Never look a Gift Horse in the Mouth

 Month 9 - Bite 4

We were out visiting and were offered some plums as they were going to be wasted. What an offer! The answer just had to be yes. So we drove home having picked about 8 pounds of ripe Victoria plums, all from one little tree.

One year we even got to go to the local community orchard apple day and returned with pockets stuffed with lots of different varieties along with some rather nice apple juice that we'd seen being pressed.

Fruit presents like these are always welcome and get preserved (as long as they're not eaten first) for later consumption.

We put our bounty to one side as there was another plan for the following day...

Month 9 - Bite 5

Hedgerow picking today then. The blackberries on one of the coastal lanes are plentiful and just begging to be picked. The lane is very lightly used by traffic, so pollution isn't a huge issue. We went in search of sloes too, but they weren't quite ready so that'll be another afternoon walk later on.

Some of the blackberries got frozen on a large baking sheet to keep them separate, before being packed into tubs for the freezer. I've got plans for the others!

Month 9 - Bite 6

A long hot day of jam making, but oh, won't it be worth it. First those plums, followed by the brambles.

Yes, the sugar had to be bought - I don't use quite as much sugar as the recipe states as the jam is more fruity and less sweet that way while still setting well. The gas for cooking needs to be paid for too, but the cost and taste are both in our favour when compared with shop bought!

Some pots are destined for gift giving (to the owners of the plum tree for example or for hamper presents at Christmas). The rest are sitting waiting in the cupboard.

Month 9 - Bite 7

Before I leave the subject of food for now, I'm setting myself one last task for today. I want to start trying some new recipes with less meat to make the money go further. So tonight, I'm going to have a go at a Moroccan lamb type casserole/bake. Most of it will be vegetables and fruit which I've got in the fridge (although I have bought some sweet potatoes specially) and I'm going to use a couple of small lamb steaks that are left from another meal to see if I can stretch them into a couple of full portions.

From now on this needs to be a regular occurrence with me trying something like this more often. I've got plenty of recipe books gathering dust as I think I've shown before, so they need to start earning their place on the bookshelves!

 

Look at a Book

 

Do you belong to your local library? I know around here we're lucky to have kept our library service with minimal closures, but that others aren't so lucky. To keep the service open and running we all need to our bit in using them and making sure that the footfall is high.

Month 8 - Bite 16

If you can, visit your local library. Take some time to really look around it and see what's available. Round here it's not just books on offer. There's Lego Clubs, Science Afternoons, Art Events, Speakers, Music, Computers for use, Reading Challenges, Book Clubs, Activity Packs, Table Football (yes really!), Storytimes, Bounce and Rhyme..... and more.

There are other services available online - videos, TED talks, ebooks, magazines, audio loans....

And it's all either free or at a charge that just covers materials used.

Make some notes about what's available - I'll admit that this is a little late in the month if you're following it by date, but once you get into the routine you'll be able to plan ahead. 

When I was little, a trip to the library was one of our first holiday trips so that we could register for a challenge, pick up some 'how to' books and find out what was going on for free so that we could put the dates in the diary.

For today, visiting, signing up if you haven't already and borrowing some books - one or two will do - especially activity books to give you some more ideas for the rest of the break.

Month 8 - Bite 17

Gather the information you got yesterday and start planning. 

Are there any activities or talks you want to book in to or just go along to? What's coming up later on once the holidays are over?

Now's the time to start putting these into your diary for later.

Month 8 - Bite 18

Right then, break out those books you've borrowed. Are you using any of them to look up the bugs from your recent safari? What other activities are you thinking of pursuing? Share your ideas together and plan ahead to get anything you need - craft materials, cooking ingredient, you name it then list it.

What other ideas have you got?

Theme for a party...

 So this little collection shows how our family's fevered brains come up with themes to make simple parties with the same ingredients varied and different to each other...

Month 7 - Bite 15

Choose a colour and go for it.. a red party or an orange party for example - it might mean everyone turning up wearing the colour or decorations made to fit the theme or even all the food matching the chosen hue! It can be a bit mind bending, but it's great fun too. Oh and the joys of cooking cakes with food colouring or hunting down juices and drinks in the right colours.

Last year my niece went for a gold party. No, we couldn't push the boat out as far as golden presents, but with sequins, foil curtains and so on it was a special day. 

We do recycle lots of the decorations and table dressings though in an effort not to be wasteful - on which subject you may have noticed in a previous post a huge 60 decorated and used on a party table - well, that's about to reappear this week at my mum's 90th! See what I mean.

'Dressing up' our parties like this may mean lots of effort and brain stretching, but largely keeps some of the costs down as the value is in us all being together (pandemic allowing) and having fun, not splashing the cash necessarily.....

Month 7 - Bite 16

Now here's a practical one that's been used when a big job needs finishing.

A working party is always helpful if something like planting and digging or stripping wallpaper is required. By getting all the hands available on board you can cover a lot of man/woman hours of work and enjoy yourself at the same time. It makes the tasks go quickly and saves on having to get in extra, paid for help. All that's needed is some music, the right tools (especially if the workers can bring them and save on buying new ones) and some refreshments.

On one previous flat move my niece and her husband were simply moving a few streets from one flat to another. They got their friends round to a grand moving party and then furnished everyone with plenty of pizza to enjoy together once the job was done. Much cheaper than a removal firm, even if the sight of them walking the bed and mattress through a shopping street was an unusual comedy routine for the Saturday shoppers!

Month 7 - Bite 17

Then, of course, there are the 'make it' parties. These are great - exploring the brains and interests of those around you who can show how to create something or to pick up a skills - or just gathering a group of you together with a pile of materials and going for it. There's something quite liberating when you try your hand at a craft session with others who are trying it for the first time. Whether it's beading or weaving or, well anything really, just pitching in and having a giggle while you attempt a creative explosion leads to plenty of chat and discussion.

It might be that you all bring along a kit to finish or gather up any odds and ends of crafting leftovers to reduce the cost.

Or that you're all making something with a purpose. When I was in the classroom we did have some craft parties that were to make items for the summer or Christmas fair. Or a group yarn effort can lead to the fun of yarn bombing. At the moment the post box round the corner from here is sporting a fabulous knitted scene.

Or there's always the traditional quilting bee or blanket making session. As long as it's a group of people having fun, and probably a little wine, it's classed as a party for me!

Month 7 - Bite 18

And finally, for now, there's the foodie parties based on a particular country. It doesn't matter which country, as long as everyone enjoys the menu. Of course, it's not just the food, whether it's Italian or Mexican or Chinese or Caribbean or ..... the table and setting have to be right. 

Printing photos or making up collages from travel brochures add to the atmosphere, as well as food mats made from travel pictures and music too, naturally. Speaking a bit of the language relevant to the meal, if only to say 'please' thank you' or 'this tastes great' helps transport you to another place. 

Don't forget the menu describing each dish and decorated appropriately (that's where children are very useful) to add to the feel of the occasion.

There's also the possibility of a slide show cast onto the TV of photos of a visit or a streamed programme/film based in the particular country so that you can all feel immersed in the idea of being somewhere else.

Bearing in mind that you would be buying the ingredients for a meal anyway, this sort of party doesn't need to cost the earth either!

Onto the party ingredients next time.......

Living Locally

 Month 6 - Bite 23

Now my favourite part (well mostly) of any holiday is the food! One of the best bits of advice I wass ever given was to check where and what the locals eat. Whether that's a local cafe or hostaria or .. well you get the idea.

On our recent trip my niece's husband took us into the hills to his father's favourite eating place. The food was plentiful and cooked within sight of our table. It tasted wonderful and the place was full of lunchtime diners looking very satisfied. 

Not only was the meal great, but the prices were too. The children weren't charged for and the whole lot (including wine) came in at 20 Euros a head - oh and that included an extra course that we we're told about, saw delivered to someone else and then, when we'd drooled over it, was presented to us at no extra charge....

Month 6 - Bite 24

Eating and drinking like a local may mean stepping out of your comfort zone and trying new tastes and flavours, but you'll rarely regret it. I know we joke about the times that gravy browning and certain types of chocolate or spread have had to make it in our luggage, but generally sticking to food that is produced, cooked and served close to where you are staying makes sense.

Picking out an option from some too-bright photographic menus of variations on the Great British Breakfast have never been our way - although if that's what you crave.... Once you've been introduced to the favoured dishes in your country of choice you'll soon build up a list of recommendations to pass on to others.

By checking out some of these when we've returned from holidays has meant that our repertoire of home cooked food has grown and quite often it makes good financial sense. Cacio e pepe makes it on our menus virtually every week and it costs so much less than many other things, especially when I knuckle down and make the pasta. My niece's husband is always raving about how cheap 'proper' pasta is - and he's right... Give it a go!

Month 6 - Bite 25

Visit a supermarket... Not just the flashy delis - although they have plenty to offer. The supermarket opposite where we stay has a great range of quick and easy snacks - including freshly made pizzas, lasagnes and so on.

Quite often (and this is where renting an apartment scores over an hotel room) we get back too tired to eat out or pop back at lunchtime so eat in. It does mean either of us is tied to the kitchen as the supermarket supplies the food freshly cooked or we can put some super local meats together with fresh salad ingredients for quick, cheap and easy eating.

That’s Entertainment

 

I was chatting to a friend on the phone while aimlessly rootling (is that a word?) about in the fridge lamenting the fact that I was two ingredients short of a meal when she said, 

'but I've got those going spare - I don't suppose you've got any yoghurt going begging?'

As it happens the answer was 'yes' and we were about to do a swap when an idea popped up..

It sort of grew over the next three days so I've put the notions down in the order they manifested themselves.

Month 5 - Bite 27

We're planning a 'raid your fridge' party. With a couple more phone calls I've established who else has got odds and ends that don't make a complete meal without additions from someone else's stockpile so a dinner party is in order with all of us contributing!

Month 5 - Bite 28

'Ohh a simple, off the cuff party', said one of the planners, 'something we don't have to make a song and dance about.'

Well, that started off another train of thought so.... as we started texting to and fro about what everyone was bringing the idea of further entertainment with no cost developed.

The empty the fridge party has now become 'and bring a song or dance (or musical instrument) event.. nothing fancy, just a laugh between friends who have always been able to 'dance like no one is watching'.

Month 5 - Bite 29

The party has now become an afternoon and evening event - we've all got board/table games lurking in our cupboards with no idea when we last played many of them...

So... following a snacky lunch from our fridges and the prepping for an evening meal, there will be mad games culminating in our dinner plans and that musical entertainment. Very little planning, minimal waste, next to no cost and a great deal of fun!

Can't think what brought partying to mind at all!

Check it out

 Month 5 - Bite 5

A bit more information gathering today, free information too. I do use the local library albeit a bit sporadically which is a shame. There's so much down there to discover that I should make more use of this great resource. 

Today though the task in hand is investigating the app that the library uses so that I can borrow books online and read them on my tablet. This is one of those bites that I'm really going to enjoy - free book browsing - I can predict that this task could take all day - and then some!

Month 5 - Bite 6

While thumbing through the virtual books I might just need to find the cookery section as this next bite is all about food. I know it's quite a theme with me - I just love to taste stuff..

Anyway in order to streamline the finances a bit more and to save the planet I want to look further into plant based or meat-free meals. We do eat less and less meat here at home, but I do tend to rely on a small number of old favourites so now I'm going to enjoy going through a heap of recipes, both in virtual form and from the selection on the bookcase to find a new idea for tonight - and then cook it.

                                                

Month 5 - Bite 7

A while back you might remember I started sending off for freebies. Well, it's that find-out-what-you've-got moment. They are all in a spare drawer together so here's a selection for me to go through and distribute where I'll remember to use them. This should save me buying a number of items until I've used up all my samples and giveaways.

                                                 

My Favourite Things.....

 When my sister and I were little we used to look forward to particular meals and treats. She is left with a life long love of jelly and fish fingers - I just love food!

We were talking a while back about these favourites and the memories associated with them - cheese and potato pie, dad getting the mouli out to mince up left over meat for rissoles, pastry cooked on a plate, sponge cakes with sickly spoon licking. 

We'd never really realised that these events all tended to happen towards the end of each month until mum pointed it out. She went on to explain why she could be so sure about the timing - it was all to do with need.

As we got close to the end of month, apparently, things would get a bit tight and so she would bake and make pastry as fillers to bulk up our diets and the other meals were the cheapest going and used every scrap of leftovers as there wasn't the money to waste.

She was somewhat amazed during our conversation to find that these belt tightening measures had been seen by us as treats and that they still form the major part of our list of favourite foods!

So here's a selection of bites that seem to follow on nicely from that...

Month 4 - Bite 21

A list is needed of all those 'fillers' using the most basic of ingredients so that I can draw on it to add in a nice cheap 'treat' on a regular basis. Many of these will be non-meat based like the cheese and potato pie which keeps the price down and can have some other more recent additions like the pasta bake which I tend to do each week using minimal ingredients.

Month 4 - Bite 22

Back to basics next. I've got a range of store cupboard regulars to hand so the next research/list needs to be the meals I can conjure up with few added ingredients. Pancakes and pasta have got to be in there. In fact stuffed pancakes or tortillas it will be tonight - I've got some odds and ends of vegetables just crying out for roasting with coriander and cumin!

Month 4 - Bite 23

One meal we generally always had on Sundays evenings was salad. Dad would get it all cut up and put in dishes for us to help ourselves and the meal was always accompanied by much banter and singing along to the radio show 'Sing Something Simple'. Once again we'd been unaware of how the menu was chosen and why it was presented in this way.

Leftovers from lunch were served up and we all took whatever we wanted from the array of sliced cucumbers and tomatoes, grated cheese, boiled potatoes and sometimes sliced hard boiled eggs. Now I know that everything looks a lot more when it's served in communal serving dishes and is cut into smaller slices or grated. The salad we had seemed to go further like that - two tomatoes looks much more when thinly sliced and a mountain of grated cheese or thinly batoned carrots certainly fills the plate more that larger pieces.

My task now is to unearth the grater and mouli so that I can start to present our meals to emphasise how much we've got rather than using individual portions that make us think we need much more in the way of ingredients!

And finally I need to bring my nan into the picture.

Month 4 - Bite 24

We often went to nan and grandad's  - especially if mum and dad had to go out to Scouting meetings or it was at a time when both were working and we needed child care after school. Nan was the master of the oven. Meals round there were thick, warming casseroles and creamy rice puddings. 

She used to say that if she was putting the oven on for part of the meal it was wasteful not to use it to the max. Her meals were planned so that as much of the meal was cooked in one go or followed one dish after another to make full use of the oven, even after if was switched off.

My final list for now then has to be the meals where I can combine a number of elements in one place to save on energy use. So things like roast potatoes and parsnips cooked in the same oven as chicken. Or vegetables all cooked in one saucepan just added at different times. 

Or even making sure that I'm using the hob economically. I used to cook spaghetti and rice by bringing it to the boil, cooking it for part of the time and then turning the gas off, putting on the lid and then leaving it to finish cooking in the residual heat.  I wonder why I stopped?

Fighting off my sweet tooth...

I know it's bad for me and I've tried to give it up, but to no avail.

The rest of my family gave up sugar while I was away at University - just like that - stopped using it overnight and never looked back. I've found it a struggle all the way through.

When I visited home during Uni I tried to fall in line. I just couldn't do it, everything tasted wrong and I guess I wasn't home enough early on to go through those cold turkey moments in kicking my habit. So, to this day I'm the one who takes sugar. Addicted to sweetness you might say.

Now, it's not like I haven't tried other ways, cutting down or using sweeteners. The result is always the same - sugar cravings and the cracking of brittle willpower. 

All of which brings me to ...

Month 4 - Bite 18

Give up adding sugar to drinks.

The plan goes like this... from now on the first step has to be sugar in tea and coffee. I'll attempt to go without and will buy a backup store of sweeteners for when I'm feeling a bit weedy about the taste. 

My other main use of sugar is to sweeten my porridge. No, I won't be going the whole hog and using salt instead! I might, though, take to honey if I need it and fresh fruit to add some sweetness.

Saving money on sugar will be great for my pocket, but even better for my health - perhaps I'll adapt that as a mantra to convince myself.

No to sugar is yes to cash and health, no to sugar is yes to cash and health, no to sugar is...

Well, we'll see - it's worth a try...
 

Month 4 - Making the Most of It

 This month is all about making the most of everything - maximising what 's around. Hence this very happy little elephant!

I'm not sure how it'll all work out and whether it may get a bit more random as the month wears on, but hey.. let's go for it!

Month 4 - Bite 1

Let's start with my favourite area - food!

It was my sister's raffle prize that started it. She gave me a few items from her cache including the rather splendid cauliflower. That made up the bulk of last night's meal - cauliflower cheese. Some of the other veggies are tonight's offering - Mediterranean roasted vegetables.

It got me thinking. I get a bit stuck in a rut sometimes with our routine menus. Not that there's anything wrong with our diet, but a change is as good as a rest and all that...

The veggie box nudged my brain to think of abandoned recipes so perhaps it's time to nudge it again! When the first lockdown started I was good at planning meals, cooking fresh pasta and trying new ideas. As it got to be less of a novelty I drifted back to our staple choices, especially as life returned to more or less normal. 

Today's task needs to be a voyage of discovery. Time to look again at the contents of the fridge, freezer and cupboards and list all the possible meals I can think of using the ingredients there. Then I can list any that only need one or two additions and add them to subsequent shopping lists. Then, finally, I'll reward myself with a browse through some of our cookery books for something new to try!

Month 4 - Bite 2

I'm setting tomorrow's task straightaway as it's been prompted by looking around the kitchen while planing the above. 

On the windowsill was the basil plant that I got from the supermarket. One plant usually does us three pesto meals until it keels over as well as providing leaves for pizzas, etc.

                                      

Once the weather is better I usually grow basil from seed and that keeps us supplied for months, providing cheap, fresh pesto. I had a feeling that there was a pack of seeds from last year so I've investigated the shed and 'yes' there was along with a pack of rocket seeds. The rocket is a big saving as salad leaves, lettuce and so on from the supermarket are sold in quantities too big for the two of us to use economically, but we buy them anyway. Growing our own stocks means that I can pick exactly what we need for each meal and there will still be more growing with little waste!

Tomorrow I'll be checking the Sow Before dates on these and any other seeds packets up in the shed and then checking I've got everything else I need ready for sowing it all (once the geraniums vacate the shed/greenhouse!).