More expenses

 I made the packet sourdough loaf in my multichef yesterday, I think it's the first time I've used it for bread - I always used the oven before on the few occasions when we made bread.  It over-baked on the bottom, but not too badly, just crisp, tastes alright though.  Afterwards I started making the smoked haddock kedgeree, using the multichef....well, the blooming thing packed up halfway through.  It had been playing up a bit the last 2 or 3 times I used it, so I guessed it was probably on it's way out....I have had it a few years and have got my money's worth out of it.  So I've ordered an electric deep frying pan thing, after researching a few different smallish cooking appliances.  I already have a medium size slow cooker (in a cupboard, as the multichef did slow cooking), an electric hot plate for boiling, the air fryer and the microwave, so thought an electric fry pan would be useful.  I finished off the kedgeree on the hot plate.

Cherie, yes we are settled now.  Husband put up a few more pictures yesterday, with a bit of prompting.  I've still got loads of pictures....more pictures than we have wall space, actually, seeing as we've downsized to 3 less (fewer?  Does it really matter?!) rooms.  

Sunny spells but bitterly cold again yesterday, so no walk again - I really feel the cold now I've got older (I'm done with the menopause hot flushes), just makes me want to huddle indoors where it's warm.  Even Betty's not keen on going out in the cold, she does her business and then runs straight back in.  And from the long range forecast, it looks like there's not going to be much change in the next couple of weeks.  Well, it is the middle of winter!  Loads and loads of Spring bulbs appearing in the garden, more every time I look, it's going to be so pretty when they start flowering, I do love Spring flowers.

I've got a swede, some potatoes, carrots, cabbage and onions still left in the box outside, they're still ok (bought a week before Christmas) but some are beginning to look a bit limp and wrinkly (I know how they feel 😂😂).  So today I'll get them all out and prep/cook them for freezing....swede we like boiled and mashed with butter and plenty of black pepper, the carrots I'll roast in the air fryer.  Potatoes I'll boil and mash and then stir through shredded and fried cabbage and onions for colcannon.

Betty has to go back to the vet tomorrow for her ear check up....whilst we're there I'm going to ask about their monthly payment plan.  I've read through the details online but they're a bit sketchy and confusing - doesn't say in black and white exactly what it covers.  Our old vets gave a 10% pensioners discount, this one doesn't and seems to be a fair bit more expensive than the old one.  What with vet fees, grooming and insurance costs, having a dog is an expensive business.  And that's without the food.  We always had dogs as a family when I was a child.....I don't remember my parents buying dog food, the dogs seemed to be fed mainly on scraps from the meals Mum cooked, although I think I remember my Dad buying and cooking tripe for them occasionally - nasty smelly stuff!

I ordered our monthly medications from our new GP a week ago - they said they'd let us know when they're ready for collection.  Nothing yet - our previous GP only took usually 2 or 3 days to have the meds ready.  Good job I'd ordered extra from our last GP - although husband has just run out of one of his meds.  Better give them a ring today.