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

fuddle

The gentleman used fine sand to wash his hands last night Lyn. Instead of expensive Swarfeeeeega and the like - washing up liguid and sand does the trick See, still learning. When DH's pot of expensive green slime is gone thats what we'll have in this house

I will look it up Lyn, thank you. I'm pretty good and use stardrops for most things but I do have different abrasive cleaners for different jobs all dotted around the house. I do find it fascinating at how my grandma kept her concrete kitchen floor clean - and it was, nothing trailed through the house! If I had a kitchen floor like that as apposed to laminate boards I don't know how I would keep it spotless. Have it made don't I?

Really, really need to visit Beamish Mueseum. I have been so many times before but not ever when interested in homemaking or OS. I think that will be my birthday prezzy of DH huh?

[Deleted User]

FUDDLE you can make soft soap from grated hard soap and that can be used for washing up, washing clothes, washing floors and also for washing people, it's fascinating stuff. We had a black iron range to clean in one of the cottages at the museum and we made 'black lead polish' using some soot from the flues and lard melted together in an enamel basin on the stove, worked a treat and buffed up to a wonderful glossy shine, cost - nothing!!! It's fun to do as well, Cheers Lyn xxx.

Emm-in-a-pickle

Good morning everyone, I`m de-lurking again!
VJ`s mum, I only lurk because I can`t keep up!
Mrs LW, I`m so glad to hear your lurcher boy is ok, and you`ll be missed here while you`re away.
Pooky, it`s good to hear your fluffy kitten is doing so well - I always feel if the appetite is good it`s a great indicator. My old Daftie-dog is totally blind & deaf, wibbly back legs and spends most of her time snoozing, but she`s not in pain, still has a waggy tail and a great appetite, so I see that as a reasonable quality of life. She has half a (large) tin of pilchards every day, plus the Wafcol hypo-allergenic `senior` all in one dry food (NOT at all MSE!) and she STILL snaffles the catfood if we aren`t watchful enough!

mardatha

Have a nice time MrsL, we had heavy rain here earlier and cool grey skies now.

Sunshine4

Lyn, Have a lovely time while your away and so glad docky is okay.

I have had an Occupational Therapist out this morning trying to see if they can make things any easier for me she was really lovely and very thoghtful of my needs . So lots of items will be arriving to make life that little easier.
My GP asked them to check on me.

Hope everyone is enjoying there hoildays.

Valli

I have just made the banana and white chocolate muffins from a few pages back.

they are lush!

Thankyou Grandmasam

PRINCESSX87

Just read back my earlier post it seems it’s come over a little bunt & not how I intended to word it. Was rather busy this morning and didn’t even check to see what / how I wrote it.

What bothers me most about these “moneysaving” programmes is that general common sense isn’t there. Surely if your spending £x in Mr W then the following week try another brand or store. Surely this isn’t something that needs learning is it?

People have no issue shopping around for the best deals on mobile phones or the latest clothing, Yet they don’t do the same when it comes to food shopping.

I can however understand the means of a good education for food prep / plan so that you can spend a healthy amount of foods that can have a multi use rather than just frozen pizza in the oven for 20 minutes. I am a rubbish cook. I have never made my own soups neither has OH but that’s because OH is the only one who eats it & its not very often.

My mum is a fantastic cook. Give her a few minor ingredients and she can make a feast - But she was self taught and has always told me. You can never learn off someone else when cooking fresh - Its about how you & yours likes it that makes it a meal.

On the programme last night the woman had just under £1000 worth of shopping stored yet she felt the need to buy more shopping every week.

In regards to the tips on the show: There has been some fabulous ones on there where OH & I have learnt loads, But recently in the last two series it’s the same, white vinegar this, vinegar that. Surely there is room for something else.

Anyways that my rant over: Off to make a mini-roast today of pork loins, pots, mixed vegs. Shame I haven’t got any yorkies, but I’m hell bent on not shopping now until we need more.

MrsL. Have a great time away, You do deserve it. We will be missing you!!

fuddle

I think the lady on the show is used to having a lot of money to spend on food, enjoys preparing food but lacks in the skills to make the meals she really wants so reverts to her same old, same old and storing unused ingredients away. She sounds a little bit like me if I'm honest. She sounded as if she got a kick out of mothering her brood with food, buying up 'bargains' and storing those bargains in cupboards of doom. I think we all get into routines and patterns and fall for tactic like buy 2 get one free - wehey! when really we only need 100g at 50p - oh yeah ooops.

I see the only difference between me and her is money, she has it - or rather had it... and I don't. As I don't have the money I have had to teach myself (or you lot have had to teach me) of how to make my money go further. She's now right at the beginning of learning and I take my hat off to her and think the show highlighted that in a good way.

Have you not seen the vinegar threads on here princess - that stuff is amazing! Seriously, desert Island stuff

make your yorkshires http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/9020/best-yorkshire-puddings I use lard for cooking though cheaper (nicer taste) stores well in the fridge, lasts ages

jackel

Hi all - hope you are all ok - haven't been reading much for a week or two - been busy veggie gardening etc.
POOKY read your post regarding cat food. Our cats also went on hunger strike because the stuff smelled vile. We changed them over to Aldi's Tinned and they are both eating for England. Probably cheaper than pouches I think. Best wishes to you all Jac xx.

ArthriticOldThing

Good afternoon everyone. I think its hotter and more humid here today than it has been last two weeks. I'm just melting and have been confined to house with very painful legs - due to the pressure probably.:(:( So why - given what I have just said - did I choose to make soup, chicken stock and tomato sauce for the freezer today??? The kitchen is like a sauna:eek::eek:

Glad the OT was able to suggest things to help sunshine. I think they are marvellous people, they have helped me improve my life more than anyone else I have seen or been sent to see. Its amazing how much difference the right equipment can make. :T

I didn't see that superscrimpers last night and wish I had. I am learning how to stretch my money from all you good people on this site, as you say fuddle. It is also a good while since I was last at Beamish. We used to take the boys regularly when they were at home. Think I might just look up bus timetables for a visit.

I join with everyone else in wishing you a good break Mrs LW. Am sure you deserve it.

Ah well - time to see how tomato sauce is coming on.