make do and mend for tougher times

nuatha

fuddle wrote: »

drop spoonfuls onto greased patty pans (what are these?)

Also known as bun tins, yorkshire pudding tins etc. Basically individual size baking tins (usually 12 in a sheet) - not a good explanation, the tins you'd make fairy cakes in, is that better?

SpikyHedgehog

fuddle wrote: »

Shegar you're always in my thoughts. I feel for you but at the same time really admire your strength. Shegar, it's just not fair. I wish for you some more respite.

Kidcat having worked with children on the autistic spectrum (as a dinner nanny I'm not allowed to know anything about children's SEN and it's driving me bonkers because I know if I did I could make lunch times more bearable and dare I say it, enjoyable) anyway, I was saying that I forget that adults still have tendencies too. Again, I feel for you because I know you need help and a rest, you've got to whether you say it or not.

I know some pretty strong women and it's a pleasure because it makes me think 'hold on a minute, get a grip, you're damn damn lucky'. I thank you for helping in my woes too... even though you both (all!) must be thinking that I don't know I'm born.

I'm trying out some carrot cookies today from We'll Eat Again. I'll type out the recipe for you all a bit later when I've had my cuppa and woke up.

It's so frustrating, because, as an experienced practitioner and a parent, you know a child is actually going to need more support in the unstructured lunch time period. DS2's dinner lady only knew when Errant Husband left becasue I told her.

kidcat wrote: »

Fuddle - if a child has any SEN then all staff, including lunch staff are supposed to me made aware of that, otherwise they could do something wrong. They dont get to know everything, but there should be a basic summary sheet for each child giving pertinent details.

I have seen a few different sheets dependant on condition, the ASD ones I recognise easily, but I have seen them for diabetes, asthmics, OCD and several other things.
The sheets should also be on hand to show to supply teachers etc so that they can gain a quick overview of the class needs.

The operative word being 'should'... Information sharing is not, in my experience, schools' good point.

VJsmum wrote: »

Moooorning

Kidcat - I rather suspect you could
Fuddle - I always type Fuddly - as you stay it is a means to an end and your concern indicates that you are not doing the job you should be. But one day, one day. I didn't start doing what I do now until I was around your age, life changes and you, of all, will adapt. Your time will come work wise, I have no doubt and, meantime, those kids will remember you as much as any teacher. I am going to a school reunion in a couple of weeks (largely cos they are knocking the school down), and one of our dinner ladies is going. I am stupidly excited to see her, 30+ years on and she looks exactly the same - even though she is approaching 90 now.

We are hosting a lunch tomorrow for some friends - only 7 extras but we have an added complication that DD has to be ferried to and from work and DS has to be ferried to and from a football match. Therefore I am doing a simple buffet - I am cooking a gammon joint in coca cola and roasting a turkey breast then serving with HM breads, HM coleslaw and other salads. There will be chips and dips and some "kiddy" bits - sausage rolls, little sausages and a veggie quiche for DD and anyone else who wants some. I am cooking an evil chocolate mousse cake and somehting fruity for pud. Hopefully ther will be plenty of leftovers for Monday's tea.

I also need to tidy and clean the house - but DD and DS are going to pitch in. Whether they want to or not - I rather suspect not. DD has said she is dusting and tidying her room later :shocked::dance: Where is a "faint" smilie when you need one?

Remember, for teenagers, 'I'm tidying my room' is code for 'I'm listening to music and facebooking &/or texting my firends while holding the duster and sporadically putting rubbish in the bin'. Or why it takes DS1 the same amount of time to tidy his room as it does me & DS2 to do the rest of the house

I'd say I dunno where he gets it from, but I remember sharing a room with my brother and sister and organising us to tidy our room - I timed it so we each took turns tidying while the other 2 read or played on our beds. That's ok as far as it goes but as the holder of the watch, I have to admit that the '5 minutes' for the younger siblings was linger than my 5 minutes

Fuddle, I think a patty pan tin is a bun tin, like you'd do jam tarts in rather than a deeper one for muffins?

nuatha

mardatha wrote: »

It's a fabulous book innit ? I love it - real food I want to ask anybody who is diabetic here - what is the best sweetener to use in baking things like flapjacks etc? I'm trying to go sugar-free for a few weeks to see if it makes the ME sod off a bit. When I tried the RVs sweetener in baking once, it was hellish. Is there a nice one?

I've yet to find one. The sweetness in this recipe comes from fruit rather than refined sugars, however they still contain sugar and will have some affect on sugar levels. The dates can be replaced by other dried fruit, sour cherries and almonds are particularly nice.

FLAPJACKS (no added sugar)
2 bananas
120g chopped dates
200g oats
90ml veg oil (I use sunflower)
1 tsp vanilla extract

Mash the bananas in a large bowl, add the dates and oil and mix well. Stir in the oats and the vanilla extract,leave for 5 mins for the oats to absorb the oil.
Spoon the mixture onto greased and/or lined baking tray and bake at 180C for 20- 25 mins.
Turn out of tin and cut into squares whilst warm. (easier than chipping it out of an ungreased cake tin)

HTH

fuddle

Aha! Thank you, I know the kind you mean.

Mar reducing the sugar might just be the way to go... Mar? reducing sugar? Flipping heck woman, you're desperate! Hope you see some results in the way of a little bit more energy

Seen this advertised lately http://truvia.co.uk/recipes/ I haven't used it though so I really couldn't say.

Pooky

VJs - your buffet sounds lovely, what time do you want us?

Shegar - hugs to you, I know how physically draining it is looking after my DH and he's now where near as bad as yours. It's the constantness (is that a word?) of it all that's so tiring, mentally and physically. I hope you can find a solution that suits you both.

I brought 2 huge bags of value chicken bits in Mr As this morning, it's currently roasting away in the halogen for the moggies, the kittens are doing the purry dance of utter excitement at the smell of it. They can have some when it's cooled and the rest gets chopped and added to a nice thick jelly chicken stock with some left over rice and veg. I do this once a month to break up the wet/dry cat food that they have, gives their tummies a break and makes their coats very sleek and soft. Pampered kitties? Yup

smileyt_2

Shegar I'm sorry to hear of your dilemma. It must be heartbreaking for you. But a person can only cope with so much and if you have health problems of your own then you do need to consider yourself too. Is there a nursing home nearby that you could visit every day. and maybe bring your husband back to your bungalow for a couple of hours a day during the week?

Kidcat glad the party went well. I think you are some kind of wonderwoman ... or is it just tiredness that makes you put your knickers on over your trousers .... :rotfl:

Well, I am living with a moron. Came home from walking the dogs this morning and the house was full of steam, all the windows steamed up ... it was like walking into a Turkish bath. According to Lodger Boy, the water 'smelt funny' so he decided to boil a couple of pans of water to make it drinkable. :mad: We do actually have a gadget specifically designed to boil water. It's called a kettle. And the water smells/tastes perfectly fine to me. Lodger Boy has got a cold and smokes (not in the house, I won't let him) so that's probably the source of the 'funny' smell.

He's also got the washing machine going. Coloureds. On a long wash at 70 degrees. :mad:

He left the bathroom light on all night last night. :mad:

I have asked for a fortnight's respite in order to preserve my sanity.

By the way, I also have rampant PMT, if you hadn't already guessed ....

Where is Greyqueen? I am worried that the slugs have kidnapped her!

fuddle

GreyQueen is around, I seen her... prepping

Is he new smiley or is this the same baffoon as before? (oops sorry, should't call people I don't know a baffoon!)

Well I never! I didn't realise you could make so much out of something so little. There is 1 tablespoon of marg in those carrot cookies and with a few tablespoons of other things, it's made 12 cookies. Yet to be tasted but cooking along with flapjack for pudding tonight and tomorrow.

Oh, I can't get Tesco value cornflakes in my shopping. So instead of paying 30p I have to pay £1.67 I hope it's just not available and not discontinued. Monday is the day I can get it delivered... meat and all!

kidcat

VJsmum- oh that sounds lovely what time are we to arrive - shall we bring wine?:rotfl:

Smiley - be thankful I at least remember to wear trousers some days:eek::rotfl:
How do these boys survive when they are in real world? Do they work:eek::eek: oh my imagine having to be his boss at work:eek:
You need the bathroom light I am coveting - it switches on when someone walks in room and off as they leave - I [STRIKE]need[/STRIKE] would like one for the downstairs bathroom as the light is permanently left on.

Am racing about house like mad woman as my aunt and uncle who couldnt make party have [STRIKE]threatened[/STRIKE]promised to visit today to bring gifts. They havent seen house before so will expect guided tour - and having left it looking good yesterday morning it appears a freak hurricane, whirlwing and tornado passed through at some point and its annihilated.:rotfl:

Making threats to DS14 that if he doesnt help I will make the photo video for his 18th way more embarrassing than last nights was :rotfl::rotfl:

OH still not speaking, he has taken my dad back with minibus and ignored him all the way home, and now gone to drop car at garage and is still ignoring him apparently - it may be a long day:D

mowdrops

Popperwell wrote: »

Mum was 5ft 2ins and I think I am only around 5ft 4ins but it doesn't bother me...

Oh heck,i am only 4ft 9ins and it really has never stopped me doing anything i want.

2tonsils

danetastic wrote: »

Fuddle I also think moving in with your mum is a BAD idea. I think you also know this in your heart of hearts too. All it would take is one argument and then you would really be stuck . Your doing REALLY well and as others say compare where you are now to before you've come a long way . Your doing brilliant keeping your family together and you should be really proud.
I KNOW that I couldn't live with my mum again as she makes little comments that really hurt ( one that comes to mind is when out she saw someone very very overweight turned to me and said " oh we'll there is some hope for you then " - cheaply mare and I'm only 3 stone overweight and dealing with that ) we are also too alike so grate on each other .

Watching the news things are going to be harder . Fuel rising groceries costing more but it could be worse . Look at all the unrest in Greece and Spain and it can put things in perspective. I wonder how many in those countries had stores to tide them over .
Everywhere is saying this winter is going to be bad so I'm adding a few bits to put away as 2 years ago during the bad snow our local sm ran out of everything basic . I have also got work keeping me empty juice containers as even tho my home is new build I had no running water for 10 days . Scottish water said mains was ok that it was my pipes that were frozen and gave me 6 litres . That was it . This year I'm going to be prepared . If it doesnt happen no harm done if it does it will be ok .

Just to answer your comments, I live in Greece and things are very hard here. Very few will have had stores to tide them over as few people here saw what was coming. I know many people who have not been paid for over a year even though they have continued working. People on pensions and government salaries had them cut suddenly last year, in some cases down to 300 euros a month. The government voted it in at midnight and the cuts were backdated so the people owed the government their own wages they had earned. There was no warning so people were not prepared. We have just had to pay taxes for the year 2010-2011...it was backdated (but didn't even exist then ).

Even now the government is voting in the next cuts and taxes that will not be announced until we owe the money or the wage is due to be paid.

The unrest has been grossly exaggerated by the world press...there have been a few big demonstrations, a few anarchists who were all filmed, and some strikes that we have been notified of in advance so we can be prepared. Things are hard here, but its still safe to go out and enjoy yourself and for the tourists to come over and have a good time. Don't let the news and papers lead you astray...