General Chat

Oh dear, I am a bit of a “throw it in and see what happens” type of cook. I make the carrot and ginger soup in a soup maker. I made it from a recipe the first couple of times but I tend to adapt it a bit now. However I did google and found a recipe on this website which is almost identical to the one I used.

https//lianaskitchen.co.uk

If you can’t find it let me know and I’ll type it out.

I’ve always used fresh ginger (well, frozen) but you can use ground ginger. I just grate it till it looks about the right amount. If I am a bit short of carrots I throw in a potato to give it a bit of body. I like Marigold vegetable bouillon but any veg stock will do.

Have an experiment and see what you think.

Yes I would like that recipe too please Vera.

Its dark and the pc says 2 degrees and sunny?????????

The ice has been melting all day on the big pond so thats good. I can see the fish now.

I have a nice pork chop for diner tonight with brocc pots and parsnips.

I think they have all been diverted to parcels Vera, Amazon started using them and I guess they get paid more if they are delivered on time or something. I have not had any in about the same timescale as you and I am very sad about it because they are what keep me in touch with many old friends. I assume they won't be working tomorrow so If mine don't come on Monday that is it for me.

Still 5 degrees here but no thaw.
Could you give me the recipe for carrot and ginger soup please. I have just had some of my mixed veg soup which was very nice but yours sounds lovely.

Still only 1 degree here and no sign of any thaw. No sign of any post either. The last delivery we had was 9 days ago now. I am wondering if our lovely cheery postie is off sick and no-one is replacing him or whether he’s been diverted to parcel deliveries. At this rate I’ll be opening Christmas cards in February. It’s not really the cards that matter but people could be missing important appointments.

Just had some warming carrot and ginger soup. That was the last of the soup in the freezer so I need to get my act together and make some more.

5 degrees here now but still very cold outside if you are out of the sun. Hope you got all your bits done Mel.

At least this snow has kept me in and stopped me buying extra bits to add to the presents already bought.

I have got all my stuff ready for packing. It Will have to be done tomorrow so as to get it all out of the front bedroom where daughter sleeps.

Having done it before Vera I am sure that you will get it all in as well as yourselves. I invariably travel with the back seat full leaving just enough space for me.

Been outside as its a lot warmer today the ice is melting on the pond and I could actually feel the warmth from the sun on my face and hands. Its now 2 degrees here and sunny.

I do hope there is room in the car for you two Vera!! I am sure there will be a jiggle about to get it all in. Its surprising what you can get in a small car and on the back seat and on the floor and still be enough space for one in the front and one in the back plus the driver of course.

I have had the car running for a little while to clear the windscreen and I am now off up the shop in a min.

it is actually 3 degrees here now but no sign of our compacted snowy icy road thawing out. I did just go down the garden to take stuff to the compost bin and the lawn is not frozen, so that is an improvement. Managed to put stuff out for the birds as well. Must get on with sorting what I am going to take to daughter's on Tuesday,

Morning all

Still -1 here though it’s supposed to get to 2 or 3 degrees during the day. There’s a bit of sun as well so it looks more cheerful

I haven’t got any plans for the day but I’ll find plenty to do I’m sure. I must start present wrapping which is a job I hate. I only did the couple of gifts that had to go to Southend. The family are gathering in Yorkshire for Christmas and granddaughter is driving us up. Her car isn’t very big and she will have all her stuff to take plus all the presents we have bought for everyone (some of them big!!), a box of presents from Southend and our clothes etc. Once all that is in I don’t think there’ll be room for OH and me, lol.

Morning Anng and all,

Cloudy and grey here this morning and the pc says 0 degrees and cloudy.

Have to pop up the shop this orning to pay last weeks bill and get my paper and some bits and then its home and I may do some cooking for the freezer.

Well for a change the temp is +1, and it is very cloudy. Hopefully it will go up and we will start to get a thaw.
Good morning all. Another day of doing nothing, although I do have bedding in the washing machine at the moment.
Slept ok again, woke up a couple of times, finally at 0745

O Its minus 1 at the mo.

I had the postman today and he took some cards I had'nt posted and brought me a card and two parcels. One was'nt supposed to come until Dec 28th but it is only for my dolls house so I was willing to wait until then and then it came today!! with another one that is much too big for the dolls house, it was supposed to be an ivy garland but the leaves are huge nearly as big as a 5p. Thats two I have bought from the smae place but I ordered them on the same day so could'nt cancel the second one.

Mandy you be careful when you go out we don't need you falling again and be put back to square one. Thanks for the info about Shakespear and Hatherway as I hav'nt looked at the telly programs this week.

I hav'nt wrapped any presents yet. I have some for Di and I am doing a Christmas Eve box for Em and family. I think the boys are a bit big for stockings now and I don't know what to buy them so they will have money. There are a couple of silly things for them though. Something to make them giggle.

It is a tropical minus 2 now and the sun is lovely. I keep looking out at my climbing rose as the snow has brought it right down, I want to get out and see if it is just the snow or has it broken a branch but I will wait a bit, it won't be too slippery there as it is by the snow on the lawn but I will see later. No post here so far. I think the postman will be hesitant to walk down our road and I wouldn't blame him.

Morning everyone,

Minus 3 here with blue sky and sunshine temperatures should rise over the weekend so I'll get out to shop then I can't risk going out with my wrists ,if I go down to the shed I put my splints on .

Mel before I forget there a new Shakespeare and Hathoway on today after Doctors .

Anng hopefully the temps will be up a bit at the weekend so you can get your cards out.

Vera I hope you've taken your scarf to the hairdressers you'll feel chilly round the neck when you come out .

I have wrapped most of the presents now just a few more to get and wrap ,postman just been with some rat bait we ordered a week or more ago so they are working today

Better get some jobs done now the shower needs a clean and the washing machine is now spinning so the washing will need hanging on the airer.

Just have my coffee then I'll get on .

Good morning

I’m off to the hairdressers shortly for an 11 am appointment. OH has things to do in town so he will drop me off. Like you AnnG our Close is still lethal and we have to be careful just walking from the house to the garage but it’s not too bad on the other roads.

I’ve done a couple of odd jobs and have just been outside to de-ice the bird bath. When I get back from the hairdressers I need to sort out an order for Tesco as I’ve got a delivery on Monday.

Time’s getting on. I’d better get my coat and shoes on. Have a good day everyone and stay warm.

Even oh's big pond has ice on it this morning.

Good morning all. It was minus 5 when I got up but it has gone down now to minus 8. going in the wrong direction. Still ice and frozen snow in our little road, so lethal for us who live here stuck in while others on busier roads can get out and about. I can't even get out to put cards in neighbours doors and of course they are all the same. Only had a couple of cards lately from younger ones in the close.

Nothing pressing to do today so I will have to think about what I am going to do. slep quite well so that is one good thing. Hope everyone can keep warm and stay in if you don't have to go out.

Morning all,

Another sunny morning I think its heading that way at the moment anyway. Clear sky and -6 degrees here and pc says sunny.

Must get this wreath done today for Phyllis up the road and try and do some flowers for mum and oh.

What are you all up to today.

Its -5 here now. Its been a beautiful sunny day but o so cold. I went up the garden and picked some yellow conifer, rose hips, and ivy flower heads or seed heads and a few ivy leaves to put around the flowers. Also picked the holly berries I had covered up with plastic bags. The birds ate the rest. Did a wash today but it did'nt dry so now its on the airer in the hall by the rad.

I have done a load of washing and made some more mixed vegetable soup (clearing old veg from the fridge). And then topped up the bird feeders. They have eaten a full half coconut since Monday. Now catching up with emails and then maybe make some cards.

enjoy your chat Vera.