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

Mrs_Chip

Yes Fuddle, you can smoke at home, there are lots of vids and info on t'internet. You can go basic, using a pan with a lid, or a sweetie tin, up to expensive kit, but the results are quite good with basic. You will be hot smoking, think smoked mackerel, rather than cold smoking (smoked salmon), unless you have access to outside. My dad built himself a smoker out of an old metal office cabinet and he does all sorts in it!

suzybloo

Fuddle you can buy smoking chips from a few places, any I have bought are from the gamekeeper/gun/fishing type shops. From what I recall they were oak and you can do them in an old barbeque with the lid on, or a metal filing cabinet. You soak them first. My sister smokes her mackerel that way, as her son goes out on the boats fishing and ends up bringing so many back.

Hope that helps, the oak is what is used in the famous Arbroath smokies which are fantastic.

Not sure what your neighbours would think though!

monnagran

Morning!

Had a quick catch up and hope that for a lot of you this week will be better than last week.
Tomorrow I'm going to have my first experience of Aldi - I'm so excited, after all the carp that has gone on over the past few weeks it will be lovely to do something normal. Apparently the new store (opened last Thursday) has been absolutely crammed with shoppers so I intend to be there early tomorrow and hope to avoid the worst of the crowds.

Don't get me started on the subject of books. I must have well over a thousand and have to prune them severely before we move. i am most interested in people and family dynamics so love some of the older books. I've all of Maeve Binchy's, Elizabeth Jane Howard's and Ruth Hamilton's among many, too many others.

October is a packed month so I may be missing much of the time but I will try to at least scan through as much as possible. We've 'The Wedding' at the end of the month and lots of visitors staying as well as the grandchildren over that week end. This will involve much clearing of spaces and trying to give the appearance of a nearly normal household.

The Rev has been in the local paper many times over the past weeks with hundreds of people raging over her being moved on. There was an excellent editorial in the last edition which ended with.........

"Someone who has managed to reinvigorate a church (no easy task in this day and age) and displayed what are believed to be basic Christian traits such as charity and compassion, has been elbowed out by those not fit to iron her surplice.
A big heart, it would appear, is no match for small minds."

I wish I had thought of those words.

Onward and upward!!!

x

katieowl_2

Smoked fish is one of the things I often see reduced. I buy it then and chuck it straight in the freezer when I get home. You can cook it from frozen for fish pie (or soup) no problem.

Baking day AGAIN :eek: Have already knocked out two cakes, third batch in one oven, and a vat of rice pud in the Rayburn. Been asked to attend a WI meeting thingy about local markets at the end of the month with some other local producers. I can take cakes to flog, as well as some samples, and I can use the event to gather some customers for my facebook data base. I thought WI types all cooked but apparently lots of them work so never make it to the tuesday market.

Got OH under my feet today. Shall barricade him in his workshop if he comes into the kitchen again!

Kate

fuddle

Oh those words are so fitting! I suspect the small minded folk don't appreciate 'their' church being welcoming to those that aren't their clique. The Rev brought about change and change is summat some people just can't embrace.

I thought it was long shot asking about smoking but I'm so pleased I did! I will youtube it when the littlies go to bed this evening.

Do you have schools near your Aldi Monnagran? If so it may be worth avoiding 9-9.30am as that is when I'm in along with the general populous of mothers who have just dropped their sproglets off to school. It's er, a bit busy then.

Katieowl what is a Rayburn?

PRINCESSX87

M-Gran. What lovely words - Shame its come to this though isn’t it..?

On the subject of books, I dive down the autobiography route & true stories. I’m often amazed how people who receive such horrid start’s in life can change their lives so much & get justice.

Crazy month a head for me:

1st OH working in the isle of Wight over night. Loves it there. Third time this year.
8th OH brothers court hearing to see whether its going to trial.
9th my birthday:cool::cool:
11th OH birthday
14th My sister’s birthday
20th Nephews birthday

That’s all on top of everything else this month. The same craziness starts for nov & dec.

Fuddle, If you want to cut your shopping bill down (Or in effect get £5 ) worth of free food, Then grab the Aldi vouchers! So far, For 2 of us + pets we’re able to use 1 copy per month. Recently I’ve been buying 2 copies for top up supplies ect. So deffo worth a try!!

mardatha

A Rayburn is something that makes me turn bright green and drool!
Monnagran awesome that somebody has the sharpness of mind to think and write those words .
I am making soap today., Violet & Ivory Musk..awesome (says she modestly)

[Deleted User]

FUDDLE a Rayburn is a lovely big range cooker like an Aga that can run the hot water and central heating too. You can get them that run on solid fuel, gas, electricity and even oil and they are the heart and soul of any home lucky enough to be fitted with one. Think big farmhouse kitchen and you'll get the image. I wants one, oh yes I does!!!!!! Cheers Lyn xxx.

lillibet_dripping

kidcat wrote: »

Jem why is it closed? That will give a clue as to whether you are affected or not. For example boiler trouble in the high school should not affect a separate building.

I have two off ill today ds15 has an awful cold that sounds like its hit his chest again and dd7 began vomiting at 5.30. Oh the joys of motherhood.

Hoping no one else catches it, ds9 is on a warning for attendance and dd18 begins uni finally today.

Teachers are on strike tomorrow!

Molly41

Has anyone read the book by Sue Townsend about The Woman who Went to Bed for a Year Very funny but very poignant.