From Frugal Foundations to Fortified Family Future

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Evening MFW'rs

LG is at club, DH will go and fetch them home just now.  

tea was YS'd crumpets, omlette and baked beans for LG and DH (cooked at different times), and I had a baked potato a few beans and some cheese.  DH and I also had some tenderstem broccoli as there was a clutch in the waste box.  LG would have eaten it, but they're not keen, so I just steamed it for DH and I.  It needed using today really.  The baked potato I had was actually from one of the previous boxes.  I had thought that there were only 2 (large) tatties left when I made soup the other day, but there was a medium one, hiding behind the swede in the fridge 🙄 so I microwaved that.  It 'baked' lovely.  

There had been two caulis in the waste box.  The larger one was more 'over' - but was still firm, just didn't 'look' particularly brilliant is all, so I used that and the more 'over' of the 2 aubergines in the Cauliflower and Aubergine curry I made.  I based it on THIS recipe, but I certainly didn't roast the aubergine and I just threw in what I had, rather than exact quantities - and I did use tinned tomatoes, as I have no passata currently.  I made mine in the PC/  I also finished it off with some coriander.  It does taste very nice, and made sufficient for 1 curry meal for all of us, plus a tub that would contribute to a curry plate - both tubs are now in the freezer.  I still have a cauliflower and an aubergine left to use from today's box.

Other than the shopping (which cost enough 😱), I haven't spent any other money today.  And I'm pleased I have my cooking mojo to get and make 'good things' with the waste veg box contents.  I wouldn't buy them if I didn't think I would use as much of the contents as is possible, but I do like it when I can make something good and hearty, which can go in the freezer for another day.  I have read 4 online reviews of those not lamb plant-based kofta thingies, and they were all favourable.  But MrS do seem to be stopping the line, as it said they were 'out of stock' online.  The boxes I bought were reduced by 75%.

Can't think of anything extra to add.  Ta for popping by.  Greying X

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Morning MFW'rs

Didn't get to see the blood moon 😟 far too much cloud over Greying Town 😟

Wash of LG's clothes is on. Not too sure it's going to be a spiffy drying day today, but needs must.

Homework all done - plus additional homework that was sent home 🙄 was done yesterday after school 🙄  Not too sure what the reason is for the 'extra'.  Apparently no reason was given, but all the kids were given a sheet, so LG hasn't done anything wrong, neither have they been selected for junior masterbrain.  I suspect that because of all the other  'fanciful nonsense' that is currently getting shoe-horned into the school day, there simply isn't time to do the 'nutzNboltz' three R's......... 🙄

Snap packed, uniform set out.

Best go and shift-a-tail-feather.

Greying X

peb

Looking out of the window I wish I'd put a wash on but the forecast isn't great for a few hours round lunchtime and contrary to what some people think I can't just pop out when I want if working from home.

Ah well, fingers crossed for your load.

I find it bizarre that LG seems to have so much homework.  I suppose there's more on the curriculum that when I was at school,- and in some cases rightly so - but extra?

Greying_Pilgrim

peb said:

I find it bizarre that LG seems to have so much homework.  I suppose there's more on the curriculum that when I was at school,- and in some cases rightly so - but extra?

Me too peb.  It wasn't - as far as I know - classwork that didn't get done (by LG, because they were nattering or not focussing), and I did see other kids with the same sort of sheets at home time.  We didn't really have 'homework' (in a formal sense) at primary school.  There was the 'expectation' that your parents/carers would - for example - teach/revise times tables with you, and we were all encouraged (but it wasn't policed) to read.  But then in the last century,  there weren't 'league tables' and the national curriculum didn't exist, so things change....... The one good thing about it, was when I said to LG (after they'd had time to decompress a little), "shall we have a look at that homework then?", they said yes, and immediately got hold of the sheet/a pen etc.  Had I had to nag and coerce, I would have quickly given up.  Not long until end of term parent/teacher meetings, so I shall enquire then.  

First wash is done and pegged out.  I've put another wash on.  Fingers crossed that the met office forecast is right. 

Greying X

greenbee

I'm keeping my fingers crossed with you GP, as I've just unpacked my suitcase from a work trip and have stuff I want to get washed and dried and put away. It's currently damp outside, but the sun is shining, and I like to try to run the machine on solar power when possible. I also prefer my washing line-dried to indoor/tumble dried. I realise I'm lucky to have the luxury of choice, but there is something satisfiying about line-dried laundry.

Greying_Pilgrim

Thanks greenbee, but it's overcast and cold here - fingers crossed the rain does stay away, but there isn't really enough breeze to make a difference, so I have possibly shot myself in the foot 🫤  I think it must be so satisying running any machinery/heating/gadgets using solar or any of the other methods of alternative power.  I greatly value having some outdoor space - although it's not huge/ideal orientation - in order to at least attempt to line dry clothes for a portion of the year, we're very blessed with what we have.  

Greying X

LotsOfTea

Having a son who has just finished primary school and quite a few friends with similar aged kids I can say that primary schools set their own policies with regard to homework. When DS started his primary school they did give homework every week but for his last few years after a new head took over they instituted a no homework policy. This was backed up with reference to research which says it's pointless for young kids and took up valuable family time. They did give lots of links to optional extra work that parents could do with their children at home as apparently there's a big strand of pushy parents that love giving their kids extra work and actually complain if there's no homework. * Shakes head in disbelief *

My friends reported hugely varying levels of homework at their kids' schools. I think it's worth kicking up a fuss if it's becoming a pain because I think schools sometimes react to the parents who shout the loudest. If they at least made homework optional you can safely ignore it unless it seems actually interesting/fun.

Greying_Pilgrim

LotsOfTea - I've recognised something in what you've said.  At half-term, a whole raft of links to websites/online games and "suggestions" for additional work came out - as the teacher "said" they had been asked for extra work by the parents........  LG did none of it, and we didn't open a computer or book to access any type of school based learning.  LG did - of course - read to their heart's content (they have a big heart 😉), and a couple of the walks/visits we did during HT included viewing/accessing/seeing/locating - however you want to term it, something that had been in the subjects studied for the first part of the term.  That was more a by-product of the walk/visit, rather than the reason for it.    But yes, this "parents have requested the school provide work/ideas for study during the holidays" has been trotted out to us too.  

I very jealously guard "family" time, it's a shame that we're a small unit, and there isn't the rough and tumble with a tribe of cousins, or the cooing and cheek pinching from a raft of Aunties.  But we interact with each other, chat with each other, do things together, learn or achieve together.  Rightly or wrongly, LG is not parcelled off to third-party activities at every opportunity (the key point with that is every - of course third party activities have great value, and I'm not dissing clubs, schemes or activities). 

I know additional work can be welcome if your kiddo is specifically good at something - say like additional maths challenges, or extra piano pieces or whatever, but I draw the line at 'book learning' for 'book learnings sake' and I also draw the line at 'home' having to pick up the slack because school has been wasting time on 'sponsored this' or 'competition that' - all for the social media likes/presence/raising money for obscure charidees, over teaching what they are supposed to be contracted by the state to teach young people. 

I'm sure that the majority of parents/carers do the best they can.

Greying X 

greenbee

Sadly it wasn't drying weather here either, so everything is on the airer. Or will be when some of the first lot is dry. 

rtandon27

I've yet to get a load in from the summer house from last Sunday!  It is hopefully dry, or at the very least only needed an hour with the dehumidifier, but it has been so cold today that I'm loathe to leave my desk and heating pad to fetch it.  We are not overlooked by anyone so I'm safe in my slovenly acts.  The crazy couple next door would actually have to be in the backyard looking over the fence to spot it, but atm they too are keeping themselves indoors!