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

mardatha

MrsL where did you get the recipe? That sounds nice!

[Deleted User]

Hi MAR it's in the baking section of We'll Eat Again on the last page in that chapter. It's cooled down to feel just like a 'normal' christmas cake, nice and sturdy and I think it would take 'feeding' with whiskey/brandy very well too.

savingqueen

Well Mrs LW you made it past 7.30, hope you have a good night's sleep tonight.

There's nothing like a nice pair of warm, soft socks to feel cozy nursemaggie.

Pooky - have you found any gold yet?

I managed to get the rest of the school uniforms after a mega shopping session this afternoon. Got there in the end but a bit zonked out as got a couple of gifts needed soon, couple of non uniform clothes in a sale and some food shopping as well. Usually have to take most of it back but luckily nearly everything fit, just couple of sale items to return. DH thinks I go off for some sort of shindig - to begin with yes its fine and then when you have driven to the 3rd retail park/shopping centre trying to park the fun has definitely worn off! I did stop at one point for a cup of tea and a doughnut as I missed lunch so that was nice.

Have another long list of to dos tomorrow despite being very busy til late eve but I am taking my boys out blackberrying regardless.

kezlou

Well we did it, the torture of school uniforms. It was packed and freezing. We got the train so no waiting in traffic jams yay!

Spent an absolute fortune on blazer's trousers etc. Still have to hry ds2 shoes, but that can wait a bit. Ended up having late lunch out in local weather spoon. Stops in one queue for over an hour just for school blazer. Total nightmare, after that we had to escape the crowds.


Came back home shattered, so didn't go bramble picking. Instead it will be tomorrow. OH gutted because he can't take part in the 10k race tomorrow. To late to sign up and doesn't think can do it on the day. So said tomorrow we will see what weathers like and decide then.


Bread worked out really well, two loaves disappeared only one left. The house smelt so nice

paidinchickens

I just fancy some Christmas cake, mind I could always eat cake :rotfl:

DH bought me a food mill yesterday and I couldn't believe he had sneakily bought me one without me knowing. He even checked the reviews and decided the one he ordered would fit my Pyrex jug......it must be love

I hope your all enjoying the sunshine

PiC x

mardatha

I've never ever looked in Baking section of that book... I have heartburn and he has diabetes. But for xmas I like CAKE. I also think the supermarkets put stuff in their cakes that I react to, probly preservative, but it makes me queasy & sick , so am better to make my own. I'm a much better baker than I am a cook........priorities lol

Toomuchdebt

ginnyknit wrote: »

This is how I have grown a lot of stuff this year (dont know if I have already shown you all?

Cheapest gardening ever.

This is so clever!! Do you literally just put some compost in and seeds?What did you grow? I really want to try this because I have dogs that knock pots over.How did you attach them to the fence?

Pooky

SQ - No gold here I've watched them all digging like crazy but I've not had a go - I think we might venture down when the schools have gone back - if there's any left to find.

Gorgeous day here - started chilly but is sunny and breezy now - popped to a local bootfair but it was a lot of old tatt! Did get DH a pair of new with tags jeans for £3 so at least it was worth the effort. We're doing our own boot sale next sunday - the village has a "safari" style one where you all set up on your drives and everyone parks on the village green and walks around the village finding hidden treasures....it's always a good event and I seem to have loads to put out to sell.

fuddle

Ginnyknit I adore what you have done to grow your own. It looks neat too. I can make the fence that is in the sun work harder for me next year for sure.

Monnagran when you get started with your pine dresser will you share your journey with us? I still have the pine wardrobe we in herited from the tenants before us here and the pine chest of drawers from ebay to sort out. I too fancy the shabby chic look but 10 a bit clueless how to do it professionally with a good finish and 2) given we rent we could still move around a lot and maybe a paint finish isn't good for longevity in terms of appearance

My weekend on but bizarrely I have a bit of a break today. That normally is unheard of. My MIL is down so DH have taken my inlaws and the girls to Lyme Regis. Wish i could go Never mind... peace and doing nothing is quite nice.

I came in last night to deep fried fish pieces in batter, made and caught by DH. I then crawled to bed. Similar thing tonight but I'm to expect Fajita's. I'm not keen on eating at 10pm but have no other choice. My normal OS calm and in control lifestyle will return tomorrow.

Pooky

Fuddle - Getting a good finish on painted furniture is pretty easy - depends on the paint you use. If you're going for gloss or emulsion then apply as much as you can (in thin coats) with a small roller - for any brush work, long even strokes and it dries back lovely. If you're using a chalk paint then it's going to look more rough and ready because that's the way it works. If you use emulsion or chalk paint then you can go over it with varnish (water based clear varnish - they don't go yellow over time) or you can cover it in a clear wax and buff it up. The beauty of these treatments is that if it gets to the point that it's looking too scruffy you can just sand it down and start again.

I used "satin" paint on my dresser, the sort you can use on wood or metal - it goes on lovely, has a soft sheen and is as durable as gloss so no need to varnish.

DH and DD2 have gone out to pick some elderberries we saw earlier in the country lanes....yay!! DD1 has gone to work - she's there until 10pm so she's taken some left overs for her dinner.

The kitchen is all tidy from lunch, the WM is doing its thing so I'm going to go have an hour sewing (hexi-patchwork) before I make a start on the ironing and the meal planning - need to get my head around the start of term and packed lunches for DD2 - she'll be at college 2 days a week and on work placement 3 days a week (luckily for her it's the village preschool, she went there when she was little and knows all the staff) I've made her start taking a multivitamin so she can try and fight off any coughs and colds she's bound to pick up with working with little ones.