Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2015

silvasava

Lovely that employers are waking up to paying a living wage - now how about a living pension!
Bought a Jamaica Ginger cake the other day for DH - WHAT :eek: have they got smaller - just like Mars Bars. Fished out an old recipe that I havnt done for at least 20 years - looks and smells scrummy so if it goes nice and sticky too I'll post the recipe.
Yes - where's Cheerful? We're missing her. Do hope she's OK.
DH has a couple of Biker pals coming round today to help one of them sort his trike out. We're going over to the IoW tomorrow for a bike show (Arreton Manor JackieO) so need to get the snack bag sorted & probably supply the lads with lunch today
Have a good day all x

Lala2015

Happy Saturday morning everyone

I've been reading this thread for a while, staying quiet, but I think it's now time to get involved!
I'm 26, currently living (renting) alone and saving for my first home.

I love the mantra of 'recycle & re-use' and am looking for ideas to stretch my money.

I'll be catching up on the post today - After months of looking for a job, I'm mentally exhausted and today will be my 'getting my thoughts together' and cleaning the flat day

vhalla1478

Morning Everyone,

And a warm welcome to you, Lala. I hope you stay with us even when you land your job; it's very stressful being out of work. My DB isn't working at the moment (he's self-employed) and his blood pressure has gone up with stress. So it's a relaxing weekend for him when he comes over; maybe a trip to the coast on Sunday if this glorious weather that has appeared out of nowhere continues tomorrow. Actually, on second thoughts, I put it down to my putting the garden tables and chairs in the shed after finishing re-painting them all yesterday. So, Ladies, if you have good weather, it's down to me.:beer:

Grey Queen, I, too am a labeller, even on glass jars where I can perfectly easily see the contents. I can darn but haven't had any need to recently. However I'm thinking of doing some Florentine embroidery (aka Bargello work); I fished out an old booklet and found a beautiful tablecloth design which would help to while away the long winter evenings. But first things first, I've just started a needlepoint cushion and have promised two GDs rag dolls for Christmas, so I need to get round the CSs in Brigg next week (great garden centre there) and find some materials for the dolls - prioritise!

Have a good weekend, All.

Viv xx

misstara

Well in that case huge thanks to you Viv it is the most beautiful day here, best we've had for ages

Hello Lala, this is one of the friendliest threads I've come across on MSE, good luck with your job hunting.

Busy morning so far - been to the gym, washing and cleaning done. Just waiting for OH to get his arris in gear so we can go to Aldee. Then I've got lunch with the girls round at a friend's house. Depending on what time I get back to the flat, me and OH might go a walk down the beach. Hope everyone has a lovely day

fuddle

Has anyone made yoghurt in the slow cooker? I'm just wondering if it's worth a go. I have made radiator yoghurt before but this would be better as my radiators are no where near being switched on yet.

Lynplatinum

Hiya All

Have finally painted the bathroom - it only took 3 hrs! Time passed fast as I put the radio on! (with paint I already had!). Also did another bag of shredding! then made me a rhubarb crumble and jacket potatoes for tea. Had no cheese for jackets. Dont like baked beans with em- the baked beans drown the fab favour of the organic potatoes. No tuna. Hummmmm Think Think Think (as Whinnie the Poo said :rotfl: ). Remembered Jamie doin somat with 'real beans' What I did ended up inventing was v yum while not drowning the potatoes! So:

1/2 onion - saute slowly so it browns in desertspn oil
1/2 clove garlic - add to the pan once onion is brown
1 desertspoon tomato puree - add and stir in
Can of kidney beans (well drained and washed) - add these and smoosh up 1/2 of them [any beans will do!]
desertspoon of fresh thyme (or teaspoon of dried) add this
Salt and pepper to taste
Pinch of chilli flakes
1/2 teaspoon of liquid smoke or desertspoon BBQ brown sauce
1/2 mug water add to mix to enable it all to mix and warm through then reduce to sticky consistency.

Makes enough for two - so one lot is in the fridge for another day!

So Making do (with paint I had already got + magic beans recipe) Mend (repairing state of bathroom - filling the odd hole as well) and Minimise (shredding!). V happy but tired tonight - especially as I went out to my friend's gig tonight! Phew!

mcculloch29 did not know that about Aldi! brilliant! Interesting that young folk cannot always stick at such jobs! My boys find their contemporaries very strange but then I made them do chores all their life! And they saw me working hard! And I never told them life was easy! There are some younger folk who work incredibly hard - one of my friend's children is a nurse - bless her i really could not do that job! :cool:

iamsalt

Morning. Welcome lala. And thanks viv for a second day of sunny weather.

Well yesterday's shopping should see us through until we go on holiday in two and a half weeks, might need some veg to top up, but I have a lot still in the garden, and the less we spend the more I can save for other things.
I managed to sort out a wash basket of junk yesterday, so I can now use that to take the washing to the line, rather than a few bits draped over my shoulder.
My dehydrator has apple slices (free from the garden) and pineapple drying (aldeeee) for healthier snacks.
I might spend a little time in the garden while oh is playing boules for the village competition this morning. Then I must get some posters out and up for the village hall, and I would like to get some more things sorted out, it's such a weight off when you see things go that you were holding onto for the wrong reasons, or that you won't use but might be helpful to someone else.

Supper will be reduced pizzas as we are out this evening.
S x

iamsalt

Ps well done Lyn on getting the bathroom done. Very inspiring. It makes me want to get some decorating done and freshen up the place, but I will wait until I have minimised a bit more to make the job easier.

zaxdog

No spend weekend for us :j

The laundry is drying in front of a fire made using our log pile.

Making a lentil & bacon soup for tonight's dinner to have with Mr Zaxdog's amazing home-made bread I'll make enough for my work lunch tomorrow too. No onions but a bit of spice will hide that. Will boil a few eggs (freebies from work) to have for my breakfast tomorrow

And because I am silly organised (to deal with hectic life) I'll iron and hang up five work outfits to grab before I go to bed tonight

Lynplatinum

Hi folk

Do you ever get the feeling that you blinked and a day disappeared?
well that's happened to me today!! SO what have i done? Did a wash - got it out onto the line - sanded down and painted round a window - listened to son for an hour (on the moan again! being an MIL - tho they are not married - is hard work!) - went and got my friend who kindly dug the two beds in the back garden for me - tidieda bit of the shed - made a choccy cake ( half to my friend as 'payment') - filled the back door ready to paint tomorrow - Minimised several books and empty files by donating them to my friend - drove them home - cooked tea - ate tea (at 9 pm :rotfl: ) and here I am!!

Zaxdog - bacon and lentil soup sounds good! I also get all outfits out of wardrobe and lined up on hangers ready to go - although now its just t-shirts and trousers/jeans from the days when I had to wear a suit the habit still lingers. During a season (for example that of short sleeves) some t-shirts, trousers and underwear does not even hit the wardrobe - just goes straight onto a hanger! :cool:
iamsalt - I am still decluttering like mad! Am off to charity shop and tip (result of shed turn out!!) tomorrow - ooooh yesss I know how to live :rotfl: