make do and mend for tougher times

born_blonde

Does anyone know anything about Sweet Chestnut trees and you don't get to say that very often.

I have a young tree - 6 yrs old but only produces tiny chestnuts which when opened are full of fluff.

Is it an age thing?

maryb

D&DD thanks for asking - I don't have a date yet for the op but it will be in the next week or so after the pre-op clinical assessment. So I am running around trying to get all the odds and ends sorted and have started batch cooking. Need to pop out tomorrow to get lots of foil dishes from the pound shop so that I can get someone to take out a lasagne or casserole in the morning and pop it in the oven in the evening. Normally I don't buy them as I feel they are wasteful and if you try to reuse them they take up lots of room but I think they will be helpful.

I'm quite pleased that I have managed to make a list of lots of dishes that will actually use up what I have in the fridge and freezer. So tonight I have been making soup and bol sauce with all the manky bottom of the fridge leeks and celery.

But my tinned tomato stash is taking a hit:eek:

GreyQueen

born_blonde wrote: »

Does anyone know anything about Sweet Chestnut trees and you don't get to say that very often.

I have a young tree - 6 yrs old but only produces tiny chestnuts which when opened are full of fluff.

Is it an age thing?

I confess to not being an expert but I suspect it may be that the tree is too juvenile; this is a species which grows 35 meters tall so your 6 y.o. one is probably still a baby and not quite ready to do the business.

Hopefully a passing arboriculturist will wander in and advise. Also, they are not native to the British Isles (Romans brought them here apparently) and I've heard that they don't bear well in our climate as even southern England is at the very edge of their ability to survive the climate.

Blasted conkers manage just fine, don't they, grrrr?

D&DD

Thats good to hear its not too long away Maryb if you have any ziplock bags I freeze my bolognaise sauce and soup in these as it takes up less space.Good job you've planned ahead a bit don't forget button/zip up tops are easier too both for hospital and home afterwards I learnt that the hard way

maryb

Thanks for the tip. I remember last time I was in a cast all the way to my fingertipswhich meant I couldn't bring my fingers and thumb together so it was impossible to use that hand at all for the first week. I seem to recall it's rather hard to do up one's bra like that LOL. This time it's only day surgery so at least I won't be in overnight, thank goodness

born_blonde

Thanks for the advice on the tree GQ. I will be patient.

D&DD

Maybe a sports type bra would help like a pull on one,or front fastening? Hope all goes well XX

maryb

LOL a pull on bra wouldn't stretch over the mountain - or if it did the elastic would never recover:rotfl:

Possession

Kidcat if you have a Waitrose nearby I noticed a few weeks ago that they have very nice quite reasonably priced birthday cakes....

Popperwell

Hardup_Hester wrote: »

I charge my lodgers £400 pcm, this way I don't have to pay tax on this though I do declare it to the tax office.
Hester

I think it was a private house(wish mine was)and someone around here was charging(I cannot find many that have anyone staying)and they were charging £85 for a single and £95 for a double room.

If the idea is a goer I will get the house painted and put some new curtains up/some carpet. I probably need a new bed or mattress. I don't mind sharing food and my tv, internet, phones, kitchen equipment and washer.

Of course i'd rather not have to do this but I'm friendly enough and I don't think we'd get in each others way.

monnagran wrote: »

As to SM prices, I have always bought Bero flour for purely nostalgic reasons. My Mum always used it. It's been £1 in T*sc*s for yonks. Last week £1.50!!!! I use loads of flour with all the baking for the Drop-in and various church events. Guess Bero's off limits in future.

Aint life grand!

We have a meeting here tonight so everything has been picked up and shoved out of sight and chocolate brownies are cooling in the tin. The house looks and smells homely. Lovely.x

That brings back memories. Mum used Bero flour too and we also had a Bero Recipe book. My memories of meals as a child are a bit hazy but I know Mum did cook, as did my Dad. I guess it wasn't anyone's particular job. And I fell into the job of mainly doing the cooking after Dad passed away. I don't find cooking difficult but being single it seems just as easy to use a mixtire of prepared items and cooking from scratch.CT and the new BT.

My main worries are whether I can afford to repair/replace items that break and the worry that I can keep the internet going. That I can have the odd treat but when you are tied to benefits that is there as a safety net so I can see some getting annoyed that it may be being seen as being used for frivoulous things and yet little treats stop you from going mad.

My treats might be an odd CD, a trip somewhere on a bus or on rare occasions perhaps the theatre. But even some who work cannot do that.

Many have to decide whether they can eat or heat their house. You cut your coat according to your cloth. But what would life be like without any treats.

I can usually feed myself daily for approx £1-£1.50, a phone line and internet is approx 90p a day is that a lot? It maybe looks as though it is annually but what could you do for that if you went out socially?

But jobs are so poorly paid I question whether even working, the budget would be much better.

the_cake wrote: »

Hi Pops, I think the most important thing would be: can you get on with the person? At least, it would be for me. I would not want to share my house with someone I did not feel was likeable and trustworthy, even better if you can share a chat and have a giggle. Clean would be nice too!!

TC you are so right...I believe that someone over the road has a lodger and he seems to have been very lucky so far with all that he has had stay there but he is buying his house which may make a difference. But one of these days I may have to introduce myself to him and hope that he may give me his time and advice.