Winter

I would say winter is definitely here. The heating is on and we had minus 1 yesterday. Still have not got it as bad as other parts of the British Isles so am grateful for small mercies.

Winter time always means stodgy food and I do like to make the effort! So, out comes the breadmaker, the slow cooker and the oligatory searching on the internet for cheap and easy to follow recipies. I've bought new non stick frying pan and large saucepan. Worthwhile investments and next on the list is a non stick griddle pan.

The breadmaker is a new one. The old one decided to go up in flames! Not as dramatic as it sounds but wasn't happy as I had mastered the art of a good loaf.

My favourite soup recipe is cheap and easy to make. A few carrots and parsnips. An onion, leek and half a head of celery (hate the stuff but it is good in a soup). Throw all in a saucepan with a bit of melted butter and saute for a few minutes. Then I add 2 pints (or more if you like) of vegetable stock (or chicken/beef) and let it all cook. Not forgettingt throw in a bit of barley or soup mix. Once cooked blend it (I have to for the wife as she doesn't like bits). It comes out really thick and can be thinned ouy but adding more stock. This will feed 3 hungry adults 2 lunches.

Enjoy!

Silly Season...

Yes yet again it has come around. The nashing of credit card digits and will we get paid in time to buy everything. Still beats the feeling of oooh shite the next credit card bill is going to be awful.
Still winter has started and its getting colder so its at least being easy on the heating.

We went to Ireland (South of the border) for a very long weekend and had a great time. Sod all on tv in the evenings so we had to entertain ourselves. A few pub visits were enjoyed. So, driving around looking at the country side, walking on a beach (in brillant sunshine with a little chill in the air) and then we took my niece and nephew swimming a couple of times.

I've already started thinking about next year and the changes to make to meet the 'next' recession head on. Though I do think we are in the middle of one and its getting worse.

Still, I think its about the right time in the evening to have a beer so of I go.......

Every little helps.....

.....ok have seen we have a nice value in coupons towards xmas from Tesco. I don't normal do the 'get a quote and get points worth £xx'. Well this time I did cause I thought maybe the value of the points would be worth putting against the quote and it might be a decent price. OK well that isn't how it worked. Tesco were moer than £80 more expensive than our current insurer.

Oh dear! Ah well at least I've got my £12 to look forward too when the next voucher payout occurs.

This is wierd....

Ok apart from the weather which is unseasonally warm. I'm not complaining as I enjoy having the doors and windows open without the Mrs whinging its cold.

The wierd bit is the house, or rather our home, is becoming more and more organised. I'm doing jobs which should have been done months ago. Also, looking at what needs to be done next. Very strange as I'm usually a very very lazy git who does the bare minimum. After updating this I'm going to move the rowing machine....then the Mrs will have no excuses about not using it.

Juno was a bit of colour a few days ago. He's into fussy mode with his eating. So yesterday I boiled a chicken and cooked some rice. He loved it! Thing is I'm not doing the same every day. And yes he would starve himself if he could to demand the food he really really wants.

I suppose the next bit of planning for xmas kicks in soon. I've already bought the box of celebrations and after eights. I had a look at turkey crowns in the local wholesalers and they weren't worth touching. I think it will be get the turkey from the local farm shop again this year.
So that just leaves some booze, christmas pudding, cream and blah de blah de blah to pick up. This morning the Mrs was singing Christmas tunes.....I can feel the 'When can we get the christmas tree' whine starting soon......

Christmas

Ok...I think its safe to start talking about it now! I've made a list and started picking up bits and pieces. We have a budget of £50 each to spend on delightful little pressies. Looking around though all you get is stuff which collects dust. I may have to rethink and up the budget.

Apparently todays job is bleeding the radiators....note I its one i hate!

Todays protest in London

I had a bird's eye view of the helicopters, 4 in all, following the marchers. What I really noticed though was the quietness of Waterloo station. The politeness on the train to Clapham Junction and best of all I got a seat on the train from there relatively easy. Although the first seat I sat on....the chap on the inside, skinny git that he was, obviously thought he had huge man kahunahs and insisted on spreading his legs.

Home anyways and the Mrs tells me about Hera having a problem with her ear. She won't let me near it is the moan. Hmmmm now will she, Hera that is, let me near it. So, I get out the ear wipes and get on with the job. For good measure I do Juno's as well. Both perfectly behaved!! I still can't figure out how they reckon I'm Alpha in the house. Cause it usually the Mrs giving out to me the dogs are doign whatever and I have to then sort it out.

Anyways home and on the sofa..........

Pass......the password

Anyone else feeling a tad fatigued with passwords?! I am....even writing them down doesn't help.

Anybody feel like designing a security system? Which would possibly using a 'fob' to generate a secure number. The difference being you could link accounts or id or something to make 'one fob fit all'.

Its raining, heavily, and I could quite easily curl up cuddling a hot water bottle and sleep the day away. But no I have to go to work......just one little win on the lottery could make such a difference....the question is how much would it take to make a subtle life change?!

So many questions so little time...well about 12 mins on the battery life of my laptop....and Ijust realised I made the Mrs a cup of tea this morning and I got was you better change that alarm sound....blah blah blah....dulcit tones to start the day.

Have a good one!