04-01-25 and the Tenth Day of Christmas

Good morning.  Wasn't it cold yesterday!  Round here it was, anyway.  I walked to Slimming World wearing my arctic coat, gloves, hat and scarf which did the trick but the frost didn't melt off the car all day!

I popped into Morrison's on the way home and came out with five items - two bags of salad (running short), some own brand equivalent of Benecol (running short), rinse aid (just one bottle) and some garlic granules.  I can't remember the last time I went to Morrisons and spent less than a tenner.

When I got home, I was greeted by water softener salt tablets on the doorstep.  Not the five boxes, each containing two bags that I had ordered but just one measly box - two bags - looking more than a bit sad, don't you think?  That won't last all that long!  But - BUT - they had charged me for ten bags. I was cross but a quick online typed chat with Amazon sorted it out (hopefully) with a full refund of what was missing.  It hasn't arrived yet but I have a confirmatory email so here's hoping.

After breakfast, given that it was so cold, I went out to the shed and started on the freezer and now I have a lovely clean, tidy, frost-free freezer again.  And I sorted out that cupboard too so I am 100% happy!

All in all, a very satisfying day apart from the salt delivery - but I have got enough to carry me through January and most of February anyway so that's OK.

On the Tenth  Day of Christmas

I gave unto myself . . .

Fragranced bath soak

Two bits of  puzzle 

One coffee pod 

And a cho-co-late liqueur

The bath soak goes with the other shower cream (or whatever it is) and was also molto cheapo from Home Bargains.  A bath soak is a bubble bath, right?   It is cotton candy and winter berries scented which I would never have been able to tell from just sniffing!

And I am really going to miss the chocolate liqueurs - they have started the days off nicely with the coffee from the pod.  😄

And here's yesterday and today's sections of puzzle.  Just two more days' worth to go now and it is another thing I am going to miss.

Apart from sorting out the rest of the decorations (except for the Christmas tree), today is just bits and bobs.

I have some washing, etc, I have some veg to prep for the freezer, the kitchen working surfaces could do with a good wipe over - the whole lot, not just the bits that show! - and I want to take a good  look at freezer and cupboard audits and create some meal plans for the future.

And - just remembered - I would like the audit the food and other products I have out in the garden room cupboards too - I think I have a good idea but better to know for sure.

Actually, all the above, plus my knitting and crocheting, is enough to keep me out of trouble, I think.  

It feels a bit strange to think that nine years ago I would have been very busy this weekend, getting ready for a new term at school - finishing planning, making resources, into school through the library to make sure the classroom was all it should be . . . and you know what - I used to get such a buzz from preparing for the term but I don't miss it at all, not now.

Well, time to close this and get it posted before I brave the cold to get today's supplies from the freezer, admiring its tidy and frost free interior as I do so.  Not that I am being smug or anything - you know . . . 

Happy Saturday, everyone.  I hope the weather won't be too rough where you are and that you will be cosy and warm.

xx

 

03-01-25 and the Ninth Day of Christmas.

Morning, everyone!  Oooh, it is cold outside at around six a.m., really cold.  Thank goodness the wind has died down or it would feel polar.  I doubt we will get any snow round here but, if you do, I'm hoping it is neither severe nor disruptive in any way.

Good old Premium Bonds.  Another £50 in the kitty.  Not world shattering but every little helps!

The day started so well yesterday.  I lifted the lid of my hearing aid charger and there was the bad one, green light shining brightly, fully charged and ready to go.  I dunno what's going on there but it was nice to have them both in use again.

By the time to go over to Chris for coffee and chat, I had more or less finished the freezer sort-out/audit so I'm ready to go with the defrost.  If the weather plays ball, I will do it tomorrow after SW group.  I didn't start the cupboard but that's OK, I can do it another day.

I brought the decoration boxes down and got a number of bits away, giving the surfaces a proper dust and polish.

I have sorted out my meal plans up to next Friday so that's good.  The rubbish went out and the kitchen has been tidied (again!)

I had to laugh though.  I was really hoping to not need to go into Morrisons until next Friday but the dishwasher rinse aid light came on and I have no more rinse aid -  I thought I had another bottle in the shed but I don't.  So I will have to get some tomorrow and will stock up.  After all, it's going to be needed used at some point or other, isn't it?

Here's today's two bits of puzzle.

And . . .

On the Ninth Day of Christmas

I gave unto myself . . .

One scented candle

Two bits of  puzzle 

One coffee pod (cocoa truffle)

And a cho-co-late liqueur

(kirsch flavoured today)

Today starts with Slimming World.  We're expecting it to be very busy today.  Traditionally, it is the day when everyone returns after a Christmas break but also there might very well be lots of re-joiners and new joiners.  So it is a case of keeping the queue moving without totally cutting out the friendly chatter.  Wish us luck!.

Once that's done, I want to continue the clearing up and sort out the food cupboards, give the shelves a wipe down and get everything back in an organised way.  If I can get that and the freezer defrost done, I will be happy.

I'm getting on with the crochet project.  I've done all the small granny squares and the quarter squares.  There's still plenty to do but getting there - and the ends are all sewn in!

Well, better go and get the day rolling.  Have a good one, everyone.  Take care, stay warm and be happy!  xx

02-01-25 and the Eighth Day of Christmas.

Morning!
Yesterday may have been cold, windy and very damp but it started off most encouragingly with me paying for six weeks of fitness classes and the remainder of what I owe for the Potters weekend and the balance still looking reasonably healthy.

What I use is a home made Excel spreadsheet that took me absolutely ages to put together because I had to look up everything but now it is done I just copy from one 'book' to the next.  Basically, everything that I know will come out during the month is shown as having come out on the first of each month - all the standing orders, regular payments, etc, plus an amount for petrol, classes, etc.  If any entries don't have to be paid (e.g. this month I won't be getting any wonky pods because I have enough, nor will I need petrol, I think) I just zero it for that month.
The aim is that it shows the final balance for the end of the month from the start of the month so I know exactly what I have to spend and all I have to do is to input any spending - food shopping, etc, and I know exactly where I am.  I have a horror of going overdrawn or getting into any debt so yesterday's figures made me happy.

The rest of the day was spent doing a bit of housework, some clearing up, some crochet and getting prepped for the evening - and the evening was lovely.  Less pressure than Christmas Day 

and the whole family here  - Beth, Alex, Dave and Anna.

And now January properly starts for me.

On the Eighth Day of Christmas

I gave unto myself . . .

Show-er gel

Two bits of  puzzle 

One coffee pod 

And a cho-co-late liqueur

(raspberry flavoured today)

On the Twelfth Day I will go through the lot - consider yourself warned!

The shower gel (which I will also use in the bath) is 'vanilla snowflakes and toffee sprinkles' and I sincerely hope I won't end up as sticky as the name suggests.  I got it in Home Bargains and it smells absolutely lovely.

And here's four more sections of the puzzle - two for yesterday and two for today.  Getting easier and coming along nicely.

Today I'm starting to get back to normal again as I pop over to Chris for the first coffee and chat of the New Year and we will have a lot to talk about, I am sure.

Low Spend January started yesterday with some big payments out but it's not a contradiction in terms really and today I start Dry January too, like a lot of people.  

There's no fitness classes this week but everything starts up again on Monday.

As usual, I have a little list of things I want to achieve today.

Take all the rubbish out.  I have a disgracefully large pile of bottles and cans from last night plus card too, filling the bag I use to carry the rubbish out so that's all going into the recycling bags and boxes ready for Saturday's collection..

I'm bringing the decoration boxes down from the little room so I can start putting bits and bobs away - but they do need a clear out before I start putting things in.  That shouldn't take too long, I hope.

I have some carrots and parsnips that I got really cheap before Christmas and I ought to prep and freeze them soon - maybe I will do that tomorrow?

And finally, I want to finish the freezer audit because it's getting a lot colder so will be perfect for getting out all the frozen stuff and giving the freezer a much needed defrost.  I'd also like to audit my shelf stable stuff too.

Yup - the holiday time is over and real life resumes.

What are you doing today?  

Stay safe, warm and cosy.  xx

01-01-25 - New Year's Day

Morning, everyone.  

The first thing I did yesterday was sort out the post-Christmas disaster area I call my fridge.  Sadly, there was a bit of waste but not an awful lot.

I made a lovely lot of butter with the cream (I bought way too much!) after being reminded about it by Ali (from Ali Lives Well On Less) - most of it is now in delicious little one-person blocks in the freezer with a larger bit ready to make into garlic butter for this evening - and if there's any left from that, it, also, will be frozen.  I've also frozen the buttermilk as I don't need it right now but it can go into scones, pancakes, soda bread, etc., in the future.

I also turned what I could salvage of an ancient cabbage into coleslaw for yesterday and today, I interleaved some smoked salmon and froze that and sorted out all the cheese and re-wrapped it.  I have enough cheddar and yogurt too, to last me all month and beyond.  I'm pleased about that.

That freezer audit is much needed though!

Speaking of that - I did one more bag and found today's lunch lurking - sausage casserole and some quinoa.

I read the meter and sent it off.

I finished the first eight octagon tiles for the crochet project and started on some smaller granny squares,  There are eight more octagons but I wanted a change.

I did some housework

I finished off the finances for December and moved the bit left over into January.
This month is going to be both spendy and low-spend.  Spendy because I have dental treatment coming up (for which I have saved so I must remember to move the money across), I have to pay what is still owing to Lindsey for the Shimmy Fun and Fitness weekend at Potters (in March, but have to pay the rest now) and the fees are due for the new blocks of fitness classes - I am hoping that the low spend will more than cover this bit though.  It should do.  

On the Seventh Day of Christmas

I gave unto myself  

Two fancy nail files

Two bits of  puzzle 

One coffee pod (hazelnut)

And a cho-co-late liqueur

(pear flavoured today)

I get through quite a lot of nail files so a few more are always welcome and I like this kind because, used properly, I end up with nails that look polished (for a short while)

I haven't done the puzzle yet.

So, Happy New Year's Day!
I hope you had a good New Year's Eve doing just what you wanted to do, whether this be partying up to the bells or staying cosily at home and going to bed whenever you wanted!

Today I need to get those payments actioned - that's my first thing.  Then I need to tidy up a little bit and get things ready for tonight when Dave, Anna, Beth and Alex are over for a get together.  I'm providing a buffet but it is all very simple so shouldn't take long to get ready and then I can chill.

I have been thinking about 2025 - goals, aims, 'words', etc,  but I will get the Twelve Days over first and then share things.

So for now, I wish you a very happy and satisfying first day of 2025, however you choose or have to spend it.  Take care, stay warm and be safe, especially if you are experiencing any nasty weather.

xx