General Chat

Just a quick reply to Les and the price of petrol..
We are paying between $1.30 and $1.45 per litr.ya got it cheap girl..LOL...and we are about a dollar for dollar with the Yanks.Bet its about to get a lot worse..with all the troubles in the middle east..

Back later..

Love Mary xx

Hi everyone..
Well the specialist has told OH he is the worst basket case he has had and cant think of anyhting to help..so its live with it and get used to it..He has now tried every specialist he can think of and now has come to the end of them all,,, not good I am afraid..

Back later

Love Mary xxx

Well hello all you staunch gardeners and peoples over the ponds and whatever ,lol,We have had a nice'ish morning over here in the old country,where it is now becoming overcast and colder ,grrrrrr,still ,seeing as i have managed two mornings this week where i managed a coffee on the patio with the pusser cat ,i ain't gonna complain.
Sorry to hear that you and John have hit a proverbial brick wall Mary ,what a bummer for you,but you will do what you have always done since i have chatted to you,dug your heels in an carried on regardless,the usual Aussie way which i admire so much,God bless you all.
I think you could do with your gardening chum to come to the rescue Les' and build you a couple of raised beds for your veggies ,so you can tend them by using a kneeling pad to plant ,and a hoe to keep weeded,that is your best way forward if you still intend to grow ,with that back of yours,this growing old is a bu***r ain't it?.
Other than that ,it's lawn everything ,and somehow i can't see you settling for that,me ,i'm lucky in that i have the son handy for awkward things that i can't manage,mind you ,do you think Bella might help with the digging if you hide a few bones? she might even help by pulling a small plough he he.
.Well,i have the last of the Parsnip out of the boxes now ,two big buckets worth ,in the greenhouse,and the buckets ready to go again.
We need 2 kilos of peeled and chopped parsnip for soups this next week,and will use a few for dinner today with the grandsons mince and dumplings [yet again he he] he wouldn't look at the New zealand lamb on offer .lol.
We will have that mid week ,rolled and stuffed with sage and onion stuffing yum .
The other Parsnip i will freeze down as a treat during the summer when they are well out of season,and will make a nice change
Apart from a few odds and ends ,the veggie garden is ready to go,so i will give it two more weeks before i kick start the new season,frosts forecast for two weeks yet..
Liz has found a couple of recipes for Chowder dishes which we have never tried before ,they look interesting so i will have a closer look this afternoon
Time to get on with the lunch now ,hope everyone has managed a nice weekend ,Take care every one ,Fredxxx.

Morning all, Just getting over a terrible head cold so this will be short.
This is the first cold in many a year for me but I'm sure the weather is to blame. Cold one day warm the next, the body does not have time to adjust.
Anyway finally coming to an end I hope, can't think of where more gunk can come from hee hee.
Sorry about John, Mary. Hope you can get some inside help so you don't end up sick as well. If it is available do take advantage of it.
Take care Fred and Liz.. You too Les.
See you soon. Edith XXXX

Just a quickie this morning all ,we iiiiss goinn' to be very busy today moving the son down to wallsend [just about ] a little hamlet called Howden,where is has his new 5 bedroom house.
I have taken windows automatic updates off all four of the puters now ,and what a difference it has made,they are all running a lot faster ,i no longer suffer with the ruddy programme shutting me down while it updates every time i switch on ,[bliss] and the defrages don't take half so long because windows hasn't filled my hard drives with crap,lol.
Tried a new soup Edith ,spiced citrus lemon and parsnip,it is absolutely fab. and no salt and pepper in there at all ,so i thought i would mention it ,recipe available if required ,he he.
Catch you all later ,Fred.xxx

Well what a day we had yesterday weatherwise. We did have a storm warning and it blew in at about 9.30am. I continued to blow until about 5pm , gusting anywhere from 80 to 105 kph. On top of that it snowed, it rained, it hailed and when taking a break, the sun came out....we had it all yesterday. I went to the grocery store at 4 in the sun and by the time I got there it was hailing and I had to wait in the car. All the local mountains are covered in snow....winter is still here!!!
Now today the sky is blue but looking south down the inlet I can see lots of dark grey clouds...more to come???
Norm and I went out to the local chinese buffet the other day, don't do that very often. I can report that I stuffed my face!! especially with egg foo yung which I love!! I should look for a good recipe for that so that I can make it at home...yummy yum. Last night I made lasagne, haven't made that in awhile either. Enough for two nights so no cooking tonight...yea!!
Nice patio, Mary. How big will those trees get?? Will you have to repot them..maybe Fred knows?? Last year I piut all my strawberries into tubs on our patio. They did well except that Bella ate most of them...now how weird is that dog!! I should have asked her if she would like cream with them as well....LOL
Off to do something! More later. Lesxx

Hi everyone,, We have a lovely day today and its now Autumn,,loooovly...
Glad you all got the pic and yes I am going to have a go at toms in the spring..will be lovely..When the chilies are done I might put in a few chives and spring onions..
The lemon and orange trees only grow to about 11/2 to 2 meters..They are a dwarf variety but have seen them loaded with fruit in the nursery where I bought the plants.
Getting quite enthused now I have sarted..

Les Your weather is sounding like Melbourne weather,,In the whole of Oz they say that is the only place you can have 4 seasons in one day..LOL..

Well better go as I have a haircut apointment at 9.30. Stay warm all and send down some cool any time you like,,

Love Mary xxxx

morning Mary,Les,and Edith,plus anyone else who shows up he he.
The move of the sons family we completed yesterday and after a reasonable night ,i feel a lot better,today.
Before we went back down yesterday ,being a coolish ,but bright morning ,i at last managed to get the hedge top ,and next doors side trimmed for the first time this year.
Joans side wasn't too bad until i got to the house wall end,where there are four big recycle bins ,which i ain't moving to finish the hedge,and neither was i going to use the extendible cutter on it ,seen too many people get hurt over the years through over reaching,so that dosn't get done until the son ,or grandson do a bit of work for their ma /grandma.
I got the four boxes out back ready too ,all weed free ,manured with organic manure to three boxes ,and chicken poo in the other ,so i can see which boxes do better.
Onions only this year in these ,two red ,and two white fresh manure is deadly to parsnip or carrot ,so i will crop these next year when the manure has diluted somewhat.
I also laced the lot with bonemeal so there should be some darned good onions if now't else .lol.
My Orange tree will be going in a big urn this spring ,which will do for the future ,being big enough to keep the tree healthy with feeder at regular intervals ,and small enough to get it into the Chalet [sorry Mary] to keep it away from frost,if the frost gets as sever as it was this last winter.
I will also late in the season make some large bamboo half hoops which i can sink into the soil around the tree ,and cover with fleece ,just in case.
The tomato's are going straight into the pots this year,they germinate slower that way ,but grow with the temperatures and are semi hardy straight away ,so a few late mild frosts won't harm them.
The wife is making home made beef burgers for tea yum ,made with Angus reared Scottish beef ,so ,with a few herbs ground into the mix ,they will be extra tasty.
This gives me the chance to try the G F Health grill too,so the tea will be ,burgers with poached eggs on top,put into cheese oven bottom muffins ,done with diced steamed salad potato's pan fried in rapeseed veggie oil,no sunflower oil in the house because it sticks to everything ,including the tummy lining and artery walls ,the stuff should be banned from all shops and eateries.
Our weather window is closing again ,the snow ,and frost returning next week,so i think there is a good chance that Edith is outside in the snow ,shovel over the shoulder ,still looking for her car.
Time to go and get on with things ,still plenty to be getting on with .
Have a nice weekend all ,Fred.xxxx

Still winter. We got about three inches of snow late yesterday afternoon. Norm was out and I was sure he would get stuck on the road somewhere but he made it home safely.
Fred did you know that approx 85% of the worlds rapeseed is grown on the prairies in Canada. There is a whole area in Saskatchewan known as the land of "rape and honey" because of the volume of both commodities. Here in the colonies we don't call it rapeseed oil any more, just "canola". The seed here is mostly modified to remove the toxic substances hence canola "CAN adian O il L ow A cid". I did read that in Europe modified seed is not allowed so I have no idea what kind of rapeseed they are growing.
Still not able to get into the yard, once again under snow. We are going over to the kids next weekend and I wanted to dig out some perennials to take with me. At this rate I will not be able to find them!!! (the perennials that is...LOL)
Saturday, might have a lazy day today.
Lesxx

Morning all, Still a snowy day here too Les. The snowbanks are so high you have to inch out onto the street as the cars going by can't see you and you can't see them.!!!
Your Bella eating strawberries reminded me of our Cocker Spaniel, my husband planted the berries in rows, then mulched them to keep the berries clean. This critter used to get down on his belly and crawl along the ditch between the rows and ate only the ripe berries. After 2 years of this he was finally given 2 rows for himself and we at last got some berries too!!!
Are any of you getting the good prices on pork? We have for about the last month, maybe because Manitoba has a lot of hog farms. Anyway the chops and roasts are very cheap so I got a large roast, slow cooked it and made pulled pork. Can use it for panini buns, fahitas,and most wraps. Made enough for the entire family, d.i.l loved it as she can make a meal very quickly after working all day.
Fred, my balcony is still covered in snow so no gardening yet. The pots are all ready tho' so once it warms up for good I am ready to go.
Can't wait for the fresh green beans.
Mary love the pic of your garden, the wee trees would never be possible outside here, but I have a friend who has an orange tree in her home.
Hope your knee troubles are better, take care.
Time for my breakfast so it's bye for now. Edith XXXXXX

Edith, our snow has melted and it is sopposed to be 9 degrees today....I'd better get out my bikini...LOL!! Yes our pork is pretty cheap now as well. I got a small loin roast for about $7. I guess I will do it in maple syrup again. Norm isn't too keen on pork but he'll eat it if it is sweet like that. Last night I made chicken tenders and "zoo" sticks....this is probably his favourite meal. Tonight is beef stew night. I am sure looking forward to being able to fire up the bbq sometime soon. We were just reminiscing last night about having cornish game hens bbq-ing on the spit...yummy!!
Amazingly you can get Wiltshire bacon at the Superstore and so this has become our Sunday morning treat, along with scrambled eggs and baked beans....very British!! so I am off to cook that and then we will see how the day progresses.
Later Lesxx

Morning all,wow ,a coldish night ,but the sun is out and it's warming up nicely ,so before i go out this morning i think i will fill up the tomato buckets in the greenhouse,ready to plant just before we go away for the first week this year.
I notice that Queensland is still suffering with floods,a months rain falling over a few hours,and parts of Christchurch unsuitable for rebuilding ,there may even be a case for relocating the whole city to a much safer place,what a fiasco for all who live there.
Just goes to show who is really in charge of our planet ,and it ain't the heads of state ,that's for sure.
That dog email you sent Edith ,is in fact an advert off the t.v,which has been showing on our screens for the last three months ,great isn't it?
You wait until you see the new one to do with Cravendale Milk that has hit our screens this week all to do with breakfast cereals ,milk and Cats,i nearly choked on my coffee it was so funny ,and good,
I havn't seen the eldest son for nearly two weeks ,so i think he must be well stuck into this Nissan course,hope he likes it ,and a job comes from it ,he would be chuffed to bits
Must get on with the greenhouse work while the sun holds ,he he ,our weather is looking to close in again overnight ,leading to heavy frost ,and maybe back to snow ho hum ,these things are sent to try us ,lol.
Catch you later after the pancake making he he.Fredxxx

Morning all, Yes, Fred the universe is indeed not in our hands.!!!Yesterday the weather man says it is warming up. The temps last eve would rise to -2, (summer) for us. O.K Edith dons a lighter wieght jacket, in the car, and off to visit friends whom I haven't seen since Christmas.Had a lovely time and 3 hrs later goes out to get in the car, Temp had dropped much lower than he said and it is raining. More ice than water. Even tho' I had heat in the car it was like driving on a skating rink so I arrived home and had to almost crawl across the parking lot. I think by the time summer gets here I shall be a hermit!!!!!
This morning a lovely white blanket is covering all the ice so it's grab a book time and spend the day inside.
Haven't seen the milk commercial yet but then it may be for Brits only.
Did watch the 25th anniversary of Les Miserable from the 0/2 in London
Sunday nite. We get mostly news on BBC Canada but I will watch for the cats. Time to drag out my blankie and coffee and settle in for the day.
Bye for now. Edith XXXXXXX

Hi Edith ,i have just tried to send you the milk advert with the cats in that i was on about ,so i hope it arrives okay,just off to make the tea,a nice spicy parsnip and citrus variety ,yum ,back later Fredxxx

Morning all, Thanks Fred. I got the milk ad. It is fabulous.
Our weather is on the warm side for a few days but we have another bout of snow coming in from Colorado!!!!!!
Wish the Yanks would keep the stuff in their own country.hee hee
Hope everyone is well. See you all soon. EdithXXXXX

Hey, I didn't get any of those ads...boohoo...nobody luvs me...LOL
Meanwhile kiddies I am off to the mainland for a few days and will try and post but may not get a chance.. Walked Bella this am....torrential rain about half an hour into the walk....two drowned rats came home!!!
Have a man coming to dig out some of my plants this morning so I can take them to the kids....I did housework yesterday and my back is still talking about it!!!! My Doc says...do not vacuum....hmmm!! so then what???
More later. Lesxx

HI all.. We have dull but no rain..Wish those Queenslanders would not hog it all.. It is the wet season up there but what they are getting is ridiculous, and the poor things are really suffering..more floods and they haven't go over the recent cyclone yet..really feel for them..
Used some of my herbs in last nights dinner and am going to use some more for tonight's..They are growing well..might buy some more tubs ready for spring,,might get some long thin ones to go against the wall..

Eldest granddaughter rang me yesterday to let us know she has been accepted for the university in Madrid Spain for 12 months to do a honours degree..she is over the moon about it..she went to Spain on her recent trip to Europe and loved it..

Hope all you poor things are getting some warm weather, and starting to thaw out those stiff limbs..Do any of you go skiing in the snow,,or have the knees had their day..LOL..

Had to take OH for a chest x ray yesterday as there was a cancer scare with the Polymyositis they now say he has, but all clear thank goodness..

Have a lovely weekend all ,,,,

Love Mary xxx

Morning to all,specially our Mary who is getting ready for winter,and dreaming of all the lovely new herbs planned for next season.
What about the quake ,and the resulting Tsunami in Japan all,the water even possibly reaching Oz ,creating even more misery for the poor coastal dwellers over there.
I think your rellie in Spain is better off where she is for now old Friend ,and hope she makes you prouder of her than you all ready are good luck to the lass.
Sorry Les ,that wasn't a slight ,just oversight [what a play on words he he] ,any way ,i have now sent it on to you,so you may find it sitting in your inbox when you get home.
,Nothing much happening here ,still wet ,cold and yukky,and the grandson will have to make do with the puter again when he arrives this afternoon.
At least ,at long last,you have a diagnosis for John Mary ,and i really hope he is one of the lucky ones with this disease who can be helped,and treated ,it would be good for you ,at long last .
going to be doing a few rashers of streaky bacon with an egg for dinner ,along with a little bubble and squeek,more squeek than bubble ,but at least ,that way i can listen to it while it's cooking ,lol.
My garden is at a stand still again what with the weather but at least ,i am half way there,so ,at this early stage it's looking good.
Hope everyone is having a good'un ,catch you later all,Fred.xxx

Morning all.. We have a lovely mild day..

Those poor Japanese.. What a dreadful earthquake and tsunami, and now the radioactivity scare.. Don't think I like that sort of power..I will stick to my coal fired power stations thank you..despite the Greens telling us it causes global warming..Give me global warming and they can keep the radioactivity..LOL..

Fred.. I think they are guessing that John has that problem,,but are taking all precautions..so I am happy with that..

My new pots will be for tommys for next spring and perhaps some vegs. The citrus are doing well and looking lovely and green.My granddaughter will be studying at the Madrid uni and teaching English as well.. I think that is the sort of deal when you get these positions. She is so excited and cant wait to get there..

Well better go and get some brekky..Have a lovely weekend all..

Love Mary xx

Yes Mary ,you have the right idea,with the power NO country these days needs nuclear energy,coal has come a long way in thirty years,no longer a dirty fuel,far safer to use ,and in countries like Oz wind power ,solar power ,and even wave power should be the order of the day,and stuff the oil too.
They could rebuild modern coal powered coal and coking plants that would provide gas as well as heat,take all the people off the dole queues and get them back into work.
Trouble is that far too many high ups in government are coining it in with shares in oil and nuclear power to want to lose their place on the gravy train.
Hope Les'is enjoying her visit,i am off now to cook the tea i found in Morrisons this morning,chinese for two ,chicken in black bean sauce,chicken in sweet and sour,four spring rolls ,egg fried rice with garden peas,rice crackers ,and naan breads,for £4.90,lovely.
There were lots of specials on veggies too ,so we have supplies now for soups for tea for at least a week.
Finally got my first two hour sit in the garden today sun on the face and arms,the cat going daft because the patio door was opened for the first time since last october,she loved it ,in and out like a fiddlers elbow ,lol.
Hope everyone is having a nice week ,despite the continued deluges of water in some states, Catch you all later,Fred.xxx