HI LADIES ~ We've been having very dull, cloudy weather here a lot lately, but Mr. did manage to peak out a few times today just to let us know that he is still there ...
So I went to the dentist this AM and had my teeth xrayed and cleaned; it all went very well. This young lady did a fab job; nothing like the last place; you don't mind going more often when they do a good job. Turns out that I do have a couple of cavities that need filing but the young dentist is concerned that he will have some difficulty being that I have such a small mouth. He says that he will do the root canal for the one that the filling fell out, but he is referring me to the senior dentist for the fillings. So I have appointments for Nov 2nd and 27th respectively. I will be asking my friends for prayers for both those days as they get closer; as I am not a big fan of drilling, as it really bothers me ...
HEY PURPLE ~ it was nice that you managed to drop by even on such a tiring and busy day as today. I picked up some WHEY PROTEIN POWDER to put in my oatmeal to give me a bit more protein with my cereals. It cost a bit, but the jar is huge and will last me quite a while, I'm sure. It is vanilla flavored and I think with a bit of cinnamon that it will taste great with oatmeal or natural cream of wheat too.
Yes, that saying about MIKEY came from a commercial many years ago, where two older brothers were afraid to try a new cereal that their parents had boughten them. So they decided to let their little brother MIKEY try it first; they decided that if MIKEY like it, then it must be OK. And ... MIKEY did like it, so they dove right in ... After that, it became a common saying here that if you didn't like something that you could always just give it to MIKEY!
Your public broastcasting station, the BBC, makes the most wonderful TV shows and documentaries. They are always so very interesting and enjoyable to watch. They sound interesting just listening to the way you describe them too. Our NIKO also stands under the eaves or other places if he doesn't want to get wet. DH and our Landlord made him a great big doghouse that looks like an apartment building to me. He now uses it but sometimes, we still catch him going under our utility trailer now & then. He really hates getting wet too.
Well, we went to our favorite place to walk tonight; we call it our private track. Actually it has a few of them; rounds that you can walk -- small, large, and very large. We did two rounds today and I had no problems at all. Becuz I have Spina Bifida, I have great difficulty walking up even the slightest hill; so we will be going back to our tracks from now on (as the streets near our home are just too hilly for me). We took NIKO with us and we had a lovely stroll in the crispy fall air; just right really ...
Well, I hope you all have A WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY tomorrow; and please do take good care yourselves ... ROSEBUD
HI LADIES ~ well, we had another cool, wet day today; so we changed our plans a bit. Decided to stay home and did light housechores instead; it was clean the washroom day today, plus a few other minor chores. DH touched up the ceiling around the new light today too, so it looks much better now.
Had a good OP day for food (credit moi) and exercise (kudos for that). After the dishes were all cleaned up, we went out for a walk at our new favorite place; it is so much easier for me to walk there than other places. It was quite cold as the temps dropped and I think that put some pep in my step ...
Not much else going on here though; wrote a letter to family, and mailed it when we went out tonight. Now I am going to put my feet up and rest awhile, and warm up too. They are predicting warmer weather is on the way; oh, I sure hope it comes soon! Hope you all have a great day tomorrow; and take good care ... ROSEBUD
WELL, HEEELLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO .... OUT THERE ~ anybody home???
Seems like everyone is tres, tres busy these days, and it isn't even a holiday yet; well, not yet ... next week, we have the Canadian Thanksgiving, which we are looking forward too. I have a ham in the freezer and we are debating about having it then or at Christmas; we haven't totally decided yet. Should take a look and see if I have a turkey in the freezer; didn't see one, but I may have missed it as I usually put them on the very bottom becuz they are so big.
Well, we received a gift of a bit early today; well for the AM at least, then it got cloudy and cold, but then the came back by dinnertime. We got lots of stuff done around the house today.
We had to stay home to wait on a delivery that never showed up. Geepers, that's annoying; and boy, was DH peeved, cuz we could have done something else, but I decided that we should just make the best of it and get ready for winter instead!
DH bought me an organ (a real organ) for my birthday which is coming up next week; he paid for it and to have it delivered and the guy said they would deliver it today, but it didn't get here. Soooo ... I called and they said the driver was off for the AM, and they'd call me back, but they didn't, so not sure what is going on now???
ANYWAYS, we'll pray really hard that everything gets cleared up and that it will arrive sometime tomorrow. DH wanted to get me one for a long time, but couldn't find one he liked until now; so maybe I'll learn to play my favorite HYMNS on a real-sounding organ now -- should be fun for the winter, I think!
There were lots of people having problems on this site recently, saw some threads about it today; I had a few freeze-ups, and was knocked off the internet the first time I tried to come into this site today -- just had to keep trying, and finally got in. I think their techies are working on it right now ... so far so good, no problem tonight!
We had a very, busy day around here getting things sorted out for winter; putting summer stuff away and pulling out winter coats, and Christmas decorations, and arranging the sheds better. My poor legs were exhausted: I think I walked a marathon just going back and forth -- sure felt like it. No more exercise needed for this day, that's for sure. Ate well today as well; had steak and a mushroom medley for dinner ... yum!
Hope you all have a FABULOUS FRIDAY TOMORROW!!! Take good care of yourselves ... ROSEBUD
Last edited by Justwant2Bhealthy; 10-08-2009 at 11:07 PM.
Hello, everyone! We finally have some here today! Seems like it's been weeks since we saw the sun. I think we've had rain or overcast skies for at least 2 weeks, possibly more. My mood was starting to show the same gloominess. Also, we should have our first freeze tonight which should make being at the game interesting. We do have a large fleece blanket that we take along so we can all huddle together. DS2 won't be able to play,but will be there to support the team. He'll get to stand on the sidelines on his crutches and gain the sympathy of the girls.
Tomorrow, we're going to MN to have a one-day sale to finally get rid of FIL's things. With the breakdown of the family (DH's sister has disowned all of the rest of us, as we wouldn't let her just take the insurance money and run with it leaving the rest of us with the funeral bills), we just decided to take matters in our own hands to dispose of the remaining items, which isn't much, a couch, chair, some household kitchen stuff, table, etc. We're just hoping to get rid of it and not have to haul it anywhere and if we make any money at all, it'll go toward the burial fee for his ashes and the marker.
With all the trouble coming from FIL's illness and death, MIL has started to change her will and stuff, so no one can try to take advantage over the rest. And, my family has their wishes very plainly spelled out, especially my dad, considering his cancer. He doesn't even want us to have a funeral or memorial. He's leaving his body to a medical school, which will cremate for free when they are done and return the ashes to us for burial or spreading as per dad's wishes.
Rosebud-What a nice gift! I hope the organ comes today, then you'll be able to serenade your DH all evening! We also need to winterize-I got the warmer clothing out for everyone else, but had to go shopping for some for me-still need a winter coat,though. Picked the last of the tomatoes and cabbage last night preparing for frost, but need to mow off the garden and mow the yards (we also mow my mom's yard) one last time, but it's still too wet from our 2 weeks of rain!
Purple-hope you're doing well this week and that it's just the site problems that are keeping you from here. How's the kitchen renovation work coming along?
Spicy-sounds like you do well with your exercise! I have some motivational issues with exercising, but am working on that. I also like to read mysteries, etc. Two of my favorites are Beverly Barton and Sharon Sala, who write mystery/romance. They're cheap, quick reads, but usually keep me on the edge of my seat until I get to the end!
Well, must get something accomplished here, as we'll be gone tomorrow, so hope you all have a great weekend! Take care!
HI LADIES ~ we had a lovely day today ... yeah ... finally ... the sun came back for a whole day!!! We went out side and sat on the porch to enjoy it while we waited for that Organ to arrive, but it didn't ...
I called them this AM about the Organ; the guy was supposed to call us back; but he didn't; so we waited; and waited; I called back after midi; and finally was told the truth; they couldn't lift it, and it has no wheels; and they didn't have enuff help. So, DH went hunting and found some good Christian guys who are going to go and help get it and bring it home next Tuesday as the place is closed until then. So, I will get it, but it will be much closer to my actual birthday (Wed).
HI RONNI ~ I hope your sale goes well and you get enuff to do all you wanted to for your FIL. We have already put our biggest winter comforter on our bed too; and I'm thinking of getting myself an electric blanket or pad to warm up the bed for us as our bedroom can seem cooler than the rest of the place at times.
We had fun PITA PIZZAS tonight; haven't had those in a while -- they were really yummy too! DH and I went out for our walk tonight; it was nice in the cool, crispy air ... puts a bit of pep in your step though; we made it around in record time!
This is a long weekend for us Canadians as Monday is our THANKSGIVING DAY holiday! Hope you all have a wonderful weekend too; and take good care of yourselves, esp those of you who are travelling this weekend ... ROSEBUD
Firstly HAPPY THANKS GIVING WEEKEND to my Canadian friends hope you all have a lovely weekend.
Life has just been very busy for me over the past few days so glad to get back to some normality this weekend and a slower pace of life Weather today is very nice with sunny intervals such a contrast from yesterday which was so dreary not to mention the heavy downpour that we experienced.
Today is my mum's birthday but we went over yesterday to see her and my Dad. We had a lovely day with them both. Mum went over today to see my sister and her family. They live in the same town as my parent just the other end of it so about I would say just over a two mile journey. So not too far away from each other where I on the other hand am about 30 miles away. Though again that is not that far away and can be travelled in 40 minutes. My mum and dad are coming over to stay next week for a couple of days as they are going to have their car serviced and MOT. MOT is the certificate that any car over 3 years old must have to prove the car is road worthy and safe to be on the road. They offered them a very nice deal which was very cheap so they have taken up the offer.
ROSEBUD I am sure that the protein powder maybe used in many ways. I am sure with the fact you use a small serving per time it will last a long time so the cost will be worth it. One way I thought would be good is a home made milk shake. I use low fat milk, banana instead of ice cream I use low fat or zero fat yoghurt. I have put unsweetened cocoa powder in to make a chocolate and banana variety. I have put a small hand full of porridge oats and blitzed the ingredients in the food processor very nice. It can be made with other fruits of your choice like strawberries for a different flavour. I know that it is not as thick and creamy as using ice cream but a good alternative. I find them filling and nice for a change. I am not the best at getting milk in to me as I drink black coffee, tea, hardly have any milk in my cereal. My DH says he need a magnifying glass to find the milk in my cereal So the most I tend to eat with milk is the pot of yoghurt so I have to think of other ways that I will palate it. I do like a milky coffee now and again so will do that when I fancy it to get milk down me.
I see you have been letter writing I really must write one to Auntie in Cyprus as it is my turn to do so. Wow a organ I hope that he masters it to be able to play hymns that you both like. My favourite hymn of all times is Jerusalem not sure if it is one that you are familiar with it. This is a link for you to listen to it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKaJ4b0XYmI it was written by William Blake and it was the words of a poem.
RONNI I don't envy you now that the weather has turn very cold for you in your part of the world. It has started to get colder here too but not the severity that you experienced. Though I have resorted more often than not to putting on my electric blanket as my feet are like blocks of ice. I think I am Eskimo Nell as my feet are always so cold now and my hands are not far behind them. I should in theory be able to make great pastry with cold hands but my pastry is more like leather that you can put at the bottom of your shoes I can bake most things but pastry eludes me most of the time
Unfortunately the death of a loved one can bring out the worse in some people. The way you have described your SIL is exactly what it was like for my father when his mum died in 1986. One of his sister's though she was entitled to everything taking objects that took her fancy rather than sharing out equally. Not that Nanna was wealth far from it so most of her assets would have gone to pay funeral expenses etc. There was no will only a little request for her grand kids to have one or two things. My sister and I got a ring each which I wear all the time. The ring my sister had she gave to her daughter as my sister has an allergic reaction to gold The behaviour of my Aunty caused such a rift and they have never spoken since Why it brings the worse out in people I shall never know but I have seen it time and time again. Wills make it clear what the loved ones wishes where I help define what to do a little clearer. I know my parents have a will I think this stemmed from the fiasco of my Auntie.
Well time to get a move on and start preparing the vegetables for dinner. We are having pork steaks, in low fat chicken and mushroom soup. The vegetables today are green beans and carrots. served with rice. Bye for now and take care ladies
Well I had to rewrite my first post as it disappeared, so I put it in my file and saved it so I wouldn't lose the main part anyways. Should always do that when things are acting up a bit around here. Finally got it done ...
We went up to our lot (camp) today becuz we awoke to nice today and we wanted to take advantage of that. We spent the day up there and had a nice picnic lunch and got things ready for the winter. I put up the curtains I made for the washroom and planted some tulip and daffodil bulbs in our garden we made for our sweeties ...
DH put up braces inside the camper to make sure the ***** doesn't cave in the roof if we have lots this year. We found some evidence of rain on the floor in the livingroom so we do have a leak in the seam as we suspected but now we know for sure. We have decided to put a whole new section of roof there to make sure it has a good seal.
PITA PIZZA ~ thought I'd share my quick pita pizza recipe, for anyone who might like to try it ...
4 x 7-8" wg tortilla wraps (2 each; 90-100 cals each)
small can tomato paste
small minced onion
oregano and garlic powder (sprinkle)
shredded mozzarella
chopped pepparoni
chopped mushrooms
sliced green olives
Parmesan Cheese
Spread tomato paste on tortillas to edges; and add the rest of the ingredients in order given. Bake at 400 F for about 15 minutes ... yummy and healthy (you save mega calories on the crust!) This is our favorite Greek Pizza recipe. Sometimes, I make homemade whole grain dough and roll it out really thin.
I got some walking in today with NIKO; did a couple of walks plus everything else and my legs are very sore and tired. I think the cold is getting to us a bit too; we've had very cold temps here lately. The ground is really ruff over there compared to here and boy, is that hard on my legs and body (muscles especially).
PS ~ can't believe it , but I just got up to make some tea and it's blowing ***** outside right now!!! and it's only October ...
HI PURPLE ~ I figured that you were busy; nice of you all to go to celebrate you mom's birthday; as I do recall many in your family have their birthdays in October (you too). I hope we don't have to do that MOT thing here as we have enuff car expenses now; ours just took most of our savings and put a halt to things we had planned to do this month, I'm afraid (and DH was none too happy about it).
Yes, I have already used my Whey Protein Powder in my hot breakfast cereal, and a homemade sugar-free hot chocolate and it tastes really good. This one is vanilla-flavored and that tastes good in many things. I would like to try it in a fruit shake for a snack sometime too. Oh, I love that song as well; I know that song JERUSALEM. I think a favorite US gospel singer (Sandi Patty) did a wonderful rendition of that on one of my tapes.
Your dinner sounds lovely; a favorite of DH and mine also. I found some pork chop steaks in the freezer today when we went hunting and did find that turkey after all, so we are going to have turkey for thanksgiving. It's a small one but that's great for us.
Well, I HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A SUPERBLY BLESSED SUNDAY tomorrow ... and get lots of rest too. ROSEBUD
Last edited by Justwant2Bhealthy; 10-10-2009 at 09:18 PM.
I've been reading your posts and let me tell you it is getting cold here. No snow of course, but colder than usual for October. It rained on Oct. 1 and my friend Brenda says that means it will rain for at least 50% of the month. I had never heard of that before, but it seems to be coming true! Chilly rain and gray skies. Ugh...
Okay, now let's talk about my food. Well, it has been good some days, not so good others. That other being today. We had a birthday lunch for my friend's dad at his favorite restaurant today. (He is 93!) I made the cake... and of course, I ate cake. I just couldn't resist. It was a lemon cake as it is his favorite.
I also have been somewhat lax on my water consumption. It's easy to drink enough when it's warm out, but this chilly rain has made me feel less thirsty somehow. Guess it's time to get out the tea pot and make hot tea.
Purple-- What time is tea for you? Is that what we would call lunch?? I usually have lunch and then dinner. When I was a kid we called dinner supper.
Rosebud-- glad you got the curtains up in your camp! I have been wanting to get the sewing machine set up. I am making pillows for each of my siblings and nieces and nephews for Christmas. I'm making them with a picture of my parents on them. At least, that is the plan. Hopefully, it will go as planned.
I always try to make gifts for the family as it's so much more economical. Fixed incomes only allow so much.
Well, ladies, I hope the rest of your weekend is great!
spicy
HI LADIES ~ I wanted to share another recipe with you that I shared in another thread.
ITALIAN DINNER PIZZA by Pat Lucchitta
When I was in my teens, I had some friends that were Italian; and she used to make this awesome Italian Pizza (we just called it that becuz it had no name). Anyways, she passed on from cancer a while later, but before that, she gave me her recipe ...
1 lb+ very lean hamburger
1 medium, chopped onion
8 oz pkg chopped fresh mushrooms (can used canned)
minced garlic to taste (or 1 tsp garlic powder)
1/2 tsp or more oregano and black pepper
28 oz can of tomatoes chopped with juice
shredded mozzarella cheese or a mix of Italian cheeses
Parmesan or Romano Cheese for top
wg pizza crust of choice (I use whole wheat or other very thin)
Brown meat and onions; add mushrooms, seasonings, and tomatoes; and simmer/boil until almost all the juices are gone. While this is cooking, spread out your crust on pan. Spread the meat sauce over crust, and sprinkle with cheeses. Bake at 400 F for 15-20 minutes or until melted and bubbley and crust is to desired crispiness. I like mine crispy but DH needs his softer to chew better. This makes about a 12" or large rectangle pizza on a cookie sheet. Enjoy ...
face in the cloud.jpg This picture was taken in a small village just down the road from us ... what do you see?
HI, I'm back ... for a short post, as it's late! I put my feet up for a while and promptly fell right asleep. Oh well, must have needed it, as DH would say ...
We had a bit of today but also a lot of winds and some more blowing snow but not too much and it all pretty well melted today as well. We just stayed home today and vegged (rested really well). We both were so tired and sore from yesterday that we didn't want to do much of anything today, and Sunday is a great day for resting.
Splurged and had dinner brought in; I had chicken & salad -- and DH got himself some homemade fries and gravy, so I had a few just to try 'em ; and they were great ~ BUT, I kept in my daily range for the day no problem, as I had a very light BF and lunch. That's kinda nice to have a take-out meal and you can still stay OP ...
So not much else going on here except our young neighbours were practicing their band all weekend and DH was ready to pull his hair out; those drums shake our house! They finally put the volume down a bit and called it a day this evening ... phew! All the vibrations kept setting our CD alarm off, and that can be annoying for sure ... the dang thing goes off at least 1-2 times a day and we can't figure out why.
SPICEY ~ that pillow with your parents pic on it sounds like a great idea for Christmas for your siblings; hope it works out for you. Tea is a great way to get in more fluids, esp in the colder months and don't forget about sugar free hot chocolate, or mocha-coffee is nice as well.
Well, it's time to get back to bed or I'll never get back to sleep; take good care and, HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A MARVELLOUS MONDAY tomorrow ... and to all our Canadian friends out there ...
Last edited by Justwant2Bhealthy; 10-12-2009 at 01:52 AM.
Well I realised this morning a wee bit late I know that I didn't come on here I don't even know why to be honest apart from being tired. Yesterday I was found sleeping at my pc in the afternoon so in the end I went and laid on the sofa and slept of the tiredness there. I am going through a real bout of tiredness at the minute by the afternoon I am wishing it was bedtime so that I could go to bed for 8 hours plus for more sleep. Not that I had done anything energetic yesterday to warrant feeling so shattered.
I am thoroughly enjoying my book at the minute a historic drama starting in the 1920's. It is a the first book by an authoress called Maureen Lee called "stepping Stones" it is part of a trilogy. I have two of the books from this trilogy but I have yet to get hold of the third. Though it takes me much longer to read than it ever use to as I am slower due to concentration being poor.
SPICY I have been watching a "who's done it drama" on television knowing this is right up your street. I have watched two episodes of this drama of a man who dies and it leaves you guessing who the suspect is. Is it the wife, the doctor or even the teenage daughter. It is keeping you on the end of your seat.
Tea here in the UK was traditionally cold normally being sandwiches and cake (oops naughty word around here ladies ) Though with more ladies having to go out to work to keep a roof over your head it is now become a hot meal now for many the main meal of the day. The cost of living here in the UK is very expensive compared with say the USA. I think this is due to the fact we have to import many goods in to the country so they are expensive due to the fuel involved to get them here. I digress for me though I still normally have a cold tea of sandwiches or a salad followed instead of by the calorie filled cake we now have fruit, yoghurt or something similar.
Now dinner or lunch here in the UK is normally the hot meal of the day being the main meal. Whether you call it dinner or lunch is a matter of where you come from. Those people who live normally in the south of England would normally call it lunch whilst those who live up north would call it dinner. I live neither north or south we live in an area know as the Midlands for obvious reasons as we are slap bang in the middle of our country.
So I will sometime call it dinner or lunch just to be confusing to the rule I have just told you I tend to speak a little "posher" not sure if you are familiar with this word or it is a English word. I know the word posh came from the upper class who had the money to have the best cabins on ships. So this was Port Out and Starboard Home. Not that I am wealthy or anything like that or come from that type of background. The trouble was when I went into nursing patients had a hard time understanding my thick Lincolnshire accent so I developed a different accent over the years so people in nursing understood me. Now it stays with me most of the time with the odd word coming back. Not that if I stay round that area I find myself slipping so easily into the accent. Lincolnshire by the way is a county in England. All of the UK is broke up into different counties I now live in Nottinghamshire but I am very close to Derbyshire and Leicestershire.
ROSEBUD Firstly thanks for the recipe which sounds rather yummy I must admit. Sometimes I make a mini pizza on a whole meal English muffin I think you know them by. The muffin is a bread bap which is flat on both sides. It can be eaten with sweet or savoury fillings. I put on chopped tomatoes (drain most of juice though), then if I have any chicken, or ham I cut that up in to tiny pieces and sprinkle that one. I then put low fat cheese but only a tiny portion. It is surprising how far 1oz finely grated can go. I have not had this for a long while but it is a nice alternative to a pizza.
I hope you had a lovely thanks giving day with your found turkey I wish we had a similar holiday in the UK though we have none. There has been talk of having more bank holidays to put us in line with other countries. We have one of the least at only 8 I think that is. Four of those are taken up with Christmas and Easter bank holidays.
The photograph is wonderful I can't make up my mind if I see a baby or older person. It is like the optical illusion http://www.ask.com/bar?q=young+or+ol...nIllusion.html that is shown here. I remember being shown this picture in my nurse training to show you that you can not go by looks alone. We must take peoples personalities rather than looks. Looks aren't everything and beauty is only skin deep. I would meet patients in my career who had self harmed and cause horrific damage to their body. They had such scars which would never go away . You had to see past that and see the person beneath.
It is problematic when you have noisy neighbours I can fully understand where you are coming from. We had a family who across the road visited "grandma". Grandma was lovely but oh boy the family was awful. Shouting , swearing, banging car door, arguing in the early hours of the morning. The crime rate round our area went up and I give you a couple of guesses who it was. Eventually after we as neighbours complained to the council they were evicted.
He in the UK we now have what are called anti social behaviour laws. A whole host of things are covered from noise, to bad behaviour if this threatening behaviour causes alarm and distress for law-abiding citizens, and the Home Office is responsible for drafting laws to ensure that it is prevented and those who do it are punished. This stemmed I think from people who lived in private property and they thought they were above the law. Though it is not just private property it covers it covers all. So you must be respectful of others. If you were in the UK you call call this number and the government official would come to measure the noise level. If this was an unacceptable level they would be told to keep it down nicely by them. If that did not work then it would be done officially.
Time to start dinner rolling otherwise it won't be done today. Glad I have managed to come by today to catch up with everybody. bye bye ladies take care
I made this pumpkin custard today; and a pumpkin pie for DH. I use the same recipe, only I put brown sugar in his and put the filling in a pie crust. I substitute sweetener for my custard below. I thought you might like to try this sometime; but if you have a sweet tooth, use the higher amount of sweetener and/or sugar ...
* MY PUMPKIN CUSTARD *
1-1/2 cups pumpkin puree* (1/2 a large 28 oz can)
3/4 cup milk (regular or evaporated)*
2 large eggs
9-12 packets of artificial sweetener*
1 tbl molasses (diabetics: sub 1 tsp coffee granules)
1-2 tsp flour (optional: to thicken)
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp mace
Spray a 9" glass pie plate or casserole dish with olive oil spray; sprinkle bottom with flax meal, natural bran, or tsp of whole wheat flour. Pour custard into dish and bake at 375 F for 50-60 minutes (or until center is set). Let cool to almost room temp before serving; cover leftovers with plastic wrap and store in fridge: great for breakfast.
*Note: 9 packets = 1/3 cup Splenda; if you like a sweeter custard, use 12 packets or 1/2 cup Splenda. I put 1 tbl molasses in my pie which adds a richer flavor, but you can omit that and just sub with 1 tsp instant coffee granules for the same effect without the sugar. For those that sugar is not an issue, you can use 2/3-3/4 cup brown sugar for the sweetener. Enjoy ...
Lovely glorious day here in the UK with brilliant sunshine I would say warmer than it should be for this time of the year not that I am complaining like. Though the signs of winter it just around the corner was evident this morning with our first frost. The lawn was white over on rising this morning but soon disappeared with the lovely sun we have had today.
I have been for my oxygen therapy today so somewhat tired as per normal but nice to drop by here never the less and catch up on the days events. Plus it reminds me to keep on the straight and narrow Nothing fancy for tea today as it is one of my home made meals just one you pop in the microwave to reheat. I have the gravy on the stove reheating at the minute. It is a big pan so it will take some reheating I think.
I meant to tell you of my kitchen fiasco of having my kitchen repaired. It stressed me out no end but now I feel much calmer and happier about the whole thing. I had my kitchen sink replaced and the kitchen unit that it sits in. Well I think it was fitted by bodge it and scarper not to mention the plumber moaned and groaned the whole time. Making me feel uncomfortable in my own home and also making me feel that the job (which wasn't going to plan for him) was my fault that things were not going well. After he left there was a catalogue of things was wrong with his workmanship it wouldn't have been so bad if his work had been up to standard.
So I was really upset nearly in tears that my kitchen now looked worse and was dangerous. Here are the catalogue of things that was wrong the water taps (faucets I think that is the spelling) were not straight. The hot water tap the water comes out so slow you can virtually go and make a cuppa and hoover the whole house before the washing up bowl is full of hot water The pressure is not set high enough so it comes out really slowly. The door does not shut properly on the sink unit. I had a leak underneath the sink which I could not figure out where it was coming from either (turns out to be coming from the overflow pipe . Now the kitchen unit is smaller than the previous unit which I understand is how it has to be as they do not make them the size that was already installed. So that left a good gap at the side of the drainer which he had not bothered to put a worktop on. Plus I think finally the only big work top unit that I do just about everything on when I prepare food is now like a see-saw I can laugh about it now but at first I was so upset that someone could leave it so bad and now my kitchen looked worse than before.
So I contacted the council after I composed myself and told them I was unhappy about the standard of work. The result was I had someone out yesterday who was a work quality standard officer. He was a lovely man who was kind, understanding and has abided by my wishes to have a different workman to put things right. (well having the work done this Friday as it was the only convenient day for me and for the officer who has to come out that day to inspect the work) Photographs was taken of the work where ever it could show there was poor workmanship. Otherwise a report was written for all the little faults that was seen by him. If the officer abides by my wishes and has a different workman. I am going to write a letter of praise to the powers that be as I think it would be nice to give a thank you in letter to those who go the extra mile. He is going to get back to me about the worktop sorry see-saw This is because it is not such an easy one to resolve with the kitchen being altered at some point in its life not by us I hasten to add. It is just that this poor man has got to try and figure a way round it so that it leaves me with a usable until they are gutted within the next couple of years. I hoped that they may do it now with the trouble that it is posing. Though it is a matter of money and it has not been release from the government to do this upgrades yet on the bungalows. New kitchens do not come cheap I know that even though they will be able to buy in bulk which will make it a wee bit cheaper. The stressing out and being upset my DH was afraid I think that I would make myself ill. He was even offering to put it right bless him which he shouldn't have to do as it comes in as part of the rent we pay on the bungalow. It tells us as tenants what we are responsible for paying and not. This was just general wear and tear not any mistreatment or negligence. I can understand his worries and fears as he knows what can trigger an attack in me.
ROSEBUD Thanks for the pumpkin custard sounds yummy to me Though pumpkin purée can't be bought here so I would have to cook and purée my own. Pumpkins here tend to be very expensive until after Halloween when then they come right down in price. This is because most Brits don't eat them they use them as lanterns for Halloween. Though I use them to eat like a squash or make a soup out of them. I like pumpkin soup very hearty and nourishing.
I think I would use coffee instead of molasses as again not an easy ingredient to get hold of here. Hey we live in a back water where many things we can't get whole of that I would love to. Many of the low calorie or zero fat products are not available here in the UK. They are gradually making there way in but the progress is slow like watching paint dry
No further news today to tell you so catch you hopefully tomorrow. I am going to be busy for the next few days as I have my parents over to stay. So Friday hopefully after that I will drop by to make a post. Till then bye bye ladies
HI LADIES ~ well, we didn't get the good weather they predicted; it was cold and snow fell overnight again. This isn't normal for October here; the weather is sure changing lately. The did come out a few times for short periods which was nice.
DH went out first thing to bring home my birthday present which is an ORGAN that he picked up last week for quite a good price. There is a bench that
came with it, but it's kinda tall for my short legs, so I'm using a shorter cushioned chair while I play. I put a picture of it in the CE thread, but here's a link so that you can see it too ...
PURPLE ~ I'm so sorry for you that your kitchen repairs turned out so badly; but I am glad that the council people came out so quickly to inspect the job and right it. I hope it all goes well for you this Friday. I know sometimes when you are a tenant you feel like you are second-class citizen and can't have things as nice as you would like to have them if you had your own home; I know that's how I feel often. You have to wait and hope your landlord feels a repair is needed or it won't get done.
That's too bad that you don't have basic things like molasses and canned pumpkin which is so handy, but I have made many pies and custards with real pumpkin myself. You may want to lessen the milk a bit to 1/2 cup for stiffer custard if you are using what we call fresh pumpkin as it has a lot more water in it than canned pumpkin does.
Hopy you have a lovely few days with your parents over visiting; have a great time to take your mind off things for a while. Time for me to put my legs up as they are a bit sore and stiff from the cold tonight. Take good care ladies and have a WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY ... ROSEBUD
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROSEBUD I hope you have a wonderful day whatever you and you DH decide to do.
I will hopefully drop by later this afternoon when I have more time to type a post. Though I so wanted to drop by this morning to wish Rosebud a Happy Birthday.
Till later ladies take care and look after yourselves
did manage to peak out a few times today just to let us know that he is still there ... 
which should make being at the game interesting. We do have a large fleece blanket that we take along so we can all huddle together. DS2 won't be able to play,but will be there to support the team. He'll get to stand on the sidelines on his crutches and gain the sympathy of the girls
Weather today is very nice with sunny intervals 
So the most I tend to eat with milk is the pot of yoghurt so I have to think of other ways that I will palate it. I do like a milky coffee now and again so will do that when I fancy it to get milk down me.
The behaviour of my Aunty caused such a rift and they have never spoken since 
Why it brings the worse out in people I shall never know 
I don't even know why to be honest apart from being tired. Yesterday I was found sleeping 
at my pc in the afternoon so in the end I went and laid on the sofa and slept of the tiredness there. I am going through a real bout of tiredness at the minute by the afternoon I am wishing it was bedtime so that I could go to bed for 8 hours plus for more sleep. Not that I had done anything energetic yesterday to warrant feeling so shattered.
The pressure is not set high enough so it comes out really slowly. The door does not shut properly on the sink unit. I had a leak underneath the sink which I could not figure out where it was coming from either (turns out to be coming from the overflow pipe 
having the work done this Friday as it was the only convenient day for me and for the officer who has to come out that day to inspect the work) Photographs was taken of the work where ever it could show there was poor workmanship. Otherwise a report was written for all the little faults that was seen by him. If the officer abides by my wishes and has a different workman. I am going to write a letter of praise to the powers that be as I think it would be nice to give a thank you in letter to those who go the extra mile. He is going to get back to me about the worktop sorry see-saw 
Though pumpkin purée can't be bought here so I would have to cook and purée my own. Pumpkins here tend to be very expensive until after Halloween when then they come right down in price. This is because most Brits don't eat them they use them as lanterns for Halloween. Though I use them to eat like a squash or make a soup out of them. I like pumpkin soup very hearty and nourishing.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROSEBUD