My Off-grid and need to be frugal diary

AnimalTribe

teapot2 I feel exactly the same way. DH and I are waiting for so many things that we ordered to fix various bits and pieces. It is so disheartening to spend so much time and effort putting together orders and finding a good price only to be failed by Evri. I can no longer trust them, and if an online seller doesn't state the courier on their post then I will have to contact them and ask if it's Evri - if so, I'll be finding another seller.

On a brighter note I did my weekly phone calls and managed a decent walk. It's very cold here but the sun has been shining and it's just been lovely to get some fresh air.

DH has been working on his hobby and I've been working on mine (restoring more jewellery), so it's been a really pleasant, relaxed day.

AnimalTribe

It's been so foggy here today that I haven’t been able to see past the garden gate. I quite like it when it’s this foggy as it feels like I’m living at the edge of the world.

DH and I have re-ordered the things that we need to make some small repairs, but we’ve made sure that delivery is via Royal Mail.

Today I’ve been stringing beads to make necklaces, fortunately I’m a fairly patient person as it takes a lot of time. I’ll have to post some photos of what I’ve been making.

Tonight, I’m watching more of “Blacklist” as I’m hooked.

AnimalTribe

DH and I have been to a village today for lunch, to buy petrol, and to post a couple of things DH sold on eBay. So, it's been a pleasant, relaxed day.

I've re-strung a few more things and replaced some missing diamante. For some things I've been able to find a diamante to match the jewellery. In some cases, I couldn't find diamante to match what was there so I've had to strip all of the diamante out and replace it with a totally new set. Fortunately, diamante isn't expensive, but it is time consuming. Sometimes the diamante is held in with small metal prongs, often though, they are glued in. If I can't loosen the stones by steeping them in hot water, I steep them in methylated spirits.

Tonight I’m watching another episode of ‘Blacklist’.

AnimalTribe

I'm definitely addicted to jewellery restoration\repair as I've bought another job lot.

It's been cold and dismal here so I needed comfort food - chips and beans is one of mine, DH prefers chocolate. I don't know what other people have as theirs. I did at least use the potatoes that I've grown myself and cooked some more potatoes to make DH potato salad tomorrow. Other than that it's been a pretty quiet day.

ladybird1106

Comfort food would be sausage, mash and beans or beans on toast with cheese.
love 🐞

teapot2

Beans on toast with grated cheese here too or veggie pie with mash and some veg.  My local bakery do a wee open top goats cheese and caramelised onion pie with yummy crisp pastry🤤 

AnimalTribe

Kindred spirits - beans on toast, veggie sausage and beans, cheese and onion pie - all yummy.

It’s been one of those days. Overcast and raining and generally just unpleasant weather. I couldn’t find a needle I was working with, so of course I turned the whole room upside down, moved chairs, on my hands and knees to search the carpet as I can’t risk the dogs’ health (of course it was just on the edge of the work table). I always know exactly how many needles and pins I have out and I count them when I’m finished to make sure none are missing.

DH decided to clean the fridge and unfortunately, he broke one of the glass shelves. Such accidents don’t really bother me as I’ll either find a replacement online or cobble something together. DH is annoyed with himself though.

My new job lot of jewellery came today so I’ll be spending some time sifting through that.

AnimalTribe

The generator has been on today as there is no wind and no sun, plenty of rain though.

I've attached 3 photographs of some of the costume jewellery I've been restoring. The pieces still need to be cleaned but I've re-attached the rhinestones. The blue one I had to replace all of the blue stones as I couldn't find matches to the 3 missing ones. The bracelet I had to replace the 4 pinkish, round stones as I couldn't find a match to the single missing stone. The orange cluster I only had to replace the central stone.

I’ve been sorting through the latest job lot and matching up earrings so at least I’ve done something extra today.

liselle

Oh they’re fantastic! You’ve brought them back to life

in_need_of_direction

You are super talented