Tales from The Shire

Fortune_Smiles

It's been a busy couple of days so I'm just taking a five minute break before getting the supper on.

The two vegetable beds did get a mulch yesterday but Mr F dug over another big one after I'd finished which will have to wait for another day. Mr F got his big boy chainsaw out in the afternoon and cut down a couple of the laurels in our courtyard. They've self seeded and have taken over. We have some pretty small trees in the courtyard but they are being crowded out. I'd had enough by lunch time so spent the afternoon doing my writing course homework.

It's pay day today so I have shuffled money. I've made six Bay sales :T so have added that cash into the pot. The rest of the day has been spent getting the house ready for visitors as the boys are coming for Bonfire Night.

There has been a small spend today. As you know, I can never get wellies to fit my skinny feet properly but it helps if I wear them with ski socks. Mine went to sock heaven this weekend. After twelve years I've finally worn the heels through :rotfl: Good ski socks are expensive but I managed to find two pairs on the Bay today for £13.75 including the postage. That's about half price so I'm pleased with that.

Meals have all been from this week's meal plan:

Lunch yesterday: Warm Broccoli, Stilton & Pear Salad
Supper yesterday: Cheesy Leek & Bacon Pasta
Lunch today: Versatile Veg Soup made with onions, sulky carrots, butternut squash and potatoes
Planned supper today: Leek & Dolcelatte Risotto.

This evening I need to plan meals for the coming week and finalise arrangements for the weekend.

Hope your week's off to a good start guys.

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

Time seems to be whizzing by :eek:

I've organised everyone for the weekend and sorted out catering. I managed to get everything we need for only a couple of pounds over my usual weekly grocery budget :T Just need to get the house in order now

The Bay sales have left the house, either courtesy of Mr Postman or via collection. I've sought out a few further items to list next.

Lodger friend is busy packing up her house ready for completion on the sale. She asked me if I wanted to take a look at some paintings she was taking to the charity shop in case they'd suit the Cottage. They do :T Lots of peaceful countryside scenes in antique style frames. Perfect.

I went to two writing groups yesterday, one in the afternoon and one in the evening. They don't usually fall on the same day and I wanted to go to both because my course homework this week is to get feedback on a story and edit accordingly. Total costs - one hot chocolate and one orange juice.

Mr F went to buy the fence posts today for keeping bullocks out We hadn't realised the cost we'd seen on line didn't include VAT so the bill was quite a lot higher than we were expecting :eek: It can't be left so we'll have to bite the bullet. We also did some research and got a better idea of gate costs. I think we'll be looking at early next year before we can get that done. Especially because Mr F went to the local brewery today to pick up beer for the weekend and came back with two cases instead of the requested one :eek: It's a slippery slope :rotfl:

We had the last of the veg soup for lunch today and Goan Prawn & Coconut Curry for supper.

It's the last night for my extravagant pumpkin. I've put a tealight in it religiously every night. Determine to get my money's worth :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Happy Halloween!

Fortune x

Fortune_Smiles

All is well with the Fortunate household:

• Our Bonfire Night went well and we kept within budget
• FDawg spent a night in the kennels and coped well
• I have started the Christmas commission and the client and I are pleased with it so far. I am so enjoying it that I think I might start taking general commissions again
• I've drafted a story for my course homework. Just need to finesse it now
• I'm on top of the housework
• Came in a little under budget on the grocery shop this week but I didn't buy flowers as I'm going to try some flowering plants instead which might work out cheaper.

Lodger friend has completed her house sale. She has been at the boyfriends all week settling the cats in and sorting her stuff which she is storing there.

I'm going to try to get Mr F and I into a yoga class tonight. I ran around the top field with FDawg yesterday, just a little, but the hip injury flared up straight away. I'm hoping yoga will improve my strength and alignment and I might be able to start running again in a little while.

Must call the plumber too. He's coming tomorrow to do the outstanding repair and the office were supposed to call to let me know the cost.

Mr F is marching at the Cenotaph in London this weekend so I have some time to myself. If the weather's good I shall do some more gardening. If not, I shall work on my stories and paintings.

Hope everyone's having a great week.

Fortune x

the_cross_rabbit

Hi Fortune, flowering plants are the way to go. I bought some geraniums plants for the house at the start of summer and they are still producing masses of flowers. I think they cost me £6 for 3.
CRx

Fortune_Smiles

the_cross_rabbit wrote: »

Hi Fortune, flowering plants are the way to go. I bought some geraniums plants for the house at the start of summer and they are still producing masses of flowers. I think they cost me £6 for 3.
CRx

Geraniums are so pretty - I bet they look gorgeous.

Fortune x

Karmacat

All sounding good here, Fortune (except the flaring hip!).

Fortune_Smiles

Another day goes to plan

I did some more work on the commission this morning. Good job I have a day light lamp - it's all a bit grey outside at the moment, and set to get greyer tomorrow I hear :eek:

I had to call the plumber to find out the cost of tomorrow's repair. It's about what I expected so that's good.

The rest of the day has been spent drinking champagne and wearing diamonds. Or possibly, ironing :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Lunch was guacomole on toasted mediterranean bread with grilled tomatoes and fried eggs and supper was pasta with bacon, chilli and tomato sauce. Using up leftovers from the weekend

Stay dry and warm folks

Fortune x

brizzlegirl

Great to catch up and see how well you’re doing. Love it..well done FS Sorry about the hip, am sure Pilates and yoga will help.

X

doingitanyway

Fortune_Smiles wrote: »

The rest of the day has been spent drinking champagne and wearing diamonds. Or possibly, ironing :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

An image of you ironing wearing a diamond tiara, iron in one hand champagne in the other

Fortune_Smiles

Karmacat wrote: »

All sounding good here, Fortune (except the flaring hip!).

Thanks Karma. The hip is settling down slowly.

brizzlegirl wrote: »

Great to catch up and see how well you’re doing. Love it..well done FS Sorry about the hip, am sure Pilates and yoga will help.

X

Thank you too Brizzle. I have high hopes for yoga. I used to go regularly and it really helped put everything straight... or bendy... if you see what I mean :rotfl:

doingitanyway wrote: »

An image of you ironing wearing a diamond tiara, iron in one hand champagne in the other

Isn't that how everybody irons DIA? If not, it should be :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

Fortune x