Preparedness for when

the_cake

D&DD wrote: »

Whilst I'm not a fan of tea I do have access to blackcurrant,blackberry and hawthorn leaves so shall 'take one for the team' and experiment

Bluebag,mar and mrsL I take it I just dehydrate and crumple then mix with looseleaf tea yes?

Ginny I think pineapples are one of the most delicious things I've done too but you have got to try cherries..divine!

I am getting very, very jealous of all of you with dehydrators ... I bought my slow cooker at A***s on huge reduction, and my breadmaker for £5 at a charity shop. I use them both all the time. I have looked hopefully for a real bargain dehydrator, but I don't think I am going to be so lucky on this one. It would be hugely helpful if you could, please, let me know what sort you have and if they are really, really worth it. I just need a bit more convincing before I take the plunge!! Many thanks, the cake (not yet dehydrated but definitely a fruitcake) xx

wondercollie

:eek:

GreyQueen wrote: »

Ohhh, lucky find. Most envious.

Regarding mice, they are little bu88gers and can dislocate their skeleton and literally squirm though a space no bigger then the thickness of a pencil, so it might be an idea to examine the cabinet very carefully to make sure there is no tiny space they could squirm through. They got into my Nan's pantry down a space alongside some electrical cabling which came down from the loft space.

This particular mouse had a very select palette; cooking chocolate and curry powder. It chewed through a very heavy-duty plastic tub to get the cooking chocolate, darn it.

Nan tried baiting the mousetrap with cheese but no takers. I baited it with an Elizabeth Shaw Choc Mint Crisp and caught the beggar the first day.

I did contemplate emailing the manufacturer with my compliments on the attractiveness of their product to vermin but didn't bother in the end...............:rotfl:

Last winter I walked into my store room (no, don't get all excited, it contains my furnace, hot water tank, drying lines and my pantry shelves). A mouse was sat in the middle of the floor watching me. I went and got my kids and the !!!!!! was still sitting there. They sccoped him up and set him free over the fence. The beast had eaten 500 grams of chocolate chips and started on a bag of icing sugar. I think he must have been in a diabetic coma when I found him

Dippypud

Just for devilment ... mmwahhhhhh ...

Butterfly_Brain

vanoonoo sorry for your loss ((((Hugs))))

Butterfly_Brain

the_cake wrote: »

I am getting very, very jealous of all of you with dehydrators ... I bought my slow cooker at A***s on huge reduction, and my breadmaker for £5 at a charity shop. I use them both all the time. I have looked hopefully for a real bargain dehydrator, but I don't think I am going to be so lucky on this one. It would be hugely helpful if you could, please, let me know what sort you have and if they are really, really worth it. I just need a bit more convincing before I take the plunge!! Many thanks, the cake (not yet dehydrated but definitely a fruitcake) xx

his is the one that I have and it has been great
http://www2.westfalia.net/shops/household/preserving_food/food_preservation/dehydrating_/193811-food_dehydrator.htm

Alison_Funnell

Caterina wrote: »

AlisonFunnell best wishes for your OH hospital tests.

Caterina Thank you. They are OKish. Last Tuesday he felt a little unwell but I had a funny feeling, packed him off to the local hospital for a check up and the bleeder decided to stay the night! Small clots on the lung even though apart from a little extra weight he has no risk factors. Low blood pressure, cholesterol level of a healthy teen (seriously lucky man) never smoked, doesn't drink etc. Spent most of DDs 23rd b/day there (Weds) - yes she is still at home! On all the right meds now just getting the balance right.
I have a really horrible suspicion I may still have a book of yours.:eek: *hangs head in appalling shame*

Vanoonoo So sorry to read about your aunt. My thoughts and wishes are with you.

Nuatha Glad things are better for your OH.

Loopy Canterbury, almost have a cathedral view, but not quite!

born_blonde wrote: »

GQ I spent 20 years doing battle re-enactment, camping and explosives were the norm.

Very similar hobby for a similar duration here, except we were pre gunpowder - 1066 and all that.


Funerals. My mum has had advanced cancer for about a year now, my FIL is off to a rapid referral clinic on Friday and my MIL had surgery following a broken bone and contracted an MRSA. I really need to look in to this foor when that kind of SHTF. So thank you all for the tips and ideas.

OH is not to fond of real stockpiling at the mo, so I have incredibly FULL cupboards. :rotfl:

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

Having found the Baking Powder Bread recipe I read on through the book and although I haven't tried this myself felt it might be worth a consider if the real thing gets scarce for any reason.

BLACKBERRY LEAF TEA - Pick the tender new leaves of bramble on a dry day. Shred them with a stainless steel knife and spread them out to dry (I would use the dehydrator) in the shade or an airy room. This might take three or four days. Don't pick or dry them in the sun. Store as normal in an airtight container and turn them out often and let them re-dry to keep them from going mouldy. Use just like ordinary tea, it says that it should taste like indian tea.

As there are so many blackberry bushes in this country and any leaves would be free I thought this might be something useful to have in the repertoire of preparedness.

If it doesn't work or is horrid, appologies in advance if you're brave enough to try it!!! Cheers Lyn x.

Just a quick thought - would blackberry leaf tea have a similar effect as raspberry leaf tea (stimulating contractions)?

vanoonoo

lol at dippypud you're naughty!

morning all - thanks to all for the kind words and thoughts they really are much appreciated

likewise going out to all those with loved ones (including furry ones) who need extra care and attention at the moment.

it's a happy release really in my situation: my aunt had very advanced breast cancer diagnosed just under 2 years ago and also has been in a care home as she had severe dementia which we couldnt deal with on our own as a family in the past year. its been very sad to see a strong woman who has always been in my life deteriorate into someone we dont recognise. she gave me the deposit to help me buy my first property and was always very money saving until the dementia surfaced.

talking of lock and lock boxes, when her home was cleared out after she went into care, there were enough lock and lock boxes found there for each of the posts in this thread to be kept it one - her bro and sis cleaned them and took them a few at a time to the local charity shops so anyone from here in the croydon area who has bought a L&L from a charity shop in the past year may have a weird connection with me!

I an full of cold and meant to be going to a work do tonight but with feeling rough and the news of my aunt I think I may send my apologies.

have a good day everyone, even the haters - keep up the good work xx

ps apologies to fuddle about the undertaker comment I really didnt mean it as an instruction for all or to freak anyone out, it was just a thought that popped in my head that its something I want to consider before the event and not whilst in a emotive state having to make quick decisions - apologies again x

Caterina

(((((Alison))))) thinking of you and your OH, also with many wishes for your other family members going through all those health issues.

Re. book, if you have the time pop it in the post, or even better, come down to one of our meets to give it back! But really, I would not worry, I had forgotten all about it!

Vanoonoo hope your cold gets better, it is the season for colds, one at a time we are all getting one in our family, and passing it on to the next family member

Prep-wise, today is quilt washing day, will have to be at the laundrette because there is no tumble drier here, as DS used to use it for one T shirt at a time, when I was out at work, in his teenage years (when no matter how many times we told him not to, he would not listen). In the end the only remedy was to Freecycle it! Radical but effective. We did not use it much anyway.

Interesting point re. blackberry leaf tea, Jojo, but if I recall from my doula days it does not stimulate contraction as such (the raspberry one I mean), as much as helps tone the uterine muscle. That's why they recommend it only in the last month of pregnancy, for a couple of weeks only, to discontinue as you come up to delivery date. Any traditional midwives here who can clarify? It would be interesting to know!

Have a good day all x

mardatha

I've never heard of blackberry leaf tea being similar Jojo.
I had no idea a dehydrator was that cheap- that westphalia one is only £34, I had thought £100-ish. I might get one but would I use it enough to justify?? A conscience is a terrible thing ! SHUD I GET IT? How much elect do they use?