Trying To Live More Slowly

This is how I'm feeling lately. I'm trying to cut back and slow down as much as I can and avoid the hustle culture. It's not easy is it? I have been baking a bit, but of course cake baking means eating it !! My reasoning is home made is a bit better for you because you can adjust sugar levels and there is no crap ingredients in it. This polenta cake made with olive oil is a point in question. I've never made a cake with polenta before but boy was it amazing. Full of good things, with lemon and orange zests taking centre stage. My family gave it 10 out of 10, and perfect for gluten intolerant folk, which is an added bonus.

I also made some rosemary and rock salt bread, I know, very cottagecore. It looks fantastic, no? It was dry and horrible. Although the Mr chomped his way through it. What was left I blitzed into breadcrumbs to avoid any waste. They freeze quite well so all was not lost.

I Bloomin Love Her Attitude

What a gal. RIP Marianne.

An Eclectic Mix of Things That Have Caught My Eye This Week

I thought this was a spiffing idea, plus it gives a new use to plain old bottles that might otherwise just be recycled.

I'm going to make my own version of this with some very old and dusty books and a small tester pot of paint, but I thought I would leave the price on to show you.

I thought this 17th century plate was very soulful and desirable. And last but not least, something for The Ladies. As Frankie would say, titter ye not.

A Money Saving Idea

Good afternoon blogging chums. You know of course that I love to save a penny or two and will do my best, always, to get good quality at a reduced price if possible. So I thought going forward if I spot something I will let you all know. This weekend the Mr and I are popping to a travel show, to garner some information and to spot some jolly holiday options that perhaps we have missed before. It is on at the Manchester Central. We got free tickets through a newsletter I received, so far so good. We are then having a late lunch with our lad and his lovely girlfriend at a Spanish tapas bar. I googled said restaurant and tried to find any discount codes or offers. One popped up, The Tastecard. No I hadn't heard of it either, offering 2 for 1 on main meals. But It looked like you had to pay £79.99 for a year's subscription. I continued my search and saw it did have free trials etc but nothing I could access. Then BINGO! The Lidl App plus, which I have only installed about four weeks ago has a free trial for 90 days, and after that you can pay for a year's useage for only £29.99. I like the sound of that.

My Hope For 2025

Wouldn't it be nice if everyone joined in?

Vicar of Dibley Royal Mail Stamps

My very good friend Linda who passed away a few years ago now, was a HUGE fan of The Vicar of Dibley. She would have rushed to buy this new set of Royal Mail stamps, celebrating the iconic comedy series. These ones are available now on Ebay despite not officially being released until the 14th January. I'm not a collector of stamps myself but I kinda feel I need to buy them on her behalf, is that silly?

Everyone Is After My Money

It's the same all year really but the constant bombardment, post Christmas, for us to buy buy buy, is grating with me. The temptation to'grab a bargain' is very real, but actually resisting spending can be much more satisfying. The Mr and I did go out a few days ago to take a look around our local shops, more to stretch our legs than to look for something to buy. We did buy a few things, which I'm very pleased to say were all second hand from our various local charity shops and of course therefore very cheap. I also donated a few items at the same time. Win win. I did buy an old box which caught my eye because of the hand decoration on the outside. It appealed to me. I'm wondering how old it might be and whether it might perhaps have been a tea caddy in another life? I wonder if any of you, my blogging chums might know. Also the small brass insert shows a crest, any ideas?

Bright Blessings for 2025

It's been a funny ole year what with one thing and another. The Mr and I are still desperately wanting to get moved to Norfolk and that is our primary wish for early 2025. The end of 2024 has seen a lot of ill health in our extended family, with even the mr and I falling by the wayside in the last two weeks of December. Friends, we cancelled Christmas. But I am looking forward rather than back now. 2025 will be a healthy joyful one for us and I hope for all of you lovely blogging chums. Thank you for being there, I hope to do and share more with you all in 2025, sharing joy where I can. A toast to you all.