From Frugal Foundations to Fortified Family Future

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Morning MFW'rs

Oh heavens, is it wet with you?  Definitely soggy in the extreme with us.  

BookWorm - thank you for all your ideas.  I haven't checked the manufacturers website, so that is a good idea.  A slight issue is that I already have 5 plumbers who would be on that list who have - one way or another - absented themselves from doing the job 🙁2 don't reply to contact, 1 is no longer gas registered, and 2 are inept - and we wouldn't want them in the house.  But I don't know who else is on the list, so it is worth checking.  Thank you.

Notionally today is shopping day, but I'll wait until it is light to see how it is out there, and see how underwater the school run is.  

I think I am going to have a go at a stew in the SC today for tea.  It's a new to me recipe, and a "proper" long cook thing, so it could go horribly wrong - I am also converting a meat dish to veggie.  But you gotta try these things, right?  I am pondering whether a better option would be to zap it in the PC, and then give it the long 'soak' all day and re-heat for tea.  Mmmm, can you tell I'm still not as convinced with SC's for veggie food.  I can absolutely see how they are really good for meat cookery - particularly for 'pulled' dishes, or the pieces of meat that need long, slow cooking to make them edible.  Anyhoo, as ever, up to experiment, and find out new things/methods or recipes.

Ta for popping by and helping me - it IS always, always appreciated that you take time out of your day to natter with me.  Thank you.

Greying X

themadvix

Another one who is not convinced about an SC for veggie stuff - and I’ve never owned one for that reason (space is v limited in our kitchen). Love my PC - used almost every day for something (eggs and rice mostly, but plenty of beans too).

Wish you were closer- I have a lovely plumber and most untradesman like - usually arrives smartly dressed with a green smoothie!

ladybird1106

I use a slow cooker for veggies as I’m a veggie. The best thing I’ve found is it’s best cooked the day before, allow it to rest in the fridge and reheat the next day. It allows the flavours of the veggies to really come together- mature so to speak. I don’t do this all the time but veggie stew is always better on the 2nd day.
 Love 🐞

Greying_Pilgrim

tmv - I absolutely lurve that you have a hipster plumber - how brill!!  The chap who I contacted who is just returning after LT sick, and has lapsed certification wouldn't fit into the 'green smoothie' category, (most definitely not 🤣), but the thing I loved about him was his ability to think outside the box, or fit things how he'd like them to look, if he had to live with them.  

ladybird 🐞- now that you've said that, I realise you are spot on.  I made a mushroom veggie version of 'carbonnade de flamande' (sp?) and also of Irish stew, and actually staffordshire lobby too - and they ALL taste better for a days being 'left' - in fact the recipes called for it.  Thank you - sometimes we just need a reminder/nudge eh?  

Greying X

themadvix

Now wondering if it’s a mushroom thing with slow cookers? I detest them, but can imagine that they add flavour when cooked long and slow.

 Such a pity about your plumber - he sounds like a gem!

greenbee

Can you ask your plumber whether he is going to re#certify and if so, take the risk of waiting for him?

I ended up getting my heating engineer (oil) to service my mum’s (gas) boiler (he’s certified for both), as he was so thorough. I’m trying to persuade him to get into heat pump technology as I have a stupidly complicated set-up here and really need someone competent to work out how I can get myself prepared for the swap (boiler has a few years’ life left in it, but as I’m doing work I want to take that into account).

Greying_Pilgrim

greenbee - he is the type of guy that is worth the wait, and he did say that he was looking to get back his certs in the 'next couple of months', which would be cutting it a bit fine.  We have quite a long "guarantee" on this new boiler - but it's dependent on annual servicing.  I don't have the fine print to hand, but what's the betting that if you were a month over, it would nul and void your guarantee?  I will be surprised if this boiler lasts anyway.  It's very flimsily made.  The brand is the same as we had at our previous house (not the rental), but whereas that was robust, and the plumber who serviced it always said it was showing no real signs of wear and tear, this new one is a different beast altogether 🙁

The good news is that I was struck by something tmv said and I decided to contact a plumber who isn't as local as everyone else I have tried, but works in Greying Town.  And they got back to me and said that they were busy, but if I could accept an appt in a few weeks time, they could do the service.  Well, that works for me, so I've said yes.  They have yet to get back to me with an actual date/time, but then today is a working day, so........

🤞

I have got 2 loads of washing out on the line.  The clothes aren't all in direct sunshine (which is quite warm), but there is a breeze, so I am hopeful that they will dry somewhat.

I was impressed this morning that the dehu got rid of the condensation on the lounge windows - I only put it on for half an hour or so (certainly less than an hour) on the basic settings and all the moisture was hoovered up.  The windows are all open upstairs.

Shopping was OK.  MrL did have some boxes, but they didn't inspire.  They clearly deem it necessary to put £1.50's worth of F&V in a £1.50 box........ I think someone has missed the point of them.  I wasn't surprised that there were as many boxes when I left the store as there were when I went in.  There was quite alot of YS'd stuff, but most things were 30% off and weren't sufficiently bargainacious to bother with.  

In total I spent £51.47 inbetween MrL and MrS.  I did purchase several things in MrS "because" they were on n*ctar price.  I had bought some (british) onions in MrL, but did buy another bag in MrS as they were on offer, but they were dutch onions.  

I have put the stew ingredients into the SC.  I am fully aware that this may not work......  I agree about mushrooms giving stews depth.  There are no mushrooms in this recipe 😬I do want to be able to use the SC more, otherwise it isn't earning its space in the kitchen.  certainly in our old house I didn't have an SC because there was no space to run it or store it.  But unless it can make stews that are as good/better than stovetop, it won't be worth keeping it.  But 🐞 makes an extremely valid point about stuff being better the day after, so I need to put that in the equation too - we're back to better organisation! 🤣

Right, off to amend siggie and tidy up the kitchen after chopping veg.

Ta for popping by and chatting and inspiring me.  As ever, it's appreciated.

Greying X

themadvix

Another one here with two loads on the line - can't miss an opportunity like this at this time of the year! It's so warm in the sunshine.

Greying_Pilgrim

themadvix said:

Another one here with two loads on the line - can't miss an opportunity like this at this time of the year! It's so warm in the sunshine.

tmv - it's lovely.  After yesterday's 'all day dark greyness' I have actually moved to stand in the sunshine just to soak up the cheerful energy and warmth on several occasions.  Daft I know, but I'm feeling more chipper for it, so......

I just got the towels in and they are dry - not dry and crusty like sometimes happens on a sunny summer's day, but dry all over.  I have put them on the airer and depending on how dry the other bits come in, I shall either leave them overnight, or pop them away.  The sun has gone off the washing lines now, but the breeze is still working it's magic on the washing that is still out.

The stew smells nice, but I am unsure as to whether stuff will cook by the time it's needed.  The carrots still seemed crunchy and the potatoes were still very firm......  But it's smelling very savoury and inviting.  I have used some of my home-dried onion flakes in it, so hopefully they will add to the taste.  

I had meant to have a look in MrS as to what 'condensed' soups may be available to buy, as many of the US blogs I watch use condensed soups in SC recipes.  I am sure that condensed chicken, celery and mushroom soups are regularly mentioned and wondered if they are as easily available here.  Funnily enough, in MrS a more senior couple were seeking out celery soup - I assume one of the branded soups still make celery flavoured?  Anyway, I didn't get to look for condensed soups as it all got a bit of a muddley scrum in that aisle with trolleys and folks, so I moved on.  

Greying  😎

themadvix

Nothing daft about soaking up the sun! Good for vit D levels (interesting Zoe podcast on that this week) and general mental health - I had my lunch in the garden today and have definitely been enjoying its warmth while hanging the washing out.