Not on the To-Do List and Not Too Cold

I'm still hibernating at home - and loving it - which gives plenty of time for the jobs-to-do list and to do things that hadn't been added to the list including making another batch of cold-cure soup just in case of more colds this winter. The chili pepper was supposed to be a mild one and I didn't take care when chopping it up - which was much regretted later! 

I also remembered I'd bought a bag of mixed nuts to make some spiced nuts as another January treat. Didn't put them in the two hampers this time. So half the bag was roasted  - very delicious - probably a bit too more-ish  and too quickly eaten. I'll leave the other half for later in the month.

The actual To-Do list is shrinking and I finally got around to sorting the grandchildren's toys and craft stuff on the shelves in the small bedroom. Another few things went into the charity shop bag.

The weather forecast of icy cold didn't seem very accurate early in the week as both Sunday and Monday mornings were grey and damp instead, Tuesday there was a touch of frost on the car roof but nowhere else. The water company were working on a leak on Tuesday and while they were doing it lots of water ran down the road past the bungalow which might have caused a sheet of ice for Wednesday morning but luckily Wednesday was also not as cold as the forecast either.

As our weather mostly comes from the west I'm hoping we don't get the nasty stuff that's been happening in parts of the US.

Another book from my shelves has been finished before the library van comes round today bringing me at least 9 books.

Tom Morton has done many jobs in his life but now owns a small bookshop IN Shetland - and you must never say ON Shetland and they are never called the Shetland Isles. Also confusing is Mainland which doesn't mean the mainland of Scotland - just the largest area of Shetland!

There is very little about the  bookshop in the book, it's really just one man's look at his home and favourite place and the quirks of living so far north- a twelve hour boat trip away. It was an interesting and quick read.

Back Tomorrow

Sue

Another Vegetarian Taste Test

 Way before Christmas I went to Lidl to get a vegetarian nut roast thing that they only have in for a short time each year. DiL recommended them a few years ago. But when I saw these similar but individual roasts I thought they would be better as I could always use them later if Christmas plans changed....which they did.

It was only after eating one that I looked at the ingredients - with my glasses on - Oh dear, it also had chick peas and brown lentils as well as hazelnuts. Luckily they were far enough down the ingredients list and didn't upset my stomach but I shall pass the others onto DiL just in case.

The one I ate was OK, nothing special just a soft and squidgy fairly tasteless 'thing' and I can't remember how much they cost but as they won't have them again until November I just have to remember not to buy them then.

And Yippee - now up to 800 on the followers. Hello and welcome and thank you - it had been stuck on 798 for months!

Back Tomorrow

Sue

Small Change

 This is what happens when you use cash rather than card as much as possible and then every now and again empty all the small bits from the purse into a money box and save them for more than a year.

I've been doing this for many years, it started with just 5p pieces, although it was more fun when the bank would change the bags of small coins into notes which I could then go out and spend on a Christmas treat. Now it has to be paid into a bank in case of money laundering. I know it was my money anyway but it always seems like a surprise extra income.

This time there was just over £32 although the £20's worth of 20p pieces was two years worth. It's all in the bank now with the odds and ends back in the money box ready to start all over again.

I've done the accounts for last year and income was more than expenditure - which is the right way round. I don't need to be so frugal but it is a way of life and for me means spending less in some places leaving money to spend in other more enjoyable ways. I'll carry on with frugal notes  and ideas and keeping accounts so that I can afford the bigger expenses ......... this year that will be the moving of the old patio slabs and re-laying them by the oil tank and freezer room door and laying new ones near the house plus a family summer holiday.

Back Tomorrow

Sue