Come and sit down with a nice cup of hot chocolate, some home-made cookies and your most comfortable slippers.
Softie has got the fire lit and there is plenty of room on the couch!!

So, tell us, what's been going on for you?..........................

It is almost summer time over here!!! :) Although it is pretty cold here today. I have got a jumper and the slippers on!!! :)

Yeah, well if you choose to live upside down on this beautiful planet you have to put up with back to front seasons, angry Kangaroos - oh yes and Barry Humphries!!

Yeah but I get to have a hot Christmas instead of being freezing cold and get to eat Vegemite all day long!!!! :)

That may be the case, a nice sunny hot Christmas; but have you ever seen Santa in a pair of swimming trunks? It ain't pretty!!

LOL!!! I haven't seen him dressed like that I am going to have to stay up all night now Rach, just to see Santa in his swimmers!!! :)

No need to wait up, mate!
Here he is!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v739/ladyarkles/surf.gif

You Two crack me up!! What is Vegamite??

Tracy

Vegimite is a sandwich spreat that most Aussies seem to like. personally I prefer marmite!!:p

Hot Christmas roll on! swimming and picnicing in the park by the river, what a great way to spend christmas!

Thanks for that Rach. About time I saw Santa in swimmers!!! LOL I love the pic!!!

Yep, Koala that is the right idea, Christmas by the river!!! Although we have a yummy lunch at my Aunty's.

I love my vegemite!!! Actually I don't really like Marmite that much.

Hi just thought I would stop in too see what every one is up to?? Im getting ready to go see my hunny who I havent seen in 2 months im so excited!!!!!!! have a great day

Tracy,

Here is what Vegemite is.....

MMMMMMMmmmmm vegemite. I lurrrrrve it!!!!! :)

Lorraine

Oh yes!!
Give me some now!!
I'm off to the kitchen to make some toast!

Well Rach and Lorraine, on your bikes and over to the land of Oz!!! :) It is the best on toast and also Sao's!!!

Tracy,

Here is what Vegemite is.....What's in it? I'm assuming veggies.

Cartoon gurl, have a nice visit.

No, actually it is a yeast extract. In the UK it is called Marmite.

Do you get twiglets in the US? If you do; vegimite/marmite tastes a bit like that.
Quite strong and salty. A bit like beef stock cubes. It's hard to describe.
I think that the reason we eat a lot of it (or certainly used to anyway after the war, when rationing was still in place in the UK) is that it is really high in Vitamins A & D and it was mainly given to children to help stave off rickets and other health problems caused by a poor diet.
I don't know when it was invented or whatever, but my Mum (born 1940) was given it as a child; I had it as a kid and then gave it to my kids and so on.

It is just delicious!!

It is good isn't it Rach!! :) I think it was invented around 1923, but I do believe that Marmite was invented before Vegemite was. I guess it has a taste that you just can't really explain. You have to really taste it to know what it is like.

I was way off with my assumption!:D what do you eat it on besides toast?

Also with cheese on a sandwich. I actually use it sometimes in a beef stew - a teasppon ful make the beef stew tastier:rolleyes: . My brother like it on cracker biscuits with a slice of tomato on top.

Koala, my mum does that too with her stews. I don't know if I could handle it on a cracker with tomatoes though!! I love it on Sao's. And nothing beats a good ole' vegemite sandwich!!! :)

I might just order some off line. You ladies have me curious.

If you are going to get some, make sure that when you put it on your toast, you don't put too much on, put it on really thin!!! If you have a lot of it in one go, you might not like the taste.

It really sounds different! I'd like to try some myself! It kinda sounds good but I'm not sure about the salty bit! But I love trying new foods!
Yup it's almost Christmas time again! The last one with out my son hip hip hooray! Next Christmas should be a doosey!
It's cold here now and kind of dreary! But it's a change! I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving! You don't celebrate that in Australia or the UK huh? Well I'll have a piece of turkey for ya all ok!
Have a good day today ya all!
~Cathy~

If you are going to get some, make sure that when you put it on your toast, you don't put too much on, put it on really thin!!! If you have a lot of it in one go, you might not like the taste.Thanks for the warning. And by the way, I meant to type I'll order it online. Damn Typos. loll

Brent's Mom.. I'm happy for you.

Well, I think today is going to be a good day! :cool:
By mistake I clicked on my music player on the computer and now I am bopping around to various old ska and soul tracks. Wahoo! :dance: :dance:
Anyone ever heard "Chicken Payback" by the Bees? Go and download it and see if you can sit still. :rock:
Guess I had better stop doing the funky penguin in case I put my back out. :yay:
Oh dear, think I might have had too much coffee.....:eek: :yes: :clap:
:faint:

Clean up on aisle 5
Clean up on aisle 5........

I didn't need that kneecap anyway. :o

See ya later off to the ER for some painkillers and crutches.

Have a great day!! :thumbsup:

[QUOTE=ladyarkles]Guess I had better stop doing the funky penguin in case I put my back out. :yay: QUOTE]What is the funky penguin? Ive heard of the funky chicken. I hope you don't throw your back out.:) Isn't it funny how music can control our moods.

The Funky Penguin is like the funky chicken only colder LOL!
Seriously, the Funky Penguin was a track by Rufus Thomas and in the song he tells you how to do it - let's just say there is some waddling involved!

I think I am going to have to download a copy of this song you are talking about Rach!!! :)

Waddling is good, especially if your waddling with the one you love.

Does anyone have a stuffing recipe?

Yup here's a good one (http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/showpost.php?p=859431&postcount=4) from Jamie Oliver; why don't you try having a good mooch around the Recipe forum (http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=123) here at PTO!
There are loads of great ideas there!
Rach x

Thanks for the link. I didn't even know that form existed.

Has anyone started Christmas shopping yet?

Over here, we have sales on in the middle of the year, where we can lay-by everything till Christmas Eve. So that is what I have done. It's great, nearly all my Christmas shopping is done!! :)

Yes, I have started already. I have to start in September because I need to post everything back to the UK!

Have you ever tried Christmas shopping in the autumn in bloody Asia? Let's just say it's a wee bit tricky!

Asia? Ladyarkles, your in Asia?

I wish they would allow us to pur stuff on lay a way that long. Most of the stores here don't do it any more.

Yup, I'm in Taiwan!

Wow! I'm going to Beijing in March. I'm looking forward to my trip but not the long flight.

Well, Vegamite and then there is Maramite! Interesting stuff. I asked my friend who lives in Wales about it and got the low down. She also uses a bit of it in her gravy to make it more savory. She's a Veggie, so anything to help! I am supposed to go to the UK sometime in the next year or two so I suppose I will try some of it then. I could have her bring some over when she comes in the summer. Everyone have a great rest of the week.

Tracy :thumbsup:

Tracy,

I believe that there is a bit of difference between the two. So I think trying the Marmite first might be a good idea!! :) Just because I have heard that it is not as savoury as the Vegemite. Apparently eating Vegemite is an acquired taste. Rach what do you think?? Is it an acquired taste or is it something that we love because we grew up on it??

Vegimite is slightly more gritty and saltier than Marmite. I prefer the taste of Marmite as it just feels a bit smoother.
Either way anyone trying it/them for the first time - ONLY USE A TEENY TINY BIT!!
You really only need to lightly smear it across your toast.
Next time I go to a hotel (mid Dec) that has the little one portion prepacks on the breakfast buffet I shall fill my handbag and get them distributed to the Marmite investigation team we have here at PTO!!

Next time I go to a hotel (mid Dec) that has the little one portion prepacks on the breakfast buffet I shall fill my handbag and get them distributed to the Marmite investigation team we have here at PTO!!
:thumbsup:

Still waiting on my Vegimite.

How is everyone in here?

I am doing great today!! :)

Hey Rach,

I think we need to organise a PTO investigation team!! :) I think that you could be the head of the team and can give us little missions to complete!! :) I liked the one mission that you have already given to me with the wonderjock!! :)

Ok then!
Next assignment is a Thanksgiving Special - Which really tastes better from the Turkey, dark meat or light meat?

I vote light meat and the day after.

Light meat definitely!!! :)

That survey really took off! loll

Isn't Marmite made out of yeast?

Dave, Vegemite and Marmite, are made from yeast extracts. They are the by product of beer brewing.

Hello!
Did someone say BEER!?!

Yes!!! Feeling a bit thirsty are you Rach?? :)

Vegemite is sold in the United States, though I can't recall the last time it in a store.

Twiglets are made from soy beans, aren't they? If so, I have indeed had them.

We have another famous product here in the U.S. which is made largely from "concentrated live yeast extract". It's called Preparation H.

We have another famous product here in the U.S. which is made largely from "concentrated live yeast extract". It's called Preparation H.



:shrug: Amazing what one learns on this site! :)

Well, the big question is - what is like on toast?

Not sure about putting it on toast, but I did hear a story about a fellow who bought a tube of Preparation H at a drug store and came back the next day storming mad. "For all the good that stuff did, I might as well have shoved it up my *ss!"

Not sure I want to know what he actually DID do with it.

This preparation H stuff doesn't sound so good!!

Well....might be because it's an over the counter medication for hemorrhoids. You could try spreading it on toast if you want, but it's not recommended.

I have just spat my cup of tea all over the screen thinking of Nessy trying it on toast saying "don't think much of this!"

Who knows, maybe it could be a new craze, using ointments as savoury spreads and conversely using toast stuff on your ailments.
So perhaps peanut butter might make a great cure for athletes foot and maramalade could be used for cuts and bruises.

OK - Gotta go - I'm off to test whether antiseptic cream goes nicely in a ham sandwich!!

Thanks Rach, you're not the only one that just spat something over their computer screen!!! HAHA You crack me up!!!

I could just see myself doing something like that too!!! HAHA I think the Vegemite might work well on cuts and scrapes, but gee's I really think it would burn the crap out of you when you put it on!!! :) When you have tried the antiseptic cream with your sandwich lets us know how it tasted!! :)

Actually, Vick's Vapo-Rub is good for nail fungus, athlete's foot, and jock itch. Supposedly for plantar warts as well.

No kidding--I've heard of it working after prescription treatments have failed.

Not to be used on sandwiches, however.

No, Dave I don't think Vick's would be very good on a Sandwich and I'm sure that the Prep H would be Minging!!! Ugh! You all crack me up!! I needed a good laugh this morning. I suppose it's morning for me and evening for Nessy and Rach. I can keep track of UK time, but the rest of it confuses the crap outta me..

Turkey Survey...I would just as soon not have any of it, but if I must a Turkey Sandwich made with White meat with lot's of Mayo, on White Bread with Salt is good. LOL

Pass the beer i'm ready!!

Tracy, I have to agree, I don't think Vicks or this preparation H would be any good on a sandwich!! :)

I cracked a tinny for you, can you reach it through the screen?? :) Hope you enjoy that great Australian Beer!! :)

You don't want that nasty aussie lager; you want some nice warm British beer!
A lovely pint of mild and a scotch egg!

Ah, those were the days............

Nah you definitely want a nice cold can of Melbourne Bitter, or VB!!! Why would you want to drink Beer warm, when you can drink it so that it is cool and refreshing. Especially after that hard day at work!!! :)

Hey Rach, that is something thatI have never understood. Why do you pommie's drink your beer warm?? Is it that bloody cold over there that you have to even have all your drinks warmed up?? LOL :)

The thought of a warm beer makes me gag. Ugh!! I will take a ICE Cold Beer anyday.

From Experience you DO NOT want to forget to wash your hands after applying Vicks and rub your eyes or any other sensitive part. ROFL

Nessy, is it still Summer there? I will get this all straight one day. I highly doubt it, but let my brain dead self think I will. :)

Any of you have Peanut Brittle where you're at? I love that stuff, but it hurts my teeth to eat it. Boo Hoo!
later girls!

Tracy,

Yeah we have peanut brittle over here. The most popular is made by Darrell Lee Chocolates. They make great peppermint chocolate!!!

Yeah it is Summer here, although just starting to really heat up. We had a warm day today and it was 32 degrees. When it hits 48 degrees, then I think it is hot!! :)

Glad to hear that I am not the only one that would not be able to drink a warm beer!! :) Sorry Rach, I just couldn't do it!! :)

Warm beer is great!
If it is really warm you can throw a couple of croutons in it for some added texture!

Oooh Yuck Rach!!! :) I don't know how you could do that!!!

Rach, I love croutons but not in a warm beer sister!!! Ack!!

Nessy, I just like the basic Peanut Brittle. I'm not much on Peppermint except Candy Canes. :)

Warm Beer and Croutons...OMG that has got to be the nastiest thing I have ever heard of, today anyway... :)

I love Peanut Brittle! I'm not a beer drinker, but warm with croutons? EWWW!

I am not a big fan of Peanut Brittle. Give me anything with peppermint in it and I am one very happy girl!!! :)

I bet I eat a Peppermint Pattie about every 2 years. But, bring on the Candy Canes. LOL

I just popped in to see what was going on in this neck of the woods. Rach....I do declare you are certifibly (how ever you spell that word) insane!! OMG I am cracking up here and the dog keeps looking at me like I lost my mind. And by the way....my monitor is clean again thank you all very much. LOL
Not sure about the warm beer and all that other stuff. Peanut brittle is a weakness, white turkey and should the urge arise to drink beer....COLD.

Can you imagine what a menu would look like if we ever got together:

Appetisers:
Duck pate and Vicks on toast;
Preparation H vol-au-vents
shrimp cocktail with marmite sauce.

Soup:
Cream of bunion
Pumpkin and detergent

Main course:
White meat (turkey)
Dark meat (turkey)
Spam
served with roasted croutons in warm beer, peanut brittle glazed carrots and antiseptic lotion potatoes

Dessert:
Fruit salad in Lager syrup
Marmalade and vegimite gateau
Savlon Tiramisu

Coffee, tea, warm beer and cold Aussie Lager on request!

Bon appetit!

Rach, the menu sounds wonderful!! LOL I guess you will be the one that will be doing the cooking!! :)

It would be kind of hard to cook some of those things that you have no clue what they are. LOL Haven't heard of some of them but then I am from Idaho so........ LOL Some of it sounds good!!

Patti, I think the beer idea sounds good!! :)

You all are nuts!! Rach, you need to come on over here Christmas and cook for my kids and grandbabies, they would be thrilled. Just make sure you bring lot's of that Aussie Lager with you, then they won't care what they are eating.

I just got done wrapping gifts and I need a Arse transplant! Ugh! I used to love to wrap presents. If I might say so myself they were beautiful, but not so anymore. LOL

I will start making the things I can make ahead tomorrow after my visit. We are having Ham. I am not much of a Turkey eater.

John said they got their Christmas Dinner today at Lunch, and it was pretty good. At least he could identify it...That's a huge plus! I will be so glad when ALL of us do not have to talk about this stuff anymore. Food you can't identify, No Phones or No Phone Calls, the Visiting, etc.

Well, we will just have to make the best of it, and have lot's of Hope that the DP will be abolished very soon.

Merry Christmas to All of you!!
Tracy N John

Merry Christmas Tracy. Please pass on my Christmas wishes to John.

What time do I have to be at your place for ham?? :) I don't like turkey that much either!!

I want to make ham, but I have a daughter that doesn't like it. I may do like I did one year and make her a cornish game hen. You would have all laughed yourselves silly if you would have seen the first time I did that for her. It was 2 years ago. Mind you she is 21 now. I bought the game hen and didn't tell her. I stuffed it, roasted it and all the stuff you do with a turkey. When dinner was just about ready I asked her to come in the kitchen and get the stuff out of the oven. She let out a shreik and asked me what I did to the turkey it shrunk. I laughed until I cried. At first she accused me of cooking a baby turkey and that made her feel bad. I haven't laughed that much at the holidays in years.

Merry Christmas everyone!!! I hope that the New Year brings good news to all.

Patti

Merry Christmas Patti. I hope that your daughter enjoys her lunch!! We are having a cold Christmas lunch as it is too hot over here to have a hot cooked lunch. Actually come to think of it, I don't think that I have ever had a hot Christmas lunch!!! And I have never ever seen snow at Christmas!!!

Dinner is at 2:30 PM Sharp! Yeah, Right my kids are always late. LOL I wish I could of seen the look on your daughters face Patti when she saw that Game Hen. ROFL

I am off to see John in just a little while, Santa Hat and all. LOL He thinks I'm nuts. Merry Christmas everyone!

Tracy

Tracy I hope that you have a great visit!! Merry Christmas to ALL!!!

Tracy....the look was worth a million. LOL

Patti,
We had a really good visit! There was no one on either side of us, so that was a plus, and there was actually a Big Azz Cheeseburger in the machine for him. Not quite what I would like for him to have for Christmas Dinner, but he likes them. I told him today we are like to old ppl who have been married for 40 years. We eat the same thing every visit, then share a bag of popcorn. LOL You know, that is the best popcorn ever. *Smile*

I left John and met my son at the store, then we whipped into Wal-Mart so he could get the last of his gifts. He said, Mama you have to come to my house and wrap this stuff! LOL I helped him, but wouldn't do all of it. Well, I now have a caffeine headache from HELL. So, I'm drinking the rest of this Coke and laying down for a few. Peace!! Hope!! and Faith!!

T~
Merry Christmas to all of you that
are that far ahead in time...

Where is everyone?? It's like Y'all Poof disappeared!!!

I'm around here somewhere!!! :)

Ness is around here some where and I would like to be some where, but here for a few days! I need a vacation!!! NOW! I'm thinking...Some place where it is about 75 degrees and Sunny! If I could wiggle my nose, I would be there in a fast second. Heck, I would take a vacation to John's HOUSE! LOL

Hey Tracy, I would suggest coming to warm, sunny OZ, but at the moment its not that warm here!!! Don't know what is going on with the weather!!! :)

it's almost noon here and it's 29 degrees. I have to go to work at 3 and I just about froze last night. I want spring to come!!

It's 53 here....I just drove by the park by where I live and there was a butt load of people out walking and jogging. Ohio ppl are strange, it gets 50 and they break out the shorts. LOL I'm from AZ so I don't count.

Tracy

LOL sounds like me a few years back when I went to FL in February. Nice warm weather, shorts, t-shirt and sandals. Well that's what I had on when I left to come home too. Talk about a brain dead moment!! The plane got into Seattle and guess what??? SNOW!!! (who would figure in Feb? LOL) So here I am freezing my buns off and a flight that WAS supposed to leave at 6:30 didn't. They kept saying 20 more minutes we are de-icing. Well finally at 2:00 AM they cancelled the flight. Put us up in a motel and we had to be back early the next morning. Even after a hot shower I couldn't get warm and all my jeans were in my baggage on the plane at the airport and blah blah blah. Thank God for the guy that was flying from Seattle to the same destination I was. He was coming back from Alaska so he had a nice warm coat he let me borrow. But inspite of all that disaster....I had a great time in FL. :D :D :D

OK, Who has the hang over?? Not me! I brought the New Year in with a glass of Coke. I'm just so much fun! NOT! I hope everyone has a Happy New Year!! I read so many threads where people want the time to fly by and I do believe most of us want it to just creep by so we have more time with our loved ones. So, here's for the time creeping by.....Tracy

I didn't have a hangover!!! Oh what a miracle for me!!! LOL

Tracy I have to agree, lets let time creep by!!!

OK, who is up to what?
What's the latest on anything?
Any gossip, news, scandal?

Come on, it's Monday morning here and the most exciting thing that will happen today is it might drizzle for a bit - whoopee-do!

love from (a very bored) Rach x

I'm up to about 5' 10" and rotten. I know this place is very,very quiet!
I'm bored myself.
Our New Gov. and Atty. Gen go into office tomorrow. Let's hope for good things!
It's raining here now. It's like a swamp outside, it's real fun to try and walk the dogs.
We are still waiting on DNA in John's case. Go Figure!
Aren't you going to Texas soon Rach?
I know I am in need of a couple days away from here. I'm ready to find a school to enroll the dogs in they are driving me nuts. Ugh!

Tracy

Honey, yes I am going to Texas, the first weekend in March!!
Details in the Lone Star Lounge (http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=245733)of the G2G.

All are welcome to this one!!

I will also be around the Livingston area from 27th Feb - 12th March, if anyone wants to meet up in the evenings?

Well, if it wasn't so far to Texas I would come and visit with ya. I will more than likely be in Texas in October for a couple weeks.
T~

I will also be around the Livingston area from 27th Feb - 12th March, if anyone wants to meet up in the evenings?

I wish I were able to go down to Livingston I have a penpal down there that I haven't heard from for awhile.

The other one I have in FL writes me more than my own guy (I think he is still my guy who knows this week). The first letter I got from my penpal at polunsky wrote me an 8 page letter....both sides of the paper. I was impressed and his handwriting is absolutely beautiful.

The excitement around here this weekend was my grandson's dad got drunk and high on who knows what, stole a pickup and went joy riding, took the pickup back got the crap beat out of him as well as run over by the truck, daughter isn't sure if it was once or twice that he got ran over. They just left him laying there. His dad went to the bar when they heard the call on the scanner and had them call for the ambulance. He had to have surgery to take his spleen out. They think he has broken ribs. It's such a mess and he has no clue how he got to the hospital, what happened or anything else. My daughter did go see him today he is in the Intensive Care Unit. He asked her if he was going to die. I don't like him, I despise him for beating on my daughter and all that but I don't really wish him to die. I just want him to get his head out of his a$$ and treat my daughter and grandson right. I guess when he gets better from all of this they are going to do a psych evaluation. The doctors already told family he needs to be institutionalized as he has more than just drug/alcohol problems. That was enough excitement to hear about last night. Now I am off for the next 5 days.

Bloody hell, I hope he is going to be OK!
Maybe this will be the wake-up call he needs!

Keeping him and your daughter and grandson in my prayers.

Rach x

Ok, I have a job interview in the morning (Fri) Let's hope I get it! I could use the extra cash before my husband starves to death on that god awful Prison Food. Ack! Prayers, Positive Energy or what ever it is you do is appreciated!

Tracy :)

Sending lots of prayers and good vibes for you Tracy!!! Let us know as soon as you find something out!!!

Bloody hell, I hope he is going to be OK!
Maybe this will be the wake-up call he needs!

Keeping him and your daughter and grandson in my prayers.

Rach x

They moved him out of ICU today and since they aren't sedating him like they were he is right back to his old jerky self. My daughter came home crying after she had been to the hospital for the 2nd time today. It makes me sick how he treats her but I think she has finally decided once he is better and out of the hospital getting the mental help he needs she is gone.

Hey all, How cold are you?
I hear there is some terrible weather over there.

Softied has thrown another log on the fire, so huddle up and keep warm with us!!

Rach xx

Who's for toasting marshmallows??

it's 28 degrees here. Much warmer than it has been. We still have snow on the ground from last Saturday. It's pretty odd for snow to last that long around here. Predicting more snow this weekend. I will most likely be doing something constructive I hope. LOL I am thinking there is lots of homework to do.
Keep warm everyone!!

It's supposed to be 14 here tonight. Rach, unless you are roasting Marshmallows in someone's Fireplace count me out! LOL It's to cold to be outside.....Brrrrrrrrrr

I am glad it's cold though, I just hope it stays that way. We have every kind of Virus know to man and beast going around. Happy Thursday Everyone!!

Well its nice and warm here at the moment. :) I think it is about 97 degrees at the moment.

Plenty cold here, too.....anyone have any hot chocolate?

hot chocolate yummie......i'd like some too!:)
we are expecting a hurricane here in germany with very strong winds. so i guess i will stay in!

I have Hot Chocolate Dave and schatz...How bout' we make some the old fashioned way...out of Cocoa???

Sounds good to me....I just hope all those folks in Europe are doing ok.