SecretFollower

Courgette, pea and mint soup. I don't have a recipe. I had it at my local café where the guy makes his own soups and decided to just give it a go. Usual soup base - fry up a chopped onion and 1 or 2 small potatoes til softened. I put a couple mint leaves in now too. Then add the chopped courgettes and fry a few minutes more, Then add stock (I used vegetable but chicken would probably be ok too. Once it boils I add frozen peas and roughly torn mint leaves. Salt and pepper to taste. Simmer until everything's softened enough, then blitz.

I was given some green tomatoes the other day. Used some to make green tomato & apple chutney, and the rest just green tomato. I got the green tomato recipe from the net and it tasted great on first tasting. I'm going to leave it a few weeks now tho. 175g/6oz light brown sugar 150ml/5fl oz white wine vinegar 1 shallot, peeled, finely chopped 1 garlic clove, peeled, finely chopped 2cm/¾ in piece fresh root ginger, peeled, finely grated 1 red chilli, finely chopped 125g/4½oz sultanas 600g/1lb 5oz green tomatoes, quartered Heat the sugar in a frying pan until the sugar melts and caramelises. Then add all the other ingredients and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 1 hour, until thickened. It says you should be able to draw a spoon across the bottom of the pan so that it leaves a channel behind that doesn't immediately fill, but I didn't bother with this and it seemed thick enough. Then spoon into sterilised jars.

Wish I'd seen this topic before. Had problems with my partner's car until we started putting premium unleaded in. Runs like a dream again now. Serves him right for buying a fancy car and putting cheap fuel in it before probably tho. Trying to get him to buy a 4x4 now tho.

I'm about to make some pear drop vodka. Thanks for that idea ... can't wait. Not sure how many pear drops to put in it tho. SF

Shop him. I work for a lady with MS who's having her allowance cut because Social Services are so short of cash. Why should someone working 6 days a week get disability allowance when my boss can only get a few hours help a week and she can barely get dressed some days let alone do anything else for herself?

I'm paying 114.9 pl. There isn't much choice in filling stations round here but one particular place always seems to keep prices lower than others. Not sure about the place nearest me because they're always expensive so I gave up bothering to look at the price. SF

When I was at primary school, a girl I walked to school with always had marmite and marmalade on toast which I thought sounded disgusting (especially as I hated marmite). Recently, now that I like both marmite and marmalade, I decided to try it and have to admit it was very nice. SF

Went on one a few years back near Reading that I think cost between £100 - £200. It was a present from my ex hubby and when he took me to the place, they said he could go for £75 as there was a spare place. Only problem was that it was postponed about 3 times due to weather conditions. It was worth the wait tho. SF

Lovely looking pup. Good luck with him. Bet you can't wait to fetch him. SF

Beautiful pup. SF

Does anyone still use the PW Arms? SF

Having fallen off a horse the other day through pure lack of control, I truly admire people who have such amazing control of a horse. Fantastic stuff.

Mel and all you others celebrating today. SF xx

Happy Birthday Deeks and the rest of you. Hope you're having a great day! SF xx

Running?!?!?! Yes you're crazy. Come horseriding with me instead. Tone up while enjoying the scenery and being carried around the countryside. Much better for your knees too I reckon. SF

I've only seen them in Italy, just sunbathing. Never seen them over here.

That's so depressing!

Just read The Kite Runner. Fantastic book. I usually read rather more easy going books but it's good to throw in a thought provoking one now and again.

I'll get my domestic goddess hat on and give that one a try. Sounds delicious.

Happy Birthday Hunter and others. SF x

Been horseriding today and buying stuff for my riding holiday. Tomorrow I'll be doing more horseriding. Then off down South to be wined and dined to celebrate my promotion. Unless he's got a better celebration in mind

I'm very very near Brum. In Halesowen.

If I'm in a good mood I bite the head off first so it's swift and painless. If I'm in a bad mood, feet first to prolong the agony. Dread to think what that says about me.

As long as you're buying.

Great meet guys, was good to put some names to faces. Thanks Kev for organising it. Shame we didn't have today's weather tho. And thanks Roadkill for the lift. Glad I could make it and I look forward to the next one. SF