I Bought a Book

Who could resist the title and cover?

Considering most of what I read are free library books, rather a lot was spent last year on second-hand books from amazon and abebooks. I don't feel guilty because there are many things I don't spend money on, but I'd really prefer to spend less on books online. It's not something I have to do but  I've set myself a limit for 2026 to not buy online as soon as I see something I really, really, want but to wait to the end of the month and if I haven't spent silly on coffees out  then I'll look again at what's in the online basket.

And as my only food out in January was one bacon roll and coffee at Greggs  when I went out shopping really early I had no hesitation!

And anyway the new book wasn't as much as the money I got for the box of books sent off to World of Books.

Methinks the lady doth protest too much! 

Haven't had a chance to have a good look at the book yet so can't tell you if I'm regretting the purchase!

I've already put a fascinating book, read about on a blog, into my basket - IF I don't spend on any others or have any takeaways in February I'll look at it again at the end of the month.

Another Batch Make

 More batch meals made last week to pop in the freezer. This time it was Salmon, Pasta and Broccoli Bake. I used two tins of Aldi salmon, value range penne pasta, a head of broccoli plus white sauce made from powdered milk and cornflour. I  made sure to make plenty of white sauce because last time I made it the portions ended up a bit dry when reheated. It was topped with grated cheese and home made dried breadcrumbs.

6 portions made - 1 to eat and 5 in the freezer and now I've no more freezer storage boxes with lids that fit them!. The total cost was around about £4.

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The first piece of news on the BBC News at One yesterday was about that awful Ipswich man who killed five women in 2002. He has at last admitted to kidnapping and killing a young school girl several years earlier. A case that has been unsolved all this time. How cruel that he has waited so long to own up. 

 

February Plans

It can be just as cold and grey in February as it is in January and just as likely to get snow. The last big snowfalls here were at the end of Feb 2018 and then the beginning of February 2021 so we are possibly due for another. 

My February will be spent mainly at home again, keeping warm and there'll be plenty to keep me company on the TV as the Winter Olympics start on Friday and the first of this years 6 nations rugby matches is on Thursday, so lots of good sport coming up.

The mobile library is round this week with more books for me - not many crime this time but several non-fiction for a change. They might be  for reading or just for browsing.

There will be Keep Moving Group, maybe a church visit and not a lot else.

Today is Candlemas which I've written about many times before like HERE in 2024 and  HERE in 2019  

And I've also mentioned February weather folklore many times so just one rhyme today............

 

 If Candlemas day be fair and bright

Then winter will have another flight

If Candlemas day be clouds and rain

Winter is gone and will not come again

Monday meal plan for the week in no particular order...........

Leek and Bacon Pilaff + Chunk of home made focaccia bread 

Mini pizzas ( from freezer -uneaten from Christmas) and salad leaves

Quorn Korma curry (one of the batch made recently) with rice and some party extras (bhajis)

and other things!...............