What made you smile today?

[manor]

Originally Posted by InLove

I'm generally feeling in a cheery mood today. I've also just been handed a letter from my manager. My first thought was "This can't be good. I never get letters." I had visions of being marched out the door by security guards. Eek! I opened the letter and found.......


I've been notified of a 4.25% pay rise!

AND I've found out today that when (I've pretty much decided I'm going to do it) go back to college I'll get my tuition fees paid, travel expences (great because I travel by bus) paid, a small bursary and I should be able to work part time for the first year.

Looks like college wouldn't be as finacially (I can't spell and I'm going to college ) difficult as I thought.

Well done

[Waldo]

Matthew Parris has been having problems too! Made me laugh out loud!

However fitfully, I do try not to use my journalism to pursue private vendettas, but in the case of our resident squirrel my resolution has this week failed me.

The story so far.

January: during long cold snap I put out titbits for birds on stone table outside our house in Derbyshire. Squirrel observed leaping with ease on to table and stealing the lot.

February: we buy cheap bird-feeder and hang it, filled with birdseed, from willow branch. Squirrel jumps up, knocks it down and destroys bird-feeder.

March: we buy a super-duper, multi-port bird feeder and I hang it from higher branch. Squirrel knocks this down into pond.

April: I wade into pond to rescue it, clean and repair, then risk death climbing along extended branch to hang it by some string. Squirrel skips along branch and gnaws through string. Birdfeeder falls. Damaged.

May: I repeat exercise, this time using heavy-duty fishing line. Squirrel seen jumping up angrily at feeder, but without success.

Last Sunday: Lovely sunny day. I go out, leaving house open. My partner, returning before me, enters kitchen. Confronts squirrel sitting by kettle on polished granite work-surface, having sourced birdseed to big (expensive) packet on shelf, pulled it off, punctured it with dozens of tiny toothmarks, scattered contents all over floor and begun eating seed plus slice of toast left over from breakfast. Partner attempts to trap squirrel under hard hat, but fails. Squirrel scampers out through door. Seen, bold as you please, keeping kitchen under observation from nearby steps.

Yesterday: I reach for my mother's old wedding-gift US family cookbook, circa 1947, The American Family at Dinner. Thumb index. S-q-u...

...So here it is, my rodent friend, Mr Think-you're-so-smart Squirrel (and I bet you can read too):

Roast Squirrels
3 small squirrels
¾ cup cooking oil
¼ cup lemon juice
2 cups breadcrumbs
½ cup milk or cream
1 cup sliced mushrooms, sautéed
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
½ teaspoon onion juice
4 tablespoons olive oil or bacon fat
Dress and clean squirrels, wash in several waters and dry. Cover with cooking oil mixed with lemon juice and let stand for 1 hour. Combine crumbs with just enough milk to moisten, mushrooms, salt, pepper and onion juice. Stuff squirrels with this mixture, sew and truss. Place in roaster. Brush with olive oil or bacon fat. Roast uncovered in slow oven (325F) until tender, 1½ to 1¾ hours. Baste every 15 minutes with fat. Serve with pan gravy. Serves 6.


...but enough. Today, American greys, the fightback begins. Bring it on, squirrels.

[Mike]

I laughed out loud too

[fifi2004]

Thanks for the smile Waldo. Darn squirrel, it seems to get you every time.

[manor]

LMAO - hope you haven't got a cat / dog flap - best of luck during the summer with the squirrel.

[kazthorn]

A friend told me that the girls at her work were doing the Siliconhell Minipops quiz today.

[manor]

Originally Posted by kazthorn

A friend told me that the girls at her work were doing the Siliconhell Minipops quiz today.

You will have to take a peek of the answers - they will think you are sooooo clever

[Mike]

Originally Posted by kazthorn

A friend told me that the girls at her work were doing the Siliconhell Minipops quiz today.

Thats cool

[madcat]

That's brilliant, made my day as well.

Thank you


MadCat

[kazthorn]

Originally Posted by Waldo

Roast Squirrels
3 small squirrels
¾ cup cooking oil
¼ cup lemon juice
2 cups breadcrumbs
½ cup milk or cream
1 cup slice