OS daily threads September 2006

nicki_2

Back again during lunch.

I've been a busy little bee... I've done 2 loads of washing and I'm currently in the process of sorting out DD's room. I've managed to sort out some of the boxes and through re-packing I've gained 2 storage boxes :rolleyes: Now I've re-packed 1 of the Christmas boxes into one of the spares and after I've finished lunch (Stopped as my 1 hour was up ) I'll pack up the other with all my new wrapping paper etc. Just debating whether to unravel the rolls of paper and fold them up instead or not :think: Right, I have 5 minutes left and a load of posts on another forum to read which I really shouldn't have opened

Back later :wave:

black-saturn

Today I have been out buying early Christmas presents with some vouchers I won in a competition. Tonight I am cooking something in the slow cooker with cubes of chicken, tomatos, onions and herbs. Hope it turns out OK.

SnowyOwl_2

Penelope Penguin, you mentioned that you'd like a look at the recipe I used for my jam. Well, I actually got it from another thread, but cannot find it anywhere now, so I'll just quickly type out what I did:

Put a clean saucer in the freezer.

Put your jamjars (and their metal lids if you're using them) into the oven on a lowish heat - you must use warmed jars as the hot jam may well cause a cold jar break. The oven will sterlise them too. I put a small metal ladle in as well to sterlize it - it's what I used to transfer the jam into the jam jars.

Use one pound of sugar per pound of fruit - I used two thirds blackberries, and made the rest of the weight up with chopped cooking apple.

Put all the fruit and the sugar into a big pan, and heat gently. There is no need to add any extra liquid - the fruit will release its juice, and the sugar will start to dissolve, so it'll go liquidy anyway.

Check that the sugar has dissolved by dipping a spoon into the mixture and checking for granules. I found it took absolutely ages to get to this stage, though I was using a very low heat.

Once the sugar is definitely dissolved boil rapidly until setting point is reached. Check setting point by putting a blob of the mixture on that saucer from the freezer - let it cool for a few seconds, then give it a push with your nail. If it wrinkles it's at setting point. If it doesn't wrinkle keep boiling the mixture, then do the wrinkle test again, after every minute or minute and a half or so.

Once setting point is achieved take the pot off the boil.

Take your jam jars out of the oven and spoon the jam into the jars right up to the top. Be v.careful as everything will be incredibly hot!

All my jars came with metal screw on lids, so I didn't bother with wax seals etc. This morning the little "pop" safety test thingy on the lids was down, just like you'd expect with newly bought shop jam, so I'm confident enough that they are sealed properly.

It's so incredibly easy, give it a go! If you're not confident, then maybe just do a small amount first - the formula is the same, ie weigh the fruit, then use the exact same weight in sugar. If not using apples, you can use the special jam-making sugar to encourage the jam to set.

taurusgb

Hello All

Just been trying to catch up on all the threads, as I haven't had time since we got back from Canada....lots more useful advise to add to my OS collection I see! - thank you ladies (and the odd gentleman...well not 'odd' IYKWIM - I really mean occasional ...umm I think!)

Anyway - need advise ref baby sweetcorn...just bought some reduced - couldn't say why because they still have 1 week to sell by date - they look lovely and crispy. I would usually steam and serve with other veg for dinner but am always looking for new stuff for packed lunches, so are they OK to wash and serve raw does anyone know?

beachbeth

Shez wrote:

beachbeth - yes snap! did you get bits of conifer down yr bra too?:rotfl:
it gets everywhere!

Nooooo. I kept well out of the way! The gardening is his job! I don't mind making him a cup of tea but all the physical stuff is up to him! (I do everything around the house after all!)

Aussielass - try this link - https://www.posterxxl.com

Lillibet_2

Moggins, any chance of your SC sweet & sour chicken recipie pleeeeeeeease?:T

Lucie_2

Afternoon old stylers :wave:
Had quite a productive day working from home so far - have spent most of it sat out in the garden (hooray for wireless laptops :T) but I'm running out of battery power so I had to come inside I do love talking to my colleagues when they're sat in the miserable office & I'm at home with my jeans on

Had a v interesting chat with my Mum on Saturday (mostly about hanging out washing!) and I was wondering if you all do things the way you Mum used to? (or still does) My MiL hung out some washing for me a few weeks ago, and did it "wrong", and I had to sneak back out there & do it myself "properly", thus negating the time saving element of her doing it in the first place :rolleyes: My Mum did some for me on Saturday (cos she does it "right") and we discovered that we both have the same household "quirks". Not usual you might say, as I learnt how to run a home from her, but never consciously made an effort to do things like she did. There are lots of things my sister does differently, despite growing up in the same house & most of it is common sense, so I'd assumed everyone did it like I do? (except my MiL)
Does anyone else get irritated by someone doing their household chores "wrong" or is it just me?

Anyway, I'm wiffling & now I can't remember who has said what. Hope you foot is getting better joannasmum - sounds like a good excuse to sit on the sofa with your feet up & eat cake to me
Someone else had toothache, so you have my sympathy.
Roz_V glad you enjoyed Robbie - my sis went on Friday & said it was fab too
TTFN

Shez

lucie - yes i do - my mum is really good at helping out putting out the washing for me, but i do hate it when the bottom of the t-shirts get stretched out of shape with the pegging!:rotfl:

Plus she has got a thing about always washing up! my hot tap must be on constantly and the amount of fairy liquid i go through cos she cant grasp its "concentrate" and instead of using a little drop, squeezes a big wodge in!
then when you go to get a glass of cold water to drink you burnt yourself on the taps!!!:rotfl: :rotfl: you gotta laugh though!

GOOD NEWS (I HOPE) - I have had a last ditch attempt in getting my lack of broadband sorted out with talk talk - at last i have managed to speak to someone with a bit of savvy and has now ordered my broadband - so i have an order number!!!! HOO-bloody-RAY! he also gave me an email address to send a complaint in which should provoke a response of somesort - rather than the usual customer service one! and then my work phone cut off and he even phoned me back!!! so well done that chap!!! :T

so heres hoping it wont be too long before i finally get it;)

moggins

Sorry Lillibet, it's a complete cheat this morning with the Flylady challenge on. I just skinned 4 chicken portions and threw them in the slow cooker with 2 cans of Tesco value sauce and half a can of pineapple pieces

Edited to pat myself on the back as I have just squirreled away another £100 into the savings account

Loubee_2

Afternoon All!:hello:

Hope you are all having a lovely (or at least bearable!) afternoon.

Only one day in the office today. Off for Aunty's funeral tomorrow, then off to Glasgow for three days to take part in a Science Exhibition. Our research group have been chosen with 20 or so others to take part, and put on a display about our research. It's open to the public and really good fun. We took part in the London one in July.


Then it's over to Edinburgh (where i grew up) for a long weekend, of catching up with friends and revisiting old haunts

so will need to try and do all my cleaning/sorting and washing tonight:eek: