Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2015

candlelight_2013

DGD, who lives with us, has had a clear out, so will be taking a big bag of stuff to the Hospice shop tomorrow.

We had a sort out of our stuff a few weeks ago and took masses, and I can't tell you what a great feeling it was. Himself is a hoarder and I really have to work to hard to get him to part with anything, because of course he might need it.

Our Hospice shop always send an email at the end of the day thanking us for our donation and eventually they let us know how much it made because we Gift Aid as well.

Jackie I hope you have managed to declutter a little today, and good luck tomorrow with the boys

Candlelightx

pinkparrott

My DH is my biggest challenge in minimising, he's such a border , we redecorated our living room about 10 years ago and he was going to get rid of an old separates hi-fi system , 10 years later & its still sat In the basement. ! Its taken me weeks to get him to get rid of some clothes , including a jacketvhe hasn't worn for nearly 20 years !

Lynplatinum

Hiya All

Another lovely day here - grey clouds kept on looming but it only rained the once, while I was indoors!

Siversava - do you EVER sit down and do nothing?? :j You seem such a ball of energy! I havent stopped all day either - but mostly pleasure stuff but also looking after myself i.e. yoga and walkies and cooking myself good food!

Managed me friend's washing machine and whirlygig dryer (outside one that looks like a wrong way up umbrella without fabric!). she did say I could use it as im here for over a fortnight! Never use that kinda dryer before and managed not to land it on me foot! :beer:

Went to see the see at another beach today!! (6 miles away - used car to get there as roads are busy and narrow and therefore not pleasant to walk along.)

Cooked from scratch and deliberately over provided so I wont have to cook tomorrow!
So Im still MM&Ming!

But it set me thinking - I actually only have enough short sleeved summer tops for about 12 days (and that is being creative!). How about you lot??? Am I just an over minimalist? :rotfl:

Nite all

GrannyKate

Happened to be in Mr m's the other day when they were doing a second YS round and got small pork joint less than half price, gammon joint 75% off, braising steak 80% off and 4 large beef bones for stock making at about 80% off. Also partially baked rolls at half price. Freezers both stuffed to gills so need to do some cooking when I get back from holiday (only 4 sleeps to go). I need to make some space so I can use up veggies from fridge and pick more loganberries before I go.
Went shopping yesterday and managed not to buy any more clothes for holiday. I just don't need them. After kondoing wardrobe I bought a few new t shirts which go with items I have and these are fine for holiday. Did buy a few bits for grandchildren - GS 5 is coming away with us and birthday present for GD7.

Collected new hand made book case for grandchildren's room which gives me joy when I look at it. The blanket box in there can go (dil will Facebook or something it). It just fills up with carp.

[Deleted User]

I try not to pack too much stuff when on holiday (my car does actually carry ALL the luggage fro 7 people plus at least one grandson and the hamster cage, as the hamster comes on holiday as well as the two dogs:))ANd the picnic lunch for us all and kits,cricket bats ,footballs and beach chairs Good job I have a seven seater car.So I try to keep to one weeks clothes that get washed regualarly.& tops 7 skirts or jeans1 trainers 1 sandles 3 swim suits,several nighties 7 sets of under crackers.Most of which I can get into my big grip that I bought for $4.00 in wallmarts in the US.Its a brilliant bag as it holds everything I need for 2 weeks holidays Its got lots of side pockets fro my kindle,hair brush etc I have one zip up toiletries bag and thats it .when I went to the US touring with my friend june (She is an old hand at travelling ) and we took as minimilist as possible.we would rince through Tee shirts in the motel rooms the night before along with underware and hang up in the shower rail to dry after squeezing the excess water out between two towels twisted very tightly.Then next day if still damp we'd lay them across the rear window seat to dry in the sun as we drove along.If the tea shirts got too ruined a new one for a couple of dollars were cheap enough to replace the ruined one.Less you carry the less you have to look after really:):):)
On holiday nexxt month with my tribe its a bit different as little boys get very mucky at times especially on the beach.They have one decent outfit for going out in the evening the rest of the time its joggers,shorts and tee shirts and if they have sandles as well no need for umpteen pairs of socks.Most people pack far too much and I have learned to cut right back on carting unnecessary clothes with me.More clothes mean more washing and less holiday fun :):)

misstara

Silvasava - can you please post the recipe for rhubarb and ginger jam? It is my favourite. I've never made jam before so hope its not too difficult.

I made lots of gf goodies a couple of days ago, bread, rolls, scones and flapjack - should keep me going for the next couple of weeks. I've also got another cookie recipe to try out at some point.

Lyn - I've only got about 5 tops that could classed as summer tops but since I live in the north of Scotland it's enough

dND

camelot1001 wrote: »

dND and the others with good weather, can you please share it! I put the washing out and it just about dried, just 10 mins in the drier so not too bad.

Hi Camelot I'd gladly share it if I could - we've not had any real rain for nearly 2 months and I'm watching the water level in my well descend and descend. It can drop very quickly if a local farmer waters his crops and as JackieO's brother said, it is that warmest for a long, long time. We are on Red warning for water usage, so the highest drought level

pinkparrott wrote: »

dND please an you share the recepie / method for making the courgette chutney/marmalade as that sounds lovely too

I tend to cook using the recipe as a guide Pinkparrott so every batch is slightly different but this is the base recipe from my favourite preserving book which I bought back in the late 70's or early 80's :eek: It's called 'The Complete Book of Preserving' by Marye Cameron-Smith.

Marrow and Ginger Jam

• 1.75kg (4lb) Marrow, peeled and small diced
• Juice and thinly pared rind of 4 lemons
• 3 whole cloves
• 25mm (1in) piece fresh ginger root peeled and bruised
• 1.35kg (3lb) sugar
• 100g (4oz) chopped crystallised ginger

~~~~~

1. Steam the marrow for 20 - 25 mins until just tender then place the marrow in a large mixing bowl with the lemon juice.
2. Put the lemon rind, cloves and fresh ginger in a muslin bag and add to the bowl.
3. Add the sugar and stir until well mixed. Cover and leave for 24 hours.
4. After the 24 hrs, put the mix into a preserving pan and warm over a low heat until the sugar has dissolved.
5. Then stir in the crystallised ginger and raise the heat and boil the jam until the marrow is transparent, the syrup is thick and the setting point reached.
6. Remove pan from the heat, lift out the muslin bag with a slotted spoon, ladle into jars, cover and label
7. Yield, approx 1.75kg (6lb) jam.

~~~~
As I said, I use it as a guide so I would probably reduce the sugar by 2-4 oz and add 1-2 tablespoons of molasses to give it a darker look and taste. I usually add more ginger as I love ginger (both the bruised and crystallised - check out Indian or Chinese shops for cheaper crystallised ginger). Then if I'm feeling decadent and usually only if I've added the molasses I stir in a tablespoon or two of dark rum just before I bottle.

If you ever come across the book, it's worth a look. My copy is falling apart and like a car workshop manual you can see which pages have been used the most as the are covered in splashes. :rotfl: When one of my DS was over visiting, he went online and bought me a hardback copy :j which I treasure as it means I have a replacement when this copy completely disintegrates:T

GrannyKate

We have a cupboard of modern cookery books but I use Mrs Beaton and Dairy Book of Home Cookery (bought from milkman in early 70s) and some Family Circle ones. All acquired in early years of marriage and covered in grease, flour etc and with lose covers and pages. Occasionally look for copies in CS but they are serviceable and I know the recipes work and don't contain ridiculously expensive ingredients.
Bottom of fridge veggies all chopped up and ready for soup (I'll see what the mixture tastes like) or stock when I get back from taking mil shopping.

silvasava

Morning All!
Lyn Haha - I have a list (its my mantra!) I laminated a 'to do' list so I can wipe off the jobs & chores - it gives me a sense of satisfaction
When I used to travel for work I tended to keep to the adage that you only need 3 of anything - one on, one ready to wear & one in the wash. This is from someone who took about 6 cozzy's on her hols. No I don't always practise what I preach lol.

Misstara The jam recipe was from the BBC Good Food Guide.
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1091639/rhubarb-and-ginger-jam
I didn't use pink rhubarb - just all the glut from my plants - it won't turn out a pretty colour but tastes lush - I also added extra ginger as I love it in any form.

dND Your Marrow & Ginbger Jam recipe looks good - as I like to 'speriment' I think it would adapt to rhubarb too as I dont have marrows

Grannykate I have the Dairy book too - so did my Mum & when she died DS1 inherited her copy as he'd taught himself to cook using my copy. I've also got a book given me by my Grandparents as an engagement present -its by Nancy Spain (who remembers her?) & full of lovely anecdotes on the people she'd met. I also use the old Be-Ro book. Like you say they are good simple recipes with everyday ingredients. Confession coming up - I have a copy of the 'bible' that was part of my GCE from school that I forgot to return (honestly) its by Hildreth & Nash & has EVERYTHING in it - fish kettles, bain maries - all the things we use everyday - not! BUT it also describes how food breaks down and the processes m& now and again I still refer to it even though its well over 50 years old! Yup the oldies are the goodies
Off to check my list & hopefully cross a few more things off before i add some more

Have a good day all x

dND

GrannyKate wrote: »

We have a cupboard of modern cookery books but I use Mrs Beaton and Dairy Book of Home Cookery (bought from milkman in early 70s) and some Family Circle ones.

Ended up leaving my Dairy Cook Book with the ex :mad: but did manage to find the 90's version in a CS I also have a few year's worth of the Dairy Diary which I keep promising myself I will go through As you say, good recipes that work and don't require shopping for loads of 'on trend' foods!!

I also have a few 40's and 50's cookbooks that throw up gems but you do have to bear in mind that food science has changed and what used to be done isn't necessarily the best way to do it, i.e. leaving acidic stuff in uncoated aluminium pans etc. That said we did survive :rotfl: