General Chat

Hi Everybody Just a quick hullo to say our weather has done an about turn and the day is beautiful.At least the Gisborne folk will be able to dry out.They have suffered some heavy stock losses and crops,vineyards etc.worse for wear As you say Mother Nature always has the last word and I guess there is a reason for everything. Sylvia I can smell your apple tart from here and just like Fred you know how to touch our taste buds.My husband says 'Thank You' for giving me inspiration. Regards to all JudyNZ P.S.Brenda where is your friends niece ? We are always willing to help if anyone needs info about these 'Shaky Isles'.

Good Morning All,hope the weather is getting better in New Zealand,its been very wet here and some parts flooding,seems mother nature still likes to say who's boss. John alot of my fathers family are hard of hearing including my father, they are hilarious when they get together,blaming eachother whenthings are misundersdtood. I am sure your son will do his speech brilliantly. Sylvia,I love it when my family eat all my baking makes it worthwhile its when it doesn't get eaten when I am upset.thinking why did I bother with all that work. Hope all our New Zealand friends enjoyed their holiday weekend,my friends neice is over there at the moment on a working holiday coming home for christmas to sell her house and then goingback may be to stay,as she loves it so much.I will try and find out where she is and let you know. Just beeen told a brew is waiting for me,so must go now,take care ,Brenda

Hi everybody, I think the New Zealand crowd are taking over this thread. Don't get me wrong, love to see you all and to hear all about your country. I do believe New Zealand is a beautiful country although I have never been there. Cannot see everything in one life, and I've seen so many countries, so cannot be greedy. I didn't write yesterday as I had no sleep on Friday and was extremely tired. I watched a film until 2.15 am and was past sleep then I suppose. I got up at 7.00 a.m. and closed our bedroom and kitchen doors so that I wouldn't waken Johan, and set about baking bread and making the dough for the Dutch apple tart. I'd finished cooking around lunchtime which left me time for making some more Xmas cards. My granddaughter came in the afternoon with her boyfriend, saw the apple tart, and whoosh a large slice gone. All that work and it is goes in seconds! This morning when I looked out of the window I saw lots of birds migrating, wild geese I suppose as they were forming 'V' signs. I wonder if this is a sign that bad weather is on the way. It is very dark outside and raining. I will just potter about in the house today. I have already cooked the meat for dinner and done the potatoes. The rest is ready in the freezer, so will have plenty of time. Thanks for admitting the truth about your pastry Fred. I do wish I could find shortcrust pastry here in the freezer. Oh well we cannot have everything can we? Have a nice, peaceful Sunday everybody. Sylvia xxx

Hi everyone The weather on the North Shore of Auckland is fine, we had rain until first thing this morning and it is suppose to be fine for the next few days. Just looking out the window its looking very overcast. The pictures of the flooding and road washouts in the Gisborne area are quite alarming. One time when we were going to New Plymouth to see my family I recall the roads were bad through the Awakino Gorge where traffic was reduced to single lane due to slips and washouts. Tricky driving. Our son is best man and his friend's wedding this afternoon, the bride, the groom and our son are deaf and the other member of the bridal party is hearing. So its a case of read my lips, although our son can communicate verbally. He also has do a speech which he asked me to help him write. John

Hi Everybody Well as Mavis has already told you it is a holiday weekend here in NZ and the weather has been atrocious.We are on the East Coast half way between Napier and Gisborne and the road has been blocked for over 24hours however they are now moving traffic through at a slow rate but poor old Gisborne did get some terrible flooding. Sylvia I do remember drying clothes in front of the dear old coal range and what wonderful versatile pieces to have in your kitchen.My scones have never been so good with a modern day range. My grandaughter like yours is having some wonderful travels now that she is stationed in London.She has only been over there a year and already been to Paris,Rome, Switzerland,Japan and plans to spend Christmas in Egypt.All this is much easier from the UK than in NZ. Fred thank you once again for giving us all a look at the brighter side of life and I swear I can taste your lovely food from here. Happy days to all JudyNZ

Hi Sylvia,I am shamed to tell you that ,yes i do use packets,don't get me wrong,i can make all the pastries okay,but i like to do it the quick way and devote my time to the fillings lol. I could do with a plate pie of your apple recipie ,it sounds great.Liz dos'nt like apple ,so i never get an apple pie ,or crumble [Sniffle],and have to cajole her to make a rhubarb tart . I have sent Mary some photo's of her holiday chalet,and told her that she can use it anytime ,but will have to tend any plants that may be in there when she arrives. It's done nothing but rain today so i havn't been able to do any garden work. The son has collected the bairn ,and they are away home ,so if you are listening Helen.i know what you mean,as MY house seems empty now and i am not used to the quiet after this last week,but it's not so bad for me as he is coming for dinner tomorrow,and comes at least once a week anyway.We had a lovely dinner,baked potato's and side salad,soLiz and i are having home made mushroom soup for tea with a couple of slices of granery bread,do try the mushroom Edith ,it is really lovely.i can't save you any of this cause there is only enough for tea yum yum. I hope you enjoy your night out June and don't worry with the polyfilla,the time to worry about that is when you get the creases round your waist like me and the missus[ouch]. i have just heard the mike buzz ,ao i take it the soup is ready,so syl.Fred.PtfA&G&G&S.

Hi everyone, Wow - what wet and windy (gale force) winds we have had. It is calm and dry tonight and the forecast is sunny for Sunday and Monday. Just as well - it is Labour Weekend in NZ and there is a lot on. In Mount Maunganui we have Buskers performing - a grand prize of $3000 for the winner. There are various events taking place. A sausage sizzle put on by the Power Board - free sausages during the day! Had my daughter here today with her 5 months old foster baby. He is gorgeous. Smiling all the time. They are not all so happy I might add! My son in law is away for the weekend hunting in the mountain area of Gisborne. Hoping to stock up with Venison and Wild Pig. Our 12 year old grandson has gone too and hopes to shoot his first pig! His brother who is now 18 shot his first one when he was 11 1/2 years. It took me several years to come to terms with the animals being shot - but now I enjoy the meat like everyone else. Had an email from my husbands neice in Yorkshire - Ann and her husband are coming to stay in January. My husband has not seen Ann for 26 years! What excitement! Will be a busy time showing them some of NZ. Must go - 11.45 p.m!! Goodnight - Mavis

Morning Everyone, Where has everyone gone to? They cant all be on holiday. I am just snatching a few minutes while the others are still in bed, I have already taken my granddaughter to work, she has Monday off instead of Saturday. I haven't a lot planned for today, tonight I am meeting an old friend for a meal, so this afternoon I will have to do my hair and get the polyfilla out on my face, lol My favourite pastime is eating out. Brenda, You have done well, making a start on presents, I have been holding back because I didn't want more things to carry when moving, mind we still haven't got a date yet. I have got Gaynor's present because she saw some clothes she wanted so I thought I may as well make a start. Now she has managed to get a job again, she will be able to buy her own. She is so excited at going back to work again, she had begun to think that she would never be able to work again. She is still in constant pain but with painkillers, anteinflammatories and her tens machine, she should be able to manage part time hours. She knows the work involved because she has worked for that firm before doing part time hours but left because she needed fulltime hours. S fingers crossed. Well I had better get on with some housework now, so I will wish you all a good day/night. June xx

Hi all, I take it that you make your own shortcrust pastry Fred. You wouldn't cheat and buy readymade, or would you? I'm only jealous as you cannot buy readymade shortcrust pastry here, nor can you buy lard. Today Annemie and I went to the market and got soaking wet. Silly old me forgot I had a plastic poncho in my shopping net hanging on my scootmobile. Anyway, my hairdresser came early afternoon and I am beautiful again. What self-esteem a hairdresser can give you! I bought lots of fruit on the market. 3 kilos of stewing pears which I'm stewing in red wine. Delicious with whipped cream and good for putting the kilos on. I bought also 3 kilos cooking apples, a bit like a Bramley, for making apple sauce and apple tarts. I hope to make a Dutch apple tart tomorrow as well as my two loaves of bread. Johan fixed my drier so no more wet washing hanging about. Oh how I hate wet washing hanging around. Reminds me of my childhood and wet washing hanging in the kitchen on one of those wooden pulleys. Do you remember them? My delightful granddaughter Linda was here cleaning the bathroom when I came back from the market. She tells me she is going to Paris in January with her boyfriend. She is giving her boyfriend this trip as a 23rd birthday present. His birthday is 7th November and she is finding it difficult to keep it a secret from him. What a wonderful life these young people have. Linda is 22 and just does odd jobs at the moment, combined with school. She has already been to the Canary Islands and Greece this year. She crams so much into her days. Today she helped me, had a driving lesson, and then went on to work at Center Parcs. Now Fred it seems we are the only ones again, unless somebody has crept in whilst I have been typing this. See you all tomorrow Sylvia xxx

Evening all,well Fred and Slyvia,hope you don't mind me joining your little group??? you are keepimg things going very nicely. Fred you make your greenhouse sound very cosy indeed,no wonder your plants are doing so well. Slyvia hope you enjoyed your day out and the coffe with your friend. The weather here has been just miserable today,the library I work at has a slopping glass roof so you can imagine the sound the heavy rain was making.!!! Started on my christmas presants today,bought two so only a couple of dozen more to get !!!.Mind you this year the budget is very greatly reduced,so I am bargin hunting as well. Take care ,see you tomorrow.brenda

Hi again Sylvia,i just use the shortcrust pastry,as we started making these pies a few years ago for picnics during the summer. We did try the othe pastry ,once ,but when we set the picnic out ,the puff pastry was'nt ,if you know what i mean lol,just a mixture of potato, corned beef and crumbs,we had to use the tea spoons to eat it.lol. What a lousy day it has been weather wise,nothing but rain,and a stiff breeze ,not a good start for the autumn at all. Fred and Liz have had their flu jabs today,and have come to no harm,so come on all you oldies,no more prevaricating or copping out,a little discomfort is a lot better than a winter of flu attacks or worse. Our grandson thinks he is the bees knees ,because his dad is on holiday and dos'nt come back until tomorrow,and it's his birthday,he is having two parties ,one today ,and one tomorrow,and two cakes although the one for today is only a little one with spiderman on . Apart from dragging me out of bed at an unearthly hour ,i have enjoyed having him ,but will need a week to get my energy back. This is the time of year i dread most,because it's nearly time to get the garlic out,in case the wife and mother in law come to pay me a flying visit complete with broomstick ,and i must remember to get the little sweets and spare pennies out for the little ones,i tend to opt for the treats these days ,cause you never know what the tricks involve lol,much safer that way. i can't believe how quick this year has gone,time seems to fly by as you get older and there arn't enough hours in a day any more. I am off to cook the tea now,not that it will take much doing seeing as ,apart from his boiled egg that he insists on for his party teas ,the rest is all sandwiches and cake. So i will be back later ,to see if we have had any visitors today.Fred.PtfA&G&G&S.

Hi everybody, Thanks for telling me about the corned beef pie Fred. Do you use shortcrust or puff pastry? I made some goulash yesterday and always make a large quantity so that I can freeze some in. Today Johan went to the cardiologist and he was told they couldn't find anything wrong with him. His blood is apparently now good. He is only breathless. Perhaps a couple of kilos less might help! Johan was going to be out for most of the day so I had planned to do so much. Silly me. I should never make plans as they always get broken. At lunchtime I heard the key in the door and it was Johan, he had forgotten his library books. Anyway, he was soon off again. I had changed the beds and washed the bedding and put it in the drier. When I came to take it out of the drier I couldn't open the door. Well it seems that the drier is broken. Johan was too tired to look at it when he came home, so it will be his first job in the morning. So no ironing done. I did make some more Xmas cards and hung up several fat balls for the blue tits. I bought a cage which holds 3 of these balls so that several blue tits can feed at the same time. Tomorrow Annemie and I are going to the market. Annemie hasn't been for several weeks now so will make a nice change to have coffee out. I don't go for coffee on my own. I do hope you will soon move June. Poor Beckham must be wondering too! Well see you all again tomorrow. Sylvia xxx

Hi all,i have at last finished the greenhouse ,and all is spick and span,the bubble wrap is in place and the racks to three sides is in place ,ready to take the seed trays. I noticed that six of the rose cuttings have started shooting ,so i am very hopful that i will have a few new roses for next year..If anyone hears calypso musiuc and wild partying tonight ,just ignore it peeps,it will be the plants enjoying their new quarters that's all lol. I'm afraid you are on your own for christmas Sylvia,as i am now out christmas day ,for dinner and tea,i will be at home boxing day catering for twenty grown ups and children,,and i will be out again the next day. New year i have a houseful again ,so i won't have time to go swanning around,but ,if you do find yourself in my area ,drop in and join the party ,you are more than welcome,as is anyuone else. I am off for my flu jab tomorrow afternoon ,[owwww . owwwww].just practicing hee hee,at least i have had the other one ,which you only get once ,so i should now be okay for the next 12 months. i have spent a little time on these hot matches this afternoon,has anyone else tried ,? and if so.has anyone scored yet? i should be so lucky ,though i have sent messages to three people for a possible match,so ,we will see. Fred has itching feet,i can't wait for it to get dark so that i can try the new light,lol,i just hope i don't black the whole estate or half the town . well ,i'm off for now,time to do the tea, i made home made fish cakes last night ,so i am going to try them this evening,the other half of them are in the ffreezer for another day . S.y.a. later.Fred.PtfA&G&G&S.

Hi everyone, Its very wet here today, the dogs wouldn't go out, they waited for a lul in the downpour and dashed out, just before the heavens opened again. I had my pneumonia jab yesterday and apart from a sore arm, feel ok. I have my flu jab the first week in November, so I will soon be like a pincushion. I am still waiting for the removal date but hopefully it wont be long, surely this buyer wont get cold feet too. The first buyer has never said they weren't proceeding, they have just never answered the phone calls from the estate agent. It seems to be a new trend that people agree to buy and then change their minds. There is a thread on the General Topics board, someone else is having the same problem and judging by the replies, it has happened to others too. Kathleen, I hope you and Susan are continuing to make progress. Sylvia v O, Have you got your teeth sorted yet? Also how is Johan? I hope everyone else is well. Speak again soon. June xx

Hi All,just a quick message in case I do not get chance to be on here tomorrow. I have been exchanging details with the lady who I contacted about some names we had in comman and she is my second cousin. So I have been writing more details out and sending them to her,these are details which I have not yet put into my tree,so had to put them in word and send as an attachment. Its now really later than i thought so I am just saying hello and goodbye so to speak. Be back Friday if not tomorrow. Take care Brenda

Hello everyone and to fellow Kiwis Haven't been on the internet for a few days as I have trying to upgrade by internet security protection which bombed out everytime it was downloaded. The upgrade I got wouldn't load properly until I was told to use a particular tool to remove remanants that laid hidden in the system. Now all is fine as I all has been resolved a couple of hours ago meaning it safe, but what's really safe on the internet these days. We have been having a 40 Days of Purpose home group in our home initally for six weeks which concluded with a dinner - two curry type dishes from two Indian couples, chilli con carne from a chef, salads etc from other group members. After a short break we are reviewing and looking at questions not answered originally. I am out this evening for a men's fellowship meeting starts with a dinner cooked by the chef who was at our home then we have a guest speaker. Overcast here today with next day or so wet. It's a holiday weekend - Labour Day on Monday - for those who do work it will be a short break. These days Labour Day seems to mean nothing as shops and like are open. John

Just a quicky Sylvia,i meant to tell you ,i do a pastry case ,and mix the meat and potato together with a little onion,salt and pepper is all,the kids seeem to like it,the best one i ever tasted was made by Jenny longlegs.for the tynemouth picnic and get together. Fred.ptfAS&G&G&S.

Hi all, I hope you get moving soon June then you'll be nicely settled in before Xmas. Do you have a lot of painting and decorating to do in the new house? So Fred, you pick your own mushrooms, nice. I wouldn't dare do that as I'm sure to pick the wrong ones. You still haven't told me how you make corned beef pie. What about you coming to me on Xmas Day and cooking my Xmas dinner Fred. Today I went out to the shops on my scooter and had my gloves and windjack with hood on. I must get myself some long pants for under my trousers as my legs get cold. Now, must get down to making some more Xmas cards. Will love you and leave you Sylvia xxx

Hi everyone, Its wet here today, I hope the sun comes out soon. Yesterday the Surveyor came so hopefully we will soon be moving, fingers crossed. Brenda I look forward to you being there on the 12th, I will be there whether or not we have already moved, surely we will have moved by then. I am dying to start my Christmas shopping but dont want to have too much to carry to the new house. Today I have to go for my pneumomia jab so I hope I dont get any reactions from that. Then November I have the flu jab, I'm sure they think I am a pin cushion. I have to go now to take my granddaughter to work, Take Care everyone. June xx

Hi all,and sylvia,answer to your question about the mushrooms,well ,simple really.i tend to pick my own ,from woodlands fields and the like ,and you never know what's been sniffing them first,if you get my drift lol,and buying them from a shop makes a difference ,but the habit is inbuilt now after so many years that i now peel them without thinking about it. i have been back in the garden today ,fitted the light into the greenhouse,and have started putting the brass hooks in ,ready to hold the bubble wrap ,which will keep the frost ,out ,and the warmth in ,enabeling me to start the seedlings a few weeks earlier.'cides,it means by the time i put the electric heater in ,if i upset the missus and get relegated to outside the house ,i can share the greenhouse with my plants for the night. We have been invited to the daughters for the christmas dinner now,so i will be doing the meal on boxing day instead ,and will be doing the boxing day nosh for new years day instead when everyone will descend on us,,it will make a change ,and means Fred has the day off on the best day of the year [yippee].that will do me folks. Getting back to the greenhouse for a second.the idea of going about it this way is ,thne parts that needed doing on a dry day are all done and i can finish at my leasure and in the dry as well ,it can rain as much as it likes.The first dry day i get now ,i will install the shed light ,which works great,and i can at least see what i am doing in there lol. i am ashamed to say that the missus and i had such a good night last night that i overslept this morning,got up at nine ,woke Liz and had to go straight out to pick the daughter up for her Tuesday shopping i never even got a chance to read my email ,or anything .i' off for a swan around the boards now ,but i may be back later,take care everyone syl.Fred.PtfA&G&G&S.