Tales from The Shire

Fortune_Smiles

kaycastle wrote: »

I was instantly attracted by the title of your diary we often refer to our home as our hobbit hole.

Happy Monday to you too and good luck on your to do list. What veg you planting? I was really hoping to do lots of veg garden things this weekend but the weather was terrible.
I can't wait to have tomatos again this year, it's a massive cost saving as I gobble so many.

Hello KC :hello: and thanks for dropping by. 'Hobbit hole' makes me think of cosy hearths and second breakfasts

I'm starting with broad beans and parsnips this year - neither of which I've tried before. And then anything we enjoy eating. Wish me luck.

Hope you have a successful tomato year

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

In line with my health goal this year I have reviewed my diet. It's not all bad as I cook from scratch and am largely vegetarian. However, it's a bit heavy on dairy and sugar so I've started to make some changes. I want to move to a largely plant based, whole food diet and avoid added sugar.

So far, so good and after just 5 days I am started to feel the benefits:

• I've lost 5lbs :j Without restricting the amounts I'm eating or being hungry
• I seem to have more energy and am more motivated to do things
• I've slept better and haven't woken up at my usual 5.00 am for the last two days
• my cough (asthma related) has lessened
• heartburn, which I've been suffering from for a year or so, has become a stranger.

I'm not intending to be fanatical about it but hope to get an 80/20 balance. Mr F is on board so that will help. I have stuff in the fridge which I'll use up so it will be a gradual move toward better food.

I got some chores done yesterday including a deep clean of the annex bedroom :T And, I went to the Zumba class. I had to keep things low impact as I wasn't sure how my hip would respond. It felt a little sore during the class but seems fine today. I have yoga tomorrow so will see how it feels after that and, if I'm ok, may go to the next class which is on Thursday.

Shrove Tuesday today so I will look for a whole food recipe although a little maple syrup may be had.

Happy flipping :rotfl:

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

Today has been a productive day if not the one I planned. I skipped yoga to spend the time with Mr F. He is exhausted from his travels, still suffering from a bug he picked up weeks ago, sleep deprived and feeling very low. He needs some tlc :heartsmil

It was lucky I decided to stay home. On Sunday I'd ordered some oil from The 0i1 C1u8. I'd deliberated a bit as the gauge on our tank was showing we had quite a bit left, but the price was good and I decided to take advantage of it. Thank goodness I did! When the delivery driver arrived he looked in the tank and told me it was only 1% full :eek: Apparently there is a little valve on the gauge you have to pull out to get an accurate reading. Who knew! The previous owner had told us that she didn't trust the gauge and I'd noticed that it didn't seem to move much. So now we know why Anyhoo, the driver called the office and was able to double my order to fill the tank a bit. It was a close call though. If the tank had run out lots of sludge would have been dragged through the heating system and we'd have had to get it cleaned out. I've marked the 500 and 1000 litre levels on the gauge now so we won't have the same problem in the future.

Apart from taking care of Mr F I have spent the day talking to workmen. The last two storms have hit us hard and we have damage to our roof and now think the log burner chimney may have dropped. A couple of guys came round to quote for the roof and I've gone with the one who I felt most confident about. He should be able to do the work at the end of next week. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed we don't get any more storms in the meantime. He also gave me an idea of costs for repairing our drive which will be our next big project and our patio which we'll do this year if we can stretch to it. I also found out that our new front gate is ready but am in discussion with Gate Man as he's asking us for more money. We've paid a significant deposit and were expecting the gate posts to be installed before the gate was manufactured. Apparently he changed his mind about the order of work but neglected to tell us. I don't think there'll be a problem but I'd like to see the gate in situ before I pay anything further.

Healthy eating is going well, meals yesterday and today were:

• Kiwi, Ginger & Banana Smoothie made with almond milk rather than cows' milk and yoghurt
• Chana Masala with wholegrain rice
• Spaghetti with Leeks, Peas, Bacon & Lemon. I used wholewheat spaghetti and, as I didn't have any creme fraiche, used a little mascarpone instead and halved the parmesan
• Versatile Vegetable Soup made with onion, carrots and sweet potatoes. This is a 'go to' recipe for me as it really is so versatile and I can use up any sulky veg lurking at the bottom of the fridge. We had a couple of slices of wholemeal bread with it spread with a little butter.

So a little meat and dairy but I'm being frugal with the measures.

Mr F has taken himself off to bed poor love. He really is worn out. I'm hoping some nutritious food and a good night's sleep will sort him out.

Night all

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

We have paid off the new car loan :j So are debt free again. Do I get a badge? We had a little debt when I first joined the forum years ago but I didn't get a badge when that was cleared. I feel deprived :rotfl:

So finances are back to where they should be

My new car went back to the garage yesterday to get a fault fixed and some rear mudflaps fitted. They also changed the wiper blades for me as I'd noticed my windscreen was getting very smeary when it rained. No cost as it was all covered under the warranty.

I met up with former lodger friend whilst waiting for the car to be fixed. We had some lunch and a good catch up. Costs will be met from personal spends.

Healthy eating continues with Veggie Shepherds Pie with Purple Sprouting Broccoli with Almonds. I added a few potatoes to the topping as I find it a little wet otherwise. Lunch today was a salad of Batvia lettuce, watercress, pea shoots, quinoa, roasted beetroot and feta with a lemon dressing.

Mr F has been out for a little social with some other veterans this morning and is now outside doing garden jobs. He does seem to be recovering from his travels little by little.

I have been taking photos for Baying purposes and then have the ironing pile to look forward to At least it's warm and dry in the house - it's horrid outside!

I am still benefiting from the extra fruit and veg and see little improvements every day to the quality of my sleep and energy levels. I've now lost 6lbs I'm hoping it will help Mr F to properly kick the virus he picked up in January.

We'd planned a trip out tomorrow but the weather forecast is dire. Might be a day for staying cosy in front of the telly I think.

Enjoy the weekend all

Fortune x

greent

There's a thread on the DFW forum to post being DF on, I think - you *should* then get a badge when MSEBadger next runs through it, I believe...
x

Fortune_Smiles

greent wrote: »

There's a thread on the DFW forum to post being DF on, I think - you *should* then get a badge when MSEBadger next runs through it, I believe...
x

Thanks GreenT - I'll take a look.

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

...well except for FDawg. Mr F is off on another overseas business trip but at least this one is in Europe and only until Thursday. His sleeping patterns had improved by the time he left so that's something.

My veg box arrived on Friday bolstered by all sorts of green and healthy additions. We've had Beetroot, Feta & Grain Salad, Venetian-Style Pasta (not my favourite so probably won't cook again), a Cheese Salad Sandwich (packed lunch) and Sausage Noodle Stir-fry made with purple sprouting broccoli rather than sugar snap peas. There was enough stir fry left over for two suppers whilst Mr F is away and I'm intending lots of salad lunches until he gets back.

We had a day out in Mr F's truck on Sunday and went to a local reservoir. It was stunning despite the wind and hail although we only left the truck to give FDawg a couple of short walks and to have a quick look around the visitors' centre. We took a packed lunch and ate it in the truck looking over the reservoir

A little more work has been done in the Annex and I plan to do a little more today. I ordered some more of the things we need to get it up and running and I'm still within budget so far. The issue with the front gate may be resolved and I'm hoping we can go and see it at the weekend.

It was WI last night but I skipped my usual cocktail in favour of some water. Indulged in two smoked salmon canapes and a slice of banana and raisin bread spread with butter. Both were delicious and in line with my 80/20 approach. Cheaper too as the refreshments were provided by another member and water is much cheaper than cocktails... no surprise there :rotfl:

Better sign off as FDawg is due his walk soon and he doesn't let me forget :rotfl:

Have a great day

Fortune x

beanielou

You are very quiet.
Missing your posts.
Hope all is well

VintageHistorian

Just popping in to echo Beanie - Hope you're doing well Fortune!

Fortune_Smiles

Where do I even start? It's been a real roller coaster ride since I last posted. Lots of highs and lots of hurdles. I don't know if we've reached the end of the ride yet but I do have a little more head space now to focus on the money side of things. Not all recent events fall into the money saving category and I've moved on from some of the ones that do. So, in a nutshell:

HEALTH :j

We are all well if a little drained. There are health issues but more with the people around us. I've signed up for another term of yoga and Mr F has started going to Pilates. A return to healthy eating and a little more sleep would do us the world of good

WEALTH :money:

The Annex is up and running :T We've had our first guest and gained a glowing 5* review We also have two further bookings.

The new car has been replaced by... a new, new car :eek: After 4 return visits to the garage in 4 months an ongoing fault with the new car was still not remedied. Fortunately they extended our 3 month warranty to 5 months so no costs were involved. However, they wanted to take the car for a week to completely strip it down and get to the bottom of things :eek: We said no, we'll have our money back thank you. Cue a mad panic to try and find another car quickly. We now have a different make and so far, so good. The whole exercise has cost us though

The storm damage to the house roof and the annex roof has been repaired. The builder we found has been brilliant and we'll definitely be using him for other things. We still have some work to do on the log burner chimney but I have the money set aside for that.

Our new gate is in place But I'm not happy with the quality We paid a lot for the gate so that we wouldn't have to replace it again and I don't feel I've got value for money. A message left with the company has gone unanswered so I will try them again tomorrow.

HAPPINESS

Mr F was away for so much of the first quarter of the year that we've spent the last few weeks desperately trying to catch up with house maintenance and gardening. We had guests for 5 days over Easter and DS2 and wife visited this weekend. It did mean that we got to do some socialising but we're both exhausted now. DS2 and wife helped us with the garden today before they left and the 4 of us managed to get a lot done so the load is lighter for this week. They really did graft!

Our next Annex guests are coming at the weekend but, apart from that, we are looking forward to having the house to ourselves and doing some gentle pottering. We may even have a day out

We will certainly be having an early night tonight :rotfl:

I hope all is well with everyone and thank you Beanie and Vintage Historian for checking in - you're both sweethearts :kisses3:

Fortune x