'supporting each other through really tough times'

mcculloch29

I cancelled meeting up with a friend today - black ice everywhere, as Pops said. I'm tall, fairly solidly built and if I go down, my disability makes getting up very difficult.
Pops, I lost my parents 21 & 15 years ago, but usually put a message for them on memorial trees. Great idea. My mum loved Christmas and as a result, so do I.
I put one for my Mum on a charity tree some years ago; as I paid my donation and chatted, I saw someone read it and then start crying. Obviously I had triggered something for her in my choice of words. I'm still not sure how to feel about that...

Katie, my heart goes out to your neighbour's family. I still have the cards I got when my Mum and Dad died. They were a real comfort. I've also put letters in cards, when it was appropriate, sharing my memories of the person and I know they were appreciated.

Possession

How sad Kate, I agree a little card would be appreciated. The father of my childhood friend died recently and my friend said the card my parents sent to his mum was really appreciated.

Rowan9

Softstuff wrote: »

I figured, for no apparent reason, I'd share the recipe for our dinner tonight:

Spaghetti with pea "pesto"

You cook the spaghetti according to instructions. Reserve a ladleful of cooking water and drain the rest. In a bowl put the ladle of cooking water, about 250g of peas, a handful of nuts (in my case I'm using slivered almonds, since that's what's in the cupboard), a handful of tasty grated cheese, a serious glug of olive oil, salt and pepper. Then blend. Add to cooked pasta and eat more than is good for you.

I've made "pesto" before with many things that are green (broccoli, zucchini, spinach), a few different types of nuts (peanuts are nice and cheap) and with or without garlic. They all taste pretty good.

Clever lady, Soft Stuff. That's gone in my recipe folder (and on desk top to remind me to make it). Your chick pea curry is still my fav veggie curry.

Folk in or near and visitors to Edinburgh - do you know about the Mosque Kitchen? Went there with family a couple of weeks ago. Haven't been for a while and now am wondering why I've stayed away. Oh delicious and delightful! The spinach and potato curry was SO green you just knew it was doing you good. Buttery too. Yum yum. Think it's £4 or so with rice?

Mar - we had rain last night but I thought it would be falling as snow with you.

Soup pot on - carrot, lentil, onions, chicken stock from bones and have added some honey, marm1te, turmeric, paprika and lots of black pepper.

WM on 2nd load. DH noticed a warning ad about fires caused by WMs and said that's the first time he's noticed it highlighted in a warning advert. He knows I always go on about it. I think it was JackieGlasgow (are you reading?) who gave the info about it a couple of years ago. Thanks xxx.

Haribo - have you made all your chutney yet? What kinds this year?

Thinking of you all. Have candle lit so it's looking nice and cheery as well as sending out healing and kindly vibes to all.

Oh and finally (remember Cyril?).... M0rrisons have hyacinth bulbs in bright ceramic pots for £2. I bought a green one - looks very festive ho ho ho. I thought it might also cheer me up to watch the plant growing if I get doom and gloom with dark winter days.

Popperwell

Not boasting or trying to be better than anyone else but in a local supermarket on my town I found they were collecting for a Food Bank. So I did not buy anything for myself but had a little shop just to give to the appeal.

In passing I asked where they were based...

I am proud(but ashamed)that it is based on my town at "My" church. I had no idea that it existed. I'm only ashamed in that it is so sad that they are needed in a supposedly rich country in the 21st Century. And more of them are opening all the time.

So it is doing what Monnagran is doing and again it comes down to a church doing what it can for the community. And the people giving the most are those who have the least to give themselves.

A church is so much more than a place of worship but as numbers dwindle even they are trying to do so much with a smaller amount of money which they need for repairs, heating, electric and no doubt other expenses that I have not thought of.

savingqueen

It's ok Mar to eat the grandchildren's jelly babies if - and only if mind- you are quality testing. :rotfl:

Katie - a nice thought to send a card. That's not a lot you can really say but cards can be looked at as and when the family want to and it is comforting to know people care. I remember an old colleague years ago, a lovely woman who had lost her dad. I was the only person she told me who said I was sorry for her loss and asked how she was coping on her return to work. She did cry a little but partly because I had been kind and she said she found it difficult having to put on a brave face 24/7 and pretend nothing had changed in her life.

Another thing you can do, only if you want to that is, is take a casserole or somthing similar that the family can heat up or leave some basic groceries on the doorstep with a note in the door if you think they don't want to be disturbed. It is such an effort to cook and eat at times like that.

Good luck sorting the college payments and have a fun night out.

Pops - good to hear you've passed on some of your mum's possessions. Others will be able to buy affordable things and the charity shop will raise much needed funds. Also a positive step for you to make. The Memorial Christmas Trees and services sound lovely. I hope you feel emotionally strong enough to attend.

Fuddle - empathy re DH's snoring. Mine does too and it drives me mad. Fortunately he hasn't snored too loudly lately but when he does, I can hear him loudly from downstairs and how I don't slap him I shall never know!

jem - how are you?

I am amazed that the frozen towels I took off the line this morning are now nearly dry. Am I mad to still put washing out? I put another load out this morning, bought them in around 3pm and they are very damp but I bet they will be dry by tomorrow morning.

off to make some mince tarts or pies and think about cooking tea. I am still eating up the freezer contents - its amazing how many meals you can still get out of a few odds and ends isn't it? Tonight we are having an easy dinner - using up a pack of bacon, odd sausages (not odd as in strange...just ends of packets ) plus breakfasty bits like eggs, mushrooms and beans. The kids will love it!

sq:)

Popperwell

Thanks SQ,
I have said elsewhere I have enough of what I cooked in the slow cooker(a casserole)with just about every vegetable that you can think of for another three or four meals but I found some yellowed stockered diced venison in red wine so I will have that tonight. Me eating that, who would have thought? I hope I like it!

I'll have to think of something else to do with it...perhaps mashed potato and sliced mushrooms.

There are not as many clothes as you think at first and with little or no jewellery all that then remains are my memories and a few photo's not as many as I would have liked. Oh well...

heavenleigh

Popperwell wrote: »

Not boasting or trying to be better than anyone else but in a local supermarket on my town I found they were collecting for a Food Bank. So I did not buy anything for myself but had a little shop just to give to the appeal.

In passing I asked where they were based...

I am proud(but ashamed)that it is based on my town at "My" church. I had no idea that it existed. I'm only ashamed in that it is so sad that they are needed in a supposedly rich country in the 21st Century. And more of them are opening all the time.

So it is doing what Monnagran is doing and again it comes down to a church doing what it can for the community. And the people giving the most are those who have the least to give themselves.

A church is so much more than a place of worship but as numbers dwindle even they are trying to do so much with a smaller amount of money which they need for repairs, heating, electric and no doubt other expenses that I have not thought of.

It's not boasting, it's doing for others as you'd hope someone would do for you. I did exactly the same thing this morning (i'm presuming tesco) and bought a bag full of the basics whilst buying one bag of pasta for myself. If only everyone did it xxx

mcculloch29

Venison has quite a strong gamey flavour Pops.
I love venison sausages, real flavour, but I've had varied experiences with the steaks. The red wine will probably disguise a gamey taste quite well. Let us know!
Mash, yum. I add wholegrain mustard to my mash, really gives it zip and makes it special.

Popperwell

Heavenleigh, Yes it was Tesco's perhaps it was a national appeal? I would like to think all of the food retailers would allow/back such an appeal. Now I know of it's existence perhaps I can give again. xx

McCulloch,
Thanks for the warning, it was the fact it was reduced that I treated myself, I have some venison burgers in the freezer for the same reason, so room in there for anything else now.

I like the idea of adding something to the mash, I will consider that for another time. Would adding garlic work? I have some of that in the house. I need to think of adding some spices etc...to my food store.

monnagran

Mar: My ex similarly went berserk over the use of electricity - but only if it wasn't benefitting him directly. When I bought my first automatic washing machine he forbade me to use it. A bit rich as he'd previously moaned endlessly about washing hanging about the flat on racks. I got my own back and for a couple of weeks sent every last thing to the laundry and gave him the bill. He then insisted that I put a shilling (it was a LONG time ago) in a jar everytime I used the WM. I did, but cancelled his newspaper as I said the housekeeping couldn't stretch to both. There are more ways of getting your own back than you would believe.
And YES, it is very bad to eat your grandchildrens' jelly babies. I am appalled. Myself, I only eat the black ones, which are well known to be poisonous to children. And the red ones. And sometimes a yellow one slips in.......

x