Cherry takes the reins

redofromstart

I've got dates on my list for Monday So much for using up things I have, and no more baking.

charlies_tribe

I've been at work today, it was worse than Christmas! Yesterday they were queuing in the aisle. There was no bread from 2pm (a large Mr T).
Well done on not spending in the retail park, i daren't even go to look round as i know there will be something i want.

redofromstart

Hello,

Lime and coconut slice as mentioned else where:

6oz plain flour, 1oz sugar, 4oz butter mixed to make breadcrumbs. Line a small tray - mine is 18cm x 15cm. Tip two thirds of the breadcrumbs into the lined tin. Spread them out and then squash down with a fish slice to make a nice thin compacted shortbread style base. Save the other third for the crumble topping. If you haven't got enough to fill your tin use it all and make another small batch for the topping. Put the base in at 180 for 12 minutes. Let it cool.

Spread over lime or lemon curd (or jam with coconut in the crumble topping, or stewed apple with nutmeg or cinnamon in with the crumble topping).

Add any flavour to the remaining crumble mix, I added a few handfuls of coconut for the lime one, then sprinkle it over the fruit layer then back into the oven for another 20 minutes at 180. Let it cool then cut into small cubes.

For the lime curd I did the bowl over the pan thing. Zest and juice of 3 limes, with 4oz sugar and 2 oz butter. Melt it together till the sugar is dissolved, then add two beaten eggs and stir constantly for 20 minutes (yawn) till it costs the back of the spoon. Next time I would add twice as much curd. When I make the jam one I use a whole jar. HTH

Cherryfudge

Brilliant! Thanks, redo

Cherryfudge

Back to work this afternoon and overnight so a quick catch up is called for.

Yesterday DH treated me to a cinema visit to see The Winter's Tale ballet which was absolutely superb - an afternoon well spent. I got a drink in the interval so £3.85 on entertainment.

Having finished last week with an overspend on housekeeping I'm about £5 short this week but am hoping that between having two meals out and casseroles in the freezer, it shouldn't be too much of a problem. I have, however, discovered that the big bag of chickpeas which I put in the freezer yesterday has frozen into a solid block, so I foresee a bit of a situation in the future!

I've also fitted in a sneaky weekend birthday so I have Am@zon and garden centre vouchers to spend! I have my eye on a couple of books but haven't made any decisions yet. I also noticed I have 90p in The W0rks points to be spent by the end of the month but I'm not shopping specially. Same goes for all those 'It's your birthday!' offers that come by email - if I wasn't going to buy anyway I probably won't use them. It's all money in their hands and less space in my overcrowded house!

Speaking of buying, our cooker element packed up yesterday but DH was able to find the email for last time this happened and has ordered a replacement which we hope to install ourselves (as we did 4 years ago). That should save a fair bit. Then DS's laptop packed up (will no longer charge on mains) and he admitted he is having trouble getting enough charge on his phone too. He has money but it's all locked up in ISAs and stuff so cash flow is a problem. This semester has been easier as he's not had travel expenses (placement near home) but generally he's very cash-strapped. He can borrow our laptop but the battery is useless so it has to be on mains - and the lead is becoming unreliable!

On the plus side I gave him a traditional alarm clock that was Mum's - has anyone else noticed modern houses don't always have actual clocks? He is charmed with it. The numbers light up and he used pliers to get the hands in the right place (the little wheels that wound them round have disappeared). I remember his older (tech-savvy from toddlerhood) brother being fascinated with a very old gramophone too, and their Dad loves the grandfather clock. There is a fascination in mechanism that isn't the same as electronics.

I had better go and have lunch now so I can get to the shops before work. I wonder if bread is back on the shelves?

Spends:
Entertainment £3.85

charlies_tribe

Happy belated birthday Cherry!! Hope you had a fantastic day.

Hope work isn't too busy and you manage to get some bread. The snow is almost gone here too.

XSpender

Many happy returns xx

redofromstart

Happy Birthday from me too

Cherryfudge

Thank you everyone! And yes, bread is back, though I know in other areas there are people still snowed in. In fact it rained hard last night here so nearly all the snow is gone.

I have been making hummus with red pepper and it tastes very nice though I am probably unsociably garlicy... I saw the recipe on XSpender's freezer thread. I did have to thin it down with some of the liquid from the jar of peppers because it originally had all the lightness of a half-dried out swamp, but taste-wise - yummy! And money-saving as I have a 2kg bag of chick peas cooked and in the fridge and we had the other ingredients too.

Tonight will be less money-saving as I'm out with friends for a meal and will probably go to someone's house and play silly board games later.

I spent a little on groceries yesterday and £10 on piano lesson today so I'll start a new week's reckoning on the end of this post.

5th Spends:
Housekeeping £3.10
Medical £1.00
6th Spends:
Piano £10.00
(Late addition) Entertainment £12.40 meal out
MS stuff:
Home made hummus
7th Spends:
Lunch out £7.00
Housekeeping £3.88
MS Stuff:
Attempted to make yogurt
Dinner from leftovers
8th Spends:
Greetings cards £2.50
Housekeeping £1.00
MS Stuff:
Made enough yogurt to float a battleship
9th
Ebook £0.99
10th
Housekeeping £2.58
Garden £1.80
11th
NSD

Sun_Addict

Happy belated birthday Cherry