How to Get Through The Tough Times The Old Style Way.

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GreyQueen wrote: »

Freezing chili peppers Do I just chop them and put them in a container or is blanching involved please?

Hi GreyQueen,

I don't even chop them....just freeze them whole and you will be able to chop them straight from the freezer when you want to use them.

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silvermaid

GQ regarding chillis and freezing, I just scald them - put them in a seive and pour boiling water over them, dry, put in a sandwich bag & freeze. Then when I want to use them, I take out the number I need and use them as fresh. I find them quite easy to de-seed and chop finely in their frozen state.
Hope that is of help, Silver x

eyeopener2

Hi

Can I just add my best wishes to Frugal Queen ( I found these responses by searching, I usually frequent DFW board).

I can't believe people can be so nasty over what, at the end of the day is someones everyday struggle. I know someone had a pop at her a few weeks ago but she dismissed it. This must have been really bad.

If you read any of these FQ please resume the blog, it helps me and it would seem many others in so many different ways.

E2

purpleheather2810

Greyqueen sorry to hear about your tooth trauma - I'm afraid I can't read it too thoroughly as I have a phobia of dentists and it has taken a few years to be able to cope with a scale and polish let alone anything like you've had to endure!

Decided to have a little run out in the car today, being as it's another gorgeous day in the fair county of Shropshire - unfortunately car broke down and had to call Green Flag out. Still the kids enjoyed the experience of riding in the tow truck! The damage amounts to just over €100 - for a "coil pack", whatever that may be. Our mechanic is a lovely bloke who was made redundant when the garage went bust in November and has set up on his own - he hasn't paid himself yet - so tough times for him and his family too. That bill had to go on the mastercard - no choice as we have no other money. So I feel everybody's pain about poorly cars.

We are running 2 cars. I'm wondering if we could manage with 1. I've always been emotionally attached to my car, I'm very independent and like my freedom. I love the idea of being able to jump in my car and just go. However it's not that simple now - I can't just get in the car and go, because I can't afford the petrol. My hubby works from home and is not away very often. But when he is away I would struggle to get to school, nursery and work in the required timeframe. Hmm.

silvermaid

Larumbelle I have not been on this thread for very long. I only found it a few weeks ago by accident but it has the same general attitude to living life the way I like to, with consideration and frugality. I am sorry you had a bad experience with unkindness - there seems to be too much of that at the moment
Welcome back anyway from a newbie, Silver x

lostinrates

I'm becoing a grumpy woman. I find it upsetting the nastiness we keep hearing about recently to do with t'internet etc. why hound someone down on a blog for goodness sake? I'm also biting my tongue over several things and as a result ate to big and far to early a supper (squashing down the grumpiness with food doesn't work, but I keep trying!)

Today I feel the more kitchenfrugal half of the year starting. my strawberries have little buds on them already. The currants ..first year so won't fruit well, but at least they are greening up. I'm having ago at blanching some dandelions for the first time instead of eating them green and the nettles for soup are well and truly here. I hink I even need to give the grass its second cut. Crikey!

DH, he of the long hours, found out his big deal has died so he might take he opportunity to get that long weekend this week before launching into something new. I have to write an organised list of things for us to get done while he's off...its hard to know where to start!

ceridwen

squeaky wrote: »

Something of a catch 22 situation with regards to public transport now.

Public transport companies are reluctant to finance an increase in their travelling stock which will run at a loss until such time as enough people give up their cars and use them.

People are reluctant to give up their cars while public transport is limited, crowded on busy routes, and so on.

In urban areas I think taxis will be the winners.

I live in a village not far out of the nearest big town and had a car while I was working. Once I stopped working I realised that apart from (lazy) trips to the village shops I only used the car about once a month to shop in town to source things I couldn't get any other way.

So I did some "sums"...

I've no idea what the figure is now, but back then it was estimated that running a car cost £1500 per year.

Even though I'd reduced my insurance on my "heap" to third party only it was £30 per month... and I thought "Hang on... I'm paying £30 per month for one trip! Not only that but car parking fees in town cost more than the bus fare!". Then on top of that is Road Tax, fuel, MOT, maintainance..."

Binned the car. Caught the bus into town once a month, and then, because lugging a load of shopping home on the bus can be awkward - simply got a taxi home. Annual travel costs - about £120 per year.

Of course, everyone's circumstances and needs are different - but sometimes, if you're prepared to give up "some" of the convenience of having your own car, doing "the sums" can be a real eye opener.

Either way, I think that as time goes by the "convenience factor" is a) going to reduce, and b) become a lot more expensive.

I'll be back in ten years to say "Told you so!"

You're very right on that one...:T

I did the sums years back and realised I would be quids in by just taking what public transport there is when required and the odd taxi if need be. I estimate I have to catch a taxi somewheres maybe once a month on average and it costs me on average £7/£8 for the journey out to wherever I am going and I usually have the time to spare to hang around for a bus to come back again. WAY cheaper than the hundreds of £s per month it costs for all the costs involved in running a car.

So - I live pretty conveniently (that darn urban setting that semi-rural me bought my house in...:() - but I would be willing to bet that the maths would still work out to the good if I lived somewheres more far-flung (well - certainly they would if I wasnt factoring "get to work costs" I'm sure). I'm not quite sure how "get to work" costs would come into it - but my suspicion is a combination of taxis and public transport wouldnt work out any dearer (even without taking into the "I'm a woman - so I might end up overcharged for any work on the car because they would be more likely to think I was a mug...." scenario).

...and, of course, thats without taking into account the larger garden I would have for my money if I lived less conveniently...so I could grow more food. So - as long as I wasnt paying over the odds for my fuel (oil central heating only....) or my broadband then "Its all good...".

Hang on in there a minute - I think I might be in the process of convincing myself that I can afford to go back to my semi-rural roots......LOL...

lostinrates

ceridwen wrote: »

So - as long as I wasnt paying over the odds for my fuel (oil central heating only....) or my broadband then "Its all good...".
.

Broad band is fine, but I can't imagine oil will be. The only relief of having no heating now is not wondering what oil will cost!:o:rotfl:Silver linings to everything

helen_jelly

Ceridwen - I have to say that I have never had the misfortune to be one of those who "get overcharged due to being a woman" but I think that its mainly down to researching what is wrong with the car, never accepting the first quote as being the best and sounding very forthright when dealing with the Garage Men!! I can not do without my car as, although I live in a City [well it will be 1 day] we have an appalling Bus System here - you can not get to where you want to go without several bus changes and a simple 15 min journey takes over an hour - factor in the cost of my time and at the moment my car wins, i can't even get to some places and thats a pain when the kiddies need taking somewhere. I have also just changed my childrens school,s so, to enable to have them better educated I have had to go out of the County therefore needing a car. We could really do without the expense but as far as the schools are concerned we feel that its investing in their future so will willingly make the sacrifices to make this happen. :]

Helen

mardatha

LIR - All I have out are crocus. You must have a hell of a lot warmer weather down there !! Sulking now !