All is quiet ... on New Year's Day

Happy New Year, my lovelies, and I hope you've all had a lovely time? We don't really 'do' New Year's Eve here at Thriftwood, so after a festive bowl of ice-cream, laced with the last of the Bailey's off we went to bed at about 10.30.  Harry thoughtfully brought the New Year in noisily at about 4am, but thanks to my industrial strength earplugs, I slept through it ...

Looking back over the year, it's not been a bad one ... a lovely summer, with lots of sunshine and al fresco dining, one or two mishaps that are not worth dwelling on any longer, but best of all, my family were all safely gathered in for Christmas, and for this alone I feel very lucky.

It was Christmas Day in the Workhouse ...

Christmas has now almost completely been removed; although I love preparing for it, and enjoy the rituals that go with it, for me, once it's over ... it's over.  The trees are down, the baubles wrapped and packed away, but usually there is always a little something, lurking somewhere, that I've completely forgotten about, that will make itself known in the middle of January ...

I don't know about you, but this year I'm not going to make long lists of resolutions that are unachievable, and will just make me feel bad when they fail ... this year I am taking for myself one word ...

SIMPLIFY

I am going to try to simplify my life ... not in one great sweep but in small ways.  I am going to take each day as it comes, and try to simplify something each day.  For a start I want to stop making mountains out molehills, one of my major faults! Rome wasn't built in a day, but if I try to turn a negative into a positive, it will be a step in the right direction.

I am going to cut down on spending (even more!), simplify the way we shop, cook and eat. I want to simplify my surroundings and I want to rid myself of things that clutter up my head with unnecessary thoughts and not give them a moment of my time. If I need something new, I want to first make sure I haven't already got it, or something that will fit the purpose.

This year, when asked what I wanted for Christmas, instead of saying I didn't mind, I asked for things that I need and use all the time.  My favourite shower gel, moisturiser, make up etc, were all given to me and now I have drawersful of my favourite things which I won't have to go out and replace when I run low. 

From my lovely husband, among other things, I received a voucher for 6 sessions of sewing lessons at one of my favourite shops, Suzie B's ... I can't wait to start in the New Year and will keep you posted of my progress! Each session something different is made, a cushion, bag, doll ... I can't actually imagine being able to do this, but have wanted to for ages so this is my chance ...

Now the decorations are down, I'm filling the bare spaces with bowls of Spring bulbs, which brighten up the dullest corner with colour and scent.  It's just a tiny reminder that this bleak, wet and windy Winter weather won't last forever, and that Spring is in fact, just round the corner ... Not wanting to wish my life away though, I'm going to use this time to plan for the year ahead ... family time, finances, home, garden and Thriftwood Vintage ... although no longer contained in a shop, still my passion! I'm looking forward to this year's fairs, my second garden sale in the summer, and meeting lots of lovely people in the process. 

So how about you? Do you want to join me in simplifying our lives or are your lives as simple as can be? Maybe you love the hustle and bustle of a busy life and can't think of anything worse than living simply? 

I'd love to know ...

Love, Claire xxx

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