End of first week

Work at 9.30, horrified at how I could sleep so late, oblivious to my husband getting up, putting on the light, having a shower and I slept through it all.  Jumped out of bed, delighted that I've lost 2lbs after a less calorific week mainly through the exclusion of wine, plus less time sitting at a desk

Put a casserole in the oven on slow-cook before running off to eye test. Need some new glasses so paid a £30 deposit for the £96 it is going to cost. Which, at the end of week one, brings me to that embarrassing topic of money. We English hate mentioning money, something a bit vulgar about it, but I have spent an absolute mint this week and it's clear that I'm going to have to curb my spending. Obviously, I have significantly less income coming in, on the other hand, I have more time to see and make use of all these wonderful bargains and opportunities, so something has to give. I've booked a cookery school, an exhibition at Tate Modern and committed to a number of social events - hey ho!

On the subject of economy, I am loving Lidl - really cheap and good quality food. It's less than 10 minutes from our house so very accessible. Who wouldn't love a large free range chicken for less than £6 and really low cost veg. This is going to be my first stop for food shopping and will hopefully help to finance the trips out.

The casserole went down well; braising steak in red wine with carrots, field mushrooms, onions and garlic with thyme, bay leaves and all spice berries. Potatoes Anna as accompaniment, which I hadn't tried before, but will do again:

King Edward potatoes (a couple of medium potatoes per person) sliced very thinly, I use the potato peeler to shave slices off the top
Butter
Salt & pepper

Well grease a frying pan/skillet that can go into the oven with butter
Layer the potatoes, overlapping to make a potato cake, dotting each layer with butter and seasoning with salt & pepper
Cover the pan tightly with buttered foil
Leave on a medium to low heat for 15 mins till the cake is starting to brown from the bottom
Put into oven at gas 5/375 F/190 C for half an hour uncovered. Leave a little longer/turn up the oven to brown the top if too pale. Turn out onto a warm plate and slice into portions for everyone.

One of my bargains at Lidl today was a pot of 3 hyacinth bulbs for less than £2. I love the colours and smell of these lovely flowers and I have some that are coming along well in the gorgeous pottery pig that my so thoughtful kids gave me as a retirement present. They are coming along beautifully and sitting proudly on the bay window sill, promising Spring. I brought them into the kitchen for some water and here they are:

I will take a break from blogging over the weekend, but back for week 2. I think retirement agrees with me!