The Garden Fence - help and support in tough times

FairyPrincessk

Morning everyone,

Possession my thoughts are with you and your family.

Mrs. VP, has anyone gotten anything new recently? My initial guess would be something of the nylon or fleece variety which may be quite staticky and transferring it to the rest. If you're using a tumble dryer, it might be that you're drying the clothes longer than they really need. I've heard of using balls of felted wool in the TD to help with static. I've seen these pinned on pinterest, might be of some help? http://www.diynatural.com/how-to-make-wool-dryer-balls/

Haven't mentioned it, but OH has been away on a field trip for several days and returns today. He'll be absolutely exhausted as the trip involved night on a bus, time changes and the start of BST. Oh, and not to mention keeping up with the youngesters:D. Fortunately he is on half-term so can recover a bit.

My projects today include baking my first loaf of 'proper' sour dough--it has been resting in the fridge since yesterday and is warming up now, baking some cookies and planning a few simple meals for tomorrow before we do the shop. I hope this sour dough is nice as I didn't realize until I was dumping in the flour how much bread I was making. For some reason writing down 1.5 pounds didn't equate in my head until I started measuring it out. I went back to the recipe and realized it was drafted by a woman with 9 children, so I hope the two of us like it as we'll be eating a lot of it.:rotfl: I thought of making a quiche which OH could heat up if he came in hungry but I've been eating wraps made with scrambled eggs, spinach, peppers and cheese for breakfast every day and I'm not sure I can face a quiche for the next two or three meals as well. I'll probably pop out and scout the whoopsies later and perhaps that will provide inspiration.

Poor Maggie the cat is begging to be taken into the back garden, but the rain is coming down in sheets and a bin just got blown down the street. I keep telling her it isn't nice out there but she just rubs my legs and looks up at me plaintively.

[Deleted User]

Morning all, we had such a lovely day with DD and Zebra yesterday. He's had his first haircut (was very good too according to dad who took him to the barber when he went) and now looks like a real little boy and not a baby. He is steady on his feet and toddling around everywhere without needing a hand to hold. He loved his Easter present which was a pop up neck giraffe, you push it's wooden tail down and its neck pops up out of the wooden body, he chuckled and chuckled and just kept going up and down for ages, result! He's an adventurous little eater and tucked into quiche, olives, blue cheese, bread and hummus, cherry tomatoes and blueberries for his lunch bless him, and can tuck away quite an amount too, impressive. Weather here is dry at the moment but the wind is something fierce and the gusts in it make it difficult to stay upright but at least it's not raining, yet! DD1 is coming home on the train today and I hope she doesn't get too many delays as there is disruption due to fallen trees on the track and there will be trains out of place and timetable all over. I've had a baking session and made scones and have a cherry madeira cake in the oven and am making a big vat of lentil and tomato soup for lunch tomorrow so the house smells scrumptious. Off to do some ironing in a mo and that's everything neat, tidy and clean Hoorah!!!

ginnyknit

MrsLW sounds like Zebra is a proper little man now I love that he eats all different things. Dgs's step brother had a lazy Mum who lived on susage and chips from the chippy and it made life very difficult and boring for him. Dd and her Oh are both chefs and it bothered them that he didnt get to experience tastes so when DGs arrived we decided he should get to try lots of things. He eats almost anything now but still doesnt much like the feel of meat in his mouth but has very varied diet and absolutely relishes fruit.

My smelly house is less smelly today - Maggie I think you were right it was in my nostrils! I am hoping one more wipe round will finish it off - hope so as I have a visitor coming on Thursday night and I will die of embarrassment if its still there

Pooky

Mrs VP - The fabric conditioner takes a while to wash out of stuff which is why you'll be finding the static just starting now - I'm one of those people that naturally attracts static and seem to get shocks from everything - I tried going without fabric conditioner, I lasted about 6 weeks before I realised how much it'd helped. It's the same with hair conditioner - my hair is super short but I still need conditioner or my hair is either stuck fast to my head like a helmet or sticking up like I've just popped a finger in a socket. Both looks are sooooooo attractive

Nargleblast

I have heard you can use white vinegar in place of fabric conditioner, maybe that will kill the static?

manchestermargo

Seriously strong winds here last night. One of the blossom tree's in the communal garden came down. Such a shame it looks so lovely. The two trees in front of my flat upright. They look so lovely and give an awful lot of privacy.


I have been to the dentist with awful toothache this afternoon. One of my crowns needs replacing, ouch!


Best wishes MM

FairyPrincessk

Evening all,

It's been blowing all over today. When I went to check the whoopsies this afternoon I don't think there was an upright bin on any of the roads around me. Fortunately they'd all fallen over after being emptied, although I suspect it got strong enough after the lorries had gone that it could have been messy!

The sourdough has come out far more flavourful. I'm hoping for a nicer texture next time, as it is a bit softer than I'd like but it will definitely pass. This one has quite a bit of brown flour in it, which I think I'll reduce slightly next time. The dough was quite sticky, although I've read that is normal. I have one loaf tin that is notorious for sticking so I avoided that one but it still stuck to two of the four tins I used even with cornmeal on them. Nevermind, it will do.

I've just eaten a couple..ok three..of the cookies with a cup of tea. I was only going to have two but one of them broke and I couldn't waste it.:D

The whoopsies weren't particularly good--when it has a yellow sticker on it and I still think it looks expensive for full price it says a lot about the price of food. There was some meat but at terrible prices and a lot of pre-prepared stuff. I did get a couple of pizzas to stick in the freezer. If OH comes in ravenous he can heat one up, otherwise they'll make and easy meal one night when we might otherwise buy something full price.

I've just about finished the frugal challenge meal plan for the first days. I've two more dinners to add in and then I'll cost the shopping on mysupermarket and see if I need to adjust it. I'd forgotten I'd need lunch for OH during half-term. We usually eat leftovers, but it does mean some of our smaller meals won't quite stretch.

Fuddle, how are you getting on with your miracle dinners? Any good recipe finds?

[Deleted User]

DD1 made it safely and on time and they've gone to the pub while I, like cinders cook supper......even the hound!!!!!

FairyPrincessk

Outrageous, Mrs. LW! Next they'll be having you sort the peas from the ashes!

Although I must say I always thought He Who Knows had a bit more going on upstairs than that insipid Prince Charming.

Glad your DD arrived safely, hope you enjoy the time with her!

[Deleted User]

Definitely practical is He Who Knows, and my best pal so I mustn't complain must I? He's a good'un and I'm very, very lucky he lets me be ME and doesn't raise an eyebrow when I want to play at living like grandma, in fact he quite enjoys joining in, so he's OK he is!!!!!(I actually really enjoy brushing down the ashes from the woodstove every morning and putting them in the compost bin, even like laying up the next fire too, does that make me sad or lucky?)