Struggling along as best I can

nannygladys

Moorviews - i am still holding back on the mince pie front and I think I may just make a few when I make the 'xmas' cake as I'll have the oven on.

nannygladys

So I have been busy doing this and that. Yesterday I took eldest Dgd for a meal out as her Xmas present. It was a lovely meal with lovely company😍 we both enjoyed the Xmas carvery and I had meat on mine and put it into a tub for the pup, I went prepared this time and took a tub with me in my handbag🙂) the pup is back home now so it's in the freezer for later!! And we both had pudding this time as well!!! The vice was great and we were seated where I had requested so all was very positive, even the loos were clean and fresh smelling - couldn't fault any of it 🙂 
Today I have been doing some food shopping for Xmas bits and a couple more bits to put in the freezer, at this rate it'll be full before I get to putting veggies in 🤣🤣🤣
I get paid tomorrow so I'm going to finalize next year's budgets and more frugalling will be done. I would like a new carpet in the front room and although I probably have enough money for it in the canopy fund, the monies in the fund are being stretched more and more and will probably run out much sooner than later, especially as I went into a carpet shop for a nosey and didn't realise how much they are these days! It's a long time since I bought any!!! 🙁 Anyway, I would like not to compromise too much as I've always had to buy cheap so just once I would like to buy what I would be happy with, if that makes sense, but the monies will need to be saved, I'm not having the settee I would like so I'm not going to compromise too much on the carpet. I do confuse myself sometimes with what I should get done first and in all honesty I don't have half or even a quarter of a lifetime left so I need to get my act together quick. 
I'll be posting my budget and hopefully what needs to be done in some sort of order and it may make me be more careful and think about things. So that's it for tonight, I've a few bits happening before the weekend but then next week should be a clear run until the 'day' 🎄
Nannyg 

kayannie

I had to laugh when you said that the vice was great!! KA

nannygladys

kayannie - i had to go and read it again! If only I was that lucky 🤣😂🤣😂🤣

[Deleted User]

A little bit of vice is the spice of life!😱

I agree with the sentiment that as we grow older ‘ why not have the quality we want’. 

Of course useful to have some put by for emergencies, but at the same time don’t regret not having had something or doing something before you are unable too.

Makingabobor2

Glad you enjoyed your meal.
Good to hear you new freezer is getting used. I do seriously keep thinking that we could do with another small one. Ours is constantly rammed these days 

nannygladys

Baron_Dale - I must admit I meant to put service, but I must say 'vice' sounds much more exciting  🤣🤣
 I've decided I will have the stairs and landing carpeted at the same time in the same carpet, so it'll all be done at the same time and save me having to move things twice, so although I know it will cost quite a bit more I'll save for the whole lot and get it done when the better weather comes along. But at least the downstairs hall is wood, so I'm saving costs there🙂

nannygladys

Makingabobor2 - I'm really thinking the new freezer has bought it's own freezer fairies friends with it 😂😂

nannygladys

Today has gone really quickly. Eldest Dgd came up to wait for her mum (my eldest DD) and she had a snooze as she's working tonight and then I went to fat club and I had maintained my weight, it shouldn't be long before I'm at my 'happy' weight because I have less than a stone to lose now, but I have a feeling I'll probably stay around the same until after New Year😂🥳☃️❄️🎄 I don't mind as long as I don't pile any on again!
We have a party there next week as well as a meal out ( which I'm not going to as the price was quite a lot of money, although where it is being held is very very nice place) but the party we all take bits to, so that should be nice. One of the ladies who comes is a very good cook and always makes nice bits and bobs. I'm taking a couple of dips and falafels, which I'm going to trial this weekend to see if they are good enough 😂 and I already have all the bits and pieces in to make them, I'll have to come up with something else if they are rubbish!!
So nothing has been spent today and I was also paid today so the new budget is still intact. I did go into the post office to withdraw my months cash but as soon as it went into my purse I shut it tight.
Tomorrow I'm having a day in, although I may go out for a walk if the weather holds out and Friday I'm off out with my youngest dd in the day and eldest dd in the evening, both Xmas related with dgc! 🙂 
Anyway I'd better go and get some sleep, I didn't realise what the time was, I've been reading one of my Xmas books - I ought to set a timer I think 😂😂
Nannyg 

joedenise

I always took falafels to my old group as everyone seemed to like them (they're were never any left to bring home anyway!).  The SW recipe is OK but I actually prefer to use this recipe:  https://toriavey.com/falafel/.  I didn't bother with the flour.  I only used to make 1/4 of the recipe and that made plenty for group.  You do need to use a food professor to make them though.

Once they chilled for a couple of hours in the fridge I made small balls with them about walnut sized and put them on a baking sheet, flattened slightly with a fork and then baked at about 180 (fan oven) for about 15-18 minutes.  They need to still be soft on top as they firm up as they chill.

What I particularly like is the fact that they are made with uncooked chickpeas which have just been soaked overnight.