Cherry takes the reins

Cherryfudge

Thank you SA

I have gone through the freezer and it wasn't too complicated a job as I cleaned it out a little while ago and had managed to eat through some of the more random contents.

I'm going to make a sort of savoury mince for dinner, thus using up two small portions of mince, a tub of pancetta, some black beans and some boiled potatoes. It will also contribute to reducing stocks of onions, carrots and mixed peppers, and as a side I'll have some red cabbage (DH doesn't like it).

I've thrown out two portions of aquafaba that I never got round to using, and am wondering about two anonymous things that look like meatballs, except that we never have meatballs. I'd chuck them except I'm curious to see if defrosting them enlightens me!

I think the boiled potatoes will have to be fried up as a sort of hash, on top of the rest. I'll let you know if it turns out to be repeatable.

Sun_Addict

I try to label the stuff I put in the freezer, but not always. I was disappointed recently when I discovered the veg curry I'd been looking forward to was actually veg chilli.

Cherryfudge

Freezer items decluttered today... 10! Most are recycled into something edible but the 'Are they meatballs' didn't make it past the bin. DH thought they looked like yeast but I've not had yeast in the freezer for many years (as far as I know).

I label mine more often than not but I obviously have unwarranted faith in my memory (or somewhat-warranted faith in my powers of deduction) as there were a few nameless 'things'. The New Year's resolution I made once to label everything that went in the freezer... that was one of my wiser moves. Pity I let it slip.

Anyway, set out the bunting! Ice the cupcakes and polish up the jelly moulds! Invite the neighbours to set up trestle tables in the street and bring home brew and tea urns! An amazing thing has happened.

I finally have a half-empty drawer in the freezer.

in_need_of_direction

Not for long, I bet. We had acquired space and then stumbled across reduced and still fresh bread in our bakery of choice. That space is now filled with pancakes, bacon and cheese sodas, potato bread, scones, wheaten and other items of loveliness

Cherryfudge

in_need_of_direction wrote: »

Not for long, I bet. We had acquired space and then stumbled across reduced and still fresh bread in our bakery of choice. That space is now filled with pancakes, bacon and cheese sodas, potato bread, scones, wheaten and other items of loveliness

Oh you make me want to go and try out recipes! However it's a beautiful day today and I've promised DH I'll go to look at an art exhibition with him. We went through his job application this morning and I think it's a good one, but not counting chickens...

That said I might bake this evening as all the scones are gone and I took more buttermilk out of the freezer which I should use soon.

Cherryfudge

No baking has been got round to, but we did have a nice afternoon in the city. The exhibition was reasonably interesting (I went to the Wallace Collection last year so it had a lot to live up to) then got to a favourite caf! with just time for coffee and a shared Crunchie brownie before it closed. After that we had a short wander round and DH gave a pound to an opera-singing busker before setting off home. Car parking was over £6 - we think we got over the time limit by a couple of minutes.

DH and I have £20 left from housekeeping so my plan to underspend this week to make up for last week has paid off. Back to normal allowance on Monday. No one's here for dinner tomorrow except us and there's a fair few meals in the freezer to dip into.

No spending, money saving or decluttering on my part today, but I'm thankful for a peaceful sunny day and a trip out with DH this afternoon.

Cherryfudge

NSD.

A cold and frosty morning today and blue sky all day. It made me realise we haven't had much frost this winter, more cold, grey and damp. We walked to church and back, and this afternoon I got the fish tank cleaned out while DH went to see DFiL who was well enough to spend some time sitting in his chair, though he got tired and went back to bed.

Apart from the fish tank I've not been very productive, but we went to a service at another church this evening, a different tradition but one I'm familiar with so that was nice. Then we finished checking through DH's job application and off it's gone. Closing date isn't for a couple of days yet so I'm not sure when we might hear anything. I keep looking at the job adverts for the organisation I work for but I'm not finding many to suit him, though at least lots are being posted.

Tonight I'm thankful for a calm weekend and time with DH, a good sleep last night despite being at work and the blue skies and sunshine we've had all day. Also for the birdsong that's started again!

Cherryfudge

Another NSD for me - DH bought tea and found Southern fried chicken at half price. I haven't had it for ages and it was sooo nice.

I was on the early shift at work and once again got some admin done. This doesn't get me caught up but I've had three shifts where there's some paperwork beyond the basics to show for them, so I feel better about it. I have to have all this admin done by the end of the financial year as well as taking more annual leave. Without the paperwork I lose an increment, and as I lost one the other year due to sick leave, I'm not too keen to do that.

On a related matter, DH has just been told he doesn't actually have to take his pension if he can find a way to manage without it. He could instead let it continue to build up so he gets more at official retirement age. I haven't had time to discuss this with him yet or try to work out if it might be possible to live off my income alone, but I think it would be very difficult. Even if DH gets a job, he isn't going to be looking at his current income, and with no job it could be very hard. Nevertheless it might only be for a few months as I'm hoping to sell Mum's old house which would bridge the gap for a few years - that's if it sells. Too many 'ifs', really. I think we would be wise to use the pension.

I did have a nice surprise yesterday that I forgot to record: it turns out our utilities bill is just over £400 in credit. I know it's not been as cold a winter as it sometimes is but as I haven't changed energy supplier for a couple of years there potential to make it cheaper still.

After work the weather was still cold and clear but not freezing so I went for a run and had a lovely time. I felt so much better for it. Then this evening we got ourselves along to something at church which was again a good use of time and energy (and I had a catch up with a friend afterwards). Now I'm thinking it's time for bed: I'm quite tired and if I stay up I'll start snacking.

Tonight I'm thankful for all I've got done today and for the wonderful feeling I get from a run (even a little one).

Cherryfudge

I slept amazingly well last night - perhaps it was the run? I then spent far too long not getting down to prep for tonight when I'm leading a study. Since then I've been down to the supermarket with the new week's money and spent half of it. However, that covers two evening meals and a lot of work lunches so it was sensible spending.

It was another cold but beautiful day outside so I wish I'd had an excuse to be out of doors more. I'm quite short of steps on my F.tbit so perhaps I'll walk to my friend's tonight even if I then get a lift home!

Spending
e-book 99p
Housekeeping £12.83 (remaining housekeeping £16.20)
MS
£2 coin in change - now in savings
Worked out on the way home that I'd saved £6.13 over full prices by buying special offers (though some of the things I would try to avoid buying at full price).
Been offered an extra shift at work for later this month (and been granted one of the annual leave dates I wanted).
Decluttering
Two old receipts... okay, but it's better than nothing!

Today I'm thankful for a great night's sleep and another sunny day.

Cherryfudge

Another day, another book bought. I finished 'Men at Arms' (Terry Pratchett) which was clever and funny... I'm ringing the changes with the works of Plato! I'm a bit in awe of him but he's been referred to in various other things I've read so I reckon it's About Time. Of course I'm still reading several cookery books too.

The day started off cloudy and I thought the lovely weather had finished, but by late morning I discovered it felt actually warm as well as the sunshine returning. I couldn't stay in when it was like that so out I went. I spent some time tidying straggly wall baskets and weeding plant pots so the weeding and tidying is going on the decluttering list. I also ferried some houseplants to the doorstep because I thought they'd benefit. Some housework got done (not a huge amount) then I went out for another run. Annoyingly, I cancelled the app I was using just before the end so I don't have the stats but I doubt they are much different from Monday's.

It was gone sunset by the time I went to the shops but I bumped into DH there so we walked home together. He's had a meeting with the Council about his Dad's situation which has been reassuring.

We rounded off the day with another of the church meetings (these are on all week but I'm working tomorrow) so I'm quite tired again. I didn't make it back to work to study the rota and I have no idea what to get H for her birthday in a few days... I don't like resorting to vouchers but it's looking like the best option.

Spending
E-book 99p
Window cleaner £5.00
Gifts (I found somewhere selling Christmas baubles that take apart - at 25p each they are a bargain and next Christmas I can personalise them as gifts) - £2.00
Housekeeping £6.60
MS
Wombled 1p
DH and I have begun discussing how we can be more frugal!
Got the broadband details from DH and was thus able to present a bill for bills to DS2. He was fine about it and says he'll transfer the money... which is nice especially as it came to quite a bit more than the first time I calculated it. DS is going to be the highest earner in the house in a couple of months so I don't feel guilty.
Decluttered
Four pieces of paper, two wall baskets cleared of debris, two plants out of plastic pots and into the wall baskets, about another three pots emptied as the contents had died and two plants cleaned of dead wood. Gardeners please note I did take into consideration that we might have lots of frosts yet, so these are all in a sheltered corner and not too harshly trimmed.

Today I'm thankful for real warmth in the sun, for having sorted DS2's contribution and for a good evening at church.