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

Mrs_Chip

Morning All!

So many more new posters - can only say it proves that the 'Tougher' threads are much needed and much enjoyed!

I can also fit a round souffle dish in my yoghurt maker, for when I want to make a bigger quantity - good for using up YS milk. Yoghurt is so good for you, and can be used in sweet and savory things. One of my favourites is tzatziki, mainly because it also has mint in it!

Crochet - I had to remind myself as I have not done any for years (I did know how once, as I have a bit of granny square stuff in my box, but no recollection of doing it!) so looked online and found this site on you tube.
I am just starting the blanket on that page, after doing a straight granny square version, I also fancy the Ocean Wave version, but it looks a bit more difficult and I think needs nicer colours than I have.

I find crochet easier than knitting, but cannot read the patterns so rely on seeing the videos.

Working tonight, I think it will be windy at the campsite, so hope the tents will be ok.

Pooky - do hope fluffy kitten gets better soon, poor thing!

Have a good day everyone!

tattycath

Well, been and checked the yoghurt.
Stirred it well before tasting and it's actually really nice. success after all.

Speaking of gardens, I have potatoes, dwarf beans and peas growing at the moment, and a couple of pots of flowers.
Still need to plant more potatoes and some lettuce.
I have been thinking of growing some sprouting beans?
I have some alphalpha so I might grow some of that to add to salads. I really should try to eat more healthily.

short_bird

stiltwalker wrote: »

Gram flour (was that you SDG?) - is the perfect flour for onion bhajis and pakora. Just add the spices that suit you, I use ground coriander and cumin, dried chilli flakes, tumeric and black onion seeds. Add enough cold water to mix to a dropping consistency then add the finely sliced onion and drop spoonfuls into oil and deep fry. Make the batter a tiny bit thicker for pakora so you get a good thick coating.

And don't forget brussel sprout bhajis...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/birmingham/content/articles/2006/12/13/sprout_feature.shtml

Am I the only one to remember family putting money in gas and leccy meters and getting cash rebates when the chap came to empty them?

Oh, and on the subject of net curtains: I remember my Mum saying about her neighbour: "she doesn't iron her nets" with a tone of shock and disgust. A bridge too far:D

Popperwell

Oh Dear...
I'm still here. Blame the weather. Another day I'll just go. Nothing worse than saying you are going somewhere and crying off. Hopefully I will before the schools have the Summer break. Did I say I have been booked to go to Bridlington for the day in July. Never been...

We got our fridge late in life. And the freezer perhaps only ten years ago:eek:managed for years with an ice compartment in the fridge. Now I wonder how. Central gas heating in the 90's(open fire and coke boiler before that)

No milk deliveries around here. Supermarkets nearby, one open 24/7.

Aldi are soon to sell a cup cake maker for under £10(it makes 7 at a time)seems a strange number...wonder if its cheaper/easier to use than the oven and trays.

As they have just had an ice cream maker, a yogurt maker could be not far off. Then again as we have an Argos/Wilkinsons they probably sell them too.

Nearby a Home Bargains so they probably have them too.

savingqueen

morning everyone, regulars, sporadics, lurkers and our lovely newbies! I have decided not to go back over all posts but just try and keep up from now.

Love reading all the posts about times past and how some stuff still survives the present. I am 45 and grew up without central heating (or any heating upstairs) and an outside loo (enclosed in a conservatory by the time I was school age.) Mum used a twin tub when we were small and shopped in greengrocers, butchers, bakers etc every day except Sunday. My grandma didn't get a fridge until the late 70s or later and had a coal fire and coal bunker in the back yard.

Anyway back to the present. Bursting to tell you what a lovely day we had yesterday, celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary. We had a very difficult patch a few years ago and were considering divorce but we worked very hard on our marriage and pulled through so yesterday felt very emotional for me. With the distinct lack of extended family support, we are each other's family (along with our children of course) and closer as a result.

We dropped kids off at school (rare chance for daddy to take chidren to school which they loved) and off to the coast for a long walk.

Not many around as the sky was grey which suited us. I feel so peaceful near the sea. We stumbled upon a fairly posh seafront hotel with a terrace where we had tea and cake/scones watching the boats bob about. Realised we were rather underdressed for the occasion in jeans and trainers (DH's had holes in both but couldn't give a fig), lots of ladies wot lunch and elegantly dressed elderly couples but we liked the charade of it all. Bet we gave them all something to chat about .

When we got back our neighbour had taken in an interflower box... for me! I can count the times on one hand DH has bought me flowers in nearly 14 years. A lovely basket of flowering plants we can plant out in the garden along with the mini-roses I bought DH. DH also agreed to choose a red rose bush for the garden after his exams are over.

Some dear friends dropped in a box of yummy chocs which we let the kids have a couple (they chose them very seriously being "grownups' chocs" and all) and we had some more on the sofa when our boys finally settled down last night. Other friends bought us a handpainted teapot and two mugs "tea for two".

I feel so very happy today after yesterday and all loved up.:happylove We are off for a meal tonight too, only been a year since we last went out together in the evening!

OK better look sharpish, tons to do. Romance is all very well but I have floors to mop, surfaces to tidy, dishes to wash and well you get the picture...

Happy Saturday all, back later or tomorrow to check up on you all!

sq:)

tattycath

savingqueen wrote: »

morning everyone, regulars, sporadics, lurkers and our lovely newbies! I have decided not to go back over all posts but just try and keep up from now.

Love reading all the posts about times past and how some stuff still survives the present. I am 45 and grew up without central heating (or any heating upstairs) and an outside loo (enclosed in a conservatory by the time I was school age.) Mum used a twin tub when we were small and shopped in greengrocers, butchers, bakers etc every day except Sunday. My grandma didn't get a fridge until the late 70s or later and had a coal fire and coal bunker in the back yard.

Anyway back to the present. Bursting to tell you what a lovely day we had yesterday, celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary. We had a very difficult patch a few years ago and were considering divorce but we worked very hard on our marriage and pulled through so yesterday felt very emotional for me. With the distinct lack of extended family support, we are each other's family (along with our children of course) and closer as a result.

sq:)

My mum had a twin tub but before that she had a copper? Wash board and mangle.

Congratulations for your 10th wedding anniversary.

mardatha

We've got horrible wind and rain here today. Back to normal summer then eh!

Mrs_Chip

My mum had a twin tub, but before that, when we lived in London, she used the municipal wash-house - how many of those still remain? I can just remember it, this would have been early 60's.

MiL still had a twin tub when we moved in with her. It finally went after the local repair man could no longer revive it, but that was not so long ago. He said a lot of people preferred them as they lasted forever and clothes came out much cleaner. I must admit there was a smell about wash day (a nice one!) that you just don't get with a modern washer. Mind you, all that hauling about of sopping wet stuff and battling with the spinner to get it balanced, I don't miss that!

FairyPrincessk

What a lovely anniversary. Congratulations!

kidcat

RPP - thank you, that was my worry

Pooky ((hugs)) hope kitty recovers for you today

SQ - what a lovely day

Mardatha - yep we have the wind and rain too, bit gutted as I went out and bought summer clothes this week for everyone ready for our holidays next week, I have clearly killed summer!

Racing off for DD7 dance class and some shopping now, have checked the bank carefully and paid all the bills ready before we go away next week, we will not be getting any wages at all next week as OH is off and he doesnt get any pay for the first week.