Two Pennies Left

Fortune_Smiles

I've had a whole day at home on my own today - it's been lovely

Money Making:

• a little more work on the commission sketch.

Money Saving:

• made a big batch of Honeyed Carrot Soup. Had some for lunch, kept some for Mr F in case he's peckish when he gets home and bagged up individual portions with the remainder for the freezer
• Bacon Pea & Basil Macaroni for supper and plenty left over for tomorrow so I don't have to cook when I get home from work
• there's an Orange & Almond Spring Cake cooling in the kitchen. I left out the marzipan as I didn't have any. It's due a quality control inspection any minute

Home Improvements/Maintenance:

• a few loads of washing done
• tackled the worst room in the house today - Mr F's Study:eek: I usually don't venture in there but I braved it today and it's all shiny and clearn now
• some filing done :T It's the job I procrastinate about the most so I'm feeling really smug about doing some of it if not all.

Lilies:

• a relaxed pottery day
• planning the contents of my Christmas hampers
• Mr F is home :j

Have a great weekend everybody


Fortune x

beanielou

All sounding good :j
Have a happy weekend

Goldiegirl

Well done on the hair cut. I have short hair, and would never go back to long hair.

I think it must save on shampoo and conditioner. I use Lush products for my hair, and the shampoo and conditioner lasts forever - I can't remember the last time I bought any

Fortune_Smiles

We went to the Antiques Fair at Detling yesterday and they were filming Bargain Hunt there. We rubbed shoulders with Tim Wonnacott all day


Money Making:

• worked all day Saturday.

Money Saving:

• the rest of the Macaroni for supper
• Mr F finished fitting the garden sink and did the roof repairs
• bought 2 baskets for Christmas Hampers at the Fair. They are well made, good quality, vintage baskets which will make lovely storage solutions when the contents have been used. £20 for the 2.
• bought 2 piano stools. I've been looking for these for some time; one is for playing the piano and one is as a dressing table stool in the guest bedroom. I've given both a birthday. The Piano stool needed a good clean, some white bloom in the varnish removing and some scratches touching up. The upholstery pins will need replacing but then it's as good as new. The dressing table stool will need re-upholstering and shabby chic-ing so more of a project. Very pleased with both at a total cost of £47
• made a Paneer Curry for supper.

Clothes:

• bought a Laura Ashley top from The Bay - brand new with tags and all for £4.70. Hope it fits

Health:

• 2 tours on Saturday and a good look round the Fair yesterday so lots of walking done
• a slice of cake on Saturday though and a slice of cake and a packet of crisps yesterday

Lilies:

• lovely to have a day out with Mr F
• a light lunch and a coffee while we were out
• guilt free spending as all budgeted for.

Hope you all had a good weekend.


Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

I'm off the starting blocks with the Christmas Hampers. I have 2 large Kilner jars of Bullace Gin which will be ready for decanting in November plus I've started making Autumn Piccalilli with Pear. The vegetables need to be left in salted water overnight so I'll finish things off tomorrow and fill some jars. Very excited about using my new Maslin Pan and jam funnel for the first time.


A neighbour has offered me blackcurrants, courgettes and plums from their garden so I'll be looking up hampers recipes to take advantage of those.


Waitro$£ delivered. I got English muffins and bread rolls free as they were close to the use by date. Plus an extra chocolate bar which must have been put in by mistake. I ate it before they could ask for it back :rotfl:


My DC came round for a visit yesterday. We finished off the Paneer Curry for supper and I made a side dish with broccoli and potatoes to go with it. There was quite a lot of the side dish left over so I added some tinned tomatoes and prawns and that did for supper tonight and there's some left over for tomorrow too.


I finished the preliminary sketch for my current commission and sent a photo to the customer. They are happy so I may be able to start painting tomorrow.


Managed to get lots of housework done today too so feeling very productive.


Happy Tuesday all


Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

I hosted the Book Club meeting last night. My guests arrived bearing wine and nibbles and I had made Malte$er Tiffin so, after eating our own body weight and supping a glass or two, we did get round to talking about books. It was intellectual and everything.

The Picalilli turned out really well and it was a much easier process thanks to my new Maslin pan and jam funnel. I used the jars I salvaged from work and added some pretty labels and I think they will do justice to the Christmas hampers. Popped a large jar down to the neighbours who've offered me their garden produce as a thank you.

I may be gifted some cherries this week so am thinking Pickled Cherries next.

I'm on top of the housework for a change so just a few chores to do today. I couldn't find jars for all of the Picalilli so may use the leftovers up in pasties. That should keep us going for lunches for the next few days.

Take care all

Fortune x

takingcontrolatlast

Very impressed with the home made hamper ! I think it's a lovely, heartfelt gift - just wish I had the confidence to make one! Maybe something for the future :rotfl:

The Book Club - so what was the book that was up for debate.. Fiction/Non-Fiction? I love reading .. my favourite author at the moment is a chap called Chris Cart£r ... i was hooked!

Fortune_Smiles

Blimey! Where did all that time go?


It's been a busy couple of weeks. Mr F was away in Europe. We had a few days away with family when he came back. Then it was a mad panic to get him off to Asia for the next couple of weeks.


So where am I...


Money Making:


I got paid for July's work. It really added up and came in much higher than I was expecting.


The next couple of months are looking slower though but that will give me a chance to make some progress on my current commission.


I'm very close to pay out on UGov too.


Money Saving:


My hamper contents are growing. I was gifted some cherries and blackcurrants so they have been transformed into exotic jewel coloured jars.


Home Improvements/Maintenance:

I've been quite disciplined about keeping the house in order. The search continues for an inspiring kitchen blind fabric.


Clothes:

Some successful Bay purchases have grown my work wardrobe.


Health:

Mainly good on the diet front although went off piste whilst we were away. I get some walking in at work and also walk there and back when possible.


Lilies:


Millions! I've just signed up to Give As You Live. Some of the places I shop aren't signed up to TCB or QCo but are signed up to GAYL so I can contribute a little to charity at least. I've chosen The Tru$$£ll Trust as my beneficiary. My cupboards are always full of healthy, nutritious foods and I know, that's not true for everyone.


I hope life is treating you well


Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

It's my WI's Garden Party tonight. I'm looking forward to getting out of the house and having some social interaction. Not only is Mr F away but all my local friends are either working or on holiday at the moment. At least I have the Fortunate Cat for company

My only tour this week has been postponed so I will use the time to progress my current commission. I started putting some colour on yesterday.

Chores are on plan. Spending is too, although I have a couple of special event presents to buy this month.

Made Sweet Potato & Spinach Lasagne for supper last night. I left out the onion seeds as I didn't have any and only used one tin of tomatoes. There's enough to last me another three meals.

I spent my 'Random Acts of Kindness' budget for the month on goods for my local food bank. I know it's harder for families during the holidays when school meals aren't available.

Hope your week is going well


Fortune x

rtandon27

Fortune_Smiles wrote: »

...'Random Acts of Kindness' budget ...

Fortune - what a lovely category to add to the budget - think I might nick that one for mine if you don't mind!

Last month we sponsored a co-worker raising funds for a bicycle for health-workers charity - It felt so good to support his trek up Kilimanjaro that we thought to make a monthly donation from our wages. Now it will have fabulous title on our monthly spreadsheet!