And now we go again...

lucielle · 7 July at 10:04PM

I agree about looking at the colour if the water. I always vacuum with the normal hoover before I wash the carpets and it amazes me how much dog hair it brings out! Mind you my mutts are very fluffy!
L

EssexHebridean · 8 July at 10:29AM

Well I did the rest of the front room last night and oh my - that water was BROWN! Eek! I ordered more cleaning solution last night and when that arrives I think I'll do that front room carpet again as clearly it has more to give! I'm also looking forward to having a go at the spare room one as that's cream and currently has some nasty stains...it will certainly put the machine to the test!

In MSE news:
- called in to the big T's near work last night to see if they had any more large plant saucers - they didn't, but they did have some nice reduced price duvet sets, including a 100% cotton one in exactly the right colours for our bedroom. Couldn't see a price on the shelf but took it to the check out on the basis that I could always put it back - £11.50! what a win!
- A small batch of pesto made up last night with a handful of basil. I wanted to get to one of the plants before it bolted so decided to just crack on and make it. Couldn't find the flexible ice cube trays though so had to freeze it in blobs.
- As mentioned above, more solution ordered for the carpet cleaner (it comes with a small bottle of each, but the deep clean stuff is only enough for 4 or so fills of the tank). Ordered 2 of the cleaning solution and 1 of the stainstriker stuff which got the value over £30 for free delivery, and used a 10% off code from signing up to the website too.
- Had the text from N@t10nw1de this morning confirming that we have qualified for the switch bonus so that should hit the account this month.

Food tonight will be the usual Tuesday couscous I think, but rather than doing roasted veg with it I might make up a batch of that chickpea salad that SA mentioned.

joedenise · 8 July at 11:11AM

What’s the chickpea salad which SA mentioned as don’t recall seeing it. We often have chickpeas but I usually end up using them in a curry or making falafel/hummus.

EssexHebridean · 8 July at 11:51AM

It was on her diary a few days back I think - recipe link here though: https://www.veganricha.com/mediterranean-chickpea-salad-balela-salad

I love chickpeas roasted - something like a Lebanese or Moroccan type seasoning mix sprinkled over and just a drizzle of oil, and cooked until they just start getting slightly crispy bits...mmm! But yes - also hummus is a bit of a staple in our household as well.

joedenise · 8 July at 1:16PM

Thanks EH. Have bookmarked the page. Will definitely be giving that a go once we’re back home from holiday.

Cherryfudge · 8 July at 11:48PM

Found you! Thanks for your link.

I've subscribed - can't think how I've got this far without reading your diary!

The herb wine boxes are very effective and your supermarket basil looks much healthier than any I've tried to keep going.

EssexHebridean · 9 July at 12:56PM

I was astonished at how well that Basil (about 19p IIRC) perked up with a bit of TLC - I literally just repotted that one, didn't try teasing the plants apart of anything, but it was well approaching dead when I got it!

Small MSE win this morning as I spotted that the Octopods have a slightly better gas fix than the one I'm on - and the one I'm on finishes in December whereas this one (July 12, V1) will give me a full year of the better prices. Unit rate down a fraction of a penny, and SC the same (but better in my pocket than in Greg's!) No exit fees on either, so I've sent them an email asking to switch.

Did that chickpea salad last night, albeit unsurprisingly I was a touch liberal about the exact quantities - oh my, delicious though! I can confirm that it works remarkably well with half a tin of sweetcorn thrown into the mix! More of that for tomorrow anyway, almost certainly with the last pack of our "holiday" smoked salmon and whatever salad bits still need using!