General Chat

goodmorning I hope that you all have a good bank holiday and that the weather remains good for you, fred I was surprised to hear that the temperature was so low for you the other night and the idea that you may have toput the garden furniture away all ready sounds surprising, brenda I hope that you take the time to have a rest this week-end you need it. my little group of friends over here are getting ready for the democratic convention next week (on the tele) now that obama has picked his vp choice it is so important that the republicans do not get in again american politics do have a bearing on the canadian way of life wether we like it or not. the system that we and the brits have is the better way I think though none of them are perfect, then the tennis will be on again the us. open lets hope roger can get his number one status back again and that murray plays well, your vacation plans sound wonderful fred I hope that you have a great time, the sister is in california at the moment I will see her in oct, it will be fun to see the rockies I have never been west before, bye for now dorothy

we have a lovelly sunny day here ,still a bit chilly but at least its dry.
Not many in this morning at work,expect they will be here later to get their, dvd's etc for the long week end.
Always busy and organised Fred,the pototo dish sounds great.
Well don eon the freezing Dorothy ,hope your weather stays warm.
Hope all your appointments work out ok Sylvia.
Not doing much at the weekend just trying to catch up on house work which wasn't done in the past few weeks.
Seeing my friend for lunch on Tuesday,and going to the cinema on another night.
pc at home not working unless David has sorted it out this morning. So not sure when I woill be back.Have a good weekend Brenda

Morning all ,from a sunny newcastle [reels in shock and spills tea all down his white top lol].

Has anyone else seen Ediths chairs that she painted ,wow,that Lass is a real artist and the chairs look beutiful,i would love one for our kitchen ,but it's far to far to send one .
Hi dorothy,yeah ,any animal fat is bad news for angina sufferers like me ,but beleive it or not ,lamb is far higher in fat than any other meat,and much as i like a lamb chop ,i do them on the B B Q , the only way to remove nearly all of the fat.
In the old days ,we used to buy a sheep.cheaper than lamb ,far bigger ,more tender and far less fat.
These days ,looking for sheep is like looking for hens teeth.
I have been inspecting my veggies this morning and notice that my oz bred cauli' are doing very well,there will be a couple of cauli' cheese being done before long [the luxury version ,with chopped onion and mustard in],and there will be plenty of heads left to put down in the freezer.
I suppose i had better make toad in the hole for dinner ,or tea seeing as we have Chris coming for a couple of days ,and he won't be pleased if grandad dosn't do his fav' meal lol.
I reckon it's nearly time to put the patio furniture away in the shed,it was only 9 c last night,August yet [shudder],autumn has come early here,the cherry trees are blushing because their branches are bare,the local mountain ash are covered in berries,and the plane trees are changing colour ,well early,think we are due a long winter,but wether it's a hard one ,or not remains to be seen.
Must go now,time to gather a bit of veg' for the dinner,and decide which sort of spud to do ,along with the roast,either new ,or mash ,hmmmmmmm?
Hope everyone is relaxed and enjoying the weekend.
I am looking forward to Cala ,Gran ,and the first time i will have ever seen the illuminations lol,roll on the 4 oct he he.
Fred.

Hi all,
Well was up early this morning to make an appointment to see my doctor because I have a lot of pain in my muscles. She thinks I may have fibromyalgia. Johan had this a few years ago. Anyway, I have to have my blood pricked next week. I have to have a grommet put into my ear next Wednesday so whilst at the hospital will have my blood pricked. The day after, Thursday, I have to go to another hospital for my bladder rinse. What on earth do I do with my time?
I managed to get a permanent in my hair today, but sent Johan to the market for fish. I went to the supermarket after the hairdresser. My hairdresser comes to me every week, but I always go to her for a perm - she can clean up the mess!
The weather should be improving after the weekend, so let's hope they have it right this time.
Sylvia xxx

goodmorning fred I was not complaing about the recipes just that they sound so good and I always seem to read them at breakfast time my time, but you have just given me some great info I did not know that lamb was bad for folks with angina that is very useful info, I agree this summer appears to be the worst for rain both in england and my part of canada, the farmers are just bringing the tomato's into the markets and they are somewhat cracked looking that is the field ones, my mother in law made the best green tomato chow chow as she called it. taking a friend who does not get out much to-morrow to see momma mia my 2nd time but she has wanted to see it. bye for now dorothy

Morning Dorothy,Jons recipe sounds good ,what are you complaining about.
Me ,i love Lamb ,but i'm only allowed it for a special treat because it's the worst meat going for anyone with angina.
Nothing special for us today,just two sliced potatos ,bought to the boil ,and then drained [so that they are sure to be soft when the dish is finished.
one large onion sliced the ssame way,and some cheapish luncheon meat ,small cubed.
I just put a layer of each into a casserole dish.sprinkling some powdered Dill,Corriander,Chive ,and milled black pepper and rock salt on the layers,finishing off with a little veggie gravy,before putting a good layer of potato on top covered with a brushing of olive oil,lid on and into the oven for 45 minutes on a regulo 7 gas ,or 190 electric.
Nic e and cheap,idel for the cold weather ,so ,i am trying it now to see if there are any changes to do to the recipe.
I have done a little cabbage ,and carrot along with some new potatoes to go with it,but next time ,i think the carrot will go into the dish.
It's official ,the worse summer for a hundred years ,and the wettest August ever,my tomatoes are still green ,so it's out with the old newspapers ,for wrapping them,and onto the kitchen windowsill,that usually works okay,and liz does a wicked green tomato soup,and there's always green chutney too,so any that don't ripen won't go to waste.
Time for me to start the dinner ,so ,that's it for now.
Have a nice weekend all,despite this ruddy weather [brrrrrrrr].
Fred.

I have decided that I have to wait till later in the day to read fred's menu's this reading them at my breakfast time is not on any more what a wonderful read though I envy liz having such a good cook on hand, sorry that your weather is so bad we are about 20 degree's and that is nice sunny but not too hot, I shuddered to read margaret talking about snow as I am sure we are in for it this winter, yesterday celery was on sale so I bought two bunches to chop and freeze to add to soups and stews, having fun getting some things into the new chest freezer in preperation for the winter, one of my friends chops and freeze's mushrooms have never tried that but they are so expensive in the winter. to-day is the luch out so I shall go and get ready had the hair cut yesterday so am feeling a bit smarter bye for now dorothy

Lunch time in work and outside it is coming down in buckets,good job I did not put any wasjhing on before I left.
Here till 8pm and hope this rain keeps most people in doors.
Fred I do not have a break till 4 and you have me drooling.only have a chicken sandwich.for my break But john is doing lamb steaks and little roast potatos and cauliflower for when i am home at 8pm
Hope you don't get too much snow Margaret,but your spring is nearly here like you said we do not seem to have had much of a summer, and the christmas cards are in the shops!!!
Take care Brenda..

Really love hearing about all your cooking sounds yummy ! We had a very nice fine day today 18c but better not be fooled another cold front due up the country tomorrow
More snow than ever this year on high country But days are getting longer so Spring shouldnt be too far away
Margaret

Up with the larks this morning i did get some sleep ,but it was very fitfull,and it seems as though i woke up every few minutes.
It looks fine outside at the minute ,but i don't hold out a lot of hope for a dry day,he he.
I have a lovely head of broccoli in the back garden,earmarked for todays dinner,and some big frankfurter sausages left from yesterdays hot dogs,so i think i will try them in toad in the hole,with a few carrots out of the garden too,and see what it tastes like.
The only thing i am having to buy at the moment is the tatties ,and that can't be bad..
Time to run up your heating you brit members,it's no good leaving it until the last minute to find you have problems ,and freezing your butts off waiting for an engineer to come out,something tells me ,we may be inline for an early winter the way things are going.
Now that my boss is fully recovered,and bearing in mind that we have a ruddy great parasol in the shed,i think it's time i fired up the B B Q before the rot sets in,i fancy some morsels of corriander and lime mackeral,bits of marinaded lime and ginger chicken,a few sausages ,a burger or two,along with a nice jacket tattie[done in foil].Instead of bread buns ,we now tend to use pitta pockets and ready cut pitta bread,much nicer to slip a bit of salad stuff into ,along with the meat ,or fish.
We tend to go for the oz style B B Q ,,laid back and casaual,lasting about three hours,cooking a little at a time ,and having a few cans ,so easy with a gas burner using oak chippings for the taste.
I must get the recipie for the little side dish the son cooked up last time we had one at his place,slices of potato,cooked in a mild curry sauce with shredded carrot and sliced cabbage in.i'm sure he used some corriander leaf and lime juice as well,all i know is ,it went down very well.
Well ,time for a cuppa ,and then off for my walk,stick at the ready ,to see if i can stir up some wild life in the fields lol[or ,i could stir up some wild life upstairs] ,also with my stick he he ,don't think i had better though ,'er upstairs wouldn't be best pleased,neither would Hissy lol.
See ya later .Fred.

No sleep again tonight ,did sleep last night but nothing yet tonight ,
Hope you enjoy the lunch dorothy,Have arranged to meet a friend next Tuesday for lunch but it will not be free...
Might try a hot drinking chocolate ,see if that helps me sleep.
brenda

hi wasps I do not like hope you get the problem solved brenda sorry about all the rain to-day is nice warm but not too hot off to get a haircut to-day not really exciting but fun. to-morrow have a lunch date one of the local resturants have a free coupon for the lunch buffet so three of us are going you just pay for the tea or coffee, looking out for local produce to put down into the freezer for the winter I am not like fred I don't grow enough but did get 4 peppers off the plant and two m ore coming along off to do some laundry bye for now dorothy

Hi everyone,have a slack minute at work for once so taking a few minutes to see how you all are.Just had a real heavy downfall,some poor borrowers got drenched just coming from the car park!!!
We have been invaded by wasps and the pest comtrol man is spraying the nest as I type!! We have to keep all the windows closed and the back doors,if they come round the front and come in that door we are in trouble.and might have to close the library.!!!
Getting busy now,see you tonight .Brenda

hi brenda glad you are able to get some things sorted sorry about the weather you do seem to be getting a lot of rain we had a terrific thunder and lightening storm last evening(mon) with lots of rain but this morning it is a little brighter , yes it was bad luck with the horses but a silver is not bad we are starting to take some medals, though I am off the opinion that any person that makes it to the olympics is a winner in my book just to get there is a great achevment, had delivery off a small chest freezer yesterday so that I can put some things aside for the winter in case it is as bad as last winter then I don't have to worry about going out, the rowan tree's are loaded with berries and folks say that is a sign of a bad winter!!! nothing much on this week just watching the olympics and doing some tidying up and thinking about the trip to calgary, till would prefer to come to england so will continue saving who knows maybe next year I can but hope. I think that the family will wait till july to come over lindy's sister said it would be better than xmas , as they will be returning to canada in august for good I think she just wants help with the packing could be wrong well time to get the day started bye for now dorothy

Hi from a very wet and cool manchester.John went to play golf today and got really wet,even with his waterproofs.!!
Got some things sorted at the bank the main thing is getting the funeral paid for,,which is all we wanted to do.dad was not a one for having Bills hanging around.
Had plans for a nice cornbeef salad for tea ,that is now changed to oven fish and chips as its gone so cool.
All this plans for holidays ,will be loking for a late bargain myself soon,
When are you at Cala Gran fred ,hope we can get together ,???
watched Cananda in the horse trials dorothy they had bad luck.
Hope you get to see Fred next year Sylvia,
Have to go and set the table now.see you all tomorrow

goodorning all from a sunny but a little cooler corner of my spot in barrie I am back after taking isobelle home and spending three days at her place, brenda I am glad that things went as well as you hoped at the funeral you did your dad proud I hope that you will be able to sleep better soon glad you do not have to return to work till tuesday, isobelle only sleeps about 2hrs a night she has a real problem with insomnia and the doc's can't seem tohelp her, we watched a lot of the olympics cheering for canada and england about the same. it seems I have just had breakfast when I read fred's meal plan for the day and it always makes my mouth water the new van sounds great fred you should have lots of lovely trips in it, I don't think I have anything planned for this week but you never know what turns up bye for now dorothy

Hi all,
So you may come to Europe next year Fred. Will we see you in Holland? What about a tour of Holland or Holland and Germany? You could smuggle Hissie in your van, I'd love to see her.
Not much time today, see you tomorrow.
Sylvia xxx

You take it easy Brenda,you have had a load of problems laterly what with your health ,and then dad,you need to slow down a little until you recover.
Yes ,the van is my son's but i think we will be sharing it a lot,so i think it's only fair to pay our way,we paying this years stay in Sandy bay ,and Martin paying for it to go to Eyemouth in the spring.
I have found out how to work round it now as regards the gardens and mowing ,so the van can stay on our drive over the winter instead of putting it into storage,saving a fair amount of money.
We have plans abroad to go on holiday as a family next year ,using both the van and the awning .
The idea is the son towing the van,and us following behind with the trailer ,with all the gear in,stopping off at a couple of sites on the way,and spending a full two weeks in Cornwall,before heading home.
Stephen and family are off to carla gran in two weeks ,so Liz and i will go down to his house every two days to see to Finnie[their cat] and they will do the same for Hissy while we are away.
Finnie is a lovely grey and white ,with startling grey eyes and a nice temperant,i thing he is a cross persian but i czan't be sure.
WEe are well into our veggies now ,the only thing not ready are the sweede and the tatties.
The greenhouse is doing well ,we are going to be innundated with peppers and tomatoes,along with corriqander rosemary and the sage ,i think i will be doing loads of soups this autumn and winter.
As you ,the weather is a washout [pardon the pun] it hasn't stopped raining since last night,and we have three of the grandchildren here. no sea side today i'm afraid mso it's out with the playstation and other puter to keep them busy.
Time to start dinner now,roast chicken and pork meddailions ,stuffing ,cabbage ,calabreese ,sweede ,carrots ,roast and mashed potato,followed by a rhubarb crumble and custard..
Hope everyone is having a great weekend.Fred

Morning all,dd get some sleep last night but nature called and then I was wide awake!!
Have spent a few minutes replying to a few emails,and letting a few more people ,mainly old work friends know about Dad,They may know from the notice we had in the local eveing paper ,but some will not know my maiden name.
Will be going back in work on Tuesday ,I am not rota'd to work Monday,which is just as well as my brother and i have an appointement with my dads bank,to try and see what we need to do.
Fred I must o missed you saying you had a new van or is this your sons which you are parking on your drive?
Hope the weather dries up today have loads of washing to do,mainly towels and sheets which I like to hang outside if I can.
Have a nice Sunday,speak to you all soon.

Morning peeps ,from a coolish Newcastle ,where there is a funny looking yellow thing peeping out from behind the clouds lol.
Up with the larks this morning ,watering done housework finished ,dinner to prepare next ,then out into the front garden to carry on with the replacement of the beading on the sides of the caravan.
I started it at eight last evening ,and was suprised at how quicky the old skills came back,the beading not being much different from the curtain walling rubber inserts i spent so many years doing..the long side of the van only took at hour ,start to finish ,not bad for an old codger he he.
Think it's t0ime to start using the veggies in the garden,i hsave some lovely calabreese ready,some summer cabbage ,carrots ,early kale ,and herbs like parsley rosemary,sage ,dill ,chives ,ect.
loads of Green tomatoes too Edith,so i am catching you up at last.
I was glad to here that the funeral went well Brenda,and ,at least now ,you can start getting back to some semblance of normality,and your dad is now with his loved ones that have gone before,into a far better life.
Off now to get the veggies prepared ,then off outside again to carry on with the van before the rain comes back.
Hope you are all having a good weekend.Fred.