'supporting each other through really tough times'

jpscloud

Very sorry to hear your sad news McCulloch - as Ginny says, happy memories will stay with you and comfort you.

My washing machine has decided to pack up, and needs a new pump. At least it had the decency to wait till half term, I suppose!

What a gorgeous day we've had. I'm still not functioning well enough to enjoy it in the garden but just seeing the sun does make a difference.

mcculloch29

Thank you all for your messages of sympathy for my friend. She was never blessed with children but she had a wonderful family. She moved from County Durham to the Midlands for ten years - she moved back late last year - and often stayed with me when she came up for family gatherings. I got invited to join in a few of them - lovely family and great times.
Her cousin posted this lovely tribute to her on her FB page:-

" Today I say goodbye to a cousin, a daughter , a niece, a friend, an aunty ....

A person who influenced so many in so many ways , brought a smile to our faces, kept humility in our lives.... and always made me appreciate the simple things...

You may be gone but the memories will always live on in our hearts .... you were special to us all..... a special person who has left an incredible legacy.....

'We will not always remember days...we will remember moments....'

The distance between us has always been hard but the memories we share as a family will always remain. You brought reality to things that were so simple and always managed a smile . I have so many wonderful memories of you to hold ...... Elvis on home made tapes to keep me entertained and tortured for the rest of my life....

You were the miracle child, the miracle teenager and the miracle adult...... We were blessed to have shared in your lifetime and will cherish the memories you have left behind....

You will always remain in our hearts ......

"LIVE IN THE MOMENT AND MAKE IT SO BEAUTIFUL THAT IT WILL BE WORTH REMEMBERING...." "

fuddle

Mcculloch I too am very sorry to read of such sad news. I'm sorry for the loss of your dear friend. I can't imagine to hurt and sadness you felt when taking the phone call. x

Thank you all for your support and really helpful tips re: pancakes, I especially like the fruit filled yorkshires (here kids, mammy's hm doughnuts ) and the eggless pancakes as well as the thicker pancakes. I know I shouldn't compare. It's just galling that people can produce thing for far cheaper and make a profit... I guess there lies the issue that has surrounded processed meat of late. It's cheap because it's filled with x,y,z.

Well friends what a day. A surprise call from my mam this morning asking did we want to go out for lunch, her treat. Me, my sister and her 4 grandchildren went out to lunch with her... she got blind drunk. Took her back to my house fr a coffee where she demanded I cut her hair. I'm not a hair dresser but she wouldn't let it drop. I cut it as best I could. I drove her home 1 hour 40 minutes drive in total. Called off at mother in laws on the way back for a cuppa. She's keeping the girls tonight and sent me home alone with a pack of ringtons tea bags (my favourite) I feel exhausted, feel numb and so mad at the woman. But the plus side is I have a kid free night, a bubble bath to look forward to, a cup of tea and a dunk of biscuit and a read of marguerite pattern war time cool book. I suspect by 10.30 I shall e back to my normal self

Mrs_Veg_Plot

mccullock29 your friend sounds like an amazing woman and sounds like she has blessed many lives. It gives even more meaning to your signature. I will light a candle and send warm thoughts your way tonight.

elona OH is not a fussy eater really, it is just that offal seems to be a step to far for him.

MrsLW yes the blog is Frugal in ........ I am sure OH will eat offal as long as he does not know it is in what he is eating.

Gave the lounge a deep clean today but did too much and I am suffering with my back now. Currently sitting here with a comforting wheat bag. Mum and Dad came to visit today with my youngest niece and nephew who are staying with them for a few days. They phoned first so I was able to get a batch of cookies in the oven for them before they arrived. These went down well and I managed to save a couple for DD2 who has spent the day out with her gran. They went to Chester for the day which will help her with her current photography project which is architecture and there are a lot of interesting things there for her to photograph.

Trying the Hairy Dieters salmon (Aldi) with chilli and ginger for tea tonight with rice and a few veg.

It was great to see the washing blowing on the line today especially as it was bedding, it always smells so fresh.

kidcat

Mcculloch - ((hugs)) am so sorry to hear your sad news.

stiltwalker

McCulloch - so sorry to hear you sad news, take care of yourself.

Fuddle - hugs - enjoy your child free night.

Ginny - glad you had a good catch up with your friend.

Lovely sunny day here - we had a nice catch up at our support group but the kids are really tired and wobbly today - combination of a busy weekend then stay and play yesterday. Lots of bouncy castle (or bouncing cattle as DD calls it!!) and crafts and soft play, together with getting to see some owls really close up and even getting to stroke one. Wow is all I can say and that's just me not the kids! although they enjoyed it too.

Internet playing up a bit - DH spent ages on phone to sky and twiddling with the router, so glad I have him to do these things as I am a techno dunce, it seems ok for now (fingers crossed) but not expecting it to last.

Stay and Play again tomorrow and then Thursday is speech and language in the morning followed by a trip to the Farm park with Grandma in the afternoon.

Take care all. X

Byatt

Can you freeze carrots without blanching? I recall GQ saying something about freezing carrots and as I've spotted a sack of horse carrots for £2.99 I'm quite tempted but can't be faffed with blanching etc...quite happy to peel and chop though.

edit, talking about ailments, I've been in a huge amount of pain over the weekend, no rhyme nor reason but it's a deep pain in the pelvic area, which pulls around to the back. Actually kept me awake. Tried calling the doctor today and the recpetionist hung up on me 3 times!! Then when I tried again, no-one answered.

Sorry about your friend Mcculloch. I've not lost a friend through death, and dread the day.

GreyQueen

((((((mcCulloch29)))))))) I'm so sorry to hear that your dear friend has passed. She sounds truly remarkable and her loss will be felt by so many.

Byatt, I've been prepping carrots without blanching for months now, and eating them, and they're fine. I peel and cut them into strips, just by hand, and then either poly-bag them or put them in plastic containers. They freeze together but a sharp tap with a wooden spoon will separate them.

I just chuck 'em straight into the steamer pan and cook them like that. If I had a horse carrot source (and a bigger freezer, I'd be on it. Have you seen the price they want for carrots at the shop? Time was when I could get a tonne for £20........

PS, have also done cauli and broccoli florets like this, too.

Byatt

Thanks GQ, brilliant! I'll get them tomorrow, hopefully. I just happened to come across them and didn't want to miss out if I didn't have to.

kidcat

Thanks GQ I must remember that - I often see veg reduced instore but know I dont have time to blanch it first so give it a miss.

Its been a rough few days here, funeral was yesterday, I delivered my flowers to the directors and then delivered all the desserts too. I ended up with 55 desserts so delivered them all - my dad returned 48 of them later that evening - apparently very few people attended the party bit!
So I was left with not one thank you, not one message to say I was missed, seriously out of pocket and loads of desserts I could not store.

It was a sad day as it finally hit me - that I had not only lost my Uncle, I had in fact lost the illusion of a caring family too.

I was however blessed with incredible friends who all did the utmost to keep me laughing all day, propping me when needed, one even went as far as coming with me to deliver the desserts. And then of course several called around later when I sent a distress call out - and took away desserts that I couldnt cope with