So.... 2013 has gone...... It was a hard year for us here at the Green House. DH's contract came to an end back in May and he has not worked since. Initially it was a lovely break and we were able to enjoy the lovely summer weather we had with the children in the holidays. We figured he'd get a job come September... but although he's had many interviews these are sadly not turning into any job offers :( Needless to say, this has not been brilliant for his state of mind at times - but we are surviving, even if it is somewhat stressful at times and tempers between us can get rather frayed!!
He has a couple of possibilities at the moment, but we are acutely aware that, realistically, nothing will happen for the first part of January, meaning that a job offer is unlikely to materialise before late Feb at the earliest. Still, we are all healthy and the children are all faring well at school - I've seen some of the challenges some of my friends have faced health-wise in the last year (and some still continue to face) and I am truly grateful for what we have!
I'm proposing to keep a spending diary in January - I will look at setting it on another page, but I'm blog-technologically challenged! So will post it in the 'regular' posts in the meantime! :)
Today's spending: £7.42 in Tesco - £3 on 12 pints of milk and £4.42 on reduced meats (pork loins and sirloin steaks!)
I'm unsure about when to totally de-Christmas the house - I'm itching to clear some things away and have a good clean, but am aware that the children are keen for the decorations to stay up longer. I've taken down non-family cards at the moment - they're displayed in the playroom, anyway - and chopped a few into tags - not many, I have to say, as a lot of the cards were not what I'd call 'festive', featuring Moshi monsters, Angry Birds, Disney and similar :) All uncut cards will be recycled at a local supermarket. I've also put the cut holly (from the garden) which was festooning the mantelpiece in the garden waste green bin. The Christmas runner has been removed from the dining table, along with the gold chargers and napkins. The table cloth will come off for washing when I've removed the Christmas table confetti and lots of Lego! (I have to wait for DS2 & DS3 to sort which Lego belongs to each of them!) That still leaves family cards, lots of decorations in lounge, dining room, playroom, 6 trees, a few decorations in the children's bedrooms and one in the kitchen to take down. Oh - and the hall! (not to mention the outside lights.... although we need a less blustery day for that!)
We have a glut of parsnips, sprouts and carrots to deal with (all bought for 18p/ 20p bag) so I feel more soups coming on! (today's was lentil and bacon, with yummy garlic-y croutons - was fabulous!)
On that note, I'm off to the kitchen to finish inventory-ing the freezer! Happy New year to one and all - may health and happiness be yours xx
Showing posts with label family life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label family life. Show all posts
Wednesday, 1 January 2014
Saturday, 28 December 2013
Christmas Food & Leftovers
We had chicken this year for our Christmas dinner - we used to have turkey (a Bronze free range one which used to cost a fortune) and none of us really like it that much, so last year and this year we went for chicken instead - after all, what's the point in cooking a dinner which no one is actually that keen on?! This year we had a lovely 2.5kg free range, corn fed chicken (bought yellow stickered in a supermarket and put in the freezer) and it was gorgeous!. We also had pan fried sprouts with pancetta, spring greens, carrots, cauliflower cheese, peas, sweetcorn, roast potatoes, roast parsnips, sausagemeat stuffing balls, Yorkshire puddings and pigs in blankets - oh, and bread sauce and red cabbage (the last two made beforehand from Delia's recipes and frozen) Pudding was a few hours later after that lot! - adults had pears poached in red wine and orange juice with mixed spice, served with whipped double cream and the children had ice cream - only I like traditional Christmas pudding - but the pears were a lovely festive dessert, and much lighter than a rich pudding! :)
Onto leftovers - we only ate most of one breast and a leg of the chicken for the day itself. I just put the carcass in a large tub on the day in the fridge and dealt with them the next day - when I stripped the carcass and made stock, fishing out all the tiny crumbs of chicken from the stock afterwards. I took the remaining breast off in one piece, together with the other leg and some other large pieces of meat.
We went to the panto on Boxing Day - it was good fun, especially watching our four year old belly chuckling at a lot of it! We had an easy dinner that night - DH had another Christmas dinner with leftovers (just fresh greens cooked), I had bubble and squeak made with bits of all leftovers, DS had pasta with the crispy bacon from the top of the chicken added to the sauce and the others just had sandwiches/ jacket potatoes.
Most of the veggie leftovers then went into more bubble and squeak yesterday, leaving about one portion's worth to be had as a side with something later. Chicken crumbs from the stock were used in a creamy basil pasta sauce. That means our Christmas leftovers today are that last bit of bubble and squeak, more chicken breast and leg which I'm just about to freeze in the remaining gravy) and two part tubs of ice cream in the freezer. Oh, and two portions of stock for the freezer. I'm pleased with that! We have a lot of uncooked carrots left - but these will be eaten by our guinea pigs and also snacked on raw and a few used in carrot muffins and carrot and lentil soup (which will use up one tub of stock)
We also have LOTS of biscuits and chocolates (there are 6 of us) Ones which people aren't keen on will be used up in fridge cake - a sort of rocky road. I love fridge cake and flapjacks - not to eat, but as 'vehicles' for using up a bit of this, a bit of that, a couple of those and a spoonful of these - it's never the same recipe twice, but it keeps our wastage right down! Most other biscuits and chocs will be consumed as snacks and desserts - and we did get through quite a few at the panto, rather than buying sweet treats there!
We are going to the shops today - some food shopping - Sainsburys sent me £14 off a £60 shop - that's almost 25% - and I have a £2.50 brand match coupon for there, too. I don't need that much fresh food, but I can stock up on some stock cupboard items to make the most of it. I shall aim to spend as close to £60 as I can :) We also need to go into town - a pair of PJs DS3 got have some poor stitching in that the seam goes across the body - rendering them unwearable! DH also had some socks which were too big (from Sainsburys, though - so we can do that at the same time as the food shopping) and DS3 received a jumper which he doesn't like very much - and we were given the gift receipt, so I'd like to swap it for another jumper which he'll actually wear! We don't need much else, but DD has some vouchers which she is itching to spend (Waterstones and WHSmiths) on books and I'd also like to bank some cash.
I received a couple of gifts which I may re-gift later in the year - some chocolates - we could eat them, but I really don't need the calories and there is already so much extra chocolate in the house! I also got a beautiful candle which doesn't match any colourscheme in the house, sadly, so I will probably regift that, too. Small cracker gifts not snaffled by our small children have been put aside for the shoebox appeal and DD has had a sort out of some things in her room and these have been put aside for selling at a nearly new sale later in the year (she'll get the money). DS1 received several new tops, so I will get him to sort out some from his wardrobe in return, as there are a few which are too small, really. If they're nice enough I'll save them for DS2, otherwise I'll sell them at cash for clothes. I used to donate it all to charity, but DH has been out of work for 7 months now and my priority is my house at this moment in time. I still donate some items, just not as much. :( However, I 'donate' hours of my time each week to volunteering, so I still do my bit!
It's currently only myself, DD and DS3 awake, so I think I need to change this, seeing as it's gone 9.30am and we have things to do! :)
Onto leftovers - we only ate most of one breast and a leg of the chicken for the day itself. I just put the carcass in a large tub on the day in the fridge and dealt with them the next day - when I stripped the carcass and made stock, fishing out all the tiny crumbs of chicken from the stock afterwards. I took the remaining breast off in one piece, together with the other leg and some other large pieces of meat.
We went to the panto on Boxing Day - it was good fun, especially watching our four year old belly chuckling at a lot of it! We had an easy dinner that night - DH had another Christmas dinner with leftovers (just fresh greens cooked), I had bubble and squeak made with bits of all leftovers, DS had pasta with the crispy bacon from the top of the chicken added to the sauce and the others just had sandwiches/ jacket potatoes.
Most of the veggie leftovers then went into more bubble and squeak yesterday, leaving about one portion's worth to be had as a side with something later. Chicken crumbs from the stock were used in a creamy basil pasta sauce. That means our Christmas leftovers today are that last bit of bubble and squeak, more chicken breast and leg which I'm just about to freeze in the remaining gravy) and two part tubs of ice cream in the freezer. Oh, and two portions of stock for the freezer. I'm pleased with that! We have a lot of uncooked carrots left - but these will be eaten by our guinea pigs and also snacked on raw and a few used in carrot muffins and carrot and lentil soup (which will use up one tub of stock)
We also have LOTS of biscuits and chocolates (there are 6 of us) Ones which people aren't keen on will be used up in fridge cake - a sort of rocky road. I love fridge cake and flapjacks - not to eat, but as 'vehicles' for using up a bit of this, a bit of that, a couple of those and a spoonful of these - it's never the same recipe twice, but it keeps our wastage right down! Most other biscuits and chocs will be consumed as snacks and desserts - and we did get through quite a few at the panto, rather than buying sweet treats there!
We are going to the shops today - some food shopping - Sainsburys sent me £14 off a £60 shop - that's almost 25% - and I have a £2.50 brand match coupon for there, too. I don't need that much fresh food, but I can stock up on some stock cupboard items to make the most of it. I shall aim to spend as close to £60 as I can :) We also need to go into town - a pair of PJs DS3 got have some poor stitching in that the seam goes across the body - rendering them unwearable! DH also had some socks which were too big (from Sainsburys, though - so we can do that at the same time as the food shopping) and DS3 received a jumper which he doesn't like very much - and we were given the gift receipt, so I'd like to swap it for another jumper which he'll actually wear! We don't need much else, but DD has some vouchers which she is itching to spend (Waterstones and WHSmiths) on books and I'd also like to bank some cash.
I received a couple of gifts which I may re-gift later in the year - some chocolates - we could eat them, but I really don't need the calories and there is already so much extra chocolate in the house! I also got a beautiful candle which doesn't match any colourscheme in the house, sadly, so I will probably regift that, too. Small cracker gifts not snaffled by our small children have been put aside for the shoebox appeal and DD has had a sort out of some things in her room and these have been put aside for selling at a nearly new sale later in the year (she'll get the money). DS1 received several new tops, so I will get him to sort out some from his wardrobe in return, as there are a few which are too small, really. If they're nice enough I'll save them for DS2, otherwise I'll sell them at cash for clothes. I used to donate it all to charity, but DH has been out of work for 7 months now and my priority is my house at this moment in time. I still donate some items, just not as much. :( However, I 'donate' hours of my time each week to volunteering, so I still do my bit!
It's currently only myself, DD and DS3 awake, so I think I need to change this, seeing as it's gone 9.30am and we have things to do! :)
Monday, 6 June 2011
Monday Musings
Ooh - another few days since my last post.
Thursday 2nd June we awoke to what promised to be a beautiful day, so I decided to take the children to Slimbridge WWT for the Downy Ducklings event. A quick trip to the local supermarket for bread and a flurry of packed lunch making ensued and we set off.
Slimbridge is great - it's only about 20- 30 minutes from us (at the most) and we have family membership, meaning that, as long as we visit at least 4 times per year we get our money's worth. We went to the first play area (after buying a bag of seed for £1 to feed the ducks, geese and swans and booking a place on a Downy Ducklings Tour) - Welly Boot Land. Aimed generally at the smaller children, it has running water (shallow) in it and soft cushioned play surfaces, slides, a climbing frame and things to do in the water. DS3 (2) loved it and made myself, DD (13) or DS1 (11) walk around and around with him. DS1 also took him on the roundabout - which he thought was absolutely fantastic. DS2 (5) had a good time playing, climbing etc too. We had our lunch in the play area and also some ice creams - it was a super hot day and we caught the sun, even with factor30 suncream on (DS3 had a sunsuit on too, and they all had hats and sunglasses on) After almost 3 hours in the play area we had a walk around and fed some of the birds, before heading back to the main building where we grabbed some refreshing cool drinks (having drank all of ours) and a chocolate muffin each (left over from lunch) before having a tour of the duckery.
The Downy Ducklings event runs during the May school half term every day and also for a few weekends after that week. You have a talk about nesting, egg collection etc and get to see them 'candle' fertilised eggs at different stages. If you're really lucky you can hear a chick attempting to break out of the egg. You also get to see newly hatched ducklings and goslings and also slightly older ones.
We have done the tour for several years now. It's not as 'good' as it was a few years ago - bio health & safety rules mean you see less and can touch less - but the newly hatched ducklings are so sweet!
We came home after our tour, tired but having had a good day out.
Friday was a bit of a catch upday with housework. I had intended to do some gardening, but spent the day doing chores in the main except for a couple of hours in the afternoon tidying up in the back garden
Saturday - DD was meeting friends in Cheltenham for shopping and I had a couple of things to do, so we took her and went for a wander around ourselves. I returned some things to M&S and we bought DS1 several pairs of sports trousers, a new wet coat and some waterproof trousers. DS2 also found himself a tshirt in the sale that he really liked, and Mr G had a new polo shirt bought him. DS1 also bought himself a second hand Nintendo DS game and some Pokemon cards with his birthday money.
When we came home we spent some more time in the back garden - it's looking so much better!
Sunday - a day of making sure the children had done all their homework, school uniforms were ready and similar things. It rained incessantly from 4am until late evening, so no more work was done in the garden and the poor guinea pigs stayed in their hutch in the garage. It was also Mr G's best friend's birthday, so we spent a couple of hours with him.
This morning is, if not warm, at least dry! I have two loads of washing on the line and another in the machine almost finished to go out. I'm hopeful it will dry! I've also made a quadruple batch of the cornflake flapjacks. 2/3rds areasper the recipe (sort of, I'm a 'throw-it-in' sort of cook, so there's less sugar, more syrup (to finsh the jar), and more oats) The final 1/3 have chopped nuts (needed using up) and chopped glace cherries in. The oven is just beeping to say they are cooked - yummy!
Thursday 2nd June we awoke to what promised to be a beautiful day, so I decided to take the children to Slimbridge WWT for the Downy Ducklings event. A quick trip to the local supermarket for bread and a flurry of packed lunch making ensued and we set off.
Slimbridge is great - it's only about 20- 30 minutes from us (at the most) and we have family membership, meaning that, as long as we visit at least 4 times per year we get our money's worth. We went to the first play area (after buying a bag of seed for £1 to feed the ducks, geese and swans and booking a place on a Downy Ducklings Tour) - Welly Boot Land. Aimed generally at the smaller children, it has running water (shallow) in it and soft cushioned play surfaces, slides, a climbing frame and things to do in the water. DS3 (2) loved it and made myself, DD (13) or DS1 (11) walk around and around with him. DS1 also took him on the roundabout - which he thought was absolutely fantastic. DS2 (5) had a good time playing, climbing etc too. We had our lunch in the play area and also some ice creams - it was a super hot day and we caught the sun, even with factor30 suncream on (DS3 had a sunsuit on too, and they all had hats and sunglasses on) After almost 3 hours in the play area we had a walk around and fed some of the birds, before heading back to the main building where we grabbed some refreshing cool drinks (having drank all of ours) and a chocolate muffin each (left over from lunch) before having a tour of the duckery.
The Downy Ducklings event runs during the May school half term every day and also for a few weekends after that week. You have a talk about nesting, egg collection etc and get to see them 'candle' fertilised eggs at different stages. If you're really lucky you can hear a chick attempting to break out of the egg. You also get to see newly hatched ducklings and goslings and also slightly older ones.
We have done the tour for several years now. It's not as 'good' as it was a few years ago - bio health & safety rules mean you see less and can touch less - but the newly hatched ducklings are so sweet!
We came home after our tour, tired but having had a good day out.
Friday was a bit of a catch upday with housework. I had intended to do some gardening, but spent the day doing chores in the main except for a couple of hours in the afternoon tidying up in the back garden
Saturday - DD was meeting friends in Cheltenham for shopping and I had a couple of things to do, so we took her and went for a wander around ourselves. I returned some things to M&S and we bought DS1 several pairs of sports trousers, a new wet coat and some waterproof trousers. DS2 also found himself a tshirt in the sale that he really liked, and Mr G had a new polo shirt bought him. DS1 also bought himself a second hand Nintendo DS game and some Pokemon cards with his birthday money.
When we came home we spent some more time in the back garden - it's looking so much better!
Sunday - a day of making sure the children had done all their homework, school uniforms were ready and similar things. It rained incessantly from 4am until late evening, so no more work was done in the garden and the poor guinea pigs stayed in their hutch in the garage. It was also Mr G's best friend's birthday, so we spent a couple of hours with him.
This morning is, if not warm, at least dry! I have two loads of washing on the line and another in the machine almost finished to go out. I'm hopeful it will dry! I've also made a quadruple batch of the cornflake flapjacks. 2/3rds areasper the recipe (sort of, I'm a 'throw-it-in' sort of cook, so there's less sugar, more syrup (to finsh the jar), and more oats) The final 1/3 have chopped nuts (needed using up) and chopped glace cherries in. The oven is just beeping to say they are cooked - yummy!
Tuesday, 31 May 2011
Tuesday Thoughts...
Ah - bliss! The sun is out today, and everything seems so much more 'do-able' as a result! The first load of washing is out (a second load is in the machine) and I have finally planted the runner beans in the garden! I am so far behind on the gardening this year - April was a write off after my dad dying and sorting out his flat and all the sheer exhaustion from dealing with it. I am going to pot on some tomatoes and peppers in a moment, after making a cup of tea to take out with me, earth up potatoes, plant courgettes in the garden and see what else I need to do (may as well get it done whilst the weather is here and I have the inclination)
It's half term here this week, so I have all 4 children at home. Mr G is working, so we have no majorly exciting plans, much the their disgust! I have pointed out that there is nothing to stop them contacting their friends to see if they want to go out/ come round etc, but that's not good enough!
It's half term here this week, so I have all 4 children at home. Mr G is working, so we have no majorly exciting plans, much the their disgust! I have pointed out that there is nothing to stop them contacting their friends to see if they want to go out/ come round etc, but that's not good enough!
Monday, 16 May 2011
Wow - time flies by!
Well, I haven't posted in over a week - have been really busy, so I'll try and do a quick catch up now.
Thursday 5th May - DS1 & DS2 home from school as their school is used as a polling station (grrr!) We have postal votes and they went back mid April, so that was ok. Spent the day trying to get things done and made harduphester's banana loaf - I've lost the link but shall try and find it and post it another time. I had made it just for us to use up frozen over ripe bananas (my freezer is over full) but then remembered that DS1 needed to take a cake to Scout camp with him, so assigned it to that instead!
Friday 6th - my dad's funeral. Gorgeously sunny day. My dad died in March, but due to several factors we were unable to have the funeral until now. Beautiful service, which we held topsy-turvily - we did the committal at the crematorium first and then went to the church for a remeberance/ celebration of life. Although the service was held by a Baptist minister (my uncle) it wasn't religious in the main - one hymn and just a couple of readings - as my dad wasn't exactly a religious man. Was lovely and very, very moving. My dad wasn't an easy man - full of his own demons, which made life around him difficult. However, without him I would not be here (and therefore neither would my children)
There was a small wake at the church afterwards, which was nice and an opportunity to talk to people. Someone played a guitar and danced, which was also nice to see. After we left the church hall, myself, my husband, my sister & her partner all retired to the nearest pub for a swift drink and then went to a cafe to catch up with the rest of the family, where we stayed all afternoon in the sun. We only left when we had to go in order to take DS1 to scout camp (none of our children attended the service - they didn't relly know him - as I said, he was full of his own demons and it made life hard :( )
Saturday 6th - Mr G & I went out for a lovely meal with my sister & her partner. She's younger than me and we don't have the same mum. I've always known about her, but our lives were such that we've never had real contact until now. We made facebook contact a few years ago, but both of us were too nervous to take it further - we had no time for nerves to kick in after we were thrown together after our dad's death! We seem to get on well, though - which is fantastic!
We got in at just before midnight - to the news that DS1 was ill and being brought home from camp :( Thankfully he'd only been vomiting - something he sometimes does with a combination of too much food/ running around and sun, so he was fine again in the morning.
Last week DS1 had his Y6 SATs at school. Thankfully he seems to be fairly chilled out about them.
I made these: http://onelifeand3kids.blogspot.com/2011/05/bero-cornflake-flapjacks.html - flapjacks with cornflakes in from another blog - very yummy!!
DD had fixed braces fitted to her teeth on Wednesday. She previously had some removeables. Her teeth aren't quite bad enough for NHS braces - but are bad enough that braces are recommended (?? - go figure!), so the treatment has cost us £1700! EEK! She is in a bit of pain, but has been very stoical and has eaten lots of soup and ice cream!
Thursday 5th May - DS1 & DS2 home from school as their school is used as a polling station (grrr!) We have postal votes and they went back mid April, so that was ok. Spent the day trying to get things done and made harduphester's banana loaf - I've lost the link but shall try and find it and post it another time. I had made it just for us to use up frozen over ripe bananas (my freezer is over full) but then remembered that DS1 needed to take a cake to Scout camp with him, so assigned it to that instead!
Friday 6th - my dad's funeral. Gorgeously sunny day. My dad died in March, but due to several factors we were unable to have the funeral until now. Beautiful service, which we held topsy-turvily - we did the committal at the crematorium first and then went to the church for a remeberance/ celebration of life. Although the service was held by a Baptist minister (my uncle) it wasn't religious in the main - one hymn and just a couple of readings - as my dad wasn't exactly a religious man. Was lovely and very, very moving. My dad wasn't an easy man - full of his own demons, which made life around him difficult. However, without him I would not be here (and therefore neither would my children)
There was a small wake at the church afterwards, which was nice and an opportunity to talk to people. Someone played a guitar and danced, which was also nice to see. After we left the church hall, myself, my husband, my sister & her partner all retired to the nearest pub for a swift drink and then went to a cafe to catch up with the rest of the family, where we stayed all afternoon in the sun. We only left when we had to go in order to take DS1 to scout camp (none of our children attended the service - they didn't relly know him - as I said, he was full of his own demons and it made life hard :( )
Saturday 6th - Mr G & I went out for a lovely meal with my sister & her partner. She's younger than me and we don't have the same mum. I've always known about her, but our lives were such that we've never had real contact until now. We made facebook contact a few years ago, but both of us were too nervous to take it further - we had no time for nerves to kick in after we were thrown together after our dad's death! We seem to get on well, though - which is fantastic!
We got in at just before midnight - to the news that DS1 was ill and being brought home from camp :( Thankfully he'd only been vomiting - something he sometimes does with a combination of too much food/ running around and sun, so he was fine again in the morning.
Last week DS1 had his Y6 SATs at school. Thankfully he seems to be fairly chilled out about them.
I made these: http://onelifeand3kids.blogspot.com/2011/05/bero-cornflake-flapjacks.html - flapjacks with cornflakes in from another blog - very yummy!!
DD had fixed braces fitted to her teeth on Wednesday. She previously had some removeables. Her teeth aren't quite bad enough for NHS braces - but are bad enough that braces are recommended (?? - go figure!), so the treatment has cost us £1700! EEK! She is in a bit of pain, but has been very stoical and has eaten lots of soup and ice cream!
Wednesday, 4 May 2011
Busy Doing Nothing!
At least, that's what it must be! I haven't posted for several days and I don't think I/ we've done much - but neither have we been sat around - so we've been busy doing nothing! :)
Today I'm busy doing things - or, at least, I plan to be! So far I've done 1 load of washing & hung it out, made 3 packed lunches, put the dishwasher on and gone to Aldi on the way back from the school run. Their jars of pasta sauce are on offer at 18p instead of 34p, so I bought 12. I don't like it, but DS1 and DS3 do and it's a quick option if we're eating different things or they need something quick (such as on Scouts night) - I usually throw some chopped bacon bits, meatballs, chopped chicken in or a dollop of bolognaise sauce to zip it up. I also bought some sweet potatoes (I'll mash these and freeze for cottage pie topping), 2 bags of apples (part of their super 6), chillis, shallots, mushrooms, a cucumber (cheaper than Stresco), a pack of Tortilla wraps, 3 packs of pain au choclate (weekend breakfasts), 12 bottles (small) of still water (I know - not frugal, but we get through a pack every 2-3 months at most, so I don't begrudge it) and 2 packs of hanging basket plants reduced to £1.50 each. These are a little droopy, but nothing that a good soak in water shouldn't be able to fix. Oh, and 2 packs of biscuits! :)
DS3 has just fallen asleep for his nap, so I shall leave the trip out until later and get on with some of the other things now instead.
Today I'm busy doing things - or, at least, I plan to be! So far I've done 1 load of washing & hung it out, made 3 packed lunches, put the dishwasher on and gone to Aldi on the way back from the school run. Their jars of pasta sauce are on offer at 18p instead of 34p, so I bought 12. I don't like it, but DS1 and DS3 do and it's a quick option if we're eating different things or they need something quick (such as on Scouts night) - I usually throw some chopped bacon bits, meatballs, chopped chicken in or a dollop of bolognaise sauce to zip it up. I also bought some sweet potatoes (I'll mash these and freeze for cottage pie topping), 2 bags of apples (part of their super 6), chillis, shallots, mushrooms, a cucumber (cheaper than Stresco), a pack of Tortilla wraps, 3 packs of pain au choclate (weekend breakfasts), 12 bottles (small) of still water (I know - not frugal, but we get through a pack every 2-3 months at most, so I don't begrudge it) and 2 packs of hanging basket plants reduced to £1.50 each. These are a little droopy, but nothing that a good soak in water shouldn't be able to fix. Oh, and 2 packs of biscuits! :)
I still need to go to Tesco for some other things - some cheaper than in Aldi, some not stocked. I have a list and do not plan on deviating from it 
unless there are any good whoopsies (reduced items) - very unlikely in my local store! I shall combine the trip there with going to a funeral directors the other side of town to drop clothes off for my dad - it's his funeral on Friday. I'm taking some funky reddy-pink boots and a stripey waistcoat. He's not being dressed due to the circumstances of his death, so there was little point in a full set being taken. However, these 2 items are very 'him', so they will be placed in the coffin alongside him.
unless there are any good whoopsies (reduced items) - very unlikely in my local store! I shall combine the trip there with going to a funeral directors the other side of town to drop clothes off for my dad - it's his funeral on Friday. I'm taking some funky reddy-pink boots and a stripey waistcoat. He's not being dressed due to the circumstances of his death, so there was little point in a full set being taken. However, these 2 items are very 'him', so they will be placed in the coffin alongside him.Other things I need/ would like to do today include: planting more potatoes, tomatoes and onions before it really is too late!, booking the chunnel crossing for our trip in October, sorting out some items I need to return to various shops (not returning them today though), sweeping the patio, taking out breakdown/ recovery membership, several bits of online banking, some paperwork for Mr G's business and general housework, including some ironing. I also have a committee meeting for WI to go to tonight!
DS3 has just fallen asleep for his nap, so I shall leave the trip out until later and get on with some of the other things now instead.
Saturday, 30 April 2011
Where Did the Week Go???
Goodness! I can't believe I haven't posted since Tuesday! :) Not that much has happened in the Green House in that time.
It's another lovely day here and I'm just about to put more washing on to make the most of this gorgeous drying weather - then I need to check and earth up the potatoes - they are all growing so fast! Mr G is at a tyre dealership getting new front tyres for his car - over £300!! :( Still, they are a necessity, albeit one that I wish was much cheaper. I would have asked him to bring the 2 old ones home and used them to plant yet more potatoes, but I know he wouldn't have approved of that step! :)
Yesterday we went to Legoland in Windsor with the 4 children - paid for with Tesco clubcard vouchers, of course! It took us just over 90 minutes to get there - we were potentially expecting some traffic issues with the main event occuring, but there were none. Legoland have been sneaky and introduced parking charges for all parking areas now (it used to be just priority parking). However, we were aware of that (thanks to BBC's Watchdog) so it didn't take us by surprise.
We had a fabulous time - doing such rides as the Laser Raiders, Fairy Tale Brook, Duplo Train, The Jolly Rocker and lots more. We took a picnic and ate it whilst watching one of the lunchtime shows.Thankfully the weather was kind to us. It was a little chilly when we first arrived, but by the afternoon we had all removed our fleeces and were eating icecreams (let's not think about the cost of those - eek!!) DS1 & DS2 took money to spend (both being Lego fiends) so we hit the shops - it's not cheaper, but you do find some things which I never seem to see in the shops. Anyway, they were both very pleased with their purchases and it was their own money, so all was good.
The park closed at 5pm (well, the rides did) and we were home for about 7.20 - we were all shattered (I even fell asleep in the car on the way back - Mr G was driving) and hit the chip shop for the children - we just picked at the excess chips and made a chip butty each before collapsing on the sofa with a cup of tea and watching the wedding highlights. The boys had to play with their new purchases before finally collapsing themselves. All in all it was a good day!
The boys had a 'street party' on Thursday afternoon at their school - the children had to wear smart party clothes and they had cakes and nibbles. They made crowns and flags - it was a nice end to a (very short) week for them. The teachers all dressed up too - there were some lovely outfits around.
It's another lovely day here and I'm just about to put more washing on to make the most of this gorgeous drying weather - then I need to check and earth up the potatoes - they are all growing so fast! Mr G is at a tyre dealership getting new front tyres for his car - over £300!! :( Still, they are a necessity, albeit one that I wish was much cheaper. I would have asked him to bring the 2 old ones home and used them to plant yet more potatoes, but I know he wouldn't have approved of that step! :)Tuesday, 26 April 2011
Back to Work and School... or Not, as is the Case for Some!
DS1 & DS2 have gone back to school today, but DD has an inset day, meaning she will be at school for just 2 days this week - grr! Mr G has gone for an interview somewhere - he's not sure he wants the job, but all interview practice is good! (He's a self employed management consultant) That heaves me and DS3 - well, we've been to see the accountant this morning. DD entertained DS3 whilst the accountant and I went over the year end accounts - yeay :) Generally all good stuff - thankfully. Self employment pays Mr G relatively well (well, his limited company, anyway) but obviously only if he actually has any contracts - he spent from late Dec last year - mid March this year without a contract, so no money coming into the company during that period :(
I spent part of yesterday evening doing some easy mending - DD's blazer sleeve had started to come away from the back where she carries her rucksack over her shoulder, I had some buttons to sew on things and a loose hem on a pair of trousers. All little and easy jobs, but fiddly. Still, I watched an episode of 'Superscrimpers' on 4OD whilst doing them ;)
Cooler here today - about 11degrees all morning, as opposed to 23-ish that we've been experiencing recently! Brrrr! Still ok for drying the washing, though!
I spent part of yesterday evening doing some easy mending - DD's blazer sleeve had started to come away from the back where she carries her rucksack over her shoulder, I had some buttons to sew on things and a loose hem on a pair of trousers. All little and easy jobs, but fiddly. Still, I watched an episode of 'Superscrimpers' on 4OD whilst doing them ;)
Cooler here today - about 11degrees all morning, as opposed to 23-ish that we've been experiencing recently! Brrrr! Still ok for drying the washing, though!
Monday, 25 April 2011
Easter Monday
Well, I awoke this morning to a stuffy nose and a very scratchy throat :( Mr G sent me back off to bed for a while, but I didn't manage much extra time in there because of all the noise from the children! Never mind - a hot drink, some paracetamol and a hot shower made me feel reasonably human at least.
Another sunny day here, so the washing was line dried again (I love the smell when ironing line dried clothes) and seedlings and potato plants watered - mainly from grey water harvested from washing up. We've not had rain for a few weeks now, so the 2 water butts are running low on supplies, so I will be using washing up water to water plants where possible for the time being.
My mum came for a quick visit this afternoon - she brought along 3 kiddy cups she'd found at her caravan from the eldest two - perfect for DS3 to use, and saves me buying some more. She also brought with her a pile of magazines which DD quickly ran away with. I sent her back with a rhubarb and apple crumble (the rhubarb and apples originally came from her) and a tub of turkey stock from yesterday's roast with 'crumbs' of turkey meat from the carcass in - her dog will love it.
I quickly popped into our local supermarket this afternoon - you'd think they'd been closed for several days instead of just the one with the number of people in there and the amounts being bought! I managed to hit the reduced section just as they were making further reductions and got some steak mince reduced to 18p!, colcannon to 34p, carrot & swede mash to 34p, a ready meal of spaghetti & meatballs for 45p, organic sausages for 35p and a bag of rocket, lambs lettuce & baby spinach for 18p. I wouldn't normally buy things like the ready meal, colcannon and mash but they were bargain prices and fitted in with meals for this week.
Mr G took the 3 boys for a walk along the canal this evening - I was flagging again by this time, so stayed behind with DD and sorted some laundry - such excitement! :)
Another sunny day here, so the washing was line dried again (I love the smell when ironing line dried clothes) and seedlings and potato plants watered - mainly from grey water harvested from washing up. We've not had rain for a few weeks now, so the 2 water butts are running low on supplies, so I will be using washing up water to water plants where possible for the time being.
My mum came for a quick visit this afternoon - she brought along 3 kiddy cups she'd found at her caravan from the eldest two - perfect for DS3 to use, and saves me buying some more. She also brought with her a pile of magazines which DD quickly ran away with. I sent her back with a rhubarb and apple crumble (the rhubarb and apples originally came from her) and a tub of turkey stock from yesterday's roast with 'crumbs' of turkey meat from the carcass in - her dog will love it.
I quickly popped into our local supermarket this afternoon - you'd think they'd been closed for several days instead of just the one with the number of people in there and the amounts being bought! I managed to hit the reduced section just as they were making further reductions and got some steak mince reduced to 18p!, colcannon to 34p, carrot & swede mash to 34p, a ready meal of spaghetti & meatballs for 45p, organic sausages for 35p and a bag of rocket, lambs lettuce & baby spinach for 18p. I wouldn't normally buy things like the ready meal, colcannon and mash but they were bargain prices and fitted in with meals for this week.
Mr G took the 3 boys for a walk along the canal this evening - I was flagging again by this time, so stayed behind with DD and sorted some laundry - such excitement! :)
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