General Chat

Good afternoon from a thawing Kent. Yes at long last we can see the pavements. It's still very slippery,but at least people are able to get out and about,after suffering many days off cabin fever.
Good grief Sylvia,what has our government let us in for. As Ann said,we had no say in it. But then,it was probably the same over there. They started off,by telling us,that it would create more jobs,and more revenue for businesses in general.
I just thank god that we are not nearer,to where all the games are being held.
As you say,you get a better view from home anyway.
Big (((((((((hugs))))))))))) for Liz after her fall. I hope you are feeling better now. Take care when you venture out again. If your OH is holding you up
make sure he falls first,and land on top off him love. It will be a softer landing,better still don't fall at all,after all,if he is the injured party he will only moan all the more.
I am pleased you had a nice day Huia. Just think,you may be able to earn a little money from dislpaying grandads paintings. Every little bit off money would help you to have a more comfortable lifestyle.
I know that you will probably feel,that to have them on display is payment enough,but you have to look out for yourself now love.
Please don't be offended by what I have just said,as no offence is meant.
Hi Ann,I hope you are well. Whats it like where you are at the moment.?
I wonder where our Jean is today. Wakey Wakey Jean,come and join us PLEASE,we are missing you.
Hello Sallie,how are you feeling today.? Have you heard from the therapist yet.? Has Alun made it into work today.
I will be back later. Love to you all. Mo xxx

Hi Miss Mo and all, I have been doing a Nigella, its sometime since I did any baking, but D and i have been watching the Barefoot Contessa,on t.v. she is an American lady, she is a lovely lady her cooking is easy to follow and down to earth, she made some cheese and dill scones to have with spag bol instead of Garlic bread, so D made some, delicious... got me thinking, so I have just made sultana scones, 20 of them in fact just about to enjoy one and a coffee. next time I shall make cheese and onion pie for J and pavlova for meeeee,now i want to get a mixer like a Kenwood Chef type.
I have a small hand mixer , but its use is limited also D as problems with stirring and mixing. so I will have to sweet talk the main man....lol....
the scone is wonderful even though I say so myself !!!
watch this space, I have sent a e-mail to Marie I havent heard from her for a while, hope she is o.k.

love Jean xx

Jean,wheres my scone then,come on share them around.
I am so relieved,I had an e.mail from Marie today. She is fine,but very busy at the moment. And she will be back with us all again soon,I am sure.
You are so good doing all this baking Jean,you make me feel guilty. I tend to buy a lot off cakes when they are on offer,in the supermarket.
Neither Roly or myself can eat garlic bread. In fact we can't eat garlic period,it plays havoc with our digestive systems. My eldest son is the same,but it does not affect the girls or my youngest son.

I used to bake a lot of biscuits but last time I did, just before Christmas, I managed to burn one tray load, not very edible so tossed them out, and another tray was a bit browner than I would have liked. As a result it has rather put me off, but I suppose now my eyes are feeling happier I might get back to it one day, although I will probably be the only one to eat them and as they are much nicer than the bought ones (at least when they are not burnt) I eat far too many.

MO, I cant eat onions. If I do I have to make a beeline for the small room almost immediately.

Huia.

Huia, will you give me the recipe for the biscuits, I had one but they didnt turn out too well, I wanted to start making a lot of home baking again..I always made my own bread, still make soda bread, and we have a bread machine too...not that we use it much....

Mo, did you not get a scone, I was sure you would have got it by now.
I have shared them with the neighbours... not the noisy one ...lol....you will have to wait for the next batch. but they are so good......

have a nice night....love Jean xx

Huia,I am the same with onions as well. I.B.S has a lot to answer for. If I have a curry,it has to be home made,with no extra spices added. Many off the root vegetables,have the worst possible affect as well. But I do love brussell sprouts,broccolli and cauliflower,but I certainly pay for it later.
Jean I did not get my scone,so I had to have a few all butter shortbread instead. yummy.
Night Night God Bless. Love to you all. Mo xxx

Hi All,

Good to see that everyone is alright. It's thawing here today, so let's hope it continues. We are having a problem with the internet, this is the first time I've been able to get on today. So, if I'm missing for a short while, it'll be because of the internet.

Mo, no I haven't heard anything from the therapist yet, but I'm sure she'll get back to me sometime this week. I'm a little bit better to what I've been, thank you, managed to do a small Daisy and Dandelion decoupage figure today, so I'm happy about that. Just like you Mo, I mostly buy my cakes from the supermarket these days, I always made them when the children were growing up, but I must be too idle these days.

Huia, I'm so pleased that you enjoyed your bithday. As you said, better to go out for the day than to sit alone at home. It must be so nice for you to have some of the pictures that your grandad painted himself, you must feel so proud. Hope you managed to get the housework done before the students arrived.

Jean, you make me feel guilty doing all that baking. I always made my own scones, until I started suffering from 'lazyitis' ( not sure of spelling), but you know what I mean. Oh, I could really eat a nice cheese scone now that youv'e mentioned them.

Sylvia, pleased to hear that you a nice few days away and that you had a
lovely birthday. I must say, I don't envy you having to put up with the Winter Olympics, although I don't live near London, I feel sorry for all the people living near there in two years time.

Marilyn, hope you've got to Limassol safe and sound, and that you will have a good time there.

Marie, glad to know that all is well with you, looking forward to hearing from you when you are less busy. Take care of yourself!

Hopefully I'll speak to you all tomorrow, internet permitting!

Love and best wishes to you all. Sallie.xxx

DE LUXE SHORTBREAD BISCUITS

8 oz butter, 4 oz sugar, 8 oz flour (I use high grade),
2 oz rice flour or ground rice, pinch salt.
1 oz cherries chopped, 3 brazil nuts, cut finely, 1 oz angelica cut finely, 1 oz preserved ginger cut finely. I dont used the nuts, angelica or ginger, but use larger quantities of red and green cherries.

Cream b & s, add sifted ingredients (recipe then says knead well, but I dont), then cherries (etc). Roll out fairly thick. Cut into shapes (I just use a round 2inch cutter or if for family just cut in squares - it tastes just as good). Bake 30 to 35 mins in mod oven 350deg.

DONT LET THEM BURN AS I DID.

Huia.

Sallie p.m. sent...

Another of my favourites:

COFFEE CRISPIES

6 oz butter, 1 breakfast cup brown sugar, 1 des. sp coffee essence, half tsp vanilla, 1 br.cup flour, 1 tsp baking powder, quarter tsp salt. (Instead of coffee essence I use 4 heaped tsp coffee powder and a little water).

Soften the butter, add sug, coff., van. and beat well. (Recipe has 1 br cup slightly roasted peanuts but I dont use them). Add flour, b.p., salt. Put in tsp lots on tray and flatten. Slow oven 325 deg for 15-20 mins.

Huia.

Huia,They sound lovely thank you, I havent most of the ingrediants ,but hope to get them tomorrow, so will let you know if I have made them right....if you have any more recipes do share them with us.....

love Jean xx

The 3 students came this afternoon, very pleasant young people. We spent 3 hours cleaning up my jungle. Actually a bit less than 3, I was k****ered, so called time 15 mins early but still paid them for the 3 hours each. They had worked so hard and enthusiastically, did much more than I had expected. Now all I have to do is keep it tidy! Going to collapse in bed soon, if I dont sleep I will want to know why not.

Huia.

Huia,if I wanted just plain shortbread biscuits,I could leave the extra added
ingredients out couldn't I. Coo I must try some,as shortbread are my favourites. Oh my lord just think off the extra pounds,my love handles will have handles of there own. But hey who cares,it's comfort food for this awful weather.
I bet the garden is looking lovely now though Huia. But as you say,it's keeping it under that is the problem.
Be back later. Love Mo xxx

Hi Everyone.
No problem with the internet today thank goodnes, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Huia, thanks for the reccipes, I made some shortbread years back, but it didn't turn out too well, so never made any since. Alun loves shortbread so I think I'll try the your recipe, but like Mo, I'll make them plain, if you think that it will work out okay. Alun and Michael will also like the Coffee Crispies, so I'll have a go of those too.
So pleased the students were nice and that they did a good job clearing your garden.

Jean, read your PM, I'll reply later on. When does J go for his check up at the hospital, sorry I know you've told us, but my memory is not like like it was.

Mo, don't worry about the extra pounds, you have to eat something that you really love now and again. Enjoy them with a nice cup of tea.

Ann, hope you are okay! Have you been busy scrapping the last couple of days?

Hope everyone else is alright. I might look in again later.

Love and best wishes to you all. Sallie.xxx

Hello girls.
Please give my best wishes to Jennie for tommorrow Sallie. I hope things go well for her.
I am waiting to hear if my nephew went into hospital today,for his operation tommorrow. They were supposed to ring him by 12.00 today,to let him know if there is a bed for him. Apparantly because off the snow,they were not discharging patients as quickly. I can understand that,
as most off the patients have had brain surgery,and would still be a bit unsteady on their feet. But I is still a worry about him,having to wait.
My grandaughter has to be at the hospital for 7.30a.m,and will be taken down to theater as soon as they are ready for her.
She is not a very good patient I am afraid,and if they keep her waiting to long,she is liable to blow up at them.
I will look in later. Love Mo xxx

Mo, Sent you a PM. I hope they'll have a bed for your nephew, the sooner it's done the better. Let's hope they don't keep your granddaughter waiting too long either. Please wish them all the best for me! It'll be nice when it's all been sorted.

I'm just hoping that the Consultant won't put Jennie on the other medication. I really dread that happening.

Speak to you all later.

Love, Sallie.xx

Hi Sallie.p.m sent to you.
Good news girls,I have just spoken with my niece,the hospital has got a bed for my nephew. They are on their way up to London now.
Oh how I wish it were this time tommorrow night now. At least that way,Sallie and I would might be able to relax a little.
((((((((hugs for Sallie)))))))))
Love to all. Mo xxx

we will be thinking of both young people tomorrow and praying all will be well.


Jean xx

Sallie I have replied too,

Yes we will be thinking of them both. Hope it will soon be over for them.

Will be thinking of the two youngsters tomorrow.


Hope all goes well for them.


sylvia
xxxx