From Frugal Foundations to Fortified Family Future

themadvix

Greying_Pilgrim said:

tmv - I hope you realise I make a note of all the info you so generously share 😁I was looking at the '50 things' list today - and realised just how many of them we could tick off as LG having done - for sure not just this holidays, but to this point.  

Update on the curry - it's 'ok' - I think it would be improved if you had really tasty tatties, but I must say, the pineapple is gorgeous.  It was a 'golden pineapple', produce of Costa Rica from MrL.  Because it was in the box, it was well ripe, so it tasted nice anyway, but warmed through in the coconut milk - "chefs kiss" 🥰

Greying X

🥰 Proud MSE-Aunty moment! So pleased to hear that LG is getting through them - I bet they’re doing better at them than those who went to Spain! (So much more character-building than hanging out by a pool all day).

Curry sounds delicious!

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Evening MFW'rs  😁

The curry was nice.  I'm not convinced it was the best curry I have ever had, but I would make it again especially if I had a ripe pineapple to use.  It was completely different to an tinned pineapple curry, and I'm pleased to have used a pineapple for a "savoury" dish - although there is a third of the fruit left, and I will use that for dessert.  Although it wasn't the best use of the oven, I did make an apple crumble for pud.  LG had said they wanted to make it, and they started making the crumble mix, but wandered off half-way through 🤔 so I had to finish it off.  I used some of the donated apples.  I used 2 cookers - slightly under-ripe, and one eater, and popped a little sugar in with the fruit  (less sugar in the crumble topping).  LG didn't go walk about when it came to eating......  It was OK, not too sweet (my preference, but I realise not everyones), but you definitely knew it was an apple crumble, which I always appreciate with 'HG' produce.  

We had the potato and pineapple curry with lentil dhal and basmati rice.  

There is some massaman curry paste left (I will freeze it), and some of the crumble.  

I'm grateful that LG had an OK day at school.  I know we're only at day 1, but it all helps - and the things that LG was werriting about last night and this morning, didn't actually occur.  Therefore, perhaps 'next time' they may worry a little less.....

I'm grateful that I was able to use low-cost and no-cost produce to make a substantial meal for us all (2 of the tatties were out of the MrL box too).

I'm grateful that LG has folk in real-life and on here that 'look out' for them - the Deputy Head gave a sweet acknowledgement to LG on the way out of school, and you're all here rooting for them too.  Thank you.

Greying X

badmemory

An OK first day back at school in a new class with some new & not previously loved classmates sounds like a win to me.

Greying_Pilgrim

Grumplestiltskin - sorry, I missed your post.  No, I didn't realise that the GC was a NT place.  Goodness, a fortnight's vacation to NI wouldn't be enough to do visits to all these wonderful places 😁

Greying X 

Staffordia

Hi GP, I have heard of the other boundless club , but I wasn't sure if I would make use of their offerings. 

Greying_Pilgrim

Ah Staffordia - I've just got around to looking for the benefits of membership, and whilst it's cheaper than the scheme we know of, I'm not sure it would offer much for me, either.  It's just I'd seen mention of it somewhere, and then - of all things - when we were on holiday, I actually saw a TV advert for the scheme.  i'm happy with what I have - we've been to places we wouldn't have because of it, and it's contributed greatly to our holiday fun.  

Greying X

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Morning MFW'rs

Back from shopping.  

I only went to MrL today and spent £18.76.  I took a punt on a box (they set out 10 or so whilst I was in the store).  I've got my money's worth, but in hindsight, I probably shouldn't have bothered.  It's very fruit heavy, and in going for a box that had peppers in it, I now have 4 (possibly ruby) grapefruit to deal with.  Please don't suggest marmalade making, as a) I don't like preserving (I know, my bad, but then we're not huge preserve eaters), and b) I would be the only one to eat it, as DH and LG aren't keen on grapefruit anything 🫤 If all else fails (and they last), I don't mind eating them myself.  I think I have made a salad that featured Grapefruit once - can't recall what other ingredients I might need tho 🤔  I seem to think it was bulghar based 🤔

I didn't get much for my money, but there is a bottle of wine included in the cost.  It was also only a top-up shop.  

Raining with us - I lost my gamble against the weather forecast.  Yesterday the beebeecee got it completely wrong for our area, and I probably could have got somethings dry.  I decided to put a smalls/cottons wash on this morning, as we were in for light showers - and I thought we'd probably dodge them.  We now have the stormy downpours that we were forecast yesterday .... 🙄 Thems the breaks.

Club for LG tonight, so I need to get fees organised.  I was thinking this morning - it's suddenly got so dark in the mornings - how I'm not going to miss schlepping out, along the back roads, to activity once a week.  But both DH and I would like LG to have 'something' to do/learn - on a vocational/leisure vibe, it doesn't have to be assessed or acrue levels/badges.  Just have some fun/mix with others/learn a skill, type activity.

Right, I need to amend my siggie figgie and then put the rest of the shopping away and go in search of a hot drink.  I've just realised how cold I am.  

Greying X

rtandon27

mmmm - I love pink grapefruit!  If LG & MrG are not fans, then how about a 'mom friendly' grapefruit sorbet?

themadvix

Re LG's new activity, maybe look and see what's on nearby that doesn't involve the dark and rural back roads and offer those options? Or is that too conniving?!

Rather you than me with the grapefruit - I can't bear the stuff!

EssexHebridean

For potential NI adventuring - I'd also add Ballintoy Harbour, which is just the most wonderful place, not big, just just nice to go for a look. And the fantastic Mussenden Temple & Downhill Demesne, also NT I believe. That's one to aim to be at during sunset, IMO, and it's just got the most fantastic views...! 



Both of those are round the north west coast, and in between you have the nice town of Portstewart (fantastic ice cream at Morellis last time I was there!) and the whole drive round that section of coast is lovely - the Causeway Coastal route. That takes in the rope bridge that Vix referred to as well. I wish I could recall where we found the chippy that served up the best chips I have ever had - no hyperbole, they were genuinely incredible.