Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2015

GreyQueen

We're all entitled to our own opionion but there are plenty of precedents for wealthy businessmen with dodgy practices laundering their reputations via philantrophy, in their own lifetimes and postumously. I'm of the opinion that fair-dealing in your business activites, and having less to give away, makes the better businessman. And the better human being.

I'm sure those Americans and Canadians who've lost their livelihoods this month think very highly of Warren and are warmed by his charitable activities. Perhaps they can go cap-in-hand to him for help when the banks foreclose on their homes and their children go hungry.

FairyPrincessk

Morning all,

We woke up to heavy downpours. Poor Maggie the cat sat in the open door staring out. She'd start to stick her head out and then back in again. She was finally convinced that it wasn't a day for the back garden so allowed herself to be toweled off and then was treated to a play with a brand new toy stashed for just such days. She is now stretched out asleep on the floor next to me.

I managed to cut a couple of new pillow cases out of a worn fitted sheet yesterday. I'll look it over again today and see if I can get any other good bits out of it and then work on getting them sewed up. I've a second one but it is decidedly more worn so I think it might be used for smaller pillows. It isn't the most exciting job but it saves the pennies and ensures the fabric isn't just being chucked out. It also makes more space on my sewing supplies. I have several projects like this taking up space. I think this may count as a Make Do, a Mend AND a Minimize!

The knitting is also coming along. I'm around half-way through the second front half of the cardigan, almost to the shaping bits.

Good news about the rain is that it is giving us a bit of respite from some relentless building work. There is a loft conversion and a new terrace going on. I mostly don't mind but the stone cutter and the saw and the shouting back and forth between workmen is a bit wearing a week in. I know it has to be done and they're fairly considerate, confining it to working hours but I will relish the peace today!

candlelight_2013

Good morning all,

Pouring with rain here, as expected, but no thunder.

I wanted to tell you all that I have 2 tomatoes ripening on my 3 outdoor plants. I am thrilled and I hope the rain doesn't damage them. I have watered them faithfully each day and fed them once a week. There are lots more but they are all green at the moment.

On another tack, last weekend I wanted to buy green beans. Went to Mr T, couldn't find any, went to M&S and the only ones they had were from Kenya and GUATAMALA!!!!. Surely some farmers in this country must still have runner beans for sale. I do always make a complaint, but it doesn't get me anywhere. Can you imagine the air miles involved for them to get to this country. Presumably this is down to the buyers for the store, and I think someone ought to give them a few pointers. There is nothing nicer than home grown runner beans, perhaps I should try growing my own next year as well as tomatoes.

Rant over, it is just I feel so strongly we should be buying as locally as possible, needless to say I didn't buy any.

Have a good weekend all

Candlelightx

[Deleted User]

I wonder if our homegrown green beans are on sale in Kenya and Guatemala? if they send all theirs here for us they might need to import ours or go without. It makes as much sense as a system to feed the world as a chocolate teapot doesn't it?

VJsmum

Have taken to lurking on various threads lately, so decided it's time to delurk

So here i am wearing a bra i haven't worn for about a year cos the wire was poking through - about a dozen stitches later and it's fit for purpose again. I am eating salad with bacon, stilton and lettuce that needed using up, last night's tea was left overs from a couple of days ago and i am waiting for the paint to dry on an old pine chest of drawers that i have chalk painted - having already done an old towel rail and 2 bedside tables. The bones of said tea (with the others from a couple of nights ago) have been boiled up for stock and i have picked the meat off ready to make soup with left over chorizo (from the same meal - it was spanish chicken and chorizo traybake) also using up the left over tomatoes from the salad .

Does that justify my delurk?:p

candlelight_2013

Hi VJs Mum:j:j it is good to see you, long time no see.

Well done you, I think you more than qualify for de lurking. Have you been working abroad recently and is your DD home from Uni ?

I do my very best now never to throw anything away out of the fridge, and we have DGD1 living with us now so I have an extra mouth to feed, not that she is any bother at all. I have leaned so much from here and continue to do so, and I am far more imaginative with the meals I produce.

Don't be a stranger

Candlelightx

silvasava

Candlelight - YES! grow your own runner beans I've been picking, slicing and freezing in small batches & I've already got about 6lb frozen down to use through the winter! It's so nice to pick them while theyre nice and tender before they get stringy so you get such a better taste and quality. I totally agree with you about the food miles too.I'd also like to be able to get my milk direct from a local dairy if possible. Maybe the farmers could join with the Green Box scheme?

vhalla1478

Evening Folks,

I hope everyone is ok. As I mentioned, I sorted the freezer out yesterday (so I thought); I had this plan - home made meals in the top drawer, fish and chicken in the second, red meat in the third and the top and the base for frozen pastry, the freezing part for my icecream maker, ice cubes, milk, butter. It just didn't work out - although I took a couple of items out to defrost (I don't have/use a microwave on 'foodie' grounds) I was left with my icecream maker part, ice cube trays and a large bottle of milk with no home; moral of the story, shove it all in and then at least you can close the door!

I've had a busy day today as the weather is so horrid, making treats for the weekend (DB here) and celebrating my youngest grandson's (Mikey) fifth birthday - too much chocolate cake - my DDil is a fantastic baker. It's my youngest granddaughter's birthday on Monday - only a year and three days between them so yet more cake next week!

I've at last thrown out an ancient pair of 'Fitflops' as I was beginning to walk like a duck in them - they certainly don't owe me anything because once past their best I have used them for gardening in and as slippers in the summer. I say I've thrown them out, but they are still residing in my walk in pantry - just in case?

Have a good evening, you nice people.

Viv xx

[Deleted User]

Go for it with your runner beans I loved my late ma-in-laws wigwam beans as my two children called them :)They loved helping to pick them They honestly thought that they were old wigwams that their granny wanted to fill up with food :):) did't take up a lot of space either.
we my car is packed with all my stuff for the holiday i left Dd sorting out all of their bits and the boys packing their treasures.I shall be up early in the morning as I want to get an early start as possibly there will be some cruise ships unloading at Southampton Docks, plus there is an early kick off at the football match so Southampton town will be heaving with traffic.Once we get over to the IoW life will slow down for a fortnight.Ben's G/F is so excited that she is coming with us, she is like one of the children bless her. My DD treeats her like another of her children so she is very comfortable being with us all.She is the eldest of eight so she is used to a noisy family
Right I'm off to bed for a quick read and hopefully a peaceful nights sleep
Night all,God Bless all here
JackieO xxx

nursemaggie

Have a really good holiday Jackie I am sure you will I hope the weather is good to you.