Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2015

HOWMUCH

Oh forgot to mention if anyone is going to be cooking the superspaghetti then try S'bury's basic cooking bacon 607g for £1.15 if you look through you should be about to get some with large slices to grill like gammon and still have plenty for the pasta dish. I have used the smoked too and it's yummy and cheap and freezes well too not bad for £1.70 per kg.

cheerfulness4

I use the Morrisons 500g of cooking bacon (they chop it into lardon type pieces now which is not as convenient but I used to go through them and find the ones with all thin rashers before). Theirs are 81p I think, but bounce around between that and 87p.


Viv, its actually taken the top layer off so I'm down to a line of the fabric base. I might have a go with the marker pen, just a little to try and see if it works.
I usually only buy leather but I got tempted with these and I'm thrilled with the look but they're obviously not going to give me the years of wear my leather ones did.
I like footwear that feels as comfy as slippers which at least these do.


I'm watching the documentary on the Billion Pound Hotel. Oh MY GOODNESS! How can people have so much money to spend on things like that? Its not really to my taste (hark at me) but I do find it fascinating to watch.

M.E.

Cheerfulness,
Why not stick some old carpet on the underside of the foot rests.
Alternatively cover the foot rests with old socks.:D:D

cheerfulness4

M.E what brilliant suggetions! Thank you. I've just told DH and he says he'll have a look in the morning (chairs in the car). I've some very nice sandy coloured wool carpet leftover from carpeting our bedroom. Should work a treat.

meritaten

cheerfulness4 wrote: »

Jinny and Viv I use this recipe with a couple of alterations.
http://www.netmums.com/recipes/super-spaghetti

I don't add peppers as they don't like them and I add my cheese (usually a cheddar or mozzarella) once I've taken it off the heat as the pan is SO much of a pain to clean if I cook it on low as suggested. And I have excellent non stick pans, too.

Also they don't chop their bacon up but we always do.
I don't think you could get simpler, fry off bacon, garlic, onions and then add tinned tomatoes, a tiny bit of sugar (although a sweet balsamic I have works beautifully instead) and tsp herbs.
When all the ingredients have concentrated down a little take off the heat and add grated cheese to taste and stir in. Then run through spaghetti. Delish!


mrssnowy - I hope this year is more cheerful for you and you enjoy MMM with us all. You seem to love all the things the rest of us do. Home crafts are so relaxing, aren't they?
(don't read back to my first attempts at circular needles, though. I was paddying like a two year old. )

Would anyone have any ideas about how to cover a scuff on non leather boots. I have scraped them and they are quite new. I thought of the trick with felt pen, as mentioned above by Mrssnowy regarding the tights, but not sure if that would work. They're black.
I'm very cross with myself as I know I wear my shoes on the top by flipping the foot rests on my wheelchair up. I must be the only one that wears my shoes out on the top but the bottoms are practically like new.

I'll pop my spends in another post.

my son used to scuff his shoes on the toes by using them instead of brakes on his bike. I used to paint the scuffs with black nail polish. disguised them enough to pass as 'acceptable' for school. would this work?


I am not sure whether this comes under make do, mend or minimise, but, my newest granddaughter is three months and becoming interested in 'food'! so today I have used my blender stick to 'mush up' leftovers from a roast dinner. and bagged portions up and put in freezer. I have done this for ALL the grandkids - I think the 'baby jar' meals are overpriced and (I may get flamed for this) actually bad for babies. babies should be weaned on real food. not bland flavourless 'ready meals'. I mean - would YOU all eat processed ready meals every day?

mrssnowy_2

Would anyone have any ideas about how to cover a scuff on non leather boots. I have scraped them and they are quite new. I thought of the trick with felt pen, as mentioned above by Mrssnowy regarding the tights, but not sure if that would work. They're black.
I'm very cross with myself as I know I wear my shoes on the top by flipping the foot rests on my wheelchair up. I must be the only one that wears my shoes out on the top but the bottoms are practically like new.

Hi cheerfulness -might sound stupid but are you able to work out where on the footrest you catch your shoe ,and could you stick on a piece of felt/leather(old glove) as a bit of protection.Did that on a sticky out bit of DH w/chair,he thought I was nuts but it worked!
mrss
ooh sorry,just seen ME post,much better idea x

misstara

Hello all, I got home today from my weekend away and have so much to catch up on this thread. I'll have a proper read tomorrow once I've finished work.

I spent £32.50 while I was away so really pleased with that and had a lovely time with my friend. Have got heaps of stuff that I want to get done this week but work is looking pretty busy so will have to see how I go.

cheerfulness4

I remember getting smacked by mum for doing the same to stop my bike, too. In my defence, the brakes didn't work and it was the only way to stop the thing.
I must confess though that once I didn't like the robust shoes mum had bought me and spent weeks dragging the tops along the floor in the hope she'd buy me a new pair. She didn't. She just buffed them up with shoe polish and they looked new again. Another reason I love leather shoes, along with the fact that shoe polish smell brings back lovely, happy memories of dad and I cleaning our shoes together on a newspaper in the kitchen.

I decided to bite the bullet and got out a permanent marker pen. Initially I thought I'd blown it as it looked more navy blue when it was still a little damp but now its black.
Unless someone gets to their knees and inspects them close to, I think I'll get away with that as a good job. :T

cheerfulness4

Great minds think alike, mrssnowy. DH and I were trying to work out where I'm scrapping it on and how best to attach the buffer. I was even thinking about some pads we got to stop ornaments scratching my wooden tables. Good to have some alternatives dependent on the size of the offending bit.


I wish I'd thought to ask on here before I ruined a very good pair of leather shoes last year. They have now had to become my gardening shoes as I still like to dig from a garden seat with a little standing time in between rests.

Lynplatinum

Hiya All

so agree with you meritaten - my boys were fed on our food (we never did put much salt in it anyway!) blitzed!!! They were (and are very fit and well and rarely get ill. Both of them, if they get ill. recover very quickly!! I am the same - I probably get one cold a year - and bear in mind I work with walking germ bags AKA kids!! It was cheaper to feed my boys that way as well as better for them (they are now 28 and 31 and cook for themselves everyday!!)

Well, sends today are £13.65 - I had £5 saved from last week so I am still within budget of £10 per week! what I have bought will last me for about 2 weeks I think - apart from the odd bit of fresh veg/fruit. It got to £13.65 due to picking up a couple of bargains ( keeping to :money: rule of - its only a bargain - if you will actually use it!!) L!dil has mince on offer folks!!

Have also meal planned for this week so that is gonna be good cos I know what Im gonna eat each day - will help me to keep to diet and within funds!1
Tomorrow is my YS day at this little co-op I ve found!! I am rediculously excited to go and see what I can find for under £1.35!! I will let you know how I get on :j