I went shopping

Monday

I have a few projects to finish up on the preserving front before Christmas for which I needed supplies. I am a sad person! I really enjoy food shopping when I can go on my own and not be hurried which incidentally stresses me out (being hurried).  If I am left to my own devices and I can get on with things then things get done and happen a lot more quickly than if I am being prodded!  Such is life.

I have the Shallots and Pickling Onions to do. Despite my best attempts I did not get to it the other night.  Heading for Friday night at the moment.  Does not matter that will not be mature for Christmas as long as we have some.  I also like to pickle Red Cabbage, but I tend to make this last minute when I can get hold of the red cabbage.  Not seen any where I have been shopping until today.  Three red cabbages have therefore come home with me to make a small supply of this for eating over Christmas.   Since then I have been pedalling away trying to get to the pickles.    

I have also bought pears for turning into pears in syrup, Lemons for Lemon curd (organic unwaxed ones), the rest of the veggies for making Piccalilli.  I will put them in brine on Tuesday to be completed on Wednesday.

I have also bought more Cranberries and will go for a further six cartons in a few days time.  Twelve cartons bought altogether.  One batch of six with apples for Cranberry and Apple jelly, the next batch for Cranberry Relish, the next couple of batches will be for Cranberry juice and Cranberry sauce.

More Chestnuts have also been bought.  We like Roasted Chestnuts and I found an article on how to roast them in the Ninja or Air Fryer which I am going to have a go at.  The link is here and is from a lady called Maria at her blog called "She Loves Biscotti":

Roasted Chestnuts in Airfryer

Various shops to go to during the week as well. Still a lot to do yet.  Not all of it for Christmas, but for the coming year as well.

Wednesday

I needed to get out of the house and we headed to Iceland as I needed a few more top up items.  I was also out of sugar.  Managed to get enough for getting the stuff I have got to do done, but will need to go again in a few days.   I buy the sugar from Iceland/The Food Warehouse. You can get 2kg of sugar for £2 - works out £1 a bag.  They also did a 5kg bag of sugar for £5.40 which works out 40p than buying two for £2.  I bought six bags to get it at this price, but it really does pay to do the calculations.  I still need to go and do the rest of the stock up.  House things come first though at the moment.  

Thursday

Onto more mundane matters now, we had to have a new TV delivered as the other one packed up a couple of days ago.  Have therefore taken the opportunity today to actually strip the Study/Computer/Craft Room out completely.  I have had all the nets, curtains down and washed them.  I have scrubbed the walls as well.  So it has been full on today since about 7:00am.  I am knackered but I have to keep going as I have loads more stuff to do yet.  Will be another early start tomorrow as well. I still have to finish the Craft Room/Study/Computer room off.  Will get that done as soon as I can though although saying that at least last night Missy did not give us a disturbed night's sleep for a change.  We rarely get a full night's sleep with her these days. Some of it unfortunately is down to dementia as well. At the moment, she has her issues, but she seems happy enough in herself and whilst that remains the case am happy to keep her going.  Soft as grease me, love her to bits.  Even Mischief goes and checks on her and the other evening something happened that I thought never would.  They both settled on me together and went to sleep near enough head to head.  Nine times out of ten Mischief takes a swipe when the notion takes her at an often unsuspecting Missy; then Missy gets upset as she is a very good hearted little dog not a bad bone in her body.  Still it was a pleasing moment, settled together.  Wish I had had the camera!

I am just waiting for a take-away to arrive.  I think I have earned that today and just do not have the energy to cook what I had got out.  That will be for tomorrow now.  Then I can get on with carrying on the bottom out.  I do choose my moments, however too much of a good opportunity to go around especially as I would have had to put all the stuff back and then drag it out again at a later date.  More time efficient to deal with it this way, despite the chaos.

Needless to say I cannot help myself I carried on pottering into the middle of the evening, getting other little bits here and there done including a load more washing and drying.  Now re-stocked up with clean tea towels and dish cloths again.

Christmas will be for us very quiet this year. Time to recharge a bit and for me at least to indulge in some sitting down and crafting before I start getting stuck in again on the next phase of Project house.  I will be continuing with the sorting.  

On the plus side, the little magnifying lamp I recently bought looks as though it will be just the job and help me no end with the cross stitch and embroidery projects I have to tackle.  I have two sets of embroidery Christmas tree ornament projects to tackle in the coming year and I think it will be ideal for this.  A lot of the Cross stitch projects I have to do are also 14 count Aida.  I am looking forward to getting stuck in and prioritising some creating time on a daily basis going forward from Christmas when I will get the opportunity to sit down for a while.

Have a lovely evening everyone.

Catch you soon.

Pattypan

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