Book Review & Other Stuff

Half way through the working week, and I feel exhausted already.

Book Club was great on Monday, I do so enjoy meeting my friends once a month and having a natter, plus 30p for a lime and soda does not break the bank.

This week we discussed “Remarkable Creatures” By Tracey Chevalier. The same woman who wrote the book “The girl with a pearl earring”, aka the Colin Firth / Scarlet Johansson film.

I loved that film, and though I had never read the book, I was looking forward to starting this novel.

It is a fictionalised account of historical figures Elizabeth Philpott and Mary Anning’s life. They were avid fossil collectors in Lyme Regis who were there at the very birth of natural history exploration in Europe / The States. But, they remain overlooked by the men of their time.

In this blogger's humble opinion the book is a bit boring with very little happening apart from a random bonk towards the end. The general consensus was the novel was okay, and an easy read. If it had not been for book club none of us would have finished it I think. 

However, we are a very low brow group and spent the first 10 mins of our time together discussing boob jobs and the plastic surgery we would have given the choice. So, perhaps best not to take our opinion seriously.

With the summer break approaching (we always have July / August off) the next two books have been chosen

-         June: “The Help” By Kathryn Stockett

-         September: “A Stolen Life, A Memoir” By Jaycee Dugard. (my choice)

I have also booked us into a restaurant for our June meeting as we like to have dinner out twice a year whilst we discuss the book.

On Monday, I had a little muse in my post. It was probably apparent I was a little down at the financial mountain I have to face – Debt, repairs to the flat etc.

If honest, I am still a little fed up about it, but after starting to plan I realised something. In one of my very first posts I talked about trying to pay off half my debt by the end of 2012. Now I am upset because I cannot pay it all off by September. Silly me, look how far I have come!

Really the only reason that I need these repairs doing so soon is there are some changes going to happen over the next few months. Those changes are exciting. I should not moan, but be happy.

Some initial investigation has given me a ballpark figure of £390 incl VAT and installation for the garage door. Up and over white steel door with 3point lock. I think this sounds reasonable, but never having bought one before I cannot be certain. What do you think? Plus they will take the old door away. Anyway, I am going to the show room on Saturday for a mooch.

Also on Saturday my friend “J” is coming over. She only has a shower at her place, so every now and again she pops over for a bath at mine. I offered to make lunch for us both forgetting she is wheat intolerant. Normally, I would have made a pizza or done posh club sandwiches. So I now have to come up with a cheap lunch using no flour. Ummmmm...... nope no ideas. I would also like to make it look good, that effort has been spent.  Any ideas?

So with The Chap away walking Wales this coming weekend, it appears I will not be lonely. I am also, looking forward to starting to sell on eBay and really getting cracking on with the sewing.

And finally, Bless You Frugal Wife for your kind comments on Monday. Aren’t thrifty bloggers just the nicest people?

Frugally yours

Abigail

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Book Review and A Frugal Menu Plan

I have had the afternoon off work and it has been bliss, well apart from the dentist - 2 fillings and I cried like a baby throughout. Pathetic, I know. But behind me and the £30 spent. But another appointment booked for 6months time. I hate going, but I always turn up as not going could lead to worse problems.

I have recently finished reading "And The Band Played On" By Christopher Ward for Book Club on Monday. What an excellent read. It is a true story written by the grandson of one of the band members who died when the Titanic sunk. It starts with the sinking and gives a vivid account of the sinking and the effects of the cold water on those unlucky souls who did not find refuge in a lifecraft.

It documents the personal disaster of his family, and what happened to his body. It also shows the effects of class on the rescue attempt and retrieval of bodies. But, what makes this book so powerful (apart from the photographs) is the longterm effects this led to as his grandmother was pregnant but unmarried and documents the dark side of this maritime tragedy. The greed that was apparent. If I could recommend one book this month, this would definitely be it. I read it over 2 nights and was engrossed.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Band-Played-Titanic-violinist-betrayal/dp/1444707949

I mentioned yesterday I have a friend coming down with her 2 yo on Friday for the weekend and since I get paid at the end of the week I have been finalising my shopping list ready for pay day. I wanted to be able to serve food that would be both plentiful, frugal and tasty. However, I also wanted to ensure that what I cooked, the left overs could then be frozen and used as a meal later in the month. This is the finished plan

Menu Plan
Friday Night - Homemade pizza with easy crust from all recipes - ham onion and mushroom. Excess dough can then be frozen.
Saturday Morning - Homemade thyme and honey buns
Saturday Lunchtime -We are out, so ham s/w with lemon / banana cake currently sitting frozen in the freezer
Saturday Evening - Homemade beef and ale pie. I already have the Guinness so only need to purchase some stewing steak. This can then be put into the slow cooker whilst we are out ready to serve with a pastry top after the boy has gone to bed. Fish fingers for him.
Sunday Breakfast - Pancakes - TBC
Sunday Lunch - A chicken dinner which then should serve me for about 3 / 4 nights after.

Hopefully this will keep the expenditure down on food, but also provide me with at least 6 - 8 additional meals later on in March.

Frugally Yours
Abigail
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Rebecca, January Book Review

Evening All

Remember about 2 weeks ago when I was so excited because I got Rebecca By Daphne Du Maurier from Freecycle?

The reason I got this particular book was because it January's choice for my book club. Actually, I chose the book this month.

I set up the book club about 2 years ago and we have, including me, 4 regular members plus others who have drifted in and out over the years. And, I love book club! We only meet once a month and take it in turns to choose a book for everyone to read and then discuss.

In all honesty, we spend half the time discussing the book and the rest catching up with each others lives. I love the range too in people. The youngest is in their 20s and the oldest in their 60s. All women and we just sit and talk and talk and talk.

It is a pretty frugal activity too, as I only buy a soft drink for about £1.50 and get so much entertainment for one evening.

It has also taught me to be pretty inventive too about getting the books. I do own a Kindle and love it, but sometimes the books on their can be pretty expensive for example we are reading next month a book about the Titanic and that is coming in on Kindle for about £10. Way too much!

So time for a rethink. Last month I got Rebecca for free. But for the next club as it is a recently published book, I will go to the Library. For 25p I can order any book I like and have it delivered to my local library. They send you a text when it arrives and... well..."Bobs your Uncle" A virtually free book! You have got to love some government services haven't you!?

I loved Rebecca, such a classic novel. I had seen the old Hitchcock movie which was great,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebecca_(1940_film)

but nothing beats reading the words. This book for me, had everything I wanted - a hero reminiscent of "Rochester" who loves passionately and deeply but is not overt in his actions. A heroine who develops from child to woman during the course of the novel and a countryside that evokes a longing for the Cornish coast.

"Last night I dreamt I went to Manderly again" is the quintessential opening line and immediately the prose grabs you and the characters are well rounded coming alive in your head from the verbal pictures painted.

It contains all you could want, a love story,thriller, with a mystery and even elements of a ghost story. Some books really stand the test of time and this is one of them. I would put it up there with "A Town Like Alice" By Neville Shute which we read about 6 months ago. Ok, sometimes it is a bit dated in narrative and expression. But, that is ok with me, as it is "of it's time".

Thank you Daphne! We loved you at book Club.

On a more frugal note, I am currently sitting with my coat on. Brrrr it is cold and I am refusing to put the heating on this evening. Shortly, I will change into PJS and my thickest dressing gown. As, I still want to reduce my utilities next quarter to under a £300.

Reading any good books lately?
Frugally yours
Abigail
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