After returning home from Yorkshire, it was a case of getting back into a routine. I was going to go to the gym on Thursday morning, but decided to go and do the rest of the grocery shopping instead, to make sure that I didn't get stuck in traffic. I had only done part of it on the Sunday before we went away, so there were still things I needed to get and I had a couple of vouchers to use too before they expired.
It wasn't a cheap shop. I needed some more of an expensive mouthwash that I use, but I managed to find it on special offer at Boots, so I stocked up and ended up getting the equivalent of 3 for the price of 2, which should help the budget in the long run.
I used a £4 off a £40 spend voucher and another Clubcard voucher for £3 off at Tesco, so I made a good saving on the shopping I did there. I threw the odd Xmas item into the trolley, to be put in the freezer until Xmas day.
I front loaded the grocery shopping this week, buying a few pricey bits and a few multiples at a good price, to save money later in the month. It does mean that I only have £90 per week left to spend on groceries for the rest of the month. It will be a challenge, but I'll just have to make it work. I do, however, have some more money off vouchers to use over the next couple of weeks, which should help. I just have to make sure I spend enough to qualify, so I have to buy some things from Tesco that I would normally get at Lidl. I try not to overpay for things though and choose things that are a very similar price or sometimes, if I'm lucky even cheaper.
Talking of Lidl, I also managed to get a couple of freebies at Lidl this week, using the Lidl Plus app, one being a 1.5kg bag of potatoes and the other being a doughnut from the bakery. Not to be sniffed at. I'll always take advantage of the freebies and if it's something I don't want for myself, I usually put it in the foodbank basket.
I enjoy my shopping trips, I like the challenge of getting things at a good price. I always check out the yellow stickers, although there wasn't a lot I wanted from there this week, just some bakery items to go into the freezer. It's got to be done these days to balance the budget and I'm not too proud to do it.
In the evening, OH and I watched the final of Celebrity Traitors. At least with this series, all the money goes to charity whoever wins.
Friday started positively, when the scaffolders finally came to take away all the scaffolding from our side return and next door. I was so pleased to see it go. It's still pretty dark in the kitchen, because the weather is a bit grim (although dry), but on a sunny day, I'm sure we'll notice a big difference.
As it was dry, I decided to take myself off for a walk and get some exercise. It started drizzling as soon as I set off, but I persevered and it stopped. It felt like a long walk, but I only managed 8,000 steps, better than nothing though. I also stopped and used a few machines in an outdoor gym in the park.
On Saturday, OH and I headed out early to go to the free over 50's gym session. It was busy in the gym, but we both managed to get a good workout.
When I got home, I headed out to the allotment for a couple of hours, to do some weeding and digging over. The part that I tackled was pretty grown over with grass and weeds and needed clearing to prevent them spreading. It was quite back breaking though, as the ground was quite wet and heavy. I did what I could.
It was a lovely clear morning and way too good to spend inside at home. I needed to make the most of any good weather we get at the moment. Here's a picture of the half of the plot that I worked on:
I made a start, but there's still a bit to dig over at the end. I removed most of the deep rooted weeds to make it easier when I do go back. Whilst there I took a photo of one of my dahlia plants which is still flowering profusely:
On Saturday afternoon, I decided to try to make some banana bread. I'd never made it before and was super late to this particular party. It reminded me of when, during Lockdown, everyone was raving about and making banana bread. I think I resisted at the time, because it was so popular. Anyway, I had some ripe bananas in the freezer, so I used some of those.
I used a recipe I found on Pinterest, which seemed pretty straight forward, but I wasn't sure how it would turn out. Let's just say it tasted nice, but didn't look like a banana bread, hence why I haven't posted a photo. It was nice with some Greek yoghurt and it all got eaten wtihin a couple of days. It's a healthier pudding than most though, as it was made from just bananas, oats, eggs, cinnamon, baking powder and just a quarter cup of demerara sugar (I didn't have brown). I also added a few chocolate chips.
On Sunday, it was another beautiful day with blue skies, so I headed back to the allotment and finished digging down the side I'd started the day before. I also did a bit of work on the other side, but there are fewer weeds on the rest of the plot, so it shouldn't take long to dig over. I then pruned the gooseberry bush and blackcurrant bush, so I got a bit further with putting the plot to bed for the winter. I enjoyed just being outside, taking my time to work around the plot. It was very peaceful, as there was no-one else there.
On Sunday afternoon, I put the denim that I'd bought last week in the wash before using them for LB's pouffe. I decided to start work on the pouffe and began hand stitching a hexie panel for it with some dark denim that I already had. I'm intending to ombre the panel from dark to light at the top. Each side panel will be done in a different style of patchwork, as will the top. I've saved lots of ideas on Pinterest to inspire me. Here's how far I got this weekend:
I'll continue upwards with lighter coloured denims once the items I bought have dried and been ironed. It's quite hard on the hands, handstitching denim though.
Anyway, I ended the week by watching Game of Wool on Channel 4, which was good.
Hope you've had a good week.
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