Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2015

Thank you for the info on loo roll - cannot find anywhere near me that sells the Nicky stuff, but the info that 1celand's Petal was the same has worked! £1 for 4 rolls = £2.25 for 9, so much much cheaper than the 'offers'.

Hello again, All. Lots of great tips and ideas again from everyone - thank you! I think these sell by/use by dates are iniquitous, obviously there to make us buy more. I'm not saying one shouldn't be careful about food, but I've eaten loads of out of date food and I'm still here to tell the tale - alive , healthy and kicking! We just need to exercise our common sense, especially where things like chicken are concerned.

Now, anyone who is dieting etc., look away now - move away from the screen; I made the treacle toffee for the party this morning and it is so scrumptious, I've had to put it in a tin and seal it so I don't eat any more!!

Treacle Toffee

900grams light brown, soft sugar, 300ml water, half a teaspoon cream of tartar, 150grams unsalted butter, 250grams treacle, 150grams golden syrup.

Grease an 18cm sandwich tin (mine was 25x38 so size isn't really crucial). Place sugar and water in a large heavy saucepan, heat on a medium heat until sugar has dissolved, but do not stir. Add the remaining ingredients, stir once and bring to the boil. Whilst boiling brush the inside of the pan with water (I used a pastry brush) to avoid crystals forming. Boil to the 'soft crack stage -132-143 degrees ( I don't possess a sugar thermometer so did it like my grandmother did - drop a spoonful of the mixture into a saucer of cold water -if it sets immediately, it's ready). Remove from heat, pour into prepared tin, allow to cool slightly then mark into squares with a greased knife . Allow to cool completely at room temperature. Break into squares, store in an airtight and, I think I would add, an inaccessible(!) tin.

I'll report back later as to how my first week's challenge has gone, but this was what I had for lunch. I used half of a cauliflower that needed urgent attention and made cauliflower cheese, but I dry fried a little bacon to go with it and jazzed up the cheeses sauce with the juice I had left from the warm chicken chilli salad from earlier in the week and I saved the cauliflower water for a batch of soup I'll make tomorrow. I must admit it was delicious.

Right I think I deserve a cup of coffee before I do a little more to my rug. I'm still making my daughter-in-law's dress but we need a few sewing notions when we next go shopping before I can continue.

Viv x

silvasava wrote: »

Hi FuddleGood to see you on here - Yes I am! Think I may have taken on a bit more than I can chew but will persevere!! DH is chief engineer (haha) & I'm skipper & owner. She's a small motor sailer built in the mid '70s and the interior is virtually untouched:eek: but she's clean, solid & seaworthy. Learning to sail was on my bucket list when I retired but owning a boat wasn't!!! I know the previous owner & she was a very good bargain. I've got 5 more cushions to do (shan't post piccy's 'cos they're boring)

It's on our wish list too We're planning on it when the girls are independent and DH and I are free to roam the South coast. Being glorified Grockles living 10 minutes from Poole Harbour it's something that is winking at us. One day silvasava I'll be after interior renovation advice Glued for pic updates now

I bought 15 fr eggs in a clear plastic container. I've put the eggs in the egg basket and filled the egg 'pockets' with potting compost, into which I've sown some lily seeds. Watered it very gently and put the clear lid back on to make a neat mini cloche. I've used open fibre egg trays before but never had one I could use as a tiny greenhouse

ginnyknit wrote: »

I have decided to make my own clothes again as I cannot seem to buy what I want for a reasonable price. First job is to unpick my favourite jacket and use it as a pattern for a new one, preferably in a better colour - it was pale green now its faded green I have fabric so no excuse.

I already make as much as possible but theres always room for improvement and I have the time. I retired to care for hubby so have endless hours to fill :j

the Pennypinchers book by John and Irma Mustoe is a good read - friends of mine and I used to write articles for a lovely magazine they used to publish - ahh the halycon days of being a published writer paid with free copy of the mag, heady heights :rotfl:

I too had the PPP - are the Mustoes still around?