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

Ruth_honey

FeistyFidget wrote: »

I fill mine about 3/4 - little bit of advice; make sure you don't keep taking the lid off to stir. If you do all the heat gets lost and can ages to get back to temperature - it 'shouldn't' burn, providing you have enough liquid in. Obviously because of the way it cooks, things can be quite runny - always have corn flour in the cupboard and it isn't an issue HTH - you have inspired me to get using mine again

I was good with the food today. After 4 hours, I gave it a quick stir. But I tend to distracted with other things anyway & forget there is something cooking. Which is probably why a slow cooker appeals. :rotfl: Burnt enough fish fingers over the years while I 'quickly check my email'.
How do you use the cornflour? Do you stir it in at the end with the meat etc, or do you remove the meat and stir it into the sauce separately? Bit of a clueless cook here...
Thanks for the tips. I do appreciate it!

Own_My_Own

shellieholly wrote: »

Ok ladies... up all hours again - men don't listen. Littlest woke at 9.30 I told him to just press play on her cd player - he holds a full scale convo with her... she is just beginning to nod now.
I want to make a quilt from all my daughters' baby clothes. Youngest has one sent from her grandma - was great grandmas its lovely. Eldest is ever so jealous I'd like to make one for her. Now I have a 1910 Singer upstairs in the loft thats been converted to electric. How do I go about it?
My second question is how is best to start out with crochet? I'd love to make some spring blankets and the like. Ideas please?

Making a quilt using squares is the easiest and quickest option.
Cut squares to your desired size. (remember to add 2cm for stitching). Sew these together to make a long strip.(1cm in at both ends). Sew strips together to make top of quilt.
Place on wading and a sheet for the backing, and stitch along your lines, both ways. This does not have to be along every line, you can stitch every other line making a cube effect.
With a wide piece of ribbon, bind the edge.

Hope this makes sense.

Ruth_honey

carlamarie wrote: »

ive just ordered these too, a pair for me to put away for next year and a pair to go in my best friends hamper - which i have decided is going to be 'cosy nights in' themed!
im thinking pjs, slippers, possibly dressing gown, bath stuff, couple of books (christmas themed??) bottle of baileys, hot choc and mug and some posh choccies.
have i missed anything?

I was going to suggest a hot water bottle, but reading on that's now been suggested. A fleece throw? Dunelm had some lovely ones, but stock selling fast. Matalan and primark might be good too. Face mask? Trying to think what I put in when I did a cozy night in hamper. Oooh, I think I had one of those DVDs of the fire burning in the fireplace. Poundland might sell them. Can't remember where I bought mine now. Firebox maybe? Or good old eBay, of course.
Eye mask? Make a cd of relaxing music?

Clairey_C wrote: »

I agree Carlamarie get them its too much of a saving to miss out on :cool:

Definitely. If you're moving a whole house, what's another couple of boxes, anyway?

Nanamia

Aaw Hanley what an awful experience for all concerned. Hope everybody -including little dog- recovers quickly.

Carlamarie hope you've bought them, you'd only regret it later. X

Archiebear our trip really has come round quick, still don't really believe we are going. Just seems so unreal. Have to make lists and pack maybe then it will sink in Spoke to DDiL this morning asked if there was anything she'd like us to bring, finally dragged out of her clothes for DGD so we had a trip to tk max -I've only been in a couple of times to look at the kitchen section. The clothes always seem to be set out like a jumble sale and require patience and rooting skills! Anyway cos I'm buying out of season there were lots of bargains 6 x dresses, pretty, well made 'designer' outfits 1 xskirt and t shirt outfit and a vest top for £47 couldn't believe it. Three of the dresses were full price at £7/9 but still cheaper than Asda or tesco clothing and seem to be much better made. Was really pleased with myself and DH helped choose them (he is secretly so excited- but not admitting it)
Whilst talking to DS today he was complaining about the heat 9.30pm 38degrees- least I will have something to moan about! (I don't like the heat at all but DH loves it - the things we ladies do!)
I really feel for you with your family moving out- it will be a big change for you all. You will miss DGD too:( I can't tell you it'll be easy or get easier cos I'm not over it yet. But hopefully I will be of some help when the time comes. My lot emigrated 20 th August 2012 and I still struggle! But probably only cry twice a week now rather than everyday, so there is hope!

Weeclick love your tree, I did a couple too for Christmas and one for DGDs birthday Christmas week. I will root out the photos. X

I'm not making any resolutions just want to treasure my loved ones xxx

couldsavemore_2

morning everyone hope you all have a great day .

I have more to do in my craft room and must pop out to get new ink for printer. then i may start on some cards for some birthdays that are coming in jan/feb.

still havent been to any sales feel a bit left out when you all say about what you have seen/bought. but havent felt like going anywhere to be honest, apart from walking the dog which i enjoy even in the rain (odd i know).
i will pop back later to try and keep up as this thread moves very quickly:coffee::coffee:

MrsBunny

Goodness me page 25 all ready!! Just about to pop to work but Thankyou for all the slow cooker receipies......will have a look at them all tonight. Right better get to work, MrsBunny x x

FeistyFidget

Ruth_honey wrote: »

I was good with the food today. After 4 hours, I gave it a quick stir. But I tend to distracted with other things anyway & forget there is something cooking. Which is probably why a slow cooker appeals. :rotfl: Burnt enough fish fingers over the years while I 'quickly check my email'.
How do you use the cornflour? Do you stir it in at the end with the meat etc, or do you remove the meat and stir it into the sauce separately? Bit of a clueless cook here...
Thanks for the tips. I do appreciate it!

I will never forget the time I was working from home and there were these delicious smells creeping in. I was feeling very jealous of the neighbors yummy smelling dinner - it was then that I remembered it was actually our dinner that I had put in the slow cooker a few hours before! :rotfl:

With regards to the cornflour - just before you dish up, remove any large cuts of meat (if using) and in a cup mix up a teaspoon of cornflour with some water until it reaches a whole milk consistency. Add to the liquid/broth stirring constantly. Leave it for one minute to check for consistency, you may need to add more HTH!

OMO I have been a member of cutoutandkeep since last December - I use it for a lot of home made gift inspiration/tutorials - Craftster is another good site HTH

SwipernoSwiping

Own_My_Own wrote: »

Making a quilt using squares is the easiest and quickest option.
Cut squares to your desired size. (remember to add 2cm for stitching). Sew these together to make a long strip.(1cm in at both ends). Sew strips together to make top of quilt.
Place on wading and a sheet for the backing, and stitch along your lines, both ways. This does not have to be along every line, you can stitch every other line making a cube effect.
With a wide piece of ribbon, bind the edge.

Hope this makes sense.

:j:T:j You star OMO thank you!:kisses3: this is just what I needed.

ok so.. *yawn* the kids are hyper, the weather is miserable.. and I need to get my bottom into gear. Bad mix. Sorted out important dates onto my calendar. Got some stuff to mail today. Getting this house back under my control today if it's the last thing I do! :rotfl:

weeclick

Last day of 2012 and started the day by paying off the bills :beer: nice chunky overdraft to sort out but at least no immediate debts hanging over us to start 2013! Just money to transfer to grandparents tonight to cover our sofa in their name and then should have enough over for a chinese or something nice to see out 2012. Even managed to store an extra few hundred away in a seperate savings from all the overtime I did in November, hoping I dont have to use it but its there in emergency!

Anyway hope you all enjoy whatever today brings and really do wish you all a happy healthy and wealthy 2013! :beer:

System

Happy new year to you all not sure if I will get on again today,completed and posted DLA form all bills paid and letters posted ,dropped prescriptions in at docs and got rid of recycling now at work roll on 1-30.
All I've got left to do is get pop bags for dog (sorry) and put cheque in dd's account that her aunt sent her for Xmas!