Tales from a country cottage

ani*fan

It's nearly apple and plum time in our garden. Had a look at the fruit trees today and the harvest should be pretty good. We made some apple wine a few years ago that was truly delicious so I'm thinking of digging out those demi johns and making some more. Wonder if it would be ready in time for Christmas? The plums won't even make it into the cottage and are usually eaten straight from the tree.

I'm pondering cycling to our nearest village for supplies. It's 4 miles each way and at the moment would probably kill me but it would save us a load of petrol. I'll go and chase the spiders off my bike in the shed and see if it still goes.

I like the idea of a daily food budget but I'm not sure how to start. I was totally inspired before by Weezl (wonder if she's still around?) who was feeding her whole family on 50p a week, or something. There's loads to be foraged for in the forest round the cottage, only I wouldn't try mushrooms. I'm not so good at working out which are edible and which aren't. There is also a pear tree on the estate but it's generally a race between local people to see who can get to them first once they ripen. Never managed to win that one.

We had a trial run with some home made double glazing last year. OH bought some large sheets of 3mm plastic, some magnetic tape and then covered the windows in the sitting room. It was the first year ever we managed to achieve a comfortable heat in there in winter, when the temperature can go down to -15. I'm thinking we should invest in some for the main bedroom too. And maybe the kitchen? And possibly a curtain to cover the front door.

Hmmnn...I'm sure there's more but can't think right now.

boultdj

Yes Weezle's still around,and the Old Style board has a grocery challange, a preparing for winter thread and no it's not to early to think of chistmas, go on the special occasions board and be inspired by the 2 thirfty gifty thread's.

And welcome back.

ani*fan

Hi Boultdj and thanks for the welcome. It feels good to be back. I'm away for a look at the old style boards.

ani*fan

I've just completed my application for a 0% credit card. I've asked to have the two capital one cards' balances transferred. Now I need to hold my breath for 5 days and wait to see if I get it.

Feel a little scared but I know it's the right thing to do.

ani*fan

My garden is overrun by pheasants. There are around 30 milling around and pecking at the grass. They managed to strip our garden of soft fruit in about 20 minutes earlier this summer and now they're back. The cats are a bit worried by them and occasionally try to stalk them, which ends in a flapping of wings and general commotion. They look so wierd, like they should have arms but don't, like some crazy wee prehistoric thing. And they have a teenage, gangly look with feathers sticking out at funny angles and all out of proportion.

They make me giggle. As long as they don't poo on the doorstep.

Decluttering

ani*fan wrote: »

Decluttering...thanks for the encouragement. How's your decluttering going?

Terribly, I have decluttered anything since about the time of the Royal Wedding! Oh well, roll on Christmas when I'm stuck in the house because of snow and have nothing to distract me (I live in Scotland too, last year I had a record number of No Spend Days because I couldn't get anywhere near a shop!)

As for Christmas, I've already started some light preparations. I bought my Christmas cards for this year on New Year's Eve and I bought the first present of the year in July. During a decluttering spell I also found at least 50 more blank Christmas cards, so I think if I get into a pattern of buying a cheap pack in the sale each year I will comfortably have enough even if I decide to send a card to everyone I know (I usually don't, but it's good to be prepared!)

I also bought some chocolate oranges when they were reduced down to £1 recently, unfortunately they mysteriously went missing. I think if you tend to buy people presents that aren't necessarily Christmassy, it's good to keep your eyes open just in case.

ani*fan

Oh yes...last year's snow. Wasn't it just crazy? We bought a 4x4 last December and thank goodness we did 'cos our old car was snowed in for 7 weeks, right through December 'til the end of January. I had a friend dropping off shopping for us about a mile away, which was as close as she could get without becoming snowed in herself, and had to drag it up our track on a sledge. So roughly £5k of our debt is a car loan. And we couldn't even trade in the old car 'cos they couldn't get to it. What a carry on.

Good idea about the christmas cards. I'm going to have a rummage through my mountains of 'stuff' and see if I can find enough cards and wrapping paper to do this year. I also had a talk with OH about christmas and we've agreed to start buying small amounts of food and presents every week from now on to spread the cost and make sure we're not sat here with nothing on the day. If I wasn't vegetarian I might ponder pheasant for the christmas dinner...sure one less trashing my garden wouldn't go amiss?!

I have enough petrol in the car to last today at least but it would help if I could car share to my meeting this morning. Will try and cadge a lift when I get to work. I've made my cheese sandwich for lunch and there are usually loads of biscuits and cake around in my office so I won't feel deprived. I'm planning a quiet night in and not going out to play sports as planned. I may look for Christmas cards instead. I only need to buy a loaf of bread today for the rest of the week's lunches. I might feel a bit conspicuous showing up at work with a tub of mashed potato and gravy...

Have a great money saving day everyone.

ani*fan

Spends yesterday...

• pouch of tobacco £14.07
• 2 packets of crisps 70p

Guess I was kidding myself that all the tobacco comes from duty free presents. We've now ran out and are buying our own. And there was definitely no need for the crisps...no wonder I've put on weight. I need to get a handle on these extra purchases and just stop it. :mad:

Different_Corner

Ani ! I remember you ! we were on the give up smoking thread together way back in 2007. I was someone else then, but just wanted to say welcome back !

Igamogam

ani*fan wrote: »

I had a conversation with OH the other day about Christmas. OH thinks that, given the financial situation we're in, we should contact all our relatives and say we're not doing Christmas this year.

:eek: I was horrified at the suggestion.

Is it too early to start making a plan for Christmas now? I'm sure with a bit of effort we could sort out some cheap presents, save for travel to go visit people, and generally have a good time on a budget.

Christmas financially cripples me every year. Maybe it's time I took charge of it.

:xmastree:

We do Christmas but in our own way. When the offsrping arrived we decided we would not buy presents for anyone else's sproggs including relatives;we dont buy each other presents either but our children do have presents from us and others who understand our take on it all. However we buy oursleves a 'daft' present so I get a ball of string from my OH every year - each one different and always useful and used :rotfl:We dont expect presents from others either and we are very honest and tell everybody we dont buy Christmas presents. Some of my OH's relatives have really been offended by this - tough I say! However we enter into the spirit of things and join in secret Santa at work and I pick up something in the sales for that - nice vase for a £1 in last N*xt sale! Neither do we do the whole family thing - OH family all live within the M25 and my very small family live abroad. This we decided when we realised every year we trooped south and when we invited them to the cold and back of beyond wilderness of ' the North' we where met with 'Its too far. Why dont you come to us instead.....................' So Christmas sees the drawbridge up and we spend it in the company of friends, log fires, real trees, cats, and good food