Away From The Madding Crowd

bluenose1

Lovely diary update, @Humboldt, I  am always so impressed by how well organised you are. 

My simple pleasure today. (though not free) was a latte with my husband sitting in the sunshine outside a local Italian Deli after a 4 mile walk in woods. Also had a nice chat with various people, think the sunshine makes everyone more relaxed and chatty. 
I always said I would never do this but I also bought our dog a doggy ice cream for a £1 again as it was such a success last week.  Meant we could enjoy our lattes in peace. 

Also meant we were out of the way of the floor fitters who are doing a fabulous job and will finish the job today. Was worried I may regret my decision to get Amtico Rural Oak Basketweave pattern, but absolutely love it. Next mission will be to buy a new rug as my husband likes lying on the floor. 

Humboldt

Thank you @bluenose1 I find being organised not only eases my mind, but saves me time and money.  That said, I don't always feel organised. Just the thought of a local Italian deli sounds amazing.  I'm impressed with how quickly you are getting on with your house projects.  Your flooring choice is beautiful, such a warm colour and contemporary design.  I would love to extend our current hall flooring into the living room, but fear it maybe too dark.  Maybe with a large light coloured vintage rug?  As I have said previously, like you, I tend to worry that I may regret my decision, especially on what I consider to be expensive items.  I will ponder on it a little longer.

Today's simple pleasure - the gentle hum of pollinators on the drumstick alliums in the garden.

Humboldt

Hello and welcome.

Motivational quote of the week

Quiet people have the loudest minds – Stephen Hawking.

Money saving

Our monthly grocery budget for me and my DH is £250.  Week 1 spend for August was £80.44.

Savings interest for July was £164.73.  Having checked our July bank statement, we have transferred some monies into our savings accounts. 

August’s premium bond win was £125 (2024 total to date is £700).

Bought a couple of Liz E@rle products utilising offers from B0ots (save 15% when you buy selected LE cleansers and save £10 when you spend £30 on selected LE).  I saved £22.03 on my overall order, and earned bonus Adv@ntage points.  Delivery was free.

Took advantage of some offers at H0lland & B@rrett. Chia seeds were buy one, get one free and organic cocoa powder was buy one, get one half price, saving £6.49 in total.

Bought a couple of clothing items in the M+S 50% off sale.

Travelled to collect my M+S order on the bus, making use of the previous governments £2 bus fare cap, saving £3.

This week’s main menu

Monday – Spaghetti with sardines (G0od Fo0d recipe).  This is a meal swap from last Friday when we had an impromptu fish and chip takeaway.

Tuesday – Red pepper soup (Go0d Food recipe) with a hunk of rye bread. I will add a tin of cannellini beans. Peppers are in plentiful supply at this time of year and I find the bags of wonky peppers very good value for money (a good time to stock up the soups in the freezer). Oven space will be utilised by baking a batch of chocolate and raspberry muffins (raspberries were reduced in price), which I will then freeze.   

Wednesday – Flamiche (G0od Food recipe - a cross between a pizza and a quiche) with homemade potato salad, and a green salad.  I will use up the leftover crème fraiche from Sunday’s recipe, replace the leeks with onions and use 0 fat Greek yogurt in the potato salad rather than mayonnaise.

Thursday – Ping meal – cook once, eat twice (saves on time and energy costs).

Friday – Salmon with chilli ginger sauce (H@iry D!eters recipe) with stir-fry vegetables and noodles.  Salmon was reduced in price and frozen until required.  

Saturday – Chicken with stuffing, carrots, cauliflower, cabbage, and gravy.  I will cook the whole chicken in the slow cooker.

Sunday – Ping meal.

Breakfasts continue to be oat based and lunches have now become predominantly salads.

Healthier lifestyle

Completed 1 free workout via F@bulous50’s on Y0utube.

Step count last week was 71,354.

Completed 5 free meditations.

Simple pleasures

I have planted out my homegrown rainbow chard seedlings, hopefully they will not get snaffled by slugs and snails.  Leeks, herbs, and remaining cucumbers plants doing well.  Courgettes and tomatoes appear to be making more of an effort.

A walk in nature with DH, sunshine, and a picnic with a view. Bliss.

Book 11/24 – The Midnight Library by Matt Haig (a free book from the community book swap). The Midnight Library was a BB( 2 ‘Between the C0vers’ book club pick and was the winner of the G0odreads Ch0ice Award for Fiction in 2020.

“Between life and death there is a library,” she said. “And within that library, the shelves go on for ever. Every book provides a chance to try another life you could have lived.  To see how things would be if you had made other choices … Would you have done anything different, if you had the chance to undo your regrets”

Although initially unsure if this book was ‘my thing,’ I became intrigued after reading the first chapter.  I found it to be very thought-provoking and one of the many reviews summed it up nicely, ‘it is a clever, engaging concept and a heart warming story.’

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

mark55man

my favourite quote from above "Impromptu fish and chip supper" - the best sort of supper

your book sounds challenging but rewarding

Humboldt

Hi @mark55man I love an impromptu supper, especially fish and chips.  Organisation and routine has a lot going for it, but what is life without a bit of spontaneity. 

Today's simple pleasure - whilst meal prepping earlier, I enjoyed listening to 'N!gel Sl@ter at Home with El!zabeth D@y (Full Event) via Y0utube.  An interesting and insightful interview. 

bluenose1

Fab update @humboldt. I have been a bit remiss with my meditating, stupid as I feel so much better when doing it regularly. 
Ordered 5 meals for 4 people, despite there only being 3 of us as seemed best value from Gousto to try some new recipes as with 65% discount was only just over £20 for all 5 nights. I will pause future deliveries for now, though may be tempted back by new offers. Meals were nice but think only one will be a future regular - spicy chicken with peanuts and noodles. 

Thanks for the recommendation for Midnight Library, have reserved it  on the Libby app so will give it a go.
Have been enjoying listening to The Rest Is Politics podcast after being recommended it by a friend, surprisingly informative and they also talk about USA, been enjoying listening about Trump and `Project 2025, which seems a bit too much like The Handmaids Tale to me. 

mark55man

Last weekend of sat in my armchair watching the Olympics, so far today (each its own simple pleasure) Boulder climbing, volleyball, basketball, 10m diving, marathon, taekwondo, modern pentathlon, and when it all got too much a bit of golf

A fun quote from Mark Twain which I saw when I was catching up of the investment boards 

"It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so"

  

Humboldt

@bluenose1 life sometimes gets in the way, but I'm sure that you will soon get back into the habit of meditating. Thanks for sharing details regarding your G0usto trial, always good to read a 'real review'. I hope that you enjoy The Midnight Library. I have just started a new book, but have to admit that I'm struggling to get into it. I will plod on because it may get better.  A great Wh!stlefish offer this weekend  'A Summer Bundle' choose any 20 cards, any 5 wraps and any notelet tin for £25, plus free delivery. 

@mark55man we are also enjoying watching the Olympics, although I have to admit to being somewhat confused by the taekwondo rules/scoring and as for breakdancing ... Love a Mark Twain quote.

Thanks to you both for taking the time to leave a comment.

Today's simple pleasure - washing dried outside, ironed and put away within hours this morning.

jwil

I've just finished reading through your diary, it's very inspiring - thank you

Thank you for the Summer Bundle tip, I've just sorted out most of the cards I need for the next year.  I love their cards.

Humboldt

Hello and welcome @jwil. Your kind words are very much appreciated. Pleased that you were able to take advantage of the Wh!stlefish offer. Love your Walt Disney quote.