Away From The Madding Crowd

Nebulous2

Great update again Humboldt. 

I have a half-formed idea of not trying to do and see everything, but to take pleasure in the things I do try. I think JOMO describes it better than I could, in much fewer words. 

For me that particularly relates to holidays. Find a decent cafe, return to it several times, rather than trying to visit every cafe in town. Wander some back streets. Take the list of 'must see' things and put it in the nearest recycling bin. Then when I come home and get greeted with 'didn't you visit....?' 'Why didn't you see / do....?'  I respond with - 'We had a great time, and saw plenty. We may do that next time...' 

Humboldt

Hi @Nebulous2 thank you for taking the time to comment and Happy Easter.

Several years ago we went on holiday with friends, it was like a 'tick list' moving from one place to another.  DH and I opted out of some things, choosing instead to sit on a park bench with a takeaway drink, or in a café with a cuppa, both of which enabled us to fully absorb our surroundings. Sometimes we got to chat with others, or we would just people watch, but often these are some of the moments that we recall best.

When on holiday, we seek out a nice local café that serves delicious food and has great customer service.  We will then visit the same café over the week, and by the last day we feel like we are leaving old friends when saying goodbye and promising to return. 

Whilst on holiday, we are always happy to leave something until we go back, perhaps whilst knowing we probably never would, even though we would like to. I never have liked goodbyes.

Humboldt

Hello and welcome.

Motivational quote of the week.

Reminder: it is not about spending as little as possible, it is about spending more intentionally – Unknown.

Money saving.

Our monthly grocery budget for me and my DH is £250. Week 4 spend for April was £71.07.  Total spend for April was £242.67.

Interest made on savings accounts for April was £157.53.

Took advantage of an offer at Wh!stlefish and ordered 2 x 10 greetings cards for £1 each.  Delivery was only £1, saving £22.75 in total.  Cards should cover almost all occasions for quite some time. 

£15.00 made via my crafting.  Monies added to the Christmas/Birthday account.

Bought a new dinner set from JL, saving 25% in the Bank Holiday sale, plus I had a £5 off voucher.  Delivery was free.

Went to the Bo0t’s Over 60’s Rew@rds Day and collected a free full size No7 waterproof mascara, which retails at £14.95.

£6.26 from W0rld of Bo0ks finally paid into the Christmas/Birthday account.  

This week’s main menu of the week.

Monday – Broccoli and tuna bake (from one of my recipe scrap books).  Broccoli was 15p (Easter veg offer and still looking good).  I will use the last of the 30% less fat cheddar when making this.  

Tuesday – Gammon, pineapple, sweet potato French fries and peas.  Gammon was reduced in price and frozen until required.  I cannot recall the last time that we had this meal…a trip down memory lane. To fully utilise the oven, I will bake a wholemeal sourdough.

Wednesday – Chilli con carne and a small portion of rice. I will use a small pack of 5% beef mince and add a tin of green lentils to not only to reduce the cost, but to make the recipe a little healthier and more nutritious.

Thursday – Minestrone soup (H@iry D!eter’s recipe), with a hunk of homemade sourdough. I will replace the kale/cabbage with rainbow chard from the garden.

Friday – Baked sweet peppers stuffed with left over chilli con carne, and a large dressed salad.  To fully utilise the oven, I will bake a seeded multi grain sourdough.

Saturday –  Lemon roast chicken, stuffing, roast vegetables, and gravy.  I may also bake an apple crumble to fully utilise the oven.

Sunday – Ping meal (as above).  Cook once, eat twice – saves on time and energy costs.

Healthier lifestyle.

Last week’s step count was 44,639. 

Completed 5 free meditations last week.

Completed 0 free online workouts last week.  That said, on the days that I have been gardening my Fitb!t has registered 9 of 9 hours activity.  A good compromise.

Simple pleasures.

This week I am sharing something that a friend sent me…

The real luxuries in life

Time

Health

A quiet mind

Slow mornings

Ability to travel

A good night’s sleep

Calm and ‘boring’ days

Meaningful conversations

Home-cooked meals

People you love

People who love you back.

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

 

BrilliantButScary

Hi @Humboldt,
Well, the best laid plans....
The lamb remains in the freezer and the roses not yet planted. Hopefully, I will plant the roses later today.

Both husband and I have been unwell, probably COVID, based on the symptoms. Slowly getting back to 'normal'.

I've enjoyed reading your posts, we are 'potterers' so JOMO fits us well. Your friend is right, they are the real luxuries in life.

Hope @ShyAndRetiring and her husband are OK, as like you I have been thinking of them.

Humboldt

Morning @BrilliantButScary so sorry to read that you and your DH have been unwell.  Glad that you are recovering and hope that you managed to plant those roses.  The lamb can wait and be enjoyed another time. 

Simple pleasures - Another gloriously sunny start to the day.  I have just enjoyed a morning cuppa in the garden and was pleased to see that my chilli, beetroot and tomato seeds are now germinating at a rapid rate.  The strawberry plants are already developing flowers and the potatoes are coming along nicely.  Great start to the day.

Working_Mum

Simple pleasures.

This week I am sharing something that a friend sent me…

The real luxuries in life

Time

Health

A quiet mind

Slow mornings

Ability to travel

A good night’s sleep

Calm and ‘boring’ days

Meaningful conversations

Home-cooked meals

People you love

People who love you back.

I love this list Humboldt and would add one little thing - the love of a dog! I went through a brutal divorce about 15 years ago, followed by what would now be called fiscal abuse, so I learned what the truly important things in life are during that period of my life. I count my blessing every day for it really is the simple stuff that matters.

Coming into this kind area of Forum also helps keep me focussed on the truly important stuff! 

You sound like you're making progress in your garden which is such a lovely feeling isn't it.

I'm working from my Mum's today and started the day with a dog walk with my little pooch. This was my view as I set out!



Wishing you a fabulous day

((WM))

BrilliantButScary

Hi @Humboldt, the roses are planted and a Forsythia and an Euonymus have been cut back. I'm back at the gym for yoga and pilates classes, but not 'spin' classes yet, hope to resume those soon.

I'm also hoping to sow some seeds, but I think mine will probably be annuals and herbs this year.

Humboldt

@Working_Mum I so appreciate you taking the time to share your stunning photo.  It made me take a deep breath and enjoy a moment of calm. Sorry to read about your own challenges, but pleased that like me, you have found real positives in the midst of them. 'The love of a dog' is a wonderful addition to the list of life's real luxuries.  Whilst we no longer have our own, we do enjoy doggy sitting for family. I hope that you are making the most of this sunny weather.

Morning @BrilliantButScary so pleased to read that you are back on form.  I had to g0ogle Euonymus, and although I recognised them when I saw a picture, I had been unaware of the actual name.  Enjoy your seed sowing. Like spices, herbs are an inexpensive and yummy way of adding flavour to meals.  I currently have chives, oregano, mint, peppermint, rosemary and parsley in the garden.  I am hoping to add some thyme (lost mine over winter) and tarragon this year.

Today's simple pleasure - First cuppa of the morning and watching a blackbird making use of the bird bath in the garden. 

Humboldt

Hello and welcome.

Motivational quote of the week.

In the end, it’s not about the years in your life that count.  It’s the life in your years – Abraham Lincoln

Money saving.

Our monthly grocery budget for me and my DH is £250. Week 1 spend for May was £71.88.

May premium bond win was £0 (2025 total to date is £275).

Savings review action finally taken, including new fixed rate ISA’s (in addition to the regular cash ISA’s), and a better rate for general savings.

Took advantage of Ald!’s Super 6.  Blueberries are excellent value and yummy with our overnight oats.  The Piccolato tomatoes are full of flavour and will be used for lunches and minestrone soup. The extra fine green beans and Braeburn apples that were only 99p will also be enjoyed.  Might go back later in the week for a cauliflower @ only 89p and more blueberries.

This week’s main menu.

Monday – Salmon in chilli ginger sauce (H@iry Dieter’s recipe) with stir-fry vegetables and noodles.  Salmon was reduced in price and frozen until required.

Tuesday – Minestrone soup (H@iry Dieter’s recipe) with a hunk of homemade sourdough.  This is a meal swap from last Thursday when we had homemade cheese, chive, and tomato quiche with a large mixed dressed salad. When making the quiche I was able to use leftover low fat crème fraiche, and chives from the garden.

Wednesday – Lamb tagine (Go0d F0od slow cooker recipe) with a small portion of whole-wheat couscous. Lamb was reduced in price and frozen until required.  I will replace the dried cherries with dried apricots, and the ras-el-hanout with harissa paste (just because that is what I have).  I will up the veg content too.

Thursday – Italian meatballs with chunky tomato sauce (H@iry Dieter’s recipe) and whole-wheat spaghetti.  Meatballs were ready made, reduced in price and frozen until required.

Friday – Breaded chunky cod loins, roasted carrots, green beans, and parsley sauce.  Cod was reduced in price and frozen until required.  To fully utilise the oven, I will bake a wholemeal seeded sourdough.

Saturday – Away overnight visiting family.

Sunday – Coconut prawn curry (H@iry Dieter’s recipe) with a small portion of brown rice.

Healthier lifestyle.

Last week’s step count was 46,013.

Completed 4 free meditations last week.

Completed 0 free online workouts last week.

Simple pleasures.

Sunshine almost every day last week. 

Time spent with family.

A surprise bunch of flowers from a friend.

Sowed spinach, carrot, and radish seeds. 

Lots of wildlife in the garden, but last week’s highlights must be the sparrow hawk that sat on the garden fence and an orange tipped butterfly in the border.

Prepped the hallway for redecorating.  Not really a pleasure, but it will be worth it.

Books read 7/25 – Toast the story of a boy’s hunger – Nigel Slater.  A book loaned to me by a friend.

‘Toast is Nigel Slater’s truly extraordinary story of a childhood remembered through food.  Nigel’s likes and dislikes, aversions and sweet-tooth weaknesses form a fascinating and often amusing backdrop to this incredibly moving and deliciously evocative memoir.’

Although a fan of Nigel Slater’s recipe books, I had never previously read this book.  Whilst there are some laugh out loud moments, there is also an overriding sadness.  Overall, it was interesting to gain an insight into the birth of what was to become his lifelong passion for food.

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

uralmaid

Sounds like it has been a good week @Humboldt.  We have been busy in the garden this week although the last couple of days were a bit cooler.
I like the Nigel Slater book and have read it more than once.
Hope the hall prep is going well too.