Simplifying Life

mary43

Well, another day and so far all is well and going according to plan. OH has posted sons parcel (eventually managed to get it wrapped, covered in beatles images, then wrapped again for posting), I nipped down the card shop for some card -bought more than I needed (just in case !) and saw some 'must have' paper to cover empty twiglet tube, ran back and got stuck in. Cards now made, one from me, one from my mum, washing machine on, youngest lad out fishing, oldest lad raiding his room for anything surplus he can flog to raise some money ! Told him not to but he insists as he's got no money at all now he's lost his wages.
So, thats 3 boxes ticked so far
1. posting parcel
2. making cards
3. washing

To do:
4. paperwork (I think it must breed during the night or I missed some!)
5. make list of all the craft stuff I intend to do for christmas

Just doing '5 a day' things at the minute.........that way I think I just might actually get them done....................:rotfl:

EagerLearner

I meal planned for the whole month this weekend, 1st time I have done that as I normally do weekly. It means we need to get around 6 more 'main' meals in shopping, the rest will be for any veg/fruit/eggs etc, and for any great deals that come along. Feels very good!

We also made handmade bread for the first time ever last night, came out ok (I gave it a 7/10 rating) - next time will do wholemeal, but we like the idea, as it cost half what it normally would and I am sure I can bring that cost down by using no milk. I followed the recipe religiously this time just in case...

I am addicted to home-made yoghurt, so even though I am at work now, am straining the yoghurt back at home, so when I get in it will be ready for the fridge...

Greenshieldstamp_2

Well done Eager Learner. That's brilliant and puts me definitely to shame. Struggling to meal plan at all at the moment as so busy, but I will get there.

Hi Ceridwen, Mary43, Shaz, Eager Learner and Charis and all,

Found the easiest way to simplify life just now, was not to post and just "lurk" for a while. I have enjoyed keeping up with all your news, and enjoying Ceridwen's blog (even watched the "leafy" video!!)

I have a couple of links to share from the American version of Country Living website.

http://www.countryliving.com/crafts/projects/storage-solutions-craft-projects-0108 - This looks like a nice idea for a cheap and recycled present - a sewing kit in an egg box and could look quite stylish.

http://www.countryliving.com/antiques/shops-and-shows/marburger-farm-show-0407
This link is from a slideshow of an American antiques and flea market fair. I am intrigued as to whether real fruit is used underneath the beads in slideshow image number 8, as they look very pretty. See what you think.

There are quite a lot of adverts on this site, but some of the articles and craft sections are quite interesting. It even says one of the flea markets held over there has 28 miles of pathways with people selling things! Mary43 - don't think you and me would hold out very long with all those things to look at, do you?

Have a good week everyone. Working away again and will be back after the weekend.
Best wishes
Greenshield

mary43

EL - my word you are organised..............with OH in charge of 'all things domestic' I leave meal planning to him so I've no idea how he sorts it out. Seems to work anyway apart from having to pop out and get some fresh veg. though we are eating our own at the minute which is nice.

Greenshield - thanks for the links.........love the egg box/sewing box.....not sure it would be big enough for me but what a lovely little gift it would make for someone. Haven't inspected the other link yet.............it'll be full of 'I want' stuff I just know it..................lol so will save that for later.
Currently keeping an eye on the weather (black cloud looming -typical)as washing load number two is now churning away ! What do kids do to their t-shirts ? Our youngest lad seems to get all sorts on his........went to hang one out on the line (well two on closer inspection) and our soap nuts hadn't got the stains out so out came the Vanish and I rubbed long and hard, quick hand wash and fingers crossed hoping its done the trick. Some marks just won't shift though no matter how I scrub.
The other lad is still in and out trying hard to get rid of stuff but being decidedly cagey about it all -methinks I might have to investigate his room during his next absence to see exactly whats missing.
Now back to the countryliving crafts to see what else I can get intrigued by......................lol :rotfl:

shaz_mum_of__2

Have spent the weekend "simplifying"

tidied several kitchen cupboards and bedroom drawers

Started packing for our camping trip next week (1 week surrey,1 week Norfolk)

Caught up with washing & ironing

Printed off patterns for stitchery to take on holiday (i plan to do lots of sewing and reading from the comfort of a deck chair )we will be fishing and canoeing too and we are going to RHS Wisley too i can't wait

Downloaded more music to MP3's

packing stuff in boxes to go in caravan

shopping list for food to take done

Caught up with all the DVD's we had from the rental company(we pay £13 a month and watch about 20 its all done by mail order it's great and the first months free pm me if you want the details )

printed off maps and local info for campsite

Seems a lot but didn't take long really spent a lot of time tidying garden too my veg is just coming into its own and we wont be here to eat it!!


Thats the good thing about mini lists Mary ticking them off feels good



Shaz

PennyPinchingPrincess

mary43 wrote: »

paperwork (I think it must breed during the night or I missed some!)

It does! It does!

Today I finally got round to closing an unused current account, so that's a couple of bits of paper I'll no longer get every month telling me I have a penny in there

ceridwen

And..on the list front....its a thing I notice that when one is a (reasonably!) efficient person oneself things still go wrong when they involve other people. You make your plans - list off all the constituent bits of the task involved so that everything goes smoothly - and other people make a mess of their bit of this. :mad: When this happens I tend to head for a couple of glasses of the "wet stuff" as Mary would put it and then closet myself in for the rest of the day with phone off the hook and music on.

Cant see any way to avoid other people (ie firms) mucking up.....so working on ways to deal with how to keep calm after I've done whatever I have to this time to sort out the resultant "mess".

Sure there must be some other way of dealing with this than throwing things at a couple of walls and then heading for that coupla glasses wine - any suggestions for how other people deal with yet another *****up by a firm and stay reasonably calm and "sane"?

mary43

shaz - you have been busy ! Your list makes mine look so small and trivial. Mind you, its all stuff that has to be done.
Still haven't made a list of 'stuff to do/make for christmas' but at least the bread makers working away giving out that lovely smell of fresh bread.
OH is so fascinated by it he stands and watched it through its little window..................lol:rotfl:

Penny - oh lor.........might have to put paperwork on tomorrow's list at this rate....!!:eek:

looby-loo_2

shaz_mum_of__2 wrote: »

Seems a lot but didn't take long really spent a lot of time tidying garden too my veg is just coming into its own and we wont be here to eat it!!

Shaz

Hi Shaz, remember to pick any veg that will be too old when you get back that way there should be a new crop just waiting to be picked when you get back. Especially courgettes - pick off any little ones or they will turn into great big morrows and there will be no more courgetes for a while. Enjoy your holiday

shaz_mum_of__2

My mums coming to water and pick ..........and hopefully freeze stuff

I think the beans and courgettes will be the only problem really the tomatoes not even nearly red yet so perfect really

experimented freezing courgette yesterday(raw slices) i think will be ok if cooked from frozen??

Got loads of red mustard ready we have it in salad but you can let the plant mature and have it stir fryed ..............anyone know if its freezable??

Off shopping for last few non food stuffs today(flip flops and undies for kids who's feet have grown overnight!?

and to take my nanna a plated dinner(she's 84 and been having new heating put in...the house is a mess and she can't have the cooker on til the gas has been tested )

Taking some stuff down to the van too later

I do feel i am the only one thinking about this holiday though keep reminding 16yo to do his washing ready.............................

We are going out for the day on saturday to a roman day in a nearby village .........mock battles...........catapults etc sounds fun and its free

http://www.wrawby.org.uk/


Shaz