Hall cupboard make-over

I'm not too sure where the last couple of days have disappeared to, which is always a little worrying when there's a birthday on the horizon ;-)  So let me see if I can scrabble around in the recesses of my brain and remember . . .
Wednesday was all mapped out, we had a definite plan and a list (maybe that was the problem!) but a very early and rather desperate plea had us rearranging our day before we'd even left the house.  We were very pleased that we were in a position to be able to help out but somewhat bemused at how a change of plan knocked us off our quiet little routine.  It gave us something to ponder over that afternoon; I think we need to be a bit more flexible and be able to take an unexpected change of direction in our stride.  

Before . . .

Yesterday found me on much more familiar ground, painting the hall cupboard.  Yes, I know where I am with a paintbrush in my hand!  It always surprises me how a coat of white emulsion can lift a space (and I finished up last bit of 'cheap and cheerful' emulsion to boot).  

. . . and after painting

Today, while I was at the donation centre, N fitted the shelves he made, and we now have a very servicable airing cupboard with so much more storage space than before.  So February's project is to sort out not only the linens, bedding and towels, which are in several different places at the moment, but also go through our wardrobes thoroughly - we both know there are items lurking in drawers and under-bed storage boxes which really need to be sorted out.  

And now with shelves!

It's been pretty chilly here of late, especially with a bitter wind, but to date still no snow although it came very close to it yesterday - the sky turned a very odd colour indeed.  However, what is very noticeable is that it is getting lighter of an evening.  It was 17.15 before we had to close the curtains today. And on a similar note, the rather elderly electric blanket finally gave up last week (I suspect it would have been condemned, truth be told), and we've reverted to the old-fashioned method of getting the bed warm, aka the hot-water bottle.  Ah, a warm and cosy bed again.

We watched a programme on television yesterday which we found quite interesting.  'Eat Well for Less' (can't find a suitable link to it, only iPlayer) looks at ways of saving money on families' food bills.  We were curious to see how well our shopping habits measured up.  It was certainly interesting viewing.  By the end we were feeling quite righteous!  Menu plans, cooking from scratch, buying value range products rather than branded ones, not falling for 'bargains', and knowing what's already in the store cupboard - it all seems like common sense, but it was quite scary how the food bill can rocket out of control.  At one point N and I just looked at each other and said, 'How much?' !  Taking closer order on shopping can really save pounds without compromising on quality of food especially if you cook from scratch.  We will watch again next week.