Moving on

Justcrackingonwithit

@Cherryfudge I had an abundance of parsnips and made spiced parsnip and carrot soup, it was really tasty.  I didn't want anything too parsnippy so added more carrots. Sounds like you've had a lovely few days, and your presents sound really thoughtful.

@Seasidegal58 I was just about to suggest peanut butter too!  I'm loathe to give up my PB to anyone or anything but needs must! 

Cherryfudge

Sun_Addict said:

I like the sound of that soup so thanks for the link.  I might make it to use up some of my veg.  I like the way the recipe gives you lots of alternatives. I’d make it in my soup maker though, they don’t mention one but I’ve made similar soups in it before so know it would work. 

It's more of a stew than a soup but I think the main difference is how much liquid we add. Some of my soups are so thick they might actually substitute for cement. 

Seasidegal58 said:

I found that the mouse (or baby rat - I was never sure!) that decided to move in with me some months ago was very partial to the peanut butter that I smeared in the trap!

PB is a good idea - sometimes mice have stolen bits of crackers and not tripped the trap, so something that it has to work on might do the trick.

Justcrackingonwithit said:

@Cherryfudge I had an abundance of parsnips and made spiced parsnip and carrot soup, it was really tasty.  I didn't want anything too parsnippy so added more carrots. Sounds like you've had a lovely few days, and your presents sound really thoughtful.

@Seasidegal58 I was just about to suggest peanut butter too!  I'm loathe to give up my PB to anyone or anything but needs must! 

I think I've had enough parsnips for now! I might cook and puree some to save space but they can then be used for a nice warming soup in a week or so.

I'm another who love peanut butter so the mouse can try other stuff first, but at least it could be released with a full stomach if it got pb and crackers!

rtandon27

🤣🤣🤣 - My head translated PB as Premium Bond, and I had to do a real brain jiggle to figure out that it was Peanut Butter - for the life of me I spent a good few mins trying to figure out how my version of PB would get rid of a rodent!

badmemory

So glad not to be the only one.

Cherryfudge

LOL, this shows you are dedicated MSEers!

We liked the Moroccan-style stew: I had no harissa but the suggested alternative, of tomato puree and smoked paprika, worked well. I also added dried cranberries to mine, and they worked too (for me).

I've not spent anything today and parts of the house still look terrible, but I made a start on the spare room and lounge. However, the spare room now has the airer up again as the washing needs to be aired, so you can only get round with a bit of a slalom.

Justcrackingonwithit

That’s the thing at this time of year when you can’t put washing out, the airier is always up. I’ve got mine up in my spare room which is on the front of the house, and my octopus thingy with my bras, knickers and socks on the curtain pole, it’s the sunniest place and gets them dry pretty quickly, unfortunately my neighbours are treated to the sight of my undies. You can’t win ‘em all!!!

Any mouse news….

I used to have PB’s and used to love PB day, but alas since I bought my house my PBs are no more, so PB to me now is peanut butter……

Cherryfudge

I didn't think of hanging 'smalls' in the window, @Justcrackingonwithit, you made me laugh there! It reminded me of the bit in a children's book (Ballet Shoes?) where Nanny insists on the right underwear for the children and there's a conversation something like this:

'I knew a woman who was hit by a bus,' said Nanny, 'who didn't make sure she was wearing matching underthings, and there she was, shamed in front of everyone.'
'Was she hurt?' asked Pauline, fascinated.
'Hurt? She was dead.' said Nanny.

So there's a reason to make sure you put your matching undies on the curtain rail in 2025. 

Cherryfudge

I went to bed early last night, still catching up from pre-Christmas, but woke up with reflux (my own fault for having chocolate mid-evening). I used some of the time till it settled to do some online banking! Then I was late up this morning but checked another bank: the former regular savers which are now instant access savers. The review showed I'd made a payment on 31st July which had been refunded, presumably as I'd already paid in during July. I suspect I made the payment after midnight on 1st August but the banking day hadn't yet opened so it was credited to the previous day and therefore returned. I need to keep a lookout for that it I have another regular saver, as I think it means my savings were sub-optimal.

DH told me he's moved some of his unused pension into one of the savings accounts so at least it's getting a bit of interest. He also bought a sovereign during the year and apparently that's increased in value really well. I just hope it's findable should we need or want to cash it in! I need to check and make a note of where it's kept.

No mouse news. There was an unpleasant smell in our room so I was afraid the mouse had got in, but the smell went and recent known activity has been downstairs. We did hear a scrambling on the roof but I'm as sure as I can be that it was pigeons - no mouse makes so much noise!

I added some of the new fat balls to the bird feeder and they are definitely preferred over the cheap ones. A new bird arrived, which we think is a blackcap. I'd not even heard of them but apparently they aren't rare.

This afternoon is wet and windy so we might drive to the garden centre for the last 'free' hot drinks of the year (and a look at their sales as they do the most gorgeous Christmas decorations). Dinner will either be chicken curry (using up stuff) or the rest of yesterday's 'Moroccan' swede and chickpea stew.

Sun_Addict

Just realised it’s a stew not a soup, I don’t know why I thought it was soup 😆 Will still give it a go though. Is it tasty? I always have harissa in stock as I use it a lot. 

Cherryfudge

Sun_Addict said:

Just realised it’s a stew not a soup, I don’t know why I thought it was soup 😆 Will still give it a go though. Is it tasty? I always have harissa in stock as I use it a lot. 

It was really nice and the recipe makes about four portions. I put quite a lot of ginger in, but that's fine by me, and made use of the suggested substitutions: chickpeas instead of lentils and tomato puree/smoked paprika in stead of harissa (I think I mentioned those already). My one recommendation is to add sultanas (I added dried cranberries) as I love the lift they give to spiced dishes. I suspect it's also the sort of dish where you can use up apples or apricots or something.

I think the recipe suggests bread with it but we had brown rice.