General Chat

Mornin' Les Edith ,yes please all recipes greatfully recieved lol,i often add a couple of drops of the oil to my noodles to make a change ,and often add it along with a little fish oil in my stir fry ,makes a nice change.
Was out feeding my veggie patch this morning ,and am pleased to find that my mid season cabbage is balling nicely,reckon a couple more weeks ,and ,bingo.
Hmmmmm,i managed to get the outer and inner sides of the hedge done yesterday ,at last,and today i will be copying you ,and getting the front lawn trimmed ,followed by weeding the back borders , so i am nearly up to date.
I reckon you are a little ahead of me with the peppers ,mine have just started to form their buds and are looking good ,and the tomato's are now big, plump ,and awaiting a little sun to turn them red.
I can't get my head round the govenment in this country ,they are chuntering on about leaving the cars at home yet again ,and then tell us they are going to put up transport costs ,i.E the train and tube fares 10%,so people are going to find it even harder to afford the fares to get into work,our law makers and MP's are living in cloud cuckoo land,one way ,or the other guys ,you have us dizzy over here ,it's make your mind up time,lol.
I am going to make up some of that Burger ,and sausage mix this afternoon ,using some of the spices and herb mix i have ,added a little at a time to give the mix a B B Q flavour,and then shove it on the hot coals to simmer in a tad of oil .should go nice in pitta bread with some salad leaf and tomato out of the garden ,though i will have to cheat with the tom's ,mine not being ready yet.
Time to get on with the housework now ,before starting in the garden again ,ho ,hum ,Fred's Work is never done ,he he,still ,it has to be done before laddo comes this afternoon .
Catch you all later ,Fred. .
,

Hi everyone We have a lovely winters day,,
All this talk of home grown veg is making my mouth water..When the spring comes I might get going and see if I can grow something out the back patio..It dosent get to much sun but just might get enough so will give it a go..
You all sound like you are enjoying your summer so make the most of it..not long to our spring,,hee hee hee arnt I horrid..but I DO LUVS YAS...

Have a nice weekend..

Love Mary xxx

Morning all, Another nice day in middle Canada. Fred, when you describe all the chores you have to do outside I am thankful I moved to a smaller home. I can do without having to trim the lawn edges etc. However some days I would welcome the big garden and getting bone tired after a day of weeding etc. Darn women!! can't keep us happy no how hee hee
On our T.V. from Winnipeg last nite there was the story of a man out near Les's, who had a dustup with a bear and ended up in hospital. He said he would go back again but move the campsite, well I guess so.!!! Some folk are very thick.
Am still enjoying a daily tom, yesterday I sliced a large one on a plate
topped it with rounds of mozzarella cheese and basil leaves and drizzled olive oil over all. MMmmm everyone enjoyed it.
Good to hear from you Mary and I for one am looking forward to our cooler weather. Must get moving as I have a full day planned. See you all soon.
Enjoy the rest of the week-end. Edith XXXXX

Yes Edith there were two guys out in the bush west of here. "Humour" has it that they have a maryjane thing going on out there but I think the truth is that they like wilderness camping and are a tad stupid. They had left their cooler outside the previous day and the bear came for a look. He came back and was staring down at one of the guys who screamed bloody murder. The bear lunged and attacked, the other man got into the fight, whacked the bear on the nose so he ran away. The bear came back to the camp the next day and the conservation guys killed him. He was a young bear and obviously remembered there was food around. So the moral of the story is: if you camp in the wildernes...lock up your food and garbage.

Meanwhile there was a news piece about a couple of dogs who were attacked by a beaver in Red Deer. The City's game plan was to kill the beaver colony. I wrote to the Red Deer council along with thousands of folks from around the world, deploring their decision. They were so overwhelmed with mail that they did nothing and two days later, one evening, some as....le went into the park and shot one of the beavers...now it is an RCMP investigation. It is illegal to shoot within a park and shoot protected wildlife.

And then again there was a woman in Victoria who was walking her dog and she was charged by a deer (doe) who was protecting her two fawns. The woman hid behind a car and someone came and chased the deer away.
Crazy, crazy times!!

Last night I made a yummy greek salad which we had with new spuds from a local farm plus new baby carrots cooked in foil with a little oil and dill, and a slice of meatloaf.

Today we have been garage sale-ing. My score was a huge box of different laces and ribbons for $1...yea!!

Off to find a cool spot to read in.
Enjoy the weekend.
Lesxx

Morning all ,well some people need to remember that in going out in the wilds ,you are entering any wild animals territory ,it's THESE idiots that are the interlopers and the animals are only doing what these people would do if an animal ,or person would do if someone threatened THEIR children.
If these idiots are so ruddy dumb ,then they should stay home,and save the wild a load of grief.
If you take a walk along the cliff tops on the coast around Newcastle ,you are liable to be dive bombed by gulls protecting their eggs and chicks,no good complaining to the local council ,but some do ,he he.
Their are wild boar re introduced in to the New forest here ,but no one in their right mind would go close to them,they arn't the normally friendly farm yard piggies ,these are wild ,and very dangerous.
We even had some daft woman go for a wander in a farmers field with a dog ,letting her pet get too close to a calf,which of course provoked the cow to attack her and the dog ,her fault ,but she sued the farmer ,the magistrate giving her damages for pure stupidity instead of fining her for aggrivated trespass the judge ,and her should have been shot with s**t .
I got seen off by my sisters geese ,my fault ,i knew she used them as watchdogs but walked through the gate none the less ,i might add that i left more quickly by leaping a five foot five barred gate ,should have entered the Olympics that day lol.
The name means what it says ,WILD, as meaning ,treat with respect ,and thats from an old town dweller who still knows better.
The salad you mention ,i tasted for the first time in Cyprus ,and love it even today yum ,and often make one to go with either the B b Q or just a weekday tea ,specially as i now have all the stuff to hand in the garden ,bust needing balsamic ,and Feta Cheese.
sounds more like garage BUYING les ' lol ,but i'm jeal' he he ,no one seems to have them around here ,and i have to content my self with the bootsale up in Cramlington on a Wednesday ,which reminds me ,i must keep my eyes open this week for an empty Mac Gas can ,for the emergeny heaters i need four cans ready for the winter seeing as they reckon we may have long power cuts ,if it gets cold again ,like last year ,if we lose the electric ,we have no heat ,or cooking,and four cans of heating gas will keep us warm for at least six weeks.
I have already found a little gas can for the camping stove as well [4.5 kilo]
and will take that to the Calor depot this week ,which will enable me cooking to if the need arises.
I was even thinking of a small Chimnea for the patio as well ,i saw one at B & Q that can be used to cook in too ,nosh and toastie warm at the same time ,now that's an idea,lol.
I need all these chores Edith old friend ,i maay grumble a bit about them at times ,yes ,but i can't afford to sit around ,my hip is that bad ,that lazing about allows it to seize up and i would rather have the pain ,and be mobile ,than haqve the same sort of pain while sitting down ,for longer ,lol,'cides ,where would i be without my garden ,and the [nearly ] free veggies and flowers which don't take much looking after in return for much pleasure and sitting on the patio among all the scent and color.
Well Mary ,ouir summer ain't up to much ,but i'm hanging on to it for a while yet ,so there ,he he,you will have to wait awhile or go and Join Tony
,and i did suggest you hiding in his suitcase.
Well ,time for a cuppa before i wake all the neighbors up by getting the big mower out and doing the front lawn ,lol,Fred's up ,the missus is up ,EVERYBODY up lol.
catch you later.Fred xxx

Morning all. Thunder , lightning and weather alert for a tornado of all things.We have some very nasty weather roaring through the northwest.
Listened to the noise most of the night, hoping my balcony didn't get drowned. However everything looks o.k. this a.m.
The cucumbers I planted in the long thin planter have taken off and the leaves now cover most of the north wall of the balcony. Flowers and several cucs so look forward to lots of good eating !!!
My downstairs neighbour keeps giving my toms a hungry look so will have to share a few.
Fred I have some nicotiana plants and in the evening they have the best
scent and if we have a breeze I can smell it inside. Lovely.
I agree about the "dumb" people who try and invade the wilderness. I would love to shove them in a den somewhere tied by one leg.!!!!
Be careful with the chiminea as they spark a lot and will set small fires around them. We had a lovely jacket fire a few years ago. D.I.L hung it
on a chair just a bit too close. Of course she was not as amused as we were.hee hee.
Enough of my rambling. Stay well everyone. Edith XXXXXXXX

morning Edith ,Les, and anyone else who decides to show their face ,even the ones from oz are more than welcome.
Sounds as though you are in for a rough time for a while Edith ,at least with us over here ,it's just high winds and rain,so i can't grumble,though i am thinking of growing rice next year he he.
The new patio loungers have arrived along with the little table that completes the set ,now all we need is some sun ,lol.
They are very comfortable ,and could be used as emergency beds if needs be ,so they may come in handy if we have a prolonged power outage ,we would be snug in the front room with the gas heater and a slightly open patio door,wrapped up in two of the sleeping bags and a handy book for reading.
I was out back early this morning ,carrier bac on my left wrist ,scissors in right hand picking some French ,and runner bean ,half a collander of each as it turned out,so ,i think it's time to stuff that courgette i mentioned ,do a few new tatties ,and some mixed french and runner bean,and a couple of roasties and roast parsnips.
The only veg i have to still buy for a while is cabbage ,and tatties ,as mine have still a bit of growing to do ,but other wise ,we are doing great despite the lousy weather.
Thanks for the pics Les,your tom's look to be doing great ,as are your herbs,i did send you some a couple of weeks ago ,some of Bath ,and some of the garden ,so if you let me know what you didn't get ,i will send them again ,three at a time so they don't choke your email box.
My peppers are about the same as yours ,still green ,lol,but as you say ,there is plenty of time yet.
Noticed the poly insulation in your greenhouse ,i use bubble wrap because it insulates far better ,but never insulate my roof ,because it prevents the fruit ripening,but i noticed yours was rolled back ,no doubt so that you can use your house far earlier for starting the seedlings because of the intense cold you get.
I have just brought some onion seeds [Ailsa Craig] show onions ,and am going to have a go growing them next year ,to see if i still have the onion green fingers and choose the craigs because ,even grown really big ,they store well over the winter ,and just the right size for sarnies ,if you grow a couple of square ones ,he he.
The chimnea will be used for jackets Edith ,but the tattie sort ,not the wearing ,lol,and i will buy mine from b&Q on a Wednesday using my pensioner card ,lol %10 off the price isn't to be sneezed at .
My wife also bought some lavender seeds ,asd is busy putting them in seed trays this very minute ,so ,i had better move my Butt ,and give her a hand before i get a flea in my ear lol,Catch you later all Fred.

Fred, please send me the pics as I did not get them. I have a greenhouse "blanket" over the top of mine to filter the UV rays. We are in our 4th. week of 30 degree plus weather and it fries everything without protection. I am supposed to take it off in the winter but leave it on as it is really well attached.
Have been tanning my shoulders and legs for this wedding we are going to. I bought a cocktail dress that is short and cut high on the shoulders so cannot look like a farmer with my farmer's tan. So everyday I disrobe (well almost!!) and give myself an hour in the sun. They say it will switch to rain here within the next week or so, so must make hay while the sun shines etc.
Slow cooker day today so that I don't have to melt in the kitchen at dinner time.
More later
Lesxx

Watch those squirrels Les,they will be lurking in the branches with cameras,ready to put your pics on the internet he he.
Yep ,i will start sending the pics as soon as i sort them back out for you ,starting with the garden and Bath,before moving onto others,lol you asked for it he he.
Havn't done much today apart from repairing my sons old compaque puter which has seen better days ,but i need it to update my older road angel which isn't supported on vista ,or windows 7 ,so it's back to the old ,veeeeery slow X P once every few weeks ,slow being the watch word ,with a chip less than a gig ,it makes a carthorse look rapid.if you know what i mean
If our temperatures ever go up as high as yours ,i will have to do likewise i reckon ,but at the moment i can't cover the roof with anything because the stuff in there is very slow in ripening as it is.
Well,this acer is now updated for now ,so i will get these pics sent before reverting to my big H P computer.
Have a nice weekend all,Fred

Morning all ,from a sunny warm Newcastle [not ] where it is piddling down yet again ,i have given up on any thought of a summer this year ,and have started planning for an early autumn ,starting with the arrival of my two gas bottles yesterday.
I think i had better start bringing the green tom,s out of the greenhouse and ripen them in newspaper ,giving the smaller toms time to grow a bit,but i have a glut of cucumber ,so it is a case of swings and roundabouts ,and at least the pepper bushes now have flowers on ,so i should get a good supply of those shortly ,having at least 16 plants on the go ,plus my four patio peppers out front.
Fred's holding his breath ,as i sent Les ,the pics as asked ,and this time i had no failure indication from her email provider .which looks a lot better .
Nothing wrong with a farmers tan les ,doris Day had one nearly all her life ,and looked good with it ,many women spend hundreds of $ a year on sun beds and cream ,you get yours for free ,lol.
With those temperatures a slow cooker would be a no go here ,he he ,salads and cooking outside is the way to go for me in a like situation ,a nice salad with plenty of homegrown produce ,and a slice or two of one of your beutiful Salmon would do me fine.
Hope everyone is going to enjoy the weekend ,catch you later,Fred.xxx

Went to the farmer's market this morning and got fresh garlic, new spuds, a yellow zucchini for my world famous zoo sticks, and a huge red onion which I am going barbeque in fat slices. Then we were off to the fish market and got a nice piece of salmon....supper fixed!!
I made minestrone in the slow cooker yestereday and we had that with onion and olive oil bread...very yummy, easy and kept me out of the kitchen....yea!!!
Long weekend here and the town is full of people, mostly out on the inlet toodling around in their boats. I am cool in my basement until it is time to get naked again.....thank goodness we are not overlooked by any neighbours..they would be putting thier house up for sale..LOL
Later Lesxx

Morning Les' ,why are you buying garlic,when you have a perfectly good garden outside?
Buy yourself another ,split it into corms and plant them out,spacing them well apart ,they will grow into full garlic plants by next year ,and in the meantime will keep a lot of the pests away ,carrot flies can't stand the smell given off,and they also deter wire worm ,and the like ,might even keep the vampires away ,lol.
I have some greek toasting cheese here Les' and intend putting that on the B B Q,with the onion ,and sliced courgette as i do the sausage and burgers,providing the rain keeps off that is .
We have the weekend to ourselves ,so we are being lazy and are really chilling out for a change.i am sat here ,shorts and top on waiting for my cup of coffee to cool down ,before going out for a mooch around my domain .
Hope everyone over the pond's are having a nice weekend ,Fred.

Morning all, sun shining and a hot day forecast!! Our blueberry festival is in full swing with loads of things to do. Went to a spaghetti supper last nite. Thay had a contest to be the first to finish a plateful using chop sticks. The owner of the local airline won handily, he was very good with the sticks !!!
The berries this year are plentiful and those who pick them say the open areas in the bush are blue fields. Taste great too.The annual blueberry pancake breakfast is tomorrow so must get to that. As there are many food venues I shall stay away as it is too tempting !!!
Our famer's market was on Friday and the variety is great this year, got my first beets and will cook them up later for supper. Green beans also.
Time for breakfast so will say bye for now. Edith XXXXXX

Hi everyone We have lovely rain outside and its so needed..It has been so dry this winter and my little garden is looking sad.. I am going to try and grow some herbs this summer as I have a large plastic container out back and I am going to get some good soil and fill it and have a go..It doesnt get a whole lot of sun but should be enough for some hardy herbs and a few toms..I could even grow mint as that will grow anywhere..LOL.
Life is rather busy at the moment and next week I have a lunch with all my brothers which I am looking forward to..Then on next Friday we are off to Canberra to visit our daughter and grandies..got to hear all about Kates trip to the uk and Europe..and Ellies trip to New Zealand..My eldest grandson is off to the UK and Europe in September also ..cant keep these kids home..they have the travel bug..
We hope to get to New Zealand in November but not counting my chickens before they hatch..Will see how things are in October..LOL..John is good one day and bad the next..
Daughter in Orange rang today and said ,,Mum its snowing heavily..like to come up..she knows I love the snow and would love to be there..it is so pretty to watch..It usually only lasts a day of two at the most but is lovely to see in winter..
Fred Sounds like you are getting ready for winter..You are ready for any eventuality..good for you..cant believe it is only a month from spring..it has been a rather mild winter or I just might be enjoying it to much to notice its anything else..LOL..
Got to take the car in for its 12month service tomorrow..That year has gone quickly..

Hope you are all well..
Love Mary xxxx

Fred I did grow garlic one year. I bought 6 organic bulbs online, different varieties and we did have a lot of garlic. Had a problem with the neighborhood cats....they loved the smell while enjoyng their "ablutions"!!! Now we have the noisy Bella and maybe they stay away. Anyway we plan to grow it again this fall.

I got broad beans at the market as mine are not ready but theirs weren't either. Very green and tough even after cooking. I like the kind where the skin cracks and goes a pale mauve colour. Last year I grew Italian favas and the crop was poor this year we will see. I also got a huge red onion complete with the stalk. I quartered it part way thru and poured a little olive oil on it, wrapped it in foil and baked it....more than yummy....heaven!!!

When I was in school one of the school dinners was beef (hopefully..LOL) and it came with a potage of onion and carrots in a whitish sauce.....anyone have a recipe for that...I am an onion lover and that was yummy also.

I bought a bag of new carrots and have been cooking them whole in foil as well, doused with a little olive oil and dill...oh! my! oh! my!

OK off to do some serious cutting out today....the fall is rapidly approaching along with those artisan fairs.
Lesxxx

Howay our Les' going to all that trouble to buy Organic ,that's just a way to make people pay extra ,all food to grow veggies come out of the ground ,lol,they are all organic ,made into feraliser or left as cow and horse poo.
Just buy a normal clove where you buy the ones for cooking same as all the old gardeners do they grow just as well ,and are a lot cheaper.
Your ideas as to the carrots in oil ,and the onions sounded soooo good that i am gonna give it a shot today,and i am going to add a little fresh chopped sage and rosemary to the onion oil.
I made too much mashed potato yesterday ,and pulled some of the veggie mince from the freezer last evening ,shepherds pie today for dinner,plus your roasted carrots and onion ,and some fresh runners from the garden.
I got one heck of a shock this morning ,first thing,going out at 6 am to put the rubbish and recycle bins out ,there was a distinct chill in the air ,and i saw all the spiders webs in the hedges ,glistening in the dew,autumn?,in early August ? hmmmmm ,something fishy going on here ,lol..
My youngest grand daughter got her results from the hospital regarding her kidney reflux and i am very relieved ,kidney problems are rife in our family going back to my grandparents on my mums side,and my father on mine ,so it was such a relief to find that apart from a little scarring ,she is now in the clear,and will have no further problems.
We don't have a pussy cat problem Les' we brought an electronic cat ,rat scarer ,worth every penny ,but i don't half get some dirty looks off Hissy if i don't turn it off before i let her out in the mornings ,he he ,sometimes i think i should have called her Huffy.
Make sure your container has a few holes in the bottom Mary ,or you may land up if it Does rain by drowning your plants ,as i did a couple of years ago,and put your mint in a bucket ,or the roots will choke everything else in the container.
Sounds as though you will be getting around a bit over the next few weeks Mary ,enjoy it all while you can that's the name of the game.
Aquadulce is the best broad bean going Les' they always cook as you describe ,and the shop brought ones you mentioned were well over ripe ,and are only good for seed,they shouldn't have been on sale at all ,some stores want a kick up the butt for selling unfit gear .
My pods i try before i pick ,i squeeze a bean through the pod wall ,if it is softish ,okay to eat ,if hard it goes into the envelope for next years seed crop. Fred is a tight assed scot ,lol,won't buy ANY seeds he can keep himself he he.,i already hace four ounces of mixed pepper seed drying out in the shed ,along with the tomato seed .
Try a cheese sauce with your pottage Les ,sounds as though it can work well with those veg..
Well ,time to go and do some work ,who was it says ,housework is never done with ,wasn't me ,but i agree with the sentiment, Fred.xxxx.
Just to add before i make the tea peeps ,the red onion and carrots went down a storm ,but i never got to taste the onion ,waaah the missus snaffled it but i got some carrot ,yummy ,next time i will get my onion which i sprinkled parsley and sage on before cooking,before i put them out on the dinner Fred.xxx

Morning everyone, Had to catch up with all the news as I have been busy with the festival. Watched the teens in the pie eating contest, what fun, all those purple faces and dripping berries off noses hee hee. They seemed to enjoy every minute and washed off with a garden hose, then onto the next attraction. Oh, to be young again!!!
Have started drying my herbs as they are over growing every pot. Tried the microwave thing but much prefer to hang them and wait. Gets better results methinks.!!
Good luck with your travel plans Mary, will be nice for you to get away for a bit. Still can't get used to you having winter in our summer time!!!
We have been blessed this year, as the days have been warmer than last year when all we got was rain.Seems Fred has been getting all the bad stuff this year. Crazy world we live in hmm.
Must get out and water all the plants before the day gets too hot, so it's bye for now. Edith XXXXXX

Morning peoples ,sorry to be late this morning ,but i forgot to put my windows updates back to manual last night after doing an upgrade on the big laptop ,with the result that while i was writing an addition to 'tother thread this morning ,the puter shut down without warning to install 14 updates grrrrr,so i had to start over .
I was out early this morning [as i do lol] to give my prize cabbage a drink ,while i supped my first cuppa of the day,and noticed that the sky was a nice azure blue,and when i finished out there it was STILL ,nice and blue,hmmmm,is this our summer arrived at last?,
Fred is now decked out in shorts ,and tank top ,shoes at hand ,just in case he he.
Found a nice recipe ,needing only a casserole dish,garlic ,onion ,parmissan ,or cheddar cheese potato ,milk ,and breadcrumbs.so ,i think i will give that a go for tomorrows dinner.
The wife has just asked me if i will take her shopping this morning,to which i have replied "stuff that,i am off into the wild blue ,out front ,yonder ,with a trowel ,while it stays fine " ducks the slipper that comes my way ,and bolts for the door .Fred.

Well goodmorning to you lot from a very smokey PA. There are over 400 wild fires burning in the BC Interior and the wind is moving the smoke and ash our way. It was hazy yesterday but as of this morning they have issued an air quality advisory and that puts Norm and I on the list of folks who should not be outside for too long. They are calling for thunder activity today but unfortunately no rain. If there was to be a wild fire here in the valley I am not at all sure how our city would fare and how we would get out. as we only have one road in and out. A few days of rain would be wonderful!!!
Apart from that I am in a cutting frenzy. Ollie has taken on the job of quality control and spends hours chasing the scissors, pins and tape measure and then lolling gracefully on any fabric left lying around. He particularly likes black and you can just imagine what that looks like after he's had his nap...love him to bits!!!
I am thinking I would like to have a vegetarian day today so must scour my recipe books for something interesting and tasty.
Later Lesxx

Morning all.. We have lovely sunshine today and quite warm..Fred .. Perhaps your summer has come down under and our winter has gone north..LOL

Les Do hope you sell lots at the coming fair..Great for Christmas..A bit worried about you with those fires around..A lot start with the wind blowing embers ahead of itself and that starts fires all over the place..If they get close for goodness sake get out fast and go stay with your daughter..Cant get over how many died here in our last summers big fires..mostly in their cars trying to get away but found their way blocked by fallen trees..do take care..

Edith If you can grow toms on your balcony I will see if I can grow some in my back patio..

Fred.. Yes the container has holes in the bottom..so will get myself organised and give it a go..Made a lovely casserole in my slow cooker last night of lamb chops and a lovely tomato onion and mint gravy..I just love mint with lamb.. everyone does here in OZ..Roast lamb and mint sauce is a must..

Well Have to take John to the Quack so better get my A into G and move..Have a lovely weekend all..

Love Mary xxx