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

mardatha

Ooooh re wool, I just this minute negotiated a deal on Ravelry to buy some fabulous Drops Nepal from a girl in Denmark. She's going to NZ as a student and getting rid of her stash cheap... she quoted a ridiculously low price and I've grabbed it - 5 Danish Krone a ball... google it!

[Deleted User]

Morning Toughies, it's cold, grey and wet here today so I've been very OS and spent the morning staying warm in the kitchen and having a good old cooking session. I've made an apple pie, an egg,bacon and cheese pie, the leftover bits of pastry are now a coconut and golden syrup tart, I've made a wartime vinegar cake,a plum crumble and I'm trying something new for lunch which is a Teviotdale Pie and it has a suet batter on top instead of pastry and that's in the oven now and on the hob I've red cabbage with apple to go with it and steaming away a steamed crab apple jam pudding, a new take on this as the jam is stirred into the mixture, bit like the lemon curd cake we had a while ago so if it works and is nice I'll post the recipe. The whole house smells nice and I'm warm as toast!!!

Going to ground after I've walked the boy this afternoon as we have downloaded some free books to my Kindle and I'm going to curl up in my armchair and read for as long as I want to!!!

He Who Knows is doing our vegetable planning for next year and putting together a seed order for the things we need. Had a success yesterday as we have planted up all our big garden pots with pansy seedlings that grew from last years pansies. We potted them up and stood them in the polytunnel and they've grown into lovely sturdy plants as good as those from the nursery, result and all for free Yaaayyyyyy!!!

Keep yourselves warm and dry everyone, Cheers Lyn xxx.

mardatha

.....And all I've done is sit in a chair and knit a sock. I even made meself microwave porridge!
*blushes in shame*

bluebag

Lovely sculpture there Pops, very moody and medieval looking, quite apt for the grey, rainy, cold day we have.

A very good day to get the brekkie and have a long Sunday lie in indeed.

Good to see you are keeping yourself warm and generally looking after yourself.

It can feel a lot of effort when you live alone, but is more important as there is no one to pick up the bits so to speak, so you have to make double sure you are taking good care of yourself.

floss2

mardatha wrote: »

.....And all I've done is sit in a chair and knit a sock. I even made meself microwave porridge!
*blushes in shame*

Mar, I could never even contemplate knitting socks - you have my admiration! I did used to knit jackets & a couple of jumpers for my boys when they were babies (now 27 & 25!) but more recently have only managed a couple of snoods ,hats & wrist warmers for their girlfriends I have some wool in my knitting basket that I bought in JL about 6 years ago to make a scarf to go with a coat that no longer fits me!

House blitz today - DH has moved the tools etc from the hall so he can dyson, I've cleaned the lounge windows so he can also clean in there, and I am about to start on our bedroom as I need to put beeswax polish on my furniture

Slow roast lamb shoulder for tea with allotment veg, probably blackcurrant jam spong pudding for afters...can anyone else think of any uses for 6 jars of blackcurrant jam that is really sharp and really not very nice on scones/toast? I can't give it way at Christmas as I'd be too embarassed, and i can't throw it away!!

Bigjenny

floss2 could you reboil the jam adding more sugar.

Mrs_Chip

floss2 wrote: »

Slow roast lamb shoulder for tea with allotment veg, probably blackcurrant jam spong pudding for afters...can anyone else think of any uses for 6 jars of blackcurrant jam that is really sharp and really not very nice on scones/toast? I can't give it way at Christmas as I'd be too embarassed, and i can't throw it away!!

You could make it into blackcurrant vinegar - supposed to be made from the fruit, sugar and white vinegar, but I don't see why melting the jam in cheap white vinegar would not work. Add extra sugar if necessary (it should be syrupy), strain, bottle and use as a dressing on salad, or anything where a fruity tart/sweetness is required. And it makes good pressies dolled up in a nice bottle!

Popperwell

Its gone well...and thanks Bluebag...I thought it was worth sharing...

I've ran out of bread and it will take too long to make some for today. Its horrible outside, raining. Going to the bingo tonight:rotfl:

Will manage without the bread. Quick shave, gentle tidy around. I have heard two views on being alone. You can do as you wish and answer to no one or you just give up. I'm quite pleased how things are at present.

Being careful, I want to see some lights that are on in Roker Park(Sunderland)on the theme of Alice in Wonderland but can't stay too late because buses home are not good. So if I wait for the clocks going back next weekend I'll get the effect earlier so if I have to come home early it won't be so bad.

At least most of the time I am sitting on a bus there and back, if there is a seat in the park I'll be alright.

We could do with an enterprising coach company putting a trip on...

If nothing goes wrong with me there is a light fetival in Durham in November and that's easier. I have a ticket. The Cathedral will also have images projected on it too.

I hope everyone is having a peaceful Sunday, I'm trying to turn off from the news and a news free day just listening to easy music on the radio and The Archers/Desert Island Discs this morning. Its my switch off day...

Popperwell

Talk of knitting, sewing and food:p I think the first two are out for me but the food...I must get that shortbread made. My little problem last week put a stop to that. I said I would do it and I mean too.

Possession

We've just had pulled pork soft rolls from yesterday's leftover slow cooked delights, and it was delicious. Except for DD who refuses to eat it and is currently sulking on the sofa. Grrr.