'supporting each other through really tough times'

FairyPrincessk

I've read most of the posts, but can't quite remember where I left off last time. That will teach me not to sign in and thank people!:rotfl:

Another idea Princess, similar to above--if you do some batch cooking for them, what about making a recipe book for them? That way if they like anything they'll be able to replicate it...AND it will be resource for easy, economical meals to get them started. If you wanted to go the extra mile you could even do approximate costings per serving for them--it sounds like it isn't going to be easy going for awhile yet for them, and they've got so much to think about that a cheap and easy meal plan probably isn't the top of the list so when they run out of your freezer food, they'll have somewhere to turn.

Just a thought.

I got a lot of work done today..as usual not as much as I wanted, but it was a fair amount and I'm feeling better about this now that I've made some proper progress. Managed to get out in the garden this evening and OH brought me back two small bags of compost from the pound shop on his way home so I've started more seedlings. I've done all the herbs my friend brought round, another batch of salad and some lavender that I had lying around because I do love it.

Tonight was hm tomato soup and cheese toasties since OH has been to the dentist. Did some quick peanut butter cookies as well--fancied a pud and that seemed easiest with what we had, plus they're one of his favourites and he has exams this week so thought they'd cheer him up.

Well, time to get the washing in. Hugs to all, need them or not.

fuddle

research (British Medical Journal 2007;334:482) suggests that 2 cups of spearmint tea daily can reduce testosterone in females and therefore reduce facial hair growth. Trying to find out more but thought I'd share

kezlou

Evening all, what a lovely quiet evening.
bought two pots and two lots of compost all ready to repot the grape vine.

I phoned up my dad and he came straight over for tea, we had turkey, roasties, veg, mash, puddings and gravy. We all really enjoyed it andhave loads of turkey left over. I bought a whole turkey leg from morrison for £4.50, it was huge and tasted really good.

We had a good chat the lads love they grandad to bits,.we all watched ybf together. Oh just sat on the pc, so just left him to it.

FairyPrincessk

Morning all!

Sounds like a nice evening Kezlou.

Fuddle, spearmint tea? I'm not at a point where I need such a thing, but I drink lots of peppermint tea and I don't think the transition would be too hard. always nice when the cure is tasty!

OH has an exam schedule today, so the house will be quiet. He is more nervous about tomorrow's exam so I expect he'll be a bit testy this evening.

I've got the gym this afternoon so probably won't get much time in the garden. I will have a look this morning when I put the washing in, and perhaps a bit of a poke round when I hang it up. Its supposed to be warm and partly sunny today so will carry all of the seedlings and indoor plants outside for a proper nap in the sun.

We've two options on the menu plan that could work for tonight--either twice baked potatoes with salad or tuna steaks with salad, green beans and either rice or pasta. My goal for the summer is to only buy fish for dinners, or tiny bits of meat for accents--i.e. a bit of pancetta to throw into my black bean recipe. So far so good. We get our fish in the bags of frozen fish from Ald!. It isn't always the best fish I've ever eaten, but it keeps it affordable when we otherwise wouldn't ever be able to have it and they do say it is healthy to eat it every week so I try to work it in.

I've set my work task today based on what I got done yesterday, which at least means it is feasible. I'd really like to be done with this side project as I feel guilty for not getting on with my normal work, and if I'm honest, I'm a bit sick of it now. Its been about two years in the making. Its my first go at this, and I feel wholly unprepared for it. I don't know much about the process or what they're looking for so I worry the whole time I'm doing it that I'm wasting my time and the whole time I'm not doing it that I should be doing it. Unfortunately i'm told that in my profession it only gets worse.:p

Well, I should finish my breakfast and get on with it. Haven't planned any nice activities for myself today so will have to think of some. We're all better when we look after ourselves, I think.

fuddle

FairyPrincess, it wont be long I'm only 33 myself! I've got chinage sprouting :eek: kez i'll know if you try to have a gleg mind :rotfl:Spearmint tea looks to be one of those that isn't stocked in supermarkets so think postal costs may be incurred

2 letters in total for DH's credit file that are serious and will effect letting agent decision on whether to allow us on their books so those will be posted today. I have another 3 that aren't serious but they still haven't followed the legislation as the dates are way wrong. What it means is when we're finally 'normal people who bankruptcy no longer applies' (another 2 years to go) we still will have bad credit effecting us that should come off when the BR does. I know, a minefield I've done it now and can forget about the sorry mess again.

I have a pie question We like mince, onion, carrot and gravy pie.. HM of course. Now I have to admit to not liking making plate pies. I find it stressful! So I was thinking of doing a batch of pie lids to just lay on the mix from the slow cooker. If I do this can I freeze the extra pie lids when cooked for the next meal? Uhuh, I'll admit to looking for a short cut am I forgiven?

FairyPrincessk

_pale_ Oh Fuddle, I turn 30 in less than two weeks. It is all down hill from here, isn't it?

I'm not sure about your pie lids, but I suspect so, as I know pastry can be frozen--but it might be best to do a batch of them and freeze them between waxed paper and put on a fresh one the night of. Not sure if pre-cooked pastry reheats well. I'm sure someone else will know.

Must admit to feeling very down today. I applied and was accepted to present a paper at a conference next Autumn. This should be exciting and about getting my work out there, but it isnt. The conference is in Sweden--not the furthest or most expensive I've done, but I'm not eligible for any funding this time, whereas I have been in the past. OH and I discussed it at length and decided it was pretty important and that I should plan to go. As such, we did budget in the money this summer, knowing we'd have to pay for it before either of us get paid in the autumn, but they asked for their money even sooner than expected. To make matters worse, they wanted it through an international bank transfer, so it cost 10% more than it should have. The money is in our budget, I know it is, but after checking the bank balance this morning and seeing it gone, I just feel so glum. I haven't even started on looking for a hotel and flights for it. It is so frustrating because I'm at the last stages of my course and it is important for me to do these things--to meet people, present my work and hopefully find a way to get some of my work published. Most of my colleagues are in the same position with little money to fund it but lots of pressure to participate if we want jobs and connections. At my annual reviews I always get pushed to do more of these, but a shrug of the shoulders when I ask how I should pay for it. I did target this one specifically as likely to be the most useful to me with the least amount of cost. However, things like their insistence on money months in advance, bank transfers as the only option as opposed to cheques, paying by card or even postal orders just makes me cross and feeling defeated. I budgeted very carefully for this and part of that has just been blown out of the water because those who planned it didn't consider it important to think about transaction costs. It isn't a problem for those who are more established and are sponsored by their University or funding body to attend, but those of us just starting out really struggle to pay the fees in the first place--why make it harder? Last year I was accepted as well but had to miss out as it was in a tiny town in the US. I just couldn't justify the travel costs and I'd already used my funding for an international conference a few years ago. I might have made it work if they had picked a major city and I could get cheap flights, but adding in rental cars and extra days in hotel just makes it so much worse. I'm reassured by everyone around me that I'm managing it well, but I don't feel like it.

Still working away on this paper. I managed to make a major revision without much work, which should cheer me up, but didn't.

I know these problems are tiny and insignificant compared to what most people go through. I also realize that it isn't a matter of life and death, that I'm luck to have gotten my health back and lucky to have a family that supports me in my dreams. I usually unload to my OH who left this field just for these reasons but he has exams today and gets upset when I'm upset...so afraid its you lot listening today.:(

[Deleted User]

Good Morning Toughiedom, another fine day in the workhouse and hot too, so I've been right through the house dusting tidying and vacuuming, I've changed the beds and the bedding has just finished in the washing machine and the greenhouse and polytunnel are all opened up as much as possible and it's only 10.23, cor I feel whacked already!!! He Who Knows has walked the houndicus and has popped off to fix a friends computer (he's the village Mr Fixit) and then is going to the lottie until it gets too hot to work when he'll come back and get underfoot again, oh sorry try to be helpful round the house!!!! Rotten aren't I?

FUDDLE pastry is better frozen uncooked, like crusty bread if you freeze it ready cooked it tends to crumble and flake, having said that, cooked pies I've found reduced in the SM come out of the freezer and reheat perfectly well so there's no reason why you can't put them in cooked. Try both ways and see what you like best when you eat it.

FPK Sweden is extermely expensive if you eat out in restaurants etc. If you are in a hotel with breakfast included the food is always substantial and plentiful and usually a buffet so you can consume as much as you need also coffee/tea/fruit juice are all also unlimited. Some hotels we stayed at had the option to make lunch from the breakfast buffet at really reasonable rates so that might be an option for you to help keep costs down. The other thing we found and did some days was to find the local ICA supermarket wherever we stayed, they have a salad bar on the deli counters where you can make up your own salad choice in a container, so much to choose from including crayfish,feta cheese,chicken,ham, olives, hard cooked egg, leaves, tomato etc and a choice of dressings and the whole lot usually is about 49cents per 100 grams, if you do that each day and buy some swedish flatbread it's a good and perfectly affordable meal. If you are in a touristy area some eateries do a 'DagsPlat' daily platter at reasonable but not cheap prices. I would take plenty of travellable cereal bars etc with you and snackage if you have room, that saves cash too. Alcohol is VERY expensive and only low alcohol products are available in supermarkets, so only low alcohol beer and no wine, hope that's some use, Cheers Lyn xxx.

Pooky

Morning all, muggy and damp here...been rumbling with thunder since 3am so very tired Pooks today. DH is currently having an OT appointment so I'm sitting in the car with a ball of wool, my hook and the radio....and a flask of coffee (of course).

I need some dinner inspiration, I got mince out last night and need to something exciting with it, I'm thinking chilli but no one else seems keen....grrrr!

fuddle

fairypk you do sound so down. Look at it as a positive, you've speculated to accumulate without getting into debt for it. Yes, the money has gone but it's an investment for your future. For the record, I think life gets better as we age. Ok, so things are wobbly (I've had two children though) your skin changes and your hairs sprout dark where you don't want 'em and turn grey where you do! But my aging is my badge of honour. I once had in my signature "Never regret growing older as it's a privilege denied to many". I like that

I never thought about freezing uncooked, thank you!

fuddle

Pooky wrote: »

Morning all, muggy and damp here...been rumbl

spit it out pooky :rotfl:

Morning, I await the rest but bet you're going to say thunder

Edit, forgot to say Lyn! You've worked way harder than me this morning. A woman on a mission