Nice People 12: Nice in Nice

lemonjelly

Nikkster wrote: »

Poor form to quote oneself, but I've just been out to water some of the plants (most of the veg are waaaaay too close to each other for the rain to get to the soil) and I've spotted some mini cucumbers These ones are only supposed to be mini so I think I'll be picking one tomorrow. Had some mini carrots sliced on my dinner this evening - not sure whether it was just because I had them raw (+ I don't often eat carrots) but they tasted amazing.

Had the folks over today, & made them dinner with home grown carrots from the freezer.
Dad dislikes (but eats) carrots, but loved them!
The home grown stuff always has extra flavour in my experience Nikkster.

I have a decent collection of flowers on the toms (finally). Lettuce coming on ok, apart from the forays from the vile slug army.:mad:

LydiaJ

Spirit wrote: »

It is usually very dark here, only moonlight.

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So you're in Outer Herts! I always thought you were one of the Inner Herts lot.

Nikkster

lemonjelly wrote: »

Always wanted a henry. They seem so reliable.

And they've got a face

PasturesNew

lemonjelly wrote: »

.... home grown carrots ...
The home grown stuff always has extra flavour in my experience

I grew up on home-grown carrots, grown in good Fen soil. They tasted so sweet/gorgeous and we'd pull/cook them to order.

I buy/eat carrots rarely these days ..... carrots I buy simply don't have the same taste so I am not a fan now .... and I'd happily grow carrots if I thought they'd taste how they used to. I do remember though that size/shape was very variable with the home-grown carrots and we never had lots and lots of them on the table, so maybe it's something one needs 3-4 rows of to get a good crop.

P.S. I don't intend to do any gardening ..... the soil here looks very dry and hard ... and I'm not one for slugs/snails/worms etc.

Nikkster

Generali wrote: »

It always feels like I'm picking myself up from the last kick in the nuts when I get another.

My luck will turn. I'm an optimistic person and I honestly believe that if you keep knocking at the door it'll open. It's hard to keep on knocking though.

There's nothing to be done but to keep on keeping on. Sometimes life deals you a bad hand and sometimes a good one. All you can do is get the most out of your pair of jacks or your full house or even your running flush (not that anyone really gets a running flush in 5 card poker).

You deserve a run of good luck Gen (as do so many NP). Hope it comes your (pl.) way asap.

SingleSue wrote: »

Yes, that's right, the one who hates social events, the one who hates parties, went to an after party..well it was more marshmallows around a camp fire event than a party but still, he went to one!

He had a great time at the prom, he danced (!!), took selfies and loved it and out of the £11 I gave him (£1 for the driver, £10 for him for photos and drink), I got £9.60 back....he didn't give the driver anything, balked at the price of the photos and only bought one diet coke all night.

That's brilliant Sue. Even more so as it sounded like he was almost not going to go.

Absolutely delighted that he clearly had a fab time.
Very MSE too!

zagubov

We have a henry. there is no excuse to buy any other one, apart from foolishness.;)

neverdespairgirl

Generali wrote: »

Chin up and chin chin!

I'm taking the Generalissimos ice skating along with Mrs Generali for her birthday. They make amazing hot chocolate here. Nom, nom, nom. I've got lamb shanks in the slow cooker for when we get back, some home made rillettes and a batch of puff pastry ready for tarte tatin.

We had lamb shanks today for lunch in Kent - I took Isaac and Kermie there for the weekend, as OH was doing the overnight London to Dunwich bike ride.

Isaac had a wonderful time walking the dogs, throwing balls, digging up beetroot, spuds and carrots and picking beans, and helping scoff them all, and planting squash with Dad.

Kermie got lots of cuddles with his grandmother and one aunt, several cuddles with his grandfather, and lots of new lightbulbs to look at.

OH did hte 120 miles to Dunwich, then cycled another 30 or so later in the day to get the train home again.

Generali wrote: »

I am pretty broke but that is because we've spent 4 years putting Mrs Generali through Uni so we've had the costs of 2 people working and only 1 income. There's some debt incurred as a result and not of the cushy low interest UK student sort.

Whilst I really do appreciate the offer, and it's a beautiful thing to do, there really isn't any need to do this. Mrs Generali is working now and you've all done the best possible thing for me already: been there to listen to me whige about how crappy my life is and to be supportive and non-judgemental.

Buy me a beer or a glass of wine when I get to England at Xmas (I can't have a G'n'T as I still rent).

What did Mrs Gen study? Was it her first degree?

I hope she enjoys her new job.

neverdespairgirl

silvercar wrote: »

Even little passengers make a 4 door far easier than a 2. (I know a mini has 4, just saying in case there were 2 door options on the horizon.)

My car choice is always a compromise. I prefer to drive smaller cars but like a high seating position. Although most of my driving is local, I do have irregular trips 150 miles on the motorway, so anything below 1.4l is going to be painful.

OH always toys with the idea that a sports car would be fun, but we still do travel long distances as a family, and my car isn't really big enough for 4 adults and luggage in a 1.6l on the motorway.

We have a 2 door car, but it's not worth changing, as we drive so seldom anyway.

Before driving to Kent and back this weekend with both boys, the last time I drove was to Kent, at Easter, and before that was New Year's Day, on the way back from Kent. There's a theme here......

Generali wrote: »

The lamb shanks though? Nom, nom, nom. A full house of nom!


Had them with saute spuds, stir fried brussels and roast aubergine. Plus a lovely thick red wine, veggie and redcurrant jelly gravy. The Girl, who decided that she was full and so didn't want any dinner at all, ate it all including the eggplant (aubergine is great for mopping up gravy).

Sounds like she made the right decision.

We had our lamb shanks with boiled spuds, steamed carrots, steamed runner beans, roasted beetroot (all those fresh from the garden), broccoli and leek sauce. And raspberries afterwards (I picked those).

zagubov wrote: »

Changed a halogen spotlight bulb in the upstairs bathroom. Loads of black things fell out of the socket in the ceiling. Got a pan and brush to sweep them up and found the black things all over the bath were dead wasps.

We knew we had a wasp nest somewhere but never knew where. I hate them, but fortunately we only ever saw them when they were dying and crawling around the floor. Now we know where they came from.:eek:

ewww.... ewww......!

I loathe wasps. Yuck. You have my deepest sympathy.

I'm the go-to person Chez NDG for getting rid of spiders, etc, but I can't do wasps.

PasturesNew

neverdespairgirl wrote: »

I'm the go-to person Chez NDG for getting rid of spiders, etc

Nikkster saw the innovative PN Spider Catcher/Lobber in action at my old address over the weekend. Big fat spider on the ceiling, with those stubby fat legs. Smooth as you like ... and out he went

Nikkster

PasturesNew wrote: »

Nikkster saw the innovative PN Spider Catcher/Lobber in action at my old address over the weekend. Big fat spider on the ceiling, with those stubby fat legs. Smooth as you like ... and out he went

It is indeed a marvel. I did however suggest I'd rather have one of those electric fly swatters (with naked male operator, of course)