Good Morning Wednesday Birds.

[Smowball]

Yet another dull, damp, great morning...... come on sunshine, where are you?? 
what's everybody got planned for today? I've got quite a lot of orders to process then think I'm going to take it easy for an hour - my back/spine isn't good this morn and don't want to over do it.

Have booked 3 days in April to go down and see Youngsmow & gf and baby Theo, which I can't wait for! Booked a large apartment with garden which worked out cheaper than hotel. It's got 2 bedrooms so in-laws are gona come too and split cost, as they are desperate to see Theo too. 
Just having a quick think as to what to do for dinner later on, as I like to know in morn so I know if I need to pick anything up lol. Still not sure yet - any suggestions?

[Rosetta]

Morning Smow and all who follow. The apartment sounds a great idea for you all. A chance for lots of cuddles, you will see lots of differences.

No specific plans for today, though I am cooking sty pie for dinner which is dead easy. We need to sort out a new gardener for lawns etc, our previous one retired at the end of last year. I dont think it will be easy to find someone else

Have a happy day everyone

[Smowball]

 Morning Rosetta. Sty pie?? That's a new one on me. What's that all about then?x

[ubasses]

Weather same again here, going to Paignton this morning, our nearest Grape Tree is there and I need some supplies, Mr U has to drop a letter off at the surgery there as well.

Dinner tonight is bottom of the fridge, I always have some swedish meatballs in the freezer and cook them with all sorts of veg and herbs that need using up, with stock and tomato paste.

I am in the dark about sty pie so will keep and eye for Rosetta's reply.

According to weather forecast sun is due to return for a few days next week.

[Smowball]

Oh and funnily enough, my MIL has just found a guy to 'do' her garden. Does she need one?  No not really lol. It makes MrSmow smile whenever she talks about 'my gardener' , as there really isn't much to do, certainly not on a regular basis, but guaranteed she will find work for him lol. She is paying him £25ph, which MrSmow thought was a lot - I said I didn't have a clue what the going rate was? Is that typical?

[Smowball]

Morning ubasses - ooh meatballs, now there's an idea. Haven't had them for a while......

[bednobs]

I have needs in the fridge and was thinking about doing a spaghetti bolognaise. My husband is doing slimming world and I can quite easily makes it suitable for that. MaybeI will make meatballs too with my mince. My 12-year-old it is a terribly fussy eater and doesn't like anything with the source so she won't eat that so probably do loaded nachos for her

[calda49]

Good morning Smow, sorry your back is playing up again. Weather here is dullish but cold. I too haven't heard of sty pie, maybe something to do with pork, as pigs live in a sty? 

Without a car today as I dropped my off yesterday for Mot today. Came home on the bus as OH was at a funeral. I know now why I pay such a large sum to run a car for the miles I do. It was not a good experience!!

No excuse, now I'm carless, to not catch up on indoor jobs, like cleaning the cooker hob, which I hate. I have to do it on ladders, (which I am not supposed to go up, due to balance problems). I only do it once in a blue moon.

The apartment sounds like a good idea, with all the space. Easier than trying to see the baby and all the gear that accompanies them in a hotel. Where does YoungSmow live, is it a long drive?

I suppose I ought to go and get on with my hob, have a good day all.

[calda49]

I don't mean cooker "hob", should have put cooker "hood". Sorry folks it makes me sound like a midget if I need steps for the hob!!

[Rosetta]

 Smow Cottage pie =beef mince, shepherds pie=lamb mince, sty pie=pork mince. I usaully add tomato puree+ bit of chilli to the normal ingredients + other spices if it needs more flavour as pork mince is a bit bland on its own

[Rosetta]

I use 5% fat pork mince as a replacement for 5% beef mince at it turns out a bit cheaper. It does need jujing up, but thats great for experimenting 

[Smowball]

Ohhhhh, pork mince lol - now I've never heard it called Sty pie so that's a new one!

Bednobs - I was a SW consultant a few years ago and ran several classes. Absolutely loved it. In fact I'm currently following it myself and have got MrSmow on it for most meals - he just doesn't know it yet! 🤣🤣🤣

[Smowball]

Hi calda - hope ur ok. Youngsmow is in Paignton, literally 2 mins from the beach.

[Rosetta]

I think we made up the term Smow, it gave us a giggle

[Cloverjo]

It made me chuckle to read about calda clambering up ladders to clean her hob. 😀

I pay my gardener (really just a man who mows the lawn) about £33 per hour, which I feel is too much but it's difficult to find anyone else.

 

[pastafreak]

Good morning everyone. I actually woke to sunshine but it's going to cloud over. I've got my Sainsbury's order coming between 7 and 8, so it's freezer food tonight so cooking won't be affected by watching for the driver. I've got pork mince in my order and intend to use it for a meatloaf. As for meatballs, I've got so many variations in my repertoire and there's always some in the freezer. I use beef, pork, veal, lamb, or chicken mince...or a combination. Sty pie sounds good....will make a note of that!

I'm going to lidl later for a few bits that are cheaper than Sainsbury's...including double cream.  1.19 vs 1.50...and local Iceland charges 1.80!!! They used to be cheap.

I'm glad I don't need a gardener...wow that's expensive! 

[Smowball]

£33 does seem expensive! Think some take advantage when there isn't many offering the service you need. (I'm not saying your man is doing that !). But if you can't do it yourself then needs must...

[ladybirder]

I pay same lady for the following jobs.

£25/hr Painting & Decorating

£20/hr Gardening

£15/hr Dog Walking 

£15/hr Cleaning

Luckily I don't have to use her very often for dog walking, only when my regular one is on holiday who charges only £8/hr!!  This is Hove, in B&H East Sussex area which is expensive.

BTW nearly everyone in Hove seems to own a dog or three.