General Chat

Hi all - just a quickie. Feeling abit better this evening - have peeked in everynow and then and seen your get well messages THANK YOU. Its absolutely pouring here this evening:o( Madoc is gorgeous, the xrays showed he had 2 breaks in back leg, done at different times,so is on medication - goes back to vet next week. This evening though he was abit funny when husband moved dogs bed (dog was in it), he went to bite him, or atleast thats what it seemed like - we will have to nip that in the bud!!!! how would anyone suggest we do it?? Anyways thats it for now - you all sound very busy, l will be again soon and start boring you all again, so watch out!!:o)))) lol Take care all,happy moving Fred. Love Jude xx

Evening Friends, winter is coming that's for sure. Up at five o'clock this morning (hubby on early shifts this week) and the first frost was on the ground. I looked out the window when I got up and everywhere looked all glittery, went outside with the wee dog and there wasn't a sound to be heard. It was freezing cold, but very beutiful, and it made me think how lucky we are that we see our seasons bring thier changes. Then I ran back inside to the heat, and a nice warm cuppa. Didn't stay outside too long I can tell you! This is the weather for lovely soups and stews and casseroles and hotpots etc. Made a big pot of veggie soup, comfort food. Special request was put in by No2 son for hotpot, trouble is everyone loves the crispy potatoes on the topping, but there is never enough for everyone to get their fill. Wonder could I make a tray of crispy sliced potates to go with it? Anyway I will be busy slicing all my veggies early in the morning so I can put it in the oven to cook nice and slowly. Yummmmm! If anyone has any tasty recipes please pass them this way!! The house is quiet and peacful tonight, I think winter makes us more content to stay indoors and appreciate the little things, good food, heat, company, and a happy wee dog to keep your feet warm when she lies on them! Think I will make hubby a hot toddy to help him sleep, then I'm off for a hot bath and off to my bed for an early night with a good book. Sleep well everyone. God Bless you all xxx Anne

Hi everybody I'm still alive and kicking. I had my first session of physiotherapy today. The physiotherapist tells me that the problem is a muscle in my buttocks. He gave me some manual therapy and I have to go again next week. I am going to cancel my appointment at the hospital for an X-ray of my hip. Pleased it is not my hip as I was wondering how I was going to cope with an operation now that my heart valve is not functioning 100%. Such a nice physiotherapist, felt he was really helping me. I had such a lot of pain when I first woke up so I took 2 paracetamol tablets. The doctor said I can take up to 6 a day. Haven't done too much else, ran two washing machines and made bread again. Keep writing to this thread, and sorry if I don't mention all your names. Good luck Fred with the moving. Sylvia xxx

Hello Eveyone,sorry I didn ot get on yesterday had a few other things to do when I got home from work. Kathleen ,the libraries are busy in the evenings.each one has two late nights till eight o'clock.These days we have a lot of people to use the computers and the are always full.People can prebook computers but they are only given a set time to log on by from the time they have booke.If they have booked for 6pm they have till 6.10 to log on or the system releases the computer for someone else to use.We have problems when people come in late due to late buses etc but we can not keep them ,especially when we have people waiting like we did last night. I like looking at the new books when I put them on the shelves,but have to be firm with myself so I don't look at them till my break.I have not used the library pcs as we can not use them during our shift for personal use and they are not on at lunch when we close.(only certain libraries stay open at lunch.) June the weather is not very good here either in fact I could have gone back to bed again this morning it was that bad. Mary/Jim thanks for letting me know about the recipe I will go and find it now. Apologies to anyone I have not mentioned.See you tomorrow ,Take care,Brenda

Hi everyone, Not a good morning here, its absolutely pouring down, (Where's Ann (GLos) let her know we have our share of rain too lol ) I have taken Samantha to work this morning and the traffic was absolutely diabolical. I dont think I will be going out far today, probably scan some more photos, then I will be seeing my friend as usual this evening. Sylvia, I hope the Christmas Cake is alright, its not only the cost , its the effort you have to put into it too. I agree Caterers dont come cheap, it pays to shop around a bit. I have lovely neighbours too but they dont do my ironing, I mustn't complain though, one of the neighbours cuts the hedge between us, both sides. Kathleen, Cant say I am a clever clogs yet, the proof will be in the pudding as they say, I have yet to complete one. Fred, I'm sure you wont have more than one day on tinned beans, I know how good yiu are at rustling up a meal. Lou, Glad you enjoyed yourself, I've heard what a good weekend it was. Mary, Thanks for saying where the recipe is for stovies, I'm going to have a go. It's getting colder here, I'm not looking forward to winter. Tottering Fred, I like that name! Well I suppose I had better put some washing in but I'm sure it wont get dry outside. Love to all our missing friends. Love June xx

Send her over here Sylvia ,i could do with a hand packing,getting ready for the move . i won't have much time for cooking either so if she can cook too it would help,i must make sure not to pack the opener or we won't be eating at all,cause it looks like beans from a tin ,beefburgers and sausies from the freezer for the next week,god help my diet,and stomach.Fred.Ptfg.

Now at the end of a dull, wet, cold day. Hasn't rained for a couple of hours now, hoping that it will be dry tomorrow. Sylvia I am sure there are many of us on here who would be able to keep your neighbour well supplied with ironing. I suppose that could be classed as a sort of hobby (?). What a shame that she doesn't read with so many interesting books available. I hope that your toe is getting better and that your hip is not giving you too much pain, the cold and damp won't be helping. June aren't you a clever clogs!! Being able to sort out how to put the photo's on your cards. I have trouble sending them in e-mails, it goes right once but then next time I try it all seems to go wrong. Brenda, is the library very busy in the evenings - when you do the 4-8 shift? I'm sure our local library would be well used during those hours. It seems to be closed at the times when people who work can get there. It is only a very small library but they will get books if you can give them the names of the author and publisher. Hope you are all keeping well - Jude, I hope we will be seeing you back on here again very soon. Goodnight, God bless and sleep well Love Kathleen.

The more the merrier Fred, always welcome. Today we received an estimate for the catering for our party. No way, almost double what I had estimated. Will have to think agaIn. I made my Xmas cake today. I almost ruined it as the timer on my oven (Dutch of course) can only time at the most 2 hours. So I timed 2 hours and thought I'd time another 2 later, but forgot. Anyway it looks ok and is well cooked - not burnt. Just have to keep my fingers crossed. My neighbour phoned me and said "please have you any ironing for me to do". Sad to say I had to say no. She had nothing to do and loves ironing. She can iron and fold so beautifully. Maybe when I wash all my husband's shirts tomorrow she'll ask again. Tomorrow I begin my first session of physiotheraphy. Isn't it sad when somebody has nothing to do. This neighbour never reads and has no hobbies. What a life! Must get the dinner now, love Sylvia xxx

Hi everyone We have a dull start again but its dry for now. Sorry I left so abruptly last night it was just one interruption after another. Sylvia, I'm glad that there is nothing serious with your toe and that the pain is going, did the doctor have any ideas what had caused the pain in the first place? I hope your hip doesn't take as long to sort out. Apple sauce and cucumber salad sounds delicious. Brenda, I'm glad you received a reply about your rellies even though it wasn't anything new, I very rarely get a reply these days. Be careful when walking on those leaves, they are lethal, I know from past experience. George, I'm pleased to hear you are still enjoying college, its a pity abput your placement though, Hope the lady in question is soon better. Anne(Belfast) I didn't realise geese were so expensive these days, no wonder we dont see many about. I wonder why they are so expensive, not that I am an expert, but I wouldn't have thought they would have cost anymore to rear than a duck or turkey. (I'm leacing myself wide open here to be shot down in flames lol) Jude, hope you are still on the mend, and hi to everyone else too. I am going to scan some more photos today, I am trying to get them in some sort of order. See you tomorrow Love June xx

No Brenda ,i'm sorry to say i hav'nt the recipe for stovies which is remiss of me as i was up in Edinburgh with the r.a.f. for a while and used to have it in the mess for tea once in a while.I did like it and also enjoyed haggis ,which i still buy once in a while ,but i only like Grant's which i get in tins [lovely with tattie and neeps].You watch where you put your feet with all these leaves ,i know the feeling well.Fred.ptfg.

Hello everyone,I know it's late but i was up late and have been running round trying to catch up ever since. Glad you have sorted the toe out Sylvia,hope the hip is not as long in getting sorted. Kathleen,I feel for your friend as two of mine have been where she is now,maybe not with the mil but two divorces.She has a good friend in you just listening can help in situations like that. June it has been wet here most of the day,all the leaves are coming off the trees and walking is getting a bit dangerous on some pavements. Don't know if I will be on in the morning ,before work or in the evening after work.Anyway,I will be back as they say,take care,Brenda

Hi everyone, This morning I thought it was going to rain all day but it brightened up and was quite nice. I had to take Samanthe to work for 9 o'clock, there are 3 Major roadworks going on on the same stretch of road and it is chaos. Gaynor came with me, then we came back here and had another go at the photo cards, we haven't quite managed it but have got the general idea now Sorry have to leave off now, see you later hopefully Love June xx

Just a brief visit as this thread was disappearing back to page 5 again. My saucepan came up lovely and clean, fortunately was only the meat and sauce that burned and not the pan. So a good soak and it all came off. Have read the messages and will come back later to add more. Am expecting a phone call any minute, a young friend who tends to talk for at least 30 minutes. She rings me most evenings and tells me all her problems, poor girl is going through her second divorce. Her husband walked out just before last Christmas and, with the help of his mother, has been giving her a lot of grief. Can't do much to help but I think she feels better for being able to talk to someone about it. Be back later. Love Kathleen

Apple sauce and cucumber salad [burp] can i come too Sylvia ,sounds great.Fred.ptfg.

Horrid rainy day. Went to my doctor and she said my toe looked ok and I didn't have to do anything about it - nor did she! It is a bit sore, but not the pain I did have. Hurrah. Now is the problem with my hip. Everytime I try to put weight on my left leg I have a lot of pain. This has been going on for two weeks now. I begin physiotherapy on Wednesday and have to go to the hospital for an x-Ray. No, not again, yes, probably a wait of 3 weeks for an answer!! We had a lovely meal out yesterday in a Greek restaurant. I love Greek food. I repotted some plants of mine today, some were getting too big and needed more room. When I have been out in the morning I never feel like doing housework when I come home, so I potted around doing odd jobs. Cannot be still very long. Thought I'd watch Neighbours on television this afternoon, but there was a Victory Parade instead, so must watch tonight. Who has made their Xmas cake? Just put the dinner on, rolled up chicken joint, cauliflower, potatoes, appelsauce, cucumber salad. How about that for a Monday!! Well will close for now, found this on page 6 today. Must watch it doesn't get too far back or we will lose it. Sylvia xxx

Hello Everyone,what a loveely loy of messages to read tonight,couldn't get on yesterday as I was at work,then was out at a family "do" for my cousin who was 60.It was great seeing the family members who turned up,it was my mothers side of the family.The ones who know about my doing the family tree all asked me about it and are surprised when I tell ythem what I have found out. I was driving and so was on diet coke,which gave me a headache this morning. There is a very large new B&Q store opening near us this week,my sil works there and got us tickets for the open day today,we got 20% of what ever we bought which was good. She has just become a gran again her daughter had a little boy yesterday,8lb 50z Jamie.I call her my sil ,but she is Johns sil and he is my partner,so I have not done that tree yet.(John is not that keen actually) All this talk of sunday and christmas dinners is brilliant,my Dad was never at home when I was young he worked away alot building tunnels and bridges,but it was a treat to have him cook dinner for us when he was home.These days he cooks sunday dinner for himslef and my two neices who live near by ,their mum (my sister)and dad work most weekends in care homes for elderly or special needs people. Slyvia,years ago a friend of ours was on the first day of his holiday in Newquay,Cornwall,they had got fish and chips and a can of pop,sat on the wall eating out of the newspaper and you have guessed it a pidgeon did what pidgeons do ,at least he could just wrap it up in the newspaper!!!!!. Kathkeen,what a shame about the meeting,hope the pan was ok after the soak. June ,I posted a message on the trying to find board for the name of my relli and some one replied today,unfortunatly they gave me info I already had ,but I thought it was really good of them to let me know. Fred ,keep the good work up,is the stovies your recipe,as I wpuldn't mind trying them. Have to go now be back in the morning,not on work until 4pm till 8pm.My apologies to anyone I have missed Take care ,Brenda

Hi Ann just noticed your remark about goose for Christmas Dinner. Well over the years we have had goose quite a few times and we love it. But it has become very expensive, last one we had was about 5 years ago and it cost me about £35, there was only enough for Christmas dinner. And we do love the left-overs from served up next day, but with the goose there were none! Now my lot are 14,16/20 yrs old I think it would probably take two to feed them, my lads would scoff it in no time. Only thing I hated about cooking it was having it on such a high heat to start with, and all the draining of fat. Every time I opened the oven door it was like going into the fires of hell! I came away scorched! But now you have put me in the notion, and hubby has some overtime on the go, ummm?? think we could manage it this year!! Yes Fred could be to do with the Irishin my Dad, or perhaps with nine of us kids he had no choice to cook!!! Still he is a gem, and yes I think it keeps him going. He is at the local shopping centre twice a week, then the buctcher, (no supermarket meat for him!),then the greengrocer, has to hand pick the veggies, all his veggies are precision cut! I think if he stopped he would just fade away, it is all part of his indepence, very important at that age. Anyway, he no longer makes his 2 preserving pans of broth to dish out to 10 families, it was an all day task. But the chosen few (I'm in there) still get from his smaller batch (one VERY large pan)! Off for some soup now Yummm!

Ann,(Warren) I just caught your message, my mother always had a goose too at Christmas, as you say it isn't greasy if cooked properly, though I must admit I have never cooked a goose, I dont remember seeing them around as much these days. June xx

Hi everyone, Its rather dull here today but not raining as yet. Ann (Glos) Yesterday it did its usual trick of being sunny early on but then raining in the evening, at least I got the washing dry. I too was thinking of the meet and wishing I was there, I have just read some of the messages and a good time was had by all except poor Kathleen who didn't make it. I think I have it sorted to get 3 photos on, I have thought of 2 different ways, I will have a play around and let you know how I get on with it. Sylvia, what lovely neighbours taking you for a Greek meal, I hope you enjoy it. Pity about the lottery ticket, but I'll keep my fingers crossed for the secret one. Fred, That Christmas dinner sounds lovely, I could just eat some drunken turkey. I think its too cold for surfing too but when you enjoy doing a sport, you dont feel the cold. Kathleen, What a pity you missed the meet with Gaynor, that neighbour was very inconsiderate keeping you like that, what a pity you cant send her the burnt pan to clean. lol Do you remember the Harris Museum in Preston and the flag market in front, sometimes there is one of those barrow type stalls that sells parched peas and jacket potatoes. You have just reminded me, I haven't had Parkin for years, must do something about that. Mary, I think we now have 2 venues we would like to drop in on for Christmas dinner, I have just read about Anne's father's dinner and that sounds good too. Anne (Belfast), Your father obviously enjoys cooking Christmas dinner, he probably looks forward to doing it for weeks beforehand, sitting in his chair running through the time table and making a note of what he has to buy. He will get so much pleasure from it and at the end of it, he has his loving family around him. Maybe he would have liked to be a chef. I have a lovely son in law that loves cooking too and he makes a brilliant Christmas dinner, I hope I'm invited again this year. (I hope Gaynor is reading this thread today. lol ) Jude hope you are feeling a little better, Hi to everyone else. Right, thinking of Christmas has set me off, I'll see you tomorrow, take care Love June ..

Reading about Christmas dinner - doesn't anyone have goose? Now that is the original Christmas dinner in UK. No - if cooked properly it is not greasy - same as turkey if cooked properly is not dry and there is all that lovely goose grease for cooking roast potatoes for weeks to come on or put it on brown paper and pin to your vest if you have a chesty cold! Ann