First Food Shop of February (NOT a shopping haul - just shopping!)

 I needed eggs (preferably the bargain ones) and remembered that on Wednesdays there's a Country Market  in Eye Town Hall so two birds etc...........

The Country Market is individual makers joining together under the Country Markets Banner. Much smaller and cheaper than Farmers Markets. There used to be one in many towns but now just 4 in the whole of Suffolk. For many years I took produce and cards to Framlingham and before that Stowmarket and Saxmundham (all no longer running). Explanation from internet.............

Country Markets in the UK originated from the Women’s Institute (WI) market scheme, which began in 1919. Originally designed to allow members to sell surplus home-produced goods, these markets evolved into an independent, nationwide network of co-operative social enterprises while retaining their focus on locally made, baked, and grown produce. 

Key Aspects of Country Markets (Formerly WI Markets):

• Origin: Started as a WI initiative, often historically referred to as "W.I. Markets".
• Produce: Markets feature home-baked goods, preserves, eggs, plants, and hand-crafted items.
• Structure: They operate as a social enterprise where local producers sell directly to the public.
• Locations: Held regularly in various towns and villages across the UK.

There were lots of elderly people (older than me!)buying the individual ready prepared meals - what a good idea. I couldn't get close enough to see what they were and ditto the jars of jams etc at the stand on the end of the tables.

While in Eye I 'shopped local' .Leeks from Country Market 60p (apart from Jerusalem (F)artichokes and butternut squash these were the only veg that anyone had brought in for sale). 4 burger baps from Co-op £1.80,  6  eggs from the roadside stall £1 and non food - Antiseptic cream from Chemist £2.49 and two cards (Granddaughter and Daughter in Law) from the Home Start charity shop £1 each.

If you are into sport on TV did you know that the Curling at the Winter Olympics started already -  it was on BBC i player at 6pm last night and several times today also some Ice Hockey. All before the Opening Ceremony on Friday evening. 

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.