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

[Deleted User]

You could make a lovely big batch of veg soup to start your meals served with with a bread roll and then you could serve smaller portions of main courses and build in leftovers to allow an extra portion for DHs lunches. Old fashioned (but admittedly fattening) starters are a yorkshire pudding with gravy or a dumpling with gravy or season pudding (have recipe if you would like it) which is savoury and has sage onion and breadcrumbs in it, with gravy or you could make something salady like a tomato vinaigrette or buy a french stick and make baguette bottoms by slicing it and baking them off in the oven until crisp and golden and serving with chopped tomato or pate or any savoury topping you think would be nice.

kboss2010

fuddle wrote: »

I think it's the gusts nursemaggie. A lady has died from a falling tree in London. We are supposed to be a little better off on the South coast but I had a tree branch whack my car at lunch time.

DH has decided (and I agree) that he should take left overs from the evening meal to work the next day, for his lunches. The only thing is we don't have 'leftovers' because we gobble the lot so now I have to try to decide whether to up the portions, eeek out with an extra side or serve up a desert. I don't want to spend more or consume any more calories. :cool:

My shift is over with for the day but I've to go get some fruit and veg, go to the post office, pick up the kiddlers, cook tea and work out my menu plan for the issue above. Not due to relax any time yet then :rotfl:

Also heard from the office that I have many breaks on the weekend shift, a late start on Sunday and all nice customers I can not dread it this week. Please hope that no one calls in sick as we have a food festival in town that I would like to nip to and experience. :whistle:

A good way to save your leftovers is portion them into lunch boxes when you plate up your first serving then by the time you've eaten the first plate they'll be cold. Then put them in the freezer straight away after you've finished your first plate and take out the next morning for work.

fuddle

That's a good idea kboss that way I can equally portion them without eyes getting too big for hungry tummies and leaving DH with next to zilch for his lunch :rotfl:

Lyn you might be on to something with starters. Even if I do a mini cheese and salad or pate and toast a few evenings then something small like a buttered fruit scone or our favourite flapjack (with custard ) a few evenings. I was thinking big chunky steamed puddings nightly and it doesn't really have to be that way. Er Lyn practically every meal is yorkshires, dumplings or cheese scone. I don't think I should encourage any more :rotfl:

Eldest made cherry scones at school so we'll have those with a cuppa later (and save one for her lunch box tomorrow ) and also using up bananas to have with custard for the girls' supper.

About to try to look into using my SC daily for mains. I want to rely on that cooking all through the day so I can turn my attention to the other parts of the meal of an evening.

Being a stay at home mam nearly broke me (mind, mood and lack of finances etc) but some days I yearn to mother and home make like I used to. I am so lucky to be able to do both but I only have so much energy and it's the home making that suffers sometimes.

[Deleted User]

Can I come and live with you please??? I luvs dumplings!!!

kboss2010

fuddle wrote: »

Being a stay at home mam nearly broke me (mind, mood and lack of finances etc) but some days I yearn to mother and home make like I used to. I am so lucky to be able to do both but I only have so much energy and it's the home making that suffers sometimes.

I feel your pain. I always thought I could never be a SAHM and, having been unemployed for 3 months, I now know it! I don't even have kids and I'm climbing the walls between job hunting and quilt making. I'm tired all the time, feel like carp, my bedroom is cluttered and every time I look at it I just sigh and go and eat a cookie/packet of crisps/chocolate bar and I'm putting on weight! Everything is getting on my nerves, my bf and I keep rowing because I think he's angry all the time and he thinks I'm always criticising him... I think I'm actually slowly going nuts! Oh well, at least the local psychiatric hospital is across the street so I won't have to go far lol!

I also need 2 stop looking at fb. All of my school friends have highly paid jobs, they're all buying houses and getting married and going on holiday to the Maldives twice a year and I'm jobless, haven't had a holiday in 5 years and can barely afford to eat. So much for an MSc in science being worth it. I should have just studied law or medicine like my friends.

FairyPrincessk

Afternoon all,

Things have been very busy since about the middle of last week. I'm exhausted, but its all progressing so I can't complain that much. The dresser is painted--just a few more steps!

Mrs. LW, I suspect this is a very far-fetched longshot, but thought I would mention it. I use a 'noise' website online when I'm working and it has a simulated thunderstorm sound (along with a crackling fire, train etc.) I was wondering if it might be of any use to Docky. I know he gets so afraid in storms, perhaps he could 'practice' or perhaps it won't only upset him needlessly. I'm sure you would know best. The website is Noisli.com

Hugs to Possession, Fuddle, Sheila and all of the poorlies at Kidcat's house.

KBoss, sounds like a tough time. I spend a lot of time at home, and I think it is probably much easier for some than others. Do you have a structure to your day? A walk/outing at least once a day etc? It does help. Looking at facebook can be tough, but try to remember that it only tells part of the story. Some holidays are funded with debt, some are paid for, but not enjoyed. Some of those good jobs make your friends secretly miserable and some might make them happy but they don't even realize it. That isn't to say it is all lies, or everyone is miserable, but that facebook has a way of putting a rosy tint on things. Many of my facebook 'friends' are very happy with their lives. Many have several children, good jobs, own their homes and go on holidays. I'm happy for them. However, I also know that many of my other facebook friends post photos of glossy lives that aren't always what they seem. When I take the time to think about it, I often realize I wouldn't trade with any of them. Do I wish parts of my life were different? Sure. But I'd like to get to that point in MY life, not someone else's life. Helps take the sting out for me. I recently had a heart to heart with a relative who I thought had it great and must think my life was in tatters. Turns out he felt the same way about me. Thought my charity shop and HM clothes were 'chic' and my drive to pursue what I wanted to do even in difficult financial circumstances showed a lot of moxie. Chin up.x

Its been blowing horrendously all day here. I can hear something moving about on the roof but am afraid to go and have a look. It hailed earlier, much to Maggie the Cat's dismay. She tried catching bits of it through the window. Tonight is a beef pie made from leftover beef stew I stuck in the freezer a few weeks ago and one of my pre-frozen HM pie crusts. Think it might be a cocoa evening as well.

fuddle

You like a soft dumpling top or a crusty top Lyn?

Keep off fb kboss, stay 'ere with us! Sorry life is a little pants at the moment but I can completely identify with you. The trick is your frame of mind - easier to say than do but win the positive outlook battle and things will fall into place. You're cursed too then eh? A comfort eater whereby eating doesn't bring any comfort. Me too :rotfl: Hang in there, keep looking and keep trying. Until you find the new path you're going to go down, well, you can stay with us!

Has anyone tried lasagne sheets in the slow cooker? Cook ok?

kboss2010

Thanks

The thing is, I know I could be worse off like a lot of my uni friends (stuck in dead-end jobs, no prospect of improving their situation), touch wood my family have no health problems like in the past and my last interview went well (sadly no job but nothing I could have done more, the other person just had more experience apparently).

So, in many ways I'm lucky. It's just really hard to see the wood for the trees lately. The upside to non-vocational training is that it's more flexible. The downside is that, unlike medicine, law, dentistry, vet science etc. there's no clear career path once you've finished your education. I'm thinking of looking into doing a PhD. At least if I get a funded one it's 3 years of guaranteed income.

[Deleted User]

BOTH!!!...........please!!!

FPK how kind you are for thinking of our boy, we've actually got a set of CDs called 'SOUNDS SCARY' specifically for conditioning dogs who are frightened of certain noises and it's made no difference to his behaviour whatsoever, poor old chappie. DD1 has found a 'Spot On' treatment that is valerian based specific to calming dogs who react to fireworks and has ordered some for us to try. It's coming in the post and we'll see if it makes any difference to him it's a 3 week supply which should see us through the noisiest period. Will let you know how it goes and much appreciate your thoughtfullness love, thank you so much.

FairyPrincessk

Ah, hopefully the valerian spot on treatment will work Lyn!

Kboss, I'm doing a PhD in a non-vocational field (but not the sciences). If you want to chat about it just send me a PM. I don't like to go into many details in a public forum but happy to do so via messages.