'supporting each other through really tough times'

JKJ

So sorry to hear sad news from Mrs Veg Plot, hope something comes along soon, what a vile time of year for it to happen.

Softstuff hope you feel better soon - could your DH help with ingredients search?

Fuddle hope your headache is better this morning, and I empathise with the sleeplessness, it is also my bugbear.

Mean Marie when our endowment insurance company started asking for more money we decided to cash it in, pay off a lump sum with the proceeds and up our monthly payments. We have a very flexible mortgage so can pay what we like, as often as we like (it is a Virgin One Account) don't know if this is an option for you but it has worked well for us as we are now 6 years ahead of ourselves and have saved a fortune on interest as it is calculated daily.

Did a bit of crafting yesterday but by the look of the place housework would have been MUCH more appropriate.

Did anyone see the busker and his cat doing high 5's on the One Show last night?

Softstuff

meme30 wrote: »

Softstuff:- bless you, you sound so fragile and tired at the moment. Why not try an easier alternative to make and take. I am doing this:-
http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/main-ingredient/chocolate/truffle-torte.html

Thank you meme30, that looks delicious, but more for a regular family gathering (which with my husbands family happens regularly). I think they'd be happier with bought Christmas stuff than home-made not Christmas this time. Heck, I'm thinking if I can manage to cobble together a litre of homemade baileys, which is easy, and make them drink it, no-one will notice dessert!

meme30 wrote: »

When you are poorly, 'fannying on' with pastry etc is too tiring. I would look for bought mince pies and we like a MaTThew W8lker bought Christmas Pud here. Then again, being as you are at the other end of the world, I'm sure there will be other makes you can get. I have heard reports that the Heston one is not all that great!

You're right about pastry. To be honest, I'd forgotten pastry I wish I knew which bought things were nice here, but I couldn't find any reviews of Australian stuff. I read reviews of hestons which raved about it, but obviously they were biased getting free puds to try!

I'm erring towards buying the supermarkets own-brand premium stuff, giving the cake and pud a fair extra dose of whisky and buying some whisky or brandy cream for the mince pies. May the Gods of OS forgive me.

paidinchickens

meme30 wrote: »

PIC:- Pleased you got a result. Sending hugs to you and your DH. :grouphug: While you are sorting your doggie smell, any ideas about a fishy one? Lovely smoked cod last night but my kitchen smells like it's still sitting on my bench! Yeuk!

Strike a match!! I don't have any as I gave up smoking in January :j:j

VJsmum

meme30 wrote: »

PIC:- Pleased you got a result. Sending hugs to you and your DH. :grouphug: While you are sorting your doggie smell, any ideas about a fishy one? Lovely smoked cod last night but my kitchen smells like it's still sitting on my bench! Yeuk!

Bowl of vinegar - malt is better - on the side. Leave it a day or two. It will smell a little of vinegar but not fish. it is better to put the vinegar out before you start to cook but afterwards is better than nothing.

JKJ

We donate £8 a month to four different charities, and have been thinking we would like to switch paying the money from the large charities we have supported for years to local charities. Trouble is I can't stop feeling guilty at taking money away from people who are relying on it and dread the letters and phone calls we are likely to receive when we tell them we are withdrawing our donations. Am thinking that if we do make the change, I will just send random cheques on a monthly basis rather than pledge to pay anyone every month, that way they won't have my address to send begging letters to (does anyone else get fed up of being asked for more? If I could afford more, I would give it!) Also, we could help a wider range of good causes and spread our small donations a bit wider. Is my logic faulty? Am I making sense?

mardatha

Softstuff, just buy it pet. When you feel like a dying slug then it's not worth the bother - and that's when things go wrong and you have to do everything twice. Ask me how I know this !

mardatha

JKG, I know I sound hard, but I think charity begins at home and is me giving them of my own free will - not theirs to demand. It's just big business now, they have managers paid a good salary who put pressure on staff to get more money coming in. I don't agree with that at all, it just puts me off. And it's only a computer churning out a standard carefully worded guilt letter anyway !

JKJ

mardatha wrote: »

JKG, I know I sound hard, but I think charity begins at home and is me giving them of my own free will - not theirs to demand. It's just big business now, they have managers paid a good salary who put pressure on staff to get more money coming in. I don't agree with that at all, it just puts me off. And it's only a computer churning out a standard carefully worded guilt letter anyway !

I know you're right, I do, but I can't stop the visions of starving children that fill my mind when I get the latest begging letter. BUT I will be strong! It feels right to try helping local causes especially after recently reading just how much a lot of high profile chzrities spend on running costs and salarys.

CRANKY40

I am full of germs (cold and chest infection) so I won't linger. Just wanted to send Mrs VP and Softstuff a hug.

Softstuff, for what it's worth, I agree with Mardatha. f you're not feeling up to it just buy the stuff. Trying to do things like that without the required amount of enthusiasm usually leads to trouble.

Rowan9

JKJ - I put the begging letters straight in the bin unopened. I do donate monthly but I also used to work for one of the big charities and the sad fact is that if someone donates, then they will be sent letters asking for more. Difficult situation. Choose your own charities, ask whether there is an option not to receive letters and if so, donate monthly. otherwise, as you say, just send some money to the ones you want when you want. You can even put in cash to a donation box if there are any suitable.

Sost Stuff - haven't read all the thread yet but I say buy the blimmin' things, present them to your DH and say ta daaaaah...these are actually delicious cakes/ mince/ pies/ puddings and not, you'll be glad to hear, poop in brandy sauce. I had to laugh at your comment re your DH's face. Big (((hugs))) to you. Hell - bring along your fab curry instead - I still make Soft Stuff Chickpea Curry regularly, even when I have no chickpeas:p. Hey - there's a thought - you could bring along the bought one and say this is in fact a variation of home made Christmas cake. Do what's right for you at this moment.
Off to work folks but back to read more later
W x