greent's mfw journey

Goldiegirl

greent wrote: »

Courgettes are still growing, but have got rid of all tom plants - last fruits are on kitchen windowsill.

Yes, we've got rid of our tomato plants and are ripening the last on the sunny sill in the back bedroom.


Our courgettes have been really disappointing this year. Last year was our first courgette year and we did really well, but this years have been few and far between, and very small.


If it had been our first year we wouldn't bother again. But we know we can do it, so will have another go next year

greent

apple_muncher wrote: »

:drool::drool::drool:

Oooh, that cake...

:drool::drool::drool:

It's unbelievably unhealthy! (although it doesn't have butter in - I used a recipe which used oil - and I used light olive (my other choices from the cupboard being EVOO, sesame & groundnut) I'm not a choc cake fan, but the addition of the golden syrup makes the sponge almost toffee-chocolate, so quite nice......:o

Goldiegirl wrote: »

Yes, we've got rid of our tomato plants and are ripening the last on the sunny sill in the back bedroom.


Our courgettes have been really disappointing this year. Last year was our first courgette year and we did really well, but this years have been few and far between, and very small.


If it had been our first year we wouldn't bother again. But we know we can do it, so will have another go next year

My courgettes this year have been disappointing, too - usually I have huge monsters and can't keep up with the supply. This year there have been less and they have been small - but that was quite nice in some ways - normally I feel inundated with them from 3 plants!:)


Back from parents eve for smallest 2 - spoke to Head re DS3 and also his teacher & TA, and some points have been noted on both sides. DS2's teacher is quite new to the school, so we've never had her before (we're the longest standing parents in the school!) - she was even unaware that he has 2 older siblings Quite nice for him in some ways - she has no preconceptions. He had an amazing report - she is very impressed with his general knowledge across such a wide variety of subjects and also that he can apply it so well. His vocab is brilliant, as is his SPAG use He's also working at least a year ahead on maths (and spelling & reading) We got his Y5 CAT scores from the Head - his average across the 4 ranges was 130, with the max score of 141 being achieved on verbal reasoning (and 139 on spatial) - we're super chuffed - he is bright, but also a perfectionist, which sometimes is his problem - as he sacrifices speed for (perfect) accuracy. Head advised us (in so many words) to go for grammar school entrance exams next summer - which we were already planning. Our local comp (less than a mile from home) is not the best for results, nor discipline, although it is much improved from 10 years ago. He's gone off with OH to look at one grammar school (the one DS1 attends) tonight. We're very lucky in Glos to still have 7 grammars - 1 mixed and 6 single sex (3 of each)


Whoops - just realised time (all behind from parents eve! ) - must get DS3 changed for BEavers!!


xx

Secret_Saving_Squirrel

Sounds as if you are doing a brilliant job with the little greentribe. They certainly don't seem to have felt any harm from your thrifty ways! Clearly all active, intelligent and with a great work ethic. Congratulations.

greent

Thanks, Squirrel!




DD passed her Theory driving Test yesterday (first time) - she was very nervous - none of her friends had passed first time. Great news, though - hopefully she'll begin to get more confident in her practical lessons now! I'm really hoping she can take - and pass - her test before March, as that's when she'll really start cracking on with A2 revision, and I don't want driving hanging over her too. It doesn't come easily to her, so she's finding that fact hard.


Nearly New Sale tomorrow - I haven't got as much stuff to sell as I thought I had - clearly all my decluttering is now catching up with me! (Same for ebaying - I no longer have a pending pile) Hopefully I'll come home with a lot less than I'm taking! I shall sort through any unsold items as to suitability to keep for future sales and look to get rid of some things via CS/ Ziffit.


Oh yes - I have succumbed to the cold and put the heating on (as at about 8pm last night) - mid Oct is a reasonable deal. I'm happy enough with that. Poor DS2 has been struggling with a cold and was really feeling it last night. OH has minor man flu, but that doesn't get much sympathy from me!!


x

newgirly

Well done to your dd greent, this driving test stuff is so much harder and more expensive than it was in the old days, best of luck with your crazily busy weekend.

apple_muncher

Secret_Saving_Squirrel wrote: »

Sounds as if you are doing a brilliant job with the little greentribe. They certainly don't seem to have felt any harm from your thrifty ways! Clearly all active, intelligent and with a great work ethic. Congratulations.

Yep! What SSS said. xx

greent

Evening


Crazily busy NNS on Sat. I didn't have that much to sell. Sold £88 before commission (only 10%) I have 2 boxes (think Walkers crisps boxes) of stuff to go back in loft for next one, together with a junior tennis racquet and a folding scooter. Small amount of clothes went to CS/ rag bag as appropriate and few items in to Shoebox appeal. Children have been given their share (for any toys/ books sold) and all are happy My bit has been transferred to Florida Fund


I have possible car problems, though - it would not start after I'd finished at voluntary job at lunchtime Hopefully just battery dying, and nothing too expensive. Thankfully I have bargainacious Green Flag cover (65 for home start, onward relay etc - with £52.50 cashback - so net cost £12.50!! :money:) and the chap arrived within 15 minutes :j He's pretty sure it's battery (started after jumping it) so will see if it starts in morning - if not, will get OH to jump it and take it to local battery place for a drop test(??) and get a new one.


Talking of cars, OH and I both have VWs - and both are affected by the 'scandal'. Apparently we will be contacted sometime in Jan onwards.


Oooh - and that reminds me - OH has a new contract - good - based in Canary Wharf - not so good. So he's going to be a Mon-Fri (or probably Mon-Thurs) lodger. Still, it's a contract, so good news overall

smallholdingsister

Well done to your DD.

greent

Yeay! The holidays are here! Well - almost..... DD broke up last Friday, DS2 and DS3 yesterday - but DS1 not until tomorrow.


Not that we have much planned, mind. Possibly a 'big' day out but not much else - plus maybe a skate park trip with the small ones. Tomorrow we are debating a trip to Swindon outlet - DD wants to hit the Superdry outlet, and I want M&S (although we have one of those in Gloucester) - both to replace items which are holey and have seen better days. Will need to see if small ones are up for it - unsurprisingly, they find shopping trips boring!


Made chutney today: http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2009/oct/04/nigel-slater-green-tomato-recipes to use up all of the green tomatoes - and some overripe red ones. I substituted prunes for half of the raisins, as I have loads of prunes and not very many raisins - and I'm trying to use stuff up (and the children will eat raisins, but not prunes) and a mix of demerera and soft brown sugar instead, as I didn't have any muscovado. Have made it before and it's nice Made 5 1/2 jars, so some will go out as Xmas presents. Last bit of making for presents I need to do is pear halves poached in spiced red wine - must do that in next few days before my HG pears get too soft!


DD off out in a mo for school VIth form Halloween event - wearing a dress from ELC which she had when she was 3 or 4 - thankfully she has leggings on underneath!:eek::D


Best friend now back from the US and finally caught up with her last night, which was nice


Hmm... trying to think if there's any money news - and I can't think of a single thing! Must try harder! :rotfl:

apple_muncher

Well done to dh on getting the contract, but ya boo hiss to being away mon-fri.

(and forgive me if I do not offer him lodgings... Not only are we a way away from Canary Wharf, but we are still invaded...:o)