Topic of the day (well, of tomorrow)

[Goodlife1970]

Just wondering if anyone can top this: just recieved my Valentines pressie from my (not so) romantic OH (only a FEW days late),he returned home from the tip with a lidless dustbin! He had managed to tie a ribbon bow around one of the handles,the old softy him! Oh,the use for this recipticle? A strawberry planter of course! Who says romance is dead????

[Wombat]

That's great to hear goodlife!

Nev

[ina]

Actually, a useful dustbin would be worth a lot more to me than, say, a bottle of perfume... Anybody can buy that, doesn't even need to leave the house for it - but a bin, with a thought behind it, AND a ribbon - that takes work and imagination!

I always pity my friend. Like me, she doesn't go mad over Christmas and birthday etc, but her husband has never, ever given her a present. Not quite sure if he even knows what day her birthday is. Unfortunately, the son (15) is very much like his father. For Christmas dinner, they turn up in the usual greasy boilersuits. They readily accept the presents she gets for them - but the other way round? Forget it. And Valentine's day - I doubt they've ever heard of that. At least, being single, I know I've got nothing to expect, but I think I would be a bit hurt by that much indifference.

[Shirley]

nice one - I think that is fab too!!

Ina... awww you could always go to Banchory tomorrow and I'll bring you some valentines day eggs....

[shiney]

I get useful pressies too.

It's nice!

I got a breadmaker for a Xmas present and it's the most loved and used gift ever.

[Shirley]

Shiney

I have had a breadmaker for a couple of years now and it makes ok-ish sort of bread.... but today I made the best ever... was only white bread flour and a basic recipe but I added some pumpkin seeds and some sunflower seeds and it rose beautifully - much larger than the normal large sized loaf we make. Sadly it hasn't done much for the old diet as we ate nearly all of that loaf before dinnertime - got some left for toast in the morning though.

[ina]

That's just my problem when I make my own bread - I eat too much of it! Now it's breadrolls, and as soon as they are cold enough, most of them go into the freezer, so I don't get tempted...

[shiney]

Well, we get through a loaf in a day with my lot, but if I just make the dough in the maker and take it out and cook in the oven. I get a loaf and some rolls, all light and fluffy and...

gone in about 3 seconds!

It's nice to add seeds etc. My lot love the fruit loaf recipe as well.

[Goodlife1970]

I mustsnt complain really then,the first pressie he bought me was a breadmaker and thats been one of the most useful pressies ever,used on a daily basis. The mill too was a pressie from OH,and then there was the lovely cabinet he made me from reclaimed timber................Im feeling better about my OH already! Prehaps sometimes you just need reminding.................

[LSP]

Sorry to go back to the Lent issue, which started as a Valentine's Day thread, I think. The following was written by the school chaplain at my son's school:

"Lent is very much seen as a time to give things up: chocolate, alcohol, the nice things that are considered a luxury. But I would encourage you not to give something up this Lent, rather to take something on instead. Try to spend some time each day during the Season of Lent to be quiet and to reflect on God."

That, I think, is a very positive thought, even for those who do not believe in God.

My son came home on (Ash) Wednesday asking what he should give up.

In the end I suggested that he gave up whining, being untidy, etc. On the positive side, he could take on being helpful and kind.

There is enough negativity in this day and age.

[Shirley]

Well said Ally !!

And good luck to your son with his task of being helpful and kind...How old is he?

[LSP]

He's very nearly six going 26.

Answers '26' whenever a number is required of him.

[Wombat]

Nice thought...............I like it!

Nev