Zero waste.

We are just about back to normal - but I couldn't resist one of my all time favourites to use up some left over cheddar and some ggs - yes we have an egg glut!

I grated the cheese, whipped up a couple of eggs, mustard and some worcester sauce - awesomeness on a plate.

The fridge is full so I am refusing to buy any food until we have used up everything. Our lovely organic vegetables last us for 3 night's dinners and by day 4 any left go into a soup.

The roast vegetables get chopped together and I make a vegetable kegeree with spring onions. The yorkshire puds ahem have now all gone.

The mashed potato had the lovely addition of some celariac - again I added spring onions and will make the mixture into fishcakes.

I haven't thought about any New Year's resolutions but zero food waste is one of my aims. Throughout January and February we will be eating traditional warming dinners and I also want to eat more fish.

2016

Happy New Year - 1.

New Year's Eve has become a village event now - this year we were invited to our neighbours over the road but the evening commenced with happy Hour at ours. I made some cocktails and we had a fun couple of hours.

Wendie (in the hat) is a great amateur dramatic fan so the hat provided a could prop for many hours of entertainment.

After 10 years of the same spring like curtains I often talk about....

I decided on a change........

We visited a few neighbours homes (we had been invited) and got to bed quite late.

This morning Jon made us bacon sandwiches for breakfast and we have sufficient nibbles and party food for later.

I have a week to clear and prepare the porch as we have had a huge leak on the roof. As we don't tend to use the porch a great deal, chosing to use the kitchen door as an entrance, we were blissfully unaware of the rainwater coming in from the flat roof extension. About 5 months ago the local roofer "patched up" the corroded felt but after the heavy rain a more permanent solution was needed, so he replaced it all but now we have to have the ceiling repaired, possibly replaced. We will know when the decorator comes next Monday. The carpet needs replacing so we are replacing the hall carpet too. Once everything is finished, together with some additional storage we will use the porch as the main entrance. Currently a pale yellow I am once again exploring the world of bold colours and going for a grey theme - dark grey. The carpet, currently beige will also be grey...watch this space!

Y is for Yule.

 December has certainly been a busy time for the village. We were encouraged to apply for council funding to help with the purchase of some christmas lights and a tree. Whilst we have lived in the village for 25 years I have never known of  a village christmas tree. For a few years there was one at the local pub but this hasn't been the case for the past few years.

The town council received some funds specifically for Christmas decorations - we were the only village without any form of Christmas display and as other communities had been given funding in the past we were optimistic our application would be approved - which it was. The town council supplied the tree and lights and the borough council provided funding for the icicle lights and electrician's fees. All work had to be super approved etc. so we were really pleased with the results. There was a lot of decisions to be made, organising etc. The choice of light colours and style fell on my shoulders but I knew it had to reflect the traditional village idyll - I think it did.

The lights were installed and on November 28th were switched on at our Christmas Coffee morning.
Another first for the village - a visit from Father Christmas. My friend Karen and I organised this event which was a success bringing funds for the Village Hall.

No sooner had we tidied away from the event, it was time to celebrate yet another first. The village hall Christmas meal. As I have shared here in previous months, I have been involved with village hall activities as I am now back on the committee. These events whilst raising funds have really brought the community together. All our events have been supported by the village. People attend and or supply prizes and baking ingredients. We decided to cook a meal for the residents of the village - a traditional Christmas dinner and for those who couldn't attend - a meal would be delivered.

We had a wonderful day - December 9th Karen and I cooked for 30, 12 delivered. Another neighbour provided entertainment so we had a sing song after the meal and a bingo session. It was a great success - we'll do it again in 2016.

Another first - with some of the proceeds from our fund raising events we paid for children under 12 to go to a pantomime. Parents paid a reduced ticket price - partly subsidised by the funds  and we paid for the transport.

Not long after this I fell ill with the dreaded Christmas cold - which I could deal with, the dreadful chesty cough was another matter. It left me feeling really drained and with no energy for any Christmas preparations. Fortunately it was just Jon and I on Christmas Day so I didn't have the pressure of cooking for 8 people.




I bought a small turkey crown and piece of pork - it kept us going for 3 days! I prepared the vegetables knowing I had sufficient again for subsequent meals. Whilst I enjoyed our Christmas dinner during the period of my cold I lost my appetiti but found salmon sandwiches were a godsend and happily tucked into them on several occasions.


Our new member of the family remember?

I think it's safe to say she has had an enjoyable Christmas - certainly better than what was on the cards if we hadn't taken her in.

Bing and Sadie have had an enjoyable time too - 

Their daily adventures on the beach ensure they sleep well!

2016 approaches - a lot to look forward to...........
 Watch this space.

Y for Yule (ABC Wednesday)