tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7703817848238285099.post6837966626532313932..comments2024-03-28T01:42:19.513+00:00Comments on TARRAGON & THYME: That "Christmas" wordPattypanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10533048669555871726noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7703817848238285099.post-28216962054452036232010-09-13T01:20:42.892+01:002010-09-13T01:20:42.892+01:00My Nan and my Mum also used to do this. I think th...My Nan and my Mum also used to do this. I think that living in the War years when they could not take anything for granted and the fact that wages were a lot lower, spurred this way of budgeting and became second nature. In those days you had to save up for things and pay as you went. I know that mum's family had it tough but equally my other grandparents did too. There were different priorities and different needs. With my partner not working either I think I have sort of gone back to tried and trusted methods in an attempt to make something out of nothing and without paying through the nose either especially with the one wage coming in as most of that is catered for on bills in any event. I find it works for me, but my choices are much more considered these days and I try and work out what I need rather than just buying willy nilly.<br /><br />PattypanPattypanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10533048669555871726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7703817848238285099.post-9385072992589021202010-09-12T18:14:50.362+01:002010-09-12T18:14:50.362+01:00Hi Pattypan
I couldn't believe it when I saw t...Hi Pattypan<br />I couldn't believe it when I saw the Christmas items in the shops the other day... why can't they wait till after halloween/bonfire night. We end up having 3 different celebrations in the shops all at the same time.<br /><br />I always put an item or two away each week leading up to christmas, it certainly helps.<br /><br />xxJulie https://www.blogger.com/profile/15712709232628195386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7703817848238285099.post-7932748428008699222010-09-11T22:05:51.281+01:002010-09-11T22:05:51.281+01:00Hi Pattypan
I too have always put a box away and ...Hi Pattypan <br />I too have always put a box away and added a food item or two to it each week - it was the only way when my children was small that I managed to afford Xmas and all the trimmings for us. Even though my children have all grown now - I still have my box and it is already half full. It takes the pressure off my purse for that last weekly shop just before Xmas - it's amazing how much it does help. Many thanks - Bye SandraTrudiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16242249211391956940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7703817848238285099.post-66970719275612720702010-09-11T11:18:50.776+01:002010-09-11T11:18:50.776+01:00Hi Rowan - lovely to hear from you. Hope the fami...Hi Rowan - lovely to hear from you. Hope the family are all well and that you have had a really good time.<br /><br />I tend to agree with you about the four months lead up to Christmas - from a completely purist point of view that would be my chosen way. Its the way I was bought up. But working full time my "preparation" time is limited - although I do down tools to do certain things to maximise the time to get things done at the end of the day the housework and other committments still need to be slotted in. This year I have gone back to a more seasonal way of eating and preparing things than ever before. As you put it "living in the moment" and I am enjoying doing this. Its also going back to my roots a more simple and more honest way of living. I still have a way to go - I have a clear idea of what I would like to achieve, but its not there yet and its only through trial and error that you only work out something tailor made to suit everyone.<br /><br /><br />I get fed up with the commercialisation too (especially last year when in January they were selling Easter Eggs and had only just got rid of the Christmas stuff) and my immediate reaction was oh no. But we have to deal with what hand life delivers us and our own circumstances are as best we can and cut our cloth according to our kelter. Planning a little helps eases things out - its not necessarily the ideal way but compromise also plays its part so in effect I have my feet in both camps and am "cherry picking" those things I want to do or have a go at pennies providing. I aim to buy one or two things a week - but if the pennies are not there then that cannot be done. It comes down to choices at the end of the day and sometimes too much choice can "muddy the waters". My cake and puddings will be done last week of September/first week of October as I still have other preserving projects and things for the freezer to do. But at the end of the day it comes down to choices, plenty of planning, the finances available and about gelling it into some semblance of order that works for you so that you get variety and lots of good food to boot. I prefer to make things myself if I can as I get so much more satisfaction from this. So here's to living in the moment and finding a solution that suits the family's needs however it is arrived at and having plenty of good food and a good time to boot.<br /><br />I too love Autumn and I am enjoying lurking round the hedgerows at the moment and elderberry jelly is next on the agenda. I told you its the Squirrelling instincts that come out with me, now all I need to find is some nuts!<br /><br />Catch you later<br /><br />PattypanPattypanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10533048669555871726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7703817848238285099.post-72159635808727995432010-09-11T07:10:24.843+01:002010-09-11T07:10:24.843+01:00Nice post, I'm afraid I get very irritated wit...Nice post, I'm afraid I get very irritated with these 4 month long Christmas's in the shops but I'm all for buying and putting away gifts if I see something I think is appropriate. Food prep doesn't begin until late October/early November for me when I make the Christmas cake and mincemeat. I prefer to enjoy the season I'm actually in and especially autumn as this is my favourite time of the year. People always seem to be racing on to the next thing rather than appreciating the present. I'm reading on American forums about people getting out Halloween decorations and starting to put them out! I do decorate for Samhain but not until a couple of days before. It's good to live in the moment I think though there's nothing wrong with a bit of anticipation along the way:)Rowanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13679130612798888266noreply@blogger.com