From Frugal Foundations to Fortified Family Future

Greying_Pilgrim

Hey tmv - I'm an avid collector of recipes, for swede, parsnip, any type of 'less favourable' veg - primarily from a cost pov, but also because it contributes to variety.  This recipe is fairly simple, I did also pop a bit of asafoetida in it - we're not too bothered by the 'windy pops', but it's curry, and I had some asafoetida in the cupboard.  I didn't put any chilli in it, as LG doesn't like it.  We don't miss it, but if you're OK with chilli,  I should imagine it is a nice addition.  Certainly we had 3 clean plates tonight, and LG ate it up.  I don't think it's immediately 'identifiable' as swede, and is a good use of a lump of root veg - plus it's open to whatever flavourings you have available.  I didn't bother blitzing it tonight, as I just winged quantities and the curry was sufficiently thickened with the lentils that I used.

We went to activity.  Driving on country back roads in the rain 😬  A road was closed and a diversion was in place, I knew the route - we normally come back that way, but of course, we encountered more traffic as people were following the diversion, we encountered an ambulance - clearly on an emergency call 😬 Coming home in the dark was even worse........ 😬  

Anyway, all in all today has been a good day.  I've made progress with important work for Santa 😉made a scrummy tea that got munched, with a portion leftover for another day (lunch size) and got a load of washing 'sort of' dried.  I was surprised that the clothes were drier, than when they were hung out - I hadn't noticed a light mizzle had started, but thankfully did get them in just before the rain set in and got far heavier.  I put them on the airer, and set the dehu on laundry for 1 hr.  The things are aren't bone dry, but they should have dried pretty much by tomorrow, so at least DH won't go to work in barefeet!

Small wins, but wins none-the-less, I'll take that.

Greying X

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Morning MFW'rs

Have you awoken to snow?  I suspect that the forecast has caught quite a few out, as snowfall seems much more widespread that the maps indicated - even R2 this morning was saying one thing on the forecast, whilst ZB was shrieking quite another in the midst of her brekkie show...... Snow is one thing, but there is ice forecast to follow, overnight/tomorrow, and that is quite another 😕

Mmmm, interesting that something is going on at school - regarding 'policy' - not any one thing, and certainly not any one person.  I have been whanging on - for some time now - that we may as well deposit our purse, or bank account details with school, and let them plunder at will, as everything and anything that is now done has a charge point attached to it.  Our household income isn't massive, but neither are we in receipt of benefits, so I am quite, quite sure that there are many households at our school who are in a worse position than us.  I am also sure that there are some adults (at all/any income levels) who prioritise spending on things 'other' than their children's learning.  But I had become increasingly annoyed at charges for this, and charges for that, and a hardening of wording with regard to 'voluntary contributions' activities.  

It appears that the school has taken one step too far with it's latest charging policy, and there must have been complaints.  As it happens. I am glad that the kerfuffle has errupted, as although we will have to pay the charge for LG, I hadn't actually noticed it had been applied.  (Note to self - read the gazinty billion email missives, that come out of school, to the last sentence!).  As it happens, the charge will just replace a donation that we would have made, so no real net gain/loss.  But then we only have one child at the school, so I appreciate that for some, it will be an increase in costs.  As I have probably mentioned, this school term has been a leetle bit costly already........ 

I'm most certainly not standing on the side-lines gloating - I hate that state education has become an accountancy transaction.  People have been struggling for a long time.  But do I feel mildly less 'scrooge-like' for making tough decisions, based on our household income/budget.  Yes.

I had to put a wash on this morning, as there are calls on school clothing (mixed up curriculum days again), and I am not 'ahead'.  The rest of the week's forecast is hardly any better, so the clothes got a double spin and 2 hours in front of the dehu, on laundry...... wish me luck.......

Right, I had better get this posted before it turns noon.  

Greying X

rtandon27

GP - hooray for small victories - I'm glad folks at LG's school have had the common sense to vocalize their frustrations to the correct ears!

beanielou

Don’t forget also that many teachers also have to pay for their resources & extras needed to be able to actually teach. Sad but true. 

badmemory

From what I have heard it is even worse if a school becomes an academy as they use these charged extras to weed out those from poorer families who may not perform as well academically (or physically) & mar their results.

Greying_Pilgrim

Well, my parcel from the Big River company turned up unexpectedly - which is absolutely fine, always better to be early than late, eh?  So there is only one item now that I have in mind to still get.  There is no rush, and I won't battle through snow and ice to get it.  A couple of bits and bobs for the stocking, and then that is the bulk of my work on behalf of Mr Claus done.  If I spot anything before the day, then fine, but if I don't, there will always be spending opportunities in the new year........ 

I do need to get to grips with the advent calendar.  It's a HM one that is reuseable each year.  I had been buying little chocs for everyday, but have found that at this time of year, there are actually plenty of sweeties floating about anyway, so I had wanted to do something a little different, so that no one suffers a chocolate induced coma by day 10.........  But I need to see which dates fall on which days, as obviously some things/activities are going to be easier to do at a weekend.  And the object of the exercise is 'different', not 'more expensive'.

The clothes haven't done too bad with the dehu.  I have got it on upstairs now on the lowest setting to just try to remove more condensation from the bedroom windows.  Merely opening then has done nothing today, so I have put the dehu on and left doors open.  I have also taken the airer upstairs so that the clothes get a side benefit, but I'm not really expecting it to make that much difference.  Hopefully when the heating comes on later, it may just finish them off.  I have also dug out the HM blanket I knitted for LG a couple of years ago, and have put that on their bed.  

Greying X

Watty1

Love the sound of the handknitted blanket.
Although an adult, a few years ago I made myself an advent calendar and just thought of festive things to do.  Not expensive (a flask of hot chocolate to be drunk on the village square looking at the lights; a walk around the village with WattyDog looking at lights; watching a christmas movie - it was fun and festive - I might do that again this year!)

Greying_Pilgrim

Definitely do it Watty - that is the sort of things I will be going for (hopefully), it is only about organisation, rather than expense.  I remain delighted LG still loves the advent calendar.  I crafted it the year they were born, and it holds lots of memories - from then and for each year since, hung up in different houses etc.  The blanket was a labour of love, no doubt, but again so worth it.  LG actually thanked me for getting it out and putting it on their bed when they got home from school 🥰

Greying X

Greying_Pilgrim

Some success!  I bought an aubergine in the PoTW a couple of weeks ago, for......69p?  It was quite big and glossy, and has been happily sitting in the fridge since.  I was going to make 'stew' for tea - with possibly mash or dumplings or possibly both.... Anyhoo, I decided to use the aubergine and make caponata.  Full disclosure, I did put the TV on this afternoon (after LG was back from school).  We don't normally, but there was a silly chrimbly film on channel V and we just sat down on the sofa and snuggled to watch (it had already started, but the plot line is always the same.....).  There was a brisket stew in the film, and the lead male character was discussing what ingredients were used in a blind taste test.  So I got to thinking about cinnamon and coriander, and then my mind went to black olives (LG still adores them), and so caponata wafted into my brain.  

I did add in a tin of black beans (not typical, I don't think, but a good protein boost), and although I had no courgette, I did add in red bell peppers, onion, celery and garlic as well as a tin of tommies, some stock and some tommie puree.  When it was all cooked up, I added in the herbs and spices and the black olives (sliced up).  Served up with pasta, it was a hit and 3 clean plates were returned to the sink.  I am delighted, as I am not sure we've had aubergine too many times in LG's lifetime, so the fact that they ate it, without question or complaint is great 😁  I made the caponata in the PC, and the pasta by boil and turn off and leave on the heat method.  

So, reasonably low cost meal/cooking methods and a meal-sized portion of caponata left for another day - and a dish that I now know LG will probably eat 😁

As forecast, the temperature has dipped.  I suspect the heating will have to be put on 'ticking over' mode for the night, so that we don't wake up in an ice palace tomorrow.  The clothes haven't dried yet 😬  I mean, they are better than had I not washed them - at least they are on the clean side of the process - but 2 hrs on laundry mode with the dehu, followed by several more hours in the vicinity of the dehu on basic mode obviously isn't enough.  

I have been looking at the calendar for December and planning and plotting when we will be about for advent events/activities.  Just like Watty, I will plan to do simple and inexpensive things, a flask of hot chocolate to take in the Christmas lights has looooonnnnngggg been on my list of 'wanties', but we've previously been thwarted by the weather and general weariness at this time of year.  This year I shall try harder.  But the Yule Tomte & the little rabbits will definitely be getting wheeled out for a daily read 😁

Right, I had better toddle orf to bed.  I'm the only one still awake 😁  Is that in my home, or is that on this thread because I write such boring posts 😴😂

Ta for popping in.  Greying X

Cheery_Daff

Your advent calendar sounds lovely, as does yours @Watty1! How very cheerful.

We are both adults, but we have an advent book that we picked up a few years ago in a charity shop. It's a charming little thing, each page a different scene with woodland animals, and it opens out to be displayed in a kind of frieze (?). We are very fond of a couple of the illustrations in particular and often talk of them through the year 🥰😂