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

savingqueen

Hello everybody

Hugs to jem and kez. Nice to hear from you jem but wish you had better health to report.

Boys not long gone out to play footie in the park whilst I have just hung out washing. Weather looked ok, mild and breezy and report said the same. Now its raining like a good 'un!

Mixed day yesterday. We finally went bowling, last part of DS8's birthday gifts. Unfortunately DS10 struggled with coming last for a big chunk of time -those hormones are definitely doing their job. DH and I eventually got through to him and we finished off on a high.
Some wider family stuff has upset me, not helped by DH adding to it by getting wrong end of the stick but he apologised after. We are both sensitive to both sides of our family being off and awkward at best right through to some totally ignoring us (other than a couple of lovely nieces I should say). At Christmas its all emphasized of course and I felt totally rotten last night.
Also the dates around now has some personal significance for DH and I which DH seems to have forgotten. I had a good cry last night and sorted myself out, just going to continue with our own family preps for the festive season and little gifts for school staff, a few local friends and a contribution for a homeless charity as planned. I have plenty to do so will keep busy and distract myself best as I can.

Today I am staying home, lovely being cosy. Homework all done now and will encourage boys to start on their classmates Xmas cards whilst I write at least some of ours. Bath day, bit of relaxing (already done some of that!), few odds and ends and a big shepherds pie with lots of veg on the side for later. I am making a list of everything still needed to be bought, made or sorted for Christmas and its fairly long but I am progressing so all well be done in time (has to be right?!)

Troop of muddy males arrived.... gawd knows what state they and the hall will be in. Clothes are being stripped off as I close

take care and thinking of you all
X

ivyleaf

back again!

Hello, Jem, so sorry to hear you're a poorly girl Sending you big (((HUGS))). I so hope the change of diet will help. It makes preparing family meals difficult, I bet.

SQ (((HUGS))) to you too pet, sorry it's a difficult time for you atm x

Thank you kittie for the dietary suggestions

We're babysitting for the grandchildren tonight, as DSIL2 is working and DD2 is going to a friend's birthday meal. Must remember to take my little torch, as their lighting isn't bright enough for me to read the children a story by!

[Deleted User]

I am going to remove my bed wedge tonight as a trial, I think it gives me shoulder ache. Fingers crossed re the night time rising acid, have been very good now for several days and trial by elimination is working. Tea tonight, by 5pm, will be rice with hemp milk and cooked dried baby figs. I was going to trial a coffee this morning but have been very busy and forgot, so now will wait 2 days as I am trialling chocolate tomorrow. I am not risking any potential triggers after 12

I have decided to treat my sourdough starter with more consideration and am going to keep it out every day, just feeding it with a spoonful of flour and a little water daily. They really can put up with neglect, I have revived it after virtually ignoring it in the fridge for weeks. It has not been neglected the past few weeks but I am going to pamper it now

For the breadmakers with dodgy tums, or with family with dodgy tums, then I recommend a long rise yeast bread if you want to stay with yeast. Like this one http://flour.co.uk/blog/slow-rise-bread
it changes things and reduces the phytic acid a lot. http://www.phyticacid.org/

All bread will rise very well in the fridge, which slows it down. I like mine in the fridge all night

savingqueen

thank ivyleaf, hugs much appreciated and also saying 'pet' - one of the endearments my grandma used to call me. Have a lovely time reading bedtime stories with your DGC.


Having a mucky afternoon. 3 pairs of muddy wellies from school last week drying out (don't ask about the 3rd pair!), 3 pairs of wet, muddy trainers from football in the park, 1 pair of muddy crocs from me hanging out washing and a bundle of muddy clothes. Then poshcat managed to somehow get poo on his back paw and lower leg so had a game on trying to catch him, hold him still and clean the offending stinky stuff. DH's dressing gown got poo on it in the process so more washing and everywhere had pooey pawprints and muddy footprints! :rotfl:

mardatha

Kittie, I've been fine for most of a week now on GF and Lactofree.
We've had snow on and off all day and most of the week to be the same.

mardatha

I need to pick brains - I want to make an old-fashioned hamper for my daughter's family. I had in mind a vaguely Victorian-Edwardian-type thing.. like turkish delight and sugar mice and fruits, and grapes dusted with *snow*. How did they get the grapes to look dusted with snow- I presume it's icing but how do you get it to stay on? And has anybody any more ideas to add ? TY!

[Deleted User]

mardatha wrote: »

Kittie, I've been fine for most of a week now on GF and Lactofree.
We've had snow on and off all day and most of the week to be the same.

woo hoo mar, I am so glad you are feeling better. I bet you are blood group O. they don`t do well with grains or cows milk products

nuatha

mardatha wrote: »

I need to pick brains - I want to make an old-fashioned hamper for my daughter's family. I had in mind a vaguely Victorian-Edwardian-type thing.. like turkish delight and sugar mice and fruits, and grapes dusted with *snow*. How did they get the grapes to look dusted with snow- I presume it's icing but how do you get it to stay on? And has anybody any more ideas to add ? TY!

Traditionally they're painted with egg white then rolled or dusted with icing sugar. (Add I teaspoon of caster to three of icing sugar for extra sparkle). They should only be kept for 2-3 days after frosting (cool place, not a fridge) and the usual warnings about raw egg products apply (not if pregnant, elderly, vunerable etc)

Tablet, fudge and or Edinburgh rock? Most of the boiled sweets would be appropriate (possibly not humbugs )
HTH

mardatha

Oh my god.... tablet is fatal anywhere near me. It doesn't last long.. TY for that Nuatha!
Kittie yes I'm a very boring O/pos.

elona

mardatha

I think they used to coat the grapes in egg white then dust with sugar.

Don't forget candy canes, gingerbread , chocolate nuts, chocolate mice, florentines, shortbread etc.

Went to supermarket this afternoon and got loads of YS meat - organic lamb mince, organic chicken thighs, half shoulder of lamb and lamb steaks - under half price and now stashed away in our freezer.

Managed to tackle the clean laundry mountain and also the airing cupboard and all is now sorted.

DH came downstairs for a few hours and watched the snooker and have just packed him upstairs with a hot water bottle. Think I have convinced him to try to eat a bit more and work up to proper food gradually rather than relying on energy drinks. Today he managed a little very liquidy porridge, a boiled egg and a bowl of butternut squash soup.

Hugs to all