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

FairyPrincessk

Sorry Ginny, I thought I might have mis-remembered. I've just noticed you're in Manchester. If you can do so without giving away any personal information, are there any places around here you'd suggest for blackberrying? I live near a really long cycle route (I think it goes from Gorton all the way to at least Chorlton) which is where I've been picking.

Popperwell

I could not find any molasses(sp?)in the SM but I do have some treacle so may make some flapjacks/granola bars soon...I can cheat as I have some granola in packet(I assume I'll have to break it down into more managable pieces and work out how much treacle to add...)and to keep them chewy as opposed to hard...

I will have a hunt around the internet...my hedge has brambles in it so if I can find enough and pick them at the right time I may be able to do something with them.:pIf the birds don't take them first.

I feel on a bit of a downer* so its good to have some things planned in the coming weeks(Paul Daniels magic/comedy night, The Osmonds in concert, The Hollies)Possibly an exhibition at Preston Park on Wednesday(v.cheap day out)

Some more trains are coming to the local railway museum in september or october and for anyone in the area Sedgefield has a weekend where locals have scarecrows around the village.

There is a folk/music event too with some cheap/free entertainment there soon but without a car and fair amount of cash evening entertainment is a bit difficult.

*May be nostalgia...the Proms on the radio is playing music from one my favourite Hollywood movies starring Errol Flynn as Robin Hood and shared that with my Father as one of our special experiences as man and boy.

shegar

Phew what a weekend, I havent read since Saturday evening , so I will the 13 pages that im behind when I get time............

Been such a hot weekend , all the family and a few friends all went to the local beach today, and been swimming up until 7 tonight , also got a nice bit of suntan , oh I do love this weather , cant bear the thought of the dark nights coming, fill me with dread...........

We then went back to my sons house and had fresh sausages in bread rolls,:D, swimming dont half make you hungry , it was too late to bbq so DIL put loadsa sausages in the oven
.........Then I got back home at 8, and just seen my resident hedgehog coming to feed....Love to watch him, amazing little animal.....................Right quick shower and off to bed, hope youve all had a good bank holiday ...Sheila....

Popperwell

What a lovely weekend...I've noticed the nights drawing in already, Summer has passed all too quickly, then again it seemed to take ages to arrive:(

The other day I was talking about grits and cornmeal etc...if anyone can be bothered, has the time and can find the ingredients...these look nice...

http://localmilkblog.com/2013/08/cornmeal-brown-butter-scones-lavender-peach-curd.html

boultdj

Popperwell wrote: »

I could not find any molasses(sp?)in the SM but I do have some treacle so may make some flapjacks/granola bars soon...I can cheat as I have some granola in packet(I assume I'll have to break it down into more managable pieces and work out how much treacle to add...)and to keep them chewy as opposed to hard...

Pop, you can use honey or golden syrup for flapjack's, and you'll find molasses in health food shop's.hth

monnagran

Hi all.

What a lovely day. The scooters have been heading for the ferries all day. It seems very quiet tonight.
They were great people though and very responsible and helpful. One of them fetched up at the drop in yesterday and asked if he could help. He spent the evening shunting toad-in-the-hole and mash around and stayed to help with the clearing up afterwards, - a super chap.

We had a young couple who have been living on the beach for a couple of months. They have nothing so we managed to fix them up with a few bits and pieces, gave them a meal and sent them off with some sandwiches, apples, pieces of bread pudding, tea, coffee, milk and a thermos of boiling water. They came by the manse this morning to thank us and ask us to fill up their thermos again. I'm hoping to get them under cover before the winter comes. It breaks my heart to see people like that.

I wish you could all see my friend's house. I don't think there is anything in there under 30 years old. I had to whip some cream for her the other day and she handed me something that looked like a tiny tennis racket to do the whipping with. It worked like a charm.
She has shelves filled with row upon row of homemade jams, jellies and chutneys, and yes, I am green with envy. She spins her own wool, (from her own sheep) and is knitting a baby blanket with it. She keeps me (and half the town) supplied with gorgeous eggs from her hens and never seems to be rushed or harassed. She is about 4ft 10 and has a dodgy hip that makes her limp heavily but she looks about 10 years younger than her age. It must be all the home produced fruit, veg. meat and eggs.

I had yet another meeting this morning - still fighting the Rev's cause - and then lunch with my lovely family. Mia had her twelve month check with the health visitor last week. She was pronounced far advanced for her age, which is only 11 months anyway, so I was one proud Monna.

Off to bed now. I expect there will be another round of meetings and multitudinous emails tomorrow.

Love all,

Pops, I hope you get some sleep toight.

the_cake

FairyPrincessk wrote: »

The cake,

I don't have a food processor, but I do have a mixer, do you think it would work that way? I'm determined I'll learn to do it well by the end of 2014!

I am not sure! You could try ... let us know if it does work. I would be careful of not letting the butter get too soft before processing, as it quickly gets rather slimy and oily. Good luck!

notjustlaura

floss2 wrote: »

Just been to pick up my entries from the Allotments show and have to share: I got 3 Firsts! Also got 6 Seconds so am a very happy bunny

Wow! What an achievement. Well done you

notjustlaura

Possession wrote: »

LOL, it's ok, they aren't giant killer rabbits!
Here they are:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11485219@N07/9538302351/

They look lovely and cuddly.

maryb wrote: »

It's our silver wedding tomorrow and we have a party for family and original wedding guests on Sunday next. So I'll be a tad busy this week getting ready for that. So I'll try and pop in every now and then but will mostly have to wave from a distance (at least I hope I'll be waving, not drowning)

Congratulations! I'm sure you'll enjoy every moment

jem132 wrote: »

Morning

Well I got up at 6 why can I never sleep in when I can I do when I can't lol

...

Now they want smoked salmon and scrambled eggs tomoz, my questions are 1,can you use the salmon ends in a packet from Mrs for 96p
2,what the bloody hell do I do with it.
...

Jem - I have the same problem with sleeping. If I have to be up early I either can't sleep at all or sleep so soundly I don't even remember the alarm going and me switching it off and going back to sleep! On days like today, when there's no need to be up early, I woke up at 5am and couldn't get back to sleep. Of course, having to wear Sammy-cat as a hat didn't help!

Re scrambled eggs and smoked salmon: Yes, the end bits of smoked salmon would be fine for scrambled eggs. I'd chop it and throw it into the egg mixture then scramble as normal.

notjustlaura

mardatha wrote: »

Notjustlaura my garden is 6/7 weeks behind the south of England, but I'm at 1000ft. You'll be lower and you're in the west which is milder. Maybe 4 weeks behind? And an awful lot of the things they can grow down there, we can't. Ask westcoastscot, she's up the coast a wee bit from you and she grows stuff.
.

Brilliant, thanks. I'll PM westcoastscot right after I send this

elona wrote: »

...
Does anyone think that since the early sixties there seems to have been a concerted campaign to brainwash into thinking factory made is better and cooking is difficult, time consuming and not worth it as well as inferior?...

I grew up in the 70s. I remember packaged food being seen as a luxury, special, superior product rather than something being 'just' home made. I'm realising that I've carried that thinking over into adulthood - a ready meal is a 'treat' instead of a last resort in a time of crisis.