Trying for a Baby Part 9

Part_Mouse

Tia thanks, hope I'm not in as much ov pain as I was with clomid.

Mrs_T_M

tia86 wrote: »

Mrs TM - do you ever do days of rest?! You always sound so busy doing lots of lovely homely stuff

Sometimes in the dead of winter I'll play video games all day long (after the laundry and washing up for the day are finished and dinner is either prepped and planned or is in the slow cooker). From the beginning of August through the end of October/early November though I'm going to be foraging and canning as much fruit and wild foods as I can. I've even located a sweet chestnut tree!

I know where two apple trees are and I'm waiting on them to get ripe, plus I'll have another batch of plums in a few more days. The blackberries are in full swing at the moment too.

I'm teaching myself what elderberry plants look like as well as currants. If I'm not 100% sure on something, I don't touch it.

The freezer and pantry are full of cherries, blackberries, raspberries, and plum pulp (to make jam later) that I've picked for free. I also really keep an eye out on mark downs at the market and supermarkets around here. I typically pay 3-5 pence each for huge apples, lemons, limes, pears and oranges, 15-75p for packs of strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries, 15p for loaves of bread, 15-35p for containers of cream (single and double), and 15-50p for milk (ranging from 1-4 pints usually). Once in a while I'll be able to find courgettes for 25p for 3, potatoes for under 30p/kg, pineapples for 20p each, and packs of bell peppers for 25p. I've learned to base my grocery budget on the normal prices of items, then keep an eye out for them in the stores on mark down. That way if I don't find them marked down, I haven't went over budget, but if I do find them, I've saved money either for the savings account or for something else that's needed.

It definitely keeps me busy, but for me, it's fun. Sometimes though, it can backfire. Since I get a bit of a rush from finding really good deals on stuff, sometimes our freezer will be packed full of milk (granted, we go through milk quickly) or bread!

I need to chop up most of the 4 packs of mild onions (16 gigantic onions!) that I bought yesterday and freeze them. I figure, go ahead and chop half of them and slice half of them all at once, get the painful tears over with and be done with it. Only problem: our freezer is packed full! I'd love to make some homemade ice cream, but I don't even have room in the freezer for our freezable ice cream thingie at the moment. :rotfl:

I've gotten DH to promise to go blackberry picking with me tomorrow, so I'll be forced to reveal my 'secret' locations to him! Eek! I'll be taking an extra bag or two for elderberries and raspberries if we can find any.

Oh dear, I've rambled on. Stupid caffeine side effect.

Forgot to say: I have a carrier bag full of dried bay leaves that someone gave me when they were fresh and I have more dried lavender than I know what to do with from what I gathered earlier this year! I'm looking forward to saving my coins and being able to make soap (hopefully before Christmas!!!).

Part_Mouse

Mrs tm you sound so homely which is lovely. I make as much as I can from scratch and try to sneak in lots of nuts and seeds into dh food.the cost of food is pretty crazy now.

Mrs_T_M

Part_Mouse wrote: »

Mrs tm you sound so homely which is lovely. I make as much as I can from scratch and try to sneak in lots of nuts and seeds into dh food.the cost of food is pretty crazy now.

We have a food budget of £100 for the two of us (along with things like loo roll). Septembers groceries will come in at £84.03 or under (hopefully), and October is scheduled to come in at £66.35 or under. I'm thinking that November will be more, since I'll be stocking up on spices and herbs that I can't find around here fresh (and free). The money that I'm saving at the moment will go towards buying stuff on Christmas Eve when everything is marked WAY down (as I learned last year, after I'd spent all of the budget!).

We very rarely buy alcohol, and even more rarely a take away or eating out. I have no clue how/if I'll be able to keep up with keeping things under budget after we have a little one, but we will find a way to manage.

The cost of food is completely crazy now, and it looks like it will only be going up in the future! I've learned that it never hurts to ask about/for things. Also, if you have the time, do some research on what is native to your area and learn how to identify edible things. One thing I'll never touch in the wild: mushrooms. Even if I am 100% sure on identifying them, I'd still be too afraid of making a mistake. I'd rather pay for them and be safe than end up in the hospital or worse.

For the ttc bit: I'm feeling a bit better (slept for 5 hours today! :eek:) so hopefully I'll be able to talk DH into having a 'bit of fun' tonight.

Part_Mouse

Mrs_T_M wrote: »

We have a food budget of £100 for the two of us (along with things like loo roll). Septembers groceries will come in at £84.03 or under (hopefully), and October is scheduled to come in at £66.35 or under. I'm thinking that November will be more, since I'll be stocking up on spices and herbs that I can't find around here fresh (and free). The money that I'm saving at the moment will go towards buying stuff on Christmas Eve when everything is marked WAY down (as I learned last year, after I'd spent all of the budget!).

We very rarely buy alcohol, and even more rarely a take away or eating out. I have no clue how/if I'll be able to keep up with keeping things under budget after we have a little one, but we will find a way to manage.

The cost of food is completely crazy now, and it looks like it will only be going up in the future! I've learned that it never hurts to ask about/for things. Also, if you have the time, do some research on what is native to your area and learn how to identify edible things. One thing I'll never touch in the wild: mushrooms. Even if I am 100% sure on identifying them, I'd still be too afraid of making a mistake. I'd rather pay for them and be safe than end up in the hospital or worse.

For the ttc bit: I'm feeling a bit better (slept for 5 hours today! :eek:) so hopefully I'll be able to talk DH into having a 'bit of fun' tonight.

Wow you do amazingly well:cool: I so wanted to go blackberry picking but not really seen any. I stock up on things as much as a poss when on offer and mse is a great place to get so many tips. Do you have much storage space?

Disney_Pluto

How is everyone today?

Well I'm still getting 2 strong lines on OV sticks for 3 days even though I'm cycle day 29, and thought I had already OV so totally confused.

On a nice note I get married next weekend eeeek!

Mrs TM you do very well to only spend that a month on food.

Hugs tink and tia. Annoying when people you don't even know (incidentally) rub it in your face x

Mrs_T_M

Part_Mouse wrote: »

Wow you do amazingly well:cool: I so wanted to go blackberry picking but not really seen any. I stock up on things as much as a poss when on offer and mse is a great place to get so many tips. Do you have much storage space?

We have a small under the stairs pantry with 3 shelves (which is full), a china cabinet (which is full of alcohol, glasses, and my canning jars & lids), and I have a feeling I'll be finding or building a shelf for the living room for more canned goods. I may also utilize part of the spare bedroom for food storage as well eventually. What I really wish I had is a bigger freezer or another freezer! Don't get me wrong, having the little freezer we have now is a blessing, since the last place we lived didn't have one at all, but I want a bigger one! :rotfl:

I have the rose hips in a pot making juice from them for jelly/jam with no bits. All I'm going to say is that unless the jelly is exceptionally good, I won't be going through the trouble of that again!

Part_Mouse

Disney isn't time moving so quickly,are you pretty much ready.

Disney_Pluto

Part_Mouse wrote: »

Disney isn't time moving so quickly,are you pretty much ready.

Yes most things sorted, although went to my final dress fitting today to pick dress up and the lady hadn't finished the alterations, she apologised and said to come back next week. My mum was fuming, I couldn't risk it not being done on time so have taken it away for someone else to do. When I got it back home discovered she hasn't even starting altering it. All that needed doing was an inch on the hem and an inch either side of the bust. Not really what I need a week before the wedding. Other half and bridal party picking up suits tomorrow. So sorted most things now.

On a nice not our house went on the market last Thursday and we sold it today (or at least accepted an offer on it) can't believe it really.

Sorry for blabbing on.

Part_Mouse

Mrs tm loving the space for lots of food goodies, we really short of space and the kitten is way to interested in everything.are you veggie?im really struggling to find healthy veggie stuff that dh will eat and help his swimmers.hes non veggie.

Disney exciting times for you, are you having a honeymoon? I hope you get your dress sorted out, the lead up to your wedding is so stressful.