I've slipped into bad habits since Colin died. My food shopping has gone haywire, cooking proper evening meals has turned into shoving a nut burger, fish fingers or chicken joints in the oven, Pringles seem to have crept into my midday 'salad and something lunch' and as for self sufficiency - Ha!
It was after I went shopping on Monday morning and looked at what I'd bought that I realised that too many things that were once treats have sneaked into every-week shopping.
Anyway that was the beginning of the week and I shall use the things I've bought but maybe they won't go on the next shopping list. There was a £1.84 voucher to print off on the Asda price guarantee thingy, BUT a day later I got an email telling me they're not doing the price guarantee after 3rd October - so no more vouchers - bother.
The speaker didn't turn up at big WI, she was supposed to be talking about Nordic Walking (as several members are elderly and not very mobile this seemed an odd choice anyway) but with no speaker the meeting turned into a discussion about what we should do to celebrate the 100th birthday of our WI in 2019. (Turned out the speaker's elderly father had been rushed into hospital which had rather scuppered her plans). There were cakes and coffee of course and then I slid off early - after paying my money for next months 99th Birthday meal........I'm not sure if all WIs celebrate the anniversary of the month they started but big WI certainly does....... with a meal at the local pub every year.
Coincidence ................first I visit churches and mention the destruction of stained glass and other items of idolatry that were destroyed when this country went back and forwards between Protestant and Catholic religion from Henry VIII's time. Then I read the latest light fiction book by Trisha Ashley, which is all about making stained glass now and in the past and then the very next book I read is another fiction book by Alys Clare which is historical crime and all about a mystery and murders because of stained glass and the destruction of same during the C15 and C16. Maybe I should now read a non-fiction book about the history of stained glass just to round things off nicely.
I hope to get back to sleeping in my own bedroom on Sunday. The carpet was done on Tuesday and the guys moved the wardrobe in that was standing on the landing. That wardrobe is covering one rough wall rather well. Son will be coming to help with the other wardrobe and bed . No one will ever know there was a great big ugly shower cubicle in the corner................until they get a shock at the rough walls when I move out!
Have a good weekend folks. I have plans that will turn into a couple of blog posts
Back Monday.
Sue
A little of what you fancy does you good...too much though and you're likely to go off what it was you fancied! So a few pringles at lunchtime...well...hardly a crime...or is it?! I have taken my blogging 'name' from a house in a Trisha Ashley book...time to read some more maybe. x
ReplyDeleteA tube of pringles lasts me a week of lunches so not too bad.
DeleteI was doing my weekly shop in Asda yesterday, and chatting to one of our regular check out ladies, she told me the price guarantee thing was going to stop. It is a shame. However, the last few times I've done it I've not had a single voucher. Asda like to mess around with prices each week, they get on my chimes. Not just a penny or two, but 20 or 30 p and they think we won't notice! Got a corking bargain yesterday. As I walked past a shelf and turned a corner I stopped in my tracks thinking 'did I just see 5p on the shelf edge?' went back, and indeed I did see 5p, their own brand dry shampoo. So I got on, handy for Violet some days in between hair wash. I never get such ridiculous bargains so that was good.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your weekend. x
Before we moved back here there was a Morrisons in Stow, just as we got here it shut - shame - would have had more choice
DeleteWe never hear of good habits creeping in, do we?! It must be hard to think about proper cooking just for you, when you've been so used to cooking for more than you. It'll be nice to sleep in your (revamped) own room again. Have a lovely weekend Sue x
ReplyDeleteI need better habits!
DeleteIt's odd how we have to work on developing good habits but the bad ones just creep in almost unobserved. Why can't it be the other way round? :-)
ReplyDeleteI am sure you will develop your own way of being realistically self-sufficient but give it time. It'll come.
xx
I wish good habits like eating less would creep in quickly!
DeleteYou could also visit the very fine cathedral in Ely, within which is a stained glass museum if you were so inclined.
ReplyDeleteI would need to be a braver driver to get to Ely
DeleteI've just taken the Trisha Ashley book out from the library. It's not my usual style of book but I'm looking forward to reading it. xx
ReplyDeleteIt has a predictable happy ending but the stained glass stuff is interesting
DeleteStained glass is one of my favourite kind of art forms. I ike the modern kind too, which tends to be paler with less lead in the pattern. It’s not surprising that you have fallen into easier eating habits, Sue, but I’m sure now that you have realised this, you will counteract it with healthier options. I’m very guilty of adding a few crisps/ extra oatcake to my lunch and the cooler weather has me doing this again. Must make soup to help me fill up at lunchtime.
ReplyDeleteI had so much soup a couple of years ago that I went right off it!
DeleteAfter my stroke Sue I have had to learn how to cook again especial has I had on only got electric oven when I moved fortunately I can use the microwave. My daughter has just brought me a small slow cooker which I have used yet. It will be nice to get your own bedroom back. Have a nice weekend, hopefully if the rain keeps of my son will be coming on the bike.
ReplyDeleteLove Hazel c uk
Hope your son got to visit
DeleteI live my own and have done so for too long now; I totally agree that it is hard to make the effort when you're shopping/cooking for only one. My best purchase in the last year has been a slow-cooker. I make a full pot of something at the beginning of the week (stews, chicken, chilli, bolognese etc) and it will last me 3 meals eaten with different sides of veg/rice/pasta (to avoid feeling too repetitive); then freeze what is left. I still eat snacks but find this works for me.
ReplyDeleteHello Gillian, I was wondering if you had any tips on how to use a slow cooker. Thank you, Hazel c uk
DeleteI'm going to batch cook some pasta bakes
DeleteWe have a near glorious week here in South Norfolk with only a light rain one evening. When living alone we adjust to a new life and new habits and have to accept that things we do will change and may not be as before but can be quite pleasant in their own way and not wrong.
ReplyDeleteI need to get used to staying at home more
DeletePringles are my downfall, and for some reason when they are on offer (much rarer these days) for just £1 a tube I can almost hear them calling out to me as I pass them in the supermarket. Cheese and Onion Pringles are the worst, obviously I shouldn't eat them being very intolerant to anything with milk products in but I have been known to demolish a tube over a couple of nights.
ReplyDeleteLike you I can live on simple foods every day when I'm on my own, it's easy and quick but after a few days it does start to become unsatisfying, so I'm going to have a go at batch cooking and put some ready made 'proper' meals into the freezer to try and improve my diet a bit.
When I blogged more about food I was much better at what I ate ... things have slid recently :-(
They have to be on offer for me to buy - £1.25 last time. A tube lasts a week so not too bad
DeleteYou have much more self control than me then :-)
DeleteI've been known to have Pringle butties with a huge handful of loose Pringles on the side.
"Cooking" for just yourself is a challenge. I'm at my best when I make something that I know I can get another serving or two out of as leftovers. Otherwise it is hard to get up the gumption to cook a single serving.
ReplyDeleteMy cooking seems to be "shove it in the oven" at the moment but at least I've not resorted to ready meals!
DeletePlease cut your self some slack! You have had a good few years of change, upset and great sadness. Moving house and all the rest, my dear lady, you will sort yourself out and have an alternate kind of living. If in the meantime you let one or two things slide, so be it. Love Andie xxx
ReplyDeleteThank you I guess things are not too bad but could be better
DeleteBeen quite good here weather wise except few light showers today and colder. I think your change of eating habits is quite normal considering what you have been through. Give yourself time and you will find a happy balance.
ReplyDeleteThank you - I need to get a bit more organised
DeleteI read the Tricia Ashley book the other week - perfectly pleasant 'disposable literature' - far better than some, as the stained glass bits made for an interesting change than 'The little bakery at....' 'the teashop at....' 'the café called....' which seems to be the theme of a lot of similar books!
ReplyDeleteTake it easy on yourself - we are often our own worst critics! x
I don't mind the occasional lighter fiction but couldn't read them often - too twee
DeleteSue, I've not looked in for a while as I've had computer problems but I hope they are sorted (just a few left to sort) but while reading your post I think you are being a little hard on yourself. It's early days yet since your dear Col died and if a few treats have crept into your shopping, do not fret about this, in time you will get back on track. Moving back into your own bedroom will be lovely for you.
ReplyDeleteMargaret P
Hope you get your computer completely sorted. The trouble with my treats is that they are all fattening!
DeleteSue they wouldn't be treats if they weren't fattening, ha ha! I suffer from the same prob. Husband and I eat the same food but he's slender and I'm a pudding. It's not fair, is it?
DeleteMargaret P
There is a stained glass shop on one of the main arteries in our area. Every time we drive by, I go "large hint for Christmas", y'all. My son actually got the hint. So we will see if Christmas brings me a small stained glass hanging. They also teach classes.
ReplyDeleteWhen I shop by myself I don't usually buy goodies, but if I go with the errant spouse, I have to make sure I ask him why he's getting things?
I hope the move back to your bedroom is healing.
I too would love a piece of stained glass to hang in the window to catch the sunlight
DeleteDelia's One Is Fun cookbook is good as It suggests what to do with the other half of a portion.
ReplyDeleteI lost my husband over seven years ago and still bake every week and have never resorted to ready meals. I think it's due to working three days a week (and I'm well over 60!) and having a routine to adhere to. Instead of Pringles why not add a good bar of dark chocolate to your shopping basket instead and have a piece every day with your coffee?
On a daily basis always have something to look forward to - even if it is Pringles!
I just have a few pringles with my salad so not too bad really
DeleteSue - join the club when you talk about meals for one being very lacking in forethought. My standby lunch these days seems to be jacket potato done either in the microwave or if I have a bit more time in my Remoska. Then I eat it with whatever salad happens to be left - often coleslaw or a tomato salad. Hummus and/or cheese are also good standbys. I always eat out twie a week, sometimes three times but at homeI tend to snack also on fruit - this time of the year victoria plums, peaches, nectarines and bananas.
ReplyDelete