General Chat

Rita, maybe that is the norm.How frightening would that be?

It was areal eye- opener when I met my OH how blase he and his family were to owing money. He thought it was normal to be chasing money all the time to pay unmamgeable debts.

Many people regard credit cards as a source of money.I treat it like a guard dog.I am afraid of what it can do but like to have it there just in case I may need it sometime.

That programme is not really meant for us,she says smuggly. It is just passing on what we already know.We are the champions!!

The Kenwood factory and shop is in Havant.

You just bung it all in the liquidizer.

Sharron where is the Kenwood store?

What blade did you need? Instructions please :-D

I have been watching the Kenwood programme on QVC. They make some lemonade to show you how good the liquidizer is. Well,we have a Kenwoos liquidizer because the factory is not far away and they have an outlet shop.

I have never quite believed the demonstration so, this evening I tried it.
It just involves putting a whole lemon,some ice cubes and some sweetening(I used Aldi's version of Splenda) and some tap water into the blender and give it a bit of a whizz.
Then you strain it into glasses.

For the price of a lemon and the sweetening we had nearly half a gallon of the best lemonade I have ever tasted.It was gorgeous.Let's hope the hot weather lasts,then we can have some more.

Inmy youth when I had the highflying summer job in the tomato packhouse,we would always try to get hold of the little reject tomatoes.They were called chats and were about the size of a cherry tom but had by far the best flavour.

Nobody would buy little tomatoes then.Now they pay through the nose for cherries.The power of the advertizing agency is boundless.

Sharron, we live in a very hard water area. I have always used soda down the sink, shower and washbasins about once a month.

Vinegar to degunge kettle, OH lifts drain cover and chucks Jeyes down monthly and then hose. Haven't seen the latest programme but not that impressed - as to cleaning tips Kim and Aggie had better ones!

There are packets of seed for small varieties e.g.Gem lettuce, have bought some as with only two of us, Gem suits better.

I didn't know about the soda crystals down the bog. Are you in a hard water area? I am but I would like to try that.

I tried the thing with the egg shells down the sink but could not seem to get them down there.

Can't say that I am impressed with the ideas in the programme.You could clean your shoes with hair conditioner if you bought it but I don't. What is wrong with a bit of furniture polish anyway?

Tut - how many other things are miss labelled, I wonder?

I have not worked in the packhouse myself but the daughter of a friend was there for a while and she mentioned it.

I doubt it would breach the TDA anyway.Botanically Little Gem may be a seperate species but it could well be a different classification when it comes to sellinc food.

Sandwich cress is actually oilseed rape seedlings.Ask yourself how much you would fancy an egg and rape sandwich.

Are you sure about that Sharron? Little Gem 'is' a variety. If they are selling lettuce Hearts as Little Gem, they are breaking the Trade Description Act.

Sharon, I thought that they were a special species! Well you learn something new every day!

Living in the midst of lettuce prairies I was wondering if other people realized that little gems are the result of the damaged leaves being pulled off manky big lettuce.

It is just a way to sell the heart that is left even though they are packaged like they are a special species.

Sorry, I pressed the wrong button, so did not write everything I wanted to say, especially how much I enjoy reading tour threads. I hope that you pop into Culinary delights from time to time

08.39 hrs Spain

When I read the price that Joanne has mentioned I am just a little envious.
When we first ,over to Spain we were amazed at the low price of food.
That was 7 years ago, now the cost is considerably more.
Thank goodness I enjoy cooking so with my own thread plus thisone we are in fact living quite well.

My mother made my wedding dress, and embroidered the train, she also made the six bridesmaid dresses. She did the same for my sister who married only a few months after me. She also made our cakes and prepared all the food for the receptions.
She taught us how to knit, sew, repair clothes, embroider, many other things which have helped us along the way. My sister and I also passed these things onto our children and what a delight to see our grandchildren being taught the same.

Sorry Gwyn in kent I havnt tried using the leeks personally . Im in New Zealand and to be honest I havnt seen them for ages.

I need to take a walk when its the right time of the year and then I will try them. One recipe I googled was for Wild Garlic Pesto

Date and walnut rock cakes today.That was dates left over from Christmas.

I agree - I am a little disappointed with the programme - I would much rather have the whole programme about tips rather than the money aspect.

The freezing the candles definately works (we have an experiment with our neighbours last night) when we were sharing a meal outside.

Also, went to the supermarket today for the veg for the tea today was there early ended up picking up some real bargains - cauliflower 39p, carrots 39p, huge bag of green beans 39p, sprouts 5p. Making pigs in blankets walls sausages 55p and streaky bacon 75p. When I say that I'm feeding 5 and still have leftovers I am not exagerating.

Also got punnet of strawberries 59p, 2 bags of clemintines 40p, bananas 29p... I think I need to getto the shops early every Sunday....

I have also been baking today - 20 cheese scones, 10 cherry scones, biscuits and banana cake :-D

Rita,
I am with you there!!
I don't think growing up during the war years really leaves you.
I have done most of the things you mention,except turning a coat inside out!!
I made teddy bears out of old velvet curtains during the 60's,and a golliwog...oops...out of some old black material.Made new under pillowcases out of old sheets.Still darn socks etc,although I don't suppose I really need to now,but it's this waste thing that stays with you.

Quinsgran, Thanks for that, have you used 3 cornered leek? I wondered how strong it is.
It is competing with the bluebells here as to which can overtake most of the garden.
3 cornered leek grows in any crack in the paving or where you can't reach behind the shed, so I think it's winning!
Perhaps I should just try using it, trial and error.

Gwyn

Gwyn in Kent asked about recipes for 3 cornered leek further down the thread

It grows wild and smells as you can guess like onions or garlic