Bits and pieces ...

A rather random post today my lovelies, hence the title! Sometimes a song pops into my head and I think "I'll have to do a post around that" or I think of a post and then try to find lyrics that fit.  Does anyone else do this? Erm, probably not! I'd love to know how you think of your post titles though ...

Have been a bit thrifty this week, not only with the treasures that I usually bring in, but at the supermarket too ... I don't want to bore you all with shopping lists, but on the way home from school this morning, I bought this little lot for less than £13 from the Co-op ... I would have bought more,  but wasn't in my car! Vegetarians please look away ... 'Best' crumpets,  Lean minced steak, 6 free range chicken breasts, 3 pork steaks, 4 Thai fishcakes, hummous, bread, red onions, and four packs of canneloni, which come in when sustenance is needed very quickly.  Oh, and the beautiful roses above were a bargain last Monday and have lasted a whole week for less than £3! My freezer is full of red, orange and yellow stickers, but who cares? We eat well for very little and it's getting to the stage were I don't want to pay full price for anything. Then again, we are Thriftwood, so it's to be expected!

I've been enjoying some lovely reads (I love the Autumnal covers on the mags out right now)

and I've been busy with my Tattypics ... I've sold this one and received several commissions ...

Quite a cottage industry ... except I don't live in a cottage ...

Last week I visited the lovely little market town of Kirkby Lonsdale (forgot my camera, doh!) and went for lunch in a swanky restaurant.  It was my friend Tracey's special birthday and I was treating her to lunch.  We had been before and opted for our favourite dish Gambas with Chorizo and Tagliatelle.  It cost about £11 and was delicious, but thought I could probably recreate it for much less.

Tagliatelle with Tiger Prawns & Chorizo

First of all I make a basic Tomato Sauce (with a few additions!) no weighing or measuring, this is just how I've done it, but I'll put some in the freezer.

Sweat 2 red onions and 2 white onions in olive oil.  Add finely chopped chillies, garlic and ginger (I strongly recommend using a Kenwood Mini Chopper, they are worth their weight in gold!) and fry for about 2 mins.  Add 3 tins of chopped tomatoes and any tomatoes that may be lurking in the fridge,  bring to the boil and simmer for as long as you like.  The longer you do it for (up to 5 or 6  hours in a slow cooker) the more intense the flavour will be, and your home will be filled with delicious, rich aromas.

When ready to eat, cook some tagliatelle (I usually use 2 rounds per person), chop some chorizo, add to pan, and then add cooked King or Tiger Prawns and heat through.  Serve on a bed of tagliatelle with a lemon wedge, black pepper and a sprinkling of Parmesan.  It cost me less than £6 to make all this and there is probably 10 portions! (Using Aldi Chorizo and King Prawns).  You can of course add your own ingredients to the tomato sauce.

Thought I'd just leave you with these two cheery chappies! Wonder where they are now, and what on Earth he's pointing at?  Love a man in a balaclava ...

I've done a fair bit of advertising today, but swear to God I'm not sponsored by anyone ... just over-excited to share my bargains!

Have a warm and wonderful week!

Love from Claire xxx