'supporting each other through really tough times'

kidcat

Hahaha - I win the TP poker hand - I have 82 rolls!!!! Packs of 32 were on special offer so I bought two packets and I still had some in!

It wont last long here though we use 3 rolls a day minimum more if the kids are off school.

kidcat

Bexim - GQ lives in a compact and bijou apartment, she often tells tales of how tiny it is and she has learnt to find ways of hiding things that are really inventive. I am sure she will happily share tips with you.

Peanut2013

Softstuff, we used to do this but then found we were feeding up to 6 or 7 people normally twice a week and our shopping bill shot up! Unfortunately most friends live at home so can't retaliate and cook for us.

We've suggested everyone chipping in which works most times but I do get a few friends who get very funny about it and think as its at ours we should pay for all.

maryb

I don't know how many loo rolls I have got at the moment. However I have been banned from buying any more for a loooong time. Prior to the ban I would certainly have given Kidcat a run for her money.

I had a shock today. I have no golden granulated sugar in reseve:eek: As I don't use it, this gives me a pretty good indication of how much sugar DD2 is using. And the answer is TOO MUCH.

But I feel an abject failure not even noticing that my stocks were dwindling so much. I feel a tidy up and inventory session coming on

JellyBox

Well Kidcat, in that case I might have lots of space! We only rent though, and I am not a tidy person, I fear I might push OH to breaking point if I fill the flat anymore, he has minimalist tendencies and I... Well... I don't!

monnagran

Oh WOW! Softstuff I love you. Knickers you can tuck into your socks! That's obviously what has been missing from my life. I might get the sewing machine out and run up a few pairs, I think there are some old curtains in the attic that need recycling.

Bexim: Petal, I AM over 70, and I promise you that you won't feel any differently about passion killers when you reach that great age than you do now.
And welcome, by the way. Are you sure you are ready to rub shoulders with this mad crew?

Fuddle: What a bummer! About your DH, I mean. As for the nursing, well, words fail me. You are a loss to the profession and if I was in hospital I can't think of anything nicer than being nursed by you.

On a more personal note, my DGD is going to be baptised on the 17th and I have shocked the family (and my DIL in particular) by announcing that I am going to make the Christening Cake.
Now, cakes I can make. Decorating them is a different matter. The first time I attempted it was for my DS1's first birthday.
I can see my friends now crouching over the cake .....
"So what is it?"
"It's a clock."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course. Look there are the hands."
"Mmmmm."
"And there is a little mouse."
"Why?"
"What do you mean 'Why'?"
"Why is there a .......Mouse, did you say?"
"Are you stupid or what? Because it's Hickory Dickory Dock."
Cue a lot of infantile giggling.

That was the high spot of my decorating career, it's been all downhill since then.
Anyway, I will make a cake that will please me, embarrass my DIL, puzzle all the guests, who will probably spend the entire afternoon wondering what it is and Mia won't care one way or the other. But I will tell her when she is old enough, that Monna loved her so much that she did something that she is very bad at, just for her favourite granddaughter.
So there!

x

Peanut2013

Asking here as you seem a mass of knowledge!

Want to try making a basic veggie soup. Does anyone have a simple recipe?

Do I just boil veg in some veg stock then blend and add a bit of cream / yoghurt to thicken?

BitterAndTwisted

No boiling, just a gentle simmer will do.

Peel and chop an onion. Plus celery if you have some. Sweat them off in some veg oil until transparent. Add you other veggies, sliced, chopped, whatever you like. Sweat them off for a minute or two. Add some stock. Maybe a tin of chopped tomatoes if you have one hanging about. Bung in some herbs if you have them. Bring it up to boiling-point, then turn down to a gentle simmer with the lid on. Leave it for an hour or so. Taste it and season it. If it's a bit blando, try adding a teaspoon of pesto sauce, some brown sauce or a smidge of marmite. Blend if you like or leave it as is. I prefer veggie soup chunky. For variety you could add split red lentils if you like it thicker, or a tin of beans/chick-peas/whatever you fancy. Usually, soup is made of whatever you have to hand that needs using up before it goes bendy/past its best.

Softstuff

Bexim wrote: »

To be fair though, I would almost certainly have the smallest home by far on this thread, we have no space for anything more!

I think GQ and I tie on home size. Hubby and I live in a tiny 1 bed flat, we have a small bathroom, a bedroom and a lounge/kitchen/diningroom/study! GQ keeps her stuff in rolly storage under the bed, I have mine stashed in all kinds of places, but mostly in the wardrobe (we don't have that many clothes!).

Peanut2013 wrote: »

Softstuff, we used to do this but then found we were feeding up to 6 or 7 people normally twice a week and our shopping bill shot up! Unfortunately most friends live at home so can't retaliate and cook for us.

I get by with doing things that cost less than a fiver for the lot of us: chicken wings with home cooked coating, pizza or chickpea curry. I have a heap of cheap things I can make that don't cost a great deal more than a standard meal for 2, but feed a fair few. I never got fed back either, most of the people I was feeding were younger male colleagues, who didn't know much in the way of cookery!

monnagran wrote: »

Oh WOW! Softstuff I love you. Knickers you can tuck into your socks! That's obviously what has been missing from my life. I might get the sewing machine out and run up a few pairs, I think there are some old curtains in the attic that need recycling.

What the piccie doesn't show real well is the gigantic gusset. It's a large diamond shape in the middle. Allows for great freedom of movement, especially when trying to use the hole in the floor toilet!

If you do try making them I warn you, they tend to be made from thin soft jersey, I take no responsibility for anything that might happen to you wearing heavy ex-curtain damask knickers :rotfl:

the_cake

Stretchy meat: M & S currently have a '3 packs for £10' offer on various meat and fish. It includes packs of 20 sausages, which are very nice and meaty: 78% pork, so for £10 you could have 60 good sausages ..... I have just done this, and enjoyed making lots of little bags for the freezer!