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

FairyPrincessk

Fuddle, Yes, brown the mince before you put it in the slow cooker. If you just chuck it in raw it won't have as nice of a flavour and it will look sort of "grayish." I like to add any onions or seasoning to the mince when I brown it, but I don't think that is strictly necessary.

twofishes

Fuddle don't let your family spoil your excitement. I know that feeling and how much it can bring a person down. Some people just do not 'get' it and it is their loss, their life is poorer for it.

Having a 'clearing out the freezer' meal tonight - pack of venison meatballs and a pack of nice-quality sausages in the slow cooker, with the half-glass of wine left in the bottle, the tbsp of pesto at the bottom of the jar, a carton of passata, worcestershire sauce and a packet of sausage casserole mix that was lurking in the cupboard. Should be fine with both the sausages and the meatballs. Will pop it all on low all day once I've finished my cup of tea It's just me and my sister here while the parents are camping so the whole thing will do us for a few days.

jem132

Morning
Pops sorry about your fall hope your feeling better.
Lyn Bella does that when she wants to go a different way the little monkey and if the door is open to upstairs she is up there quicker than us lol
Fuddle Dorset is buitiful it is where I want my forever home.
Fairyprincess I can make a picnic from nothing lol
I can't remember who said it was starting to feel like autumn but the leafs are starting to turn hear and fall.
Our blackberry in leeds are still not ready
Dh has gone to work again don't know when he will be home .
I've got some friends coming round for a glass or 2 of wine tonight so I think I will make a few little nibbles not sure what so if anyone has any ideas let me know please.
I am going to nip to my mums and borrow some logs not sure she will be too happy about it but I want to light my chimania as it's getting so cold on a night. And we sit out as we are all smokers I know we should stop iv got one of those vapour things once boys are in school I am going to try.
Well I better toddle off as been sat on hear won't help get sorted for the day will it lol happy day all xxx

mardatha

Any Scots on the forum - Aldi is selling square sausage for 59p a pack. very handy for the freezer.

Cheapskate

Morning all, what a lot of chat in the last few days!

Welcome to the newbies and returners, nice to see you again, smiley, but sorry to hear about the job.

My biog: 45, married to DH (almost 50!), 5 children, 26, 24, 21, 6 and nearly 4. DH works for himself, I work very part time in local govt and also do some work for a cross stitching mag, eldest 2 live in their own homes so just 5 of us here. I love lots of OS things, not enough time in the day to actually DO as much as I'd like, but come September when the littlies are back at school I'll have a bit more time. Have grown a few more things this year, thanks to better weather and fewer slugs. :rotfl:

Our blackberries are still very green, Yorkshire-way, but I think they'll go really fast over the next week or so, then they'll get banged in the freezer as I collect them, ready for when I've time for a massive jam or pie making sesh!

Lyn, many congrats on the forthcoming grandchild - I'm sure you'll be a fab Oma, your DD is so lucky to have you and Himself! :j

Off to the shops (AGAIN - where do they blinking put all the food I buy? :rotfl:), then work after lunch.

fuddle - if it's going to work for you and yours, then just do it! You've had a lot of grief from your family, so concentrate on you, DH and the girls - never been to Dorset, but bet it's lovely. A fresh start may just be what you all need. Remember you can text me any time! x

A xo

Popperwell

Morning All,
The sky is grey as I wake up slowly, my energy levels have got up and gone...

Like all the talk about food:)music and food are my luxuries. More talk of Dorset and Hampshire I really would consider moving there if money was no object or I won/inherited money. Or I'd perhaps share my time between here and there.

I have found that there are some events going on but perhaps too late to go to them. And some clash...if I can pull myself together perhaps I'll make the effort.

If I can get it together by midday. Chester Le Street has laid on an event to coincide with the Test Match even for those unable to get into the test. There is the Sedgefield show today and tomorrow a free concert in the grounds of Durham Light Infantry Museum in Durham. On Sunday Beamish Museum have lent some vintage vehicles to be shown at Chester Le Street so as Durham is nearby perhaps I can attend both.

Today on R4 there was quite a big feature about the benefits of seaweed in your diet by someone in Cornwall who collects and uses it in their diet. So I can understand why Kelp is so good.

twofishes

Oh, I am in Hampshire too at the moment (parents live here although we are all from Coventry originally) - on the Berkshire border, between Basingstoke and Newbury. Not far from the Middletons, sadly never been invited over though lol.

ArthriticOldThing

Good morning everyone. It was lovely and sunny earlier but the cloud has now filled the sky. Luckily it still bright and fairly warm.

Fuddle what a good, practical use of birthday money. As has been said, don't let the wider family bring you down, do what suits you, your DH and girls, its your life to live as you wish. Hope you enjoy the hol in Dorset. I've never been but understand its lovely.

Cheapskate am so jealous of the blackberries. We live in a flat and there used to be a bit of wild land across the road that had prolific blackberry bushes. Our boys really enjoyed collecting them. Then the council blocked off the land, cleared it completely and just left it desolate. What a waste :mad::mad::mad:

Pops hope you are over the fall and enjoy your next excursion. Its funny how things happen together. You mention Billingham and it just so happens that I am going there next weekend to visit a friend. Have not been in years as she has always come up here. Driving is so much easier than public transport. Am looking forward to the trip. On another subject, the website of recipes you mention sounds good.

Have never had falafel but after all the recommendations on here I think will have to try it.

Molly, although I've only been on here a short while I have learned about the endless love and support everyone gives. We will all be here for you.

Well, its time I got moving. Too nice a day to waste.

Popperwell

Hello AOT:)
And thank you...perhaps I sound a skinflint but have looked at the Sedgefield Show info and tbh I would rather hang onto to my £6 entrance fee. I like seeing animals etc...but it is mainly of interest to those who are showing them/trying to win rossettes etc...

That website...I mentioned it but did not give a link(no one asked for it either)so here it is anyhow...

There is so much to look over...

http://www.yummly.com/

We may all be trying falafel. I had heard of it but had no idea what it was...wonder why I never did a search on the internet to find out?

fuddle

Mince browned thank you. I didn't have cumin so hopefully chilli powder and paprika is enough. I put a pepper in too as it needed using up.

Can I ask? Kidney beans? Better/cheaper by the bag full or tinned?

pops it's not about the money you know. For once I'm actually pleased I rent because we can up and leave without too much of a bother. Had we had the mortgaged house we would have had to try to sell and no doubt miss the opportunity. If there's a will there's a way. I am incredibly worried about dearer cost of living down there but I know if we let this go (if it doesn't go ahead no worries, i'll cope - have dealt with the same disappointment before) I know we will regret it and for that reason I'm grabbing on to it with my finger tips. You could visit by bus trip where hotel and day trips are included. I know it costs and the majority of people will need to save but if it enhances your life there's no harm in saving and planning. We've gotta grab life because the small stuff (and large stuff) are enough make the strongest person feel like not getting out of bed. Could we be worth a look at the social housing down there. You're an older gent with medical needs. You might just get something in the coming years...

I didn't know you worked for a x stitch mag cheaps. Oh I feel star struck I struggle with the craft just as much as I struggle to say the word faflafafel.

Hunted some wool straps and about to embark on crochet squares for a car blanket. A real chilled out day today. DH is fishing on the river at the back of the house. Wish him luck because he's drawn the place that he knows there's a good chance of catching and it's a competition. We really could do with a cash injection as it's last week of the month for us.