Living on next to nought - is that the key?

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Afternoon :hello:

Well, we've just finished up lunch....... and yes, I do know what time it is..... let's be polite and say that nothing has gone to plan at Greying Towers today DP is battling on valiantly with various chores, but everything is going wrong and playing up, so it is taking forever. Again, they are one person tasks, so I supposed my role is just to provide succour when called upon.....

Lunch was an improvisation - I made some cheddar scones, which were OK, but you couldn't taste the cheese Possibly tried to make them whilst being far too stingy with the cheese, but then I need some cheese for a pizza topping further along the meal-plan 'Living for the day' has a lot going for it from where I'm standing! ........ :rotfl:

Anyway, I teamed up the scones with some tomato soup, which used up the last of the passata carton that was hanging about in the fridge and I [STRIKE]padded it out [/STRIKE] teamed it with some red lentils, bendy carrots and some red pepper. The pic is of DP's bowl, and I swirled a little bit of oil on top and shook some black pepper and smoked paprika on the top for ponciness



brizzle - i'm so glad that the Buddha bowl concept worked for you - and it doesn't matter that chorizo snuck in - it was your tea! The variations and combinations are endless - enjoy experimenting!

little_sweetie - deep breath and a cupboard audit! There will be something - may not be pretty, may make an unusual combination, but there will be something I have every faith in your abilities What's growing in the pots/bags? Any spuds?

Oh that is rotten about your DD and her DH. Rotten to finish at Chrimbo - whether you know about it or not. Will they be able to look for alternative employment beforehand? Is there any 'flex' in their household budget now so that they can begin to prepare for a lowered income? Don't forget, MemoryGirl's storecupboard has got her out of a pickle more than once. Does your DD know about MSE? Perhaps introduce her? With all the hints and tips on here (including employment law/benefits help etc) it could prove invaluable in keeping the household living well. Let us know if we can help - you know what the collective wisdom is like on MSE

Yes there is pizza left - but it's in the freezer, I know you said you don't mind it cold an all, but........ :rotfl:

INOD - I hope whatever you decide to do, you have a great long weekend. I've still decluttering to do - where does it all come from??

Right, I've washing up from lunch to attend to. Then I'd better give consideration to what is for dinner. By then DP may well have finished making a mess, so I've clearing up to look forward to :j ....... :rotfl:

Greying

brizzledfw

Soup looks scrummy...very resourceful of you on the Use Ups front.

Went to Al7i today..was pretty impressed by the SuperSix..the cherries and cherry tomatoes are lush

supersaver1000

Thank you Greying. I am doing my best to be brave and the sunshine has been coming out for me. I even went for a run this afternoon and enjoyed it - could really feel the stress being run out.

I really feel for little sweetie's DD and DDs OH and I hope they find something before the dreaded day. At least mine was a kind of self-inflicted thing (jumped into something too quickly). Their's must be a heck of a shock.

I love your tip about the store cupboard. I'm going to have a think about where I can store things, or maybe build my nectar and Tesco points up. However I've now re-discovered Lidl, so the points may not be as bountiful. Amazeballs at some of the stuff in Lidl - 22p for a cucumber - I won't go on.

I'm sat here qofing a can of Tesco cider - 4 cans for £2.29, not sure how they do that, but a glance at the can and I can see it is cider plus apple juice and an array of all sorts of sulphite/dioxide. However it tastes blooming lovely and if alcohol is bad for me it may as well be really bad for me as long as it tastes nice (plus it's only 1 can).

I was just thinking about your cheese scones, I always put a teaspoon of dried mustard in my cauliflower cheese which seems to give a stronger flavour. Do you think that might work with scones? Also have you thought about Parmesan? The dried stuff is quite strong and fairly reasonable. I bought some of the fresh the other day and stuck it in the freezer to use bit by bit (it doesn't go solid). Hark at me trying to give you cooking tips

Got to go. DH is burning the Yorkies. :rotfl:

Greying_Pilgrim

supersaver1000 wrote: »

I was just thinking about your cheese scones, I always put a teaspoon of dried mustard in my cauliflower cheese which seems to give a stronger flavour. Do you think that might work with scones? Also have you thought about Parmesan? The dried stuff is quite strong and fairly reasonable. I bought some of the fresh the other day and stuck it in the freezer to use bit by bit (it doesn't go solid). Hark at me trying to give you cooking tips

Yes, the mustard powder is a good tip. However, I don't buy it anymore, as it goes all clumpy/mouldy in my damp cupboards before I use it. I did wonder about using the made up Dijon, but didn't want to mess with the liquid quotient of the scones, but maybe I ought to try it one time. As you are absolutely right, mustard does enhance the 'cheesiness'. And don't worry, you're not giving cooking tips soley to me - I'm sure there are other folks who pass through that will join me in saying THANK YOU for posting that tip

supersaver1000 wrote: »

Got to go. DH is burning the Yorkies. :rotfl:

Golly, I do hope you mean puddings............................. :eek:

Brizzie - I had forgotten that peaches were in the S6 this time. I need some, for a dish, so I shall have to get over there before Thursday. Ta for the reminder. I'd read about the 22p cucumber over on the 'Food & Groceries' thread too supersaver - but again, with all that has been going on, I'd forgotten. Wonder if that offer is on until Tuesday? mmm. Will have to put thinking cap on.........


Greying

supersaver1000

Not sure how I ended up posting 2.

Lol. Yes the puddings. Lol.

Ps. I just had a quick look on the tinterweb and saw a recipe containing cayenne pepper, and another with chives. I know what you mean about the mustard, I think mine went out of date then I bought a tube but it's used so infrequently it's a bit of a waste.

Ooh food and groceries thread - I'd better pop over there. :-)

rtandon27

little_sweetie wrote: »

...I have just found out that DD's employer will be closing down around Christmas time and her hubby works at the same company so both of them will be out of work next year...

Oh lil' sweetie, so sorry to hear they'll both be out of work! What a time of year to have to worry.

Do give them a tour of the MSE boards when you get a chance - so full of good ideas & positivity, that it makes tightening belts fun - don't know where we'd be without them!

muddywhitechicken

Good evening Greying :wave:

I've finally caught up on your fabulous diary - I missed loads whilst I was on holiday!

When I freeze eggs, I push them through a colander with a rubber spatula rather than whisking them (breaks them up without introducing air). I tend to freeze 6 at a time in a plastic box and use them for frittata or lemon curd during the winter

MWCx

satchmo1

My DH caught me adding oats to a savoury mince this week and refused to eat it... I was so mad I didn't tell him that he's had it loads of times before. I'll just have to continue being "considerably more sneaky" (as per a cartoon I used to have pinned up in the kitchen).


Talking has been scarce in the Satchmo household this week, hrumph. I'm not good at being silent. A few rather anglo saxon words were said at one point (and I do try to ration those).


Happy anniversary GP. I am continually thankful for your prosaic musings.

little_sweetie

Thank you GP and everyone for your lovely supportive comments re DD 's situation. She is grateful for having time to think it all through and has already started to reduce their outgoings by quitting SK! In favour of Freeview and re-budgeting everything, checking out cheaper suppliers of things etc. I have explained about MSE (which she was aware of but not the wonderful threads on the forum) and she will check it out. It seems that it will pay them to sit tight and save as much money as possible until the inevitable happens. They will then have a bit of a safety net while they job hunt. That's the theory anyway.....

GP, I was saved embarrassment at tea time as DH fancied baked beans and wedges. I had some tatties left so the day was saved. HM jacks banana pancakes for pud too

I did as you suggested and did a cupboard audit. Useful things are in there and we have carrots and parsnips in the garden so all is not lost. Your tomato soup looks lovely...yum!

Thank you once again for this lovely diary and for all the followers who never fail to support and cheer on from the sidelines. I hope DP has managed to get to grips with the tasks at Greying Towers too. Night night x

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Morning :hello:

Quick pit stop from me this morning as I'm running late........

Dinner last night ended up being Greek casserole - using up the last of the orzo pasta. Not a very colourful version, but nice and savoury and tasty. Reasonably quick to prepare and used up items in stock - winner Picture here;



Recipe HERE

I don't think I can nab a NSD today

Right, I really am late now. Sorry to not respond to posts on the thread - I will later.

Gotta dash.

Thank you for popping by, reading and commenting. I do greatly appreciate it.

See y'all later.

Greying