The Garden Fence - help and support in tough times

monnagran

Thank you all for your hints and tips. Panic over. This morning the asterisk marmalade has settled down to an acceptable jelliness. Not crazy about the taste though, it tastes a bit rubbery to me so I am glad to be giving it away. I did put a good slug of Cointreau in it but that seems to have disappeared without trace.
Well, I tried, and had plenty of what hell is paved with. Story of my life.

Today it is biscuit and shortbread making. Pickle is rolling up her sleeves as we speak.
Yesterday DIL decided to make and freeze Yorkshire puddings for Christmas Day. Yes of course we have yorkies with our turkey, doesn't everybody?
She couldn't understand why they were coming out of the oven burnt on top and raw underneath until she realised that she had the oven on 'grill'.

I reminded them of the time I had grilled a batch of biscuits. I recalled the derision that was poured upon me. I spoke of the derogatory terms that were used in my hearing - senile was one of them. Dementia was mentioned. "Past it" and "losing it" were bandied about. Then I surveyed the sorry batch of raw/burned yorkies and laughed all the way upstairs and into my room.

Right. Time to go and do my worst with the next homemade Christmas presents.

x

Softstuff

greenbee wrote: »

Is that before or after the caffeine Softstuff?

Before, after and sometimes during

I'm a bit off the booze recently. Sat through an entire family event with lemonade. Whodathunkit.

moneyistooshorttomention

Oh shucks - and just after I was going to say "everything is better with brandy":beer:

silvasava

Monna - what goes around comes around lol. I once made marmalade with Kumquats - that didn't set much either tasted great though DH likes thick cut marmalade and there's a tin of Mamade in the cupboard waiting until after christmas to be made up. Asda rich cream sherry goes down a treat too by the way - - just saying:whistle:

Hard_Up_Hester

I keep telling my L&M that everything is better with glitter, that's because the house has a liberal dusting of the stuff after the DGD's craft sessions.
So far I have spent my childfree day going to the hospital to get new batteries for my hearing aids and picking up some last minute bits my L&M asked for.
I was going to treat my self to lunch whilst I was in town but instead I got waylaid by the fabric shop and the wool shop!

mardatha

Did they jump out in front of you Hester and stop you going past??
Wool shops are terrible for that, it's shocking

Hard_Up_Hester

I know Mar, I tried, I really tried, but they dragged me away from the bus stop and insisted I just pop in for a few minutes.
Still I only spent £8 in each so I was very restrained, honest guv!

monnagran

Good grief Hester. Could you not dodge those devilish shops?
If you find yourself being frog marched into one of these hell holes its best to close your eyes and shout loudly and forcibly, "I will not buy anything. You can't make me. My purse is locked and I have swallowed the key. If you show me one tempting item the VAT inspector will get you!" This should be enough to buy your freedom.

Any vision I may have had of spending a festive day cooking to the background of some Christmas music on the radio was speedily dispelled. The reality was slightly different. It was me trying to cook with a small girl inserted between me and the work top intent on 'helping'. It was the raucous sound of Nellie the Elephant, The laughing Policeman and The Railroad goes through the middle of the house. Whatever possessed me to buy Children's Classics at the last Village Fete? It was constant interruptions by the phone and doorbell.
My DS2 said that next time I decided to give everybody homemade Christmas presents he would sit on my head. I thanked him prettily.

Tomorrow is mince pie day.

Enjoy your glitter Hester. I have a friend who was a stranger to the concept of housework. She swore that she decorated the house for Christmas by spraying the cobwebs with glitter. It was probably true.

x

mardatha

I love glitter - the more the better! And any small child mad enough to wander into this kitchen will end up IN THE OVEN.
well until I've finished what I'm doing anyway

FurryBeastOz

mardatha wrote: »

I love glitter - the more the better! And any small child mad enough to wander into this kitchen will end up IN THE OVEN.
well until I've finished what I'm doing anyway

I've got four days trying to resist the temptation of doing this, and it's not even my house/kitchen. :eek: