Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2015

camelot1001

Been reading along while I'm staying with DS2 here in Holland. He keeps his flat clean and fairly tidy but I have given everything a good deep clean, even bought him a new mop and bucket! Trying to find a reasonable Hoover, they are really expensive here.

He bought some curtains for a couple of doors and I have shortened them for him so that's about my MMM effort for now. Once I get home tomorrow I will have plenty to do and minimizing will be top of the list as I appear to have spent so much money!

Can't wait to see how my veggies are doing too.

vhalla1478

That's not something I say very often, but I am feeling pleased with myself. I raided the vegetable rack and made up some vegetable dishes to see me through the next few days and possibly beyond.

I had a head of broccoli so I made Jamie Oliver's 'the best cauliflower and broccoli cheese', one of which I had for lunch and a large one for the freezer,leaving enough broccoli to make my favourite broccoli and anchovy dish (half a decanted tin of anchovies in fridge). I followed that with a peperonata sauce to eat with penne and parmesan cheese( one and a half green peppers) Then I did my mediaeval mushroom and leeks dish (3 mushrooms, one sadly past its best leek) and followed up with a mini hot meat loaf, having found a very forlorn third of a pack of beef mince at the back of the freezer, and using up the rest of an extremely limp head of celery. The rest of the vegetables - half an onion, the other leek, two almost soggy carrots, a potato and some of the remaining cucumber have made a splendid cream of vegetable soup. The rest of the cucumber will go with the cumin scented and aubergine curry to extend it by making a raita with the remaining yoghurt that I have in the fridge. I also discovered half a head of fennel and will bake that with parmesan for tea tomorrow (lunch at friend's in Louth)

I've also defrosted and cleaned out the fridge and the freezer and all that remains to do is slice up the whole salmon that I bought; then I don't want to do anymore cooking until my DB comes back on the beach, hopefully at the weekend!

I was just throwing out all the rubbish when my next door neighbour handed me a freshly picked punnet of strawberries out of his garden - how nice was that of him?

Have a lovely evening, Folks.

Viv xx

mcculloch29

I had a Christening present to put together over the weekend, quite pleased with how it all went. I am always reluctant to give one big thing, unless it's specified exactly. I prefer to give gift bags/stockings of lots of smaller gifts:

Three muslin cloths - always useful even when baby has grown - half price in Poundstretcher closing down sale. £1.50.

What is now called a onesie but used to be a Babygro, 100% cotton, £3.50, Boyes.

5 pairs baby socks size 3 -5.5 about £1.50, half price in Aldi.

3 little Tommee Tippee baby snack/food tubs 69p Aldi reduced from 89p

Unused baby bottles x 2, soother and bottle brush, bought for another baby but never used.

Generic gift bag half price from Poundstretcher, left unmarked so that they could re-use it in the future.

A simple but enjoyable buffet - chicken drumsticks, veggie sausages, cucumber, lettuce, tomatoes, rolls, crisps. Surprisingly filling and 4pm by the time we finished nibbling, so no evening meal needed.

misstara

Evening ladies

Tea tonight was chicken salad with some leftovers from the roast last night. There is still some left so it will be incorporated into tea tomorrow and then I'll make soup.

Not much else to report tonight, OH is out so I'm just enjoying reading a book in the nice quiet flat

RicardaRacoon

Evening everyone!

Not much to mention from my side in terms of MMM since it was our long day at work and when I come home I normally don't do much...

Lyn, I would really tell the bank off for behaving like that!
And don't complain that you didn't managed to do anything yesterday; you certainly did much more than I managed to do....

MrsSmith, you have been busy listing stuff! Already had the first results in terms of money cominig in?

Have a nice evening everyone!

Mrs_Smith_72

Yes Ricardo, already sold a few things yesterday got a bit more listing to do now. Hopefully keep up the momentum!
Just got in from a full day's work followed by my little Monday night ironing job. At least my voice has come back somewhat today. I'm sure DH will be happy lol :rotfl:

janb5

vhalla1478 wrote: »

Good Morning, Folks,

Everyone seems to be MMMing very nicely at the moment - and welcome to all the newbies and de-lurkers I might have missed!

Before I forget; if it's any consolation, Lynn, I had the same problem sending money to Jackie, so am not sure if a change of bank is the answer - they all are tarred with the same brush in my opinion.

I had a MMM day yesterday, as my DS and DDil, had what they call their 'Summer Bash' on Saturday, aka as a bbq for hundreds (slight exaggeration there but there were at least 60 bodies) and I ate far too much meat. So am going to live on vegetarian food for a week or so to give my body a rest, and, of course, save money. I made a yummy cumin scented aubergine and potato curry yesterday - enough for three meals and the cost was minimal, and baked a granary loaf as well. The weather here isn't too wonderful today so shall once more delve into my vegetable rack and make up a couple more dishes for later in the week.

My diet has gone quite well and I can now get into all of my clothes again which means I have absolutely no excuse to buy anything - keep me on track, Folks, I have a weakness for nice clothes.:rotfl:

I hope you all have a nice day,

Viv xx

Well done with the diet Viv and please give us your aubergine and potato curry- perhaps Cheerfullness can add to our list if we ask nicely!

Lynplatinum

Hiya

Great amounts of MM&M going on today! well done ladies & gents :T !

Yes, folks, I am gonna change banks soon but right now am embroiled in getting the house ready for sale - so feel I cant cope with too much at once as closing that account will be a nightmare - I just know it!! I want to just have my F!rst D!rect Account but I will have to move stuff manually whereas if it was a case of opening a new account it would all be done by the bank (s).

Not too much MM&M for me today - ate up some ham from freezer and put another paper filled bag in the freezer to save electric. Got all bills paid/put in stamped envelope ready to post when on hols - dont see why they should have my monies early!! Havent felt too bright - think I suffer when it is a grey and overcast day! feel v tired - almost flu like! Or am I making a mountain out of a molehill?? :A

ginnyknit

Vhalla I had forgotten about Jamies cauliflower broccoli cheese - thank you :T

Been flea baying to some success, private sale today too so coffers filling nicely. Have a bag of rags for Cs nd some books to go. I also decided to throw away the cracked washing basket and all the junk lingering in it :jfound more items to sell in there.

Dug out the patchwork blanket I made before I knew Dd was pregnant so that can go tomorrow. I also found some snap fasteners and the tool for ptting them on so can make bandana bibs for baby too with the lovely fabric offcuts I bought when I was away.

Just have to drag the vaccum upstairs tomorrow and re- seal the vaccum bags I opened to find the quilt

Re-cycling paper bin out full to the brim of culled papers and boxes - start gain tomorrow. I need to make room for a cot in my room before September so bit of a way to go yet.

vhalla1478

Morning All,

Just a 'quickie' as I'm out with the school run today - of course, Jan, will post recipe when I get home.

Have a good day, Everyone.

Viv xx