New Old style things you have learnt in 2015?

kippers

Hi all. I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas.

I was thinking today about how far I have come over the years eg. cooking from scratch, growing veg, oldfashioned cleaning, budgeting, meal planning etc etc.... However I have read on here time and time again that people have fallen off the 'oldstyle wagon'. I wonder if it's because people get bored?

I love trying new things, so I thought it would be fun to list down anything new that you have tried this year (oldstyle things) and did it work?...or new things you are going to have a go at in 2016. I thought this may give us all new ideas to have a go at.

I'll start with my list:

2015:

• I gave up my four allotments (due to family problems and a highly reactive dog) and dug up half my garden to grow vegetables and fruit instead = this worked really well.
• Started to make wine = saved loads at xmas in my hampers and taking it round to friends etc
  

2016:

• I want to make my own soap.
• I want to sew more.
• I want to start knitting again.

Looking forward to reading what other people have done in 2015 and plan to do in 2016.
:T:T

pavlovs_dog

we've become more mindful of food waste, and aim to keep working on this in 2016. By actively shopping our own food supplies, we've been able to reduce food spends that had begun to spiral. We'll keep this up next year too, using the difference between our budgeted spend and actual spend to further reduce our mortgage.

I've been using the konmarie principles to declutter the house and bring better order to the things that we are keeping. The house already feels like it is lighter for what has left, and there is more work to do in the new year.

In the kitchen, I've found a brownie recipe that works well and gets lots of compliments. I made Welsh cakes and biscotti for the first time. Next year I hope to try making meringues and fudge.

chanie

xmas
I managed to buy Xmas presents for around 20 people for under £200, by shopping throughout the year. I've done this for about 4 years and 2015 has been my best year to date. More importantly, I didn't compromise quality.

jam
I picked blackberries this autumn with the children and turned it into jam. First time I've ever done it, so I was chuffed.

baking
I made a simple Victoria sponge for my birthday, using my blackberry jam. I also made some chocolate brownies for the school fair. I realise this is simple, but I don't know how to bake, so is a big achievement for me!!!

plans for 2016

more baking
I want to learn a few more recipes. Home baking means I can contribute to the school fair, church, family birthdays etc without breaking the bank. The only problem is lack of time!!

knitting
I periodically knit, but give up when I get bored - which is often. I'm going to knit some scarves for presents and I'm already a quarter way through my first one.