make do and mend for tougher times

Possession

Just in case anyone needs a BM, the Panny is half price at Amazon, they have price-matched:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4126741

Popperwell

I have a great book about the recipes of Grandma's Day and most of the recipes for scones ue buttermilk as SDG suggests. When I like cooking it's a pity I only have myself to think of and only need such small portions, it's not always worth me doing a lot of cooking. I get a reasonably varied diet to avoid becoming bored.

I must admit I like being able to say I made that but I can't always do things as cheap as in the shops. Saw two fruit crumbles in the weighwatchers range for £1.10(55p each)I think you can pop them in the microwave...ready in minutes. I can make a big one cheaper and that is value but when you are on your own...Did not need them today...

I had a chicken melt from Greggs for lunch with brown sauce and buttered bread with brown sauce and a vanilla milk shake(reduced to 25p)around £1 in Tesco's...

Think it's a kind of casserole with dumplings and mashed potato for evening meal.

Possession

If you make muffins or a cake you can always freeze the leftovers Pops.
I'm making tea loaf this afternoon, and hoping the children will ignore the sultanas. Also jam tarts and some kind of cupcake.

Popperwell

Malfiore wrote: »

Just made my first food bank donation! Feel pretty good. Now to clean the house as a reward

I'd feel good too but it's so sad that they are required and I'm sure you feel that way too. In a way our food storage rooms are food banks but we're paying for our own for when times are tough and we would be asking for help ourselves.

Wouldn't it be great if every house had such a store and/or when we make meals we could share any extra with neighbours, I hate the term "The Big Society" but this kind of watching out for each other I have no trouble with.

Possession wrote: »

Just in case anyone needs a BM, the Panny is half price at Amazon, they have price-matched:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4126741

Wonder if I would use one if I got one...are they cheap to run? Easier than than just making a loaf and sticking it in the ordinary oven or halogen oven?

I assume you have to make up the dough mixture before you put it in the BM.

The BM doesn't make the dough?

But again look at today...I bought 4 bread buns(Hovis)40p...Put in the oven(baked in 5 mins)could I do them any quicker/cheaper than that...and the date is ok until 31st August.

What is the overal opinion on this...memory foam mattress or ordinary matteress?

Ordinary matteress but Pound stretcher are selling a memory foam matteress topper to go on top of a matteress...these are being sold at around £29.99(double or single)I think.

Also would an electric underblanket still work if the matteress topper over it...even if it takes longer to come through.

Pound strecher have some big throws in a mink effect so very warm and soft for £9.99 any views on them? Or I am flagging up these items in case anyone is interested and thinks that they are good value...

Unfortunely no images on their website...

Possession

The BM makes the dough Pops, and bakes it, so couldn't be easier.
Malfiore well done on the food bank donation. I've just discovered our local sally army closed, so no emergency food supplies at the moment. There is a meeting about setting up a food bank though. i'm undecided about getting involved as if/when DH gets another job he'll likely work very long unpredictable hours and I don't want to commit to something if I may not be able to keep it up.

prepareathome

Welcome back GQ.

Mar I adore the soaps and love the cinderalla carriages, I happen to know a certain little granddaughter 3 next week who would adore them, can you pm me you ebay page as forgot to bookmark it, please.

Pops you would put the under electric blanket over the mattress topper not under it, only thing that should go over an under electric blanket is a sheet nothing else ever- fire risk.

I had a memory foam mattress topper but gave it away as although very comfortable it was just to hot, even with the climate control duvet. If chilly I just stick now to trusty hot water bottles - one for me and one for Sophie ( she pinches mine so easier to give her, her own, spoilt mutt that she is).

I am cooking a crown of duck in sc today, picked it up last night YS and never,ever cooked one before. I don't like them but hubby does but so expensive just for him, why only bought this one now being reduced. Wasn't sure what to do with it so threw it in with tinned tomatoes and a few herbs and seasoning and we will see if it edible at meal time lol.

Will it be ok to freeze what is left? - hubby I know would eat the lot in one go but there is enough for about 4 portions normally but will give him half.

Malfiore

Popperwell wrote: »

I'd feel good too but it's so sad that they are required and I'm sure you feel that way too. In a way our food storage rooms are food banks but we're paying for our own for when times are tough and we would be asking for help ourselves.

Wouldn't it be great if every house had such a store and/or when we make meals we could share any extra with neighbours, I hate the term "The Big Society" but this kind of watching out for each other I have no trouble with.

It is sad it's needed, and I think we'd all like to help everyone if we could! The place was very busy today, but there were a lot of people in there looking at furniture and bric a brac as well. We came away with a cafetiere for £1 and someone else bought a sofa. We were looking for furniture as well as it was all in good shape.

I'm going to do a big box every month I think. I spent £11.76 today and got 4 each of the following:

tinned toms, tinned beans, tinned rice pudding, packet custard, tinned custard, tinned carrots, tinned sweetcorn, tinned peas, tinned spaghetti, box powder potatoes, tinned potatoes and tinned peaches.

That was what they needed today and the woman there told us she had to go and buy some stuff yesterday as they were running low!!

Hope everyone is well and avoiding the rain!

Popperwell

Lets us know how it goes PAH...

I'm tempted by the bread maker...how long does it take to bake bread. I could do a loaf(probably in 30 mins in an oven)does it take a long time in a BM(Not hours, I hope)

I have the electric blankets and they may never get used but they are there...just in case. I'll probaby never ever buy another...I never thought about the matteress topper being warm but it makes sense that may mean, I won't bother...besides I too still like a hot water bottle. May get a couple of new ones...

Then again, i don't know big they are(I don't do centimeters)as I haven't unrolled them but I have three Tesco fleece blankets, three fleece throws from ASDA(they cost less)and they could go on a bed at a push.

the_cake

Hi Pops
Re memory foam mattresses or toppers: I agree with what PAH said - I used to work in a shop which sold them, and we were always told to warn customers they could make them very hot ... personally, I much prefer a hot water bottle and bedsocks!! Plus a cool bedroom and thick fluffy duvet. Mmmm.

Popperwell

TC I took to wearing socks in bed and they really work. I only have a continental quilt on the bed at present not even in a cover and that can sometimes be too warm and it is a light tog...and now that I am back to be used to wearing PJ's when I need to or a t-shirt and lounge trousers of shorts there are so many combinations.

I picked up a lovely thick warm coat from the cyharity shop, probably be great for winter if I go out and it cost me 99p!