And sloe it goes on.....

I picked 4lb of sloes (never done it before and had to take a sloe with me so I knew what I was picking - could be deadly night shade (althought it was daylight) for all I knew). Well I was told not to wash them and place in a jar (pickled onion jar as we got rid of the demi-johns after the disaster with the plum wine). I then weighed and added sugar. At this point I knew I would have to go back to the drawing board. Too much stuff - and not enough room in the jar for the bloody gin. Right - pour everything out and start again. I had a brain wave. I would sift the sloes from the sugar. The holes in the seive weren't big enough to let the sugar through. By this time I was thinking about ditching the whole idea for a bottle of gordons but I soldiered on. So, sloes in the jar, half the quantity, then the sugar. Tip it all out again. Remember to put half the amount of sugar in with the sloes this time. Right. Sloes in the jar, half the amount of sugar, add the gin. I did the same with 6 jars - go out and buy more gin. The shopkeeper gave me a second glance and lifted his nose as to smell my breath. I pick up some chewing gum and pay for my goods. Back home. Add the gin to the jars. There appears only to be 4 lids? I go through the cupboard methodically trying lids till I get two that fit. I stand proud of my achievement. I pick up the instructions and read what I have to do. I realise every last bloody sloe should have been pricked. Bollocks! They will remain in the gin because I can't be arsed to go through all that again.

Damson vodka. Follow the same instructions but this time run out of jars, lids, vodka and forget to prick the buggering things. Continue tomorrow after contacting friends for missing equipment and pledge some of my makings in exchange. Should have said I was preserving lemons - they wouldn't have wanted any then would they mmmm?

The sloe gin is the most gorgeous shade of red. The damson vodka is sort of pinkish-red. Both should be ready for christmas. Apparently you chuck the sloes when you strain it but you keep the damson flesh and mix in with some melted chocolate and cream to make very very very boozy truffles. Hic! Bring it on Santa Claus!

Oh so cold....

I'm at home feeling sorry for myself (no but yeah but more than usual). I have cold. The whole lot, bungy nose, headache, muffled hearing, watery eyes, green snot (I want you to feel my pain) and can't eat (which is the tragedy really). I may try a little soup later. Cough cough oh I forgot to say about the productive cough but not a chest infection as yet (at this point you may shower me with awwwws). The fire is full on as is the heating. All I want to do is sleep but have forced myself to come and share this with you all. Cue some more awwwws. I have hot honey and lemon with paracetamol and have had hot lemonade - I have no idea if it works but it is surprisingly nice - although I cant taste much the bubbles on my tongue indicate I still have feeling in it! Sniff sniff. I have do blow by dose. Yeuk! Much better! I don't think it's man flu (the worst affliction known to man) but I think its close to it. I had chicken the other night - do you think it might be bird flu? I can't even smell Albas Oil - now thats bad!

I have to go out and get some more paracetamol. And lemons and honey. But I'm off sick and you feel really guilty being off and shopping in tescos. Well I do. Its an errand of mercy to ensure I'm back for nights on Sunday night.

Off for a bath in my Molton Brown Eucalyptus bath bubbles. How terribly civilised! I think I feel better already.

It's bin a while....

Hi - I have been busy. Yes so busy that I haven't had time to .... no you don't want to hear that.... but yes I'm back. Much of the old drivel. The story goes something like this. They changed the shift pattern I work. This in itself isn't a problem is it? It damned well is when you've booked all your leave around your shifts and then find out you are working when you should be off and off when you should be on leave and and and so on. A right mix up. It's amplified by the fact that I can't have the leave I want because the allocation of leave is full. I have had to swap shifts etc so have had to work more shifts to get what I want as I have had to swap with colleagues. The knock on effect of which is that I haven't had as much time as I would normally have. I have missed out on a Robbie Williams concert (long story), last night of the proms at Castle Howard, my grandsons christening (almost, but had to work a night for a day), a wedding evening do to name but a few. I have been replaced in the pub quiz as my shifts now do not coincide with a Sunday night. And the sad thing is that I am not the only one. I counted up that I didn't see my husband or children for 8 days due to work. Like I say I am not the only one. Can you believe that they are going to do the same thing again and give us a 90 day notice of change next year sometime. And there's not a damned thing we can do about it. Plus the fact that the British Sugar plant in York is closing (don't get me going) means that Baldrick will be out of a job as of February. Something will turn up I am certain. Grump over.

I ordered garlic and onions on the advice of pumpkin soup. Not disappointed in the slightest. I ordered black stuff as greenmantle said and is spread over the site. The two water butts I had in the garden have gone to the site, as did the composter. Have not ventured to livestock (remember wild burro hmmm?) but will suffice with meal worms and things for the birds. They must be getting hungry as it's now much colder (or are they just greedy I wonder?).

Efforts must be made in the garden. It has been somewhat neglected of late and now we have a green wheelie bin I can get rid of green rubbish to hearts content. I looked out of the bedroom window which overlooks the back garden. Next door they have a very tidy yet if I may be so bold as to say, unimaginative garden, however I looked at mine in comparison and was staggered at how untidy and unkempt it looks. No time off til Wednesday now and only two days - doesnt leave me much time to do everything which needs to be done. I don't know about you lot but when the kids where at home, although I never stopped doing things I always had a lovely clean and tidy house. Now that there are only the two of us I can't keep up with it. Perhaps I hang onto all the crap in this house so that its a reminder of the kids - no that sounds daft. Maybe just turned into lazy cow. We should not have got a telly!!! Think I might get one of those things which limits telly watching and just use it during the day so that I can't turn it on.

Well it's lovely to be back. Hope you are all well.

Chin chin.