As The Workhouse Approaches....How To Do Everything To Avoid It, the Old Style Way

grandma247

jamanda I was thinking of cutting out the fabric from the pop up tent if we still have it and putting plastic on it. Maybe that would be an idea if you can find an old one.

modern_millie_2

Grandma, that's a clever idea, isn't it?

Back on the stoves topic- we have a small woodburner, just heats one room, no hotplate on top. Usually cook with electric, as can no longer afford the oil powered rayburn. Does anyone know, if I start off a stew/chilli type meal in a pan, bring to the boil then move onto the top of the woodburner, is it likely to cook? There would be no meat or fish in there. I know some woodburners have a sort of cooking plate on top, but ours doesn't.

CBHM, glad to hear you're sounding more positive. Keep reading and posting!

freudianslip

You know how I was talking about things being obvious to some and a hallelujah moment for me? I have been looking into how I can save gas via water usage and come up with 2 ideas

*I checked the boiler when washing machine is on and yesterday on a 40 wash the boiler kicked in to warm the water. Today I turned it down to 30 resulting in the boiler not kicking in at all.

*I don't use a plastic basin in the sink to wash dishes. As of shopping tonight I will do, I'll save water and time the boiler is on for the water to fill it up.....

see, obvious!

Trying laundry gloop too.

DD is going on pack lunch on Monday as we had tears last night. The dinner lady requested she stayed in until she ate more of her dinner resulting in her sitting in by herself and missing her play time. She is only 6. She's tiny and very slow at eating and I know it's frustrating, I so know it is but I'm annoyed at this as I feel the dinner lady had no right to insist she ate more and made her feel sad by missing her playing with her friends and isolated/lonely. Not happy so instead of moaning about it I'm being proactive about it and putting her on pack lunches, much to DD's delight.

My concern is the cost will increase so I have to fly around this board picking up ideas of what to put in lunch boxes. Much more home baking for me but the good thing is my husband has said if I'm doing it for DD, he'd have packed lunches - not buying his meals at work is going to save a whole load of money so all in all a money saving result.

I'm wondering whether to say something at school or just let it go. DD is sensitive so it undoubtedly will have upset her, probably unbeknown to the dinner lady.

jamanda

grandma247 wrote: »

jamanda I was thinking of cutting out the fabric from the pop up tent if we still have it and putting plastic on it. Maybe that would be an idea if you can find an old one.

Now I am OS and MS, but don't have the guts to tackle a flippin tent. Well done you.

Indeed - I don't actually have a tent. Got me thinking though.

redlady_1

modern_millie wrote: »

Grandma, that's a clever idea, isn't it?

Back on the stoves topic- we have a small woodburner, just heats one room, no hotplate on top. Usually cook with electric, as can no longer afford the oil powered rayburn. Does anyone know, if I start off a stew/chilli type meal in a pan, bring to the boil then move onto the top of the woodburner, is it likely to cook? There would be no meat or fish in there. I know some woodburners have a sort of cooking plate on top, but ours doesn't.

CBHM, glad to hear you're sounding more positive. Keep reading and posting!

Mine doesnt have a hotplate so to speak and I cook ham, sausage casserole etc on top of it. I also boil the kettle in the winter too.

the_cat

I can't see a price for the tent thing - it must be obvious but I can't find it!!!
Someone care to share?
Thanks

modern_millie_2

Oh, FS, your issue with the dinner lady, it's tricky , isn't it? I don't think it's her role either, but she probably had good intentions. Sounds lile your little girl will be much happier with a lunch box. I used to find it cheaper than school dinners - sandwich, juicebox or squash, piece of fruit and cereal type bar (you could make flapjack or small cakes), anything else she likes - ditto for OH.

modern_millie_2

Thanks Redlady - going to give it a try.

redlady_1

You might need a trivet to help distribute the heat but I just use a cast iron pan and jobs a good 'un. I am also going to look into whether one of those eco fans will be worth it.

grandma247

For the washing tent the cheapest price I have found is £44 at a camping shop online but that is too much for me. The clever thing is that you can zip several together but the cost would be:eek:

As for modifying a tent, the pop ups are ideal and it would just be a case of cutting round the frame leaving some fabric to sew the plastic to. It doesnt need to be fancy because we have a high wall around the yard so no one will see it.