It is tough NOW. So how are we coping

bellybabe_2

kittie wrote: »

So sit tight and keep everything clenched because things are tentatively looking good at last

I've had to do that on and off for a few years now...especiallyif I'm going to sneeze lol!:o:rotfl:

Glad to hear you're happy today Kittie and that you won the battle with the evil giant.

Have been reading this thread for last few days and lost track of all the replies I've wanted to make so I'll just say I'm thinking of all the people with bad news and pleased for thos with good news. And I'm *very* glad mummysaver and Caterina are still with us.

Freezing in bags in containers...how organised is that - we've always just shoved the ziplock bags full of soup in the freezer, whcih is fine if you take it out before whatever it's moulded itself to, but not so great if you're left with the oddly shaped soup... Now I know better. Tetra packs here I come. :T

BB

cw18

bellybabe wrote: »

I've had to do that on and off for a few years now...especiallyif I'm going to sneeze lol!:o:rotfl:

Me too :rotfl:

One of the less attractive side effects of giving birth :eek:

[Deleted User]

it gets better.Just sit at the table and do the clenching and try to keep your face straight

cw18

Given my youngest is 17.5 (years that is!), I doubt it'll help much :rotfl:

Patchwork_Quilt

helzbelz_57 wrote: »

i did the whole income /outgoings thing in a lengthy email, i separated it into his and mine to show him exactly how little i earned and hw much bills and groceries left me with each month ( it was in the minus figures) and how much he earns and after bill, what he should have left. got him to agree to sending a set amount of housekeeping. that was obstacle one, now i have to help him see that he is squandering a lot of money on a lot of rubbish. im not even going to mention spending diary, he would take me by the hand and tell me to have wee lie down. just dont know how to induce that LBM in him. tough love? tis going to be a long hard battle with this one

Is it any help to say our housekeeping money is separated off ? DH is by far the main wage earner but everything goes into our main account and then a set amount goes into another one each month before anything is spent.

A long time ago, we used to have a set amount of pocket money too.

Hope this helps and good luck

Patchwork_Quilt

BB1984 wrote: »

We have a big mortgage (nearly 90%) so would like to reduce that if we can before we finish our 2-year discounted deal. It's difficult though, knowing whether to overpay or not - I have the very real possibility of being made redundant this year and might need that money! However, I have put by 6 months-worth of mortgage payments from savings (that were going to be spent on the house). The thing we've decided to do (and this is a hard one!) is put off booking our honeymoon. We're getting married in August and wanted to go on a holiday-of-a-lifetime, but have decided to hold off til nearer the time, and see if we can see how things are panning out...then we'll either bag a last-minute bargain, or postpone until things pick up.

I think you're being incredibly sensible. I'm sure your honeymoon will be wonderful, wherever it is.

nannaC

mummysaver wrote: »

just made me think that there are probably loads of things I used to eat that I don't now just cos I've got out of the habit. All this OS and money saving lark though seems to be bringing a lot of it back to mind, and when I remember various dishes they all seem to be quite cheap, no wonder my nan managed to feed so many of us, she was super frugal! quote]

Totally agree made Grumpy G's fav cheese & onion soup for tea today. Its a lovely thick creamy version of onion soup [he hates the brown watery french variety]. Its cheap, filling, and very tasty, you can use up bits of left over cheese or even omit and just have onion soup [I forgot to add cheese one time and it was still delish]

1 large onion
1 oz plain flour
1 oz butter/marg
1 pint milk [I use powdered]
1/4 pt chicken/veg stock [1/2 stock cube is fine] or just water if prefered
1 tsp english mustard powder [or you can use ready made mustard TBH I have used french mustard, whole grain whatever I come to first in the cupboard]
Seasoning pepper to taste
2-4oz crumbled Lancs cheese [again I simply use up whatever I have, but if it is a strong cheese i.e. mature chedder add a bit at a time taste to check]

Chop onion finely, put into pan with butter, cook until soft but not coloured.

Add flour and cook for 2 mins stirring all time.

Gradually add milk & stock a little at a time stirring constantly.

Keep stirring & bring soup to the boil, turn the heat right down so the soup gently simmers. Cover the pan and cook for 15 mins stirring occasionally to avoid sticking.

Add cheese a little at a time stirring well, taste, then add seasoning.
The soup should be nice and creamy in both colour/texture.

Serve with bread.

nannaC

elizabunny wrote: »

Talking of stodge do any of you remember the suet puddings that used to be so popular. I remember Mum dishing up several variations. The savoury ones were Steak & Kidney Suet Pudding (still quite popular today) and a kind of bacon and onion suet pudding that looked like a huge sausage but tasted fab. I have often thought recently I might have a go at that (comfort food hm....). She also used to make a sweet, apple and sultana suet pudding -again it looked like a huge sausage and she used to wrap it in a cloth and boil it. It was lovely sliced up and served with custard. Oooooh I'm such a foody:o

Jam roly poly is a fav in our house, simple to make just suet pastry spread with jam rolled up like a swiss roll then steamed. [Heaven in a dish]. I load up my 3 tier steamer once a week with one of these then 4 little syrup sponges, 1 large college pudding/spotted !!!!!!. Once cooked and cooled they keep fine in the fridge or can be popped into the freezer.

nannaC

Originally Posted by bellybabe
I've had to do that on and off for a few years now...especiallyif I'm going to sneeze lol

or cough, or get a fit of the giggles, or bend down, or climb up/down a slope, need I go on

glendam

Just a query re plastic bag in mug for soup. I have tried this and find you cant just add the frozen block back to the mug as pieces of plastic bag have folded and frozen in the liquid. By the time its defrosted enough its messy to get out of bag or you leave bits of it behind. What am I doing wrong?

Glenda