5 OS Pleasures in your Day Today part 2

marmiterulesok

Hello,

For the last few days:

1. Had a NSD weekend.

2. Have bought and cooked a new (for me) vegetable:Jerusalem artichokes.Made soup and a stew,so the taste was disguised,but tasted quite nutty.

3.Managing to build up a stock of a few HM frozen meals.

4. Arranged to see a friend this week;haven't seen her for ages.

5. Only five more working days until I'm on holiday.

Kitchenbunny I made the curd cheese using veggie rennet.One dessertspoon for each pint of heated (not boiling) full-fat milk.Two litres of milk gave me 380g of curd.You can also make it using the juice from a half/whole lemon for two litres,again allowing the milk to heat almost to boiling,then adding the juice.Allow to stand until cool,then strain through a cheesecloth overnight.

I used a different recipe this time,and unfortuanately the end result is really bland.I might add a layer of jam,as there's no way I'll put it out(all that effort).

If you're interested,this was my first attempt (it was very good):

www.amateurgourmet.com/2009/08/yorkshire_curd.html

I also used the leftover whey to make a loaf,in soup and as a drink (proud OSer!).

Wishing you all a good evening.

Kittikins

Hello northern at heart, how lovely to read about your wedding photographer success

Hello everyone!

1. Did a Reverbe and found 1p on the floor
2. Couple of YS goodies in the supermarket this morning
3. Good swim at lunchtime using my monthly swim pass
4. Lovely texts and chats with MrA during the day
5. Wore my new to me top and cardi to work today and was complimented on my fashion sense, lol....if only they knew they're handmedowns from a far more style friend!
6. I think I did reasonably well in a test at college tonight, really hope so as it's worth 25% of my exam!
7. The excitement is building for DD's birthday on Wednesday
8. The tooth fairy is coming tonight, poor DD carefully wrapped her tooth in a tissue at school but it disappeared, I've reassured her that the fairy will still come as she's been knocking on the letterbox for days hoping for it!
9. Looking forward to having an earlyish night (anything before 12am is early!)

sparrer

Still waiting for the flooring people to get in touch (will phone them in the morning), meanwhile I'm making as much use of the kitchen as I can as I don't know how long it will take them

1. Made a batch of white sauce using some old powdered milk and the last of a bag of flour that was on it's sbd. One portion used with cheese on cauli for dinner, four portions for the freezer

2. A friend started tiling the bathroom, he refused to take any money but enjoyed the lunch I made and was grateful for some odd bits from my shed that I have no use for

3. Planted my potatoes, they're in tubs down the side of the house where I hope they'll be reasonably well protected from frosts

4. Put my new lawnmower together, had fun using the electric screwdriver, then wandered around for anything else that needed tightening up. I didn't know the bedroom chests of drawers knobs were loose - nor did they til I approached with the screwdriver...:rotfl:

5. Gave two of the pets a good brush this evening, couldn't do my boy cat as he went awol when he saw the brush and comb, and has only just come in. I'll get the little minx tomorrow!

Night night, sweet dreams
S x

Caterina

Hi all

Thank you all for your good wishes for a lovely weekend, your wishes worked, we had a glorious time!

Here are my pleasures for the last couple of days:

1 - First thing in the morning Sunday: we dashed like mad to be at the Underground station before 7 so we could get to Paddington station before 7:57 (time of departure) as we had to get the tickets from the machine. Got to North Greenwich at 6:40. Shock Horror! The first train on Sunday does not leave until 7:14. We calculated that we would never make it but decided that, as DH had already irrevocably booked his annual leave day and we very much wanted to go, we would ask how much a new ticket cost (we would only have lost the ticket down, as we had two singles rather than a return). So we went, feeling sad and despondent and worrying about the possible cost of a ticket bought on the day. But against all odds, the planetary junctions all clicked together in our favour and we were in Paddington Station by 7:47! We managed to get the tickets and made it to our train with 5 minutes to spare! If this is not a miracle, I don't know what is! Great omen for a lovely time ahead.

2 - The weather was rainy and drizzly as we traveled towards the West. We had checked the weather forecast and it gave two days of intermittent rain. However, when we arrived in Bristol the sun was peeping gently through the cloud. As the day progressed the clouds gave way to a splendid sunny blue sky day. Same with Monday! Miracle no.2!

3 - We bought a plusbus ticket for each day which we used extensively, saving us a lot of money in taxi and individual bus fares.

4 - The hotel was truly lovely, we were able to get a room earlier than officiak check-in, beautiful room facing the pretty, leafy square. Spot in the middle of Central Bristol but quiet and off the main road. Bed very comfy, lots of extra facilities (CD player, DVD player, complimentary sherry and fruit etc...). The whole thing was amazing value as we only had to pay for meals and the actual room was free (offer from Times+ to which I subscribe solely because of its incredibl value offers!).

5 - Found, just down the road, a music and DVD shop that was having a sale of CDs at ridiculous prices, £3 for 2-CD compilations. We stocked up, me with salsa, romantic pop, Italian music and crooners, DH with punk (*gag* but hey, de gustibus and all that....) so we had music to listen to in the room.

6 - Generally we had a great couple of days, walked a lot, slept a lot, laughed a lot, ate a lot of good food (all ok for my low-carb diet, too!), not a lot of "romance" because we were both very tired and needed our beauty sleep but hey-ho we are old people and we did our best LOL

So here I am back, DH back at work and me plodding and delaying the time when I need to get dressed and start my day. Hope you all have a good day and see you all later or tomorrow for more pleasures.

Kittikins

Your weekend sounds divine Caterina, so pleased you and DH had a wonderful time

Tealady_2

Caterina your weekend sounds like you had a great time, pleased you enjoyed your time away

mhagster

oooh sounds like a lovely weekend away, I love how you get all your special offers & deals Caterina.

Well, it's late for me...have been out gallivanting! My first Australian School Council meeting....I loved it, bit different to back home but the jist of it was the same!

1. Took dd2 to school, nice morning & walked back with neighbour.

2. Home, washing out, quick tidy (quick look in cupboards ....scarey peek!....but all clear so far!), did some emails and went out for bus! Had a stone in my shoe so had just taken shoe off when bus came round the corner.....much stuffing shoe back on foot!

3.Went to library & I'm up to date with Casualty again! (I know, I am a saddo!) and then mooch round op shops. In one I got 4 reels of ribbon. I love ribbon & I'm a bit of a ribbon hoarder so here was a pile of pretty ribbon at silly prices! Then at Salvos I got 2 lovely cardigans & a skirt & pair of shorts for dd2. And a blue & white stripey jug (similar to Cornish ware). A few mushrooms for tea from greengrocers then bus home.

4.By this time it was very hot & humid & very dark looking sky, so got washing in & ironed,then kids were in from school so listened to their day.

5. OH home earlier than usual (by an hour) which was nice, dinner then off out to school, where I had a lovely evening!

6.Have applied for my first Ozzie job........will wait & see if my Casualty watching /op shop mooching days are limited!
Night night!

Caterina

Thank you very much Kittikins, Tealady and mhagster!

Mhagster, best wishes with your job application!

Here are my pleasures for today:

1 - No breakfast, but lovely brunch cooked by DS (beanless veg chilli con carne accompanied by salad).

2 - Managed to do an Ocado shopping (it was a bit of a troublesome one as I had to hit the £40 mark and had to keep substituting stuff that was not available, and really did not want to spend more than just a few pence over the £40). Got there in the end.

3 - Met up with a good friend/neighbour who I hadn't caught up with for a few days.

4 - Together we went to distribute the Morsbags that we sew together (she more than me!) and persuaded a couple of new shops in our neighbourhood to take them. They were very pleased!

5 - Planning dinner tonight, DH is going low-carby with me because after a health day at work he is now concerned about the size of his tummy/waist ratio. It looks ok to me, but he really wants to do it so, who am I to argue? Told him, no more snickers bars, no more toast and butter, no more cereal, no more chips - see how long he will last LOL. Tonight: sauteed sprouting broccoli in chili and garlic oil, steamed cod with salsa verde (green sauce), green leaves salad.

Have a good evening all x

Kitchenbunny

Evening, here's some pleasures for today:

1. The swans have been zipping up and down the river behind the office. I'm pretty sure they're teaching the young cygnets how to take off and land, as they are flying really low across the surface of the river. It's nice to see.
2. Not spending as much as I thought I would when I got a half our weekly shop. I think the Grocery Challenge is changing me slightly. I'm determined to get the grocery budget down, and feel as though I can do it now. Before, I just felt ashamed every time I spent and didn't update my totals, let the challenge slide for that month. I'm doing it differently now, and logging everything regardless. I have to get spends down!
3. Enchiladas for tea. DH has a thing for Mexican food and is happy to have enchiladas over going out for a meal!
4. Discovered Yorkshire tea. I didn't realise how nice it was.
5. The prospect of a long hot bath tonight.

While I'm sure I'll get around to using the steamer, I'm beginning to wish I had my cupboard space. I wouldn't mind getting a few extra tins in for the just in case and the cupboard that is in is the only place I've got really to put them in. Until we move house and have a cupboard in the spare room which I can have a couple of shelves to devote to storing stuff in. That'll be a heck of a guest room! Glad you had a nice weekend, Caterina.

Have a good evening, everyone. A batch of Twink's is begging to be made so I must dash!

KB xx

Ladyhawk

Evening all,

I didn't post last night as I was at a work dinner and only got in late.

So yesterday...

1) Was up early so decided to head into the office an hour early. I managed to sweet talk our IT guy into giving me a new laptop after mine had an interface with the floor.

2) Went to the Intenational Food & Drink Expo at Excel and got some yummy samples.

3) Met new colleague who I will be working closely with over the next 18 months... gosh he is so excitable and enthusiastic! It's great to meet people who are passionate about their work.

4) We went out for a work dinner at a very nice restuarant in London

5) Sat next to a really nice man from the Belgian embassy at the dinner who was very entertaining and charming.

And today...

1) Our monthly pricing meeting (or @rse slapping as it is referred to by us minions) went well and the boss was in a good mood which always makes it go better.

2) NSD

3) Did a presentation this afternoon. Overall I am not sure that it went well but at least my bit did.

4) Arrange to meet my oldest brother for drinks tomorrow night - probably the last time I am going to see him before he becomes a daddy.

5) Early to bed tonight as I have another early morning tomorrow...

Night all

L