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

kezlou

aw thats really good! Sounds very positive, keep my fingers and toes crossed for him on thursday

mar my nana and mother never kept them in the fridge, always said it made them go stale. Only time they ever did was when they made eggy or fried bread. apparently it made it easier to cook. Instead it was kept in the bread bin or a dark cupboard.

monnagran

HM bread in this house doesn't stay around long enough to need keeping in fridge but my Dad, when he lived on his own, used to keep his bread in the freezer. Fine in the morning for toast and he used to put 2 slices in a polybag in the fridge and it was nicely defrosted by his teatime. No waste! A frugal man of routine, my Dad.

Well, you would all have loved to have been with me yesterday. If ever there is an example of thrifty, frugal, beautiful living it is my friend Judy. I have told you about her kitchen before and I know the ground floor of her house well ( old stables converted to a house by her husband, who did every bit of the work himself, 35 years ago). But yesterday, because we have been given an open invitation to stay with them whenever we come back to the Island, we were shown 'our' bedrooms up stairs. My room has an iron bedstead, rescued in the nick of time from being taken to the tip, the most beautiful patchwork quilt made by her mother. As I almost drooled in envy she went though the patches, this one was Judy's kitchen curtains, that one was one of her mothers aprons, that one was a bit of her father's shirt......... In the bookcase were all of her own and her children's books. On the landing was a bowl of roses all still in bloom in the garden from a bush that she removed from her mother's garden when she died. It was standing on a tiny table that had also been her mother's.
Everything in that house had a story, this picture had been painted by an old friend, that wall hanging had been embroidered by one of her grandchildren, the frame of that fireplace had originally been a rose arbour in a previous garden, the basket of teddies had been collected from family and friends. Nothing was new, everything was faded and worn through use, not artificially 'distressed'. I cannot tell you how wonderful it is.

We sat, the Rev and I , Judy and her husband, in front of the wood burner, by candlelight, gossiping, laughing, knitting (well 2 of us did) drinking endless cups of tea and eating the lovely food Judy had prepared - all home grown and home made. It is like another world.

If ever there is inspiration for MS, OS and beautiful living this is it. I really didn't want to come home.

x

kidcat

Monna - so glad you had such a special wonderful day to recharge and heal

Pooky

Morning all

Nothing soft about us Southerners, we cope just fine

Luckily no flooding here but I am at the top of a big cliff so lots of places for water to drain away to. It's supposed to stay dry today.....imagine....no rain for a whole day! Unthinkable. My kitchen ceiling will be thankfull, it's so badly damaged now (but I have managed to stop it doing any damage to any of the wood panneling).

Monna - that house sounds gorgeous. I'm hoping that my house will feel like that one day, I do have my homemade blankets and quilts everywhere, pictures that my mum and myself have cross stitched...it's getting there.

First day alone in months yesterday as DH was up at London Consultants and I spent the majority of it on the sofa with a quilt and a raging sinus headache. Felt ruddy awful all day. Typically by 8pm it eased and I got a bit of energy back...so I started a new crochet ripple blankie.

I made the decision to register as self employed for this year to sell some of my crafts. I was looking to go back to work but I can't be flexible with my working hours and continue to care for DH and to be honest I don't think my health is up to it....being up 4/5 times a night with DH takes its toll. So I've registered the business and off I go......wish me luck. I know it's not going to make me rich but the odd sale here and there should keep us ticking over.

Possession - fingers crossed for DH and hope the freezer food was salvageable.

Mrs Chip - DDs loved their jewelery! DD1 has worn the necklace nearly non stop since opening it!

FairyPrincessk

Morning all,

Monna, that sounds absolutely lovely! That is absolutely the sort of home I aspire to unreservedly and aspiration is one of those things I try to keep in check!

Fuddle, don't underestimate yourself--you've moved house to a new place, gotten a new job and helped your whole family to adjust in such a short space of time and with trying travel conditions that affect your job to boot! It took a lot of courage to leave, even if the situation was difficult.

Oh Pooky! I'm not in a position to buy things, but I've seen your lovely blankets and things--good luck! I think you'll struggle to keep up with demand!


I've just had a mini panic and had to look at the weather. I'd put bed linens on delay last night to wash and finish first thing this morning as there was no rain forecast for today. OH came in right before leaving for work and said something about horrible storms. I wasn't quite awake yet and as soon as I did wake up I had a panic and a look--nothing of the sort. Does anyone else ever feel like they're playing high stakes card games when they put a wash in, hoping to at least get it partially dry on the line?:rotfl:

Work is going well, feeling a bit more positive and upbeat this morning. I'm taking half of Thursday afternoon off as one of my colleagues has his big examination so will be out to congratulate and celebrate him.

Right its off to hang sheets out and head to my desk. Hugs to any and all reading, posting or lurking along.x

FairyPrincessk

Ah, meant to ask--Gailey, and PinkDebster how are things?

kidcat

Good luck Pooky I think you will be surprised at how many people will be queuing to buy your beautiful work

PRINCESSX87

WOW….In total shock this morning.

We’ve woken up to no rain, winds & a bright morning. The first time in 10 days. Don’t want to speak to soon, But a welcomed changed never the less.

Mono, The house sounds amazing. I would love nothing more than my home becoming like that.

Busy start to the day. OH isn’t starting work until midday so he will be getting on with some of the chores needed whilst I attend a appointment with my brother. Then its off my first appointment back with my counsellor in nearly a month.
I feel like I have lost a lot of drive and the tools she has given me recently. But a couple of refresher appointments might help me get back on track.

I need to pick more of your brains please OS’ERS. De-cluttering!?

Which is the best way to start.? Both OH & I have tendencies of making a start then changing our minds about what can go?
We’re full to the rafters of loads of rubbish, unused, unloved items that really could be re-homed…

Then how do you sell the items you have? Ebay has become too expensive for selling many things now, Its not worth while?

Right, Better walk the pooches, Take care all.

PS: Good luck pooky x

Pooky

The way I deal with clutter is to really be strict about the real value of the items. Is it sentimental value? Yes then store it correctly, find a proper home for it within your house. Not a sentimental item then it's either worth selling, worth giving to charity or dumping....there's no category for "keeping it just incase".

Then be realistic about the "worth selling" items, if it's not worth listing on the bay of E then try a local FB selling site. Relist it once if it doesn't sell and then get it straight to a charity shop.

Sometimes it's easier to just get rid of everything in one go to charity rather than it taking up head space with the "I should try and sell...sort....rehome...."

[Deleted User]

Morning all, I always keep bread in the fridge, if I don't I end up throwing mouldy bread away far too often. I find that in the fridge as long as I keep the packet sealed with a clip it keeps for ages. Off to town must dash, will read all this evening, Lyn xxx.