2021 - 52 weeks of doing something different

^^ equally good is cheese and mango chutney toasted cheese. Enjoy.

Had my first vegan burger. I'm a committed carnivore with an occasional veggie day but no commitment to go vegan at all. Not really a normal burger fan either. Only had a vegan burger because they were handing them out free in the city centre. That was lunch sorted for DiL and I (cheap too ) not sure I would bother again though.

No idea!

This week it'll be ironing.
As a rule, I don't iron, but linen from the gîtes has got to be done.

I was in the middle of ironing the last batch of MrPP's work shirts before we left work to move here when my Mum called to say my dad had died in his sleep; that was the last time I routinely did the ironing and half the shirts never got done!

Something I've not done since before the first lockdown.

Had a dental checkup.

He was a new dentist to me. Ooooh he was lovely, kind gentle, softly spoken, efficient as well as good looking. I'd have happily taken him home to meet mother in my younger yoof. All's well for another 9 months when the next check is due. Let's hope he's still there then.

This will surprise you probably. I’ve just made my first ever flapjacks. Will report back if they’re any good.

Lots of flying solo in French without MrPP this week - to the post office to arrange a signed for letter, to the butcher's for our weekly meat ration (2 pork spare rib chops and thank goodness M Ribour was not in a jokey mood) and the gynecologist for the biannual check up and general rummage (she is NEVER in a jokey mood and does not approve of women who choose to be childless).

Flapjacks are one of the great things in life

This will surprise you probably. I’ve just made my first ever flapjacks. Will report back if they’re any good.

They were a success, I’ve made a second batch.

A couple of first for this week. My first day as labourer on my build site   . All the individual jobs I did weren’t actual new, done them all before. Moving blocks, measuring & cuttings wood, standing round in the pi$$ing rain ( first time it’s done that in weeks   ) discussing what to do next. 
The other first is I made kale crisps in the dehydrator garlic & herb flavour. Will be making more of those. They’re good     .

Today I got to play with a Sliding Mitre Saw . That’s a first. It’s a good toy, I like it.

Make a list of what you've tried to date each week - you may surprise yourself!!

1. Pickled Red Cabbage (tasted good)
2. Sprouted Broad/fava beans and peas (failed - went mouldy)
3. Followed a recipe (almost) - Dal Saag/ Split yellow pea and spinach daal (Nice - will do again)
4. Switched from using Kleenex to table napkins for hankies (Still doing - permanent habit now)
5. Went to Splott for a Covid Jab
6. Followed a recipe almost for split Fava bean hummus (Failed - need right ingredients).

 7. Stopped drinking wine (still stopped)
8.  Bought a 4 light grow-light thingy.
9. Had windscreen replaced at an industrial estate I've never been to before.
10.  Stopped using talcum powder (an unnecessary plastic container)
11. Diluted washing up liquid by 50% (still doing that)
12.  became a NOMAD and picked lunch every day from the garden - including wild plants (still picking but not 100%)
13.  Made a Mint omelette
14. Took down a fence that divides the garden (still reinstating! - done)
15. Went yellow sticker hunting in the evening, not Sunday afternoon. 
16. Turned a plastic dog bed into a pond.
17. Made Herb Salt

18. Boycotted Social media for the weekend and didn't miss it.
19.  Started using washable wipes in the toilet (still doing it).
20. Read an old book "Three men in a boat" by Jerome K Jerome.
21. Ate tinned pineapple and evaporated milk - like childhood Sunday afternoon tea.
22. Cooked Red Quinoa.
23. Started Standing on one leg with PP.
24. Timed my shower with a 4 minute timer.

25. Bought Soap Offcuts
26. Washed my hair with a Shampoo Soap bar. (After several washes I've gone back to liquid shampoo and am using the shampoo bars as body soap).
27. Made Onion chutney (Nice)
28. Made Apricot jam from cheap fruit (great taste but not set well).
29. Started a different sort of Diary - 12 books, one for each month, that will be reused for years (that's the theory!).
30. Gave my Grandmother's China to a charity.
31. Cleared the Welsh Dresser and shuffled furniture in the kitchen.
32. Decluttering on a grand scale.