Chat about whatever you like: the weather, good stuff, bad stuff, family or pets! Showing 19,701-19,750 of 26,036

[David]

Leonie wrote: "Well, I've just read through five pages of this thread catching up. You've all been very busy!

I spent the weekend helping to cater for wedding - according to my fitbit, I walked almost 20km on Sa..."

I love lamb shanks! I don't like mint though and there's a tendency to put a mint based sauce with lamb dishes so I have to choose carefully!

[David]

I also love the way the Greeks do lamb - is it called 'Kefliko?'

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Marianne wrote: "Brenda wrote: "The slow cooker is doing its thing!!! It's been on for an hour and doesn't look any different to what it did when I turned it on..."

you have got it plugged in, haven't you?"

LOL!! Yes of course;) It was yummy but I think it needed a little extra flavour. Will have to fiddle a bit more...

[Leonie]

David wrote: "Leonie wrote: "Well, I've just read through five pages of this thread catching up. You've all been very busy!

I spent the weekend helping to cater for wedding - according to my fitbit, I walked al..."

You'd be safe with mine then - I'm not keen on mint either!

[Margaret]

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what sort of garden path would work in an area that has lots of wistaria roots around? I thought of stepping stones, but my gardener says no.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Ooh that's a good question Margaret - maybe some of the gardeners could advise you...

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Margaret wrote: "Does anyone have any suggestions as to what sort of garden path would work in an area that has lots of wistaria roots around? I thought of stepping stones, but my gardener says no."

How about just mulch?

[Margaret]

Brenda wrote: "Ooh that's a good question Margaret - maybe some of the gardeners could advise you..."

:)

[Margaret]

Ashleigh wrote: "Look up Charlie Albone from Selling Houses Australia, and see if he has a website of tips or something, Margaret."

Thanks, I'll check it out!

[Margaret]

☼♄Jülie wrote: "Margaret wrote: "Does anyone have any suggestions as to what sort of garden path would work in an area that has lots of wistaria roots around? I thought of stepping stones, but my gardener says no...."

Sounds like a good idea. Do you know anyone who has used it like that? And what sort of mulch?

[David]

I've got a flat - no time to look after a garden even if I had one. I love flowers but I've got the kiss of death when it comes to plants! They never last long in my place.

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Margaret wrote: "☼♄Jülie wrote: "Margaret wrote: "Does anyone have any suggestions as to what sort of garden path would work in an area that has lots of wistaria roots around? I thought of stepping stones, but my g..."

Try googling "mulch pathway design" for ideas.
I personally prefer "Forest Fines" as its very fine and compacts nicely..looks natural too, I hate those dye coloured mulches, and is inexpensive. It holds the moisture well without drying out and is nicely scented. *Also doesn't harbour cockroaches as other larger mulches do!

[Margaret]

☼♄Jülie wrote: "Margaret wrote: "☼♄Jülie wrote: "Margaret wrote: "Does anyone have any suggestions as to what sort of garden path would work in an area that has lots of wistaria roots around? I thought of stepping..."

That sounds really good, Julie! I'll check it out now :)

[Suz]

Dale wrote: "DH and I went to the movies yesterday. Saw the latest Nicholas Sparks movie from the book The Longest Ride. Bawled my way though it but both DH and I really enjoyed it. Always a suc..."

I loved it Dale! Cried too.. Saw with a couple of girlfriends and are trying to do it more often. Then of course I was trying to offer all my books by Nicholas Sparks to them!!

[Dale]

Suzanne wrote: "Dale wrote: "DH and I went to the movies yesterday. Saw the latest Nicholas Sparks movie from the book The Longest Ride. Bawled my way though it but both DH and I really enjoyed it...."

Then yesterday in my local coffee shop I had a coversation with two of the girls who work there about how many Nicholas Sparks books and movies we had cried through. Hope your friends read the books.

[B the BookAddict]

Brenda, ABC shop is advertising a new Slow Cooker book at the present moment.

For any vegetarians, slow cooker vegetables like potatoes, pumpkin, carrot, turnip etc are just wonderful.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

B the BookAddict wrote: "Brenda, ABC shop is advertising a new Slow Cooker book at the present moment.

For any vegetarians, slow cooker vegetables like potatoes, pumpkin, carrot, turnip etc are just wonderful."

Thanks Bette, I'll check it out :)

[Juliette]

The first earthquake destroyed my guides village and his people are living under tarps or under the sky. The second earthquake near Everest and Namche Bazaar is in the region my porters remote village which was largely unaffected by the first. Enough already.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I was so shocked and saddened to hear of another earthquake in Nepal last night Juliette - those poor people; how much more can they take??

[Suz]

Dale wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "Dale wrote: "DH and I went to the movies yesterday. Saw the latest Nicholas Sparks movie from the book The Longest Ride. Bawled my way though it but both DH and I re..."

He's very good at what he does, I enjoy all his work.

[Suz]

Brenda wrote: "I was so shocked and saddened to hear of another earthquake in Nepal last night Juliette - those poor people; how much more can they take??"

I was holding my breath when I was listening to the news story on the radio - the first one was 7.8 and the second 7.4. That's not a huge difference!

[Dale]

Brenda wrote: "I was so shocked and saddened to hear of another earthquake in Nepal last night Juliette - those poor people; how much more can they take??"

Those poor people in that area! Very sad.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Suzanne wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I was so shocked and saddened to hear of another earthquake in Nepal last night Juliette - those poor people; how much more can they take??"

I was holding my breath when I was liste..."

So sad Suzanne - already more deaths!

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

I just put six red apples into my slow cooker stuffed with some brown sugar, butter and spices mixed together with muscat raisins, and a little bit of water. Already smells divine...ask me in about three hours ;-P

Slow cooked beef with red wine, mushrooms and dumplings is in the oven!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Sounds wonderful Jools! On high or low? (The apples I mean;))

The beef sounds delish!!

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Brenda wrote: "Sounds wonderful Jools! On high or low? (The apples I mean;))

The beef sounds delish!!"

Lol....I'm on a high just with the aroma's! It's on low, supposed to take about 2 1/2 hours. I just googled baked apples in slow cooker for a recipe and got that one which I had to tweak a bit only because I can't help myself! ;) *If you ever do apples don't forget to run a paring knife around the outside centre so they don't explode.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Haha! Thanks:) That wouldn't be good at all!!!

I bought 3 different Slow Cooker sauces from the supermarket this morning - I think that's what I was missing yesterday!

[Suz]

I have a slow cooker but have never ever at all made the most of it. Time to change that with all the fantastic ideas here!!!!!!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Suzanne wrote: "I have a slow cooker but have never ever at all made the most of it. Time to change that with all the fantastic ideas here!!!!!!!"

I hope I use mine a lot Suzanne...once I get the hang of it!

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Brenda wrote: "Haha! Thanks:) That wouldn't be good at all!!!

I bought 3 different Slow Cooker sauces from the supermarket this morning - I think that's what I was missing yesterday!"

Between you and me Brenda, those sauces are really not too good. To my mind they all taste a bit artificial, but your homemade recipes are always a big hit once you get the knack.

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Suzanne wrote: "I have a slow cooker but have never ever at all made the most of it. Time to change that with all the fantastic ideas here!!!!!!!"

Yeah Suzanne, pack it in the morning, turn it on and dinner ready whenever you are in the evening! If you ready all the ingredients the night before, better still ;)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

☼♄Jülie wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Haha! Thanks:) That wouldn't be good at all!!!

I bought 3 different Slow Cooker sauces from the supermarket this morning - I think that's what I was missing yesterday!"

Between you..."

Well I'll have to work out how to do the necessary sauces myself if that's the case then Jools!! Thanks:)

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

You'll get the hang of it Brenda, I think people go off the slow cookers because they tire of those prepackaged sauces. If you follow a recipe you'll be surprised at the difference in taste.

Here's the link for the apples ;) http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/33725...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Thanks that looks fairly simple!!

[Leonie]

I love taste.com.au - the recipes are great.

[Suz]

Yes it's great isn't it Leonie, they have everything imaginable, and even better, straight forward and fuss free.

[Suz]

Brenda wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "I have a slow cooker but have never ever at all made the most of it. Time to change that with all the fantastic ideas here!!!!!!!"

I hope I use mine a lot Suzanne...once I get the ..."

That's the thing.. I've got a girlfriend that swears by it, and is good at it, much like all the gals here, but I've not seemed to catch on. I'm more enthused now though with all the goss here ;) Hope you will be too!

[Suz]

☼♄Jülie wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "I have a slow cooker but have never ever at all made the most of it. Time to change that with all the fantastic ideas here!!!!!!!"

Yeah Suzanne, pack it in the morning, turn it on ..."

I'm crazy not to be doing this, with my lot to feed!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Suzanne wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "I have a slow cooker but have never ever at all made the most of it. Time to change that with all the fantastic ideas here!!!!!!!"

I hope I use mine a lot Suzanne......"

Thanks, I hope so too;)

[Margaret]

With all this talk about cooking, I'll mention the fact that, this morning, our gas was disconnected due to a leak in the pipes. It seems that our gardener may have accidentally knocked the old pipe, which was brittle, and that was enough... Having smelt gas for almost a day, it was a relief to have it shut off. But no stove and no hot water... it makes a change, anyway. :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Margaret wrote: "With all this talk about cooking, I'll mention the fact that, this morning, our gas was disconnected due to a leak in the pipes. It seems that our gardener may have accidentally knocked the old pip..."

Oh dear! I guess we've made you hungry Margaret! Bad luck about the gardener and the gas pipe..but thank goodness it was found safely. Hopefully it'll be fixed soon?

[Juliette]

Thanks Brenda, Suzanne & Dale. My guide was in Kathmandu buying supplies for his village with donations when second earthquake hit. He can't get home yet. Can't for days. Waiting for earth to settle. He says people are scared. Big tremors keep coming. Sorry for the sad news but Nepalese people are doing it so tough right now.

[B the BookAddict]

@Margaret And what about heating? Hope it gets fixed soon.

Also, a good path that will not crack because of roots etc is the red stuff they still do/used to make tennis courts from. I can't remember what it's called. Might be Red Clay, you find it it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clay_cou...

[Margaret]

Thanks, Brenda. It takes time to get a quote. But at least I'm discovering more uses for the microwave. :)

[David]

Dale wrote: "Brenda wrote: "I was so shocked and saddened to hear of another earthquake in Nepal last night Juliette - those poor people; how much more can they take??"

Those poor people in that area! Very sad."

It really is sad. I just hope the Nepalese people are getting the help they so desperately need.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Margaret wrote: "Thanks, Brenda. It takes time to get a quote. But at least I'm discovering more uses for the microwave. :)"

Yes you would! Do you have electric hot water for showers etc?

[Margaret]

No, Brenda. There's no hot water, now. I have to boil the electric kettle to get water for washing up.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Margaret wrote: "No, Brenda. There's no hot water, now. I have to boil the electric kettle to get water for washing up."

Oh dear! I hope it doesn't last too long Margaret:( A lovely hot shower in this weather is the best!!!

[Margaret]

Brenda wrote: "Margaret wrote: "No, Brenda. There's no hot water, now. I have to boil the electric kettle to get water for washing up."

Oh dear! I hope it doesn't last too long Margaret:( A lovely hot shower in ..."

It certainly isn't the weather for cold showers, Brenda :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

No it sure isn't!!!