The Random Thread

[Workingman]

Why does the wind always blow directly at the window when it's raining?

It's tipping down and it is like sitting in a drum.

And why just as I want to go to bed?

[TheOstrich]

Today, we bought a marrow!

We have been searching for a traditional English marrow for nigh on a month. We have covered well over 50 miles or so visiting as many farm shops and fruit 'n veg stores as we could find all over South Wilts, North Dorset and South Somerset but until today, no marrow. It has cost us about £25 in petrol and about £60 in meals out.

Oh, and £1.99 for the marrow.

[Workingman]

Listen.

When you're retired time doesn't matter. The endeavour has to be completed and done to your satisfaction; it's the end result that counts.

A marrow would be somewhere near the bottom of my list, but each to their own.

[saundra]

Years ago 1964/65 I remember making m
Marrow jam it was lovely had a lot of ginger in it
Used it in steam suet pudding
Or stuffed a marrow in the good old days
Gave you looked on market stalls ossie?
Local allotment might h ave some near to you
But enjoy it now you h ave one

[TheOstrich]

Yes, WM, endeavour duly completed at Root 'n Veg in Sturminster Newton.
Next task will be to try and source damsons.

It's all pumpkins and butternut squash these days, that's wots done for the traditional English Marrow.
Something else to blame on climate change, I guess. Or the Yanks, I'm not fussy.

Saundra, we will have it stuffed with minced beef and carrots.
Wretched thing's huge and I've just weighed it - 4 lbs 4 and a quarter ounces!! Not one to drop on your foot .....
It should last for three meals.

What's the betting most people under the age of 60 will have no idea what a steamed suet pudding is.

[cromwell]

Shrinkflation.
The packets get small but the price stays the same.
We've notice that butter (down to 200gm from 250gm), Ben's rice (ditto) and - Kaz! - Jelly Snakes (130gm, down from something bigger) have all suffered from shrinkflation.
Anybody seen any others?

[Workingman]

I buy (unbranded) butter at 250g for not much more than before - it's butter FCOL. The basmati rice in the "International" section has hardly moved in price and is still in 1kg packets. For me a haddock fillet or a chicken breast is a haddock fillet or a chicken breast not a (pick a brand name) haddock fillet or a chicken breast at twice the price.

My food bill has risen, but nowhere near the percentages peddled by the media.

I buy loose veg and the cuts of meat that I want (local butcher) and never, ever, ready meals.

[Kaz]

Shrinkflation.
- Kaz! - Jelly Snakes (130gm, down from something bigger) have all suffered from shrinkflatio?

Shrunken snakes??!!! Whatever next

[saundra]

I think alot of stuff has shrunk crommers
especially packet stuff cereal ? Especially I just buy what I need and no extra stuff these days really somebody is making a lot of money I think
And blaming inflation
I don't buy ready meals either ugh

[Workingman]

Saundra, I do some batch cooking for a couple of hours every other weekend or so.

From a few basics I get a good range of meals - stir-fries, curriies, c-con-cs, Italian, Mexican, French... the odd shnitzel and so on.

From freezer to table is much quicker than a hugely overpriced takeaway.

The time issue many use as an excuse for takeaway and ready meals does not exist.