This has really blown my mind...

....And another thing...I was earning approximately £1675 a month when I was still at work and DH was earning approximately £1200 at around the same time, plus child benefit £116, a combined monthly total of £2991 and we struggled to make ends meet. True, I was putting £260 a month in fuel and paying £111 a month in childcare. But we had consolidated our overdraft and credit card into a new mortgage and my old mare had passed on and I didn't replace her. Our monthly bills were less; mortgage, council tax, water rates, petrol, food, etc. Okay, we'd stopped making our own beer and wine and bought wine/beer at the off licence and ate convenience food after work. We were also trying to finish the house extension off and the kids had swimming and piano lessons but so much money must have been just wasted. Horrifying.

Wow!

I decided, while updating the 'Saved from Landfill' page, to do a running total of how much we had spent and how much we could have spent. Some of the prices are a best guess and I know some of the items could have been bought in the sales, etc. But the rough total shocked me, honestly. I know we have spent £44 pounds between 15/05 and 30/05 and that made me feel uneasy as that is almost a weeks groceries BUT we could have spent.....£1126.47 a saving of £1082.47!!!! In percentage terms, that's 96%!!! But what comes to mind is, why, why, why didn't we do this when times were good? Answers on a postcard please....

Good blogging

I know the secret of a good blog is to regularly update but honestly, I've been sooooooo busy and the kids have first call on the PC and laptop for homework and revision. With this in mind, I've been trying to resurrect an old laptop, only to realise that it doesn't have a socket for a patch cable and only one USB port so it makes it difficult to run the Internet wirelessly because I use that socket for the optical mouse. We shall overcome... I've spent hours trying to get Windows 98 to run properly but the screen comes up very small. My best guess, not being an expert, is that it is running this way to conserve memory and processing power. I've tried to download a small Linux OS but, again, because I'm working at the limit of my knowledge and expertise, I have been unable to load it and suspect I may have imported a virus. Argggh!

However, I have been living frugally and I will share the triumphs and tragedies over the coming posts. My biggest 'itching to share' moment is our trip to the Car Boot and the updated 'Saved from Landfill' page. I'm really enjoying this because even if the sums are small or the items low value, we've still saved stuff from landfill, saved us money, made our lives just a little more comfortable for very little money and it's become a social event as a family.

I'll get back later, promise x

Busy, busy, busy...

Yesterday, DH and I went on a road trip. DH is very fond of motorbikes, particularly old, unwanted and unusual models and relishes a challenge. When he was offered an abandoned/recovered Honda CG125 for a modest sum, he couldn't resist.

This isn't it, ours is very dark purple and tatty

He first checked that it was mostly complete and got it going. The engine runs perfectly, has very low mileage  and someone has obviously cared for the rest of the bike in the past. Because it was abandoned/recovered, it had no paperwork. So the decision was made to get the documentation and get it on the road, particularly as it can achieve 100 mpg. which would save approximately £24 a week in fuel for DH to get to work, more than paying for it's upkeep. We applied to DVLA but there was an anomaly in their records so they insisted on it being presented for inspection at our local inspection office 40 miles away. Having come this far we decided to take it. We had a lovely ride out in the sunshine, the inspection was very straightforward and a picnic on the way back. We now have to wait for the paperwork to come from DVLA but the inspector didn't seem to think there would be any problems. DH will have to be patient for just a short while longer but I think we are all looking forward to seeing this little beauty back on the road.
 
I had prepared a stew the night before and we set that bubbling away around lunchtime while we started planting the bottom greenhouse with tomatoes. We had to take a break so I could make a podiatrists appointment, so DH took me then returned the bike trailer to his friend, collecting me afterwards. My foot is healing steadily. I just have to carry on with the dressings and conservative management of my feet and legs and go back in two weeks. We continued planting for the rest of the day around dinner and homework and are feeling like we are making progress.

I have to go soon for an appointment with the Neurology Department. I haven't seen them in some while but I know that they are very short staffed and appointments are like gold dust so I shall not miss this one. I imagine it is to monitor the progress of my condition which I'm sad to say seems to be affecting my hands now.

Anyway, must make the best of every day so will catch up later, x

Monday morning....

Just catching up, Had a very busy few days. We were at the in-laws for dinner on Friday, up early Saturday, DH went to work and DD, DS and I did a hit and run on Tp Shop as DD wants a nice dress for her last day at school.

Sadly, despite visiting two Tp Shops, we couldn't get the dress she had set her heart on, even after visiting Nxt, we came away empty handed. I admit to getting a little fraught at this point because DH needed the car to fetch some muck for the garden and I had to be back for 11.30. After deciding to buy it online, we quickly picked up some bacon for a treat and headed home for some bacon butties. DH collected the muck and set the bottom greenhouse out.

I was just about to sort out my salad tomatoes ready for planting when SIL and BIL arrived. Tea, cake and chatting took us to tea time when they decided they had better head to my in-laws, We joined them to deliver our joint present together, a TV, which was well received. The TV was set up and we stayed for dinner and played Trivial Pursuits which SIL and BIL gave to DD and DS along with Scattagories. We got to take the old telly away and installed it in our bedroom. As the big family meal wasn't until 1.00 on Sunday we decided to get up early and go to the car boot. I'm really glad we did because at virtually the first stall we came to, we found an Anthony Worrall-Thompson Breville Food Processor for £12. Result!

I have managed to damage my Moulinex beyond repair by trying to make breadcrumbs with frozen bread and now, although the motor runs, it hasn't got much torque and can't, for example, make pastry. It's a great shame because, although it had worked hard for it's living, I had always taken care of it. All of the parts are there including all the accessories and manual. I'm hoping to Ebay or Freecycle it as a spares or repair item rather than it go to landfill. I also picked up another pie dish and Pyrex style bowl. I have the top to fit but have broken the bowl, doh! DD got an unworn Nxt hoodie and jacket and DS got an Anmal T-shirt and an Xbox game. DH got a free view box to go with our 'new' telly. Our family meal was nice and we went back to the in-laws for cake and tea. We finally got home at around 6.00, the kids did their homework/revision then rested for the rest of the evening. Today has been a bit bonkers so far. After getting everyone off to school and work I quickly balanced the books then chucked the slow cooker PB & J stew together. I realised I'd forgotten the mushrooms so decided, as I had to go to the bank, I would go to the large Mr T's for the mushrooms. My local Mr T's really annoys me. There are an increasing number of items I can't purchase from there any more, frozen mushrooms being one of them, even though it is a medium sized store. I find it hard to manage the big store in town alone, even with a wheelchair.

Anyway, I'd better go and do something useful now. I have to pick DD and DS up from school to go to the Dentists at 2 and get DD back to school for a compulsory revision session. The PB & J stew is in the slow cooker but I could do with boiling some spuds so they are ready when everyone gets home. I'm desperate for a nap, busy days like this wear me out, but my stomach is rumbling.

Back soon x

Liquid hand soap

I've almost run out of liquid handsoap so I thought I would share the process with you as promised in an earlier post.

It started when I bought 3 bars of soap from Mr T's for 13p (yes, 13p!!!) but I found that it left long, gloopy strings of soap all over the sinks. Team Rose Villa are untidy enough, we don't need soap conspiring against us. So I searched the Internet and found a recipe for liquid soap. Unfortunately, I can't find the original site so apologies to the lady who shared this recipe in advance.

It's really, really simple. You need a grater, a bowl or bucket, a stirring implement, 1 bar of soap, (any kind, in fact if you have nice soap, this will make it go further or you could collect up the odds and ends until you have the same weight as a bar), 2.5 litres of boiling water, olive oil and possibly a hand blender.

Grate the soap into the bowl or bucket...

...and add the water.

You can add the water in batches, stir until the soap dissolves and leave to cool.

At this point it will be very liquid and it doesn't look like it will ever thicken up. However, when it cools, it will appear to be a solid jelly like lump.

You can just make out where the spoon handle has been in the mixture

Just add 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil (and some essential oil if you like) and blitz with the blender. I guess a mixer, food processor or jug blender (paint or plaster mixer DH says!) would work too or some very vigorous stirring. I reused 3 hand wash dispensers and have one in the kitchen, one in the downstairs cloakroom and one in the bathroom. 1 batch lasts for ages which is amazing considering how many times I wash my hands a day! I store the surplus in a 2 litre pop bottle...

...and it does try to solidify again but shake the bottle and it loosens up. Don't worry if it comes out in gloopy strings, it will dispense just fine. You could add food colouring if you really want to impress visitors! Label as you don't want to mix it up with your Laundry Gloop!

Back soon x

The hour before midnight...

Well my DH bought me a bottle of red wine (I had to wash some gifted glasses as we smashed the last of our everyday wine glasses a few days ago) for my birthday as well as the two grape vines he bought me from the car boot a few weeks ago. Poor chap is so tired, he's asleep already, so I'm drinking alone except for my online chums : ). But I'm happy. The books still balance, pizza and foccacia went down well for dinner. I've washed the kids shirts for tomorrow, supervised homework/revision and loaded the dishwasher. I also emptied the compost caddy, watered the greenhouse and fed the fish. My children put a candle on a piece of lemon drizzle cake and sang happy birthday (can you expect any more from teenagers?). Seriously, I love them and they often give me a book of favours (chores, beauty treatments, garden duties, car cleaning, uninterrupted mum time, etc) which I value more than cheap rubbish. I've had some beautiful cards and £25 to invest. I've just watched the episode of Super Scrimpers I missed last night and found it more useful than the previous episodes. I get the feeling the program is evolving as the series is running. So, as birthday 51 draws to a close, I wish you all a good night and a brighter tomorrow.

Until tomorrow x

Breadmakers

Just a quick word about my bread makers.

This is my poor old Panasonic SD 253. It was the best machine on the market when I bought it about 9 years ago. I chose it because it could make gluten free bread and, after chatting to friends and colleagues and reasearch on the Internet, gluten intolerance seemed to be a possible explanation for my digestive troubles. The hospital still haven't provided me with a definitive diagnosis now, but that's another story. I was working full time in a very demanding job and just couldn't find the time to make it by hand. As my health failed, it became more and more useful.

It earned it's initial purchase price over and over again and when the non-stick lining to the pan wore out, I continued to make dough in it. DH kept encouraging me to get a replacement pan but I could have bought several cheap machines for the price so kept putting it off. Then we were at one of the first car boots we had attended in recent times and DH pointed me in the direction of a stall with one for sale. It was a simpler model, SD206, with a dented casing and I had already overheard the price the stall holders wanted for it. DH had a good look over it with a view to just buying it for the pan but I thought it was different to ours. So we walked away. On the way home we agreed to measure ours and having got the dimensions, returned to the car boot where DH talked the stallholder down in price. The pan fitted like a glove and I could still make dough in the simpler model. Then he bought me another one, the manufacturer unknown, adapted the pan to fit the Panasonics and I had two working bread makers. Sadly, the SD 253 died and went to the place were all small appliances go to die, the garage. DH being just brilliant adapted the pan back again so I'm back to two bread makers. I know some people find it hard to get along with one bread maker never mind two but I can honestly say that if all three of mine were running, I would use them. However, if my first bread maker had been the last one we bought (silver and black in the photo) I too would have given up. It's most irritating features are it's inability to hold a program in a power cut (we get alot here) and the lack of dough only programs. It still doesn't make as nice a loaf either but we tolerate that for convenience. I can also honestly say that there is rarely a day when they aren't used, we even take one in the caravan. I know alot of people swear by handmade bread, but if life is throwing you challenges and you have a bread maker, have a go, they really can be a fantastic aid in the kitchen.

Please excuse the mess....

New Page, New Skill!!!

Part of the reason for starting this blog was to share the journey through the current challenging times with you but also to learn to use blogger to work with friends to help them get more out of the service. Today I've learnt how to publish a spreadsheet on a blog page and I'm grinning like an idiot (little things...).

Please check out my new page titled 'Saved From Landfill' where I hope to document all the stuff we reuse/recycle/repurpose.

I'm so excited I'm going to go round the house now noting all the things we can add to the list : )

Happy Birthday to me!

Morning all!

It's my birthday and the sun is shining but no peace for the fiscally challenged/green/ethically minded. Finances are teetering on the brink at the moment but hopefully things will ease over the next few days. The media is aglow with financial doom and gloom, I intend to keep focused on keeping our little ship afloat and hope for calmer waters ahead.

Food wise, I'm making pizza, foccaccia and garlic bread for dinner today, (no cake 'cos tin is full, happy days), we're at the in-laws tomorrow, Chilladas and chips on Saturday, we're out for family anniversary on Sunday, PB & J Chicken Stew with jacket potatoes on Monday and stew on Tuesday.

As the sun is shining, washing has to be a priority. I do love it when I can dry clothes outside. The dishwasher needs feeding as kitchen is buried under pots.

I was so tired after the lack of sleep on Tuesday night, I fell asleep before Super Scrimpers came on so I will watch it on 4OD while unpicking the rest of the table cloth. I had a top tip off one of my fellow quilters yesterday about fraying. She suggested using a paint on fray stop liquid which I've forgotten the name of or bonda web which I've got in stock, result. After my chores I'm going to crack on with it. I really enjoyed my day off yesterday and sorted out my gift project. I bought the material and washed it as soon as I got home. However, one colour ran into the other so I'm in the process of rescuing it. I do hope I don't have to buy some more, grrrr!!!

Until next time x

Quick catch up...

Dinner a success. I also made two loaves (in breadmakers), Lemon Drizzle Traybake, Three Bean Pasta Soup and did two loads of washing. I didn't have a very good nights sleep, tummy trouble, so washed out some wine bottles, unloaded and loaded the dishwasher and stashed some gifted bread flour (thanks MIL). I read some of my favourite websites and got some sleep but wiped today. I'm going quilting for my sanity and to deliver eggs and it's my birthday tomorrow so I want to take some cake.

Until later x

The calm before the storm...

Just taking five before the family get home. Sausage and bean casserole in oven, water on for the potatoes, beans cooked for tomorrow's three bean pasta soup (I'll finish it off after dinner) and I'm thinking about making a lemon drizzle tray bake.

Oh dear, oh dear....

I really shouldn't be let out alone. I went to Mr T's 'for a few essentials' to get us through to the 25th. £52 lighter, I arrive home. In my defence, there were alot of bargains in my trolley and only stuff I would have bought anyway. For example, Shampoo and conditioner not only reduced but 3 for 2, Clgate toothpaste (the only one DH likes) 3 for 2, 4 750g packs of gammon for £12 (solves the sandwich filling problem) and I walked away without things which either weren't available (didn't go for the more expensive option if I really didn't need it immediately) or had gone significantly up in price (wet wipes from 18p to 35p). By pure coincidence (I hadn't been counting) going over £50 was a stroke of luck as I qualified for the 5p off a litre of petrol voucher (Yeay!!!). DH and I are going on an essential road trip on the 24th so we'll fill up the car and use the token. I suppose instead of beating myself up over how much I've spent, I should celebrate how much I've saved then convert it to a percentage like they do on Extreme Couponing. Then I can aim to get the percentages up each trip but I think savings in the 90's are a long way off yet. Still, something to aim for.

Hanging in there...

Well, it's Monday. The meal plan went well but we decided to stretch the gift budget, so the improvisation continues. Tonight I'm planning Jamaican Jerk Pork with the leftover pork from yesterday and the black peas have been soaking since last night. Meal plans for the next 9 days are a work in progress (Gulp!!!). I can do it!!! I have to crack on as the table cloth is not going well, the fabric is fraying so I am going to unpick it and start again. I will have to shop and I need petrol but it will be strictly needs only and using as much store cupboard stuff as possible.

Until next time x

Technology, wonderful when it works...

Hi to all affected by the blogger outage. If my last posts are not restored, I'll try to keep some continuity going by filling in as many of the gaps as I can remember. I failed once again to follow the I.T. mantra, 'back up,back up, back up'! Silly me.

Oh dear...

Just got back from a bill paying trip and have to confess to spending more than intended in Mr T's. Darn those clever marketing types! In my defence, I only bought things I would have bought next shopping trip anyway, except for some 'Cheezly' dairy free cheese substitute. From when DH brought the freshly harvested salad leaves in for sandwiches this morning, I had cheese salad sandwiches on my mind : ). I suppose this is what it's like to be vegetarian but having cravings for a bacon sandwich. I even managed to pick up some reduced bananas which were on my list. Such trips wear me out and I'm desperate for a nap but I must press on or dinner won't be ready when the kids get home. I've got the pizza dough in the breadmaker ATM and the focaccia dough will go straight in afterwards. I have two (yes, really) breadmakers but only one has a pizza dough program which is a pain.

 I made a sultana cake last night which is half gone and am going to try to make a cherry cake today to keep the treat tin full. I also made 3 small quiches for DH's lunches. After 32 years at work, he likes at least a little variety in his daytime menu. I still think we eat better when we have the least money. That's when creativity is a definate asset.

Well, pizza base is rising and the foccaccia is ready to go in the oven. I'm having five as I know I won't get another chance for the next few hours. Stiil got washing to dry and cake and bread to make but I can do that around my other chores later.

Until next time x

Adapt, Improvise, Overcome

The title of this post was pinched from a Clint Eastwood movie (I think it was Heartbreak Ridge?) about a group of no hoper soldiers fighting in Grenada. I think it's quite a good motto to adopt in these straitened times. I don't like War Movies but I do like Mr Eastwood.

Nigel Slater's recipe for Chickpea, Lemongrass, Pumpkin and Coriander required a few things I just didn't have in store and couldn't buy on Tuesday. So, applying the above philosophy, I substituted the following: vegetable oil for groundnut oil, lemon balm for lemongrass, water for vegetable stock, diluted coconut cream for coconut milk, a tsp of mustard powder for mustard seeds, mixed herbs for coriander and long grain rice for basmati. The most experimental of the above was the lemon balm. DH brought the plant home from one of our neighbours some while ago and, although it's fragrance is beautiful and the bees love it, I'd never been confident enough to use it in the kitchen. However, when surfing, I came across a discussion about herbal tea and lemon balm was one of the plants being used. So, while I could have used a lemon or lime or even some dried kaffir lime leaves I had in store, I decided to give it a go. I think the subtle, sweet, lemony flavour was close enough to lemongrass to be a good substitute, and I will use it again until my own are ready. Oh and a quick word about the vegetable/groundnut oil substitution. According to St Delia, groundnut oil is used because it doesn't have a strong flavour so vegetable oil makes a good substitute and very often it is rapeseed oil grown and processed in this country so I can support local farmers and reduce my food miles.

See what you miss when you don't stay alert?

I was idly surfing last night before bed when I came across a reference to a programme on Channel 4 that must have slipped under radar. It's called 'Make Do and Mend' and is exactly the sort of programme I pay my TV licence and Sk subscription for. It's almost at the end of it's series run but I think most episodes are available on 4OD. By an astonishing coincidence, I caught one today as I happened to flick the TV on while I was eating my lunch. Today they were decorating, shortening trousers and cooking a Vindaloo. All fairly straightforward stuff but you never know when you might pick up a gem of a tip.

I iced the cake last night and no surprises, it's half gone already. The last of the Parkin has gone in DH's lunch.

The Cowboy Pork and Beans was a hit. I allowed 50g of pork per person as there would be 50g of beans as well making 100g of protein per person. It's a great dish to make when everyone is arrivng home at different times as it keeps and reheats well. It was served with the new potatoes I bought last week. I was cross with myself because light had got to them and I had to compost about a third. That was a careless mistake (grump).

There was still enough pork left for sandwiches today and I'm pleased to say that the salad leaves are coming on well now. We harvested some for dinner Saturday and sandwiches yesterday and today. It doesn't get fresher than that. DH has also been taking a radish or two to pep up his lunch. I'm trying to perfect the art of successional sowing to keep us in salad all year round but it's a work in progress. I sowed some more french beans, coriander, basil, lemon grass and oregano last night. Another garden goal is to dry enough beans and herbs to last through the winter instead of buying from the supermarket.

We have alot of large bills due out in the next week or two and a family anniversary to buy a present for. So my goal is to last until Monday without any major food spending. I have planned meals until then and with what I bought from Mr M's today and maybe one more ingredient, I think we'll be okay. We will probably need petrol and may go to the car boot on Sunday. It is reported that the price of petrol is to come down which is a great relief but the price of home energy is to rise which is a nightmare. I really don't know where we can cut back energy use any further but we are going to have to try.

For dinner tonight, we are going to have a version of Nigel Slater's Chickpeas with Pumpkin, Lemongrass and Coriander. I say a version because Mr M didn't have any lemongrass so I'm going to have to improvise as my one lemongrass seedling is only 4cm tall. I soaked the chickpeas overnight and they are cooking in the pressure cooker as I write. I would really like to experiment with a haybox. For dishes requiring a long slow cook, they are supposed to be very good. The idea is that you get your food up to temperature, then the insulation in the haybox keeps it cooking. I would love to try it. It's another method that was promoted during WW2 to save fuel and I also remember seeing it in the camp cookery section of my Girl Guide Handbook. There are also sites on the Internet with instructions for a modern version.

As I am hoping to go quilting tomorrow, I am going to make 'Three Bean Pasta Soup' for dinner tomorrow night. I'm hoping to make some nice bread to go with it. I will chill it quickly today, refrigerate, then reheat tomorrow in time for the kids getting home from school. Easy, and it means I can have my 'sanity social day' with a clear conscience.

On Thursday, I'm planning homemade Pizza with Focaccia. I find I can tolerate buffalo mozzerella so can eat with the family. Friday, we are at the in-laws, Saturday Delia Smith's Vegetarian Chilladas, chips and peas, Sunday, I have a pork shoulder in the freezer which will do Sunday dinner and sandwiches Monday. That's the plan. Wish me luck.

Until next time x

Mmmm...chocolate cake...

Just a quick post while the chocolate cake is in the oven.

Very busy weekend, as usual. I didn't cook Tumbledown Pork on Saturday as I forgot to defrost it. However, I've learnt that it's just as important to be flexible as to have a plan! DD and I went shopping as intended and picked up 2.6 kg of Pork shoulder for £2.49 a kg and 1kg organic minced beef for £5. We had pancakes for lunch and I made burgers with the mince and cooked chips and peas with them for Saturday evening.

Sunday, we all went to the car boot. It was relatively quiet because of the weather and my progress was impeded but I still managed to buy a sweet little pie dish for 20p

 and 9 Steelite plates made in England for £2.50.

 They are probably a dated design and are functional rather than decorative but considering that they are only a few months from becoming drainage in the bottom of some planter or other, they will do! We go through crockery at an alarming rate and in the interests of being green, I would rather buy good quality secondhand stuff from a car boot than cause more pollution buying new or see perfectly good items go to landfill. A good hot wash in the dishwasher dispelled any qualms about cleanliness although the lovely couple who were selling them were obviously just having a clear out.

I made burger buns when we got back and we had the remaining burgers for lunch. I whacked the pork in the oven with seasoning, herbs and half a bottle of pear wine and that cooked away happily while I helped DS with his homework and baked bread and a Parkin. I'd never used a breadmaker to make cake before but the Parkin came out really well. I tried it because the oven was occupied by the pork and I had run out of homemade cakes and biscuits. I'll do this again.

(Just had to get the washing in, grrrr, cake out of oven now, v. hungry : ) )

Just needs icing...

I did washing, filled and emptied the dishwasher and even managed a short while pricking out lettuces for DH to plant and sowing nasturtiums and sunflowers, baby steps.

Last night, I put some haricot beans on to soak as we're having Cowboy Beans and Pork for dinner. Well, a version of it anyway. I hope there will be enough cold pork for tonight and sandwiches tomorrow.

I'm cooking the beans in my pressure cooker. During WW2, the country was encouraged to use them to save fuel. I know many people are reluctant to use them, I was like that myself once. My mother loved hers but made such a fuss about it, she made me quite afraid to use one. However, as life has a tendancy to do, I found myself in a situation where I HAD to use one and I overcame my fear. It makes cooking dried beans very economical and there are many useful sites on the Internet with cooking times for different beans and video tutorials. When I find the links again, I'll post them.

Anyhoo, must crack on.

Until next time x.

Extreme Couponing

Just watched this again tonight (9.00 Discovery Real Time, 10.00 Discovery Real Time + 1). Although we don't have the same marketing campaigns in this country and I really don't think I could 'buy' just anything even if it was free or I got paid to take it away, I'm sure I could 'do better' with regards to the coupons I do get and can use. The lessons I want to take away from the episodes I've watched so far are, research the market, get organised and lose the fear!

Playing Catch Up

After my last post I got an emergency appointment with my wonderful podiatrists. I had indeed developed an ulcer on the base of my foot about 10cm across. This was caused by the disintegration of my insoles. Because of the neuropathy, I never felt a thing. Pain is good in this instance, prevents you from damaging yourself too much. A kind visiting orthotist offered to take my insole for a temporary repair while I waited for my new ones to be made and the podiatrist on duty patched me up. I have to go back next week.

Hey ho, back to resting. So why the long pause? Well I've had alot to catch up on and continuing to make a contribution to the household requires more time and effort when I'm also trying to protect my feet from further damage. I did, however, make a quick stop at Mr M's for some new potatoes, (it's okay, I used the wheelchair) and I popped the gammon in the oven for dinner Tuesday evening and sandwiches on Wednesday. DD needed new shoes for school (hers had literally fallen apart at school that day) so they had fast food while we drove to the shops. We did a hit and run with the wheelchair on Nxt and home again via the shoe recycling bin, no time like the present!. DH and I had a good slice of the gammon with new potatoes, peas and (food parcel) grilled pineapple slices. Yum!

On Wednesday, I usually go to my friend's quilting group but I felt so rough. I ummed and ahhed about going deciding at the last minute to go and see how long I lasted. At least I could sit and rest all day and it's a welcome distraction from the cares of everyday life. I also sell my MIL's eggs there too and the ladies rely on my bringing them. I get free eggs for selling them and this helps stretch the pennies that bit further. They are all the rejects but hey, there's actually nothing wrong with them as eggs.

Pay day!!!

DH and the kids had gammon sandwiches for lunch and I had some leftover new potatoes, pineapple and gammon dressed with Hnz salad cream. I had a lovely restful day and was glad I went in the end. For dinner, I did a 'caravan cupboard special'. The first version of this meal was created out of the contents of the caravan cupboard when DH and the kids wanted food fast and didn't want to go shopping first. It's basically pasta, tomato sauce and cold meat. The first version was made with pasta, the home grown tomatoes and cucumber we had harvested before leaving and a tin of spam with dressing, probably mayo. This version was pasta, a hot tomato sauce made with a tin of tomatoes, salt, pepper, herbs, chili flakes, onion powder, garlic powder and paprika, and gammon. I'm sure there's version of it in everyone's repertoire but that's ours.

That evening, I watched Super Scrimpers (8.30 Channel Four, 9.30 Channel Four + 1). Although many of the tips I already use, I still pick up little gems. My favourites were the painted nails and the mayo face mask. What a brilliant idea! It makes sense when you think about it; vitamin E from the eggs, (very good for those of us with time ravaged skin), olive oil (what's not to love about olive oil) for moisture, vinegar for it's astringent properties (no one told me I would have spots AND wrinkles!) and mustard to stimulate tired skin. Oh and the one about using vinegar to restore a paintbrush.

On Thursday, I decided to tackle a project for a friend. She had brought some material as she couldn't find a table cloth that she liked and wanted me to make her one. Okay. So I made a start. I cut it out using all the new skills I've learnt though quilting and made and stitched the binding on. Only because the material is curtain material, I didn't make the binding wide enough, aaarrghh! So I decided to quit and tackle it on Friday. I also made a batch of hand wash but I'll share the details in another post.

The gammon made yet another batch of sandwiches for DH and the kids, although it seems alot of money initially, it goes a long way. I had a portion of the leftover caravan cupboard special. I had forgotten to soak the beans for three bean pasta soup on Wednesday for Thursday, so raided the freezer. I defrosted two portions of homemade three bean pasta soup for the kids and two portions of leftover homemade Tumbledown Pork Lasagna for DH and I for dinner. The kids had theirs as soon as they got home from school but DH and I waited until after we'd voted. I put them in the oven before we left and fried the remaining cold new potatoes in a little veg oil when we got back. Curiously enough, the Tumbledown Pork Lasagna tasted really nice for having been frozen, defrosted and reheated!

On Friday, I fiddled with the tablecloth finally concluding that it will have to be hand stitched but that means more sitting with foot up so good for me. I popped out to do the egg run to the Friday Quilt group then back to stitching. DH and the kids had gammon sandwiches AGAIN (good job they like them : ) ) and I had the remaining caravan cupboard special. We often are invited out on Fridays for dinner to DH's parents so no cooking but plenty of washing-up. A small price to pay. I had a call from the podiatrists to say that my repaired insole was ready for collection. The NHS often gets a bashing, sometimes deserved. those who go above and beyond should be lauded IMHO.

Until next time x

Tumbledown Sweet and Sour Pork with Noodles

 Just a quick post while the bath is running. The tumbledown Sweet and Sour Pork was a great success. The recipe I use is just scribbled on a loose sheet in one of my recipe folders so I can't credit the source of this one, sorry. I put two tablespoons of veg oil in my wok, stir fried one (food parcel) onion and two cloves of (homegrown) garlic until soft then added one large carrot cut into thin sticks, cup of sweetcorn kernels, 1/2 cup of sliced peppers, 1/2 cup of sliced mushrooms, a cup of (homegrown) mangetout, 1/2 a (food parcel) pineapple cut into chunks and around a 2cm piece of peeled and finely sliced ginger. These were stir fried until soft then I added the sweet and sour sauce made with 3tbsp soy sauce, 3tbsp white wine vinegar, 3tbsp of sherry (I didn't have this so substituted pear wine) 1 tbsp light brown sugar, 1 tbsp cornflour and the juice of a small lime. When the sauce was bubbling, I added 12oz/300g of the cold pork, roughly shredded in pieces you'd easily be able the eat. I then reduced the heat, put the lid on and simmered for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, I got the pan ready for the noodles. I cooked them as instructed on the packet, allowing enough time to boil the water and drain the noodles afterwards. My kids hate soggy noodles or pasta. Clean plates and request to cook again.

Sadly, there was only enough pork leftover for sandwiches today, so I have defrosted a large piece of Gammon which was on sale at £3.99 per kilo before Easter. I try to get all my protein for under £5.00 a kilo but still shop with my conscience. This will do dinner tonight and sandwiches probably for the rest of the week. dare we have chips again? Maybe not! New potatoes sound good but that will mean venturing out. I'll give it some thought.

Until next time x

Economy Gastronomy Pork Shoulder - Take Two

First I'd like to share a tip that I picked up from 'Come Dine with Me' on Channel Four. I like to wash my meat before I cook it but my SIL pointed out that there is the real possibility of spraying diluted raw meat juices all round your sink area. Hmmm. Then I saw a contestant on the show who's parents came from Jamaica. Her mother always soaked her meat in either acidulated or salted water. I reasoned that because of the climate of the West Indies, practices would have been developed to ensure food safety, particularly with pork and chicken. So now that's what I do. Just a tablespoon or two of cooking salt in the bottom of the bowl, dissolved in enough water to cover the meat, then leave to soak while you prepare the other ingredients and allow the oven to heat up.

My adaptations of this recipe begin almost at once. I kept the onions (food parcel), garlic (home grown), olive oil (not extra virgin), chili flakes, salt and pepper but used dried mixed herbs as I didn't have any oregano and my rosemary plant is too tiny to harvest. Other than that I followed the recipe to the next step when I substituted home-made pear wine for the tomatoes.

There's nothing wrong with the pear wine, it's perfectly drinkable, it's just we have loads of it. I had to throw away alot of the tomato sauce last time and that is unacceptable. I followed the rest of the recipe to the end, cooling all quickly and storing in the fridge. As planned, we had sticky ribs and stir fried veg and noodles for tea on Saturday. I adapted the recipe for the ribs again by using white wine vinegar 'cos that's all I had, adding two generous dessert spoons of homemade plum jam to get the richness and colour right and using 1/2 tsp of chili powder instead of the chili sauce. The kids don't mind spicy food but are less tolerant of it than either DH or myself and DH adds chili sauce to everything anyway.

Also as planned, yesterday, we had cold pork with mash made with (food parcel) potatoes, carrots and gravy. I made the gravy with the juices poured from the cooking tin. Overnight in the fridge, the fat had floated to the surface and when I carefully scraped it away, the liquid underneath had turned to jelly. I admit that I am still on a massive culinary learning curve and I'm ashamed of my squeamishness, but it really didn't look appetising and the old me would have binned it. I remembered the adverts for stock pots on the telly and steeled myself to at least try to do something with it. So I spooned what looked like an acceptable portion into a saucepan and heated it gently. It returned to liquid. Encouraged by this, I strained it through a fine sieve and returned it to the pan. I added a spoon of cornflour, brought it to the boil and then simmered for about ten minutes. It was lovely and we've all lived to tell the tale! I really must research how to preserve safely the leftover 'jelly'. I allowed 4ozs/100g of meat per person but DD said she didn't want so much next time. Portion control is still a work in progress. Clean plates again and no waste. Result.

Today we are having chip butties for lunch (well we are on holiday : ) ) and sweet and sour pork with stir fried veg and noodles for tea. It will be touch and go whether there will be enough for both sandwiches and dinner tomorrow but it will be clearer after I've cooked later.

Until next time x

Extreme Couponing

Just a quick post. Watched this programme on Discovery Real Time 8.00 p.m. yesterday. Although we don't have the same coupon marketing campaigns in the UK, it has made me resolve to be more efficient and less embarrassed about using them. I told you I still had alot to learn!!! I'll be watching next week too.