TARRAGON & THYME

What are you planning for your family to try and counteract the projected massive increases to energy costs and costs of living generally?   These days I live in a three-bedroom rented terrace house which is over 150 years old.  Originally these houses were heated by fires, with fires in two of the three bedrooms and downstairs in the Lounge and the Back Room.  There was also a fire in the kitchen (I assume to a stove).  There are remains of chimney stacks in the house although they have never been in operation since we have been here (some 35 years). So much as I would love a fire in both rooms to heat the house, it would cost an awful lot of money to put the chimneys that remain into proper working order.  Both would need chimney liners.  However, I think it would sort this house out where the heating was concerned. In summer, this house is relatively cool, and in Winter it gets very cold especially in the kitchen and bathroom annexe which is downsta...

I have nearly always kept a very well stocked Pantry - even though it is nowhere near where I wish it to be it is still quite well stocked in the current climate. I do not consider myself a Prepper as such, but when you think about it, I suppose I am, but in a different kind of way.  I have always viewed the Pantry being well stocked up as a necessity as you never quite know what is round the corner.  If it is sufficiently stocked with basics, then you can survive for quite a period of time utilising these items.  I know, we have done this in the past.  The only thing with it is that the kind of meals are not necessarily the kind of meals that you would choose or fancy, but it does provide very good balanced and tasty eating.  It really comes down to a matter of choices, whether you want to incur further debt as a result of losing a job, but still managing to feed yourself and your family relatively cheaply, but well.  If the Pantry is well-stocked you have...

I am pleased to report that two Followers here and on Instagram knew what this little gadget was. Well done to both ladies. SharonMorris9051 and Pamtamkin 4154 both on Instagram. Thank you to the rest of you for your guesses. Until just recently I also had the original yogurt maker (electric one) that my Mum bought and I used to make yogurt with all those years ago (I would be about 14 to 15 years old then)  I think however it was passed on to the local charity shop. However, this little gadget is to make your own homemade Cream from Milk and Butter. It is a hand tool that requires you to put in a little elbow grease.  I was given this quite a few years ago now by a work colleague.    Bearing in mind the current limitations being imposed on every family in the UK and elsewhere when it comes to energy bills at the moment, I thought that I would share.  I am aware that many of you will have not come across this gadget.  May be one to look out for in the Char...

Whilst sorting in the dining room, I have come across this object.  It is used in the kitchen, however, do any of you know what it actually does? It is a gadget from the 1970's, which is not electrified.  So perhaps something to use when we need hand tools rather than powered. Will reveal the answer at 4:00pm today. Catch you soon. Pattypan x

  Well as usual jobs did not go the way that I had planned.  I am going to give up trying to organise myself at this rate.  Some work did go on in the dining room; this then entailed me sorting out some stuff I did not know was in there.  Bits and bobs from this and bits and bobs from that.  Have rescued them and am now trying to put them back with their missing bits.  Do not want to go chucking something out unnecessarily.  Well, that is my excuse, and I am sticking with it! Whilst putting the washing out in the garden earlier in the afternoon I found a little surprise lurking in the greenery from my grapevine.  A couple of small bunches of grapes.  Not totally ripe but the black ones are really sweet.  I have taken them off the vine because of where they were, and I am hoping that they will finish off ripening in the back bedroom window where they will be out of the way.  Unfortunately, I am not aware of the variety of grape, but ...

Yesterday, I was not firing on all cylinders having not slept very well the night before.  I did my usual caretaking chores and  I burped the Ginger Beer, and we lost a bottle.  It was a little too fizzy and I was not quick enough in responding.  I therefore had a sticky mess to mop up. As the under-stair cupboard is more or less done - not everything but have some more stuff to get in there but it needs sorting first, I have started tidying the window corner of the dining room last nigh.  Only tiny steps, but a lot of rubbish went into the bin last night.  There is more to sort in this corner too. I hope I can carry on in this vein tomorrow, as the more I sort, the more I am finding, and then that item needs a home. I have a pile of paperwork that I found that needs sorting out and put in a binder if possible.  A lot of it is to do with my Family Tree research, but there is other stuff too.   I have in the circumstances prepped up this small list...