2026 DECLUTTERING CAMPAIGN Mrs SD - our Year of Redistribution

dND

@daisy_1571 I love writing with a pencil or a fountain pen and like you style changes on the implement and the feel when holding it - standard biro being the worst.

Oh @ruby_eskimo what a time you and your OH have had; I'm really glad to hear OH is back at home. I'll post a couple more courgette recipes to help declutter courgettes.

@Florenceem That's the point, the things you decluttered were your choice not something someone else did or imposed/forced you to do.

@Siebrie Lovely to hear that you are all doing well and good luck.

Well, today has not been as productive as I had hoped. My mojo is trying to skive off again. 😔 However, I picked a bit more from the garden in case we got the thunderstorms that were predicted - so far very little rain but it did make sure I did it. I've started the raspberry syrup which needs to sit in sugar overnight and have processed another 3 tubs of San Marzano tomatoes which are currently water bathing.

My mind has been racing off down rabbit holes. I want a planter of spring bulbs; the bulbs have been acquired and I was going to use an old plastic urn that had been left behind by the previous owners. However it is looking very tatty so I went off looking at stone effect spray paint. I then spotted an online leaflet for a local-ish store which has a new planter for less than a can of the spray paint. I think that a new planter is probably the better way to go and retire the old one to the tip. I'm hoping that there will still be some in stock when I get over there.

This morning I ventured to HB and was horrified to see that getting on for a third of the store was already set up for Christmas. 😱😱 And there was me thinking it was still only August. As a result most of the useful stuff I wanted had been evicted. I also noted that they had the cheap week-to-view diary I use so a 2027 one of those came home with me in case it's replaced in a few weeks by Easter and next summer stuff! 🤣

Hugs to those who would like one and love to you all. Dxx

dND

Thank you for the lovely comments about my writing. I don't think it's that good because I compare it to my dad's which was more or less copperplate 😁

The writing isn't so good on these as it was done in more stressful times but I like this marrow/courgette bake. I would oil the baking dish as there's no pastry. Some of the flour drops down, a bit like impossible pie, and gives the hint of a base but you need a fish slice to dish up.

dND

The MSE app forum link is literally on the bink for me - flashing on and off and not letting me in. 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

I've not made this soup for a long while but the person who gave me the recipe raved about it and I'm pretty sure I liked it otherwise I wouldn't have written it in my book. 😁 I must give it another go myself.

This was also written before I realise that the rollerball ink wasn't waterproof!! 🤣 Dxx

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

1. Daily To Do List - written the night before
2. Sort out sleep patterns - initial targets: bed by 03:00, up by 10:30
3. Don’t put it down, put it away + deal with mini tasks as soon as they are noticed e.g. refill olive pourer or salt cellar, stitch up a hole in a garment etc.
4. Commence ‘Operation Financial Frog Tickling’ using the acronym - I.R.I.S. (Identify, Research, Implement, Sign Off) - One per quarter
5. Continue to keep kitchen clean & tidy - before going to bed
6. Plan & Execute ONE Major Project - 2026 New Bathroom
7. Target 2026 items out

Friday is a bright sunny day with a high of 24°C, low of 15°C & a WSW wind making it feel 3° cooler….. A light drizzle started at 15:30 & at 15:50 we heard thunder in the distance. The little birds have been entertaining us again today - long tailed tits & sparrows on the fat cake feeder + at last a dozen sparrows congregating on our hedge ☺️ I took a not so great photo but hopefully you can see what I mean

Moorviews, excellent work with the deep cleaning & the eating of frogs 👏 & also well done MrMV for joining in with the cleaning 👏 Lovely cheerleading especially your observations re Siebrie 🥹

Miss_BaLu, I agree with Floss that the housing association should be covering all your costs 😊

Florenceem, your Bestie is such a lovely person 🥹 Good luck with your deep cleaning 🍀 Gentle cwtches for your son 🤗 

Great decluttering Wednesday2000 👏 Definitely sounds like your friend needs to board the EDT 😉

Lovely to see you BlueJ94 👋 Enjoy your time off 😊

Brie, how odd that the salt grinder stopped working but the pepper mill is still going strong 🤔 Thank you for sharing the saga of the bathroom lighting 😊 It might have taken a while to sort out but ultimately successful 🥳 That blue tack can be a right pain to remove without damaging surfaces 😞 so I am very impressed by your perseverance 👏

Siebrie, it is a shame that “loud discussions” are the only way to get your husband to help out 😞 As to the “pocket money”  I again have no words 😶 especially as he is using your joint account to fund what should be covered by said pocket money 🤯 Excellent work dealing with frogs especially making a start on the very important frog listed last 👏

Deb4, fingers crossed that you don’t catch a chill from getting drenched 🤞Excellent decluttering of paperwork 👏 I agree with Brie that you should definitely be giving yourself a hug 🤗 Meanwhile I am sending gentle cwtches 🤗 

Very impressive decluttering of frogs regnbue 👏 once you get started you certainly got a lot done 🤩 A Gold Star ⭐️ is on its way. 

Wonderful cheerleading dND 🥹 & wow to working in CERN 🤩 To make up for being so remiss in making awards, I am awarding you TWO Gold Star ⭐️⭐️ 

florianatwobob, your loft conversion sounds brilliant 🤩 This “……. I think Noah has been seen running some sea trials of his ark.” is very witty 🤣

Thanks for the recipe dND 👏 it does sound very tasty & I do love ginger cake ☺️ Beautiful handwriting ☺️

Brie, I will be keeping everything crossed that the annuity company is just erring on the side of caution with the timescale & that you will get your first pension instalment as a Christmas present 🤞 🙏 

suzeesu2000, very kind of you to sort out DH’s iPod ☺️ Good luck completing the task 🍀

I am really enjoying the conversation about handwriting ☺️ I am like daisy in that my handwriting also changes depending on what type of pen I use 😉

EnergyShifter, pleased to hear that the head cold never took hold 😮‍💨 Nothing wrong with spending a bit more than intended especially as you are pleased end with what you bought ☺️

Well, I am flagging now but have made a big dent in the cheerleading ☺️ Hopefully I can catch up later 🤞P.S. paid the milkman in the early hours of this morning.

MrsSD Awards: 💐 🙏💐💐🌟⭐️❤️💐💐⭐️💐❤️⭐️🎖️🥇⭐️⭐️⭐️😇🏅💐🌻💐💐🌻🥇⭐️

DH Awards: 🏅🏅🏅🏅⭐️ 🏅

DSis Awards: 🏅

Decluttering Target 2026: 1447/2026

1p Savings Challenge Running Total: £373.61

Florenceem

florianatwobob - I'm not surprised at the figure for loft conversion. I have a toilet upstairs and downstairs so it would only be handy for visitors to have another bathroom. I think I will keep the money in savings..

I do sometimes look at something and think - it can be decluttered to charity then have second thoughts but usually stick with my first decision.

I took photos of my completed bedroom. The before ones were taken when decorating in 2013. There was awful brown wallpaper which may have been in vogue in the 1970s. I didn't like the louvre doors on the wardrobe - awkward to dust. We had the feature wall pink. Now I have gone for green - very calming.

Yorkie1

Sorry to hear about your husband's diagnosis @ruby_eskimo but pleased to read that he's on the road to recovery now.

I have a chocolate courgette traybake recipe that goes down well. But my current oven doesn't bake evenly (and to replace it would need a kitchen rejig!) … will post it in a separate post 🍞

I'm going to trial a Greek recipe for Briam (I think), which is courgette, tomato and potato, baked slowly with olive oil. Just need to dig up some spuds from the allotment. 🥔

I hope things get easier for you @Siebrie . So many things to juggle for you.

Well done on the frogs @vulpix

Ah you've reminded me I need to dig out some grass seed @Soontobeoap . I have a blank / weed patch where I didn't spot a 3" layer of pine leaves over winter … 🌱

I'm not jealous of your thunderstorms at all, @suprisinglynice . Multiple warnings here and not a sniff 😁

Good luck at the garden store @dND

Yummy to even more courgette recipes

Love the birds @Mrs_Salad_Dodger . I sat out for about 15 minutes in the sun late morning. The Merlin bird app told me that I could hear long-tailed tits, blue tits, and robins. I also heard a tawny owl last night. We have at least one pair nearby as you can sometimes hear them calling to each other

I love that green paint @Florenceem . I have something very similar on walls in my bedroom and the kitchen. Which brand / colour is it?

Had a very mixed day at work today. I have a few urgent projects on the go, one of which is being managed by a team who do not consult or listen. I have provided feedback over recent weeks, but it's not made much difference. I ended up overwhelmed and in tears this morning for a short while - it's been a while since that last happened. Luckily I was able to chat with a senior manager about it.

I had thought I would need to work an extra day over this weekend / bank holiday to have any chance of getting to where I needed to do before going on leave in a week's time, but I then made really good progress today and won't need to do that. Bonus!

Now for some allotment paperwork admin …

Brambling

I recommend Hugh FW courgette and rice filo pie and left overs crisp up in the air fryer. The moisture from the courgette cooks the rice.

https://rivercottage.net/recipes/courgette-and-rice-filo-pie/

This cake is also a firm favourite, I make asa loaf cake and tweak the cooking time I don't always ice but cut and freeze in slices. My waistline appreciates I did grow courgettes this year.

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/carrot-courgette-orange-cakes

Yorkie1

Chocolate Courgette Cake

• 4 oz / 115g margarine
• 4 ½ fl oz / 130ml sunflower oil
• 4 oz / 115g caster sugar
• 8oz / 225g soft brown sugar
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 4 ½ fl oz / 130ml milk
• 12 oz / 350g plain flour
• 2 tsp / 10ml baking powder
• 4 tbsp / 60ml cocoa powder
• ½ tsp / 2.5ml ground allspice
• 1 lb / 450g courgettes, (peeled and) grated
• 1 tsp / 5ml vanilla essence
• 8 oz / 225g plain chocolate drops (I find that under 100g is enough in fact)

Method:

1. Preheat oven to Gas 5 / 190C (not fan) and line a rectangular baking tin (about 9” x 13”) with non-stick baking paper.
2. Cream the margarine, oil and sugars together until light and fluffy, then gradually beat in the eggs and milk.
3. Sift the flour, baking powder, cocoa and allspice together and fold gently into the mixture.
4. Stir in the courgettes and vanilla essence, and spoon the mixture into the tin.
5. Smooth the top and sprinkle on the chocolate drops.
6. Bake in the oven for 35 to 45 minutes until the cake is firm and a knife pushed into the centre comes out clean.
7. Lift out, cut into squares while still warm, and then leave to cool.

Florenceem

Yorkie1 - it is Farrow & Ball Yeabridge Green. My bestie suggested green.

I have been watching compulsive cleaners tonight.

vulpix

Siebrie, lovely news despite your other "problem". ❤️

As predicted I found the belt for the trousers that went to the charity shop the other week. Into the ongoing fabric recycling bag.

Little bedroom all ready for the bunk bed. Mr V's friend is going to come and help with that one day when he is rained off from his gardening job. Any time soon then. Once the bed is in situ I can see if there is room for the little house shaped shelves and pictures that I have taken down.

I have taken the fabrics for a quilt down stairs. I need to make a start on it. It will be for DGS 2's first Birthday in 5 weeks. I made one for for DGS 1's first Birthday and it was a big hit with his Mum.

Not complaining by any means but we are having a lot of rain. I changed the beds and the washing was on the line about 15 minutes before it had to come back in. Didn't manage any gardening today.

My handwriting is like a childs. Having taught hand writing for 20 years it is very neat but very plain. My previous writing was a little more flowery. I agree that some pens just don't aid writing at all. Mr V has an expensive pen which is much too fat to be comfortable to write anything of length.

Off on a jolly tomorrow with my friend to a garden pot factory seconds shop. I would like a certain style pot for the olive tree I bought the other week. They only have what is there on the day so I may come home empty handed.

Vx