Chatting, ranting and some stepping! Come in and have a brew with us.

[carrotsandcelery]

A place to have a blether, and a . All chatters are welcome, stepping or otherwise.

Come inside and settle down on the sofa.

I have had a lovely morning with my friend pottering around the garden centre and the next village.

I have bought loads of new plants, mostly for our containers, but stuck to my shopping list so wasn't too naughty.

I have bought mange tout and peas for the trough which had sweet peas in it last year so I will be bending your ear bessie, and anyone else in the know, about how to keep an eye on them.

I was given a book about container gardens for my birthday so I will be browsing it for advice too.

It is boiling here. Absolutely roasting. I am hiding in the lounge (rare event) as our kitchen is south facing and basically glass at one end (apart from the roof) so it is like a little greenhouse. I will go back out after school but my skin can't take too much of it. I could feel it sizzling despite my factor 50.

Glad you are having a good day Carrots and the TS is behaving well Scout. I hope the ducks appreciated your visit!

I am still feeling frustrated regarding this phonecall and the day seems to be getting progressively more pear -shaped - off to do physio exercises and sit in the sun for 5 mins!

Hi all, it's a bit hard for me to get on here lately cause DD keeps coming over to sit on my lap and it makes it a bit hard to get at the keyboard. She also likes some computer games like peppa pig so that eats into MNet time. She is on my lap now saying " click on the x !" I have to be careful not to leave the computer on while I leave the room as she knows how the mouse works .

As for my mood, I think things may be improving!

Hope everyone else is well!

I think I've worn Toddler out.

Can anyone help? I need some inspiration. I need to do a batch cook of something healthy. I'm going to Aldi tomorrow ( probably ) so can buy stuff then. Ideally it needs to:
have protein, veg and carbs all in one because I like to "defrost" and go at lunchtimes - or failing that, just need something like rice or pasta cooking as an extra;
freeze well
be fairly foolproof to cook

I've done basics like cottage/shepherd's pie, Cornish pasties ( not so healthy I know but a true "all in one"), pasta bake, lasagne, hotpot, spag bol and chilli con carne as well as bessie's quinoa burgers and would like to do something else if possible.

any thoughts, ideas or recipes?

Scout - good for you. I trust he and you had a good day!
Cats - glad things seem to be improving.

Chicken stirfry and rice works well. I freeze the rice separately and use those tubs with 2 sections. If you cook the rice al dente and plunge it into cold water, rinse and drain, it will reheat surprisingly well.

lentil hot pot this would do it Arti. It's delicious, healthy if you go easy on the oil and butter, makes loads of portions and freezes well.

Feeling and [tearful]

Just had the last lesson with one of my GCSE students. Her Mum and Dad bought me a beautiful orchid and the student bought me a cute little knitted dog keyring. She wrote me a card and said "I really enjoy coming to your lessons and you've been one of my favourite teachers" and "You have built up the confidence I have in myself and you have believed in me."

I feel really moved!

By the way I like both the recipe ideas. That's 2 weeks worth sorted then! Thank you both.
Carrots - I even have nearly all the ingredients for yours!

Do you have to soak the lentils before you boil them?
Also- I'm guessing you are a veggie but would you know if I could add a bit of meat to the lentil casserole, and if so what? Maybe some pieces of pork, pre-browned?

Arti you don't need to soak the lentils (not red lentils anyway). I have no idea about meat but I see no reason why not. The lentils are good protein though if it is protein you are worried about.

Arti I used to love letters from my pupils. It makes you feel that you really have made a difference to their school experience. I had a very touching experience with a group of final year students who got my favourite poet's autograph for me, signed to me. They also made me an enormous Christmas card one year which still makes me smile when I think about it. Well done Arti you have made someone feel better about themselves and realise that they can achieve things. It doesn't get much better than that!

"you have made someone feel better about themselves and realise that they can achieve things. It doesn't get much better than that!"

Carrots - I know. It is why i love my job so much! This particular student was probably heading for a fail in the chemistry part of her Additional Science GCSE. Now she should get an A, and possibly, with a paper that plays to her strengths, an A*

and thank you for your praise too!

Awww, arti, that's lovely!

The other lovely thing about it is that teenagers get such a bad press and generally, apart from to their parents, they are lovely, same as everyone else.

I have been gardening. It was just too hot for me earlier (24C) so I waited for evening and it was lovely.

My peas and mange tout are in and my pots of ornamental flowers are planted.

Is that a ta da?

4:45 is just uncivilized.

Oh Scout tell me about it!!!! There's just no need is there, yes you Toddler and Muddles, I am talking to you two! Just pack it in, right now!!! Unfortunatly, Muddles has been getting up at the 5 mark for quite some time now and I am sadly getting used to it :(. But, I do get up and do my shred DVD in relative peace (just her shuffling around on the floor) and it gives me chance to sort her bottles out, get a bit straight if it wasn't done last night.
Carrots and Arti when I went on maternity leave from Scouting and properly left my Cub Pack I had loads of lovely stuff from the Cubs. One Mom bought be a gardening book, another had found an old copy of The Jungle Book, loads of cards and one of the Dads had put together a collage of loads of photos of all the kids and me and all the activities we'd done. Can't wait to get back into it and open the new Beaver Colony!!!!

Oh crap!!!!!!!!
Muddles has only been crawling just over a week. She's just pulled herself up to standing on the fire guard!!!!! Do I need a guard for the fire guard??? She's gonna try walking next isn't she? She's trying to climb up my leg as I type. Oh Poodles!!!!!!!

Camper, when Toddler was born I got lots of homemade cards from my Guides and even some presents for him for his first Christmas. In fact, I came across his cards not too long ago and they made me . They also made him cards for his first birthday. I'm about to finish Guiding for the foreseeable future for the 2012/13 school year but now only have my Seniors and don't really see them doing anything since they're all so wrapped up in GCSEs. I've been in The Movement 30 years [eek!] but need a break though am going to help with the BSA group TS is in line for.

Scout it is a good feeling isn't it. It makes you feel like your efforts have touched some lives.

Camper mine were both the same. They were both goodish walkers by 10 months. It was a NIGHTMARE! Our house looked like we had had the baillifs in as I had to move everything. On the plus side, it is good for your back as you don't have to carry them as much. You do have to feed them more as they burn off more.

Morning all.
Scout and Camper - sorry to hear you have had such early starts so I won't mention my getting up at 8.00am

Carrots - of course gardening counts as a ta da!

Toddler and I were out the door (fully showered & clothed!) and on the High Street of town just before 9 a.m. That never happens. Dropped off two bags of donations then had an early elevenses of drinks and toast at the café before heading to Tesco for the last bits for our picnic. Came home to find not one but two Amazon packages, including the package being shipped from the US (I only ordered it over the weekend). Very excited and now have some things to flip through tonight and to start formulating my R.E. plans.

I love packages in the post!

I have been helping out up at the school all morning. It is baking hot so we were outside. The kids came out in groups so weren't outside for such a long stretch but all of us helping are frazzled. It is roasting here!

I couldn't sleep last night for worrying about it but I enjoyed it once I got there.

I have a meeting at the school this afternoon to discuss ds - mainly about how to support him moving up a class but also to adjust his IEP. I can't think straight. Yikes!

It is too warm in our house to do the housework today so I will do as I did yesterday and do the jobs and garden in the evening (and pray I can still sleep after it).

Hi all, just popping in while I have some lunch.

Hope your meeting goes alright carrots

We have quite a lot of cloud today but it is still warm.