Money Fritters 'Enough Now' DFW Diary - Chapter 2

Money_Fritter

2nd and 3rd March 2013

Well as I sit here typing this, my body is aching from head to toe; I feel as though I have not had a weekend. Anyway, putting that small complaint to one side, it was a very productive weekend.

On Saturday morning I awoke to glorious sunshine; this was more like it I thought to myself. I had breakfast and then went into Durham for the weekly shop and to buy some birthday cards; March and April are always busy months for birthdays.

When I got back I went for a run; with working late in work this week I had neglected my training. I managed 7.2k, which I was pleased with. I was now ready for some serious gardening.

On Saturday I prepared the fruit border raised beds and constructed a short path down the middle of the border with some pavement stones. Everything was ready to go for planting my rhubarb crowns.

On Sunday morning I started the day with a short run, I only managed 4K today, as I was aching from yesterday; but as they say no pain, no game.
Then after breakfast I went out into the garden. I started by planting the rhubarb crowns and finishing off the fruit border.

Then after lunch I cleared a space along the side of my outhouses, and started to build my mini-greenhouse for tomatoes. Now I am normally very good at constructing things; I have constructed my fair share of Ikea bookshelves, tables and cupboards. Now Ikeas instructions are not the best, but in comparison to the instructions that came with this greenhouse they were superb.

Seriously, the greenhouse came with one picture; it was the worst thing I have ever constructed. However, due to my determination and refusal to give up, I completed the bloody thing.

The last job of the day was to plant my strawberry bare-root runners. I decided to plant them in pots for now, until the last frosts have gone and put them in my newly constructed greenhouse. I had twelve strawberry plants in total; once they were done I watered them well and put them into my greenhouse. I took a few pictures and that was that.

So there we have it, my first plants are in; fingers crossed they will grow. I suppose I can say I have started my journey towards self-sufficiency with food, I wonder how I will do.

Will I be green fingers or death fingers!!!!

I did not manage a NSD this weekend as I had to nip to B and Q and buy compost and a couple of other bits.

With respect to my fitness and training; last week I managed to loss another 1.5lbs

Money_Fritter

Hi Folks,

Not a great deal to report today, I did not manage a NSD yesterday as I had to buy some freezer bags!!!!

Last night I made a tasty spicy sausage cous-cous dish with carrots and leek, it was really nice. I made an extra portion for my dinner today. I will post the recipe later.

At the weekend, I ran out of Fabric conditoner and therefore I made my first ever batch of Fabric conditioner; the start of a long journey to cut out chemicals and become more self sufficent. I used White distilled vinegar and Bicarbonate of soda, diluted with water and put a couple of drops of Lemon oils in.

The only thing I was not sure about was the fact that all the bicarbonate of soda did not dissolve, is this right? Or did I not add enough water. I followed the recipe.

Any help would be appreciated

Money Fritter

Money_Fritter

Hi Folks,

Well I managed a NSD yesterday, so the first of march.

I was really pleased last night; as after work I went for a run and managed my first 10k. I was hoping to run it in under 1hr; but I just missed out, posting 1h 1min!!!!!

The Sunderland 10K run is not until the 28th April; so hopefully I can shave 5 minutes or so of the time.

It is starting to stay lighter when I get home from work now too; so hopefully I can start to do some week evening gardening

Money Fritter

beanielou

Great news on the 10k.

ani_26

Money_Fritter wrote: »

The only thing I was not sure about was the fact that all the bicarbonate of soda did not dissolve, is this right? Or did I not add enough water. I followed the recipe.

Any help would be appreciated

Money Fritter

That's strange. I use bicarb to clean the inside of my fridge. There was an ocd cleaner using bleach and disinfectant to clean the inside of their fridge, on tv last night. That's a no, no. :eek: I was taught to use bicarb in the fridge as it's neutral. Never use things which smell, i.e. fragrances in your fridge.


Anyway, as to why the bicarb didn't dissolve, how much water did you use? It usually dissolves instantly?

Money_Fritter

Hi Folks,

I managed another NSD on Wednesday, but not on Thursday as I had to but some stamps; I could not forget my Mum's Mother's Day card, I would have been in big trouble:eek:

I also ordered her some lovely flowers and choc's to cheer her up as she has been under the weather a bit lately. I think a lot of the time we do take our parents for granted and always assume they will be there forever.

I managed another 5.6K run last night, I was concentrating more on my speed last night. I will do another 10K run on Saturday, my weight now stands at 15st 1lb, I started at 16st 1lb 5 weeks ago, so pleased with that.

I really hope I can get into the garden at the weekend but it is raining cats and dogs here at the moment; fingers crossed as I have lots to do still.

I still need to do another blog update as well; I will try and get that done tonight or tomorrow.

Money Fritter

beanielou

Glad that you remembered your mum

Money_Fritter

Hi Folks,

Well my mum loved her flowers and choc's, so I was pleased with that

I did not manage to get any gardening done this weekend as it rained all day on Saturday. Then on Sunday morning it snowed; however, we were out for the day at myu gf's mum's for a mother's day meal; it was a lovely day.

On the plus side I managed a 10K run this morning; during the last 3k the snow came down thick, but I pushed on, so I was pleased with that.

I am off work tomorrow as I have the dreaded MOT, fingers crossed it will be ok. On the plus side, if the weather is good I can get in the garden.

Money Fritter

Money_Fritter

Hi Folks,

Well the Sunday Mother's day meal was divine; I am glad I did a 10k run on Sunday morning and burnt 1000 calories, as for the meal we had soup for starters, then pork belly with crackling!!! Then we had two deserts:eek::eek:

It was lovely though.

Yesterday I booked a day off work as I had my MOT and I thought I could do some more gardening, Wrong!!!

It snowed again and the ground was set rock solid. I went out for 30 minutes to do some clearing and I could not feel my fingers.

My car is 5 years old now and I was fearing the worst. However, it was not as bad as I thought, I needed a couple of new tyres and brake pads and discs.

I lost another 3lbs last week, so pleased with that, especially after the Sunday epic meal!!!!

I don't think I have managed another NSD over the last few days, must try harder.

Money Fritter

Money_Fritter

Hi Folks,

Not much to report today. I managed a NSD yesterday and I have managed one today as well.

I went for a smaller 5k run yesterday; but I am having a day off today and watching a bit of tennis.

Money Fritter