Champagne Lifestyle on a Lemonade Budget.

caronc

lessonlearned wrote: »

I am hopeless at making soup which is why I asked about soup makers. I need an idiot proof one too. :rotfl:

If you don't want to buy a soup making gadget this is a great book https://www.amazon.co.uk/Little-Book-Soups-Favourite-Recipes/dp/0752265768/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1542835288&sr=1-1&keywords=little+book+of+soups

as is this https://www.amazon.co.uk/Celebration-Soup-Classic-Recipes-Cookery/dp/0140299769

Siebrie

DDs have been asking for tomato soup the last couple of days, but I didn't have any tins in (we usually don't like tins, and they never ask for tomato soup, so they caught me by surprise). I went to my Mum's trusty 1960's cookbook, which had a recipe for tomato soup based on two of those tiny tomato puree tins and three stock cubes. It was delish!

lessonlearned

Good morning

Well I have never felt less like a "champagne life" than I do this morning. The sky is grey and leaden, the weather is awful, woke up at 5 am and the house was freezing and I still feel like death warmed over. :rotfl:

Other than that, I'm fine. .

Have been trying to be careful with the heating but now I think sod it. I Just have to face facts this is a very cold house and it will be until I can sort it out next year. In the meantime I'll crank up the heating and just be resigned to a huge energy bill this year.

At least I will soon be able to have a bath in a nice warm bathroom. Showering this morning in a freezing cold bathroom was not my idea of fun.

I can't believe we used to live like this in the "olden days". When I think back to the house I was brought up in and my first early houses. I never even had central heating till I was in my 30s.

Maybe I've just gone soft in my old age. My husband used to joke that I must have some lizard DNA because I can't get going until I reach a certain temperature. I think he must have been right. :rotfl:

Need to go shopping in the city centre. I soooo don't fancy it.

Wouldn't it be nice if we could hibernate till spring, and wake up 2 stones lighter.

Anyway no more procrastinating. The sooner I go the sooner I can get back.

cherryblossomzel

lessonlearned wrote: »

Have been trying to be careful with the heating but now I think sod it. I Just have to face facts this is a very cold house and it will be until I can sort it out next year. In the meantime I'll crank up the heating and just be resigned to a huge energy bill this year.

I do this. I am careful with my energy use, but not to the point where it makes me miserable in my own home. Although I do appreciate that I am very fortunate to be able to afford to do it. I know that some people just can't, and that is awful.

lessonlearned

cherryblossomzel wrote: »

I do this. I am careful with my energy use, but not to the point where it makes me miserable in my own home. Although I do appreciate that I am very fortunate to be able to afford to do it. I know that some people just can't, and that is awful.

I agree. There are a lot of people who must really struggle to keep warm and put food on the table.

I do count my blessings.

JennyP

Just found this thread. It's inspired!
Love the title - would be a great book title! And I love your relentless enthusiasm and positivity, Lessonlearned.

We live in a cold old house too where oil central heating is the only option. Have two multifuel burners which are great, especially as there always seems to be free fuel from somewhere. Currently burning wood ripped out from house as part of our renovations.

We're insulating walls rather than ripping out. You lose a few inches from each room but the difference is amazing. Dab and daub with insulated plasterboard is cheapest and easiest but we had our bedroom done with a new stud wall and masses of insulation behind. Incredible difference. Painting our new walls today.

sugarbaby125

I am grateful that I can afford the central heating to be on from 5.30am in the morning so that whenever I awake in the cold of a winter morning, my home is always really warm and comfortable.

I do think it helps my Arthritis as well.

lessonlearned

Hi Jenny....interesting about how you insulated the interior walls. This is definitely on my to do list. At the moment I'm just heating up the street. :rotfl:

I simply had to go into the city centre. Because I felt so rotten I splurged on a taxi there and back. I think I must be running a temperature because several times I thought I was going to pass out. :rotfl:

Anyway I got what I needed and came straight home, didn't mooch so wasn't tempted by bargains or eating out. I was nearly tempted to go into M&S food hall to get something for dinner but I thought better of it. I have been batch cooking and have several home made ready meals in the freezer. Cheaper and healthier. Win-win.

A little rest now and then I'm going to start packing.

candygirl

'LL have you tried the Vicks on the feet, n socks trick yet? It usually helps me shift a cold.I bet you can't wait to get away into the warmth now:D
I'm having a blobbing out day today.My knees still killing after yesterday's shopping trip
Am treating myself to a Linda Mac sausage n egg barm in a bit

joedenise

Siebrie wrote: »

DDs have been asking for tomato soup the last couple of days, but I didn't have any tins in (we usually don't like tins, and they never ask for tomato soup, so they caught me by surprise). I went to my Mum's trusty 1960's cookbook, which had a recipe for tomato soup based on two of those tiny tomato puree tins and three stock cubes. It was delish!

I've got an easy store cupboard tomato soup if you want to try that:

2 tins chopped tomatoes
1 tin of carrots
1 tin of baked beans
2 large pickled onions or up to 5 small ones

Blend everything together and then heat up in the microwave or in a pan on the hob.

Tastes just like Her*z tomato soup.

Denise