*The Holly and the Ivy* and the You Know What 2013 Chatter Thread.

chickywiggle

ohhhh ruth_honey you just reminded me my mum used to make amazing tapioca in her slow cooker............hmmmmm can I eat it on weight watchers??

Signed up to WW last night (online) - no join fee + £12 (ish) of nectar points. at the moment.
ERMM perhaps I shouldn't have started it till after the christmas goodies have gone.

used 25 of my 26 points for today already...........and thats only having 1 drink!!!!! and not even had the promised homemade KFC for tea yet. decided this will be trial week to get me used to it lol.

Own_My_Own

I have a slow cooker. A couple of years ago, while sorting out bits for a boot sale, dd got this cooker out of the cupboard.

'I still use that' I said,
'I know, but nobody likes anything you cook in it' was her reply.

PetuliaGristle

MrsBunny wrote: »

On another note.....I have just brought a slow cooker....never had one before and I am all excited as Santa forgot to bring me one (how many hints can a girl leave to her hubby??) Does anyone know any good websites for receipies?? Done nothing towards Xmas 13 yet, I dont know how some of you can plan so far ahead! I am struggling for my friends birthday on Jan 16!!!!!

Our favourite slow cooker recipes are ragu and chilli adapted from non-sc recipes. Dh uses Alex Mackay's Ragu recipe from Sainsburys Magazine years ago (I'll try pm'ing it to you, and if I find a link to it I'll post it), and Nigella Lawson's Chocolate Chip Chilli. They both take a while to prep, but worth it, Dh makes about eight servings each time and freezes, as they taste even better after a while in the freezer.

pinknfluffy28

Bunbun - I never thought of just doing her a candle hamper, I could include a candle making kit some moulds books etc plus a few Yankees! Thank you

Omo - lol yes thank you 2013 it will be!

Have decided on a science theme for dd, not sure what will go in it maybe a microscope, telescope, basic science kit, and books on stars, planets, the human body that kind of stuff. Sounds boring for a 6yo but ran it past dh & he agrees she will love it, as mentioned before she is very academic, the brainy one so best to encourage it!
If anyone sees anything suitable on sale at any time pls let me know!

Thanks for help & suggestions, always feel better when I've made a decision lol

Ruth_honey

bunbun2 wrote: »

don't worry one is a good start. I only got my kindle mid December and am still learning. I didn't know there was a kindle section.

I got mine for Christmas, but I already had the app, so had a few books to read on the iPad. It's definitely worth looking at the top 100 free books chart every couple of days. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bestsellers-Kindle-Store-eBooks/zgbs/digital-text/341689031/ref=pd_ts_zgc_kinc_341689031_morl?pf_rd_p=361687507&pf_rd_s=right-6&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=341689031&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=1K7CPXMSRG1VYKBJ6RZ6
Hope that link works.

bunbun2 wrote: »

thank you for the recipe. I will make it tomorrow as OH is about to make roast duck for tea and i will only get in the way!

I'm thinking I might try without the oranges, but using part coconut milk instead of normal milk. Maybe add some sultanas? I'm not so good with the meat side of cooking, but the naughty cakes/biscuits/brownies I like making.

chickywiggle wrote: »

ohhhh ruth_honey you just reminded me my mum used to make amazing tapioca in her slow cooker............hmmmmm can I eat it on weight watchers??

Signed up to WW last night (online) - no join fee + £12 (ish) of nectar points. at the moment.
ERMM perhaps I shouldn't have started it till after the christmas goodies have gone.

used 25 of my 26 points for today already...........and thats only having 1 drink!!!!! and not even had the promised homemade KFC for tea yet. decided this will be trial week to get me used to it lol.

Good luck with WW, Chicky. I can't be bothered with all the point counting stuff. My Fitness Pal is a good app to use to track your food, though (when I remember to use it!). I'm just trying to make sure I burn off more than I consume. I'm not depriving myself of anything, but if I want a treat, I have to do some water aerobics, walking, swimming or wii fit exercise to burn it off. Hoping to walk up to the gym tomorrow and have a swim, then walk home again (2 and 1/2 mile round trip). That will help burn off some of the mince pies I've been scoffing. I've been quite good with the chocs so far. Had 2 tiny boxes of Lindt Lindor milk truffles (my FAVE!) and one big one. Only had 3 chocs since Christmas & the Thorntons isn't even open yet. Oooh, nor is the Terry's choc orange. Gosh, I have been good with the chocs. For once...:o

Ruth_honey

pinknfluffy28 wrote: »

Bunbun - I never thought of just doing her a candle hamper, I could include a candle making kit some moulds books etc plus a few Yankees! Thank you

Omo - lol yes thank you 2013 it will be!

Have decided on a science theme for dd, not sure what will go in it maybe a microscope, telescope, basic science kit, and books on stars, planets, the human body that kind of stuff. Sounds boring for a 6yo but ran it past dh & he agrees she will love it, as mentioned before she is very academic, the brainy one so best to encourage it!
If anyone sees anything suitable on sale at any time pls let me know!

Thanks for help & suggestions, always feel better when I've made a decision lol

Here's some silly filler ideas...glow in the dark stars, Mars choc bar, flying saucer sweets

Own_My_Own

Am watching'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers' on 5.

Haven't seen this since I was a kid. It was my sisters favourite film, and we had to watch it every week. (Until my Dad accidently recorded an episode of Minder over the ending :rotfl:)

dropsofjupiter

pinknfluffy28 wrote: »

Have decided on a science theme for dd, not sure what will go in it maybe a microscope, telescope, basic science kit, and books on stars, planets, the human body that kind of stuff. Sounds boring for a 6yo but ran it past dh & he agrees she will love it, as mentioned before she is very academic, the brainy one so best to encourage it!
If anyone sees anything suitable on sale at any time pls let me know!

Thanks for help & suggestions, always feel better when I've made a decision lol

I don't think that sounds boring at all, will probably have a longer "shelf life" than the latest must have!

weeclick

Wanted to add a few pics while I remember

Heres the sweetie tree I made my neice for her birthday (2 boxes and a bag and a half of mint aeros later) In total cost around £13 to make, including the other gift its £7 less than the usual birthday budget but shes got so much more this year




And todays efforts of tidying - christmas box, gift box and a general cards and crafts box

shewholovesherfamily

:hello: Hi to all

Happy Birthday Daisiegg:bdaycake:

Ignore comments about teachers in general, just focus on being the best teacher you can be (i'm sure you are lovely)

Been very Lazy today catching up on all the soaps i have been missing over the festive time. So no housework done:embarasse (still as my mum used to say "it will still be there tomorrow, so loose no sleep over it".

Pinksteps and Omo i too took the hamper deals, although i did receive, most of them before xmas, just waiting on the perserves and extra sweets. but assuming i will not get these, ( but live in hope). Have not chased as i do not feel out of pocket for what i received although the retro ones were rather slim!!! have been lurking on the hamper thread and keeping up with the goings on glad to see the refunds are coming through.

Plan to go out to the sales tomorrow, hope to get at least the wrap,tags and cards for 2013, although this year i am going to be very careful about what i buy, as i tend to see what i consider a bargain, then not want to give at xmas, as i decide it's not quite right for whoever, when bought months before. not very MSE.

I have never used a slowcooker, but intend getting one this year, as i am hoping it will help me organise myself better. I do tend to procrastinate, and end up cooking something quick, rather than planning, so that is my goal for 2013 Organise my meal planning.