Selfsufficientish.com

Skills I am proud of: Cooking from scratch (amazing how many people I know who are impressed by the fact that I can make something basic like soup or a cake! I was so lucky to learn so much from my mum) I'm with you on this one. My husband was amazed the first time he saw me cook roast potatoes sta...

OK. Things I'm good at: Teaching Statistics to Psychology undergrads (a bit specialist, this one, but it's a saleable skill) Public speaking and debating Looking at a spreadsheet full of numbers and getting excited, not scared ( :study: GEEK!) Things I'm good at that might actually be useful: Cookin...

It never occurred to me they might have a shelf life - I'd say indefinitely. Mind you, I did find one of my jam jar lids (I reuse those as well) was looking a bit rusty, so I guess you might not want to use them when they get to that stage.

Just curious - I'd have thought the obvious way to soften rhubarb would be to stew it, which is fairly quick. Is there a reason you're not doing that for this recipe?

Does it count if someone else buys it for you? I didn't last very long either, and don't have the excuse of a generous gift coming my way. First new purchase: A pair of wellies. I did try to mend the old ones with gaffer tape, I promise! Second new purchase: A lovely, shiny jamming kettle. I even pa...

A google search brought me right back here! http://www.selfsufficientish.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3378 The Forestry Commission websites have quite a lot of information, though note that their policy varies from one area to another. I'm disappointed to learn that they're stopping the permit scheme f...

Hello Little Blue Duck

Do you have a Margo-type person living next door to peer over the fence at all your animals?

Hello Nicola

I'm quite new here too, but I don't think that stops me saying welcome!

Oh, what a shame! I hate it when I come up against other people's expectations of how my life should be (though at the moment, most of my friends are going too far the other way and insisting we keep chickens, goats and even, from one friend, pygmy pigs. She sounded quite shocked when I said I didn'...

Why not! Now, where shall we start...?



edit: That was a joke, just in case anyone was worried

*Note to self: Remember to use smilies when talking to people who don't know me!

I can't face reading the Telegraph in gloat mode, or thinking about politics if I can help it, but if there's any overthrowing of capitalism to be done, count me in

I have just one resolution, but I think it might be as big a challenge as your six, Crowsashes: Make a plan and stick to it. Having quit my job for a less structured life, I fear I'll slip into idleness all too easily. I need to work out ALL the things that need to be done throughout the year, break...

How about explaining that you're a bit odd for not having all the scented things in your house (from her point of view, you probably are) and that it's made your tastebuds hypersensitive so that baking coming from a scented house tastes like soap to you. That way it's not her baking that's at fault,...

I thought I'd posted on this thread before Christmas, but must have pushed the wrong button because it's not showing. Just wanted to say to Helsbells and Green Aura, thanks for the advice and I didn't mean to ignore you

I'm glad to say my 2010 was nowhere near as bad as yours, and much sympathy to you, but I've had some bad years. The worst was when my Grandma died. It was the deterioration before she died that was tough, and she got nasty too. I'd promised her we'd never put her in a home and she had enough saving...