make do and mend for tougher times

mardatha

A bath melt is a thing that melts in yer bath GQ
Oh bad me!! they're made of epsom salts or bicarb, with essential oils and oatmeal and goatsmilk powder, and just generally Lenor for bodies
If you'd like a wee lookat a gorgeous part of Scotland, go to my Flickr page -
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mard_soap/
Son and his mate did the Applecross a few days ago and want to do Skye next.

[Deleted User]

we have picked a lot of ripe blackberries from one of our two plants, the other one is just ripening now. It wouldn`t take much for a non-wild cultivar to grow, just a bird or two will do and that could account for early blackberries.

Eeeh fuddle you do have a wise head on you, I so agree with everything she says popsl. P you could get so much fun from thinking and planning about how you will futureproof your home and then do just a bit at a time, every little hop will give you something to look forward to

Also you mardatha, I so agree with shaving pennies off bills. Its a bit like the feeling in the very first tough thread, when the aim was to try and get people to rein in spending and get debts down. I sometimes think that the challenge of getting by in a positive way is very good for us mentally. These little hops are empowering and the small things lighten our spirits. No point in doom and gloom, we just got to look outside the box and not let the tail wag the dog

I dehydrated celery yesterday, good result and 5 plants less to water after the 18th of this month, when I expect rain to stop

Home grown tomatoes are concerning me now, after reading poster after poster on another forum, losing all their indoor and outdoor tomatoes to blight. Have gone on the gardening thread to raise the issue

On a trip to see dd and her family tomorrow, we always try and eat sandwiches in the car on the way and say we`ll be there after lunch for a few hours and then we come back and eat at home. I know it takes the meal pressure off her. Its hard enough for a working mum to cater for her own little family

Popperwell

I think Fuddle is spot on...neighbour and aquaintances tell me to stay put. I will if it is left to me...

Popperwell

Was looking up electric blankets, there have been some bargains at ASDA/Tesco's now it seems to be Sainsbury's...in passing found this site for information about bargains...

http://www.hotukdeals.com/

fuddle

Kittie it's all been learned from the threads you started. For ages I lurked. I realise you now can't shut me up but I've grown so much reading from all the toughies, past and present - some have been around throughout How many other people are coping because of these threads. A legacy or what? My mind is programmed into making do and mending while trying to get enthusiastic about doing so. Learning skills is fun, planning and preparing as well as seeing the fruits of your labour is so rewarding even if it's that pile of thermals sat there waiting for when they're needed.

Actually I was feeling down until I read your post kittie. I love the 'every little hop' and it is so true. I'm about to post my apron on (does anyone else adore aprons? Do they improve your mood and make you get on with it? Mine do? Weird!) and hop off to do my chores.

Popperwell

I see that you are losing weight Fuddle, don't lose too much;)

I forgot to watch this so will tonight via the internet...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/programmes/p00vq8c6

[Deleted User]

Morning all, if we're playing Blackberry Poker this year can I put in 2 and a half pounds we picked from our two thornless bushes a couple of days ago, we also have wildies ripening, at the moment it's just the king berries but lots of them, so we will forage this afternoon when we walk the boy. Had a look at the home ones this morning and another picking there too. I am freezing all so we will have some fruit to see us through the winter. Have a good one, Cheers Lyn x.

Pooky

Morning all

GQ -:eek: at your brown envelope moment. Glad you got it sorted but really peeved for you that you have to go through the stress.

Fuddle - looking forward to seeing your skirt. Despite making curtains, bedding, clothes, cushions etc, I'm yet to put a zip in...it's on my "must have a go" list.

HJ - great 1p bargains, nothing ever gets YS that much down here.

DH has now been officially laid off due to ill health and because they were a bit silly as a company they've had to pay him to go away. So whilst we now have no monthly income from them we have a lump sum due in the next three weeks that we need to use wisely. As the ESA payment he gets is contributions based it isn't affected by the money (assuming they carry it on after his assessment).

fuddle

Popperwell wrote: »

I see that you are losing weight Fuddle, don't lose too much;)

I forgot to watch this so will tonight via the internet...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/programmes/p00vq8c6

You notice I haven't lost anything yet :rotfl::D

Thanks for reminding me pops about the hairy dieters, gutted I missed it. Too engrossed in the olympics. So I too will be watching online later.


Dumplings? Has anyone made dumplings in the slow cooker with a stew. I normally transfer stew from SC onto hob and make dumplings but this just seems daft. :cool: :eek: and she has the gual to mention dieting :rotfl:

Back to boiling kettle and flasking water for my tea hits during the day. Feeling bad as the washing machine is on. I am seriously thinking about hand washing and then just spinning for 10 minutes in the machine at the end. Anyone done this?

elona

Pops

One of the best things I did a year ago was go to TKMaxx and treat myself to a really good winter coat with a hood and three quarter length boots with a good sole to them. Even convinced DH to go and get a decent coat there too. He is now telling me how it pays to buy quality (albeit at a quarter of the price);)

I got carried away by the AF fiver for 50 kg delivery and boy will I be all right for chopped tomatoes with garlic, stir fry sauces,cereal bars, batter mix etc. I need to sort out the shelves in garage over the next few days so all the tins are in order and I can find things easily to use them. I am hoping if it is tidy it will look less eccentric -DDs refer to it as my zombie cupboard (for when the mad mutant zombies attack- joke , honest).

Made dds some mini bacon and egg tarts yesterday as they were going out to a zoo/ firework display and they needed something they could grab. Might get on bus to visit Tesco to try to get value bath stuff as handwash, shampoo etc and grab a bargain if I can. Difficult to prise DH away from the garden so try not to drag him on shopping trips more than once a week.

Hug to all and glare to TPTB.