Oh my goodness, what a hot, sweaty week it has been! I find it saps me of energy and makes me much less productive. It was a huge relief to get a morning storm and some rain yesterday, but it soon began to heat up again. Nonetheless, we have managed another week of fun and frugality.
Frugality is very much on my mind at the moment. With such gloomy news reports about us moving into the worst global recession in history and unemployment rising fast, I thought I would republish my blog post about extreme ways to save money. If you are feeling the pinch, you can read it here.
Keeping cool
Archie is struggling as much as I am with the heat. We have to get up early for the morning walk and wait until at least 7.30 pm to go out in the evening or it is just too hot. He has so much fur, but the groomer told us not to get his hair cut short until he was a year old or it will spoil his adult coat. I would love to relieve him with a good hair cut!
We have the fan going all day and much of the night. I hate to think how much electricity this is using, but it has to be done. I am also keeping the curtains closed whilst the sun is on the windows. This really makes a difference.
I have made doggie ice cubes too, with low sodium chicken stock and a little shredded chicken, which he loves. We are having lots of ice in our drinks too to help us keep cool.
The air conditioning is pretty much the only thing I miss about my old working life in an office!
Booking a holiday
Before the pandemic, we had planned to go to Scotland to stay at my daughter’s boyfriend’s place. On reflection, this would have been too far to drive with a puppy.
Now that things have eased a little, we have taken the opportunity to book a dog friendly chalet near the beach in Norfolk next month. It’s a super cheap holiday, but only up the road with lots of lovely walks nearby, so should be good for a first puppy trip away.
I am really looking forward to it! We always manage a frugal holiday of some kind, but this has been a long time coming.
Air con
This month wasn’t the best time for the car air conditioning to decide to die. We have been using Mr S’s car most of the time, but I had to drive my daughter back to Brighton on Monday in mine and it was no joke. I was absolutely roasting by the time I got back!
Fortunately, we have a little place up the road which is quick and cheap, so I popped in there and got in re-gassed finally. What a relief!
Using up the courgettes
We have tomatoes ready now, as well as the courgettes. I made a family favourite in the week: courgette and tomato eggy bake.
Over the weekend, I will make spicy courgette stew with fresh tomatoes. This will be nice with some baked chicken or maybe some brown rice.
Family gathering
The highlight of our week of fun and frugality was a family gathering. We finally managed to get together to celebrate my sister’s 60th birthday, which should have been back in April. As we still wanted to retain some social distance we opted for an outdoor picnic.
We borrowed a gazebo, my nephews decorated it with birthday balloons and we all took lots of food and drink. It was a surprise – she knew she was off out somewhere, but had no idea where or who with!
It was a really fun day, eating, chatting, playing rounders and cricket and generally chilling. My sister said it was the best way to celebrate.
Her sons also organised the most amazing cake!
Moving on
So, it was a fun and busy week. Next week, I am hoping for cooler weather so that I can get a bit more done. The house needs a deep clean. I sweep constantly, since Archie and the cats seems to be shedding hair at a rate of knots.
I have also not published my meal plan for a few weeks, so I must get that sorted too. Expect more courgette and tomato recipes!
I have mentioned previously that I really want to start painting the hallway. However, there is no way I am starting more DIY until the weather cools down a bit. At that point, I will be going for it.
How has your week been? If you are in the UK, how are you coping with the heat wave?
I’m linking up with this Cass, Emma and Becky in this week’s ‘Frugal Friday’ linky.
Julia says
Hot and lifeless here in London too! It’s currently 18C outside which feels positively freezing compared the the mid 30s we’ve ha for the last week! It didn’t even drop that low overnight! The postie has a spring in her step today though!
So, too hot to go anywhere, or do anything has made for another frugal week – well apart from a dishwasher repair that cost almost as much as a new dishwasher would have! But it had to be done – we’d been waiting a month, and had already lost one plate, one bowl and almost one finger to hand washing!
What a lovely party. It’s DHs 60th in Nov and I haven’t a clue what to do.now! The best I had come up with was maybe a little holiday somewhere, but he has no plans to leave the house for anything, for the rest of the year (if not longer!) if he can help it!! Aargh! Send help!!!!