General Chat

Our cold chicken tonight was so moist it was lovely. I have the carcas in a big pot with carrots, celery onion and a garlic clove with plenty of black pepper. Nice drop of soup for tomorrow.

OI don't know all these new gadgets they bring out but it does sound time saving Mandy. When one dos'nt look in the baby isle anymore you miss these things.

I watched Winter Watch last night and shall be seeing tonights a bit later. I enjoy those programs.

Dear All

hello

Hope you are okay.

I love this song from the film "Mary Poppins":

"FEED THE BIRDS":


Early each day to the steps of Saint Paul's
The little old bird woman comes
In her own special way to the people she call,

"Come, buy my bags full of crumbs;
Come feed the little birds,
Show them you care
And you'll be glad if you do

Their young ones are hungry
Their nests are so bare
All it takes is tuppence from you


Feed the birds, tuppence a bag
Tuppence, tuppence, tuppence a bag


Feed the birds," that's what she cries
While overhead, her birds fill the skies
All around the cathedral the saints and apostles
Look down as she sells her wares


Although you can't see it,
You know they are smiling
Each time someone shows that he cares


Though her words are simple and few
Listen, listen, she's calling to you
"Feed the birds, tuppence a bag
Tuppence, tuppence, tuppence a bag"


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Take gentle care all
Best wishes
Elizabeth,
xx

Morning/Evening All

Ah that brings back memories Elizabeth. :-D That song is going to be in my head now lol

I have been downstairs since just before 6.I woke about 4.30 and just couldn't drop off again .I think there might have been a bit of a dusting of snow in the night but it looks like it is just about gone now.

Gill,here is the Recipe
Blueberry and Yogurt Loaf Cake

75ml Almond Oil(or Sunflower with maybe a drop of Vanilla Ext or splash of Almond Ext)
125gm full fat natural yoghurt
150g caster sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla ext
zest of 2 lemons
210g plain flour
1 and a half tsp baking powder
pinch of salt
150-200 Blueberries

Preheat oven to 180C 350F Gas 4

Grease and line loaf tin (20cm)
Whisk together Oil,Yoghurt,Sugar,Eggs,Vanilla Ext,and Lemon Zest.
In separate bowl stir flour ,baking powder and salt.
Pour dry ingredients into yoghurt mixture with the Blueberries and fold all together gently.
Pour into Loaf tinned bake for 50-55 minutes.

I expect you will have made one of these long before me :-D :-D.Do let me know what it is like.

I must have another cuppa and some porridge now and warm my feet as they are cold.I need some warmer slippers.

We will be off for lunch before the cinema .I think it will be the Italian (As*) today.The do a nice Chicken and Mushroom Risotto.I might just have that :-D

Morning all, evening Kim,

Well that Blood# cold has caught up with me well and truly. I have a stuffed up head, horrible cough and sweating like a pig. Will get myself dosed up with LEMSI#s and whatever else is in the cupboard.

Wonderful photo's RUBY, I sat and looked through them twice. If anyone doesn't get them from RUBY let me know and I will forward, likewise with the one from SHIRL this morning.

Elizabeth, I always sing along with that song when the film is on. I loved my time in London, especially at night when everywhere was so quite. If I worked late in the office and had to walk to the station. It was so scarey with the streets being without people milling around. In the 50s I remember the man lighting the GAS LAMPS in the old part of the CITY.

Enjoy you Italian and the film Jane, we will see you tonight.

How's Baby Lewis today Mandy ??

I still have some Chicken casserole left, so I will have that at lunchtime.

Morning all and evening Kim,

O Jane not up very early again? You have all your chicks back home safe and sound now so what is worrying you?

I have the woman next door coming this afternoon as I am feeding her cat for a week as she has to go away up country.

Morning all

Thanks Jane for the recipe, no I haven't made one before, I've never heard of a Blueberry and Yogurt loaf Cake. Is it a loaf or a cake made in a loaf tin. It sounds more like a cake. Have you made it before. Will it be the first time for both of us.

I'm going to have a quiet day today, I've woken up and can't stop sneezing, hope I'm not coming down with something. I feel ok at the moment just a bit of a headache, but that could just be all the sneezing.

Sorry to hear you're not well now Frank, Lemsip is really good, lets hope you're not going to be as bad as Ros. How is she today, any better ???

The weather here is fine rain, no sign of any snow even though the weather man keeps saying snow is on the way. I hope the weather is ok where you are Jane and that you can go and see your film. Have fun.

I'm recording Winterwatch Mel, I believe it's on every night this week, so will watch it all in one go when OH is off work on Saturday, as he wants to watch it too.

I think I'll go and make a casserole now incase I start feeling worse later, at least that way the food will be made for tonight and tomorrow as I always make enough for 2 days.
BBL <3

Gill it is called a Loaf Cake :-D maybe the Loaf bit is just because it's cooked in a loaf tin.No I have never made it.Just found the recipe in one of the Sunday Papers at the weekend.It sounds quite tasty.Chris couldn't find any Almond Oil this morning ,and i couldn't yesterday so if and when I get around to doing it it will have to be Sunflower Oil with the extracts added.

Mel ,I have no worries :-D.I just think my body had had enough sleep and it just wouldn't let me go off again .Blooming annoying :-S.I did take my porridge and tea back to bed though once Chris got up :-D.

Oh dear Frank It's your turn now then :-(..At least you don't have to go out for any food today.Dose yourself up and keep cosy. How is Ros this morning? Hopefully a bit of an improvement <3

I think it must be time for a coffee now and then we will be off about mid-day.
See you all later

Just having my coffee after a morning of tidying up and the hoover is waiting to do it's job just by me.

Frank you should make sure it is alright to take Lems*p with the meds you are on because they can be harmfull and not helpfull. I can't take it and it was always my bedtime drink when I had a cold. Mum made herself very ill once taking Night Nur*e with the meds she was on. Oh also asked me to get him some when he had that bad cold but he can't have them either.

Enjoy your film and lunch out Jane and don't eat too much popcorn in the flicks.

Thanks Mel, On checking the "DISTRUCTIONS" LOL There are lots if not all these remedy's I can't take with my Meds. So will rely on HOT DRINKS and keeping warm.

Ros must be feeling a bit better this morning. SHE HAS CHANGED THE BED AGAIN. She said with us both sweating in the night, it will be nice to have a fresh bed.!!!! She's also washed her hair. She had a few corn flakes this morning, the first time for over a week.

Not sure what the weather is going to do. The sky looks full of something, so will wait and see.

I was awake at 4.40 am this morning. Laid all tucked down and dropped off again about 7.30. I came too at 8.50 and got up and made tea. Ros wasn't far behind me, with sheets and pillow cases in her arms. :-D :-D :-D

Decisions, WHAT do I get for dinner tonight. We have had Pork and Chicken. I have some nice pigs liver in the freezer, but not sure if she will fancy that.. There's plenty of other things, it's just tempting her FANCY ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) NOW NOW. !!!

Coffee and a bit of lunch now, will see if Madam want's anything.

Enjoy the film Jane, you probably did tell us but I've forgotten what film it is, brain like a sieve these days.

The cats have brought in a dead rat before now and a few mice but they seem to keep it mostly in the garden. There was a squirrel in the middle of the lawn this morning I did get a photo but not sure how clear it is. It looked more like a meerkat sitting up on its hind legs.

My brother has just bought a new car, you two would do well buying together Ann, I got about an hours lesson on how to haggle with car salesmen, I'm more like Gordon, brother says whatever they are offering walk away, if they call you back you know they can offer more, if they don't it's probably their best price and you can always do the deal the next day.

I've had a couple of boiled eggs for lunch but the shell is so thin I ended up with half of it in my mouth and it really sets my teeth on edge so have wasted most of the eggs, wonder why the shell is like that :-S

You know what they say about a cold Frank, you have to feed it, so lots of your lovely meals and plenty of fluids. Hope you and Ros will soon be better, roll on the Spring.

I think years ago you had to be more organised when you had babies, the bottles took 24 hrs. in the steriliser, it's great that they have all these new gadgets, goodness knows it's hard enough work with a new baby so anything that cuts that down must be good. Having a 'good' baby helps too.

Hi everyone,

We here are all suffering from the flu, or coughs and colds. there's only me really who has not gone down with the flu yet but I am feeling tired and have no get up and go to go anywhere or do much at all, we were up at Victoria's yesterday , to look after Sofia who has a rotten cough and has not been to school this week both Victoria & Matteo stayed in bed, and we decided to take Sofia home with us for a few hours so Victoria could rest , as much as you can with a 2 year old, seeming Matteo just lay on the couch and went to sleep several times through the day.

O Fiona I hope you all feel better soon. There is so much of this type of thing around at this time of year.

Frank make yourself a hot drink with fresh lemon and honey and take a couple of paracetamol. Thats what I do now I can't have the lems*p. The only thing in LS is the decongestant that disagrees with us who take meds. If you cut a lemon into four and squeeze the juice in a mug add some honey to your tast you will get four drinks out of one lemon. It work for us with the paracetamol.

Had my neighbour here all aftrernoon. I have my written instructions on what to feed the cat and where and contact numbers for her. She is taking her son for an op in Slough.

Evening all,

No frost here this morning but we have had some sleety rain this afternoon ,it went over so dark i had to put the lights on .

Lewis had his first bath this morning ,he never made a sound and son said his hair has now gone all fluffy looking :-D
Katie was away from school yesterday and today ,she was going hot and cold and laying about ,now today Jake has been at home with a sore throat ,son rang and said they were taking him to the doctors as his lips were swelling up , son wondered if it was the Nur*fen that he had been giving him but the doctor didn't think it was , she gave son some Antihistamine medicine for Jake to take .
Son said it's one thing after another with the children !! now to top it off their tumble dryer has packed up :-(

Jane you asked about the Sterilizer , yes they still have to use the Sterilizer before using the prep machine , i think the Sterilizer they have is an electric steam one , i think they also had one that you could put in the microwave to Sterilize the bottles .

Maureen ,oh it's horrible when you get a piece of egg shell in your mouth i've had a piece stick in my gum !!
What i don't like is when the tea bag bursts and you get the tea leaves in your mouth !! :-0

Oh dear Frank don't say your going down with it now !! dose your self up and keep warm , have a nice hot toddy :-)


Mel , is the cat coming to stay at yours ? or are you feeding it at his/her home ?

Evening all, Just reporting on how things are.

Ros is a lot better today, I think the new anti-biotics have kicked in. I'm still bunged up, but I don't feel anything like Ros looked (if that makes sense)

Did a nice piece of leg of lamb tonight. Roast potato's parsnips, sweet potato. Greens carrots and peas. I couldn't believe my eyes, all Ros left was a tiny bit of stalky cabbage.

Her Hudl went back this afternoon, the same chap who collected it last Friday week. He said "That didn't last long" See you next week !!!

What film did you see Jane.??

Mel, that's one of my favourites for a cold. I sometimes add a shot of Whiskey as well.

Maureen, If the salesman was doing his job properly, your brother wouldn't have to go back !!! I never knowingly lost a Customer in over 40 years. :-D :-D :-D I had parents bringing their Children and relatives to buy from me. In all those years, I could meet an ex customer in the supermarket or pub, and never felt I had tucked him/her up with a deal. I on average sold FORTY cars a month. so I must have been doing something right.

I see there is great Tele on tonight. !!! I might wrap up warm and go to the pub with TONY and watch football.

Have a good evening all.

Oh my it sounds like people are dropping like flies :-D..Not a good time for the children to be ill Mandy.I hope little Lewis doesn't pick up one of their colds.Poor Jake often has trouble with his throat :-(..I wonder if he keeps getting them whether he might have his tonsils out.James suffered so much with tonsillitis and missed a lot of school.But it wasn't until he was about 16 that he had them out.I just wish now that it had been done when he was much younger.He used to go really doolally with very high temperature.The last episode he had we got the GP out and because James was so out of it and very stroppy refusing to go to hospital even telling the Dr to F Off !!!!!!!
(he didn't realise he was saying it),we had to have an ambulance .There was no way I could have safely driven him .I had visions of him either clocking me one, or jumping out of the car on the way lol
But once those nasty tonsils were out he has had no troubles since.

Maureen we went to see The Theory of Everything...The Stephen Hawkins film.It was an excellent film.There were a couple of bits in it though that brought back some very sad memories of my Dad (when he had Motor Neurone Disease) and how he used to choke on his saliva or food :-( :-(..But I am glad I went to see the film.

No Popcorn for me Mel...I don't like it ..I had a G&T :-D
Lunch was nice.I had a Portobello stuffed Mushroom,and then Pasta with chicken and mushrooms in a lovely sauce...I feel quite bloated still even now.

Nice clean sheets and pillowcases then tonight Frank.I am with Ros on that one.Especially if there has been a lot of sweating going on. I often change our pillowcases but not the rest of the bedding..I'm not saying I never change the rest though LOL.I'm not a mucky pup.

I must put the oven on for Jame's dinner.He is late home this evening.

Gill I have realised I said on that recipe to use 150-200 Blueberries....It is grams ...not the number of berries :-D :-D

Mandy the cat will stay at Nicola's as she is fed in the garage and on the back door step. I have to feed her on the back door step the tinned food half a can a day. The dried food is in a hopper and she has water in there. I shall just check the water though.

Frank not too much whiskey if you are taking paracetamol with the lemon drink.

Doing hot dogs tonight so nice and easy and I'll cook this huge piece of beef tomorrow.

I havae a lovely clean and tidy kitchen..... ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-) ;-)

Evening All,

That's a blow you getting it as well Frank so I hope you don't feel as ill as Ros has. I was going to mention the lemon juice with honey as well as I'm in the same boat with medication. I think it is that the decongestant reduces the effect of the medication we take which obviously isn't good! I just used the bottled lemon juice as it was all I had but it's still good. To be honest I think honey and lemon is as soothing as anything for your cough and throat. Just stay in the warm and don't do too much.

Oh dear, everyone seems to be coming down with these coughs and colds.

Maureen, the garage tried the 'if we offer you a good deal will you sign up for the car today' ploy which I hate. Smiling sweetly I told them we wouldn't be signing for anything today, whatever the deal was, as it would only be sensible for us to get a quote elsewhere too wouldn't it?' (salesman grinned) Also if the deal they were going to give us was that good, we wouldn't be able to better it elsewhere would we, so their deal should still be there tomorrow? The salesman had no answer and nodded and was trying hard to keep his face straight. Perhaps he doesn't come across many older ladies like me! Anyway, after all the form filling and dropping over £1000 on the price I told him I thought he could do better (more chuckles!) and I added that I wanted to help them reach their targets as I'd heard January was a bad month for selling cars and there wasn't much of the month left !! lol. (even OH was trying not to grin by then!) Well off to see his manager again and another small drop in price and pleading they were making a pittance on the deal now, but yes their target bonus would help. So, with no more movement on the money, I tried for some extras on the car and the upshot was I got metallic paint and front parking sensors included for the same price. (worth another £800). So that was a saving of £1800 and 0% finance over 3 or 4 years which is worth having anyway and they gave me a £10 M&S voucher for taking the test drive :-D Tomorrow we are trying another garage but I reminded OH about a (very reputable) company I got a new car through in the past and he was very interested when I told him he could save over £5000 for exactly the same car! I wonder if I'll get any commission from him!! ;-)

Frank is right about treating customers well. When I collected one car I bought in the past, the salesman had been very helpful and as a surprise 'extra' had taken nearly new mats out of their demonstrator and put them in my car for me. I was so pleased as I was single then and buying even a small new car was a big expense for me on top of running a home.

I've recorded the Cats prog Gill, I'll have to see what I think about it too as I'm not keen on some things people do as well.

That's a lovely song EOS and nice you pop in on the thread from time to time.....always nice to hear from you. :-)

That looks a nice cake Jane so I've copied the recipe too. I love blueberries and it has healthier oils which I like rather than butter. Like you it may be a while before I get around to doing one! The film was good wasn't it and I don't know how that young actor managed to be so believable in acting the part of someone with MND.

We change the pillowcases on our top pillows between sheet changes too. I often get too hot in bed so always roll the duvet cover down to the bottom of the bed in the day to let the bed 'air'.

Mandy, Lewis sounds a very content little baby just now. Did Jake have dark hair too as a baby? Your son and DIL must have their hands full with the the children being poorly, I hope they don't get it as well!!

:-S

Evening all

Well, I didn't get my relaxing day after all, I watched a bit of TV and thankfully the sneezing stopped which is turn helped my headache to go, so I made a lovely lamb casserole and two more Victoria sponges. I will make the sausage rolls another day as the oven temperature I needed for the cakes and casserole was to low for the sausages rolls and by the time I was finished I didn't feel like starting again with more baking today.

Thanks Jane for letting me know about the Blueberries, I thought that might of been the case when I read it again. Glad you enjoyed your film, I guess the weather was good enough for travelling then, still no snow here although the weatherman keeps saying we're going to get it, but I think not ;-) ;-).

That's a lot of cars you sold each month Frank, you must be a brilliant salesman. Glad to hear you and Ros are feeling a little better. But do be careful with the whiskey if you are taking paracetamol at the same time, that could be quite dangerous.

Sorry to hear most of your family are suffering with cough's and cold's Fiona and that you feel tired, hopefully you won't catch anything nasty . Hope you all feel better soon <3.

Hope all the little ones feel better Mandy, in your family. That's not good, being without a dryer, can it be fixed or do they need a new one.

Sounds like nearly everyone is ill lately. Roll on the warmer weather and an end to these winter illnesses <3

I've been watching Pets - Wild at Heart, as I've been typing, it's very interesting and very informative.

Well, I'd better get back to it, as it's almost over