Chitchat thread #24

[Bren In Pots]

Morning

Congrats on catching that mouse Jay sometimes it can take days

Snoop i hope your new starter is soon up and running, not sure how but I've had mine since Jan 2012 it was tricky during lockdown with there being not much flour around. Its not named just left in the fridge and fed each Saturday or when needed.

Keep warm and enjoy your day

[Florence Fennel]

Good Morning All Icy but sunny here. Well done with that starter Bren! Have a good day

[bramble]

Good morning all. Clear and sunny with an icy wind and just 2 degs.

Wow Snoop, that was some damage from one little mouse.

I might go for a short walk, just to get out for a bit.
Making the last batch of my jam today.

Stay safe all and srsp up well.

[lottie dolly]

Good morning all,bloomin mice,well done indeed for catching it mr & mrs Jay,i know they are only small,BUT,they scare the life out of us,the one i had a while ago now,never did get it,i was very worried when it went into my sewing room,as i have lots of fabric stored,some pink blox were put down,and all was good,Snoop it must be realy cosy with the range lit,years ago we had a rayburn that threw out the heat,and good for toasting,ended up waling to my group yesterday,took the trolly for support and get the shopping bits in after,never again,it was not nice coming home,cold,dark and icy under foot,the bloomin wheels on the trolly front kept going their way not mine,i used my stick here and there,but not realy any good,BUT,i did it,just took my time,in one way it was a personal challenge,yey i did it,still indepentant,and the walk in the crisp air maybe done me good,the poor car is realy frozen up,another time it will be,either stay in,or put the heater inside to thaw it out,but did come back with back ups,a lighter for the gas and long life milk as backup,stay safe all,spring is round the corner,in a few weeks easter eggs will be anounced again

[greenishfing]

Good morning all.

A beautiful, sunny morning. The car is still in ice cube mode however and there is still a frozen inch or so of snow on the roof. It must be quite well insulated as we had the heater on so high yesterday when we went out that I felt as if I was being boiled alive and it got parked in the sun while I was shopping.

Lottie, be careful. Don't risk falling on the ice.

Oh Jay, the thought of that mouse. I would never have slept while it was loose and Mr GF would have had to search on his own as I would have been in total panic mode, probably locked in the car.

[Florence Fennel]

I'm the same GF - irrational to be afraid of the little creatures I know. My mum used to hit them with the brush from the dustpan then throw them outside "for the cats"! She was so skilled and so brave in my eyes. I suppose it would be considered cruel these days!

[mothhawk]

Afternoon all.

I think we had another sprinkle of snow overnight, it didn't look like frost on the cars, but the sun has cleared it away.

Mouse in the house? There's a lot to be said for a good mousing cat or little terrier Talking of cats, how is Hibou, Nicos?

Snoop, I tried your panettone recipe, but without the sourdough starter, I just put a bit extra yeast in. As it made two, I made one regular size, and divided the rest to make 6 mini panettones. They came out of the oven beautifully fluffed up, then, tragedy! I dropped the big one on the floor It deflated like a burst balloon and ended up looking like an outsize teacake. Oh well, the birds are in for a treat. I've never actually had panettone before, and I have to say I found that recipe far too sweet, and the flavour really nothing more than a glorified teacake. I won't be making it again.

[Snoop Puss]

Really sorry to hear about your panettone, Mothhawk. That's a lot of effort and expense for nothing. And sorry to hear about the poor flavour. Are you going to give up on panettone altogether or just that particular recipe?

[greenishfing]

Weirdly enough I got this item advertised in my last email from Amazon.

[Snoop Puss]

Well, either they know you're a keen baker from your previous purchases and it is that time of year. Or they're tracking your online interactions and things you Google for. I'm not one of the tin-foil hat brigade, but I know the latter happens to me.

[mothhawk]

... Are you going to give up on panettone altogether or just that particular recipe?

That's me done with panettone, still, you have to try these things in order to know whether or not they are worth the effort. I'll only make the Italian breads I love, ciabatta and especially focaccia.

The panettone did lead me to discover some luxury mixed dried fruits though, that had yellow cherries and cranberries in and were not dried completely out as some dried fruits are.

(Mr Whitworth is my new friend)