It is tough NOW. So how are we coping

itsmylife_2

Margaret, its a pain that we don't have the same shops here isn't it? I secretly wish for a poundland... I go to St George's market in Belfast and find it to be cheaper than the supermarkets (plus the veggies definitely last longer), would it be worth your while making the trip up to Belfast? There are also some good offers for meat and fish there.

bellaquidsin

My OS treat is my knitting. Good job I like it as I have just bought two 500grm packs in the sale:money: so I''ve got plenty to keep me busy, but hey the cardigans I make help to keep the heating bills down:money: so OS rules OK on all counts. In any case when I've OS shopped and OS cooked and OS cleaned and OS gardened I need a good OS sit down.

Bella.

mummysaver

Good morning!

Well it's certainly tough here today, got ds and dd2 down with the sick bug that's doing the rounds, and dd3 off with a horrible cold, dd1 insisted on going into school today, though I think she should be in bed, she sounded and looked dreadful!

Today I was planning on making lists of all food stocks, just so I'm not the only one who knows what we have, but a friend is coming over with pressies for the girls, so that's out the window! I need to finish off his pressie, am making him an emergency kit (from the celebration thread) but haven't yet finished it or sorted out a stocking to put it in! He'll have to have it next week instead, be less temptation for him to open it before Christmas then as well lol!

I've really enjoyed the homemade pressies I've done this year, I can't believe how well received they've been by the girls' friends, they did flannel cupcakes and reindeers! I've had lots of requests from people to make stuff after they've seen they things we've already done, quite flattering really, especially since many of them are quite sniffy about non shop bought stuff! And of course, making the stuff is a lot cheaper than buying it, though I shall still be hitting the Boots sale to restock on pressies for the coming year!

D&DD

Hope they get better soon Mummysaver these bugs going round are quite nasty this year.Round here its a right nasty mixture.. starts with a headache and sore throat,then a bit of sickness then a stinking cold thrown in,leaving you with a rotten cough!!
I'm eating Echinachea like there's no tomorrow :rotfl: was dabbling with the idea of a facemask *joking!!!*
Bit snowed here ATM so sorry for any prolonged abscence in advance, oh and ME time..whats that??? :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

elona

Order from approved foods has just arrived but DH was home and answered the door!!!!!:eek:

He is shocked at the size of the box and when I tried to show him the LLoyd Grossman curry sauce at 10 for a pound he looked at it suspiciously and said "I thought you used stuff in a jar."

Tried to explain just how cheap and what a bargain the stuff was but he did not look convinced!!!!!

Still trying to fit stuff in the cupboads and DD who is home from uni wants to help me "organise the cupboards" - as stuff anywhere near best before date gets chucked out I am not looking forward to the idea.

Have to dash off to get stuff for DD (14) to give to friends by tomorrow!!!! Her bedroom lamp is broken so she has the good torch which I will grab back later today if I can replace the lamp.

Have to look out docs for student finance again and send off recorded delivery at the worst time of the year as we have been randomly selected!!!

Fed up and frazzled!!!!!!

Hugs to all - DH is scoffing the pea soup in the slow cooker so that should cheer him up.

Caterina

D&DD wrote: »

I'm eating Echinachea like there's no tomorrow :rotfl: was dabbling with the idea of a facemask *joking!!!*

D&DD watch the Echinacea, it only works for a short time, people often have loads of the stuff but the more you take the less is effective! Check with a herbalist for the appropriate use! I was surprised about this as I also used to take it as a preventer, but in my herbal medicine class the teacher recommended to take it only at the onset of the cold. HTH!

Mummysaver I hope the kids recover well soon, it is really hard to see children be unwell - and hard for the mum, stuck indoors with them! I remember having both twins down with the measles, one after the other, the interminable days stuck home!!!

Elona, just tell your DH that you are the household administrator and that if he does not like the job you do, he can try (it usually works with mine, he runs the mile when I say that!).

Feeling a bit despondent today, lovely weather but I haven't done anything productive, just loafed about.

Love to all

Caterina

mummysaver

Caterina - thanks very much, I think dd3 is on the mend, the others are just slumped though. Luckily they are old enough that if I need to whizz to the shops then it's not a problem. Some days aren't productive hon, we all need days where we loaf around, it's normally called relaxing! Don't get down about it, make a cuppa and just enjoy doing nothing for a day, this time of year is busy enough, so I'm sure you'll find yourself chasing your tail again in no time!

Elona - glad your order arrived okay and that you were pleased with it, think sometimes you have to accept that others just don't "get" it, I have friends who just get a glazed look when I start rambling on - though that could just be me lol!

D&DD - one day you'll get "me" time and then you'll find you're bored I expect! I have no idea how you achieve everything that you do, you seem to be permanently on the go! Did you work out something to spend the council's money on for the kids? Thanks for the good wishes for my lot!

Today I've made hobnobs, muffins, rolls and jars and jars of pickle! Have frozen lots of the baked goods, and the pickle will be handed out as pressies or thank you's to assorted people who have dropped not so subtle hints! I shall be keeping a few jars though, as was more than surprised to find I'd run out! I've really noticed that people are starting to ask for homemade goodies, I doubt it is the fact that my stuff tastes so fantastic, more that it's a way of getting something that tastes good and isn't costing a fortune - even the people I know who spend without thinking seem to have noticed the rising cost of food. Suddenly it seems that homemade pickles and jams have gained a kind of kudos! Perhaps it's that with all the uncertainty in the world at the mo, it takes people back in time to when they were little and everyone seemed to bake and made preserves, and everything was right with the world!

purpleivy

mummysaver wrote: »

ifonlyitwaseasier wrote: »

I do a version of the one on the back of the beans pack!

Soak 500g pack of haricot beans overnight, boil for an hour till tender.

Fry 4 onions till browned.

Put onions and beans in slow cooker or large pan with:

6tbsp sunflower oil
6tbsp tom puree
50ml maple syrup (I use honey and treacle, cos its cheaper and I have it in stock)
4 tins chopped toms
300ml veg stock

Cook for 3 hours in a pan, can leave longer in the sc (prob use slightly less liquid if doing in sc).

They are delicious. If you want the sauce to be really smooth then you can puree/blend all the ingredients except the beans before mixing them. I just freeze in marg tubs and take from the freezer as I need them.

Thanks for posting this recipe Mummysaver. Baked beans from Mr M are still £1.49 for 4 pack. I would save money on the ingredients, but don't think I would want to have them sitting in the oven or on the stove for that long,

I generally give haricot beans about 5 mins in the pressure cooker and they're done, anyone cooked baked beans in a more energy efficient way i.e., one that doesn't take as long as 3-4 hours?

mummysaver

Purple - is it poss to do them in the pressure cooker at all, don't know if there are any recipes lurking? I use my slow cooker, so hopefully it's fairly energy efficient?

Reverbe

Mummy it is funny you should say that cos I was saying to a mate last night how I think homemade can not only be fab and better than store bought stuff (not to mention cheaper of course) it also shows that you have put time , effort, thought and work into the gift. But most people I fell would still look down on homemade except the most understanding who know ppls circumstance s for being a bit shabby or plebby or even cheapskate. It's a shame cos if one is also talented at arts , crafts and wrapping you can make them look like shop bought or better,,

I made some cookies and also a HUGE jar of very tasty cranberry and orange preserve for a friend but I felt today that I had to get them a signed copy of Jamie Oliver's mags to stop her looking down on my gifts.