Consuming The HarvestConsuming The Harvesthttp://www.consumingtheharvest.me.uk/blog/2010-03-07T12:24:01ZSquarespaceAuto Pilot Engagedhttp://www.consumingtheharvest.me.uk/blog/auto-pilot-engaged.htmlKadeeae2010-03-07T12:23:55Z2010-03-07T12:23:55Z

Feeling ever so slightly like this little guy at the moment    So in keeping with the Blogging Without Obligation premise (see right sidebar) I am taking a very short hiatus from CTH, possibly to be back with Friday's Menu Plan, we'll see.  It won't be too long in any event, and I will be around cyberland getting a few other things caught up and a bit of leisurely surfing is order I think and even a little more down time for the MBP may very well be in order

Off I go now, everyone play nice, yes?

]]>The Creepiest Peoplehttp://www.consumingtheharvest.me.uk/blog/the-creepiest-people.htmlKadeeae2010-03-06T16:06:32Z2010-03-06T16:06:32Z

I cannot be the only person who finds these . . . Comfort people . . . about the creepiest things on TV and in print.  Well, if you disqualify Simon Cowell.  And those Tombola addicts off the Emmerdale adverts.

And as if a static print ad wasn't enough to give you nightmares, here is a video advert too.  I can be ever so evil

There.  Now continue on with what you were doing before I so rudely interrupted . . . . oh, and happy dreams, eh?

LizBeth-  No, don't guess I'd want to cook for any Royals, couldn't take the pressure, lol!     Gill-  Well, we eat our main meal of the day at what most people call lunchtime   Right about 1pm our time, I'll set an extra place setting.  You're not bringing guests are you?  And I'm hoping to hear back soon from the charity as to whether or not this is their policy or one that they are made to follow by others.

]]>Weekly Menu Plan 7 March - 13 March 2010http://www.consumingtheharvest.me.uk/blog/weekly-menu-plan-7-march-13-march-2010.htmlKadeeae2010-03-05T09:07:11Z2010-03-05T09:07:11Z

Another week gone and we're now into March, which by the way, came in like a lamb here on the coast - so look out end of the month!  We've had quite a bit of sunny weather this past week with fairly mild temps but yesterday the wind kicked up again and is set to continue on.

Last weeks menu has oddly gone completely to plan, a contented week at the Lodge!  Well, 'cept that ninny who BH is having a spot of bother with at the moment.  Mustn't get into that, stresses me out just to know it's going on.  Pi***lk.  Sorry, let's move on shall we?

SUN-  HM Oven Roasted Whole Chicken / Yorkies / HM Crispy Roast Potatoes / Corn-Broccoli-Parsnips / HM Gravy

MON-  L/O Chicken / Garden Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing / HM Roll

TUE-  Rib Eye Steak with sauteed mushrooms & HM Peppercorn Sauce / Garden Salad ~ Honey Mustard Dressing / HM Garlic Bread

WED-  Grilled Pork Slices / HM Mashed Potatoes / Carrots-Green Beans / Gravy

THU-  HM Grilled Cheeseburgers with various toppings & sauces / Chips

FRI-  HM Tuna Pasta Bake / Spinach-Corn-Broccoli

SAT-  Chippy Fish~n~Chips /OR/ Subway

Teas will include:  Bacon Rolls / Waffles & Maple Syrup / Cheese On Toast / Tuna & Sweetcorn Sarnies / Fish Finger Baps ala JamieO / Any Dinner L/Os not earmarked for main meals   Baking to be:  Bread, Rolls and a nice cake for the weekend (Goodies now restricted to weekends only).  Cooking/Making Ahead to be: Hamburgers for the freezer & spiced stewed apples for freezer.

As always, if I'm not back to CTH this weekend, everyone have a good one!

Crimsonsilk- That is my sticking point, the cost of administering this.  I know we were completely taken aback by the letter and this whole (new to us) process.     Kavey- That was another thought I had . . . there are always those, sadly, who lie in wait for an opportunity such as this.  I was even a bit 'on the fence' as to whether or not to even do the post as I don't think this is widely known, but my readership is small and I don't feel would ever take advantage of it.

]]>Charity Shops. Sell & Give YOU The Cash?http://www.consumingtheharvest.me.uk/blog/charity-shops-sell-give-you-the-cash.htmlKadeeae2010-03-03T09:51:35Z2010-03-03T09:51:35Z

Whenever we have a clearout, I try to get most things to the charity shop.  Whenever possible we declare 'Gift Aid' which, in a nutshell, means that if you give £10 (or £10 worth of donations) to a charity and you pay the basic rate of tax, the charity will receive £12.50 instead of the £10.  Great deal for the charity and doesn't cost you anything but a few moments to fill out a form.  

The last lot of goods we took to my favourite charity, Age Concern/Help The Aged (they are now one), dropped them off . . . bobs yer uncle (LOVE that saying, lol).  That was oh...4 or 5 weeks ago.  Today in the mail we received this letter:

Which states that they have sold at least some of the donation and did we still want the monies to go to them or had we changed our minds and decided we'd like the dosh ourselves.  EH?!  If we did wish to have the money, they would deduct a 5% administration fee and send it on.  I couldn't believe it!  This is the first time we have ever received a notice like this, and I am going to email the charity and ask if this is their idea or that of the 'powers that be'.

Who would donate to a charity shop, have them sell the item(s) and then ask for the cash?  Rather a cold hearted ******* I would think!  The majority of the workers in most any charity shop are volunteers.  The time spent to take in the goods, sort through them (I've heard they can get some horrendous stuff from people) do whatever may be necessary - if anything- to make them presentable, get them out on the floor and in the end deal with the public.  And the public can be quite a stress to deal with, I've seen people try to get 50p off of something that is in perfectly good condition and only going for a quid anyway.  Funnily enough, these types always tend to appear and speak as if they have more ££'s than everyone in the shop put together, lol.

So *takes a breath* I'll ask, and hopefully find out who put this in force 'cuz it's really ticked me off, lol.  Has anyone else who participates in Gift Aid got a letter like this from a charity shop?

To be continued . . . .

Gill-  True, I don't think many people living over 'your way' honestly realize how expensive many things are here in comparison.

]]>Simple Woman's Daybook ~Vol 4~http://www.consumingtheharvest.me.uk/blog/simple-womans-daybook-vol-4.htmlKadeeae2010-03-01T16:32:39Z2010-03-01T16:32:39Z

For Today, Monday, 1 March 2010

 

Outside My Window ~ The sun is shining brightly bringing hope for Spring but caution for the end of the month.

I Am Reading ~ The Gentle Art of Domesticity by Jane Brocket

I Am Enjoying ~ Getting back to menu planning and participating in the March grocery challenge.

I Am Learning ~ That calm, slow and deliberate is my way forward.

I Am Thankful ~ That "The Beast" is still doing very well and there have been no more 'episodes' or strokes.

I Am Hearing ~ The theme music from Midsomer.  (I've become quite a fan)

I Am Thinking ~ Of those in Haiti and now Chile, feeling fortunate and helpless at the same time.

In The Kitchen ~ There are sausages defrosting for tonight's Tea and clean dishes waiting to be put away.

A Picture For Thought ~ I cannot imagine a better place in the world to live.

Thanks to our host Peggy at The Simple Woman, please drop in and see all of the other Daybook participants' entries.

Gill-  So far the book is wonderful, loads of lovely photographs and ideas.  I like her 'laid back' style.     Sue-  There are leftovers, part used today and the rest in the freezer.  Will do a short post on it soon.     LizBeth-  That's ok, very forgiving here at CTH!  I've not started cooking for Her Majesty yet, but one can never tell!

]]>