'supporting each other through really tough times'

savingqueen

Morning all,

Invited a couple of friends over for a cuppa last night, one has never been over before. It is one of my big anxiety provoking situations - inviting new friends over as our house needs a lot of tlc. Another strike for getting out of my comfort zone!:j I did all the basic cleaning (loos, sinks, floors etc) and left the rest, dishes from dinner on the worktop (as they came just after we ate), big pile of toys in living room etc and I felt just about ok with that. I figured they would appreciate homemade cake more so I did what made me happy.

One of the reasons I invited said friends over is because they keep talking about going out for a meal so I thought a virtually free eve at mine would be a substitute. As they left they were mentioning it again and I didn't feel I could say no but we agreed to shop around for a really cheap deal. I will use some of my birthday money to go and enjoy myself.

Went to bed late and feeling it today. Lucky to be able to have a really lazy morning. Have needed to be up and out last 4 days taking boys out to planned things, school activities or meeting friends and today nothing on at all. Planning on nothing more taxing than baths all round (and of course dirty dishes and clothes hanging out but they kinda go without saying... always dirty clothes and dishes eh?). This afternoon will be The Great Toy Tidy - that is a job and a half I can tell you!

Have nothing much in for dinner - will have to dig deep in the icy depths of chesty the freezer. Chesty seems fairly full but mostly of frozen OJ and millions of bags of frozen vegs. I could go to shops but that would mean taking the kids :eek: I want a lovely homecooked meal but without the effort of cooking it tonight :rotfl:

forgive my rambles, I'm in that kind of mood
sq:)

Softstuff

Mrs_Veg_Plot wrote: »

Thanks softstuff and katieowl for the advice about the polenta. it as not for the pasta part of the recipe it was for the filling. I ended up substituting it for some couscous that I made up and it seemed to work well. I did try our H&B but they do not sell it and the little Deli inn town which used to stock no end of things now carried very little stock and focuses on its little tea room so there was no joy there either. The pasta was made by mixing 300g of strong white bread flour and half a teaspoon of salt with 200ml boiling water until a ball forms (add a little more water or flour if it seems too wet or dry). Leave to stand for 1 hour. Divide mixture into 3 and roll each piece out very thinly on a surface floured with more strong white bread flour. This can be used to make tortellini, ravioli or lasagna. It does say that you can nor re-roll this mixture but I an going to try reusing the left overs to make a pasta lunch today.

Ah, makes sense that, and I bet you wouldn't notice the difference between polenta and couscous like that. I'd use some low fat ricotta, but that'd be less diety I guess.

It's a very similar recipe for Asian dumpling/gyoza wrappers. It's surprising what you can make from flour and water.

nuttyp

SQ im sure your friend appreciated the homemade cake. Lots of us are in these times finding things hard. Im dreading next month as the new tyres had to be put on the CC. It is cheaper than a fine, and far far safer. I would love to not have to have a car, but we both work at different times and different areas. TBH what i earn isnt that much but its definatley a big help. The hours are pants, often until late at night.

Feeling a bit better after the bank visit yesterday, it was rather embarassing after being told i was not a suitable client for there bank. OH has a day off in march, the 2 year anniversary of my dads death. It is always a difficult day but i think it will be the only day we can try and visit barclays. OH said dont bother weve managed for over 5 years but i still feel bad.

Onwards and upwards folks, theres always someone worse off than me and i lucky i have a job, home, family and fairly good health. x

Possession

SQ why don't you make a lovely filling soup from some of the frozen vegetables?
I went in the garage but couldn't face finding a place for all the stuff on top of the chest freezer so I've failed at the very first hurdle. Must try harder.

[Deleted User]

VJsMUM I was in Sweden in the summer both times so didn't see that side of things but I've been often in Germany in the winter months and they still have a smoking culture too and I find that difficult to deal with having not had it in the UK for a while. I think part of the Nordic healthiness comes from the fact that the limit wine, strong beer and spirits to state run offlicences and it isn't available in the supermarkets. You can buy lower alcohol beer but that's about all except for soft drinks. I think that most Swedes have access to good quality ingredients, the prices are high but the quality is good. I am aware of Mums jogging with buggies, small folks on bikes on the cycle paths which are extensive and the outdoor life in the summer, I don't think it's utopia but I think on the whole they fare better than us. One thing I was aware of is teenagers hang out with thier friends and have 'Fika' which is coffee and cake, and not alcohol as they tend to do here. I think that makes a difference!

SQ If your friends are wanting a girls night out and dinner with it could you find a coupon that gives 2 meals for the price of 1 and that would mean you could all pay 2/3rds of the price you would normally have to pay. The alternative would be to have a dinner night in and each one supply one course and split the price of a bottle of wine between you. If you wait for the better weather you could do a trip to a beauty spot and have a posh picnic with knives and forks and proper plates, that could be fun and not too expensive, hope that helps, Cheers Lyn xxx.

kate1974

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

VJsMUM I was in Sweden in the summer both times so didn't see that side of things but I've been often in Germany in the winter months and they still have a smoking culture too and I find that difficult to deal with having not had it in the UK for a while. I think part of the Nordic healthiness comes from the fact that the limit wine, strong beer and spirits to state run offlicences and it isn't available in the supermarkets. You can buy lower alcohol beer but that's about all except for soft drinks. I think that most Swedes have access to good quality ingredients, the prices are high but the quality is good. I am aware of Mums jogging with buggies, small folks on bikes on the cycle paths which are extensive and the outdoor life in the summer, I don't think it's utopia but I think on the whole they fare better than us. One thing I was aware of is teenagers hang out with thier friends and have 'Fika' which is coffee and cake, and not alcohol as they tend to do here. I think that makes a difference!

SQ If your friends are wanting a girls night out and dinner with it could you find a coupon that gives 2 meals for the price of 1 and that would mean you could all pay 2/3rds of the price you would normally have to pay. The alternative would be to have a dinner night in and each one supply one course and split the price of a bottle of wine between you. If you wait for the better weather you could do a trip to a beauty spot and have a posh picnic with knives and forks and proper plates, that could be fun and not too expensive, hope that helps, Cheers Lyn xxx.

Funny enough yesterday I was talking to my friend who spent few years living in Norway and I've mentioned how food and booze is expensive there.She said yes,everything is very expensive so my next question was-So they have very low alcohol intake?She said yes againg but after that added that is shocking how many of them are taking pills(we are not talking about Nurofen).She observed it many times in daylight even on kids playgrounds,in parks etc-it seems people always find their way around.

jem132

Well that walk has based away the cobwebs lol


On wards and upwards all my girlfriends are meeting tonight at one of the girls shelves over the road from me I arnt going it will only create a argument with dh.

He doesn't like me going. The only place I do go is the park with Bella or school.
Today I am going to sort out my wardrobe I have tunns of lovely clothing that I never were well things will change from now on I am going to be the best dressed dog walker going lol

Dh has just been in shouted at the kids for putting the electric fire on and blowing the electricity they only put the light on I told themnthey could. We had a row she said he's off out for the day expecting me to to say no and sorry to make it upto him and not want him to go I said buy then, he wentbout to the van came bk in I went in kitchen and said I thought you was going out he did then wasn't impressed with me not wanting to sort it out inam fed up of him so I am off house hunting. If he wontbtalk to me and keeps shouting at the kids and me I am leaving see how he likes that right I am off to make myself look pretty to go on my nextbdog walk lol and have a good at rentals. Xx

VJsmum

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

VJsMUM I was in Sweden in the summer both times so didn't see that side of things but I've been often in Germany in the winter months and they still have a smoking culture too and I find that difficult to deal with having not had it in the UK for a while. I think part of the Nordic healthiness comes from the fact that the limit wine, strong beer and spirits to state run offlicences and it isn't available in the supermarkets. You can buy lower alcohol beer but that's about all except for soft drinks. I think that most Swedes have access to good quality ingredients, the prices are high but the quality is good. I am aware of Mums jogging with buggies, small folks on bikes on the cycle paths which are extensive and the outdoor life in the summer, I don't think it's utopia but I think on the whole they fare better than us. One thing I was aware of is teenagers hang out with thier friends and have 'Fika' which is coffee and cake, and not alcohol as they tend to do here. I think that makes a difference!

Mmmm I love Fika. I wasn't meaning to disagree - just add my twopennorth . When we were there I was struggling to get a bottle of wine, finally managed to get to the Systembolaget (off licence) when it was open and came out stroking a bottle - kids were in hysterics. The cycle path system is great - we were in Malmo for a couple of days on our way back from Stockholm and they have cycle paths everywhere - the metro in Stockholm is amazing too and all the boats, of course.

Their way of life is so totally different to ours, Stockholm is largely apartment based - we visited friends of friends who have a 4 bedroomed apartment above a chinese restaurant. That sort of location is frowned on here but the complex was arranged around a central green space with kiddies playground and barbecues and seating. THe teenagers of this family were in and out of friends' apartments nearby - no ferrying around in "mums taxi". The education is all free and the health care - but they pay 50% tax. I have told my DD she can go to University in Stockholm, they teach in English and it is free, no fees. I reckon that balances out any flight costs and some increased living costs - although Sweden isn't a great deal more expensive than here.

We also took students there last year and visited the eco town of Hammarby - that really is forward thinking and extremely interesting.

They also run a kind of "car pool" system where for a fee and then rental charges you buy into a scheme where you can book a rental car for when you want - whether it is an hour or two to go grocery shopping or a week or two for a holiday. most people in Stockholm do not own cars themselves.

Sorry, I've digressed...

mardatha

That sounds very interesting re Scandinavia, thanks all. I think Scotland has a lot in common with Norway - geographically and climate wise - and we should try to live more like they do. I notice Norwegians & Swedes over here on holiday are always much more tanned than we are,must have a healthier lifestyle.

[Deleted User]

Digress away m'dear, I love Sweden (doesn't show does it?) it is my best place, I felt like I was putting on a glove when we went for the first time, it was like going home which in a way it was as my Fathers Mother was swedish. It is such an odd feeling to see folks who look just like you do everywhere, it taught me why I have the food preferences I do and why I am me!!! I love the hospitality of the place, we did the inlands Banan - the little train that runs from Mora to Gellavare right up the central spine of the country through the forests, it was wonderful. My favourite place so far is Jokmok which is a little town just over the arctic circle where we had the hottest day of the year and ended up paddling in the lake to cool down. Last year we went to Gothenburg on the west side of the country and where Grandma came from, it's lovely, a sea port and full of Lime trees in full bloom when we were there, I only have to smell that perfume to be back there in the sun. We look like the locals, in fact everyone spoke to us in swedish because they thought we were, lovely. I hope I'll go back again one day, something to look forwards to. It's nice to know you've been there and know what I'm talking about, Cheers Lyn xxx.