Has anyone seen Renée lately?

[Pepper Pig Profile]

Just wondering.

[Joanbunting Profile]

Yes she posted yesterday. I think she's been away at Colin's.

[Pepper Pig Profile]

Ah good. Thanks Joan.

[jeral Profile]

Yes, I think Renée is still away as she mentioned "we" and often doesn't have time to post so we all miss her for a while, but in a good cause

[Amyw Profile]

Thought it was interesting that Wargarden seems to have disappeared though still popping up on WG

[Pepper Pig Profile]

Yes, I was expecting a comment on the American cheese thread Amy.

[jeral Profile]

Maybe, given some comments, wargarden thinks it's an uphill struggle for him on here?

[Renee Profile]

Hi everyone, I'm back, after a long train journey from Wokingham yesterday. The weather was glorious the whole time that I was there. It's a beautifil day here in Lancashire!

Computer problems this morning, so thank goodness that I also have a tablet.

[Gillthepainter Profile Website]

Ha!
You're back. I sold my tablet and use a phablet (a bit bigger than a phone).
As you say, thank goodness for the technology.

[jeral Profile]

Welcome back Glad to hear weather good so you'll have been able to get out and about, which to me means eating out. I;ve no doubt you found time to make a few of Colin's favourites in between.

Sorry to hear your computer thinks it's still on its own holiday. Nothing if not temperamental eh.

[Renee Profile]

Yes, we had a few meals out. One very nice lunch was at a restaurant overlooking the Thames in Cookham, which was really special. I do enjoy cooking fortunately and made Colin's favourites, one of which was Josceline Dimbleby's Chicken with sun-dried tomatoes, tarragon in a creamy sauce and another favourite was roast loin of Hampshire pork, with roast potatoes, apple sauce and vegetables.

Right! Now to tackle the washing!

[jeral Profile]

Renée, lovely grub

There's rain and wind forecast after today's balmy weather. We'll get a posse together if you need hands to help you peg washing out

[Renee Profile]

My washing dried very nicely Jeral,followed by the dreaded ironing the next day.

Yes, the weather changed here and I awoke to a bright flash, followed by a large clap of thunder the other day. I really hope that the rain stops soon.

[jeral Profile]

Sun here this morning then a furious downpour mid afternoon. Why are they quick unless you get caught in one? It cleared the air though and it's still warm too.

I've just switched my gas and elec supplier before it gets cold. I've decided the expected savings entitle me to live the life of Riley so have just bought a small coffee maker. Unaccountably, dismantling and washing the cafetiere has always driven me disproportionately barmy, being much nicer seen as an ornamental decor item.

[Renee Profile]

I went on to a stainless steel cafetiere having accidentally bashed the glass one on a tap.

I once bought a stove-top coffee maker ... can't remember the name, but I didn't enjoy the coffee as much.

[Gillthepainter Profile Website]

Yes those cafetieres do break easy enough. I find the cheaper £5 ones wobble and break at the plunger bit.
A classic example of buy cheap buy twice.

My glamorous stove top coffeemaker was a bad pourer. It made its way to an art school still life ornament, then on to a charity shop.

[Renee Profile]

Yes, an art school would be the best place for it Gill, although I did read that most households have them in Italy. I do like the idea of them though.

[Gillthepainter Profile Website]

They certainly work. My mum had an elaborate German one. With like a teapot spout.
Mine didn't fit on the smallest gas burner either.

I'd get another, but it would have to be a bit bigger than a one/two cup version.

[Renee Profile]

Speaking of coffee, I've just remembered that I have green beans that need roasting in the wok. It's so therapeutic turning the beans with a couple of wooden utensils. I've been lazy and using instant since I came back from Colin's.

[Gillthepainter Profile Website]

That's a nice job to be getting on with on a Saturday morning.
The coffee roaster shop I was at in Sarlat, he emphasized that the ground coffee needed to be used up quickly.
But not so urgently the toasted whole beans that were being purchase.

Our Waitrose has been revamped.
And has lots of loose produce you weigh pack yourself. Inclusive of an array of coffee beans with a professional grinder. I'm itching to have a go.