Finally Debt Free After 34 Years, But Still Need to Live Frugally

blah1234

So sorry to hear about your BIL and hope the family is coping okay during this time.

We have been getting some plants sorted too for our garden and have really gone down the functional route this year. So mostly herbs at the moment with basil, rosemary, thyme, mint and chives so far courtesy of my fathers garden. 

milann

The plants sound lovely Hairy. I always thought it the alkaline in the soil that determines the colour of a hydrangea - I never knew you could colour them yourself. I’m jealous you’re home and able to potter - 3 1/2 days left for me.....not that I’m counting 😉 
I’m pleased you enjoyed your meeting with your stepdad. 

jwil

Happy holidays!  Hope you have a good break x

HairyHandofDartmoor

milann said:

The plants sound lovely Hairy. I always thought it the alkaline in the soil that determines the colour of a hydrangea - I never knew you could colour them yourself. I’m jealous you’re home and able to potter - 3 1/2 days left for me.....not that I’m counting 😉 
I’m pleased you enjoyed your meeting with your stepdad. 

It does, but if you have a hydrangea in a pot you can add bluing agent to your watering can. I tried nails buried in the soil under a hydrangea once but it didn't work, so I'm going to try planting one in a pot next spring and try the bluing treatment. 
https://marshallsgarden.com/products/hydrangea-colourant-500g-10907079?variant=31308744294451¤cy=GBP&ds_rl=1278790&ds_rl=1284267&ds_rl=1278790&ds_rl=1284267&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIrJai9ebd6gIVWeDtCh3UiQBgEAQYAyABEgIcL_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I think this is the type of thing.

Not long now until you're on holiday .

HairyHandofDartmoor

blah1234 said:

So sorry to hear about your BIL and hope the family is coping okay during this time.

We have been getting some plants sorted too for our garden and have really gone down the functional route this year. So mostly herbs at the moment with basil, rosemary, thyme, mint and chives so far courtesy of my fathers garden. 

Thank you Blah . I hope your herbs grow well.

jwil said:

Happy holidays!  Hope you have a good break x

Thank you Jwil .

Bubblesmum

I love hydrangeas, we have pale Pink ones ( more acid) than alkaline soil. Love the idea of putting them in pots and feeding them to make them blue 

HairyHandofDartmoor

Bubblesmum said:

I love hydrangeas, we have pale Pink ones ( more acid) than alkaline soil. Love the idea of putting them in pots and feeding them to make them blue 

Yes me too . I love hydrangeas too. I've got a pink one in the front garden but would love to have more.

HairyHandofDartmoor

I feel excited but apprehensive because we've booked a short self catering break 😀.
I'm not going to visit my Dad in the south east or go to Scotland to visit my sister this year like I normally do due to virus concerns. My dad has offered to give me £500 to book a short break in a self catering place 😀. Isn't that lovely of him?
We didn't want to go without DS1 as he hasn't had a holiday for years and we asked DS2 to come as we didn't want to leave him out. We were worried we wouldn't find anywhere without adding lots of money to it, so I was getting a bit stressed about it 😩. But we've finally found a three bedroomed house for £734 for four nights. It's in a quiet village in Somerset and has a private garden and country views. So we've booked it! We've had to add £234 to the money my dad is giving me, but that includes fees and cleaning so it's an inclusive price. Somerset isn't too far to drive and we thought we'd mainly go to NT places and take our own food and drinks, so the main cost will be petrol. We haven't had a family holiday for nine years so I'm excited but a bit apprehensive about spending the money. It should be quite relaxing though as it's in the country and the rural views will be very soothing, so hopefully it will do us all good and nice to spend some time together as a family . It's just a shame DS3 can't come but he wouldn't be able to get there very easily and we definitely can't afford four bedrooms!

My sister is coming to stay with us for four nights at the end of August. She's booked one direct train journey from Edinburgh to minimise contact with people so I hope it will be safe for DH. But as she's lost her husband a few weeks ago I want to see her and she needs her family at this traumatic time. I've been planning some lovely walks we can go on. There's a coastal walk I know she will love. I'm really looking forward to seeing her 🙂.

This afternoon we've booked a slot at a local NT place so we mustn't be late as you get a half hour slot to go in. It seems to be flying ant day so I hope that doesn't ruin our walk around the gardens 😳. After that we need to nip into Mr M for some more oat milk for DS1. 

This morning I've changed our bedding and put it on to wash. I haven't done anything else as booking the holiday took forever!

I hope everyone has a good Tuesday 🙂.

Onebrokelady

How exciting booking a holiday, it's nice to be able to get away for a little bit, me and DD2 we're talking about it the other day but I don't think I can really afford it because I've got too many things to do at home, maybe next year 😊
Your garden sounds like it's coming together too, I have a bay tree that used to be in a pot,I made the mistake of planting it in the garden one year and it's now as tall as my house 🙀🙀

elizabethhull

HairyHandofDartmoor said:

 My dad has offered to give me £500 to book a short break in a self catering place 😀. Isn't that lovely of him?
We didn't want to go without DS1 as he hasn't had a holiday for years and we asked DS2 to come as we didn't want to leave him out. We were worried we wouldn't find anywhere without adding lots of money to it, so I was getting a bit stressed about it 😩. But we've finally found a three bedroomed house for £734 for four nights. It's in a quiet village in Somerset and has a private garden and country views. So we've booked it! 

My sister is coming to stay with us for four nights at the end of August. She's booked one direct train journey from Edinburgh to minimise contact with people so I hope it will be safe for DH. But as she's lost her husband a few weeks ago I want to see her and she needs her family at this traumatic time. I've been planning some lovely walks we can go on. There's a coastal walk I know she will love. I'm really looking forward to seeing her 🙂.

This is wonderful news - I'm so happy for you. And such a thoughtful gift from your Dad, lovely man !