make do and mend for tougher times

Possession

For those who can't get Pimms and want some, there's always 'fake' non-alcoholic Pimms-like drink, as introduced to me by my old Slimming World consultant (and it's syn-free if you use diet lemonade). Get a big bottle of lemonade, cheap is fine. Open the top shake in a few drops of balsamic vinegar. Make as pimms with all the trimmings. I swear if you give it to someone without saying what is in it they will never ever guess. We once did it as an alternative to Pimms for drivers at a school fete, and it sold out before the alcoholic stuff. Cheap as chips and tastes pretty much like Pimms, I promise.
Another alcoholic afternoon with friends who invited us for a roast pork dinner. I have consumed far too much wine and possibly my own not inconsiderable body weight in yorkshire puddings. DD is now asking me what's for tea and I don't have a clue since I may never eat again. Weekends aren't usually like this, honest.

prepareathome

Fuddle that apron has given me ideas, I have a natural calico apron like that one and never thought of jazzing it up.......

Sun was cracking the flags this morning my hubby tells me - I didn't emerge till 1pm and it was bucketing down by then and now sun has come out and lots of blue sky and fluffy white clouds. It must have been hot this morning as hubby went off out to bowls practise wearing a teeshirt and shorts, both things he rarely wears outside the house. he said first thing his bowls team-mates said was put those milk bottles away, meaning his legs. Wasn't cold while raining but not boiling but high humidity has been with us for days now even the storms last week did not help.

I am with GQ I love the dry heat in Greece I always feel so much better there.

Popperwell

mcculloch29 wrote: »

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.

Thanks for that;)

Why did I not buy my couscous whilst I was at Aldi, Doh!

Popperwell

Well here we go...
http://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/world-must-brace-higher-food-035150253.html

fuddle

possession really? Well I'll try lemonade an balsamic to see if I may like pimms. Hey, at least I know what to drink when others around me are getting sozzled. Can you buy small bottles of pimms to try?

Sat here with a cuppa and a toasted teacake. I feel so settled and relaxed. What were we saying about contentment. The girls have asked for Horlicks. I haven't got any but will get some. I guess they can feel the nights drawing in. Still, positive - all cosy of an evening.

pops, I'm putting my tealights on

DH won £30 fishing today. Perfect timing as we'll need it on our few days holiday. It's going to pelt down where I'm going. Seriously going to take my wellies.

Oh, logged on to say I paid 50p for 2 teacakes. Off to work out how o make them myself!

Edit: teacake recipe http://www.bakingmad.com/recipes/sweetbreads/teacake-fingers

Popperwell

It's certainly dull enough for the tealights Fuddle...well done regarding the win at the fishing contest...glad the afternoon tea went well...

The next things on my list of wants are...wellington's, hot water bottles and an ordinary kettle for a stove/camping stove...no kettle at BM or in the Tesco's Direct catelogue so it may have to be Wilkinsons or Argos next...

Hope you enjoy your trip away...

Possession

fuddle wrote: »

possession really? Well I'll try lemonade an balsamic to see if I may like pimms. Hey, at least I know what to drink when others around me are getting sozzled. Can you buy small bottles of pimms to try?

Sat here with a cuppa and a toasted teacake. I feel so settled and relaxed. What were we saying about contentment. The girls have asked for Horlicks. I haven't got any but will get some. I guess they can feel the nights drawing in. Still, positive - all cosy of an evening.

pops, I'm putting my tealights on

DH won £30 fishing today. Perfect timing as we'll need it on our few days holiday. It's going to pelt down where I'm going. Seriously going to take my wellies.

Oh, logged on to say I paid 50p for 2 teacakes. Off to work out how o make them myself!

Well done Mr Fuddle! :T
You can buy cans of Pimms and lemonade, I think they might be 4 for £6 in Mr T. (Although a full bottle of Austins is only £5.99 in Aldi).
It's soooooo hot here I can't bring myself to do anything at all.

Pooky

Fuddle - if you have an old pair of jeans (or can grab a bargain pair at a CS) then google denim jeans apron and see the wonderful things a pair of jeans can create. I'm going to have a go myself in the next few weeks. I'm using DD1s old school aprons at the moment but they're dull as dishwater and I need something more snazzy.

Has anyone used a bias binding maker before? Do they actually work? I'm considering getting one but welcome some feedback.

I brought a chicken yesterday, part of Mr S's 3 for £10 deal, it says it feeds 2/3 people. We had it roasted last night with new pots and salad (so served 4), DH and I had some shredded over the remaining salad for lunch, DD2 had two chicken, lettuce and mayo rolls for lunch (so served 3), tonight we had more chicken, some sliced ham, salad and savoury rice (served 4) and there's still enough to make 4 chicken and veg individual pasties tomorrow (another 4 servings). The cats have had great pickings (there's 6 of them) and the bones have been turned into a really thick jelly stock with some of the gristly bits of meat, potato and some peas and carrots, this gets put down for the cats as a homemade cat food which they love. So that one chicken for 2/3 has done 15 adult portions and fed 6 cats well. Obviously we could use the stock for soup for us but everyone and then the cats deserve a treat and it's so good for them that I can't deny them it. :T

mcculloch29

Aldi worker daughter tells me that Austin's is one of their best-sellers, so for any who haven't tried it, that has to be a pretty good recommendation. My own Aldi recommendation is their luxury muesli. Better even than Dorset Cereals' versions. I eat it dry instead of trail mix.

Possession

mcculloch29 wrote: »

Aldi worker daughter tells me that Austin's is one of their best-sellers, so for any who haven't tried it, that has to be a pretty good recommendation. My own Aldi recommendation is their luxury muesli. Better even than Dorset Cereals' versions. I eat it dry instead of trail mix.

I love Dorset Cereals so as soon as my stock runs out that's what I will be trying, thanks! DD wanted to try the bagels today and unfortunately I wouldn't recommend them. She has just tried the chorizo and is wandering around saying she couldn't recommend a better sausage, so it must be good. (She's 7!)