Safely Delivered and a little Food Shopping

I know we are all extremely busy at this time of year and that the present circumstances have all hit us particularly hard.  I am going through the pros and cons of Christmas this year but am not really in Christmas mode at all truth be told. No Christmas shopping per se this year just focusing on needs rather than wants and making selected choices and using what we have to hand. Christmas is going to be very low key here this year, like many other households. The main considered expense has been the meat and we have downsized on a lot of other things we normally have or have gone without. Does not mean it is going to be a bad Christmas; Christmas is what you make of it. It is just that the creative me enjoys all the planning, the making and the crafting in preparation for this which have not been able to do for one reason or another this year.  I will start Christmas 2024 preparations in January this coming New Year though, in an effort to take advantage of the quieter months whilst inside the house and trying to maximise my efforts.

One item we have pushed the boat out on though is our Christmas lunch which has now been delivered safely and soundly by courier.

Christmas Lunch

We opted for a Rib roast for our Christmas Dinner this year from a Butcher in Launceston who we have heard very good reviews about.  We ordered meat from them last year but which unfortunately due to problems with the Delivery company, we ended up having to cancel.  Despite always being guaranteed their Butchery deliveries before Christmas the Delivery company were unable to do this.  After all it was for Christmas lunch and we therefore regretfully had to cancel the order.  Fortunately the Butcher offered cancellations and refunds even though it was through no fault of their own. We felt quite sorry for the Butcher being placed in this predicament and they were only warned a couple of days before our delivery was due. We placed and paid for the order at the beginning of last month as we had determined to place the order in good time this year.  Hopefully if we get to the van in this coming year will be able to go to the shop in person and use them when down there as they are about 6 miles from where the caravan is, which is nearer than the Butcher we had been using.  Will have to see what happens "there are a lot of mights in a piece of cheese" as the saying goes and a lot could happen before then.  Fingers crossed that this coming year is more peaceful and a better one for everyone all round.  Too much chaos.

On opening the box, it has been very well packed and the ice cubes are still intact.  The meat looks really good quality and will make for some good eating. We also ordered some Bacon, some sausages and chipolatas. These are always a good indicator of whether the Butchers are good all rounders.  I am a bit "pernickity" when it comes to sausages and bacon.  I know what I like and it does not always have to cost the earth.  The meat will get used all the way round even if I can some up for the Pantry shelf in due course.  We are having a small Turkey as well for cold cuts from one of the supermarkets and that will more or less be it apart from a small bit of ham. Stock will also be made from the Beef bones and the Turkey bones for the Pantry shelf.

We went and did the bulk of the shopping this morning whilst it was quieter.  We were able to move around quite a bit and things were not manic although G has one nerve (he does not like shopping of any kind), and was starting to get growly.  This means because of his lack of tolerance I end up having to dash in places without really getting a proper good look around as to what is available.  At least we got some basics which I am pleased about and the majority of shopping is done.  Just a few bits here and there and I have to go to the veg shop.  We went to both Morrisons and to Aldi. No shortages of anything either. Will go back in the New Year and have another proper look around as I am intent on building the Pantry store up this year as much as I can.  Will see how things go.  However very grateful for what we did get.  Feeling very lucky.

Hope everyone else is getting sorted with their Christmas shop without having a nervous breakdown.  I am finding more and more that I cannot cope with crowds or people I just do not want to be anywhere near.  In years' past, I have always managed to accomplish stocking the Pantry by the end of November.  Going to attempt to do that again for this coming year although things are not going to be easy.  Will see what can do.

Since getting all the food home the fridge has been stripped and washed out and all the food packed away.  The meat is in one of the bottom drawers to the fridge (I have a Samsung Larder fridge).  We have also tried a rack of ribs for our tea tonight from Aldi and we really enjoyed it.  I cannot get easily to our local Aldi store and so am reliant on G taking me there.  I am hoping he will take me a little more often in the future although I am still intending to carry on doing a lot more preserving in due course.  Every little helps as they say.

No too long to go now.

Have a lovely evening everyone.

Catch you soon.

Pattypan

x