The Garden Fence - help and support in tough times

FairyPrincessk

Ches wrote: »

As I am a serial lurker may I have a large spy hole in the fence please.

:rotfl: I can't see a problem with that. Or perhaps a little stool round a corner where you can hear everything that goes on and only pop round when you're ready? More seriously, do join in if you'd like.


My sour dough starter seems to be coming along nicely--a few bubbles here and there. According to my instructions it should be ready to take some off for baking on Sunday. Today's projects are bagels, something sweet, a quiche for tea and a bit of cleaning in and between that. I'm slowly working my way through a spring clean...as in VERY VERY slowly. I cleaned the washing machine, disinfected the bins (gets done every couple of weeks but it was time again) and tidied under the kitchen sink where there had been a bit of an overflow and it all needed wiping up and reorganizing. Might try to start in the lounge today--that is mostly just windows, dusting and deciding when to wash the blankets and cushion covers and curtains. Not sure it is quite warm enough outside yet.

I've made some progress on planning the frugal challenge--I've made a list of our cheapest recipes. It came out to about 15, only one of which is soup. In the next few days I'll see if I can find a couple of new things to try just to keep it exciting. I know many who eat the same every week, but I think the change will help keep it from feeling dull. I normally make sure that we have fish once a week--usually frozen tuna, salmon, cod etc. from Aldi. I generally replace whatever needs replacing on voucher week, so trying to stick to the challenge but not deplete the fish stock will be one of my challenges. I'll assess how much we have and try to think creatively. We can certainly do tinned one week, eat frozen at least one week without depleting and I'll see what i can come up with for the other two.

I'll boil the kettle and carry around the biscuit tin to Mrs VP and Wondercollie and any other poorlies before I'm off to start my day. I like quite simple biscuits--rich tea, the oaty hobby kind, or plain chocolate, although we don't usually have them in.

Oh--and just a suggestion for any looking for new recipes. We've recently had a kidney bean stew with dumplings and a courgette gratin (not the microwave version) from A Girl Called Jack's blog. Both are really nice--a bit of rosemary added to the dumplings is nice in the stew. I only made the gratin last night, but I'm thinking a bit of garlic, oregano and black pepper might go in next time. I may also try it with our normal strong cheddar as I think it would be nice and wouldn't require buying the brie.

Jazee

Morning fencers.

FairyPrincess - I admire your patience with the dough. If I'm making something it must be ready within an hour or two tops.

Another one here who loves fig rolls, but only the ones that are cut straight, not with rounded edges if you know what I mean.

Mrs LW - have a lovely weekend.

I had a great day yesterday. Hospital appt was all positive, I am in peak condition except for the life long illness but that is being kept completely under control with the drugs. Then DS and his fiancee treated me to a belated Mothers Day complete with pressies and a meal out. Lovely.

Today is my own until the late afternoon when I'm going out with DH. I shall be pottering me thinks.

Have a great day everyone.

FairyPrincessk

Oh, almost forgot--hope some of you get a nice view of the eclipse today. Unfortunately we seem to have a very overcast sky here--there might even be a bit of mist so I suspect it won't be so noticeable here. Probably just as well, most of our neighbours think I'm a bit strange anyway. Standing out front with bits of card and colanders and the like with my back to the sun will probably just raise more suspicion!

silvasava

Enjoy your weekend MrsL.

I'm another one who likes fig rolls - I also prefer 'plainer' biscuits and do like a Garibaldi now & then - DS2 calls them Dead Fly biscuits

Popperwell

Light cloud here with very small gaps so unlikely to see much of the eclipse but compared to blanket of combined fog and pollution across the UK yesterday there is hope.


I remember how weird the last one was when it went dark and birds stopped singing also if outside within minutes it was very cold.


I thought of trying to see if I could getaway with the suggestions for a safe view as you suggest FairyPrincessk but will probably pass and try the live coverage on TV. They will also probably have cameras across the whole of the UK and much of Europe. The news will cover it but I know BBC1 has a special at 9am.


I should add I kept some sourdough going for ages and managed to...kill it off. And just haven't got around to starting again. When my home was upgraded by the H Association somehow the glass jar with the mixture in it ended up in the garage of all places. No idea why.

Popperwell

Seen photos on Twitter of people wearing special glasses that look like the 3D glasses given in magazines(produced specially for the eclipse so different to those)but I've never seen them on sale anywhere. Its already happening in Cornwall...

Jazee

Just out for a walk with the dogs, wonder if we'll end up walking in the dark? Probably will all be an anticlimax.

Catch you all later.

ivyleaf

wondercollie wrote: »

IvyLeaf: thanks for remembering my son! He's doing really well at his job. He is now permanent, full time with benefits! He worked relief until the end of February, so just when people were on holiday or sick, or they had a heavy workload. His unit is expecting a 50% retirement rate in the next two years. He seems really happy. He works mainly with women who are "as old as you Mum", erm mid50s and they seem to really like him. His supervisor has told him that by this time next year he will be trained as Charge.


So I am a very proud Mum. If he keeps the job, he can retire when he hits 56 with a full pension. He's still thinking of trying for the police in a few years and the health service will give him a leave of absence for it! So he's happy, employed, and his coworkers are trying to fix him up with daughters. lol.

What good news My own son-in-law has decided on a career change and has just started Child Nurse training at the age of 45! He's brilliant with kids. I haven't spoken to him since he started (this is his Freshers' Week) but I hope there are some other mature students in his cohort, though I expect he's the oldest. I know he was a bit worried that everyone else would be 18 and female.

Fuddle You have a bunny? :T They are lovely, aren't they. have fun!

Softstuff

camelot1001 wrote: »

Yes Softstuff, I did get to bring some home. Particularly pleased as the tiles I have chosen have an extra non slippy surface and don't need to be sealed either.

Ooh nice on both counts.

FairyPrincess, have you named your sour dough starter yet? How about Bruce? Bruce the bubbler.

Popperwell

Saw the eclipse for 15 seconds there and 15 seconds there over a period of five minutes. Too cloudy but I did get a few images so I can say that I did see it. Never really became dark.
Strange link below but you can see one of my images if you click on it.