Away From The Madding Crowd

uralmaid

Much better to be on here chatting about what we all get up to. Yes - moneysaving tips are good to know about but info about other things is also good.  Don't need to constantly know if someone saved 1p on a bag of courgettes etc.  I like the fact that @Humboldt unleashes her inner Delia Smith and tells us her meal plans although it does make me feel guilty that I am not doing the same. lol.  You need to write a cookbook @Humbolt.  I really need to do some baking this week .  I have been too busy re-arranging our lounge/dining room and taking delivery of various items which include a new de-humidifier (our current one we have had for over 14 years), a pirate hat and an underbust corset (for a Steampunk event), a new motorcycle helmet for hubby and  some new pillows (after we really liked the ones in the cottage we stayed in last week). I know it is diverse mix but hey - I'm a Rockchick)lol.  Won't ever be rich but at least we are happy  and at nearly 68 still enjoying ourselves.We live within our means, have no debts or mortgage and all is currently good - except the weather. PS I am currently researching a replacement cupboard to stand our tv on but I don't like new furniture so finding a vintage/antique on is proving tricky due to the size. Still - it gives me something to do as us "old" people need to keep occupied!!

Humboldt

Hello one and all. Whatever the reasons for Baron Dale taking the decision to close his thread and leave the MSE Forum, I wish him well.

@bluenose1 as always, your comments are much appreciated.  I think that a lot of us, including me, can sometimes take happiness too much for granted and let silly things annoy us.  One thing that I have learnt over the years, is not to react quickly, and to let things settle for a while.  I find that this enables me to develop a more balanced view. That said, I am only human, and sometimes I don't follow my own advice. 

I too had not realised that 'Return to the Olive Farm' was the last book in the series, and that book 7 is actually an illustrated companion to her bestselling trilogy. 

Your chicken, carrot and pearl barley soup sounds delicious.  I know what you mean about trying to reduce food expenditure. The cost of everything continues to rise at a ridiculous rate, and I am having to be increasingly flexible and imaginative in terms of maintaining a budget. 

@uralmaid thank you for your recent comment.  At the risk of repeating myself, we spend many years planning for our retirement; predominantly our finances.  When we do actually retire (or semi-retire), it can take some a while to adjust, and this is why I personally think that there is scope on the Over50's MoneySaving thread for more diaries that offer an insight into how others adapt to this new chapter in their lives.  After all, there is no 'one size fits all' and each of us will do it in our own unique way. A prime example would be your recent purchases, which made me smile and reminded me of the conveyer belt of prizes on the Generation Game. Who else this week would have taken delivery of a new de-humidifier, a pirate hat, an under bust corset, a motorcycle helmet and some pillows!

Just wanted to add that I would be happy if someone shared that they had saved money on a bag of courgettes, but perhaps a bit more than 1p lol.

Today's simple pleasure - the crunch of dry autumn leaves underfoot.

uralmaid

Haha your response made me smile too

bluenose1

Made me smile as well re the 1p saving. I have realised I am paying t over a £1 more for strawberries and £0.50 for blueberries from Morrisons compared to Aldi/ Lidl so my aim this month is to get more of my shopping from them and just use Morrisons for Aldi price match items.

I made my specialty bake over the weekend. Bun loaves, delicious warmed up and spread with butter. Froze three so handy for visitors.

Has the added advantage of being made in a big pan so no getting the Kenwood mixer  out etc, 
It’s an old recipe my MIL made that the family all love.  One year I couldn’t decide what I wanted for Christmas so asked MIL  to write all her recipes down into a book, she was a really good cook. She died over 10 years ago and can honestly say this is still one of my best gifts ever as has such sentimental value as well as being useful.

Had a lovely day yesterday, a 4 mile walk in woods with dog and even some sunshine. As hubby wasn’t with me I walked at much slower pace and had a great time looking at the many different types of wild mushroom, haven't a clue what any of them are but my favourite are the Pixie looking mushrooms, red with white spots. Late afternoon a coffee and a hot scone with a friend in a quirky tea rooms in Churchtown near Southport. Beautiful historic area, lovely old cottages all painted white.
Gave kitchen a good clean, did a bit of stretching while watching “Paddy and Chris Road Tripping” for first time where they went to Sweden where everyone seems to enjoy outdoor life, was a lighthearted, enjoyable programme so will watch future episodes. 

Lovely and sunny here today so stripped beds and now off for my daily woodland walk.

Katiehound

bluenose1 said:

  I walked at much slower pace and had a great time looking at the many different types of wild mushroom, haven't a clue what any of them are but my favourite are the Pixie looking mushrooms, red with white spots.  

"Pixie" mushrooms are Fly Agaric said to be highly toxic :
'Fly agaric is poisonous and infamous for its psychoactive and hallucinogenic properties. But, reports of human deaths are extremely rare. It was traditionally used as an insecticide. The cap was broken up and sprinkled into saucers of milk.'
I   saw my first ever sighting of them a couple of years ago- very distinctive. They often grow near birch trees.

that's the most obvious one but there are certainly some good edible ones which are distinctive- and no, I haven't tried any except field mushrooms which look like the ones you buy!

Humboldt

@bluenose1 what a really lovely way to remember your MIL.  Bun loaves sound interesting, would you be willing to share the recipe? Thanks for sharing your day with us, it sounded just perfect.  Thanks too for the tv programme recommendation. We are enjoying the new series of 'Gone Fishing'; such a simple programme, that is a joy to watch.

@Katiehound as always, thanks for sharing your fabulous knowledge of nature.

Today's simple pleasure - A tidy up in the garden.  

Humboldt

Hello and welcome.

Motivational quote of the week.

Normal is just a setting on your dryer – Patsy Clairmont.

Money saving.

Our monthly budget for me and my DH is £250.  Week 1 spend for October was £75.59.

Interest gained on savings accounts for September was £173.46.

October’s premium bond win was £350 (2024 total to date is £1,100).

Bought a half leg of lamb for half price at S@insbury’s (Nect@r Price).  I used my Nect@r points to pay for this; well almost, for some reason I had to pay 17p even though I had more than enough points.  Lamb now in the freezer and will be used for our traditional New Year’s Day roast.

I bought a container of 6 cyclamen plants from the A&E section in B&m’s garden centre.  One of the plants had clearly perished; but the rest were in excellent condition. Originally priced at £5, but reduced to £1. 

This week’s main menu.

Monday – Homemade beetroot burger (from the freezer) in a wholemeal bun, with homemade spicy sweet potato wedges and homemade coleslaw.  I will utilise the oven space and roast the vegetables for tomorrows and Wednesday’s meals.

Tuesday – Roasted vegetables, whole-wheat couscous, spinach, feta and a dollop of yogurt.

Wednesday – Chicken and chorizo one-pot (S@insbury’s recipe).  I will use the other half of the chorizo that I bought last week.  I will adapt this recipe by using homemade roasted peppers, add more vegetables, and reduce the liquid content so I can cook it in the slow-cooker.

Thursday – Tuscan bean and pancetta soup (S@insbury’s recipe) with a hunk of homemade sourdough from the freezer. I will use lean bacon rather than pancetta. I will reduce the liquid content and cook it in the slow-cooker. 

Friday –  Lasagne with salad.  To make this a little healthier I will use 5% beef mince and half fat cheddar cheese.  To fully utilise the oven, I will cook a homemade sourdough at the same time.

Saturday – Meal out (fish and chips).

Sunday – Chicken with stuffing, carrots, cabbage and roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings and gravy.

Breakfasts continue to be mainly oat based and lunches will include homemade soups from the freezer.

Healthy lifestyle.

Completed 2 free online workouts via F@bulous50’s on Y0utube.

Completed 4 free meditations.

Step count last week was 37,932.

Simple pleasures.

The pots in the garden have now been refreshed.  Summer bedding has been replaced with viola’s, cyclamens, grasses, pansies and tete a tete bulbs (mini daffs). 

I made sourdough discard pancakes for breakfast at the weekend.  This is a new to me recipe, and it was so simple and tasty.

We paid the final balance on our winter sun holiday. Yay!

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

 

 

Nebulous2

Humboldt said:

Hello and welcome.

Motivational quote of the week.

Normal is just a setting on your dryer – Patsy Clairmont.

Money saving.

Our monthly budget for me and my DH is £250.  Week 1 spend for October was £75.59.

Interest gained on savings accounts for September was £173.46.

October’s premium bond win was £350 (2024 total to date is £1,100).

Bought a half leg of lamb for half price at S@insbury’s (Nect@r Price).  I used my Nect@r points to pay for this; well almost, for some reason I had to pay 17p even though I had more than enough points.  Lamb now in the freezer and will be used for our traditional New Year’s Day roast.

I bought a container of 6 cyclamen plants from the A&E section in B&m’s garden centre.  One of the plants had clearly perished; but the rest were in excellent condition. Originally priced at £5, but reduced to £1. 

This week’s main menu.

Monday – Homemade beetroot burger (from the freezer) in a wholemeal bun, with homemade spicy sweet potato wedges and homemade coleslaw.  I will utilise the oven space and roast the vegetables for tomorrows and Wednesday’s meals.

Tuesday – Roasted vegetables, whole-wheat couscous, spinach, feta and a dollop of yogurt.

Wednesday – Chicken and chorizo one-pot (S@insbury’s recipe).  I will use the other half of the chorizo that I bought last week.  I will adapt this recipe by using homemade roasted peppers, add more vegetables, and reduce the liquid content so I can cook it in the slow-cooker.

Thursday – Tuscan bean and pancetta soup (S@insbury’s recipe) with a hunk of homemade sourdough from the freezer. I will use lean bacon rather than pancetta. I will reduce the liquid content and cook it in the slow-cooker. 

Friday –  Lasagne with salad.  To make this a little healthier I will use 5% beef mince and half fat cheddar cheese.  To fully utilise the oven, I will cook a homemade sourdough at the same time.

Saturday – Meal out (fish and chips).

Sunday – Chicken with stuffing, carrots, cabbage and roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings and gravy.

Breakfasts continue to be mainly oat based and lunches will include homemade soups from the freezer.

Healthy lifestyle.

Completed 2 free online workouts via F@bulous50’s on Y0utube.

Completed 4 free meditations.

Step count last week was 37,932.

Simple pleasures.

The pots in the garden have now been refreshed.  Summer bedding has been replaced with viola’s, cyclamens, grasses, pansies and tete a tete bulbs (mini daffs). 

I made sourdough discard pancakes for breakfast at the weekend.  This is a new to me recipe, and it was so simple and tasty.

We paid the final balance on our winter sun holiday. Yay!

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

 

 

Great round-up again Humboldt.

Although we've just returned from holiday, we're very much hungry for more. We have a celebration due early next year, and we're looking for holiday suggestions. I've a post about it in the travel section.  Malaysia is looking like the favourite at the moment. 

We may also squeeze in a few days before then for a Christmas market...  

Humboldt

Morning @Nebulous2 thank you for your kind words.  

I have previously mentioned that DH and I love to travel, and having visited Malaysia, I would highly recommend it. In particular, Borneo is a must for nature lovers. 

Whilst I know some would hate to travel as part of a tour group, by doing so, we have found it to have many advantages.  Firstly it made travel to 'faraway' destinations more affordable for us, the itineraries included the best of what was on offer (plus some additional fabulous surprises), the local guides ensured that we had an immersive experience, we were surrounded by like minded people, and always felt safe. Even if you don't wish to travel as part of a tour group, checking out their tours enable you to view potential destinations, the recommended months to travel, and to just gain a general overview of trip ideas.

A note of caution; not all tour groups have the same credentials in terms of sustainability, tour experience, etc. I would also add that standards of accommodation may not be to everyone's liking, but they do offer a true experience, and what DH and I refer to as 'not a holiday, a real adventure'. 

Today's simple pleasure - sharing information with others.

mark55man

Just been reading an amusing thread on the pension board (yes they do exist) commenting on some interesting work by the resolution foundation on happiness and income in older ages.

There was a section of slightly humorous quotes including by Spike Milligan one of my favorites - I'll put them all together as they are on a theme

Anon - "I've tried being rich and I've tried being poor. I like rich better."

Woody Allen - ‘Money is better than poverty, if only for financial reasons’

Spike Milligan "money cannot buy you happiness, but it does bring a more pleasant form of misery '

Not in the thread but my personal favorite is Bob Hope's “A bank is a place that will lend you money if you can prove that you don’t need it.” 

My simple pleasure today was being relieved from a social (civic) obligation I was not keen on attending

To save you looking the thread was - https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6559692/study-claims-to-show-how-much-you-need-to-be-happy-in-retirement/p1