Please can you hold my hand for a bit. I’ve just had to make an incredibly sad decision.

[Saddecision]

I’ve just had to make the hardest and saddest choice of my life. I’m feeling sad and I have absolutely no one to talk to, and could really do with some chit chat to take my mind off things. Does anyone want a chat about anything other than my hard decision?

I think a couple of us has seen your other thread and I think it’s wisest to take a bit more time to think about things before deciding one way or the other ❤️

Hi OP. A few fun things happened today:

• went to HomeSense with mum
• Watched my girl in a (early) Xmas concert at the local theatre- a community project where schools get involved. Her confidence was glowing!
• just received ny first ever Masters assignment grade, aged 36 and I got 58%. It's not mind-blowing but I feel really happy about it and feedback was really rounded and detailed for improvement

Where did you last have a shopping splurge? Even a new book or candle?
Is DD seeing Santa this year?
Are you doing any non-compulsory learning for yourself at the moment?

Sending virtual hug x

Well this is a brilliant thread! I've now got an accidental carrot cake recipe and a recommendation for Green Wing. Definitely worth a try, we're currently watching Friday Night Dinner for the third ( OK probably 4th) time so we need some different comedy.
My comfort viewing is Foyles War. I love the characters, the sets and Sam's cardigans.
Sending hugs OP ,I can't find a bunch of flowers so have some cake. 🍰

I like to call myself the Queue Cooler. It doesn't matter how well a queue is progressing, I will royally fxxk it up.

At the supermarket there is always a machine breakdown, staff being awitched to a trainee, item with no tag in front of me that takes ages to sort out, a return with a problem, a code they can't locate, you name it .....EVERY. SINGLE. TIME.

Its a gift🙄.

My husband who very rarely deigns to shop, has experienced it with me.

Queuing for food in a cafe, sure as god they will just run out of what we want.

Like I said, a gift🙄😁

OP, every good wish to you.

Yes! It's remarkably easy.

The longer you leave this the boozier it gets. I made mine about 4 weeks ago so should be nicely mature come Christmas. I halve the recipe because otherwise it's just too much. www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/boozy-mincemeat

Then for the pastry I like this one, because it's lovely and short. www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/paulhollywoodsmince_04604/amp

Whomever mentioned the crushed pineapple on carrot cake: it's the best tip ever!

OP, sending happy thoughts your way. Though I get the impression the cake chat so helping already!

Just to add to the mincemeat: I use orange instead of lemon.

I would like the recipe for the muffins, please 😊

I am SO spectacularly bad at namechanging. I’ll have to just burn my account down I think!

That is so funny!

@NyanBinaryJohn love pineapple and buy several a week. Love it chopped and chilled from the fridge. Highly recommended for those with arthritic issues.
Whats the story with the carrot cake?

Why do you like it in it? Thanks

This sounds like a great day! Well done on your grade! That’s brill.

i bought a new coat two weeks ago! It has big pockets.

Undecided on Santa! Maybe! She might just cry though, as is tradition when babies see Santa.

No! I’m about to start something in jan though

Your link doesn't work for me, but is this the pastry? www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/paul_hollywoods_mince_04604 it's so good and remarkably easy to work with. I make mini mince pies. I weigh out 9g balls of pastry and use my stamper to push them into the tin. Then 1.5 teaspoons of my mum's mince. Topped with a pastry star. Fridge for 30 mins, hot oven for 11. All 24 eaten in about 30 mins 2 days.

Cake must be nigella's old fashioned chocolate.

Current season of Taskmaster is the best in a long while and Green Wing is comedy genius. For more Tamsin Greig, Stephen Mangan fun, Episodes was worth a watch.

Hope you're OK, OP.

He sounds so interesting!

I always think the custard is there to tone down the sweetness of the golden syrup! It’s a dangerous place when custard is seen as the lesser of two sweet things 🤣🤣

I love pineapple but sadly I am allergic to it. Sob!

Good luck ❤️

Well @Saddecision it's a long time since anyone has called me very wise. Especially considering how much I've had this evening.

I haven't seen your other thread. I don't know what the sad decision is. But do look up some Christmas PJ deals. (Though apparently matching family PJs even including dog PJs are not OK according to the teens in my life. Which is disappointing)

Here to keep you company op. I’m watching Ancient Apocalypse on Netflix. I’m a bit geeky, but it’s pretty riveting!

So sorry to hear this. Pineapple is great!

I get very cross when I get one that isn’t ripe though! I always do the leaf pulling technique but still often get it wrong

I agree. Lemon cake is a spring food.

My in-laws use sweetened whipped cream to "lighten" any cake or dessert 😄

I think a good carrot cake is very appropriate for autumn and winter.
Your recipe looks ace, nice and moist especially with the crushed pineapple.
Could you put the pineapple slices and juice into a processor and pulse it carefully till it's as chopped/crushed as needed?
I also put grated carrot into Christmas pudding, it saves it from being too dry and dense and makes it a lovely bronze colour instead of dark brown.

My dog would love Christmas pjs. He’s very extra.

Im having a bit of a rough time RN. This thread is cheering me right up. Can I ask th9. What channels are you finding Miss Marple (preferably Joan Hickson) and poirot? Pls.

Carrot in Christmas pud sounds good! I don’t even like Christmas pud