Living the Good Life - mortgage free and living in line with our values

themadvix

Thanks SL, I knew you'd be the one to have the answers! I wondered if they needed the vacuum seal for chutneys - and as that's what will primarily go in this lot (plum chutney), I'll use them for this. They are all brand new, so no degradation as yet (and I'll try to keep them all upright too). I do always check the lids and discard any dubious looking ones. I've not yet had enough of the same type/shape to need to reorder lids separately (except for my two-part kilner screw tops), but I will if I need to for these. Problem is the jars often get given as gifts and then I only get a few back! (Feels a bit cheeky to instigate a deposit scheme for Christmas presents 🤣)

(On a side note, interesting that you use the spring tops for acid stuff - I've found that they rust pretty easily with salt/acid in them.)

Watty1

I don't know if it is any help but I have been buying kilner jars at our local charity shop, they range between £1.50 and 50p depending who does the pricing.  I'm using them for storage at the moment, but, will repurpose if I ever get around to making chutney etc.   From what I read on the thrift thread they turn up there quite often and if you are gifting as presents might be worth looking out for some there.

themadvix

Thanks Watty - I do buy the odd kilner jar at the charity shop, although I tend to stick to (usually donated) jam jars for jams/chutneys and the two-part screw-tops for bottling (which I don't think I have seen - and I stick to kilner branded ones for those, so I can be sure that the replacement discs fit). They are definitely much better value at the charity shops than new!

rtandon27

themadvix said:

Hmm, using wax discs hadn't occurred to me tbh RT, as I avoid doing that. And not much use for pickles, which is what's in them so far. Never mind.

Haha - it never occurred to me NOT to use them - but then again I learned canning from my grandmother who came from an era before refrigeration and modern jars!

SL is always our go to for good solid Home-Eq skills!  One day when I grow up I hope to have a few more! 

I'm very much of the mind-set to pay the nice man these days, though I can repair most appliances a darn sight better than any handy-(wo)man - I'm just usually too tired to be bothered as there are not enough hours in the day atm!

themadvix

Afternoon all,

RT, if paying the nice man works for you, then absolutely go for it! There are definitely times when I wish I was more inclined to take the easy route! But I think the combination of being self-employed and having that 'Good Life'-esque desire for self-sufficiency mean I'm destined to continue to do things the hard way. And with a potential change of direction for Mr MV next year (or sooner, if he lands a new job), money saving/food preservation are at the forefront of my mind at the moment.

Well today is going better than yesterday (partly thanks to SL's helpful advice, so thank you!). No bank has rejected me, which is always a win (not that I've approached another one yet). Have completed and returned two bits of work and am making good progress with the third (larger) bit, although it's exceptionally frustrating as, as has previously happened, someone else hasn't done an acceptable job before me, so I'm having to do more than I should. It's tricky as I feel I can only say so much to main client about this, but it really is beginning to take mick a bit.

Have ordered another 12 500ml two-part lid jars for more fruit bottling (am down to my last empty one now). Have loads more plums on the tree and also wanted to stew and bottle some of the rhubarb in the freezer to free up some space.

MS things:
* Clicks and HW - no wins again
* Cancelled Friday's milk (which includes Monday's) as Mr MV picked up 4 pints last night (we needed some anyway). Noticed they've put the price up another 5p per pint....
* Two more jars of plums bottled
* Bread baked
* Timed the plums to go in oven just ahead of bread, so it only had to heat up once, and waited to put dishwasher on afterwards, thereby making best use of power (very grey here today and battery still only topping up a bit overnight as we expect sunshine!)
* Car will need charging tonight (I'm out for the day tomorrow), so will time shower to coincide with cheap leccy

Gratitudes:
* Mr MV caught onto my grumpiness last night and poured me a large drink and cooked dinner
* Lovely cuddles with my cat client who is very clearly missing her hoomins now - desperate for cuddles more than to go outside
* Lovely plums to accompany lunch

Have a good afternoon all!