the hedgehog's balloons.

[Deleted User]

Hi CR - good to see you back!!

As far as vegan cheeses are concerned - try the sainsbugs greek style vegan cheese - it's absolutely lovely (that also comes from my none-vegan family and friends) and it melts perfectly

Hope you have had a lovely holiday period!

the_cross_rabbit

:hello: squirrelgirl, thanks for the chesse advice. So Christmas has been and gone, but a good time was had by all. Time to focus on the new year with new plans for mortgage freedom, continuing with life goals and the drudgry that is housework. Hoping to start over payments once we get the estimate for D2 wheelchair which will hopefully be in the next 2 weeks. Fingers crossed its not more than we have saved otherwise we're b$$@@@ ered. Although my dad has offered to help even though he always claims to not have 2 pennies to rub together:rotfl:
No other news so take care everyone.
CRx

the_cross_rabbit

Happy new year everyone. It was a late one for us as DD1 was at work till 11.15pm, so tea was at 1155pm, mmmmmmmmm Melted cheese,bread and wine. We ended dancing to scott mills 90's classics on radio 2 alot of techno music, really not our thing we're more metal /rock heads. However the wine helped ease us into it:rotfl:.
Today we ended up at Potteric carr wildlife reserve with my dad and had amazing views of king fisher and marsh harrier. Very cold so only stayed a couple of hours before my feet resembled blocks of ice. Once home we finally polished off the monumental stew from the weekend. Just booked for the family barr me to go and see star wars on friday which they are mega excited about. Anyway hope you've all enjoyed the first day of the year, take care.
CRx

the_cross_rabbit

Had a lovely walk with the family today, came back for a short snooze on the sofa:T. The Hubbster and DD1 went and collected the chimenea from FIL as they no longer want it and once he mended the door (needed new netting, so that number one of my upcycling/eco projects from my 2020 list) it was ready for tonight to cook the jackets on mmmmm. However the weather had other ideas, so that was knocked on the head and the jackets were done in the oven instead (super crisipy, rubbed in olive oil and sprinkled in pepper and salt mmmm). Managed to play several board games whilst we waited so that 1 off my 2020 list of play 20 board games. Been subjected to star wars, ready for them going to watch it tomorrow.
Well the 2nd day of the year has been good, hope yours has too
CRx

teapot2

Hello CR, good to see you posting again. I'm with you on swerving the star wars film

the_cross_rabbit

:hello: Hi teapot2, they're there now so I've got the house all to myself:j.
Went to a present swapping event this morning and managed to trade 2 inappropriate presents for something wanted. Wasn't many there which was disappointing but hey ho. Enjoyed the cycle ride(instead of using the car) there and back more. Made vegan bolognese from scratch and will add to the meat eaters tea once I've whizzed it up to hide the veg in it, I reckon there is at least 8 types of veggies in it. Also used it to make a lasagna for another day and sauce for tomorrows tea, so one step of the game:j. Had a nice walk with the dog and managed to collect a bag full of recyclable litter (3 litter picks out of 20 per month) Christmas decs are down and the tree is out in the garden. We wrapped it in a bedsheet to stop all the needles dropped so we could get it outside. All those that fell off into the sheets have been collected to go round the blueberries at the allotment. MMMMMMMmmmm thinking of summer blueberries.
CRx

teapot2

Lol, many years ago I used to do family work and when the very first Star Wars film came out it was the outing of choice for quite a few of the children I was working with. After I'd had to sit through it numerous times I've never been able to face another one .

I like the sound of the present swap but might there be a chance of someone you gave a gift to turning up to swap it as you try to swap the one they gave you? :rotfl: :rotfl:

My blueberry bush flowered but didn't fruit for the first time last year so have been pondering what to do. Think I might need to take out some of the top layer of compost from its pot and replace it with fresh ericaceous stuff. I also got a bit blase about using rain water on it so need to collect some for watering. I don't know anyone with a real tree but will look out for pine needles when tree recycling happens.

Karmacat

teapot2 wrote: »

My blueberry bush flowered but didn't fruit for the first time last year so have been pondering what to do. Think I might need to take out some of the top layer of compost from its pot and replace it with fresh ericaceous stuff. I also got a bit blase about using rain water on it so need to collect some for watering. I don't know anyone with a real tree but will look out for pine needles when tree recycling happens.

Tree recycling has been happening in my village since the Saturday after Christmas, watch out

the_cross_rabbit

:hello:teapot2 safe in the knowledge that I wouldn't get caught out as the person who bought the presents wouldn't be caught dead where the event was held never mind actually attend that sort of event:D.
DD1 came home last night to say that the place where she works will be closing in a couple of weeks as its just not a viable business and will not be renewing their licence so, she will be out of a job. Such a shame but we have wondered about it as running up and over christmas they weren't really busy (about average). Unfortunately its in one of those places that is very touristy in the summer and autumn but come winter people are not hanging around to eat at night. Went on the net last night and all the part time jobs in supermarkets she needs to be over 18 and others were requiring at least 20 hours minimum which she can't do with her exams coming up. Will need to keep my eyes peeled but not looking hopeful as it took us 6 months of looking for this one. She is trying to see the positives such as more time for sleeping and relaxing:rotfl: but she really liked earning her own money. The in laws are coming tonight for tea so better crack on with prepartions.
A round up of my 20 20's challenge for the week
1) As a family we will eat 20 veggie/vegan meals a month.
2) Come up with and implement 20 new eco ideas.saved a damaged chimenea that FIL was going to take to the tip. The hubbster mended the doors etc and is now in working order. Went to a present swapping event. 2/20
3) Save 20 £20 notes.
4) Try 20 veggie/vegan new recipes.
5) Say hello or have conversations with 20 random strangers a month.5/20
6) Try 20 new hobbies or groups.
7) All housework to cease at 20:20.5/31
8) Visit 20 new places.
9) Replace 20 car journeys with the bus/train/bike.1/20
10) Lose 20lbs.starting weight 10st 8lbs
11)Declutter 20 items a month.
12) Donate 20 items a month to the food bank.15/20
13) Use the libary 20 times for book/dvd instead of buying them.
14) Play 20 board games/games with the family.5/20 cluedo, mouse trap, uno blast, top turbo trumps and tutum loot um
15) Eat in the garden 20 times.
16) Plant 20 bee/butterfly/moth friendly plants.
17) Wear 20 items from my wardrobe that I didn't wear in 2019 (all those not worn by the end of 2020 to be donated to charity).
18) Do 20 litter picks a month on my dog walks.5/20
19) Donate to 20 seperate charities (money or items).
20) Have 20 minutes of meaningful me time per day.3/31
Hope you all have a good day and have chance for some me time
CRx

the_cross_rabbit

Not been around for awhile. There was a big family fall out and although it wasn't us directly involved we've been supporting the people involved. Some very nasty and personal things said by a relative to another which was uncalled for, however when tempers flare allsorts of things can be said. The relationship is very unlikely to recover as it may of been the straw that broke the camel's back kind of a situation, but kids are involved so we've encouraged the injured party to be the bigger person. Its a case of wait and see. We're trying very hard to be diplomatic about things. Anyway this and other issues add to me feeling rather down in the dumps, but on reflection I always feel very down at this time of year and know it will pass eventually but finding motivation is hard when you feel like a slug.
So, last night as I lay in bed and sorted through stuff that was bothering me and then catergorising stuff I can sort and those that need help from others. So on the agenda today was I need to accept returning to work is not going to happen  as there is no way DD2 can be left on her own and in the last 6 months she has only completed 2 full weeks at school, the remainning weeks she has been off ( some weeks a couple of hours others its been a couple of days per week) due to ongoing health and medical issues. So nobody is going to employ me as I need to be able to leave at a moments notice and not know when I could return. This has been a really hard thing to accept. With that in mind and the fact that certain child related benefits will cease in 4 years and hubby doesn't earn enough to cover everything once they stop, I decided today I'd contact the mortgage lender and see how to overpay the mortgage. Unfortunately its not one I can tilly tidy everyday like the previous one ,but i can make monthly payment. So hopefully when they stop and the mortgage deal ends we will be in a better position to either get a better deal (LTV will be low) or sell the house and buy something smaller either outright or with a smaller mortgage. So currently doing the usual MSE route of checking I'm getting the best deals, what we can save money on by doing ourselves (grow food) but the hubbster has stipulated the additional overpayment is not to prevent us living the lifestyle we choose. Started sowing seeds (future food), so far 4 different types of toms, sweet and hot peppers, kalettles, parsley, chives, summer sprouting brocolli, celeriac, kohl rabi and for the bees snap dragons. Damn its raining again this lot of washing is not meant to get dry (2nd attempt). 
CRx