The Lockdown Gang - Keep Calm and Carry On

Ah Mamissimo ! You have brightened my day again.

I had written a disappearing post this morning but it wasn't at all amusing so perhaps it self destructed when it didn't make the cut.

I did ask after you all and was glad about Missedout's healing hand. or do I mean that her hand is healing?

I had little to say about pork pies since I am mostly veggie.

The phone and doorbell have rung constantly. A beautiful handmade wreath appeared.

Bradfordlass you've brought to mind Eccles Cakes....homemade Eccles Cakes with buttery pastry and millions of dead ants currants. A crisp sugary crunch on the top to be closely followed by crumbs all round my mouth and down my jumper to save for later!

Today I am driving Mr M to have his feet done at the foot man's and in return he's taking me out for lunch. I think we will both be happy with the results of both sides of the bargain.

Prospective DIL wants ideas for her mum to buy my DS for Christmas....like most men he's a nightmare to buy for. Last year the prospective MiL bought him a shooting range for his air rifle so she does need help ?

The survey results for his house purchase came through yesterday and were fine so things are moving in the right direction.....the bed will leave my hallway in the New Year I suspect.

I had my PIP assessment yesterday and the child assessor did it by phone....now how she got any clue about my mobility in my arms etc by talking to me over the phone is a mystery. I've sent over hospital notes and letters but she was obsessed with whether I can manage my own money. Since when did physical disability equate to mental disability? She also called me 'Dear' ........! She asked me whether I used an aid to put my trousers on and all I could think of was Wallace and Grommitt.....

If you like I'll pop back later and bore you some more tell you about my day.

Keep dry!

Doodle Melton Mowbray pies are similar to Yorkshire Stand Pies but often use pork mince, whereas ours are chopped pork, bacon and ham.

The one I bought was based on a MM recipe but it was too salty for me and, being pork mince, rather dense.
Chopped pork cooks very tender and soft.

You can put any filling into a raised pie: chicken and mushroom is popular too. Some cooks include truffles or anchovies.
As long as the pastry is crisp and buttery that's the most important thing.
My only concession is to use solid vegetable shortening with the butter, instead of lard.
My mother wouldn't approve; she made the most wonderful, light pastries from lard she'd rendered herself.

One very quick recipe anyone could try, with savoury (not sweet unless you have very sweet tooth) short crust pastry, made or bought, is to lay out two sheets of equal size; cover one to within a inch of its edges with dried fruit.
Mum used currants I use sultanas on the very rare occasions I still make it - and freshly chopped mint.

Brush the edges with milk, cover with the 2nd sheet of pastry and press well down all over, especially the edges. Crimp with fingers or a fork. Brush with milk and bake until golden.

It could be adapted to Christmas Mince Pie too; substitute the fresh mint with orange and/or lemon zest.

I make my own fruit mince as I like additions such as finely chopped macadamia and cashews nuts, cherries and citrus zest. Currently this is marinating in Baileys in my fridge.
Oh Blimey, don't get me started on cooking and foods or we'll be here all night

Too late!!

Bradfordlass I’ve just posted and there you are popping up in front of me. We must have been typing at the same time ?
Well now you’ve brought the memories flooding back. Not because of the pie because we didn’t have that but of Dewhursts.
I can remember going to Dewhurst with my mum and SIL to buy food. They had two sides to the shop and each side had its own till so you had to queue twice. Mum and SIL (my SIL was 20 years older than me) used to queue one either side and do both lots of shopping at the same time.
I’m not sure I could manage pork pie with pickles for breakfast.
Is it like Melton Mowbray pork pies inside?
Have a good day/night. What time is it?

Ye gods, "its middle"

Oh Cherry sorry you’re not yourself at the moment.
You’ve been very bouncy recently. Perhaps your springs need a rest.
If you are tired and you need rest you should listen to your body. If you don’t feel sleepy tonight why not try listening to an audio recording of something in bed. I started listening to a train journey across Switzerland (a place I have been many times). I said to DH it doesn’t matter how hard I concentrate I never get past the tunnel before I fall asleep.?
I have been playing with my sewing today. Not happy with it at all. Lots of unpicking. My problem is I don’t have any flair for colour or design so it ends up looking a bit messy.
Hope you sleep well.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202012/medium-33313-fff.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202012/medium-471022-pork-pie.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202012/medium-157750-dewhurst.jpg

Grammaretto On one level it certainly is a blow that your family elders cannot be at the funeral in person, very sad for them, on top of the grief of losing a beloved son and brother.
But as your Fil was already ill, had they insisted on coming out into the cold (and I'm sure they would), the consequences on fragile health could have been another blow none of you need.

How kind of your friend to bring a supper - are you vegetarian?

dragonfly you're right, it sounds like a virus got you when your resistance was low. The answer is as much rest as you can tolerate. I've just been told one risks 'post-viral syndrome'. (ME) if one tries to recover too quickly.

Mamissimo you have a most wonderful sense of humour. I always know, when I see you post, that I'm going to laugh aloud or, at the very least, smile at your comments. Thank you.

Lots of splendid good news from Panache - just the revolving chef situation to tackle now! It's pitiful isn't it?
Makes me want to roll up my sleeves and get into that kitchen

Doodle because I have to wear sunglasses all the time, I've made that mistake too - usually thinking it looks like rain and postponing laundry - only for it to be sunny all day

Nortsat I bet that juicy satsuma was delicious!
Wee Gubbins is doing very well thank you and yes, every photo I receive shows changes. She was small because there was a slight malfunction of the placenta which meant she didn't get as much nourishment but she's catching up now.
Maybe she'll be a foodie like her Gramlyn?

Missedout brilliant news about your thumb and other health issues. So happy to hear of that progress.
I smiled at your attempt to cook for your inlaws - I made exactly the same mistake. Who knew one duck wouldn't feed 7 people?

Cherry It sounds as if you too need a LOT of rest my girl; don't risk your very fragile health by unnecessary feelings of guilt, it would be sad to be laid up again.

Pork Pie Tradition

I grew up knowing pork pie with pickles would be part of Christmas breakfast for us and everyone we knew.
The B&W photo shows Dewhurst Butchers in Ivegate with queues to the top of that street and beyond every day the week before Xmas as they made the best stand pies in Bradford.
That photo evokes so many childhood memories and indeed Mum and I could well be in it as stand pie was one of the few things she didn't make at home.

I can smell the delicious aroma even now. Pork pies, hot from the oven and sold before they could cool. Yum.

Because I couldn't get a decent stand pie here (the pastry must be crisp and buttery - supermarket ones are like damp carboard) I began making my own. (see still life with grapes )

It's not difficult but it is fiddly and long-winded to prepare and necessitates cutting pork shoulder off the bone and dicing it with a very sharp knife and we all know the risks of that.
Not to mention working with pans of boiling water and fat.
So, as my eyes are bung, I decided to buy in.

But I'm not 'appy.

So - pork shoulder is on the shopping list now and I'll just make an extra effort to be very, very careful.

If anyone's interested, I'll post a picture of the blood and fingers pie. I think I may make a round one this year.

The tradition itself goes back generations and has as many variations as families. Some add mace, some nutmeg, others swear by ham with the pork, others say smoked bacon....and so on.

My son is partial to Gala Pie, which is a pork pie with boiled eggs in it's middle, so I'll make one of those as well.

Wishing you all better days.

Evening all. Just a very quick visit from me today.

I've not had the best of days, no seizures just feeling completely worn out and have spent most of the day sleeping. I don't know why I felt like that, maybe it was the supermarket shop yesterday or my neighbour "playing up" again until well past midnight but I don't think so. I feel very guilty, though I suppose I shouldn't as I obviously needed to. I'm still not feeling up to par but I am wondering now if I will be able to sleep tonight ?.

I just wanted to pop in and say that I hope the steroids help your dear man Panache and to say that I am thinking of you Grammaretto and projecting a gentle cwtch your way.

I hope the rest of the gang have a good evening ( ◜‿◝ )♡

Grammaretto it must be difficult for you and your family to organise the funeral with everything having to be done on line. I’m sure your children will do their dad proud because it means so much to them. Hope things are calmer this afternoon.
Missedout so glad your hand has healed well enough to go without a dressing, on to the exercises now I imagine.
I would think a monthly injection was better than a daily one. Are you happy with the change?
I can well understand your desire to visit your northern family to see your DGC. I’m sure they will take good care of you.
I do hope your new MIL and FIL were not in the garden when your pastry missile came flying out of the window ?
Would you tell us when your birthday is so we can whisper happy birthday to you? We won’t tell anyone.?
Panache oh what a relief. At last. I’m glad you had a stroll round the garden. Hopefully, the steroids will being some strength back to MrP.
Wot, another chef (!) gone ?. I think the people in charge need to get their act together and employ someone decent. This is cost cutting going too far. It’s so annoying ?
Yes, you keep warm and cosy too.

Must shake myself down on this bright,sunny day and share the good news with my pals.

Yes indeed the steroids have arrived.However totally unacceptable the stress this long drawn saga has caused,I do have other things to do than hang on the `phone forever.
Anyway to celebrate we actually managed a little garden stroll,the first in a week and indeed much needed as my beloved is fast losing his mobility.

With the great news about this vaccine now about to be delivered,it is imperitive that he can keep up the use of his limbs so that hopefully we may have just a little spot of freedom from virus in the spring.
Hope has taken us this far and yes we still hope.

Obviously you are thinking along similar lines Mamissimo...re celebrating your birthday in the summer after everyone gets vaccinated............roll on those needles!!!

So sorry yet another family blow Grammaretto,certainly the last thing you need but sadly there are those instances when there is little or nothing we ourselves can do.
A friend`s mum`s funeral a few weeks ago met with similar hurdles,all caused by covid interfering.
Thinking of you very much as you continue with your planning for Friday.
Your man certainly was well loved and that is always such a comfort.

Dear Dragonfly although many years has passed since my 6 weeks of aggressive radiotherapy,I seemingly sailed through the actual 6 weeks..............then almost fell flat on my face the moment it was over.So perhaps your feeling poorly was a similar reaction.hopefully you will now continue to improve daily.

I am sure you too have been itching to get your hands on those people making promises to us but never delivering Cherry.......this covid situation is certainly bad in Wales now and it has caused us such added stress.
As for our new Chef,which turned out to be a mere cook..........the menu,ingredients and cooking is absolutely rubbish.
We despair.
She too has resigned!!

Thank you all for such cheerful posting,so very much appreciated whilst of course a huge debt of gratitude to our hostess Doodle...........a star in the making.

Trusting you all wrap up warmly as the chill wind blows.
Have a peaceful dy and keep yourselves safe.

Hi gang, I've just returned from DH's constitutional and am feeling a bit more optimistic today. I've finally dispensed with the dressing on my hand and arranged some physio for it. The GP I spoke to recently broke her thumb so was very understanding.

I emailed my hospital team yesterday and they were able to reassure me about the continuity of supply of my medication. They have also confirmed that I will be changed to a new way of delivering my medication which will mean a monthly self-administered injection rather than daily ones. However, they were not able to advise me whether or not a vaccine would help me.

I've also been worried about Christmas. I was fine with the idea that it would just be DH and DS but my Northern family (who were not due to see us this Christmas) have had other ideas and have asked us to spend it with them. They have Covid test kits and will isolate for the week before Christmas. I've been feeling awful, I'm taking a risk, is it worth it - I don't know. I keep flip-flopping. Our single DS says not to worry about him (and sounds as if he means it) and our other DS will have his in-laws staying so we won't see them anyway. I really want to see the DGC. Oh dear - I have agreed to go.

When BradfordLass mentioned a stand pork pie, I immediately had a flashback to the very early days of my marriage when we were expecting my in-laws to visit for a day or two. I was an intrepid cook and decided that I would make a traditional pork pie, using hot water crust pastry and shaping the pie base around a jar (so that the pastry 'stood up'). Hmmmh, that went well - time ran out and I ended up hurling the continuously collapsing pastry case through the open window.

Cherry, I guessed that you may have had difficulties getting up off the floor if you had a low bed. Sorry, it was a silly remark. What you really need is a Wallace and Gromit setup where, if you need to get up, the bed tips you upright into a chute through to a bathroom below so you are safely vertical!

Grammaretto, I too am sorry that you won't be able to have all the physical support you need for the funeral owing to Covid. I hope your relatives are not badly affected. It is very hard to try and support and comfort your immediate family when you are mourning. Like others on here, I will be thinking of you.

Mamissimo, it sounds as if you you did indeed have a happy birthday. Mine is coming up too but, and I know I'm odd, I would prefer it to come and go very quietly. I've always felt like this so it is not an age thing. Perhaps it's just too close to Christmas.

I really enjoy reading about your lives and the kind and gentle humour on here. Thank you gangsters.

A summer party sounds like the way to go. DH has a summer birthday and maybe there'll be a vaccine by then.
So so sorry about your friend's diagnosis Dragonfly More to blame on fickle fate thanks for that phrase Mamissimo

Sorry you have feeling so rubbish yourself Df

Poor DS is being kept busy making the funeral plan and people keep sending additions and I have the washing machine going in the same room.
Not the best background for listening to quiet music.

I know they all want to do their dad proud but there's just too much tension in the air.

Look after yourselves (as that enigmatic expression goes) and I'll try to do that too.

Ah there you are Mamissimo. Crossed posts.
Glad you had a good birthday. A summer party sounds a good idea. Hope you have a good day too.

Morning all. Glad you’re sitting comfortably Nortsat me too ?. Welcome to the Lockdown Gang Missy. ?
Glad I’m not the only one who does silly things.
I was gesticulating to my DH the other day signalling I wanted him to find my mobile phone for me as I needed it to look up my phone number. I wanted to give my number to the person I was talking to ........on my mobile phone
I always buy my DS a box of dark chocolate cherries for Christmas. He loves them and he’s the only one in his family of girls who likes dark chocolate so he says it’s the only time he gets any chocolate to himself ?
Hope you and Missy have a good day.
Bradfordlass I was amused to think that you thought I had sent Mamissimo 65 pork pies for her birthday. Mind you, having a savoury tooth myself I would prefer the pork pies to cake. I too would like to know more about your stand pie and how it became a family tradition.
Good point about the steroids. In the early days of lockdown, DH and I were rationed in our inhalers for asthma as there weren’t enough coming into the country.
Those Christmas crackers sound like fun. Filling them with chocolates is a good idea.
Grammaretto oh no. I’m so sorry. How awful for the family that your DHs father, mother and brother won’t be able to attend his funeral. I suppose the only saving grace is that they will be able to watch online but you must all be upset about it.
Nice of your friend to make a pie for you.
Hope you have a peaceful day today.
Dragonfly glad to see you with us again.
Good you are feeling better today. Hope the aches improve.
I am so sorry for your friend. To have her op cancelled twice is bad enough but no new date is really upsetting. Poor woman. With a young baby she will be wanting to get her op done as soon as possible. I do hope it goes ahead soon.
Hope you slept well Cherry without acrobatics and WPs hand is on the mend.
Mamissimo any birthday cake left ? ? (or pork pies)
Missedout hope you and DH are ok.
Nfk are you still bouncing around with your vitamin D?
Have a good day all ?

Grammaretto I read your latest post with much sadness - the fickle finger of fate is certainly pointing in your direction at the moment. I hope any snow is very temporary so that you don't have to tie the tennis racquets onto your shoes contend with that as well.

A sixty five pork salute was just the ticket, thank you Doodle as it saved Mr M from cooking. I had a nice day and will celebrate with a monster party in the summer once we're all vaccinated!

Dragonfly that does sound like a bug but it maybe your body giving a shrug after everything you've been through. Sometimes after courses of treatment I've felt yuk and fluey while my system resets to normal. Then there's no stopping me......

Wishing everyone a day of no drama....

Good morning gangsters, I have my coffee and am sitting comfortably (thank you Doodle) and Missy (16.5 year old, self opinionated cat) is joining me to greet you.
Panache, so sorry to hear what a difficult time you have been having getting the steroids for MrP. You must be at the end of your tether... it’s very hard to keep going in challenging circumstances, when there is a brick wall at every turn. You have a spine of steel ... where your support is needed for your dear one. I hope there’s some news today. ?
Grammaretto lovely to see you ... How wonderful that so many people want to send their condolences and respects to your dear husband.
So sorry to learn about your FiL and your MiL and BiL being unable to attend the funeral. Life is hard.
Sending you good thoughts for a better day today.
Bradfordlass tell us more about the Christmas morning pie tradition in your family. What is a ‘stand pie’?
I smiled at you thinking Doodle had given Mamissimo 65 pork pies, for her birthday. There are worse gifts ...
How is Baby Gubbins, she must be changing almost daily. We have a new baby in the family, who lives in Oz and the photographic evidence shows a remarkable rate of change.
Doodle you are very adept at showing us the humour in everyday situations, I did laugh at you remarking on how dark it was getting, whilst still wearing your sunglasses.
I remember going in to the Library one day in the summer and being astonished at how dark it was in there. I had a whole internal conversation with myself about possible budget cuts and turning lights off and how ridiculous that was in a Library ... and what about people with reduced vision etc etc and was about to complain to staff members, when (yes, you’ve guessed it ...) I realised I still had my sunglasses on...
Cheery did you have a decent night? Hope so.
Do show us some pictures of your crystals and your stained glass window.
Nfkdumpling, glad you are out of the doldrums ... these days can take all of us there. Your .99p investment in Vit D was a wise investment then.
Are you a ‘shielder’ ie classed as ‘clinically very vulnerable’? I had an email from Hancock (I have a different name for him but won’t lower the tone of Doodle’s lovely thread by saying what it is. I have already done that by including poo in my birthday wishes to Mamissimo) advising me I am entitled to a four months supply of Vit D free, by virtue of being clinically vulnerable.
Mamissimo glad you had a happy birthday and your present from your DDs sound lovely ... any photos? I smiled at your chocolate for breakfast ... quite right too. My partner does that every Christmas morning.
Missedout good morning, hope all is well with you and yours.
I am eating a really juicy satsuma and it evokes the taste of winter and Christmas for me. ?
Have the best day possible gangsters.

Hallo again everyone.
I am sorry I have not read all your posts except Grammaretto's. I am so sorry your FiL has tested positive. Is that from the carers do you think?
You know we will all be with you on Friday for the funeral of your exceptional DH. Take pride in the fact that he was what he was and so well-loved.

I realised last night that I must have had a virus or something for the last few days. Maybe it is reaction to the Radiotherapy. Anyway it was only when I started to feel better last night that I realised how bad it was. It made me very tearful and gave me lots of aches and pains in the pelvis. I am still a bit achey but so much better and ready to face the world again.

I do hope you get the steroids today Panache this is beyond acceptable.

I have a young friend of 23 who has just had a baby and been diagnosed with a large tumour on her spine. She was due to have a major op to remove it last week and it was cancelled as they had an emergency and yesterday they cancelled again just as she was due to go to theatre as they did not have a bed in ICU. She still hasn't got a date and I am very worried about her because if they leave it any longer it could spread to her brain or she could become paralysed.

I will now go back and read all your news. Thank you to all who were concerned enough to message me.

Just when we thought it couldn't get worse, it only has. Fil tested + for covid so not only can he not come to the funeral but MiL and BiL can't either as they have to isolate. I'd better not tempt fate by saying what else can happen

I also mistook the cakes for pies BradfordLass

A local friend delivered a homemade veggie supper dish for me and DS yesterday. It was delicious. She is a gem.

$2 for a pee? Crikey. A reminder for all who think to unravel the health service of what life was really like in the good old days. I just heard of somone going private for his operation when he couldn't wait any longer. I digress.....

It's not snowing yet but it looks likely.

"toilet tolls"?

I'm told it costs $2 to get into the public loo at a newly built retail centre norht of here. I don't think, 'I'm off to spend $2, back soon' will ever catch on.

Afternoon all

Nfk all it take is one form filled in with d.o.b or age and the email vultures descend with aged-care ideas like resdt homes and earwax and Silver Dating
. I don't even look at them anymore.

Huggy vibes' how perfect - love it.
'

Grammaretto having read about your mover-and-shaker DH, I''m not surprised you received an avalanche of cards. Not just well loved but very much respected and missed by all whose lives he improved.

Panache like all here, I am appalled at the neglect of your dear man but perhaps I received an insight into the delay when I went for my own prescription yesterday.

The pharmacist was explaining to a customer that her steroids were unavailable because so many came from China and India and their movements have been severely reduced due to Covid.
In addition, news earlier in the year and again in September indicated they may help people recover from Covid - and the USA bought up huge amounts.

So perhaps your medical team are scouring the UK for these rare steroids? Let's hope they find some soon.

Marydoll I'm so sorry to hear you haven't felt up to posting. I hope the very welcome fact that you're here now is a good sign. It's lovely to have you back

Doodle You remember how I saw a gasmask when someone posted this ?? Well, I thought you'd given Mamissimo 65 pork pies.
Mind you, I am somewhat exercised about PPs at the moment.

This year I decided I wasn't up to making my own and decided to send for a test one from a distant butcher famous for his.
It arrived and I tasted it and it was all right but not like home made. Now I'm wondering if can actually manage one more year because a proper stand pie on Christmas morning is not just a tradition our family has kept since God was a lad but a heritage food .

Mamissimo when you said your DDs had "clubbed together" to buy you a birthday gift, I was sure you were going to say a new car or a world tour.
Pink bags with gold zips are a lot more useful


MawB Your dear husband had excellent taste - that really is a lovely brooch.
I like the purple jacket too Please don't eat it. I can send food parcels if you're desperate - do you like pork pie?

Cherry you intrepid soul - glad you survived the supermarket. I have that scary prospect ahead as I've been given some gift cards which can only be spent in store not online. I shall treat my family to some specialist cheeses for the Christmas buffet.

Norstat like Doodle, I was very refained and said, 'squashed tomatoes and stew' - still quite revolting though

Made Christmas crackers at Communicare today, from toilet tolls, fancy paper and gold ribbons. Filled them with bite-sized Mars and Snickers bars. They disappeared in seconds.
Next week - pork pies!

Love to all.

Cherry I was wondering what all that cheering was last night.
Well done again. I bet you’re pleased.
We went to Henley by the river for our walk. It was bright (hence the sunglassses) but so very cold. Thought it would be a good place to get away from people but obviously lots of young mums with buggy’s thought so too. ?
Sleep well yourself. ?

I’m sure he was Grammaretto. I hope you find comfort in the thoughts and caring of others who knew him.

? Nevermind Maw eating her coat or jacket (predictive text grr) you think I've got bran in my head Doodle ?.
That sounds unpleasant for your BiL. My aunt had problems with her tear ducts and had to have regular tests etc.
It has started to get chilly here too. Where did you go for your walk? Were you incognito trying not to be recognised ??
Forgot to tell you earlier .... my team won again last night!

There's that black humour Grammaretto x

Night all, hope everyone has a restful night ?

I hope the birthday went well Mamissimo I'm sure it did despite an extra kingsize bed in the way!

Gorgeous flowers Nortsat

I received a great stack of cards today and said OMG it's like a birthday but DS said "really when have you ever had so many birthday cards"
Yes my Mr G was well loved.

So sorry that the steroids haven't come yet Panache

Evening to you too Cherry ? (I’ve got my eye on you ?)
Ahem, yes ok I did break my glasses before you and yes I’m still watching TV with my one arm glasses wonky on my face...........I’ve been busy
That’s a bit of celebrity status having someone do their PhD on you. Mind you, we all know you’re special.
I hope your glasses last a while. My BIL has a bad eye condition and has to have a new prescription every 6 months.
We went out for a drive this afternoon to charge the battery in the car. Went for a walk for about an hour but it was really chilly. Then we drove home. I mentioned to DH how dark it was getting now. I said it’s not even 4 O clock and it’s really quite dark. DH looked at me and said, you’ve got your sunglasses on ? oh!
I really had no idea that Maw was in such dire straits until I read your post Cherry. Do you think she’ll start with coats and jackets or will she consume her underwear first ? ?
Dragonfly I hope your friends op goes well too.
Gramaretto thinking of you ?