Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2015

vhalla1478 · 5 February 2015 at 10:46PM

I forgot to say, Cheerfulness, it doesn't matter how old your children are, they're still your babies and you worry about them! I know I do.

cheerfulness4 · 5 February 2015 at 10:55PM

You're so right, Viv, and now my two little Grandbabies to add to the worrying. You don't realise all this when you're picking out baby names and knitting tiny cardigans.

I'm not sure who I fancy for the title of Sewing Bee but that guy with the baldish head has some clever ideas going on. I loved that spotty dress!
I knew which one would go though, poor lady. Was pretty obvious. You always feel so bad for the first one out.

vhalla1478 · 5 February 2015 at 11:35PM

Yes, I think he's the one to watch, along with the tall lady.

HOWMUCH · 6 February 2015 at 12:45AM

I agree the army chap and the 6ft lady who's always made her own clothes due to her height.
Well I've just booked 2 holiday's each for Monday to Friday for a grand total of £41.28 each one. One is in Norfolk in May and the other Lincolnshire early October, they are caravan park holidays which include all the gas and electric and passes to use swimming pool etc. We went on 3 last year and throughly enjoyed it, we normally take DGS with us with my daughter working full time and we are his main carers. We are very modest and frugal whilst on holiday using our bus passes where possible and taking packed lunches out with us so keeping costs down.

cheerfulness4 · 6 February 2015 at 12:58AM

That's amazing value, HOWMUCH! Well done you. I love a caravan holiday.

Herbyme · 6 February 2015 at 2:10AM

Belated thanks to maryb for the great syrup recipe links, and to whoever said Aldi cream crackers (about 25p) are great - you're right! Go very nicely with Aldi hummus to prevent massively excessive pre-dinner crisp consumption by DH. Healthier too.

Still waiting for my 'test' seeds to sprout...

Have decided to audit the box of cleaning stuff under the sink. I may not need to buy any more til 2016. Rather shocked when I realised the scale of it... I'll be on that TV programme next, and die of embarrassment..:rotfl:. tonight's episode yet to watch on iplayer...

[Deleted User] · 6 February 2015 at 9:59AM

Well chums my little George Forman grill worked a treat toasting my teacakes so the toaster is toast so to speak

.I'll drop it off at the tip on the way to History club this afternoon.They have a big skip where all small electrical things go in.I'm glad I adapted my little grill rather than going out and buying another useless gadget for the kitchen.
Pottering morning this morning as its very cold outside and I only have to drive to history at 1.30. then to Dds afterwards for the DGS.I have a small pack of oreo biscuits in the cupboard I'll take them along with me for the boys for after school as a treat.
Right off to make a big bowl of porridge (sound like one of the three bears) for breakfast Mine is made with water and has milk and a dash of salt on top, just like my old Mum made for me when I was little .Warms you up and keeps you mobile until lunchtime.Then its leek & tattie soup and crackers with cheese.Tonight is a bit of poached salmon from the freezer with a dollop of herby mash and mixed veg also from the freezer:):) NSD today for me
Cheers chums JackieO xxx

misstara · 6 February 2015 at 10:53AM

Morning all,
Had one of my free bagels this morning for breakfast with the last of some jam that's been hanging about the fridge for a while. Working tonight so free food there

I've gone through my toiletries box and with all the goodies from christmas, I've probably got enough shower gels, scrubs and creams to last me about 6 months. I also found quite a few half used bottles so will start using them up first.

I've had another practice with stitching on the sewing machine and think I'm about ready to attempt to make something. Have decided to make some pillow protectors from some old sheets that my gran gave me (theory being even if they look awful, they will be covered by pillow cases).

vhalla1478 · 6 February 2015 at 10:54AM

Good Morning, Folks,

And welcome to Lincolnshire in October, HOWMUCH; I don't know if you know the county at all, but if you give me a rough idea as to where you'll be on the coast, I can point you in the direction of free/cheap treats and things worth seeing. It's a mainly unknown but very beautiful county, not all flat as most people assume, and around 40 years behind the times which, in some respects is no bad thing. The buses are ok, although as it's a rural area they do meander rather than go directly from A to B - that way, at least, you get a chance to see some of the little Wold villages. Let me know if I can help.

Here's something to go on those Aldi's biscuits (thank you for that, carolinerunner - I must have missed it first time round).

Tapenade -nice for a snack, stuff hard boiled eggs with it or as a starter.

Quarter to half a pound of olives (pitted), tbsp. capers, hard boiled egg yolk, 10 anchovy fillets, a little fresh thyme, olive oil to moisten.

Bash the olives in a pestle and mortar - or use the end of a rolling pin if you haven't got one; pound to a paste. Add the anchovy fillets, drained (save the oil to add to future pasta dishes), pound until smooth, add capers and egg yolk, pound until smooth. This is great exercise for bingo wings ! Put in fresh thyme (you can substitute dried) and a trickle of olive oil (I use the oil out the anchovies). The tapenade should just be moist enough to spread easily.

Have a good day, Everyone

Viv x

cheerfulness4 · 6 February 2015 at 11:44AM

It was me that said I love those cream crackers, Caroline, and you've just reminded me to get some more as we finished them up for supper yesterday.

Misstara, think I will pop HM pillow protectors on my to do list as I hate it if they are in the wash and the bed gets freshly made before they get back tobthe bedroom. I forgot that I used to use old pillowcases before buying the quilted protectors.

JackieO, I went on a mission some time back to see how much use I could get out of each of my appliances so as to eliminate some as they wore out.
The pannini press, a very large one I had, was so versatile. I obviously did toasted sandwiches and rolls but also teacakes, garlic bread, potato cakes and bubble and squeak (the crispiest ever) cheese on toast, dry fried eggs and bacon, chicken breasts and chops. It was endless.
When my son moved into a little flat with very little last year I gave him it and he managed very well until we got him a little cooker recently.

I love pushing the boundaries of the normal use of things.

Must add, my pannini press was flat plated, not ridged. Wouldn't have worked so well for my uses if it had been the latter and I could live without lines.

PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING

Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2015

Comments

MAY GROCERY CHALLENGE £0/ £250

MAY GROCERY CHALLENGE £0/ £250

MAY GROCERY CHALLENGE £0/ £250

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

🚀 Getting Started

Categories

Is this how you want to be seen?

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free