Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2015

Morning All,

A glorious day here too, so once I've tidied round I'll be taking advantage of the weather and will be out in the garden. One of the things that I bought/shared with my daughter-in-law yesterday was a plastic container of 29 varieties of seeds with fertiliser - I don't know the make at the moment as my scrupulous daughter-in-law weighed them so we had exactly half each and mine are in a jar. I wouldn't normally have bought them but because we'd had a coffee there they were on special offer and daughter-in-law was very keen. Not the cheapest way to buy especially as I have all those seeds coming but it didn't break the bank. I'll report back on their progress, if any.

I also minimised a bit yesterday and threw out/sent to be 'ragged' at grand childrens' school, a perfectly hideous maroon dressing gown that I'd paid all of £3 for, including postage, on eBay. I've dutifully worn it for two years (the colour looked completely different when it was up for auction) but hated it, so it had to go, along with a much loved and quite old pair of velvet trousers, that I wore to death but which eventually ripped the other day because they were so worn - not even any good to transform into anything else as they had complicated seams and were the skinny variety.

I think I'd better look out a sensible recipe today, although I do have lots of naughty ones for you as well...

Have a good day, All.

Viv xx

Oh...and here is the recipe for Mum's Gingerbread....it is all min imperial measurements...and uses the standard German idea of using plain flour and adding baking powder.....it is one of the yummiest ginger cakes I know - and is deliciously squidgy! (It also freezes beautifully...I cut it into slices and freeze individual portions....Mum freezes the whole cake)


1lb Plain Flour; 8oz Brown Sugar; 6oz butter; 3/4 lb Golden Syrup; 1/2 pint Milk; 1 egg; 3-4 tsp ground ginger; 2 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/2 tsp ground cloves; 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg; 1/2 tsp bicarb of soda; 2 tsp baking powder; 1/2 tsp salt


In a saucepan, warm the butter, syrup and sugar until dissolved. Cool until the mixture is lukewarm and then beat in the egg. Sieve the flour with the spices, salt, bicarb and baking powder - add this to the mixture a little at a time. Warm the milk a little and add this to the mix stirring until the mixture is well blended and smooth. (It will be rather thin and runny - this is normal!)...Divide the mixture between two greased and lined 1lb loaf tins (the tins will each be about 3/4 full) . Bake in a preheated oven. Gas 3 to 3 1/2 or equivalent. Middle shelf for about an hour. ...check the cakes with a fork - if it comes out clean they're done...if not ready then cover the cakes with baking parchment and bake for 10 minutes more (sometimes takes 2 more 10 minute cooks)

Afternoon Everyone,

I'm typing this somewhat early as I've had a long session in the garden, which I'm really pleased about, but I've a horrible feeling I'm beginning to stiffen up so might not have the ability to type later.

Cheerfulness, it was so sweet of you to put a 'thank you' on page one - I'm very touched, thank you. I'm always happy to share good, reasonably priced recipes with you all and of course, the other criteria is that they have to be delicious. And, in the interest of your waistline and everyone else's, here's a fab tuna salad, which takes no time at all to prepare and cook. I only ever buy tuna when it's YS, but it's a lovely treat and asparagus is in season now, so the best time to buy.

Hot Tuna Salad with Basil Crème Fraiche serves 2

Bunch of asparagus, trimmed (or use a good handful of green beans instead), 2 handfuls of cherry tomatoes, quartered, large handful of fresh basil, handful of black olives, pitted, extra virgin olive oil, juice of half a lemon, 2 tuna steaks approx. 170 grams each, 2 tbsp. crème fraiche, sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Heat a griddle pan until really hot then put asparagus/green beans on it. Put a saucepan on top so that it presses the spears right down onto the bars and makes charred marks. Take out pan, chop asparagus into half on the diagonal. Put into bowl with tomatoes, half the basil leaves, olives, a splash of olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice. Season, then toss it all together and set aside while you prepare the fish.

Rub tuna with oil and season. Sear in very hot griddle pan for about one minute on each side. this is rare, do it for 2 minutes each side if you prefer it medium or 3-4 minutes if you like it well done (I hold it down with a fish slice whilst it's cooking). Pound the remaining basil in a pestle and mortar then mix it with the crème fraiche. Season and add some more lemon juice to taste (it's really heavenly).

Put the salad on a plate, then put the tuna on top. Spoon over some of the crème fraiche sauce and scatter some baby basil leaves over the top.

DS gave me some rhubarb today out the garden, so will set to tomorrow to do something with it - I don't think I'm capable of very much tonight!

Have a great evening, Folks.

Viv xx

Back home from my afternoon tea at a 'posh' hotel.Very nice, but overpriced I thought.
DD bless her treated me to it so I'm not one to refuse her:) Brought home the slice of carrot cake which I will have later on tonight ,hate to waste anything especially as she had forked out a fortune for it

Amazed at the price of what it was though,and not even a white tablecloth either !!!
My old Mum would have been horrified.
One chap who was sitting at another table with some friends asked for some more sandwiches, and I thought the waiter was going into cardiac arrest.

Basically there was between two of us two sliced very small oblong slices of sarnies (think Mr Kipling sized country slices),two small cup cakes two scones and two slices of cake a pot of tea for me and one of coffee for DD.
I asked for some more tea as each tiny pot held only just over a cup and the waiter just filled the pot with hot water and even fishing the teabag into my cup it was very weak.
DDs coffee pot held about a cup and a half of coffee.The price for this repast was £60+ !!! DD wasn't impressed at all,especially as the sarnies were starting to curl at the edges.This was at 2.30 in the afternoon.I think she was going to write in and complain.
Still I'm glad I brought the slice of cake home at least :):)

Jacky, it just shows HM is best.

I have had a buzzing day.
DD wet washing on the line - she dropped it off.
Then mine.

Visitors for a bit.
Then had a long session on my slow, old desktop.
Had a few house bills to pay.
Ordered x2 190 litre water butts £45. We are now on the compulsery water meter with South East water.

Printed off what can go iin the recycle bin and stuck the info on the wall for a wile. I did not know they don't want shredded paper.

OH took a car full of things to the recycle centre this afternoon. YEA!

Cleaned bathoom and danced with Dyson upstairs

Just going to minimize the ironing pile wile I watch an hour of TV..

Have a piece full evening everyone.