I am doing some baking - cinnamon and apple muffins as well as crunchy lemon muffins which I will take to church tomorrow to avoid a mass pig-out (it must be *someone's* birthday - if not it's eveyone's unbirthday (-; )

I suppose this isnt an absolutely essential use of our fragile power, but it will be a morale booster,

Edited to add the cinnamon and apple ones burnt on the outside and weren't cooked on the inside, Shalll stick to the easy eggless bran ones next time.

They are taking ages and I just want to go to bed,

Edited by calista at 12:54 am, Sun 26 Jun

calista - 2011-06-26 00:40:00

Goodmorning,
hope you're all having a nice quiet & relaxed start to your Sunday!
It's bucketing down here in Chch & I'm happy to be staying in bed :)
Calista - how'd the muffins turn out? It's a lovely gesture & I'm sure it'll be appreciated.
510 - I had to laugh at your character building comment ... I agree with you but at the same time am wondering if my character must have been very flawed or low after my year so far!!! (LOL) Alot of Chch could be wondering that themselves ...
Looking forward to brighter times ahead for everyone!

winnie231 - 2011-06-26 09:04:00

gosh i woke this morning to calm then storm, it keeps flickign between the two, not sure i want to go anywhere today

motorbo - 2011-06-26 09:08:00

Oh - I forgot to ask ...

how was the Chch get together??

winnie231 - 2011-06-26 09:25:00

There's a lovely idea for the future of Christchurch being proposed here ... have a look and add you support -
https://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/AvonRiverPark?sk=info

winnie231 - 2011-06-26 10:28:00

The muffins were Ok once they cooled down and I used sissors to snip off the few burnt bits.

Very much appreciated.

Edited by calista at 2:05 pm, Sun 26 Jun

calista - 2011-06-26 14:04:00

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charlieb2 - 2011-06-26 15:02:00

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cookessentials - 2011-06-26 16:41:00

Hey Cookessentials - would love to know which tagine recipe you use.

macwood2 - 2011-06-26 18:24:00

Rae
Honey not eating her food - she must be pining for you. Cinny has been fantastic at going over for cuddle and a walk. Peter is going back over soon. My oven went "bang" big time yesterday. Peter came home and said what's the burning smell in the garage???? The oven must have blown its fuse. Harvey Norman will be getting two barrels tomorrow.

macwood2 - 2011-06-26 18:27:00

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cookessentials - 2011-06-26 18:35:00

I wouldn't want to be Harvey Norman!!! Good luck getting it sorted Kate.

This infection fighting gag is hard work! I'm out of steam for today ... but I'm moving back to be with Honey tomorrow. As long as they're happy with where I'm at when I go for my next check up in hospital tomorrow that is ...

winnie231 - 2011-06-26 20:07:00

hope everyone is fighting fit this morning, felt like winter bit us in the bum this weekend, hubby and I had a night out in luxury lodge, very nice matakana is a very special part of nz and only an hours drive away from us. this was my pressie to him to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary, very cool. a heavy dusting of icing sugar hides a few things calista!! or if its really bad some icing on the top. have youngest son on open road today just hate that like to see them home safe from their destinations.
take it easy winnie, I know when I had an abess I felt really sick and you need a couple of days for the anitbotics to really kick in, hopefully they got most of it the first time.

auckland_ali - 2011-06-27 09:41:00

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cookessentials - 2011-06-27 10:18:00

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cookessentials - 2011-06-27 11:36:00

Hi all, unfortunately I'm not as well as I'd like to be ...
The registrar was not happy at my appointment this morning. I've still moved back to be with Honey but I have to go into hospital for day clinic so they can drain my jaw again :/
Congrats on your anniversary ali & cooks - I bet you're looking forward to the warmth of Noosa!
Hope the rest of Chch have survived last nights round of shakes ok & haven't spoilt your visit here EA.

winnie231 - 2011-06-27 14:06:00

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cookessentials - 2011-06-27 15:24:00

Me? Run-down? Hmmm .... let me think ...
... lost my home to an earthquake ... lost my job to an earthquake ... have been living with 9 months of stress & broken sleep due to ongoing quakes & aftershocks ...
nah - nothing that would cause me to be run-down comes to mind ...

(LOL)

winnie231 - 2011-06-27 15:51:00

I'm sure I'll come right soon Pam - and I hope you don't mind the 'tongue in cheek' response above ... I know you care xx
Can't believe it's been 3 yrs since you were in Noosa last. Bet you're looking forward to all that great tropical fruit!

winnie231 - 2011-06-27 15:56:00

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cookessentials - 2011-06-27 16:01:00

Well Cookessentials I am going to have to beg you for the tagine recipe! I can't find it on the Ghillie Basan website. I did find an amazing look Yam, carrot, Prune & Honey tagine which I am looking forward to trying.

macwood2 - 2011-06-27 21:26:00

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cookessentials - 2011-06-27 21:37:00

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cookessentials - 2011-06-27 21:42:00

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cookessentials - 2011-06-27 21:43:00

Hi Everyone,I arrived home last night,after a wonderful time away with ds and grandchildren.
The weather was good too me,except for saturday when it rained in the morning,no problem too me.
As for the earthquates they had 4 on monday morning,the 4.4 woke me at 1.20am was very scarey on my own,the motel room was fair going,even my bed moved.
My heart goes out for the chch people.
I got my son to drop me off at the cafe at 3pm,but I could not find anyone,so walked home,did not take me long only about 20 mins,as I was at the westside motel in Ricc road.
Winnie hope you are feeling better,you poor thing.
Ok off to do some housework.

earthangel4 - 2011-06-28 07:37:00

Argh, earthangel I am really sorry to have stood you up. I could not believe it when we got in the car and the battery was flat. When my friend called the AA and they said it would be up to 75 minutes before they could attend to his car it was really all over rover as I could not even contemplate walking home to get my car and across to Riccarton.

sumstyle - 2011-06-28 07:47:00

Oh no EA - I'm so sorry about that. I wish I hadn't been so sick as I was looking forward to meeting you. I'm surprised no-one else made it
We'll just have to stay cyber-friends for now :)
.

winnie231 - 2011-06-28 09:17:00

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cookessentials - 2011-06-28 11:42:00

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carl-van-essen - 2011-06-28 14:00:00

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cookessentials - 2011-06-28 14:23:00

carl-van-essen - the following recipe is not a 'proper' traditional lasagne but very easy & a good place to start ...

Lazy Lasagne Alison Holst

For 4-6 servings:
500g minced beef or lamb
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tsp each basil and oregano
1 425g can tomato purée
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 x 45g packet tomato soup mix
2 tsp instant beef stock powder or 1 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups hot water
About 3 cups small lasagne shapes or long lasagne strips
1 cup grated tasty cheese

Topping
2 tsp cornflour
1 egg
3/4 cup milk
1 cup grated tasty cheese
paprika

Preheat the oven to 180degC.
Measure the first seven ingredients into a food processor or bowl. Add the hot water and process until well blended or mix with a fork and/or potato masher until everything is combined.

Spray or butter a 23cm square or 25x20cm rectangular ovenware dish or a suitable roasting pan or foil dish. Spread one third of the meat mixture evenly over the bottom, followed by a layer of half the lasagne noodles. Sprinkle over half of the grated cheese. Repeat this layer and cover with the remaining meat mixture (you may like to use more than a third of the meat mixture for the top layer).

Bake immediately, uncovered, for 50 minutes, or cover and microwave on High (100% power) for 30 minutes.

To make the topping, mix together the cornflour, egg, milk and cheese. Pour evenly over the cooked mixture, sprinkle with the paprika if using and bake, uncovered, at 150°C for about 10 minutes until the topping sets or microwave at 50% (Medium power) for 10 minutes.

Leave to stand 15-30 minutes before cutting into squares or rectangles. Serve immediately or refrigerate. Cut into serving-sized pieces and wrap in cling film for freezing. Reheat in a moderate oven or microwave.
Serve with a green salad and with warmed, crusty bread rolls, if you like.

Edited by winnie231 at 2:27 pm, Tue 28 Jun

winnie231 - 2011-06-28 14:24:00

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carl-van-essen - 2011-06-28 14:38:00

sumstyle wrote:

Argh, earthangel I am really sorry to have stood you up. I could not believe it when we got in the car and the battery was flat. When my friend called the AA and they said it would be up to 75 minutes before they could attend to his car it was really all over rover as I could not even contemplate walking home to get my car and across to Riccarton.

no worries,these things happen,was not mean,t to be this time.

earthangel4 - 2011-06-28 15:24:00

winnie231 wrote:

Oh no EA - I'm so sorry about that. I wish I hadn't been so sick as I was looking forward to meeting you. I'm surprised no-one else made it
We'll just have to stay cyber-friends for now :)
.

no worries,you are not well,so the timing was out,there will be a next time,I did get to meet another person on here from another thread,and she is lovely,we met at the mac cafe and had a lovely time,until I was ready to catch the shuttle home,so its all good.

earthangel4 - 2011-06-28 15:27:00

I just wanted to come in and say hi,cooks I am keeping very well,at long last,have put on a few kgs,but am not worried atm,I feel good.
I have some good news,the boss and her friend have left,I think they were asked to leave,so will know more when I return to work tomorrow,I still would like to look for a day job,will see how things turn out.
A co worker rang me while away and said everyone is laughing again,as we have a temp boss until we get another one.

earthangel4 - 2011-06-28 15:33:00

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cookessentials - 2011-06-28 16:08:00

great news ea, its horrible working in a neg environment not nice at all. recipe sounded lovely cooks good luck with lasagna its lovely to eat in the middle of winter warms you up all the way down.
my hayfever sinus is back to full strenght blast it, still have th 3 mths anitbotics so will keep on keeping on, nasty drawn in head this morning took a couple of hours to clear. still feel like I have been punched in the face, it does wear one down after a while I must admit, dont really know what I can to to help it either its ones of those things.

auckland_ali - 2011-06-28 17:04:00

hiya EA, so pleased to hear the nasty people at work left, and that your feeling better, makes me smile!!!

warning no one needs to read any further this is just my need to vent......... i seem to be doing alot of crying atm, i feel like the job is against me, everything that can hit me has, minimal training, staff behaving like kids, staff leaving, staff being inconsiderate, more staff leaving, training and hiring new staff when i dont know what to do..not enough time to have a break ...finally got oen today....i cried buckets last night and asked myself what have i done!! i didnt cry much today but it truely wasnt much better ....do any of u ever think oh this is gonna be my year only to find it aint HA HA

motorbo - 2011-06-28 18:56:00

I am here... wow this week has gone in a blur.... I have been so tired and now my neck and throat aches... too busy to be sick!!! Will give bike riding a miss tommorrow and just take it one day at a time.

Off for a coffee and coro... take care everyone... jx

toadfish - 2011-06-28 19:39:00

*** waves at the blur I think was toady ...***
I'm sure she was here for a moment ...

Wishing the good health fairy does a trip right across NZ tonight & sees everyone back to their fighting best!

winnie231 - 2011-06-28 22:21:00

cyber hug motorbo, it yucky when you feel really low. I think time of life has a lot to do with it as well if you are in your late 40's early 50's I am sure our hormones are giving us grief as well. weather, mother nature whom is having one mighty tantrum herself all can add to the mix of feeling very frustrated, alone, up against the world.
I have a netty pot somewhere which I purchased for son so will give that a go and see if it does anything for my sinus. keep warm everyone

auckland_ali - 2011-06-28 23:23:00

Motorbo, sending you lots of empathy for your situation at work. It is horrible when one sets goals or has expectations of a situation & it doesn't turn out as planned, is there an HR person or a delegated confidential type person who is available for you to talk to? Good on you for venting on here. Sounds as if you have to really look after you at this time.

510 - 2011-06-29 05:20:00

Ali, & Winnie, hope your health problems get resolved soon.
EA, good news about your bosses, pleased to hear you have had a nice time in Chch

Edited by 510 at 5:29 am, Wed 29 Jun

510 - 2011-06-29 05:27:00

Morning all.
Well I still have a sore throat and stiff neck and shoulders, have taken an echanacea 2000 & and some paracetemol... will just take it easy today at work... Will be 1 staff member down as of Friday so luckily I have the weekend to come right.
We have our car clubs 15yr anniversary dinner on Saturday night, looking forward to that as we have been in it for the last 10yrs or so, just hope I have come right by then.
Had a lovely day on Sunday, hubby won an auction on the shore so we took a drive and had lunch at the Devonport Stone Bakehouse.. got to love the entertainment book. $20 for 2 lunches and 2 coffees. But it was nice just to be out and about in the sun. I worked a super long day on Friday and then a couple of hours Saturday morning.. so Saturday went in a tired blur and as lovely as Sunday was not enough to recharge the batteries... moan moan moan..... Anyhoo, won't be doing that again in a hurry... need to look after me.
The good thing is I know its just temporary....Once we have a new staff member and they are up and running I will be taking a week off..... to have a "Staycation" Just to recharge my batteries.

Me me me... sorry about all that..
Your sinuses continue to give you grief Ali..... maybe time to visit an ENT specialist. Hubbys brother had a procedure done and he says its changed his life.... not sure exactly what but I can find out if you like...but he had sinus grief for year and it fixed it.

Have a great day all.... Off to get a frozen Lasagne out of the freezer... dinner sorted lol....

Take care
Jx,

Edited by toadfish at 6:22 am, Wed 29 Jun

toadfish - 2011-06-29 06:21:00

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cookessentials - 2011-06-29 07:13:00

sadly no it will just make matters worse, when your new its like your a target people aim to make your life hell....

Ali dairy is bad news for sinus so you might want to consider cutting it out for a while, it worked for me also try some infrared saunas...hope u feel better soon

510 wrote:

Motorbo, sending you lots of empathy for your situation at work. It is horrible when one sets goals or has expectations of a situation & it doesn't turn out as planned, is there an HR person or a delegated confidential type person who is available for you to talk to? Good on you for venting on here. Sounds as if you have to really look after you at this time.

motorbo - 2011-06-29 07:46:00

Morning all,
motorbo - you only have to follow my journey of the last year from my excitement of moving to Chch & starting again to where I'm at now to know you're not the only one to have that moment when you feel like "anything that can go wrong, has gone wrong, and at the worst possible moment."
I feel for you and I can only say - it's ok to vent here :) It's ok to have a cry :)
A wise friend of mine from here gave me the good idea of getting a journal and writing down in it everything you're feeling. Be brutal, be honest, don't try and make nice sentences ... just write. There will be negative bits and good bits ... but it'll help you to be able to step back from your feelings and look at what you can do to help yourself.
Also make a list of 10 affirmations about you. These might be skills or personality traits you have. Read them every day and BELIEVE them! Have a copy with you at work so that when things are getting tough there you can remind yourself of your own value & that the problems are external.
Love & hugs & I hope this helps in some way xx

winnie231 - 2011-06-29 09:15:00

Winnie, as FB says I like all of your above comments. I do similar things especially when an event or a person's behavior or comments cause me to feel emotionally upset. I find it helps me to stop ruminating over something & later when I am feeling rational I am usually in a better space to decide how to deal with the issue.

Edited by 510 at 10:53 am, Wed 29 Jun

510 - 2011-06-29 10:48:00

Thanks 510 :)
How was everyone's day?

winnie231 - 2011-06-29 16:52:00

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elliehen - 2011-06-29 16:55:00