Countdown to Christmas 2020 (thread 7): To buy or not to buy a Balsam Hill Christmas tree (AKA: Christmas in July)?!

[NoWordForFluffy]

I just noticed we only have 20 posts left and I'm off to the allotment! So here is thread 7!

Marsh I use red lentils in soup and they just go in the pot . ( Don't like other lentils )

Red Kindney Beans need soaked then boiled 10 minutes ( or use tinned they are dirt cheap)

I buy a big pack of onions and oven roat them chopped up ( sweet , don't burn , they 'carmalise' and the kitchen doesn't stink of onions .
Freeze in batches ready to go in the Slow-Cooker for chilli, mince for Shepherds Pie , lasagne sause .
I'm using a Plant Pioneers mince today . Meat the Alternative is the best but I'll save it for when I make something for DD (she won't eat chilli)
Can only get MtA when I venture to Waitrose

Carrot&Coriander soup is lush (leeks, carrots, coriander seeds , veg stock. I don't put cream in it )

Lentil soup ( pan fry the onions and potatoe first , texture is nicer )

French onion soap

Hot&Sour Soup - ginger, lemongrass, chillis, spring onion, stock, then red pepper, mushrroms, sweetcorn, some noodles just before serving .

I need one of those 365 Soup Recipe Books . I'm sure my DMum had one but the recipes were "I would never ever put that in soup " types .

missed the update re the corkscrew - that was lucky...what time do you want me to arrive? 🍽

tbh, fluffy, by 2pm on a nice sunday afternoon, the best cure for your hangover is another beer! 😵🥴😎

There was a tip I read about opening a bottle sans corkscrew but I didn't remember it .
It didn't involve scoring round with a knife and deftly knocking the neck off the glass though.

I DO know if you have leftover champagne you put a teaspoon in the bottle . Don't now why but it's meant to work.

I am a lightweight . If I was going to drink it wouldn't be wine though.

Baileys (original) or a Southern Comfort and Canada Dry (with a slice of orange )
So many many years since I've had one .

about the BH trees...I know they look fab on the TV in all the Channel 5 American/Canadian Christmas Mooovies, but where the hell would you store something that size?
They're enormous! Not to mention having to "fluff" them with special gloves
You could have 3 or 4 really nice big trees covered in baubles and fairy lights and tinsel for the price of one bald BH tree.

I DO know if you have leftover champagne you put a teaspoon in the bottle

leftover?...sorry, no idea what you mean

Boots, DH offered me alcohol for breakfast! I might have one when I get home!

70, I don't often drink wine, it's usually vodka. I have a better tolerance for that!

Thanks for all your soup recipes 70 will definitely get my finger out. Off to buy red lentils pronto, love kidney beans use them in my Cowboy Beans and chilli.

Boots hair of the dog, good idea

With you on the vodka Fluffy (definitely with frys choc though )

I'm the same as 70 Marshmallow, just red lentils, chucked in the pot with the stock.

I have yet to make a chicken soup that I'm happy with though... I've done broth but I want thick, filling soup.

Fluffy if the hangover is worth it then it's fine, just maybe try a beer / cider later? A fruit juice filled cocktail always went down well for me 🍹

Thanks Crazy, have never made a chicken soup would love to try and also a yummy vegetable.

Crazy something like a J2O with vodka? and a little 🍹umbrella, obvs.
That sounds perfect!

Just order 2 5l containers to put my flour in from Asda £2.50 each.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/eu_referendum_2016_/3817585-the-brexit-cupboard-soup-recipe-edition Crazy

Dd and I had a really nice day. Spent way too much money

Well here you all are!!!!
Been Mia for a day and you're all gone!
Am never going to catch up so will just plough on from here. Thank you for the new Fred Fluffy hope everyone is ok ,we are fine here just at been a bit 'Meh ' over Dd2 going to move out . Been listening to some music to cheer me up 😁

I know Mrs - it was that fluffy what done it Set a new thread and ran away .

Haha @70isaLimitNotaTarget
Have been really cheesed off today, feeling better now 🤗

Mum couldn't find her teeth again today ,it's like Groundhog day . They were under the sofa . I took a picture because I thought it may explain what l am up against all the time 🙄😁😬 , it's hearing aids , glasses , purse, phone, comb , mirror, hairspray etc every day!!

How did they get under there? 🤣

Hope your head is better Fluffy

I've spent most of today rearranging the kitchen. Not because it needed it but things have been put away in some crazy places while I wasn't there to ask 🤣

Argh!! Kill 'em, MrsM

Forgot you got out of quarantine after last night, Woolly. How are you doing?

My tea was lush. I served it up at 5.30, with roast potatoes, steamed veg and Yorkshire Puddings (all big and floofy, thanks toFluffy). Ate 2 mouthfuls and felt full so I've just eaten the rest for supper. The gravy was lovely as well, but there's loads left. I'm thinking about freezing it with the leftover meat and doing it in a big meat pie when we can finally have everyone over. I've never made meat pie before (think I've previously mentioned my complete lack of skill with pastry), but there's always a first time, right? and I can buy the pastry

I love fruity cocktails and fruit cider over beer/wine, but at Christmas it's got to be Asti! Whitley Neill gin is lovely, and last Christmas DH bought me a liqueur that we made into sugar plum martinis and they were amazing!! We don't drink very often, maybe once or twice a month, but I obviously haven't had anything alcoholic since February and I'd love a glass of ice cold gin and tonic...

Firefly Cheat with the pie and just do a "top crust" one You'll have to make do with in spirit instead of in a glass for a little while yet.

Mrs I don't know why you have to look for all her stuff - I'd suggest you tell her to look herself! and then run away

Woolly have you planned your next project whilst you were isolating/incapacitated? 🧶🧵🛒

Firefly your dinner sounds fantastic. Sugar plum martinis interest me. Do you have recipe?

I'm enjoying my freedom but I'm a bit overwhelmed by having company. I've retreated back to my bedroom to watch a couple of old episodes of The Repair Shop. I'm fascinated by the skills and I have a soft spot for everything done by Steve, Susie, Will and Dom in particular.

Boots I sent my sister a list of the things I've got planned. (This is stuff I've already got in stock). 2 baby cardigans and hats to match, a toddler cardigan, a Christmas blanket for Woolly Hugs, a few things for the Woolly Hugs Christmas sale, a couple of nativities, a couple of pairs of socks and my tea towels to cross stitch. Once I've finished that lot I've got the wool to make another Chernobyl blanket for Woolly Hugs but I won't start that until the cooler weather comes as there's nothing worse than sweltering under 5 foot of blanket in the summer. Since my op I've managed a back and one front of one baby cardigan and I'm knitting a little bit each day but nowhere near my usual speed.

Woolly l really don't know , she takes them out to eat and then never puts them back in again
Great news you are doing so well . Love the repair shop , such lovely history of the items
Firefly . Sugar plum martinis interest me too , they sound delicious! your dinner sounds lovely too
Boot I have to find all the stuff because lf l don't find it then l can't look after her properly , l can't even talk to her without her hearing aids However l did run away and didn't answer the
'Dallin, Dallin.Dallin' nagging from her , l went down the garage to do the washing , effing and jeffing the whole time