Two Pennies Left

Fortune_Smiles

The truck passed its MOT with no problems and no advisory about the light switch :j

And I passed the test of having coffee with my friend without having to have cake with it. Friend paid too so that was a bonus.

We had salad for lunch today with wholemeal pitta bread, falafel and home made raita The one I usually buy has sugar in it so I rustled up some without. Supper was Roasted Squash Risotto with Wensleydale.

I attempted another sugar free cake today, a no added sugar date loaf. You add hot liquid to the dry ingredients so the bicarb starts working straight away. It makes it difficult to get the mixture into the tin and leveled but makes the texture of the cake more crumbly. The cake doesn't rise much but it does brown nicely. I reduced the oven temperature to 160c fan based on the bloggers experience and used wholewheat flour and a one pound loaf tin. Plenty sweet enough and more like the texture and colour of a cake made with sugar. Nom, nom.

It's been a washing and ironing day today as Mr F has an office meeting tomorrow and needed specific items of clothing to wear

I have still not completed the tax return I'll plan it in for tomorrow when there'll be fewer distractions.

Friday tomorrow :T

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

Mr F and I were up super early this morning to get him off to the office so I took advantage of the peace and quiet to submit my tax return :A And... HM owes me £3.50 :rotfl: I shall put it in my hairdryer savings pot.

I did the budgeting for February today and all looks ship shape. Managed to get my hairdryer pot up to £120 by saving a few bits and pieces elsewhere. There are a few big bills due and we need to meet some expenses now for a family milestone birthday in May. Despite that, February isn't looking too scary at the moment money wise

We're having Fish Pie with Swede & Potato Topping for supper. I used the odd fillets of Cod, Smoked Haddock and Salmon that had been hanging around in the freezer along with the prawns. Also threw some peas in to bulk it up a bit. Food is starting to taste very different to me now - I didn't realise prawns were so sweet

Mr F has weathered his business trip quite well (it's his first since the bug). He's feeling quite tired now but that may be because of the early start. Hope he's feeling better by tomorrow - we're planning on a gentle bike ride and lunch out. I'm working out the cost per ride to see whether I'm getting a good return on the investment. Two trips so far so I can't say I'm getting value for money yet :rotfl:

All is cosy in the Fortunate household now, the fire is lit and my wine glass is full.

Have a great evening all

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

Mr F recovered in time for our bike ride. We used the new bike rack for the first time. It took a little bit of working out but we think we have the optimal positioning now and I should be able to manage it myself when necessary.

We did the short family route at the cycle park and, this time, I manage to get round without getting off once I did find it quite hard in places but I did it :j

The cafe is conveniently half way round so we stopped for lunch. The cost will come from the fun money.

Then it was home for tea and medals (or coffee and sugar-free cake in my case) followed by a hot bath with posh bubbles, a face mask and candles (me not Mr F :rotfl:)

Leftover fish pie with a glass of red for supper.

We spent the evening in front of a roaring fire bingeing on a boxset.

All in all a perfect day

It's a bright day here in the Garden of England so Mr F and I are planning to do some work in the garden - maybe this afternoon when it's warmed up a bit - brrrrrrrr.

Hope your weekend is going well.

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

Gardening did indeed take place today and now I'm exhausted Very pleased to get everything tidy though as there are signs that Spring is coming already with a few green shoots emerging here and there :j

I made some Raisin and Rosemary Soda Bead for lunch to have with Roasted Celeriac and Apple Soup. I'm trying to use up the Bramley Apples I picked in October! It was quite an unusual soup but very tasty. Supper was Kale, Mushroom and Goats Cheese Lasagne.

At least all the cooking and gardening have kept me from spending any money today :rotfl: I am very ready for my bed now though.

Night, night

Fortune x

doingitanyway

Well done. Impressive

Fortune_Smiles

doingitanyway wrote: »

Well done. Impressive

Thank you... I did get a little bit of help from Mr F though

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

Went into the Market Town today with a friend to complete a long outstanding chore that required both of our input. Feels great to get it off my to do list

We met up with another girly chum for lunch and friend paid for us all

Bought some cream cheese which I'd missed in the on-line shop and a butternut squash to replace the one I imagined I had in the fruit bowl and which I'd put into the meal plan for this week :rotfl: Also a birthday card needed for this weekend.

We've had a problem with the neighbours' cats recently who have been availing themselves of our raised beds :mad: We've stretched some netting over the top and are hoping that will keep them at bay for the moment but something more permanent and practical is required so I've ordered some canopy supports on-line. I'm hoping they'll help with keeping the butterflies off the veg too.

Leftover Lasagne for supper with a rocket and parmesan salad. No wine though as I'm being good :A Can't see it lasting very long though :rotfl:

Happy Monday!

Fortune x

Karmacat

As far as the cats go - I lay prunings over the bits in between the plants. It can get very awkward to weed (thats my excuse and I'm sticking to it) but it makes it impossible for them to dig. They may still spray, though

PurpleFairy26

Fortune, old tea bags with a drop or two of olbas oil (or other similar smell) should also deter the furry fellas (or gals) just replace every couple of weeks.

Fortune_Smiles

Karmacat wrote: »

As far as the cats go - I lay prunings over the bits in between the plants. It can get very awkward to weed (thats my excuse and I'm sticking to it) but it makes it impossible for them to dig. They may still spray, though

PurpleFairy26 wrote: »

Fortune, old tea bags with a drop or two of olbas oil (or other similar smell) should also deter the furry fellas (or gals) just replace every couple of weeks.

Thanks for the tips guys. The netting seems to be doing the job at the moment so fingers crossed.

Fortune x