FRUGAL LIVING CHALLENGE 2010, part 2, April - June.

Blairweech

Hi everyone,

Not caught up yet. Anyway, I'm feeling a lot better today - got to drive the tractor around the field which I actually loved. I was surprised really, as I am really not very keen on driving the forklift at work (I guess because there is nothing I can crash into in a field!) Anyway, the chap on the farm now has my phone number, so hopefully he will give me a ring when he needs more work doing. But the main thing is that I have enjoyed every minute of this weekend, and so I know my decision to study agriculture is the right thing to do - I must confess to having a slight wobble after the past weeks events!

Hope you're all good, I will update this post when I have caught up

BigMummaF

I've only been & gone & done it! I was having a browse thru the AppF00d site yesterday & now my first order could be winging its way :eek: It's got bags of flour & some loose tea, but I also succumbed to the sweeties section too but hey--a gurl's gotta have some luxuries

top_drawer_2

Nuala - Pink-winged did a photostream thing which I will attempt to find for you. It was brillant

Written method - Mashed potato – I use left over rather than make it specially
Butter – a good couple of knobs
A pinch of salt
Plain flour



-Warm up the left over mash

-Add a little salt

-Add the butter and stir through until completely melted

-Start to add the flour and mix it into the mash (I use a large metal spoon to start off with, but usually end up using my hands)

-Continue to add flour until the mix feels like a stiff dough

-Divide the dough into balls

-Roll into circles that will fit into your frying pan (about 5mm thick)

-Cut the circle into quarters

-Lightly dust both sides with flour

-Preheat the frying pan (or flat griddle if you have one) to a medium heat

-Dry fry the potato bread (no oil or butter). At this stage you just want to cook the dough rather than fry it.

-Turn occasionally. It’s ready when it’s beginning to brown in patches.

-Cool on a wire rack.

At first just try making one piece at a time so that if the consistency isn’t quite right you can knead more flour into your dough.



It will keep in the fridge for a couple of days and freezes very well. I normally make it in batches and freeze.

For variations, add black pepper or chives

To cook: Preheat frying pan to hot, fry in butter and serve immediately.

Pics

A whole deadicated thread!

Congratualtions also to Xspender - I honestly believe this thread has some sort of effect causing all these pregnancies. I used to work in an office and we had a chair like that, everyone who got it as their chair became pregnant eventually!

Well done Puddleglum!!! I didnt know they still did pools or that people actually won on them.

Jen

Erme

I have a WASHING MACHINE - yay...got offered 2 in the end (so much for keeping the sabbath holy :eek: Don't tell the minister!!!) and I took this one and he delivered it. Slight prob with hose but easily fixed. Have airer and spin dryers only take a max of 15 mins downstairs and like I can hang around and wait for that and it's a 2kg load which is pretty good for these machines ...

If it goes bottoms up in a few weeks will invest in a new table top machine from somewhere....

Now there's just the ironing to sort out...Soap nuts work fine in it (you just have to take them out pre rinse). Can't use that much electric when it don't spin. Partially flooded the place in my trial and errors pre instructions but all sorted now...Machine about 12 years old and CREAM ....

feels so weird though to have a washing machine after saying I'd never get one in this place but beats handwashing by a mile! (no back ache over bath ). Not had a machine for 10 years (almost)...

So yeah...just getting breakkie and then quiet time and vits (can afford more vits now I don't have to pay laundry credit tomoz )..

blessings

E

Erme

PS. That's now £10 a month saved in laundry credit :t...even if it don't last more than 6 months a new one will cost less than 60 so I still save cos the spinners are free downstairs and like I said I can hang around for a few minutes whilst they do

E

Frugaldom

XSpender wrote: »

Hello All

My baby boy was born on Saturday afternoon weighing 7 pound 1 and we are both doing well:)

CONGRATULATIONS! Hope mum & baby both doing well.

enjoyfinancialchallenges wrote: »

...I wish the cold nights would stop, I just cant imagine how it must be for Nyk and her neighbour who's name escapes me at this time, It must be freezing for you up in Scotland. Whilst I have Nyk on my mind I must tell you I was thinking about you last week when I went on an over 60s trip by coach to the National Stud In Newmarket., it was very interesting but I'm sure you will have visited there before now, I couldn't do and see everything but I just needed to get out of the house and did manage to see some of the stallions and the different mares that were motored in to visit them, four times a day !!!!!

Sophiesmum is probably the person you're thinking of. A TRIP TO THE NATIONAL STUD?! A work colleague from the British Racing School used to live in one of the houses there, it's a fabulous place, I've been quite often. HS did artwork for some of the merchandise in the shop. Newmarket's just a great place, nothing beats it in the racing world IMO. (Although I'd not say no to seeing Dubai first hand just to compare! )

lyndasharp wrote: »

...We are in court on Tuesday as DH's lodger hasn't paid any rent, so we're a bit stressed as we're having to represent ourselves.

Good luck! Having bad tenants is awful! with past experience, I can sympathise, although we chose a different avenue to resolve the problem and still managed to avoid court. :rotfl:

Had a busy and most enjoyable weekend here with a visit from several other frugalers, so much frugal chit chat was chit chatted and much homemade chutney, cakes, drinks and baking was exchanged. :T

Just awaiting the next hatch - hopefully duckling hatching by tomorrow - and I had 10 new chicks hatch just a few days ago, so not had a lot of time spare when sat watching cute, fluffy 'cheepers'. I still have one listing left on eBay after their free weekend, but with 16 watchers last time I checked, I'm expecting a late flurry. Here's hoping, as eBid sales have been doing OK. 'EEK' fund creeping up after selling more stuff yesterday and not having been spending.

Now I've forgotten who asked about where foreign currency fits into budgets - I'd write it through in it's home currency value if I ever had to, I guess, as that's what it's cost you.

NualaBuala

Hi everyone :wave:

Happy laundry Erme ... hope the new machine works well and saves you money, time and hassle.

Thanks a million for the potato cake info Jen :T:T:T (and pink_winged who did a sterling job) - I was almost drooling while reading it. They are defo on the menu this week. Think I'll have mash for dinner tomorrow and make plenty for potato cakes the day after.

Frugaldom wrote: »

Now I've forgotten who asked about where foreign currency fits into budgets - I'd write it through in it's home currency value if I ever had to, I guess, as that's what it's cost you.

That would be me. That's what I've tried to do. Initially I put down the amount I spent on currency under Travel. But then I tried to convert what I'd spent to the indivicual categories. I have a bit of foreign money leftover so wasn't sure how to account for it. It's not worth changing back and it will get used some time soon I'm sure.

Am feeling a little glum as I had a large unexpected expense today - my diagnosis of skin infection changed to shingles. :eek: So have just spent >€100 on antiviral meds. Still, nothing that I can do about it. I'm feeling a bit doubtful about the diagnosis but not feeling well enough to question it so am just doing what I'm told for a change. Anyway, I will need to do some serious rejigging of my finances as I hadn't budgeted for expensive prescriptions.

Have a lovely evening everyone. Hugs to everyone who'd like one.

phoebe03cat

Shingles is nasty NB, think you are right doing exactly what's recommended, my daughter had it really badly a few years ago. You will need a lot of rest and being nice to youself; sending you a huge hug.
Erme..glad to hear you have got a washing machine at long last. It wont be long before you are wondering how you ever did without it!

Having trouble being frugal atm as it's only two more weeks before we get our new puppy and have had to get set up. We are all getting very excited and I'm sure the cats have picked up on it and are looking deeply suspicious. I have everything crossed that things will settle down eventually, but have to admit to getting a bit worried how they will get on with the new dobie.
A pesky slug got in the greenhouse last night and ate half of my tray of aubergines, so will be planting a few more tomorrow...isn't nature wonderful!

slowlyfading

I"m still around guys. Not having the best time of it at the moment. Had a moan on my diary on the DFW bit if anyone wants a nosey and can offer any support, that would be great.

NualaBuala

Aw thanks Phoebe, am trying to be a good patient. I have just copped that I've been fighting this for a while - have had weird tinglings and red hot needle sensations for a few weeks and felt generally tired and nauseous. I will be getting lots of rest now hopefully. And I'm sure the antivirals will help too - anything that expensive had better do a good job! :rotfl:

How exciting getting a new puppy - another new arrival for our frugal family to go along with all the recentlly arrived babies! Good luck replenishing your aubergines ... I've noticed the slugs are out in full force here but I haven't sown anything out for them to nibble on yet.