A new 'tougher' thread... and so it continues

skintmum2012

Sounds like a lot of people have been food shopping today the roads around here where really busy everyone wanted to get into town. Me and Hubby did shopping today and halved what we normally spend after reading everything I can from you lovley people Which is so brill and after I have sorted out trying to keep us in credit as we had a large bill come out might be we might be able to save I am shocked

Hardup_Hester

Lol, Frugal, not tea, a garden ornament.
Hester

fuddle

We still have our Christmas lunch shopping to do and I'm dreading the queues and agitated folk. DH doesn't get paid till Wednesday so we will have to go one night after he comes home from work. I just hope by 7pm the rush has died down somewhat.

ragz we definitely need to play around with what works because it's too hot in here now, but I'm thrilled that the children's bedrooms are at last heated. We're altering the rad thermostats in each room to see what that particular room requires.

DH insists that to have the most economical boiler it should be set at 60% the thing is this isn't a new build house like our old one was, this is a really old house and 60% isn't enough here. He's coming round slowly.

Off tonight to live the rock and roll lifestyle - what am I doing? Crocheting DH a mug warmer for Christmas :rotfl:

greenbee

Fuddle - get the rads balanced first, then set the thermostats. There's lots of advice on the Elec & Gas boards if you need any help, including telling you the best setting to have the boiler on. Anyway, at least you can get each room to the temperature that is comfortable for you.

Byatt

Mrs_Chip wrote: »

Morning All

WMF - sorry to hear about your poor dog, I would never have thought of that as an issue for buying online! Luckily our cat shows no interest whatsoever in things coming through the letterbox, and I have a difficult enough job getting the tablets down his throat, there is little chance he would eat them by choice. A good warning for dog owners, hope your doggy is home soon.


Feeling totally non-festive, I seem to be getting my ususal winter fug early. Very fed up and no pleasure in anything. I must shake myself, there is a lot to do, presents to make and food prep to be done . More decs to put up too, but can't be faffed!!! I just want to curl up under the duvet with a packet of plain choc digestives.

I have managed to drag myself off of the sofa long enough to make Pork Pies (I want to give a couple as presents). I have never tried making them before, and I was surprised at how easy the pastry was to make and use, and the end result was pretty good. I was not sure about the meat filling but OH, a 'professional' pie-eater, deems it excellent. So will make a couple more at the end of the week to give away.

I have decided that having a cold house is not helping my mood, even wrapped up against the chill it is just depressing. I think we will have to relent an have some heating on during the day next week otherwise I am going to be a right mizzog:o.

Hope everyone is managing to keep warm and not too manic (the week before chistmas used to see me going frantic with shopping and present buying - thankfully not this year!)

Mrs Chip, yes it is depressing being in a cold house. I think it's lack of movement which contributes to this as I am so wrapped up I don't want to move, and if I do, every room is so cold. I was sitting with a hat on last night and fingerless gloves and a body warmer. I answered the door to a delivery man forgetting, I just hoped he thought I had either just got in or was just leaving! :rotfl:

I am at my daughter's for the weekend although she is away, as she has given me permission, so I am benefitting from central heating. I need to tidy up for her though as she's left the place a mess.

Would like to know why oats are so good? I know they are good for the heart, but reading all the oaty posts it seems they could be good for lots of things.

edit: could I have your recipe for pork pies please Mrs Chips?

skintmum2012

I would like the recipe for the pork pies as well if I could Please. I am so lucky with my house it's a New build and we live in an Eco estate so they put us in what I think are called cavity walls away it's make's the house warmer which in winter is a god send I think we have had heating on 3 times this year and only for about an hour at a time It's still cold even here though my little daughter is dressed in 2 outfits very funny watching her trying to walk she's only one I love oats not sure why they are good but they taste yummy.

Mrs_Chip

Pork Pie recipe is the one from Kirsty Allsop prog here. I fiddled with the seasoning (a fair bit more white pepper and some dried sage, no breadcrumbs), and no gelatine in the jelly as I used two trotters and some pork bones, onion, carrot and seasoning like a normal stock, made it early so was able to test it for setting overnight before using.

The hot water crust pastry was a lot easier than I thought to make, just make sure whatever you use to shape the pies (I used a beer bottle!) is well floured. I also cut a hole in the centre of the pastry lid before putting it on to make filling with the jelly easier.

I'm going to try making these with chicken and ham, I prefer that filling!

Kimsmum

Softstuff wrote: »

Sorry I haven't gotten around to the spiced muffins yet Kimsmum. I wrote a recipe as an idea for them, but want to try it first obviously. If all goes well I'll bake them tonight (my tonight, so your Sunday morning) and post the recipe if all goes well.


Today is hubbys works Christmas party, I just hope I can do the expensive buffet justice!
.

Thank you looking forward to the recipe.

Hope you have a great time at the Christmas party and you feel better.:)

fuddle

Dog shelters are chocka block full in these times. Our local one is known to house dogs in reception and in the offices by day and need to home with staff by night because there are no room for them. On the other side of it is abandoned dogs are roaming and reproducing. When we adopted our pup he was one of 37 pups that came through the shelters doors. These times are effecting every thread of our being and causing more and more problems.

My kitchen cupboards are finally full of tins! I will be using a shelf in my wardrobe next. FB pie and gravy for dinner. Family Christmas kiddies party for lunch... free food

GQ There are so many bugs around. I'll be pleased when my children leave school on Monday in the hope that their coughs and colds lessen by simply seeing they wash their hands!

gailey_2

Morning guys

Not quite sure what time I woke last night.

hubby fell asleep on sofa
baby spent half the night in his cot
toddler jumped in during the night.
hubby left early.

The girls downstairs eating weetabix-was cheapest cereal in co-op.
would love it if they would eat porridge.
They in their thick dressing gowns on sofa with duvet watching kids tv.

Im currently under duvet feeding baby whos like mini hot water bottle watching evita one of the few musicals actually enjoyed.Brings back memories was 16when first came out I dyed my hair bright blonde and wore bright red lipstick!:o

Well yesterday afternoon took girls to local church christingle service.
We normally do the craft clubs there but not been to their services
Was very sweet everyone was so nice , baby got lots of cuddles.
got very nervous when candles were lit that girls might set fire to place.
toddler was very exited.

hubby was working late so 3kids by myself quite ambitous.
when we sang hyms the kids had musical instruments and toddler was swaying back and forth shaking her marakas did make me chuckle.:rotfl:

Its called messy church happens once a month for young families and is not formal at all.
Im not methodist but its my nearest church and kids enjoyed it.
Eldest thourght it was more entertaining than roman catholic mass.
Hubby wants to go mass but he wont go by himself and dont fancy taking the kids at midnight!

They even did refreshments of sausage roll,s, pizzas and biscuits with coffee and soft drinks.
eldest made xmas decorations, lanterns and a christingle.

We then got out and was freezing. went to local spar for milk.

My local spar is too small, untidy, mostly rubbish staff and pricey but they do have small fresh section and often have reduced meat, bread and some veg. So I check a lot.
They knock right down as dont have footfall to clear.

Well done -grandma247!:beer:great bargains

Ragz sounds like you did a sensible shop.well done on charity bargains our stuff is rubbish for toys/kids clothes.

I was hoping to go to mr m thursday as

its small compared to others
cheap for basics
hopefully not too busy.

I always peek at others trollies too amazing what people buy.
Just glad im not working in supermarket at xmas did it for about 12years!

Hubby has to do his mums shop at 7am sainsburys tommorow morning.
giving him tiny list as prefer sainsburys double concentrate squash.

we need to do lidls
farmshop.

Think xmas eve will go down town late morning
hope they do lunch reductions
be home by tea time.

off to bath tommorow with mam and sis hoping its not too mental.
hubby has all 3kids by himself!:eek:

Todays plan

watch some movies.
give kids room supertidy
clean bathroom
make some stuff.

Told hubby making corned beef hash he said we must be poor.
making sausage rolls.

dont have to go out thank goodness brought 8pints milk yesterday
hubbys not home until 7pm

On subject of oats.

I know you can bulk out dishes with oats but havent tried it as reckon hubby would notice.

However greyqueen I do bulk out mince dishes with red lentils at times but maybe its where I buy from but dont find lentils that cheap. couldent find red lentils in mr m at all!

The healthfood shop might be bit better so might try there as car mot/tax in jan and eldests birthday feb going to be lean start to new year!

Hope everyones ok and keeping warm.

Remember keep calm and carry on its only christmas!