Chitchat thread #24

[bramble]

Just a quick question...I made carrot and butternut squash this afternoon but its far too sweet.
I followed a recipe except for adding a few sticks of celery and a few onions.

[bramble]

Sorry...that message went before I finished typing.
Looking for suggestions as to hat I can add to reduce the sweetness in the soup.

[Nicos]

Urmm…lemon juice?
I’ve never tried it but I hear cocoa works in small amounts.
Or spices?

[lottie dolly]

hello,yes sleepless again,been awake since 3 30 am,now 3 55,what the ek is going on with us all,am going to put a wash on in a bit,get a head start on the day,THEN have a kip later on,

[Snoop Puss]

Morning all.

Been awake since 3.30 am too. Not my fault though. Someone next to me in bed wanted to chat about cars... He's trying to justify getting a better (meaning bigger and faster) one. He's probably right, but it wouldn't have helped if I'd just said that at the outset, as justifications require lots of ifs, buts, pros and cons and going all around the houses so that you can feel like you've made a reasoned decision rather than just wanting something as a whim. Anyway, he's now fast asleep and I'm dozing at the keyboard. Think I'll join you and have a kip later on too, LD.

Raining outside. Only slight drizzle at the moment. Not very sure what the day will bring. Did a calculation yesterday from a map and it could be another 80 mm for us here. Sadly, Valencia is going to take another hit, as is Malaga, like when you were there, Bramble.

As for your dish, Bramble, that's never happened to me. Maybe it was a very sweet squash or carrot. Or I have a sweet tooth. Is it a soup? Could you maybe try blending in some tomatoes to add a slightly sour note?

Have a great day, everyone.

[Bren In Pots]

Morning

Bramble hope you sorted out your soup. I like spicy soups so usually add something like coriander, paprika, or cumin and garam masala to my carrot and butternut soups. This is the recipe I used at the weekend. Like you I added celery plus a small sweet potato that needed using up.

Easy Carrot and Butternut Squash Soup (Vegan) - Easy Peasy Foodie

[Florence Fennel]

Good Morning All Sunny here. I've got the decorator in today to freshen up the lounge and kitchen, so I'm room hopping. Have a good day

[Nicos]

Mornin n’alln’all

No frost…typical …but best to be sure in protecting the geraniums.
I really can’t stand their ‘scent’/ stink, so wouldn’t really want them inside tbh.
I may play at ‘tomatoes’ with them when OH is back…in at night and out during the day on the nearby patio. Too heavy for me to lift them.
We’ve done that previously and forgotten about them though….so not so sure about risking it.

Lots of clearing up in the house today- there’s loads of sawdust from the doors being fitted. Nothing is square so the final touches had to be done in situ.

More sewing…plenty more to crack on with.

Enjoy your day peeps…hmmm..sweet and sour jumps to mind re that soup. Let us know what you decide bramble, and how it works out.

As for sleep…I’ve stopped fretting about sleeping. I can always have a siesta. Maybe not when we have to sort the gites, but apart from then, I have the luxury of being able to do so as and when.
It seems that it’s historically normal to have two sleeps at night…have a bit of a gooogle about ‘Medieval two sleeps’
Once you understand it’s actually normal, then there’s less to be anxious about, which can only enhance getting back to sleep when you are ready. Well, that’s my take on it!

Enjoy your day peeps- remember to pass on a smile- as Rary would say, and do try and get up to some mischief…no matter how small

[greenishfing]

Good morning all.

It's only 7°C and breezy. The sun keeps trying, but not quite succeeding, in coming out to play.

I'm not going anywhere this morning as my slow cooker dish is due to be delivered between 10am and noon. The hair dresser is then due at 12.45. Hopefully I'll then get chance to do a grory hop before the roads get full of parents driving to collect their children from school. Most children never seem to walk or cycle anywhere anymore around here, get any independence or develop problem solving skills.

A few years ago my sisters and I were discussing this. My youngest sister was frightened of cows when she was small. My other sister and I worked out a solution. If we had to cross a cow field we used to pull her jumper up over her eyes, grab an arm each and run her through the field. A sensible solution to an 8 and 9 year old, and even for the 4 year old, who thought it was a game, but a young person who heard all three of us sisters laughing about these memories was horrified. I think we heard the words "child abuse" mentioned. I think most problem solving was rough and ready back then. When I was 4 and had just started school I was petrified of dogs as one used to come and bark and snarl at me every day on my way to and from school. My dad's solution. An alsation puppy. The softest, daftest, most loving, loyal solution.

Time to stop reminiscing now and do some cleaning.

[bramble]

Good morning all. Dull and cold and just 5 degs,
Bren, that's the recipe I used, but I doubled up on the veg and forgot to double the spices...that explains it...thanks.

Nicos, I still have few containers to put under cover, just need to make some space for them.

Snoop, what an awful hammering Spain is getting, it will take for ever to get those areas habitable again.

Flo, I could use someone to come and freshen up the paint but it can wait until the new year.
Have a good day all.

[lottie dolly]

morning ,just,thats interesting about sleep Nicos,poor spain getting it again stay safe Snoop, love remembering the good times of the past GF,the kids of today have no idea,we knew how to make our own fun,no expensive toys needed,we also new good manners ,or else,good luck dodging the paint FF,i have a couple of cakes to make,and if i feel like it introduce myself to the vacume and duster,have a lovely afternoon

[Nicos]

Lottie….please feel free to come and vacuum up the sawdust in my house
Its only wafted into the bedrooms and landing,so wouldn’t take long…. I just can’t face doing it at the moment How lazy is that?

[Florence Fennel]

I've never noticed your double-barrelled Monica before Nicos, what a VIP

[lottie dolly]

hahaha,nothing got done in the end,by time i got sorted ready to start,i had a visitor,so i will do the simple cakes tonight,no good leaving till the morning,as am bound to end up in a fluff,just thought,i have to go out for more eggs ,by for now

[Bren In Pots]

Good morning all. Dull and cold and just 5 degs,
Bren, that's the recipe I used, but I doubled up on the veg and forgot to double the spices...that explains it...thanks

Bramble that’s my favourite butternut soup recipe it’s easy to adjust and always tastes good.