Merry Christmas One And All & New Year Planning

Today is an absolutely lovely day weather wise; bright and sunny with a crisp frosty start.  It was just the thing for a brisk walk, well wrapped up, of course, and then buying a few bits needed for Christmas.  Now we are home and warm so it's time for a bit of R & R .

The next two days will be spent baking and making a big pan of soup for quick meals later on when we are too stuffed for much else or too lazy to cook.  The freezer is full of bread, frozen veg, Quorn (in various forms) and some braising steak for OH which I will put into the slow cooker at some stage next week.  We intend to eat out of the freezer and store cupboard as much as possible from now until the end of January.  My purse will remain firmly CLOSED for as long as possible :)  I have some Nectar points to use in the new year and hope to have a couple of pounds worth of M & S vouchers soon too.  These will be used in preference to cash to buy things like bread, fruit, fresh veg and milk.

A household budget will be prepared after Christmas in preparation for 2017 but I will not be increasing the food budget element (even though prices seem to be increasing even now) but will endeavour to eke out our current amount by more frugal shopping and proper meal planning.  As far as I can tell at this stage this year's bills have come within budget, possibly just under budget so I'll let you know once I have the total in the new year.

Have a wonderful Christmas everyone, love and hugs to you all but particularly to anyone who needs a special hug <<HUG>>  due to feeling poorly or lonely or in need of one.

Take care & thanks for popping in xxx