Away From The Madding Crowd

Clowance

Re Chris Stewart: he has also written a Parrot in the Pepper tree amd the almond blossom appreciation society. They are follow ups to driving over lemons to show how his life proceeds in Spain over the next years.
I adore travel writing.

Humboldt

@bluenose1 one of the many joys of having a dog is the fact that they need a walk no matter what the weather, although some may not agree that this is a pleasure. I would recommend the book Driving Over Lemons, it has laugh out loud moments and is wonderfully descriptive in terms of the area and characters. 

@uralmaid I am sure that your friends very much appreciate your help. Fingers crossed that the cuttings take, and for the poor plant that was waiting patiently in the mail box for your return. 

@Clowance I have also read and enjoyed The Parrot in the Pepper Tree.  Whilst aware of The Almond Blossom Appreciation Society, I have not managed to find a copy yet (I buy most of my books from charity shops these days). Have you read Falling in Honey by Jennifer Barclay?  Another of my charity shop finds, and read whilst on holiday in Greece.  It is such an captivating book, and one that I will keep on my book shelf.  

Today's simple pleasure - a forth courgette seed has germinated.  The majority of this year's vegetable seeds were purchased from Lid! last September for 20p a packet!

Katiehound

Humboldt said:

 

@Katiehound lemon balm can also be used to make a very yummy lemon balm drizzle cake. 

 

sounds delicious.
there is a recipe for lemon balm biscuits on the link I posted- they look good.

certainly not enough leaves for anything- yet!

bluenose1

Thanks for the recommendation -bought Driving Over Lemons to read on my Kobo while on holiday, off to Kos with my sister a week on Sunday….

Actually ordered my new fire yesterday, think I have been into every shop in the area and spent hours looking online .The order includes a false chimney breast, marble fire surround and large fire. Typical me, I had to have my heart set on the most expensive fire and surround in the shop. Oh well it’s the main room we sit in, so hopefully get my moneys worth.
After this going to look at new flooring for lounge, but have decided to put getting a new kitchen for at least 12 months as want to see how the money goes in my first year of retirement plus I have lost the will a bit to make purchasing decisions.
PS - husband got a Premium Bond cheque for £100, better than nowt. 

uralmaid

It gets tiring trying to choose @blunose. Bet the premium bond win was gratefully received.

Humboldt

@bluenose1 I hope that you have a wonderful holiday with your sister and enjoy the book. Congratulations on the premium bond win, 'every little helps'.  The fireplace sounds like a great investment that will bring joy for many years. Perhaps you might find a bargain kitchen in the January sales? Just remember that the sales start in November these days because they are advertising Easter offers in January lol

Today's simple pleasure - taking the time to enjoy the vibrant colours of the spring flowers and new leaves in the garden.

Clowance

Humboldt said:

@Clowance I have also read and enjoyed The Parrot in the Pepper Tree.  Whilst aware of The Almond Blossom Appreciation Society, I have not managed to find a copy yet (I buy most of my books from charity shops these days). Have you read Falling in Honey by Jennifer Barclay?

Yes thanks Humboldt I have read falling in honey, can also highly recommend Tim Moore who has written assorted travel books and is somewhat similar to Bill Brysons humour. I found most of my books in the library, might be worth you looking there? 

bluenose1

Thanks @Clowance for the book recommendations, never heard of Tim Moore, will definitely check him out.
@Humboldt - noticed Wh*stlefish have another sale on their greeting cards this weekend , 15 for  80p each.  I love their cards after your recommendation, quality is excellent, I would normally pay 3 x as much for cards as nice as these. 

Just had 3 mile walk in woods and my simple pleasure was seeing how the leaves that were only in bud last week are fully out.
Another simple pleasure is sat here with my coffee, my heated throw on low perusing the t’internet for an hour.

Humboldt

Evening all.

@Clowance thank you for reminding me to use the library.  Prior to lockdown I used to go on a regular basis, but have not been since. I will make an effort to go next week.  I had never heard of Tim Moore, and was surprised to find that he had written so many books.  Thanks lots for the recommendation. 

@bluenose1 that's a good offer from Wh!stlefish.  Not only do I like their greeting card designs, but also their ethics; 100% recycled & recyclable, printed with vegetable ink, packed plastic-free, any foil is recyclable and FSC certified sustainable. Thanks for sharing your simple pleasure, which sounded just perfect. 

Today's simple pleasure - takeaway fish and chips.

Humboldt

Hello and welcome.

Motivational quote of the week

Age is an issue of mind over matter.  If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter – Mark Twain.

Money saving

Our monthly grocery budget for me and my DH is £250. Week 3 spend for April was £44.17.  Total spend to date is £173.83.

The 20p vegetable seeds that I bought in Lid! last September have germinated.  I am particularly pleased to have courgette seedlings, because I had no success with them last year.

Each week I log into my Nect@r and Co0p account and choose my weekly offers.  I also add any Sp@arks or B0ots offers that appear on the apps.  This way the offers are available to me should I choose to use them.  This weekend family were able to use my Nect@r card to gain what they thought was a good offer on Dent@stix Dog Treats, reduced from £1.65 to 95p.

I am once again able to pick parsley and mint from the garden.  I will have to wait a little longer for the other herbs to grow.

This week’s main menu

Monday – Ping Meal - As per yesterday (cook once eat twice, saves time and energy costs).

Tuesday – Honey and lime salmon (Pinch of N0m recipe) with roasted mediterranean vegetables.  Salmon was reduced in price and frozen until required.

Wednesday – Imam Bayildi (Turkish stuffed aubergine Pinch of N0m recipe) with orange and almond couscous (He@rt UK recipe), a warm wholemeal pitta and tzatziki (mint homegrown). I have some goat’s cheese that needs using up, so will add this to the stuffed aubergine.

Thursday – Ping Meal.

Friday – Chicken noodle soup (G0od Food recipe).  Chicken stock is homemade and frozen until required.

Saturday – Tuna with ratatouille (H@iry Dieter’s recipe). I will replace the tuna with basa.  Basa was reduced in price and frozen until required.  This was on the menu for last Saturday, but due to a surprise visit by family, it was replaced by takeaway fish and chips.   

Sunday – Steak with wild garlic butter, small portion of oven chips, peas (frozen), tomato (fresh) and breaded onion rings (frozen).  Steak was reduced in price and frozen until required.  Wild garlic butter is homemade and from the freezer. 

Breakfasts continue to feature oats and lunches will include homemade soups from the freezer.  This week we will enjoy some reduced priced fresh raspberries and blueberries with our overnight oats.  Yesterday I topped up our stock of homemade soups with a batch of butternut squash and butterbean stew (Go0d Food recipe).  I used leftover butternut squash and less stock than the recipe stated so I could cook the stew in the slow cooker. 

Healthier lifestyle

Completed 1 free workout via F@bulous50’s on Y0uTube.

Step count last week was 61,947.

Completed 3 free meditations.

Simple pleasures

Spending an hour reading on a rainy afternoon.  It has taken some time, but I am now becoming ok with not having the whole day planned out, and embracing the joy of being un-busy. 

Crafting for an hour or so, whilst listening to C@fé del Mar on Sp0tify (free subscription via MSE many years ago).

Family visited and stayed overnight.  Lots of chatter, coffee and cake, rugby and beer, dog walks, and fish and chips.

Thanks for dropping by and taking the time to read my diary.