Prepping for Xmas 2013

 Yes, I really did mean Christmas 2013! This year we are taking part in Frugaldom's sealed pot challenge. The idea is you save your small change found pennys, and occasional few pounds throughout the year in a sealed pot. On December 3rd we all open them together and splurge :)
 We are planning to use ours for Christmas family outing/ trip to see Santa. 

I've also experimented with microwave meringues and can thoroughly recommend the recipe. Life is far to short to make them in the oven!!!



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Going's on

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 I've not blogged for short while, we are all suffering the sniffles here. Not quite enough to call it a cold, but it's throwing the small ones off balance.
 Picked up some more bits on my travels, 2 books from a friend who thinks I'd like them, And a gorgeous silk scarf. I picked up because I liked the colour and pattern, but when I looked at the label it said 100% silk and Made for the John Lewis partnership. Not bad for my 20p.

 A better picture of the scarf's detail.

And some of you will have noticed my new tab at the top of the blog. It is a link to the FHMH's very own shop. I'm trying to sell some crafted items to take part in the 2013 Frugaluer challenge. Feel free to pop over for a looksie. The FaceBook store is only temporary until I set up an Ebid page,

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Nanny's care package

 My Dad popped down to see us all today, and brought with him a little clothing parcel from my mum and our Christmas decorations. The 5 little dresses for Baby D are stunning, one of them is Jasper Conran! Goodness knows what they would cost new! I can't help looking at the lovely fabrics from a crafters eye as well lol.

And of course DD wasn't left out with three lovely new tops and snugly pink hoody.
 Best of all? They come washed and ironed ready to wear. Thanks mum

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Frugal Homemade cooking

 We made a mystery meal last night as I am determined to waste as little as possible. We hunted through the fridge and found two eggs. So we made a simple batter of flour, milk and eggs. And hunted some more.

 1/2 dozen cherry tomatoes - chopped and bunged in
1/2 tin of sweetcorn - sprinkled in - the other half will be DD's snacks
4 slices of garlic sausage - chopped and added
4 chipolata sausages - chopped and added.

 Pour over the batter, and give it a moment to sink down through the layers.

Bung it in the oven at 190 until set and golden. Ours took about 35 minutes and was utterly delicious.
 Everything used up nicely and enough dinner for 4 adult meals and 2 toddler meals.

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Budget shopping

  Glove puppet and story - 20p  Tiny Doll - 20p

I knew I shouldn't have popped into a local charity shop on my way to Lidl. I can't resist hunting through the bargain bins and sale rails. All these bits came from the same shop.

Teddy set for Baby D - Disney top for Baby D - Pudsey top for DD

 
 I cannot believe the things that some places put into their 4 for £1 bins! I wonder if it's because the volunteers don't want to mark prices on all the baby items. There are some quality items to be found from having a good dig right down to the bottom. Most people just glance at the top three items.

 Summer weight hoody - £1 on the sale rail

 I never worry about shopping in season, in fact I try to do the opposite as things are priced so much cheaper. Hence this lovely Cederwood state hoody. Short sleeved and light weight perfect for summer.

Grandad Jumper - £1 from Sale Rail

I love the pattens on this jumper and I've seen a rather nice tutorial about how to make them into cushion covers. That's for after its been worn for at least one winter though

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Frugal goings on

  We have been moving furniture around this weekend. Baby D is now attempting to sit up from on her back and getting her head far to high for the moses basket to be safe. So she is officially upgraded to her cot which we've moved into our room. In order to make room we relocated one of the sideboards into the kitchen. We brought the one above for just £25 at a local charity shop several years ago. Doesn't it match with the dresser and table nicely. I think my dining are is looking rather vintage at the moment.

 I have also made some fudge using up the last of the clotted cream from my tea party. It tastes like heaven. It's even set properly! Usually mine comes out more like toffee or caramel sauce :)

 And finally with all that moving things about I have rediscover so many things I've tucked away. Like my wooden sewing box I'd lost,  a vintage linen hanky ready to embroider and an embroidery panel of a crinoline lady.
 Once I have finished my current secret project (can't wait to show you all) I will try and get the two project above done. Best get to work :)

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Church Christmas Fayre

 Talking Shrek - 75p  Talking Donkey - 75p.

  Me and the bambino's popped into a local Church's Christmas Fayre earlier today. We live almost opposite so it was a nice little walk without getting to chilly and not far to lug things home if we brought anything big. It also meant DD could stretch her little legs, not easy to do when your little and it's chilly.
 DD is really fond of Shrek at the moment, we've been watching to movies over and over for the last few days. I didn't realise they talked till we got home and I gave them a look over, found the battery packs and turned them on.

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 Jigsaw book - Simpsons Annual - Water for Elephants - 25p each

 Books, books, books, we are quite a family of readers and have a small mountain of stories dotted around the flat. DD tends to get bored of them after a few readings except for a select few so I like to keep some new ones on hand.

 I saw the film version of Water for Elephants recently and have been looking out for a copy of the novel for a few weeks. Don't you just love it when that happens?   

 Pumba - La la - Octopus - 3 for 50p

 If you remember from a previous post that DD has two other Lion King characters so he will be a great addition. The two little toys are perfect for Baby D who is just starting to grab at things now, they are both super soft and they rattle.
 

Spot's Christmas - 25p

 And finally one more book, which I haven't been able to get near yet lol. But DD tells me it's very good and she is rather pleased with it.
  We played £1 on a tombola but didn't win a sausage, and had a refreshing drink and biscuit each for 30p. Picked up an Xmas present for OH, and brought everyone a nice cake for tea. All together I spent about £6 once you include the entrance fee. Not bad for a mornings entertainment.

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