Lulabelle's MFW Diary

lulabelle1

Oh Tilly, I'm similar, I was writing my little list yesterday afternoon, each dish and the ingredients needed for each. I even write my food shopping list in the order of how we walk around the supermarket, saves darting backwards and forwards for the forgotten items!

I had dinner at our friends/neighbours last night and they had done a lovely stew in their slow cooker. I'm not contemplating buying one, any thoughts or recommendations....?

I do like to cook, but I don't think I'm as passionate about it as you, if you could perhaps PM me with a couple of your favourite receipts then that would be fantastic and very much appreciated, as I'm always looking for some inspiration and ideas....

Thanks so much, L x

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hiya, Morphy Richards or Russell Hobbs - I have a 6 lt and would recommend a larger one like that to enable batch cooking. Makes brilliant mulled wine too.

I will pm you a couple of suggestions

Best wishes Tilly

lulabelle1

You're a star, thanks Tilly
It sounds as though it will be a good investment, especially over the Winter months, any slow cooker recipe ideas much appreciated. I shall get myself on to Amazon ASAP!!!!
Thx, L x

Sepa74

I find I don't use my slow cooker as much as I thought I would, but that's mainly because I don't eat much meat - the vegetable stews don't seem to do as well in them, so I end up making hearty soups and freezing them rather than using the slow cooker.

But if you love meaty stews, then a slow cooker is just the thing... just don't, whatever you do, slow cook cauliflower...

As you recently read my diary from start to finish you will know what I mean!!

lulabelle1

LOL - Yes, I will totally be avoiding the cauliflower Sepa as per your diary, which did make me laugh!! DH loves stews so it should in theory work for us although DS1 hates them, so lets see.....

lulabelle1

DH organised and paid for the breakdown cover and car insurance last night. We went with Autoaid which is just £38 for full cover, for both of us on both cars. The catch is that if you breakdown, you pay yourself but then claim it back from them. We have money to one side, so I think this will work well for us, £38 is an absolute bargain compared to all of the others. I read some reviews and they seem fine. They are regulated and part of a big company so all is in order.

We attempted to do the car insurance through Quidco but we found that the policies offered which were competitive were for cover that wasn't really very good - higher xs, various things missing from the cover etc. On the bright side though, our existing insurer was the cheapest that Quidco had but Quido was offering it at £50 less plus £20 cash back. DH called the existing insurer, had a conversation and they agreed to reduce the rate of the renewal and match the Quidco rate. It just meant that we lost out on the £20 cash back, but I'm not bothered as we kept the same level of insurance and to be honest I wasn't prepared to take the "essentials" policy through quidco for the sake of a £20 saving. I prefer to have the insurance that I want rather than save a little bit here and there. I used to sell insurance years ago and know how important it is to have proper cover.

So, that was a bit of a major expense, but I've put the money aside from last months pay so it's OK. Next year will be easier as I've now got my car savings jar, so I won't need to worry about finding the money whenever the insurance, mot, service, tax etc is due.

Had a chat with DH about my MF obsessive ways, he seems to be on board but wants me to stop talking about it so much..... !!

lulabelle1

Got a meeting in London tomorrow, so Eggnog latte coming my way! I read somewhere that a large Eggnog latte has more calories and fat in it that a double cheeseburger from McDon's.... Oh well, I don't care, I will still enjoy it and since its a rare treat I'm sure it doesn't really matter! I may have an Almond Biscotti to go with it too!!

Tilly_MFW_in_6_YRS

Hi Lb, I haven't forgotten about recipes, will pm them after my next call.

I laughed when I read your comments about obsessing - that is just how DH felt until he was as on board as me. I used to drive him mad and I guess he thought it was easier to join me than have to listen to me.......

I just went into the study, he's working downstairs and me upstairs today, and I chuckled. He has a voucher for £10 discount off the next dog food purchase, plus entered a comp to win an iPad!!

Best wishes Tilly

lulabelle1

Well, I decided that if I can't buy any new bags, then I will try and win some, so just entered a competition to win my wish list - 5 items up to a total of £5k. So, an entry has been submitted by me and I just did one for DH too, although I'm not sure the bags I've picked on his wish list are quite his colour/style!!

Loving DH's dog food voucher Tilly!!!

Best, L x

lulabelle1

I've done some sums and based on the assumption that the base rate stays as it is (doubtful) and that I can find some extra money from somewhere, I've decided to set myself a new MF date of December 2016, which is in 5 years instead of the 7 that I was originally aiming for.....

I've no idea whether this is going to be possible, but I shall give it ago.......

So, OP target per annum starting from 2012 is going to be £14,784