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

stiltwalker

Pooky - you shouldn't go posting such gorgeous things then!! I haven't PM'd as you're doing me a Christmas one, (and yes, I know must PM about cut for my parents) but must admit you've got my brain ticking over with that autumn wreath. Current project at home is to turn our large back garden into a sensory garden, already completed one planter set up as a rock garden, but no plants, just different colours/texture/size of rocks and some large shells, my dad is making a big outdoor xylophone for the kids Christmas pressie, once the anti climb fence is up I'm going to put texture panels and mirrors on it, we've sourced an artist who makes scrap sculptures for sensible money who we are going to get to make some birds to sit along the balustrade - each one will play a single note when struck. Inspired by the autumn wreath I may try to incorporate a seasons area on the fence with different seasons represented texturally.

Going to have to think about that one.

Right, lunch break over now - off to clean the kitchen and sweep and mop downstairs. Catch you all later - Hx

shanks77

I also have a AF order coming this week some treats as well. Having pork medallions tonight which were one of my YS items from Mr T the other night going to have some peppercorn sauce and noodles with it.
possessionhope the viewing goes well today.

Pooky

Ohhhhh Stilty - that sounds fab!! Take lots of photos as you get it done - I want musical birds now!

Don't worry - you're on the list for your parents and a Christmas wreath, there's plenty of time to sort it out nearer the time

We sold some paintings we'd collected a while back, DH spent his share on a new telescope and my share is sitting in my savings account ready to buy something lovely - a bit of sculpture, a work of art, a bit of fun.....but a something that's just for me.......so typically I can't find anything I want just yet....well not within the price limit - saw a lovely wire sculpute but it went for £1200 - so it won't be gracing my desk anytime soon!

fuddle

Lyn applesauce cake sounds delicious. I am also smitten by the sausage plait. It's years upon years since I made one of those.

Cottage pie on the cards for us tonight and a loaf of bread. I think this the bread is something that is going to need a lot in the way of tweaking and definitely keep to routine in order to make sure we have what we need but I need to do it as I just can't seem to stomach shop bought bread no more.

DD went into new school brilliantly, although it was hectic as she was going on a walk around town so they panicked as I hadn't signed the forms. Cue forms being found, me signing them and then me late for work. Never mind. I do have to give DD a packed lunch until next Monday as her lunches aren't yet on their books. Hopefully DD will have a good account of her day.

Eldest is making tomato soup at school today so the kiddlers will have that in a mug as a snack upon coming in. About to calmly leave for pick ups in 5 minutes. No more stop start traffic around town. Bliss

Pooky

Possession - how'd the viewing go???

jem132

Thank you for all your help I'll let you know how I get on tomoz !

We had the lovely fish cakes I made for tea ,
Iv made a chocolate cake and cream for pud but we are full so gona have it in an hour for supper lol

Iv got in the oven a apple and cinnamon cake I'll cut into bars and ice when they gave come out of the oven and cooled .

[Deleted User]

Wartime Apple Sauce Teacup Cake

use the same cup for all the ingredients and it doesn't matter what size the teacup is, the cake will work.

1 teacup of granulated sugar
1/2 a teacup of butter/margarine
1 level teaspoon of ground cloves
1 level teaspoon of groung cinnamon
1/4 of a teaspoon of freshly grated nutmeg
1 teacup sultanas/raisins
1 level teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda
1 cup of stewed apple
2 cups of plain flour

Line a loaf tin (1 lb)
preheat the oven to 160deg Fan/180 deg C/Gas Mk 4

cream the sugar and butter/margarine then add in the spices and fried fruit. Mix the bicarbonate of soda with the stewed apple and wait for it to go frothy then add it to the sugar/marge mixture. sift in the flour and fold in with a metal spoon. Put into lined tin and cook for 1and a half hours. Leave in the tin to cool.

This makes a nice tealoaf type cake that's nice sliced and buttered.

Pooky

Sounds lovely Mrs LW - I'm not keen on cinnamon and nutmeg but I shall give it a try without and see - I'm sure it would be fab!

[Deleted User]

POOKY try a teaspoon of mixed spice instead that should make a lovely flavoured cake, Lyn xx.

Squiggly_Diddly

Thanks AOT for the belated welcome - I shall just keep nudging myself in here & there...
Ivyleaf - I'm ending up spending some days in the school where I'm a governor, so minimising the opportunity to spend!!!

Week off from the day job but still busy, but a little more time to 'play' than normal so time for a bit of baking. The teacup cake sounds scrummy as does sausage plait - that may need to be supper on Friday. Payday at the end of the week & meal-planning to be done. Loving the turn in the weather and looking forward to casseroles and comfort foods