Thank you Mandi - I am a bit in awe of it all - I think the more I use it, the less scared I'll be of it!  Thanks again, Kathryn - you were right too - the cream is superb!! Mistree x

Here we go - the first of what I'm sure will be many, many questions! I was trying a Thermomix recipe but the machine never even nearly reached the correct temperature in the time stated. Should I lengthen the time until the temperature is reached, or just stick to the stated timings? Could there be something wrong with my Thermomix or have others experienced this? Mistree.

After (what feels like) more than a lifetime working 18 hours 7 days a week, in advertising, I retrained to qualify as a therapeutic counsellor a few years ago. It was only then that I had the time to even THINK about learning ANYTHING 'domestic'! Even our two sons were aged 8 and 10 when we adopted them and my husband, who had the far more flexible job, became the 'domestic goddess' in the family!
I can't describe how inadequate I feel facing challenges, I should have mastered in my twenties, at an age when I should be teaching my grandchildren!!! (Even using a computer to do this is akin to learning a foreign language!)
Then, after never knowing how to do anything other than throwing myself into it - usually at the deep end!, I added insult to injury and asked for a Thermomix for my 60th!!
So - please, please, please be gentle with me and try not to lose patience if I don't even understand the words you are using! You all seem SO brilliant, knowledgeable and creative - but I promise to do my best - or at least be a good example of how enthusiasm can sometimes triumph over experience!!
I'm excited and scared, but looking forward to joining you, mistree.