From Frugal Foundations to Fortified Family Future

Greying_Pilgrim

edinburgher said:

While experiences vary, it is also worth keeping in mind that the relative freshness/how produce is stored quality varies greatly between shops. I have nothing but bad luck with Mr L, to the extent that I expect soft fruit to last a couple of days (max) and even things like potatoes turn much quicker than the alternatives. Similar fruit bought from Mr S (or Mr M) will often last 5 days or so, and I regularly buy reduced potatoes from Mr S because I often get a fortnight out of even their YS taters before they turn. While avoiding waste avoids additional cost, it also makes me feel better about myself

Actually ed - that is a point in my thinking, that I didn't bother mentioning in my post, because I do think stores vary - and not even between brands, I think you could go to a 'MrL' (for example), in one part of the country, and have top notch F&V at all times, and you can go to other stores in that chain and not have that experience.  Potatoes from MrL I've been (mostly) 'ok' with, but carrots.............completely different experience ☹️.  Having said that, this year, easy peelers - from whatever store, discounted, full price, YS'd - hasn't mattered, they've had a propensity to rot the minute you've got them home.  No one store to find fault with - they've been rotten from wherever.  

I agree with you ed, overall my experience of MrS veg has been positive.  All the tatties ( 2 different varieties), I got today are Scottish produce, so thank you Scotland and Scottish Farmers!  👍

Greying X

beanielou

Yah for Scottish farmers. Mine will come tomorrow & hope they are Scottish too. 

Greying_Pilgrim

Good Evening MFW'rs

LG has gone to club, so tea needed to be quick and easy tonight. I did mash, omlette and baked beans - and we all had the same, even though we did eat at different times.  I used some of the MrS "Christmas" tatties - variety Elland, which are slated as mashers or chippers, and I have to say that they mash beautifully.  I wish now I had stuck to just getting those, as the other variety (Amanda) are more useful for roasting, chipping and....... (given this was from a industry to industry site)..... "dried potato products" 🤔  Anyhoo, I've not test-driven them yet, so that may be a load of old bunkum.  But I found Perthshire grown 'Elland' tatties perfect for mashing 👍

I managed to finish off knitting a beanie for DH this afternoon.  So when I've woven 2 threads in, it'll be ready to pop in the stocking.  Just as well really, as DH's stocking is extremely lean this year ☹️  Not by choice, but everything he's needed this year has tended to be car-sized, or tool-sized.  We don't really do 'knick-knacky' - haven't for many, many years, but LG knows DH has a stocking, and likes to set it out with theirs 🫤

I need to get clothes washing done tomorrow, as we are supposed to be dry with a good breeze, but this is the only forecast dry day until past Christmas 🫤  I shall have to choose my loads very carefully, as they're starting to stack up ☹️  And yes, I know that uniform won't be needed, but I want to get that laundered and dry, so that I've not got to think about it for 2 weeks.  

I think we've achieved a relatively calm run into Christmas.  A couple of events haven't run this year, so that took the Christmassy vibe down a notch or two, but then we attended a tractor run for the first time, so......  School has pivoted away from 'tradition' - which....... I don't necessarily have a firm opinion, one way or the other about.  I do think there is more that they could do - which doesn't cost money - but does embrace aspects of the season - songs, poems and stories can be secular, not indoctrinate, but, above all, can be fun to learn/sing/perform together - and you don't need to hire the Albert Hall, these things can be done in the classroom, dining hall or even the playground.  It's interesting that the adoption of 'elf on the shelf' hasn't been universally applauded, so i'm not alone in my feelings about that.  On a domestic level, I think we're heading towards the type of Christmas we like.  I like to hear about people's family/friends gatherings, but know that it's not for us - I always think it's fine if you all get on, and are all on the same page about expectations, or what 'shape' your celebrations will take, but that is actually very hard - in practice - to achieve.  

I can't think of anything else MSE to add.  Ta for popping by.

Greying X