Giving every £ a job

Blackcats

@PennysIntoPounds - I'm tempted by your suggestion to not finish the knitting but I've knitted the front, the back, 2 sleeves, made the neckband so I feel that even by my "it's too hard, I can't do it" standards I should bravely battle on.  One sleeve to set in and one side seam left now and some ends to sew in.  My mum always finished off my knitting for me - she seemed to do it so well that I used to depend on her for that as well as a myriad of other things.

formal online paperwork is progressing - 84% complete now but attachments need to be loaded up too.  I've became a Dr Google expert on biodiversity net gains today 🙃

I enjoyed my dancercise class this morning - a new person joined the group and despite suggestions from the instructor to perhaps go into the 2nd or 3rd row they stood in the middle of the front row.  They seemed to be moving in the opposite direction to the rest of us, doing different steps to a different tune but enjoying themselves.  

Took advantage of the sunshine to go for a walk with MrBC which gave us a chance for a good natter and to talk through some bits and bobs that we haven't been able to make a decision on.

using up peppers, tomatoes, shallots and feta to make a pasta dish for tea which means we didn't need to go shopping today - all helps keep the grocery budget under control.   Nothing spent today.

PennysIntoPounds

What a nice and productive day. The pasta dish sounds yum.

What was your main thing you learnt about biodiversity net gains (other than not wanting to upload any documents relating to it)? Share with the class please

EssexHebridean

I do wish MrEH was more of a feta- lover - I really like it but he's distinctly not keen so while I do sneak it in occasionally, it doesn't happen often. I wonder about using it in something like a pasta sauce though where he might not realise what it is. It's funny how often when he doesn't realise something he's "not keen on" is in a dish, he scoffs it quite happily! 

Also still sniggering about the 24" crotch... (#SorryNotSorry) 

Blackcats

@PennysIntoPounds - re biodiversity net gains - I learned and am happy to share that "it" Is mandatory from 12 February 2024 under Schedule 7A of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as inserted by Schedule 14 of the Environment Act 2021) but of course you already know that 😉.  I was peeved though that if I was building a high speed rail transport network I would be exempt as specified in section 1(2) of the High Speed Rail (Preparation) Act 2013.   Perhaps you and MrPIP could consider building a high speed train network instead of a home - might be less red tape.

@EssexHebridean - I didn't like feta for quite a while as I thought it was a bit sheepy/goaty strong flavoured (which of course it is highly likely to be).  This recipe was a tray of veggies with the feta whole on the top and then roasted.  When cooked the feta is mixed in with the veggies and then stirred through the cooked pasta so it was quite hidden but definitely there iyswim.
How on earth would a pair of knitted knickers need a 24 inch crotch?  #shouldntstillbethinkingaboutit#

2 more items sold on eBay - MrBC is doing well.  Another £70 in the kitty and 2 unwanted items have gone to new homes.

I've offered to sell some items on vinted for a family member.  They are caught up in an overdraft which they are struggling to get rid of.  I could help with money but I think in the long term it's better for them to be helped in a different way.  It's not a huge overdraft so we think that selling some outgrown children's clothes could generate enough to kick the overdraft into touch. I've got time to help in this way.  The irony is that the clothes probably contributed to the overdraft but hey ho!

we have a visitor coming for the day tomorrow.  I made a batch of raspberry buns - as I got them out of the oven I could hear Noel Fielding saying "Prue and Paul would like you to make a batch of 10 perfectly even raspberry buns".  I think they might have been disappointed but the tester bun tasted yummy and all ingredients were already in stock,
MrBC has made a big pot of chicken curry which smells very nice.

we shopped at Lidls today so money has been spent but we mostly stuck to our shopping list and have a 7 day meal plan so hopefully no top up shops needed.

A little more progress made on the knitting .....

Sun_Addict

I don’t like proper feta but the much cheaper “salad cheese” tastes fine. Recently I had a salad at a pub with vegan feta and was disappointed to find it tasted sheepy. I’m still wondering if someone slipped up in the kitchen and it wasn’t really a vegan version. 

Good thinking with the family member and helping them with Vinted rather than giving them money. 

Cheery_Daff

😂😂 The knitted panties were something like some of these:

https://fab40s.co.uk/ladiesunderwear02.html

I think they were designed to keep the stomach toasty warm, and I can't say I disapprove 😂 I don't *think* my stomach extends 2 foot from my crotch, but I've never actually measured, and I suppose by the time it's gone out and back in again it might do 😱🙈😂 

EssexHebridean

Well if you improvised it into a thong then it might well have kept your stomach warm, but it wasn't going to do much for your....well, yes!  

That website really is quite something though isn't it! 

Blackcats

A good couple of days including finishing my knitting project (at long last).  I'm grateful that I don't have an octopus in the family to knit for - imagine setting in all those sleeves 🐙.  Lesson learned - sew in daylight, with cups of tea and allow plenty of time.  I think I'm getting better at it.
my audible credit arrived the day after I finished the book from the free selection - it was quite good for a freebie.  Listening to the next in the Shetland series now.
Had our free hot drinks when we went to Dobbies today.  We had a good chat in the coffee shop unravelling a couple of things we've been pondering and spent nothing in the garden centre but did get some inspiration.
Friday foodie treat was home made chili prawn linguine served in big white bowls a la gastropub style.  

savingholmes

Very amused by the knitted knickers discussion.

Well done on completing your knitted project. 

I find there are a lot of free books now that I really like... 

[Deleted User]

Hey BC.  I've not logged in to post for ages but have been reading your posts to try to keep up to date.  You are doing so well and cannot believe the cheek of your family members!!  I hope that when I get to your age I'm just like you - you are bossing it!