'supporting each other through really tough times'

Rowan9

mardatha wrote: »

Most of the mums went to the tattie picking in a bus, I can remember the old clothes and the headsquares. I think that was good money because everybody seemed to go.

Hey missus I used to go tattie picking in old clothes but no head square! We were picked up in a van I think. We all did it in secondary school so you had fun and chat at lunch time with pals. 2 weeks tattie hols equals loads of money to go to the bright lights of Aberdeen to spend our cash on clothes, LPs etc. AND I am a 60s baby so not (too) ancient. Good money indeed.

Am loving this sunshine.

elona

Fuddle

You will make a great childminder and hope you really enjoy it - I know the children will!

Had a trip to butcher to get a family pack of meat for the week and took books back to library this morning. Lovely to be on my own for a couple of hours, walk in the sunshine and have a cup of tea and lunch in teashop.

Made chop with salad for DH and DD with lettuce picked from garden just a few minutes before eating.

Tidied kitchen and did dishes and worktops. Stunned at the speed the Magic cooker arrived and have put away the huge electric slow cooker and about to read instructions for new toy, gadget, er essential item!;) Pleased with the fact it is neat looking on worktop and uses no electricity. Once I get to grips with it properly it looks as if it could be used to transport hot soups, curry, stews etc for trips away as well as being used in the kitchen.

DD is picked up from university tomorrow so looking forward to having her home:j

Looks as if only DH me and one dd are home for tonight's meal as her sister is going out soon so will either cobble something together like a quiche or make a home made pizza.

Have a good day.

cutestkids

FUDDLE you can still sow things like lettuce, spring onion, beetroot, radish, more peas I have just put pumpkin seeds in last week and they have sprouted and look healthy, there is a green fingered forum on here which is everything to do with gardens and allotments and the posters are helpfull and friendly.

POPS don't go and get all worked up about the letter this time, just carry on as you have been doing and clear what you can I would say most garages and sheds are a bit cluttered.
Try and make sure that you have someone with you when they come again and find out exactly what they seem to think the problem is that way you won't be wont be wasting time doing things that are not needing done.

[Deleted User]

ELONA is your magic cooker a thermo pot? I have one and it is a bit large to use just for the two of us, but if the family is home or we entertain it is super. It was sold as a rice cooker but it is a new fangled hay box to me. An insulated outer case with a stainless steely lidded container inside that. Bring the contents to the boil and cook for about a quarter of the normal time on the hob then whack into the outer and leave to cook to perfection, they really work!!! Cheers Lyn xxx.

elona

MrsL

It has "Magic cooker" printed on it and sounds like what you describe. I got it because I wanted a modern haybox and did not want to faff around trying to make my own.

Usually there are four of us at home and as dd comes back from uni tomorrow there will be five so should just be big enough.

I have not read the instructions yet as it only arrived this morning, do you cook the food in the inner tin or just transfer food to it once it is very hot?

[Deleted User]

In mine you do the initial cook on the hob in the inner container, then just slot the inner container into the insulated outer one, pop on the inner lid and then close the outer one and leave it for the time for what you are cooking. I find it works very well and if it is a soup or stew/casserole I bring it up to boiling point before serving it just to make sure. It cooks rice and cous cous hot dishes very well too, I just serve those as they come, it really does save lots of fuel and you don't have to keep popping back to stir it either, can only be to the good, yes? Cheers Lyn xxx.

Instructions on mine say it works most effectively when nearly full and I've found you can cook very successfully if you cook in a sealed container stood in the inner container of the thermo pot which is almost filled with boiling water (does that make sense?), that makes it act like it is almost full with stew, Lyn xxx.

savingqueen

thanks Mrs LW and lisakay for your gardening advice, very welcomed thank you. I wouldn't have known about not planting root veg so very useful.

I have found a gardening book I bought ages ago and will make a plan this eve and a start tomorrow and will get the kids involved. I will have another look on the green moneysaving forum, I couldn't see anything on there for beginners. I might browse the library but have my maximum allowance of books out, borrowed a fair few for extra reading around my courses. I will think about what to plant now and what I would like to plant next year.

Kids had a party which took a fair chunk of the day and as we were near Allydees, dragged them along to get some shopping after, too packed in there for my liking so just got a few fresh bits and left as soon as we could. Shame I missed the M&rror vouchers on Thursday being out all day.

Baked some loaves before we left and left DH in charge of putting them away once cooled - he did put them away, including a fair amount in his stomach. He said he wasn't even that hungry but he couldn't resist the smell of warm bread.

DH has sorted the lawns and hedge today which really needed doing whilst we were out. I still need to finish clearing the beds before we can plant anything so will work on that tomorrow and hoping there will be time to start planting/sowing. We need to go into town as well, think DS9 needs the next size shoes and he also has birthday vouchers/money he is itching to spend.

Mrs LW - you have been a busy bee today!

pops - I would also say think about a skip and just get rid of anything that needs getting rid of so you can sit back and relax. It will be a one off expense and worth it for your peace of mind. Or pay your handyman or similar to take away all the bags. If you have nothing but ordinary household stuff and the place is clean and tidy, I can't see what the HA could possibly find wrong. Good gracious, they would have a field day if they came to our house.

Glad you have come to a decision fuddle and can make plans.

Shouldn't have sat down, feel sleepy now. Off to make something with pork, haven't decided what. Either a recipe with apples and celery or a stir fry with noodles. We have a cheat's pud from Allydees, apple strudel which DH loves. I must make some similar puds for the freezer.

sq:)

[Deleted User]

SQ my favourite pork recipe is

PIGGY IN THE ORCHARD

cubed pork (any cut will do,from tenderloin to streaky!)
chopped carrots
chopped onion
chopped celery
chopped peeled and cored apples
chicken stock cubes (I use O*o)
apple juice or cider
teaspoon dry thyme
teaspoon dry sage
salt and black pepper

Put a knob of butter in a casserole which will go on the hob too, flour the pork and just seal it in the butter. Add all the other ingredients (veg in the proportions you like or have available) and the liquid, again depends on how deep the casserole dish is as to the amount, bring it up to the boil on the hob and then whack it into a slow oven for a couple of hours or longer. I thicken it a bit more with gravy granules if it needs it. It's lovely with jacket spuds or mash and a green veg. Hope that's useful, Cheers Lyn xxx.

lisakay_2

fuddle, without putting too much of a downer on things, have you checked for demand for childminders in your area? I registered over 12 months ago, have advertised at the school, library, local shops, local FB pages, handed out leaflets and I still have no business. those parents that are working mostly cannot afford childcare and are using friends/family to watch their children.

Popperwell

cutestkids wrote: »

POPS don't go and get all worked up about the letter this time, just carry on as you have been doing and clear what you can I would say most garages and sheds are a bit cluttered.
Try and make sure that you have someone with you when they come again and find out exactly what they seem to think the problem is that way you won't be wont be wasting time doing things that are not needing done.

Thank you for kindness I really appreciate it...I'll be posting(somewhere images)you only have my word this is how things were before they came and afterwards but it will show how little I have in the way of possessions.

You almost feel like you have to ask permission before you buy anything. Those I have told(and have known me and Mum for years)cannot believe how they are reacting and feel it should be looked into.

The other day they were happy, in the letter they say "You have made progress" that is not the same...good job I am on a light dose of "Mother's little helpers" to use a Rolling Stones term...