Preparedness for when

BigMummaF

Me again

Me Dad came from north Debbumm & when we visited Nan we also popped in to see my great aunts. One had a cute little bungalow that her husband & my grandad built together which was fine, but spinster aunt lived in a little terrace about 100 steps from her sister. They looked innocent enough but I didn't want to go there at all; I felt physically sick as we sat waiting for the obligatory cup of tea (it was _pale_ strong enough to floor the hardest of builder) I couldn't settle & was constantly told off for fidgetting because I wanted to get out of there.
Those five little cottages were always being flooded & I had nightmares about torrents of water flowing down the hills out back, with my family & I trapped inside a steel cage as the waters swept thru the back door & straight out the front...probably explains why I've had trouble learning to swim & have to stand with my back to the shower rose even now.

[Deleted User]

Hi BIGMUMMA - Docky doesn't like rain at all!!!!!!! He just likes the bit when it has been and left a legacy for him to play in!!!

Yes, it is Wickham in Hampshire and we do still have an independent baker there and the hardware shop is still there and thriving along with the lovely tea room in Bay Tree Walk. The village square is still the same, with parking in the middle and the road either side of it. No new building in the center of the village though so still as you remember it, Cheers Lyn x.

Fifer73

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

No GREENBEE but I'm getting very good at mudsliding and walking through puddles on the end of a lead. The lurcher has developed a decided sense of humour these days and nothing makes him happier than taking me through the deepest puddles and the thickest mud he can find - then looks at me with that huge doggy grin as though to say "well wasn't that fun?" and I don't want to hurt his feelings by displaying anything but joy!!!!!!

Did you visit Wickham? I love the place and the shops and there are a very good farm shop and a farm butchery on the edge of the village which are quite the best I know of, Hope you are all ready for christmas and have a really lovely time, Cheers Lyn and Doc xxx.

This is just like my little rescue dog Sally, she is a staffi x lurcher ( has the head of a staffi but longer nose, and the rest of her is lurcher, and she can run like the wind. Any time we go out she will always find a great big puddle ( normally the messiest muddiest one, but as long as its wet ) and jump straight in lol. Its just a shame she is white !!! ( apart from a little brindle on her ears )

Margaret54

Hi everyone , catching up so had lots to read. I feel so sorry for anyone who is suffering with the weather and flooding. We are okay here where we live, just constant rain, and had to buy an extra clothes horse to dry the washing. Never had to have two on the go when all the children were at home. Today it is actually dry and windy, so have hung out all todays washing.
Sad to read of those people who are struggling and the farmers as well.
Have everything sorted for Christmas just mince pies to make and some housework as usual. Feel so blessed to have enough to eat and a warm home and roof over our heads, and a little bit to save. Hope you all have a relaxing time over the holidays if you are able to and a big hug for those going through hard times.x Margaret

BigMummaF

Anyone know the best way to keep homemade pancakes for another day?
I'm hoping to make them either today or tomorrow for Tuesday's pud, but not sure how to store them. I don't really fancy standing at the stove any longer than I need to on the day
The Plan is to soak some dried fruit in a bit of booze for most of tomorrow & slice up a couple of apples Tues & warm the fruits thru in the bottom of the oven while the spuds & things are cooking, to use as fillings.
OR..would it be better to make the pancakes, fill them, roll them & put them in a dish in the fridge covered with foil & warm them up that way, a bit like cannelloni.

I know it's possible but I've never done it before, so any advice gratefully received. Thanks x

Popperwell

Does this help at all BigMummaf?

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080708034834AAw78VQ

http://www.happysimpleliving.com/2011/07/05/homemade-convenience-foods-make-your-own-frozen-pancakes/

BigMummaF

Oh that was quick Popps! Thank you! Perhaps I'll make some today to lay on top of the stuff in the freezer...*sips end of tea thoughtfully* Where's muvva's foil?....

greenbee

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

No GREENBEE but I'm getting very good at mudsliding and walking through puddles on the end of a lead. The lurcher has developed a decided sense of humour these days and nothing makes him happier than taking me through the deepest puddles and the thickest mud he can find - then looks at me with that huge doggy grin as though to say "well wasn't that fun?" and I don't want to hurt his feelings by displaying anything but joy!!!!!!

Did you visit Wickham? I love the place and the shops and there are a very good farm shop and a farm butchery on the edge of the village which are quite the best I know of, Hope you are all ready for christmas and have a really lovely time, Cheers Lyn and Doc xxx.

we went, but it was so busy we ended up just going for a walk (there was no parking in town) so we need to go back sometime for a proper look. In fact I may need to go without OH :cool:

meme30

My Christmas Eve has started with the peculiar business of 'steeping' the peas! I was brought up on tinned Marrowfat Peas but DH's family always had Steepy Peas. So for thirty odd years I have always started my Christmas Eve with a box of peas and a kettle! :rotfl:
I steep and cook them and he adds the sugar and vinegar so they taste right,:D For him it's a taste of his childhood and to be honest that a lot of what Christmas is all about for us.
Christmas traditions and memories bring all our family closer, even through the inevitable loss of some older family members.
Our Christmas Tree like most peoples is decorated with a mixture of old and newer toys. When I was a child at home we had three glass toys in the shape of Santas. Mine was wearing a red coat, and my brothers wore blue and gold. Twelve years ago my Mam passed most of her decorations on to me and I found that my youngest brothers Santa had been broken. So the red and blue Santa went on the tree on their own. Amazingly at a car boot sale that summer I found a gold matching Santa in the bottom of an old box!
My youngest brother died the following summer. I'm sitting here looking at a trio of Santa's feeling as though my family is still complete, just for a short while. And I know when my Mam gets here today she will stand and look at the Santas too.:)
Yes, Christmas can be sad as well as happy, but it's all right if it is. No one has the 'ideal' Christmas or family, it was made up by Hollywood I think! You can only be the people that you are, with all the good and bad bits mashed together to make the individual 'you'
I think what I'm trying to say is, 'Don't be so hard on yourself, be kind to yourself, remember yourself, not as the wife, partner, mother etc but as you, the person inside who always seems at the bottom of the list of must do's. I know you all know what I mean.
I send you all my best wishes not just for the holiday season but for the New Year too.
It's going to be just as hard as this year was, but, with help we will all get through it. Thanks for all your greats ideas and suggestions here this year. It's like a new window opened in my brain and I kept saying 'I could do that' :rotfl: Lot more still to do though so I will see you all back here in January.

:xmastree:Merry Christmas everyone!:xmastree:

JKJ

meme30 what an awesomely lovely and thoughtful post. X