General Chat

I'm good, lovely lady yourself:-))) I've had a lazy day today. I made the bed and washed the breakfast dishes. OH is cooking tea and I'm sitting here on the computer. That's because I'm the Queen:-))

Sue xx

As you should, too. Lucky you, what I would give for my OH to cook for me. His mother never let him in the kitchen, so cannot cook:-((
I let my chicken's go for it, whats a burnt saucepan here or there!!!

Carole xx

OH loves cooking and since he's retired he's taken over quite a bit of it. I'm not complaining.

Sue xx

Ahh, I wouldn't complain either:-))

Carole xx

Morning ladies,
I'd thought I'd go on the computer before I go off to mass!
What have you got for tea Sue?

Good morning Pat:-))

Carole xx

Evening Carole,
I'm going to mass now, then going to see a friend and then back home so I expect you'll be asleep by then!
Pat x

Enjoy your day, Pat:-))

Carole xx

Hello Pat - although you'll be off by now. OH did chicken schnitzel which I crumbed earlier in the day. He did potatoes and veggies with it and then made fruit salad for dessert. Yummo:-))

Sue xx

Good Morning/Evening

Carole........ How proud you must be of your daughter's equestrian achievements - tell her Da Iawn (very good/well done) and Bendegedig (fantastic) and a big Welsh cwtch.

Pat....Hope you enjoyed your day at Mass and visiting.

Perse, I believe our Prince William is in your home town - if the lad drops in on you, give him a good strong cup of tea, and a chunk of cake.

Hi to everyone,

Tec

Hi Tec,
Mass was ok. I'm an altar server and I had to serve mass by myself because my friend couldn't find his alb!
I had a nice time at my friend Avril's. Her husband died 29th December 2008 and this was her first Christmas without her husband. I think it went ok all things considered. I was telling her about my new bedroom. Hopefully next month when I go to see her I have some pictures!
Pat x

Hello Tec and Pat - and everyone else:-))

Sounds like you had a lovely day, Pat. The first 12 months after a loved one passes away are the hardest - all those 1st's without them. I bet she enjoyed your visit.

It was quite chilly here throught the night and even though the sun's shining it's actually very cool at the moment. I have a busy day ahead as the new year starts and I have meetings to set up. I'm actually finding it hard to get back into the swing of things although it's mainly been phone calls up until now.

Sue xx

Sue,
When I went back to work after the New Year break the first couple of days were hard. i'm sure by the end of the week you'll be up to speed!

Morning - Yes Tec - Our Pince William got a very good coverage on the news. He met with Prime Minister, Governor General and All Blacks Captain. He played an impromptu game with some young lads who were never expecting to see the Prince. People from the UK here on holiday, said they have now seen him up close etc. His afternoon was spent on the Harbour with Dean Barker on our America's cup boat. Then it was too a hangi cooked at the Governor General's place.

Well the digger man has been very industrious on our front lawn and it is nearly flattened, pulled out a path and some rockery etc so it is looking much better already. The two young preschooler lads from a couple of doors down have been along with their mum to carry out inspection. They are often to be seen with their toy motor mowers and ear muffs mowing the berm with their dad.

Now for some toast for breakfast -

Perse xx

Good evening/morning all.
Quite cool here so far. I was surprised to find it was 14degrees when I was first up this morning. Last week, it was 23 at dawn! Our highest to-day is expected to be 25, so that should be lovely. Hope those of you in the cold and having a warmer night to-night.

I have just come back from "Friends" where I saw red, and ticked off a couple of people who made nasty comments about Susan Boyle's appearance. I reminded them that she entered a TALENT quest, not a BEAUTY quest! I'm not concerned about her looks or what she says or does - she has a beautiful voice and that's all she has ever offered us. She doesn't have to resort to stripping and other gimmicks like some other singers do - and if the media would stop shoving cameras and mikes in her face, she would be able to be the pleasant lady that she naturally is!
Why do some people expect a singer to be other things as well?

Good evening.

Perse, what n earth is a Berm?

I feel sorry for sorry for Susan Boyle Berona because she has obviously had problems with her mental health in her life and the pressure of stardom must be so difficult for her to cope with.

It has been a relatively lovely day here today. We donned our wellies and walked down to the allotment to assess the state of play. The sprouts were fine, although the birds have been eating the leaves. Most of the leeks were fine, but the purple sprouting broccoli has had it

Hi, Persey, Berona and Linda - thought I would be talking to myself today:-))

The storm the other afternoon wrecked what was left of the early summer tomatoes. We have about 4 butternut pumpkins growing well so lots of pumpkin soup for winter - my favourite. OH is just about to put in some lettuce seedlings grown from seeds. My daughter is growing rocket and some herbs so plenty of swapping going on.

Linda - can I ask if you use old jars when you bottle your harvest or do you have proper preserving jars. If using old jars how do you get the smell out of them.

Sue xx

I do collect old jars, I just wash them thoroughly, though some of the tops can smell if they have been used for pickles. If they do, I don't use them. You can buy packs which have greasprrof circles and larger cellophane circles which you secure on the tops of the jars with elastic bands. I use those jars first though. i have, however, invested in lots of proper preserving jars, the sort with the spring fasteners on top

Hi Sue,
Hope the warms up a little for you - it was quite pleasant here today, temp around 7 c - took my old dog for a gentle walk as far as the beach and back, it was rather chilly by the water.
I'm sure you will soon be back into the routine of things once it all gets going, hope you've still got lots of willing hands who can work on their own initiative.

Perse - I'm sure William would rather be in your kitchen enjoying that cup of tea, away from all the pomp and circumstance that I think he detests.
The garden project sounds good, amazing what a digger can do in a short time - sure beats doing it by hand.

Berona, I agree entirely with what you said about Susan Boyle. She is obviously finding it very difficult dealing with animals of the media. Fame has come to her late in life, and that must be difficult for her to handle. As you say, she is a singer, not a glamour puss, why can't people accept her her for who she is?

Pat, Glad you seem to have enjoyed your day visiting your friend, I'm sure she will have appreciated the company.

Tec

You can buy new lids etc, this link gives ideas, we have a local branch of this chain which is handy

http://www.lakeland.co.uk/F/keyword/preserving