It's getting tough out there. Feeling the pinch?

Pollycat

Indout96 said:

Longwalker said:

Have no option but to drive in it

Facebook memories show snow is normal from the first week of December onwards here

Actually I dont mind driving on snow, its the solid ice we have had these past few mornings that stress me. Even more so the ice thats there on the way home again. Ive never had a slide going in to work, but a couple coming home - luckily not serious, worse was having to sail on past my house as no way was the car going to stop 

I could have murdered Zoe Ball the other morning, I had spent 15 mins trying to get the car ice free ( doors completely frozen shut ) and was crawling down the road, and she was blathering on about how she would love to see snow and how lucky those that had it were !!!!!

It was so cold in work yesterday, our toilet froze. Long queue by time it finally became operational 

Back to prices, a loaf of hovis was 1.40 at the weekend (lidl) and I thought sod that so looked at their other options 38p or 78p, I went for the 78p loaf. Its ok but doesn't make nice toast - turns brittle. But 62p cheaper its going to have to do.  Anyone try the 38p loaf?

Lidl do a toasting loaf which is great, not sure of the price but think its in the 60p range, we also have their seeded load which is quite nice but does go dry a bit quick so need to get a good date on it.

Aldi also do a toastie loaf.

Rosa_Damascena

I too have a pathological hatred (born of fear) of snow. I particularly dislike the way the streets turn into ice rinks after a bit of traffic, and pray for a good dose of rain to dissolve it. I am getting better at driving in it, but try my hardest not to. Anyone who thinks its an irrational fear has never lost control of their vehicle in ice, it shakes you up!!

Despite understanding the logic, I don't think I would wear a hat indoors. Yes it traps the heat but also leaves me with flat hair that needs washing to restore.

London_1

I managed to get to my coffee morning this morning at Dobbies and there was a chap who was out on the car park throwing rock salt down and had shoveled all the snow out of the way.good on Dobbies for caring about their customers 

Next door in the big Tescos apparently they hadn't bothered and a lot of people were getting very cross, and slinding all over the place. None of the paths from the cars to the store were gritted either.Bearing in mind the amount of customers and money they make I think its a bad show not to get some grit or salt down There were women desperately holding on to almost anything to get to the shop.

I had a quick mooch around the deli part in Dobbies ,as Tuesday morning they usually have some really good reductions .I spotted a large cauliflower cheese for two reduced to 87p so that will do me nicely for two meals as I like cauli cheese with a jacket spud and some steamed green veg so a basic block for two meals there

I also spotted a slow cooked lamb shoulder for two with honey and redcurrant glaze for £2.10p reduced from £7.00 so another two meals for me as I will divide it up and freeze.Both were Taste the Difference meals.

Sainsburys have the food concession in Dobbies,  and I often get some decent bargains in there as I rarely go to the big Sainsburys supermarket down at the Hempstead Valley precinct.

So basically 4 meals for £2.97 plus if I add some steamed veg from the freezer. probably around a pound a pop. I'm quite happy with that.

Just taken a four slice portion of seeded bread from the freezer. If I have bread its usually for something on toast or with butter with soup as I'm not mad keen on sandwiches.
 I sometimes get the M & S brown bread for under a pound and split into portions of four slices it does me fine for toasted snacks.
 Usually four portions (16 slices ) and two thicker end crusts which with my trusty Kitchen Devil knife I split into four slices very carefully as the end slices are always pretty thick.

Every thing I cook at food wise I try to think of how I can extend it a bit.. Adding steamed veg greens,carrots etc will bulk out most meals and its healthier.

I made another jug of custard last night and used some on a muffin my grandson gave me that was in the cake tin, 20 seconds in the microwave and it was a bit like a steamed pudding so drizzled some runny honey on it and a decent dollop of custard and voila a honey-sponge pud for dessert last night which filled my up after my main meal. Zero waste in my house  

My DD told me to take some of her bananas home yesterday as she had bought too many, and she prefers them underipe and several were starting to get brown spots on the skin and she won't eat them like that. So tonight after my main meal which will be the last of my left over chicken and bacon pasta I will have some chopped up with another dollop of curstrd on for pudding.

Starting to run down my fridge stocks as I will be away over Christmas for several days then home for a couple of days then away again at New Year for a couple of days Only too-ing and fro-ing beteen my two DDs houses, but I like to come home in between the holidays so my house doesn't get too cold. Then it will be one 'big 'shop to stock upon stuff then no where near a shop for several weeks if the weather is bad as I don't like going to the shops when the ice is around on the pavements ,not good to be falling over and breaking anything at my age the bones snap too easily. Having had two cracked ribs in September I certainly don't want any more

Right time for a cuppa and maybe a couple of ginger nut biscuits ,its starting to get dark already I've shut the curtains to keep the heat in. 

Keep warm and safe chums 

JackieO xx

YorksLass

I've never liked wearing hats at the best of times, even outdoors, so it has to be really cold before I'll wear one.  I do have a couple though that get an occasional airing in winter.     Scarves are another bugbear - I don't like feeling overwhelmed.  That said, I've currently got a thin silky scarf draped around my neck as the jumper I'm wearing just isn't keeping my neck warm!

Katiehound

Yesterday we had freezing fog which started after I had walked the hounds. Freeze & fog really not a great combination for driving. That's only the second time since I learned to drive that I have experienced it.....

Today bally cold, colder than yesterday- the trees look beautiful sparkly white but the windscreen took an age to scrape. Quite a bit of muck on the road which splashed onto the windscreen but frozen screen wash so a hazard. Forgot to take my camera out with me which is a shame. Still I have taken close-ups of shrubs in the garden with their spiky frost.

Went to Tesco- not brilliant. Firstly the heating had broken so no heat, it was literally freezing in there- poor staff. The manager missed a huge PR opportunity- if they had handed out teeny glasses of their cheapest drinks folk might well have bought more items : I just wanted to get out. Added to that several items no longer stocked- or  they take up room away from seasonal stuff.  Will need to go to Aldi, even a big Mr T later in the week. Mutterings.

Must now put the heating on....... 14.5 
Rad in the bathroom now working- why? Front room now not but I think the thermostatic valve has worn out, it is jammed.

The big bonus yesterday was that I got my very fruity tea loaf baked in the s.c. whilst I was out and solar panels were working. A very yummy 2lb fruit cake.....delicious with a slice of Shropshire blue.

Evening meal? was going to treat myself to £12 meal deal but nothing appealed & everything else frozen solid in the freezer. Might have to be cauliflower cheese with other veg

London_1

Just had a Facetime from my eldest grandson in new York their first baby is going to be a GIRL so that's three great granddaughters now, still awaiting my wool from Sirdar, but had an email saying they will deliver tomorrow fingers crossed really pleased for them both and for my eldest daughter as its her first grandchild  

JackieO xx 

RobM99

Hat at home? No problem with that, my Lewes FC beanie!

Katiehound

Forgot to say that I had an email from my energy supplier- Shell- yesterday with news about the January prices. Looks like my fuel rates won't be going up. Bit of a surprise there. ( I haven't been on a fixed tariff for about a year)

Novel name for the new tariff:
Energy Price Guarantee Direct Debit v2.!!

RobM99

Katiehound said:

Novel name for the new tariff:
Energy Price Guarantee Direct Debit v2.!!

Imagination knows no limit there!

zcrat41

borefest said:

Is anyone wearing a hat indoors to keep warm? I am and although it is keeping me warm, I can’t stop laughing about it!! 

I watched the Railway children with my daughter the other night and we both wondered if people might start wearing hats and night caps again!! 

Re cheap bread I've always bought it for my kids sandwiches.  When I treat us to posh nice bread they refuse to eat it!!  

Any ideas for warm puddings that don't involve custard (have eaten too much of that recently!!)