The day after the day after!

So it's all over. Nothing got eaten so the house is overflowing with food that nobody wants. I tried to make Gina take some of it but she wasn't having any. She and Andrew have had their Christmas day together today and we keep getting progress reports on the turkey etc.
We had a lovely Christmas and Gina bought me a cookery book which is a rehash of some of Mrs Beatons most favoured recipes. I have made "Mrs Beatons Manchester Pudding" for lunch today and very nice it was too! However, We have lost the keys to our neighbours house and it has taken the gloss off the day. We have searched every where without any luck so now we have to face our lovely neighbours and tell them that the keys are gone!
Have managed to speak to all my family over the holiday period except Pat who is not answering the phone. Everybody seems to be having a good time especially the Australia contingent. Are they trying to make us jealous? If so they are succeeding!! Montana's have had a good time by the look of the videos. It reminded me of when we were all together at Christmas.
New Year next!
love Sheila x

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas everyone!
Have a lovely time.
Love Sheila ,Graham and Gina xxx

It's Sunday!

Not a lot has happened since we came back from Rotterdam. The weather has been horrible, rainy and blowy so I haven't felt like doing more then a quick sortie to the shops. It's the shortest day today so it has to be uphill all the way from here. It says in the paper that today is officially 7 hrs, 49 mins. and 40 seconds long.
The girls have found a new way out. (we can't find the exit yet) and I am continually getting them out of the front garden. The back garden looks as though it has been ploughed due to Moles. Graham has set two traps but so far the little swines have managed to evade capture!
We are all ready for xmas, the lights inside and out look lovely, the freezer is full to bursting and the fridge is overflowing. Now all we are waiting for is Gina to come and we will all be happy!
I hope all our family is o.k. as some of them are not blogging.
Love Sheila x

Black Treacle cake Number 2

Further to my recipe for black Treacle cake. The secret is in the name. Of course you can't use ordinary treacle! Marysue, could this be the same as Molasses?
So here we are back from Rotterdam.We only went for a day and two nights so why does it feel like 3 weeks?
Firstly it was freezing cold. The dinner buffet was wonderful but I was so full and had a bloated feeling for the rest of the first night.We of course had to stay up until after midnight because the men were letching after the singer in the band. it was a bit difficult then to get to sleep, what with the rocking of the boat and the full feeling etc.
In the morning after a loud"Ping Pong" over the tannoy, followed by a womans voice telling us that it was half past six (but only half past five English time ) and it was time to get up, we stumbled from our beds not knowing what day it was never mind what time. we needn't have worried as the "Ping Pong" woman reminded us of the time every half hour!
Next was the bus that was to take us to Rotterdam town centre. He deposited us at 9am at the bus station. Dodie got really excited at the thought of all the shopping she was going to do. WRONG!! Nobody told us that the shops didn't open until 1pm on Mondays!! After some despair and consultation with some students it was decided that we would go on the train to a shopping mall.Getting train tickets and finding the platform is a novel in itself. Suffice it to say that an army assault course holds no fears for me now! Bear in mind that it was still only about 11 am and we couldn't go back to the ship until the bus came for us at 5pm
Having found the shopping Mall, we also found that due to the state of the euro/pound exchange rate we couldn't afford to buy anything so we repaired to the Pub! Another big mistake. £20 for four small drinks. We tried to stay in there for as long as possible to keep warm but eventually we were forced to get the train back to Rotterdam where a few shops were reluctantly opening.
After about three hours of traipsing round in the freezing cold we went into a chinese phone shop and sat on their settee until someone asked what they could do for us, at which point we were out in the freezing cold again until the bus came. It should be said that at this point we had more or less lost the will to live!
Several other people from the boat were in the same sort of mood so we had to laugh or we would have cried!
Anyway back on the boat we again had a lovely meal and despite the same singer looking more ravishing then the night before it was decided that we would have an early night to prepare for the "Ping Pong" lady. She didn't disapoint!
Enough already! Sheila x

Black Treacle Cake.

Now here by popular demand.....my recipe for Black Treacle cake.
FOR THE CAKE.

5oz butter
5oz Sugar
3 tablespoons Black Treacle
2 eggs
8 oz self Raising flour
2 tablespoons milk'

FOR THE TOPPING
1 oz Butter
1 tablespoon Black treacle
I tablespoon Milk
6 oz Icing sugar

METHOD
Line and grease an 8 inch tin (square is best)
Cream butter, sugar and Treacle until light and fluffy.
gradually add beaten Eggs.(adding a bit of flour if it looks like curdling)
Fold in the flour and milk
Put in tin and bake in a pre heated moderate oven for approximately 1 Hour or until an inserted skewer comes out clean.
cool on a wire rack.
Cream together the topping and put on cake.

enjoy!! Sheila xx

So here are the buns I made for Mrs Broccoli's charity coffee morning. It all went very well and all my buns were sold and I think she made nearly one hundred pounds.

The brown cakes in the middle are my new favourite recipe, Black Treacle cake.

Graham has gone bowling. Tomorrow it is carol singing around the village! You have to be there!

more later

sheila x

Mince Pies

Lincoln has been and gone in a haze. We endured 90 mins on a bus to go see the Famous Christmas market and never saw any of it. In between the Assembly rooms for morning coffee, The Harvester pub for lunch and looking for a Woolworths followed by an afternoon drink in the Witch and Wardrobe we only had time to buy some cheese before getting back on the bus for another 90 minutes return journey! All the other ladies ( and gents) were full of tales about what they had done, eaten and bought etc.We were a bit embarrassed. Mrs Broccoli had even been on the big wheel. We didn't even see a big wheel!
Tomorrow is Mrs Broccolli's coffee morning. her charity is a mental health unit. I have to make cakes for her as she helps me with my charity. I am going to attempt one of Jamie Olivers special recipes. I will try to put a photo on the blog if they turn out alright!
One of my chickens is not very well today, She hasn't eaten anything and looks very sorry for herself.I shall have to give her a massage tomorrow if she's no better.
Montana 's blog has been very interesting of late. He of couse can't resist a moan about the lack of home comforts etc. Has he forgotten his roots?
more later.
love Sheila x

Rain and Gales

We appear to have missed the worst of the weather which is bringing much of England to a standstill. However it is blowing a gale and lashing with rain so we are not exactly getting away with it. It makes us even more jealous to read montanas missives from Brazil!
I have recovered from Monday nights festivities. I was a little disappointed by the choir who I don't think were as good as in previous years. They have been coming to our W.I. for the past 16 years and custom and practice dictates that we always kick off the Christmas season with them. Well some of us are in the mood to book them for next year and if there is no improvement then drop them!
Tomorrow, weather permitting, we are going to brave the number 10 bus again to Lincoln. There will be about a dozen of us in a mass bus pass. I don't know whether I am looking forward to it or not?
Next weekend we have booked to go to Rotterdam. It's an overnight ferry, a day in Rotterdam and then a ferry back to Hull. Lets hope the gales have died down somewhat before we go or it will be (as Charlie would have said) Sicky uppa da fatta de lumpa!
The girls are looking pathetically bedraggled so I will go and cheer them up with a bit of sweetcorn!
love Sheila

A busy time.

Had a wonderful time at the weekend. It was lovely to see all my sisters and their partners. All except Pat and Val who didn't come , which was sad. Our lovely nephew from Kimberworth came though and it's always a pleasure. He is truly a ray of sunshine!There was a great deal of shouting and laughter and we all enjoyed the Meat and potato pie and mushy peas. The drive home was a bit of a nightmare with thick fog all the way but hey ho! here we are back on the prairie.
Tonight it's the Womens Institute big event of the year. The Caister and District Male Voice choir! We expect around a hundred and fifty visitors and we will feed them all. My contribution is Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese rolls, beef Patties, and bread and dripping ( which Sonia has contributed) Also I will slip in a few cream cakes etc. Graham complained last year that he didn't get anything so I have told him he needs to be more forceful and shove all those little old ladies out of the way! Use your elbows Graham!
Thats all for now
sheila x

Secret weddings.

The Kansas branch of our family seem to be advising my daughter to elope. I should be heartbroken. Two of my sisters have done this to me and I have never quite forgiven them. Weddings should be joyous occasions, shared with family and friends. ok a bit of money may have to be spent but so what? You can't take it with you. ( although Graham will probably give it a good try!)
Tomorrow we go to Sheffield for a sisters. I am so looking forward to seeing everyone all together. I miss not having regular meetings but hey! It's much nicer when we do get together.
I understand we are having meat and potato pie from Lillies. Goodo !
If possible I want to do a bit of shopping as there is nothing here out in the wilds and Christmas is fast approaching! Next week a gang of villagers are going on the dreaded number 10 bus to Lincoln for the famous Lincoln christmas market. It should be a laugh! We have a busy week after our return from Sheffield , of which more later.
Sheila xx

We are a grandmother!

One of my babies has laid the smallest egg you have ever seen. We don't know if its Gert or Daisy but we are very pleased!
I am recovering after the wedding of the century, we enjoyed it very much and Gina said "Momma" would have been very proud of me dancing the night away. Graham of course refused to have anything to do with it!
Gina looked stunning as chief bridesmaid and both of us cried when she walked down the aisle. I asked both Gina and Andrew when we were going to get a wedding but they were both non committal and Andrew said he didn't see the necessity as they were o.k as they were!
The snow has all gone but it is bitingly cold. I managed to convince Graham that he ought to clean the chickens out as I had "Hot aches "in my hands and bless him he did as well!
I have just made apple pies for tea. We have so many apples this year that I am at a loss as to what to do with them all. I feel some more jam making coming on!
love Sheila xx

out and about

Well it's just a week since I took to my bed with the dreaded lurge. However I am feeling much better today and yesterday I actually went to the shops. I haven't been out today but we have had visitors so have been kept entertained. I have been experimenting with Irish Soda Farls, and very nice they are too.They will go well with the Apple and Raspberry jam I made last week.
I am currently craving red cabbage done the Lancashire way i.e. boiled with cooking apple and vinegar. Hmm, delicious! So we will be having that for tea with the stuffed belly pork.
We have been trying to decide about going on holiday this winter. We had already decided that we were a bit bored with Florida (I never thought I, a lass from Parson Cross ,would ever say that!) but then the owner of last years bungelows contacted us to say that as he wasn't getting any bookings due to the economy in U.S.A and he would gladly do us a good deal if we were to consider coming there.
So now we are undecided again. Our lovely neighbours have said they will look after the chickens for us but to be honest we can't be bothered!
The dark nights are here, the girls go to bed at 4.10pm now. It used to be 9.30pm when we first got them in May.
Not much else to report.
sheila x

Vegetarian?

November 6, 2008

A poem from my sister
A DILEMMA
I could not kill a chickenWith feathers, blood and stuff,‘Cause I would just remember,Those balls of yellow fluff.

I could not kill a rabbit,I know they are a pest,We had a white one and a grey one. I loved the grey one best.

I simply could not kill a pigAnd listen to it wail,It used to be so soft and pinkWith tiny curly tail.

I’d never ever kill a sheep;I once knew one called Jock;He was so small and sickly,He never joined the flock.

Well, I could never kill a calf,Those eyes and velvet nose.It surely takes a monsterTo murder one of those.

Don’t think it’s right to kill a deer.So beautiful and strong.They should be left to run the hillsAnd glens where they belong.

But now I’ve got a problem,I don’t know what to do.I love my steak and onionsAnd crave a good lamb stew.

Roast chicken is deliciousRoast pork is my desire.So there is nothing for itBut to shut my eyes and FIRE!!!!!!

Halloween frights!

Are you scared yet?

STATEMENT OF INTENT!

I wish to make it clear that this is MY blog and as such I will be the only person who decides what I write on MY blog. We do not live in a muslim state and as far as I know we still have free speech in this country.
To anyone offended by what they read in this blog. The answer is simple:- Don't read it! I refuse to be censored by anyone!
Sheila

Preston Parched Peas

Graham bought me these peas for my birthday. (dried, in a sack from the animal feed store!)

I think he won the bet don't you ? Anyway I have made some to sell at the coffee morning. The labels look good don't they?

Am slowly recovering from the bus ride to Lincoln, although my back feels as though someone has punched me.

Sheila x

Lovely weather

Graham told me he was gardening but he was so engrossed in thinking about it, that he never even saw me take this photo! The garden always looks nice when the weather is good. Even the baby chickens are enjoying the sunshine. Their days are getting shorter now and they go to bed at 6pm. When we first got the in May it was 9.30pm.

Sold 24 jars of jam at the coffee morning yesterday which isn't bad.

Went to Skegness on Friday to see Jean and Norman in their new caravan, other then that not a lot is happening.

Love Sheila x

harpist!

Went out last night to see a concert harpist. We were supposed to wear "evening wear" but as I haven't got any "evening wear" I just went nicely turned out in a little black dress. We were very relieved to see the harpist wearing jeans and a tea shirt! However......She then appeared in a long flowing ball gown. She was absolutely brilliant and could make the harp talk!
Out again this evening at a committee meeting. Graham is enjoying being in charge of the remote and when I come home he doesn't ask me how my evening went. He's too busy telling me about all the good things he has watched on T.V.
We have been trying to decide on a winter holiday but given the current financial climate we are a bit uncertain about whether prices will go up or down in the interim period so we are waiting a bit.
I am enjoying Anthony Montana's account of how he has to "do everything around here!"
There was a good joke going around which should suit him.
"How do you know if it's time to do the dishes, clean the kitchen and make the dinner?"
Look down your trousers and if you see a penis, it's not time!
Also enjoying the idiots who will eventually rule the "free world". At least most of our idiots are classically educated !
Pasta and Fish for tea so will leave it now.
Sheila xx

Litter Pick

Trust me to be on the front row!

look at this!

A triple yolker!

It's Saturday!

We were watching a comedy show last night . It was a bit like reading Montana's blog. We particularly liked the one that went:-
If we are all Gods children, (pregnant pause)....
Why is Jesus so special?
You had to be there!!!!
This morning it is very thick fog but you can see the sun is trying to break through. The girls are out in the field and are pecking up whatever it is that the farmer has just sown. (Probably Rape, or Canolla as it is known in Kansas). If he complains I shall blame it on the Pheasants!
Graham has gone up to the village. Ostensibly for a paper but really to look at Ian's car which is refusing to go into first gear.
Yesterday I made this new cake which was delicious;
5 0z Butter
5 oz sugar
5 oz S/R flour
3 eggs
1 Tabsp. ground Almonds
2 Large Tablespoons Lemon Curd

Gas mark 4


my friend made the Lemon curd and it is wonderful. thankyou Vicky.

More later Sheila x

Blazing Saddles!!!

We had a lovely time at Gina's and I was able to buy a few things that are not normally available to me at Mablethorpe. She took us to a restaurant called Thyme Sirloin. We had three courses for £14.99 which wasn't bad. The bedroom is very nice now they have decorated but I can see it being a long time before they start anywhere else as it caused such a to do!
A few weeks ago Graham bought himself a new saddle for his bike. Yesterday he decided that he didn't like it so he was going to put the old one back on. The new one was put on my bike, so naturally I had to drop everything to come outside and try it. What I didn't know though was that he had raised the seat. Almost before I had sat on the new seat, I felt the need to put my feet to the floor. This resulted in me being catapulted into a bush where I recieved various injuries to my person as well as my pride!! This morning I am battered and bruised and feels as though I have been in a boxing match!
Glad to hear that Sonia is settled in and getting plenty to eat! Hope the weather stays nice.
The weather here is dull with sea mist this morning even though the farcast is for an indian summer for the next 3 weeks.
I was offered 2 chickens and a cockerel of a fancy variety which was very tempting until he told me that they only lay about 60 eggs a year!
Thats all.
Sheila x

Jammed out!

Fed up with making jam, I decided to do something different today. So I fried some Pear slices in butter ( Yes I Know dear nephew!) then I added some sweet wine and sugar and let it caramelise like toffee. I then put the pears into jars, boiled up a little more wine and sugar, poured it over the pears to seal the jars. Absolutely delicious!!
One of the girls is having a bit of difficulty emptying her crop which is getting bigger by the day and is almost trailing on the floor. I'm not sure what to do about it, or whether I am doing the right thing in picking her up and massaging her crop. It's a bit funny really because it is affecting her voice. she sounds more like a duck then a chicken and barks when she doesn't like it!
We have been looking at going on a round the world cruise in 2010 when I am 65. It's a lot of money though and the parsimonious side of me thinks that I could do so much more with my money. However, when am I ever going to go around the world and see all those countries. Probably never!
Speaking of travel, we are off to Gina's at the weekend. She is going to take us to this swish restaurant that she reviewed for her radio station. I think it is called "Sirloin" but not sure.
This is for her 30th birthday which is next week! Can it really be so long ago that I had her?
Thats all for now. Love Sheila x

hens in a mist!

Can you see them?

Proof that Hell is exothermic

I have just read this in a book and it made me laugh so I hope you will like it.
This was a question in a University of Washington chemistry exam.
"Is hell exothermic (gives off heat) or endothermic (absorbs heat) ?
Most students wrote about Boyle's Law: Gas cools off when it expands and heats up when it is compressed. However one student wrote this:-
" First we need to know how the mass of hell is changing in time. So, we need to know the rate that souls are moving into Hell and the rate they are leaving. I think we can safely assume that once a soul gets to Hell, it will not leave. Therefore no souls are leaving. As for how many souls are entering hell, lets look at the different religions that exist in the world today. some of these religions state that if you are not a member of their religion, you will go to hell. Since there are more then one of these religions and since people do not belong to more then one religion, we can project that all people and all souls go to hell. With birth and death rates as they are,we can expect the number of souls in hell to increase exponentially.
Now, we look at the rate of change of the volume in Hell because Boyle's law states that in order for the temperature and pressure in Hell to stay the same, the volume of Hell has to expand as souls are added. This gives 2 possibilities: (1) If Hell is expanding at a slower rate then the rate at which souls enter hell, then the temperature and pressure in Hell will increase until all Hell breaks loose. (2) Of course, if Hell is expanding at a rate faster then the increase of souls in Hell, then the temperature and pressure will drop until Hell freezes over. So which is it? If we accept the postulate given to me by Ms. Therese Banyan during my freshman year, "that will be a cold night in Hell before I sleep with you!" and take into account the fact that I still have not succeeded in having sexual relations with her, then (2) cannot be true and thus I am sure that Hell is exothermic"

This student recieved the only A.

jam today

I have been very busy making jam. First was 12 jars of Bramble Jelly made from Annes blackberries. God what a job picking them! Why is it that nettles always grow near Blackberries? When I bent over to pick up the carton I was nettled on my bum! Ouch!
Next we went to the other neighbours and collected loads of Crab apples from which I have made 12 jars of Crab Apple Jelly. Then it was Runner Beans. I have just bought a W.I book of preserves so had a go at Runner Bean Pickle. It's lovely and goes well on a sandwich with cheese etc. I think thats it for a while (unless someone else gives me something!)
Jean and Norman are coming on Saturday and then on Tuesday we are having a litter pick in the village. Thats all thats happening for now.
Love Sheila x

Sunny day

It's a lovely sunny day so naturally there are things to be done indoors! Except that I have to keep going into the front garden to remove certain hens. It's amazing .They have got a back garden and a 5 acre field to go at but they will insist on going through the hedge and digging up my flowers. They have even found a very large pigeon egg in a flower bed.Graham thought of getting a ladder and putting it back in the nest but I have persuaded him that it's probably not worth the effort. Besides we all know about his track record with ladders.
We have not watched any olympics. Can't be bothered with it now that it's so far removed from the original ideal. It's probably going to bankrupt Britain when we do the games, especially if we try to put on a show comparable to the Chinese.
Have just spoken to Jean. Apparently she was savaged by an alsation dog on Sunday when they were at their caravan at Skegness. It bit her on her Left leg and then as she tried to run away it bit her quite badly on the top of her Right leg. She had to go to hospital to have stitches, tetanus injections and antibiotics. Since being home the antibiotics have made her ill and she is having trouble sitting down etc.It only hurts when she laughs!
Sheila x

Goodbye George.

Today we said goodbye to our friend George. The church was overflowing with standing room only and a friend of the family gave a very nice eulogy. Then it was off to the new crematorian at Alford to say a final farewell. We shall miss him he was a good bloke!
Sheila x

baking day.

some bread and scones to last a couple of days.

stormy weather

Last night there was a tremendous storm with torrential rain that went on all night. It was still chucking it down when I let the girls out but now the sun has just come out. Graham says that this mornings weather will have boosted holiday sales as this is when you long for some sun.
Graham bought me some "Parched Peas" for my birthday. These are a Lancashire delicacy, In fact most famous in Preston along with "butter pies." The trouble is they take 36 hours to cook. I am halfway through the process now and I hope to have some ready for tomorrows coffee morning when I shall attempt to sell them by the jar.I hope they will turn out as good as the ones they sell by the cup in Preston Market.
Otherwise life is pretty boring.
we have opened a gate into the field next door and have let the girls go through into it now that the Barley has been harvested. They refuse to come back when called as the field is like an adventure playground. The only thing that gets them is sweetcorn so when I really want them to come in then I show them the box and the run in like maniacs.
Yesterday one of the girls looked a bit peaky so I decided to lock her in the shed. After an hour I relented and went to let her out. She had laid an egg without a shell. It was really weird! I'm glad I found it though as I don't want the others to get a taste for eggs!
Love Sheila x

lovely birthday

Saturday's judging was different to say the least. It started off very pleasantly with small mouthfulls of lovely cake but it soon became tedious and after about 50 cakes I was feeling positively Queesy! When I had finished judging I was invited to partake of lunch!! needless to say the lure of roast Beef was easy to resist. I was asked if I would do it again next year and I said yes without thinking.!!
Well we have been in Lancashire at Gina's for my birthday and we have had a good time. I thought after Saturday I could never eat another cake but it's like giving birth, you soon forget the pain! We bought a birthday cake that was for 16 portions ( there were only 4 of us!) and I assure you that I ate my share.
My chickens rushed to me when we came home. I think they missed me although they have been very well cared for by our kind neighbours.
I am pleased to see that S&S are back blogging. I've missed them.
Good to hear that Sophie and Billy are back home ok.
Sheila x

all this sun

We have spent the last two days on the beach. Our friends rent a beach hut at Sutton on Sea so that they can spend time with their four grandsons. By heck it's hard work!! They never stop eating and drinking and playing rounders and digging to Australia etc. It's been very enjoyable.
Tomorrow we will have a day off. I am going to the hairdressers at 10am.
My chickens are not all laying again but we are still managing to sell a couple of dozen a week so they are still earning their keep.
One has laid an enormous egg this morning. I don't think I have ever seen one so big. I shall have it for breakfast tomorrow.
On Saturday I am judging the cakes and produce at the 87th Alford Horticulture Show. I am a bit nervous about getting it right as there is a lot riding on it for some of the entrants!
Love Sheila xx

Whiskey Mac cake.

It came out o.k.

Rainy day,

I haven't felt much like blogging since I set the kitchen on fire on Saturday. However it didn't turn out too bad in the end but I really must be more careful in future. I blame the chickens of course! I was cooking something for them when I was sidetracked into discussing where to put the new hen house, which is splendid by the way,and of course the whole house was full of evil black smoke and the pan ? Well let's just say that flames were leaping!
This morning there was a disturbance amongst the chickens with chasings and mobbing etc. When I went out to investigate I found that the chicken we call Tina had a huge frog in her beak and the others were trying to take it off her. I eventually removed it and threw it into the dyke but it was very badly pecked and wouldn't live.Oh well that's nature, red in tooth and claw, and now beak!
Yesterday we went to Coningsby with the W.I to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. It was wonderful. We had requested a guide who we had met before. He's 85 years old and so funny he makes the war come alive again. We saw Dacotas,Spitfires, Hurricanes and best of all the Lancaster Bomber. The only one in the world still flying! the whole day out was wonderful. We later went for a meal in a famous restaurant. It's in a forest and you would never find it. The food wasn't gourmet exactly, just basic things but quite expensive, but we enjoyed the company etc.
Tomorrow is Grahams birthday so we will be going out for another meal with friends and Sonia if she comes.
Must go because I have got a whiskey Mac cake in the oven and we don't want another calamity.
Love Sheila xx

the babies!

It's very hard to get a good photo of them as they won't keep still long enough. They are on the go from morning til night. We don't keep them caged now and they are getting better at dodging the pecks from the big birds.

the new home.

This is the new shed that Graham is making to house the babies. They are not that welcome in Cluckingham Palace so need a place of their own. What shall we call this one?

strawberry custard pie.

Well I have got to use the eggs up somehow!

AH !!!

Yesterday "Bob the goose" took us to Brigg farmers market/auction. We had to leave at 7.30am and we didn't get home until after 4pm. It was very good. I wanted to bid for some fancy chickens and of course Graham panicked about whether I would get carried away at the bidding. It all worked out well though. I was standing next to this man who bought a box full of lovely six week olds. "do you want all of those?" I asked him. "Why?" he replied. "Well I only want two!" "oh well" he said " you can have two of these, choose the ones you want and give me £2" So I took a lovely black one with a white head and a white one with a yellow head. I have no idea if they are hens or cocks and no idea what breed they are but they are sooooo cute!
Graham got some bargains at the wood sale which he will probably tell you about and Bob the goose bought all sorts of wire and stuff for his goose farm. There was a meat auction but I hadn't come prepared with a cold box so I didn't bid. I did bid on a carrier bag of Bananas for 50p and several ears of corn on the cob for my girls.
we came though torrential rain on the way home and I was worried about my babies on the back of Bobs flatbed truck but luckily everyone was ok. However my girls have not taken kindly to the babies and have pecked them terribly, especially the white one who is a little frailer then the black one. We have had to segregate them and we had to put the babies in a box to sleep last night. They are fine this morning in their own little pen and are eating heartily and cheeping like mad.
My girls are now giving us 5 eggs a day but we can't tell which one is not laying.

my friend Mrs le Blade has been chosen along with another W.I member to appear on a Trinnie and Susanna. They are to be picked up and taken to Surrey for the filming. It's all very exciting!!

good to see the videos from Montana, They do seem to have two soundtracks. Is there something wrong with the camera?
Sheila x

some army food

As promised here is a photo of some cakes from the army recipe book. I made them in between fetching back escaping birds. They don't seem to be flying out, more like sneaking through gaps in the fence which Graham is frantically mending everyday.

An army marches on it's stomach!

You will need to click on the photo to look at the book I bought yesterday. It's fascinating and I have already made one of the recipes. Photos to follow if they come out alright.

Oh well!

Life is so very boring and everybody else seems to be up and doing. Spoke to Michael, he's off to Turkey again soon and then off to Oz. M&P are off to Mauritious, The Kansas two are in Montana and here am I waiting for chickens to lay some eggs!! Still only two laying, but still, two eggs a day is good!
The Body Shop Party went ok on Monday night but she didn't have any of the stuff that I wanted. She gave us £19 commission and then took back£13.50 for petrol. We did ok on the raffle and food though so that wasn't too bad. We wouldn't have her again though.
We are at the hospital tomorrow when Graham will have his ears hoovered out. Maybe then he will stop saying "halfpast four" when I ask him to give me some money!?
I have lost my pie plate. It was a perfect size for making a pie that wasn't too big. It origionally belonged to Michaels mother and I miss it. I have no idea where it could be so if you know anything about it's whereabouts please let me know. I even asked Graham if he had broken it but he swears he hasn't,
My nephew is threatening to get rid of one of his dogs. I will have Billy here. He can live outside and round the chickens up for me.
Sheila x

body shop

Tonight is our body shop party at the village hall. I am a little worried that no one will turn up. Still we have done all the publicity etc so if they don't it won't be my fault!
Two of the girls have just escaped. Don't ask me how, but I suspect that they have squeezed through the fence. They are so daft and were almost begging to be put back with the others.
There are no signs of any eggs being laid so far but a few of the girls are acting a little strangely so fingers crossed.
It seems that hens have a cycle of thirty eggs which they begin laying before ten in the morning and then a little later every day.When it gets too late in the afternoon they miss a day and continue the next day. when the thirty eggs have been laid then it's a few days before the cycle starts again so it's a good job they didn't all start on the same day.!
Nothing much has happened since last I wrote so thats it for today.
Sheila x

Audrey and her mate in the labour ward!

Audrey went in to lay her third egg and was joined by one of the other girls. It was a bit of a squash but they both managed to lay an egg each. They did look comical in one box when we have provided 5!

The lovely Audrey does the business!

After two hours of" labour" and a great deal of squawking Audrey finally laid us our first egg!

Look at this!

eggstraordinary!

Rye bread!

Over the past three days I have started some sour bread dough, left it overnight, made a dough with the starter and left it overnight, and this morning baked a loaf. It was appalling!! and I shan't be making it again. Even the chickens don't like it!
I loved the videos of Sofia and Billy going on holiday. I bet they have a whale of a time and won't want to go back to their Kansas home.
Hope the Montana two have a lovely time, relaxing and eating rather more then they should.
Sonia should go to the doctor with her back pain. It could be deferred from somewhere else.
I am getting along with my chia seeds. I sprinkle a spoonful on my toast in the morning and I can't tell I am eating them. I also sprinkle them on sandwiches or salads and my blood sugar is quite low most of the time, I shall carry on with them to see what the long term effects are.
no eggs yet from my girls. I have had them a month now. I hope they produce something soon!!
must go. The football is about to start. Come on you portugal!
sheila xx

again the shoes!

my new shoes!

like mother like daughter

Gina getting down and dirty with "Betty"

Cleaning lady!

So... I have just cleaned out the girls. Again! I don't think I have ever seen so much poop! I think they must be doing it all night because they rarely go into Cluckingham Palace during the day. I have to lock them out in order to clean and this morning, halfway through it started to rain very heavily and they were very vocal in their protest that I wouldn't let them in out of the rain until I had finished. Oh happy days! Or at least they will be when we finally get some eggs!
I haven't been doing much lately as the football is all consuming. I have to arrange dinner so that it is ready to eat at half time and then by the time we have watched the second half and cleaned up the kitchen it is time for the second match. I am a bit jealous of michael, he's got a wife to do all that for him whilst he can concentrate on the football. Also I am missing out on what's happening in Coronation street!
went to Boston yesterday. It's really weird being able to look in SHOPS! I bought some shoes and a handbag!
I have ordered some Chia seeds on the net. I will probably sell some to my friends when they arrive as they are all excited about the possibility of using them to lose weight. I am impressed with them as I am sure that they are lowering my blood sugar so thanks to my nephew for finding them.
I found some ancient recipes the other day and decided to make some biscuits from 1602.
They were very simple :-
3oz Sugar
2 eggs
4oz S/R flour
1 Tablespoon Rose water
Grated lemon peel
Beat eggs and Sugar until very light and fluffy, they should be almost white.
add lemon peel and rose water and beat again
Add Flour and beat again.
put small drops onto a well greased baking tray.
Sprinkle with sugar
Bake for about 10 to 15 minutes at gas mark 3

The hens are eating whats left over so failures of any kind are not serious now!
Sheila xx

as easy as falling off a log!

We have moved the girls to another area of the garden to give their usual patch a chance to recover. They are a bit bemused so have gathered an a log for a conference.!!This morning as I was cooking I saw them go past the kitchen window. We have no idea how they got out as the gate was still locked but it was a job rounding them up. I think they had flown onto a piece of wood and then jumped the fence! The little *****s.
Sheila x

poached egg plant

Don't know the Latin name but it's glorious at the moment. click to enlarge
sheila x

the nice flowers

naughty girls1

Cowering in the corner after I had to stop them eating my flowers!

What a performance!

Well......... Everybody told me that the chickens must have their wings clipped or they would fly away. Thats easier said then done. if you could have seen me and Graham chasing them around the garden, trying to catch them! we eventually decided to trap them in the shed. I covered the doorway with a sheet and Graham tried to grab one. long story short is that we managed to do Two but the others were so distressed that we hadn't the heart to carry on. now the girls don't trust me and instead of running to me like they used to they run away and cower! One even went under Grahams shed and didn't come out for hours! I do think it's a bit cruel although the actual wing clipping didn't appear to hurt and I am a bit concerned when I see one of the girls high up in the Apple tree. However somebody else will have to do the other four as I can't bring myself to upset the girls anymore.
Graham's gone bowling so I am home alone. The Glaziers have just gone. They have been replacing some of the windows that were fogging up. Another £275.00. no wonder I've never got any money!
Love Sheila x

not to be outdone!

Sonia is showing us her flowers and very nice they are too but can you eat them? here is a clump of chives that I am cooking with and putting in salads etc. I might even feed some to the "girls" as onions and garlic are meant to prevent worms. It's thundering and lightening so I better get off!
Sheila

red hot pokers

Last year we only had one poker but now we have about eight. I haven't got time to marvel at them as I have just spent half an hour mucking out the girls ! They are so funny that I could spend all day just watching them. I suppose I will get over it shortly. Have got to leave them tomorrow when we go to Sheffield so I hope they will be o.k.

Sheila x

chicken carer

my life is dominated by the girls now. It's a huge responsibility taking care of living things that rely on you.( and then there's Graham!)

Lovely blue bush

Shake a tail feather baby!

Exterior Cluckingham Palace

interior of Cluckingham Palace

morning porridge

The girls!!

Down in the dumps.

It seems such a long time since I wrote anything. I have been a bit depressed and have not wanted to do anything. I am on a new insulin regime which involves injecting 4 times a day and seems to take all my time although I know thats not true. Maybe I resent it so much that I want it to be a nuicance!
My poor neighbour George has not helped . We have been so worried about him. he has Necrotising Fasciitis (which is the flesh eating virus) and has had his eyelids and some of his face removed. The good news is that they think they have got all the infected tissue after two operations but he is still critically ill in ICU at Hull. He has been kept in an induced coma for about 5 days. Yesterday they started to bring him round and stuck pins etc in him. he wasn't best pleased so they sedated him again. I'm not sure if his agitation is a good or a bad thing although I must confess that I wouldn't be happy if I woke up to people sticking pins in me!
His poor wife travels a 100 miles a day to visit him but he doesn't know she is there.

I have been trying to find a dentist in this area. No chance!! It's a disgrace that I have to travel to Sheffield just to have a filling replaced. However I am lucky to have a dentist at all so I musn't grumble too much.

I have read the book that my nephew sent (In defence of food by Michael Pollon ) I found it a bit boring although I more or less agreed with everything. I particularly liked the opening statement.
(Eat food, not too much and mostly plants) The trouble is that I think you would have to go back to being a cave man to follow all his recommendations. I cannot buy most of the organic stuff he talks about. I already don't eat hardly any processed stuff. I use organic olive oil, butter and yoghurt and I make my own bread and cakes etc. Hey Ho! One can at least try and I intend too without making a big deal of it!

Thats all for now.
love Sheila x

a nice dinner for a hot day!

stuffed mushrooms, prawn kebabs and roasted potatoes, salad and bread, Perfect!

a nice day

Too nice to stay in but we didn't go out.Instead I looked through the window at the distant hills. You can't see them on this photo though.
I made some cake and bread and today we had chips!!!
Susan comes tomorrow and will stay for the bank holiday so we may go to the beer festival in the village. Thats all. nothing much is happening.
Sheila xx

Phalaenopsis

This is a plant that Karen bought me when I was 60. It flowers all the time and was like this when we came back from America in January. I love the colour.

little house on the prairie.

Look closely "near the funny looking tree" and you will see our little house from across the field.
Enlarge the photo and our house is in the middle.

Banana Milk Buns.

These Banana Milk buns are delicious. The recipe is;-
3oz butter
2oz sugar
1 Tablespoon Condenced milk
2 Tablepoons honey
2 eggs
1 Mashed Banana
6oz S/R flour

Gas mark 4
It makes about a dozen.
Sheila x

Elaine Bennetts big salad!

For all you food police out there this is a hugh salad made from lettuce, spinach, rocket.Celery, tomatoes, Red peppers Cottage cheese and nuts. when I've eaten this for lunch I won't feel so bad about eating one or two Apple cream puffs that I am making for dessert!

sheila x

P.s For those of you don't know who Elaine Bennett is..........Watch Seinfeld.

Think on this!

research has shown that:-
Women do Two Thirds of the worlds work.
They earn One Tenth of the words wages.
And they own only One Hundredth of the worlds properties.

orange tart

I made this on a whim and it turned out nice,
Liquidise 1 Orange ( take out any pips )
2 Eggs
2oz butter
2oz Sugar
Pour into a pastry case and bake on a low setting( gas 4) for about an hour or until golden brown
sheila x

Quacking breakfast

Mr and Mrs Duck enjoy their breakfast.

mr and mrs Duck

Today's quote.

I saw this quote whilst reading the paper this morning and it has been in my head all day.How true is this? " Evil is not the absence of righteousness but the absence of empathy"
Just been watching Britains got talent. It's an amazing show as the acts are not as manufactured as the others such as the X factor etc. Anyway I was impressed by a singer called Madonna and I predict great things for her.
marysue, don't work too hard on the room painting. It's more important to make some bread!

It made me laugh!

In bed last night, reading Bill Bryson's "The short history of nearly everything" I laughed aloud
when I read "He was exceedingly bright but untroubled by anything as inconvenient as a scruple ". This sounds very much like someone I know!
The weather today is nithering. I want to go to the shops but daren't go out!
more later
sheila xx

The Staff of Life

Not to be outdone by Sonia!!

Jerk beef Pasties.

I made a batch of Jamaican Beef patties for the W.I. so we decided to bake a couple for lunch. Very nice too

Lovely salt

I forgot to say that I sprinkled the Foccacia with this New Zealand smoked salt.