2026 What would I like to do this year Part One

Lots of things are on the agenda.  I want to make use of the quieter months to complete projects that I am part way through and then move on to other projects.  There is a lot to take in and some of it looks totally impossible from where I am standing at the moment.  You have to give it a go though.  Well I do.  I do not give in easily and I like to be busy.

Perhaps the simplest answer to this will be a piecemeal one.  Where I attack a particular aspect of my life or home with gusto and focus in order to get a head start on the lighter months, ones where we hope to go down to Cornwall.  There are long term plans in some respects or outline plans in any event.  

There is also a lot to do on the preserving front as well.  It will be a year round effort as this past year I did not get the preserving done which I needed to do.

Christmas is also featuring very highly on the Agenda this year.  I will be aiming to do stuff across the board in relation to this.  I am aiming to find presents or make themduring the year. I am aiming to make a lot of decorations myself which all take time and effort.  I quite enjoyed last Christmas although some things went pear shaped.  I certainly enjoyed all the making, cooking and then being able to relax afterwards.  I plan to make more items on the food front this year, and plan better for getting certain items into the freezer as I go along rather than having to pay premiums on food items.

At the end of January I intend to go and see the Butcher, not just for meat for meals but also to start preparing items like Haslet, Pork Pies, Scotch Eggs, Savoury Ducks and Pate on a more regular basis.  I also want some Brisket, Liver, Pork Belly.  I would like to have a go at making Salami and if I can find a nice Ham I would like another one of those as I can cook the Ham and then prep it up for freezing for use throughout the following month.  The Ham I prepared for Christmas came out spot on.

I would also very much like a large Chest Freezer again.  Now I have to work on the logistics of where and if possible then save up for it.

The Pantry also needs re-organising and I am also looking to create more of my own Pantry staples, pre-planning and mixing up blends and mixtures that we will use.  I have nearly gone through all the Cinnamon sugar I prepared last year as I have been using it on my porridge, in baking and also on toast and occasionally in coffee.  There are also Lemon, Orange, Lime and Citrus mixed sugars to make.  I have found them invaluable in cooking and baking and especially for pancakes.  I therefore do like to have these on the shelf.  As a result rather than have one big session I thought that I would try and incorporate some of these mixes into my daily scheme of things and get them prepped up ready for use.  I also have some bread mixes and Dumpling mix to make up.  More on that in due course though.

Tea tonight

Homemade French Onion soup for a cold Winter's Evening.  It was tasty, filling and warming.  This is my go to soup when I am under the weather generally or with a stinking cold.  When I have a cold though, I do not eat Dairy as I have found that for me it makes the tubes block up a bit so I steer clear.

The bonus is that there is enough for a repeat performance for tomorrow.

I might make some Carrot soup for me at least tomorrow.  I love a good soup as I find it very filling and good for you.

In the early hours of Monday morning we had Snow fall and the rooftops where all white and sparkly.  Mind you it is perishingly cold.  Currently -2 degrees C.  I therefore think soup is definitely on the agenda a lot this week.  Will probably make a Minestrone style soup as well.

Take care, keep warm and safe.

Catch you later on.

Pattypan

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