From Frugal Foundations to Fortified Family Future

ladybird1106

Not sure if this is an old wives tale or not, but I’ve been told if the ground is dry then washing will dry. Not sure how much it will dry though. I have found if I stick to this it works. This way if I have to use the dehumidifier to dry it off most of the work is done for me. I do however get some fun looks from our neighbours though. 

Love 🐞

kayannie

GP - when you mentioned that LG asked what you did when he wasn't there, it jogged my memory to something I heard on the radio years ago, maybe on Woman's Hour

A woman's husband asked her what on earth she did at home all day. The following day, she didn't make the beds, do any tidying, cleaning, washing etc & there was no cooked meal waiting when he arrived home 

On being asked what had happened, she replied that "this what I don't do all day!"

KAx

Greying_Pilgrim

Yes, I agree 🐞 - if they dry somewhat, that is still a win, as the dehu needs to be on for less time, doesn't it.  The breeze has crept up a bit from when I put the clothes out - they are actually moving on the line now.  The sun isn't shining, but it's apparent behind the clouds - so it's brighter than it was first thing.  I'll settle for as 'dry as I can get' in autumn and winter.  Every minute less with the dehu, or every day staying out of the launderette is a bonus 😁

So we noticed the CH boiler has sprung a water leak 🙄  We managed to pinpoint it, and our lovely plumber responded to my questions, we followed his instructions and we're hopeful the leak is stopped in the short-term.  The plumber will be here this week to do the boiler service, so fingers crossed we can manage until then.  The boiler in our old house (same brand, older model), worked effortlessly (for the 6+ years we had it), and the plumber (different firm) always commented on how well it worked, and what good condition it was in - from annual service to annual service - and yet we've had this new boiler 'just' 2 years and stuff is already going wobbly on it 🙄 Grr.

I had one of LG's biscuits for elevenses.  They were OK.  I think I always expect HM biscuits to 'snap' like shop bought, but they don't have the same ingredients (often a good thing), nor are they cooked in as an efficient oven, so they were not biscuits, but not cake.  Pleasant though, and LG has the pleasure of doling them out 😁Thinking about it, they would probably work very well in any pudding that required 'not quite cake' - they'd work like sponge fingers, or could be good as a tiramisu or trifle layer.  I need to bear that in mind - perhaps LG could come up with something for a dessert for Christmas, or NY or something.  

Greying X

Greying_Pilgrim

kayannie - that is so funny 😂  I had a 'similar' thought yesterday.  For some reason, I wasn't 'feeling' it, and although I enjoyed using a new recipe for the lunch soup - that was about my peak 'enthusiasm' for the day.  I tried to be enthusiastic about LG's biscuit making efforts - which I think I was 'just' about enough - plus I got them to wash up/wipe down after themselves, but I knew that both DH and LG would turn around half an hour later and ask - what's for tea?  🤣I rarely regret not living near to a great/good takeaway business - but when I do, I do!  🤣  Even if our freezer/fridge was stacked to the gunnels with 'heat & eat' options, LG and DH would still need guidance every other second to put a meal on the table 🤣  I accept I'm part of the problem with that - sticking to a budget, but occasionally, just occasionally I'd like it if something (edible) was put on the table for me 🤣

I ended up making pea soup for lunch today.  I cooked up onion, garlic, celery, a stock cube and a couple of tatties in the PrC.  Then, when they were cooked, I whanged in some frozen peas.  Let them defrost for a minute or two and then whizzed up the lot.  When it was nice and smooth, I popped a few more whole peas in.  DH and I had ours with a spoon of natural yoghurt and some chipotle paste.  LG had just yoghurt.  I had already put some dried mint, wine vinegar and salt and pepper in the soup.  It wasn't quite as "cold weather rib-sticker" as soup made with tinned mushy and marrowfat peas, or even split green peas, but it was nice tasting and a good, cheapish option for lunch.  LG claims not to like pea soup, and pulled a face, and yet they said, "Yum", with the first spoonful, and shared the (small) amount of leftover soup with their dad, so......

Greying X

Humdinger1

@Greying_Pilgrim I once hand made Christmas pudding. They took 2 hours to assemble and 12 hours to steam and only my mother likes it.  We have home made meringues these days.  I don't make them too early as otherwise I have the whole job to do again on the day itself, no matter how many I may have made initially.  Garnish with satsumas and mint and off you go..love Humdinger xx 

Greying_Pilgrim

Good evening MFW'rs

I started a note before.  My computer started playing up, and decided to munch my post - right in front of my eyes - arrghh!

Anyhoo.  I had an afternoon of 'using up'.  I started out making a Bramley Apple & mincemeat pudding - except I didn't.  I used 2 out of the 6 remaining apples that we brought back from our summer hols.  Then  i made the sponge batter to top the apples (I did 2/3rds mix, as I thought it was all I needed for my size dish).  I then opened the jar of mincemeat - MrL spiced brandy mincemeat, which was unopened, but 2 years out of date.  I was first alerted that all might not be well, when an acetone aroma hit my nostrils ☹️ I skimmed the top layer off the jar, and the smell did dissipate somewhat.  I tried the tiniest bit, and it had quite clearly crystallised.  I'm afraid i spat it out.  The contents of the jar have been disposed of.  I then pivoted and threw a few sultanas into the batter and some mixed spice.  

I then made a Plum Cake, to use some of the plums that I got in the MrL box.  Naturally the plums didn't sink (you know if I'd been making it for the WI they would have 🙄), so the batter didn't take on the lovely pink hue from the plum skins.  My tin was slightly too small, but my larger tin would probably have been too big, so each middle slice is slightly 'taller' than the slices from the outer cake.  I have cut it up into 12 slices and they have been put in the freezer. 

We had half of the apple pudding - have I in fact made a...... countess pudding?  Is that what it's called with dried fruit in the batter? 🤔  Duchess pudding when it's just sponge, and countess with the fruit - or is it just a posh version of spotted Richard?  Anyway, the pud was teamed with ice-cream (raspberry ripple, vanilla would have been better), and was very nice.  There is a portion each left over for another time.  

Tea was lentil stew from the freezer, not my most exciting creation, but it tasted alright, despite being brown..... teamed with buttery mashed neeps and tatties, and some steamed broccoli.  

The washing didn't do too bad.  The 'dampest' stuff came in at about 2pm and got a couple of hours in front of the dehu.  Everything else came in at about 3pm, and was put on the airer.  Both airers are now in front of the radiator, and I think most everything should be dry by tomorrow.  Nothing was bone dry when it came in, but as usual, I am grateful for mother nature at least giving a helping hand.  I don't think there will be as much breeze tomorrow 😬 and that's possibly my only opportunity to more or less catch up with the clothes wash (mostly my stuff - I've done everyone else's).

LG has helped DH with clearing and tidying today, and they helped me with the cake baking this afternoon when DH went for a nap.  We watched the footy - England seemed to labour to get a victory, but I suppose at least it was a victory.  Can't believe this weekend has whizzed by so fast.  

Can't think of anything else MSE to report.  I've kept costs lower by using up what we have, and using the washing line to at least part dry the clothes.  But the oven has been on quite a bit, as has the dehu.  Swings and roundabouts.

Ta for popping in.  Greying X

Greying_Pilgrim

Humdinger - you have a fairer hand than me - I don't think I have ever, successfully make oohey, gooey, crisp yet chewy meringues.  Bravo to you!  I do like the thought of a 'light' dessert after any sort of big meal - meringue is a good choice 😁

Greying X

Fortune_Smiles

Ooooh - your puds and cakes sound delicious Greying.  How is Mr Greying doing now?  Is he fully recovered?  Hoping so.

Fortune x

Greying_Pilgrim

Hey Fortune, lovely to "see" you.   He's not 100%, fully recovered.  He's still having difficulty hearing, and has headaches (but not shooting 'electric zaps') and his sinus area feels swollen.  He is laying off having his flu jab - even though he should have it, because he doesn't want to feel more rotten.  At least he has an appt back at ENT this week, so maybe he will get some answers.  I don't know if its perfectly normal to be this long for recovery from the infection he's had.  Having said all that..... compared to where we were a few weeks ago, he's in a different place.  Just not 100% there.

We haven't tried the cake yet, but the pud was nice.  Very 'old skool'.  Would have been moreso had we had custard with it 😁  I was aiming for an 'Autumn vibe' with the cake - hope it gets there 😁

Greying X

Humdinger1

Thanks for your very kind compliments on my meringues @Greying_Pilgrim.  I'd made them 20 times following Delia before I ever heard that they were supposed to be difficult.  I think I make them in a trance-like state.  Your puds sound scrumptious love Humdinger xx