make do and mend for tougher times

Popperwell

Nargleblast wrote: »

Lurker alert!

For all you Pimms lovers, if you don't want to buy a bottle of Pimms or equivalent then you can make the drink from what you might already keep in stock. It's as easy as 1 2 3....

One part gin
Two parts red vermouth (e.g. Martini Rosso or Cinzano Rosso)
Three parts lemonade

Mix together then add ice, fruit, cucumber, mint or whatever floats your boat.

I have them:D:D:Dso when the Pimms has been used I'll make my own. I had just started to make cocktails when Mum became ill may have to start again. The initial outlay can be expensive but once you have everything...:p

elona

Really hot and humid here and even a couple of showers of rain have not made it feel less heavy and sticky.

Made lemon chicken with new potatoes, carrots and asparagus and was just taking the filled plates to table in garden when it started to rain.

Went down to Mr S for any bargains I could freeze but not expecting to find much and came away with two bags full of YS goodies, whole chicken, two lots of chicken drumsticks, fresh meatballs, beef joint, small lamb joint and some white fish. Spent about £15 and saved £37 on original prices.

Showed DH who did not seem very impressed but then he does not really appreciate how dear things have become. He will change his tune once we start eating a nice joint of meat or some fish with lots of veg. Managed to get everything in freezer and still have a couple of curries for tonight (at 99pence I could not resist them).

DD due home soon from Sunday job so making her chicken, asparagus, carrots, mash and gravy unless she fancies something else.

Another dd ate out and is felling a bit queasy now so trying not to mention food to her.

My great idea of washing a superking size bedding set and getting it dry tonight looks unlikely so will use spare set for tonight and tidy round ready for plumbers etc tomorrow.

Hugs to all

ps ( I have 24 boxes of tea bags);)

Popperwell

As said many times I never find such bargains Elona.

Malfiore

fuddle wrote: »

You could just use fabric pens to do the 'What would Nella do?'

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-FABRIC-PAINT-PENS-IDEAL-FOR-MAKING-PERMANENT-T-SHIRT-DESIGNS-MORE-/130747425534?pt=UK_Crafts_Children_s_Crafts_EH&hash=item1e712762fe#ht_1045wt_699



or design your own apron with it on http://www.craftycrocodiles.co.uk/fabric-fun-c16/design-a-fabric-apron-p3

Uh oh. I see ebay buying is going to be addictive. I have just won a Monsoon, knee length denim skirt for £2.61 It's my way of building a capsule wardrobe of half decent items without spending a fortune. I loved one on Boden but I just can't spend £45 on a skirt, even if I do save for it gradually. I like my way loads more

I am an ebay addict, I get pretty much everything I need off there!

I try and offset it by selling stuff, although I am stocking up for winter now so might not be quite so easy...I've just listed a pair of lovely heels that I bought to try and teach myself to walk in them! Needless to say I cannot :rotfl: Also a bag, a pair of boots I don't wear and a dress kindly donated by my sis.

My sister lost a few stone and asked me to sell some of her nicer things that she had outgrown on ebay to make some of the cash back (as she doesn't have the patience to herself!). I did this and she then suggested that as she goes through all her clothes, would I like to go through them and see if there is anything I would like (there was!) and if I feel the rest would make any money, put it on ebay and keep the money! I did this and nothing went for more than £7ish but as we know it all adds up. So she was happy as she made almost £200 from her nice clothes and I was happy as I got some 'new' clothes and made about £40 from her old bits

I have purchased a snood, my winter coat, OH winter coat, a shrug for work and some incense this weekend. Very pleased Hopefully I will offset most if it by next weekend with my listings!!

Anyway, enough of my ebay pitch

Popperwell

I have no idea what it is and have never had it before but I bought some couscous and Quorn Cottage Pie and Quorn Chicken squares...I probably can portion it out and get a few meals out of it...

mama67

GreyQueen wrote: »

We had a brief rainstorm about an hour ago and the pavements are already dry. Totally agree about the humidity being debilitating; I can handle the dry heat in Greece so much better. Well, beer helps. Did you know I can speak Greek? Ena Mythos, parakalo.I can also say I'm knackered in Greek but can't remember how to spell it.:rotfl:Gives you an idea about what my holidays used to be like, eh? Those big bottles of Mythos beer go down very nicely indeed.

and Mr T now sell them in the beer aisle, we got onto drinking that when in Crete last year.

Evie74_2

Malfiore and Fuddle - good luck with your Ebay purchases, I've bought quite a few bits and pieces over the years - many with "good" labels for a fraction of the original price. I tend to try and buy good quality clothes, especially for work, with some cheap things (like t-shirts) from the supermarkets. I wouldn't go so far as calling it a capsule wardrobe as it threatens to engulf my bedroom and really I need to have a good clear out!:o

Loving the idea of a WWND apron - I might make a sewing project out of that and embroider a design on the front. Hmmm.... *cogs turning*

My neighbours are giving GQ's a run for their money this afternoon/evening. They have been blasting terrible pop music (I've nothing against it per se - not my cup of tea, but each to their own and all that - but this is really dreadful!) all afternoon and now have a garden full of raucous drunken teenagers shouting at the tops of their voices. They have also been barbecuing for hours, filling my garden (and washing line :mad:) with the smell of smoke and burning fat. It isn't the first time, and I think we may be in for a long night. I might move my car actually: last time they had a party like this the street was full of revellers jumping from car bonnet to car bonnet :eek:. Then they starting throwing up on the pavements/into peoples' gardens._pale_

Much as I like where I live most of the time, I do sometimes long for the solitude of a remote smallholding!

Evie xx

fuddle

I know, I'm a sucker for an apron. I can't embroider. My grandma used to fabric paint her table cloths though.

Speaking of apron's. I'm wondering where I can pick some up cheap? I would make my own but I have a feeling I may be able to buy one cheaper than I can get the fabric. Mine are looking really grotty. I wear mine with pride, the div that I am. Answering the door with chicken fat smeared across you isn't a good look

Edit: been looking on Pinterest for embroidery examples. I so wish I could do that!

mcculloch29

Popperwell wrote: »

I have no idea what it is and have never had it before but I bought some couscous and Quorn Cottage Pie and Quorn Chicken squares...I probably can portion it out and get a few meals out of it...

I find that all the brands of couscous rehydrate OK without cooking on the stove, despite what the packets say. I never use plain water to rehydrate, but always add a stock cube and a big splash of Lea & Perrins (or anything spicy) to give it a bit of zing. (Rehydrate using boiling water and cover.)

Aldi do a very good mix veg packet couscous and a lovely lemon & coriander couscous, best I've tasted.

Heron do Quorn cottage pie for a quid if I recall correctly. It's fine. I also like their parmo-style Quorn fillets, altho they've not had them in for a while. When money has been tight over the years I have so blessed Heron.

kidcat

Nella T-shirts - most supermarkets have a photo print centre and can print up a t-shirt, they are usually good quality, not the stuff they sell instore. We have an indoor market with a photo gift stall and they do t-sirts too.

Have managed to get most of the washing washed but its been raining most of day so its not been able to go on the line. I have dried half in the dryer but the rest isnt tumble-able, so I am left with baskets of washing sitting here.

Its still warm here though, and the sun has just begun to shine, so we are probably in for another hot night.

We went to the local fire station open day this afternoon and DS had a wonderful time - but it was nothing like as good as previous years, most of the firemen were gathered in a corner chatting amongst themselves.

Fell asleep when we got home and slept heavily, which is unusual I am normally able to hear whats happening etc, but was obviously so tired today I was oblivious to everything

Pops - I did get to Mr T but no cheap chopped toms, so will have a look other places this week. No whoopsies either, obviously stock control is getting better for them.