General Chat

Hiya all ,i have had a lazy morning [for me] and have now finished getting the dinner ready to cook.
I was going to make this bacon Badger ,but forgot to bring the veggie suet home ,so have had to have a rethink,and finished up turning it into a pudding ,steamed in a pan with a pastry [with an added egg ,and sage / parsley ]combination.
I chopped the streakt bacon into small chunnks ,did ditto with the onion and potato,and fried them lightly using veg ,oil adding a little mace,pepper [fresh ground] salt & parsley.
Tried a little as i turned it into the basin and have to admit it tastes exellent ] yum yum lol.
I mixed the pastry upand just put it on top of the mixture,then put some greased greaseproof paper over the top.to keep the moisture off .
Making a suet pastry and rolling up the mixture in it ,i will try in a few weeks,using greased foil to wrap the badger in,then cooked for 45 minutes in a hot oven.
Fresh spring cabbage,carrot ,and calabreese out of the garden to go with it,and new ,and mashed potato, will do nicely,and seeing as there are only two of us for dinner ,it will do us for tea tomorrow as well.
We have the washing ,drying on the line already bearing in mind that thunder storms are due this afternoon,and i have done already ,all i need to see to outside .
Hissy has realised that we arn't going to shoot off again ,so ,is calming down a lot ,but is still following me around like a lost sheep.cor ,it's 'ard he he,couldn't even go to the toilet or the bathroom for a shave and wash this morning without her meowing and scratching at the door to be in.
Hope you are al;l enjoying your time off ,see ya later peeps.Fred.

Morning all.hope the bacon badger worked out ok Fred again it sounds delicious!!!
weather now sunny but has rained and more on the way they say.
Spent the morning phoning a few different places about Dads affairs persevered with the long wait queues and got things sorted!!!and then tried to phone my bank and could not even get an answer,was using the pay by phone line and if that doesn't answer when its all automated what chance have we got!!.
Glad you enjoyed the tennis Dorothy,haven't seen any here.
On work at 12,30 so need to have a showr go shortly..on til 8.00pm so not looking forward to this as its my least favourite library.!!
Off tomorrow so can get to meet some friends for lunch not been able to for months.,mind you she does have a chest infection so might not be able to come ,so John and I will go ourselves for a treat.
See you later
Take care ,Brenda

goodmorning brenda you sound like things are coming to-gether for you sorry that you have that late shift especially if you don't like that particular library, hope that your lunch plans work out and that you have a good time. to-day is the last day of the holiday week-end so the roads will be very busy on top of the folks who went north for the week-end will be the folks who have spent the entire summer at the cottages coming back for school to-morrow so I shall stay inside and watch them go by. murray plays again to-day so I shall watch him while I am doing some housework just to prove to myself that I can multi task as the kids say. the boys are still very quiet and sleeping a lot otherwise I am not sure what is going on with them bye for now dorothy

goodmorning it is a lovely morning for the children going back to school sunny but not too hot of course in my case it is not only the children going back to school but also their mom, she will be teaching children from kindergarten grade one and two she is looking foreward to this, I am off to the shops the belt on the vacum cleaner broke yesterday so not much housework was accomplished, plus I did not get to see murray play as they did not show it till midnight due to showing football games earlier (american football). but to-day it is on from 11am till 6pm and then 7pm till whenever on the american channels, some of my american friends have conflicting ideas on who to vote for in the november elections and now it looks like our prime minister steven harper is going to call an election for 0ct 14th I have no idea why he has a minority government but I don't think the much will change though the green party is on the up and up so we shall see at least with us it is over in 6 weeks not like the states, I hope you all have a good week and better weather for you all bye dorothy

Afternoon Dorothy,sounds as though you are a little busyat the moment.
Liz and i were going to go back up to the van this afternoon after her visit to the dentist,but we changed our minds after Liz had two teeth pulled,and is a little sore round the gish, lol.
I shouldn't have laughed at her even though it was her fault for not going to the dentist much earlier while the two teeth were savable.
She got her own back [rotton b***** by making me an appointment for next Thursday afternoon [coooooo ,mummy ],don't fancy that at all,whinge ,hides behind the computer desk he he.
Had a right to do with the computer too,did an internet explorer update ,and got a trojan for my trouble,because i had shut the security system down as suggested by windows.
Next time ,the antivirus stays open and bugger the suggestion from explorer ,lol.
The son had a lovely time in silverstone,and got back safely an hour ago after watching formula one for three days..
Everyone seems to be having a rough time at the minute Dorothy,even down to Mary off the other thread with both brothers unwell,one having had a heart bypass last week,seems he is getting better ,but has a bit of chest pain,but i reckon that's healing pains ,and he should be fine if he gets over the next two weeks,the first month being the worst.
Gonna have to go,liz needs a little tea,and i think i will get some soup out for our tea ,it being nice and soft for her..
Take care all ,see you all in a few days when we get back again.
Fred.

goodmorning one and all fred hope that liz feels better after a trip to the dentist I admit I share your feelings about going to the dentist so many people of my age who lived in england as children do not seem to have good memories of the dentist's back then. hope you enjoy your few days away, the cat's are about the same very quiet and sleeping round the clock, I have enjoyed the tennis all week but still undecided what to do about the boy's we have had good weather all week but to-day it is raining and a lovely cool breeze, my sister phoned from calgary last evening they are back after two weeks in california had a good time but a lot of driving so they are resting up at there place in canmore and there is snow on the mountain tops she tells me oh shades of what will come to barrie in time bye for now dorothy

Afternoon folks sorry to have been absent again ,but I do not know where my time is going these days.
I am either at workmon the phone or writing letters about dads affairs etc or trying to keep up with the house work,mind you have let it go again as we wnt out for lunch on Tuesday and had a great time,just a pub lunch but it was good just to get out with our friends and not worry about going anywhere after.
Also got into town yesterday and had a nice lunch with my friend ,the others couldn't make it at short notice ,ome had the dentist anyway!! and got a couple of bargains in the sale at M&S.!!
Off out tonight for my best friends 6oth birthday bash,should be a good night but I have work tomorrow!!!
We are now looking for a holiday at the end of November as that is when our little group of friends should be finished with all the appointment they all have for various things.we should be nice and relaxed for christmas.!!!
Hope the boys continue to be ok Dorothy,my friend phoned a few days agp to say her dog was being ill again and is on antibiotics again as well as water tablets!!.
FRed hope LIz is ok now and you are ok at the dentist ,when are you at Cala Gran.???
See you tomorrow Take care Brenda

Hi all,
Thought it time to say a few words again. I have been peeping in daily to read the thread but not replying.
I have had a lot of pain in my arms and legs and the doctor thought I had fibromyalgia but the blood tests proved negative. So what now? I have to go back to the doc and see what to do next. I cannot even move my right arm very high at all.
Anyway on the brighter side of life Johan and I went out today and booked two weeks in Spain end November - 20 until 4th December near Benidorm; It is a small place where we used to spend our winters. It will be nice to look up old friends, so will have to brush up my Spanish. Friends of ours who live not too far away here encouraged us to make the effort to go away and hopefully we can travel in the same taxi as them to Schiphol airport.
Johan and I bought ourselves a new suitcase today. Typical of Johan he said "it's too big". Well, we are going for two weeks and I want 2 suitcases, but will have to break that news slowly.
We have a real bargain holiday hotel, two weeks with all meals, drinks etc.for 500 Euros per person.
If we want we can get the bus into Benidorm. The sea is within walking distance.
Now have a nice evening.
Sylvia xxx

hi how nice to hear from sylvia but sorry that you are still not feeling well, the trip that you have booked sounds great you should have a great time, brenda glad to hear that you had a couple of outings with friends it does give you a lift oh sales at m&s sounds like fun, anne phoned yesterday apparently the weather is not grand she was in her wellies. the boys are about the same, should be a good day of tennis but new york may be rained out so who knows, monday I shall be looking after the children after school lindy has a staff meeting and andrew is out of town it will be fun, his dad (andrew's) is up for the week-end staying with them it will be good for the children to have some fun with grandpa they will probably go golfing Laura is turning out to be better than her brothers. I think that I shall buy another basket of tomato's and freeze them they are so cheap at the farmers markets at the moment. my pepper plant has started flowering again well I am off to the shops bye for now dorothy

we have a quiete minute here at work,should not be on here but thought I would take a minute as we have not had our tea break!!
weather has been very good today after a bad start.watched a wedding at lunch at the church opposite work ,two lovelly old cars all decked out with white ribbons etc.the men in top hat and tails,a couple of page boys ,and all we could see of the bride was the back of her veil!!!! did not even see the bridesmaids as a bus stopped right between us and thw church.
had a good night out for my mates 6oth .not hung over really but under par shall we say!!!
see you all tomorrow ,have a good weekend .Brenda

goodmorning well brenda I am glad that you had a good night out too bad you had to go to work though. well watched murray play yesterday and he played very well 2 sets up on nadal takes some doing and then the rains came it is supposed to be played at 4pm our time weather permitting to-day (sun) 9pm your time maybe they will show it onyour tele I would think it will be worth watching I am sure nadal will come out like a rageing bull I hope andy can continue the good play of yesterday, we have had a general election called for 0ct 14th about 5 weeks from now done and dusted before the states theirs take so long not sure why we needed one I think I will vote for the green party the others are just the same old same old nothing new and different well that is it for me for to-day bye for now dorothy

Not tired tonight ,been to bed and read,a while,so came on here for a few minutes.Did not watch any tv programmes til this evening, then did not see any news programmes so do not know how the tennis went on Dorothy??Hope you had a good weekend and the children are ok next week for you.
Watched a couple of films we had recorded today ,have not had any chance til now to see them,was doing some ironing at the same time.,have loads of ironing to catch up on
The weather today was awfull it did not stop raining all afternoon.
Going to look up some names on my dads side as some one hasbeen in touch and I am feeling a bit better about starting again.
Hope Fred and Sylvia and everyone else is ok

Well,good morning to one and all,from Tyneside that survived the floods [just about],but i know of a few villages and towns that were cut off,Morpeth being one.
It has faired up here and the gardens didn't get washed away,so i am looking at getting the hedges trimmed for the last time this year ,if it stays dry.
Hissy is in the back garden looking for flies to chase,but she will be out of luck,too cold out there this morning.
Sounds as though you may have a touch of arthritis Sylvia,so a holiday in Spain may be just what you need,if it is arthritis ,the warmer climate should see it subside.
They have nearly perfected an injection[a one off ] to cure the complaint ,but it is ten years away too late for us oldies i'm afraid.lol.
Looks as though ,with this weather on the downward slope ,i will have to resort to ripening all these tomato's ,in newspaper on the windowsills.or make a lot of green tomato chutney,or both he he,not to worry ,it's still free veggies and fruit at the end of the day.
The first of the french beans went into a nice stir fry for dinner yesterdayand we are enjoying plenty of cabbage and cauli while they last.
The carrot are nearly ready,so soup making time is coming round again.
We hope to be away back to the van tomorrow dinner time ,til Thursday when i have a dental appointment.
We made the grandson his dinner yesterday[he dosn't like to go home until he has had one ] lol,seems he never gets one at home .
We did him ,roast chicken apple and ginger stuffing[which he loved] roast and duchess potatoes,and greens out of the garden,torn cabbage ,carrot cauli'and roast pepper,with a nice veggie gravy.
Afters? weeeell,we found some miniture chrissy puds which got put in the mic',and accompnied by brandy custard [getting in practice for you know when].they went down well
Well,that's it for now folks,time to get cracking ,tons to do as usual,but hey,it's all fun ,if you don't weaken lol.
Fred.

Fred just as your tomatoes are at the business end of your season a few early ones are growing in Pots in our conservatory (covered at night with frost cloth) These will go into glasshouse once I can repot my fuchsia plants and move them into shade house
Garden is being prepared for spring Just a few lettuces and cabbages being set out and early potatoes into buckets and bags Its a topsy turvey world weather is still very changeable here too Margaret

goodmorning everyone as usual after reading fred's dinner menu for his grandson I am drooling it sounded smashing fred could I askyou for the apple and ginger stuffing receipe I have a friend who is always looking for new stuffing receipe's and she loves ginger, the weather you have sounded awful and I have seen all the pictures on the bbc web site. I had a great day of tennis it was wonderful to see murray win over nadal, of course I shall be watching this pm. even though I shall be keeping an eye on the children to-day but they know grandma loves her tennis, and laura starts tennis lesson's on tuesday one can hope that she likes it. as towho I want to win I am conflicted roger is my all time favourite but murray I like as well so much history at stake for both of them. brenda it sounds like you had a nice day glad you enjoyed it, margaret you sound like you will be busy withyour garden seems strange you are looking foreward to spring and we are heading into fall and winter. bye for now dorothy

Just a few lines.begining to feel the effects of not being tired last night now.Work was ok but we are hearing some rumours about us going on a city wide rota which means if a library in the south side of town was short of staff due to illness then any "spare " bodies even on the other side of towm could in theory be sent there to work. !!! Sounds ok but the praticalities are not so easy due to travellung etc.
I am really thinking that i will be finishing next march when i am sixty ,was just reducing my hours to one day a week but am going off the idea rapidly.
John has brewed tea so I am off for a cuppa.Brenda

Morning all,not a bad morning here in the north east ,so far,but we are expecting the bad weather back this afternoon,the end of the hurricane that caused so much damage in america.
I have checked out the garden already,and bought the bis back in ,and shoved 'em well into the hedge to keep them out of the wind.
Hi dorothy,i just used a normal sage and onion stuffing [home made] and added a pinch of nutmeg ,britzed two apples and added them with a quarter teaspoon of ginger powder[didn't blitze root ginger in case the bairn bit into a piece lol].
I have founfd a lovely site for those that like trying new recipes [the foody,uk and ireland] website,tons of good ideas on there from meat dishes through to veggie dishe ,sweets, soups gravies and stuffings ,and there was a ginger and apple stuffing on there,but i prefer making stuffing that uses raw ingredients ,not pre cooked,i find precook destroys a lot of flavour.
We are due at the sons for tea so i think i had better get a few cakes made,seeing as it is Elayshas birhday ,see ya' later peeps.
You do that Brenda,quit on your birthday,you will find plenty to do,relax ,and live longer ,i,for one think you have flogged your guts out long enough.
Fred.

goodmorning (wed) first of all fred thanks for the receipe I will pass it on to my friend and I will also try those web sites, brenda I hope that you don't have to go wandering from library to library that sounds like a daft arrangement, now I want to share my crazy day yesterday at 8-30 I had just got up and the phone rang with the grandson on the other end "grandma you have to come to school laura has had an accident with her bike and was lying in the road till two ladies and a man brought her to school" I tell you I was in the car and away wondering as I drove along if I was fully dresses!!! I took her to the clinic and after x-rays etc she has bruised her knee and the tendons in her knee she is on crutches luckily she did not break anything she will have follow up net week and may require physio, of course her mom was teaching at an other school and dad was in toronto, but we were all relieved that it was not worse she went one off the bike and her knee went the other way, when I got home at 5pm I remembered that apart from cleaning my teeth and a quick wash of the face my usual morning shower had not taken place. so she will have to be driven back and forth to school for a while but she was supposed to start tennis lessons last evening so she said sorry grandma you won't get a wimbledon champion just yet so I am hoping that to-day is a calmer day plus my son is working from home to-day so he can deal with any problems that come up bye for now dorothy

Afternoon all,I also hope I am not moving round from libray to library.<we used to do thata few years ago ,when we first started but they stopped doing that due to having to pay us travelling money!!!
No one thinks this new idea will get the go a head,mainly due to the amount of travelling people woukd be doing.Mind you sillier things have happend!!!.
weather wise its a nice nice day ,well its dry up to now,!!!
Having my tea braek now ,so speak to you later,Hope your grand daughter is ok Dorothy ,Brenda

hi just a qucik update Laura went to school to-day with the crutches driven in style by her dad also along on the ride was the younger brother Ian he was given a ride as he agreed to carry around her back pack (quite heavy) it will do the both of them good for him to do something nice for laura and for laura to have to depend on her brother they usually fight like cat and dog , it was a lovely fall day here not to hot this month seems to be going by so quickly, bye for now dorothy