Val's Cafe

frogmorton

It's t111055 t111055 t111055

Here!!!!

Just a quick hello today we have extra bad reception due to the weather. Still it was needed it was even dryer than we had last summer :roll:

Kitty

Toni, it's pouring down but I'm in good old Angleterre. I think summer is definitely over. How long before you get back? t4591

Joan, goodness me, heavy rain, but no thnder and lightning. Do the dogs get anxious when it's like that?

Aidan, so you've had your flu jabs and a hug from your COPD nurse. I've not seen any of my Bronch staff for years either. I've booked the spid gang to give you a visit. Their equipment is a bit like Ghostbuster equipment, so I'd stay well away if I were you. Thank you for the toasties luv. m0150 t115006

Barbara, I'm sure my neihbours are quite polite really, but will I ever find out? I hope your brother and GF enjoy Llandudno.

Carol can't be too far away, I can hear her needles clicking.

Vegan Aubergine and chickpea penne
The harissa/chilli sauce gives this recipe just enough heat - gorgeous! Serves 4.

Ingredients
Large pinch of saffron threads
2 cups (450ml / 16 fl oz) vegan stock
2 tbsp olive oil
1 large onion, roughly chopped
1 tsp cumin seeds, crushed
1 1/2 cups (350g / 12 oz) aubergine, diced
1 large red pepper, deseeded and chopped
400g (14 oz) canned chopped tomatoes with garlic
1 tsp ground cinnamon
5/8 cup (30g / 1 oz) fresh coriander, roughly chopped
400g (14 oz) canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 1/2 cups (280g / 10 oz) vegan dried penne
Salt and pepper
Harissa or chilli sauce, to serve

Method
Toast saffron threads in a dry frying pan set over a medium heat for 20–30 seconds. Place in a small bowl and crumble with your fingers. Add 2 tablespoons of the hot stock and set aside.
Heat the oil in a large saucepan. Add the onion and fry for 5–6 minutes. Add the cumin and fry for a further 20–30 seconds, then stir in the aubergine, red pepper, tomatoes, cinnamon, coriander stalks, saffron liquid and remaining stock. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
Add the chickpeas to the saucepan and season to taste with salt and pepper. Simmer for a further 5 minutes, removing the lid to reduce and thicken the sauce if necessary.
Meanwhile, bring a large saucepan of lightly salted water to the boil. Add the pasta, return to the boil and cook for 8–10 minutes, or until tender but still firm to the bite. Drain and transfer to a warmed serving bowl. Add the sauce and half the coriander leaves, then toss. Garnish with the remaining coriander and serve immediately with the harissa or chilli sauce.

bubbles

Afternoon to all - VERY dark here, thunderstorms early on, woke me up a few times, plus torrential rain t111055 t111055

Still very mild, hardly a breath of air - :roll: :roll:

Hi Joan and Sue - There is something amiss, we are at nearly three weeks since Dad started to loose blood - admittedly, a little goes a long way, but...........how long they are going to let it go on for. We will see tomorrow at the pre op.

Thank you for the hugs. I see you had a storm, hope the doggies were not upset by it :? :? (((())))

Hi Toni - rain en france, beaucoup de pluie partout. t111055 t111055 I am sure the gardens and crops will be very grateful, if things were arid dry again. :? :?

French phone / internet reception seems to go quiffy when there is lots of "weather". Our satellite used to go off at the drop of a hat. :roll: :roll:

Hope you are enjoying your break - big hi to all t4591 t115006 Sleek was over very early on, watching the storm from the lounge windows - Mother didn't bother to get up - seen it all before she said :roll: :roll:
There are mists galore, Pendle has vanished completely. Autumn Eqionox starts tomorrow, so they are planning to go out and gather the first mists, very special apparently. Mother needs some to store in her jars - wherever she keeps them :? :shock:

Raining wi you mi duck too.

Thank you for sending Florence and Clarence over.............
We were just having a cuppa, before bed, when a very large spid-- ran like the clappers, across the lounge carpet................I shrieked, B caught it and deposited it out of the window. Glad he did or I would not have gone to bed..........

I think the ghostbuster team thought we had gone to bed and were doing a sweep, chasing undesirables away - boy can they run :shock: :shock: :shock: Two, in one evening, was more than enough for moi. :? :? :roll: :roll:

I normally have a nice chat with the COPD / Daibetes Sister, we like to talk shop for the most part, then realise we had best do a spirometry :roll:

We do need to hatch a plan, to find out about your new neighbours. I will ask Silver to send some t115006 t115006 over, so that you meet them soon

Ta for the yummy pasta dish, very tasty t4591 t4591

Hi Barbara - hope you both slept well, in your own beds. Has Niamh called over to see you today ?

You will be catching up a little after your mini break. It feels like one of those afternoons when we could all easily nod off :animal_busy: :animal_busy:

Hi Carol - hope you are both ok. Did you get much rain, or storms?
It was a bit hit and miss with the forecast.

Washing and drying done, shirts and troosers pressed. All ready for the coming week...........

Up earlier tomorrow, want to make sure we are at Blackburn in good time. B drops us at the door and then goes off to park, that can be quite a trek, it is a huge car park. :shock: :shock: He comes back to the drop off zone to pick us up, far to far for walking.

Hi to everyone else in and about. Time I was pottering a little more.

Lots of love and sparkles to all t4591 t115006 t115006 XXXX Aidan

I went a bit mad with the cake today - real sparkles

bubbles

Hi to all _ t4591

I hope everyone is as ok as can be, just a short ish note for tonight. As it is officially the Autumn Equinox, after midnight, I will pop on a lovely picture for us



Everything ready for today's venture to the hospital. Thank you in advance for being under the cloak, t4591 don't worry if you are busy, the cloak will still put you in two places at once t115006 t115006
Hopefully we will not be there more than an hour or so, he says, with rolling eyes :roll: :roll: At least it is a sociable time of day, 11am.

I hope the rains didn't bother anyone, some places had flash floods with storms and torrential downpours. t111055 t111055

We enjoyed the final day of the golf from Wentworth, Danny Willet won it, which was great to see. He hails from Sheffield but has just moved to the USA. Very down to earth person.

I am on sp---r watch, as usual, at this time of year. No signs so far...............I won't drop my guard :? :?
Mother rolls her eyes, saying they are only kreechers with lots of legs :shock: :shock: yes Mother, that's the problem.......... :roll: :roll:

Sleek was over to natter to Mother and eat sweets, while Daddy's had their siesta's. They caught up on some SYTTD and planned their Autumn mist gathering, for this morning. t115006 t115006

Time to potter, up earlier than normal, make sure we are all ready and sorted.

Lots of (((()))) Love and sparkles t4591 t115006 to all - See you all later XXXXX Aidan

Seasonal breakfast, pumpkin bread, yoghurt, granola, honey, blueberries, coffee and leaves :?

frogmorton

Morning everyone!

I hope you are all well. I have a feeling Sleek and Tisca have been here ????

Something odd - some cat sweets on my pillow :shock: a jar of very dense mist on the bedside cabinet too....all very odd.

I am expecting the cloak to pick me up this morning so will be with you today. I can brings some brie and croissants for us all and nu nu to Hoover up afterwards!!!

We are taking Kari to see Montflanquin today so will take some pics for Aidan and B.

Love to you all

Toni xxx

dachshund

Hello everyone I cannot read all of the posts
im writing this on sue’s phone.
I hope everyone has a good day.
Aidan I hope it’s not too stressful for your dad (((((?)))
We have sun at the moment
Love to everyone ((((())))
Joan xx

Kitty

Morning Joan.. The weather is much better today than yesterday. We had a bad night last night, as we had a power cut. So we were busy putting all the clocks right at 2am!! Now we are waiting for an Amazon delivery. :roll:

Toni, safe journey, however you travel as long as it isn't with Thomas Cook. :shock: Those cheeky cats - what are they like. :!: :?: :!:

Aidan, good luck with dad's appointment today. I'll try to stay awake this time, but after last night I'm not too sure. I'll swap with yer mi duck. We'll have the spids and you have the power cuts.
Another yummy choc cake, with sparkles. Ta luv.

Tomato turmeric soup Message for all vegans at the bottom.

"I love the simplicity of this soup. I make it at the beginning of autumn and use fresh parsley from the garden. It's very rich and nourishing - a 'changing seasons' soup."

Ingredients
3 large peeled tomatoes
2 cloves garlic (minced)
Sea salt and black pepper to taste
1 can of coconut milk
1/2 tsp of turmeric

Method
Blend, heat and serve!
Optional: top with fresh parsley

Recipe and image by Annika Lundkvist of veganforallseasons.com.

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barbara12

evening all
I hope that Aidan and Bs dad is getting on ok and not to uncomfortable.. t4591 t115006
Thankyou for the lovely breakfast..a nice variety...and the chocolate cake with sparkles..I hope the family arrived ok..
Talking of spiders we have never seen so many..2 running across the living room one in my bedroom and 2 in the hall..the very big ones :shock: I dont mind them downstairs but not in my bedroom :shock: glad you got some us time and had a good vegan breakfast in the T rooms and you got to Skipton had your flu jabs..one thing out of the way
Joan I hope you get your laptop to behave..not easy on the phone ..apart form enlarging the text easier..
Toni glad you are all enjoying France ..and in Aidans village..how nice to get pics of that..
Kath its pouring down here tonight ...like Aidan says we need a plane to spot your neighbours..or get a word out of them..thankyou for the pasta recipe and the soup I am going to have a go at that
thankyou everyone my brother and his girlfriend are having a nice time ..even through the weather has changes..he needs fizzy drinks when he eats it helps the food go down ..but hes managing ok
I had bloods today for my kidney to see if the water tablets have effected them
My heart goes out to all the Thomas Cook workers..so very sad and to all those that have lost holidays.or stranded...what a mess..
Right better go
Love to everyone
t4591 t115006 t111055

bubbles

Finally, hi to all - nearly at the end of the day.

Thank you to everyone for being under the cloak at Dads Pre Op today, only 6 hours this time, from leaving home to getting back, almost a brief encounter, compared to last week :shock: :shock:

More than long enough to be honest. The pre op dept was as far away from the main entrance as it could have been, felt like the other side of Blackburn. :? :? :roll: :roll: B pushed Dad and I got there in stages.

Everything is sorted, all the usual bloods, ECG, weight BP and the like. He will stay in for 24 hours, as he lives alone and with the best will in the world, B cannot be in two places at once.

So, how are we all here.

Hi Toni - I do believe you have been to Monflanquin, how AMAZING is that t4591 t4591 t4591 t4591 I hope you all had a great time and Auntie Kari enjoyed looking around. It is a gorgeous Bastide town. We were living there on the 700th anniversary of the town, I will dig out the picture of the entire village population (us two too) it was a special event. Our house was 600 years old

Tosca has been keeping quiet about where they have been, she said, oh, just out, gathering some mists, then a little ride round.......... :? :?
I have a sneaky feeling that Hermione opened a gate, direct to France. Mist in a jar, sweets all around...............mmm, me thinks they have paid a visit, unbeknown to us all. t115006

Thank you for bringing the brie and croissants, they were needed, very much needed. t4591 t115006

I heard the cloak swishing, as it wandered about, did you see how quiet it was in the department, all of 4 people in nearly three hours--- the nurse doing Dads assessment came over, I thought, oh, we are doing well here, just arrived, and here we go..........no, it was to apologise for being an hour behind :shock: :shock: :roll: :roll:

Sorry, slight delay, big spid-- ran under my pc desk :shock: :shock: :shock: duly caught by B and thrown out. And breathe :roll: :roll: :roll:

Big do's and little do's, we had a late lunch in Costa at the hospital, then home via Sainsbury's. I only made it about 10 yards into the store. Gave B the list.

Hi Joan and Sue, no, it was not too stressful, just a bit drawn out, but, we are used to that.
Hope you are both ok and not in too much pain. (((())))

Hi Kath - So you were left in the dark, literally. Hope the power was not off for too long. It does mess with everything. Did you have storms or torrential rains, that might have upset the relay stations?

No, Thomas Cook is no more, I have been reading about the pay, of the top execs of the company and the millions they got in bonus payments :shock: :shock: :shock: :? :? :? Now we have to get everyone home, which is already underway. Good old taxpayers footing the bill.

I didn't hear any snoring, although I nearly nodded off on my crutches at one point. I was trying to get comfortable which is an oxymoron, for a hospital, they don't do comfy.
I will take the power cuts any day, having just had another very close encounter with ANOTHER big spid--.............................. :? :? :?

Sunday night, we didn't have any, I thought it too good to be true, for two night running.

Glad yer like the cake mi duck, sparkles too I do try.

Now then, I spy a seasonal soup, perfect. Thank you kindly t4591 t4591

vegan for all seasons, very interesting

Hi Barbara - as you will see, everything went slowly, but was ok at the pre op. Booked in for the 7th October for his mini stay and biopsies on his bladder.

I see you are being "visited" by the 8 legged monsters. I wish it would turn frosty - they are running about all over, with me being a ninny :roll: :roll: B is very good at catching them, but in my bedroom, my rules and if there is no other option, they are zapped.

We will have a day off today, I am not setting foot outside the door. That can change though, as we all know too well.

Glad you Bro and GF are having a good time. Eating ok with fizzy drinks, to help things go down. Managing ok, that is good. Prayers will continue t4591

I hope your bloods come back ok. Diuretics can affect renal functions, but not always.

Hi to Carol - hope you are both ok and things are more settled and calm - with knitting going well, or even finished

Hi to everyone else, in and about.

Weather warnings for today - Storms and lots of rain t111055 t111055 hope everyone stays safe and dry



That scene might be the order of the day, weather wise. t111055 t111055

Time I was pottering and having a spi--- check :? :? I know, it is becoming an obsession :roll: :roll:

Love to all, t4591 t4591 sparkles to all t115006 t115006 t115006 XXXX Aidan

Apple Pecan and Caramel Sticky Buns

frogmorton

Morning everyone!

Sun is up here set to be mids 20s so perfect for us

Aidans village was spectacular I even met the people who bought from hand B!!!!! They even remembered their pusskins.

It is so gorgeous and historic Paul wondered if its lively at night to eat at the Prince Noir.. ..we had lunch I had a HUGE veggie burger and chips - real chips!

Off to Sarlat today.

I feel sure Sleek and Tosca were here the mists have been rather unusual and worth the trip

Glad the pre OP went ok now just need to wait for the procedure then hopefully get some answers ((()))

Love to you all

Toni xx

dachshund

Hello everyone we have rain all day today.
. Kathleen I hope you have a good day today and the rain not making your pain worse((((((())))))
Barbara yes it's better on my iPad I could not read everything. I hope things are not too bad for you(((((()))))
Aidan not long for your Dad to wait for his op((((())))) thinking of you all(((((())))))
. Toni you enjoy it it's wet over here((((((()))))
. take care all love to Carol Mig((((((())))))
. Joan xx

Kitty

Well, it's done nowt but chuck it dahn all yesterdy and again today.
I've aches and pains on me aches and pains. No wonder the spids are heading indoors. Joan, thank you, but I feel 'orrible.

Toni, I'm happy you are having good weather in France. It sounds wonderful.

Aidan, it must be a weight off your mind to know dad will be well looked after - especially Bill, we don't want him split in two. :shock: The power was only off for 2 mins, but at that time, even a second is too long. It wasn't raining at the time. But it hasn't stopped since.

That is such a beautiful picture, I love autumn leaves. t120006 t120005 Sticky buns, yum yum.

Barbara, I'm glad your brother and GF are having a nice time. One of my RA pals has a daughter who works (sorry worked) for Thomas Cook. She is devastated.

Carol, how is the new knitting coming along. It sounds lovely.

In view of the awful weather, this would be a very welcoming meal to warm us up.

Vegan Warming Bean Chili (gluten-free)

Ingredients
1 large onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, crushed or chopped
2 medium peppers of any colour, cut into roughly 1cm pieces
1 stick celery, sliced thinly
1 medium courgette/zucchini, cut into roughly 1cm cubes
2 410ml tins of beans (use your favourite - I like kidney, black, pinto and great northern(approx. 3 cups)
1 796ml tin crushed tomatoes (approx. just over 3 cups)
1 vegetable stock cube dissolved in ¼ cup boiling water
2 tsp cumin
2 tsp coriander
1 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp smoked paprika (regular will work if you don't have smoked)
½-1 tbsp Braggs Soy Seasoning or soy sauce/tamari
To Serve (optional)
Brown rice
Lime wedges
Chopped coriander/cilantro
Tortilla chips
Avocado slices

Method
Prepare all ingredients as instructed above.
Add the onion to a large cooking pot, along with approx. 2 tbsp water. Using a medium stovetop heat, steam sauté the onion for 10 minutes with the lid on the pan, stirring regularly to prevent sticking.
After 10 minutes, when the onion is just starting to soften add all other ingredients to the pot, stirring them to combine.
Increasing the heat, bring the mixture to a boil then reduce the heat to low/medium and cover the pot with a lid (continuing to stir regularly).
If the chili looks thick at this stage, don't be tempted to add liquid! As the vegetables cook they will release water and the chili will naturally become more liquid.
Simmer the chili for approximately 15-20 minutes, until the zucchini/courgette is tender.
Remove from the heat, and serve with brown rice, avocado slices, lime wedges, chopped cilantro and tortilla chips. Enjoy!

bubbles

Afternoon to all - t111055 t111055 t111055 seems to be the general weather conditions at the moment - apart from over in France, where the sun is shining - m0150 m0150

We are SO pleased you went to Monflanquin, had a gorgeous meal at the Prince Noir and then met the couple who bought our house - amazing.

Thank you for the pictures, here is one of the lovely couple, sat outside our old house, as people do in the village, watch the world go by and take it easy.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Xq5Jn47hPMH7VTiL7

The garage, on the left, used to belong to the bakery, (closed when we were there) The new owners have bought the garage too, which is great.

The Prince Noir is kind of the hub, at night, in Monflanquin, a couple of the bars / restaurants are open, but it is not a super lively spot, just a gorgeous place to be But we are biased. A lot of the shops etc, moved to a retail park, nearby, which made the village even more quiet and chilled out.

Sarlat is lovely too. Remember it well.

Tosca did say that they have been over to see you in France, twice now. Apparently the "gate" opens at Bergerac airport, where they pick up a french broomstick - no need to go through passport control, wizards have freedom of travel, globally. They are cheeky, nipping off like that. Reminding you of mists and mellow fruitfulness t4591 t4591 with jars of pendle mist.

We are just kind of recuperating today, trying to recharge and potter gently. Dad was fine, he had picked all his runner beans and was trimming them all. Sent some back with Bill. :shock: :shock:
Just us who are pooped then :? :?

Yes, two weeks and we should know what they have found and or done, on Dads bladder

Hi Joan and Sue - hope you are ok, I see it is raining there and also with Kath - t111055 t111055

Not so long to wait for Dads op. He will have forgotten about yesterday already. He has been pottering about and enjoyed sorting out his runner bean crop. Thank you for the (((()))) t4591 t4591

Hi Kath - it's chuckin ot darn ere too mi duck, stair rods, soppin wet.
Like a little river down the mini road at the front. :shock: :shock:

Goodness knows how many spi--s will be in tonight, seeking refuge as well as mates. :shock: :shock: I will have to be armed to the teeth. :roll: :roll: :roll: :? :? :?

Sorry you are feeling ouchy and have aches on your aches, some extra sparkles to help, and the bush babies are on the way, with their brolly's.



Did your Amazon order arrive ok ?

It is a relief to know that Dad won't be sent home on the same day, after his mini op. At his age and with his health issues, he needs medical monitoring for 24 hours and we cannot do that, even with the best intentions, I don't have a ward at my finger tips.

Autumn leaves, a pleasure, I love them too. I will find some more gorgeous ones later tonight IF the spid--s don't start running amok

Ta for the bean chilli - perfect for an autumnal evening.

Hi to Barbara - hope you are all ok and the spid--s are not to manic at the moment.
Keeping you all in thought, as always, is Niamh over today, or is it tomorrow..........my brain is fading, again :roll: :roll:

Hi Carol hope you and yours are all ok. How is Mr T feeling? Has he started his new tablets yet? Sorry, I am being nosy, I do apologise :oops: :oops:

Time I was pottering. So I will leave lots of love and hugs to everyone in and about t4591 t4591 Will pop back later XXXX Aidan

Afternoon Tea is called for, on a wet week day. Is that T strong enough for everyone ?

barbara12

Evening all..same here it has poured down all day...
Toni how lovely to come across the people that bought Aidans and Bs house in France..and them remembering the cats.. bet they couldn't believe it..you carry on enjoying mid 20s...
Kath I hope the ouchie leave you alone ..the weather is so up and down ..your poor friend losing there job..Its disgraceful that the bosses have large bonuses for doing nothing..rant over.. :shock: thankyou for the chili recipe
Joan yes we are all well thankyou..I see you had rain has well..hopefully tomorrow :roll: will be better then you can out out..me has well..
Aidan I was thinking dad was having his op..so sorry but glad to hear he has the pre op out of the way..and then not long to wait..so glad they will keep him in a night..its not mush to ask ..
I love the photo of your house ..how quaint..and so old ..we always say they dont let building get old here they knock them down.. :roll: ..sticky buns and afternoon tea you spoil us..thankyou..and I love the autumn pic..it really is like that here leave everywhere
Niamh is here today used to be weds..but she sleeps now Tuesdays and dad take her to school them onto work..just wish the shool was nearer..but there always a way..and thankyou again
Better go Niamh is getting ready for bed..
Love to everyone
t111055 t4591 t115006

bubbles

Hi to all - finally, it has stopped pouring with rain t111055 t111055 and boy has it tipped down :shock: t111055

I think today is meant to be fairly dry - m0150 don't quote me on it though :roll: :roll:

Hi Barbara - It must have been wonderful for them to see where we lived and meet the people who bought the house from us and yes, they would remember all three puskins t115006 t115006 t115006 Glad you liked the picture.

We never sat out, well, not outside the house, outside the cafe's yes
It was a lovely house, it had 5 big bedrooms, two bathrooms, cellar, lounge, big dining kitchen. I am sure the new owners will have made a few changes, to make it their own.

Don't worry, all these appointments at hospitals seem to run into one :? :? It is important that he stays in overnight, it says on the admission, you need someone with you for 24 hours post op. One bed, for one night, is indeed, not much to ask.

Let me go find our nightly Autumn picture (we need some leaves to kick about, please mods and thank you )



The leaves are turning fast now, even though it has been quite mild. We don't get too many leaves, only when it blows a gale.

Hope you had a nice time with Niamh and Daddy. Does she usually sleep well? I assume the school is a good car ride away, not within walking distance. There is always a way, you are quite right t4591

Hi Toni, hope you all had a lovely time in Sarlat. We had friends who lived in Beynac, on the river Dordogne. Some gorgeous scenery around there. Very popular place is Sarlat.

Did the sun shine all day, after the rains. m0150 m0150 I bet the farmers were glad of it though.

Sleek was over to see Mother, they watched more SYTTD and put a sleepy spell on Daddy at siesta time :animal_busy: :animal_busy:

No mention of visiting la belle france encore. But, that doesn't mean they won't sneak in and out, Mother has a jar of sparkles t115006 t115006 that she likes to scatter freely :roll: :roll: :? :?

Hi Carol - hope you are all ok. It must be knit and natter group today I take it you had some heavy rain too. I was looking at the pictures of some of the main rail stations, with floods and rain pouring in :shock: :shock:

Hope everyone else is ok. Kath, I am sending more and more anti ouchy sparkles t115006 t115006

A quiet evening here, just pottering and enjoying some time out.

T room this morning, the three of us. Will be nice, just to be spoilt for a little while

Time to leave lots of love and sparkles



XXXXX Aidan

Butternut Squash Gratin

frogmorton

Rained here overnight but clear again now.

Hope everyone is well.

Aidan I'm glad you posted the pic I cant on my mobile sadly.

Montflanquin is about an hour from here but may be worth an evening meal at the Prince noir next year so we can feel the atmosphere

The cats have definitely been again including Darcey who left a toy on Auntie Karis pillow

It's a blessing that Dad forgets grotty days so quickly and I hope you two are recovered now too.

Love to everyone

Toni xxx

dachshund

Morning everyone I hope you all have a good day
. Kathleen sorry you are in pain and feel horrible I hope it calms down soon((((((()))))
. Barbara yes it will be nice to go out and not get wet((((())))
Aidan it must be a worry about your Dad (((((()))) sorry I hope you have a good day without getting wet((((((()))))
Toni is it raining there.(((((()))))
. take care love Carol Mig((((())))
. Joan xx

Kitty

Thank you Joan, as it's a less damp day today, my ouchies are more bearable for the time being. t4591

Aidan, thank you for the sparkles. Those and the Bush Babies have really helped me. So have the beautiful pics of autumn. Beautiful house en Francais. It's how I imagine French houses to be. Thank you for the Butternut squash gratin.

Barbara, I remember catching a bus to school at Niamh's age. Mum came with me for the first two weeks to make sure I was safe. But then I was on my own. A mile walk to the bus stop with a busy road to cross, then a two mile bus ride with another busy road. Finally a half ile walk to school. The school didn't provide meals, so I had to do that twice a day. But we had Tuesday afternoons off. It was a private school. At senior school I had to go by train. No, it wasn't Hogwarts.

Vegan stuffed marrow

Ingredients

Rice 1 cup
Red pepper 1 large
Onion 1 large
Mushrooms
300 g
Marrow
1 large
Olive oil
3 tbsp
Spices of your choice
1 scoop

Step-by-step
1 step
Cook rice according to the instruction
2 step
Dice onion, pepper
3 step
Chop the mushrooms
4 step
Pre heat a frying pan, add olive oil
5 step
Add onions, peppers, and mushroom
6 step
Stir fry for 10 mins, add cooked rice
7 step
Add all of you spices (I used salt, pepper, garlic, lovage, dill and paprika)
8 step
Cut the marrow into equal parts and cut off the middle soft part
9 step
Put the marrow flat in a big pan and fill the holes with stuffing
10 step
Add a little bit of water, cover the pan and simmer of 15 min

bubbles

Hi to all - I seem to have run out of time this afternoon, was "assisting" B with makings of Cauli cheese - as in, doing the pots, not chopping cauli or dealing with steaming pans :shock: :shock: :? :? banned from that malarky.

I will catch up again later. Promise. Had a nice brunch at the T room, Dad was ok too.

Loads of love to all t4591 t4591 XXXXX Aidan

Cranberry Quick Bread - pass the butter Kath, ta mi duck..............

bubbles

Hi to all - finally a little time to sit a while. Time just flies by :roll: :roll:
Hi Toni - more rain, much needed though. Gardens and farmers will be very pleased -

It is worth checking when the Medieval Fete is on, in Monflanquin - which I assume still takes place. There are lots of events throughout the year, so a night / evening visit on one of those days would be even better.

So Mrs Darcey is in on the trips to France, they are sneaking about, the girls............ t115006 t115006 I think they are using their cloak of invisibility to good effect.

Sleek was over while we were out in the morning. A visit to the Nymphs, a whiffy catty latte and a few choice treats. :shock: :shock:
Litter flicking has been essential, after bleaching and re filling of trays :roll: :roll:
Sleek said that Charley is being a good spare mummy :? :?

I think we are recovering now. Dad remembers the long long day at the hospital, but is not sure why we were there.

I have even booked us in for our yearly MOT's. B for his BP and bloods and me for my long term conditions review :roll: :roll:

Hope you are all still having a lovely time, out and about and days at home too. Lovely for Auntie Kari to be there with you as well t4591 t4591

Hi Joan and Sue - we have had a day without rain, mind you, Tuesday was like a monsoon.
We have had a nice day, Dad enjoyed his lunch at the tea room, as did we all. Time to relax a little, which made a change after the last three weeks.

Hope you are both ok and the lovely doggies too. Glad you can get out and about without being drenched. Have they been to sort out the boiler, once and for all?
(((())))

Hi Kath - glad that those horrid ouchies were not as bad, with some dryer weather.
It is raining stair rods here, just started at midnight and according to the forecast, will stop next Monday :shock: :shock: :shock: t111055 t111055 we will need Kari's Ark

Some more lovelies, to keep those ouchies at bay t4591 t4591



French houses are just as you imagine there are ultra modern ones too, but, in the small villages etc, they are mainly stone built, honey coloured t4591 t4591

I had long journeys to school too, from Gotham, I would get South Notts bus from the garage, into Nottm, walk across town, up Maid Marrion Way, meet my school friend at their house, walk to the next bus stop on King Street, then get the bus to Aspley. Only on very rare occasions would Dad give me a lift to school, that was a real treat.

No meals, :shock: so you had to do all the journey twice a day. Then you went to Hogwarts on a train..............Mother is investigating the registers

Thank you for the stuffed marrow, very nice too, always a fav with Mum n Dad at Harvest festival time.

Hi Barbara - hope you are all ok and Niamh had a nice stop over on Tuesday night, then off to school with Daddy. t4591 t4591

Hi Carol - trust you are all ok and your week is not too hectic - dodging the showers, like the rest of us t111055 t111055

Right, I had better be moving again, before I set.

Housey things today, hair cuts either today, or at the week end, one or t'other.

Hi to everyone else in and about.

Leaving lots of love and sparkles t4591 t115006 t115006 Take care XXXX Aidan

Soft Pumpkin Breakfast Bars, (slightly sweet with almonds and spiced oatmeal )

dachshund

Hello everyone I hope you all have a dry day
. Kathleen that's good your ouchies have calmed down a bit(((((((())))) that was a long way to school.
Aidan no the heating has not been fixed yet. you've done good planning ahead(((((()))))
. take care love to Barbara Toni Carol Mig((((((())))))
. Joan xx

barbara12

Morning all yes its me ..early for once..I am off out with my neice for lunch later..cant wait..
Aidan thankyou for the Butternut Squash Gratin and the cranberry bread..sorry forgot the other..I must have been stuffed..I see you have been helping to make the cauliflower pots..hope you enjoyed them..your house in France wasn't that quaint then all those bedrooms and bathrooms..its so deceiving :shock: have you ever been back I know you said you came back for mum and dad..and your health..
Niamhs school is around 5 miles away but the traffic is horrendous at that time..she does sleep well but we cant get her into her own bed
thankyou for the Autum pics and of course the love and sparkles one....
Kath blimey you did have a journey and only 7..saying this we did go on our own but it wasn't far away..your mum must have worried about you ..mind you the traffic wasn't has bed then
I see Toni is still enjoying France..they wont want to come home I am sure...
Joan I hope that the heating gets fixed very soon ..its not good to leave you like this..I am fuming for you..
Right better go
Love to everyone
t4591 t115006 t4591

Kitty

Aidan, my Hogwarts was called Mundella, you may have heard of it. It was near to Trent Bridge.Like Hogwarts it was a gothic pile, but slightly smaller. . This was the whole school in 1964. https://drive.google.com/open?id=1jMhgfG0C2XAgyI2RhaCenB-cIZ2ZjrsS

and here's me aged 13 https://drive.google.com/open?id=1-gFs9tlA3RtsdzOp4HrHzLkBeoVzdMAt

and the building. https://drive.google.com/open?id=1wsWlO2lPr7zb-MwuI-Z6iz38dxlauzfP

My junior school was Coteswood House, a small private school in Woodthorpe. It was run from a cottage and had two classes. Infants (36 children) and juniors (22 children). It's still going today. Oh well, enough of all my yesterdays. Thank you for the baps. Can you have butter on them?

Hope all are well today.

Vanilla sponge cake
Nothing figuratively 'vanilla' about this real vanilla vegan treat!

Ingredients
100g vegan margarine
150g golden caster sugar
200g self raising flour
1 tsp baking powder
200ml plant milk
Few drops vanilla essence (optional if making normal sponge)


Method
Put all ingredients in a bowl and mix using an electric hand blender or by hand (by hand will take longer)
Put the mixture into a greased baking tin or a heatproof bowl if you want a dome cake
Bake at 180°C for approximately 30 minutes
It's ready when it's golden on top, firm and springy to the touch and a skewer comes out clean
You can then fill the cake with mixtures like jam and/or buttercream: just mix half and half vegan margarine with icing sugar to get vegan buttercream. Top with raspberries for great effect.

bubbles

Hi to all - Showery day, with a nice breeze. Perfect for having wishy washy's laundry going

Hi Joan and Sue - Dad has got a bladder infection now, they rang from the hospital. AB's to pick up from Drs, for a week, then re test prior to his op - never a dull moment.

We are rather partial to cauli cheese pots

Boiler not fixed, huh, not good, they had better get a wriggle on, before it goes cooler, as it surely will. (((())))

Look at you Barbara, in the morning

I bet you have had a lovely time out with your Niece - putting things to rights and hopefully having a laugh as well. Good medicine, but often not easy, when times are not so great t4591 t4591

All the cauli cheese pots are frozen, but they are fairly small, so quick to defrost and heat up. Tomorrow we will have one, with some chippies and or veggie sausages

No one could believe how the house in France, opened up once you were in. Downstairs was long, then upstairs it doubled in width, going over the garage, hence all the big bedrooms / dressing rooms. Then I forgot, there was a staircase into a huge attic space which could easily have had two more beds and bathrooms :shock: We had plenty, so didn't really worry about the attic.

No, we haven't been back. It has been lovely for Toni Paul Kari to see it and speak to the people who bought it from us. Brings back lots of memories. But, we would not go back. 5 years in France was enough, three house moves in that time, one total renovation. Plus, my health didn't get any better and the heat was too much for me.
We both knew it was the right time to sell and come back, to have time with parents, looking back, we timed it just right. t4591 t4591

I can imagine the traffic to get to Niamh's school. We are spoilt here, with little or no traffic. When we go somewhere like Blackburn or Accrington, it is a shock, to see lots of cars on the road.

So we have to encourage her to sleep in her own bed, bless, that can be quite a challenge :? :? and take a long time. I am sure she will be very grown up now she is a junior, juniors have special treats if they are in their own beds t115006 t115006

I am loving the Autumn theme that we seem to have. t4591 t115006



I think we need Toni to get the bus out, when they come back, so we can go and see the powers that be, who look after Joan and Sues heating system. :? :? We don't want them cold, having to use one room, like they have done in the past.

Love to all t4591 t4591

Hi Kath - I do remember Mundella and it did look like Hogwarts It closed in the mid 1980's I think. Thank you for the piccies, lovely to see them and your good self.

I know where Coteswood House is too, not that far from City Hospital (as it was called then) eh, it's a small world innit mi duck.

Of course you can have butter on those rolls, butter jams, honey etc.

Hope those ouchies are not too troublesome (((()))) love to both. Any more signs of neighbours? ??

Ta for the Vanilla sponge cake, gorgeous, I will get some cream out of the fridge, Toni left a vat of it for us. t4591 t4591

Hi Toni, speaking of clotted cream hope you are all having another lovely day. t4591 t115006 t115006 Venturing far, or stopping near home?

Sleek has been over to see you, with Mrs Darcey, Mother stopped in bed, said "I have done France darling" :shock: she is a madam
She did pop over to yours though, word was out that there was a land cat lurking, so she has left a spell of hissing and spitting :shock: :shock: t115006 She hasn't told Miss Sleekness. Sshhhh

Hi Carol - hope you are both ok and you are having a nice week. Not too much rain. t111055 t111055 I think we have yet more weather warnings for the coming days, of heavy rain and potential flooding. :? :? :roll: :roll:

High speed housekeeper has been in and done beds, aka Bill - me, pottering in the kitchen, sorting laundry and fussing. Nice to have the windows open and the dryer whirring away

Time to move. I will pop back later. In the meantime, lots of love and sparkles to all t4591 t115006 t115006 XXXXXX Aidan

bubbles

Hi to all - Time is running away with me this evening, faffing about, trying to sort out the app to link to the car.................. :roll: :roll: have just about given up, even tech support seems to be at a loss. :? :?

Anyway, that amazing bit of technology aside. I hope everyone is as ok as can be.

Just wanted to leave some more autumnal treats



Dad has his podiatry appt this morning, at the surgery. Check on his toe.
Not sure if we are at the T room or the G Centre. One or the other.

Just catching up with the golf from Scotland.

Leaving lots of love and sparkles to all t4591 t115006 XXXX Aidan

Bubble and Squeak Potato Hash Omelette