The OS Doorstep - a helpful and supportive thread in these tough times

paidinchickens

Lyn I'm sure they'll be straight on the phone if they need you, it must be a nightmare for you not having them on the doorstep. Just keep your own sleep up to date incase x

PiC x

Possession

Kidcat hope kitty is better, and SQ hope your back is a bit better, back pain is nasty. Plus Lynn I hope Zebra is better and his poor parents have managed some sleep (I remember that all too well!).
We got the dogs back yesterday after their training and their is great improvement. Sapphie also slept downstairs last night for the first time and although there was some crying and she was very pleased to see me this morning, she did OK.
Today will be a day off long walks, a bit of gardening and fetching the children's new (to them) bikes since they have both outgrown their current ones by a long way. It's looking like it will be a lovely day.

FairyPrincessk

Morning all,

Pooky I know what you mean--I got through times where planning the meals for the week is such a chore. It seems to come around when the seasons are changing and I think I start to fancy 'something else' but haven't yet fully transitioned to my new seasonal recipes. I'm a bit stuck for two nights this week as its going to be a busy week. Its a never ending battle to keep cheap, healthy and easy recipes in rotation because as Mrs. LW says--the prices are always changing. Fortunately our usual stuff seems to be fairy stable in Aldi, its just the fruit and veg I need to keep up with--which reminds me! Last Sunday in Aldi butter (salted and unsalted) was down to 95p. Not exactly a lovely deal, but a good 4p cheaper than normal and 24p cheaper than it was a couple of years ago. I'll be putting a few blocks in the freezer.

I was making stuff peppers last night and managed to get a banana loaf into the oven. I don't normally put chocolate in but was out of vanilla so put some in--it was so nice warm that we both went back for seconds--me for a slice and OH for a great big slab.

We also have the yellow ball today. Its a few chores in the garden for me, a trip to do the shopping and a few cleaning chores but did most of mine yesterday. OH will do his bit. Thinking I will finish up a couple of sewing projects at the machine, mark, iron and pin them and sit outside to hem them in the sunshine.

Hester the dresses sound lovely. I'm trying to think of a pressie for my Nephew's first birthday. Would like for it to be something hm, but haven't thought of anything yet. I did felt fruit and veg and dressing up clothes for his sister recently, but it seems they have so many toys now the poor things almost seem to be drowning between the toys and the tv when we go round.

[Deleted User]

FPK how about a fabric collage perhaps of his favourite toys, i.e bears, elephants, giraffes etc or brightly coloured cars/trctors home stitched in lovely bright fabrics to go on the wall in his bedroom, or a set of pouches to hang behind his door for socks, little t shirts, vests etc made of bright scraps of fabric . The thing I made for the girls at that age was a big floor cushion stuffed with those peanut shaped packing beads that come with any electrical goods we bought and they had thier naps on it for years until they didn't need naps any longer, it was something they could just take themselves off to when they got tired. I made it into a doggie by making ears and a tail and embroidering eyes and a nose and a smile, they loved it!

Cheapskate

Morning everyone

The big yellow ball has made it up north, too, DH gone for a bike ride and the littlies are in the garden. I have one load of washing out and one more nearly ready, even though it's Sunday!

Hugs to the poorlies, or those with poorly pets/rellies, or anyone who just wants a hug!

Off to the garden centre later, need some really big tubs for herbs, just ditched some old ones that had finally given up the ghost. Only getting something simple (=inexpensive) to have mint, parsley, basil etc in.

Lyn, I've noticed the same about even basics prices - sainsbobs in particular are up and down more than a tart's knickers!! :rotfl: I have a faint feeling of panic re food prices and availability, hence the herbs etc - like you say, you need something to stop your diet seeming bland.

A xo

savingqueen

A good morning to you all

You are a busy bee Stilty - all positive stuff though, great to hear. Lovely to bump into an old friend like that - that's fate.

Hope Zebra feels better soon. DD is lucky to have you Mrs LW -sometimes being on the end of a phone is enough support and she knows you will go and help out if needs be.

Lucky DGD Hester - that Minnie Mouse inspired dress sounds absolutely gorgeous.

Back not much better but I had a good night's sleep thanks to DH's knock out painkillers - I understand how he gets so tired now, not just the commute, fulltime job and study but the painkillers on top. I am able to potter about doing things like the washing up and will do some more sewing and get everything ready for the school run, just need to be sensible. Also will try the hot bath suggestion when I get off here.

I have been worrying about food prices as well. DS10 eats an enormous amount now, he is nearly as tall as me and DS7 is growing fast too - he is the tallest in his class. Where I used to cook enough food for 2 family meals, the leftovers now generally are enough for an adult sized lunch instead of a 2nd family meal! I am thinking of ways to manage our money even better. Also thinking ahead about getting some sort of part-time work later or a way of getting some extra income in. I have ideas but find my energy levels and mental health don't let me put them all into practice. I have £50 winging our way soon as I finally completed enough surveys (took about 2 years!) so that will pay for DH's re-sit exam fee.

Right a lovely hot bath for me. Kids are on call for fetching and carrying duties so some advantages to back trouble eh?

sq

[Deleted User]

SQ I've been doing a little bit of reading about how food was managed in bygone days when they didn't have all the tinned and frozen and ready done stuff that gives us instant meals. Talking to he who knows the other day he remembered back to when he was little and his parents are both from Suffolk, so this is I suspect an east anglian thing, he was served a very large (to a little child) yourshire pudding with gravy as a starter to most meals, before having the meat and veg. I've experience of being served a large (again to a little child) dumpling with gravy as a starter before the meat. When you think of how few ingredients there are in either of these two foods just flour,egg, suet, milk and salt, it's a very economical way of giving a 'filler' before the main meal which would mean using less meat to 'fill up hollow legs'. Yorkshires and dumplings both can be made ahead and reheated, the dumplings in the gravy and the yorkshires filled with it after heating, would your lads like this as a solution? The other really effective and cheap old fashioned filler is homemade rice pudding, again generations have been 'filled up' after a meat poor meal with rice pudding. Rice puds can again be made ahead and reheat very well. I was reading an anecdote in an old cookery book the other day and an older man was saying that his father would have his meat and dumplings all cooked with veg in a big pan to give a broth to serve before the meal. The rule was you ate all your broth or you got no dumpling, then you ate all your dumpling or you got no meat, and when you got to the meat you only needed a little to fill you which left more meat for meals in the next few days.

lobbyludd

a large yorkshire with gravy onions and carrots was often a starter in my grandparent's house, bread and butter as a side and sometimes a yorkshire with jam in as the pud

[Deleted User]

Oh yorkshire puds with jam, heavenly!!!

Pooky

My Dad grew up having currant duff with roast beef - on the plate covered in gravy...then covered in syrup for pudding. I've not heard of anyone one else eating it with a roast before but my Gran was adamant that with 5 kids and my Grandad off in Africa during the war that this kept them going.

I made a risotto yesterday for lunch, half a bag of frozen leeks, big handfull of frozen peas and the same again of frozen sweetcorn, 3 thick slices of gammon chopped small and a pack of aboreo rice from AF (4 bags for £1...absolute bargain). lots of chicken stock from the freezer and a handfull of chedder stirred through at the end. That made 8 portions and is so tasty, I sometimes forget just how nice the more simple foods are. I don't need a fancy cut of meat or different sauces, just good wholesome stuff.