Journey Clumping!

Now that we live out of town in a village we find ourselves asking more and more as to whether an item is 'worth the drive'. It is funny as we are really not that far from the town we used to live in, in fact distance wise we are longer but time to get there is probably the same. Where we used to live there was always traffic and traffic control systems where as now we can just nip down the dual carriageway or go through the back roads. It just feels like more hassle and I don't know why.

At first I thought we were being lazy so and so's but actually when I started thinking about it, it makes absolute sense to 'clump' journeys together and only go places when you have to. Think about it, it saves you time and stresses of driving places, it saves you money on petrol and on those little 'extra' purchases you make each time and very importantly it is kinder to the environment.

In some ways it is like good old times when you would go into town and spend the day running your errands, butchers, bakers, pharmacy etc. All individual shops that you had to go in. I think the convenience of super markets have made us loose touch with the buying process, I mean, it is all too easy just to run out for that one thing and buy it without thinking. Now I really think about what we need. I plan meals better so that I know we will have food in, but also in doing so there is less food wastage as I try and knock up a meal with what we have in rather than jumping in the car to go to the shops.

I am also finding it quite a time saving device. I can dedicate a day off from work that I am going to spend shopping and running errands, putting food away and all that stuff. It means I don't have chunks out of my day or week popping places unnecessarily. 

It wasn't even a really conscious thing that I was doing but then I wondered why less food was going to waste and how our food bills had gone down. When I looked at it I have to say I was surprised!

It makes perfect sense all round really.

The view from the van window

Materialism vs Spiritualism

We recently had a mini break in Glastonbury. I love Glastonbury so much for the chilled out vibe, the scenery, abundance of vegetarian food.. need I go on!

Following on from my last post the time in which we went was during my really busy work period where I had more money than sense and it was burning a hole in my pocket!

If you have ever been to Glastonbury, you will know that the streets are lined with shops many of which are new age, hippy shops (I never know what the right term is!) and in those shops are trinkets and statues and bits and bobs that cater for pretty much every religion and practice known to man. Now if I had to define my religion I would say that I am Christian as I do go to Church (not very often I have to admit, a couple of times a year), I do believe in God and I do pray. However, I also believe in other religions. I believe that there are elements of other religions that are important too. I am very into Buddhism and Hinduism too, although I am not practicing in these areas, I do find them fascinating and live by some of the principles. I find religions interesting and inspiring. So these shops are fascinating to me. I have a few Buddha statues in my house already but I was looking at more in the shops.

Jon came out with a little nugget. I am not sure if this is because he was trying to stop me from buying more "tat" to fill up the house or whether he had an epiphany. I can't quote it exactly as I can't remember it now however it goes along the lines of...

"why do you need to spend your money on statues of deities in order to believe or confirm your beliefs. Surely being religious is more about spiritual beliefs and it shouldn't matter how many statues you have in your house. At the end of the day it is just 'stuff'. Having 'stuff' isn't going to make your life better or enrich it. Isn't it better to give that money to the church or a charity than to buy 'stuff'. Isn't that materialism rather than spiritualism?".

That kind of struck a chord with me. Needless to say I didn't buy any ornaments. Instead I bought a couple of books which had enriched my life. Jon can be quite enlightened although part of me wonders if he was just being tight lol! Either way it is kinda eco. We don't need stuff!

Being eco is not for the busy!

I am sure that being eco is for people with lots of time! I hate to say it but for me it is kinda true. Life got really manic at one point and work was busy busy busy. It was at this time that I found that I was just getting through. It was quicker and easier to go to the supermarket for the household shopping. Can you believe it! As sad as it is it really is true. I simply didn't have the time or the inclination after a hard days work to then spend the time going round lots of little independent shops. As for the garden, well I pretty much gave up and am sorry to say that all the salad has gone to seed.

That is just how it is. I can't say that I am happy about it or enjoyed it per se but equally I think it was kind of important to be this way to appreciate how hard it is for working families. The convenience and time saving just simply takes precedent.

I even found that cooking went out the window. We went out to eat or got take aways. We were actually spending the money we were making at work on feeding our selves because we didn't have time to make healthy cheap food. It is insane when you look at it like that. We were basically working to buy the things that we couldn't do because we were at work.

And you know what, the more money I made the more I spent. The more I wanted to spend too. When I don't have so much it is not a case of can't spend it is a case of not really being bothered as I get my feel good factor from the cooking, gardening and craft activities.

It really is all very nuts!

A different approach to Fathers Day

I am very mindful at the moment of the importance of shopping locally, supporting independent traders, buying something unique, something that is not mass produced and that everyone has (this really hit home to me when I was shopping in Italy at a well known home furnishing store, that they had exactly the same products as back home in Blighty. Homes all over Europe could be furnished with exactly the same stuff, aghhhh!). It was with this in mind and with Father’s Day fast approaching that I started to rack the brain as to what to get for our Dad’s. Now the Mum’s are fairly easy to buy for but the Dad’s...not so much! In their 60s, not wanting just “stuff”, having most things they need and want it starts to rule out quite a lot of options.

OK so the list so far to cover for Father’s Day present:

·         Not mass produced

·         Handmade where possible

·         Unique

·         Locally sourced

·         Not just “stuff”

·         Something useful and not just clutter

What to get? Where to go?

Of course Crafty Monkey in St Neots covers all of these points and what’s more, it is an activity for me to do so not only is it a present for Dad but also a lovely leisure activity for me to enjoy knowing that I have created something with love to pass on.

I decided to paint a mug. He loves tea and of course uses mugs. He loves his Morgan cars so I thought what a nice gift a personalised hand painted mug would be, with the all important Morgan logo design on the front and a bit of text so everyone else in the household knows whose cup this is so hands off!

So I started with my white mug. No scratch that, I in fact started by searching the internet for the Morgan logo, downloaded it and printed it out to the size that I wanted. I then took my mug, and laid carbon paper over the top and traced my design onto the mug. I’m sorry, I had to do this, there was no way that I could paint it free hand. It may be seen by some as cheating but not to me. I knew it would look better that way.

Once the design was on, I then began to paint. Blimey it was intricate. Of course you need three coats of the paint so it will be really bold and some where around coat two I wondered why on Earth I had chosen such an intricate design and I am sure I, at times, forgot where I was at! I painted the mug at the Thursday night adults session which was really nice and relaxing so intricacy and fine lines were not a problem.

After I painted the design, I used the end of a rounded brush, dipped in paint to create nice dots all over the mug. I just thought this finished it off a bit nicer than leaving it plain white. I also used the black writer pen to write “Dad’s Mug” on the side.

I can’t wait to see the glazed result.

I really enjoyed painting the mug and I know he will like it, not just for what it is but for the appreciation of the time and thoughtfulness that went into its creation. It is not just another mug bought from a supermarket and I am sure the tea will taste all the much nicer for it.

my new little business

In keeping with my principles I have created a little side line which I would like to introduce to you...

 

Mrs Brimbles - A little bit of curiosity mixed with a love of life, of whimsy, eco, shopping from small independent traders and a bit of up-cycle to boot!

So what will I be doing? I will be making and selling things. Lots of lovely things that I have made and up-cycled.  First in my repertoire is these lovely Soy Wax candles.....

WHY SOY WAX?

1. Soy wax in kinder to the environment as it not made from petroleum as the usual paraffin candles are.
2. Soy candles can last almost 50% longer than their paraffin cousins
3. Soy wax melts evenly and can burn evenly all the way down – it produces a larger melted wax pool around the wick
4. Soy wax can be cleaned up with soap and water
5. Soy wax does not produce as much soot so you won’t get any of those dark patches on the ceiling and you are not inhaling it either!
6. Soy wax burns at a lower temperature which means that the fragrance lingers and does not get burnt away as fast.
7. People have even been known to rub the wax on their skin as a moisturiser (Mrs Brimbles does not sell candles for this purpose so does not recommend it on this basis)

So most of my jars and containers for the candles are upcycled as are the materials I used to embellish them with.

So what do you think?

I have a facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/MrsBrimble and it would be great to see you over there!

Coping with the strain. The over the shoulder boulder holder!

Now my bras bless 'em do have to take a lot of strain. I am not a skinny minny that is for certain.

The other day I heard and felt an almighty SNAAAAAAAP!!! There goes one of the wires in me bra again. This happens alot which is a real shame as the rest of the bra is in really good condition like new really and it seems such a shame to throw it away because that is all it is good for, landfill. It's not as if you can give it to the charity collection.

Well that is what I thought anyway until I put a post on a forum asking for advice on what to do with used bras. One of the ladies suggested that I repair it. I didn't think you could buy new underwires but oh yes indeedy you can.

Here: http://www.sewing4u.co.uk/47-bra-underwires this is just the underwire for approx £2
But here: http://www.thebraangel.com/#/the-bra-repair/4541283568 is a kit for £2.99 which for the not so good at sewing as me is the perfect solution.

Brilliant.

Not only a few pennies saved but also an environmentally friendly answer to a throw away culture.

You've Got Mail and the death of the independents

In my previous post I touched briefly on one of my all time favourite films "You've Got Mail".

 

I have always loved the film, it has always been one of my favourites. It is one of those snuggly type films that you can put on and slob out with. I have always dreamed of owning a little shop like hers, so cute and quaint, I suppose that is coupled with my love of books especially children's books and the fact that I haven't quite grown up yet!

 

I watch the film alot but usually just watch. I watched it again today and it suddenly occurred to me that for years I have been watching a film about the death of a small independet shop and the rise of the chain store offering cheap alternatives. This film was made in 1998 so it has been a prominent topic for some while now. The sad thing is though nothing much seems to have changed. Chain stores and out of town shopping parks are still taking trade away from the town centres and the independent shops.

"Fox Books threatens survival of a temple to one of the twentieth century's most profound truths: You are what you read." 

I think in our minds we are convinced that chain shopping is going to be cheaper even though this isn't always the case. It has to be said though it can be far more convenient to shop out of town in shops with longer opening hours. I am managing OK at the moment but then I can juggle my hours and be flexible. What do you do if you work 9-5 the same time as the shops are open!

I guess it is just hard for everyone and we just have to do the best we can.

http://www.channel4.com/news/death-of-the-high-street

Independent shops - help me to find you!

 

We were out and about in town (St Neots), running various errands and we didn’t really have time to pop home for lunch in between so we decided to grab something whilst we were in town. When thinking of places to eat in St Neots, I find it really hard to think of somewhere independent. We have a well known chain bakery with a cafe, a well known chain take away selling subs and a couple of chain coffee shops. There are some nice independent restaurants but they are only really great if you want a main meal. I am sure there are other places in town but none of them really spring to mind. Why is that? What are these independent eateries doing or rather not doing to make themselves known or attractive to us? Have I become a victim to expensive advertising campaigns and constant bombardment of brand awareness so that the independents just don't stand out?

I love this "email" from one of my all time favourite movies; You've Got Mail. It somehow is just so true.

I did suddenly think of the little shop on the High Street called Cupcakes and I am so glad I did. We had a jacket pot with salad and it was lovely. Very good value for money and a nice portion size. It is a cute little cafe with pastel colours and vintage-esque decor. Quite darling really.

My plea really is to the independent shops. I want to find you, please help me to find you!

Carrot Chutney and a not so domestic Goddess!

OK so as I said I am going to independent shops for most of my groceries and this is going well. I haven’t quite got to grips with my dairy items yet and some household goods (although I have been given some leads to follow up on which I will do soon). 

I went into town and went to the green grocers for my veggies and Health Food shop for everything else. I am actually enjoying the experience of trying different shops out and you know what everyone has been so nice and so friendly. Ray in the Health Food shop is such a nice man, really helpful!

Now household items like loo roll. There is a shop in town that sells such items but they are not recycled so I am choosing to go to a Supermarket to get these. Here I figure that recycled is better than shopping independently.

I went to Waitrose this week to get loo roll and diary bits. Whilst I was in there, I noticed that organic carrots were on offer, in fact they were less than half price. Now I do like a bargain but I also thought that it was better that I bought them then let them go to waste, un purchased. I hate to see food wasted. Also I remembered seeing in one of my Mum’s vegetarian magazines that I was borrowing, a carrot jam recipe.   So I bought them. Several bags of them actually. And later in the day I decided to get-a-making!

I tell you it was certainly good eco fitness making the jam and I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a good deal of sweat in it too! The carrots needed to be finely sliced, you know when you use the slicer thingy on the grater, that thin. Man my arms ached doing that. I put my soul into that I really did. Of course the rabbits and guinea pigs were grateful that I had bought the carrots and was making jam as they helped to dispose of the peelings and ends that had been cut off. Everyone was happy.

Now being a domestic goddess type person is not as easy as it is cracked up to be. Nigella makes it look so easy and so sexy. I just looked like a hot dirty mess, with a dirty kitchen surrounded with carrots and peelings and sticky-ness! I did not even feel all homely when stirring it. I did when I started all enthusiastically but my enthusiasm started to wane.

Picture credit: Daily Mail article on Domestic Goddess becoming a thing of the past. 

 

My jam did not turn out as jam more of a chutney. Part of the problem was too much liquid. Oh, something I need to say now which might help is that I NEVER follow a recipe whole heartedly. I only ever use it as a guide and am totally up for experimenting as I go along. Ask my poor suffering hubby, he will tell you this is true. Sometimes when he comes home he asks "what's for dinner?" and I say "well it was supposed to be....". This was no exception. The blooming thing would not set and it seemed to be bubbling and boiling on top of the stove forever. It was not a glamorous look. I was not wearing a little skirt and pinny. To be quite frank I was fed up. 

Well I kept with it and you know, the jam turned into chutney and whilst it was wetter than I would have liked, it tastes good. I put it into jars and it looks all striking and orange, it looks good and yummy. I have made enough for us, a lot for us in fact and I am even going to inflict it onto my Mum and Mother in Law. I like to feel generous and it does make me happy to give gifts especially home made gifts.

At the time I wasn’t entirely enjoying the experience, it was hard work and frustrating but now I look at the jars of loveliness I am so pleased with myself and now feel all domestic like!

If you would like to try this recipe for yourself here is my (adapted) recipe. Go on try it, I am sure you will like it. It tastes yummy with crusty bread, cheese and salad. I will let you know when I find more uses for it as I am sure there will be more. We have plenty to experiment with anyway!

700g Sugar

400ml water

800g carrots, peeled and thinly sliced

Juice and zest of 2 oranges

Juice of 1 lemon

50ml rose water

100g flaked almonds

Bring the water up to boil (I find the kettle most economical then transfer to a pan) and add the sugar. Once the sugar has dissolved add the carrots and the orange zest and leave to simmer until the liquid becomes more like syrup. This takes up to 10 minutes but I wouldn’t advise going too far away just in case. Then add the rest of the ingredients and allow to simmer until the liquid has reduced and becomes thicker and stickier. This bit takes the experimenting with the time skills. It is about 10 minutes though sometimes more. Once it is ready transfer the chutney to sterilised jars and seal to form the air lock whist still hot. Allow to cool and enjoy!

Simply Incredible

Easter bank holiday weekend. We have decided to have a real chill out weekend and spend some good quality time with each other and just simply slow down a little. We have nothing that we need to. Ah bliss!

We decided to pop in to Cambridge today. I had something that I needed to take back but we love just going into the city and walking down past the colleges, people watching and soaking up the atmosphere. I realised whilst walking round just how many chain stores there are. You have to look for the little independents amongst them but when you do, you find some real gems with some beautiful unique items.

The only thing I will say (and this could just be my opinion) is that some times I am put off going in. I am better now I am older and don't mind what people think of me so much but in the past I was always put off by snooty shop assistants looking down on you. Silly I know! What I do think of little boutiquey shops sometimes is that I am put off by going in because I don't think I will be able to afford it or that they won't sell clothes in my portly size. OK so sometimes the size thing has been an issue before but I just think that we have come to accept big chain stores with surly staff and their "if it aint on the shelf we aint got none" attitude and the "pile it high sell it cheap" culture that when we are faced with a small independent store we just think we can't afford it so walk on by. Is that you too or just be being silly?

Whilst we were out we decided to have a nice lunch and went to Rainbow Cafe which is on King's Parade. It was so busy but it adds to the charm of the place and hey, if no one is in there is it really that good anyway? I went there years ago with my Mum so didn't know what to expect. We normally eat at a chain you see! eek!  The menu was so inspiring, such yummy options. It was hard to choose, not because it was bland and nothing jumped out at you but because it was so good it was hard to narrow it down to one. Jon had a chilli and I had:

Jamaican Roti Cups - Fresh banana, rosecoco beans, black turtle beans, coconut milk, Jamaican spices, roasted sweet potato and more, served in a chapatti cup with traditional rice’n’peas.

It was fabulous. I took a little pic with my mobile phone but it really does not do the meal justice what so ever. Every mouthful was simply amazing. I was sad when it was over. It has been a while since I ate out where everything was just lovely. The staff were friendly and helpful, place clean, bustling with lovely atmosphere, inspiring menu, delicious freshly cooked food. I left feeling suitably full but also with a warm fuzzy glow of feeling healthy knowing that I had eaten a healthy meal from somewhere independent and also vegetarian. All boxes ticked! I felt much better than I did the day before. I have to confess I ate a bugger. I felt sluggish afterwards and for the rest of the day. I caved and ordered it because I just couldn't find anything else on the menu that I wanted to eat.