General Chat

weather really cold again today and tomorrow is supposed to be literally freezing.
been to town to meet my friend today and see what was left in the sales ....not much.
Was looking for some black pants but did not see any Ireally liked.
wasfreezing at the bus stop on way home but it was on time for a change.
hope everyone is ok ,Might not get on tomorrow out at my aunties funeral.
take care Brenda

Hi Everyone, weather still cold but not sure how cold has i have not been out of the house apart from jumping in the car to pick up a friend who came for the afternoon.
Put away the decorations etc yesterday and will have to sort out wardrobes and drwaers again soon ,for space etc.
Still waiting to have the black puddings Dorothy,John did not want a heavy breakfast ,and I did not want to cook just for me,so we had a toasted tea cake.!!
Have not bought anything from that cheese stall lately ,but might take a look next time,we have not been having as much cheese as we used to do.
Seems we are on our own hope everyone else is ok,When does Fred go for the wedding??
Hope your weather improves.
Heard about three deaths day ,two sort of expected ,one a total shock Just brought back a few memories and keeping me awake.
Speak to you soon
Take care Brenda

hi brenda well I shall just imagine you eating your balck pudding in the morning, as you say I hear it is quite cold at home and it is not great here we are in for an ice storm to-morrow(sun). I can get black pudding at a couple of english/scotch stores at times but it does not taste as good as eating from the market. funny I was thinking about that great cheese stall on bury market the other day, some of the stores had imported different cheeses at xmas but the price was very high so I did not bother buying any. I was at a memorial service to-day for the sister of a lady who lives in the building, thenwent to load up on some groceries in case of the storm. having a lazy evening I may play my moma mia dvd to-night I can watch that over and over, hope we will have anupdate from sylvia and fred in the next couple of days. my half brother turns 50 on the 8th so I will try and callhim he was back to scotland for the holidays but may be back in yorkshire at work on the 8th bye for now dorothy

Hi Everyone,Sylvia i am so sorry about Johann .hope he is better soon.
Dorothy it is cold here at the moment and its going to get colder so they say.Bought us a little treat from the supermarket today a pack of Black pudding slices.We have had them from the market but had not seen them else where til today.So thats our breakfast for tomorrow.!!!!
John cleaned up the loft yesterday to make way for putting down some more insulation we had thought after spending so much we might get free delivery but they wanted to charge £25 from Heaton Park to here,(near North Manchester hospital,John was not pleased and made three journeys to take the stuff and then me home!!.
Have taken all the tree and decorations down and put up some new lamps so its nice and bright again.
Must get on with the tea,some salad and cold roast lamb,and apple pie for later.!!
Speak to you soon Brenda

goodmorning, sylvia I am sorry to hear the news about johan I hope that he gets better soon. brenda and fred and others on line Ihope that you all had a good new years, all is well over here with my family and myself though it has been very cold -26 the other day but to-day it is warmer -8 at the moment so I shall wrap up and pop off to the library. the family are taking delivery of a new fridge and freezer combo, also a large freezer for the basement the freezer is a big help for a large family as they buy meat in bulk from the local butcher. also andrew sends back lobster when he travels plus moose meat etc. I spoke to anne in bury and she says it is cold in the north as well but she had a good xmas and newyears bye for now dorothy

Happy New Year to you all.
Johan was taken into hospital again yesterday evening, so our new year hasn't begun so good.
Sylvia xx

Happy New Year to all Friends and Neighbours.

Hope 2009 will be a good year for you all with good health and much happiness.

Love
Kathleen xx

I have trouble getting on this site lately But this morning okay So a very Happy New Year to all !!
The weather here has been extremly warm of late and Strong westerly winds that dry out plants and people! Temp have reached 30C
Real BBQ weather New Years Eve a quiet one -not into Partying
Freds recipes sound Yum You should write a recipe column Fred
I do love cooking
Margaret NZ

hi to you all from a somewhat exhausted me we had a great evening and the meal turned out quite well if I do say so, not many left overs Lindy took the turkey carcass home to make soup ( I was going to but she really wanted it) they are going to have friends in for the evening to-night along with their children so a good time will be had by all. I prefer staying home and probably an early night. andrew and lindy had a good shopping day yesterday buying a new fridge and a new 15cubic ft freezer the one they have is about 40 yrs old it was a hand me down and uses to much power, these will all come on friday. they have been in their present home 10yrs so they also looked at new carpeting for the family room, living room, dining room stairs and the wrap around landing, they are having the place measured on friday I am assuming that andrew recieved a good bonus this year, they really are quite frugal as a rule prefering to spend money on sports and education for the children, in the 2nd year of university andrew went to a boot sale and bought two end table and a coffee table and two lamps for 15 dollars and 22yrs later they are still being used in the family room only one lamp being broken. fred thankyou for the new year card it was great, I wish all of you health and happiness for 2009 and if I win the lottery brenda I will come over again, still saving like mad but not sure Bury is on for 2009 but I can dream bye dorothy

Morning all,well here we all are again ,new years eve,and everyone ready to be at it?
I feel as Brenda Does ,still tired after the last week ,so it's a quiet new year for Liz ,Fred ,and the cat,with a smallish lowly chuck for dinner,along with a few bits and pieces.
Hi Dorothy,i hope the meal goes well ,and hope you are NOT putting the stuffing inside the bird?,too much chance of getting a bad tummy,i always cut up an orange ,and an onion ,and use those to pack out the breast so that it dosn't collapse.
I find too ,that if the bird is cooked at least ninty minutes ,breast down .before turning it over ,the juices from the orange and onion perculate through the breast meat ,and give it a nice flavour.
The potatoes came out great too,i parboiled the roasting potatoes for a few minutes before putting them on a plate while i put a little semonina and salt mix in the pan,put the potatoes back in ,and rattled them around ,the resulting potato's cooked nice and fluffy,golden ,and crisp ,mmmmmmm, i will be doing those again [often]
Our little chuck tomorrow ,i won't be cooking the way i would do a duck,goose ,or turkey though ,not enough time to cook it breast down first,but i still put an onion or orange in,and find the steam coming out of the chuck during cooking does give a little hint of taste.
Hissy dosn't like me out of her sight,keeping a check on me while she is out side by peeking in at a handy window to see where i am lol,and now ,i can't even go for a wast shave ,or bath without her mewing to be let in[what a clingon] she has become he he.but i wouldn't be without her now ,i love sitting in front of the fire in the evenings with her on my lap.
It will be interesting to see how i get on in the garden next year ,with her jumping out at me from behind the flowers every time i let my guard down ,lol,it could prove quite interesting he he.
Hope you all are going to have a nice new years day,and more to the point ,a far better year all roung than the one we have just had,peace to all.Be back later ,Fred.

Hi everyone,having slept in this morning i am now not getting to sleep tonight!!!!
I am working 10am to 1pm tomorrow so need to get some sleep.
We have no plans to go out and I would really like to go to bed with my book and a hot choclate drink than stay up and see in the new year,but David my son and John would like to have some nibbles and a few drinks and see the new year in,so I think I am outnumbered.Not sure what sort of company I will be as i am not feeeling on top form for celebrating.
Any way ,dorothy you meal sound great ,hope it all goes well.
Not sure if I will get on here tomorrow,as I am out at my friends New years day and have said I will make two desserts!!,so will be busy doing them.
WISHING YOU ALL A HAPPY, HEALTHY AND PEACEFUL NEW YEAR> LOVE BRENDA;

hi everyone good for you brenda sleeping you must have needed the sleep I am in the process of putting this family meal to-gether the bird is ready to be stuffed I am trying a new stuffing so we shall see if it goes over well, at the moment it is pouring down snow not sure if it is just a streamer off the lake or if it will last all day, what is everyone doing for new years eve, I will watch a bit of the tele and probably go to bed before midnight I do like to watch the b.b.c news at 7pm my time and watch big ben ring in the new year at home, the party years are now over I would rather get a good nights sleep rather boring arn't I. I think that I could use fred to supervise this meal anyway that is it for me back to t he kitchen bye for now dorothy

Hello from a very cold and frosty Manchester!!
Slept til gone nine this morning,luckily I am not working so that was good,have a few errandss to do today and a few phone calls as well so thought i would get on here early,
But will be back later and see who is about as well,Brenda

Hi all,
Another day nearer to New Year. As tradition here there will be hundreds of fireworks going off Wednesday evening. The children cannot wait and you can hear the sound of fireworks all day and evening now. I feel sorry for the poor cats and dogs who daren't go outside now.
My doctor, at least the one falling in for her, phoned me this afternoon and told me I have 3 different bacteria in my urine now. All the anti-bacteria cures I have had up to now have been useless. Should get another cure tomorrow.It is no wonder I have been feeling so tired with all these bacteria fighting for predominance in my bladder!
Have been asked to make a card for my neighbour so must do that now. It is a "thank y ou" card.
Sylvia xxx

Hi everyone,so pleased you all enjoyed the holidays ,just at work at moment and it is so quiete ,think a lot of people think we are closed ,we have had a lot of phone calls to renew books.
Not working tomorrow but will be shopping for a few birthday presents we have about 5 family birthdays in January.
Also pricing some loft instalaion stuff as we need to put another layer down.Lots of DIY shops saying half price in adverts ,but not saying what full price is!!!1
See you tomorrow ,we have two people in now .
Brenda

goodmorning all from barrie I have not been able to open the gene's site for a few days it appeared to be frozen but to-day here I am I am glad to read that everyone is well and for the most part enjoyed christmas, we had a nice day starting with church on christmas eve and then the family day on christmas the children enjoyed all that santa brought and the grownups as well, I was quite spoiled among other things I recieved an electic jar opener and it does the job quite well. the meal was wonderful Lindy cooked a 11pound rime rib roast and it turned out great along with the spuds and all kinds of veg, it is a tradition in lindys family that her mother makes mince tarts with a special sauce and they were good, I stayed over two nights we had snow on christmas day and boxing day, but since then it has been rain and high winds, a lot of the snow around here has gone with more to come to-day, to-morrow I am having my family over for dinner, turkey and the works the bird is still defrosting and I shall get other things ready to-day. the new year is alsmost here so I will wish all of you a wonderful 2009 bye for now dorothy

Well,morning all,hope we all had a jolly time ,what with visiting rellies,and letting the hair down somewhat .
I say somewhat ,because old red hasn't a lot to LET down he he.
It all went pretty well here ,and all the christmas grub has gone ,mostly in the youngun's tums lol,but it's a lot better than having loads left to throw in the bin.
Liz and i got it about right this year,all there was to throw out [for the birds] was a few slices of bread which had gone stale.
Hissy has just come in after her morning jaunt ,she lets us know she is wanting in now by jumping onto the table under the kitchen window when the light is on,and head butting the glass,or by jumping on the sill and giving us the evil eye ,till we get up and go to the door.
She likes her new bed which we have drapped over the bottom of ours,spending the night snuggled up in the middleafter she has made sure it's soft and plumped up.
Liz is well happy with the new camera it being so light and compact ,so we will be off to the sales later this morning for me to buy her a standby camera ,battery ,some re3writer discs,and a large stick for stills.
My new watch is brilliant ,an eco chronograph so that i can time the missus getting up the stairs [ouch] but it will never need a new battery ,this one charging itself by solar power,and any other light source.
The new recipe roast potatos went down a storm with the kids ,as well as the grown ups,and for what extra they take ,i will do them that way in furure ,i must admit .they look very inviting ,fluffy ,but golden and crispy to bite into.
The Beef went down well to Mary ,so thanks again for bringing that subject up,even the son ,who is rather critical about playing around with meat ,enjoyed it,and is now thinking of trying it himself.
Thw place that supplys me with the salt petre has sent me a recipe book ,that shows me how to do lots of home made sausage 's pastrami,proper home made joints of bacon,including full hams ,back ,middle ,and streaky bacon ,that will keep for weeks,done in the old farmhouse way as in days long gone ,so , i will be spending a lot of my retirement in the kitchen ,having fun ,and experimenting at the same time.
Nice to hear that things are starting to come together for you again ,Sylvia ,and Johan,may it long continue.
Hope you ALL have a ggreat time for the next few days with the grandkids and visitors,and hope those in Canada ,snowed in ,are keeping nice and warm in front of a nice log fire hmmmmmmm,there are compensations even in that ,specially if you have a lovely boisterous pet like Bella to keep you on your toes.
Me? i'm starting to look forward to spring ,with luck only a few weeks away .he he ,bring it on .
Have a peaceful new year all ,love to all from Newcastle.
Fred,Liz ,And Hissy.xxxx

Hi all,
Well I had visitors again today and once again it was a rush to get our warm meal prepared, but it's so nice to have so many visitors that we don't really mind. This t ime it was my ex son in law and his wife. They've just come back from spending Xmas with friends in a rented house in France. They were telling us that the French are not very Xmassy minded, unlike the Germans, where they will probably spend next year. The rented house was well equipped with open fire - wood. Also a dishwasher and roomy bedrooms.
I'm sending Johan out tomorrow with my urine sample for the doctor. I know it is no better but she can better have the results from the lab. I also have my help tomorrow and don't want to leave her alone in the flat.
Our Xmas tree is losing its needles but will keep it another week and clear it up for my birthday. I am always pleased when my birthday has passed and I can live normally again.
I hope you enjoy your get together with your brothers and sisters Brenda.
Sy lvia xxx

Hello everyone,feeling a bit better ,than I did the other day,we have decided to have a family get together tomorrow orather today at dads house on what would have been his 82nd birthday,not sure how we will be but at the moment it feels right.It will be the first time since just after the funeral in August that we (my brothers and sisters)will be together.
Hope you and Johann econtinue to improve Sylvia and I know what you sadi about things getting better is true.
Speak to you all soon Brenda

Hi all,
I feel for you Brenda. You will always have this gutted feeling at this time of the year, although less each year, it never goes away. I have always said that when I go I don't want to go at Xmas time and spoil our children's Xmas. My grandmother died at Xmas time and therefore my mother was always sad at Xmas.
Johan and I had a pretty quiet Xmas, with Johan still recovering from his op. I have slept a lot too - think I was just overtired.
Xmas Day my youngest daughter and her husband came and they went quite late that I thought I wouldn't have time to cook our Xmas meal, but I did.
On Boxing Day other daughter, partner and children came. They also stayed late but I just ate odds and ends from Xmas Day.
I got a batch of late Xmas cards today and also my birthday cards are coming in.
The weather is beautiful, cold and dry with sunshine. There is plenty of skating on the frozen lakes now.
See you all tomorrow.
Sylvia xxx