungry this morning ........ so I have cancelled the appointment. I rang and spoke to a very sympathetic vet, described how he is (still going out, lying in the sun, washing, drinking, eating, using litter tray, and most important of all, purring and snuggling), and he said it was fine to cancel, just take it one day at a time. So I will. It was the way he (catto, not vet) mewed brightly at me this morning and licked my hand which made me feel I was being a bit premature. I am not at all easy with this having the power of life and death over another living being, it feels like a very heavy responsibility. A lot of me wishes his little heart would just give out when the time is right. So ... the long goodbye continues. I do so appreciate being able to "talk" to you all about it. OH is very sympathetic and hugely supportive but is working nights this week so is either asleep, exhausted or out working!
Love all round, the cake xxx (and catto)

Possession

fuddle wrote: »

Congratulations! A lovely name too.



I feel your pain I'm absolutely devastated. Come back to find a pool of water at the garage freezer. It's kaput. All my meat for my meal plans up until 15th October is soft. All my milk is defrosted, all pack lunch yoghurts defrosted. I have used my meat budget this month now and don't know what the heck I'm going to do.

We'll have jacket potatoe, cheese and beans tonight. I've got chickpeas soaking for a chickpea curry tomorrow and have UHT milk in the pantry. Beyond that I'm lost.

Fuddle list what you've got defrosting and we'll help. If the meat is raw you can cook it and freeze again (if still OK) if any room in the other freezer. If not save the jacket potatoes for another night and cook some meat tonight if you think it has kept chilled enough - remember it can be stored at up to 8 degrees in the fridge. Do you know when the freezer must have gone wrong?
ETA: sorry have re-read and you say it might be monday.

D&DD

Aw cake so glad you have a little more time to build memories with your boy XXX