I am a bit broke and to be honest I am inspired by froogs to try and make some of the shortfall back by spending nowt in October except the essentials. It will certainly go a long way towards solving some money problems and it will be a good challenge to boot.
I am starting off with a freezer full of food and a well stocked cupboard. I have taken the cash out that I am to spend this month and it is in my safe cash place. If possible I am going to spend nothing more than this money. I'm even trying not to fill the car up with petrol. It is full now and I don't have any long journeys to make. I working in London and France later this week and over the weekend, but going on the train, booked well in advance and all my meals will be provided except on the actual travel days, so hopefully won't have to spend much while away.
Today found me a 39p cauliflower lingering at the back of Morrisons shelves, so I whipped up a quick cauliflower cheese for later. Will have that with some meat from the freezer for my dinner today and tomorrow.
I also wanted to pickle some onions. I absolutely love pickled onions and I like to pickle them myself, because I get top control the taste more. A kilo of pickling onions is only a pound in Morrisons at the moment so i grabbed 2 k of them. Very easy to do, took the skins off 1 kg and sprinkle salt over them in a bowl and leave over night.
Put 150g of sugar in with a litre of vinegar, heat the vinegar til boiling point then add spices. I added a cinnamon stick. 2 teaspoons of mustard seeds, some saffron, some allpice, some peppercorns, pink and black, and 2 dried chillies. Cover this vinegar and leave to infuse nicely over night.
Tomorrow I will wash the salt off the onions, pack them in jars and poor over the vinegar. I will get vinegar hot again before I pour it on as this helps the onions to be slightly softer, but if you like a nice crisp pickle, you don't have to do this.
These will last me all through winter, lovely with stews and hotpots. mmmmm
It has become very cold here on my hilltop. I have been trying so hard not to put the heating on and so far have succeeded, who wants to have to put the heating on in September. If I can manage til the end of October I will be happy. Meanwhile I am wrapping up in lots of throws in the evening, lighting candles (you may laugh, but I swear it takes the chill off a room in the evening!)
My mum gave me a proper real Aran jumper a few years ago, from the isle of aran itself so the real thing. It is warm as toast and has the added bonus of smelling slightly like wet sheep. I love it in the cold weather and it is brilliant at keeping me warm!
Here I am modelling it with my usual grumpy expression!
Because it is oiled wool it has the added advantage of being fairly waterproof (although I wouldn't test this too hard). It was, I think, probably the most expensive item of clothing I own but it is a really quality item and should last for ever if I look after it (which I do). Is it weird that I find that there is something very very comforting about smelling like wet sheep?
So au naturel, don't you think! Were they scented candles!! Keep warm.
ReplyDeleteLove from Mum
xx
thank you mum.
DeleteTell me - when you say pickled onions with hotpot - do you mean added to the hotpot or just as an addition on the side?
ReplyDeleteI mean as an addition on the side, every time. Yummy. Probably a Lancashire thing.
DeleteNobody makes pickled onions like the British!
ReplyDeleteJane x
PS. Wet sheep? Must be Welsh wool!
You're right there! Yep, the house is infused with the smell now. hehe
DeleteYou only look grumpy because you are concentrating on which button to push to take your photograph!
ReplyDeleteHaha, there is an element of truth there. Only an element.
DeleteDan the grumpy old sod.
I got to December last year before I used any form of heating- I'm hoping for the same this year. The less I spend on it the better, so we're wearing layers ( I bought a 100% cashmere jumper for £1 at last week's carboot, which combined with last year's £3 alpaca cardigan from the charity shop is keeping me toasty warm), and snuggling under fleece blankets in the evening. During the day I do housework to keep warm!
ReplyDeleteDecember would be brilliant, but it has already had some days that are just so cold here, not sure I will manage it. Do my best though.
DeleteNot keen on the wet sheep smell, i like the smell of roast lamb better lol
ReplyDeleteI do like the smell of roast lamb better too, if I were to choose, haha
Deletejust making several pots of raspberry jam here!!!
ReplyDeleteOh lovely! I love raspberries in all forms. I am planning on growing some next year.
DeleteThanks for the sheep sniffing offer, maybe one day :-)
ps
ReplyDeleteI have two wet sheep as you know... you are welcome to sniff them anytime!
Home pickled onions yummy, the vinegar is wonderful on chips. If you do grow raspberries go for an autumn fruiting variety, autumn bliss or Joan J, huge fruit and very few pests. Just cut them to 2 inches above the soil and mulch with compost in January.
ReplyDeleteOh yes ..it can get cold in Lancashire. I now live in Wales .. its wet but never as cold as up on't moors where I came from!
ReplyDeletePickles look good .... couldn't imagint life without a pickle.
Vicky x
I will try hard not to put my heating on at all untill it starts snowing and gets frosty. My nose is cold and wet now, hope I can last out.
ReplyDeleteNot weird depending on what memory associations you have with the smell? We spent a fair few family hols in wales, and in the rain there, so to me it's also a nice comforting smell.
ReplyDeleteMay I suggest a hat for the keeping off of the heating? And yes - deffo with the candles, done that myself before.
I second Ruthdigs suggestion of a 'house hat' when chilly. It's amazing keeping your head warm does for the rest of you. I've used mine already this year as the past 2 weeks have been quite cold and damp here. Brrr. Stay warm. Good luck with your Stoptober plans.
ReplyDelete