AS: Tea and biscuits and GIN, the British thread

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  • What a day: howling wind all night and now heavy showers.

    Today number 1 son started a new job: he'd got fed up with his "graduate" job which turned out to be nothing of the sort so has now gone back to doing admin for a charity while he takes stock.

    Number 2 son has announced that he is but one step away from being accepted for officer training for the armed forces, something he managed to keep quiet about because unlike most people he is already incredibly fit and healthy so has had no need for a new fitness regime. The major decision he needs to make seems to be whether it is into the army or does he go for the Royal Marines - no doubt I'll be told in due course.

    Of concern is that the two of them have always tended to do the same thing, being mirror twins and all, so I fear another announcement soon.
  • Well, best of luck to both of them. A difficult time for you, as you wait to see which way they'll jump!

    Vile Weather here too - r*in, w*nd, and general beastliness.

    SOUP is called for.

    IJ
  • TheOrganistTheOrganist Shipmate
    edited April 2018
    <snip>... general beastliness. <snip>

    IJ

    :lol: heh, heh, heh! How the head of my old school referred to homosexuality!

    Thanks for the good wishes for the career paths of the children:
  • What a day: howling wind all night and now heavy showers.

    What a day, cloudless skies and endless sunshine! Husband is cutting the grass and I sat outside to write the pastoral letter.... :smiley:

  • Enjoy it while you can....
    :grimace:

    There's worse to come. You Mark My Words.

    IJ
  • What a day: howling wind all night and now heavy showers.

    Today number 1 son started a new job: he'd got fed up with his "graduate" job which turned out to be nothing of the sort so has now gone back to doing admin for a charity while he takes stock.

    Number 2 son has announced that he is but one step away from being accepted for officer training for the armed forces, something he managed to keep quiet about because unlike most people he is already incredibly fit and healthy so has had no need for a new fitness regime. The major decision he needs to make seems to be whether it is into the army or does he go for the Royal Marines - no doubt I'll be told in due course.

    Of concern is that the two of them have always tended to do the same thing, being mirror twins and all, so I fear another announcement soon.

    I wish your sons all the best. As for the "incredibly fit one" having no need for a new fitness regime, he'll find that he will if he joins the Royals! There's an eight foot high wall at the Commando Training Centre: Marine recruits have to be able to go over it but officer cadets have to be able to go through it.
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    We haven't got much in the way of wind, but it's been chucking rain since the early hours, and more water is really the last thing we need at the moment.

    The grackles have been flocking to the birdie bistro for most of the day, apparently completely oblivious to the rain.

    I made The Sausage Thing for lunch, set a batch of bread going and am contemplating the manufacture later of SOUP for tomorrow. This time it'll be what we call "just soup" (veggies, chicken stock and a few pulses), as I haven't done it for a while and D. is particularly partial to it.

    A day of domestic goddessishness seems to be beckoning. :smile:

  • la vie en rougela vie en rouge Circus Host, 8th Day Host
    Husband en rouge is French as you know. What with it being damp and miserable here today I successfully fed him JAM ROLY POLY.

    My work is done :grin:
  • NenyaNenya Shipmate
    <snip>... general beastliness. <snip>

    IJ

    :lol: heh, heh, heh! How the head of my old school referred to homosexuality!

    I didn't go to a boys' boarding school but understood beastliness in that context was a euphemism for solo nighttime activities that made the sheets messy...

    Yay for baby en rouge!

    Piglet... have I missed the news about the outcome of the job interview...?
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    Nenya wrote: »
    Piglet... have I missed the news about the outcome of the job interview...?
    No - because there hasn't been any. Despite being told I'd hear last week by e-mail, there's been nothing.

    I've just checked their HR department web-site and it's saying "closed - in the selection process", which at least isn't "filled". I have a friend whose husband is a prof at the university, and she said they tend to be very slow with these things, so maybe there's still hope!

    Thanks for asking though!
  • la vie en rougela vie en rouge Circus Host, 8th Day Host
    *happy dance*

    Baby en rouge is

    a) out of intensive care
    b) in a cot, and
    c) wearing pyjamas

    (damn the old smilies were better and I want the yipee one, repeatedly)

    I am now on a mission to dress him in as many embarrassing and adorable things as possible, before he gets old enough to complain :naughty: Today he was wearing a woolly hat I knitted with little ears on and he was so cute I didn't know what to do with myself. I have also ordered pyjamas with a dinosaur on, and the word "awraaa" because how could I not?

    My Dad of all people has now decided he wants to knit a red woolly hat (in honour of Wales, naturally).

    *happy dance*
  • Jengie JonJengie Jon Shipmate
    :grin:

    Jengie
  • Ooh, brilliant news
  • DiomedesDiomedes Shipmate
    Wonderful news. I am so happy for you all.
  • CathscatsCathscats Shipmate
    Hooray for baby en rouge. Next thing, you will get him home!
  • SarasaSarasa Shipmate
    What wonderful news LVER. :smiley: Go for as many silly outfits (preferably hand knitted as you can). By the time he was three my son wasn't keen on anything I'd knitted and by the time he was four had decided opinions about what he liked and what he didn't as far as clothes are concerned. He still has basically the same style, jeans and a t-shirt and thinks dressing up 'posh' is a total waste of time.
  • What wonderful, amazing news, LVER. Just amazing.
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    Hurrah indeed for baby en rouge! About the headgear - don't new-borns come with little woolly hats already installed? I don't think I've ever seen a picture of a brand-new baby without a delightfully silly hat ... :smiley:

    Great to hear he's out of Intensive Care - hopefully he'll progress in leaps and bounds now!

    It's quite a pleasant evening here, although not very warm (currently 12°). I understand the river's still rising in places; D. said that the bits of stubborn ice that had been at the edges yesterday were flowing down at a rare old rate of knots when he went in to w*rk this morning, and the little eyots in midstream that we can see from the château are still much more covered than they probably should be.

    The SOUP manufacture didn't happen yesterday: D. decided he fancied something else for today's lunch, but I think I'll go and make it now, as I've had a very lazy day so far and I think SOUP therapy may be just what I need. If it doesn't get eaten tomorrow, it can always be frozen for future use.
  • Excellent news, LVER. What are children for if not to dress up in knitted ears.
  • Wonderful news LVeR and great about the "real" clothes. Ours were so small their legs disappeared into the body of a babygro so I took a tip from a mate and they wore socks on the outside - rather like Superman and his underpants.
  • Yay bebe en rouge!
  • ferijenferijen Shipmate
    Yay for baby en rouge:) he’ll be eating jam roly poly before we know it*

    I’ve had two spring/summer born babies and told quite firmly not to let them overheat, so neither of mine wore hats as newborn. There’s an October one on its way though so we’re going to have to start thinking about newborns in the cold, which is a different kettle of fish.


    *probably not an ideal first weaning food, this is not medical advice ;)
  • DormouseDormouse Shipmate
    Excellent news, LVER. We salute Bébé en Rouge for his progress.
  • MaryLouiseMaryLouise Purgatory Host, 8th Day Host
    Wonderful news!
  • BoogieBoogie Shipmate
    *happy dance* indeed LVER!

  • Wet KipperWet Kipper Shipmate
    much :smiley: for baby en rouge
  • sionisaissionisais Shipmate
    ferijen wrote: »
    Yay for baby en rouge:) he’ll be eating jam roly poly before we know it*

    *probably not an ideal first weaning food, this is not medical advice ;)

    Great news about baby en rouge. As an aside Mrs Sioni's eldest nephew (now turned 50) was a big baby, with a big appetite and at five months was his mother's despair. She consulted the doctor who told her that "If it takes a pork chop to satisfy him, let him have one". Jam roly poly would probably be better, so long as the jam is not too hot.
  • PriscillaPriscilla Shipmate
    Wonderful news, LVER!
  • Yes, the JAM must never be too hot. Serious repercussions may result, the most serious being a life-long aversion to JAM.

    Which would never do.

    I assume, BTW, that the en rouge household also indulges in CUSTARD, to go with the JAM ROLY-POLY?
    :wink:

    IJ
  • ferijenferijen Shipmate
    BF, I now want CUSTARD more than just about anything in the world.

    Just reading the Uncle Pete thread. Has anyone heard of our Indian correspondent recently? I miss his updates here. Well, not here, but there, if you see what I mean. Thinking of you Wodders and hope you're OK.
  • Ferijen, some nice, hot, creamy, virtual CUSTARD is on its way to you now, through cyberspace, with my compliments. Enjoy!

    Yes, I wondered how WW was getting on. I know others have been in touch with him, but he is indeed missed.

    IJ
  • la vie en rougela vie en rouge Circus Host, 8th Day Host
    I am not good at making custard. In the rouge household it's usually Marks and Sparks' finest because my own efforts are too much trouble for too mediocre a result.
  • I still think the littlest En Rouge should be the Rougelet.
  • Gluten free, dairy free custard is available and is even nice enough for me not to bother with other custard. I bought a carton to go with rhubarb at the weekend and finished it off with bananas one day this week
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    ferijen wrote: »
    ... There’s an October one on its way though so we’re going to have to start thinking about newborns in the cold ...
    Congratulations! Is there a Knitting Granny™ in the Ferijen clan?

    When my sister was expecting my nephew, she came home on holiday while I was knitting one of those Icelandic Lopi sweaters (the only thing I've ever knitted). She became quite fascinated by it, and before she left, she'd bought some wool and needles, knitted one for her husband, and with the left-over bits, made a little one for the Bump. Unfortunately, the Bump was born in August, and by the time the weather was cool enough to justify the sweater, he was too big (he was quite big to start with).

  • ferijenferijen Shipmate
    There isn’t a knitting Granny, sadly, although we have received some lovely blankets from Other Folk over the years. And I feel so much guilt over the following story. When the first Ferijenet was born, my sister’s godmother visited (from the other end of the country). She had always knitted us amazing jumpers when we were little (Bertie Bassett was one I remember vividly) and she’d made the baby a gorgeous cardigan and a hat. The wool from the hat she had saved from a ball she’d bought visiting the Falkland Islands ?15 years previously. ‘I’ve been saving it’, she said ‘for a really precious baby’. The hat was amazing, chunky wool and absolutely the sort of thing I would like to wear, never mind the baby.

    The first time we took him out in it that autumn we lost it. I never even got a picture of him wearing it (which she’d asked for), and I’ve not seen her since to confess...
  • O dear - but, if you were to confess (and surely the Hat was only lost by pure accident), might she not understand, and kindly knit him another one?
    :wink:

    IJ
  • Gramps49Gramps49 Shipmate
    Sorry I am late to the party. But I did bring my Bellewood Apple Gin. It is gluten free. I highly recommend it. If you are ever in Lynden WA area, look Bellewood Distillery. They also make a mean vodka.
  • Ah, but is this superlative GIN available in the UK, this being a British thread, and all....?

    Enquiring minds need to know, because our Madam Sacristan is a devotee of the (occasional) GIN, and Christmas is not far off.

    IJ
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    ... Christmas is not far off ...
    Steady on, old chap - I don't think we're quite finished with Easter yet* ... :flushed:

    * at least not liturgically.

  • Well, quite - but I like to Plan Ahead...
    :worried:

    IJ
  • PigletPiglet All Saints Host, Circus Host
    Our dear friend WW would be most impressed - he's always the first to point out when we're nearer to Christmas than we are from it.

    It's chucking down rain again (as if we needed any more water) - a particularly heavy batch was reserved for the minute we got out of the car, so we had to make a dash for it along the path.

    The flooding seems to be abating slightly, but I think it's really just moved on down the river, and they're getting it further south and east of us.
  • Bishops FingerBishops Finger Shipmate
    edited May 2018
    Another lovely sunny spring day (We Shall Pay For It, YMMW) today, but brightened even further by the discovery that my local Co-Op corner shop now sells BAGELS....pass the cream CHEESE and smoked salmon, please.
    :grin:

    IJ
  • NenyaNenya Shipmate
    I've just been told it's World Naked Gardening Day today. Was anyone else aware of this and is anyone acting upon it?
  • The answer to those questions is yes and no in that order! Low fences and a somewhat overlooked back garden. I wish to stay on reasonably good terms with the neighbours....

    Some low level pottering has been done in the garden today, and I’m hoping to pop out for some more in a mo. Struggling a bit with recurrent migraines atm, which has rather taken the edge of the mojo.

    A slightly belated huzzah! for baby en rouge and the clothes, and hats with ears. My niece has been the recipient of some truly awesome babygros which weren’t available when my kids were little. My favourite has a picture of Bob Dylan and is inscribed with “it’s time I need a-changin”.
  • World Naked Gardening Day sounds painful, says the person who has not been outside at all today. I'm waiting for dusk so I can get out for a wander avoiding/getting a break from sunburn. I'm less than impressed that even wearing a hat like this with the extra side bits down and clipped under my chin, I can still burn. The students I've been working with the last couple of days would not cope with me turning up with face and neck covered in SPF50+ aka as understudying Lurch as well as the hat.

    I have a ticket to the Globe this evening, but new meds and an day trip to Sheffield on Thursday to see the immunologist means I have a not well daughter who does not want to be left.
  • DarllenwrDarllenwr Shipmate Posts: 47
    Sunny and misty by turns where we are today - interesting weather.
  • NenyaNenya Shipmate
    I thought I had said, but clearly haven't so I will now - yay for Bébé Rouge. I'm sure the talk of chocolate and jam roly poly is helping him no end.

    In other news, wine has been drunk with stir fry, chocolate consumed, and Nen's bed is calling her.
  • Nenya wrote: »
    I've just been told it's World Naked Gardening Day today. Was anyone else aware of this and is anyone acting upon it?

    I wouldn;t be trying tha with my dwarf kaffir lime tree. Vicious thorns, very vicious.
  • Nothing to do with the above ...

    Our church kids are at a Christian Adventure Centre for the weekend. I went to join them (it's a lovely place, I discovered) for the afternoon. One activity involved crawling through very narrow tunnels (plastic tubes). Would I do it? Yes, I did - it's harder for adults because I could only wriggle on my tummy, while the kids could go on hands and knees. Going uphill wasn't easy - but I did it. (The 11-year old behind me was not asked to push my feet!) Mind you, the kids went in several times but once was enough for me.
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