I have loved that the majority of this week has been a sunny one, and Alice has been loads better. Whilst I haven’t done a whole lot of gallivanting, the combination has certainly made for a happy week. I had a lovely afternoon out on Tuesday with Naths Mum to Ikea and Homesense, where I helped her (unsuccessfully) look for a specific sized baskets and accompanied her in finding other additions for her home. It was great to chat and catch up, have a brief lunch and talk about some of our plans. Whilst I didn’t really need anything, I always love an opportunity to browse both Ikea and Homesense. On this occasion I actually came home with a few more flamingo glasses (50p each) and a couple of light shades that were a bargain down to £2.50 in Ikea. Homesense is usually more of a inspiring/wish list kind of visit and was just as lovely!
In other news Ethan received a rather forward Valentines card yesterday from one of the gorgeous girlies in his class…it had me both laughing and in shock, but hello, is he 6 or 16? I honestly always thought it was the girls we would have to watch, but apparently not!
Other than mild shock from that, my life has been simple (busy but simple), and my thriftiness has unintentionally all been targeted in the food department.
Fruit Bargains
Our local fruit shop is fantastic for some bargainous fruit and veg offers. I have learnt to go with no expectations, therefore being surprised by whatever they have in the moment. This visit found my leaving with 2 tubs of blueberries for £1, A bag of pink lady apples for £1 and a punnet of mixed seedless grapes for £1.25! The kids have loved having blueberry pancakes for breakfast this week, along with some healthy, tasty snacks!
Chicken Curry with leftover roast
Making a curry from the leftovers on a Sunday has become one of my new faves! I am really getting into experimenting with so many spices and flavours at this point in life, and chicken curry is easily one of the kids faves too (win win). What I love about this meal is that it is never the same, because the ingredients are dependent upon whats left on a Sunday night! Its quite an intense prospect…what will I make tomorrow from Sunday leftovers?! I especially love it when we have carrots and mash left as these thicken the sauce and add some extra goodness.
This week I went out there and did it in the slow cooker so it was a little bit different to normal, but equally as tasty! It was simply the leftover chicken pieces, stock from boiling the bones, chopped tomatoes, an onion (diced), crushed garlic and turmeric, cumin, ground corriander and ginger. I then added a couple of cups of cooked rice and left it til dinner – Yum!
Some weeks I add coconut milk, spinach and chick peas too…
Left over chilli
On Wednesday night I made a gorgeous Beef chilli. Most of the time my chilli’s are made from quorn mince and beans but this week I fancied a little beef in there, so popped that all in the slow cooker for us to enjoy after dancing.
Whenever I make anything like this, I like to throw in a few extra tins of chopped tomatoes and mixed beans to bulk it out as for the sake of an extra 70p-£1 it can turn one meal into 2. I then will heat the remainder for jacket potatoes or burritos the next day. I love it.
Linking up with this Cass, Emma and Becky in this week’s ‘Five Fabulously Frugal things I’ve done this week’ linky.
That fruit and veg sounds amazing – those prices!!!!
Katy Stevens recently posted…Five Fabulously Frugal Things I’ve Done This Week – 10th February
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It feels like a joke doesnt it ? haah
Yum your fruit and chicken curry sound delicious, glad you had a good week!
Faith A. recently posted…Five fabulously frugal things I did this week (10 Feb)
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We did. Thanks so much x
That fruit looks delicious and what a bargain Mary. I occasionally do the roast thing on a Sunday and then a curry for the Monday with the leftovers, fab thing to do. You can’t beat a trip to Ikea. I presume you bought tea lights as it’s the Ikea law lol x
Tracey Williams recently posted…Little Loves – Scout camp, tidy bedrooms and spending time together
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Oh cool Tracey – I am glad you do that, its so tasty and makes good use of leftovers!
Ahhh tea lighs…forgot that one haha x
That valentines card is the cutest thing ever. And what fab fruit bargains, those prices beat Aldi (1 tub of blueberries bought this week for £2!)
I’m the queen of shopping the discount bins at my local produce market. But, you have to be disciplined about using them ASAP, or freezing them.
Jenny S. recently posted…These 20 Things Belong in Your Kitchen: Get them Now!