Amazon exiles discussion
Don't Kill Snails with Salt ... Creme Eggs & Toasted Teacakes ... Biscuits & Bench Stories, Life, the Universe, & Everything!
Until then ... "Anyone for Tennis?" ;o> ...
Been away for two weeks, folks, so just been a-catching up with the last 4 pages.Interesting reading about the soup. The best bit about the dinners we had, to me, was the range of vegetable-themed soups they had. Cauli, broccoli, pumpkin, sweet pumpkin, veg, potato, tomato, etc - they were delicious, so I've noted the recipes listed here!
Re the cave rescue, what chance some scriptwriter is already preparing the script for a film version of the story! Reckon that is nailed on.
Re Granny Rachel, I was told she was having issues with her laptop, so it might be the reason she hasn't been visiting the thread for a while.
Glad baby blackbird escaped the talons of the sparrowhawk. Same happened in our garden a few years ago as one snatched a sparrow out of one of our bushes and started plucking it on the lawn. Quite a cuffuffle.
While we were away, at bottom of our estate where it meets the main road, we have a mini roundabout, painted white. Came back Thursday to find somebody had painted a large red cross over it to turn it into a St George's Roundabout. Took a photo and put it on Instagram. One of the hashtags I used took me to a site that showed at least two other mini-roundabouts in the country had received similar treatment, so a case of copycat decoration!
Enjoy the record summer weather all, memories of how cold the winter was aren't too far from the memory.
P wrote: "Been away for two weeks, folks, so just been a-catching up with the last 4 pages.Interesting reading about the soup. The best bit about the dinners we had, to me, was the range of vegetable-theme..."
Glad you enjoyed yourself, P. 😀
Till recently one of my neighbours had his garage door painted as the Scottish saltire!
Hiyah P! ... Oooh? - I hope you had a really fabulous time away! ;o>Yes, the Thai Cave Rescue is most certainly the stuff that all Film-makers dreams are made of, isn't it? It is just so incredibly sad that that poor Diver so bravely risked his all and so tragically lost his own life doing so. I do hope that he won't ever be forgotten for his truly remarkable contribution to the success of the Rescue.
I hope Granny is managing to bear up to the terrible loss of her beloved Cadburys Crème Eggs until they turn up again in stores next year ;o>
It's raining! - just a light showery Rain but blissful all the same ;o> ...
We had a brief sprinkle of rain on Friday night, and there may be more this coming Monday!
It's been so dry and hot here for so long that there are several large cracks in the back lawn, and the soil has shrunk away from the small stepping stone slabs between the patio and the shed.
We've been watering all the plants in the garden on a daily basis but everything in the plant pots (whatever they were) have died - only the Sweetpea in the hanging basket has survived so far, and has plenty of pods on it.
Now I've got my new laptop, I can see everything as it is supposed to be now - no more peering at a blue screen or shaking of the laptop to get any kind of a picture!
I finally gave in after hurling the old one across the room in frustration, leaving the screen looking like someone had poured black paint onto the screen at the top and let it run down.. That, and then, without even raising her head from what she was doing,Mrs Grizzly saying "Just get a new one, will you!" :)
It's been so dry and hot here for so long that there are several large cracks in the back lawn, and the soil has shrunk away from the small stepping stone slabs between the patio and the shed.
We've been watering all the plants in the garden on a daily basis but everything in the plant pots (whatever they were) have died - only the Sweetpea in the hanging basket has survived so far, and has plenty of pods on it.
Now I've got my new laptop, I can see everything as it is supposed to be now - no more peering at a blue screen or shaking of the laptop to get any kind of a picture!
I finally gave in after hurling the old one across the room in frustration, leaving the screen looking like someone had poured black paint onto the screen at the top and let it run down.. That, and then, without even raising her head from what she was doing,Mrs Grizzly saying "Just get a new one, will you!" :)
Ahhh, so Phoebe can enjoy her own online sessions once again? ;o> ...
We have done very well indeed with the Back and Front Garden this year although plenty of watering has been necessary and we will sadly but surely see the loss of quite a few things once the Hosepipe Ban takes effect in August.There was a lot of rather un-nerving rustling and shaking around amongst the Tomato Plants in the Greenhouse last night?! - I was starting to become convinced that we had a sneaky Triffid hiding in there, getting itself poised and waiting to pounce, when suddenly one of our resident Frogs jumped out at me! - LOL!!! ;o>
I picked him up and put him back in the Frogitat outside that I've seen him using recently and gave it a good watering all around it as usual. He came out briefly and sat in the Doorway watching me water all around the Rockery then went back in for the night. I reckon he must have popped out for a swift half (or three) earlier on in the evening and then took a wrong turn into the Greenhouse on his slightly too wearisome and wandery way back home again? ;o>
Talking of Triffids though, we do seem to be growing something rather odd at the moment?! Thompson & Morgan, for some reason, did not have any of their exclusive Tomtato Plants for sale this year - and we also missed out on them last year due to them only having such limited stock that was already long bought and allocated before they went on sale. My Dad was so very disappointed and so I was determined to find some from somewhere.
I searched the Internet in vain for days until I came across an old Article on Tomtato Plants in Gardeners World (I think?) and there was a link to the only other place, a Nursery that also specialises in creating these unusual grafted Tomato-Potato Plants as well. They seem to be the only place in the whole country that sells them now - and I knew they wouldn't be quite the same as the Thompson & Morgan ones - but I took a chance on buying 3 of them for my Dad's sake.
Not only were they 3 times cheaper than Thompson & Morgan's exclusive Plant Grafts at just under £12 for all 3 inc. p&p but they have turned out to be just as fab and even more so on top! They have produced pound after pound of the most lusciously tasty Tomatoes over the last month and they are really only just getting started! We can also clearly see the Potatoes at the Roots already as well - and the Plants just keep on with growing and growing! The Thompson & Morgan Tomtato Plants were always excellent but these Plants are even better still ;o>
However one of the Tomtato Plants has truly excelled itself in growing, and being covered in, but not yet producing any ripe Fruit ... because what is growing on it are either going to be some of the biggest Tomatoes in the world?!! ... or they would appear instead to be Peppers?!! - LOL!!! The Nursery must have mixed up the Plants for grafting somehow and got them confused? My Dad is absolutely delighted by such a welcome and entirely unexpected bonus - and that particular Plant has now become his pride and joy for showing it off to all the Neighbours and in enjoying taking even more extra special care of it.
The Peppers are almost the size of my Fist and are still growing - and we are all eagerly awaiting the very first ripening with huge anticipation now ;o>
So what do you call that plant then?
Peptato? 😄
While I've been quite happily watering all the plants in pots that I can find in the garden, I haven't realised that one of them isn't real. The truth only came out this morning when, much giggling accompanied my efforts - Mrs Grizzly was quite happy to just watch and laugh, before eventually explaining what she found so funny :)
Peptato? 😄
While I've been quite happily watering all the plants in pots that I can find in the garden, I haven't realised that one of them isn't real. The truth only came out this morning when, much giggling accompanied my efforts - Mrs Grizzly was quite happy to just watch and laugh, before eventually explaining what she found so funny :)
"A frog went a courtin' and he did ride, mmm hmmmA frog went a courtin' and he did ride
A sword and a pistol by his side, mmm hmmm
He went down to Miss Mousy's door, mmm hmmm
He went down to Miss Mousy's door
Where he had been many times before,mmm hmmm......cont'd"
Grizzlygrump wrote: "So what do you call that plant then?Peptato? 😄
While I've been quite happily watering all the plants in pots that I can find in the garden, I haven't realised that one of them isn't real. The tru..."
Peptato? - I like it!!! ;o>
Awww, I bet Mrs Grizzly has had to work so very hard to hide so many giggles at seeing you watering that particular Plant every day!!! - LOL!!! ;o>
That reminds me of another (sad but also lovely) story that I read online recently ...
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/art...
Martin wrote: ""A frog went a courtin' and he did ride, mmm hmmmA frog went a courtin' and he did ride
A sword and a pistol by his side, mmm hmmm
He went down to Miss Mousy's door, mmm hmmm
He went down to Mis..."
Ohhh? - so THAT'S where he has been, is it?!! - well, I never!!! ;o>
The guy that was supposed to be coming to sort out the outside Wall, to prevent the Mouse/Mice from getting in and very noisily setting up home under the Floorboards and behind the Skirting Board in the Lounge and Dining Room, suddenly did a complete disappearing act on our next-door Neighbour who was also planning on using him to do a similar thing on his House - and he has never even answered on his Phone ever since then.
I had put him off a couple of times, which suited him anyway at the time because he was so busy elsewhere - because I just couldn't bear the thought of any Mice (including babies) potentially being trapped inside and starving away to a slow and painful death as a result.
The good news is that we haven't heard any more noise at all in over a week now and so we think the Mouse/Mice have moved out. The bad news is that we do still need the Wall fixing up and so we shall have to start looking for someone all over again to come and give us a quote on it.
The trials and tribulations of dealing with tradesmen Suzy, reluctantly I am currently looking for someone to replace a couple of doors." 'Twas on a Monday morning the gasman came to call ......"
Well, the Back Fence Gossips around here have it that the guy has either done a Bunk with someone else's Missus or is in Jail for the foreseeable future?!! ... I don't really like gossip or ever choose to join in with it - but my Mum is often a quite shameless participant and I do sometimes get such a giggle from hearing some of it through our open Windows and French Doors in Summer ;o>
suzy, do you have any sort of local traders association?We have Trusty Trades, all recommended by local people and vetted by the woman who set it all up. Dozens of reviews.
I’ve used gardeners, a roofer and an odd-job man - all turned up on time, did excellent work and the odd-job man did some other small jobs I hadn’t asked for. I’ve got a joiner and decorator lined up next.
The local council also has a scheme for pensioners, £26 for an hour’s work of any description. I used them for fitting my keysafe and adding an extra powerpoint (not to the keysafe).
"The good news is that we haven't heard any more noise at all in over a week now"that's because the six 25 foot long mice are plotting..........to eat you!
Lez wrote: "suzy, do you have any sort of local traders association?We have Trusty Trades, all recommended by local people and vetted by the woman who set it all up. Dozens of reviews.
I’ve used gardeners, a..."
We do, but we don't use them as they usually charge such incredibly silly money and yet still often cannot be relied upon. We live right on the Cheshire Border where a lot of the very rich and the famous live and the prices around here can often reflect this.
Our Neighbours on one side pride themselves in always using the Workmen out of a Local Directory - but we have been (secretly) quite shocked by the shoddy quality of the workmanship and the huge costs of everything that they have had done over the years. They seem to be happy enough with it all - but my M&D most definitely would not ever tolerate the same kind of service and final results when it comes to our House.
Mum's best friend's Husband is partially retired now, but he is a Carpenter and Builder by trade, and he always knows someone local enough and can be relied upon to give us contacts to follow up on. He has worked with so many people on various jobs and has come to know the very best of them personally as well as professionally. He is going to get back to us in a week or so with a couple of contacts we can try ;o>
Tech wrote: ""The good news is that we haven't heard any more noise at all in over a week now"that's because the six 25 foot long mice are plotting..........to eat you!"
I've told them that Kilmarnock has a much tastier choice of folk - some of them being already well-marinated in their favourite kind of Reggae-Reggae Sauce! ;o>
Tech wrote: "Eek A Mouse! :)""Wee sleekit cowerin' tim'rous beastie..."
... and he is also one of tech's favourite Reggae musicians as well, P ;o>
So the larger Bird and Squirrel-proof Feeders are continuing to work well in our Garden and in that of our next door Neighbours too ... however? ... we have a very persistent young Squirrel who has seemingly made it his mission in life to find a way to get the goodies somehow.He has been hanging upside down and swinging back and forth on the Wire Baskets around one of the Feeders trying his very best to smack it open against the nearby Garage Wall! It isn't working so far but, determinedly undeterred, he still keeps on having a go even when you walk up really close to him and ask him outright as to what on Earth he thinks he is doing?!!
I sit out on the Patio most mornings frequently lost in awe whilst admiring his 'who dares wins' dedication - and he has brought us many a laugh with all of his 'Mission Impossible' styled attempts and busy little antics over the last fortnight ;o>
I couldn't bear for the little cutie to go hungry after all his scheming, prancing and dancing, and throwing himself into getting what he wanted so badly! I've just gone and given him half a Fat Ball all to himself and he has sat on the Lawn in front of us and tucked in!I guess I should now be expecting a continual knock on the Back Door tomorrow and an endlessly long queue of Squirrels all lined up and demanding the same Afternoon Tea Patio Service!!! ;o>
Anyone see the red moon? It’s cloudy and raining here. Bummer.:-(
Totally missed it here, but not due to rain or clouds - I was asleep :)
😴
😴
Went outside towards the end of its 'window', and, although not raining here, cloud was blocking the moon, so had to make do with piks from Perth and elsewhere.
No chance - first cloud cover in the southern sky for weeks... Mars is a fine sight when it's clear, though.
I really did try! ... I leaned almost halfway out of the front and back Bedroom Windows, but no - and even stood out in the Back Garden in my Pjs and Wellies in the light showery rain looking in all directions, but saw nothing but just the darkening skies and rather heavy clouds ... it was so disappointing ;o<
Absolutely snafu! We've had nothing but clear skies for weeks on end..then it clouds over just as this comes along....%$£&@#$? typical!
We just had an hysterically funny moment out on the Patio - LOL!!! ;o>It has been thankfully so much cooler today due to being dull and overcast almost all the time with only just occasional glimpses of bright sunshine.
Suddenly, about an hour ago, the sky turned very dark indeed and ominous-looking and before my Dad, who was power-washing the Patio wearing T-shirt and Shorts, could even think of putting a Coat on, the Rain came down in torrents and a gale-force Wind blew up out of nowhere and Thunder started up.
Mitz and Tee leapt up from reclining on the Lawn and threw themselves in through the French Windows ... closely followed by a soaking wet and dripping Mum who had been sat outside drinking Tea and reading a Paper between doing gardening jobs ... and poor Dad was left standing all alone in what looked like a full-blown Hurricane still valiantly clutching tightly onto his Power Washer!!! ;oO
He put the Washer down underneath one of the Benches then, holding his Nose, he pretended to dive out of an imaginary Boat shouting "MAN OVERBOARD!!!" He then did an impression of only just managing to swim against a huge Tidal Wave right past the French Windows before coming round the side of the House and in via the Back Door - standing, with Rain streaming off him, in the Kitchen while Mum towelled him down!!!
... HA HA HA HA HA!!! ;o>
Easy to see where you get your sense of humour from, suzy :)
Well, it was cooler here earlier, right up to the point that it stopped raining. We're now back into the mid twenties, tempered by a stiff breeze which has had the wheelie bins wandering off down the road on their own!
Got the laundry washed and out on the line after I got home at lunchtime and have just got it all back in without the wind stealing any of it :)
Well, it was cooler here earlier, right up to the point that it stopped raining. We're now back into the mid twenties, tempered by a stiff breeze which has had the wheelie bins wandering off down the road on their own!
Got the laundry washed and out on the line after I got home at lunchtime and have just got it all back in without the wind stealing any of it :)
Would've liked to have seen that Suzy!I did get wee bit of a thunderstorm here...such as it was..two flashes and two cracks..and a quick sprinkle of rain, and that was it! Sun's back out now....so like I said..bladdy typical! I would be able see that blood moon tonight....but it's probably long buggered off now though! Might ave a look and see if can spot Mars though, seeing as it closer to earth currently...it's only 36 million miles away presently! :)
The Sky has completely cleared here now?! - we have clear blue skies and brilliant sunshine! ;o>Awww, but thanks to the Thunder, little Mitz is most definitely NOT coming out from her Den under the Sofa any time soon!
I saw plenty of lightning yesterday morning - non stop from about 2AM until after 6AM and the heavens opened just as I was driving through Saffron Walden, resulting in a heck of a lot of standing water very quickly. One poor guy was stood at a bus stop as I approached, water flying in every direction. I could see the look of resignation on his face, expecting to get drowned as I passed, but, having seen him in time I shifted to the other side of the road - that got me a cheery wave :)
This morning there was just a couple of light showers and no thunderstorms - it's just the wind now which is gradually dying down. More rain is expected here and the temperatures are predicted to stay just above the mid-twenties for another week yet.
This morning there was just a couple of light showers and no thunderstorms - it's just the wind now which is gradually dying down. More rain is expected here and the temperatures are predicted to stay just above the mid-twenties for another week yet.
Awww, you really is a good 'un, Kid ;o>It's still a bit blowy here which is providing a very pleasant breeze.
Forecast is for some heavy rain tomorrow, here in West Midlunds. Temp down to around 18, and boy doesn't it feel chilly!I'm sure I can hear the lawn positively slurping up any showers that we do get.
Have heard from Granny Rachel; she's fine and will be back on Snails as soon as.
The North West Monsoon has arrived!!! ;o>It started up in earnest around midnight, has rained virtually non-stop all night long, and is showing no signs of stopping any time soon.
Perhaps we won't need the Hosepipe Ban enforcing in a few days after-all?
P wrote: "Have heard from Granny Rachel; she's fine and will be back on Snails as soon as"Ohhh, good to hear, P ;o>
Time passes and with it people come and go on Public Forums - sometimes leaving for good. Even if she doesn't come back again it is just great to know that she is still okay and is simply very busy with life, the Universe, and everything elsewhere ... and no doubt also very much the magnificent mastermind behind a decidedly devious and dynamically daring plan by a Chocoholic Gang to break into the largest of Cadburys Crème Egg factories - to steal the entire production so far that has been made and stockpiled for next Easter!!! ;o>
My favourite Squirrel has just peered in at me through the French Windows.Yesterday he had a couple of Melon cubes for Breakfast and today he will be having some Carrot Sticks smeared in Peanut Butter ;o>
I've got a single baby bunny in my garden! Just the one, this time! Got the garden all to itself! :)Although, did get a visit by a pair of Pied Wagtails a few days ago. Never ever seen Waggies in any of my gardens before..so that was a nice surprise..cute birdies! :)
No sign of our Fox from last year....but a cub from this year, has been spotted, an offspring from last year's fox, mibbe?
Awww! ;o> We don't see Baby Bunnies here in our Gardens - we only see them in the farmland fields. Having Foxes living next-door probably doesn't help!
suzysunshine7 wrote: "Awww! ;o> We don't see Baby Bunnies here in our Gardens - we only see them in the farmland fields. Having Foxes living next-door probably doesn't help!"
There are several rabbit holes secreted all over our garden, where one can't see them easily...which have been in use for years....so I guess it's the same 'family' of bunnies..but oddly we don't ever see the adults that much....they must hop off somewhere else, I 'spose! Perraps, our garden is used as a nursery for the youngsters?!
I forgot to bring the food-waste container in last week, went out at 11.00pm to get it and saw a fox wandering down the other side of the road. Didn’t even look at me!Someone who takes me to my hospital appointments lives about 2 miles up the road just beyond the canal and said they have badgers, deer and cuckoos up there!
HelenI finally remembered to get some lemons and made your soup. It ls indeed absolutely yummy! Thanks!
How my reasonable coffee consumption turned me into erm... coffee nerd?I used to be a normal human being about a year ago - went to ASDA or TESCO, bought some pack (jar) of ground or instant coffee, put a teaspoon or two in mug, pour over boiled water, wait a few minutes, voila the breakfast can begin.
One day I stumbled (don't remember how) to this blog
https://coffeeblog.co.uk/
I read it, read it. And read some more. Then I started buying Things!
1. Aeropress. Not bad at all, and coffee gets filtered and much cleaner. Experimenting with preparation and coffee brands.
2. Coffee beans. Tried to use Ninja blender to grind beans. Nah!
3. Smart Grinder Pro Coffee Grinder. Oh yes! The smell! Taste! The very ritual!
Still something missing.
4. Freshly roasted coffee beans from small roasters companies of course.
So got subscription for I kg freshly roasted coffee beans every month (every month different blend!) delivered from Cork. And now, The Smell!!
Well I'm aware there are millions ways to go further and get more nerdish but for now I'm satisfied.
Any coffee or food nerds here?
Amazon exiles
Books mentioned in this topic
Ten Poems about Snow (other topics)And So This is Christmas: 51 Seasonally Adjusted Poems (other topics)
The Tiger Who Came to Tea (other topics)
The Quangle Wangle's Hat (other topics)
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Christina Rossetti (other topics)John Keats (other topics)
Joan Aiken (other topics)
Ahhh well, there's always the next World Cup to look forward to ;o>