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

cutestkids

Can I pick everyones brains about jam making please I am taking the kids blackberry picking at the weekend as we are surrounded by bushes on all sides here.

I want to make jam and having only just started to make jam a few weeks ago I need some advice.
Will I need to use jam sugar or add pectin to blackberry jam
Will I have to soak the berries overnight, I have seen that you need to make sure any bugs come out.
So if anyone is a jam maker can you give me some tips please.

Popperwell

Cutest
I've found two great sites that may help? But am sure someone will be along soon...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/0/23695062

http://bakingamoment.com/how-to-make-seedless-blackberry-jam-no-pectin/

Mrs_Chip

Thanks Hester, it's interesting to hear such stories. I'll do a bit more reading, anything that might delay the ageing process! I used to take green-lipped mussel capsules, they were very good for creaking joints, I may well get some of those as well!

katieowl_2

Hemp oil goes off really quick Mrs C so if you do invest keep it in the fridge and use it up asap rather than saving it cos' its expensive (ask me how I know it goes bitter )

The other thing for joints and mobility is an ayurvedic (spl?) remedy called golden milk which is made from a cooked paste of turmeric and you make it into a warm drink with milk, and almond oil and honey. It's actually a lot nicer than it sounds, and I think I may give it another shot this winter. Turmeric is a very potent spice! If you can get the turmeric from a bulk supplier or health food shop that sells it loose, it's also nice and cheap!!!

I'm still struggling with the lurgy I am hot and itchy. I looked it up and some viruses can cause a hystamine reaction as you fight them off... so I found some anti hystamines at the back of the cupboard that were prescribed in the dark ages and took one last night. Lovely sleep, but when they wear off back to square one. I'm so hot it's ridiculous! I can't open the window as I am being held captive by craneflies the size of helicopters, and they are throwing themselves at the windows to get in. They are the ONE creepy crawly I cannot abide, I hate that dangly thing they do with their legs. When I turn the light off I'll open the window a crack! I've now taken another anti H and some aspirin instead of my usual meds, and got into bed.

I didn't do too bad today considering. I got my special order cheesecake made, and also the filling and pastry for tomorrows pasty order. I made a kale salad for dinner (sorry Mar!) with some yummy kale (lightly cooked not raw) from the market that was 50p a bag. I topped it of with some hot smoked mackerel - also from the market, and some Aldi sun dried tomatoes, and some fresh toms and cucumber from the garden. I made a dressing with garlic, and the oil from the toms, and a lemon, and tossed over a few toasted sunflower seeds. I'm hoping all the vitamins in that will do me the power of good. I also tided up a couple of cupboards in the kitchen, and discovered £11.50 worth of Mr T clubcard points I'd forgotten about
:T

Kate

katieowl_2

PRINCESSX87 wrote: »

One of our family dogs (Who lived with my dad ) Rocky the boxer, Died yesterday. No warning, No pre-sickness, Nothing. Just collapsed on the floor. My dad scooped him up & rushed him to the vets, But it was too late. They think he had a heart attack. He was nearly 12 years old, Very much an old boy, But as far as we was all concerned fit as a fiddle.

That's a great age for a Boxer! You must have looked after him really well. Sad news indeed though, we love them so much and miss them so badly when they are gone

Love and hugs to all your family

Kate

floss2

katieowl wrote: »

.... They are the ONE creepy crawly I cannot abide, I hate that dangly thing they do with their legs. ...

I'm with you on the hating daddy-long-legs thing...there's something about the way they bounce about that freaks me out

Have just been sitting with my feet tucked up on the sofa minding my own business when a HUGE spider ran across the floorboards, hid under the tv cupboard and then ran out towards the sofa. I had to shake my slippers out in case he'd hidden in them :rotfl:

Mrs_Chip

Thanks Kate. I know turmeric has lots of medicinal uses, I would give it a go, but I'm not great at taking anything that has to be a milky sweet drink, they tend to make me gag (tmi?). I'll see if there is another way to have it. Thanks for the heads-up re hemp oil, I will buy a small quantity of the capsules, they can go in the fridge if necessary.

Sorry you are feeling so carp .

meanmarie

Evening all,

Have found the loss of any of my doggie friends so traumatic...I always talk to Mossy as if he were a human being and he considers himself to be one too.

Fuddle....organised as usual with your plans for the move, really pleased for you...like your new fb picture. Thank you for the elderberry syrup, was checking out some rosehips to-day, elderberries are not quite ripe here yet.

Gailey....sorry that things are so rough for you all at present...it will get better. Going to put my big feet in it by suggesting that, depending on the relationship you have with your dad, you ask for a little help if you really can't manage....I have a deal with my grown up children that if they need financial help they will ask for it on an indefinite length of time loan basis, as I got into trouble with them when I offered help...some of them have asked for, got and repaid help. Don't shoot me for suggesting this if it is inappropriate!

Katieowl....that meal sounds wonderful, will be trying something like at weekend.

I am a fishaholic (I love it) so don't understand people who don't eat it, I would have it every day if I could, but then the fact that there is nothing I don't eat is one of the reasons that I am currently 5 stone overweight. Rice and macaroni were puddings in my childhood, I don't think that the village shop where my mother bought her groceries would have stocked anything as 'exotic' as turmeric, both parents became converts to Chinese food in their sixties.

Hugs to those who are suffering pain...saw somebody using hemp flour on the great british bake-off last night so it is available.

Jem, really sympathise with your school problems, would agree with whoever said that if you are worried about his safety there you should keep him home. Trust that the problem is sorted soon.

Sleep well all

Marie

PRINCESSX87

Morning all.

Busy day here for me today. I’ve got loads of running around to do today. Which is going to kill my back. It seemed to be getting better yesterday early evening, Until I slowly bent down. Wish I hadn’t now.

Its been so muggy here during the night, So much so, we needed to open the bedroom windows, But as Katieowl stated, Them nasty flying things was trying to get it. I’m another one who is terrified of anything like that. But now their rampant during the day too! Spiders are another pet hate of mine.

We’re all still a little raw about Rocky, But, I’m sure with time, We will heal. So thank you for your messages.

Right best start getting some paperwork in order. Don’t forget the Aldi vouchers peeps. x

whiteguineapig

don't forget its aldi voucher day today
i don't use the £5 voucher but its sometimes worth buying more than one (50p) daily mirror just for the other money off coupons

with thanks to the voucher thread, here is todays
50% off premium Yorkshire ham 90p
50% off jelly babies 32p
50% off west country yoghurt 24p
50% off mini snack raisins 49p
30% off 2 duck legs in sauce £2.09
30% off gluten free bread £1.25
30% off British white mature cheddar £1.32
30% off mini mild cheddar sticks 69p
30% off bakewell or lemon slices 62p
30% off energise effervescent £1.32