tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45928924473254342562024-03-18T09:47:34.302+00:00Less equals moreLiving well on less in early retirementAlihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17134857174645360450noreply@blogger.comBlogger1000125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592892447325434256.post-23089466406064103492024-03-15T13:16:00.002+00:002024-03-15T13:16:17.856+00:001000th post!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8PKpd9zmxa7jX4dYzJZywXR09CfkQpiAaKhvM6hBV2Jr-wxLvX6WW9E9rou6YDY3ouuYXOx0GU6Ry6KJiHyA5grP-FOYP1_EpKtSrFwZq7YeJ8-JILDTmzv8o0jkV5nnGh2HkC_aVlbh_5xkb6yeS9r-agFw2LGsm-9fifsRzEbkDtqI_k68u599QQ0j/s752/4b73b39f2b1231c85b15b7b9b7180891.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="752" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8PKpd9zmxa7jX4dYzJZywXR09CfkQpiAaKhvM6hBV2Jr-wxLvX6WW9E9rou6YDY3ouuYXOx0GU6Ry6KJiHyA5grP-FOYP1_EpKtSrFwZq7YeJ8-JILDTmzv8o0jkV5nnGh2HkC_aVlbh_5xkb6yeS9r-agFw2LGsm-9fifsRzEbkDtqI_k68u599QQ0j/s320/4b73b39f2b1231c85b15b7b9b7180891.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I can't believe this is my 1000th post! When I started this blog in 2012 I had no idea how much my life would change. I had a crazy plan to save Β£40k in 4 years so I could stay in the family home. Since then there have been so many plans, some working out and some falling apart. Sometimes due to my own mistakes or sometimes spoiled by other people changing their plans.<p></p><p>The biggest thing I've learned about myself in the last 12 years is that I am perfectly capable of being financially independent and I definitely do not need anyone in my life telling me what I can or cannot do! If I'd had the confidence I have now back then I would have done a few things differently. But everything always works out in the end. Just not in the way you think!</p><p>So if you've been with me all this time, thank you! If you've just recently found me, thank you! The next part of the adventure starts soon and every single decision (or mistake!) will be mine π</p>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17134857174645360450noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592892447325434256.post-76298854234951371992024-03-13T18:22:00.001+00:002024-03-13T18:22:46.571+00:00A bit of meal prepping<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsB5-ttgZ0BBtjp_YMRZZxxGD9lNu5rZTwofSFBR8DGckGBaEQu3T-h8M4J54erQdtyJ7csrk4hLDQPqfwr8b_XW6x8i6KUk9jw-eH_s-c2V7yjHVvjCnGPziRL_FlVSz8W4HwJGiqhgITkicI3HcGPLX6QoHLaDERt-zHvhSbu_pexERa_9wDBv-qaJq/s1103/PXL_20240312_111720907%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1103" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsB5-ttgZ0BBtjp_YMRZZxxGD9lNu5rZTwofSFBR8DGckGBaEQu3T-h8M4J54erQdtyJ7csrk4hLDQPqfwr8b_XW6x8i6KUk9jw-eH_s-c2V7yjHVvjCnGPziRL_FlVSz8W4HwJGiqhgITkicI3HcGPLX6QoHLaDERt-zHvhSbu_pexERa_9wDBv-qaJq/s320/PXL_20240312_111720907%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>I popped into Tesco yesterday on my travels and got some meat bargains in my top up shop. The chicken breasts (5 of them) were seasoned with garlic and herbs and baked in the oven. The beef olives were fried off in a pan and baked with a little chicken stock. I also chucked in some potatoes to bake to fill up the oven! I cooked off the lamb mince with some carrots and onions. Everything was portioned up and chucked in the freezer. Another few weeks of meal prepped ingredients sorted!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqPypCvgjnYTG_M4S7uNmgUC358ZLTI84YMauHW4w3hGQc11-eoPXCcqLFpEPjpcFdjFXMqa-5-sYHnbQXIxTbhjC5ZAtWWoTTD7uIi2NXSFb4u7bpN6kv5Jh29ZLhJMnwdRmC4EJ0Te56KlH9WnQgsCMQOb13uhymQWFVs3fHGX7ZwNMUuxfGfKhqqdh-/s1103/PXL_20240310_151033922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1103" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqPypCvgjnYTG_M4S7uNmgUC358ZLTI84YMauHW4w3hGQc11-eoPXCcqLFpEPjpcFdjFXMqa-5-sYHnbQXIxTbhjC5ZAtWWoTTD7uIi2NXSFb4u7bpN6kv5Jh29ZLhJMnwdRmC4EJ0Te56KlH9WnQgsCMQOb13uhymQWFVs3fHGX7ZwNMUuxfGfKhqqdh-/s320/PXL_20240310_151033922.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I also did a batch of scones using some buttermilk and butter from the freezer. I'm getting better at them although they still wouldn't win any prizes on Bake Off! They do taste fab π</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7Dj7nrMXLHTtOpaUkz6KzhxnOMlNU5nAmCWrU79H_lvSRP1xRnrR2PcsFDUNIV4ATZi3SPy3nI3Z775gAySD3KHE5dl19fW57t6o1evJR_CbZq_PxD3wdNOTEtzXXTuXJjBMEkaHAmHWOB1uJiAZldc3hVgPKZMm7GHrFCT2mXd1IzOdHT_BE4UKQUZH/s1103/PXL_20240309_124303240.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1103" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO7Dj7nrMXLHTtOpaUkz6KzhxnOMlNU5nAmCWrU79H_lvSRP1xRnrR2PcsFDUNIV4ATZi3SPy3nI3Z775gAySD3KHE5dl19fW57t6o1evJR_CbZq_PxD3wdNOTEtzXXTuXJjBMEkaHAmHWOB1uJiAZldc3hVgPKZMm7GHrFCT2mXd1IzOdHT_BE4UKQUZH/s320/PXL_20240309_124303240.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I also made some Turnberry soup, which is really a cream of vegetable soup. Recipe and story behind it <a href="https://alissoupkitchen.blogspot.com/search/label/Turnberry%20soup" target="_blank">HERE</a> on one of my old blogs. I added some extra cream π</p><p>Today has been a day of painting and cleaning. The for sale sign is now in my front garden with a 'coming soon' sticker on it. I feel a wee bit sad.</p>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17134857174645360450noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592892447325434256.post-73147944014504480382024-03-12T15:48:00.000+00:002024-03-12T15:48:40.657+00:00Things are moving!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK53HgoQj3a2f0Mt3I515WVh6yAfYJC4EpAAOeXqgiUhPbsU9VNSKkZs0tIW4KmsZq6qCa8JkrL-S7ixl_5BRD7pMW9j7Vtmwy7i1w8LC7C5VhTJzdc-ch8Kp-hICvzZf4ZUkIwGBKIXI0nJzzY3v1-O1qqadGJZ7iOuhsev9GXnUhQM2oq7GfTP4rSY0L/s1024/209498_ZLcramb0003489053_IMG_01_0000.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1024" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK53HgoQj3a2f0Mt3I515WVh6yAfYJC4EpAAOeXqgiUhPbsU9VNSKkZs0tIW4KmsZq6qCa8JkrL-S7ixl_5BRD7pMW9j7Vtmwy7i1w8LC7C5VhTJzdc-ch8Kp-hICvzZf4ZUkIwGBKIXI0nJzzY3v1-O1qqadGJZ7iOuhsev9GXnUhQM2oq7GfTP4rSY0L/s320/209498_ZLcramb0003489053_IMG_01_0000.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I viewed another house this morning in a small town about 9 miles from Stirling. It was the absolute limit beyond Stirling that I would consider. It's a 2 bed semi bungalow, bit quirky in a quiet area. It didn't have any central heating but it did have a woodburner and lovely wooden floors.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLeB2KhIXy494efRAWl8yNv-glFtx2Lna9AtzzHBhnqBflM214k8tMlkFhBgCjc73zOyBN-QoIay6WdVXavKv5Uq5JD16veCHIfjcY39qeWJehHlNihVVEZvvDgBEvro23sFhbqznMPyS9w9XzDE-cAfkIr4zl4iPToBzSCOlJvdxxH4v-DcvYOq-eg8qU/s1024/209498_ZLcramb0003489053_IMG_02_0000.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1024" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLeB2KhIXy494efRAWl8yNv-glFtx2Lna9AtzzHBhnqBflM214k8tMlkFhBgCjc73zOyBN-QoIay6WdVXavKv5Uq5JD16veCHIfjcY39qeWJehHlNihVVEZvvDgBEvro23sFhbqznMPyS9w9XzDE-cAfkIr4zl4iPToBzSCOlJvdxxH4v-DcvYOq-eg8qU/s320/209498_ZLcramb0003489053_IMG_02_0000.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And I loved the recently fitted kitchen. It was huge but very cold. The owner apparently thought the house was warm enough so never bothered to fit any heat sources.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I rather liked the house but it made me realise I want to stay within Stirling, not least so I can keep my allotment. So it was worth going to have a look. Which means the small house is still the front runner! But I am going to view the one with the weird bedroom off the lounge on Thursday after all.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The estate agent selling my house has been to measure up and I've signed the paperwork! My house will be on the market in the coming weeks. Things are moving!</div><p></p>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17134857174645360450noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592892447325434256.post-13543491918280450602024-03-08T15:00:00.003+00:002024-03-12T15:54:38.624+00:00Safe and boring<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfWXLRzuIC63KIBDKCbrhTYY3io0yUPl9RU5e2JMxKGCB0UiPUbH9b_WqTARm886HZQMSsuTg9fRNj3Ens_iu6kxCY0sCli-f1HKVBqsWHEWWsy_ii0kzxVX4Ksv8pcnYbRvOnj5xYZjQu4OXoQgnQNIODsZZDR21zGrILeZMzoZjp_0U0iYsjlfeppbv/s612/istockphoto-489487001-612x612.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="577" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtfWXLRzuIC63KIBDKCbrhTYY3io0yUPl9RU5e2JMxKGCB0UiPUbH9b_WqTARm886HZQMSsuTg9fRNj3Ens_iu6kxCY0sCli-f1HKVBqsWHEWWsy_ii0kzxVX4Ksv8pcnYbRvOnj5xYZjQu4OXoQgnQNIODsZZDR21zGrILeZMzoZjp_0U0iYsjlfeppbv/s320/istockphoto-489487001-612x612.jpg" width="302" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>It's funny how everything can change in a few short days. I was really excited about the house for sale with the weird layout. And I loved all of the suggestions! I took a drive past it and I'm glad I did!! It was rather more dilapidated than the photos suggested!!!! Despite it being in budget, it didn't even look liveable while you worked on it. The estate agent's photographs were highly 'edited' and that's a polite adjective! There was a water pumping station next door and that was 'edited' out of the photos! I know they say you should buy the worst house in the good areas but it was bad. I won't be going to view it now!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhiqrmmts7qDKWNpI1kxgUvYcmlsvGnGsNrtt9ViCBScZ16stTc8nnVj9lk018chEEXCJ77jnWC4L2PlgDGHQR8yNPOJ-EIERhrI4qyhVcty9svYP-9ntRhB6OjDiFtV88KuAteD6Ax6_0bGbNTizRbEMxX7M4TRrCoKZ_3De7JwVV5j-tOTKky8pZnAL/s751/Screenshot%20(245).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="751" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhiqrmmts7qDKWNpI1kxgUvYcmlsvGnGsNrtt9ViCBScZ16stTc8nnVj9lk018chEEXCJ77jnWC4L2PlgDGHQR8yNPOJ-EIERhrI4qyhVcty9svYP-9ntRhB6OjDiFtV88KuAteD6Ax6_0bGbNTizRbEMxX7M4TRrCoKZ_3De7JwVV5j-tOTKky8pZnAL/s320/Screenshot%20(245).png" width="320" /></a></div><p>So I viewed 4 other houses for sale and the current frontrunner is a safe and boring small 2 bed semi in a totally different area. It's in move in condition, dΓ©cor is a bit dated but it's been well cared for by an older person. I would not need to do anything straight away. It has a safe enclosed garden for Luna and maybe some chickens again π I've been for a second viewing and my solicitor has put in a note of interest. This means they can't accept an offer without notifying me, giving me a chance to make an offer myself.</p><p>Of the other 3 houses I viewed, one was frankly disgusting and in very poor repair (again photos didn't show it.) One had a septic tank and a separate garden away from the house, neither mentioned on the estate agent particulars. And one was in immaculate condition but had no parking and was way too close to other houses. Plus it was just out of my realistic budget.</p><p>I'm only just starting to do this seriously and I'm already losing faith in estate agents. I'm still waiting for the valuer to come to my house and to get a home report done. Hopefully that will be done by next week π€</p>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17134857174645360450noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592892447325434256.post-50036878914130850892024-03-07T14:23:00.000+00:002024-03-07T14:23:03.420+00:00NHS dentist<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB1WcnEZ1BQ6bGSensJ3L-qwWSk7Pr9Smz6u57N2XhzbgbCbuoNtP9vwklDJN3_SPmLIUrxick9fl1TyHUrf8LcHHIGOAppibmBsUjZk9kb8X5vtElXE8yKAPOJFObLi2LAn9F9byMOj4b_gRMfDmyxZggvBIHsur84-NdCZQ3YfZOUoaPC8PlOdjaJDav/s450/38353538-vector-illustration-of-cute-aching-tooth-character.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="450" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB1WcnEZ1BQ6bGSensJ3L-qwWSk7Pr9Smz6u57N2XhzbgbCbuoNtP9vwklDJN3_SPmLIUrxick9fl1TyHUrf8LcHHIGOAppibmBsUjZk9kb8X5vtElXE8yKAPOJFObLi2LAn9F9byMOj4b_gRMfDmyxZggvBIHsur84-NdCZQ3YfZOUoaPC8PlOdjaJDav/s320/38353538-vector-illustration-of-cute-aching-tooth-character.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Last October I broke a tooth and saw my NHS dentist in November. He gave me a temporary filling and hoped that he'd be able to save the tooth by doing root canal treatment. In January it became obvious that the tooth couldn't be saved π After nursing it along for several weeks (while I got a plate made) the tooth was removed yesterday. Not nice but not as bad as I thought π¦·</p><p>After he removed it, he told me it had a huge abscess at the root that hadn't shown up on my x-ray. No wonder I'd had toothache!! I'm a bit sore today but absolutely fine.</p><p>Total cost of all the treatments and a new plate (which actually looks good!) was <b>Β£160.28</b>. I dread to think what I'd have paid if I had a private dentist. I know I'm lucky to have that option here in Stirling but a lot of people don't. This is why we have to fight to keep our NHS dental services πͺ</p><p>Things are moving quickly on the house front π± I've viewed a few properties already and have instructed my lawyer that I'll be needing their services very soon. Viewing properties has been 'interesting' and definitely merits a whole post π²π Watch this space...</p>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17134857174645360450noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592892447325434256.post-22564776539380605252024-03-05T19:42:00.005+00:002024-03-12T15:55:03.788+00:00Weird layout!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTL40T9ZE_sVIWPYJRgtCq49kXnoPhVdO0Y7T23B26HWwa47_8Yf4bBe8jZ91UWsR6KSRDkvE5A-fUjeiPAIfFHF2IVMyyFgGbshvbUgNrxVMJf41bxGcZSl1HwsW1UlZcj7udXf_JuwaULW24zWARTEQxOlpcdk6IjSZhAYNYD1nGjseWvDcBaFwx90tN/s934/Screenshot%20(244).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="685" data-original-width="934" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTL40T9ZE_sVIWPYJRgtCq49kXnoPhVdO0Y7T23B26HWwa47_8Yf4bBe8jZ91UWsR6KSRDkvE5A-fUjeiPAIfFHF2IVMyyFgGbshvbUgNrxVMJf41bxGcZSl1HwsW1UlZcj7udXf_JuwaULW24zWARTEQxOlpcdk6IjSZhAYNYD1nGjseWvDcBaFwx90tN/s320/Screenshot%20(244).png" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>I rather like quirky and weird houses. And the bungalow I'm really really interested in has a very weird layout. One bedroom is off the lounge and the other is off the dining room. It has the original 1970s pink bathroom (!) and someone has built on a porch/new entry with a full shower room. Neither bathroom is anywhere near a bedroom.</p><p>I've got a viewing appointment next week (there are no viewings until then) so the timing is good for me to get this house ready. I've read the home report very carefully and it needs a lot of work. New windows, new kitchen, new bathroom, loft insulation, new boundary fence etc etc It's been owned by the same person since 1972. That's why it's in my price range. It would be a huge project. But I won't know if it's worth it until I see it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI3EywjOUQiwg2hJxkVIRYfQXSvldE2kKL8WwAFpW3yuVHBb3M-F2_OdvvnBAtkvoS4O890ZiJj4duzMPxhyT1K5WjEYKegDg5ZebgZkyU_5Km_5ygXxTlOHs40bsKDIgTmCKaZURXrmn_qyTulXRui_7Wi8Wm5OkcsoLpQrAA_KTwa48uYxe2-fghgDMg/s934/Screenshot%20(244a).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="685" data-original-width="934" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI3EywjOUQiwg2hJxkVIRYfQXSvldE2kKL8WwAFpW3yuVHBb3M-F2_OdvvnBAtkvoS4O890ZiJj4duzMPxhyT1K5WjEYKegDg5ZebgZkyU_5Km_5ygXxTlOHs40bsKDIgTmCKaZURXrmn_qyTulXRui_7Wi8Wm5OkcsoLpQrAA_KTwa48uYxe2-fghgDMg/s320/Screenshot%20(244a).png" width="320" /></a></div><p>Just for fun, how would you reconfigure the layout on a budget? My first thoughts are knock through the kitchen into the dining room creating a larger dining kitchen and build a new wall to create a new entry into the second bedroom. Then knock through into the pink bathroom to create a master bedroom with en suite.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_ayV6aJMTYbKIP8WFfqSXL-f6oxYpxj-k-7S3D9QvcDeY5axfPHUQ_oc2JsfV49GJCgo7gf7BNWuCseOxSQmpTSYnjAvDEaZsJhjeJWyN1f9SWzPYiH6wk7ZY2TB7tbo0CzQFqOC4e9XxFMDJMGbFCts-ZC0CjCg3uzelPc2OPKVYr0aoDjUmAK7R_Ww/s934/Screenshot%20(244b).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="685" data-original-width="934" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik_ayV6aJMTYbKIP8WFfqSXL-f6oxYpxj-k-7S3D9QvcDeY5axfPHUQ_oc2JsfV49GJCgo7gf7BNWuCseOxSQmpTSYnjAvDEaZsJhjeJWyN1f9SWzPYiH6wk7ZY2TB7tbo0CzQFqOC4e9XxFMDJMGbFCts-ZC0CjCg3uzelPc2OPKVYr0aoDjUmAK7R_Ww/s320/Screenshot%20(244b).png" width="320" /></a></div><p>Or knock through the kitchen into bedroom 1 to make it the dining kitchen. And turn the dining room into a bedroom. Ooo, the possibilities!! </p><p>Huge thanks for all the positive vibes! I really appreciate it. Keep them coming π</p>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17134857174645360450noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592892447325434256.post-27851976167607408442024-03-04T19:06:00.001+00:002024-03-04T19:40:48.536+00:00Final push!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2w3UrqA-ypx_NnjR3O1Hhn5zK2X2LsywEoYPPMCT4gUv2Re8XsPk2uq9zlfSdWyuFhncgHk_0P-mh-Yzwrt1kQHaBm_V-yUrMHfRjqRbmwUSyMdCX4dpqwL3vlUObh-htPB6avove3YUS5-n_ccgnkeOMFhKz5sUNY_uEaWK-r1eWwkAREugHiONdtf1Z/s1103/PXL_20240304_171822375.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1103" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2w3UrqA-ypx_NnjR3O1Hhn5zK2X2LsywEoYPPMCT4gUv2Re8XsPk2uq9zlfSdWyuFhncgHk_0P-mh-Yzwrt1kQHaBm_V-yUrMHfRjqRbmwUSyMdCX4dpqwL3vlUObh-htPB6avove3YUS5-n_ccgnkeOMFhKz5sUNY_uEaWK-r1eWwkAREugHiONdtf1Z/s320/PXL_20240304_171822375.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I finally got the craft room finished today. Mainly by putting all my crafting materials into 3 large packing boxes and dumping them in the garage!!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjyxI9fkK9bQwIr607iJqp_Yr3uad2mVHt1uUojyhlTRuoJfKFSMNv5FeNCPNbVhExUt-FKuAlLS_zGms-rBA60I8Tt59zWp4AVHqomNnAhy3wqE_2Sg_VnJRckiWanqsvLv-n2jCH7nAkMDmix4lu_PYNFDln12d9mat6Dk6YKPuEADxD_thymoyu8iBI/s827/PXL_20240212_163303276.MP-COLLAGE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="620" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjyxI9fkK9bQwIr607iJqp_Yr3uad2mVHt1uUojyhlTRuoJfKFSMNv5FeNCPNbVhExUt-FKuAlLS_zGms-rBA60I8Tt59zWp4AVHqomNnAhy3wqE_2Sg_VnJRckiWanqsvLv-n2jCH7nAkMDmix4lu_PYNFDln12d9mat6Dk6YKPuEADxD_thymoyu8iBI/s320/PXL_20240212_163303276.MP-COLLAGE.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Before and after reminder!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLri4BYqaI3ePnSHyTeVBqKwDvojId1dtSsxTeiz41ONfNN9zEWgt7ySi57loLFgc3PpTJ_fViowl_yBDkH08AMU364ig3WSTLuikYw6f6QQ-hrqq_HOhpPMHFVWkdHYr1-azkj97ytq7NTm-LRTUE9udQPoUmRsTLHfIBFo_Vd1Lq4Grwh6fB7-zj3sKV/s1103/PXL_20240304_171814401.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1103" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLri4BYqaI3ePnSHyTeVBqKwDvojId1dtSsxTeiz41ONfNN9zEWgt7ySi57loLFgc3PpTJ_fViowl_yBDkH08AMU364ig3WSTLuikYw6f6QQ-hrqq_HOhpPMHFVWkdHYr1-azkj97ytq7NTm-LRTUE9udQPoUmRsTLHfIBFo_Vd1Lq4Grwh6fB7-zj3sKV/s320/PXL_20240304_171814401.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>It's looking very tidy and a bit sparse! I put away all my colourful boxes and kept out the black and grey ones to match the fridge freezer. I did buy a white roller blind to put at this window but I've decided to not put it up. I'll be able to use in either my next house or my son's flat.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7PyHQZH-7gIeVGUqWhCRX1Dy_v8-Z79JhlwxsJBfJYqK4enby2GJOrk8SMyChKjg12nQlZ66CS7YkRwA5oL0qGsY6Ugp-vG4BYS4EoAqYDpxX8rEjp796O3ys7wDZ6sIqBYrTDgriTHEoILp64eAhpPzIt0XyobCQ7bKelK_kbFGc0-0RjMB7Iod06HV3/s1103/PXL_20240304_171804302.MP.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1103" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7PyHQZH-7gIeVGUqWhCRX1Dy_v8-Z79JhlwxsJBfJYqK4enby2GJOrk8SMyChKjg12nQlZ66CS7YkRwA5oL0qGsY6Ugp-vG4BYS4EoAqYDpxX8rEjp796O3ys7wDZ6sIqBYrTDgriTHEoILp64eAhpPzIt0XyobCQ7bKelK_kbFGc0-0RjMB7Iod06HV3/s320/PXL_20240304_171804302.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I kept the colourful floor rug for a wee splash of colour. But it all looks lovely. Shame I'll never get to actually craft in there.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-oZSYDcAYUATaU6QSUJrC2pW4GludtQdfm8Xn0eDerBPQ3lnw_1gQce2F3rcMKSVeoJZIR2J3MpiG9E13plSSwL8lWCOw07i87X5YwCLBWuAJE7yPcYZ47Xn0qKMapVD7coJPjA-v-tIZ77urwEfE5DSWz5qF0pgbl8LNUclAOUfbN8YM27kyN5bGZVu/s1250/PXL_20240304_132230882.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1250" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-oZSYDcAYUATaU6QSUJrC2pW4GludtQdfm8Xn0eDerBPQ3lnw_1gQce2F3rcMKSVeoJZIR2J3MpiG9E13plSSwL8lWCOw07i87X5YwCLBWuAJE7yPcYZ47Xn0qKMapVD7coJPjA-v-tIZ77urwEfE5DSWz5qF0pgbl8LNUclAOUfbN8YM27kyN5bGZVu/s320/PXL_20240304_132230882.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I also split my peace lily (retirement gift from school) and re potted it. I got 3 free plants to put around the house.</p><p>I'm trying to do the final push this week as I want to get the house on the market ASAP! A 2 bedroom bungalow went on the market today in exactly the area I want. It's under budget and needs a bit of modernising but not too much. So I'm asking everyone to send me positive vibes to get this house sold quickly and let me buy this bungalow! π€</p><p></p>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17134857174645360450noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592892447325434256.post-18824202359713814642024-03-03T18:17:00.000+00:002024-03-03T18:17:12.386+00:00Thank you!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0JxHVuSq_R7LkSB6sCiXEZxiYo2HQWtvv3XC7w_LSIcysvDBCAv-rI7jqYvRAV7w2a_3Vq6BHXTeowBg1wHXmKGnGOBwor1jT4th4SwGafq9z05w_BiIEl0XUs4RHqqeaPzHFHzryv9MSfNmB2XQLoc_O4JjArDbyx0zOHA07ghHMdBVzzRx62zK1v3v/s792/360_F_474893320_ZwECYV90UqDn3OuEY1SrDU3ICGd6iXOf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="792" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd0JxHVuSq_R7LkSB6sCiXEZxiYo2HQWtvv3XC7w_LSIcysvDBCAv-rI7jqYvRAV7w2a_3Vq6BHXTeowBg1wHXmKGnGOBwor1jT4th4SwGafq9z05w_BiIEl0XUs4RHqqeaPzHFHzryv9MSfNmB2XQLoc_O4JjArDbyx0zOHA07ghHMdBVzzRx62zK1v3v/s320/360_F_474893320_ZwECYV90UqDn3OuEY1SrDU3ICGd6iXOf.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Thanks everyone for your kind thoughts and messages on yesterday's post. They are much appreciated π It's very strange not having Emma around. Luna is getting used to a new routine as much of our daily routine revolved around giving Emma her medications and making sure meal times were in line with that.<p></p><p>I've taken today to just chill and play with Luna. Tomorrow I'll be back to the decluttering and decorating again!</p>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17134857174645360450noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592892447325434256.post-11239888714515627692024-03-02T14:57:00.001+00:002024-03-02T14:57:21.410+00:00RIP Emma<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhZwh36xDlzeNg9vpnJyO0y7_WXsZjmEUaxDds59r3jOqAZKAjPCUVRm7xRQmKr_2rth6SHZJ5qq11TGSZGKZnp0SenSgtTrU5yA45Ep11Cm6juMAliQugVlzj2Xue0bZWCVRPhTj9WyOL81ZhfyjHG3_Bn7Z4z9vkHBKuCpHzWEHCgTnNAiQcG9SZ0O7/s5000/_DSF5460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="5000" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwhZwh36xDlzeNg9vpnJyO0y7_WXsZjmEUaxDds59r3jOqAZKAjPCUVRm7xRQmKr_2rth6SHZJ5qq11TGSZGKZnp0SenSgtTrU5yA45Ep11Cm6juMAliQugVlzj2Xue0bZWCVRPhTj9WyOL81ZhfyjHG3_Bn7Z4z9vkHBKuCpHzWEHCgTnNAiQcG9SZ0O7/s320/_DSF5460.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Sadly Emma's health took a major turn overnight and I had to make that hard decision. Owning dogs is a privilege and she gave me so much joy. During lockdown she was my only companion and my only source of comfort during some really tough times. I'm sad but I'll be fine π</p>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17134857174645360450noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592892447325434256.post-15850092594830588192024-03-01T20:43:00.005+00:002024-03-01T20:43:47.307+00:00Roast chicken and labels<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEVMmGXrvsAnfanU-_AT8fu4mi5K42xMYeyLICLHXJ3fyxXFgLOa9BzjvvBq52IPhgQmGiLEO6sB1Pj5ytc9SFCT0dTsIt-GOHzSNfRrkmRNCGccWis4EHzDlkvuS6ouNzwvJer5MxSTNkxvEOXu-p1bXR6z1U-bm9zJDskQc_dU01jDrcEZG7Hh__RJcZ/s1531/Screenshot%20(240).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="813" data-original-width="1531" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEVMmGXrvsAnfanU-_AT8fu4mi5K42xMYeyLICLHXJ3fyxXFgLOa9BzjvvBq52IPhgQmGiLEO6sB1Pj5ytc9SFCT0dTsIt-GOHzSNfRrkmRNCGccWis4EHzDlkvuS6ouNzwvJer5MxSTNkxvEOXu-p1bXR6z1U-bm9zJDskQc_dU01jDrcEZG7Hh__RJcZ/s320/Screenshot%20(240).png" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>My Tesco shop yesterday included a large fresh chicken (it was a Clubcard offer!) The label describes a large chicken as being between 1.5kg and 1.9kg (as per photo above) so I looked for the biggest one I could get. Yep, I even pulled a few out to get to the ones at the back!! π</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgNdxm6gVW2ThYQE8SXR9e-8j4enduU7-trDyLsBd5dcXryPMkXinRhL70GnTgINam_p4Xwx4ZdeROn00vkQHCmpWCrW5aYAYV6R7tI3b2B4pB0QQMXRyVIC_wQePy9nP5V7NiZeUdULoV8ulMYvryNOblbRllH2P5btohJOZB04PXnXmO45fnNf6EOsp/s1103/PXL_20240229_094314618.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1103" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZgNdxm6gVW2ThYQE8SXR9e-8j4enduU7-trDyLsBd5dcXryPMkXinRhL70GnTgINam_p4Xwx4ZdeROn00vkQHCmpWCrW5aYAYV6R7tI3b2B4pB0QQMXRyVIC_wQePy9nP5V7NiZeUdULoV8ulMYvryNOblbRllH2P5btohJOZB04PXnXmO45fnNf6EOsp/s320/PXL_20240229_094314618.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>This was the biggest one! I looked at every single one on the shelf to get my money's worth of chicken!! I know another 206g (7oz) of chicken doesn't necessarily produce an equivalent amount of edible meat but hey, it could be enough for another frugal meal. So I'm always going to check from now on! </p><p>The label also says it serves 5 but we all know we can get more than 5 servings from a large chicken! Plus I have the bones/carcass simmering in the Crockpot for stock. I'll make soup tomorrow once it's cooled and I'll skim off and save the chicken fat for making pastry. I think I'll make some individual chicken pies for the freezer.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VDcxgiQi6Beo7TdKc5SzXkopqtqVjn43VYSiVhg9Z6X6gy19ExhdOgHA19mgpcLKhkQnuTVjZXJaHyNmjuTPSVGy0ha76E1gvgJgXqr8-hsinAGnw9DDGVoVfiKw7eCsCRnI4F1XApxFNrvA9FhG5gfoMwa6yur4cuSYWVTaKOhtASTEz4B9doreTnS8/s1359/Screenshot%20(242).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="775" data-original-width="1359" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VDcxgiQi6Beo7TdKc5SzXkopqtqVjn43VYSiVhg9Z6X6gy19ExhdOgHA19mgpcLKhkQnuTVjZXJaHyNmjuTPSVGy0ha76E1gvgJgXqr8-hsinAGnw9DDGVoVfiKw7eCsCRnI4F1XApxFNrvA9FhG5gfoMwa6yur4cuSYWVTaKOhtASTEz4B9doreTnS8/s320/Screenshot%20(242).png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I have also been 'sharing' my roast chicken with both dogs as they BOTH have a nasty bout of diarrhoea. Luckily I now keep some doggy probiotics in the cupboard, much cheaper than vet prescribed ones. A day or 2 of chicken, rice and scrambled egg should hopefully help settle their tummies. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvM-V4hIThOIexO4-rL0FafdQ7Z7t5Z4_25lSIEkJHYN59xtcP42MlT9n8763_R9KEIHtcECybVDkk-zSVhH1mSQfesPAU9ZBFIRCDJwghOvY0Ivfd8f3HfJ7I9VJ2pwXM5vLjxsYDYcpxSVoLP9muWeCo_zfLA7ObVyLZrmNCtEHMDJFHO4tjEhPzrTy/s791/Screenshot%20(241).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="565" data-original-width="791" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzvM-V4hIThOIexO4-rL0FafdQ7Z7t5Z4_25lSIEkJHYN59xtcP42MlT9n8763_R9KEIHtcECybVDkk-zSVhH1mSQfesPAU9ZBFIRCDJwghOvY0Ivfd8f3HfJ7I9VJ2pwXM5vLjxsYDYcpxSVoLP9muWeCo_zfLA7ObVyLZrmNCtEHMDJFHO4tjEhPzrTy/s320/Screenshot%20(241).png" width="320" /></a></div><p>As I've mentioned previously, I've been working on removing ultra processed foods/ingredients (UPFs) from my diet. I was shocked when I looked at the label on my Hellman's mayonnaise today. It contains calcium disodium EDTA which is a medication to treat lead poisoning. It's a classic use of a UPF that has found it's way into the food chain as a cheap preservative. I don't know if it's always been in there or they now have to declare it. But I'll not be eating it again. I can and will be making my own mayo from scratch from now on. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj60NXAhUZK-ZBcxJsuHyVg3ID9ZhPltaWMxVQXDkZHp9pjEcZYESjo-9arzQgFvsbrRmOjz9UoQiRfWjl2jrPaqk_4idpF0v5i5sEgKBEqGhtdA8Bt4pZljCYul3KbqTNGthX_I7_WI_ICKU39SQlWnfAcC_6mO8NSa5VAIrHA66hBXoRFaOYe2Gv6Q7mu/s722/Screenshot%20(243).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="722" data-original-width="706" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj60NXAhUZK-ZBcxJsuHyVg3ID9ZhPltaWMxVQXDkZHp9pjEcZYESjo-9arzQgFvsbrRmOjz9UoQiRfWjl2jrPaqk_4idpF0v5i5sEgKBEqGhtdA8Bt4pZljCYul3KbqTNGthX_I7_WI_ICKU39SQlWnfAcC_6mO8NSa5VAIrHA66hBXoRFaOYe2Gv6Q7mu/s320/Screenshot%20(243).png" width="313" /></a></div><p>I also needed salt. Many of them contained an anti caking ingredient (sodium hexacyanoferrate II or sodium ferrocyanide.) This was the only one that didn't have any! And of course it's more expensive. BUT I have noticed a huge difference in my digestive health since I stopped eating over processed gluten free and dairy free products and eliminating these hidden UPFs. So it's worth it for me to check every single label and make everything from scratch. And so far I'm managing to do it within my tight budget! π</p>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17134857174645360450noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592892447325434256.post-66620461850835908042024-02-29T18:50:00.001+00:002024-02-29T19:08:44.548+00:00February Spending<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdUpOtLQwZZscA8vlMsvlJAYEq86gxt9-sxBKKzxkp-EMRQJZ2aS3x5ZSeCUQg72dJ9xoVmTvA_q5SblTBCtzUrhN-xMxh1wvUh8c67wnTNWCz6MxTRh9oeVNOclc3-APKZxKRBNHlx-ry0FXT3izzTSRtrnsZKCxvvqge_4ubYbuXx8zD48K_I5k7RlD/s612/istockphoto-1291891378-612x612.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="459" data-original-width="612" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSdUpOtLQwZZscA8vlMsvlJAYEq86gxt9-sxBKKzxkp-EMRQJZ2aS3x5ZSeCUQg72dJ9xoVmTvA_q5SblTBCtzUrhN-xMxh1wvUh8c67wnTNWCz6MxTRh9oeVNOclc3-APKZxKRBNHlx-ry0FXT3izzTSRtrnsZKCxvvqge_4ubYbuXx8zD48K_I5k7RlD/s320/istockphoto-1291891378-612x612.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>I've spent the day finishing the wallpaper in the craft room. I'm sad it looks good as I'll not get the benefit but it will help sell the house. Every single room in the house has now been updated/decorated so it genuinely is in move in condition once I do a deep clean! </p><p>I needed to buy more rolls of wallpaper so my February spending is a bit higher than I'd planned.</p><p><b>Supermarket Β£70.97</b> (includes big March shop)</p><p><b>Dogs Β£416.76 </b> (includes a puppy pass and 2 x 15kg of dog food)</p><p><b>Energy Β£234.76</b> (my half of the monthly bill)</p><p><b>Car Β£51.99</b> (full tank of petrol)</p><p><b>Other Β£171.76</b> (includes 4 rolls of wallpaper and 20 packing boxes for moving)</p><p><b>Total monthly spend Β£946.24</b>, a mere Β£10 less than last month. As I said last month this doesn't include my direct debits and is way more than my pension income. So I'm still living off my savings until I downsize.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjpSTRY_Mh47mhgYFryaGJaIRWuW4oqGM2rDl45cnzmorfRprrP7StuZvvXAsVI_JI9Zpy1GtlYR0tpWy_2SPcMluIRT1J_D_mIt1Ls3J5u7Xs2icQVLyhzigRrd8uIAc9EVtoUHZd9vLhfoCrn44cK1bIlwPAoPr35OudhyjfvBaYyvyqCr7KrEOizm6V/s1103/PXL_20240225_170348311.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1103" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjpSTRY_Mh47mhgYFryaGJaIRWuW4oqGM2rDl45cnzmorfRprrP7StuZvvXAsVI_JI9Zpy1GtlYR0tpWy_2SPcMluIRT1J_D_mIt1Ls3J5u7Xs2icQVLyhzigRrd8uIAc9EVtoUHZd9vLhfoCrn44cK1bIlwPAoPr35OudhyjfvBaYyvyqCr7KrEOizm6V/s320/PXL_20240225_170348311.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>The dogs are a huge expense just now. Emma is elderly and needs expensive meds. She's 12 and realistically not got long left. She deserves to be pain free and have some quality of life. I've been paying a dog trainer to help with some of Luna's issues so that's added to my costs. Plus she's been going to puppy day care so I can get some decorating done in peace! That's just a temporary solution for now.</p><p>I'm also tracking my annual supermarket spending. It's set at Β£100 per month so Β£1200 for the year. This includes everything you get in the supermarket not just food. Current spend for the first 2 months is Β£252.26 so I still have Β£47.74 to spend in March to stay on track. And I just did a big shop today in Tesco!</p><p>Keeping a written track of everything I spend is definitely keeping me focused on where my money goes. Even if it makes for scary reading!! π±</p>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17134857174645360450noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592892447325434256.post-20559937045676389872024-02-28T13:29:00.001+00:002024-02-28T13:31:56.270+00:00Avocado on toast with eggs<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii0BzBLIwWOYzaWyCU-tFrp858HMQ8qrsaO33VV8Wyu0HQtl7tc2i31kha7fdWPI6BgLJOpQ95U0HnHXnvi1R632Hw_-OFiUGzvnWHNYlWHc3Vrf5UuGoVvB_uT1Mk0ftW77ZdTTTIb7-9V0SarPaoZdb_Y0q2cQqljcbZ0TP8ScHEzBtTA5ERuY0kki5x/s1103/PXL_20240228_113305201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1103" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii0BzBLIwWOYzaWyCU-tFrp858HMQ8qrsaO33VV8Wyu0HQtl7tc2i31kha7fdWPI6BgLJOpQ95U0HnHXnvi1R632Hw_-OFiUGzvnWHNYlWHc3Vrf5UuGoVvB_uT1Mk0ftW77ZdTTTIb7-9V0SarPaoZdb_Y0q2cQqljcbZ0TP8ScHEzBtTA5ERuY0kki5x/s320/PXL_20240228_113305201.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>If I had avocado on organic sourdough toast with eggs at my favourite local restaurant it would cost Β£10.95. My breakfast this morning cost 62p!! </p><p>My home made sourdough bread (made with organic flour) works out at 6p a slice.</p><p>Eggs (medium free range from Tesco) are 25p each.</p><p>Avocado (frozen) was 'free' from M&S with my coupons.</p><p>Total 62p! π</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5G-8aHP2PmLB-8hcwym_y2Ue5RyN-WZJu9SUANyCLBtMARu21Ecvg3lK8UywUpqJPKNid974ZTYGSvq_oV8n0kSxoRAMvuWXXy6HOKdUQD0sF4FMkh_5sUiBxckJXm1Znspt4pTTq3egU9fVlswputwKjdlisflGeuz-1Gnydxr6I4LbJWjHBv0z-nTI/s1103/PXL_20240228_114409538.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1103" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5G-8aHP2PmLB-8hcwym_y2Ue5RyN-WZJu9SUANyCLBtMARu21Ecvg3lK8UywUpqJPKNid974ZTYGSvq_oV8n0kSxoRAMvuWXXy6HOKdUQD0sF4FMkh_5sUiBxckJXm1Znspt4pTTq3egU9fVlswputwKjdlisflGeuz-1Gnydxr6I4LbJWjHBv0z-nTI/s320/PXL_20240228_114409538.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I popped into Waitrose last night after dropping my son off at work and picked up some reduced whipping cream (and sweets!) I had some loose change in my pocket so used that. I knew you could use whipping cream to make butter but I'd never tried it. 600ml produced 250g of butter and 300ml of buttermilk. I think that's less butter and more buttermilk than using double cream. But I'm not sure if that's true.</p>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17134857174645360450noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592892447325434256.post-11365628504479385302024-02-23T19:48:00.005+00:002024-02-23T20:20:31.336+00:00Some DIY at last!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_i4s4UnuopWl_Mk2L7Km745UOcfTgepTXGD0jiJsFiVRgF4gZpjPNXGVdplVSXu2V40TwM9XQkb2nGGM3RmKzJQKiP9KpDH9CJ4FWxWJiV-9Btr0VXxtSaZcG-q-hG4iDlPXH512s6VfA7IEornbKM7sujHQoD21Yzi0Hwh7cFctw-82SMuA4gWXYT4c/s827/PXL_20240212_163303276.MP-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="620" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_i4s4UnuopWl_Mk2L7Km745UOcfTgepTXGD0jiJsFiVRgF4gZpjPNXGVdplVSXu2V40TwM9XQkb2nGGM3RmKzJQKiP9KpDH9CJ4FWxWJiV-9Btr0VXxtSaZcG-q-hG4iDlPXH512s6VfA7IEornbKM7sujHQoD21Yzi0Hwh7cFctw-82SMuA4gWXYT4c/s320/PXL_20240212_163303276.MP-COLLAGE.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>Luna was at puppy day care today so I finally made a start on the wallpaper in my craft room. I decided not to do the feature wall using the flowery wallpaper I bought last year and will save it for my next house.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEDEUU1lWQZeU9B4lQ_7dnrl_jitIjVA_q8GWYKGsA76DryEESgjk7aShkFTY5tyLHpJzK50puXTqv_20TuKcCBv0w3gvgHYAaliH40F2JdZdaBtqF1atHkUtAV0_sumlZjJ4BGocl502po4srdRfrKwNU-u6_oaOVlgSNgUxYh17zzKHrxYTekT2J3TU/s540/5c13b831792e197a9200024c5bad72fe_540x_9f083398-222d-4af8-b83b-b74c6cf4d24e.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEDEUU1lWQZeU9B4lQ_7dnrl_jitIjVA_q8GWYKGsA76DryEESgjk7aShkFTY5tyLHpJzK50puXTqv_20TuKcCBv0w3gvgHYAaliH40F2JdZdaBtqF1atHkUtAV0_sumlZjJ4BGocl502po4srdRfrKwNU-u6_oaOVlgSNgUxYh17zzKHrxYTekT2J3TU/s320/5c13b831792e197a9200024c5bad72fe_540x_9f083398-222d-4af8-b83b-b74c6cf4d24e.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />It's by Arthouse and it's called Summer Garden. It's rather bold and maybe not to everyone's taste! It comes in different coloured backgrounds (white, charcoal and grey.) Mine is the grey colourway above. <p></p><p>So I'm doing the whole thing in the boring wallpaper and leaving it unpainted. It's quite thick so I hoped it would cover all the imperfections. It's looking ok so far. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAv5rI2TuoKkILXoard6hZHy06tOvki7zKJgtLtg-kNC9fC1a3DZ3Wh2q2NY6Ie7xf-5r8w1_BxYqmeCF2d8yZvQCIbhQ5UfnrPc3kPe_nXEDdeYVkgP1G4TSlW47p4GdhkDR1hl3MUjMJpNdV79J9x4lPfX60b-Nz0m8eaTqBuzWbbjnh0MK4iMZedF6f/s1103/PXL_20240223_144828255.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1103" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAv5rI2TuoKkILXoard6hZHy06tOvki7zKJgtLtg-kNC9fC1a3DZ3Wh2q2NY6Ie7xf-5r8w1_BxYqmeCF2d8yZvQCIbhQ5UfnrPc3kPe_nXEDdeYVkgP1G4TSlW47p4GdhkDR1hl3MUjMJpNdV79J9x4lPfX60b-Nz0m8eaTqBuzWbbjnh0MK4iMZedF6f/s320/PXL_20240223_144828255.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">I had only bought 2 rolls and used them up more quickly than I thought. So I had to get more from B&Q </span><a href="https://www.diy.com/departments/wall-doctor-beadboard-white-striped-textured-wallpaper/36699_BQ.prd" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="text-align: left;">. By the time I got them I was burst for the day, mostly from moving the furniture around like Tetris!! It's already looking clean, fresh and rather bright which is what you want for potential buyers.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-q0LCvTirOeTkTrNVwJbWafM0K8moIi6jnthiLJRGHE_ggIfcHYyJD4AHJp3UF_DmHFEKuOoaS_I2YPmPkLfc8WwhyJwI9bzMbQH_RKbjzIRGrp70vH4gOi8wBpevTsBhEWa1CtYp7-mTRtbRAT2v4EcRT_TpjK7h0fOa6X7G0Dy0AJyXiPG6B3d4JZgL/s1005/boxes.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="839" data-original-width="1005" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-q0LCvTirOeTkTrNVwJbWafM0K8moIi6jnthiLJRGHE_ggIfcHYyJD4AHJp3UF_DmHFEKuOoaS_I2YPmPkLfc8WwhyJwI9bzMbQH_RKbjzIRGrp70vH4gOi8wBpevTsBhEWa1CtYp7-mTRtbRAT2v4EcRT_TpjK7h0fOa6X7G0Dy0AJyXiPG6B3d4JZgL/s320/boxes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I've ordered some packing boxes, tape and bubble wrap. They'll arrive tomorrow (Saturday) and I'll start packing up some 'stuff.' It feels like I'm finally on the last stretch before the last big clean and tidy up for the marketing photosπ</p><p></p>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17134857174645360450noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592892447325434256.post-62679079470357912202024-02-21T11:23:00.004+00:002024-02-21T12:03:03.962+00:00Tea and coffee<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh693H40Iv-yHHCZjOg9dYHZkoyo4wi1vsRO2BMyg3eA9EcJ-y5m2AeFYIUIMcREGexwDiB6mR8LKw_AjFiQSQLD-R7hVp-am28PXEA-5VleWaRRCj5Rpv69Oi1PeiL-hKtpf0FRKf39bUsFcjsbm20Cr7WFcjb6kkcZeaKJ1TVfBnEPGblubcREXzyzW3y/s1299/PXL_20240220_144413432.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1299" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh693H40Iv-yHHCZjOg9dYHZkoyo4wi1vsRO2BMyg3eA9EcJ-y5m2AeFYIUIMcREGexwDiB6mR8LKw_AjFiQSQLD-R7hVp-am28PXEA-5VleWaRRCj5Rpv69Oi1PeiL-hKtpf0FRKf39bUsFcjsbm20Cr7WFcjb6kkcZeaKJ1TVfBnEPGblubcREXzyzW3y/s320/PXL_20240220_144413432.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Following on from the successful clearing out of my spices, I had a go at sorting out my tea and coffee. There's a lot more tea than I thought!!! To be fair some were gifts as folk know I like 'nice' teas but some of them I did buy myself. I have a ton of Pukka herbal teas. The larger Kilner jar and the Yorkshire Tree tin plus the actual Pukka box are full of herbal teas designed to fight off colds etc. </p><p>I have unopened boxes/jars/tins of Tetley green teabags, loose Earl Grey and 2 lots of camomile. I have some opened green jasmine tea, Whittards Christmas herbal loose tea and the loose tea I got from my afternoon tea at the Balmoral. </p><p>I've also got my own home grown and dried applemint, sage and elderflower. There's some loose echinacea I use in my elderberry syrup mixture. The smaller Kilner jar has Sencha Rose loose tea (it's delicious but almost finished) and then I have some bog standard PG Tips teabags (not pictured) I use these teabags because they're biodegradable but they've changed the pack sizes recently π So it's fair to say I've got plenty of tea to keep me going in the coming shortages!! π«</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwyToBjLw6JqOdLAbRyyrMky8Zj-yTf2fiNHNF7wYv5hlZLegZZ6_rVnGwvzIh2yR_Do9HwDa7JWQAv9sT0GUuvTap0He_vq5e7RWH-BRPqcaJmu2TDhXBsTlQ8d8XGZsUflER9YD3yHnHESr1aC0i-_dP84IQf8GCpj817MP202GWYwRMxAhuWRSFCEAD/s827/PXL_20240220_145201119.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="825" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwyToBjLw6JqOdLAbRyyrMky8Zj-yTf2fiNHNF7wYv5hlZLegZZ6_rVnGwvzIh2yR_Do9HwDa7JWQAv9sT0GUuvTap0He_vq5e7RWH-BRPqcaJmu2TDhXBsTlQ8d8XGZsUflER9YD3yHnHESr1aC0i-_dP84IQf8GCpj817MP202GWYwRMxAhuWRSFCEAD/s320/PXL_20240220_145201119.jpg" width="319" /></a></div><p>My coffee collection isn't as big!! π It's fairly self explanatory except the coffee capsules aren't mine. I'm strictly instant or filter in a cafetiere! β I used to be quite fussy about my brand (Percol Americano) but I like the supermarket own brand now and it's hugely cheaper! I generally have 2 or 3 large mugs of coffee in the morning. Never ask me anything before that first coffee!!!!! Then I move onto tea in the afternoon and herbal teas at night. I've given up buying Diet Coke (again!) so the only other drink I have is water.</p><p>It's a foul weather day here. The organised dog training walk group has been cancelled so my day is my own. Time for a bit of painting if I can get some peace from Luna!! π</p>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17134857174645360450noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592892447325434256.post-19144882971921478292024-02-20T13:01:00.002+00:002024-02-20T13:01:15.937+00:00Spicy!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPjyD_A5ixUyGN7jmfK1VZSxEiNpAlVHWckd8JZhdosWOm1_1yoSlncUnyd_jOrzfWuA9nKPOyiYi8HuF7vedflOzP6D4cLmbgKZ2p4axcr8sUztPja7h8Q5yjxvQuFCNve35YnSHZ7U1pno3JEYYfjfQJ6k_7VABf1rHGPWrMAgl53VSebLtPAC9MNZGe/s1452/PXL_20240220_103640918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1452" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPjyD_A5ixUyGN7jmfK1VZSxEiNpAlVHWckd8JZhdosWOm1_1yoSlncUnyd_jOrzfWuA9nKPOyiYi8HuF7vedflOzP6D4cLmbgKZ2p4axcr8sUztPja7h8Q5yjxvQuFCNve35YnSHZ7U1pno3JEYYfjfQJ6k_7VABf1rHGPWrMAgl53VSebLtPAC9MNZGe/s320/PXL_20240220_103640918.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>It's been on my mind lately to start running down my storecupboard and freezer in readiness for moving. I have a lot of stuff that I could use up and it will save me money too! I started with my herbs and spices. Despite getting a new kitchen 2 years ago (September 2021!!) I had spices dated 2017!! I must have just put them back in the cupboard without checking! </p><p>So I chucked out the really old ones and sorted the rest. My cooking seems to fall into categories so I sorted my spices into those. The above photo is of my Tex Mex spices. I make up my own fajita and taco seasoning mixes, much cheaper than the ready made packets and no fillers.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMB-N3S0V7YbI8cRSs-jQPyUz5HSAYtSQWWJ5VidTWz6Gk33AlfLWGTkKmlV37TIPxzZk_vCmpwG9wcW7RlpiFMbfCuD2YkZgWh1rl7d2JkPluZQ7NHPWurAtmlwtNBvyKjDgauWe6HQi_mmFfod7gbGfm4t2coM27UraTk4Yvus-hde8U0ChlkzN6aDSg/s1305/PXL_20240220_103515398.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1305" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMB-N3S0V7YbI8cRSs-jQPyUz5HSAYtSQWWJ5VidTWz6Gk33AlfLWGTkKmlV37TIPxzZk_vCmpwG9wcW7RlpiFMbfCuD2YkZgWh1rl7d2JkPluZQ7NHPWurAtmlwtNBvyKjDgauWe6HQi_mmFfod7gbGfm4t2coM27UraTk4Yvus-hde8U0ChlkzN6aDSg/s320/PXL_20240220_103515398.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Basic curry spices (cumin does double duty!)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZbqpJAwG2O9peuDe4MvXa6V4Gx2Wr6vbbKvXBbigPGblPQD1vGY350iRUqSIJz1qOMjbM_wncQIqZOPRfKyPH3BBFsuBdiI9j0ER8KTiQxQfvvI33kJ_xsBVoJxprABUlQv6wuvwi6iwL8Lau_1iFEDvFwyKxXtr6b49IpaPFcfwRZEBkHtm0XOdsVxX/s1176/PXL_20240220_103706245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1176" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipZbqpJAwG2O9peuDe4MvXa6V4Gx2Wr6vbbKvXBbigPGblPQD1vGY350iRUqSIJz1qOMjbM_wncQIqZOPRfKyPH3BBFsuBdiI9j0ER8KTiQxQfvvI33kJ_xsBVoJxprABUlQv6wuvwi6iwL8Lau_1iFEDvFwyKxXtr6b49IpaPFcfwRZEBkHtm0XOdsVxX/s320/PXL_20240220_103706245.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Baking spices, although I tend to just use mixed spice for most things. No idea why I have cinnamon as I don't like it. I can only think I bought it for a school project and didn't use that one. The whole nutmegs are dated 2019 but they'll still be fine.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoecBk4twbtEyUtkZ7dPompqdEHqJArYJS35tmWP0I0BDwK-lb5nE4EGJ8Y8uEsdT9Am43Plc-hPIPhzghKOPa-3x-OMlLm3kqcwPixwAr9D1IN8jqabBAc6ox-p0Bn1g9Ss8tvfx4Ky-cQBD0BFuLxacOoaI7JWIkrvD_IQ9upC2LyCCH0iEmFSwvbzDt/s1124/PXL_20240220_103743981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1124" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoecBk4twbtEyUtkZ7dPompqdEHqJArYJS35tmWP0I0BDwK-lb5nE4EGJ8Y8uEsdT9Am43Plc-hPIPhzghKOPa-3x-OMlLm3kqcwPixwAr9D1IN8jqabBAc6ox-p0Bn1g9Ss8tvfx4Ky-cQBD0BFuLxacOoaI7JWIkrvD_IQ9upC2LyCCH0iEmFSwvbzDt/s320/PXL_20240220_103743981.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Standard cooking herbs/spices. The saffron was a gift but I've only used it once. Any ideas on what to use it for?? It's too expensive to just throw out!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhecGMONCzUaBoMTfOHn3ropZNclA-ZfYwStC7N0Z9MrRPr7307PgnQjwt8g9yIFQIQLmu6Ja130QH5FNxw5A_nNCfwedFqp83t3F1AU830Z0siIdHyLB4b5ppDOPh7dpgu429JXIJyad2qIif54U4PSVDUEKk6gDmpxG1sfI1bZgti0MO-K35SB86H8m30/s827/PXL_20240220_103756477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="585" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhecGMONCzUaBoMTfOHn3ropZNclA-ZfYwStC7N0Z9MrRPr7307PgnQjwt8g9yIFQIQLmu6Ja130QH5FNxw5A_nNCfwedFqp83t3F1AU830Z0siIdHyLB4b5ppDOPh7dpgu429JXIJyad2qIif54U4PSVDUEKk6gDmpxG1sfI1bZgti0MO-K35SB86H8m30/s320/PXL_20240220_103756477.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><p>This is my most recent purchase. I used to live on stir fries when I was working as they were quick and easy to throw it together when I was tired. I've not really had many recently. I want to start again as it's a great way to stretch a little meat with loads of veggies.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bVAo3ZmEl9uLxfkdhglsXDu6G1ZaCjMtMUpz0WD2rHCU66WYuMyPrOY9Cw4ifCmNYdOiBvCb2y-OgDDw_gCNc8_D4wlU2MT66Ar1E573TBm6b22aJQ1J93oFMo53ZUwSbFSHg_aBJeO91gjxRWVdxPZoiXY2zTZRAc6RY98IBXwweirDJzKuwpsWYM2m/s1600/sachas_stir-fry_17077_16x9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bVAo3ZmEl9uLxfkdhglsXDu6G1ZaCjMtMUpz0WD2rHCU66WYuMyPrOY9Cw4ifCmNYdOiBvCb2y-OgDDw_gCNc8_D4wlU2MT66Ar1E573TBm6b22aJQ1J93oFMo53ZUwSbFSHg_aBJeO91gjxRWVdxPZoiXY2zTZRAc6RY98IBXwweirDJzKuwpsWYM2m/s320/sachas_stir-fry_17077_16x9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Photo from BBC food</div><p>I did a search on YouTube for some authentic Chinese sauces as the ready made ones have got too many processed additives for my liking. I found a few channels that suggested these 5 basic ingredients were the base of most sauces:</p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li> Soy sauce </li><li> Sesame oil</li><li> MSG </li><li> Starch (something like cornflour)</li><li> Scihuan pepper</li></ol><div>I've always got Tamari soy sauce and cornflour. I used to have sesame oil so I'll look out for a decent priced one again probably in Aldi or Lidl. I've found some Scihuan peppercorns on Amazon at a decent price so I'll order some next month. I'm going to pass on the MSG though! </div><div><br /></div><div>I found that these 5 extra essentials were a common suggestion too:</div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li>Oyster sauce</li><li>Rice vinegar</li><li>Chinese cooking wine</li><li>5 spice powder</li><li>Chilli sauce</li></ol><div>A bit of research suggests apple cider vinegar (which I always have) is a good sub for rice vinegar. And dry sherry is a decent sub for Chinese cooking wine. So in my March supermarket shop I'll add some Chinese cooking ingredients to my shopping list π</div></div><div><br /></div><div>With the addition of garlic and ginger that I normally keep in the freezer, I'll have the basics to start making decent Chinese fakeaways again! ππ</div><p></p>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17134857174645360450noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592892447325434256.post-78466051495207043472024-02-18T13:48:00.001+00:002024-02-18T13:51:11.310+00:00Socks and suds<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh66C_Z2FJsSKSa8ADSkD9zD44_RWmJgVkdjGCRzJVpmFE7rQl1t_F2GBd-e3LPvxUBcKXtnQlhfWD0U9QoL-egIp7aGpmQIuxmwWzZQ_esfh9PKbeHWXQS65AGvBgAbPAM_-ffs52iKKOhcetFqFDrsiwMs9n3bNSs3vomeY7zUtkLhtXlnlXyvTnEmJG/s827/PXL_20240218_131612286.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="788" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh66C_Z2FJsSKSa8ADSkD9zD44_RWmJgVkdjGCRzJVpmFE7rQl1t_F2GBd-e3LPvxUBcKXtnQlhfWD0U9QoL-egIp7aGpmQIuxmwWzZQ_esfh9PKbeHWXQS65AGvBgAbPAM_-ffs52iKKOhcetFqFDrsiwMs9n3bNSs3vomeY7zUtkLhtXlnlXyvTnEmJG/s320/PXL_20240218_131612286.jpg" width="305" /></a></div><p></p><p>I finished the blue and green socks 𧦠They've grown on me! They're not this vivid in real life. It's a sunny day here making them look brighter! π I'm so pleased I managed to match the stripes but I'm undecided if I should wear them myself or gift them at some point π</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqfELAYpFDSPEiNzI7PMKw5sj017z1XHHstZn3tYGU7kbHvEmWiFRRzZUkynY6CFVqp0fi2Xa52Js6Y-skr_YlJsIxgZ0XDMXAv8nvA6jh2k8uvKOCR1QrGWmNG3sOKteZRnUrI-rf5KYxiQzU_bnsNsB7qzRgu9t4h6rWm-UH48mnesGPQgZJIC7BVTc-/s1524/PXL_20240218_131642981.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1524" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqfELAYpFDSPEiNzI7PMKw5sj017z1XHHstZn3tYGU7kbHvEmWiFRRzZUkynY6CFVqp0fi2Xa52Js6Y-skr_YlJsIxgZ0XDMXAv8nvA6jh2k8uvKOCR1QrGWmNG3sOKteZRnUrI-rf5KYxiQzU_bnsNsB7qzRgu9t4h6rWm-UH48mnesGPQgZJIC7BVTc-/s320/PXL_20240218_131642981.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I've knitted 2 more squares for my sock blanket. I love how the same yarn can produce 2 different looking squaresπ§Ά I've got a growing pile of squares to add to the blanket so I'm not casting on the last ball of sock yarn yet. I need to deal with the squares first!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPXu8h7WI_1-3C1dGeKB4AXlQwHMZW6MXXvISftgzVumNunfrXRa2yAPqagPz0I3O_6Q8X4sIpQ58zYicBqKrbrBl5aKkMfELH1twpOLeOxLKmD_MkEmxkooAL4EZYK0oQNFuZpsl9WGT9FNVGMelRwIMNs_C6F5eD9-E8hiEHIHUSL-T1wFWVcNl-Ea4H/s827/PXL_20240218_111105949.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="620" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPXu8h7WI_1-3C1dGeKB4AXlQwHMZW6MXXvISftgzVumNunfrXRa2yAPqagPz0I3O_6Q8X4sIpQ58zYicBqKrbrBl5aKkMfELH1twpOLeOxLKmD_MkEmxkooAL4EZYK0oQNFuZpsl9WGT9FNVGMelRwIMNs_C6F5eD9-E8hiEHIHUSL-T1wFWVcNl-Ea4H/s320/PXL_20240218_111105949.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>I went to empty the washing machine only to find it had stopped halfway through the wash It's got a digital display and it said 'suds' π It's started doing this a lot! I've got soft water so I only put in half the recommended dose of Ecover any way. The machine is about 5 years old now and it moves around when it's spinning. I have to keep pushing it back under the worktop. It is also VERY noisy! π§ I'm not taking it with me to my new house as I'd like a washer/dryer to save space. My dryer is in the garage. I rarely use it but my son and DIL use it all the time. No idea why it's started making so much foam but it's a pain to scoop it all out and rinse off some of the clothes in the sink πππ§¦</p>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17134857174645360450noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592892447325434256.post-42169033294360470792024-02-17T17:30:00.004+00:002024-02-17T17:30:42.191+00:00Pretty sure I know!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCiP4wdbcciRUjqU4fWduRE3n22TAUTk6I4TRS9JsMj8KyBnN2GxOt2Neqrr1VGppYdu7MAcZc2Xd9WbTbFw6CkKM2jGJDuFMpgjDYoxkgGwgJMMn6z2e67V8k0DYpDsrQulKnqhpuNxZd_xRKf9J9IemuCmHmokbfFTTX-1AejXIJOmcJXEqvHo4bckAr/s827/PXL_20240208_093047819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="824" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCiP4wdbcciRUjqU4fWduRE3n22TAUTk6I4TRS9JsMj8KyBnN2GxOt2Neqrr1VGppYdu7MAcZc2Xd9WbTbFw6CkKM2jGJDuFMpgjDYoxkgGwgJMMn6z2e67V8k0DYpDsrQulKnqhpuNxZd_xRKf9J9IemuCmHmokbfFTTX-1AejXIJOmcJXEqvHo4bckAr/s320/PXL_20240208_093047819.jpg" width="319" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Silver Lab</div><p></p><p>Luna is an unusual colour for a Lab. Silver Labs were rare but they're becoming more common. Basically they're a colour mutation of the chocolate gene. She looks like a pale chocolate but has silver streaks and her undercoat is silver.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA9persNqQOmwhQ62FVbuVaqinppVu4l6q4ZOrxy1i_eRGex8aeBTzREzVtsP1FdVgIX65xtlHeYOrGXw0CO7U54CrnbEfAcBMb7A3FGobaao7hrGnjv7c9grknl0-uVfETLsSXeqGPOmyg3IfCjuWTFfln8IyS6bH_SN9IRo-U5DkQQoOg3dnYujhVVMG/s266/Weimaraner_Freika-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="266" data-original-width="220" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA9persNqQOmwhQ62FVbuVaqinppVu4l6q4ZOrxy1i_eRGex8aeBTzREzVtsP1FdVgIX65xtlHeYOrGXw0CO7U54CrnbEfAcBMb7A3FGobaao7hrGnjv7c9grknl0-uVfETLsSXeqGPOmyg3IfCjuWTFfln8IyS6bH_SN9IRo-U5DkQQoOg3dnYujhVVMG/s1600/Weimaraner_Freika-2.jpg" width="220" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Weimaraner</div><p>I've had several people including good friends and a dog trainer (!) tell me she's definitely part Weimaraner. I get it, they look similar especially as she's still a long legged and skinny Lab puppy. And the colouring is similar. But nope she's definitely a pure Lab!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgusN1YID5h0Z3MkihM45kSdvRL8Ws8iEXwjSZdob9IQIHOmQgb3HtvfqlhDlkeXDLL7Wr5ufdeyZsHxQmvsoHW4S3IAtYEvSZqimfAB5-IQvGDNPufdb3t_R2fL2bXT0cDjaxNS8pCVva79FzHbZfE7y7sgz6dnPk01sq80jxi5OCHayCL77csIXlpDsRt/s554/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="554" data-original-width="553" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgusN1YID5h0Z3MkihM45kSdvRL8Ws8iEXwjSZdob9IQIHOmQgb3HtvfqlhDlkeXDLL7Wr5ufdeyZsHxQmvsoHW4S3IAtYEvSZqimfAB5-IQvGDNPufdb3t_R2fL2bXT0cDjaxNS8pCVva79FzHbZfE7y7sgz6dnPk01sq80jxi5OCHayCL77csIXlpDsRt/s320/images.jpg" width="319" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Vizsla</div><p>Today I had a lady ask me if she was a Vizsla. Again I can see the resemblance but the colouring is very different. They're more a fox red colour. She even asked me if I was sure she was a Lab!! Pretty sure I know my own dog's breed. And I have the Kennel Club paperwork too!</p><p>People are weird. I'd never go up to a complete stranger and tell them what their dog 'really is' π</p>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17134857174645360450noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592892447325434256.post-33035548789449771882024-02-15T11:39:00.003+00:002024-02-15T11:39:29.251+00:00I closed my account<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtIVi_BZSGvDgSA9_hJtFtumsJZg4JoWYTq43-B6aF2OjP6zJhhx3iEofFyL3pyR3XX8Jr-Z2EqyarD9dBNEEC5BNlEyl0FgfMgEHYr6gKDPWpxtDA4cLpmJS0JrcEbVi7TAHWazw4nXAM2XvBidfl8piknj6TymxHl6J_ClbOry22aIFFkonyZlQ3Rd28/s590/nectar-card-569656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="590" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtIVi_BZSGvDgSA9_hJtFtumsJZg4JoWYTq43-B6aF2OjP6zJhhx3iEofFyL3pyR3XX8Jr-Z2EqyarD9dBNEEC5BNlEyl0FgfMgEHYr6gKDPWpxtDA4cLpmJS0JrcEbVi7TAHWazw4nXAM2XvBidfl8piknj6TymxHl6J_ClbOry22aIFFkonyZlQ3Rd28/s320/nectar-card-569656.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>After repeated attempts to phone Nectar last week (on hold forever) and several 'live chat' conversations this morning, I was getting absolutely nowhere in trying to sort out my points issue. Remember when I tried to redeem my points in Sainsbury's there was a 'problem' with my card? <a href="https://40kin4years.blogspot.com/2024/01/this-is-why-i-dont-go-out-much.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavmUXwbl3YyqaYItSd1gm7jmVbV1FIWIaeWKw5sEjI1iBRT2lMCES10CLusAWg5m1knaFQLBTl6wjkAswbyk0T4ij6igD9fdCM1eisnMv52TfXuoNU6YPVaw22y1UpChJxycNQNHNYVYC-T048mesOb5k8IAXMCyvrDZ1EWoah9_IEAQNwbl3v7CeWTki/s957/Screenshot%20(227).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="957" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavmUXwbl3YyqaYItSd1gm7jmVbV1FIWIaeWKw5sEjI1iBRT2lMCES10CLusAWg5m1knaFQLBTl6wjkAswbyk0T4ij6igD9fdCM1eisnMv52TfXuoNU6YPVaw22y1UpChJxycNQNHNYVYC-T048mesOb5k8IAXMCyvrDZ1EWoah9_IEAQNwbl3v7CeWTki/s320/Screenshot%20(227).png" width="320" /></a></div><p>The 'problem' was that I had a negative balance. It's obviously a mistake so it would be simple to fix, right? Nope! The 'live chat' person kept repeating I had a negative balance so that's why I couldn't redeem my points. I kept repeating that as I hadn't redeemed my points for a whole year, I couldn't have a negative balance and how is a negative balance even possible. It's not a debit/credit card!</p><p>They couldn't explain why it was negative. No idea at all. They asked me to confirm my last 2 redemptions and I discovered that in June 2022 someone (def not me!!) redeemed 8000 points. That's Β£40!! And that put me in a negative balance. Again I asked how can you have a negative balance? They had no idea.</p><p>I asked how could I have redeemed my points in January 2023 if I'd had a negative balance since June 22? Again, they had no idea. </p><p>I googled it and turns out a lot of folk have had this negative balance issue and it looks like 8000 points is a common amount to have been fraudulently redeemed. And no one seems to have resolved it.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9TrLbYNpQhrrvbHJSfgNqTKlurhZ4uBiZ65NVL4fTp7hjyeej0jJ7zhNLUMMtPcM5OETvCIU6Oa9w4YoxvuBhwQ-fPiZohjetLeEJki-o356MwXTipvDqx5g6QIXLAvumlvLHkGbnTX2WQMqob-SZWCAkE9JkrFLf2gfe_Ygs0yj_OedNR1qEqymuLrJn/s602/running-to-competitor.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="602" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9TrLbYNpQhrrvbHJSfgNqTKlurhZ4uBiZ65NVL4fTp7hjyeej0jJ7zhNLUMMtPcM5OETvCIU6Oa9w4YoxvuBhwQ-fPiZohjetLeEJki-o356MwXTipvDqx5g6QIXLAvumlvLHkGbnTX2WQMqob-SZWCAkE9JkrFLf2gfe_Ygs0yj_OedNR1qEqymuLrJn/s320/running-to-competitor.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p>When I'm dealing with customer services I try very hard to be polite. I worked in customer services in Goldbergs in Glasgow when I was a student, so I get it. But I was getting increasingly frustrated with their scripted "kindly try to understand" response to my questions. They even put me on hold on a live chat screen!! </p><p>I could see this was getting nowhere. I exited that live chat, opened another one and requested to close my account! It was done in 30 seconds. I've 'lost' my Β£22.50 to spend. It might even have been more than as I've been 'paying back' points on my account. I won't be using Sainsbury's for my monthly shop any more. I'll stick to Tesco and Lidl and get their loyalty vouchers.</p><p>It's annoying to have lost that amount but I'm sticking to my monthly supermarket budget so far π</p><p>If you have a Nectar card, check your account!</p>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17134857174645360450noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592892447325434256.post-51959046742086022372024-02-14T16:29:00.001+00:002024-02-14T16:35:16.591+00:00Annual Energy Costs<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkEsiqlpN9RYuMichFJi-5VPacbR3uzqJKN5HyG94DaIIvFQhlnoDYEWRDDxgVXwlvjxBYjewCw34jvz778R99eC9XcnEh0K5YijP7s16hjFhdVCe2rXhxg_QLME8OkMxLM0EiQAJA03mH0StcMxyIib-Nak4L5sehz8K_LyXa8_RMUvQXJtUM3uQzgkaZ/s1412/Screenshot%20(231).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1412" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkEsiqlpN9RYuMichFJi-5VPacbR3uzqJKN5HyG94DaIIvFQhlnoDYEWRDDxgVXwlvjxBYjewCw34jvz778R99eC9XcnEh0K5YijP7s16hjFhdVCe2rXhxg_QLME8OkMxLM0EiQAJA03mH0StcMxyIib-Nak4L5sehz8K_LyXa8_RMUvQXJtUM3uQzgkaZ/s320/Screenshot%20(231).png" width="320" /></a></div><p>I received my monthly energy bill this morning. This is for gas and electricity. I don't do direct debit, I use it then I pay for it. So I don't actually know what my average monthly energy costs are. As I'm putting the house on the market, I thought it would be useful to work out an average for the last year to give buyers an idea of what they would pay. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVG85Dkf2auyFqaYTOcON-73IOoSKOXQn7yqevEieyybfo0g9CgC_JuDobQW4ewMbt6TNIWtjlInDTkbTj7l3cmj4Ok6UkjSoxcu5LFTi_DcwtjSREbBHstaJWhYw9UbHXYpyY_GABBtW-K5o118OBt-Z-7FwD-thEWmgM08pSKW8oy4tOGxgJUzEEm_LU/s1419/Screenshot%20(232).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1419" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVG85Dkf2auyFqaYTOcON-73IOoSKOXQn7yqevEieyybfo0g9CgC_JuDobQW4ewMbt6TNIWtjlInDTkbTj7l3cmj4Ok6UkjSoxcu5LFTi_DcwtjSREbBHstaJWhYw9UbHXYpyY_GABBtW-K5o118OBt-Z-7FwD-thEWmgM08pSKW8oy4tOGxgJUzEEm_LU/s320/Screenshot%20(232).png" width="320" /></a></div><p>For context, I live in a 4 bedroom chalet style house with a large single storey extension. The 4th bedroom/family room (in the extension) is a cold room in Winter so you need extra heat in addition to the radiator. My son and DIL use an electric fan heater.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdH6VpkhagNubdPqB8D2WAGg75slkMdqIpZjKBxXT6OxTSV-ptLwo8bBEaSdHbkK3p1bb8iGGPFkPVCSrtiLUzsqiKZQ0f7-zBpP-MydZMAQbOirFB-UboQgy5NA1Rg3N-Bt7EzDngtDAnf33hODITQMsdqJfci7TVsWcbkh__KjDjwtfIS5wdG9Zs7B4V/s1414/Screenshot%20(233).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1414" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdH6VpkhagNubdPqB8D2WAGg75slkMdqIpZjKBxXT6OxTSV-ptLwo8bBEaSdHbkK3p1bb8iGGPFkPVCSrtiLUzsqiKZQ0f7-zBpP-MydZMAQbOirFB-UboQgy5NA1Rg3N-Bt7EzDngtDAnf33hODITQMsdqJfci7TVsWcbkh__KjDjwtfIS5wdG9Zs7B4V/s320/Screenshot%20(233).png" width="320" /></a></div><p>I have gas central heating and on demand hot water. I don't have a thermostat so the boiler is set to a certain number (between 1 and 6) for the temperature. I generally switch the heating off around April and put it back on in late September or October.</p><p>I added up the last year's bills. Total Β£3615.87!! I divided it by 12 to get a monthly average. The average is Β£301.32 a month for combined gas and electricity. At the moment my son and DIL pay half of each bill as most of the house is currently in use. And the heating is on from 7am until 8pm. They have health issues and are at home all day. If it was just me I'd have the radiators switched off in the unused rooms.</p><p>Is Β£300 a month more or less than you pay? I'm trying to get a gauge on costs for when I move. Obviously it should be less if I'm living in a smaller house as that's the whole point in downsizing!</p><p></p>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17134857174645360450noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592892447325434256.post-37395807294667387932024-02-12T18:14:00.002+00:002024-02-12T18:14:25.249+00:00Haggis sausage rolls<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHOQIdk0NRvKOeU-zEY8pABI8pRAdMgvvfmth5vHiOMNANEi6OkhuK5wKPi4Ky4EXendqE70F81C2Q9XuRP9uMAjkPz9uE8zzvbwvE4QwZXfs5bHj3Dt1O4k8NFjOyBFz1IYV2Hfk6FlDQzFB7838VbQfrAL9E5aAl6XaGAglXYLDdh1ddvE7VRxn_0m74/s1103/PXL_20240212_174155848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1103" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHOQIdk0NRvKOeU-zEY8pABI8pRAdMgvvfmth5vHiOMNANEi6OkhuK5wKPi4Ky4EXendqE70F81C2Q9XuRP9uMAjkPz9uE8zzvbwvE4QwZXfs5bHj3Dt1O4k8NFjOyBFz1IYV2Hfk6FlDQzFB7838VbQfrAL9E5aAl6XaGAglXYLDdh1ddvE7VRxn_0m74/s320/PXL_20240212_174155848.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>They won't win any prizes for their looks but oh my goodness they're delicious!! π Pastry made from scratch (56p worth of flour and 66p worth of home made butter) and filled with the free haggis I got from the community shop. I used half a beaten egg (11p worth) to brush the tops and popped them in the oven. Excluding electricity costs each one costs just under 17p each.</p><p>A bit less than the artisan ones I saw at the Farmers Market on Saturday! </p>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17134857174645360450noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592892447325434256.post-27317895350401222372024-02-11T16:04:00.000+00:002024-02-11T16:04:15.306+00:00Butter<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7CCErPMTfUBaRmXumUJTDwGYhJ_680Q092x2bHBKkllG0tV6EgYZeB5W12UhDj3SSXHhvxWB4tu040BMwSOKiecSq9Ha2yZ1KQ8IQYJrXe8nG1fe2NBBx-OhYWhODqfFIZoB-ZqOR6eiW2hzqNtGBan4YGY78s0_yHwo8yllSLnxvJLvIgaisRCwzTfsQ/s1103/PXL_20240210_155750568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1103" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7CCErPMTfUBaRmXumUJTDwGYhJ_680Q092x2bHBKkllG0tV6EgYZeB5W12UhDj3SSXHhvxWB4tu040BMwSOKiecSq9Ha2yZ1KQ8IQYJrXe8nG1fe2NBBx-OhYWhODqfFIZoB-ZqOR6eiW2hzqNtGBan4YGY78s0_yHwo8yllSLnxvJLvIgaisRCwzTfsQ/s320/PXL_20240210_155750568.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>This is how I make butter. I've got it down to a fine art and can make a batch within 10 mins. It's probably not the 'correct' way so if the butter police are reading, I've not poisoned anyone yet!! I use my old mixer to whip the cream. I've had it for about 17 years. I really wanted a Kitchen Aid one back in the day but couldn't justify the cost so got this Kenwood Patissiere instead. It's a great work horse in the kitchen!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL58Sw6E9PHWylP3Vu5cJH-jj84gHbfVGwbn9qNxANpmoCzYcl497X4QdoenCE0SekvcvbYOe2_Nqu1J_QnKj4EhxG2Bh8iQKTIocriTgRztysZZKEacaRSfZ0Xv5PEajavglT_XXFMjU-u50WZ5NN_rrIMoImJ2llvYFwq2tTaXcewxWc6u0ucWz4_3qo/s827/PXL_20240210_162020869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="620" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL58Sw6E9PHWylP3Vu5cJH-jj84gHbfVGwbn9qNxANpmoCzYcl497X4QdoenCE0SekvcvbYOe2_Nqu1J_QnKj4EhxG2Bh8iQKTIocriTgRztysZZKEacaRSfZ0Xv5PEajavglT_XXFMjU-u50WZ5NN_rrIMoImJ2llvYFwq2tTaXcewxWc6u0ucWz4_3qo/s320/PXL_20240210_162020869.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>It takes about 9 mins of high speed whisking to get to this stage where the butter and buttermilk separate. I do use the splashguard but even then if you're not quick enough to switch it off, it splashes all over the place!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFZW_bHiv_rAuP72uTEipYgXHJ9l7hb1mGCwT0gD1MNtUJwv_O3QOcsoG9jIXENXDDH8Z5Xw8fENxnijEkhxrHMK5OB3FxHUrGzux5S1QadpXn1AaSnqtZlHFWBj0rNtF6L4yuAzPvi8FE4KzReaZjpgS481iacoxVdnIZ4E2JeLtCuykwLseCrbVpwZj/s1103/PXL_20240210_162243640.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1103" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFZW_bHiv_rAuP72uTEipYgXHJ9l7hb1mGCwT0gD1MNtUJwv_O3QOcsoG9jIXENXDDH8Z5Xw8fENxnijEkhxrHMK5OB3FxHUrGzux5S1QadpXn1AaSnqtZlHFWBj0rNtF6L4yuAzPvi8FE4KzReaZjpgS481iacoxVdnIZ4E2JeLtCuykwLseCrbVpwZj/s320/PXL_20240210_162243640.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I strain the butter and buttermilk through some muslin over a sieve. Then I gather the corners and squeeze all the buttermilk out. You're supposed to now rinse the butter in cold water to get rid of the last traces of buttermilk so the butter doesn't spoil and keeps longer. I never do this! π±π I just pat it dry and shape it into a block. I never salt it, preferring to leave it plain. Sometimes I freeze some of it if I know I'll not use much in the coming week.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbps-OQh9t5cc-J0UNAkrhVRhIgWBCyNuX-Fj-PvQYY3ajxL0ebskue3bGcI3rzZT70sN02srgcTBJJR8yv-ImNXTLTkZBDxkhibnLc3Yirb39JW_Zkyk_sVNfA9W7yt6WjAOaODXbFIFvPkRGuTjjMp8nQ0G6u8jUUbQsBjV2kbTvexxF_tCPpbPR7Jy/s1103/PXL_20240210_165017370.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1103" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWbps-OQh9t5cc-J0UNAkrhVRhIgWBCyNuX-Fj-PvQYY3ajxL0ebskue3bGcI3rzZT70sN02srgcTBJJR8yv-ImNXTLTkZBDxkhibnLc3Yirb39JW_Zkyk_sVNfA9W7yt6WjAOaODXbFIFvPkRGuTjjMp8nQ0G6u8jUUbQsBjV2kbTvexxF_tCPpbPR7Jy/s320/PXL_20240210_165017370.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>My mixer copes with a 600ml carton so I did 3 separate batches yesterday. 1.8 litres of cream (3 x 600ml) made just under 900g of butter. I portioned the butter into 100g blocks and the buttermilk into 175ml portions as that's how much my scone recipe needs.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4hlMncpHCp8mgOSmzczD4HLvdQJ6ZQoEAhhFuArRq-8yfVlJ2NgS0U8OIEEnOzAhKr3QAT7SYUlaeVd4KfX6nzVMs5Qt0lQ62iKqnnwVqntQ6MO_Vgj20qYQVShlh6XlvUIREbntiha-mWRK0Zzsrw5R1wuU0rgSz4J-SLJb3-KLMikX8VRa9ExqnRbf/s1019/PXL_20240210_170303041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1019" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU4hlMncpHCp8mgOSmzczD4HLvdQJ6ZQoEAhhFuArRq-8yfVlJ2NgS0U8OIEEnOzAhKr3QAT7SYUlaeVd4KfX6nzVMs5Qt0lQ62iKqnnwVqntQ6MO_Vgj20qYQVShlh6XlvUIREbntiha-mWRK0Zzsrw5R1wuU0rgSz4J-SLJb3-KLMikX8VRa9ExqnRbf/s320/PXL_20240210_170303041.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I froze 8 of the blocks of butter along with the tubs of buttermilk and the tubs of minced beef mixture. I also had some chicken stock to freeze as I'd poached some chicken breast in the Crockpot. I keep saying I need to run down my freezer to clean it out but I can't help filling it up when I get a bargain or two, or free!! π</p>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17134857174645360450noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592892447325434256.post-85620928082386356742024-02-10T15:21:00.002+00:002024-02-10T15:30:14.778+00:00Free food haul<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEictDa_Mzl2dUURbHus1o1zytnr-EtxeE4c_SYk5RFISiI2vRtZlvATsUAzgl9O6fEKIWedz0xpOMO9a2jXSFrwaejQfHz0WtOSj7G2fBe0P4bcxx3ZKpbM5ceDr5W57Jn7oXHOoaNJnNqjo5voAXcePQLtrsXrjsUFJNqySuU21m67qcMjAPokIMazztv8/s1103/PXL_20240210_114158745.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1103" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEictDa_Mzl2dUURbHus1o1zytnr-EtxeE4c_SYk5RFISiI2vRtZlvATsUAzgl9O6fEKIWedz0xpOMO9a2jXSFrwaejQfHz0WtOSj7G2fBe0P4bcxx3ZKpbM5ceDr5W57Jn7oXHOoaNJnNqjo5voAXcePQLtrsXrjsUFJNqySuU21m67qcMjAPokIMazztv8/s320/PXL_20240210_114158745.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>I got my M&S vouchers this week for the last quarter. I get vouchers for using their credit card which I use to buy everything from food to petrol and pay it off each month. It was a surprising Β£11! I guess Christmas presents and a few vet bills added to my spending total. So it was very welcome. I went to M&S this morning with an open mind and was thrilled to find reduced double cream (600ml size) and minced beef (750g.) I also got some brown sugar (500g) as I have none left and treated myself to a bag of sweets. Total cost of above was exactly Β£12. <b> BUT</b> I had counted it up as Β£11.17. I just assumed I'd miscounted until I got home and checked my receipt. I can hear Sarah shouting at me through the screen!!! One of the pots of cream had scanned at full price as the yellow sticker doesn't quite cover the original barcode. So I was overcharged by 83p. When will I learn?? But hey, all of the above only cost me Β£1.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfnhbm-4cA1jmVhKFEbrj-PjnMDBJ9XSoXwAwQRVk0vWN3q1kHr3nruDwl3knBuE_aRJPG65UpYmRNCpv1p2VSfqEnyb2ZoPAvovIEUy247nNeSpycxGuDyEAi-wlkOrpxFEvostqG2s2DmAYoi10nr9yARLC8CXgMRb1S9BVSyzRa7Tco3ax4GJF3oLk_/s827/PXL_20240210_114103709.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="806" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfnhbm-4cA1jmVhKFEbrj-PjnMDBJ9XSoXwAwQRVk0vWN3q1kHr3nruDwl3knBuE_aRJPG65UpYmRNCpv1p2VSfqEnyb2ZoPAvovIEUy247nNeSpycxGuDyEAi-wlkOrpxFEvostqG2s2DmAYoi10nr9yARLC8CXgMRb1S9BVSyzRa7Tco3ax4GJF3oLk_/s320/PXL_20240210_114103709.jpg" width="312" /></a></div><p>On the way back to the car I popped into the community food place and got some chicory, 4 tangerines, a lemon, 2 peaches, a doughnut and a haggis. My DIL took a tangerine and a peach. Everything was free. The lady was very apologetic saying they didn't have very much today but I got a treat, some fresh fruit and a haggis that will make a few meals. It's currently defrosting in the fridge.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwhEAMjletSK7Mc0k_SJB9UFoRu4Jf8dAai1VC1A9Zzs_8xhU_0sU7pJ9daDS9lovAy0APGqy30-lxYxbUSpKUWkMyder510_L5sSawPLummojBzopytBklgiPH32zj-_iipoZJ1kuW1shX_01HmYZAVMpXbx7qBHmUMVrspyQJJExCsfHsSEjEiDvndL/s827/PXL_20240210_114335614.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="620" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwhEAMjletSK7Mc0k_SJB9UFoRu4Jf8dAai1VC1A9Zzs_8xhU_0sU7pJ9daDS9lovAy0APGqy30-lxYxbUSpKUWkMyder510_L5sSawPLummojBzopytBklgiPH32zj-_iipoZJ1kuW1shX_01HmYZAVMpXbx7qBHmUMVrspyQJJExCsfHsSEjEiDvndL/s320/PXL_20240210_114335614.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">It was a very chocolatey doughnut!!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhonC0l0x9ZPKHXTDE34UaD1i3SX2nUf6-64UFbjIHp1ACx5bD_wL_HJsW64-2a2LGVX42Dt9KrDPcyAplKDOFTXN8kTwzrYEJG3bENSzevo5HN82lEtnvET754aQ_rxPc6bksPdud8WTAriavmTLzj1kN6tLZk_KYH53e1bYDmJHSCUyOmL2TVNMJpphI9/s1103/PXL_20240210_141845471.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1103" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhonC0l0x9ZPKHXTDE34UaD1i3SX2nUf6-64UFbjIHp1ACx5bD_wL_HJsW64-2a2LGVX42Dt9KrDPcyAplKDOFTXN8kTwzrYEJG3bENSzevo5HN82lEtnvET754aQ_rxPc6bksPdud8WTAriavmTLzj1kN6tLZk_KYH53e1bYDmJHSCUyOmL2TVNMJpphI9/s320/PXL_20240210_141845471.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I've cooked the minced beef with my usual onion/carrots/red lentils mixture to stretch it. I reckon I can get at least 8 generous portions to pop in the freezer. I've left it unflavoured so I can use it in various different meals. I'll make a ton of butter from the cream later and freeze it too.</p><p>The weather is still cold and damp here. Luckily no ice or snow yet which is unusual given other parts of the country do have some. But I'm still inclined to stay indoors and be a hermit any way! π</p>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17134857174645360450noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592892447325434256.post-62352251788159012872024-02-07T16:35:00.002+00:002024-02-07T16:35:52.121+00:00On being a hermit<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQEw47bWwQBIRivH07ia5zHYGblNPcjVckXenpr-NPrLuCt5q75_tcFV-9MklY3OLIMaQzs7ZTUipMfG5AkCgE688eWmR7b_T5iUczTz3AX9D5fbRMRCM04WbcryZbNsvwIlUNXxUTa9iFh5VZKSavpmQ-kb3Z0dCo4lbC-p5U8y715vmCbbttMbGKAOm1/s1103/PXL_20240207_104639169.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1103" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQEw47bWwQBIRivH07ia5zHYGblNPcjVckXenpr-NPrLuCt5q75_tcFV-9MklY3OLIMaQzs7ZTUipMfG5AkCgE688eWmR7b_T5iUczTz3AX9D5fbRMRCM04WbcryZbNsvwIlUNXxUTa9iFh5VZKSavpmQ-kb3Z0dCo4lbC-p5U8y715vmCbbttMbGKAOm1/s320/PXL_20240207_104639169.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I've found myself in a weekly routine of making butter and starting a sourdough loaf one day. Then baking the bread and a batch of scones (using up the buttermilk) the next day. Each keeps me going until the following week. The bread is sliced and added to the freezer with the freshly made scones. Sometimes I freeze some of the butter too.<p></p><p>And that's about as exciting as my life gets at the moment (plus sock knitting in front of the woodburner!) But you know what? I rather like it that way. The weather here is continually wet and cold so doing inside tasks is as much as my mojo wants to do! The dogs still get walked daily but I'm happy to be a hermit the rest of the time. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFEhLWRQO2Jl86NvPTb-g6iNj7TxJNA3guAxXRpg9EaTgZcZifTSE0g2Tmzdhgbf2vBCXrgZ3AZd61DAK05vuauXMUBjNmIae2wvCifh5k_6Z6aRam0DiUsBVw03PIImaChMrLRBLhZa2Cx9lLv7jL5LZt8l2t0TcfHPpgR41YMzCPVHoyZ6DrvhrrsKO/s420/75b2d5fbc11d30d15bc8de7a7089e69a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="294" data-original-width="420" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVFEhLWRQO2Jl86NvPTb-g6iNj7TxJNA3guAxXRpg9EaTgZcZifTSE0g2Tmzdhgbf2vBCXrgZ3AZd61DAK05vuauXMUBjNmIae2wvCifh5k_6Z6aRam0DiUsBVw03PIImaChMrLRBLhZa2Cx9lLv7jL5LZt8l2t0TcfHPpgR41YMzCPVHoyZ6DrvhrrsKO/s320/75b2d5fbc11d30d15bc8de7a7089e69a.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">A few of my dear friends are feeling exactly the same way!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjf1WstYRoEB7SDiBfYv9HIrXggfc2tSV2184Pd3Q38SoLcDLgRm8xPcI-rIeLhlGAevz2YV09v_SqzAzalfif2WIb3dfsKA2r-brcAwyK-iBqFmhTfmGPT4U604O8hMboDFxMguxXeAKc1gzN9WHDlz4Bupb8KyoWC3Q6pcSIEqb2D2mcnJ3o1ZMcnLHc/s827/PXL_20240206_162730781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="620" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjf1WstYRoEB7SDiBfYv9HIrXggfc2tSV2184Pd3Q38SoLcDLgRm8xPcI-rIeLhlGAevz2YV09v_SqzAzalfif2WIb3dfsKA2r-brcAwyK-iBqFmhTfmGPT4U604O8hMboDFxMguxXeAKc1gzN9WHDlz4Bupb8KyoWC3Q6pcSIEqb2D2mcnJ3o1ZMcnLHc/s320/PXL_20240206_162730781.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">Although in a fit of 'I must get started on getting the house ready to sell' I replied to a local bike charity's appeal for an IKEA Kallex unit. I'm donating the above unit that holds all my craft supplies. A whole load of junk and DIY stuff has just been dumped on it too. I won't have room for it in a smaller house so it seemed a good chance to get rid of it now. I'll have a bit more space to work in and finally get that room wallpapered!! It gets collected on Monday so I need to get some sorting out done asap!</p><p style="text-align: left;">The housing market is starting to pick up so I'm keeping an eye on what's available. My ideal would be a 2 bed cottage with a decent sized garden in the middle of nowhere but that would just encourage me to become a permanent hermit!! I don't think I'm anti social but I do crave the peace and quiet I never seem to get just now. </p>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17134857174645360450noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592892447325434256.post-40194998271190887722024-02-04T14:02:00.002+00:002024-02-04T14:02:40.252+00:00Beef!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrHCaM_llL7Tzdk0JtwfJg-nRK73T5D11AClbPXSWCoq2EA00D-bFw8ri-7qsn_ebXey2y1PCTcm53vUzxoEMOKyoVTMNbd2IHRVtzAzzNCZPVA9tkSxdwH3TOKhF51uYLxIfu9QQNqR1p4bIEbKMZPzpnHwmYVvg_H6mdQNC7OESqkVWyAaq-lhOuXh0C/s1103/PXL_20240204_115110442.MP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="1103" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrHCaM_llL7Tzdk0JtwfJg-nRK73T5D11AClbPXSWCoq2EA00D-bFw8ri-7qsn_ebXey2y1PCTcm53vUzxoEMOKyoVTMNbd2IHRVtzAzzNCZPVA9tkSxdwH3TOKhF51uYLxIfu9QQNqR1p4bIEbKMZPzpnHwmYVvg_H6mdQNC7OESqkVWyAaq-lhOuXh0C/s320/PXL_20240204_115110442.MP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Well, despite costing me a small fortune the beef was actually delicious! π My son and I each had 2 large slices in gravy with roast potatoes and veg for dinner last night. I then let the joint rest for an hour and sliced it up. I'm rubbish at carving joints (mainly cos I do it so rarely!) so each slice was a generous 'chunky' one π I layered them in a dish and covered it all in the gravy.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkQo5nRN_2rY1UTZ1O4XEtFS-Vb0V-KhqsyIR-mzjSC4BuW9ioBhosNgOFjW3lWRwIPmeDcug4zoVw3PYNX7Y3JM3af5SieStffi6TYkJFPaJVBOpP0hhCXC7NugqbKH4Q5LaKYwuaHb4BLDDHQhQoh63u_s-M-WyFaqDnilApQ91G2JUVghBMzVrhfBV/s827/PXL_20240204_120312329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="827" data-original-width="620" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkQo5nRN_2rY1UTZ1O4XEtFS-Vb0V-KhqsyIR-mzjSC4BuW9ioBhosNgOFjW3lWRwIPmeDcug4zoVw3PYNX7Y3JM3af5SieStffi6TYkJFPaJVBOpP0hhCXC7NugqbKH4Q5LaKYwuaHb4BLDDHQhQoh63u_s-M-WyFaqDnilApQ91G2JUVghBMzVrhfBV/s320/PXL_20240204_120312329.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>I portioned it up this morning for freezing. The tubs have a large and a smaller slice (these are for my son) and I wrapped single large slices in individual freezer bags with a few spoonfuls of gravy, In total the joint gave enough beef for 5 tubs, 7 freezer bags plus the 2 dinners last night. So 14 meals in total makes it Β£1.53 a serving, still way more than I like to spend on meat. I could have been meaner in my portion sizes and got more servings. But I decided some of these would be 'treat' meals for my son so I didn't skimp.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVC09hIARz_n0a__C4YzkHclSe9zVWKHH2EfQ0jARM1fzOddeYZM6DnAtiG3nFmyMEx_OBy87FavVvUnqYSqOh4P4Dt5LBcrXfgpN39ePfK4a4AONQGF7csEvXoNIsPb2z4UPBuTx382lCXuKvgSIrM2vEAHeQDri2-ntKAFnKElkMGomyx7ylh0WlDAOw/s1600/s-l1600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVC09hIARz_n0a__C4YzkHclSe9zVWKHH2EfQ0jARM1fzOddeYZM6DnAtiG3nFmyMEx_OBy87FavVvUnqYSqOh4P4Dt5LBcrXfgpN39ePfK4a4AONQGF7csEvXoNIsPb2z4UPBuTx382lCXuKvgSIrM2vEAHeQDri2-ntKAFnKElkMGomyx7ylh0WlDAOw/s320/s-l1600.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I remember years ago in the 70s when I was a child, my parents had a meat slicer (similar to the above) that carved meat into really thin slices. As I was 'carving' my chunky slices last night I was thinking 'I bet my mum and dad could have got triple the amount of slices I've got!' π</p>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17134857174645360450noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4592892447325434256.post-75704623775157758812024-02-03T16:19:00.002+00:002024-02-03T16:19:58.827+00:00It caught me out this time!!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE3VoWqBuptQ6ZROrk_nGXa_9Whc3s3ke4U5xWS7bTAxL3XyuUPW6fGuZBw6e8NMA7FBCs2ETxJCRl1BdkfW4JLBvBnd5BV0jbg67RhVF109I6HpqLKJbSRgty4yKmQaXDeMmjIEDyfEH7exLGBjuspqKKKwEWNJ59BY9NbUQeoMLiahwvVGEnjiaFcbqS/s1539/Screenshot%20(230).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="823" data-original-width="1539" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE3VoWqBuptQ6ZROrk_nGXa_9Whc3s3ke4U5xWS7bTAxL3XyuUPW6fGuZBw6e8NMA7FBCs2ETxJCRl1BdkfW4JLBvBnd5BV0jbg67RhVF109I6HpqLKJbSRgty4yKmQaXDeMmjIEDyfEH7exLGBjuspqKKKwEWNJ59BY9NbUQeoMLiahwvVGEnjiaFcbqS/s320/Screenshot%20(230).png" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Eurgh!!! I got caught out by the price per kg in Tesco this morning. I'm so annoyed with myself. I was in a bit of rush so when I was looking at the joints of beef I just saw the Β£11 part of the price tag. It was actually in rather large bold numbers and there was signage suggesting beef was on special offer. I put one in my basket, rushed round to pick the rest of my items and rushed through the checkout.</p><p>When I got home, I got the Crockpot out and put the joint straight in so it would be ready for tonight's meal. I'd promised my son I'd cook him some beef. I didn't even look at the packaging before it went straight into the wheelie bin!</p><p>It was only when I looked at my receipt I realised I'd paid Β£21.38!!!!!!! πππ</p><p>It had better be the best tasting beef I've ever had!!!</p>Alihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17134857174645360450noreply@blogger.com12