Friday 24 July 2015

I give you my heart

Hello. I bet you really really want to know what I have been eating, don't you, go on admit it. No, oh well, here are a couple of pics anyway. Eating is back to normal after the odds and sods I was consuming last week, apart from the meals I had with Lovely Grey of course. She likes cooking and I enjoyed eating her very tasty meals. The rest of the time it was a sandwich here, a packet of crisps there, a flapjack, and God forbid, I even ate some cake and biscuits. Back to normal now, junk in the house is banned. 
I had some sweet potatoes which needed using up, I'm surprised they lasted the week in the fridge and were edible when I got back. So here we have them with onions and peas and pasta, in some kind of sauce, curryish and other spices. 
Followed by....more sweet potatoes, onions, peas, and sweetcorn, this time with a tin of chopped tomatoes thrown in. I can't see the attraction with sweet potatoes, I only got them for a change. I much prefer ordinary potatoes, or swedes.

I've done a bit of shopping today, didn't need much but was in town to have my two year eye check at Speccysavers. It's free so it's worth getting it done. Of course they expect you to buy some new specs, but I don't need any, mine are fine. I have the prescription so I can get some another time, if I feel like it that is. Maybe I won't bother for a while, the ones I have will last another year or so.

I called in at the Cash and Carry and found these bags of nuts, four for £1. Worth a go I thought. Too hard to chew though so I will crush them in the mini chopper one bag at a time, or maybe do the whole lot in the big chopper.

I also got two jars of Heinz mayo for £1, and two packets of Ryvita with pumpkin seeds and oats, also two for £1. I did a small shop in Aldi. Wholemeal bread, carrots, cheddar cheese, milk, spinach, cream crackers, filled pasta, prunes, yogurt, grapes, lettuce, eggs, and quiche, and wafer thin roast chicken for the cats.

I have been doing a bit of sewing and made some more felt hearts. These are smaller than the last lot, and I have left them single, not joined together. They are four and a half centimeters across and stuffed to make them like little pillows. The yellow loops are a narrow strip cut from an old T shirt.



Today I made one a bit bigger, it's seven centimeters across.

I've got the bug for this, so I have an idea to make some hearts and turn them into a picture. I have a suitable frame which will hold sixteen. They won't have a back or a loop, just the decorated fronts. Should look good.

The quarterly utilities bills came while I was away, so they have been paid. Gas usage is well down as you would expect for this time of the year, it was only £5.30, which was 30% down on the same quarter last year. The electricity bill was 21% up though, shock horror, it was £26.55. Still not too bad, but I need to be more careful with switching things on and off in future.

It's the weekend again, I hope you have a good one. Glad I am at home and not getting stuck in horrible traffic. One thing I did notice while down south, although it is a lovely part of the country, there is too much traffic. Up here in North Lincolnshire, we very rarely get a traffic jam, we just tootle along our country lanes, it's so quiet. The only hold ups we get are around the football ground on match days, and next to the steelworks when the shifts change. We know to avoid those areas at certain times. There's a lot to be said for hassle free motoring.

Catch you tomorrow. Toodle pip

20 comments:

  1. The hearts are lovely Ilona. You could sell these when you have your stall to raise funds for your pussycats.

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  2. I especially like the blue hearts!

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  3. We are going to Edinburgh this weekend but by train so skipping the traffic nonsense. I LOVE those hearts. They look so delicate and pretty. I would string them on some fairy lights. Your food looks so healthy and tasty as usual. I have high cholesterol so am really having to think carefully these days. OMG to your bill! Good for you! Debbie

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  4. Those hearts are splendid , I bet you could sell them when you do the next fundraiser for the cats.
    Sweet potatoes ( and yams) are much more nutritious than ordinary potatoes.
    JanF

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  5. The hearts are just lovely Ilona. And how right you are about the traffic down south. Here in Brighton it is one continual traffic jam, one after another and no joy to go out in the car. Also, I'm with you on the sweet potato's, I also prefer the normal one's.
    Briony
    x

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  6. These hearts are adorable! What do you intend to do with them?

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    1. Hi Sarina. Don't know at the moment. I will think of something.

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    2. They would look lovely on a small Christmas tree.

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  7. the hearts are lovely and so neat! Theres no place like home, [as Dorothy said] and you have your own little Toto [ Rocky]. Holiday over.....back to normal. I like a short 5 day break but I'm always ready to come home.

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  8. pretty hearts!you always seem to find a bargain
    wonder if you have tried soaking your nuts?
    I have and it was only fair, much better chopped and plain, I think.

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    1. Hi. No I haven't tried soaking my nuts, might give it a try. Thanks.

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  9. The best way to eat sweet potatoes is baked, just like baked russet potatoes. Some butter and a pinch of sugar if the potato isn't sweet enough. Also, sweet potatoes are interchangeable with squash/pumpkin so instead of pumpkin soup I have sweet potato soup or sweet potato pie.

    The hearts are lovely. I like JanF's and Sue McD's suggestion for the next fundraiser.

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  10. The hearts are lovely. Theywould make nice gifts for a lucky friend or relative..

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  11. Try the sweet potato mashed with butter and freshly grated nutmeg, it's divine.

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    1. Hi, yes I think mashing might be best. I don't use the oven so baking/roasting is out.

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  12. The hearts are very pretty. They would make lovely Christmas tree ornaments.

    I do not like traffic, either. I live in an area with a lot of seasonal visitors and it is always a relief traffic wise when they go home.

    I love sweet potatoes!

    Have a nice, relaxing weekend, Ilona.

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  13. I've been looking for some of those star shaped sequins for ages. I think the hearts are SUPERB. Natalie

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    Replies
    1. Hi. A kind reader sent them to me in the post, so I can't tell you where to get them from.

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  14. Hello.Hearts and home a wonderful combination.The colours and patterns on the hearts are lovely,excellent job.Lots of great suggestions for what to do with them.I also like your idea of turning them into a picture because when they are grouped together it's very eye catching.They also could be used interspersed with fabric triangles for a bunting to hang over the fireplace,a window, or doorway et c.I love sweet potatoes and we like them cooked half and half with regular potatoes ,steamed wedge size,and add caramelized onion in butter with parsley,a squeeze of orange juice,salt pepper and dash of nutmeg.Yum.Mashed with seasoning is also a favourite here.Bye for now,D.

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