Deblyn

Hey, don't padlock the door - I won't be able to get out! I've been in there drinking all the beer!!!! ------------------

I love cranberries; we can grow them here as long as we have a suitable bed of acid soil, and I want a couple of plants next year. The supermarkets here always get in the cranberries well before Christmas, and as a result there are lots left that are put on at reduced price, close to their sellby date, to clear them before the next lot come in. I buy loads of them and put them in the freezer. Wonder if you could make wine...................? ------------------

You do now! Thanks to you both. Looking forward to it. ------------------

Oh no I've been rumbled.............hic! ------------------

Asd Becca Anne says - lost arts. I think if people were re-introduced to a lot of these things, then the world would be a much better place in lots of ways. The art of learning is being eroded as well. Things like this site can only do good. ------------------

I picked up this way of making Garlic Bread in one of the hotel kitchens I worked in, and I use it all the time now, and buy the bread when it is reduced for quick sale in the supermarkets. French stick/loaf/baguette or similar, sliced to medium thickness. Spread each slice with garlic butter, then open freeze on a try until frozen. Place in rigid container with lid. Open freezing means you can take out just exactly the number of pieces you want to, and can add to the stock as the bread comes along. When required, just put in a hot oven (from frozen) and cook 5 - 10 minutes until done the way you like it. Could eat some right now, after I've been talking about it! ------------------

Deb - I put in whatever is around at the time. It might be rum one weel, and brandy the next. If you don't want alcohol, you don't have to do it, or can use apple or orange juice, which is nice too. nad butter = and butter sued = suet Excuse the rubbishy typing, my brain moves faster than my fingers. Result = bad typing! Stop laughing!!!! ------------------

Ed, I wasn't hinting, but I would certainly love a copy if you could get me one! I would send you the money or something else in return - please let me know, as I don't expect you to do it for nothing. What a kind thought - please let me know, and I'll send you my address etc. Although it's on the net, it's not quite the same as handling a paper copy ( and you can't read your computer in the bath!) ------------------

Reci, I looked up the almanac on Google, and there is loads of information on the site. Although it pertains to America, it has lots and lots of interesting stuff on it. Sadly I can't subscribe as I'm not in the US or Canada, but at least I can see it online. Thanks again ------------------

We have Christmas trees, crackers, decorations, hang up stocking for Father Christmas. There is always a plate of food and drink left out for him, and some carrots for his reindeer. A peculiarly British tradition is the Queen's speech, which is broadcast at 3pm on the BBC. I personally don't watch it, but it is a pivotal point of Christmas day for many people. ------------------

the modern pudding is a variation on an ancient English pudding called frumenty, made with wheat and fruit. These days, it is a very rich fruit pudding (yes, containing more alcohol!) which is steamed for several hours to cook it. The steaming results in a lovely moist pudding. Ingredients include dried fruit, flour, suet, sugar, eggs, rum. nuts. etc. I always add a tablespoon or so of very dark cocoa which makes it even richer. It is poured over with brandy or rum which is then set alight as the pudding is taken to the table. It is served with cream, custard or rum/brandy butter. ------------------

The traditional English Christmas cake is a very rich fruit cake made with dried fruit soaked for two days in rum or brandy, nad butter, along with eggs, flour, nuts, etc. It is made several weeks before Christmas (I made mine last week), wrapped up and kept in an airtight tin. Once a week from now until Christmas it will be taken out, pricked all over with a skewer and "fed" with alcohol - rum, brandy, sherry, or whatever the cook hasn't drunk in the case of my kitchen! Three days before Christmas day, the cake is brushed over with warmed and sieved apricot jam, and covered in a thick layer of marzipan. This is left to dry out for 24 hours. The cake is then iced with Royal Icing, made with icing sugar, egg white and lemon juice. Decorations are usually traditional - little figures, holly, etc. Last year when my two decorated the iced cake they sued every decoration in the box - 6 santas, five trees, three deer, five snowmen, two wee houses, etc etc etc. It looked really good, but was a pain to cut as I had to take off all the decorations and the icing had set rock hard! The cake usually lasts the best part of the holiday week. ------------------

Traditional english christmas dinner: Roast turkey, roast potatoes, mashed potatoes, carrots, peas, Brussels sprouts, parsnips, sausages rolled in bacon, bread sauce, cranberry sauce, sage and onion stuffing, gravy For pudding: christmas pudding falmed in brandy, served with brandy butter, cream or custard. Followed by cheeses, fruit, nuts, liqueurs, port and brandy. Christmas Day tea: mincepies, turkey sandwiches and Christmas cake. Cup of tea! Will post other delights in another thread. ------------------

Ok, will do. Will get it a bit organised so I don't ramble! ------------------

Is the Farmer's Almanac a book? It sounds interesting, and I love these sorts of ways of forecasting the weather to come. thick onion skins foretell a hard winter; mine were quite thick this autumn. ------------------

Post in "So wadda ya think?" It says it doesn't recognise my name. ------------------

We are very interested in these ideas, but aren't in a position to build one at the moment, but we have lots of books and literature on the subject. maybe one day. There is a lot of information available in the UK on the subject, and we have read quite a lot of it. I hope to start with a small straw bale shed in the garden. I wanted to make a goat shed from straw bales until hubby pointed out the goats would find a way through and eat the building. I could supply info for resources if you need further information. There is a lot of info available through the permaculture movement aswell. ------------------

Dennis Weaver- Hopper - I know who I mean! ------------------

............off to stock up on the tiger Balm........... ------------------

Reci - Enya album is Days Without Rain, which I got from hubby a while ago. I've played it so much I've worn all the writing off the tape, but I think it's this one. There are plenty of Scotsmen, kilted and otherwise to go round, ladies, so dinnae fash yersels! Hello Ed. ------------------

Reci - Enya album is Days Without Rain, which I got from hubby a while ago. I've played it so much I've worn all the writing off the tape, but I think it's this one. There are plenty of Scotsmen, kilted and otherwise to go round, ladies, so dinnae fash yersels! Hello Ed. ------------------

yes. I'm "looking after" them!! A but and ben is a traditional 2 roomed stone cottage in Scotland - 1 but and 1 ben. The ben is the room further away from the door. If you're good, I'll let them out to play!! ------------------

yes. I'm "looking after" them!! A but and ben is a traditional 2 roomed stone cottage in Scotland - 1 but and 1 ben. The ben is the room further away from the door. If you're good, I'll let them out to play!! ------------------

Denis Hopper's home was called an earthship, I've remembered. ------------------

I know that Denis Hopper has/did have a home built of rammed earth and tyres - I have the programme on video somehwere. that was interesting. another material that can be used is glass bottles - when cemented together they are incredibly strong. there is a movement in building with various methods here in the UK, and the planners are getting more used to alternative methods being suggested - rammed earth, earth sheltered homes, straw bale building, bottles, metal, benders, tipis, all sorts of things. It's a fascinating subject and one my husband and I are very interested in. He's an engineer, so interested in the technical bits. When/if we do build one we will be able to do it ourselves as he has all the knowledge and technical ability, which is handy. i can make the curtains!! (joke - I'll be out there digging with the best of them!) ------------------