Countdown to Freedom

slowlyfading

Happy Christmas to you too

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Morning, going to start the packing shortly to return to the UK.

Had periods of no phone or internet which has been frustrating but has also pushed us to investigate new suppliers :T

Things are moving well here and I'm in touch with a couple of house design companies to obtain prices, plus will be making contact with two architects. This really is our home and we are giving ourselves the goal of moving permanently by the time Mr T is 50. This gives us a few years to obtain permission (lengthy process), quotes, get the building complete etc.

I've been very undecided about stuff in 2014 and work has taken over far too much to the detriment of other things. Aim for 2015 is to limit working hours by asking for a 9 day fortnight. This should also help the exit plan and does not change my salary.

On the spending front it went up over the weekend but in a good way and we will definitely have many memories as a result. Good friends, good food and laughter certainly makes life easier.

Plans for the UK remain the same. We will be talking to estate agents to get the house up for sale in Spring (Mr T may delay this until we know what DS is doing with studies). If this happens, it will be up for sale in the summer. I'm looking for a house for us in the short term, but rental market once we move, plus two further houses. The location of the two is slightly up in the air.

I don't have to worry about trying to be made redundant as this is highly likely to happen in 2015 :T. The plans have been shared with me and it's now just timing. My aim now is to continue to bank my earnings whilst I can and wait for the tap on my shoulder :j

We have had a brilliant time as a family and no internet has been a good thing. We will open presents when we go home and have a second Christmas.

Tomorrow will be diary catch up time as I'm missing out on all your plans .

Very best wishes Tilly x x

muddywhitechicken

Safe travels Tilly

Looking forward to an eventful 2015 with you and the Tilly clan

MWCx

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Quick stop for a coffee

Washing is flapping on the line. Glorious day and ideal for drying the heavy stuff like bathroom mats.

Hardly any food wastage as I have deliberately not bought much. Fairly frugal Christmas on the food front I think. Still have some lbs to shift though

I have some bits to pack up and deliver. There's a good community providing emergency supplies to people who have fallen on hard times. Not like a food bank but a textile/clothing bank I guess. Things like bedding, blankets, sweaters etc are always needed. I need to do this today rather than cram something else in, in the morning.

I'm just watching the birds whizzing round the garden - the roses are in flower and the scent from one of them is a real joy.

Money focus tomorrow night and we plan to get the holiday spends recorded and receipts checked off.

Finally, menu plan for January is complete. Smaller meals and aiming for 4 in a day, not three. Am hoping this stops us snacking which is a fairly new *bad* habit.

Best wishes Tilly x

edinburgher

Tilly, picked up a couple of good chunks of oxtail from the supermarket with a yellow sticker. Not a huge quantity (maybe 1/2 a kilo), any suggestions? :T

gallygirl

edinburgher wrote: »

Tilly, picked up a couple of good chunks of oxtail from the supermarket with a yellow sticker. Not a huge quantity (maybe 1/2 a kilo), any suggestions? :T

Oxtail soup :T:T:T

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

edinburgher wrote: »

Tilly, picked up a couple of good chunks of oxtail from the supermarket with a yellow sticker. Not a huge quantity (maybe 1/2 a kilo), any suggestions? :T

Give it a pat with some flour - I tend to chuck it in a bag of seasoned flour, shake about, then put it straight into the SC (I discard remaining flour). Garlic, diced onions, carrots, parsnip, few glugs of red if you have any open, or a slug of port and a little water. Adding a star anise and/cinnamon stick works well but depends on amount of meat, you don't want to over power it.

I'd cook that on low for about 7-8 hours. Delicious. You could serve this as a stew in a bowl if there's not so much meat - I tend to do this the day after we've had oxtail, to use up the liquid and it really is beautiful. You're so lucky to have found bargainous oxtail.

Now I can't remember if you have a SC? If not, cook at around 120/130 for about 4 hours.

Best wishes, Tilly x x

gallygirl

Nah, still voting for oxtail soup :T.

Karmacat

Tilly, your plans sound really exciting for 2015! And when you want to leave, and they're going to pay you money to leave, thats best of all

edinburgher

That sounds like the perfect SC dinner to greet Mrs E with tomorrow, cheers Tilly, just need a couple of onions