The Best Is Yet To Come

slm6002

I need to make more use of mine to be honest as it can use the free solar during the day to cook, rather than using the oven  once dark and therefore using up the saved battery power or real electric from the grid.  I mainly cook beef, ham or beef stew in it really but the kids are not keen on it.  I need to find some other things that they like as I think it will become a very helpful tool in the coming months.  It also warms up the kitchen a little so will help not need heating on in there.

joedenise

Have you tried jacket potatoes in in it?  Just wrap in foil and cook on low for 8 hours.  They can then be frozen and reheated in the microwave or an air fryer if you have one for about 5 minutes.

Check out freezer dump meals online - there are some unusual recipes on there where you just prep everything and bung it in altogether and freeze and when you want to cook just dump it in the SC.  Must admit haven't actually tried any but it's one of the plans for later this year after my holiday as I really ought to use the SC more as well, like you say will use free solar power!

slm6002

I tried the jacket potatoes in the slow cooker a while back but I don't remember wrapping them in tin foil.  To us they had a funny taste but not sure if it was they way we cooked them.  It is one of the things we need to try again, as 3/4 of us love jackets with beans and cheese for an easy quick meal.  I have 2 slow cookers, 1 big and 1 small.  I bought the small one to cook the type of meals the kids wont eat - chilli, curry etc.  DD1 tried curry the other day and liked a korma - yay success and I can have curry now - well at least half of us can.  Need to persuade the other 2 to try it.  
I am thinking even if i just do a whole chicken in the SC i can use the meat for other things like enchiladas that we like (providing i add no spice or vegetables to them!), or add to pasta etc.  They all liked the chicken stew so will find a recipe for that then all i need to cook at night is the mash and peas.  I do like the idea of dump bags and have seen them before, just never been quite organised enough to sort them out.  Must try harder lol.

Decided against putting the washing on as next door came and told us they are having a bbq so may be music going on.  It will be done before 6 so I am not worried, but grateful they told us.  Will try again tomorrow - may even get one of the kids to turn it on once I've gone to work and I will peg it out on my return.

slm6002

Well today I went back into work for the morning to try to sort a few things before our first day back.  I moved desks too so will see how that goes.  I will miss the hustle and bustle of the reception, but also enjoy the peace and quiet away from it.  My colleague was there too and we got quite a lot done.  Not in now until Thursday.

We found out that DD1 has been successful for getting her bursary.  We have no idea how much it will be but it every little will help as they say.  It can go towards her transport and if any left over her equipment and materials for her courses.

This afternoon I did the food shop but before leaving I checked the freezer which is full (we didn't buy anything frozen), so this week we will be trying to be organised by taking things out of the freezer to defrost in plenty of time so that we can pop it in the slow cooker the next day.  This will help with money and sorting the freezer out.

The solar batteries today have already emptied and not sure if they ever fully filled up.  I cant tell if it is the cloudy day or the excess computer time the children had today as I was at work.  It will be good to see how much we can save in the term time.  I am also wondering how much the heater is using as the import kwh has been higher since we had it fitted.  Still unsure if it is the weather or the water heater, but it is heating the water without gas.  Hopefully the electrician who fitted it will be back tomorrow to fit a switch in my room so will be able to discuss it with him.  It maybe that it is no good for us as we have to just stick with the gas heating the water and exporting excess elect.

I also heard that I have reached of my 2 year bonus for my 'help to save' government savings account.  I will be getting my interest payment at the beginning to mid Oct.  I will get the second and final bonus in another 2 years time.  It is a shame it cant carry on for more than 4 years but I will make the most of it while I can.  It may go towards Christmas or next years holiday or maybe just bills depending on what is happening.  I am thinking next years holiday we might go towards the forest of dean as my uncle is that way and we can spend some time with him too.  XH takes them to the beach a lot so the novelty of it has worn off a little now.  Still plenty of time to think

joedenise

Not much solar today because of the cloudy weather @slm6002!  We've used a lot more electric than we usually do.  Unfortunately we don't have batteries for excess power it just goes back to the grid and we get a paltry 4p a unit for it but the Feed In Tariff is pretty good!  We've had our solar panels for nearly 8 years now so have obviously saved a fair bit over that time.

We're currently trying to keep our electric use below £2 a day (according to the In House Display connected to the smart meter).  Definitely be nearer the £2 today and yesterday we went over by a few pence but think that was because of using the oven which doesn't get used very much.

Will be interesting to see how much electric next month is when we're away in the motorhome!  Shouldn't be much more than the standing charges.  Only a chest freezer will be left on.  Planning on turning off the fridge/freezer - everything which is currently in the indoor freezer will fit into the chest freezer so no need to leave it on.  Fridge stuff will be coming with us!

slm6002

2023 holiday is booked.  I only paid a deposit today but will pay the balance when interest amount comes through.  Very unlike me but looking forward to it already

joedenise

Where are you going?  It's lovely to have something to look forward to.

slm6002

We are going to the Forest of dean.  My uncle is in Cheltenham so not far from there.  It's the first week after school breaks up.  Uncle is bringing down lots of leaflets etc on things to do when he comes in a few weeks time.  It was more than I have ever paid for a holiday, but with the bonus it works out roughly the same.  It is definitely more luxurious than this year.  There is a hot tub and more importantly as we found out this year it has wifi.
Because we have spent more on the accommodation we will be doing lots of free things and it is self catering so will be doing our own cooking.  It is quite scary booking a real holiday for the first time.

slm6002

Well I have been waiting in (am still am) for the carpet man to appear.  I got a text saying he will turn up this morning at 10.30, well that didn't happen.  I know he is really busy but why state a time rather than saying before 6?  Anyway he is good which is why he is busy I guess.  Have decided not to paint as yet and to sort the carpet first ready for winter.  My friend has offered strong people to come and help move sofas as the sofa bed is really quite heavy and no idea really how we got them through the doors originally.  I need to ask if the laminate flooring needs to be removed first or if the carpet goes on top.  The carpet would be quite high up the door thresholds if I leave it, but will ask his advise.    I really do think it will make a big difference to the temperature in here over winter.

DD1 has spent the day in a local town, first with her friend from club and now with her new BF.  I will get a call at some point to go and collect her (probably just as the carpet man appears).  Her school bus pass has been confirmed and it also allows her to travel in the school holidays and weekend.  I have told her she can make full use of this.

Been doing more surveys today to make up for all of the spending I have and will be doing.  Ok must go and get the washing in as there is a really big black cloud heading this way

slm6002

Good evening, I am fully back at work now and with a lady down I am probably going to get more hours for a little while.  Yesterday we were treated to a day of training / catching up in a posh hotel which was nice, and today we were back in the office with more training and sorting ready for the children to arrive on Monday.  I feel like we got a good amount of things done today and we are ready for the children to arrive on Monday.

DD1 started college today although it was only an induction day so no lessons as yet.  She picked up her ID and bus pass so is all set and happy.  Still not received the bursary as yet but maybe soon.  She found out that she doesnt need to go in on Fridays and is very happy about this.  I told her she will be able to put a load of washing on for me in between her studies or do her driving lessons then.  

DD2 also started the new school.  She is now in high school and had lots to tell me.  So far she likes her English teacher but hates the blazer she has to wear (it was rather warm today so probably too hot for a blazer).  She now has her timetable so come Monday she is all systems go.  She was also disgusted that the pizza cost so much for such a small piece.  She needs to learn to get a decent meal for the balance that she has each day (either the meal deal or maybe a jacket potato as they are cheaper and healthier).  

DS doesn't go back until Tuesday so is still enjoying his computer games!   Its good to get back into the swing of things, and as I was working all day I didn't spend a thing as I have only been at work.