Cutting it Fine - the challenge is on!

SandyShores

I had a look in Primarni this morning, and annoying saw a lovely pair of canvas trainers for £6 - but none in my size.  I've checked the website, but none on there so think they must have been summer stock.  Couple of things listed on Fleabay, and stocked up on some essentials from the supermarket.  I need to do some meal planning, but will do that tomorrow.  Today has been busy but relaxing busy, so I'm ready to start the week again tomorrow.

SandyShores

ps, just found some lovely xmas fabric online.  I might have a go at making some xmas sacks and/or stockings.  Seems pretty reasonable prices and I can make to the size I need.  If I do the sacks I will just need some cord or elastic for the top to hold everything in.  Bought a few chocs earlier today all ready to pop in when the time comes

https://www.croftmill.co.uk/cheap-christmas-fabrics-xmas

savingholmes

The Christmas sacks sound a lovely idea. You'll have to post pictures when you're done. The other way of doing might be to use fat quarters... in which case HC might have some. That way you can have some variety - and if you stuck the size of the square might not have to make anything too big that you then have to fill. Just a thought.

LadyWithAPlan

I have made a few Xmas sacks, they are lovely as reusable unlike the paper Xmas bags  and you can always find them again for the next year. So lets have some pics when you have done them )

debtfreeoneday

Christmas sacks sound a great idea. 

SandyShores

I've been cooking quite a bit of soup lately, and I was wondering what benefit is a soup maker?  Apart from not having to be present when its cooking maybe?  What's the difference in having a pan on your stove and then using a stick blender if you want to (or not if you want chunks).  Question from the woman who has a robot vacuum cleaner I know, but at least I can leave the vacuum to get on with it and it will stop itself when its done - whereas the shark has to be manhandled all the time.  Unlike soup which I can leave bubbling away while doing something else, like relaxing. 

Feeling worn out today, its been a busy day and for some reason this year the clock going back sort of set my body clock all awry.  Relaxing evening ahead I think, looking at the spreadsheet and watching some short online information videos I've been sent.  I'll have a quick run through the ToDo list to see if there's anything easy to cross off, but might have to wait a day or two now.  For some reason I keep thinking its Monday today - its going to be that sort of week

Hope everyone having a good week.

savingholmes

Hi Sandy - I think some people just like that one thing does it all and there's less risk of burning your soup. I have a hob with a timer though so low risk- and just put it in a blender if I want it blending at the end. If I didn't already have the latter I'd consider it but as it is for me it would be a waste of money.

SandyShores

Hi savingholmes, I thought so.  Back in the day I had a 3 tier steamer, pressure cooker, deep fat fryer, mandoline etc etc and most of the time they just took up space in the cupboards so when we moved house the first time I sold them all off.  I hesitate to buy gadgets now.  The only one I replaced was the steamer - I got a cheap one for a fiver from Studio, thinking that if we used it I'd buy another.  We've definitely had more than our money's worth of use because we use it regularly and I don't see any point in changing it for a more expensive one until it breaks.  And recently I followed a recipe for microwaving cauliflower so its not a given to replace it even if it did break.

The other thing we've had for ages (about 24 years can you believe it) is our braun stick blender.  Its started being a bit tricky to attach the blade end to it, but its another thing that I use all the time but can't see the point in replacing unless we have to.  

One thing I would like to replace is my Kenwood food processor.  Its such a palava to clean it after you've done any baking that it puts me off getting it out.  The shredder is good, but actually thinking about it I did replace the mandoline for a cheap one which I'd replace for a better one in a heartbeat - if I could be bothered to research a good one. 

savingholmes

I have a food processor but only ever used it for blending, whipping and mixing. We have all the disc blades but never tried them LOL 🤣 . I have a separate juicer in the garage too...

LadyWithAPlan

I don't have a soup blender and I am a champion soup maker 😊. I think its probably marketed to people who have never made soup..
There are some gadgets such as the robot vacuum that I agree has changed my life. Mine mops the floors too. However a soup blender seems pointless to me though I would be interested to hear if anyone disgrees.

I am eyeing up a food processor as I now have not even an electric whisk.  But the red Smeg and red kitchenaid ones keep whispering and they are v expensive and maybe also more style than ease of content..  The idea of spending hours cleaning them does not make me thrill.
I also have a juicer in the pantry but I do use my Nutribullet a lot, including blending soup when it's cool.