Forgetful

[Perry Winkle]

Originally Posted by Cloud

you can always make your own peanut butter in a food processor. Peanuts, add salt, a little oil if you need it, and voila! It doesn't taste like Skippy, but it does taste like peanuts, and much better for you.

Yeah. I've tried making peanut butter that way, and it's never been appetizing. I don't like my peanut butter to taste TOO much like peanuts. . . At least I've migrated away from the PB that contains HFCS.

Plus, that would require buying yet another appliance. We've bought a toaster, a jug kettle, a knife set, pots, pans, flatware, mugs, cups. Up next: a mixing bowl, cookie sheets, hand mixer, and maybe one or two other things. A food processor is somewhere further down on the list.

I didn't really account for these expenses in my planning... yuck.

Originally Posted by Sundae Girl

I second Sainsbury's & Waitrose for real maple syrup.

At some point I might just have to try the varieties they have here. I actually am kind of curious.

The nearest Waitrose's is in Durham. Sainsbury's will take a bus excursion, but that's reasonable compared to going all the way down to Durham!

Originally Posted by dar512

William Gibson calls it "the mirror world" where everything is the same, except where it's different. If you like spy and/or action novels, you might like Pattern Recognition much of which is set in London.

That book is amazing. I loved it.

I about lost my mind last week. My girlfriend and I went to eat at this "New York Style Italian Restaurant" (gag!), the place could have been anywhere in the world. I think that's one of the reasons that I can't stand eating at chain restaurants like Ruby Tuesdays or Olive Garden. They don't feel like real places.

Originally Posted by monster

*ahem*

yup, you are in the first phase of culture shock. Don't worry, this too, shall pass. Have you been to the American Expats site I recommended and asked them where to buy the stuff you crave?

Nope... I forgot about that site. Thanks for the reminder.

I tried to save space to bring my comfort stuff, but I was at the limit on both my bags with just neccesities. 22 kg is not all that much when you're packing for a year.

Originally Posted by monster

treacle is pretty much molasses. I use it to make parkin around this time of year. yum. there are a few nice cookie recipes that require treacle too.

What's parkin? Any suggestions for cookie recipes?

I've been spending too much on store bought baked goods. I need to start making my own. Lemon muffins at Gregg's, cookies and turnovers at Marks & Spencer *drools*

Sorry for the mass reply. I'm a little cramped for time at the moment, but wanted to get back to ya'll.