From Frugal Foundations to Fortified Family Future

Greying_Pilgrim

Good afternoon MFW'rs

So I put yesterday's towels through a quick wash again this morning 🙄  Along with a couple of items of thin clothing and pegged out at about 9am.  The beebeecee had kept changing it's mind, but said we would most likely be in for rain all morning.  But the sun was shining and there was a nice breeze, so I consulted the weather radar that said there was no rain coming our way for 4 hrs.  So I took a punt.  

I walked into Greying Town and shifted the money around to pay the bills for February. I then went on a chazzer scavenge to look for something to make for an outfit for LG for a school project.  To be absolutely fair to the school, they have NOT asked for fancy costumes, and they have given some ideas of low cost DIY options, but we have nothing at home that would suffice.  I ended up spending £2 in a chazzer that got me a top to play around with.  I am sure that when I first went in there, I saw something better for £1.50, but by the time I went back, the £2 option was all that was left.  I did also spy in several other chazzers, some 'outdoor' all weather gear (WHAT was I looking for in the Autumn term???) and some items of uniform that I paid full whack for, but were something like £2.50 in this particular chazzer - **sigh**

Anyhoo, I had a nice walk (with a purpose), and it stayed dry, so that was helpful.  I did see one of the Teachers from LG's school - clearly having a lunchtime 'stomp' to clear their mind....... couldn't help thinking they'd possibly had a tough morning......  

I just got the washing in, as rain is forecast for this afternoon.  I had just got back in the door and the heavens opened.  so I was counting my blessings.  It has now stopped......... 🙄  Never mind.  I am pleased with how 'dry' the towels and the other clothes are - I have put them on the airer.  If it was just them, I wouldn't bother with the dehu, but I washed the charity purchase through and pegged that out, and that is still quite damp, so I'll put the dehu on for 1hr and see where we get.  

Activity tonight.  Must remember there are road closures to consider and that the weather is forecast to be wind and rain.  Nice.

Other than the chazzer purchase, I didn't spend any other money, and that item for LG will come out of the CHB, as will the activity fees.

Right, better push off.  Haven't thought about tea.  Tea last night was a mix of the two swede curries (massaman and swede/lentil), served with wholemeal tortillas for mopping.   Worked quite well and floated LG's boat for 'quirky' eating - they didn't even seem to notice they were eating something as humble as swede..... 😉

Greying X

rtandon27

...on the subject of swede, I'm going to ask OH to add this recipe to his repertoire of Sunday dinner sides!  I love how they add extra crunch to the veg with breadcrumbs!

Greying_Pilgrim

I should imagine those would be pretty spiffy to make in an air-fryer, wouldn't they?  Thanks for the share rt.

Well the day has ended as well as it started, with LG performing their little heart out at activity.  There was lentil bolognese in the SC ready when we got home (HM tommie sauce, cooked lentils and a l/o portion of lentil bolognese all shoved in together).  I had cooked up and cooled some pasta before we set out, so on my return I put the pasta in with the bolognese to warm through.  Served with a grating of grana padano.  Yoghurt for pud.  

The chazzer top did well in front of the dehu for 1hr and everything is now in front of the radiator.  I'll be able to fold and put away tomorrow.  

All in all a good day.  I'm grateful for that.  

Ta for popping in.  Greying X

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Morning MFW'rs

A grey start with us.  The beebeecee has forecast rain for the day, but the weather radar say we'll stay dry until about lunchtime, so I've taken a punt with light things, washed and pegged them out.  The breeze isn't quite as brisk as forecast, but fingers crossed they get somewhere towards dry.

When I was out pegging, there was a frightful kerfuffle amongst the birds in the mini copse down the way.  The blackbirds were all sounding their alarms and the magpies were screeching - this is now the third time I have heard this - the first time was when the buzzard landed up on our fence, so I wonder if it's taken to hunting here?  I must admit, I thought buzzards were more about earthworms and small rodents, but thinking about it, a gas-powered bird scarer has been intermittently in some fields at the back of the estate - well, I think that is what it is - for a while now.  I wonder if the buzzard has had to shift it's hunting ground?  Anyway, in amongst all the kerfuffle (all manner of tweeting and sqwauking), there was the most beautiful robin - which was hopping about and singing in a nearby tree.  In watching that, my eye was drawn to something hopping about in our spindly holly tree.  I expected to see a sparrow - or another robin - hop out, but no, it was the most beautiful thrush (female I think).  I know birds aren't cute like dogs or kitties, but this was only about 10ft away from me, and it looked slightly fluffy, soft and it had a lovely face - difficult to imagine, I know, but it was the sort of bird that would be a model for an illustrated book about a load of talking animals who live in a forest, and..........   The spots on this bird were just perfect - and so..... spotty!  It was just lovely.  It stood on the fence for a while, looking at me, and looking to see if there was anything of interest in the garden, and then it flew off.  Just a few moments of (free) magnificence really - well, unless another birdy became breakfast for the buzzard I guess.......

The school gates opened on time this morning, so the school run wasn't a time consuming process today.  

I need to get some sort of walk in today, and I'm going to have a go at cooking a stout based stew in the SC.  Not something I've done before.  PC yes, but not the slow-cooker.  Wish me luck.  

Blow, the beebeecee were right, it's mizzling.  A car just went past with it's wipers going.  **Sigh**

Right, I had better crack on.  Ta for popping in.

Greying X

Greying_Pilgrim

Right, slight update.

We've had mizzle intermittently, if the washing comes in any drier than it got put out, frankly I'll be lucky.  I am not holding out much hope.  I suck at gambling, quite clearly.  Thank goodness I'm not tempted to take the housekeeping money down the bingo hall.  

I've made the stew, based on my veggie [insert well known Irish stout brand] recipe.  The MrL porter smells nice.  I haven't done a taste test, as quite frankly, I'd be drummed out of the mother's union for drinking dark beer at 10.30am on a school day......  The porter in the stew will have ample time to 'cook out' and we may well not eat it until tomorrow anyway, so plenty of time for it to inebriate the Angels.  

I have sorted out our MrT vouchers for my February grocery challenge.  DH has - I think it's £12 worth in his own name - which we'd earmarked for workwear.  Then there are £16.50 in 'joint' names that I can spend on groceries (for some reason, moving house turned all the accounts we have with MrT topsy turvy - they've linked us, de-linked us, used my contact details for DH and vice-versa 🙄) and then there are £12.50 of vouchers in my name, either to print off, or spend online.  So in total, I have £28.50 to spend in MrT, along with my £100 cash and £8.50 (ish) of n*ctar points.  So approximately £137 to spend and the contents of the cupboards and freezer.  Ho hum.  Tighty tighty, but might be able to do it........  Schlepping over to MrT is going to be the biggest pain.  Might just have to weigh up if a big shop of cupboard items might be the way to go, and save MrS and cash for the fresh top ups.  And yes, I fully realise that MrT vouchers can be turned into "money" for other activities etc, but realistically, the 'partner organisations' offer limited scope for us, and in this instance, it's probably as 'useful' to purchase groceries, and stash any 'saved' cash towards our new windows.  As far as I'm aware, you can't use MrT vouchers to buy fixtures and fittings for your house.  

Another consideration is whether to pop to the humungous MrT in the cosmopolitan town across the way, and shop strategically for items, including those in the 'world food' aisle, or whether to save petrol money and use our local - non-cosmopolitan - store.  

Right, enough sitting, I'm away to check the washing and shift it around the line a bit, if it's in anyway drying.

Greying X

themadvix

Hmm… I’d definitely have been chucked out of the mothers’ union then - Mr MV wanted me to taste test his homebrew at 10.30 on Saturday morning… I obliged, but it didn’t really go with the porridge flavours in my mouth (I did point out it was too early, even for a beer festival day!).

 I’d like to join you on the stretching of Feb’s budget, and while I will continue to do so, I do desperately need some things!

EssexHebridean

When I am working at the beer festival I frequently find myself having to check beers at 10am or thereabouts, and very occasionally even earlier - it always feels wrong, and I swear that I'm actually better at taking a verdict on how "ready" something is later in the day when my tastebuds reaslise it's got to a more reasonable drinking time! 

starnac

Greying_Pilgrim said:

  I haven't done a taste test, as quite frankly, I'd be drummed out of the mother's union for drinking dark beer at 10.30am on a school day......

As someone who was told off by the Mother's Union yesterday I say go for it

Greying_Pilgrim

starnac said:

As someone who was told off by the Mother's Union yesterday I say go for it

My dearest starnac, I can't imagine you doing anything the least bit norty to invoke even the mildest of pearls clutching - never mind warrant a 'telling off'. 

I'm too old-fashioned to brave turning up to the school gate stinking of beer.  I wouldn't be the first, and I doubt I'd be the last, as the local pub does a roaring trade pre and post 'school's out', especially in the warmer months.  But I just know the first time (ever) I did it, I would be called to speak to the class teacher or headteacher about summat - and I'm sure I'm not in the least bit attractive, slurring me words under the affluence of incohol.  And this MrL porter is 4.5% abv - I'm a woman of a certain age y'know, and cannae take the strong stuff anymore! 🤣

The stew is smelling lush, but I'm pondering whether to bother with it for tea tonight, as the potatoes are still 'firm'.  Not 'raw', but I thought after 5 hrs in the SC they would have been a bit more yielding - like in a stew that was made the day before.  These particular tatties bake ok, so it's not the variety.

Washing was brought in before the school run.  A bit disappointed - although the washing was mostly drier than when pegged out, but one 'heavier weight' item is still damp, and there is part of one item that is still sopping - even though I wrung it out, outside 😟  I put the dehu on for an hour, and it collected water, but didn't make things much better.  Contemplating whether to put it on for 1 more hr, or whether to put the heating on.  Dehu will probably win I think.

Greying X

badmemory

I always parboil potatoes & carrots a little before doing in the slow cooker, otherwise they never seem properly cooked to me.  I thought it was my sc as it is they are both (large & small) very old.  Hand me downs well over 25 yrs old.