Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2015

vhalla1478

Afternoon All,

I've just stopped for something to eat as I've spent most of the day culling my wardrobe. Although I said before that everything still fitted me, I decided that there are masses of clothes I know I'm not going to wear again if I'm honest with myself; for example a one-shouldered evening dress, worn once and a oatmeal coloured cashmere poncho - what was I thinking of?!! So they are going to be sold and the proceeds will pay for the sensible clothes I need whilst living here. Best to sell them whilst they are worth something. Will take them over to my daughter-in-law later for her to put on ebay for me, and of course I shall treat her with some of the proceeds from the sales.

I also texted her to tell her about Lakeland's Ecoegg laundry egg (catalogue number 23574). If you're not familiar with them you pop them in the washing machine in lieu of washing powder/liquid - they do up to 54 washes for £7.99 and the refill costs £4.99. you don't need fabric conditioner either so they are a very green option and of course, much cheaper than conventional products. I used to use one years ago and they really do work; I'd just forgotten about them.

Will post a recipe later if I've time - out at the crack of dawn tomorrow on the school run.

Have a good evening, Folks.

Viv xx

meritaten

Rose - try using coffee, instant preferably, you can experiment using different 'strengths' until you get the shade you want.

grunnie

Valhalla as well as the washing machine egg which I have been using for successfully for years I found out today there is one for the dishwasher. You put into the cutlery tray of the dishwasher to keep it from rolling about but I have been able to find a stockist yet.

kittym

I bought my Eco egg from the shopping channel no16 on freeview.
You may be able to get one for the dishwasher off their web site grunnie. x

cheerfulness4

I tried to suggest coffee earlier too Rose but it ate my post.

On quickly as I'm worn out today. Want to get an early start in the garden in the morning as soon as DH gets in from work. He arrives home around 8ish so a quick breakfast and then out to put a morning in on the garden. :j:j

WED 25 MAR
DAY 25

Money Spent Today - £5.64 Vouchers Spent - £2.00
Money Spent in Total - £74.81 Vouchers Spent in Total - £8.80
Money left in purse - £0.19 Float left- £0/£15
Jan non-foods left- £2.90/£15

At the market we got two more of those huge caulis for £1.50 the pair again. Can't resist cauli cheese again before the weather gets too warm for it. (I wish!)

We also hot footed it to Tesco with DH's £2 voucher and bought 1 x milK @ £1, 1 x tin ravioli @ 39p, 1x tin sausage and beans @ 39p and 500g pk of split peas @ 53p. This meant that after we had used our £2 coupon we were only left with 31p to pay out of the grocery budget.

We then went to B&M and bought a selection of reduced bits and pieces. 1x large punnet of breaded ham @ £1.69, I x YS (actually they just marker pen the reduction on the label) Roast beef @ 65p, 1x YS double pk of roast turkey and roasted chicken @ 75p the pair, 1 x YS 4pk of fruit scones @ 20p and 1x YS pk of 6 FRange eggs @ 50p.

Have not made up my mind what to cook for tomorrows dinner but it will be something simple as I'll be busy in the garden all morning and DH has his main meal before he goes to bed mid afternoon.
I'll have to put my thinking cap on.

Catch you tomorrow everyone.

Runcorn_Bridge

Talking of school uniforms, I too had to do P.E. in just a shirt and thick navy blue knickers, trouble was, the school was surrounded by terraced houses...I dread to think how many 'people' were watching and enjoying us running around. It's a good job we knew nothing about such 'people' in those days. Yuk.
Sorry to be such a downer.


Normal happy service resumed.

misstara

Evening ladies,

I've had a productive day since I got back, all unpacked and washing done. I went to the supermarket and got the weekly shopping, no YS bargains to report, must have gone at the wrong time. I've made soup for lunches for the next few days and also some choc chip cookies. The only thing left to do is the ironing but I'll get that done tomorrow.

meritaten

I am quite excited about todays 'bargain buy'. My ground floor carpets need a good clean (they are good quality wool and getting on for five years old, but being a sort of 'oatmeal' colour they are showing a few stains). I was looking online and comparing cleaners and the Vax one at £399 was getting the best reviews. except I cant afford that much! my son came down today and told me about the Vax sale on MSE. its on the forum home page - so we followed all the links and the one I wanted was down to £139! no brainer - I have ordered it. it would cost me that much to have all the ground floor carpets and the stairs cleaned.

vhalla1478

Morning All,

It's raining cats and dogs here this morning. I've just had a beautiful duck's egg from daughter-in-law's duck ,Fluffy. It's the first time in months that Fluffy has deigned to produce eggs, but they were well worth waiting for.

I didn't get round to posting a recipe yesterday, but here is a tasty, nutritious and extremely cheap recipe from Jamie Oliver.

Chicken Liver Bolognese - serves 6 454 calories per portion

250 grams chicken livers, red onion, carrot, 2 cloves garlic, 100 grams button mushrooms, 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, tsp fennel seeds, half tsp dried chilli flakes, 2 rashers smoked streaky bacon, 400 gram tin lentils, 2 tbsp. tomato puree, 3 tbsp. balsamic vinegar, chicken stock cube, 480 gram dried spaghetti, parmesan cheese to serve.

Soak the livers in a bowl of water for a few minutes. Meanwhile peel the onion, carrot and garlic, then pulse in a food processor with the mushrooms, rosemary leaves, fennel seeds and chilli flakes until finely chopped. Finely slice the bacon and put it in a large pan on a medium heat with a good lug of oil. Add the pulsed mixture from the processor to the pan and cook for around 15 minutes or until softened, stirring occasionally, and adding a splash of water, if needed.

Drain the chicken livers, then pulse in the food processor until finely chopped. Use a spatula to scrape them into the vegetable pan, then fry and break up for a couple of minutes. Drain and add the lentils, followed by the tomato puree and vinegar. Crumble in the stock cube and add 700ml boiling water, (if you've got any leftover chicken stock, use it instead/as well as up to 700ml). Reduce to a low heat and simmer gently for 40 minutes. Cook the pasta in a large pan of salted water according to packet instructions, then drain, reserving a cup of cooking water.

Season sauce, then tip in the pasta and toss together, loosening with a splash of cooking water, if needed. Finely grate over a little parmesan, toss and serve.

Wow! Is that the time, I shouldn't be here. have a good day, Folks!

Viv xx

Prinzessilein

Morning!...And a very grey and wet morning it is too!


I will have to look into the Washing Egg (Any excuse to drool over a Lakeland catalogue!!!)


I had to be REALLY firm with myself at Morrisons yesterday...so many YS packs of meat and fish! A pack of 4 Pigs' Cheeks for only 69p! (not a choice that many people would go for...but they slow cook a treat with some apples and a glug of cider!)...and Mum was sorely tempted by the Pork Fillet and Beef (she was thinking it would make a goulash)...But it is important to remember...however cheap it is, it is only a bargain if you will USE it!!!!...Both our freezers are already full...there is no space for us to cook and freeze more just now!


I have a Match'n'More card...and got another £5 voucher yesterday which will come in useful for the next shop.


Having mentioned Goulash just now...I have a portion in the freezer...I watched MasterChef last night and one of the contestants made Spaetzle...I think I might have to have Goulash with Spaetzle on Sunday! (Spaetzle are little dumplings from Germany)


Despite the rain making the place feel a little chilly, I think it is about time to take down the 'winter' curtains and put up the 'summer' ones....I usually do it around the time of the clocks changing (which is of course this Sunday!)


Right...time to get on with the day,,,,,,