Hello!!!

Greetings blogland!!! I want to use this blog to record and share my voyage through these difficult times. There will be much about money saving, food, bargains, make-do-and-mend, re-imagining, etc. My journey really began in 2007 when I left work as normal one evening and didn't return apart from to clear my desk and a few meetings to sort out my future. Suddenly, what had been a niggling health issue had become a serious health issue, enough to prevent me from pursuing my career.

We were lucky enough to be cushioned by a generous sickness package, for which we are eternally grateful, savings, a good credit rating and a DH in work. But soon, reality hit home and hit hard, unfortunately coinciding with the credit crunch, oh joy.

There were sleepless nights, times when I spoke a little too sharply, endless reams of calculations, potential business ideas, etc, etc. Our salvation came from the often maligned Internet in the form of many sites offering support and guidance to people like ourselves. The best part was no longer feeling alone or a failure and the amazing discovery that making the most of your resources could actually be fun! Who knew? In fact, I wish I had been this savvy when I was in work, we could have made so much more of our income but, hey ho,we have to live with things the way they are not as we'd like them to be.

I hope you'll join me when you can and add your thoughts to the mix. I've learnt so much but I'm always hungry for more. I'll try to credit everyone with the original idea rather than taking it for my own and provide links and references as appropriate.

So, why am I sat at the computer on a beautiful day like today? Unfortunately I have been struck by 'fat foot' as it's known in our house. yesterday was terrible, spent all day under the duvet shivering and sweating alternately, dreading having to find a doctor on the day before a bank holiday. Fortunately it passed and I am now typing with my foot elevated trying to get the swelling to come down. Which gives me time and the excuse to blog.

Today's thrifty recipe is going to come from the River Cottage Everyday cook book by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Lentil and Squash pasties. It was my Christmas present from my in-laws 2009 and is much thumbed. I have already made the pastry (yes, I know that wasn't resting but I did most of it sitting down and  quickly) and it is chilling in the fridge for later. I am defrosting some pumpkin from last years crop as the squash element. I made them for the first time last week and they came out really well. Voted a winner in our house. As Friday is chip night, it should be a cheap and easy meal. Also defrosting are 3kg's of pork shoulder and some ribs. These will be cooked tomorrow and we'll have the ribs for tea with stir fried veg and noodles and eke out the rest of the meat over the next few days. I'm thinking sliced pork with mash, carrots, Yorkshire puddings, stuffing and gravy on Sunday, sweet and sour with stir fried veg and noodles on Monday and Jamaican Jerk pork with rice and black peas on Tuesday. There will probably be enough for sandwiches too. One day of mad cooking and four days easy meals, result! This idea came from the book of the BBC series, Economy Gastronomy by Allegra McEvedy and Paul Merrett which I picked up from a car boot on Mother's Day. I always tell the kids not to waste money on a card so they said it could be my card replacement, infinitely more useful! Although cooking the pork altogether makes sense on so many levels, we really didn't enjoy the pork lasagna which is one of the 'tumbledown' recipes from it though I know people who love it. That's why this time I'm going to make dishes I know my family like.

Anyhoo, just had the call to collect DD. It was Year 11 prom last night and she stayed over at a friends. Much shrieking and giggling and not alot of sleep I expect.

Until next time x