Chitchat thread #24

[Florence Fennel]

It's also a good idea to use liners - they do get very dirty if not. I use the paper liners now, which are cheap

[Snoop Puss]

Afternoon all.

Glad you had a good holiday, LD. Sounds like you had a lovely time. And a lovely return home too.

Had to go out this morning and forgot to water my seedlings before I left. Visited a local plant nursery and was standing there thinking do I need lettuces? No, I've got loads at home. Only to discover when I got home that about half had died. Pah! At least the brassicas have survived.

Need to get weaving in the garden tomorrow morning before it gets too hot, planting all my plug plants out. Got plenty to keep me going. I'm about four weeks behind this year, but the nights have been so cold. Anyway, better late than never.

Have a great evening, everyone.

[Nicos]

Loads to do here too Snoop….still got loads of annual flower seedlings desperate to be planted out….also a few veggies.

Thing is, we’re still 2 weeks from our last frost date, so we’ve hung back, but the forecast looks like they will be fine.
Cant believe we’re not so far from midsummer’s day…always sneaks up, but usually with the promise of a lovely summer to follow.

Pity about your lettuce mind…flippin typical

I had intended to do a quick grory hop earlier…but the day ran away with me…so tomorrow it is. No doubt I’ll spot a few things jump onto my trolley unintentionally

Anyone fancy a little drinkies?…we are about to sit out on the patio in the evening sun…you are most welcome to join us!

[rary]

Good evening, when I got up this morning it was dry with some sunshine, but by the time OH surfaced it was raining, as I had some things to attend to at the church manse I didn't bother too much about that, though when I went out it was dry and fortunately turned out nice,so once back home I did some work on one of my raised beds, removed the wood that I had fitted around the top of the slabs, this was to allow me to fill the beds above the level of the slabs which of course with settlement the bed levek is now down to the level of top of the slabs , si wood off and have now fitted six inch concrete edging to the top of the slabs , which will alliw me to load plentwcof seaweed to the bed at the end of the season, had to cut some of the edging slabs and boy the dust that create is unbelievable, the job is done now but the next time I need to cut concrete it will be with a bolster chisel, not as much mess with that now of to see whats on telly so have a goid evening and keep smiling

[mothhawk]

Good morning all.

I've done a grory hop this morning already. I went early as it's half term and later no doubt the stores will be full of harassed mothers and whining children. Actually that's not really the reason, I just like to shop when the store is mostly empty except for shelf fillers and the employees filling the home delivery baskets. I don't mind them 'cos they don't loiter undecided by the shelves or stop mid-aisle to chit-chat. I wanted some frozen berries, and expected them to be near the frozen desserts and ice creams - well you would, wouldn't you? But no, they were (after a hunt around) next to the frozen pizzas.


I shall go for a walk later as it looks as if rain is on the way now, so I'll do a bit of baking - some sort of fruit cake I think, and some lemon bars which I haven't made in ages but which freeze well and are handy to take out if visitors arrive or I'm craving something biscuity but cakey.

Glad to hear the wedding went well, Flo, and hope Mr is soon back to morning tea duties, and LD, hope that holiday has done you a power of good

[Snoop Puss]

Morning all.

Just to let you know, it isn't such a good day here today. The sun is shining, Mr Snoop is here, I'm here but the dog isn't. We knew it was coming, but it doesn't make it any easier. What a hole our animal companions leave behind them.

Better shake a leg as I'm very behind. Catch you all later. Meanwhile, have a great day, everyone.

[Florence Fennel]

So sorry to hear that Snoop, sending lots of hugs x

[Bren In Pots]

Sorry to read about your dog Snoop xx

[greenishfing]

Good morning all.

So sorry to hear about your dog, Snoop.

I fell asleep in front of the T.V last night, a very rare event, and had about 3 hours sleep. I presumed that I wouldn't sleep last night. WRONG!! I had a good few hours and feel so much better this morning. I've got my second load of washing in because it's a half decent weather forecast, and done other jobs. I'm now on my second cup of coffee. Well actually third cup, but one spread itself across the cream bedroom carpet. I've just tried out the new stain remover I bought a couple of weeks ago. It works.

I tried out the new air fryer last night. I buy the (fresh, not frozen) breaded wholetail scampi from the supermarket. Usually I oven cook it as per the instructions. Although the inside ends up soft and tender the outside always ends up a bit soggy. I airfryed it instead for 10 minutes. Perfection!

I think I'll see what the airfryer does with the frozen raw croissants next.

[mothhawk]

Oh Snoop! So sorry you've lost your precious dog. My heart hurts for you. Hugs xx

[greenishfing]

mothhawk, lemon bars sound interesting. Can you share the recipe?

[mothhawk]

mothhawk, lemon bars sound interesting. Can you share the recipe?

I can indeed GF it's basically a shortbread base with a lemony topping.

Base: 6oz plain flour, 4oz butter, 2oz icing sugar.
Topping: 2 eggs, 6oz sugar, 3 tablespoons SR flour, 3 tablespoons lemon juice.

Mix base ingredients to a shortbread and press into a 9x9inch tin or dish. bake at 180C/gas 4 for 20 minutes.
Whisk the eggs until fluffy, whisk in the sugar, then fold in the flour and juice. Pour over the top of the shortbread and bake for 25 minutes.
Remove from oven and dust with icing sugar. Cut into squares or bars in the tin, and leave to cool in the tin.

If you use a metal baking tin, it's best to let the shortbread cool before adding and cooking the topping, to avoid the base being overcooked or burned.
keeps for 2 weeks in the fridge, or 6 months in the freezer.

I've just measured the tin I use and it is 10" x 6", so 9x9 is probably a bit too big, 8 x8 would be a better size.

[lottie dolly]

morning all,so sorry to hear about your beloved pet Snoop,you gave them the best you could,i do feel more refreshed from the holiday,we going to book another for sep oct time,still nothing from the medics as what is my problem and why am anemic and have cough and croaky times,me thinks am going to have to roust them up next week if i hear nothing,nice to have had some rain on the garden,it hopefully will make things more workable,have a good day all

[greenishfing]

^^^ Thanks for the recipe, mothhawk

[Nicos]

Afternoon n’alln’all
Just got back from my grory hop and hunting for coloured lights for my apple tree. I finally found one small set…and managed to persuade the shop to sell me their demo set too!…perfect.
We didn’t really need new ones…last years are very safely stored away…somewhere
No doubt we’ll find them but these are needed for this evening/ long weekend as it’s perfect sitting out in the evening weather.
Town was heaving..I’m also a quiet time shopper MH…but that’s lunchtime here for most shops.

Snoop…really sorry to hear your sad news ….You have given her an amazing life xxxx