General Chat

Afternoon All,

It's been blowy here too but has dried all the washing very quickly! :-) OH has been to the tip with a car load of bags filled with gardening stuff. The weather is perfect for me today and I went out in a loose top and knee length jeans and sandals to my friend's house and for once wasn't too hot with the aircon on the lowest setting. It was our occasional meet up with the beading friends this morning Frank, but we had decided to take our beads with us and meet up every fortnight till class started again in the autumn. We've had a change of plan now though as we have all agreed the classes aren't good value if we aren't learning anything new plus the fact there's only half the discount being given this year. So today we've all agreed that we'll continue to meet up at my friend's every fortnight till the autumn and then we'll meet up at my friend's every week instead of going to class. With the money saved we are thinking of getting one of the fused glass teachers to come and do a workshop at my friend's house as some will do that. They also have regular craft events doing all kinds of things at one of the garden centres so we (or I) might try some of those. Another thing that some of us want to try is making silver jewellery and we know where there are classes for that. I think it could be a much more interesting way to spend the money we will save!! For the friend whose house we go to, we can each buy her beads or beading thread and needles to repay her for having us and take some biccies etc. :-) Today, one of the friends brought us all a bright yellow squash from her allotment.

Ha ha Frank.......so you have to turn the other cheek each time you see the nurse for your injection!!! LOL. ;-) ;-) How lovely little JJ is keeping himself happy playing with his ball on your lawn. He is perfectly happy with you isn't he.

Gill, your garden must be looking good now after all your efforts since last year. I remember when we did ours it was like having a new garden.

I wondered too if your fingers had been especially sore Jane. It's a good job you aren't working in the old days as a touch typist!! :-0 It really must be frustrating for you. How do you bind your foot if your fingers are so sore? Does Chris help. MY OH only has to get near clingfilm for there to be pandemonium!!!

Sounds like you had a lovely time Liz and how nice that they had a birthday cake for Ian!!

Windy windy day here. Chris said there was a tree down on a country lane this morning when he was off on one of his walks.

Frank, is the daughter next door deaf od hard of hearing?. I just wonder if that it why she may shout .

Ann,it sounds like you have everything sorted now to be able to carry on with your beading.
I bet you would love making Silver Jewellery . My Sister did that many years ago and made some beautiful pieces . I have a ring somewhere that she made.

Mel you must have heck of a lot of rain if your sink wouldn't empty !!!. At least you know it is fine now. So far there has been no rian here but I think we are due it overnight.
That was lucky you managed to save your Red Robin from blowing over Gill.Fingers crossed all your other pots and plants will be ok.
So marathon session again colouring your hair today :-) I still haven't done anything about having mine done. I just have a few bits ot remaining colour on the tips but they are looking yellow against the grey :-S :-S

No Mandy or Anne !!. Hope all is well. Nothing for a while from either of them :-S

The cling film works really well on my foot at night . It has helped soften the thick scaly skin. Putting the cling film on is no problem for my fingers .Getting the sock on though is not so easy lol
I have now developed Tendonitis in my Achilles tendon. Where that has come from gawd knows but it is just one more thing I can do without. I am just falling apart at he seams :-S Fed up to the back teeth says it all really.
The sun is coming out now
:-D :-D

Evening all,

It's been a nice sunny day here ,got the washing all dry as the wind has really got up ,i cleaned out some old garden pots that a friend was going to throw out so i said i woud have them ,they were full of bulbs ,i think some are tulip bulbs but what the others are i have no idea so it will be interesting to see what comes up in the spring .

That's good you've sorted out what your going to do with the beading Ann , as you say with the money you save you could do some thing else and you enjoyed the fused glass classes .

They are going to build some more homes (eight i think ) in the old peoples place next to us , it's way up from us so won't affect us really but today they have put a board up in the grass at the entrance to the complex , it must stand at least twenty foot high by eight foot wide ,you've never seen such a huge bit of boarding ,i can see the children will be using that as a target for the football they already play in the entrance way :-0

Sorry to hear your losing some of your fish Mel ,are you any nearer finding out why they keep dying ?

Your poor fingers Jane , that skin all peeling off must catch on your clothing and when you do jobs it must pull no wonder they are so sore , are your toes like that too ?

Good evening everyone

Mixed weather here today but not unpleasant I took Ruby out at 6.30am and there were quite a few people with the same idea, Richard took her out this evening for her first forest walk he said she was spooked out by the gate that you walk through at the start so he had to carry her through both ways, the other way would be through the car park.

Jane I have been meaning to mention how sore your fingers look no wonder they have been giving you a lot of discomfort.

Ann they have a jeweller in residence where I used to work and a studio fitted out for the students, they also have a pottery, print and art rooms plus a stained glass workshop, the dance studio and theatre for other classes.

I have still been catching up on my reading and a few other things that don't need the laptop so I haven' t managed to look at all the posts yet.

Mandy, that big board has been put up just in time for the school holidays LOL I bet every boy/girl will love it as target practise LOL . Will you be able to hear the banging ?

So schools have broken up here today. I saw a 'crocodile ' line of tiny infants this afternoon all with high vis jackets on.I think they were on their way back to school after an end of term service at the local church. There must have been 40 of the little ones ,all in two's holding hands .They looked so sweet. Then a bit further along the BIG school was turning out and the teens were all behaving very daft LOL .If I didn't know better I would have thought some of the boys had had a tipple or two.
My Sister and Larry are going to be having to look after William,Finn and Amelia a lot of the time over the school holidays. What would they do without Grandparents??

Mandy my toes are fine. Just the side and sole of one of my feet is affected . But that is much better now. My Scalp still is not the best but getting there. It is my fingers that really cause me grief .I have to shower and wash my hair with latex gloves on .I hate that .It feels really weird :-S

Dinner almost ready . Scampi and Chips, Caulflower Cheese(FRANK :-D ) and Tuscan Nero Kale that is going to be steamed in the new steamer Chris bought.Trial and error I think :-)

It's pouring with rain here now and has been for a few hours, so that's saved me having to water the garden :-) We had to put some more rocks around a smaller red robin earlier as the wind had blown that pot over like the other one earlier, thankfully the wind has died down now.

How is the rain at yours Mel, it sounds like you've had a lot of it?

Poor Ruby being spooked by the gate Anne, did she enjoy the rest of the walk?

Half your luck having the sun today Mandy. So come the spring you'll have some nice surprises as to what the bulbs are. That was nice of your friend to give them to you.

Making Silver Jewellery, how lovely Ann. You have some good ideas to spend the money on that you are saving from the beading class. Yes, our garden is looking much better than it did this time last year. I keep saying to OH how much I love it, :-) and like you, I see it as a new garden, it's so different now.

Oh Jane, I'm so sorry to hear you have yet more problems. Let's hope your luck changes for the better soon <3 At least the cling film is working on your foot so that's a positive.

It sounds like JJ is having fun in your garden Frank. Hope it wasn't to windy when you went out for your meal.

Off to watch Eastenders now

Jane I have sent you an EM. :-)

Hope you didn't have whitebait at your eatery Frank. :-0

Jane having cauliflower cheese??? I bet someone else is having that. I have used a steamer for about 30 years now and they are a doddle to use, but I know now what size to cut veg so it all cooks at once so there will be a bit of trial and error Jane. Mine does 2 layers and sometimes I swap them mid cooking as veg cook slower in the top one. I found once I lived on my own that I used it more than the pressure cooker as I didn't cook the quantities or double up meals to freeze so much. It's interesting your sister did silverwork. The materials are quite pricey so any mistakes would be expensive!!

Anne I think I would have liked to work next to the place with all the crafts, it would have suited me well!! Stained glass is something else I would love to try too! I bet Ruby will soon get used to the gate and will enjoy the forest walks once she has been a few times.

Oh Mandy, what an enormous board!! :-0 :-0 As you say it will be a magnet for the children playing ball. It's good the building work won't be too close to you.

You could try putting rocks on the compost in the pots as well Gill to help stop them blowing over. It's pouring with rain here now too.

I've got a steamer three tiers, and like you Ann have used one for years. I always cook rice in it, and steam all my veg. They're really easy to use and virtually fail safe!
What an awful day its been! Its rained incessantly, and the wind has been unrelenting, were both in bed now and glad to be there!! We watched Clare Balding on WDYTYA, recorded yesterday. It was very interesting!

We watched the big fat hog come down the orchard tonight and then it went into the ark down Prickly Hollow. We were out there ages. At least it has stopped raining for a while.

Gill I have to put my beach rocks on my pots of blueberries and have had to do the big tomato plant as that got blown over in the wind last week.

Morning all,

Well I must say its a lot brighter here today with some sunshine. It certainly makes you feel a lot better when the weathers more pleasent. I think we are in for some heavy showers today though if we go by the forecast.

Yesterday afternoon between the rain when Robby came for worms he had a baby robin with him and they were both taking worms from under the basket so I thought that must have been one of his chicks but oh said that they were long gone and it was one of Scruffies babies.

Usual chores today, egg delivery and the shop for the paper.

Late on parade this morning. Good Morning to you all, afternoon/evening Kim,

We had the rain last night also. When I let JJ out at 7.00 am everywhere was very wet. So I don't know when it stopped raining.

That's a brilliant idea Ann, why pay out all the money if you are not learning anything. You and your friends can find other things to do i am sure. As you know Ros does a fair bit of Jewellery making. She gets most of her things from "Jewellery Maker" channel 665 on SKY. I even know that, as I turn over to that when I go to bed.
;-) ;-) ;-) ;-)

Jane your poor Handy Pandy's. I bet you wish they would soon hear so you can get back to normal. I expect Chris is like me, nd can turn his hand to most things if required.

Mandy, I would check with the local Council to see if they have planning permission for a board of that size. It seems a bit extreme to me. But there again, what do I know !!!

What was it that made Ruby scared of going through the gate Anne ?? Poor little thing. We took JJ out in the car yesterday evening when we went for a bite to eat. He just laid on the back seat with no barking or noise of any sort. He does go out a lot in Jo's car, so he must ve use to it.

Ros has noticed that I am getting dry shin on my face, so this morning after my shower and shave I have put plenty of Nivea cream on it. I feel like a "GREESE MONKEY" now :-0 :-0 :-0

Brightened up here now, and the sun is out. Don't know if I will bother with the pub today, might just read my book till made comes home.

You mentioned a Pressure Cooker. My EX bought one. I came home for my dinner and she had cooked a lamb chop, potato's and veg in it. It was disgusting. I took the thing to the back door and threw as far as I could down the garden, and told her in no uncertain terms, NOT TO COOK MY DINNER IN THAT AGAIN. As for the steamer, I find they are great and use mine quite a lot. Everything taste so good, other than what some people do a boil all the goodness out of the veg.

I use my pressure cooker quite a bit particularly in the winter as its brilliant for steak and kidney either pudding or just with dumplings. We use it for marmalade and all sorts of dishes. I've always been familiar with them as my mother had one at home and had used it for years so I've always had one, well three over the years actually!!. The modern ones are very different and a lot safer than the ones around years ago. You do have to follow pressure recipes/timing precisely though, but with the best will in the world I don't think chops and veg cooked together under pressure would be successful under any circumstances!!! As you say though Frank, steamers are brilliant, and the veg is much nicer/better for you cooked this way - mine is WELL used all year round.
Much better day here so outside this afternoon!

Afternoon All,

I have done lovely lamb shanks in my pressure cooker Frank, but you need to brown them first. I used to do stews with root veg in mine and I still do boiled bacon in a fraction of the time. Veg are the same as doing them in a steamer, but again it means a bit of trial and error at first. I agree with you and find boiled veg a bit tasteless now and the goodness goes into the water as you say, which is ok if you are making gravy with it. Little JJ sounds so laid back and it's as you say I think, he's been got used to a lot of things and places with Jan taking him out so much. My sister had a cat she took everywhere with her and he would curl up on the car passenger seat and be fine visiting as long as you showed him where his litter tray was and after he had a wander around and sniff.

OH has gone to 2 matches so I think I shall go and get fuel and pop somewhere with my camera while it's sunny. :-)

Done the weekly chores and had lunch and now I am going up the border to rescue my Monarder (sp) and evening primrose as the rain and wind has flattened them. The edge shall want cutting again too. Thats like painting the fourth bridge with the length of it. We always seem to get heavy rain just as the tall flowers are looking good and it spoils them all.

Ann we hav'nt had any of your nice pics lately so I hope you find something for us to see today whilst out and about.

Mandy I keep meaning to ask if you have seen Nicko lately please?

I used to do stuffed breast of lamb and veg in the PC when we were first married, it was cheap and we were poor!! You did have to be careful not to overcook the veg though, but you soon learnt to cut it according to how long the meat needed cooking so they'd be ready at the same time. I still sometimes buy cheap cuts from our butcher and tenderise the meat in the same way before making a curry or whatever.
Not sure whether to light the fire this evening? We did yesterday but the weather hasn't been quite so chilly and wet today- have to see!!
We're having Ducks Breasts for supper new pots from the garden and new carrots also from the garden. OH will see to it and cook it, I'll clear away and fill the dishwasher!!

Afternoon All
SUNNY ANN?? Not here .It has poured all afternoon !!! I got a good soaking getting to my car with the trolley at Tesco. Drowned rat. My hair is all wavy now :-S

You all talking of Pressure Cookers and Steamers today. Chris bought a Steamer (not electric) .One of those stacking ones. I have never had one before and last night we did Nero Kale with salt and pepper just to test the steamer. I actually am not at all keen on Kale but it was really quite nice. Tonight I will try Brocolli ,Carrots and Courgettes. I have never wanted a Pressure Cooker as they used to scare the pants off me when they went off! (just remembered I mentioned the new steamer last night !! ) sorry.

JJ sounds an absolute dream to look after Frank.I think it is really great you can have him every now and then as it will stop you wondering about getting another for yourselves :-D. How did Lewis's holiday go? Did you hear all about it or did he cover up the things he didn't want you to know about? LOL

Ann, I hope Ruby will get used to the gate. Richard will have to persuade her to go through on her own,otherwise she might want to be carried through each time LOL
My old Chester was a bit of a wimp when he came across something he hadn't seen before. Talk about a Drama Queen !! He would sream like a GIRL sometimes :-S

Mel we have some scruffy Robins and other scruffs at the moment. They look a right state. Thoma looked like that just now when he came dashing in through the downpour !! He has now dried himself off and is fluffing up again.

Liz you say about doing rice in the steamer. Do the grains not fall through the holes? We have a lot of rice so I would like to have a go with it in the steamer.

Still raining here although it is looking a bit lighter now. What a day for the first day of Childrens Summer Hols :-(. I saw lots of families coming away from Wicksteed Park soaked to the skin . The Children looked like they were enjoying it .But can't say the same for the parents LOL

We took in a delivery for next door yesterday . A big TV and a fold up chair. No-one came to collect so Chris went round this morning and Gina didn't know anything about them . Her Partner must have ordered them but not said.

Time to think about dinner.

Evening all

It's just poured down so that put paid to the gardening we were doing in the front. I did managed to get through quite a bit, including moving a few plants around and cutting back a few other plants that were getting out of control. Sandra has been a great help and done some weeding until we heard thunder so we all packed up and came in just as the heavens opened. OH has helped me dig out a few plants I wanted to pot up for the border opposite the kitchen window. Mum called around earlier with three plants she'd bought and asked me to plant them on for her as mine always survive and hers don't, so they are now on my kitchen windowsill as they were just plug plants. Once they grow a bit bigger I'll transplant them into the large pots she has given me and give them back to her. She said I could have one of the plants and the other two will go either side of the bench with the arch she bought last week. I've not heard of these plants before, they are called bluebell creeper. I'll have to Google it to find out what they are like. Mum said it was a climber with bluebell type flowers in the spring and berries in the winter, so I'll see if I can find a picture online later.

JJ sounds so good Frank, how long is he at yours for?

I don't have a steamer or a pressure cooker. My mum had both of them and used to make stews in the pressure cooker, but I wasn't keen on the taste so never bought one for myself.

How lovely to see the little chick Mel, did you take a pictures? I haven't checked my emails today so I don't know if anyone has sent anything yet.

Hope you managed to find something interesting to take a picture of Ann.

Yes, I agree with the others Mandy that board does sound very big. I can see why the children would want to play with it.

Does anyone know Pudsey, the dog that was on Britain's Got Talent? The poor thing had to be put down today as he had blood cancer, it was quite a shock to read when I came online. His owner is in bits, the poor girl.

Jane, We've got an electric steamer and it has a special bowl to cook rice in. I've never used a steamer that you put on the stove. You couldn't use ours for rice without the bowl as you say the grains would fall through!!
Our supper is just about ready, so better sit up!

I will give Rice a miss then Liz :-D :-D I did wonder lol

Gill ,yes the news about dear old Pudsey was on the local news as he was from Wellinborough just a few miles from here . He was a special dog wasn't he and Ashleigh will be devastated. I do know that she has another dog that I believe she is training .
Those climbing flowers sound very pretty Gill. So you have had the downpour too and thunder !!. No thunder here thank goodness.It seems to be a little brighter even though it is still raining.

Did I ask if anyone has seen the programme Top of the Lake? It was really good. I managed to watch the last three episodes today on my laptop ,so got up prety late !
Saying that I did start watching at 6am as I had been up and about since just after 5.