Preparedness for when

thriftwizard

I keep looking at other berries (rowan, rose hips, hawthorn) and believe they can be picked and turned into syrups and jams but never having tried them before wonder if the result is worth the effort. Does anyone have any experience they can share?

Depends on your tastes, Ryanna2599 - Haw-Sin sauce, for example, is a very piquant accompaniment to duck! Tart & tasty, with a dryness that compliments the rich flesh very nicely. Rowanberry is very similar, without the dryness; rather good with venison. Rosehip makes the very best & finest country wine; I've passed mine off as a rich sherry before now without anyone saying a word - though maybe they were just being polite. Or too far gone to tell...

Rosehips also work quite well in a jelly with crab-apples; the result smells almost as good as it tastes. However you must be very careful to strain it carefully; the little hairs in rosehips are a powerful irritant.

ETA: just in case you're thinking, duck? venison? OS???, I live in an area where deer have actually become a nuisance & venison is quite often cheaper than beef, and duck no more expensive than free-range chicken. I'll almost certainly be buying some tomorrow at £3.33 for about 5 duck breasts to put in a stir fry.

nuatha

Ryanna2599 wrote: »

I keep looking at other berries (rowan, rose hips, hawthorn) and believe they can be picked and turned into syrups and jams but never having tried them before wonder if the result is worth the effort. Does anyone have any experience they can share?

Thanks

Rosehip syrup was a commercial product in my childhood, used as a source of vitamin C to ward off colds - I remember a family made version being used both medicinally and with rice puddings (and a couple of times on ice cream) Though I have memories of harvesting hips, these were more more likely to be turned into itching powder.
Rowan berries were combined with crab apples to make a beautiful (jewel like) jelly wonderful with cheese or game.

jk0

GreyQueen wrote: »

*shudders* did you have to mention sodding izal medicated?!

I am now mentally revisiting an earlier version of my life which involved being a small human being perched on the seat of an outside lavvy at school, the artic blast whistling across the playground and under the door, the spiders lurking above and only that blinking paper product to hand. Oh joy.........:rotfl:

I have fond memories of the sixties and seventies, in which chillblains seem to feature strongly. Don't think modern children are allowed to have those, but can't say they're missing much.

Poor GQ. I feel your pain, as I was in the same year as you. I had to put up with Izal for weeks at a time without respite, as we had it at boarding school. Funnily enough, my bum seemed to get accustomed to it.

The 2nd review here on Amazon points out a good use for Izal packs for a BOB:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/IZAL-MEDICATED-STRONG-TOILET-TISSUE/dp/B00FRK2RCC/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_img_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1Q10AKVH3Z7B9T40ETJA

In spite of the jokes about the obvious disadvantages of Izal toilet tissue there is one outstanding advantage. Anyone on a camping or backpacking trip will know the frustration of stowing a roll (it always gets squashed) and, more importantly, trying to use wet toilet paper when subject to British weather. I always keep a supply of Izal. It fits in a takeaway meal tub and can be used even if the rain has got to it.

thriftwizard

In spite of the jokes about the obvious disadvantages of Izal toilet tissue there is one outstanding advantage. Anyone on a camping or backpacking trip will know the frustration of stowing a roll (it always gets squashed) and, more importantly, trying to use wet toilet paper when subject to British weather. I always keep a supply of Izal. It fits in a takeaway meal tub and can be used even if the rain has got to it.

...and you can use it as tracing paper, should you feel the need!

ivyleaf

We used to use a slightly thinner one called Bronco. That was exactly like tracing paper

Frugalsod

ivyleaf wrote: »

We used to use a slightly thinner one called Bronco. That was exactly like tracing paper

Which could be used for Brass rubbings as well.

mumilini

hello peeps, just popping in to tell anyone interested about some great homemade glues i just found on utube.

sorry i`m not competent to do links but..

if you look for "How to make non-toxic glue" you will find "Colorful Canary" who has several "kitchen" recipes for glue, wallpaper, glass, ceramic, wood etc.

there is also a vid of her trying to detach a glass ramekin off her chest of drawers that was left accidentally!...

as well as being handy for shtf scenarios they could save you quite a bit of money now!..especially if you have kiddlers wanting to do crafty things for christmas..(not with the very strong one unless you fancy being stuck together or to the furniture..)

keep on keepin on...lini

Frugalsod

Not just glues but I suspect that if you analyse most products you might find that there are many other products that can be made at home. Soaps and detergents are next on my list to make from scratch. Initially I do not expect to save much money but it will be greener and healthier. No micro beads in home made products.

I already have switched to home made polishes and cleaning agents. These do save money and are just as effective. I think that we all need to think about better and cheaper solutions to everyday problems.

[Deleted User]

Rose hip syrup is very easy to make yourself, you DO need a jelly bag and you DO have to make sure all the little hairs are filtered out but I made it regularly when the girls were small. Like all fruit syrups though it is best either sterilized after it's been bottles by running it through a water bath OR easier by far bottle it in 500ml plastic bottles, leave a head space and freeze it and when it's defrosted for use keep the bottle in the fridge door and it won't ferment and spoil. It looks like an extremely good rose hip year this year too!

greenbee

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the St. Albans sinkhole... We've been talking a lot about bugging in rather than out in the event of civil unrest etc, so it might be worth reconsidering what to do in the event of being evacuated due to fire/flood/gas leak/sinkholes (not sure the last 3 are likely to apply to Mar...)