General Chat

It's been raining heavily since about 2 pm and there is snow mixed in it; horrible sleety stuff. It appears that it's going to continue right through the night and it's still only 2 degrees. I've been at the computer doing a bit of banking and finalising my Tesco order for tomorrow and my hands are frozen. My numb fingers keep hitting the wrong keys.

I managed in the end to get 2 presents wrapped but I've plenty more to go. I also managed to have a quick word with granddaughter who says her new car has a bit more room than her old one and we should get everything in but, in any case, she will leave some of her bits with her mother (our daughter) to bring up to Yorkshire when she comes on Christmas Eve. She will be on her own so will have plenty of space.

I'm off downstairs now to warm up a bit. I hope you all sleep well tonight.

Well, Mr Tesco got here early and no subs and nothing unavailable :-)

2 degrees here,computer is saying rain/snow but that covers a wide area last weekend it was really only Gloucestershire that got all the snow. Hopefully we will get rain and maybe the temp will go up a bit, forecast was also for high winds, if from the East that will bring the temp down. So who knows? Waiting for Tesco. bin men still won't come into out road wonder if Mr Tesco will?

Good morning everyone

0 degrees here. It might get up to 2 degrees this afternoon but the warmer temperatures we’ve been promised aren’t due till late evening and overnight. It’s also supposed to rain on and off from early afternoon till mid-morning tomorrow. Complaining about the weather is a British habit. It is what it is and we’ll have to like it or lump it.

Like you, AnnG, I’m wondering what clothes to take to Yorkshire. Son’s house is usually very warm but step outside the door and it’s brrr. I really must start wrapping presents to take with us. Our dinner’s all prepared so perhaps I had better make a start on the pressies next. Or maybe a cup of coffee first ;-)

Morning Anng and all,

0 degrees here this morning and its thawing here think we've had a little rain and pc says rain coming. When I went out last night the fishing float on oh's pond looked like a planet, it was all frosted and had tiny bubbles all round it on the black water.

Weather thing says its 4 degrees out there and 13.3 indoors. I may be able to get these flowers done today if I'm lucky and it dos'nt rain too hard. Need to clean the big girls out too but its a bit windy today and the shavings blow around when its windy and go everywhere.

Pack lots of warm cloths Anng you can never have enough when the weathers like this.

Good morning all -1 this morning so not as cold as they said it would be. Hoping for some rain today to wash the snow away. packing to do today and another day indoors. That will be 4 since Wednesday but that was just out in the car to the restaurant, there were three before that. Feels like lockdown all over again.

Thanks Vera. Go for the middle of that then. When I come back Inwill give it a go.

The recipe I saw today said 2-3 tablespoons of grated fresh ginger or i-2 teaspoons of ground ginger but I suppose it depends on your personal taste and how much you are making overall. I think it's a case of experimenting till you find what suits you.

Thanks Vera I am a throw it in as well but you have given me an idea for the soup maker. I am not sure how much ground ginger to use though.

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.