A Much Needed Break

Heythrop Park Hotel

Cotswolds, UK

A relaxing and much needed destination for a weekend away as we reach the halfway stage in the renovations at the bungalow. 

 We had a quick pit stop on the way, to have a much needed coffee each and share a tuna, sweetcorn and pasta salad.  It was a five hour, but relatively easy journey from home to the Cotswolds.  SatNavs are brilliant things. 😀

When we arrived we settled into our room and then a had a lovely meal before settling down for our 'Tribute Acts' weekend. 

The first night's entertainment was a Bryan Adams tribute  ... Bein' Adams.  He sounded just like the real thing according to Alan who is a big Adams fan.

After a multi-course breakfast on Saturday we had a lovely lazy day.  Exploring the hotel, reading,  drinking coffee and just generally unwinding.   Alan has needed this time-out for a while.

After a very lazy morning we both enjoyed the Kyle Minogue tribute 'Kyle Fied' in the afternoon. 

Followed by the Madonna tribute in the evening, before the masses piled into the theatre venue to watch the England world cup match live on the big screen. 

 We retired to our room, where I fell asleep instantly and Alan managed to stay awake long enough to see the first half.  Neither of us are football fans ... sorry.  😄

Meanwhile, back at home Ginger is very happy with Uncle Jason, who has been busy watering the garden for me and relaxing himself. 

I'm sure he was tuned into the football match, he's much more of a footie fan than us. ⚽️

Sue xx

 

The Middle Aisles Reeled Me In

 

4th Aldi - £26.38

This weeks shopping for your perusal.  I nearly shared it the other day, but it would have clashed with Sue's lovely shopping display on Monday.

I was hijacked twice on this shopping trip.  

Once by the plant trolley outside, after all how could I resist such an unusual plant for just £1.89, then once I had reached the usually very ignorable middle aisles, I spied something deliciously green.  Two little pie dishes for £2.99, I popped them in my trolley along with a dispenser for washing up liquid that will look wonderful in our soon-to-be new kitchen.

The receipt.

I was surprised to only spend £26.38 really, but not buying alcohol worked in my favour.  Two little dishes will last so much longer than a bottle of wine!!

Here it is on the worktop at home, it doesn't look much but it really was all that I needed for now to go with the things that I already have.

Do you get tempted by the middle aisles in Aldi or Lidl?

Sue xx

Just a Simple Sort of Day

 

It was just a normal, simple day ... but I photographed it. 

Starting with breakfast of what I already had on the go, some orange juice and a Weetabix with the last of the stewed apple from the freezer.  I must do some more, stewed apple and Weetabix goes so well together.  It's good to start the day with two of my five a day, and yes these measurements of orange juice and apple were the exact amount needed to qualify.

Don't worry about it being dry I did add a good splash of soya milk after I took the photo. 😄

The while the washing was whizzing around in the machine I got out the pegs and put the line across the garden.  I never take the washing machine for granted after washing everything by hand for many, many years.  Some things are worth appreciating.

All pegged out.

It wasn't terribly sunny but the breeze kept everything moving and it was all dry for late afternoon and put away by bedtime,

While the washing was drying, I did a bit of tidying, a run through with the hoover and had a bit of a top up of the spice tin.  

It's always good to check what I have and what I might need to buy soon. I have just about enough of everything at the moment, and spares of the things that are almost running out.  The onion granules ... the tub with the spoon in ... are running low, but they are a bit stuck together so I need to chop at them with the little spoon for a while whenever I need some.  I will persevere until they are all gone and then I have a new pack waiting to be broken into..

Lunch was a nice simple affair of scrambled eggs on toast with my usual coffee.

https://youtu.be/HeBteQW7_kA?si=Oss3vMUJxKBMj6z8

It was eaten in front of the television while I watched a 'new to me'  YouTube channel called The Hidden House.  It's a lovely relaxing watch, especially over some tasty food and a coffee.

Later I sat outside and read a bit more of my book.  I do want to get this one finished so I can take a nice new read away with me for the weekend.  I'm nearly there.

For my tea I had decided on some pasta, so I had a bit of a pasta cookathon so that I would have some more for later in the week.  It just makes sense to make three times what you actually need, if I don't use it all it can go into the freezer before we go away.

I had found half a tins worth of tuna in a little tub in the fridge, so I had a simple tea of pasta, peas and tuna liberally sprinkled with grated cheese.  It was very tasty, again eaten in front of the television this time watching The Chase.

I am really looking forward to having a dining table when we move into the bungalow!

 

I was feeling peckish halfway through the evening, so I raided the fridge and had half a tub of my recently stewed rhubarb with the last of a tub of yoghurt.  Swiftly followed by another black coffee.

Yes, I can drink black caffeinated coffee just before bedtime and still fall asleep within minutes. 😁

Just an average sort of day in my life, but photographed as I lived it.

Sue xx

Remembering ... with Flowers

 

Look what came up in my Facebook Memories this morning.  I shared it years ago and it felt very appropriate.

As I had just been out into the garden to take some photos of the flowers that we currently have there.

The potentillas ...  Anemone 'Ruffled Swan'

Two bees were busy buzzing around, much more interested in the flowers than they were in me.

The sunflowers.

The cherry tomatoes.

One of the many figs.

And the little vegetable bed, with the intense heat of the last few weeks the Rocket had gone to seed, but the bees loved the flowers so they are staying in situ for now.

The bee drinking station that I always have in the garden.  The birds love it as much as the bees and other insects, so it needs topping up daily.

The reason for me photographing some of the flowers in the garden ...

... I was remembering Suky.

13th October 2011 -  6th July 2024

  💖🌹💖

Sue xx

 

Rhubarb and Renovations

 

I've been a bit slow to pick the first lot of rhubarb this year, so yesterday I just went out and pulled off half of the stalks.  I just pull and cut until I know that I will have enough chopped rhubarb to fill my largest pan.  

Cooked with just a smidge of water and minimal sugar it doesn't take long to do.  Every year I wonder why it takes me so long to get around to actually doing it.  😄

Once it was done and cooled down, I divided it between four tubs, two for me and two for Alan.  I had some of mine with my yoghurt for breakfast this morning.  It was absolutely delicious.

I'll be doing an action replay next week as there is at least the same amount of rhubarb left in the garden.

https://youtu.be/40ZKOC2L0XM?si=glLFVDSph3988A9Z

The plasterers finished on Wednesday, a day earlier than planned as they had another job to do the next day.  They worked late into the evening to complete ours.  As you can see from this YouTube walk through, they have done an excellent job of it.

Alan is back at the bungalow again today painting some more of the walls and perhaps a couple of ceilings.  He wants one coat on in the main room if possible, before next Monday when the 'screeders' will be at the bungalow to screed the floor and get it ready for the underfloor heating.

Then he will be able to have some time off as we will not be able to walk on the floor at all.  Hence me booking us a long weekend away starting on the 10th, where there will be no tools, no work clothes, just rest, relaxation and the spa for Alan, and rest, relaxation and a couple of good books for me.

Sue xx

Peter and Paul

 

'Two little dicky birds sitting on a wall ... '

Or as was the case yesterday 13 little dicky birds sitting on a roof.  

They were there for quite a while, more than enough time for me to go in and pick up my camera, and then suddenly they were gone.  But I had the proof.  

I loved this nursery rhyme as a child, and then in a weird twist of fate I married a Peter and my best friend married a Paul.  We laughed many times about our little annoying 'dicky birds' and how we wished on occasion that they would fly away.

It took me 26 years to fly away from mine.  😄

Sue xx

It's the End of the Month Catch- up

 

It's been a strange sort of month, hot, hot weather, Mum in and out of hospital like a yoyo ... currently in once again.  The garden looks lovely ...

... and you would be able to see it, if the washing wasn't out on the line making full use of the glorious sunshine.  

I'm funni-osity ... as my Nana used to say,  I love pegging washing out but hate bringing it in and folding it all up, I think I need staff.  😄

Some meals have been so simple you can barely call them that.

Shopping has been bought, stored and in a lot of cases just eaten and then re-bought, I seem to be on a wine and fish repetition phase at the moment, well it's been hot weather, and cold wine at the end of a long and occasionally stressful day is sometimes just really necessary.  When the things that were bought to replace the contents of the jars were stashed in the lower food cupboard, they were dated as usual.

Fathers Day came and went, and as usual Alan got a card off each of my sons, and of course one off his furry Ginger son ... who also bought him a jar of Plum Jam and a few 'fingers of Fudge'.

As usual nothing off his own grown up children or his step-daughter.  He is used to that, but it still annoys me on his behalf.

The final things from the bungalow were put up on Facebook Marketplace for sale, but there have been no takers up to now.  I did have one woman from York ask if the gates were fifteen foot wide each and not in total. 

 Wow, that would be a wide driveway!!

My favourite read of the month was this book.  

As a few people warned me, it did take some getting in to, but once I did, wow it was good.  And I didn't see the twist coming at the end at all.  I have now re-donated it to the charity book table in Booths.

Talking of Booths, we have eaten and drunk in there far too many times this month, but Alan likes to get away from the bungalow and have a coffee and a bacon bun there.  I did offer to make both of the aforementioned at home for him, but I think he is afraid of then falling asleep on the sofa afterwards and not ending up back at the bungalow.

He was eyeing up the sofas in Booths café as we left today, so I think maybe he actually has a point.  Although I do keep pointing out to him that each time we pay for food in the café that is basically the cost of two floor tiles for the bungalow!!

Talking of the bungalow it has come on in leaps and bounds this month.  So here is the one and only time I will be showing the front of it on my blog.  

The plasterers are currently inside plastering the bedroom ceilings and walls, and Alan has been busy on the outside setting out the framework for the front garden.  It's been all go after a long time of planning and we are starting to see the fruits of our labour, our planning and our money ... which is very quickly running out.

Here's to July and hopefully more sunshine, more foody talk and more progress on our future home.

Sue xx

Shopping Catch Up for the End of the Month

 

24th  Aldi - £19.88

I didn't really need anything but on the way back from somewhere else Alan suggested calling into Aldi for the few bits he needed, so of course I volunteered to come in and push his trolley for him.  😁

A few cool salady bits, some ready cooked salmon ... gosh what a splurge ... and some ice-lollies.  Also they finally had Gingers favourite Tasty Licks in, these are really good for hiding his thyroid medication in twice a day, luckily he is addicted to them.

As we shared a trolley, we also shared the receipt, my things are in the box.

24th  Barton Grange Garden Centre - £3.29

So that's where we were on our way back from before the Aldi shop.

These buns are a bit expensive but they are delicious, and they make a nice treat every now and then.

27th  Aldi - £17.85

I may have splurged on some more salmon, this shop seems to be a bit fishy and winey, perfect for the hot weather.  

The receipt for posterity.

I had planned to write this post today, but after reading Sue's blog first thing this morning, I thought I would also add up everything that I had spent this month on food for myself.  Seemingly it has been a grand total of £113.39.

All these little shopping trips really do add up don't they, especially when I keep buying fish and wine.  But I guess life's little pleasures are never to be sniffed at, if you can afford them. 😄

The little laughing face is there because the cash is quickly running out on the bungalow renovations, so I might have to tighten the belt a little bit over the next few months.

Sue xx

June Renovation Updates

Last week the bungalow was fully rendered on the outside, so now it now looks neat, crisp and very smart. 

 I think the neighbours are starting to really appreciate that the worse house on the street is now looking much better and no longer lowering the tone of the area.  Of course, once the skip and the outdoor toilet are able to be removed it will be better still.  😄

While Alan was able to fit all the outdoor plug sockets, lights and other accessories, the solar panel guy came back and installed the electric car charger.  Don't worry Alan's work will all eventually be signed off by a fully competent and qualified electrician, before our building inspector signs the property off as now being ready to be lived in.

This was the state of play yesterday when I went round to the bungalow to do a pre-plastering walk through ... today this has changed already.

I can hardly keep up at the moment, the three plasterers, a grandad, dad and son work together so well and so speedily, they are a sight to behold.  How they have worked so well in this heat is beyond me ... however when we went round a couple of hours ago they were all topless!!

 https://youtu.be/-8ZCVRLmqw8?si=GIPTqtflrVKmRoRx

Hopefully the plastering will all be finished next week, at the speed they are working at perhaps even halfway through the week and I can do another walk through.  

Today we were actually sat in Booths ... where is was SO much cooler than home ... with a coffee and a cold drink each, designing the front garden and the off road parking area.  It won't be done for a while but Alan needed to know what stones to save before putting the rest in the skip and sending it away.

Exciting stuff, well it is to us, I do hope that you are enjoying the updates too.  😃

Sue xx

Seven Different Ways I Have Saved Money This Past Week

1.  Making one meal go further.

Alan was feeling exhausted after working with at the bungalow all last week, so we splurged and had a chip shop tea to round the week off.  It was just too much for me, so I saved half of my fish and chip meal for the next night.  It warmed up beautifully in the Remoska, but it's always a shock to see how much fat comes out of fish and chips when it's reheated.  😮

Enough to put you off getting it again?  No not really, once in a while it's perfectly okay to have a little treat, especially when it actually lasts over two meals.

2.  Using up sad looking vegetables.

I've been using up the contents of my fridge this week, so the tail end of carrots, celery and onion were roasted together, to make us a sort of carrot wellington.  It's on the menu every week at Mum's care home and we have always said that we should give it a go.

Once cooked it was all wrapped in some homemade pastry and cooked until beautifully golden brown.

  Unfortunately, my camera has been playing silly b*ggers recently and deleting random photos, especially the last one in each series I take ... so my gorgeous pastry extravaganza has now vanished into our stomachs and the ether.

I thought I had  gone mad so I did test it out, and yes out of a set of three photos, the last one vanished!!

I am now double checking and taking duplicate where needed ... another money saving thing as I really don't want to have to buy another camera.

3.  Making good use of free food.

I had half a sachet of a 'freebie' tomato ketchup, so I found a burger in the freezer and made sure I used it all up.  It might have been free, but even so I wasn't going to waste half of it.

4.  Using what I already had open.

I wanted a bit of sweetcorn to add to my tuna salad sandwich mix, so rather than open a full can I stood at the worktop and picked some out of the frozen mixed vegetables.

5.  Shopping Lists

A letter came for me with a blank A4 sheet of paper added for some reason.  As I was just about to write out my shopping list, I turned it into six shopping list sized pieces of paper and used one straight away.

6.  Replacement for breadcrumbs.

There were a lot of Weetabix crumbs left in the tin last time I refilled it, so I tipped them all into a jar ready to add to banana and walnut muffins ... I forgot to do that.  So instead I thought I would try them as breadcrumbs to coat two mashed potato and tuna fishcakes.

It worked a treat, and surprisingly didn't taste too much of Weetabix.

7.  Free guilt-laden napkins.

On Sunday when we were getting our motorway services lunch on the way back from seeing Mum, I headed back to the table before Alan, telling him that I would get the napkins.  I had forgotten that he is a bit deaf in one ear at the moment and he didn't hear me ... so he too picked up some napkins.  I felt guilty but there's no way to push them back into the dispenser, so instead I will make good use of them at home.

Just seven of the ways I can think of that I have saved us a little bit of money this week.  Of course there are probably many more, but so many things are done without even noticing yourself do them after a lifetime of watching the pennies.

What have you done recently that helped out your budget in some way?

Sue xx