Val's Cafe

Evening all

What a time I had with my phone..no trouble receiving all my stuff from my old phone..but no passwords..had to reset the lot.... but the banking well least said...hahaha

Toni I have Samsung phone its easy to transfers stuff..but blimey all the passwords..

Your car is a little beauty..and with the top down and the wind in your hair...wow..xx

Joan I got there in the end ..thank you again for all the hugs...they do mean alot.. love to all of you.. xx

Kath never mind you are gear now..with a lovely poem..so much you can read into it...

And thayou for the butternut quash recipe I still haven't tried this..keep saying I will try it in soup...xx

Carol Lillie is not Little anymore bless her..she looks so proud in her uniform...:)xx

Right I am off before my eyes go

Love to everyone

Xxxxxxx

Good morning everyone

Kath ((())) I'm sorry you had that problem yesterday . as long has you are all alright that's good.

love to Chris ((())) Anita (((())) and Val ((())) and your Dad ((()))

Barbara ((())) have a good day and Mr B ((())) and your Son (((())) and your brother ((())) and his girlfriend (((())))

Toni ((())) have a good day and weekend love to Paul (((!))) Charley ((())) and her girlfriend ((())) Tia ((()))Lucy ((())) Kari (((()))Prom (((())))

Love to Bill ((())Chris (((()))) Carol (((()))) Mig ((()))

Daily Poem

Tired

I'm tired of this cancer lark

it isn't a walk in the park!

What with clinics and tests

there's no time for rests

and my sleep fairy now is a pest!!

I'm bored with being fat and bald

it really makes you feel old!

I don't know about you

but at just sixty two

there are things I still want to do!!

I've left the poetry group. That didn't last long did it. I just can't be bothered. Besides, I can find some pretty good poems written by other people. So I repeat, why bother.

I've lost my diary! ☹️ Not that there was much in it any way, just a few bible scriptures each day and when I change my patches. Talking of which, yesterday my pharmacist deliveredsome new patches. The surgery rang me to tell me that my GP had replaced the brand I was on (Matrifen) with a different brand (Fencino). They are still Fentanyl and still the same dose but they are easier to get out of the package and stick on better. So I'm very pleased.

mig, is it one year already? Where did the time go? 💖

Joan, how is Sue and the doggies? 🐕️

Toni, you know what I like don't you. ☺️

Carol, oh WOW, what a beauty Lillie is, and so smart in her school uniform on.

Barbara, isn't it annoying when you are in the middle of something and your eyes fail you. 😕

Apple and pecan porridge with maple syrup

Ingredients

Basic porridge

• 160 grams rolled oats
• 600 milliliters organic soya milk

Apple & pecan topping

• 30 grams unsalted pecans
• 1 eating apple
• Maple syrup

Method

1. For the basic porridge, place the oats and the milk (or 600ml water) into a large pan over a medium heat, and add a tiny pinch of sea salt.
2. Bring to a steady simmer for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring often to give you a smooth, creamy porridge, and loosening with extra milk, if needed.
3. Serve as is, or while it’s blipping away in the pan, follow the next steps to prepare the apple and pecan topping.
4. Snap the pecans up into little pieces, then toast in a small dry non-stick frying pan over a medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes, or until lightly golden.
5. Remove the apple stalk then use a box grater to coarsely grate it onto a chopping board (core and all).
6. Stir the grated apple and a little maple syrup through then porridge then divide between bowls.
7. Scatter the pecans on top then drizzle with a little extra maple syrup, if you like.

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P took this pic of me in Penelope yesterday

Will reply to everyone properly tomorrow 🥰

Good morning everyone

Mig (()) a year already you have done good I'm pleased for you.

Carol ((())) lovely photo of Lillie she looks proud.

Kath ((())) yes it's frustrating when you loose a post I know. Love to Chris ((())) Anita ((()) and Val ((())) and your Dad ((()))

Barbara ((())) yes our boilers working thank you. Love to Mr B((())) and your son (((())) and your brother ((())) and his girlfriend ((()))

Toni ((())) lovely car Did Kari like it ((())) it looks comfortable to ride. Love to Paul ((())) Charley ((())) and her girlfriend ((())) Tia ((())) Lucy ((())) and Pom ((()))

love to Bill ((())) Chris ((()))

Evening all.

Not a bad day but quite chilly..didn't seem 2 mins since we put plants in.. now some are ready to come out..

Joan I am glad to hear your boiler is working OK.. I am holding off putting our heating on for now .I have just done jacket potatoes in the oven..so I was thinking of you...its a Delia recipe..just brush with oil and a little salt.. proper crispy skins they were..love to all of you xxxx

Kath I like the poem..and the photo of the wicker pram.. never seen one of those ..good for Emily training to be be a Councillor.. more caring people are needed in the profession...I always think you never know what is going on in a child's mind..its good for them to talk about things...

.my OH like coronation chicken..think I prefer the vegan sausage...xx

Toni the car is a little stunner...and you can now show her off at the Figaro show..how nice..

Yes Saturday morning was Aidans with his croissants and French butter waiting for dad to arrive..gosh he is missed..still doesn't seem real..

I agree ...we wear mask we're ever we go ..Best to he safe than sorry ..our local pub lost 2 people off the darts team to the virus..and the landlady spent 4 weeks in hospital....She is slowly recovering

On the sad note..sorry.. will leave you all..

Love to everyone

Xxxxxxxx

I heard from BILL last night he has managed to find a new smaller bungalow only about 6 miles away so will be able to keep in touch with Mandy ok. He now faces the very very tough task of sorting everything in his and Aidan's bungalow 😕

Love it Barbara - are those the new units too? Your kitchen looks very very classy now. Is it all finished?

Thank you I am driving Paul in Penelope up to see some friends for a garden visit this morning with two very good friends.

I have booked our place for the 30th anniversary. You never know it might be on the telly! KATH we can go dressed up retro Emily would like that I know 🙂

I wish a speedy recovery to full health for the landlady. How scary is that?

I am going to look at ordering my winter colour soon I was thinking the same myself yesterday about our plants🙄

Kath I loved that poem just shows how, even in the toughest times, our children can keep us going. How on earth you found that wicker pram pic l do not know but i love it!

You must show Emily the picture Penelope she will probably love her i think 🤔 Counselling eh? She is a brave woman your Emily and a good one you did well there. How is your boy doing? Is he still doing ok?

Thank you for the posh vegan butties. It's the coronation chicken one for me every time - Paul will love it. If we weren't out this morning be giving it a go today for lunch.

Joan Paul is going to see if he can put Kari on the car insurance because she wants to have a go!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am taking it up to my friends this morning to show them and to see their new Yorkie puppy too🙂 ((())) to you both.

Sunday so today is the full English Scottish or Cornish or Vegan!

Daily Poem (I've subscribed to a 'Poem a day' site which emails me a different poem every day. this is the first.)

Sunshine After Cloud

Josephine D. Heard

Come, “Will,” let’s be good friends again, 

   Our wrongs let’s be forgetting, 

For words bring only useless pain, 

    So wherefore then be fretting. 

Let’s lay aside imagined wrongs, 

   And ne’er give way to grieving,

Life should be filled with joyous songs, 

   No time left for deceiving. 

I’ll try and not give way to wrath, 

   Nor be so often crying; 

There must some thorns be in our path, 

  Let’s move them now by trying. 

How, like a foolish pair were we, 

   To fume about a letter; 

Time is so precious, you and me; 

   Must spend ours doing better. 

Barbara, that is lovely, and will provide lots of storage space.

Toni, slurp, gobble, chomp, thanks for this breakfast. I'll leave the beans if you don't mind. They give me tummy ache. 😫

Joan, Anita is doing very well thank you. She just has to take tablets for five years.

Fig, Rosemary & Olive Pizza (Gluten-free)

This vegan-friendly recipe is ideal for your lunch-time, go-to meal: homemade, nutritious, works anywhere from at your desk, in the park, on the beach or at your table at home.

Ingredients: 

Pizza

• 1 recipe quantity of Pizza Dough (see below)
• 4 tbsp passata
• 100g/3½oz/¾ cup black olives, pitted and chopped
• 4 figs, quartered
• 1 tbsp rosemary, finely chopped
• 60g/2¼oz/⅔ cup dairy free cheese, shaved

Pizza Dough Flour Mix 

• 75g/2¾oz/heaped ⅓ cup brown rice flour, plus extra for dusting
• 3 tbsp gram (chickpea) flour
• 3 tbsp maize flour
• 60g/2¼oz/½ cup cornflour (cornstarch)
• ½ tsp xanthan gum

Pizza Dough  

• 210g/7oz Pizza Dough Flour Mix (see above)
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tsp dried active yeast
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Method: 

Pizza

1. Preheat the oven to 220°C/425°F/gas 7 and line a baking sheet with baking parchment.
2. Dust a clean surface with pizza dough. Turn out the dough and knead for a few seconds, then shape it into a ball. Flatten the dough slightly using your hands, then use a rolling pin to roll it out to a large circle about 5mm/¼in thick. Neaten the edge, using a sharp knife, then transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
3. Put the passata and olives in a bowl and mix well, then spread over the pizza base. Place the figs evenly over the pizza and scatter over the rosemary.
4. Bake for 12 minutes until the base is starting to turn brown. Remove the pizza from the oven and scatter the cheese over the top, then return to the oven for 3–4 minutes until the cheese has started to melt. Drizzle a little olive oil over the top and serve immediately.

Pizza Dough Flours 

1. Sift the flours and xanthan gum into a large mixing bowl and mix together.   

Pizza Dough

1. Put the Pizza Dough Flours into a large bowl or use a food processor or stand mixer.
2. Add the salt and yeast and pulse several times if using a food processor or stir in if doing it by hand.  
3. Add the oil and blend well. Add 100ml/3½fl oz/scant ⅓ cup warm water, a little at a time, and continue blending to form a soft dough. Knead the dough for 10 minutes if doing it by hand.
4. Shape the dough into a ball and transfer to a bowl. Cover with cling film (plastic wrap) and leave to prove for 30 minutes.

I bet Carol has had a great time in Brighton Barbara, they usually do when it's the two of them away from life's stresses and strains. So long as their journey home is peaceful!

Poor you the kitchen not quite finished😕 I was the same though with my back-splashes. Hopefully all will be done by Christmas if not before, but I bet they don't even start the plinths until the new back splashes arrive🙄

We are all getting bitten like crazy in the village and swelling up pretty badly too with them. None of us get celulitis fortunately I hope your son avoids the little blighters for a good while.

Joan it will be tough on Bill, but hopefully he will be happy in his new home and he will s you've said always have Aidan in his heart God bless.🌈 My friends' puppy is adorable and he sat on my lap for ages 😍

Kath one of my friends who I visited yesterday (worried about how we will visit though as winter progresses it's getting colder although yesterday was fabulous in their garden) took the one medication for 5 years and is no on another. Not sure for how long though...🤔

Thanks for the pizza I love the stuff.

Glad you liked the breakfast - it was very large and of course you can have whichever components you like best and avoid beans!

The poem was a good one and the sentiment spot on! Time can be short it's not worth it! A lovely rainbow pic too for our Aidan.

Chris (aka Catlady) is in rehab now getting mobile and stronger before she can manage at home on her own. I'm sure we all wish her well

Must get on I have a LOT to do today!

Love to Carol, Mig and Catlady (Chris) and anyone else i have missed

Daily Poem (I didn't like the one they sent me and I didn't think you would either, so I found a nicer one on the same website).

Rondeau

Jessie Redmon Fauset - 1882-1961

When April's here and meadows wide 
Once more with spring's sweet growths are pied 
    I close each book, drop each pursuit, 
    And past the brook, no longer mute, 
I joyous roam the countryside.

Look, here the violets shy abide 
And there the mating robins hide—
    How keen my sense, how acute, 
      When April's here!

And list! down where the shimmering tide 
Hard by that farthest hill doth glide, 
    Rise faint strains from shepherd's flute, 
    Pan's pipes and Berecyntian lute. 
Each sight, each sound fresh joys provide 
      When April's here.

A piece of beautiful fabric.

Glad to hear you are all pretty good. Except for poor CatLady. Sending her hugs and best wishes as she recovers.

Domoda (Gambian Peanut Stew)

One of the Vegan Recipe Club team recently visited The Gambia and was delighted to find this vegan stew as a national dish. Peanut butter, tomato, chilli and sweet potato create a deliciously hearty blend with a nice bit of heat... yum!

Ingredients: 

• 1 large onion, finely diced
• 4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 6 large tomatoes, roughly chopped or 1 tin chopped tomatoes 
• 2 red or green chillies, finely sliced
• ½ - 1 tsp chilli powder (depending on how much heat you like)
• 2 tsp ground cumin (optional)
• 200g smooth peanut butter
• 3 tbsp tomato puree
• 800g sweet potato, butternut squash or pumpkin, peeled and cut into bite-sized chunks
• 800ml vegan stock
• Juice of half lemon
• Oil for frying

Optional: Decorate the curry with crushed peanuts and fresh chilli peppers (remove the seeds for less heat or fry first). Serve with rice and steamed or roast vegetables. 

Method: 

1. Fry the onion and the fresh chilli until the onion is soft and golden. 
2. Add the garlic and chilli powder and fry for a further 1-2 minutes. 
3. Stir in the tomatoes, peanut butter, tomato puree and sweet potato before adding the stock. 
4. Bring to the boil and then simmer for 35-45 minutes until reduced and thickened and the sweet potato is soft. 
5. Add the lemon juice, stir through and adjust seasoning if necessary. 

Evening all

We arrived back home on Friday Safe and sound we had a good time whilst away hotel was on the seafront and we had a room over looking the sea. Picture alert hotel our room was just above the word hotel

View from our room window

We did have a disappointment on Thursday when we went to Eastbourne for the day only to find that the pier was still closed. But we still enjoyed the day. I have been shattered ever since.

yesterday we returned to church for the first time since lockdown was a very unusual service with no hymn singing. No coffee before the service all wearing masks except for mr t who was leading the service. and social distancing in place with some pews closed off and only allowed one Person to a pew unless a family group. Also hand sanitizer at entrance and disposable face masks in case anyone came without.

today I had an appointment at the opticians I do need new glasses anyway so today my poor bank balance has had a bit of a shock after paying for 2 pairs. I was told about 5/6 years ago I had slight cataracts in both eyes However on a good note today I was told that they have not changed very much in the years since my last test. They will take 7 - 10 days before they are ready.

Faye started her first day in reception class i her new school. And Ashley started his second year in nursery. So now it’s only Graycie to go back to her second year in nursery and i think that’s tomorrow and then that will only leave Rubie to go into her 1st year in nursery.

sorry picture alert again.

Faye looking very smart and beautiful in her uniform this morning.

And Ashley as cheeky and handsome as ever ready for his 1st day Back at nursery.

I have a doctor appointment tomorrow so doctor can check if I have a build up of wax in my ears As they are often very itchy inside and quite dry and of course it is affecting my hearing I often have to ask for something to be repeated. Because of the itchyness. She thinks it is more likely to be wax that is causing the hearing however at the moment they are not syringeing them. but I will at least know what the problem is. And can deal with it from there.

well it’s that time for me to potter around a bit so I will leave you with

love and sparkles to you all

❤️❤️❤️❤️🌈🌈🌈🌈

Good morning everyone

Kath ((())) Chris ((())) hank you for the poem. Love to Anita ((())) and Val ((())) and your Dad can he still go to his club ((()))

Carol ((())) that's a big hotel. Love to Mr T ((())) thank you for the photo's ((()))

Barbara ((())) we have got 2 plug in radiators thank you for thinking about us ((())) have you seen your neighbours parrot's yet love to Mr B ((())) and your son ((())) and your brother ((())) and his girlfriend ((()))

Toni ((())) all the best to Charley ((())) and her girlfriend ((())) I hope they get the keys on Friday ((())) Love to Paul ((()) Tia ((())) and Lucy ((())) and Kari ((())) and Pom ((()))

Love to Bill ((())) Chris ((())) Mig ((()))