Village life

Kittencat

My biggest problem is meal times. I'm useless at cooking and lack imagination. I want to batch cook so will look into forums for this I think.

Eager_Elephant

Just found your diary and had a quick read - I think the Village Life title grabbed my attention as I also live in a village although nothing much happens. I would love to live in a slightly bigger village where things happen!!

I also have an allotment (and so does DH), well actually I am chair of the allotments - they are fab. This is the 3rd year of them being in use as they had not been used for quite a few years and were all overgrown.
We also have quite a large garden so the more delicate stuff like tomatoes, French beans etc are planted in the garden.


With regard to batch cooking - I have never done true batch cooking (where you make loads of meals all in one day and freeze them for later use) but I will often make a lasagne which will do 2 days or even spaghetti Bolognese which will last 2 days.

Nowadays I don't cook on week days as DD eats at school (she us 14) and DH works in a school and gets a 2 course lunch) so I just cook on Fridays (omelette, chips and salad) and Saturdays. Sundays is always roast. if I am off work or its a bank holiday I will cook.

Have a look at the Old Style boards for inspiration.

Of the top of my head I think mince are fab as you can mix and match so you make your basic mince base (mince, onions, leeks, carrots, herbs, tomatoes) and then add what you want to it. So the basic mince sauce with spaghetti is spag bol, or mixed with pasta and then baked gives you a pasta bake (for added yumness put a cheese sauce on top or through it), you could also do lasagne with the same base.
Or add kidney beans (or other beans if anyone doesn't like kidney beans) and serve with rice to make chilli.

The same can be done with chicken although to be honest we mainly have chicken as a roast or we buy chicken thighs (deboned) to make fajitas or curry.

Kittencat

Thanks Elephant for popping in. I went over to the old style thread and it's fab, lots to look at. I'm fine at the cottage pies and spag bols but that's my limit I'm afraid, but I will learn.

Well everything is slowly settling down. Garden is such a mess, it's a bees paradise (I love bees) but sadly not child friendly so that's our next mission and the rendering of the whole house. Still have no wardrobes and living out of boxes. Had a clean out of little ones toys and give 3 big boxes to the charity shop. Wasn't worth the time and effort to put on the buy and sell site.

Good news we had 2 estate agents around to value the house now it's nearly finished. We were worried that we had over spent what the house is worth. We bought for £182,000 and it's now worth £235,000 with the rendering done. We have spend approx £40,000 so we are well chuffed!!

Just back from a run, it's gorgeous here, the ountryside is just amazing. I had to stop at one point (mainly as I couldn't breath) just to look over the fields. I hope I never tire of this. This morning whilst in the car, on the drive, a cat run passed with a baby rabbit in its mouth.....nature's cruel and I have to get used to this.

Nothing much goes on in this village but we are only 3 miles away from a town so it's not really rural.

Update on money........poor! We have payed £500 to inlaw's leaving that loan at £11,000. Tesco loan is now at £23,000 is (can't remember the few pounds at the end).

We have £3,200 in saving but the builder hasn't given us our last bill (may be a while as he still has little jobs to finish and we are not paying the rest until he has done so).
We need to order wardrobes this weekend out of this money, nothing expensive, probably go for ikea ones.

Better go have that shower.

Bye for now xx

emmie26

I remember the constant spending of getting everywhere finished off, but when you have been living out of boxes for so long it is really important psychologically to get everywhere finished isn't it.

Once it's all looking lovely you will feel really motivated to get saving I'm sure.

We got loads of furniture from IKEA including wardrobes and they have been fab, my daughters bedroom was completely knitted out from IKEA and when people first saw it they thought it was amazing, so definitely didn't look cheap.

enthusiasticsaver

Just read through your diary and pleased you now back in your home. House renovations are so disruptive especially with a child. You seem to have a good grip on your spending so I am sure the debt will soon be repaid.

We live out in the countryside too on the edge of a small town. I love it.

pennywisepoundstupid

Hi Kittencat, loving your diary and so pleased you are now in your own place and all settled. We lived with parents for a short time between houses and it's stressful not having your own things and not being able to fully relax.

I also live out in the country, but not in a village just a tiny hamlet(6 miles from nearest town) and nothing ever happens, but I like it that way.

I've subscribed and will keep popping in to see how your doing.

Bobarella

Your savings will mount up again. It's totally understandable that they are so depleted at the moment.

Kittencat

Thank you guys for popping in.

Bit of a nightmare here at the moment, DH was doing some DIY yesterday lunchtime and the knife he was using to cut something slipped and ended up in his thumb. Straight to a&e, where he is known as he is a Paramedic, lots of laughs from the Dr's and nurses but he has ended up in the burns and plastic's hospital an hour's drive away. He has cut through the tendons and needs an operation. He is on the list for today but they are running behind so looks like tomorrow now. Didn't get back from the hospital until after midnight and with little one up at 6am I'm shattered. DD is a little ball of energy at the moment, she doesn't stop. Parents have arrived and have taken her to the park and a walk around the wood's and what do I do........come on here when I should have a nap!!
DD is back in school tomorrow and I didn't realise how much energy they get rid of in school until half term gets here.

Catch up later guys

Xx

Bobarella

Gosh your poor husband. Really hope he gets the op soon.

emmie26

Oh no poor DH, hope he gets sorted soon and you get some rest tomorrow when your little one is at school x