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

ginnyknit

Just realised I missed a page when I posted, am now sat with tears of laughter running down my face after the recipe by Hobsons choice. Can I join the cannibal cake worshipers group please You obviously cannot have a dodgy handshake online but you could use the dodgy hug smilie as your signal of membership :grouphug:

lentil_lover

Hello everyone, I'm new on here and was wondering if it's still ok to join this thread. You all seem like a nice bunch with some great money saving ideas. I'm really having to tighten my belt as DH and I will be joined by our first child at the start of February and I will have a year off with minimal / no maternity pay while DH is a funded PhD student, so his pay isn't great either. I think we will be fine but our financial situation is still a little confusing as his income varies, depending on teaching opportunities etc. Luckily we paid our rent up-front til April, so that gives us some breathing space to figure out a budget. I will definitely join the Grocery Challenge from January onwards, aiming at £160 a month for the 2 of us. We're both vegetarians, not sure if that makes things easier but the thing I'm trying to achieve is that we still get at least our 5-a-day while eating on a tight budget.

wen3

Welcome lentil lover

My DD(19) has just called me very excited she workd for John Lewis and she has won a Kindle in there staff raffle, she is so pleased.

I have wrapped a few presents and I am about to look through the shopping list as I am going tomorrow, have decided to go to Mr T's as I have a few vouchers and somebody left there paper at work yesterday and that had some vouchers in as well.

katz03

welcome Lentil lover - I'm new here too!!

Loving Hobsons Choice's recipe - may have to call in to the shops on the way hope to pick up [STRIKE][STRIKE]a couple of bottles[/STRIKE][/STRIKE] ingredients :T

Taurus - Huge hugs

gardenia101

Hi All - finally caught up after a few days away & amazed how quickly this thread runs (but have enjoyed an easy day so far :rotfl: & kids are delighted to have been allowed on the wii for so long).

Taurus - hugs & hope you feel better soon. What a rubbish time you are having.

Fuddle - I love Weezl's site & haven't had any disasters yet! I also love this book - got it from the Book People last year with free delivery. Again no disasters yet but I haven't cooked them all yet. Jill Dupleix's book are sometimes in The Works & they have a lot of different ideas in them. The photos are wonderful - total food p*rn for those that love to "read" cookery books.

I'm starting to suffer with the Xmas blues - hate the whole thing as it just reminds me of unhappy times. Sorry, can't remember who was discussing how their mother can still make them feel rubbish (Gailey?). Well, mine is on form this year, as usual, so I sympathise.

She lives some way from me & as I don't drive I need to get 3 trains to get to see her (she won't drive as it's too far). That limits what I can carry as I have enough fun trying to get on the right train as I can never find anyone to help me. So I thought I'd get her present posted to her - big mistake as she was most put out that she had to open the door & sign for it. No thank you at all, just a negative comment.

She got me a book for Xmas - lovely, but she "forgot" that I'm still partially sighted & won't be able to read it. I'd think she was going senile if she couldn't recite in great detail how horrible & thoughtless all her neighbours are! Sadly she always falls out with everyone but she can't see how she can ever do anything wrong.

I know I should just "get over it" & I usually try, but Xmas just makes me feel really sad that my family life isn't how I'd like it to be.

Anyhoo, enough of my mithering. I have just applied to volunteer at a local homeless charity that want people to help at a drop-in lunch session. I put that I could do lots of things, but was best kept away from sharp knives. Just realised I didn't stress that this was because of my sight, & not because I'm a danger to anyone else :rotfl::rotfl:

katz03

WEN3 - how lovely for your DD - She will love it!! I was lucky enough to get one for my birthday and have over 200 books on mine now - and only paid for 2!! Our local libary has very limited opening hours so to still be able to read for free has been fantastic.

westcoastscot

Day off from work for me too - was supposed to be down the coast but had an anaesthetic on monday and not able to drive so far. Does anyone know how long a headache should last afterwards? It started yesterday and is minor but persistent.
Went to the local co-op for some top-up stuff while the weather is milder - prices have risen again! £1.50 for a small melon (couldn't bring myself to pay it), and £1.72 for a tub of pure margarine - outrageous!!!!! It really is getting silly here. I guess if prices continue to rise then it will be worth the petrol to the city once a month to visit a large supermarket.
Hobsonschoice spluttered my coffee over your recipe - could so picture it.
Sorry to hear about those stressed with christmas, I found over the years that its impossible to meet everyone's expectations so I just stick to my own - means I win most of the time :-)

It's really mild here just now - very odd and feels a bit like the calm before the storm - does anyone have the long range forecast? or could anyone signpost me to a reliable one?

Taurus hope you're comfy, am thinking of you alongside a good friend who had a major operation yesterday

WCS

gardenia101

Katieowl - forgot to say that I think you have been a wonderful support to your friend. I wish I had a friend like you!

tink1981_2

Just wanted to say a big THANK YOU to everyone for their advice on what to do about the friends who have gone quiet on us. I feel much happier about things now. We have decided to split up the hamper we had put together for them. We have given a little something to a collegue at my work who helped me to get my new job secured back in feb, something to the friends who helped my hubby set up the venue on our wedding day and who helped keep him calm and something for the neighbour who always brings our bin back in the the yard when we're at work.

We have kept a little something back for our 'friends' and have decided to post their card to them. We figered that if the card triggers them to get in touch we've still got something to give and if it doesn't there will me more goodies for us to enjoy in the new year and we'll just cut our losses and focus on the people we consider real friends

lentil_lover wrote: »

I will definitely join the Grocery Challenge from January onwards, aiming at £160 a month for the 2 of us. We're both vegetarians, not sure if that makes things easier but the thing I'm trying to achieve is that we still get at least our 5-a-day while eating on a tight budget.

Welcome lentil lover :hello: sure you'll manage ok on £160 a month. We're vegi and we manage on around £135 a month for the 2 of us and the dog! We make the most of the the super 6 offers at A1di and wizz up lots of goodies with lentils and beans and things. Have discovered with prices going up it's cheaper to buy dried pulses and cook and freeze them, rather than buy tins. We now have a freezer full of bags of beans and things all measured out to the drained weight of a tin!

Taurus - Hope all goes well and you're feeling better soon ::hugs::

Right best go ready the tea and cake ready for high tea at 3.50

tink x

fuddle

I have tried the vanilla fudge. An absolute disaster. It looks like crumble mix now it's cooled. No clue what I have done although I know I was stirring constantly throughout so maybe it was that. Never mind. I am going to conquer it though, when I get more ingredients.

The sweet mince pies are lovely though.