Making the leftovers last

This week is proving to be a really productive one.  All the kitchen cupboards cleaned and sorted out - hardly anything out of date and nothing we had forgotten about, and no gadgets or gizmos not in regular use.  Just about the only thing I have turned out is a plastic tub full of half-used boxes of 'proper' coffee, bought on a bit of a whim when we thought it would be nice to indulge in something other than instant coffee.  We even bought a special brewing pot to make the coffee in.  That was quite a long time ago.  We are now drinking our way through this little stash, having a cuppa each day for our elevenses together with the last of the Christmas biscuits.   When we have finished this box of goodies, the coffee pot will be heading for the car-boot box.

We have started the (rather long) list of household maintenance jobs, or at least  N has, digging out and replacing the tatty grout in the window sills.  The difference is amazing.  We've also bought a tin of emulsion (luckily on half-price offer) to give the dining-room a second coat of paint - I made a very poor job of it first time around, there are missed patches everywhere!

We're making good progress working through the freezer and stores.  This week N dug deep in the freezer and produced a very tasty mixed vegetable soup - peppers, tomatoes, basil and courgettes from the veg plot and homemade  chicken stock - lunch for two days.  In fact, we think we may be able to continue eating down the stocks through February as well, with only minimal shopping required.  It's quite a fun challenge, although it may become a little more challenging as the freezer empties.  Some interesting meals ahead, I think.