2021 Fashion On The Ration Challenge

TwibbleDee

PipneyJane said:

basketcase said:

A less blethery post with 3 short points:

1  @Laura_Elsewhere I can't see your pictures.  Is it something I'm doing wrong?

It may depend on your browser, @basketcase.  I was having issues viewing older pictures earlier in the week using Safari on my iPad, but right now, on Chrome, I can see everything.  Not sure if the issue was just Laura's photos or everyone's, probably everyone's but Laura has posted the more recent photos.

HTH

Pip

If you're using Safari for anything and having issues, try a different browser.  They did a massive update about 2 weeks ago, and broke a lot of things.  I can't even log in to the office supply store from work because their captcha (the thingy to check that you're a human) won't load.

TwibbleDee

Wraithlady said:

PipneyJane said:

Hello @OWD_nana.  Cup of tea?  Piece of cake?  I think it's still ginger cake in the tin. 

- Pip

I'll bring in some chocolate cake next week when I do my baking day - some Yank was telling me his mother used to make cakes with apple sauce (puree) instead of eggs. Sounds worth a try.  

It was something suggested in quite a few recipes during the low fat craze.  It was even printed on the boxes of cake mix as a suggestion!

Laura_Elsewhere

TwibbleDee said:

If you're using Safari for anything and having issues, try a different browser.  They did a massive update about 2 weeks ago, and broke a lot of things.  I can't even log in to the office supply store from work because their captcha (the thingy to check that you're a human) won't load.

Aaaah! Thankyou, @TwibbleDee - I shall pass this on to my Fond Papa who has been wrestling in a baffled way with his...! 

VickyV

Well, after spending a goodly few weeks (ok, two and a half weeks) not buying any clothes and convincing myself that I’m a model of self control, I’ve just splurged 12 coupons on two pairs of jeans. It wouldn’t be so bad if we weren’t less than three weeks into the new ration! In my defence, they were needed and a brand I love and in the sales and using Christmas money! Successfully justified to myself! 

I’ve left some mincemeat cakes on the table by the fire if anyone fancies a nibble with a cuppa! I’ll be sat snuggling with the cat whilst envying you all your crafting abilities!

Vicky x

Laura_Elsewhere

@VickyV - if they were bought with Christmas-present money, is that the same as them being bought BY the person who gave you the money? If so, that would be their coupons, kind people....  

(Also, eating milk chocolate is helping stave off osteoporosis by increasing your milk intake, and a sprig of parsley on top of your steak does count as one of your 5 a day... )

CraftyLittleLisa

I agree with what everyone else is saying about your daughter.  It is such a tough time for the kids and there is so much pressure on them at this tender age to make big decisions about their futures.  My friend has been having a similar issue with her daughter but she has taken the pressure off of herself by deciding not to go to university this September but do a childcare course and then when she is in a better frame of mind she will think about picking up university plans again later.  I have worked with so many people over the years who have had more than one career.  There is always time later to adapt, change or re-train/progress qualifications.

I have a coupon spend to report this week.  I got some lovely brushed cotton in my sewing box for December last year and I decided to make some pyjamas out of them.  Unfortunately, I didn't have quite enough for top and bottoms but I have made some pyjama bottoms and I have found a vest top thing in my drawers which I can wear with it.  I used 2 metres of fabric which means 6 coupons.

The only crafting I am doing at the present time is to make miniature things out of scraps for my dolls house.  I have been doing quite a bit of it lately as I cannot really do anything else because my foot is still healing so I am getting bored quickly, thus small things are better because I can finish them quicker.

I hope everyone is well and happy.  Stay safe.

PipneyJane

@dolly84 - big hugs.

skogar said:

Hello Wraithlady.

If you are short of eggs and want to make a chocolate cake from things you would probably have in the cupboard the cockeyed cake from Peg Bracken's I Hate to Cook book may be of interest. I have an ancient copy of the paperback which was my Gran's and is dropping to bits. She instructs to mix it all together in the cake tin but i think it works better mixed and poured into the tin., I don't use a tin the same shape as the recipe. If you wanted a bigger cake you would probably need 2 layers.

http://www.lostamericanrecipes.com/2019/02/peg-brackens-cockeyed-chocolate-cake.html

The only thing I've out the book is the whisky cake - it's a very funny book although quite a number of the recipes have condensed soup in I seem to remember.

What a fascinating website, @skogar!  I was lost for hours, browsing it.

Couldsavemore said:

But do tell us - how long should we fry it for?  ...

Well it depends on the size and type of the italian you caught... I'd recomend spit roasting over frying... they tend to do the flamenco in the frying pan

  

On the subject of avocados, my mum loved them.  We always had them in the house during my childhood, but I have no idea where she picked up the taste for them.  She was born in 1918 and spent a large part of her childhood in Southern Africa or travelling to and fro across the Indian Ocean to Australia. 

- Pip

PS:  @CraftyLittleLisa - remind me, please, what have you done to your foot?  Hope you get better soon.

basketcase

PipneyJane said:

basketcase said:

A less blethery post with 3 short points:

1  @Laura_Elsewhere I can't see your pictures.  Is it something I'm doing wrong?

It may depend on your browser, @basketcase.  I was having issues viewing older pictures earlier in the week using Safari on my iPad, but right now, on Chrome, I can see everything.  Not sure if the issue was just Laura's photos or everyone's, probably everyone's but Laura has posted the more recent photos.

HTH

Pip

Thanks, Pip

My browser's Firefox.  I'll investigate, although I can see some photos but not Laura's.

I've sorted out my signature.  In case anyone else has this difficulty, I noticed that there was a message at the top saying images weren't allowed.  Apparently the website doesn't like emojis.  I removed the smiley and it's fine.

I wonder if it's because it was brought over from the old site.  More investigation.  But not just now!

I may have already mentioned that I truly dislike this new format...

skogar

Hello. Have had a little look at the sewing machine today. It runs and sounds OK have not threaded it or anything. Now to get hold of some suitable lubricant, it seems to want oil and singer lubricant according to the manual. I have oil and I think I have tracked the lubricant down.

Given the blank look my Mum gave me when I asked her about the lubricant I don't think she can have lubricated it with anything other than sewing machine oil (if with that - where is the hair standing on end smiley when you need it). My Dad hasn't lubricated it (he would have done if she's asked him) when I asked him.

I thought I had better give it a full clean and lubrication before using it properly. No instructions to lubricate the motor (although there are lubrications instructions for a treddle if using it with one). The motor may well have been designed not to need regular lubrication but I have a feeling that after approx 50 years some might be advisable (no on motor is BZB60-12, I assume this the model but of course it could be a serial no.). My guess for the age of the machine would be late 60s early 70s. Does anyone have any  ideas about what is advised for old sewing machine motors?

Have just remembered that my OH's mum told me some time ago that you can use a banana instead of an egg when making cakes but I haven't tried it.

Cherryfudge

skogar said:

If you are short of eggs and want to make a chocolate cake from things you would probably have in the cupboard the cockeyed cake from Peg Bracken's I Hate to Cook book may be of interest. I have an ancient copy of the paperback which was my Gran's and is dropping to bits. She instructs to mix it all together in the cake tin but i think it works better mixed and poured into the tin., I don't use a tin the same shape as the recipe. If you wanted a bigger cake you would probably need 2 layers.

http://www.lostamericanrecipes.com/2019/02/peg-brackens-cockeyed-chocolate-cake.html

Wow  - I looked this up and it's American measurements for the chocolate cake I've been making for nearly 30 years! I increased quantities by (I think) a third and had to add a little extra milk and oil, and in mine the dry ingredients are mixed separately from the wet ones, then they are beaten together with a  wooden spoon and the mixture needs to be quite slack.

I vary it with orange buttercream, chocolate buttercream, cherry or blackcurrant jam in the middle. Highly recommended, and fascinating to know something of the recipe's history.

My other tip would be to use R0wntree's cocoa as it's very dark and rich.