It was getting tough in 2006 and the workhouse still threatens us in 2011

Winged_one

We blew a good portion of our savings on our holidays this year (DH was 40 and we hadn't had a proper hols in a few years, needed some sun) - but I set aside a good portion of that budget for crafting goodies for the winter and replenishing all our wardrobes (we went to the US and their cut suits my shape better than European cuts, and DD needed things for school etc).

But we are back now to short measures again. DH is getting seriously worried after the news we were hearing while over there (we arrived the day they cut the ratings). The savings cushion needs to be rebuilt and I was already anticipating a pay cut later this year for me.

For those who have bought new BBQs, we've been known to use ours all year (not a huge amount but ignoring the weather) - our favourite BBQ as a street is the one on the first Saturday of the snow when we drag out 2 BBQs, a plastic table, and whatever food and drink are in the various houses, and all stand around enjoying the sunshine on the green in our winter gear while the kids make snowmen and have snowball fights!! Great fun!

Winged_one

Flowertotmum, that's agreat idea about embellishing plain clothes, especially for the DD's. Must copy that one if you don't mind! Actually, must get my crafting head screwed back on again anyway - I need to sew curtains for our bedroom (bought the fabric in summer sales VERY cheaply), some mending, and get back into my Christmas gifts list - mostly sewing, but knitting, candlemaking, drying herbs, making jam and chocolates, baking, cross-stitch and crochet are all on that list. (Well, not all will be for gifts, some is winter prep).

[Deleted User]

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3v3

Winged_one wrote: »

Flowertotmum, that's agreat idea about embellishing plain clothes, especially for the DD's. Must copy that one if you don't mind!...

Updating clothing was something my mother used to do as the "norm" (bless her!). Something as simple as replacing/updating buttons on an outfit could make a significant difference to the look. Then you have the add/remove bits such as lace, or sleeves - at one point that would have included shoulder pads ; then there was the mini/midi/maxi look, so, depending on the garment the hems were raised/lowered accordingly (a bridesmaid dress was overhauled from a full length into a midi and then ended it's use-by date by being re-invented as a mini with leg o'mutton sleeves removed). At another fashion point, 2 skirts were cut down, re-sewn together with lace along the joins and became a "tiered skirt". Crikey, looking back, she was just so resourceful and creative!

I inherited her button box and haberdashery box. Items I still have include "bra straps" and suspender clasps - how many people even think to replace those nowadays? (Ok, maybe the suspender clasps are pushing it a bit?) Or, more pertinent, how many will return to having to think of replacing those in the coming years? (I know of a haberdashery shop which still sells those items though )

Learning to replace zips is also another skill that saves money. I bought two skirts (one red, one black) at a market (with zips missing) for 10p each! Ok, that was back in the early '80's, but that was still a huge saving for the sake of a couple of zips; lasted me a good few years too.

Ha! Memories

mardatha

Question. I love making home made chocolates and putting them in wee baskets for xmas pressies. How early could I start that ? Because last year I left it to the week before and then wasnt well and so they never got made. I have a nice cool dry back room that's great to store stuff in.

Igamogam

Winged One

I love your idea of a winter BBQ! We have a solid fuel Aga which we had installed when we where young, !!!!less and childless. Now older and wiser and parents we wish we had had a gas/oil whatever one, only because carrying coal and wood to keep it going all winter has become a chore although our fuel bills are still reasonable However because we have stuck by our principles and didnt install a 'summer cooker' it does mean we cook on a 3 ring camping stove all summer so lots of salads and BBQs whatever the weather! Nevertheless you cant beat an Aga in the winter - the last few have been very cold with proper snow - but I will definately drag out the BBQ this winter!

HariboJunkie

mardatha wrote: »

Question. I love making hom made chocolates and putting them in wee baskets for xmas pressies. How early could I start that ? Because last year I left it to the week before and then wasnt well and so they never got made. I have a nice cool dry back room that's great to store stuff in.

Depends on what kind they are really. I make truffles with cream and would only make them in the week before giving and keep them chilled. When I make ones with smooth chocolate, eg chocolate gingers or peppermint creams then it depends how well you temper the melted choc. If it's done properly and stored well it should be fine.

Could you make the fillings in advance like fudge or peppermint and then you would just have to cover them with chocolate at the last minute.

Well rememberd Mardatha. I need to add chocolates to my gift list.

suzid

Crumbs it's taken ages to catch up after just a couple of days, and what scary days they've been. My poor DH woke up on Thursday morning to find his leg below the knee was the colour of beetroot with enormous blisters. He has Cellulitis and is now on enough antibiotics to rattle. The poor love is very miserable and was decidedly scared. I'd never seen anything like it and even the nurse looked taken aback and said 'oh you poor love'. She was so kind and lovely. He's at home, DD wondered if he'd have to go to hospital for an IV drip, and has moved into the office on a single bed next to his desk so he can still communicate with the outside world.

Nurse Gladys Emmanuel here is doing her best to administer to his every whim (believe me there have been a heck of a lot of them) while trying to get the room of doom back to a habitable state. DS has given the chocolate wall three coats of paint and thankfully we didn't need to spend anything as their was enough of the old lighter colour left from when it was originally done.

All my energy saving has gone completely to pot as I'd had to use the dryer five times on Thursday. We had to drag mount tin store (tomatoes and beans) out of the way to get at it as I 'very' rarely use it since having lines put under leanto's (can't spell ). I've grown to loath Awful August. For about 6 years we've had nothing but humid grey damp Augusts. With DH's raging temperature I just couldn't air the pillows or duvet, which all felt so damp, and had to wash the bedding. The barometer in the hall registered below comfort zone and was in 'humid' almost 80%. It's been like living in a cloud, horrible. No wonder we have mould . Could someone please install a huge dehumidifier off the North Wales coast please! I know you're getting it worse in Scotland and I salute you all, coping with it, especially the hens, nothing worse than having your pedicure ruined .

Take care folks, lovely to hear from you all. Off to make DH his porridge and feed the hounds.

SDG31000

mardatha wrote: »

Question. I love making hom made chocolates and putting them in wee baskets for xmas pressies. How early could I start that ? Because last year I left it to the week before and then wasnt well and so they never got made. I have a nice cool dry back room that's great to store stuff in.

If you mean truffles mardatha then they freeze very well. I personally wouldn't leave them in there for a year, but a month or two should be fine.

Good Morning everyone from not so sunny Leicester

mardatha

Ok ta. And commiserations to you Suz, I had a friend who moved to Wales once tell me it was the only place on earth wetter than Scotland :eek:
Is still grey and horrible here but at least its stopped raining... for now!