Finally I have a mortgage I can start to pay off!

Crumpets

Hi Madvix

I love the sound of your chick peas! I going to try that out today, I'm trying to cut down on crisps (waistline and environmentally bad) but I do love a savoury snack! I'm also interested in your home brewing - that is Something DH and I are keen to have a go at. Any tips?

We tried a quinoa risotto last night - It was horrible I have to say I generally like quinoa but It was bland and grey. I shan't be trying that again :rotfl: It's always worth experimenting though. I hope yours turned out better!

Hope you're having a good weekend

themadvix

Hi Crumpets!

The chick peas are good And totally get what you mean about the crisps - we don't have them in the house any more because of the packaging. My sister did a hamper for us for Christmas and it included a big bag - we're saving it 'for a special occasion'.

Re risotto - I only changed out 1oz of the risotto rice for the quinoa, it doesn't taste any different like that, but can imagine an entire quinoa risotto might be a bit much!

Brewing - DH has now progressed to all-grain brewing, but you can't go far wrong with a Woodfords kit and a Youngs' starter kit for the equipment. The key is to clean and sterilise properly - this is the one thing that really matters. Have a go! I love the alchemy of it and brew days are really good fun

newgirly

Morning vix, I had a go at making wine near the start of my mf diary, somebody on the board sent a link somewhere on it with a step by step photo guide of how to make wine using Apple juice instead of a kit. My little brother makes different beers by kit and thye are quite good.

themadvix

Gosh, it's been a while since I updated!

Newgirly - I remember your forays into homebrewing from reading your diary I've tried 'turbo cider' from value apple juice, but it's not an experience to be repeated! (When you're a student, needs must!) I've got two wine kits in the utility room waiting to be done, but we just don't drink much wine any more. DH is working on a recipe for his next batch - he's pretty good and dreams of having the space for a proper microbrewery!

It's been a busy few days - DH spent Friday and Sunday working on my car (it was an absolute b**ger), but we're nearly there now. Sadly I'll have to pay for a retest as we're over the two-week deadline (or will be when the garage can fit us in). Still, at £27 + £25, it'll come in under budget for an MOT.

I spent Sunday working on the garden - it's looking much more together now. I bought some raspberry canes at the garden centre (had £7.50 of no-strings-attached vouchers to spend ), so for £2.50 I'm sure we'll get our money's worth this summer. DH cut the lawn last night too, so it's looking good

A job for tonight is to book our holiday - we spent Saturday planning it, but didn't get around to booking as we went out to the comedy night I won tickets for. Went to Wetherspoons for a drink first (took DH's camra voucher for 50p off) - haven't been to one for ages, amazed by the bargainousness Comedy night was good - all were quite funny, but some more than others. Will keep an eye out for competitions for tickets in the future!

Not so MSE things: takeaway Sunday night after the long hard day's work we'd both put in (car and garden) - but well deserved and leftovers for tea tonight; I bought fish and chips last night for Dad and I as he bought it the other week; haven't been doing my surveys etc. as haven't been at computer much in last few days - will get back into it today.

Super MSE win: Dyson engineer has just been and serviced our machine - replacement filter (should have been charged but he waived it) and new brush head/foot thing. All free. And warranty runs out in October, so great timing

Sold an item on the bay, but this money will go towards DH getting a laptop (as it was part of his old computer). Have transferred money from Hali switch into savings. Now only £1373 to go until savings are topped right up.

Gratitudes:
* Looking forward to raspberries in the summer
* Niece is WALKING! Such a clever little thing :D (*very proud auntie*)
* BIL and GF have moved in around the corner (I got to collect the keys on Friday for them as they were on holiday) - we now have people to hang out with in walking distance!

Have a good day all!

shangaijimmy

We get a hint of sun and warmth and everyone is out preparing the gardens! And then it rains/snows again!! I agree thought you've had a busy time!

themadvix

Morning all!

You're so right Jimmy - I'm missing spring now!

We booked our holiday last night, with 7% cashback (not tracked yet, will keep an eye on that) and annoyingly I forgot to use the 10% off voucher that I'd found for the other part. Grr! Still need to book a hotel for the return journey, which will be through H0tels.com so that we add to our nights away. We're off in June, which I'm sure will come around very quickly!

Got plenty of work done yesterday and more to do today, but did manage to catch up on surveys etc. Seem to have a acquired a new client too, which is always good. Managed a walk in the evening to the parcel drop off, so it was nice to get some exercise.

Miserable weather here again today, and I need to go out to buy some flour as I'm all out. I'm not going until it's stopped raining though! Am looking after niece tomorrow for a couple of hours as her parents are going house shopping (in the vicinity!). If it's dry then we'll visit the new play area by the shops - and maybe BIL and GF if they're around.

MS things:
* VB polls and surveys - at £6.95 again, already!
* SBs swago yesterday - 50SB
* MS rewards; NV surveys (250 points); 10p win on TCB!
* DH was sent an £18 Am voucher this morning from a hotels rewards scheme (for a work stay) - he wasn't expecting it, so a nice win!
* DH has also completed a survey and got a voucher for a free cocktail at TGIs - we can use some Leisure Vouchers for the rest, so a fun night out
* Leftover takeaway for dinner last night, veg lasagne tonight, and then curry at some point to use up jar of paste; when I've got the flour I'll make some cheese straws and mince-pie slice to use some bits up too.

Gratitudes:
* I'm not a postie - in this weather! (Often think I'd quite fancy it, but not today!)
* Work is going okay (I really wasn't looking forward to it today for some reason)
* Forecast is set to improve, so might get a walk in this evening maybe even with the new neighbours

Have a good day all!

Crumpets

Hi, madvix, I agree, I'm missing spring too! two days of sunshine were not enough! Well done to your niece for walking! We have a new niece so I'm also a very proud auntie (never thought I'd get to be one :cool:)

Thanks for the brewing tips...Once we have the new shed/garage I'm hoping we can get started on some beer :beer:

You have a great list of MS things! great news :T

themadvix

Haha Crumpets - I think I'm the one in my family who might not make my sister an auntie! Who knows...

Make sure the temperature in your shed garage is okay - yeast likes between 18 and 24 degrees to do its thing.... (you can buy a heat mat if necessary, and we wrap ours up in blankets in the utility room!) and then you have to find somewhere cool(er) to clear it once the fermentation has stopped. DH has informed me that the ingredients for his next batch will be here tomorrow, so we'll be brewing over the weekend.

On MS things - just completed a 5 mins SBs survey for 250 bucks! That was a good 'un.

themadvix

Morning all!

Am apprehensively awaiting the arrival of niece... 2 hours is the longest I'll have had her for on my own! :eek: I'm sure it'll be fine, but 2 cats, a newly-walking toddler I have to feed and a delivery expected during the same period sounds like a lot to cope with! My plan was to eat and then go to the park but this might depend on the delivery arriving - it's scheduled for 1-2pm. Hmm.... two hours is a long time to entertain a small person in my adult-oriented house. I do have some toys for her, but interest in them doesn't last long.

We can now progress from Christmas to Easter in our house in two mouthfuls - like the supermarkets I have mince pie (slice) and hot cross buns both available!

MS things:
* YG survey done; PC survey done - not had one of those for ages, so a nice surprise!
* MS rewards, VB and SBs done
* Work - done (still some more ongoing, but deadline has been met)
* Chased overdue payments (hmm.... why oh why can't people pay me on time - I *know* paying me isn't a priority for one of my customers and it really pees me off :mad: the joy of being SE)
* Lasagne for tea last night will do tonight too; minestrone soup made from last of pasta and other bits - added the end of a chunk of parmesan from a tip I'd seen on here.... will report back on flavour or otherwise!
* Mince pie slice made to use up mincemeat in fridge
* Hot x buns made, because it's Easter

Gratitudes:
* It's not raining, so park is a possibility
* Hot cross buns
* Knowing the in-laws are likely to be over the road if I get 'stuck' with niece!

Out for the day with Dad tomorrow (NT place, sadly he's not MSE, so hoping he'll pay for lunch and I'll buy coffee.... he'd never dream of taking a picnic! :eek: ). Car MOT Saturday - fingers crossed.... Brewing over the weekend at some point too :beer:

Have a good afternoon all! In fact, have a good Easter as I don't know when I'll be back on here. Hope there's lots of this at yours: :EasterBun

try_harder

You are doing so well with all the free stuff as i call it ,the surveys etc i need to up my game a little .

How lovely for you to have your family so close by now it will be so nice for you all ,hopefully you wont be moving too far away when you buy your next house .

Its a beautiful warm spring day here today and i am now off out for a walk with the dog .I hope you have a lovely Easter themadvix .By the way i havent seen any posts for a while from ch4rly i hope alls going well with the move