Squizz's Fizzy Diary

Gemmzie

I work with young people in a healthcare/youth work setting

redsquirrel80

Ah yes I remember now - sounds interesting, pretty challenging at times too I expect?

That Monday thing has come around rather quickly again! Weekend was good - picked up a parcel from PO (surprise laptop case from my mum) and popped into the gallery nearby to pick up a leaflet.. ended up wandering round an exhibition for an hour or so. Had a late birthday pressie in the post too - a Waterstones voucher, so spent rather a long time on their website. Ended up buying 'The Edible Garden' book (and then a few more cheapie things on Amazon).

Sunday we had a lovely muddy walk in the woods (ugh I felt unfit), a Sainsburys trip and an afternoon cooking session - falafel, hummous, bread, and the 'tupperware chorizo' from the River Cottage book.

This week is mostly going to involve work - got a big deadline coming up on Friday (for people sending me things, which I then have to organise very quickly over Monday/ Tuesday). Away at a conference tomorrow - not entirely looking forward to this as it's very 'networky' (they actual have 'lunch/ networking' down on the agenda - blah) and I could do with the time in the office instead.

Aside from that I'm trying to get through another chapter of OU book and do a little bit of French. We have a shortlist of Paris hotels now - one a bit more expensive but very cool and modern, and a couple cheaper and 'shabby chic'-like.

Trying to make a real effort to eat healthier too - I've been having smaller portions, more fruit and veg, hopefully it'll make a difference.

And finally, money, got about £100 in the bank with a week left till payday - could do better but it has been a long month!

se999

The book sounds interesting, you'll have to let me know if it's good.

I've found this link to a basic list of edible flowers very handy http://www.recipes4us.co.uk/Edible%20Flowers.htm

Ryton Organic Gardens has a small edible garden, and the shop there sells a fact sheet detailing the plants there.

I got into this style of gardening after watching Geoff Hamilton's programme years ago on the ornamental kitchen garden, detailing how the original workers cottage gardens were a mixture of flowers and fruit and veg, the stylised herb gardens and formal big house kitchen gardens, but then his twist on it by mixing in the edible with other plants. The book on the series might be one to look out for too.

Sounds like you had a good weekend. January's always a long wait until payday, as normally Decembers' comes early due to Christmas.

Karmacat

I'd forgotten about the Edible Garden book! I have a voucher to spend at Waterstone's too, from pigsback, my last ever from there, thank heavens, its taken forever to get.

You had an afternoon cookery session! That is incredibly sweet, you know, no pun intended really lovely.

redsquirrel80

Thanks, that's a really useful list - quite a few I didn't know about there (and I was thinking about buying a book on edible flowers too!)

Really want a few honeysuckle plants.. I just love them

redsquirrel80

Karmacat wrote: »

I'd forgotten about the Edible Garden book! I have a voucher to spend at Waterstone's too, from pigsback, my last ever from there, thank heavens, its taken forever to get.

You had an afternoon cookery session! That is incredibly sweet, you know, no pun intended really lovely.

Hey you sneaked in there I'll let you know what the book's like when it arrives.

Afternoon cookery sessions are fun - but messy! I had one side of the kitchen (chorizo and hummous) and Mr S had the other (falafel and bread). Cat had the little 'hatch' opening between the kitchen and dining room where she could have a good view of things, and Hugh had the windowsill :rotfl:

Gemmzie

Definitely challenging Squizz! I think £100 left with a week to go is damn good actually, January is one of the hardest months for budgetting and you're way in the plus :money:

redsquirrel80

Thanks Gemmzie, it's definitely better than I used to be! I will be spending a bit at the weekend, as we're hopefully going to the farmers market - not been since October due to snow and car problems.

Yesterday was alright - a long day and I feel shattered this morning. Interesting mix of people there, it's funny how the academics and the administrators quickly separate off! Had some good chats with people who do similar jobs to me, but the only real networking was a couple of people asking me to pass their details on to academics here to talk about collaborations.

Mr S had cooked haggis for me getting home

Anyway, better plough on with the 150 (:eek:) emails I've come back to. Got some plant shopping to do at lunchtime with vouchers I got for Christmas, so looking forward to that!

Karmacat

Haggis! One of the few reasons I'm sorry for being a vegetarian - I bet it was yummy.

And plant shopping - tell us your spoils, okay? I'm working till 4 now, but I'd love to hear.

redsquirrel80

It was lovely! We also had a little whisky

Plant shopping.. I've got a mini greenhouse, a red gooseberry, blackberry and raspberry (3 plants set), and have an offer code which got me this - http://www.thompson-morgan.com/vip/flowers/flower-plants/exotic-plants/peony-dvd-collection/p92448vTM - for £4.99. Once that arrives I'll use the £10 voucher on some other things.. I need some onion sets, salad seeds and I'd quite like this too - http://www.thompson-morgan.com/flowers/flower-plants/climbing-plants/clematis-fragrant-climbing-collection/p90787TM