Living on next to nought - is that the key?

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Evening :hello:

We've had a great day - snagged a NSD, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves in partaking of wonderful scenery, listening to the birdsong - in addition to the 'silence' (that's a rarity isn't it?), and enjoying good company, a satisfying picnic and enjoying riding a bike that didn't need mending every 100 yds of the way....... It wasn't all plain sailing, and unfortunately there were a few numpties out on the trail today, but the nice folk we encountered far outweighed the numpties, so I think we'll park it there.....

Dinner this evening, which, despite best intentions, was not prepared in advance, was from Leanne Brown's 'From Scratch' We had Green and white chilli on pg 75. I've never made/eaten a chilli that didn't have tomato in it before, so it was a first for me. I have to say, I was very pleasantly surprised, and I liked it a lot. I substituted heavily in this dish, as I used what I had. However, I had Jalapeno peppers (jarred) so included them, I used white haricot beans in place of the kidney beans. I bought a couple of bags (all you were *allowed* to buy - BOOO - from AF a good while ago. I think it was something like £2.49 for a 3kg bag, so reasonably priced - even if you add in the postage charge......) I didn't put any beer in the chilli, but did use half a stock cube. I used 2 yellow romano peppers, in place of the bell pepper and the jarred green chillis, as I had them, having bought 4 for £1 from the greengrocers.

I didn't add in any type of cheese, we had cheese salad sangers for our picnic - you can have too much of a good thing. I was thinking of using cornflour to thicken it, at the end, but instead hit upon the idea of using the stick blender for a couple of whizzes to partially blend a portion of the chilli. Worked a treat and didn't add any 'thickeners' to the dish I did put in a handful of sweetcorn, as I had it. Good dish, relatively inexpensive and I would definitely make it again Pic here;




EDIT: Forgot to point out something IMPORTANT about ^ Leanne says (and gives relevant instructions) that this chilli can easily be made in a Slow cooker. I don't have one of those, but I know that a lot of MSEr's Do, so I think that it is important to POINT THIS OUT and soz fer shoutin'

Today I am grateful for these 3 things;

for the great outdoors

for simple pleasures

that good folk are still around - long may you out number da numpties........

Thank you for popping by. So appreciated by me

See y'all later.

Greying - who is not aching....... yet....... but is fair and square p00ped from a bitta exercise.....

Hopefuljoy

Dinner looks fab! I spent part of today tidying downstairs (it's one lounge diner and a separate kitchen so small and easy), hoovered and did a bit of garden tidying. Then I read some mags I've saved, once you've read a year's worth I find they repeat so I no longer buy any new ones. Today I saw two Austin Healeys on the cover of a mag in Sainsbury and I swear it's the same photo of the cars I saw when I was twenty over 27 years ago!!

Sat in the sun quite happily for a few hours then X factor...m teenage daughter and I quite like it! Just off to sleep now. Wishing everyone in forumland a lovely Sunday!

This week I was telling my rape counsellor how much my life is continuing to improve. You are all part of that. My confidence is returning and I don't feel that I'm pretending to be a "proper" human being anymore. Rape survivors can sometimes shut down emotionally but you are all accelerating my recovery by being so accepting and lovely. My family has never fully accepted my experiences and the horror of my marriage. They gloss over it and although I love them dearly sometimes I feel let down as they ignore it. You guys don't even know the details and to be honest I wouldn't want you you, but I witness the support you give each other about a wide range of challenges and you've been very kind to me. That is so powerful as its unconditional!!

Anyhow, goodnight and God bless to all!!

Shortie

<<Hugs>> Hopeful Joy

Shortie

Today was a breath of fresh air for me and I was thinking of you guys at certain parts of my day. It's been a full-on month or so and today's been such a positive one. I feel super recharged!

Last night I found out my old allotment was never taken over by anyone and I was asked this morning if I was interested in having it back... I have at times regretted giving it up. Our back garden is now under control and I've lost most of my kitchen garden in thr process. We popped there today to have a look at the state of it and see if we can work out a plan of action which we have. So, I've decided to take it back on. There's no water on site but only £5 a year!

So, adding to the birthday 'asks' list is an azeda tool thingy along with Jack's book. Mind you, Mr Shortie has already paid for me to go on a Manga drawing course next weekend for £5 and we never spend lots on each other so I may have to treat myself, lol

We went to the local fete too and I spotted a bread maker - have always wanted one. The woman wanted £1. No joke... £1. I couldn't face the thought so gave her a fiver. No-one else I mentioned it to could understand why I did that - am I the only one who would do that?

Oh, and my new phone battey turned up. It's been charged and the phone is so far behaving - fingers crossed its resolved the issue and I can keep it going for longer! Yay!

Sorry for waffling all over your diary the Greying. I was thinking of you guys when I bought the bread maker, and when trying to decide on the lottie. xx

Shortie

Oh, and I love that quote there Greying

Greying_Pilgrim

Greying_Pilgrim wrote: »

Life is too short to be anything but happy.

Jose N. Harris

Good Morning :hello:

Again, I'll re-iterate that it may be simplistic/idealistic, but where you can make ^ the above happen in your own life, it is worth seeking out, as it's amazing how many people seem to make it their life's work to make others unhappy. Intentionally or otherwise.

Hopefuljoy - I'm glad you are *at home* here on this thread. I know that you are being super supportive elsewhere on MSE, so :T Your weekend is sounding good too.

shortie - I have an adze Good tools Hope that doesn't mean that the allotment is too overgrown though? Ha, I know what you mean about being embarrassed to accept someone's price for something, when it is precious to you, and you could see what *value* it has to you. They just saw it as a second-hand electrical item, you see it as a workhorse that will help feed your family good food I hope every loaf that comes out of it has a little bit of good karma baked into it

We've a day chocca with chores today - see the *price* for taking a day off *gallivanting* I've no idea what will be for dinner, as I've already made what was on the planner earlier in the week. Summat will come outta the kitchen for us

Right, the worker is getting restless, so we'd better crack on - ironically before the sun get's too hot.

Thanks for popping by, reading and joining in with this thread. It is appreciated. Always.

See y'all later.

Greying

Igamogam

Loving the quote too.
We also had a gallivanting day yesterday and I was beginning to regret it at 6.30 am whilst was I was hanging out washing, thinking how today I will be playing catch up which will probably spill over and stretch out through the entire week ahead:(

Although the ideas maybe simple , life is too short to be anything but happy and I am finding this more and more now. Recent health issues and a rest of life condition diagnosed have brought all that into sharp focus - I am not ill or incapacitated and in a better place than most with it, but something like that that certainly pulls you up by your boot straps and you begin to look at things in a different way, question your priorities and the motives of others.

So today I may well step away from the drama a little..........:D

Upsidedown_Bear

With apologies to any men reading but this diary always reminds me of this

(please read as women...)

mrsinvisible

Thanks for the inspiring quote, GP, and for continuing to provide excellent recipes and pictures of them, l am sure that the improvement in my diet can be traced back here to you. xxxxx
Glad you got the bike, and aren't saddlesore, wish l could ride one, but l cant balance.
Sorry, l know l shouldn't say can't, just 'have not yet become able to'
Now, l must tackle mount ironmore and think about what to have for lunch.

Pippilongstocking

Upsidedown_Bear wrote: »

With apologies to any men reading but this diary always reminds me of this

(please read as women...)

People with attitude maybe? Love the image and the poem Greying too.

Thanks for all for sharing and hugs to those who need them.

I passed on me book of the Jack lass to me own lass - thought the students might find it handy.

I'm halfway through Otter Farm - nice book Greying thanks for the recommendation. Its from the library - I do like it but I'm coming over to the dark side of books, by just borrowing them (mostly now) and setting them free again. My book buying now is largely from charity shops, when i do indulge.

Happy Sunday folks.