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

VJsmum

savingqueen wrote: »

On the positive side, I will do my homework in finding out all the info, going to the Open Days etc and DS9 is bright so if he is willing to put the extra work in (a whole challenge in itself), he has a good chance of passing the selection tests if he doesn't get too anxious (another issue) and sometimes all you need is a big dose of luck to seal the deal.

sq:)

if you do want him to do the selection tests, then at the very least you will need to get some books from the library or (sorry) Smith's - verbal and non-verbal reasoning. The tests are different to being "bright" and if you haven't done them before can be tricky. I knew someone at work with a PhD who couldn't do them. Many kids will be being coached for the exams - for years some of them. It's a vicious circle - still comes down to money in the end.

On a brighter note - I have my laptop back after dropping it and breaking the screen a few weeks ago :T A friends son has mended it - it cost a bit but is cheaper than a new laptop.

[Deleted User]

Hello STRESSEDOUTMUMMY of course you can join us, nothing would make us happier. Welcome to the family, join in the fun it's always nice to have new friends to chat to, Lyn xxx.

fuddle

Hi stressedoutmummy welcome.

Knit witch? I don't know what a fruit leather is! Ill look it up don't worry

Lyn I'd love the ginger one if possible but no hurry, I need to use up me jam first so I can have the jar!

GreyQueen

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

Hello STRESSEDOUTMUMMY of course you can join us, nothing would make us happier. Welcome to the family, join in the fun it's always nice to have new friends to chat to, Lyn xxx.

Seconding that, the more the merrier.

New girl gets to put the kettle on, tha knows. Mine's milk no sugar, thanking you in advance.

FairyPrincessk

Welcome stressedoutmummy!

Cat has just gone home for a few days. Whew. Probably just enough time for us to get everything clean again and then she comes back for three days for the last time.

The aubergines are smelling quite good. Going to do some rice with them this time as well..but must confess, my neighbour is cooking bacon again and I quite fancy what she is having:D

StressedOutMummy

Not a problem Grey Queen - want some Welsh Cakes or Bara Brith to go with it? Apple and ginger jam sounds amazing but I cba with the whole jam making thing! Down to A's for lime marmalade istead.

Knit_Witch

Hello stressedoutmummy! I'll take some Welsh Cakes and a large mug of tea (milk no shug please )

[Deleted User]

Okeydokey

Apple Ginger

2lbs of apples after peeling and coring
1 tumblerfull of water
1 and a half pounds of sugar (any will do even brown if that's all you have!)
1 teaspoonful of lemon juice
1 teaspoon of ground ginger

Peel core and chop the apples, put in a heavy based pan with the water, ground ginger and lemon juice and cook until the apples are soft and mushy. Add the sugar and stir until the sugar is fully dissolved and doesn't feel crunchy on the bottom of the pan. Bring to the boil and then simmer until you reach the setting point. To test for setting take a teaspoonful of jam from the pan and pop it onto a cold saucer or plate and leave it until it's cool enough to touch with your finger then push the blob of jam from one side and see if the skin formed on top wrinkles, if it does the jam will set if not keep cooking for a few more minutes and test again, keep doing this until you get a wrinkly top to your blob!!! Then bottle the jam in hot sterilized jars and cover firmly with a lid of cellophane lid, leave it to cool and enjoy!!!

Hope you like it, Cheers Lyn xxx.

kate1974

Mrs_Chip wrote: »

You can buy frozen blueberries, I think they are quite a bit cheaper than fresh, and just as nice in cake!

I love Blueberry Boy Bait, it is totally lush and decadent!

If I remember right Aldi has frozen blueberries 500 gr for 2.00(or may be 2.50-not sure)

ArthriticOldThing

Welcome stressedoutmummy. Mine is just weak black coffee please.

Thanks for the recipes, I'm collecting those I will use together and spend too much time trying to sort into order so can access easily. Will definitely try that Apple Ginger MrsLW, once I can get equipment. I gave all my stuff away when OH died thinking I wouldn't need it for just me. Now have to renew slowly - poundshops and charity shops mainly - but I'll get there.

There is a bit of woodland quite close to where I live and when the boys were young we used to collect apples from the young trees there for apple jelly, apple crumble and whatever else we could find recipes for. I haven't been down for a while - might be worth a look.