plodding along one step at a time

the_cross_rabbit

thanks SAVINGHOLMES and VIKING-mfw, great advice I will look into those.
The pond is finished 🥳. 

 Just a had bath and tea, off to bed as I’m really tired.
CRx

the_cross_rabbit

Lovely morning so far. Miss giddychops walked over the fields before it gets to hot. 

Currently at the allotment to water and pick mum’s and my lunch. So far picked a massive box of baby tomatoes, lettuce, 3 cucumbers, spring onions, carrots and radishes. Harvested nasturtiums and the flowers from pot marigold to make pesto when I get back. Started my pumpkin patch for next year, by digging a foot deep hole and putting raw kitchen waste in and covering in over. Every year we forget to save compost for the pumpkins. I read about the above method, although that was relating to a bean trench. Anyway if it doesn’t work, I’ve not lost anything.
Right best head home before my lettuce wilts in the heat.
CRx

the_cross_rabbit

Last night we went over the budget again but together this time. Gave us an idea of what we could potentially cut, what’s necessary and when all said and done what’s available. TV license was top of cut list as we have only had one since moving here and we usually read the news online. There are a couple of shows I would miss but not that much. We’ve plenty of books, puzzles, games and there’s catch up as well. We’d look to stop the holiday fund and just use the money left to the hubbster by his gran to pay for holidays. We were saving it to pay for a 3 week 3 destination holiday next year for when the hubbster and DD1 do the coast to coast. Will look at alternatives (yha maybe?) and camping is back on the agenda. Although DD2 is not keen which is understandable due to her disabilities etc. Dad has literally just sold his static caravan so that off the possible holiday list. Help to save ends in October, so that money can be redirected to the gas bill. We’ve shaved about £25 off the food bill and hopefully we can cut that a bit more as we continue to utilise the produce of the allotment. Things don’t seem so scary now that we are both aware of what we need to do and bills can be met, well at least until the next hike in January. Also showed the hubbster the overpayment calculator and the importance of maintaining our current goal. But if needs must it will have to alter. 

Been to the allotment this morning, as DD1 would like some veg which I will take up tomorrow. Also picked spinach for our tea tonight. Right best get miss giddychops walked and washing on the line. 

CRx

savingholmes

Great news on the pond.

I think most people will need to realign their priorities to deal with the energy costs unless the gov finally gets their act together... Seems unlikely.

the_cross_rabbit

Seems very unlikely savingholmes. 

Tried the pasta method with rice last night. Added boiling water to the pan, brought back to the boil, turned off the heat and let it sit for 20 minutes. Rice was perfect and still hot. In fact I’d say it looked and tasted better that simmering in the hob for 10 minutes. Right best get picnic made, off to see DD1 today in York.
CRx

savingholmes

Sounds good on the rice.

Hope your picnic went well and your trip to see DD.

the_cross_rabbit

Picnic didn't happen as DD2 wasn't very well, but I still had to go to York as DD1 and her friend had planned to do the first day of the pennie way today.They are still walking but are almost close to the end, apparently they are very tired but no blisters.
Not had alot of energy today, so mainly been at home doing admin jobs. Credit card paid, worked out how much dad owed me for materials for the pond and sorted out new bank details for our help to save pay out at the end of September. Spent a happy hour daydreaming what I could spend the money on and then reality intruded. 
This pm decided to have a go at making tarte tatin with apples from the allotment, Really nice except for the gluten free pastry, so will try another brand next time. Will look to prep some apples and freeze. Unfortunately these first batch off apples are not great for storage, so I'll see how they freeze. The hubbster has gone to the allotment tonight whilst I wait for DD2 to get back from her grandparents.
Right might have a short nap
CRx

savingholmes

Hope you recover your energy soon.

I may try making some kind of apple sponge... supposed to be dieting though... temptation...

the_cross_rabbit

Been a very long day, spent most of the morning at the allotment pruning tomato plants. Hopefully by cutting a lot of leaves off they will ripen quickly. Harvested a massive bowl of baby tomatoes, gave a bag each to my neighbours on both sides. Harvested lettuce and was given a lettuce by a elderly allotment neighbour, even though I told them I had lettuce. Also picked leeks, radish and spring onions. Sown the last spring onions, lamb’s lettuce and radish. 

Spent the afternoon chopping and roasting baby tomatoes. Skinned and chopped large tomatoes to make soup. Finally peeled and chopped 15 apples to go in the freezer to make puddings at some point.
Hoping tomorrow I’ll only have puy lentil soup to make.
CRx

savingholmes

With the chopped apple do you cook before freezing? I have loads.