The Lockdown Gang - Keep Calm and Carry On

Bradfordlass thank you for that idea with the fruit. I may try that. You probably already know this .....but I’m going to tell you anyway ?. When DH and I went round Hampton Court years ago we have a tour of the kitchen and an explanation of what all the various gadgets were used for “in the olden days”
Our guide informed us that they made lots of pies but the pie crust wasn’t eaten it was used only to form a ‘pot’ for cooking the meat in and was discarded.
Have you started making your pies yet?
Mamissimo I am pleased to see that you are not just renaming vegetables but have moved onto fruit now. I don’t think I’ll ever look at running beans and bored beans in the same way again. Mind you thinking of dead ants may put me off currants ?
I like Chelsea buns. Not the same as Eccles cakes but on a similar theme. (I want one now ?)
I think I’m missing something here. You take MrM to have his feet done by someone else and get taken to lunch. I have to cream DHs lower legs at night as he gets venous eczema. He hasn’t taken me out to lunch....I will have to drop some hints ?
Exciting time for your DS to be moving. I bet you can’t wait to have your hall back ?
I can remember my mother being assessed for home help. My mother lost her voice about 10 years before she died and could only talk in a whisper. The assessor thought that because she couldn’t speak aloud that mum was deaf so just kept shouting at her.
Please do pop back, you cheer us up so much ?
Grammaretto it’s nice to hear from you. You don’t have to be amusing but the self destructing message not making the final cut made me laugh. I had visions of it on the cutting room floor with a script writer head in hands. ?
The wreath sounds nice.
I was going to say I hope you have a peaceful day but it sounds as though you are having constant callers. Don’t forget to rest and have a bit of quiet time to yourself.

Beautiful wreath

Lots of love to you Grammaretto
I barely know you, and you me, but my thoughts will be with you tomorrow xxx

Evening lockdown buddies ☺️

Missedout, I hope I didn't upset you, you didn't make a stupid remark. I've had Drs say exactly the same thing. Drs have told me to get rid of our cooker, our toaster, our kettle, our fire (we could as we don't use it) and not to use stairs or steps or go up ladders etc etc. Okay, I can manage to avoid going up a ladder but live in a house with steps leading down to it. There's no way I'm microwaving all my hot drinks either, they just don't taste the same. I'm not averse to the Wallace and Gromit invention and perhaps I could have slides too, one for the steps and a helter skelter instead of our split staircase ?.

You're absolutely right BradfordLass I do need lots of rest but it's so aggravating. It's always been emphasised to me that plenty of sleep in particular is important for people with epilepsy; lack of sleep can be a seizure trigger for many. I get plenty of sleep most of the time. I can't just idle the day away all the time as well ? ?.
I like your fruit pastry idea. Sometimes I've done something similar, a bit more like a strudel though. I haven't made one for a while ... now you've got my mouth watering with the idea. By the way, have you tried my syrup recipe?

I prefer chelsea buns too Doodle, in fact I bought some when I went to the supermarket the other day. Not as yummy as homemade or the ones Sainsbury's used to do though ?.

How did the exchange go today Mamissimo. Did the foot man attend to Mr M's feet nicely and was your lunch lovely too?
PIP assessments ?. They don't half ask stupid stuff and what's more they write it too. When I had my last assessment I had a seizure in front of the assessor. It scared her to death and she couldn't wait to get out of our house quick enough ?. She wrote in her report that I didn't lose consciousness but also described how I was "on waking" and that I "demonstrated excellent cognition throughout the entire assessment" . You can't make it up can you?
I'm not a fan of dried ants currants unless they're mixed with other fruit but I love raise ins and Sultanas and can eat them on their own ?

Grammaretto I must admit to a giggle at your "mission impossible" post disappearing , even though losing a post isn't funny - frankly it's annoying.
I hope you have managed with the descent of your relatives and other callers. Just as Doodle has said I hope you have managed to have some quiet time to yourself too. I hope you get some rest tonight x

Yes Grammaretto it is beautiful.

It is a beautiful wreath Grammaretto. So much nicer being hand made.
Cherry I would love to have a Wallace and Grommet setup for getting me out of bed in the morning. Now I’m retired and don’t have to get up at a certain time, when it’s cosy I don’t want to leave my bed. I really need an ejector gadget to get me on the move.
I have never made Chelsea buns Cherry do you make them?
I love sultanas and rasins too. Likewise not so keen on currants. We could be twins ?
I made butter and basil chicken tonight with grilled cheese. I can still smell the basil on my hands.
When the postman arrived to day I was expecting some interfacing so I could carry on with my sewing. I was all excited until I opened the package and found two packs of disposable gloves that DH had ordered. ?

Doodle you - and the guide at Hampton Court are quite correct. Even the Romans made a simple, very thick pastry case to keep the meat succulent when cooking.
These cases, called 'coffins' or 'coffyns' were made only with flour, water and oil. The richer pastries we use today came a little later.
I haven't begun making mine yet; the meat won't arrive until Monday afternoon, so I'll be sharpening the knives on Tuesday for a full day of slow and careful prep

Mamissimo and Cherry yes. those assessors give you the PIP don't they?

Grammaretto that's a gorgeous Christmas wreath; what a kind thought.

I've just seen a most unsettling sight.
Some of you may remember my nosy OCD neighbour. Some time ago she began dieting (I doubt she was more than Size 14 at the time) and is now cadaverous.
This morning, just after 6:30, she walked past my house in pyjamas, long pink dressing gown and fluffy slippers.

Having got halfway to the main road, she paused, turned and walked back home.
This is NOT by any means a woman who would go to the shops in nightwear which I understand is de rigueur in parts of the UK
This is a sign of mental instability. Either anorexia or dementia.
Despite the fact she's often been unpleasant to me, mainly about my size, I'm worried about her and not just because she drives.

Cherry I quite understand about the boringness of too much rest. I am, by nature, a restless person and it was awful post-virus, having to lie on my bed exhausted, several times a day.

Re-thinking that fruit pastry thingy, I seem to remember Mum buttering the pastry and adding sugar before that 2nd layer on top - I don't add either. Speaking of Eccles Cakes - those are made with just such a filling but flaky pastry folded in and patted into a circle with the top pierced.

Oh crivvens, here I go again.....
Sorry.
Stay well and happy everyone.

Grammaretto
Thinking of you, gracious lady. A welcoming and warm GNetter to all newbies. Thank you?

Just popped in to say I am thinking of you today Grammaretto and sending gentle hugs.
The wreath is indeed beautiful.

So pleased the steroids finally arrived Panache. I suspect you are right about the radiotherapy.

So pleased your hand is improving Missedout.

Sorry you are not feeling yourself Cherry. I hope today is a better day.

Good morning gangsters
Golly it's a grey start this morning - almost grey enough to make me turn to housework, but luckily our cleaner is coming so I'm saved!

Doodle I think you need to practice your negotiating and femme fatale skills! My strategy to get a free lunch a trip to a lovely restaurant involved appealing to Mr M's love of food, personal comfort and money saving ?

I am not good with --gnarled old trotters--feet of any kind and diabetics need to look after their feet and skin so booking Mr M in with the footman at midday is a selfless act! I offered to drive him so that he didn't have to pay for parking and oh so subtly suggested that as we were already out and it was lunchtime......and there was liver on the menu.....job ✅

I had a lovely time.....a nice Bloody Mary, duckballs to start, some sea bass and sea vegetables and a sticky toffee pudding for weight ? As I'd driven there, of course Mr M offered to drive me home while I snoozed in the car. We'd had a good lunch so no cooking last night. A good days work!

Today I'm going to potter in the greenhouse as I've awoken in a reflective mode. I will pot things on, dabble with compost mixes and my thoughts will touch on one of us and all of us as we face our days.

Morning All

Just 'popped in' before looking at anything else on GN and it's taken me half an hour to catch up!

I'm so pleased to hear that the steroids have at last arrived Panache. I hope they work really well, and really quickly. If your latest 'chef' has given notice already, perhaps you'll get a good cook next time. I have a dear friend who is a genius in the kitchen and ran the kitchen of her own top class restaurant. She was offended whenever anyone called her a chef. She insisted she was a cook. A good cook. Since a cook can do everything!

I think Mamissimo is right Dragonfly. Fluey symptoms often exhibit after a body has gone through a lot of stress - as yours certainly has. I do hope you feel more yourself today.

Cherry - it may seem like too retrograde a step, but have you thought about those cot sides which slide under the mattress?

Definite progress with the hand then Missedout. No dressings? Fantastic! It'll make good progress now as there'll be no bandage in the way. And a northern Christmas too, with maybe snow! I think I'd take the risk too, especially as they're taking all the precautions they can.

We were really, really, really naughty yesterday. We had to drive to Yarmouth (Great Yarmouth that is) to collect a mat for the Camperbubble and then a friends to pick up something from them as well. It was lovely to just see different scenery - even if it was through heavy rain.

When we arrived at our friends doorstep it was far too wet and cold to stand outside so we moved into the hall way. It was natural then to move to the sitting room and somehow coffee and biscuits appeared. We figure it was good for our mental well-being, and since none of us have mixed with anyone for weeks apart from passing at the supermarket, pretty safe. But, oh the guilt! I found myself looking to right and left as we left to make sure no one was watching!

I hope all goes well today Grammaretto. A sad day.

Sending my very best wishes to Grammaretto and her family for today. I saw that there was heavy snow in your area, which will make everything so much more difficult.

Thinking of you today Grammaretto, it is indeed a sad day.

Grammaretto all the gangsters will be with you in their thoughts today. A sad day but hopefully there will be some comfort in shared memories of happier times.
Thinking of you and your family x

Popped in to say that my thoughts are with Grammaretto today.

Bradfordlass that is worrying about your neighbour. Not the sort of behaviour you would expect. Does she have any family near by who might drop in to see how she is?
I must be (am) a lazy person, I would happily spend my day reading or painting or sewing. DH has to drag me out for a walk and as for housework, I love it when it’s done but don’t like doing it ?
Dragonfly hope you are ok. Are you feeling any better today?
Mamissimo perhaps I need a cleaner ?. ......no I would spend too long tidying up first.?
Yes I will have to start working on DH when this lockdown is over. I think I’m due some nice lunches and no cooking days.
Ooh sticky toffee pudding. Now I’m really jealous. What are sea vegetables?
Have a good day in the greenhouse.
Your post made me think of my dear SIL who was Scandinavian. In her early days in this country when her English was not so good she told someone that my father was “tottering in the garden burying onions” (as opposed to pottering in the garden planting bulbs ?)
Nfk I’m sure your jaunt out did you both good.
Even if it was raining, seeing different scenery is a boost.
It is difficult isn’t it with meeting people. I too find that the more we talk to someone the closer we move towards them, forgetting the distancing rules. I have visions of you leaving your friends house, peeking out to see if anyone’s watching then sliding stealthily along the path and into the car for a quick getaway ?
Missedout hope your thumb is on the mend and MrM recovered well from his op.
Nortsat and Cherry hope you are ok too.
Take care gangsters.

Dignified, very moving and a fine tribute to an amazing man.

Having problems with my tablet today, grr. It didn't charge overnight and had to put it back on charge. It charged just enough to post on the morning thread and it's been on charge all day, charging very slooooowly!?

I've been thinking of Grammaretto all day.
This is for you lovely lady:

Do Not Stand At My Grave And Weep

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

by Mary Elizabeth Frye

I hope you have been able to find some strength to get you through today Grammaretto, gentle cwtches ?

No Doodle I don't make chelsea buns. My mother used to make them and they were yummy, much better than ones you can buy. I think the last time I made chelsea buns was when I was at school ?
What a let down with the package, practical though. I hope the package you are looking forward to arrived today. I received an exciting package in the post today, my new blue badge ?

Rather a disturbing experience all round in regard to your neighbour BradfordLass. My dissociative neighbour has been horrible to me on occasions but I do nevertheless feel concern for her when it is clear she is unwell, just as you clearly have concerns surrounding your neighbour's welfare. These things can be hard to ignore but if you take action to intervene that can create it's own dilemma. So tricky isn't it.

dragonfly, how are you feeling? Do you think you've got a bit of a seasonal cold/flu or delayed side effects of the grueling radiotherapy you have only just gone through? I hope you are otherwise feeling okay in yourself, we all know you have struggled. I hope you are finding a little cheer within yourself ?

Sounds like a fair bargain Mamissimo. These sea vegetables wouldn't be sea greens a la "Logan's Run" would they ? ?. I love sticky toffee pudding, you didn't take home a doggy bag by any chance ... ? Glad you enjoyed and that Mr M's trotters feet have been looked after.

I've asked a few times whether I could have cot sides as you have suggested Nflk and have been categorically told no. All the Drs and consultants have stressed to me that I shouldn't since they could cause more harm than good unfortunately. I thought it might have been a solution but it's a no-goer ?. It was the one thing I thought would be the answer but it has been explained in detail that they would be dangerous for me. Drat! ?

Naughty, probably, understandable, definitely. No point in feeling guilty, that's not good for your mental health. You obviously all enjoyed the time together and it sounds like you haven't done anybody any harm. Good for you I say ?

I've felt much less tired today ?. I've even started Christmas shopping ?

Grammaretto I too hope you have got through today with the support of your loving family. A sad day for you all.
You must be very tired with all that has happened recently. I hope you can rest soon. Is your son from NZ staying for a while? Take care dear friend we are all thinking of you ?

Bradfordlass how have you been today?
Cherry a lovely poem.
Sorry you’ve had problems with your tablet. I made scones today for DH so we had one with strawberry jam and cream this evening, I haven’t made any for a while. They tasted ok but came out very lopsided. ?
I had a delivery of four fat quarters today (quilter speak for material ?). I wasn’t expecting much as I bought it from a company I haven’t dealt with before via Amazon. I am very pleased with it. Not colourful but two black and grey fabrics one light grey and one a sort of mauve. Not quite sure how they will be used yet. I’ve run out of interfacing so can’t do anything till that arrives next week.
Strange isn’t it you’d really think cot sides would help but obviously not . Do you have room to put a small mattress on the floor by the side of your bed so if you fall out it will cushion your fall. An inflatable one perhaps?
Oooh Christmas shopping. I hope you haven’t spent too much on me. A new tiara or chaise lounge would be fine in a nice soft velvet ?
Dragonfly hope you are feeling better.
Lovely flowers Nortsat.
Take care all of you.

Panache hope the steroids are helping Mr P
annsixty has been asking after you in soop’s kitchen. I told her about the steroids and said I would pass on that she had missed you posting. ?

I've often thought about baking Chelsea buns. My breadmaker (a Panasonic, not DH) has a recipe and dough setting for them. I will try it - honest.

I've had to put the dressing back on my thumb for a little while. The skin is still very thin and has blistered in places.

Doodle, although daily injections are quick and simple, it makes travelling and holidays a bit of a nightmare. The product I use comes in glass vials and is temperature sensitive. Then there are the syringes and paraphernalia to fill them, keeping everything clean, as well as the sharps bins. I don't fancy going through airport security, even with lots of paperwork from the hospital. The 4 weekly injection will give me a lot of freedom even though it is quite complicated. The new product is designed to slowly release into my bloodstream over 4 weeks - it's clever stuff!

Oh Cherry, Christmas shopping! I'm glad to hear that your tigger tail is on today, though. I keep trying to start present shopping but DH's empty present list/grid (he provides it every year) remains unfilled! This morning I was planning to sort out this weekend's online shop, use my exercise bike, write a couple of letters and at least make a couple decisions about presents. Instead, DH's constitutional was nearly 2 hours long at a fairly brisk pace (I think he is recovering well). I have to say that we were lucky, although chilly, it was dry and we opted to take a circular (no turning back) route which goes part way around a reservoir. The sun shone on the water and surrounding hills, we live in a beautiful area. I was flagging a bit by the time we got home, but fresh coffee and a warm mince pie made life feel better. However, I never really caught up with my intentions although have sorted out Sunday's food delivery.

I can't remember if I've mentioned it before but, from time to time, someone in Scotland orders 'stuff' online and gives my mobile number as a contact number. It has to be a mistake, his number must be easily confused with mine. However, I receive texts from delivery companies and services he is interested in. I keep informing the companies that contact me and some say they will get in touch with him and correct the records but every so often it still happens. I even confirmed that he was prepared to accept a quote when he tried to sell his van, but assume that didn't go through. It happened again yesterday but I am upset because the delivery was confirmed by email. So now my mobile number and email address have been linked with a stranger. The delivery address was on today's email (a breach of his data) so I will be writing to my alter ego to tell him to learn his mobile number!

I've just thought of a present for the list - no longer empty!

I hope you all stay as well as you can. Good night gang.

Cherry is that a Tigger tail I see?
Of course, I have no idea what you were told when you suggested bed rails but if they were talking about metal ones, I understand completely how they could be dangerous, especially if you hit your poor head - but what about these?
www.abilitysuperstore.com/collections/bed-rails-wedges-bumpers
And not too pricey to buy for yourself if you felt they would help.

Doodle Oooh, you've made me want a scone. Sadly, as they are mostly wheat and I've never fancied gluten free ones, I have to deny myself - or suffer the consequences. Lopsided or not, I bet they were delish.

When I first started quilting, you can imagine the remarks about fat quarters directed at portly old me . I used to love rummaging them in our local fabric store - now closed.
I gave all my quilts away.

Grammaretto It was a privilege to be there and learn so much more about Roger.
It made me realise you were the perfect partner for a man with such vision and unstoppable ideals.
Not only a supporter to him but a kindred spirit, although your ingenuity and verve are totally different.

Lives lived not in each others pockets but running parallel, shouting encouragements (and more!) all the way.
Much love, dear friend - only a thought away.

Cherry forgot to say I haven't yet made the syrup but it's on the menu!