The Simple Bare Necessities feat. Gratitude & Recipes

beanielou

Glad that you have had a lovely day

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Morning :hello:

well, what a start to the day. BG had used 2 new words in the correct context before 7am, and by 7.30am, had improved their pronounciation of a word that they've been using for a while, but in a way that didn't sound anything like the word - so we had to de-code for people. I have absolutely no idea where BG gets the stimulus to try out new words, and the pace of development - they are just a little sponge :eek: But I shouldn't be surprised really, as yesterday, they were gifted some new books, and the minute that we had got in through the door, they got the books out of the bag, and put them into their beloved Papa's hands, so that they could read and enjoy them together. All free activities - but priceless to witness and be a part of.

I've normal household chores to attend to today and DH wants me to look over his list for weekend chores to see what can be added, and to check what can be put on the 'discard' pile, so that we can recycle/take to the tip as appropriate. All progress

I need to make some hummus. I have soaked the chickpeas, just need to cook them in the PC.

Right, best get on. Ta for popping in. Always appreciated. Always.

Greying X

Greying_Pilgrim

Well there was me waxing lyrical about BG's endeavours before breakfast, and then of course, we had the downside of 'development' which is frustration, tears, stomping feet and 'me no likey'........... I shall leave it to you, dear reader, to unknit the fog as to whether I am alluding to the parent or the child............ :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

However, the cure to all this is - for the most part - fresh air and adventurising. So we loaded up the chariot, girded our loins and set out to wander over to MrL's. It's quite a walk - way too far for a toddle, but it's a walk I used to do regularly pre-pregnancy, and whilst pregnant, so it has been good to walk it now - albeit with the additional 'load' of pushing BG, as it feels as though things are 'back to normal'. Plus it's a decent distance (we're talking miles, not metres) and I get to feel all smug that I don't have to pay a gym membership to perspire like a porcine!

MrL has got aubergines on 'special' at 49p. They were produce of Holland, and were big, bright and glossy. I got two. I did also pick up a net of lemons, as they looked nice. There were 3 in my net, for 69p. The advantage of sending BG to mrL sometimes with their papa is that they 'know' some of the things that we buy - so they directed me to the bread - which I had actually forgotten we needed They also wanted to have a trolley/cart which papa usually lets them steer, but it was no-go with the pushchair, so a little disappointment.

I called in at mrM on my way back. I'm afraid that it is my least favourite supermercado, and I avoid shopping there. However, it was on my route, and I popped in to get some 'fresh' coriander. I like their 225g packs for £1.50. I chop it up and freeze it, and add it to curries etc as i go. My luck was in, as not only did they have it in stock, but I also bagged a YS'd pack for £1.13. Not a huge discount, but one I'd take, none-the-less. I also picked up a bag of their 'wonky' avocados. Again, hass and produce of Peru, they are long dated, but there was 5 in a pack (one more than mrAl) for £1.56. So I'll see how we go with them. They are less ripe than the ones I got from mrAl, so I'll keep them to ripen more.

Right, I've cupboards and jars to re-stock and a baby to feed

Greying X

beanielou

Laughing at the ever lovely Miss BG

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Evening :hello:

Well, wot a luverly day I have had

I've had exercise, got what I needed and bagged a couple of (slight) bargains. Had a nice chit-chat with a chum, spent time in the kitchen and spent quality time with my family. Am I one lucky woman, or what?

Tea this evening was summat a bit different from the norm, as I felt like experimenting a little and as it happened, I had amassed most of the ingredients to give it a go - well, a 'Greying version' of it, anyhoo. I made 'Sabich Sandwiches', teamed with the Av1ko brand spicy sweet potato wedges from h3r0n f00ds.

I did improvise, I used tortillas from HB (not really big enough), instead of pitas, and for the Amba chutney, I used tinned mango slices Eastern Enders brand that I got from HB for 49p a little while ago. And just used the spices listed in the recipe, as a 'pinch of this' and a 'splodge of that' rather than making the quantity specified in the recipe. It worked OK - could probably have used a little more heat/chilli - but better to err on the side of caution. I decided to marinate my aubergine, something that I have never done before, but it worked well and the aubergine held the flavours well and the lemon caramelised well, when I grilled the slices. I marinated the slices for a couple of hours, rather than 15 minutes, as I wanted them to take up the flavour. I did also put a speck of oil and some smoked paprika in my marinade and fried off the aubergine in a dry pan.

I thought it worked well enough - the ingredient that brought it all together was - surprise, surprise - the boiled egg. I also got to use my egg slicer, which has been sadly neglected for months so I got me bit 'o 70's nostalgia thrown in an' all :cool:

DH liked them, and thought tea quite filling. So I would make them again - although making the various components is a little time-consuming. I did make my own hummus too, but shop-bought would easily work as well. I used pickled gherkins (we like them), and they certainly added a piquant enough note, even if not wholly authentic.

Today i am grateful for these 3 things;

my health

interesting eats

BG helping to put a clean pillow-case, on their pillow - priceless and precious :smileyhea

Ta for popping in. Appreciated. As ever.

Greying X

Greying_Pilgrim

Good morning :hello:

OK, so a new day. What money saivng features will it contain today?

Um................................

Well, we've had breakfast already. I had avocado on toast - using one of the mrAl avos. It was just on the point of ripeness - could have left it another day or two, but it was perfect inside, no black bits, so well chuffed with it.

Tea this evening will be curry - definitely featuring aubergine, as I've half left over from marinating one last night. So probably mixed veg curry with dhal and rice. Works for me.

We did have to have the heating on last night - it went a bit chilly. I was nattering to a chum who'd got their log-burner going, so I didn't feel that it was just us being nesh. So that's not exactly 'money saving', but needs must I guess.

BG is sat on my knee watching an episode of the flumps from the 1970's. The stop-animation on these children's programmes, made for the beebeecee was soooo much better than the modern digitised stuff. But then I'm an auld luddite - so I would say that, wouldn't I? :rotfl:

Right, I had best get ready to shuffle orf, when the episode has finished...... Do something constructive

Ta for popping by.

Greying X

beanielou

Have a lovely Saturday
Sun is shining here :j :j

redofromstart

I loved the flumps- was it Posie, Perkin and Pootle? I'm now have the theme tune ear worming which is good.

Greying_Pilgrim

beanielou wrote: »

Have a lovely Saturday
Sun is shining here :j :j

YAY!! :j:j:j

redofromstart wrote: »

I loved the flumps- was it Posie, Perkin and Pootle? I'm now have the theme tune ear worming which is good.

Yes! :rotfl:

Greying X

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Morning :hello:

Such a shame to hear the Tessa Jowell has died. Irrespective of whether you agree with someone's party political leanings - and I'm not sure all politicians agree with their party direction 100% of the time, but aren't 'allowed' to dissent.... - she was in a set of women of their time who were achievers and doers, and indeed, glass ceiling breakers. And she was trying, up until her end, to make a difference for all cancer sufferers, not just celebrity ones.

The parentals are starting to be a worry with failing health and falls. We had a situation yesterday where I could do nothing as I had no vehicle and had BG to look after. Still, the police and ambulance service, along with the NHS came to the rescue, although I'm a little concerned that someone who has had a fall and an obvious head injury is released to drive within hours of a fall......... But of course, the solution to that thinking is 'do something about it yourself, then!' and I couldn't. And you find that siblings won't lift a finger either.

I had a very early night last night, so didn't avail myself of any of the Eurovision shennanigans. I'm boring and pedestrian and it has never been my cup of tea.

Tea last night worked surprisingly well for a made up thing. I cooked onion/garlic/ginger paste. Added in some l/o jalfrezi spice mix and some extra fenugreek that I had roasted and ground. I then added in the l/o aubergine, a red and a yellow pepper, and 2 (small) sweet potaotes. Cooked them in a little water. Added tomato passata and let it cook down. Finished off with seasoning and some chopped 'fresh' coriander. I paired it with Tina's dhal and steamed basmati.

There is some dhal and a splodge of curry left over for another day.

Tea tonight will be a salad bowl, as we've some things that need using. I am going to be basing it loosely on Mellen's Bone Building Salad from the Happy Pear cookbook

We've no plans to go out adventurising today, despite it looking like it will be a fine day There are chores-a-plenty to complete at the homestead.

Ta for popping by.

Greying X