Getting out of my comfort zone

gilligansyle

So far today, I have taken 4 meals out of the freezer and up to mum.
Taken chicken pieces out of freezer for curry. Not proper cheap but jars were on offer 2 for £2 and its one that DS likes and there will be plenty left over to freeze.

Been to office and picked up next weeks work sheet and sorted wages out.
Done washing using soapnuts - seems clean enough but then our washing isn't that dirty to start with. Still reserving judgement, but they were a free sample.

Money stuff
Gas, electric and petrol sorted leaves £50 for groceries, so that works out reasonably OK. Want to keep a credit in the meter in case the weather goes cold again.
£92 left in bank, all DD's have gone out, but its nephews 18th at weekend, so will have to put money in card, don't think we will be seeing him.
There are a few applications in via agencies so hopefully something will come of that.

hypno06

I think I will be doing chicken curry tomorrow - I seem to have a whole cupboard full of jars of sauce that were on offer......enough to keep me going for ages, even if it is just with pasta or rice and some veggies to bulk!

gilligansyle

hypno sometimes I think we get into a bit of a rut with meals, mainly because of DS shift patterns, awkward when he works 12 hours so is out of the house for 14, and asleep for 8 of the ones he's back for. Curry is nice and handy as I can eat it reheated when he's not around and he can take it into work and nuke it. We have a microwave, but its an ornament on top of the fridge freezer. I always add extra veggies etc. to pack it out.

Favourite economical meal though is tomtoms chilli which only uses 200g mince (about 1/2 lb to us oldies). For us, this lasts forever, and I have adapted it to do spag bol.

gilligansyle

Right, have done an hours worth of ironing, wiped down kitchen surfaces, and done bathroom. Another load in washer, just towels and stuff, no idea how to get them dry
DS was off last night, but stayed up playing on xbox until 7 am. He's dj'ing tonight and tomorrow then back in work on Sunday, so we will be likes ships in the night for a few days. Means I can just feed myself, so lots easier. Can see pasta being a favourite at the mo.

Have been out and got some whoopsied mushrooms from local shop so will do risotto tonight. Thanks hypno.
Main shopping will be either late tonight after work in pub, may get some offers, or else first thing in the morning.

Need some inspiration so going to mooch on OS board for a bit.

macgirl

You can come and us my dryer if I can swapsies for the washer

You've reminded me to iron, so will pop off to do that now. Have a good day!

hypno06

Enjoy the risotto - I made a big pan of it last night, and we will be having that again this evening.....yum yum yum!

The chicken that I was going to use for a curry can stay in the freezer for another day......I am determined to make my shopping budget go as far as possible!!

savingholmes

hope the risotto tastes good!

gilligansyle

Risotto eaten, with a glass of vino pinko, lovely, Got the house to myself, for a change.
When I left to go to work at 4pm it was reasonably tidy, but now looks like a bomb has hit. DS has gone out, managing to leave every light in the house on, use 3 bath towels, 2 hand towels, cooked himself something to eat and has used (and left in the sink) 3 pans and 2 plates. Haven't looked in his room to see how many different sets of clothes are lying around before he finally decided what to wear. And there is a can of deodorant on the radiator in the hall.

WHY!!!!

BADPENNY_2

that reminds me of when oh's son lived with us for a while, 3 showers a day using a fresh towel each time. would try on clothes before deciding what to wear and then discard them, but not put them back into the drawer/wardrobe but into the washing basket to be washed again after only trying them on:eek: he used to eat us out of house and home, lights/tv left on all night. The joys!!!!!!!! Please tell me how to make rissoto, it sounds fab, do i need special rice or anything?

L X

gilligansyle

Oh yes the joys of having an adult child in the house.

Risotto is a doddle, you can do it with ordinary rice, but its best with arborio.

Not according to Jamie and co. but this is what I do.
Need 1 onion and some garlic, and any veg, cooked meat you've got knocking around, mushrooms work quite well. And also you need some stock, about 1pint stock for half a pound of rice.
Fry onion and garlic in mixture of oil and butter gently until see through. Add rice and cook for about 5 mins, add veg/meat etc. Add half the stock and cook gently until all liquid absorbed, add rest of stock. You can also add a bit of wine if you've got any.
Just before serving stir in some butter.

Really good for using left overs.

Now I've got to brave his room, he will probably want to watch the match, but he didn't get in until 5am.