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

ivyleaf

Loving the pics of HG veg! I think it's inspired me to have a go next year, perhaps in big tubs as easier to arrange than getting/making a raised bed

Kidcat - Thinking of you and DS xx
It's the day stressy brother is coming, and I've been so tense about it that I woke up with migraine, but I've had some painkillers, and remembering what you're coping with has put it into perspective. I don't think we'll do a "family lunch" with him another time though, it's been quite complicated to arrange, especially as one son-in-law is bringing his guide dog so OH needs to go and collect them as a lot of cab drivers make a fuss about having a dog in the cab.

Looks like being yet another hot one - take care everyone, keep hydrated! I like the heat but the humidity is trying. It seems to get more humid as the day goes on, doesn't it? So you have a shower to get cool, then by the time you've dried off you're just as hot and uncomfortable again! Oh well, still better than being too cold.

FairyPrincessk

Princess, Great Big Hugs and WELL DONE! You've come so far, even with so many difficulties to face. Even noticing the food shop creeping up! Let us know if you need any simple, cheap and easy recipe inspiration to help keep it down while things are tough.

On the subject of courgettes, which I imagine might become quite prolific soon--I discovered this recipe last year and it is lovely. I'll probably try Mrs. LW's recipe at some point.

This recipe used to be on the Good Food website but it was taken down. It works fine with courgettes left on the plant to get a be long in the tooth, and it also works fine if you shred the courgettes and then freeze them up in baggies (although you'll want to drain the excess water after cooking them then). The cost of the cheese can add up.

Tbsp of olive oil or other cooking fat
3-4 Courgettes, grated or shredded in a food processor. Skin on.
1-2 cloves of garlic finely chopped
Pinch of chili flakes (optional)
Pasta Sauce--we use a jar from Aldi, but I aim to make a freezer full of HM one day
lasagne sheets
200gr ricotta
1 ball mozerella
sprinkle of parmesan (optional)

Pre-heat oven to 180 (its forgiving so if you need 200 for something else it will be fine at that). Fry courgettes, garlic and chilli flakes in oil until soft. Remove from heat, spoon off any excess water and stir in ricotta. Layer with lasagne sheets, pasta sauce, and a small sprinkle of parmesan. Top with mozerella and a light dusting of parmesan. Bake 30 minutes until bubbly, browning on top and lasagne sheets are cooked.

We've also eaten this grilled courgette salad several times and it is lovely in warm weather.

http://www.prouditaliancook.com/2010/04/zucchini-ribbon-salad.html

D&DD

Morning all we need a sweaty betty smiley !!
Melting here again and its getting a bit boring now all this heat..
Sorry to hear about the poorlies but glad to see your boy is on the mend SS what a shock

Kidcat will be thinking of you pacing the corridors today hope all goes well XX

Wow what a great haul of pretty veg :T I've been perusing the tube watching potato reveals too does that make me weird???

Our charlottes are coming out like bakers,ridiculous sizes and so hoping my salad blues will be good I'm looking forward to blue mash and chips

Dusting off the picnic hamper today as DS3 fancies a 'nicnic' in the garden next to his pool..we may have to get the shoehorn out to fit both in,in between all the triffids but it'll be nice.

Have a great day all XXX

savingqueen

morning doorsteppers,

thinking of you and DS today kidcat, it will soon be over and you can all breathe a big sigh of relief.

slow breathing ivyleaf and just take each moment as it comes. you will be ok and can relax afterwards. thinking of you too today.

our bedroom is the hottest part of the house, so I have a nice cool bath or slosh wash, go into the bedroom and start sweating. At least its fresh sweat!


enjoy your nicnic D&DD!

we are all still grotty but DS7 seems to be a lot better so hoping he will be happy to go to his first school summer activity this afternoon. its only 2 hours but an outdoor thing and rain is forecast for precisely those 2 hours! If it doesn't go well today then he won't want to go to the rest of the pre-booked and paid for activities.
need milk as usual and will get one of the voucher papers and try not to spend anything else. we have a week til pay day and I'm eeking out the dregs of our bank balance as we still have a couple of small DDs to come out as pay day is late this month. This week hasn't cost anything (other than a couple of small foodie treats at supermarket) as we haven't been out anywhere. DH's 2 trips out at the weekend were also free other than a little petrol.


ps found a £5 note and a couple of pounds in change whilst decluttering yesterday (the fiver was in a birthday card for one of the boys several years ago, they won't miss it now ) that money is being used for milk this week, I buy 2 x 4pinters at a time costing £2.


hope you all have some relief from the humidity and enjoy the sunshine even from indoors its nice to see everything summery


SQ

silvasava

Morning All

Just had a good chuckle. Had a refund of £92.74 from our energy provider last week. Just paid the annual vets bill for Pushkins injections - £92.68. WOW I've got a whole sixpence to splurge!! Mr Micawber had it spot on - haha.

Love the idea of a nicnic DD&D

Ivyleaf - when I have to face something unpleasant I just think ahead to when it will be over - slow breathing helps enormously too.

SQ - can't believe you pinched the kids fiver - haha

Off to get the dailys for some vouchers - thanks for the heads up!

nuttyp

Hi all the vouchers in the mirror paper are pretty poor this time for the addition % off. In the star paper the voucher is valid until next Friday, a day longer than the mirror one and its for a £40 shop. The mirror is £45.
I bought both papers, and then sold one of the papers to a lady who was getting very cross with her child as she had forgotten to buy a copy before going in the shop. I would have given it away but tbh I was annoyed with her attitude and the fact I had to buy it so fairs fair.
That's my good deed for the day, I am going to see baby rachet puppy later on. His mummy and daddy are at work and they are concerned with the heat - so I am visiting to give him a half hour run around. I have secretly got him a chew toy as well, so ssshhhhh!!!
I have now sat in the armchair for 12 minutes and just typed on here and drank my cup of tea. I am sure SQ is proud of me lol.


Take care all x

juliettet

A note on your courgettes, Courgette 'pasta' is all the rage in USA. Nice with tomato & basil sauce? I think a small peeler will do the ribbons?

Hope things are OK Kidcat x

savingqueen

I am proud of you nutty - your health is so important (which I am trying to remember as I battle with the sugar addiction!)


just done the morning essentials like washing up and sweeping all downstairs wearing my nightie. we have the curtains and blinds closed to keep the heat out so no-one can see. what with the humidity and my cold and my excess weight I am glowing NEON ;0, nightie straight in the wash and fresh clothes on to go out in, makes sense eh?


off for a slosh down, gotta get respectable for the school thing later - always a long queue which we all dislike, can never work out whether to get there early or just on time. The venues change each week and this one is the only one (I think) that we can walk to which is great as the parking is limited so I will free up a space for some one else and get a little exercise in. (and no doubt glow some more!!)


SQ

kidcat

Afternoon toughies - DS is looking brighter this afternoon after a blip this morning, the meds were making his breathing drop so he has oxygen mask on for now and they have swapped some meds out.
Thanks for the paper reminders nutty I will pop and buy one later.

Have had row with my parents who were told that OH would call them with an update once a day and asked not to call us. They have been alternating calling the house number (DD19 wouldnt answer) and OH mobile all morning sending dozens of texts too! I answered house call as I walked in, ( I have popped home to spend an hour with the littlies not to be mithered) and have had a row, I pointed out that even if OH had been able to answer his phone this morning he would have had no news for them as he didnt know himself. They started banging on about visiting and I told them that they can visit when I decide he is up to it and when he wants them to, but not to expect it quickly as he doesnt want to see them.
I am cross because I lost my temper and I have otherwise stayed cool and calm through this and was so proud of that. But I am not allowing them to take this over or make it about them.
what they dont know is that DS yesterday told staff they were banned from visiting and put a block on them being given information, staff have all been warned that my father will try to flash his minister pass but he is still banned!!! Staff have been great but they have also had at least five calls today asking for information.

paidinchickens

silvasava wrote: »

Morning All

Just had a good chuckle. Had a refund of £92.74 from our energy provider last week. Just paid the annual vets bill for Pushkins injections - £92.68. WOW I've got a whole sixpence to splurge!! Mr Micawber had it spot on - haha.

Love the idea of a nicnic DD&D

Ivyleaf - when I have to face something unpleasant I just think ahead to when it will be over - slow breathing helps enormously too.

SQ - can't believe you pinched the kids fiver - haha

Off to get the dailys for some vouchers - thanks for the heads up!

You be careful with that 6p don't go spending all at once.

Kidcat I'll sit at your house for you with my best chinese restaurant voice on "what yoooo waaaannnnnt? " "Egg fwyyyy rice?" :rotfl:

or

"Hello Battersea dogs home, would you be requiring the cat or dog homing section/"

I'm sure someone else will have some better ideas though

PiC x