Frugal, thrifty, make do, mend! Let this debt come to an end!

Elisheba

themadvix said:

Delurking to say the best way to decorate the pumpkins without losing the innards is to draw on them - maybe with googly eyes? May not be for you, but definitely means the pumpkin can be eaten!

Ah, I like the light coming through them so will need to cut out faces.

Elisheba

Makingabobor2 said:

So sorry to hear you had covid. This new variant seems to be quite bad. Hope you're feeling better now. x

Thanks @Makingabobor2.  Yeah, I hadn't had it before so can't compare but it was like having all the viruses at once - flu, cold, tonsillitis and chest infection, and on occasion a tummy bug as well. Did not like! Would not recommend!

jokono

AnotherNewDay said:

@Elisheba could you post your cake in a mug recipe again please? 

I saved it in May 22! Haven't made it yet

Microwave mug cake - all flavours 

First off, you're probably better to use a cereal bowl. If you use a mug, make sure it's properly big. 

Basic mix

3 tbsp self raising flour (if using plain flour add 1/2 tbsp baking powder) 

2 tbsp sugar

1 tbsp olive oil

Milk

Microwave for about 1 1/2 minutes - it'll go rock solid if you put it on for much longer. Can be tacky to touch but should be cooked. 

Add a tbsp of strawberry jam for a steamed pudding style cake 

For chocolate - add 1tbsp cocoa, and some broken up chocolate pieces 

For lemon drizzle - add 1tbsp lemon juice, and separately microwave 1tbps lemon juice and 2 or 3 tbsp of sugar mixed together for 30 secs, and pour it over cake once cooked 

For banana and cinnamon - add 1 mashed banana, and 1/2 - 1 tbsp cinnamon, and a dash of vanilla essence. 

SuzeQStan

Elisheba! So glad to read this I was just thinking about you the other day. Sorry to hear you were so poorly xx

the thing I love about pumpkins is toasting pumpkin seeds with salt in the oven. 😋  I’ve no good tips on getting them out except to say it’s worth it!!  

I tend to just cut the lid off & scoop with my cheap spoon (so thin it’s like a spoon shaped kn!fe!) - then you can lodge some tooth picks just below where your lid sits on the pumpkin so that it doesn’t fall in when the heat from your candle causes it to shrink a bit. 

There are some amazing patterns you can get online for cutting your pumpkin - i don’t know how some of them do it they are so good!

mini bookshop project sounds fascinating you will have to post a photo you never know it might get featured on the forum page!

weenancyinAmerica

That's what we do - use a Sharpie pen and draw on the designs. If you cut them at all, they will start to decay. 

Elisheba

Good morning, canny campers! (canny - Scottish for shrewd, particularly with money)

@jokono Thank you so much for reposting those mug cake recipes!  I have no idea where I saved them and have been looking for them for ages!  This time I have saved them somewhere sensible!

@SuzeQStan Hello to you too!  Hope things are well in SuzeQ-land? That's a good thought about the pumpkin seeds - I'll make sure to keep them aside.

@weenancyinAmerica I know, it feels like such a waste cutting shapes out and ruining the pumpkin but I really do like the candlelight shining through them.  

I was super organised last night and got the bathroom pretty much spotless, so that's one thing done off the list.  Today I need to hoover, put the bins out for collection, and clean the kitchen.  I'll finish work at 6pm, so that should take me to 7pm (depending on how clean the fridge and oven are!) and then it will be dinner time.  Not sure what I'll have for dinner yet - I have loads in so will just be a case of deciding.

I'll need to pop to the shop at lunchtime for deodorant, milk, fruit and packed lunch snacks, but that should be the only spending today.

I am in the office tomorrow so will make a cheese and tomato sandwich for lunch tonight, and pack the fruit and snack tomorrow. Will also need to pack up my laptop and look out some clothes.

When I was away I ran out of phone data and upgraded to a £10pm for 30GB of data deal, which was convenient at the time (I only had 3GB before for just under £5) but I'm not sure its the best deal out there, so I must have a look and see if I can get something cheaper.  I don't need 30GB of data, but more than 3 might be useful.  

I can't help but anxiously look at the news just now - the whole Israel-Hamas war just has me in tears. I've read around the issues there in the past and this certainly isn't the place to get into them.  The thing for me is the poor people who have died and their families.  This war is just going to take so many innocent lives, has already done so, and I just do not see how peace can be achieved. 

Its just so, so very sad and my heart hurts for all the bereaved.  And its terrifying as well, as the whole Middle East could go up in flames and that could drag the rest of the world into it, and what happens then? I think the pandemic has shown that it is very, very easy for the status quo to fall apart and everything we know to be turned on its head.  Its awful to feel so powerless, and I know there is nothing I can do and its not me living through bombings, but it does weigh heavily on me.

And on a slightly less doom-laden note, but also of concern is the fact one of my cats has started pee'ing on things. This is normally a sign of a UTI but I've not seen any blood in the litter tray.  I'm quite worried about her anyway as she is making a hacking sound occasionally, and her weight is pretty low. I've started mashing up her food and she does seem to be eating it all now, but she is 16 so its all a worry.  I think I might take her to the vet if it carries on.

Due to the pee'ing I have an unplanned wash on today of the blankets she wet, and some cleaning clothes that needed a wash, so I'll hang up the washing later on as well. I'm really hoping she doesn't go on the sofas as its is a nightmare to get the smell out of them.

Right, time to get on with work and other things.  I hope everyone's day goes brilliantly and they are happy, healthy and cosy!

Makingabobor2

Recipe sounds great. How much milk? is needed

Elisheba

Makingabobor2 said:

Recipe sounds great. How much milk? is needed

Not much and it varies a bit depending in what else you have added. Add it by the tablespoon and mix it in until you get good cake batter consistency 

Elisheba

Right.  I've taken a painkiller as I had a headache and feel much better now.

Managed to get deodorant and packed lunch snacks at lunchtime, but didn't have time to get milk.  Its not urgent as I have enough for tomorrow, so can pick it up when I'm in the office.  I did pick up 40 mixed Xmas cards from Oxfam for £4 - they were selling them at 20 loose ones for £2, which I thought was very good for nice cards and to a good cause.  

Got the hoovering done as well, and the bins out.  Unplanned wash is also hung up, and I need to remember I am completely out of clothes washing liquid now.  Must remedy that at the weekend.

I have also seen my local dog paddock is doing unlimited bookings for £50 for the month.  I think I am going to sign up for it as I really need to do some training with my dog, and can't let him off the lead as he jumps on everyone.  It'll also be good for him to run around without a lead which he never gets to do.

Elisheba

And relax - the day is coming to a close. 

Got the kitchen cleaned, and have added giving the fridge a clean to the weekend jobs to be done at some point. Also ran round downstairs with a duster, and have added sorting out all my bookshelves as another weekend task at some point.

Was going to have egg, chips and peas fir dinner but couldn't find the long ignition thing for the oven (and I think it may be dead anyway) so I made a pasta concoction with some red pesto, onions, mushrooms and peas (only vaguely suitable veg I could find). It was lovely and I think I'll pack some leftovers for lunch tomorrow as I don't really like sandwiches. 

Feeling quite blooming exhausted now, so 8ll head to bed soon and read for a bit.

Sleep tight everyone, and don't let the bedbugs bite