Preparedness for when

mardatha

Pass it on to me WCS although you'll be a bit milder than me. I've just looked out window properly and noticed that the "mist" isn't mist -it's fine snow, like a sandstorm. I think it's a good day to make soup. And I want to try bread by hand because that Panny is a waste of space, yet another loaf is dense and unpleasant.

mardatha

Wind would ruin them GQ, I was wondering though about leeks and onions? Will need to ask on the homesteading forums

maryb

Mar, check your yeast - my Panny produces lovely loaves right up to the point where the next one comes out like a lopsided brick. Fresh yeast always sorts it. I use the Doves Farm yeast in orange packets and I can't get through a whole packet before it goes off, even keeping it in the fridge. But it's still cheaper than buying those little foil sachets

Also try putting in just a small smidge less water than they say. I also use half and half milk and water and use the sandwich loaf setting rather than the basic setting. Seems to make the loaf lighter

HTH

katieclampet

We have also got early snow, was forecast for lunch time, but coming down fairly heavily now. And very very cold, brrr!

I also have a couple of FB pies, stashed away. I havent got any strict prinicples about eating HM, but I do expect it to be SAFE & Fit for human consumption, and clearly marked as such.

I have a feeling that this scandel might run (no pun inteneded) for a while, and there will have been a huge amount of meat mis sold and misrepresented. I dont eat a huge amount of meat but it does make me wonder what the heck I have been eating.


katie

PS Talking about inflation, I bought some own brand Tesco toilet rolls on saturday, usually £1.99, had gone up to £2.30. I am very poor at maths, but I am sure that its more ( a lot more) than 2%:(

mardatha

Ty maryb, that's what I'm getting! a lop sided brick! So do I buy a new pkt or just open a new pkt ? - I have lots in the fridge.

[Deleted User]

Morning all, Nil Desperandum as they say, when I was walking the boy this morning I saw the very first wild violets out in bloom on the edge of the common!!!!!! and my neighbour has a pair of bluetits already nesting in the camera box and we have a pair of robins and a pair of wagtails regularly coming to the feeders and hanging about in the garden, not to mention the blackbird colony which is about 4 pairs this year, so it looks as though SPRING is making a start down here and it's coming to an area near you shortly, there is hope despite the cold and snowy weather, Chin up all, Cheers Lyn xxx.

Margaret54

Hi MrsLurcherwalker It is pouring down with rain today and freezing too. I am in the kitchen and there are lots of birds flying in and out often to feed off the fatballs hanging on some of the trees in the back garden. We made sure we bought lots of them as the poor wee birds seem hungry compared to the last 2 winters here. It is so lovely to watch them isn't it? Bluetits robins thrushes even magpies(saw 3 on Saturday coming into the garden. There is another wee bird with beautiful colouring which pops in and out though not as often as the other birds and would love to know what it is. I will look for a book in the library next time I am in town. Keep warm and wrap up well everyone.x Margaret

[Deleted User]

Morning MARGARET I think we are due rain later on this afternoon but got the boy walked this morning in the dry, but by eck it's chilly out there. I love the birds coming into the garden I sit with my morning coffee and watch, you're right, they are much hungrier this year and I think it's because the wild food they normally rely on is all used up by now, because of that wet summer last year. We have a pair of magpies regularly coming in and some sparrows who only go to the fat balls, we also have hot and cold running jackdaws who are a bit bullying, but everyone gets fed somehow. I try to feed later in the day usually as most folks here feed in the morning and I think in this cold the birdies need an after lunch top up to see them through the night. Hope you find out what your mystery birdie is, let us know because it's lovely to have something unusual coming in, keep enjoying, Cheers Lyn xxx.

pineapple

I make bread by hand - it's no great hassle. That said I might feel differently if I was catering for a family .
I use Allinson Dried Active Yeast and unlike some, only prove it once. My white bread made with cheap bread flour, milk and olive oil always comes out brilliantly. I'm struggling with pure spelt bread but I find a 500 gram white, 150 gram spelt mix works fine.
Today I can't be bothered with even minimum hassle (and my stomach can't wait) so I'm making some quick and easy soda bread. I've yet to have a disaster with this - it's Pineapple proof and yummy! :j

maryb

If your yeast is still vacuum sealed and in date, then just open a new packet, it should be fine. Last time I opened a Doves farm orange packet I put half straight in the freezer. Haven't used it yet but I'll let you know if that works