Using what I have during Lockdown!

One of my foremost goals during this period of Lockdown in Australia has been to use up what I have in the house before I buy anything. 

I've shown you items I have used from the pantry (https://val-laird.blogspot.com/2020/04/happy-easter-and-how-come-there-are.html), and things in my bathroom, freezer and garage (https://val-laird.blogspot.com/2020/04/making-most-of-lockdown.html). 

At the end of February, when we didn't really have a clue of what was about to befall the whole world, I told you about how I had previously designed a really lovely project, (Thoughts in Thread) but made terrible use of the fabric range I used. https://val-laird.blogspot.com/2020/02/how-not-to-use-fabric-range.html. One of my plans for this year was to remake the wall quilt, using only what I had in my fabric stash.

With a couple of days extra each week in my life at the moment, I have had time to work on the blocks and I'm absolutely delighted at how beautifully it is coming together. In fact, if all goes to plan, it should be complete in a couple of weeks. 

I have to confess I could get use to this isolation - it's been amazing how many things are crossed off my "to do" list each week!

Stay Safe!

Val

Happy Easter ... and how come there are food photos on my blog?

Happy Easter! How amazing it is to know that Jesus is alive! 

That is GOOD NEWS in a world that is full of bad news at the moment. I hope you are all doing OK in the unprecedented circumstances in which we find ourselves at this time. To prove how unusual the situation is, there are actually photos of FOOD on my blog - something I don't think you would have ever seen in the last ten years!!!

I have never made any claims to be a good cook. I always say that I wasn't in the right queue when the cooking gifts were handed out. My kind family tell me that the meals I prepare are good, but I don't know whether they are just being kind or really mean it!!!

I have been continuing with my goal to use what is in the house and turned my focus on the pantry. Our family took turns with meal preparation when they were with us for Christmas. When I had a good look in the pantry I found a few items that they had left for me that aren't normally there. 

I was very thankful for the milk powder I found, seeing I have only been able to buy 2 litres from the supermarket at a time which is not enough to see us through a week.

I have to admit that meal preparation is not normally high on my priority list, but I do try to get a nutritious, decent meal together in quick time.  Now with our present lockdown, there is more time to spend on meals and I have been particularly working on having more variety in our lunches.

   The couscous that I discovered has come in handy, and has now gone on the shopping list as we like it so much!

A tin of chickpeas, some quinoa and sweet potato became this curry:

In the days to come, I want to try a few new things for our evening meal, not so easy when hubby is a meat and 3 vegies man!

Today I have sent out Block 4 of the More Precious than Jewels Wall Quilt. 

Our 'good woman' of Proverbs 31 is very astute. She is trusted with buying property and is very careful in inspecting it well before she parts with her money.

She is obviously disciplined in her buying and is able to save and has money put aside. 

Then she makes good use of her savings and spends it on something that will be of benefit to her family.

It's not too late to join in this Block of the Month, and you can read all about it and join the programme or purchase just Block 4

here.

May you enjoy the blessings of the Easter Season throughout the whole year.
Val

Making the most of the lockdown

Here in Australia it is Week 2 of our virtual lockdown and I guess a lot of my blog friends are in a similar situation. One of my goals during this season is to use up some of the things I already have in the house before I buy.

A cleanup of the bathroom cabinet discovered that I don't need to add shampoo and conditioner to the shopping list. Over the years when hubby and I did a fair bit of travel, we collected quite a few of these:

 

Then I checked whether I needed to buy some shower gel and hand cream as the ones I was using were getting low. I had forgotten I had received the lovely Red Door items for Christmas and found I had a bit of a stash in the back of the cabinet as well.

 When I turned my attention to our freezers in an effort to use up some of the leftovers and bits and pieces, this one needed some defrosting before I could get in to have a look at what was there!

I am really enjoying having the time to do jobs like this which kept getting put off to another day.

A search in the garage for something came up trumps when I happened to glance in a crate with gear we used to take when travelling - a roll of toilet paper - like gold here as there is still none in the supermarkets!

I've been so busy keeping in touch with friends, family and our Church congregation that I have hardly had time to do any stitching!

I have started the

  free 'Preserve your going out and coming in' pattern

but it is coming along slowly.

Block 4 of the Block of the Month Quilt "More Precious than Jewels" will be available soon!

Stay safe and happy stitching!

Val