Quiet scream?

oops 'Visitors only PLEASE'

Lilygran reminds me of the code my husband explained to me that his Mother used to have.
When something was being passed around at a meal time she would say to the children .....

M.I.K.... meaning there was More in the Kitchen - so they could tuck in.
F.H.B......Family hold back....visitors got first dibs - this is all there is!
V.O.P. Made specially for the visitors - they were supposed to politely refuse!

In student days we used to have a communal system of sharing which mutated into a communal system of nicking. Until, that is, one lad returned home late one night and took a swig from a lucozade bottle only to find that it contained cooking oil.

And me, GK. I have just remembered the birdseed that's been under a load of books (don't ask!) in the boot of the car for about two weeks.

When we had two adolescent cormorants sons living at home we were often facing the unexpectedly missing ingredients and empty fridge problem. So we started a policy of announcing to the household, 'the eggs/ pasta/ carrots/ whatever are keeping eggs (or whatever) not eating eggs'. Or leaving a note to the same effect. It worked fairly well and they now talk about 'eating food' and 'keeping food' with their families.

tegan you and me, we're kindred spirits

Just made some of your Gazpacho Nelliemoser Delicious ![sun]

Having read through this thread, I now remember all the things I forgot to get when I was out this morning.

Best suggestion so far, janeainsworth!!

Gracesmum Aren't there any nice pubs that do decent food near you?

We have the invisable man in our house who helps himself from the fridge,when ever I ask who ate so & so it's always "not me"

I put notes saying things like - I know how many on this tray!-

I have small neon coloured post-it notes which I attach to cooling cakes or reserved food saying "don't even think about it" was very useful when the DDs were home

I've been trying to be organised for nearly 62 years [and counting]. I know there's an organised person inside me somewhere. Once watched a friend putting her shopping away after a trip to the supermarket; she was like a whirling dervish; within minutes everything was in it's rightful place and she was having a cup of tea. With me, even the dog food used to stay in the back of the car; I used to nip out and get another tin when it was needed . Have been known to find recently purchased dvd's in the fridge [having spent several days wondering where I'd put them].

I can't keep leftover new potatoes either, but that's because I love them cold and every time I go to the fridge....

Given up trying to be so organised as I invariably forget what it was I had planned and start from scratch. Then days later i wonder what's in the container in the back of the fridge and remenber

Too hot to cook ?
A recipe for Two
Gazpacho with a baguette.

One tin or tetrapack of chopped tomatoes.
Half a small mild onion, eg red onion.
A clove of garlic.
2 or3 inches of cucumber peeled or not.
One medium sized red pepper de-seeded.
Squirt of tomato puree ?tablespoonful or so.
1tablespoon of good olive oil.

Method.
Chop up the veg.
Put all the ingredients in a blender and zap it until smooth and thick and delicious.
Chill well before serving.
Eat by dunking in chunks of fresh baguette.

Superb for hot weather. This is basically a home made peasant style food so make it up in what proportions you like.

Our plans for todays meal also upset, my fault, but good excuse not to cook. Corned beef salad will do and since my other half doesn't mind what he has (provided he does not have to provide it-although he is having to do quite a bit since I fractured my wrist - and he is letting every one know!) So lazy salad and a quiet snooze this pm.

Oh don't slave over a hot stove in this lovely weather - every second outside in the fresh air is so precious. Lots of salad; open a tin of tuna; butter some bread - definitely not a day to be indoors!

But I am very impressed by your organisational skills, in spite of the fact that OH has scuppered your plans.

I wish nina !! His hip is causing a lot of pain (not just to himself) and is a get out for everything-

PS HildaW I hope Grace doesn't get ideas - there's not a lot safe from a greedy hungry greyhound!

Oh dear, my sympathy. I always warn DH & DS if I have plans for stuff in fridge etc. As this is just the sort of thing they'd do.

I assume DH is on spud duty tonight then

I did just the same as you gracesmum....doubled the amount of new potatoes thinking 'potato salad tomorrow'. Only to find I had left them within reach of dog (who seems to have a very long neck). She did not eat them just gave them a jolly good lick!! So straight in bin!!!!

Oh dear, Gracesmum, I don't know whether to be sympathetic or jealous! My OH NEVER makes himself breakfast, let alone cooks anything!

On the otherhand, when I was a poverty-stricken single parent many years ago and had to ration out our food I once left my brother babysitting for a few hours. When I got back he'd innocently worked his way through my 'rations' ... I could have cried!