Countdown to Freedom

brizzledfw

I collapsed and switched heating on for 30minutes...OH promptly turned it off..what a team!! :rotfl:

We live in a very draughty older house... So yesterday was hard..but seems warmer today? This eve will just light the woodburner:T we can huddle around that!:)

Was going to ask Mrs T..what are your MSE ideas for Xmas? I know you're very into your celebrations and just wondered about your tips to make it v v frugal?

Also..how are the peas.;)


Have a great weekend

Brizzle

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Afternoon, I may just have drunk a bottle of something fizzy last night - no headache fortunately but now settling down to have a snooze :rotfl:

33p TT and 1p TT :eek: to MOS

Shopping came in at around £47 and the slow cooker has tarragon chicken on the go, I have a gammon simmering with peppercorns, star anise, bay leaves, onion and a chicken curry cooking on the hob.

Mr T is just about to make a cake and a dessert of some kind as we are visiting family tomorrow and taking provisions

I've taken six chicken carcasses out of the freezer today and will put them in the slow cooker tomorrow morning, before we leave, to make a batch of chicken stock. May end up being chicken soup/broth not sure yet.

Froggy is moving in on Monday and sadly I'll be working and Mr T and the kids will be out,, so not quite the welcome I had in mind . We will celebrate on Tuesday evening instead.

Froggy has decided to set up a fitness challenge - no doubt we will shortly be having 'weight loss' scores on the doors

Sun's out, no heating on and I can't remember us being able to delay the heating for years. At least the last three years have seen the heating put on by 1st October and last year it was bitterly cold from memory.

Brizzle, MSE Christmas - will think about that one. Check out Muddy White Chicken's diary as she has been beavering away making chutneys, jams etc and the pics have looked FAB.

On the food front, I'll start planning menu's over the next few weeks - not because I want to be mega organised, but I really love doing this. It does mean, if I can see bargainous stuff which is required, I can buy and freeze etc. Booze - GG has talked about a couple of wines from Ald! which are good value and good quality.

I'm just thinking of our themed stockings - I normally have random stuff, but this year they will be around a theme - I think. I have no clue what to buy DS and keep changing my mind.

I find Christmas joyful and decorations will go up on the first Sunday in advent. We have a 'dress the tree' afternoon, carols playing, nibbles etc and I love it. I wonder whether the children will do something similar when they have their own families - who knows - all these traditions are real anchors.

Enough of waxing lyrical - I'm definitely having a snooze.

Best wishes Tilly x

sweetdaisy

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS wrote: »

I find Christmas joyful and decorations will go up on the first Sunday in advent. We have a 'dress the tree' afternoon, carols playing, nibbles etc and I love it. I wonder whether the children will do something similar when they have their own families - who knows - all these traditions are real anchors.

We have a family tradition (started by my Grandfather), where he used to give his family a 'silly present' on Boxing Day. On the present he would write a riddle and you have to try and solve it so that you get a clue of what it was.

My Dad has followed this tradition from his Dad, so we all get a silly present on Boxing Day. The present is only meant to be something small, costing a couple of pounds at the most and as a lot of thought has gone into the present and riddle, it means a lot and we look forward it. An example of some of the things that I have had over the years: box of assorted coloured elastic bands, warning triangle for the boot of my car, felt pads, carpet/rug grip, tow rope, knife sharpener etc. Even though they are 'silly' presents, they have become very useful at times :rotfl:.

We have a lot of fun opening our present and trying to work out each other's riddles. I just hope that when I pass this onto our family, I can do it as well as my Dad :heartsmil.

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

SD, those types of traditions are so important in family life. Fab x x

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Morning,

Pouring with rain and we are off to visit family soon. All the desserts and cakes are packed ready to go.

Out last night and not had a moment to mail the remaining meal plans but will do it this evening, when I'm curled up on the sofa.

Have a good day - and I still don't have the heating on :eek:.

Tilly x

Mint1955

Tilly have a lovely day and thank you for updating re meal plan mails.

ajmoney

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS wrote: »

Have a good day - and I still don't have the heating on :eek:.

Tilly x

Mr AJM put ours on yesterday and I hadn't realised...I thought my effort with curtains etc had been successful we have compromised and turned it down so we don't have to keep moving up as it gets cold, I have also double checked the timings on the boiler.

[Deleted User]

Well done on resisting the heating Tilly!! have to admit put ours on this morning for a little while, its blowing a gale outside and thundering.... I was contemplating going on a run with Mrtyo but I think an inside-watching-dvds-and eating-roast-dinner day might be in order instead! :rotfl:

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

What a wet old day :eek:

Lovely lunch and back home now. Mr T wants to get the financials up to date and I need to sort out the stock in the slow cooker. Dogs have been running for miles today and loved it - even in the rain.

No money updates but we are sticking to the 'no spending unless its absolutely necessary' way of life.

Best wishes Tilly x

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Re the heating, although the weather is dreadful (sun has just appeared) it seems fairly mild round here.

Once Mr T tells me it's cold, then I know it's time to time to put the heating on. As I'm nearly always too warm, I have to rely on him

Tilly x