Less than a month to Christmas. No panic, no what so ever.
Ys has no idea what he wants for Christmas. Maybe I'll buy him longjohns and socks. Or a gift card for sushi buffet? He loves veggie sushi. I might buy him a sushi box so we can make sushi together? Still working on this.
Sys has asked for a new phone, but as he has his birthday before xmas, he'll have it as a birthday present. He also asked for Harry Potter legos, and that is already sorted. And he has asked also for model to build -and that is also sorted (asked my sister to buy one, Revell has reasonably priced models sys likes to build).
D will get a backbag she wanted, I managed to find and order it from Amazon.uk - don't have to pay expensive postal fees and no import taxes! My sister will get a dressing gown she asked for (already bought when I got discount for it) and hb will get two packs of tennis socks (only ones he wears besides socks made by me) - I found them on sale over a month ago, they were way less than half price!
Os doesn't want anything, I'll get him warm trousers he can wear while working with old man in the forest, maybe longjohns and a hoodie.
Two god sons will have money, they might get some gadget if they have been asking for something, but so far they have no idea what they wish for.
Mostly people will get knitted socks. I made first pairs in June and August (for old man and my mom), and hb's and os's socks are also knitted. I made really long socks for sister (she asked for them) and while I was in the mood I made another pair for d - both knitted while watching Doctor Who (by the way, kids love this new season with new Doctor - finally some action! Only thing missing is daleks). My brother and F might get socks too, and my nephew will have a chainsaw (our kids' old one) and Dublos (our children's old ones). Might buy a pair of warm mittens (was planning to sew them but don't have time).
I'll make some kind of hampers, too. I have made salt with spring growth of spruce trees, I have strawberry liqueur ready but that as far I have made it. A box of chocolate, mulled sparkling wine or ordinary mulled wine and small wrapped gifts, a candle perhaps and kindlings made from melted candles and pine cones. Maybe not so frugal but funny. And if I only make four(?) it's not going to ruin my bank account.
Sys asked for red and brown knitted socks (he had specific pattern how colours were to be), I have already cast on them. They will be finished during the weekend, and then I might cast on socks for ys (in camouflage colours) . For him I bought new winter boots yesterday, the ones he had last winter are far too small now. He went clumping around the house all night weraing them, they were great he says.
When I was searching yarns for sys's socks, I managed to sort out my yarn stash and got one plastic box empty! Os wasn't very impressed about it, but I was happy. Getting container box empty is as enjoyable as finishing the last scrap of certain fabric or using up the very last tube of soup from the freezer or using the last meter of sewing thread and getting out the new one. Or sowing the very last seeds of lettuce from seed pack that has been used for several years. It feels like something is done and finished.
Must remember to pick pine cones this weekend before snow covers them.
Friday, 30 November 2018
Monday, 19 November 2018
Homemade lasagne
Instead of sunday roast I made lasagne (not that I usually make roast, it's too time consuming because even I like to have "a day off" sometimes).
Well, os doesn't eat lasagne, but it's his loss. He then eats something else (like pancakes, or Yorkshire puddings, or tinned tuna and cottage cheese).
I calculated the cost of making my lasagne: 7,76€. Sounds a bit expensive, but it comes down to 1,55€ per person. or 0,78€/portion - 5 people ate it yesterday, and I got three more portions to freezer for my lunches and two more portions to the fridge for hb's or children's lunches.
Euros:
Free: carrots and courgette (about 300g each)
I could have used less cheese, but I really do like cheesy lasagne. Mince was the cheapest without YS. I could have used regular milk (70cents) or used just water (or half water), but that's really all I could have done to make it cheaper.
Cheapest lasagne from shop is about 1€/portion, but because I can't eat it (onions) it's something we don't buy.
So once again it is not "homemade is cheaper" but "homemade is only option". I have never been able to eat lasagne at restaurant. Once I have eaten almost authentic Italian lasagne - almost authentic because there were no onions or garlic - it was specially made for me and my brother! And yes, when I make my lasagne, it is as good as that was.
But now I'm starving!
Well, os doesn't eat lasagne, but it's his loss. He then eats something else (like pancakes, or Yorkshire puddings, or tinned tuna and cottage cheese).
I calculated the cost of making my lasagne: 7,76€. Sounds a bit expensive, but it comes down to 1,55€ per person. or 0,78€/portion - 5 people ate it yesterday, and I got three more portions to freezer for my lunches and two more portions to the fridge for hb's or children's lunches.
Euros:
| edam | 0,99 | ||
| cream cheese | 0,5535 | ||
| mince | 3,15 | ||
| pasta sheets | 0,725 | ||
| full milk | 0,763 | ||
| flour | 0,018 | ||
| butter | 0,49 | ||
| tomato passata | 0,63 | ||
| salt | 0,01 | ||
| smoked paprika | 0,01 | ||
| pepper | 0,01 | ||
| nutmeg | 0,01 | ||
| garlic | 0,1 | ||
| herbs | 0,1 | ||
| leftover ketchup | 0,2 | ||
Free: carrots and courgette (about 300g each)
I could have used less cheese, but I really do like cheesy lasagne. Mince was the cheapest without YS. I could have used regular milk (70cents) or used just water (or half water), but that's really all I could have done to make it cheaper.
Cheapest lasagne from shop is about 1€/portion, but because I can't eat it (onions) it's something we don't buy.
So once again it is not "homemade is cheaper" but "homemade is only option". I have never been able to eat lasagne at restaurant. Once I have eaten almost authentic Italian lasagne - almost authentic because there were no onions or garlic - it was specially made for me and my brother! And yes, when I make my lasagne, it is as good as that was.
But now I'm starving!
Wednesday, 7 November 2018
It's freezing (but luckily not for long)
It was -11 degrees the other day. I don't like cold, and I was to spend whole day outside on the forests works sites at customer meetings. Car's electric heater doesn't work so I had to turn the engine on and leave it running - not so good for the motor and even worse for nature.
It was beautifully sunny day, and it got a bit warmer - never above zero, but at least I had enough clothes with my hi-vis jacket and helmet. But I do need some long johns to wear, thights will not keep me warm. I need to check if hb has some old thermals small enough - he used to be really skinny.
Fallen trees have been cleaned, garage is usable as well as the driveway to front yard. Old man has been (finally) his usual self and they have made a huge effort to clean all aspens and birches that had fallen over root cellar (it would have been a disaster if the cellar itself had crushed - there is all potatoes, carrots, cordials, home wines, jams, pickles etc for the whole year, not only for my parents but to us as well, as well my sister's family). Insurance company will even pay gravel/soil which is needed to fill holes left from fallen tree roots. One villager with forestry harvester has been working on the site with all the big trees.
We spent one evening (from 5pm to 9pm) to clear out the attic of garage, builders are about to come to fix the roof (including rafters). We had our own bonfire night, my mother wanted to burn all paper and cardboard and clothes (like old cotton tights that had lost their elasticity a long ago). Some of my old toys went to bonfire as well - not many, because I really didn't have many toys. I was more of a reader, I salvaged some old books from recycling. I surely have read my Enid Blytons - at some point I had all of The Famous Five -books (and The Adventure series). My godmother had a job in a printing house. But my sister - boy she had had toys and stuff! We left about a dozen huge carboard boxes for her to sort out. My brother had about half of that, but he had really big stuff, like motorcycle parts.
They are really pushing it now, because they will be abroad for some time in November - holiday was booked before tornado. It will be a healthy pause for them.
We have changed snow tyres to both cars (the royal we - hb and my uncle; I "just" made them coffee and sandwiches, heated the house, took dog for a walk and made laundry, filled the dishwasher, got some more firewood inside), It had been a lot warmer, but roads were so slippery there was no chance I could have driven anywhere without proper tyres.
I might have time to prepare for the Christmas, no building will be done unfortunately.
It was beautifully sunny day, and it got a bit warmer - never above zero, but at least I had enough clothes with my hi-vis jacket and helmet. But I do need some long johns to wear, thights will not keep me warm. I need to check if hb has some old thermals small enough - he used to be really skinny.
 |
| The first snow 27th Oct. |
 |
| There is a garage somewhere, before the clear up |
 | |||
| Sys carved a pumpkin - a friendly face, isn't it? | One of our own pumpkins! |
They are really pushing it now, because they will be abroad for some time in November - holiday was booked before tornado. It will be a healthy pause for them.
 |
| This sauna is in old man's other property which was also hit by the tornado. Chimney is gone. |
We have changed snow tyres to both cars (the royal we - hb and my uncle; I "just" made them coffee and sandwiches, heated the house, took dog for a walk and made laundry, filled the dishwasher, got some more firewood inside), It had been a lot warmer, but roads were so slippery there was no chance I could have driven anywhere without proper tyres.
I might have time to prepare for the Christmas, no building will be done unfortunately.
Tuesday, 23 October 2018
A sudden storm (and awful photos)
We had a sudden thunderstorm yesterday afternoon. Well we - our village did. We here at Ulvens reis hardly heard some roar after lightnings, no rain, no wind.
But some neighbours weren't so lucky. There was a freak downburst and some tornadoes streched over 30km distance - and about 30m width.
Results were horrible. Fascinating and horrible. Somehow amusing also, because of the freakness of all.
Really really bad picture, because it was twilight at 8am. And also I don't have my glasses on while I'm walking with 'Suma. And I have always been a really really bad photographer.
Worst hit was at my parents yard and garace as well as their neighbours yard and garage - we keep finding pieces of their garace roof everywhere, all the way 1km in to the woods! or rather what's left of the woods, there is several hectares destroyed forest. Some of my fathers, some of our neighbours.
I spent two hours with 'Suma checking around the village - no people hurt, but sereral roofs damaged, several yards damaged (in our village people have a lot of trees in their yards - some people have no more), some minor buildings damaged lightly and two major buildings (beforementioned garages) damaged heavily. But houses were left mostly intact, tv-antennas were bend etc. Four cars damaged (so far). One outhouse had toppled over, another had lost it's door (we have a lot of outhouses at our village, and in their original use). Greenhouses were damaged.
I continued then to my work, three more hours in the forest at the other end of that disaster (what a coincidense; I had arranged that visit two weeks ago!).
Funny/odd things: All lights my parents have at their yard are unharmed. Lonely post box at the middle of fallen shelters and pinetrees was unharmed. One neighbour lost his wheelbarrow - he saw it flying off iside the tornado. Destruction zone was only 5-30m wide almost all the way 30km stretch this continued, like someone had made lines with ruler, straight and narrow. Several rubbish bins were moved around, people who didn't have one on their yard had suddenly several. I had to learn to use whatsapp (after I had downloaded it to my phone). Disaster tourists were driving all day long along our village road. Local bus route had to be diverted for few hours to our village, because there were much worse situation with fallen trees along the main road - our road was free to drive after an hour because apparently most people here have a chainsaw at the trunk of their cars.
There has NEVER been a downburst at our village, nor tornado! Well, there has not been a thunder storm at later half of October. We have autunm storms with heavy winds and destroyed forests, but they are different from this. My aunt is very shaken, and my parents have only just started to realize what has happened.
I know what to do on my freetime for the next five years.
But some neighbours weren't so lucky. There was a freak downburst and some tornadoes streched over 30km distance - and about 30m width.
Results were horrible. Fascinating and horrible. Somehow amusing also, because of the freakness of all.
Really really bad picture, because it was twilight at 8am. And also I don't have my glasses on while I'm walking with 'Suma. And I have always been a really really bad photographer.
 |
| There is a playhouse somewhere. |
Worst hit was at my parents yard and garace as well as their neighbours yard and garage - we keep finding pieces of their garace roof everywhere, all the way 1km in to the woods! or rather what's left of the woods, there is several hectares destroyed forest. Some of my fathers, some of our neighbours.
 | |||
| All of above excuses, and also I was freezing at that point (-3 degrees). This sight continued more than ten miles! |
I continued then to my work, three more hours in the forest at the other end of that disaster (what a coincidense; I had arranged that visit two weeks ago!).
Funny/odd things: All lights my parents have at their yard are unharmed. Lonely post box at the middle of fallen shelters and pinetrees was unharmed. One neighbour lost his wheelbarrow - he saw it flying off iside the tornado. Destruction zone was only 5-30m wide almost all the way 30km stretch this continued, like someone had made lines with ruler, straight and narrow. Several rubbish bins were moved around, people who didn't have one on their yard had suddenly several. I had to learn to use whatsapp (after I had downloaded it to my phone). Disaster tourists were driving all day long along our village road. Local bus route had to be diverted for few hours to our village, because there were much worse situation with fallen trees along the main road - our road was free to drive after an hour because apparently most people here have a chainsaw at the trunk of their cars.
There has NEVER been a downburst at our village, nor tornado! Well, there has not been a thunder storm at later half of October. We have autunm storms with heavy winds and destroyed forests, but they are different from this. My aunt is very shaken, and my parents have only just started to realize what has happened.
I know what to do on my freetime for the next five years.
Saturday, 20 October 2018
A week of plenty
This week has been plentiful.
On Saturday my colleague visited us (late) in the evening, her daughters were at consert at town and she needed a place to stay for tree hours... I made plenty of quiche (feta and broccoli; our family's all time favourite) and 1,5xmudcake. All eaten...
On Sunday I got msg from my (another) colleague, she was about to go get some carrots, did I wanted some? Yes please, even if I had to go and get them from office - at my week off!
She lives in a rural village (a bit bigger than my home village) and her neighbour is a root veggie farmer. He had harvested his carrot fields with heavy machinery and all the rest is free for villagers to gather.
On Tuesday morning I managed to sneak in to the town (on Monday 'Suma had her operation). I was expecting maybe a one plastic bag full to the brim with carrots. Nope. Three big plastig bags full of carrots! I gave some to my other (third) colleague (who wasn't at the office on Monday) and took the rest home. I tried to weigh them, but my kitchen scales showed just error. My human scales is a bit generous with its readings, but I estimate I got 25kg of nice carrots.
Oh boy. My kids will be all orange by mid November!
I harvested one of my red cabbages. I have still quite a many beets and golden beets on cold frame, they do ok even on heavy frosts we have had (below -7). I have 10 plants of kale going strong.
I have been keeping my last three pumpkins on our veranda - it's relatively cool place but no threat of frost. One of them already got frostbite some time ago and it looked like it was totally rotten (not only soft and dark but also moldy). I wanted to chop it before tossing it to compost heap. It wasn't rotten inside, it was firm and fine after I peeled rotten skin off. I got 2kg of pumpkin flesh, seeds, and some stringy bites( to dehydrate for 'Suma). Pretty well considering it was a slimy 3kg lump I was going throw away!
So I have been cooking this week plenty of vegetarian (or even vegan) dishes. My first ever curry! Havin firm roots in Russia curry has never been a stable in our kitchen. Potato-carrot-pumpkin curry, and even hb ate it! It was a bit bland for my taste but then I'm known to have poor sense of smell and that is of course linked also to sense of taste... So I usually add more chilli and ground pepper to my plate.
Second time ever falafels, this time I managed fry them as balls - they were yummy and I have few in freezer to take as my lunches at work. I used broad beans and added some cooked kale I had in fridge. I have never eaten ready made falafels, because they have onions. So this is also new to me.
At the same time i made meatballs in tomato sauce (or veggie sauce - there was a carton of chopped tomatoes, a beetroot, couple of carrots and piece of courgette).
Few minutes ago I took pumpkin muffins out of oven, ys has been asking them whole week. They smell lovely!
Our neighbour has got his first elk of the hunting season, we saw the hunt going on in the morning. I'm always sad about hunting, but I still eat meat we get with gratitude. If the animal has been killed, it has to be eaten whole and not wasted.
That's why I can't keep chickens - I can't bear to think kill any of them (if they are sick/hurt and suffering).
On Saturday my colleague visited us (late) in the evening, her daughters were at consert at town and she needed a place to stay for tree hours... I made plenty of quiche (feta and broccoli; our family's all time favourite) and 1,5xmudcake. All eaten...
On Sunday I got msg from my (another) colleague, she was about to go get some carrots, did I wanted some? Yes please, even if I had to go and get them from office - at my week off!
She lives in a rural village (a bit bigger than my home village) and her neighbour is a root veggie farmer. He had harvested his carrot fields with heavy machinery and all the rest is free for villagers to gather.
On Tuesday morning I managed to sneak in to the town (on Monday 'Suma had her operation). I was expecting maybe a one plastic bag full to the brim with carrots. Nope. Three big plastig bags full of carrots! I gave some to my other (third) colleague (who wasn't at the office on Monday) and took the rest home. I tried to weigh them, but my kitchen scales showed just error. My human scales is a bit generous with its readings, but I estimate I got 25kg of nice carrots.
Oh boy. My kids will be all orange by mid November!
I harvested one of my red cabbages. I have still quite a many beets and golden beets on cold frame, they do ok even on heavy frosts we have had (below -7). I have 10 plants of kale going strong.
I have been keeping my last three pumpkins on our veranda - it's relatively cool place but no threat of frost. One of them already got frostbite some time ago and it looked like it was totally rotten (not only soft and dark but also moldy). I wanted to chop it before tossing it to compost heap. It wasn't rotten inside, it was firm and fine after I peeled rotten skin off. I got 2kg of pumpkin flesh, seeds, and some stringy bites( to dehydrate for 'Suma). Pretty well considering it was a slimy 3kg lump I was going throw away!
So I have been cooking this week plenty of vegetarian (or even vegan) dishes. My first ever curry! Havin firm roots in Russia curry has never been a stable in our kitchen. Potato-carrot-pumpkin curry, and even hb ate it! It was a bit bland for my taste but then I'm known to have poor sense of smell and that is of course linked also to sense of taste... So I usually add more chilli and ground pepper to my plate.
Second time ever falafels, this time I managed fry them as balls - they were yummy and I have few in freezer to take as my lunches at work. I used broad beans and added some cooked kale I had in fridge. I have never eaten ready made falafels, because they have onions. So this is also new to me.
At the same time i made meatballs in tomato sauce (or veggie sauce - there was a carton of chopped tomatoes, a beetroot, couple of carrots and piece of courgette).
Few minutes ago I took pumpkin muffins out of oven, ys has been asking them whole week. They smell lovely!
Our neighbour has got his first elk of the hunting season, we saw the hunt going on in the morning. I'm always sad about hunting, but I still eat meat we get with gratitude. If the animal has been killed, it has to be eaten whole and not wasted.
That's why I can't keep chickens - I can't bear to think kill any of them (if they are sick/hurt and suffering).
Thursday, 11 October 2018
Last big expenditure this year?
I just called the vets and made an appointment for 'Suma. 700€.
That's the price I'm willing to pay for not to have puppies in this house - it would be much cheaper with male dog.
I might have had the procedure done cheaper some other place, but I trust this place. We have been using them since 90's when we had Ace, the first Giant Shnautzer. Then it was important that the vet wasn't afraid of him (one vet was so nervous around him he vaccinated me by accident!), we did visit several vets.
But this money has been reserved since January - when we got 'Suma. We knew this coming so no suprices.
The IPCC report on climate change has made me thinking about having pets. I might not be able to justify keeping big dogs just because I like big dogs. I should get smaller dog after 'Suma (well, she is smaller than Blackie was) but I don't actually like small dogs. First world problems at its worst...
Cats I can justify because they eat mice and voles, and in Pretty Boy's case he just decided to live here.
(nobody is questioning about my choices but me)
Need to change winter tyres soon, should be ok with ones we have already, no need to buy new. Or maybe two tyres to hb's car, because it's heavy and eats tyres more than I eat doghnuts.
Polytunnel is nearly empty, only herbs staying. need to take down the poly-part (covering) so last years disaster could be avoided. Need to build frame for garlics (have few days off next week). Need to empty compost bin. No need to buy anything fot the veg plot or polytunnel or greenhouse.
Found wintercoat, paid only 11€. It doesn't have a hood, so i have to knit one myself, if my old scarves won't do. Haven't found wellies yet. Bikers calfs don't fit narrow boots (I had this problem when I was a underweight kid, 10km a day minimum with old bike did it, never had weak legs).
No idea of dinner once again. SYS will bake buns today, a school task. Omelette?
That's the price I'm willing to pay for not to have puppies in this house - it would be much cheaper with male dog.
I might have had the procedure done cheaper some other place, but I trust this place. We have been using them since 90's when we had Ace, the first Giant Shnautzer. Then it was important that the vet wasn't afraid of him (one vet was so nervous around him he vaccinated me by accident!), we did visit several vets.
But this money has been reserved since January - when we got 'Suma. We knew this coming so no suprices.
The IPCC report on climate change has made me thinking about having pets. I might not be able to justify keeping big dogs just because I like big dogs. I should get smaller dog after 'Suma (well, she is smaller than Blackie was) but I don't actually like small dogs. First world problems at its worst...
Cats I can justify because they eat mice and voles, and in Pretty Boy's case he just decided to live here.
(nobody is questioning about my choices but me)
Need to change winter tyres soon, should be ok with ones we have already, no need to buy new. Or maybe two tyres to hb's car, because it's heavy and eats tyres more than I eat doghnuts.
Polytunnel is nearly empty, only herbs staying. need to take down the poly-part (covering) so last years disaster could be avoided. Need to build frame for garlics (have few days off next week). Need to empty compost bin. No need to buy anything fot the veg plot or polytunnel or greenhouse.
Found wintercoat, paid only 11€. It doesn't have a hood, so i have to knit one myself, if my old scarves won't do. Haven't found wellies yet. Bikers calfs don't fit narrow boots (I had this problem when I was a underweight kid, 10km a day minimum with old bike did it, never had weak legs).
No idea of dinner once again. SYS will bake buns today, a school task. Omelette?
Friday, 28 September 2018
The first frost of autunm
Oh my how cold it was this tuesday! We had frost monday also, but it wasn't nearly this freezing...
On sunday I thought there might be a cold night ahead - full moon and clear skyes and all. I didn't cover my courgettes, beans or corns - corns are miserable this year (too little watering, I suppose) anyway and I have had enough courgettes and beans. And I also have three courgette plants in the polytunnel as well as few beans. Enough is enough!
Yesterday I did however pick all rest of courgettes (over 5kg I think), and last two strawberries (there is still more on plants, but they will not ripen anymore). Today I'm going to get all corn cobs (there is only few) and runner beans.
At the moment I have too much vegetables to handle, I got a cardboard box full of brassicas (brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower (purple and green) and cabbage heads. And I have my own red cabbages and kale. I really should be making sauerkraut.
It's been a busy week, d has been doing her work experience internship at a funeral parlour - she originally wanted to go to local art museum, but they weren't interested. Their loss I say. D has been thrilled to bits, she has been cleaning windows and dusting coffins and has told me "This was the best day ever!" every day... She has also learnt how to use local trains, so far she hasn't got lost. I'm sorry, but my children are different.
Next week I'll be off for few days (a work trip) and I have no idea how os is going to manage with 'Suma and cats. Hb is of no use, he has first ever night sifts in this millenia - last time he did night sifts it was 90's and he was 20 years younger... Actually I have done night sifts more recently.
I have lit a fire in the dining room stove three last evenings. Good thing we have loads of fire wood ready, most of it stacked already. I load wheelbarrow to the brim and push it to the shed and kids stack logs. Only one load a day, slowly but surely they will be stacked.
On sunday I thought there might be a cold night ahead - full moon and clear skyes and all. I didn't cover my courgettes, beans or corns - corns are miserable this year (too little watering, I suppose) anyway and I have had enough courgettes and beans. And I also have three courgette plants in the polytunnel as well as few beans. Enough is enough!
Yesterday I did however pick all rest of courgettes (over 5kg I think), and last two strawberries (there is still more on plants, but they will not ripen anymore). Today I'm going to get all corn cobs (there is only few) and runner beans.
At the moment I have too much vegetables to handle, I got a cardboard box full of brassicas (brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower (purple and green) and cabbage heads. And I have my own red cabbages and kale. I really should be making sauerkraut.
It's been a busy week, d has been doing her work experience internship at a funeral parlour - she originally wanted to go to local art museum, but they weren't interested. Their loss I say. D has been thrilled to bits, she has been cleaning windows and dusting coffins and has told me "This was the best day ever!" every day... She has also learnt how to use local trains, so far she hasn't got lost. I'm sorry, but my children are different.
Next week I'll be off for few days (a work trip) and I have no idea how os is going to manage with 'Suma and cats. Hb is of no use, he has first ever night sifts in this millenia - last time he did night sifts it was 90's and he was 20 years younger... Actually I have done night sifts more recently.
I have lit a fire in the dining room stove three last evenings. Good thing we have loads of fire wood ready, most of it stacked already. I load wheelbarrow to the brim and push it to the shed and kids stack logs. Only one load a day, slowly but surely they will be stacked.
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