2024 Stash & Grab Virtual Pub

[Serinde]

As you are aware, Elder Son is moving into his new flat... tomorrow. This requires vast parental support, including his father driving a huge luton box van... Younger Son will be helping in the removals as is a pal of Elder Son, so the spiral staircase (did I mention that?), shouldn't offer too many difficulties. (It's an 1890s purpose-built flat, and I anticipate, fingers crossed, the stairway to be relatively wide and stone built, like any stairway in a Glasgow close. We shall see.)

Not only is that dresser going, but the old sideboard... clearing that has been... interesting. Especially as one of its drawers was the dedicated battery store. Oh, noes! Lots going to Oxfam, much moving about of goods and chattels. And discovery of a vast quantity of mismatched ancient cutlery!

[richardandtracy]

Mismatched Ancient Cutlery...
Sounds like our normal cutlery drawer, as opposed to the 'Special Occasion' cutlery. The normal cutlery is made from stuff bought in Argos/ASDA for not more than £4 for a 6 person setting, and replenished with more when stuff goes missing (before the missing stuff seems to mysteriously re-appear years later).

The 'Special Occasion' cutlery is a set of unbranded 'Kings' cutlery we bought from Argos in 1995 for under £25. There were 6 place settings, though we can now only find 5 dessert spoons. Given that we put the 'Special' cutlery back after immediately washing up, I have no idea how it could have been lost.

No idea where the missing stuff goes to. I'm sure there's a ghost that steals stuff, and when it has too much some of the excess gets returned.

Regards,

Richard

[Serinde]

I think it goes to play with the missing socks.

We also found -- gulp -- an almost complete set of Wedgwood stainless steel cutlery. Looked online -- since it's now out of production -- and an individual piece is almost £10.

[richardandtracy]

Christmas!

Bet you didn't ever remember having it.
I imagine it was your house ghost returning some of the previous owner's stuff it had borrowed...

Regards,

Richard

[Mabel Figworthy]

No idea where the missing stuff goes to. I'm sure there's a ghost that steals stuff, and when it has too much some of the excess gets returned.

It's the same one that steals odd socks...

[Steam.Jo]

[Serinde]

Poor creature looks a bit sad -- perhaps it doesn't like acrylic...

[Arianwen]

Stiff drink over here for me please! and a darkened room!

This weekend was our end of summer 'celebration' and it was, as usual, absolute mayhem. And then it rained typical for an outdoor event!

I think we saw around 9,000 people on the saturday, around 4000 less than last year.

I should have been off but changed my days off so I could work, AND I worked 3 late shifts (I dont do well with these) this week. Thank goodness when I go back to work tomorrow that I'm rostered to work the phones so I get a bit of breathring space!

And to top it all off, I had my kitty booked in for vaccination this afternoon. Long story short, we never made it and she had an accident under the bed (we think she has some kind of PTSD from previous homes and rather than improving, crating her up gets more stressful each year rather than less, but she does recover quicker) after discussion with the vet, they are happy for us to leave it for now, increase the sedative 4 fold for next time and try again at a later date. Phew!

And I may or may not have acquired a bobbin lace stash that I am now too intimidted to attempt there's alwaays tomorrow right?

[Mabel Figworthy]

Life's never dull is it ?

Stiff drink on the way, and a darkened room for you and kitty, plus whatever she would like in the way of toys or other things to keep her calm yet occupied.

[Serinde]

Wowser, Arianwen! Lots going on there. Hope all's calmed down, especially poor kitty.

[richardandtracy]

Arianwen, so sorry your cat behaves like that.

Even more sorry I can't make a good suggestion to help. Our fleabags get quite stressed when taken to the vet, and nothing we've done has ever helped. When it gets this bad, you really want a farmer's vet, the sort who is used to coming to the farm rather than expects you to go to them. As a result you'd be removing that side of the cat's stress. It could cost more if you van get one to do it.

Poor fleabag.

Regards,

Richard

[Serinde]

It's International Wombat Day! Now, our wombats are still the usual grouchy types and need to be looked after (not so much cuddling please) with lots of their favourite eucalyptus leaves.

We can celebrate with whatever you'd like! Bunting's up, so the drinks and munchies are on the house! . ʕ̢̣̣̣̣̩̩̩̩·͡˔·ོɁ̡̣̣̣̣̩̩̩̩ (it looked right when I got it!)

[Mabel Figworthy]

Wombattenburg cakes anyone?

[Serinde]

Perfect!

[Serinde]

Rumour has it that the animals are planning to dress up as other animals (or people, in the case of the chimpanzees), in order to get lots of treats. Which is why there is such a variety of eatables by the doors. I don't fancy tricks from the raccoons or, indeed, the unicorns. So if any come, do remember to give them what they'd like, but on no account are they allowed inside tonight. Liminal time and space, doncha know. I've taken the precaution of cutting a few of the rowan branches that still have berries. Can't be too careful.

For us hoomans, there are all manner of cakes and drinks to enjoy.

[Mabel Figworthy]

I found a recipe for sweet potato pie which I'd like to try some time, not being overly fond of pumpkin puree.

[richardandtracy]

To be honest, I'd be quite happy never to taste Pumpkin or any of it's family ever again. Really don't enjoy it at all.

We made the mistake of trying to grow Pumpkins at home one year. The soil in our veg patch is thin (4" deep) and has 18" of flint below it before the chalk bedrock. As a result it's quite dry & nutrient poor - not a great place for a veg patch, it has to be said, but over 90% of our garden is the same. Pumpkins are thirsty & hungry plants - requiring us to water twice daily, mulch & fertilize. Anyway, we got 2 ripe orange pumpkins. Neither was more than 4" across, and that was really when we discovered none of us actually like the pumpkin that so much effort had gone into growing, so we haven't grown them since.

Regards,

Richard

[Serinde]

I'm not fond of pumpkin pie, but did grow a pumpkin plant (Jack 'o Lantern, meant to be small) in a trough at the front. I gave the one fruit we managed to save to a friend who comes for Thanksgiving, and she produced the pie, to great acclaim. Fun that it was home-grown.

[fccs]

I love pumpkin pie, but it has to be covered (and I mean covered! no pie showing) under whipped cream or Cool Whip. I don't like pumpkin cookies, bread, soup, or anything else pumpkin...well, other than the seeds. Those are good. No Cool Whip required.

[Serinde]

I have replenished the stock of broken crockery in case anyone needs to throw it against the wall in the bashing room. Safety glasses are also provided.