Live on £4,000 for a year - 2009, Part 3

Brighton_belle

excellent news bails:T. One idea I always think I'd use in the unlikely event of Mr BB tripping over a pile of books and ending up on one knee in front of me and then feeling obliged.... is, as everyone will want to buy presents, why not ask instead for everyone to bring a dish of food to share (some co-ordination required obviously) and ditto other bits and pieces as and when - would beat 50+ new toaters and a 15 silver photo frames. You can supply the big stuff like drink, cake (unless you have a good cake making friend)
Just a thought. At the end of the day - people will remember the romance of the day and the fun, not all the trimmings (not to say you need have no trimmings.) Just a thought to throw in to the myriad of ideas you'll have.

SM - glad this weekend is feeling a little more normal. Great baking photos. Lynne - will we get a phto of the finished butterfly?

SF - hope you are having a lovely weekend at home. Well done on so many NSDs for sept:T:T.

grandma247

Brighton_belle wrote: »

is, as everyone will want to buy presents, why not ask instead for everyone to bring a dish of food to share (some co-ordination required obviously) and ditto other bits and pieces as and when - would beat 50+ new toaters and a 15 silver photo frames. You can supply the big stuff like drink, cake (unless you have a good cake making friend)

Some of the best wedding receptions we have been to were like this.

sophiesmum_2

SL - I usually use delias sponge recipe it always works well

For an 8 inch (20 cm) cake: 6 oz (175 g) self-raising flour 1 rounded teaspoon baking powder 3 large eggs at room temperature 6 oz (175 g) very soft butter 6 oz (175 g) golden caster sugar ½ teaspoon vanilla extract a little sifted icing sugar, for dusting

Bung everything in a bowl and mix, divide into two 8 inch sponge tins, bake for about 25- 30 minutes, then add whatever filling you like.


The butterfly cakes should be good, post some pics if you do it:D

Skint_Lynne

I've done it!!

I ended up with a teddy and a butterfly, the teddy is because I forgot to sift the flour.:doh:

Then I done it all again and made the butterfly. My brother can have the teddy with the lumpy bits and I'll give the birthday girl the butterfly. They are in the oven now, so we will see how they turn out.

I'll ice it in the morning and then attempt the photos. I know we keep getting reminders, but how do I load a photo on, I've never done it before.

Will check in later, thanks for the recipe sm, to the rescue again!! xx

cw18

Skint_Lynne wrote: »

the teddy is because I forgot to sift the flour.:doh:

I never sift flour when baking - and can't say I've ever spotted any difference

I know we keep getting reminders, but how do I load a photo on, I've never done it before.

Upload the picture(s) to a hosting site, such as Photobucket
Then you need to insert the Url of the photo in your message, preceded by . You can do this manually, or use the add picture icon () though you need to be sure NOT to end up with the http:// twice. Alternatively, if you use Photobucket and depening on how your account is set up, there may be a piece of code below your uploaded image that already has the html codes around the url - so just copy that and paste it into the message text.

Skint_Lynne

Thanks for that Cheryl,

I'm just waiting for them to finish now, it should be around another 20mins or so.

I hope that the teddy will be okay then, I was just worried about lumpy bits, maybe they disperse with the heat or something as I always sift the flour whatever I am doing. I'll soon find out.:p

bails

Brighton_belle wrote: »

excellent news bails:T. One idea I always think I'd use in the unlikely event of Mr BB tripping over a pile of books and ending up on one knee in front of me and then feeling obliged....

:rotfl:You are one special lady! Thanks for the tip; my friend who got married this month did this and I think it worked really well (wasn't there of course) so will definitely consider it. OH's step uncle makes AMAZING vegetarian food so we'd love to ask him but as we're already going to ask him to do the ceremony it might be too cheeky! I've made a list of the basics and who has the skills to potentially help with what (musicians, flower arrangers etc etc). I also thought I might try getting things like hair and make-up (if I have it done) through LETS so I am still being a good little frugaller

Millionaires shortbread was definitely talked about a lot SFT, it's yum! Your day sounds perfect x

We're getting ready for our next trip away today- we're off to Chitwan National Park for a few days on elephant safari in the (minute) hope of seeing tigers - this is also where I get to wash an elephant 101ers! - and then straight on to the Annapurna area for some more trekking. Dad says we're having our honeymoon now! We have to go over to finish paying for the trips etc so I may have a sneaky look for suitable marquee type decorations

Have a great day everyone! I'll probably be on again before we leave but if not I'll see you in 10 days or so xx

savingfortravel

Bails-Wow, enjoy your safari. Always wanted to go to Chitwan and ride on an elephant. You really are having an amazing time!!!

Still appreciate any present ideas.
Well got up earlier this morning. Went to the gym (much more enjoyable than Friday evening. Also had a nice time in the sauna, steam room and jacuzzi afterwards). Left Mr SFT painting the dining area. Popped into M*talan for a washing up bowl as our butler sink has been increasingly leaking water. I know its not a great look in our kitchen but its functional and as we are on a water meter..makes sense. Mr SFT has just received word of a computer job which will add an extra £70 to France. Yipee :j
Feel like my frugal head is back on.

This evening we're off for dinner at my sister's partners house. I did try and persuade Mr SFT that we could use up the salad in the fridge but strangely he went for the roast beef dinner instead. I can't blame him and we can have the salad tomorrow.

Must do some more house work and a little school work this afternoon. Its such a beautiful day I can see us nipping outside for our lunch and a few breaks. This weather won't last for ever.

Have a great day everyone. Hope you feel better Lingo and anyone else who is poorly.

SFT

Brighton_belle

Another day of blazing sunshine here, so 2nd lot of washing now drying outside.
Today I have cleaned the fridge and kitchen shelves.
I have also just broken the news to OH that I've had a few more brilliant ideas for rearranging furniture to suit our changing needs. His pet hate is change, mine is maximising efficient storage and reducing the cluttered feel which means rearranging quite a bit every so often. I want my home to be practical, with things easy to reach/use but not scruffy. He's taken it well...

sft - sounds like you feel more in control again

Lynne - I don't often sift my flour and dont get lump problems.
Thanks for the sponge recipe SM: will add that to my repetoir.

Vixstar

SFT - not got any homemade present ideas yet but to help them how crafty etc are you? IYSWIM. Oh and are you talking 100% homemade?