Living the Good Life - mortgage free and living in line with our values

Suffolk_lass

If you are making trifle sponges for trifle, I just wanted to suggest a panetone trifle - I go with the Barefoot Contessa mantra of "some bought, some made" for this - Morries Chocolate chip panetone with a tin of fruit, using the juice to make a jelly and homemade Tweetie Custard on top - then pouring cream rather than whipped as it does not go solid in the event there are any leftovers for the next day (that rarely happens here).

I have two panetone in the freezer already - they freeze and defrost really well - one for Christmas day, one for New Year's Eve. You could make the panetone of course.

EssexHebridean

Hopefully by now you have the electrician there and things are all finally getting sorted Vix - you were absolutely right to insist that it did get sorted, IMO, no way could you have lived with the eyesore they'd left. Hopefully Octopus will also see this as a training opportunity for the installers. 

rtandon27

Hope all goes smoothly today with the electrician - you are incredibly patient Vix, I'd have lost it by now!

themadvix

Afternoon all,

Well electrician did turn up and they've got as far as they can without draining the system down. But the main guy is booked elsewhere Weds/Thurs (and then it's their Christmas party Friday and he's off for Christmas) and we don't know if someone else will come and take over or not before Christmas. I expect I'll hear from the area manager soon with a plan. As long as they don't forget us, it doesn't really matter when they come - for the moment we've got heating and hot water, and I'd far rather we had that than not! 

Mr MV's second interview went well - he's not heard yet, because he was the first to go for a second round by the sound of it. But he was happy with his performance, so if he doesn't get it, it's not on him, which is the main thing. The interviewer (future line manager - slightly odd that it's only been him for both interviews) kept saying things like 'we'll need you at a meeting in January ... if we offer you the job', so clearly he was thinking Mr MV was likely to be offered it. We'll see. He'll hear by the end of the week. And clarification of the bonus situation is still needed - if it can't be 'carried over' somehow, then it's probably not a financially worthwhile prospect (although would get him out of his current role/be good for experience - albeit, as he pointed out, he was thinking about getting out of this sector entirely and doing something much more wholesome - no reason why he can't still do that at a later point though). Regarding travel, he gets the feeling it may not be as much as 25% (it's a new/made up role, so they have no real way of knowing), so I think he feels a bit more positive about it. I think, unless the maths really doesn't add up, he will take it? Although I think he's also worried about failing at it (it's a consultative role, where he won't have any actual control, just influence, so the potential to not be able to make the difference could be frustrating). And he's worried I'll struggle (with lack of company) if he's away. As long as I have the car, I think I'll be fine. I find it's a different mindset when he's away for a few nights as opposed to just one night. In any case, we'll see!

I am desperately trying to get a piece of work finished for main client - he's said tomorrow morning is fine too, but I'd really like it out of the way (and he's got something else for me when it's finished). Have been to see cat and have also had a Cambridge meeting. Evening class has been cancelled, which is a pity because we were going to meet and have a sociable time, but equally gives me a bit more time - we want to pop out to a wine shop for a couple of presents this afternoon/evening and it would also be helpful to get to Wickes.

Have a good afternoon all!

themadvix

Suffolk_lass said:

If you are making trifle sponges for trifle, I just wanted to suggest a panetone trifle - I go with the Barefoot Contessa mantra of "some bought, some made" for this - Morries Chocolate chip panetone with a tin of fruit, using the juice to make a jelly and homemade Tweetie Custard on top - then pouring cream rather than whipped as it does not go solid in the event there are any leftovers for the next day (that rarely happens here).

I have two panetone in the freezer already - they freeze and defrost really well - one for Christmas day, one for New Year's Eve. You could make the panetone of course.

Tempting though the panettone base is, I'm baking them to avoid the UPF in shop bought/plastic wrapping - I did buy trifle sponges last year, but thought I'd have a go at making them myself this year. I don't bother with jelly as getting veggie stuff is harder (and I've never made it), but definitely Tweetie custard (took me a minute!) and double cream on top 😊 And you're right, I could make panettone, but I think that's a step too far, even for me!

themadvix

Staffordia said:

If a Christmas market is on your radar for next year, may I recommend Wroclaw. Lots of stalls with gifts, as well as the mulled wine cabins. Fairly compact and eating out was very reasonable. 

That's interesting to know. We are definitely going next year, but we're taking friends with us and I'm also hoping we can stick to somewhere train/drive-able - i.e. Bruges, Cologne or maybe Aachen (or a combo?). I also like using my German when I can, which is another enticement to go to Germany. But we did like Gdansk when we went there (and agree about how reasonably priced it is) and if Mr MV gets this job, he'll be travelling to Poland sometimes, so it's definitely something I'll bear in mind. Thanks!

greenbee

I've never included jelly in trifle - just sponge (and you can just use madeira cake or similar), fruit, fruit juice/alcohol, custard, cream. I do make my own custard though - can't stand the commercial stuff as it's all too sweet. 

Re. Mr MV's possible new job - it can be frustrating being a consultative/advisory role and knowing that you can't force people to take the action that you recommend, but you get used to it. Although I do occasionally mutter about changing my name to Cassandra... particularly when people tell me they wish they'd listened to me  months ago and then go on to ignore my next round of advice 🤣

badmemory

I never include sponge in my trifles but a lot of fruit & jelly & as for bought custard it isn't just too sweet.

rtandon27

Oh no - that dreaded word - TRIFLE - my Gran made one every year - it was boozy! - Well appreciated by everyone but me. She also did fruitcake and a pudding that got lit at New year - all so laden with alcohol you could smell them a mile away! I've never recovered from my Christmas dessert trauma! I still only eat oranges for sweet at this time of year.🤣🤣🤣

beanielou

I now want trifle!

Positive vibes for Mr MV.