Living on next to nought - is that the key?

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Evening :hello:

Greying graciously accepts all hugs and flowers offered THANK YOU :D

Pippi - thanks for popping in - yes, sweet pea scent, gotta be one of the strongest eh?

7 Week Wonder - bless you so much for writing such a supportive post. I did try to have another think about what we could sell, but just hit a blank. We really live very simply, and most of what we have, we use. We'd miss it if we sold it.....:rotfl:And I am very envious of not only your work colleagues, who sound a top bunch of useful, practical folk, but also of your string of garlic - how fab! Mmmm, pity about the bus, but I hope you got it home without too many sniffy comments.

Well, my cooking mojo has come back, appetite still not up to full whack, but I expect it'll come good just now. We had Jack's 9p burgers for dinner. I used bulghar wheat to bind/bulk them and I have to say it was a revelation. I used some fine bulghar I got from App Fo0ds. I toasted it first (top tip that) and then rehydrated it. It added a wonderful nutty flavour to the mixture. I used a 1 7/8th inch (48mm) pastry cutter to form the burgers - they were more like what the Americans call 'sliders'. We had them with boiled potatoes, green beans and sweetcorn. DP (who is in a better mood today) declared them delish - so well done Jack

Today was a NSD :j

On the weekend, I walked to one of our supermarkets - which didn't have what I wanted in stock, so I ended up walking as far in the opposite direction to another supermarket instead - pah, who needs gyms??? Anyway, I called into mr M, and dropped lucky with some yellow stickered items. I got 9 peaches for 49p, 5 big tomatoes for 55p and 6 or 7 apples for 55p. The peaches were obviously going over, but on opening the bag, I found 3 were really ripe/bruised, 1 was on it's way to being overripe and the other 5 were still firm. I had initially thought that I could use the 3 ripe ones in a cooked dessert, but with the cooking mojo leaving town, that didn't occur. Still, as it happens, they were good enough, with a tiny bit of trimming off of mouldy bits, to have in porridge/yoghurt. And they are lovely white fleshed peaches - very fancy, but tasty too. Plus, if all else fails, DP and I will not get scurvy this month

So to finish up tonight, I am grateful for these 3 things;

virtual friends - you rock!

having somewhere where I can come and share and you all understand - this was mentioned by Karmacat on Pippi's thread and it is so true.

TMS cricket commentary on the radio - I could listen to England win the ashes whilst making use of the last of the daylight to work on my project. *Multi-tasking smug smilie* :rotfl:

Thank you so very much for popping by, reading and commenting. I am so very appreciative.

See y'all later.

Greying

Sorry - wanted to include a gratuitous 'dinner' shot. Jack's 9p 'sliders' with accompaniments (and yes, that tomato is very 80's )

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Morning :hello:

Well, it would appear DP has got out of the wrong side of bed this morning............ ho hum. The thing is, I know what the problem is, it is worrying what the bank's decision will be. They said it could be up to 5 days (from yesterday). Methinks it is going to be a loooooooonnnnngggg week :rotfl::rotfl:

Today will be a low spend day, I have only to get the TV listing guide. I have no idea what is for dinner. I will try to pick something that would not be intensely satisfying to dump over someone's head......:rotfl::rotfl:

On the plus side, we have not yet developed scurvy, our teeth are still intact and I have not yet throttled DP - all good no?

Right, let's get on with the day. :T

Thank you so very much for popping by, reading and commenting. I am very grateful for your company. Normal cheerfulness will be resumed shortly. :D

See y'all later.

Greying

beanielou

Keep plodding xx

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Morning :hello:

Thank you Beanie for your kind words of support - I appreciate them

Well, yesterday just ended up running away from me, to the extent that we had CHIPS for dinner! Sorry for shouting, but someone will get the significance of that statement We did have a slice of HM pizza with the chips - in my defence (thank goodness for freezers) - but they were absolutely dreadful, no taste and poor value for money. I've no idea where DP got them from, but it seems that we have yet another takeaway we can put on the 'avoid' list. This area is absolutely dire for takeaway places, this makes living here very :money: though:rotfl:

Actually, yesterday was more of a spendy day than I intended (although DP sprung for the chips). As I bought a small tub of ice-cream from her0n f00ds. It was apple pie flavoured (but they used the French version 'tarte aux pommes', to add 'luxury' to it). It cost a £1 for a 450ml tub (C*rte D'0r). Not too bad, and as DP is an ice-cream fan, it brought a satisfied smile for 50p (we ate it in one sitting, 450ml isn't a lot between 2). Actually, when I went into the newsagents next door to get the TV guide (back to Corrie stars on the front - whoop!), they were selling individual ice creams for much more than I paid for a tub, so a treat but :money: at the same time.

Today should be less chaotic, so I should have time to make the dish for dinner that we were going to have last night. I also need to cook some buns as we're down to the last one for the snap bags.

DP is still a little out of character, but I do have some sympathy, as I can come on here and have a gentle moan. DP hasn't got the same benefit. Here's hoping the ice-cream has a lasting effect

Well, better get a wiggle on, lots to cram in today, but I will not run late and we will have a hm tea, we will have a hm tea, we will have a hm tea........:rotfl:

Thank you for popping in, reading, commenting and generally being here. I very much appreciate it.

See y'all later.

Greying

Pippilongstocking

As yesterday ran away with me and I had a GIGANTIC tantrum (and those who know me, know how unusual that is) we had a takeaway for tea. OK I didn't pay but it was still an emergency stop the stripey person exploding type of situation. Leftovers were eaten for lunch today by the culprit so LFHW and all that. Tonights tea is yesterdays tea here too.

So I'm with you - we WILL have a HM meal tonight which should have happened yesterday.

I'm mantra-ing with you.

We will have a HM tea

Hope today didn't get away with you

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Evening :hello:

Hi Pippi - Thank goodness you're back on an even keel too - and I hope your HM meal was brill tonight

Well today has turned out lovely. I feel back on an even keel today, with a re-established cooking and eating mojo and I'm pleased to report that DP is much more like the DP I know and

I've packed loads in, but today has flowed better and just clicked. Someone has agreed to help DP with something, which is great, as sometimes it seems like DP is helping out and never gets anything in return (not that that is the reason why you do stuff, but you know what I mean). We have received a response from the bank/CC company - more hoops to jump through, but not a negative response, so we shall comply and see where it gets us We did not have to buy any rotten fast food cr*p for our evening meal :T

Today has not been without its surreal moments, the best of which was when I managed to elicit a 3 page (so 450 character) text response from someone answering a question that I hadn't even asked :rotfl: i'd like to say that they were having an off day, but unfortunately I know them well and they are just too intense about totally the wrong stuff in life......

Right, so our evening meal was Scheherazade casserole . I totally forgot to put in the feta cheese (I did actually have some, but got distracted with a phone call at a critical moment ), so I think that maybe my next comment must be taken in the light of the fact that it would of been saltier with the feta added - I think that the dish could of used more seasoning. I didn't use soy beans (and actually if you go0gle it, and have a look at the couple of blogs that post about making it - they didn't use soy beans either - in fact one used chickpeas - i'd be interested to have a go at that version). However, it was a good dish, tasty and filling. And I think most importantly, is a good template. You could take the flavourings/seasonings in any direction that you wanted. I was thinking sun dried tomatoes, olives, seeds, other cheeses etc. It could of used more parsley, but I could only put in what I had of our (buffs halo) homegrown harvest, so about a tablespoon

So, wadda ya think?



The mixed salad is what I've grown, since starting this diary. There are also green beans and beetroot/mint salad on the plate. I remembered too late in the cooking process that I'd forgotten the feta, but did grate some cheddar on top and that melted during the last 5 mins of cooking.

There are 3 generous slices left to be used in snap/frozen, and as the bulghar wheat was from approved foods, as were the haricot beans, I reckon a pretty :money:dish.


Today I am grateful for these 3 things;

for THANK YOU's - I helped someone today, and was thanked with a 'that's your good deed for the day'. You don't pitch in just to receive reward, but golly, a 'thank you' or a kind word makes it so worthwhile.

for balance and breadth in life - I hope I have these, but unfortunately today I saw what happens when you don't........

for clever women, who outwit kings and have vegetarian casseroles named in their honour - ref Scheherazade :rotfl:


Thank you so much for popping in, reading and commenting. I greatly appreciate it.

I have an early appointment tomorrow and so possibly will not have time to post. I shall be back with witterings at some point though

See y'all later.

Greying

Pippilongstocking

Pippilongstocking

I can only say thank you so much for the rainbow amazing fabulous parcel that arrived today on the matt.

How utterly wonderful are you for being so kind.

Mr Pips was bowled over too.

And also says thanks.

I honestly can't express my gratitude at the time you've taken to do such a kind and fabulously colourful act.

Much humbled and many thanks.

xxxx

Fortune_Smiles

Oooh - love the look of the Scheherazade casserole. Will definitely try that one.

Fortune x

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Evening :hello:

Hi Fortune Smiles - yes, try the casserole, but remember the Feta* - I have a feeling it makes the dish (I read the comments of a blogger who had made the dish and they felt that it was the key ingredient - as I missed it out, I think they are right).

Well, today has been just marvellous and I have had visitors to the thread, which is just a joy.

We have jumped through the hoops and supplied the inside leg measurement of long deceased granny to the CC company. Let's hope they can now make a decision one way or another.....:D

Today I have had an old(ish) friend do us such an absolute favour it is beyond comprehension - plus she offered to lend us money - which was equally great, but naturally I declined. I'm happy to owe money to an institution, but never to lose a true friendship over money.

I have also possibly made a new(ish) friend and her beau happy - which has made myself and DP very happy, indeed.

Today has been a spendy day, but it was predominantly bargains in the food dept. It has however, stretched the budget. But, I have faith it'll all come good

Dinner this evening was simply pasta and mediterranean sauce. Passata, olives, peppers, onions, carrots, garlic and celery. It was also enhanced by a few leaves of the home-grown basil that I sowed at the start of this diary. It was really tasty, and there are leftovers for snap :money: As we ate we watched the documentary made about Andy Murray before/during/after his Wimbledon success. What a good hour that was spent - well worth the licence fee for that sort of programme (in addition to actually watching his Wimbledon triumph )

7 Week Wonder - I forgot to mention, I have been pondering your thoughts about 'make more money'. It occurred to me that some firms charge you to take away your old washing machine, yet the rag a' bone man will take it for free. I queried with DP whether we could at least get something for the 'scrap' value of our old washing machine. DP is unconvinced, as without the cement blocks, the machine will weigh very little. However, I dug my heels in, and DP has been tasked with finding out whether we could get something for the old machine for scrap value. Without mulling over your posts on this thread, I probably would of let it go to the tip, or worse still, paid someone to take it away. Thank you for making me think about things.

Beanie - I forgot to say yesterday - I hope your bruises are fully healed and you are feeling better

Munchin - I hope all goes well tomorrow

So this evening, I am grateful for these 3 things;

friendship - new or longstanding, I'm grateful for friendship.

The Royal Mail - to get from A to B in about 24hrs is some good going. Thank you chaps and chapesses of the mail service of the United Kingdom :T

Store cupboard ingredients - today has been full on. Had we had a decent take-away, I'm sure temptation would of got the better of me again. As it was, I just opened the cupboards and a meal 'appeared' :D v v :money:

Thank you so very much for dropping in, reading and commenting. I greatly appreciate it.

See y'all later.

Greying

* For cooking, I am perfectly happy to use value/smartprice/basics 'Salad Cheese'. Similar to Feta and about 75p :money: (and if I'm honest, that is what I use when I'm not cooking the cheese, but using it in a salad )