Tales from The Shire

Fortune_Smiles

Another New Normal

The Cottage is now fully booked for July and August 😁  This is great news, however, I'm having to re-adjust my routine (again) to take account of the extra work.  Thank you everyone who sent me ideas for our Honeymooners.  I'm planning to leave them a bottle of fizz and am making them a chalkboard which I'll hang in the Cottage and write a note on to say 'this is for you'.

I'm feeling a litte off balance again so I've reviewed my 2020 goals:

Financial 💰

• continue to overpay a regular amount to the mortgage.  I'm going to re-start overpayments this month.  Mr F's job is no safer than anyone else's at the moment but I think we have enough cash put by now to see us through should the worst happen.
• get to 100% of target for our emergency savings.   I think we'll get to 100% by the end of the year... unless we have any (other) emergencies 😆 
• improve our income from the Annex by 25%.  Surprisingly this may actually still happen.  Largely due to increasing our charges and minimum stay.  I realise now that without Covid to contend with this wouldn't have been a stretch target.  In the circumstances, I'll be delighted if we make it.

Emotional 🥰

We've had a couple of blips throughout lockdown but are generally coping well.  The veg patch has been a great project for us to work on together and it's so satisfying to harvest home grown, organic fruit and veg.  Video calls have helped us to connect with friends and family and we are more confident to go on outdoor adventures now.  Things might become a bit more difficult when the winter draws in and Christmas approaches but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

Intellectual 🎨

At the beginning of lockdown I was all fired up to get creative and complete some projects.  My motivation has waned recently (perhaps naturally) but I'm still doing a bit of painting and preserving.  I'll need to make sure I allow some time for these things now the Cottage is back up and running.

Physical 🏃‍♀️

• continue with yoga.  I made a good start with yoga at home but haven't done anything now for a few weeks.  I know I'll start to seize up if I don't continue so must find the motivation from somewhere.
• attempt Couch to 5k again.  I did the first few weeks of the programme but the old hip problem which stopped me before started to return.
• reach target weight and review.  I'm not at target and I've put on half a stone 🙄

Hmmm 🤔  I'm not doing very well on this one am I.  My report card would say 'Must try harder'.  I'll have a think and seek some inspiration.

Environmental 🌳

• extend the veg patch.  Done.  I'm so pleased with the progress we've made.  It's our biggest success this year.
• decorate at least two rooms.  We have the paint but most of Mr F's leave was cancelled so it's still on the to do list.
• identify and prioritise home improvements.  We're working through the list of priorities although most of this year's budget has gone on repairing the leaky windows and doors.

Social 👭👩🏻‍🤝‍🧑🏼👩🏻‍🤝‍🧑🏼👭

Most of our socialising has been done on line with a very few socially distant face to face interactions.  I think that's how things will have to continue for now.

I think we're doing very well despite the restrictions Covid has imposed.  Something seems to be missing at the moment though - perhaps I'm suffering from lockdown-fatigue.  I know I'm worried about DS2.  He was made redundant and I think it's going to be much harder for him to find another job now.  I shall just keep putting one foot in front of the other and counting my blessings until we get through this.  Maybe I'll plan an outing for the weekend and hope the weather holds 😆

Hope everyone is safe and well.

Fortune x

Cheery_Daff

I think you're doing exceedingly well Fortune, especially with lockdown, but even without! Lots of progress in lots of areas. Great news on the annex income, and your emergency savings, and the veg patch, so many things! 

beanielou

Keep plodding 

the_cross_rabbit

I tried the couch25k again and my hip problem started up again so have decided I’m not built for running, but plodding is more me.
CRx

Fortune_Smiles

Cheery_Daff said:

I think you're doing exceedingly well Fortune, especially with lockdown, but even without! Lots of progress in lots of areas. Great news on the annex income, and your emergency savings, and the veg patch, so many things! 

beanielou said:

Keep plodding 

the_cross_rabbit said:

I tried the couch25k again and my hip problem started up again so have decided I’m not built for running, but plodding is more me.
CRx

Thanks guys.  I do feel we've done well - I think I'm just worried about the economy going forward.  Mr F and I should be ok but there are hard times ahead for a lot of folks.

Sorry to hear about your hip CR - it's a pain isn't it... literally! 😆

Fortune x

Moneyfordreams

Your efforts are amazing as always. We've had a couple of lettuce leaves. one plumb and the slugs have eaten the potato plant

Fortune_Smiles

Courgettes Galore!

It's courgette season in the veg patch 😁  So far we've had:

• Gnocchi & Creme Fraiche with Courgettes, Broad Beans & Peas
• Courgette & Goat's Cheese Ciabatta
• and Courgette & Goat's Cheese Tart is planned for super this evening.

We have three courgette plants and two courgette/marrow hybrids so they'll be featuring heavily in the meal plan going forward.  I've had to cancel my veg box order for the last three weeks as we also have broad beans, chard, cavolo nero, spinach, radish, lettuce and new potatoes ready for picking.  I noticed that the french beans and spring onions will be ready soon too.

Yesterday I popped up to our little local supermarket to pick up annex supplies for this weekend's guests.  They wanted to arrive from 12.00 and the T£$co shop wasn't due until after 4.00.  Also painted a slate to make into a chalk board for our honeymooners.  All the currants in the fruit cage need picking (we can't eat them fast enough) so I started with the pink currants and made some gin with them.  I think we're going to need a lot more gin! 😆

Whilst I was at the supermarket I checked out the post office counter they have there and it was really quiet.  When I've checked previously there have been long queues so I've avoided going.  Now I know there is a quiet time I'll chance a visit next week.

Lunch yesterday was a tuna melt baguette which used up some leftover peppers, tomatoes and sweetcorn.  Supper was Celeriac Curry with Chard.  I used chard from the veg patch and also some new potatoes as I only had half a head of celeriac.  I don't usually post breakfast recipes but we've had Crumpet French Toast a couple of times this week and it's great to help use up a glut of berries and currants if you have one - don't add the water to the fruit though, you won't need it.

I have a day of housework to look forward to today 🥱  I must get on though otherwise I'll be back cleaning in the Annex for the next guests and my own house will end up looking like Miss Havisham's 😮  Tomorrow is earmarked for ironing and I'm hoping Mr F might cut and drill some slate for me so I can do more painting.  I'm down to my last bits of slate now so need to source another supply.

Happy Friday all.

Fortune x

ruby_eskimo

I love a good courgette dish and wish we could grow our own but we just don't have the space.  Love the slate, you're very talented and it's adorable.

Fortune_Smiles

ruby_eskimo said:

I love a good courgette dish and wish we could grow our own but we just don't have the space.  Love the slate, you're very talented and it's adorable.

Thank you Ruby.  I love courgette's too (fortunately) - they are the magic porridge pot of vegetables, they just keep giving and giving.  I have tried them in pots before and they do quite well as long as they get enough food and water.

Fortune x

the_cross_rabbit

Stunning artwork 
CRx