Love my boots

Hello there. There's been a bitterly cold wind today, despite it being sunny A couple of times it went dark as black clouds blew over, and we had heavy snow falling, Very strange. 

My friend Helen came round for coffee and catch up chat this morning. She has been a bit tied up over the last few weeks, Henry choc lab has been very poorly and needed extra attention. Sadly a week ago he took a turn for the worse and nothing else could be done, it was kinder to let him go. You may remember I used to walk Henry a lot when he was younger, staying at their house while they went on holiday, and having him here on doggy day care. Here is a link to a blog post from July last year, we thought he wouldn't have very long then, but he made it into 2018. Little Angus in one of the photo's died a few months ago, and Rocky is pictured in this post as well. Looking back at some of the good times we had. Guinness black lab is still with us. Rest in peace dear Henry, and Rocky, and Angus. 

I like to see my boots ready to go. I braved the cold and  cleaned and polished them outside on the garden table. The pair on the left are old and leak, so can only be worn when it's guaranteed not to rain. I've been wearing them on dry days to do my three miles, they are so comfy like slippers. The middle pair are fine to wear in all weathers, I've had them for about three years. And the pair on the right are the newest pair and are best for long distance multiday walks. They are wider fitting and comfortable. They cost me £100, the others were £70 a pair. The boots underneath the bench are what I wear locally, going to town, and generally pottering around.  

 I don't have any women's style shoes any more, I gave up with them, can't find any that are comfortable. In the summer I wear trainers all the time. If my feet are comfortable then I'm happy, I'm not going to suffer for the sake of fashion or following a trend.

Hey, look what has sprung up in my garden, some of those feathery things. I love these. My friend Barry has a massive big bush of them in his garden, well over six feet tall. I am always jealous of them. Lo and behold I now have some. Amazing isn't it, ha ha.

I'm off to watch a few vids on the toooob. Scott o Connor the wood artist has a new one out, have you seen it? His art work just gets better and better, I am a big fan. I need to go on ITV catchup as well, there is a programme about the best walks in Britain. Something to get excited about.

Don't forget it's check in time tomorrow for the Walking Group. Let us know your miles. I just made it to 84 this afternoon, so let's see how you have all done.

Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

Art is a game anyone can play

Hello. What is art? It's just a kids game, anyone can play it. At Crafty Club yesterday someone gave me a bag of plastic coloured pieces, they are supposed to fix together and make whatever you want to make with them. A bit like a construction set. There are straws, circular thingys, and little wheels. Over coffee this morning I started playing with them. 

I cut up some of the straws which were bent and not very long into small pieces. I spread them out onto a sheet of grease proof paper. Folded it over and pressed down hard with a hot iron.

Hey presto, they are all squashed into funny shapes and stuck together.  These straws are a bit thicker than plastic drinking straws, you could use them instead.

If you are going to try this, do it in a well ventilated place and don't stand over it, I did it outside. Melting plastic gives off dangerous fumes. Now I will have to think of what I can do with it.

Carry on playing with the other bits, lots of different combinations to fix them together. What about adding some vinyl leaves. Very arty don't you think. I can see that this will keep me entertained for hours.

Another game, playing with wrapping and weaving home made fabric cords and wool around the spiral coasters. Trying different ways, what might work best. More games to play with these, pick it up, put it down, walk away, think about it, sleep on it, something will come to me eventually.

They say you go back to your childhood when you get older, think I am half way there, ha ha.

A reminder that we are almost at the end of the month. How has your walking been going? Do you need a kick up the backside or are you on target? Don't tell me yet, one last chance tomorrow to bump up your miles. The one month target for those who are doing 1000 miles, is 83, and I am only just going to make it. I haven't done any extra walking, just sticking to the three miles a day. Can the Walking Group please check in on the post Thursday 1st February, and let us know how January has been for you.

Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

Tissue paper picture is finished

Hello. I took some photos of this picture this morning, but the light was so poor, I took some more this afternoon. It has come out quite well for a first attempt at painting with bleeding tissue paper. When you lay your design out and wet it all over you have no idea how far the colours are going to bleed, or how intense they are going to be. If they are a bit pale you can add more paper to deepen the colours, but that increases the distance they are going to bleed. It's a shame that the orange tinted sky has gone a little too far over to the right, I would have liked more blue sky. Once it starts bleeding you can't stop it.

I have stretched the picture over a board and laced it at the back to keep it tight. Even with a lot of pulling I can see a couple of wrinkles. The picture itself is 8 inches by 10 inches, with the frame it's 11 inches by 13 inches. I've taken the photos before I put the glass in to eliminate reflections. 

I used different shades of green for the stems, but found some of them were a bit too pale, so I went over the stitches with a green glitter pen to darken them. I also went over the flower stitching with purple and pink glitter pens and added some glitter to the petals.

I started the sun with an outer circle and an inner circle, then used a ruler and an orange glitter pen to draw straight lines through the centre. I used red, yellow, and orange threads.

This is the back, with the strong cotton pulling the sides in together. I folded the corners and stitched them down.

The picture sits on top of the cream board, stuck down with sticky pads. I think it looks quite nice. I'm going to change the name tag to green though, yellow is too bright.

Today I am remembering my dearly beloved Bugsy cat. His photo is on this fridge magnet, and he is on my key rings, and always in my heart. It is one year ago today when he died. Missing you Bugsy.

It was decided today to move Tina cat into a pen at the rescue. She couldn't stay in the house much longer, by herself, her owner wasn't coming back, and Tina needs a new home. She didn't like the car journey very much, only a few minutes but cat's generally don't like going in cars. Sue had her new des res ready for her, and I took her duvet bed with her so she would have something from home for comfort. It's a good job that we did move her today, because another new cat arrived, brought in by the police as it's owner had passed away and the cat was alone. The pens are now full. Tina will be fine, Sue spends a lot of time with the cats, and they all get heat pads in their beds to keep them warm. Lets hope some kind people come along and offer them a home.

That's it for tonight, thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

Arty crafty projects piling up

Hello. Had a day off yesterday, was busy. On Friday I called in to see my friend Angela as I was passing. It's hard to tell if she is in or not by glancing at her house, because it's at the end of a long driveway, and I have always been reluctant to knock the door in case she is in bed, she works nights sometimes. However, on Friday I saw her in the garden so I knew it was safe to call. She invited me in for a coffee, and gave me the news that she is now retired from her job. We like to talk arts and crafts, she is very good at furniture refurbishment, especially re upholstery, and it's always good to swap ideas. 

Like me, Angela is also a skip diver, and car boot browser, we love a second hand bargain, better if it's free. She recently found these small lamps in a skip, they need some attention and she hasn't got time to deal with them right now, she was going to give them to a charity shop, but I said I would clean them up and find something to replace the rusted metal on them.  I'll start with a good scrub in soapy water. 

Yesterday I went to an Embroiderers Guild meeting in Scunthorpe, to see what they get up to. I was made very welcome, it was a big room in a church hall, rows of tables all around the perimeter. People were working on their own projects, then there was a set piece of embroidery to complete. They are having a celebration in the summer and they need bunting to decorate the place. Each flag was going to be a letter and we were given a piece of felt like fabric, the design, some thread, and instructions. It was a bit like cross stitch, but straight lines and flowers. Simple enough, but not really my thing. The lady next to me explained about counting squares on the pattern, but I just wasn't getting it, and wasn't really interested.

I don't like following instructions, prefer to make things up as I go along, and as all the letters had to be the same, I felt it was a bit like being at school, or on a factory production line. Oh dear, I'm a bit of a rebel. When we made the banner for our Chat and Craft group we were allocated a letter and told to use any medium we liked. Much better, but when the group is part of a national association you have to do things in a certain way. Luckily the lady next to me gave me a hand, but I gave up with it, so she suggested I go and have a look at some of the work members had displayed on the tables. I really enjoyed that bit because it was just what I like to do.

They also had a sales table, with bits and bobs of a crafty nature which people no longer wanted. I spent £1. It was 50p for this roll of erm, thick felt like matting. Not sure what it is, or what it's used for, but no doubt it will come in useful for something.

This little hessian bag was 50p. It looks like in might have held bottles of smellies at some point, there is a divider inside. I could stitch onto it, tart it up a bit, give it a new life.

I will go to the group again, they meet once a month, and different activities are planned. I haven't decided whether to join or not though, it's a bit pricey. £5 for an afternoon session, (2 hours) and if you do the morning session on the same day and bring your own work, that's also two hours for £5. Membership for the branch is £32, and if you want to join the national EG it's an additional £35. So, £67 for both. I can go twice more before I decide.

I have a few wrapped rings now, they are mainly curtain rings. I have filled some of the middles in, they look quite nice like that, will do some more. Not sure exactly what I will do with them, but I have an idea.

The bleeding tissue paper picture is finished, next job is to frame it. Watch this space.

Going to have my lunch now, then go out. It's dry and mild here in North Lincolnshire. Thanks for all the comments on Mark's Aussie post, I sent him a link so he is reading them, and he has commented. Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

Mark, top bloke, top family

Hello. Those who have been reading this blog for a long time, may recognize this bloke sitting in my office chair. This photo was taken in April 2011, when my office was upstairs in the back bedroom.

I lost my computer whiz when Mark took his family off to Australia for a new life. He talked about it a lot when he came to fix my computer, how he wanted a better life for his kids, more opportunities to find work, and of course the warmer climate had a lot to do with it as well.

He spent hours preparing his application, keeping records of the work he was doing here, updating his qualifications, and attending interviews. Nothing was left to chance, he wanted to get everything covered to give them the best chance of being accepted for emigration. Putting it simply, he was jumping through many hoops, complying with the Australian requirements to start a new life in their country. They left the UK on the 4th of October 2012.

I kept up with his progress through Facebook, they often send pictures back home to friends and family. Within days of arriving on the 5th of October 2012 he had found himself a job in computers which he loves, and he is still employed there today. Not contented with just being an employee, he also wanted to put something back into the community which had accepted him and his family, so he trained and qualified as a voluntary firefighter for the Mornington Fire Brigade.

Moving on forward to the present day, look at him, and Nicci and the girls now. Today they officially became Australian Citizens. A proud moment for the family for sure.

Mark has shown what can be achieved with a lot of planning, a lot of determination, and a lot of self belief. No short cuts, and following the rules of the system to the letter are what got them where they want to be. They applied, filled out all the forms, made sure they met the requirements which were asked for, and satisfied the immigration authorities that they were honest and decent people to be allowed in. And five years later, they are there to stay. Fantastic.

Thanks for popping in, have a good weekend, we'll catch up later.
Toodle pip

Getting on with crafty stuff

Hello. It's been a nice day today, I've been out, quick trip to town, and a Tina cat visit. 

Madam Heidi has been helping me again as you can see. The plastic strip she was sat on before has now been cut into strips of 2.5 inches wide and 7 foot lengths. There are eight strips, I think that will be enough. The frame I want to hang them on is 5 feet wide, just checking it with a tape measure on the floor. This is going to be a garden decoration. 

Now I need to cut lots of flowers and leaves from this coloured vinyl. I have lots of it but I'm a bit limited for colours. Plenty of red, yellow, blue, and green, with oddments of other colours. It will have to do. I might be able to add flowers made with other plastics. You will have to wait and see how it turns out, it will take a while, I need about 64 flowers, maybe more.

I've done quite a bit of stitching on this bleeding tissue paper picture. Outlining the flowers and adding the stalks with back stitch. Now I'm working on the sun. It looks a bit wrinkled at the moment, it will be ironed, and stretched over a board, to pull the wrinkles out.

The days seem to be whizzing by, could do with a few more daylight hours really. A walking trip is on my mind, but not just yet, I'll wait till the weather picks up, and we have longer days. It's looking like Norfolk and Lincolnshire, not been over there on a long walk.

Interesting conversations yesterday, thanks for your comments. Anyway, I'm off to see Tina again, I have some chicken for her, she likes that. Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

Under the influence

Hello. Did anyone catch the story about the blogger (she calls herself a vlogger) who sent an email to a hotel in Dublin asking for a freebie for herself and her boyfriend, in exchange for some publicity on her social media channels? We all knows this sort of thing goes on, but she went about it in entirely the wrong way, and now it has blown up in her face. The owner of the hotel posted it on his social media, blanking out her name, and making some not so complimentary comments about her methods of freeloading. She saw it and responded thus exposing herself. Now she is saying that they exposed her by not blanking out the name properly.

The blogger calls herself a 'social media influencer', I've not heard that term before. She is the typical blonde, pouting (lip fillers), looking adoringly into a camera selfie taker, oh aren't I beautiful type. Her 87,000 yooootooob followers are slightly more, ha ha, than I have.

It's a shame that young girls today see these 'influencers', as some kind of God or Goddess, someone to aspire to, and follow their every move. When I was a young 'un, my influencers were Cilla, Sandie Shaw, and Lulu. I saw them as people to aspire to regarding fashion and make up. We were all called a 'fan' of these entertainers. We could join fan clubs, yesterdays equivalent of following a blog, I suppose. At least they did entertain properly, they could sing and dance, we could buy their records and go to their concerts. Models like Twiggy at least went to modelling school and practiced their craft on a daily basis, and commanded high fees for their professionalism. Unlike today's young influencer who puts on a skimpy, flesh exposing frock, and gawps at themselves in the corner of their bedroom. 

What does an influencer have to offer anyway? They recommend the fashion labels they wear, the make up they use to beautify themselves, the shops they like to visit, the places they eat out, prearranged for a discount, the cheap holidays they can scrounge. And of course the majority of their followers fall for this and hang on to every word, it must be right if she/he says so.

There are plenty of positive role models around, it's a shame they don't get the same publicity. What about the female pilots, doctors, lawyers, managing directors of large companies, self made millionaires who have come up from the gutter and have worked hard to own their own company. These are the women our youngsters should be looking up to.

Will these young influencers still be here in ten years time, possibly one or two, but most will fall by the wayside, or move on to get a proper job. Whinge over, now tell me what you think of it all.

Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

No, not that way, this way.

Hello. We don't get a lot of traffic in my village, there is a rush to get to work in the morning and it's not quite as busy later on in the day as they all come home at different times. The parents drop their kiddywinks off at school just before 9am, and they all line up along the side of the road in the afternoon to pick them up. Then the school bus comes through to take the big kids to the big school a couple of miles away. 

This week there is no traffic in the centre of the village, and it's bliss. All traffic has been diverted around the obstruction. There are some though who take no notice of the signs, and carry on, until they can go no further. Are they blind, did they not notice the signs, or do they think they are not meant for them. I watch as they find they have to reverse back to the last junction they passed. 

Seems straight forward to me, turn left because you can't get through if you turn right.

The road ahead is closed, you can't get through, turn round and go back.

Aha, here is the blockage. A big hole in the road. Laying new pipes. It's for the super broadband.

That's right, to go round you must go that way. I live quite close to the centre and it's lovely now it's traffic free. Not for long though, as soon as the job's done it will be open again, about five days they say. I asked the man if they could make it last six months, ha ha.

It's that darn cat again, wanting to get a closer look at what I am doing. I have an idea for a project in the garden, most of the work can be done inside, so I thought I'd make a start. This is a roll of re enforced plastic, very strong, it's got thread embedded into it, an offcut which I claimed from the Scrapstore when it closed down. I need to measure a seven foot length and cut it off. Then I want to divide the piece into strips, I can get four strips out of each piece. Will probably need two maybe three pieces giving me eight or twelve strips. Not sure yet.

I don't know what this is but I saw it laid on a pile of rubble outside a house renovation. Hmmm, interesting. It's a piece of scrap plastic, I can see a use for it. Look at those perfectly formed triangles, it would make a wonderful template to put fancy edging onto fabric or a painting project. I managed to separate the two sides down the middle with a large pair of scissors.

Now it's time to get my coat on and toddle off to see Tina cat. It's unusually warm here. I got some new books from the library today so I'll take one and sit with her for half an hour.

Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

KittyKat capers

Hello. It's all about cats tonight. I took this photo yesterday morning, the new cat on the block has taken to visit first thing. Mayze cat went out to inspect it, and they appeared to be in a frozen trance trying to out-stare each other. I watched and wondered what was going to happen next, they are about 18 inches apart. Mayze often guards her territory when she chases other cats away. 

After a few minutes black cat very slowly backed off and crept away. She/he went as far as the hedge then laid down again to carry on staring from a safe distance. I think that was one point scored for Mayze. 

I had the camera handy when I sat at the computer this morning. Heidi cat insisted she sit right in front of me. The lighting is not brilliant, I only have a small lamp on just enough to see the keyboard.



And this is Tina cat, awaiting a new home. She is used to me going in and out now, and greets me at the door. When she has scoffed the chicken I brought her, she takes herself off to bed and leaves me to do a bit of sewing sat on the sofa. So much for keeping her company, ha ha. We have to wait until the end of the month to see what the long term plan is for her mummy. If a new home doesn't materialize quickly Tina will have to go in a pen at the rescue. 

Time to make my dinner. Thanks for all your interesting stories on yesterdays post, it's good to hear that so many of you are planning your future. Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

In a better place.

Hello. It had slipped my mind that this blog has an anniversary coming up, in fact the anniversary has now passed. I wrote the first post on the 2nd of January 2009. I sometimes look back and read my own blog, and can see consistencies throughout the nine years I have been writing it. Although I am not a fan of routine, it stifles creativity, I am still running my life more or less the same way as I always have done. That is living within my means, cutting back on my day to day living expenses so I have more cash left over for pleasures. Working out my priorities have always been at the forefront of my budgeting. There is a slight change there, in the beginning I was dead skint, having cut my working hours giving me a smaller income. Getting the work/life balance was important. I now find that by being strict with myself has put me in a good place, I can ease off a little bit because I now have the confidence and skills needed to maintain my present lifestyle.

So, let's have a look at my first post all those years ago.

Hi there, thanks for taking a look at my blog, this is my first attempt at blogging, so I hope you find something of interest. The main theme for the blog will be frugal living, because that is what I have been aspiring to for the last ten years. I decided to reduce my time at work, so reducing my income, and creating a whole new challenge, I now work at how to make ends meet. That may sound daunting to some people but it's easy, as long as you can differentiate between what you need and what you want. Making ends meet gives the impression that you are scrimping and saving worrying about where your next meal will come from, that is not true. For me it means making the most out of the money you have, getting the best value, the most food from the supermarket, and the challenge of surviving by your own means. I have never been in debt, always paying my way, so perhaps I am used to living within my means, luckily my mother taught me all about it. 

I have been a lorry driver for 32 years, something I am immensely proud of, in total I have worked for 44 years, and now it is time to slow down. All my hard work has almost paid for a house, still a bit to go so not completely debt free, but I am working on it. I am now looking forward to a fabulous retirement, but of course I will never fully retire because I like work. But from now on, any work I do will be on my terms, it will be something I want to do, and I will do it when I want to do it. There, a bit bolshie maybe but that's how I am, I know my own mind. Life is too short to be a slave, and by that I mean a slave to money. I have realised that I am perfectly happy with just enough, a simple life for me means less worries. Do I worry about money, of course not because I haven't got any. 

Please join me on my frugal journey, I am going to record just how I live my life on very little money. I'm not setting any targets, or making any rash statements like living on a £1 a day, it will be a true story of how it really is. Don't expect me to be complaining about how expensive the cost of living is, or how fed up I am of having no money, that won't happen. Instead I want to open your eyes to the pleasures of a simple life, the enjoyment you can have out of life's free gifts, and how I wake up each day looking forward to the day ahead. See you later. Ilona

Two people commented on this one, Norfolk boy and Dancewriter, both from the USA. I was thrilled that someone had found me. I wonder where they are now. I can't find a blog for Dancewriter, and Norfolk Boy stopped blogging in 2012. I hope they are both alright and have a good life. 

So, What has happened to you over the last eight years? Are you in a better place, or about the same place. Have you moved forward one step. or taken two steps back? Thank you to everyone who has traveled with me along this road, here's heading for year nine. 

It's snowing here, a couple of quick walks to see Tina cat is all I will do today if it keeps on. Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon. Enjoy your Sunday.
Toodle pip

Cats visiting, and food

Hello, no clowns tonight, just me :o) This is Garcia in the window looking out. He pops in from time to time when there is no one in at his house. I was busy on the computer at the other end of the room when I heard him growl. He obviously is not impressed by another cat who is muscling in on his patch. I don't know where this new cat on the block lives, but he/she has taken a liking to my garden. There is a table just below the window outside and cats seem to like that. Sometimes they put their front paws up onto the sill and look in. It's funny to see their little faces peering in through the glass. 

My dinner tonight, veg left over from last night. I'm not sure if I deliberately or accidentally make too much, but never mind, if I can't eat it all there is always some to warm up the following day. There wasn't quite enough for a full meal so I chopped a leek and some mangetout peas, and added that, with some spinach. When all that was cooked I added two eggs and sort of half scrambled them. I think they used to call reheated leftovers Bubble and Squeak, or was that something with cabbage in it? This plate is now empty, I have eaten it all.

I took some cooked chicken for Tina cat, she likes that. I see some of the furniture has been removed from the house so maybe they are starting to clear it. I'm just off back there for the second visit as soon as I have done this. I've been sewing today, and watching videos. Can't stop watching Puddles, his singing is so good. I see Scott O Connor has another wood sculpture video out, he seems to be getting on with creating more art since the fire.

Just before I go, I've found FQ's recipe page, (on Web Archive.org), she had started to archive them. A lot of people were disappointed that all her recipes were lost when she closed her blog. So if you were a fan of her recipes here are some of them.  The links to the recipes work, and the links under the header work, and the links to the popular posts work, but not the blog archive or the labels. Maybe this will help some of you who liked her recipes.

That's it, I must go now. Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

Puddles in the flesh.

Hello. After posting last night I carried on watching Puddles on yooootoooob, I just couldn't stop, was up until gone midnight. There are some vids of him in the flesh, as Big Mike Geier, before he became Puddles. Some interviews as well, he is a big man at 6ft 8ins. He sings like Elvis and Tom Jones but in his own style. He sings Elvis better than Elvis.

For those who don't like clowns have a look at this. Some of his earlier videos are not up to top quality, but if you want to hear the very best covers ever click on Puddles and scroll the picture off the screen if you don't like his face. His voice is just awesome.



See you later.

Awesome

Hello. In the absence of anything witty, funny, interesting, inspirational, educational, shocking, crazy, or creative to say, have a look at this sad clown.



Awesome or what?
We'll catch up tomorrow. Toodle pip

Inspiration from an art teacher

Hello. I went to town today, needed to pay a bill into the bank and pick up a few essentials from Aldi. I also had a bimble around a couple of charity shops, looking for a canvas or two, found one, 50p. I also found these items which looked interesting. This wire thing was 50p, not sure what it was in it's previous life, but I have an idea what it could be in it's next life. 

In the Scope shop I found a set of 12 chrome coasters, for just £1. There is something pleasing to the eye about a spiral. I have an idea for these as well.

My inspiration for these two projects comes from one of the bloggers on my side bar, so not strictly my idea. Cassie Stephens is an art teacher, she is just amazing, the kids must love her. This is her blog post which inspired me to find something I could yarn bomb. In fact if you love art have a look at her blog she has some great ideas. Here is the video she has put on her blog post.


I've just managed to eat this massive dinner, all good stuff. The carrots, peas, broccoli, potatoes, baby sweetcorn, and parsnips, all yellow sticker, with two eggs scrambled into it. A fabulous dinner and I'm stuffed.

Time to go and do my walk and check on Tina. She was ok when I popped in this afternoon but I think she is missing her mummy. I will take some sewing and sit with her for a while.

Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

Storage solutions on the cheap.

Hello my little Blogerettes, howz ya didlin? The snow has almost gone here in North Lincolnshire, I'm not sure about other parts of the country though, they have had more than us.

I've made a video for you, I got it just about right first time this time, no retakes, ha ha. What you see is what you get, no editing. It's about using what you already have to store bits and bobs in, rather than going out to the shops and buying containers. With the whole plastic thing in the news at the moment, and the plastic boxes stacked sky high in the shops, I thought I would do my bit to point out that actually you might already have something in the house to keep your nails/screws/threads, paint brushes, crafting bits and pieces and anything else, tidy.



Blimey, it's only been live for twenty minutes and already someone has viewed it. It's 16 minutes long by the way.

Right, I'm going for a little bimble, and will pop in to check on Tina puss cat. I am splitting my walks into two at 2 miles each, the house is on my route so I can call in twice a day as I am passing.

Thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip

Eating well for less

Hello. It is one week since I did my last yellow sticker shop, and I still haven't eaten all the food I bought, even after giving some away. I thought I would post a picture of my lunch today, everything on the plate was 7 days out of date, and as you can see some of it was 'best before' and some was 'use by'. The rice with mushrooms was a salad pot, it went in the pan with the chopped up large mushroom and a drop of oil. I cooked it for five minutes on the hob. 

This is a mayo and garlic dip, it's all gone now, just finished it on my evening meal.

Avocado's, I did have one which I had to cut out the black bits, but one out of eight isn't bad when the rest were perfectly fine, and only 19p for a pack of two.

Unwashed salad leaves always last longer than the ready washed ones. I still have a bag of these left for tomorrow.

There was four large flat mushrooms in this pack, one left for tomorrow.

My out of date tasty veggie meal.

Yesterday I had an even cheaper lunch. It came in a plastic microwaveable pot, and only took two minutes to warm up, and only cost 20p. Beans, peas, and broccoli. I didn't need to add anything to it, this was plenty to fill me up.

I've been playing with the tissue paper again, this time I used a piece of white cotton fabric. It is laid on a metal grill rack to dry. First I put the background pieces on, blues and greens, then added the sun, and the stalks and flowers. The colours soon seep through. When I lifted the tissues I didn't think the colours of the flowers were dense enough, so I got small pieces of the same colour, screwed it up, wet it, and dabbed more colour on. A bit like painting with my fingers. My intention is to embroider onto it. I will think about what to do with it next, might add some paint first. 

My regular dog walking job has come to an end, Ken is walking Bailey now and he is getting on fine with it. I shall be filling in for him if he needs to take a day off for some reason. I now have a new job, Tina the puss cat is on her own, her owner had to go into care. Someone calls in once a day, and someone else twice a week, and I have a key to go and check on her every day. We are hoping to find her a new home through the rescue. It's snowing here at the moment, I shall pop and see her in an hour or so, it isn't far, across the road and down a street, only five minutes away.

Anyway, I'll cut you loose, thanks for popping in, we'll catch up soon.
Toodle pip