Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2015

nursemaggie

I don't like the vinegar so will try freezing.

THIRZAH

FPK- I belong to the WI. We have two members in our group who are in their 30s-and two in their 80s. The rest of us are somewhere in between but we all get on very well.
If you find that the meetings are too late for you look around for another group. We meet in the mornings. A lot of our members don't like going out in the evenings. A daytime group suits me as my DH is still working .

mcculloch29

Feeling a tiny bit pleased that my first attempt at home - drying mushrooms without an oven worked well, I just sliced them really thinly and covered them with a tea towel laid on a tray for 48 hours. I don't often have to throw veg out but mushrooms have caught me out a few times by going off before all could be used.

Made Jack Monroe's vegan banana bread and then felt very inadequate watching GBBO, but enjoyed the programme. Some of the quick bread recipes were so imaginative. Won't say anything else in case some of you are iPlayering it.
Welcome newbies and de-lurked lurkers.

astispumanti57

Thank you Grey Queen for the beetroot info

x

fuddle

Good morning. yes, GBBO set my mind wondering quick bread bound but concerned of wrecking a loaf with too much bicarb. I put myself off muffins for years because of that. :rotfl:

Last night saw a swap of ingredients in my face scrub. Usually sugar and honey do but I removed the honey in favour of olive oil. Very nice

In two minds whether to make 5 minute bread batch or whether to seek out a more rustic recipe. I have had beans soaking overnight as bean chilli for tea. I haven't made a chilli without meat so I want to nail this purely for health and purse reasons.

I'm thinking of weetabix cakes for supper tonight. I have never made them but have heard good things.

Eldest DD sewed the back of youngest's teddy bear last night. Both very pleased for different reasons. So surprising how a sliver of steel can create relief, joy, gratitude and kindness. OS personified I guess.

silvasava

Well done little Fuddle - gold star!!!

FairyPrincessk

Morning all,

NurseMaggieDidn't mean to imply you needed easy patterns, just that I really like the search function. I know what you mean about liking the most expensive ones. I always try to tick 'free' straightaway so I don't ever see them to get attached.:rotfl:

I hadn't seen that on iplayer, I'll give it a watch during my lunch breaks over the next few days.


Thirzah Thanks for the insight. If the personality of this group doesn't suit I'll see if there is another that is near enough. I think it is great that your group has meetings during the day to suit those who don't like going out at night. I'm not sure which (if any!) days I'll be teaching from term to term so I'll probably stick with evenings.

FuddleWhat great little Make Do and Menders you're bringing up!

Right--work today. OH is making tea and then I'm off to my meeting. I'll do a bit of knitting during my lunch break. Leftover chicken and veg pie for lunch today and a bit of planning for this weekend with the car. As far as chores go--washing, and I need to move the plant pots out of the way as one neighbour is painting our fence for our landlord and the other neighbour wants some scraps of the other fence that has just gone in for his other side which OH has agreed to put in his garden if the landlord agrees. I just wish this community spirit persisted.

vhalla1478

Morning All,

And a very warm welcome to the 'newbies'; it's great to know that we have new blood to contribute new ideas and perspectives!

I haven't posted for a few days as my DB has been over and then another friend came on Monday. She didn't know Lincolnshire at all and I think was pleasantly surprised that there was so much to do and that it isn't all flat; the usual misconceptions. We went to Lincoln Cathedral on Monday and had a great day out; she even tackled a part of Steep Hill in spite of her arthiritis - I was most impressed and am looking forward to showing her more next time,

Yesterday I made plum jam with youngest GS, Mikey, but still have loads to do. I don't know what these miniature plums are (tree on farm) but you have to squish each one to destone them - far too small and squidgy to use a knife; still, it will keep me out of mischief!:rotfl:

Have a good day, Folks.

Viv xx

fuddle

Does any one know about baking stones? I see a lot of bread recipes mention them. Obviously I can make bread without so I know they aren't a necessity, I'm just curious.

FairyPrincessk

Fuddle, they're good if you want a nice crust. I don't tend to use them for my bread but we do use them for our pizzas. I don't think they're 'necessary' unless you want them for something particular. I think they'd be good if you wanted to make lots of homemade pitas or nan breads as they help make the most of a domestic oven. I got ours for OH for a present when he first got into making pizza--I think I paid around £10 (each) for them and although they aren't well seasoned quite yet they seem to be a similar quality to the one my mum has had for years and paid significantly more for.