Tales from The Shire

Fortune_Smiles

ruby_eskimo said:

Shame about the lack of PB win this month, that was a very good run you were on though.  You've got me hoping that I picked some sensible security questions for my account now though 😆  I started the 1p challenge last year and basically have been using to to treat myself to the things that have been on my wish list for a very long time like the new Le Crueset pan I bought in the pre-Christmas sale.  Currently saving for a necklace that I've wanted again for a very long time and then next it's on to a new handbag.  It's little bits of money that you don't really notice have gone from your account but it really does add up quickly.

I keep reminding myself that returns on PBs are not guaranteed but I'm still miffed 😆

I'm planning to use my 1p challenge pot in the same way Ruby.  If I can stick with it.  It's easy at the moment because it's only pennies but, later on, it might get trickier.

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

Meh!

I felt very 'meh' yesterday and wasted most of the day.  I did make Portobello & Blue Cheese Melts for lunch to use up some of the Christmas stilton and Swede & Pancetta Spaghetti to use up the small swede that came in the Christmas veg box.  I still have an enormous, donated swede to find recipes for 😆

Today I have included some restorative things on my to do list to try and lift the gloom:

• walked FDawg.  It was grey and wet but warmer than yesterday and it did me good to get outside
• organised and posted some photos from Christmas on FB.  This gave me a real lift as it reminded me of how lucky we were to get everyone around the table and what fun we had.  I miss Christmas 🎄
• made tuna melt ciabattas for lunch as Mr F was busy pottering outside and wanted a quick meal
• baked Mincemeat Banana Bread to use up some leftover mincemeat and brandy butter which I substituted for the unsalted butter.  We have lots of sulky bananas in the house at the moment as we had some in the Christmas veg box and then were donated a lot by one of our guests.  So I could make another loaf if this one turns out ok as there's still mincemeat and brandy butter left too.

I'm intending to cook Potato & Stuffing Hash for supper as there's a tray of stuffing leftover from Christmas.  Maybe with some peas.  I'm also planning a yoga session to make two exercise sessions this week (I'm starting slowly so I don't break myself again).  Then a bubble bath 🛀

Mr F and I may go out exploring tomorrow... if the weather holds.

Hope you're all having a good weekend.

Fortune x

Cheery_Daff

Sorry you've been glum Fortune. Good that you've done a few things to lift your spirits - I hope they're working! A bubble bath will definitely help, as should some of that tasty food! 😊

Suffolk_lass

Another suggestion for sad bananas is to blitz them and freeze as a quick banana "ice-cream"

savingholmes

Suffolk_lass said:

Another suggestion for sad bananas is to blitz them and freeze as a quick banana "ice-cream"

Interesting. May try at some point. Used to love banana split.

FS glad you got out for a walk.

@badmemory I find getting food delivered usually saves me £. I gripe about subs but still worth it. Refunds are quick too. I use Mr A

Fortune_Smiles

Cheery_Daff said:

Sorry you've been glum Fortune. Good that you've done a few things to lift your spirits - I hope they're working! A bubble bath will definitely help, as should some of that tasty food! 😊

Feeling more upbeat now Cheery thank you - was just having an Eeyore day I think 🤭

Suffolk_lass said:

Another suggestion for sad bananas is to blitz them and freeze as a quick banana "ice-cream"

I definitely need some low cal ideas SL - saw myself in a video today and all I'll say is it wasn't pretty 😲

savingholmes said:

Suffolk_lass said:

Another suggestion for sad bananas is to blitz them and freeze as a quick banana "ice-cream"

Interesting. May try at some point. Used to love banana split.

FS glad you got out for a walk.

@badmemory I find getting food delivered usually saves me £. I gripe about subs but still worth it. Refunds are quick too. I use Mr A

I feel very virtuous after my walk SH and it's quality time with Mr F too.

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

Date Day

Mr F and I had a date day today.  We took the truck out over the Long Mynd.  It was sunny and clear so the views were fabulous but it was very cold.  We took a packed lunch - bagels with cheddar and peach chutney leftover from Christmas, the last of the panetonne and some fruit and nibbles.  Mr F had a flask of tea and I had a small flask of hot chocolate 😋  We were out for most of the day and I'm exhausted now.  I was gate monitor so had to jump in and out of the truck all the time to open and close gates so I did get some exercise but I think it was mostly the fresh air 😆

We've had Butternut Squash & Cheese Risotto for supper which used up a Christmas goat's cheese.  There's enough leftover for tomorrow's supper too.  I've menu planned and I think we'll have used up the remaining Christmas leftovers by the end of the week.  Although there will be some mini mince pies left in the freezer which are destined for making ice cream when an occasion calls for it.

We spent money on fuel (blimey it's gotten expensive 😲) but no other spends so a reasonably cheap day out.  And, of course, we were outdoors and able to keep a fair distance from other people.  Another of the Younger Fortunates has come done with Covid 😲  Not surprising as the two live together.  They are feeling quite poorly with it but are recovering.  At least they don't have to keep to separate rooms now.

I'm hoping the PB money will arrive in my account tomorrow so I can pay the full 10% allowance off the mortgage.  Very excited about that 😊

Hope everyone's had a great weekend.

Fortune x

beanielou

Glad that you had a good day 

StripeyTightsSpottySocks

Hi fortune smiles - I'd not been on here for a while but recently returned. I'm sure I posted on here a long time ago. It is good to see you keeping up with your writing and art and it's lovely hearing you post about your home which is nice to picture - especially when it's a dark wet evening like now and i can imagine your lovely countryside around - even if it's dark and wet there too! And your delicious meals - you've often inspired me to try new things so i wanted to say thank you   

Fortune_Smiles

beanielou said:

Glad that you had a good day 

Thank you Beanie 😘

Fortune x