That sort of thing is my bag, baby

Blimey, it is properly, monkey-castratingly freezing out there! You could tell it was going to be cold without even opening a window this morning. Not a breath of movement in the branches or hedges outside, and a constant ‘schrrf-schrrf-schrrf’ of frantic chiselling at windscreens as the neighbours discovered that a quick squirt of de-icer just wasn’t going to do the job today. The usual sparrow gang were taking it in turns to stuff themselves with the contents of the bird feeders this morning, so they’ll need refilling tonight, and a handful of suet pellets and mealworms will be chucked under the hedge in the morning for the wren and the blackbirds.

 

Plenty of berries still, but they’re all frozen solid.

As well as feeding the birds we try and do our bit to feed the community around us – we have a large grocery bag in the pantry that gets added to bit by bit, and when it’s full Matt takes the contents to the local food bank. We keep our eyes open when shopping for tinned fruit and vegetables, quick instant, dried or tinned foods that can be made up with hot water or a zap in the microwave*, tea bags, coffee, cereal, UHT milk and the odd treat**. By keeping a look out for 2-for-1 offers on things we usually buy, special offers on instant/packet foods and good options from the Sainsburys ‘basics’ range, and pooling anything we save from the things we usually buy being on special offer, we usually manage at least a large bag a month without really noticing much of an increase in our shopping bills. At the moment The Bag contains a slightly random mixture of marmalade, instant mash, egg fried rice and sandwich paste. With any luck, tomorrow’s grocery shop will turn up some bargains to be had.

Little’un health update: Eye drops are hateful. Daddies who inflict eye drops on you are hateful. Mummy coming home from work is wonderful, but only until you realise that she also will inflict eye drops on you if necessary. If he thought for one minute Greendale was an option he’d be packing to leave tonight. He’s already started practising his ‘Jess the Cat’ noise to try and wheedle his way into Pat’s van…

 

 

 

*Poverty doesn’t just cut your shopping bills – if you can’t afford your weekly grocery shop you might not be able to afford the fuel for slow-cooking meals, or to keep the fridge switched on. And if you’re living in a hostel or B&B room (as many on Council waiting lists are) you may only have access to a kettle, maybe a microwave, and possibly a two ring hob if you’re lucky.

**Mini-packs of chocolate biscuits, advent calendars at Christmas, tinned puddings