New books and a few little changes!

Hi everyone

Yesterday Charlotte helped me to change a few things on my blog. We've updated a couple of bits and added a contact page with my email address and Pinterest account username. I would love to hear from you...any requests for recipes etc. 

There's also an about me page if you're interested ;)

Yesterday I taught Daisy how to shell peas. Once she got the hang of it, she was really fast...although both of us had a few stray peas that popped across the room (to the dog's delight!) they were lovely with our roast dinner.

These are the books that I picked up from the carboot sale. One was 30p and the other two were 20p each...70p for three book and hours of entertainment for me...bargain! I love discovering different authors then I look out for other books they've written. 

This is my current book. I'm really into it and will be looking out for more Lizzie Lane paperbacks. Most of the books I read are set during wartime or the 1950s. 

Does anyone else love wartime stories?

We're making quiche this afternoon...wish me luck! Pastry is not always successful! I don't actually like shop bought short crust so we will have a go...practice makes perfect.

Mandy x

Thrifty Thursday...

Hi everyone,

Since last week I have been doing all my normal thrifty things which I write about on Tuesdays, but on Thursdays I want to focus on things I have started to do or I am trying to do more.

Reading...

I love to read, I always have, but just lately I've been unable to get into a book and end up giving up. Reading before bed is relaxing but I find it hard to stay awake!

I have a huge collection of books and nowhere to store them. I have been through them when I declutter and really want to read them all. When I find an author I like, I will try to collect books by the same author. 

These are just some of my books, as you can see...no storage!

Another pile of unread books...again no storage!

Finally, some non-fiction books, some read and being kept and some unread...no storage!

These books actually do have storage in the kitchen where cook books belong!

That is my aim for all my wanted and needed books, but book cases are not high on my list of priority purchases, so I will have to put up with the clutter or get reading!!

Well I have made a start. This book is so easy to read and to pick up and only read a little bit too. 

So how is this thrifty?

Almost all of my books have been either given to me or I have bought for a small amount...normally 50p. If I don't like a book or I know I won't want to read it again, then I will either donate it or sell at the Carboot. I get some money back to buy another and someone else gets the chance to enjoy that book too. 

Reading is entertainment and costs very little. Reading is education and I love to learn new things. New skills can be beneficial to the thrifty lifestyle too! 

Is anyone out there like minded when it comes to a love of books? How big is your book collection and how do you store them? Any ideas?

Daisy and I have done lots of crafty messy play this week too...

One last thing I wanted to share is this...

The hens are laying properly again after being broody. I wonder which one laid this cute little egg?

Thanks for reading,

Mandy x

Thrifty reading

Hi everyone,

Just lately I've got back into reading in the evening. Daisy has a story and bottle, then in her cot by 7.30. I then sit on my bed and read while she sleeps. She will wake for a late feed and gets frightened if she can't see one of us, so I stay with her.

I have to have a book that I can get straight into, or I will lose interest fast. One set of books that I love are the Nella Last diaries. I read them all before, but decided to revisit them for an easy read that I could dip in and out of. I finished the first book last night and started the second. I whizz through these books as I'm interested!

So why are these thrifty?

I bought all three books second hand and paid very little for them and I'm reading them again. I have a massive pile of fiction books that I've had for years. They haven't been read before because I haven't made the time to read. This pile of books is thrifty reading because I don't need to buy any books for a long time now and it is free entertainment.

When I have read a book, if I really enjoyed it - I will keep it to read again at a later date and if it wasn't anything special - I will sell it on in at a carboot sale or donate it to a charity shop.

I'm looking forward to the next book this evening...

Mandy x