Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2015

candlelight_2013

Nargleblast Naughty :)

Candlelightx

Floss

Mrs LW, I make runner bean chutney which goes down really well as Christmas pressies. We also make apple wine with our apples, last years is drinking very well, hic!

sashanut

Hi all :j



Oh I wish someone would dump some apples or courgettes on me.......have plenty of redcurrants I can exchange LOL. I have ONE courgette on my plant, & was shocked to see that!! Not one greengage on the tree this year either ....boo. Lots blackcurrants & redcurrants, crab apples & goosegogs all need picking, any ideas for redcurrants other than jelly ?- not wine though

Nargleblast

I am using frozen redcurrants ( from those packs of summer fruits ) to make a redcurrant vodka for that C festival which shall not be named. Put fruit (usually a couple of tablespoons in one of those packs)in the bottom of a Kilmer jar, add a couple of tablespoons sugar, top up with vodka. Next time you get frozen redcurrants repeat the process until the jar is full. Give the jar a shake every now and then. Leave till December then strain into a bottle and eat the boozy fruit. I checked my jar the other day and the smell was dynamite!

I would think you could do the same with fresh redcurrants.

Nargleblast

Of course, if "not wine" extends to liqueurs, then you could make a redcurrant jam or jelly, or syrup, or puree that can be frozen or kept in jars.

[Deleted User]

Well I have to say the trip to the tip is always a joy, and I'm not kidding, they are a recycling depot first and foremost and it's run by a bunch of super Polish guys who are mega efficient, friendly and helpful and they don't waste so much as a nail that can be used again. To sit for a couple of minutes and watch things being courteously rescued by them from folks who are going to dump them, to see the signs on skips for green waste, metals, recycling computer parts, Tvs and Monitors, clothing, cardboard, batteries, used gas cylinders, paper,white goods etc and to see perfectly good chairs, bed frames, tables, even aquariums and a kiddys trampoline lined up to sell for a few pounds makes my heart so joyful. It's right and it works, long may it continue!!!

Not a single apple to be seen though Nargleblast, but you're right, had there been it would have most certainly been liberated by moi and scrunched up for its juice on the next batch I do!!!

Bubblesmum

[QUOTE=

If I won the lottery I would be bored if I did not do anything - my dream has always been to renovate empty buildings in towns (such as the old factories in Northampton - large empty houses in posher areas) into small self contained flats for folk who have no home. :cool: There would be rules about behaviour while there and not trashing the place etc. Many folk are homeless through no fault of their own - I came close once with two kids. It is criminal that there are so many empty buildings which are being sat on for profit or just left to crumble - when folks need homes. building new is not necessary (covering our countryside in ugly little rat runs which are the slums of tomorrow - I live in Milton Keynes - the early buildings and estates were nice - the new ones even have front doors that open directly into front rooms - like the houses built down my road in 1857 for the peasants!!!) If a home is not occupied for at least 6 months of each year for 5 consecutive years then it should be requisitioned IMO (exceptions for those in the services etc, obviously!)

Rant over!!! But where are the philanthropists of the past?? All most lottery winners seem do is spend, spend, spend!
What would others do???[/QUOTE]

I would do the same, I am so sad about how perfectly good building are left to rot.... And could be put to so much good use

[Deleted User]

It would be nice to be able to do something to help the local community I think,I live in the so-called affluent south yet there is so much that locally just not happening anymore because of council cut backs. Creches are closing ,along with libraries and I think the local baths will be next on the 'chop-list'.As for the hospitals, Kent is getting more and more crowded but hospitals are having to cut back on so much. I would like to put money (if I ever had it ) into getting the youngsters back into jobs that aren't just 'service jobs' but actually useful ones like plumbers,chippies and plasterers. Not much point having a degree in 'media studies' if the loo stops flushing or the plaster falls off the walls.I was in Chatham today with my three DGS and there were so many young men just hanging around the presinct just looking bored and broke,This is tomorrows generation, very sad

camelot1001

The older buildings that are standing empty will probably still be around when the new little shoe boxes are long gone. I totally agree with putting old buildings to good use, especially for those in need.

DD and I emptied our potato sacks this afternoon, we had one each, it was a competition to see who could get the most. DD had 3.3lb and I had 3.8lb. Not a great yield but it has been good fun and the potatoes tasted delicious. In fact so did the carrots and peas that were also home grown. I really wish I had a bigger garden, hopefully I will get an allotment sometime.

Mrs LW, not sure I really want as much as you, sounds like hard work at harvest times but it must be lovely to have your own produce throughout the year.

misstara

Hello all,

Came back from my wee holiday yesterday - was lovely catching up with family and friends. And I spent less than £30 the whole time I was away

Very impressed with everyone's garden/allotment productivity, reminded again how much I would love a garden. Was great eating various produce from my parents garden plus eggs from their hens. Have come back home with some homemade jam and elderflower cordial.

OH borrowed a carpet washer from a friend so we've spent a large part of the day moving furniture and cleaning. We then went for a walk and to the library. Back to work tomorrow