General Chat

Thank you for you comments and advice Mel. I know the scene very well but admit to using a bit of artistic license as I didn't want it to look just like a photograph. This was done with the cheap watercolours from The works, I enjoyed doing it and found the colours mixed well. I wouldn't want to trace the picture Mel as then I might as well just have the photograph.
You will probably like books by Rita Bradshaw, Leah Fleming and Margaret Dickenson.

Frank sounds as if you had a good wash and brush up. vaseline is good for moisturising the wound and helps healing so that is a good dressing. It will be more comfortable now the dried blood has been washed away.

Gill, oh what a shame and how disruptive for you after unloading all her stuff, that was very naughty of her, especially as the police were involved. How have M&M accepted her returning. I think she must learn that she can't play games like that. did your OH have to take her back as well? I should draw the line now and insist that she does not return home again. I should add a card will arrive for her tomorrow or Saturday welcoming her home. There are two lots of stickers in it, up to you what you do with it. <3 <3

Oh what a surprise and "A PICK ME UP" I have just received. I was sitting in my armchair having forty winks, when someone was tapping the front door. It was a delivery left on the step, addressed to CONRAD. When I opened it, it was for ME, from CONRAD. A BIG WEST HAM SCARF AND THIS YEARS HAND BOOK OF THE "HAMMERS" How thrilled I am, I will sit and read the hand book tomorrow while I sit in the conservatory. Roll on the WINTER, I can then show off my "HAMMERS SCARF"

One HAPPY LITTLE BUNNIE. :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D

What a lovely surprise Frank, lucky fellow. :-) :-)

Oh my word I never expected Sandra to be gone that quickly Gill. It does sound like she thought it was a way to be able to go out and see people by coming home again. As you say, she probably didn't understand the risk to you and your OH and perhaps thought you might be less strict about these things than Michelle. I still don't see why the police were called when she came to you. What a lot of driving for your poor OH and extra work for you sorting her out though. I hope she's properly made her mind up now!!

AnnG I have replied to your email and quite liked your first attempt! As Mel says enjoying yourself is most important and I often disagree with the expert opinions on tv programmes about which painting is best etc so it is a very individual thing. I have only ever used cheap paints from The Works and they've been fine.

It sounds like Conrad's gift has hit the spot with you Frank! Enjoy your book tomorrow.

I haven't done much today apart from get jacket potatoes for lunch with our own toms and cues. OH is very lacklustre today and can't settle to his work either. The parcel I was expecting has only just been delivered so too late to go to the garden centre today.

Did anyone see the Covid prog last night and the Van Tulleken doctor twins. He was in tears behind his mask when his twin who got covid had to have his heart restarted to correct the rhythm. He is on the same tablets as me now and is anxious about it happening again. Seeing some really sick people and the complications was an eye opener to keep being careful. Even the way you rinse your hands is important.

O Frank how wonderful for such a lovely surprise and I see it has pleased you so much as I know you love your Hammers.

I went up the top field this afternoon and picked a load more plums and some apples. I have stoned some that had funny bits in them and done some of the apples and stewed them down a bit to make a nice crumble and have a lot to give to Em tomorrow and I shall probably take her her eggs too as I hav'nt anymore room in the egg tray.

May make some of my spicy buns (cakes) to use up more eggs as they seem to have gone mad lately.

Had to pay my sub today as they emailed me to say they were having trouble with my payment. I have a new card.......... so thats out of the way for another year.

Good evening

Gill, I think you have probably deleted your last post so I won't comment except to send a hug and a quote from Maya Angelou "No matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it WILL be better tomorrow" <3

I like your painting AnnG - I think the rocks are great. The picture is individual and is what you see and the main thing is that you enjoyed doing it. I'm glad my envelope arrived OK but I am amazed you got it so quickly. I only posted it second class yesterday. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to the post at the moment, some things take an age to arrive and other things come quickly and it doesn't seem to matter if it's first or second class.

You sound as though you got on well with the nurse Frank and it's good she could make you more comfortable. I could tell you were thrilled with Conrad's present - what a thoughtful thing to do.

You're sounding a bit better again now Jane. Did you enjoy the lasagne? You must enjoy having Hannah near by now.

Mel, could I have your spicy bun recipe some time please. I don't do much baking now but I should do more and we do like a bit of spice in our cakes so I'd like to try them.

Ann, you are quite right of course about possible ID fraud from a photo of a licence. I had forgotten just how much information is on there. I only put the bones of the story on here but I think daughter was suspicious that he was so vague about his insurance which is why she asked to see his licence. He must have agreed to show her and allow her to photograph it as she couldn't have done it without his agreement. It does look as though the licence and the car were his. It also appears he has several children so thank goodness none of them were in the car with him. It doesn't bear thinking about.

After another very bad night I couldn't face hoovering and cleaning but felt guilty at just sitting around so I decided to do a couple of small jobs that have been hanging fire for a while. I ended up with quite a productive day. The kettle and steamer have both been descaled, some shoes cleaned, a cupboard full of bags sorted out and a couple of handbags put aside for the charity shop, some parsley seeds sown in a pot and a bit of deadheading done and so on.

It was very cloudy all morning but was sunny this afternoon and so humid, there doesn't seem to be a breath of air. Goodness knows if any of us will get much sleep tonight. OH and I sleep separately when it's like this so that we don't make each other hotter. The fan will be working overtime. It's supposed to be getting even hotter and more humid tomorrow and Saturday. Never mind, we'll just have to make the best of it.

Vera Gill’s post is still there, quite a way down now.

I am pleased that you liked the painting. I am the first to see the errors but I did enjoy doing it and still like it because of how I love the place, hopefully all being well we will be there again in September, and we have also booked for next May. This virus can surely not go on that long??

So you had a productive day in the end. I should stop painting and do a bit more housework.

Vera yes I will send you the recipe but its only my made up one or should I just put it on here?

Here goes

6oz.self raising flour.

3 ozs sugar

3 ozs marg

3ozs sultanas or mixed fruit

pinch of salt

a good teaspoon of mixed spice or more if you want it.

1 egg beaten with a drop of milk.

Rub in the marg or soft marg (it dos'nt matter which) with the salt stir in the fruit and mix in the egg and milk mixture to a dropping consistancey. If its a bit dry add more milk. I put them in paper cases and bake in the oven 160 fan for about 20 mins but check after 15 mins.

I think thats it hope it works for you.

good morning all. It is a beautiful morning here but already is 22 degrees so is going to be a hot one. We will not be going far. OH has got a stye on his eye which looks (and apparently is) sore. Not something I have ever known him have before, if he is run down he usually gets cold sores. Apparently it gives him a headache so best he doesn't go out in the sun/heat.

So maybe it is a day for doing some washing and the unavoidable housework.

Might have a go at that recipe Mel, but haven't got any cake cases.

Morning all

It's going to be too hot today so could be an indoor one here. Shame.
A good pegging out day though! The second load is queuing up.

The tomatoes are ripening fast now but the skins are a bit tough - is that a watering issue? Not that there's been a shortage of the wet stuff!

I hope the wounded soldiers are feeling well today.

I'm pleased that Ann has taken the plunge with the paints. Enjoy.

have a good day all

Tough skins are always a mystery to us Island, we don’t think it is the watering. We think some varieties are more prone to tough skins than others. Which variety do you grow and is that inside or outside?

I am very aware that if you have not given Mel an email address you won’t be on the group email for seeing my efforts. But yes I enjoyed doing it and will keep at it.

Morning Anng, Island and all,

Beautiful morning here too. Sunshine blue sky and white clouds.

Anng you can bake the cakes in a tin as I do sometimes you don't have to have the papaer cases. I find it saves on the washing up thats all. Oh will wash a clean looking baking tin but leaves one that looks like hard work. Poor T his eye must be really sore, is it a MAN sty?

Island yes hard skins is ususally not enough water or letting them get dry as far as tommies are concerned. Mine have never been dry and are now starting to split!! Can't win can we whatever we do. Still they taste better than shop bought ones don't they? Did you have a go at the little book thing?

Slept like a log last night but I should have as I only had a couple of hours the night before.

I can't believe its Friday again!! Where are the weeks going???????? Will be watching Monty tonight. Anyone see the Make Do And Mend Dick and Angel last night. The little girl was thrilled with her bedroom. I would'nt have realy called it BOHO though.

Good morning all,..

Terrible night last night. I was nursing a stinking headache, so took my tablets including pain killers, and went to bed at 9.30 pm. Was stiil awake at 3.00 am. I must have dropped of from pure fatigue , and woke again at 5.30 am. I was up by 7.30 I let Ros have a lay in. She showed around 9.00 I got her a COT.

My dressing has fallen off of my head so I am going to leave it open to see if it will dry out. Eos has suggested I have a shower, and she will try to wash my hair in the basin, being very careful not to damage the stitches. I am sure it will make me feel a lot better.

She put out an overnight colours wash, and stripped the bed. Thats in the machine now. The way the sun is shining everything will be dry before you know it.

I don't know what TONY is up tp next door, but every morning he is knocking nails into the wall. I expect he is moving all his paintings around. If he carries on like this, the bloody wall will come tumbling down lol lol

Not a cloud in the sky, so we are in for a real HEAT WAVE mid to high 30s. So keep covered up if you are outside, and drink plenty of water.

See you later. xxxx

AnnG, the toms are all outdoor, I think there's about four varieties, all cherry but so far only one row has ripened. Yep! I threw the packets away - over zealous tidying. There should be some yellow tumbling toms and some black russian but so far just red ones.
My knowledge of tomato varieties is similar to my car interest - ie 'it's a blue one LOL

I must get on the case and send Mel something to share as I'd love to see the groups art and garden work. I'll do that today.

AnnG sent Island your pics and she said Well done Anng.

Thanks Mel.

Its me I have emailed you ALL and forwarded Islands email to me with her pictures on so now you can all ge her email address.

Island the bunting is marvelous. What a lot of work you put into it it must have taken years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Mel :-D It did take a while but only because I had to put it away for 18 months LOL

Loved the bunting. Island. I was having trouble with the internet, usually have no problems but this morning it has been a right pain.

Good afternoon (just)

What an unbearably sticky night it was. Did any of you sleep much? It is now a real scorcher out there.

OH asked if I’d like to go for a drive this morning. It was lovely. We have our air conditioning set at 20 degs so it was a comfortable temperature in the car and so nice driving through pretty villages and all the farmland in between. With no real hills in the way you can sometimes see for miles and then there are the wide open East Anglian skies. You can tell I love this county can’t you? :-D

Thanks for the recipe Mel. I shall make some in the next couple of days. I’ve run out of paper cases and I’m getting low on the bigger ones for muffins but there don’t seem to be any available locally. Still, as you say, I can do them in the tins.

Poor T. He must be very uncomfortable with a stye. I hope it goes down quickly.

Island, your toms are doing better than mine. We have plenty on the plants and they look healthy but the best you can say about them is that they’ve turned a paler shade of green.

I’ve got some work to do on the computer this afternoon. Someone I know has a strange situation in a family he is researching and has made a bit of a leap of faith. I’ve been asked to have a look at it and see what I think, so that will keep me busy. The trouble is our main computer is upstairs under the eaves and it gets very hot up there. I’m going to try using the iPad downstairs but it isn’t so easy to flit between different genealogy sites on it.

As Frank says, drink plenty and stay as cool as you can. It won’t be long before we’re all moaning about the cold.