From Frugal Foundations to Fortified Family Future

rtandon27

Defrosting always outweighs a fresh cook in my books!

Well done on the walk!  You've certainly got your steps and resistance training in today 😁

We had five glorious minutes of sunshine today, which made me think fleetingly of walking down the road to the postbox, but it was very fleeting!

rtandon27

@Greying_Pilgrim - if I remember correctly, you have a Waitflower near you? - As of the end of this month, they are changing the terms of their loyalty card - it's no longer necessary to make a purchase to get a free coffee!  Just scan the card and fill up your reusable mug! - I'm rather miffed that our local only opens at 8am, well after I've left for work & there is not one on my route to the office at the other end, but may be of use when you are doing your shopping rounds or weekend walks?  I'd walk 1/2 hour for a free coffee, it's very MSE 🤣🤣🤣

ETA - I have their app and my card on my phone - just saying...
(I'll get my hat and leave now...)
xxx

Greying_Pilgrim

Morning rt!  unfortunately we don't have a Waitflower near us - it's gone long time since.  No free anything for us 😟  There was a teeny tiny one where we went for our last overnight stay in Sir Lenny's gaff (half-term), but the weather was appalling and we just wanted to get over to the hotel (the shop was closed when we had arrived - Sunday morning).

LG has been difficult to winkle out of bed this morning 🙄They are feeling 'very nearly as ill' as their beloved papa....... angling for a day off school I think 🙄

I need to review what is priority in washing, as we've a small laundry opportunity this morning.  It'll either be my stuff or DH's everyday non-work wear  I think.  

Right, I better get shifting.  I'm somewhat behind, already, and it's only Tuesday......... 🙄

Greying X

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Evening MFW'rs

I was so lucky with the washing today.  Although I don't think it was as breezy as forecast (and it was marginal whether it would be blowy as it was), we had more sun (not blazing, and behind thin cloud for much of the day) than forecast, it kept dry and the majority of the garments were lighter in nature.  So with the exception of the usual 'collars and waistbands' stuff came in (just before the school run) touch dry for the most part.  I have put the stuff on the airer, and it's in front of the radiator now.  Fingers crossed it doesn't bring too much moisture into the house.  

LG had a reasonable day at school, so that's worth noting 😁

Tea was mash (tattie and swede), omlette and baked beans.  It used up the last of the tatties - with the exception of 2 that are just about big enough for baking.  If we don't use them on Thursday, they can be chopped up and added to a curry/stew.

No money spent today.  I need to put some chickpeas on to soak overnight to cook tomorrow.  

Can't think of anything else to add on an MSE vibe.

Greying X

themadvix

You did better than me with the washing - mine came in wetter than it went out (although I did leave it until rather later than planned to get it in).

Glad LG had a good day at school 😊

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Morning MFW'rs

Brekkie munched, snap packed, homework done, uniform set out.  A good start to the day.

The weather forecast for today is dreich.  No chance of pegging anything out today, and by the sounds of it, laundry is off the cards until Saturday 😬  which will be cutting things fine to say the least, to have everything ready to go again on Monday morning 😬

I've started my list, and am trying to hold out until tomorrow to go shopping.  I have 2 actual shopping days left in January, but realistically, only one where the majority of the food will be consumed in January, so I am trying to be much more focused on what we need and what I'll cook. Friday 31st sees the first match of the Six Nations kick off.  Fra v Wal.

I know menu planning has it's place, but I've not managed to get it to work as well since we've been a family of 3.  DH is pretty flexible - as to what he eats and when, and is usually good at eating up culinary disasters too.  I have been thwarted by LG's fussiness in previous years.  And whilst they are much better at eating a wider range of stuff now, I know that I am defaulting too much to prepared foods - stuff that is definitely UPF, and I want to move away from that, for obvious reasons.  I need a mental and culinary kick up the bum I think.  I'll get there.  I've got the recipes at my disposal, just need to not get thwarted by werriting about the 'how' to cook things - I have got enough recipes that don't require putting the oven on.  I'm not minded to get an air-fryer.  I don't doubt their usefulness to a point, but a) I don't have the space in the kitchen and b) I'm not overly convinced on capacity.  Over Christmas I saw an article about someone cooking the entire Xmas lunch in the airfryer.  But they used 5 of them.......

Right, best get shifting a tail-feather.  It'll soon be school run time.

Greying X

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Evening MFW'rs

I have spent money today.  Had to go on a bit of unplanned dash to pick up some lotions & potions for sicky badness.  Thank heavens you can get certain things without prescription, you'd either be dead or better if you had to wait to see a GP (Dr).

I also popped into TeeKaymaximum as I was that side of Greying Town and got some work socks for DH - that will come from the clothes budget.  I did also pop into hB and picked up some food items to avoid having to go there tomorrow.  I think I spent £6 something - I will double check and update my siggie.

LG had an enjoyable day at school.  They got some super encouragement from their Teech, and came hope happy 😁

Tea was vegetable and bean casserole and I cooked and diced up the 2 remaining L1nda Muckcartknee rosemary veggie sausages and tossed them in too, and I used up the remainder of the bag of mixed veg too.  I made dumplings - which thankfully turned out light, airey and pillowy.  There was a bowlful for everyone and a small lunch size portion leftover.  

Not quite the NSD I had planned, but I didn't go silly either, and everything was on a list.  

Can't think of anything else to add on an MSE vibe, so I'll shove off.

Greying X

FrugalHedonist

@Greying_Pilgrim I feel your pain regarding meal planning. I am fortunate in tgat my daughter will eat a fairly diverse diet but i seem to cook things that take a lot of chopping and cooking and thats the whole evening gone or alternatively they are quite upf meat alternatives. I need to discover some one pot meals i think 

rtandon27

Hope the sicky badness has been kept at bay!

Greying_Pilgrim

Morning MFW'rs

rt - Fingers crossed 🤞

Siggie updated.  List made for shopping, although I'm not confident I am going to be able to get what I want for the next 8 days and leave over £100 in my budget.  I know it's an arbitrary amount - just one I thought would be a 'good' figure.  Ho hum First World problems.

Siggie updated.

Everything is ready for school.  

Best crack on with the day.   Ta for dropping in.

Greying X