Hello. I've done my three mile walk early today, half of it was in the sunshine, and half in a hailstorm. It's brightened up a bit now, but it's bloomin cold outside. Once again I had a break at the halfway point, I had a coffee with my friend Paul, a catch up natter because we haven't seen each other for ages.
Someone commented on an article that my bananas were black and horrible. I don't think any of the photographs escaped scrutiny by the great British public, you can't hide anything from those eagle eyed lot. There was one that said I have a nice tiled floor in the kitchen. Hah, that's a laugh, it was the cheapest lino and it's about ten years old. It's easy to keep clean because I don't have an army of boots walking through here, just the patter of tiny pet feet. Another bright spark noticed that there were two small bottles of milk in my fridge, and why didn't I buy a larger one because it would be cheaper. Errrr, one of them was given to me, I didn't buy it. What a dumbo. Anyway, as you can see, the bananas are perfect ten days after the sell by date, and I have one left for tomorrow. On my breakfast cereal I have been using up some small bottles of Danone Actimel yogurt drink, bought from Morrisons on a yellow sticker. Eight in a pack, real price £2.75, I paid 35p, also ten days out of date.
I have just eaten the last of the Avocado pears, I had eight in total, the single ones were 5p each, this was a pack of two for 18p, real Price £1.80. Still ok at ten days out of date. Some people might say that fresh fruit and veg loses some of it's nutritional value as it ages. I say I can't afford to pay £1.80 for two avocados, I will take a chance with these because it's better than not having any at all.
Bugsy's bed is just behind my chair, I sometimes put his food bowl in with him, dinner in bed, ha ha. Rocky has cottoned on to this and when he thinks I am not looking he sneakily helps himself. I have to laugh. Bugsy then starts meowing because his dinner has disappeared and he wants some more. Pets are funny.
I woke up this morning with an idea for a craft project buzzing around in my head. I have two of these table lamps given to me by a friend, she was having a clear out and wanted them gone. I didn't particularly like them, they are rather large and I don't like the colours, but I thought I would find someone who did and pass them on. Sadly no takers, the next step is take them to a charity shop. But then I thought, wait a minute, I could change them using brighter colours, using maybe fabric or wool. Hmmmm, my little pea brain is mulling over the options.It's chuffin cold today, I will have to have a blast of heat soon. Dog wants to go out first, heat on when we come back. Hope you have a nice weekend. Thanks for popping in.
Toodle pip.
PS. Anyone seen anything about me in the Daily Mail today? If not it could be in tomorrows paper. I went and had a look in the newsagents but the magazine is in a sealed plastic bag so I couldn't look inside.
PPS. For those who haven't seen the Good Morning Britain video.
Your meals always look scrumptious to me! Rocky is one smart dog. Looking forward to seeing what you do with your new lamps.
ReplyDeleteMe too I saw some crocheted lamp shade covers once, they looked fantastic. Heather W
DeleteI suppose when we open our lives to the masses there will always be the negative Nellies that search out the something to be negative about,, picky picky,, you don't need to justify yourself, you certainly prove with your personality you aren't out to impress anyone but yourself,,your humbleness is inspiring,,you have taught me so much and at this my 60th year that is wonderful,, lol,, old dog, new tricks,
ReplyDeletethe dog eating the cats dinner is so cute, I always say I wish they spoke human, I would love to know what they're thinking,,
Yes, looking forward to the lamp-makeover, Ilona. Can't say I care for tht shade, but the base is rather nice.
ReplyDeleteI use bananas that are 'brown' in banana and walnut loaf (it's a cake, although in a loaf tin) and it's delicious and it also freezes well if you don't need it all at once. Mind you, walnuts are a bit expensive so perhaps not a recipe for Meanqueen as rarely do you see packets of nuts at rock-bottom prices. But for a luxury now and again, and it makes a decent-size cake, it's delish.
Margaret P
You are so right about those dates. I've just used a HUGE cauliflower that was over half price at 60p and which I didn;t use straight away so it is (was) just over a week past its date. I've just made six portions of cauliflower rice/couscous (for the freezer) and a lovely big bowl of spiced cauliflower soup using the stalks that didn't go into the 'couscous' - I would say four portions at least.
ReplyDeleteThe cauliflower was still perfect.
J x
Can't wait to see the lamp make-over. Glad Heidi is okay. As to bananas, if they start looking a bit too ripe, you can peel, put into a freezer bag and freeze them for smoothies. Have a good weekend!
ReplyDeleteFor the lamps - different shades and how about covering the bases with some of those funky tin can flowers?!!! x
ReplyDeleteI really like the shades lol but yes the tin can flowers would look fab. Or giving them a bit of shabby chic with a bit of paint and a sand down etc would work. I'm sure you will have loads of ideas Iliona.
ReplyDeleteWe eat loads of stuff well past its 'use by' date and have survived to tell the tale. Cheap matchpot of emulsion will work wonders on the lampshade.We are forever painting ours when the mood takes me to deocrate. Why buy a new one???????
ReplyDeleteWow! You can't get away with anything. I quit going grocery shopping with the group of women from the senior apartments where I live as I got tired of two or three that would stick their noses into my cart. Plus, where our Mgr/driver takes us is too expensive. So I go alone on the bus and save money even after paying the fare!! Keep up the good work! Shirley
ReplyDeleteI got a msg saying video not available to the USA. Shirley
DeleteMy parents used to have lamp shades with wool wrapped around and around vertically. Maybe that would work for yours - maybe using wool/ribons/string with lots of different textures... I'm sure whatever you do it will be original and funky!!!
ReplyDeleteIlona the amount of walking you manage to do I don't think you are losing too many nutrients from your food. Its fine if people can afford to buy top quality in date products unfortunately some of us aren't in that position so we eat what we can afford! There are many people who you inspire and I am one of them so thank you. I must let you know my walking total on the 31st xxx
ReplyDeleteI think you really got your point across very well in that interview, bravo. As for the lamps just be careful that you don't use anything flammable on the inside of the lampshade. I once had a fire start with a woven wool shade, scary stuff.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview, well done! I buy reduced food when I see it. I would've definitely bought the avocados! I freeze over ripe smoothies and berries quite a lot. Lovely for smoothies. I'm looking forward to seeing everybody's walking results too,xxxxx
ReplyDeleteIlona, a great interview, you have a great outlook on life.
ReplyDeleteDear Ilona, hello from Elaine/Philadelphia. Here's my comment about "use by" or end dates on food: When food learns to read, and then if food ever chooses to obey humans' dates, then food will remove itself from the shelves and racks and bins. Until then, I use my senses, including common sense, to either keep or cull my edibles. Hugs from Recovering-from-30"-of-Blizzard-snow-Last-Weekend. ;.}
ReplyDelete"The uploader has not made this video available in your country" Oh, well. I've gotten the gist of it. Live well; don't spend more than you have to! Perfect!
ReplyDeleteI think it's a bit mean to let Rocky eat the elderly kitty's food, even though the dish will be refilled. Sorry, I just do.
ReplyDeleteThat clip of the interview is so good. Very enjoyable.
ReplyDeletePS you can freeze bananas in their skins. To use peel of the skin, chop and put in processor. Makes the best 'ice-ream' ever.
great interview,
ReplyDeleteBlack and horrible bananas can get sliced up and a little bit of cinnamon is added - great on porridge. Or, mash up with a fork, add cinnamon and spread on toast topped with peanut butter. Will look at the video clip later - a voice of sense in today's world!!! Natalie
ReplyDeleteHi Ilona, just to let you know I am at 99 miles for January, thank you :)
ReplyDeleteHi hun. Firstly, take no notice of some people's mean comments. My staple diet is food that people are going to throw out or 'sell by/use by date. Bananas can look black but perfect when unwrapped. Even then they can go into a banana bread! You keep doing what you're doing.
ReplyDeleteSecondly can you chalk me up to 82 miles this month please. It would be more but I've been ill for a few days the week before last and some days the wind and rain gave been unbearable to walk in.
Hopefully, I will do better next month! :)
Can I ask a quick question? I notice you buy yogurt reduced which surprised me- it was something I was always told to not do. Are certain yougurts OK to buy when going out of date or is there any you wouldn't buy?
ReplyDeleteHello Andrea. I buy yogurts that are on the last day, and have eaten them up to two weeks later. I have never had any problems with it. Who said you shouldn't?
DeleteAt this very moment I am eating mayonnaise which went out of date on 1st June 2015. This is my fifth bottle and I live to tell the tale.