Memorygirls Make Do and Mend for 2008 Thread

buxtonrabbitgreen

Thanks for the lime pickle recipie memorygirl. I will try this when I next see reduced limes. Last time I made key lime pie and very nice it was too. But the pickle for a present sounds great.
I too have just made some jam a mixture of strawberry and raspberry as I have both growing in the garden, but not enough of either ready to make single fruit jam.

susan946

buxtonrabbitgreen wrote: »

Last time I made key lime pie and very nice it was too.

Any chance of the recipe? I love Key Lime Pie but have never made it.

pagangirl

:hello: I too found this through Martin's e-mail - everyone is right - you truly are an inspiration, and make me feel ashamed ! I had 4 months out of work, although have now started another job full time, and when I think what I could have done with my time................ ! Have checked your photo's out, and Rowan looks so cute. Belated congratulations on the birth of your new son. Can't wait for your next post - you have given me so many new ideas !

jh69_2

Hi there

This is my first message and its to the truly inspirational Memory girl. Since reading the diary pages I have cleared out all my 'junk' and collected 2 paste tables in order to start carbooting this summer

I have never known anyone so focussed and determined :T

You will surely achieve your goals and I am right behind you.

Keep going and don't stop.

Jayne x

memorygirl

5.00pm


Ooh!! All of you making jams n stuff. You’ve inspired me to make something yummy to store on my Welsh Dresser that I’m working on (sanded and partly primed, but not yet painted).

Got a picture in my head of rows of jams and chutneys made from seasonal stuff – all prettied up with gingham hats – sitting next to a homemade loaf steaming gently in a shaft of sunlight. MMMMmmmmmm!! don’t think the diet would last too long.:rolleyes:

Got no seasonal soft fruit – really jealous of those of you with little plots – next year I will have about 30sq metres of garden to play with, so my winter project is to hit the library and plan my “Digging for Victory” Garden. Reading the Greenfingers Forum too – great tips on there.

In the spirit of moneysaving and “Making Do and Mending” I have got a couple of lemons and a lime lurking at the bottom of the fridge. Also got a ruby grapefruit sulking in the fruit bowl. No-body in the house is owning up to buying it – so I now officially requisition said citrus and heading off to make some marmalade whist juggling the Sunday night bath times – :rotfl: ..

5.10pm

RECIPE – makes about 4 little jars full – 2 to keep and two to swap with someone else for some other kinds of preserves.

1 lemon
1 Lime
1 grapefruit
500ml water
1kg sugar
Juice of another lemon

Give the fruits a scrub on hot water to get rid of any wax. Put in a smallish pan with the water and simmer covered until the fruit collapses (took about 1.5 hours). You may need to top up the water to keep the fruit covered.

Now is a good time to throw your kids into the bath.

7.00pm ish

OK 2 baths, nail cutting for the eldest, 2 nappies for the youngest, jammies and bedtime feed whilst reading DS a story later ……………… whew!!!:p

Fish the fruit out onto a plate and let them become cool enough to handle. Cut them in half and scoop out the insides. Put the flesh in to a pan with 500ml of the cooking water and simmer for 5 minutes. Strain through a sieve – you can squeeze the pulp with the back of a spoon to get as much liquid as possible but don’t squeeze the pulp through the holes – the liquid should be fairly clear.

Finely shred all of the zest. Add the zest, sugar and lemon juice to the liquid in a pan.

Warm gently until the sugar melts and then boil hard for 5-10 minutes until you get a decent set (I use a chilled saucer and spoon – put a little marmalade on the saucer and pop in the fridge. If when it sets you have a skin when you push it with your finger that’s good enough for rock-n-roll)

Stir the marmalade well and let it stand for 30 minutes to cool slightly.

Now’s a good time to wash your jars and set them in a medium oven to make sure they are completely dry and sterile. If you are quick you can also grab a quick shower and lay out your clothes for the morning ………………….

7.50pm ……………back.

Ladle the marmalade into warm jars and pop in those little wax disk thingies – then screw the lids on tightly.

When the jars are cool remember to label them – you might know what your precious jars contain – but I have a Dad who can’t tell his homemade marmalade from his apricot jam – LOL.

They look lovely sitting on the windowsill cooling – teeny shreds of peel suspended in amber jelly with the evening light catching them just so.:D

Makes you feel all warm inside doesn’t it??

Memorygirl

mary43

Oh it does Memorygirl - and makes me want to instantly try and find all the ingredients and have a go.............but it being Sunday night thats not possible and anyway, reading all that, I'm just about worn out....................lol
Where do you get your energy from ? Any secret tips pass them on........mind you they might not work..........me being a member of the Bus Pass Club..........lol


(and yes, I will keep asking...........when are you going to turn all this into a book...........you;ve a queue forming of people to buy it................lol)

Flylady_Flower

Hi Memory Girl,

Just wanted to say thanks for the tips - have been on Flylady's website and now receive my daily emails - very helpful.

Have started my control journal too although I'm a bit lapse but am getting better - must admit - I do make sure I have a shiny sink before going to bed

Some of it is obviously a bit 'American' for me, but the idea behind it is brilliant and so true - but I still can't walk around my house in my shoes! :rotfl:

Anyway, just wanted to say thanks, you've been an inspiration and looking forward to reading more of your diary and exploits.

Keep up the good work!
Denise

janey72

Hi memorygirl, what an inspiration!? i felt compelled to register to reply to you, you've reminded me of all the 'make do and mending' i used to do before i decided i was 'too busy', think i'll take a step back and get my priorities sorted again. will check out flylady soon too but you've already delayed me starting my uni work for 2 hours reading all your messages (!) so i'd better get that done first.
THANKYOU, Janey x

memorygirl

Just a quickie whilst I am having a cup of coffee and one of Twink's hob nobs. (If you want to know how to make these fab biscuits head on over to the OS board and have a peek - you will save loads:D )

Was out this morning tidying up a rental property (the deal is I have to remove everything that isn't on the inventory)..... and I now have a barely used toaster and kettle for my new home.

At a conservative £10 each I have just saved myself £20 :j

Now ...................... if only I could find a rental property that doesn't have a central heating system on inventory - LOL. Cos I could really do with one of those for our new home.

A copy of the Cotswold catalogue came through the door this morning - I am in LURRRRRRRVVVEEE!!!! But whew!! are the prices rather, well, pricey!!

Got me mega inspired to drag out the dining set to give it it's final top coat -then I can post you a before and after picture. The one in the catalogue that has caught my eye is the Wiltshire range - but at £1097 for the dining set - well lets just say it is well out of my range.:rolleyes:

http://www.cotswoldco.com/uk-info/furniture/dining_room/table_and_chairs/wiltshire_dining_table_and_chairs/b352.html?product=SEARCH&cele=1&SH=DADBDBDDDADADDDGGEGCGBGBDBDEGEDGCNGDDJDHGCCNDEDHGDGGCNGCGDDEDJCNDIDDDGGDGGDADJDBDEDEGGDDDADADADBDCDADADBDCGEGJGOGJGOGHCAHEGBGCGMGFDADADADEDADADADADADADADBDFDADADADBDADADADADADADADADADADADADBDADADADBDCGEGJGOGJGOGHCAHEGBGCGMGFDADADADBDB

Bought my pine table and chairs for £15 - and the paint came free as a birthday present. So I figure I have saved myself £1082 in "Make Do and Mend Land" Has to be a made up land cos I could never in all conscience spend that kind of money on a dining set anyways.

So think of me as I attempt to paint between the showers. Well it is summer in Scotland after all.

Memorygirl

Ellidee

Hi Memorygirl loving your thread. Did you see my pm the other day ? I wasn't suggesting the Shabby Chic place as a replacement for MSE, just an alternative. You could see all the projects similar to your own. I still come on here every day too. XX