Cold weather tonight

[Maz]

Our forecast is for minus 3 tonight and most of tomorrow. Just a reminder to keep hammies from getting too cold I've put the Torpor post on the home page again for winter.

 

[Maz]

Has anyone had snow yet?

 

[Hank]

We did have a few flurries, but nothing settled.
I did also put extra bedding in the little girls home tonight, in case she wanted more, to keep her nice and cosy

 

[Socks' Mum]

Stay cosy little Jas

 

[Lovelyness]

Yes, we had some unexpected snow on Tuesday morning. The forecast was for rain, so it was a surprise to open the curtains and see big fat flakes of snow falling! It didn't stay for long tho. It's been jolly cold tho I'm glad that Blossom has her woolly lagging on her cage...she really needs it! It's 3 degrees today, but going to be 15 degrees at the weekend!!!

 

[Maz]

but going to be 15 degrees at the weekend!!!

I know! Which is why I'm still doing our heating manually We've had minimal heating so far as it hasn't been that cold, but I'd been having some heat on for an hour in the middle of the night and the last couple of days we had to have full central heating at peak times. I can't stand getting too hot though so when it gets milder again I get all hot and bothered if the heating is still coming on full. So I'm just turning it on and off as needed at the moment! It was freezing here last night though.

Apparently we're not getting the snow in the north, it's just in the south. Good it will be milder temperatures at the week-end although it's supposed to be wet and damp then unfortunately. I'd rather have this cold weather and sunshine! The sunshine is lovely and warms the house during the day a bit.

Hamsters are getting two hours of heating in the middle of the night at the moment.

 

[Socks' Mum]

I've ordered a microwave primarily to heat snuggle safe heating pads for my pets I will use it for potatoes for myself so that I have more time to spend with the pets

 

[Maz]

Big change! I use our microwave for scrambled egg and porridge - it does them well and no pan to wash up with stuck bits on . Also for heating up cups of tea (bad habit). OH is the expert at doing baked potatoes in them - I think he does 6 minutes for a medium/large potato - but depends on the wattage of the microwave - ours is only 750. So for a higher wattage it’ll be less time. OH just used Google to find out about microwaving things!

 

[Socks' Mum]

Yes, I'm quite looking forward to using my new microwave. I love porridge, so a quick and tidy way of making it is ideal. I like baked beans and potato, so I will keep your 6 minute time in mind. It's the same wattage as yours. I have seen rice steamers for microwaves. I wonder if they are any good.

 

[Maz]

Our microwave came with a plastic steamer (for vegetables but possibly rice as well). I've never actually used it as I don't like using plastic in the microwave - it seemed a faff as well! I usually use pyrex in the microwave although do have one plastic microwave jug I us for porridge that's good.

 

[Socks' Mum]

Our microwave came with a plastic steamer (for vegetables but possibly rice as well). I've never actually used it as I don't like using plastic in the microwave - it seemed a faff as well! I usually use pyrex in the microwave although do have one plastic microwave jug I us for porridge that's good.

Yes, Pyrex or ceramic are probably better than plastic.

 

[Maz]

I think not all plastic items are microwave proof as well - I bought a special microwave proof jug but I mainly use pyrex and ceramic. Apparently the steamers for microwaves are good though - for rice or veg I forgot, I use ours for readymeals sometimes as well - although we don't have them that often. OH is using it more as he thinks it saves on electricity. Which maybe it does.

 

[Lovelyness]

The microwave is great for quick porridge in the morning I make mine in a microwave soup mug I always cook rice in the microwave too.

 

[Maz]

I could do with some tips for cooking rice in the Microwave as I've never tried

Speaking of it being cold - Storm Bert last night (who thinks up these names?!) - I couldn't get to sleep! Even with extra blankets on and it was windy. This morning I realised I hadn't swapped to the winter duvet yet But so cold. Hammies had the heating on for two hours in the middle of the night downstairs.

Today we have had heavy snow and our lane is blocked, but it's damp and rainy now so it should go soon.

 

[Lovelyness]

I have a microwave rice cooker pot to cook it in…works well

 

[Maz]

So how do you do it? Are there instructions? I can't imagine rice cooking in less than 20 minutes ha ha. Is yours plastic or ceramic?

 

[Socks' Mum]

It sounds handy! I can't boil rice without turning it to mush, so I am hoping to be microwave will redeem my rice cooking. It arrived today, very quick, and works well. It looks nice too.

 

[Socks' Mum]

Now I just need to wait for the snugglesafe pads to arrive

 

[Maz]

Very smart It took me a long time to be able to do rice without turning it to mush - not sure how other people manage it but I only use Uncle Ben's long grain white rice now and it works every time - in a pan with lots of boiling water, 20 minutes then strain it. You would think rice is rice wouldn't you? But if I get any other brand of long grain rice it doesn't seem to work.

 

[Coco61]

Now I just need to wait for the snugglesafe pads to arrive

They have been known to warm up a human watching tv!