I thought Yesterday was Rough

However today is even rougher and so much colder.  Bitterly cold.  I have had my thick quilted winter coat on today.  If this carries on for a few days the heating will be going on.  Time for the door curtains to be put up and also get the hot water bottles out.  Could do with a couple more. The draught excluders need bringing out as well.  Time to winterproof the house.

Attended my GP Practice first thing and ran into several people I knew so rather than a Covid serious in-line wait it ended up being reasonably social.  Not that Covid jabs are not important.  Now topped up on both the Covid jab and the Flu jab.  I am considered "High Risk" and qualify on the Epilepsy front and also the Auto immune conditions of which I have several.  I am lucky and I do appreciate it.  G only qualified for the Flu jab.  He is not old enough!  So that is that all done and dusted until the next time.

I had a bit of running about this morning, but got that particular issue solved.  Then went shopping for food for the animals.  Then went shopping for some food for the Hoomans!

I also nipped to the shop around the corner and came back with a few things for the Christmas stash.  I am a big fan of Golden Sultanas.  Normally I get a big bag of them from my local Asian shop and I use them in fruit cakes and in puddings.  They are also nice added to an apple pie.  Today I managed to get a couple of smaller bags but they are the large Golden Sultanas.  They have been put up in the baking stash.  I also managed to source some more Cinnamon sticks which are for a craft project.  I will have a look another day to see if they have any more.  I also need to buy a bag of Cloves which are also needed for a project.

Tea has been organised for this evening.  We are having a Chicken Tikka Masala with rice and Naan Bread.  Tomorrow we are having the last rolled stuffed Belly pork that I prepared a while back. Any that is left over will go into gravy and be frozen for meals at any time.  It does work out well as we can end up with a lovely roast dinner in the middle of the week with a minimal amount of time.  For replacing the Pork, I am going to have to make enquiries at the Butcher to see if I can source some Bellies reasonably and then repeat the procedure. The Butcher I am thinking of is very reasonably priced on Pork joints so there is no harm in asking.  I would also like to make some more home cured Bacon as well. They had gone up a lot considering what I used to pay and I do not think that prices will have come down.  So will have to make some enquiries.  

The Pork belly joint stuffed with home made stuffing and then rolled is a family favourite, especially with my step-children.  I am still continuing to empty things out of the freezer. It will be emptied out even more soon as a lot of the fruit will be coming out to make jams.

Last time we went to the Butcher a couple of weeks ago, they had some very nice Gammon joints and I am hoping that when I go again, they will have some in that are reasonably priced and bigger in size than the ones you get at the supermarket (like the ones I saw the other week).  I hope to snaffle a couple of those if they have them in.  I also need to source some meat for making Pork Pies and also Braesola and Pastrami.  I want to make a batch of Pork Pies and freeze them and also have a go at the Braesola and Pastrami as I have never had a go at making these and Salami too.  I thought that I might be able once the freezer is full of much meat as it can be bearing its capacity, that I might be able to weave in one of the items or a couple a month into the household budget.  It is just a thought at the moment, but I think breaking it down into segments and looking at the type of storage I have available to me brings it into the realms of possibility.  I am also hoping to make Gravadlax for Christmas as well.  This is a particular favourite of mine.  Will just have to see how things go.  However I am aware that I need to start sorting things now to save time moving forward.

I like to stock up on a range of food items for both the Pantry and for the Freezer and some fresh items in advance.  We then have a choice of items for the Christmas celebrations and moving forward.  We are also fed and have the security for at least a couple of months going forward.  When a lot of the monthly budget goes on bills it is a relief not to have to worry so much about where the next meal is coming from as there are meals or the basis of meals going forward.  That is another reason why I try to keep a diverse range of items in my Pantry.  They are bought a bit at a time and I take advantage of offers where I can.

Hope everyone has a lovely evening.

Catch you soon.

Pattypan

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