Make do, Mend and Minimise in 2015

vulpix

Lyn,Happy Birthday xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx It sounds like you had a good time,but you always sound like you have a good time.Think you are a glass half full person.

I live in the High peak high above sea level and we enjoy a micro climate which can change very quickly.Every time it snows and it is a surprise and the country is ill prepared, there are always shots of round and about of the snow on the news.

Nurse Maggie,things looking positive with the flat:T

I am very slowly getting back to normal after the op.But as I had the problem 24 years I feel 32 again and that is fantastic.I havent started decorating yet but am itching to do it.I am getting used to the metalwork in my back now and not being able to bend.I was hyper mobile before and I think that contributed to the problem.I have actually started to bend at the knees now (and they don't like it).

I have made a lot of sewn Christmas decorations using up material,stuffing,ribbon,buttons etc.They are for patchwork clubs tree in the Christmas tree festival and craft clubs stall at the Christmas Fair to raise funds for defribulators which will be housed in the phone boxes in the village.

I have been looking online at sparkly Christmas tops and have decided that I really do not need new sparkly clothes.I must confess I bought one off the pound rail in the chazzer though.

My builder may come soon and knock the back wall out in the kitchen.There is a very nice extension across the back of the house but the original house wall is still in situ.it would be much lighter and more useful to be one big room.

Today my youngest has an inset day so we are off to Nottingham for a mooch.Don't need anything as I did my Christmas shopping before the op as I expected to be much more poorly than I have been.It's black Friday (stupid American import)I do hope it isn't silly busy in the city centre.We are having a lift as Mr V has to go every Friday.

Must go and get ready as he doesn't do being late !

Vx

[Deleted User]

I am going to be making do with as much as possible for the next few weeks as I have just booked and paid for the ferries for two cars to our holiday destination next year. £322.00 to travel four miles across the water to the IoW and back Absolutely not going anywhere near a shop unless its an emergency for awhile :):), and every scrap of anything edible is going to be used up if possible .Luckily I do have a pretty full store cupboard at the moment

vhalla1478

Afternoon Everyone,

I've been putting my upholstery skills to the test today, covering the Black Forest carved chairs I bought for the sum of £24 the other week. I'd already glued the 'poorly' one together and have utilised the velvet curtains I was given the other day and have made them more interesting by hand sewing some gorgeous rose festooned vintage French trimming down the middle of each seat.

Now better late than never, here is a recipe for Tiffin - this one I know keeps for up to 2 weeks in an airtight tin.

Tiffin (makes 36 small squares)

150g unsalted butter, 110g golden syrup, tbsp. brandy (optional), 60g cocoa powder, 200g shortbread, roughly chopped, 75g raisins, 75g hazelnuts, toasted, 300g milk chocolate, broken into pieces.

Line an 18cm square tin with baking parchment. Gently melt the butter and syrup in a pan, stirring to combine.

Put the remaining ingredients, except for the chocolate pieces, into a bowl and mix well. Pour in the butter and syrup mixture and stir thoroughly until combined.

Pour into the prepared tin and level. Chill until solid.

Put the chocolate pieces into a heatproof bowl set over a pan of gently simmering water. Leave to melt, stirring once or twice until smooth. Pour evenly over the biscuit base and leave to set at room temperature.

When set cut into squares.

Have a good afternoon/evening, Folks!

Viv xx

silvasava

Jackie - which ferry are you using to the IoW? That seems very expensive for two cars - we dont pay that much for our car & caravan to France let alone the island.
Just popped on to say I went into my local Barnardo's for some Christmas cards & they had some beautiful hand made drawstring bags decorated with a nativity scene reduced to 49p!!!! - cheaper than a paper one. Its big enough to put DS1's sweater in & he can re-use. Don't know if the offer is available at all Barnardos but worth a look.
Off out tonight with the 'gang' to see a local group so need to wash my hair to look presentable
Have a good day all x

[Deleted User]

silvasaver Its the Red Funnel I know its the most expensive crossing for a ferry. I could go to my brother in France for a lot less than that, and that crossing is 22 miles !!! Unfortunately Red Funnel seem to charge as much as they can get away with, but its just a necessary evil, and once we are on the Island we do have such a great time .
Years ago when my late ma-in-law and brother -in-law were alive we went a lot more frequently, as he would pick us up from the Red Jet crossing in his car .Sadly we now have to take our two cars over as there are seven of us plus two dogs and the hamster :).Still its worth the travelling as we always have a fantastic family holiday,its just a big lump to find just before Christmas Then the £2400 for the holiday house by June :):) Thank the lord for Aldis and Lidls and my stern resolve :):)

Lynplatinum

Evening all

Vulpix - your op sounds horrendous - yet you still have the spirit to want to get up and get going - what an inspiration!:T
Valhalla - another recipe nicked thanks :A
Jackie O - wow and I thought I spent a lot on a holiday! But if it is what makes you all happy and everyone has great memories then it is well worth it!

Well been v good today - client cancelled so I have had a day all to myself. I woke up not feeling too bright - have eaten something or been in contact with child with bug!! (Germ bag things kids!)

Took it easy and got up late and also sat watching tv and nursing self (drinking warm water and putting wheat bag on tummy and eating plain stuff eg dry toast) till about 1pm when I felt better. Then went down the bank and shuffled monies around. Came back and trimmed one of the v large shrubs out the front. Also pottered around and now have a tidy house again - filing bills - throwing out free newspapers - putting stuff back in correct place etc.

Am also thinking of things to put into a HM hamper for these posh folk it looks like I will be staying with at Christmas - so far it goes : Strawberry vodka; cheese sables (thanks Valhalla); truffles; shortbreads; orange pomanders; lavender filled bags - embroidered with lavender (using my own harvested lavender and old curtains!!); home made embroidered bookmark. Will also make own Christmas card for em. So do folks think that is enough or have any more suggestions? Am gonna go and look on the HM Christmas thread soon! :A

Mend - put button back on jeans where it had popped off
Make do - tea was a Chinese stir fry with parsnips (light flavour so it didn't set tummy off again!
Minimise - got rid of large shrub in garden - until it sprouts up like a nutter next year! :-) Also minimised mess in house! :rotfl:
Ooooh feeling virtuous - great big somat horrid bound to be heading my way now! :(
Cross fingers for me folks!
Nite all

candygirl

Loving the sound of all the HM prezzies LYN:D I too have felt a bit ropey today, with stomach pains, n have my DGS 4, staying over, n he's has a dodgy bum all day
Am almost sorted for Xmas now, just need Mum's sloe gin, n a nice fruitcake , the cards, n i'm sorted

vulpix

Oh dear lots of bugs about.We went to visit friends in Leicestershire last night and they were poorly too.

Viv your makes always sound very interesting,any photos?

Jackie that does sound a lot of money but you have such a fab time so worth every penny.

I walked round yesterday for 4 hours with a couple of sit downs,not because my back hurt but because I was tired!Sorry to harp on but this walking thing is a novelty to me.

Today I am wreath making with my daughters.

Tomorrow I am helping at the craft fair,then no plans,ahhhhhhh.

We got a Christmas card in the post yesterday!

laters Vx

vulpix

Doh Lyn I forgot to say ,the hamper sounds lovely.What a good idea with the orange and lavender.It sounds like you have enough to me but if you feel like you need more there is always jam and chutney.
Vx

[Deleted User]

I know it sounds like a lot of cash, but by careful budgeting and saving bits here and there it is doable, and there are 7 of us plus DGS Ben's g/f and the two mutts and the hamster.I book almost as soon as we get back home after the August bank holiday for the following year as the IoW gets booked up very quickly(well the four bedroomed ones do anyway, and we have to have a property that will take dogs.
We do have a great time and its not that more expensive than being at home for two weeks foodwise .DD and I also make sure we have a separate budget for the food.My 'roadkill' cash goes into the holiday jar along with anything left in my food purse cash at the end of the month.This month it will be around £25.00 odd as I have only shopped for stuff as I have run out.This I will keep doing if I can to help build up the holiday jar.My DGS also help by popping any 'roadkill' cash into it as well. DGS Henry sticks any coppers he has left over at the end of the week from his paper round money in as well It's a joint effort by us all to have one big family holiday every year.

We have lots of picnics and the boys like to go fishing and if the weather is kind we spend a lot of time on the beaches.We like St Helens Duver as its not too busy and we can take the dogs and they like to swim in the sea.My English Heritage card get good use as well as it cuts down on the admission fees for places like Carisbrooke Castle and Osborne House.It actually works out a lot less expensive than travelling abroad, as we don't have to kennel the dogs(I don't think DD would do that anyway as we did it once and it wasn't great, and by the time you've got all their jabs and paid the fees its cheaper to take them with us,plus they are part of the family anyway:)

So NSD for awhile and digging around my recipe books to come up with something different to make :):)