My big strategy last week was to use up the groceries I had previously purchased before leaving.
I was planning on staying a few more days on Fair Isle but once I decided to fly out early, I quickly realized I wasn’t going to need to buy any more groceries {although I did load up on a bunch of treats to bring home because HELLO… you can’t go somewhere and not come home with some tasty loot}. 😉
Self sealing ice cube bags!? Have you seen these before? They are very popular in the UK and everytime I see them they make me smile and I have no idea why.
Here are the meals I made last week:
I finally finished the pot of chicken soup I made!
Beans, rice, eggs and bacon. What more do you need? {Okay, so a little avocado would have been nice}. 😉
When I made the roasted chicken last week, I knew I wouldn’t be able to use all the meat in a few days so I popped what I wasn’t able to use in the freezer.
The store had a ton of Indian sauces to choose from so I bought a sweet chili pepper sauce and sauteed a few peppers in a pan along with some of the chicken and poured the sauce over the top.
The sauce was so good, I wish I would have tried it earlier because I think I would have been making this dish every other day.
Shortly after I was invited to tea with Tommy, I was invited to tea again by another Fair Isle resident for later that same day.
The person who invited me was another creative soul and when I asked if I should bring a sample of what I was working on so that they could see, they said yes. And so I did.
What started as an invitation to tea, in the end turned out to be a secret knitting circle with a few other people.
There was tea and biscuits and we sat around a candlelit table and talked about all sorts of things for 3 hours. I had to swear that I wouldn’t name drop though … So I won’t.
But anyway, it was really the first time in my life that I had sat around a table like that, casually working on a project {and others doing the same} and it all felt so comfortable, welcoming and cozy.
It was the perfect way to spend my last bit of time on Fair Isle and I’m so glad I said yes. ♥
An interesting lunch at The Shetland Museum of Archives.
The highlight was the cake! Which of course was Victoria sponge.
An early morning breakfast at Aberdeen Airport. The menu said tea and toast. But what I received was basically croutons and marmalade. I may have chipped a tooth.
British Airways London to Boston Meal #1
Cauliflower mac and cheese, salad, roll, spreadable laughing cow cheese {I loved it!} oatcakes and a dessert bar.
British Airways London to Boston Meal #2
Grilled eggplant with a pasta salad, fresh fruit, pot of chocolate and breadsticks. Chocolate ice cream was served about halfway through the flight.
I watched 3 movies and worked on a rug during the 6 ½ hour flight.
When I finally made it home I basically drank a large glass of water, got my pjs on and crashed.
The next day though we made roast chicken for dinner and it was fantastic. I’m going to miss Fair Isle… But it’s also so good to be home. 🙂
So how did YOU do this past week? Did you make anything exciting?
Have a good one,
~Mavis
Total Spent This Past Week on Groceries £0
- Total Spent on Groceries in January $167.33
- Total Spent on Groceries in 2023 $167.33
Pauline in Upstate NY says
Inquiring minds want to know… You could not possibly have eaten all of the groceries you acquired while there. Were you able to pass the leftover ingredients along to one of the year-round residents before you left? It sounds like a delightful community of people!
Mavis Butterfield says
I gave a few things to Tommy and left the rest of the items for the next guest at the studio. I also left 2 slices of German Chocolate cake in the freezer. 🙂
Cindy Brick says
Your next visitor will be blessing you for that…
I’m betting HH is thrilled that you’re finally home. Not to mention Lucy.
I am not sure why. Really. But grocery items at our local Safeway have taken another definite jump in the past few weeks — at least 20% more. Pasta? $2.10 for a pound — on sale. Chuck roast — $7.99/lb ON SALE. Milk is now closer to $4.50. And it’s cheaper to buy hamburger now than sausage. (This one, I can’t figure out.)
Ironically, eggs have gone down a bit to $5.49 a dozen. This is for the cheapest kind.
Gas prices here in Colorado went down a bit — but now they’re back up. And higher.
And now I get to listen to a speech from our beloved President on how there is no inflation — or if he admits that it does exist, it’s only getting better. Oh joy.
I think we’ll skip it and go to a movie, instead. Gerard Butler (in “Plane”) always makes me feel better.
Janice says
This was going to be my question as well – especially after some people said they would not have eaten the lasanga Mavis found in the freezer when she arrived. But come on… who wouldn’t appreciate being left chocolate cake!
Rosemary Calhoun says
I have been a part of various groups of women doing crafty things. I had a sewing group at my home many years ago and we talked and sewed and ate and had a wonderful time. I have also been part of a crafty group at church – each person would bring whatever craft they were working on (crocheting, knitting, scrapbooking, etc) and worked on it while talking. That was a fun time as well. There is just something about being with like-minded people and doing something that you all enjoy. Good times!
Tina B says
Oh, boy…did you have a craft session with famous people…?
Inquiring minds want to know, and we promise not to tell either.
Lisa says
I’ve loved following this current adventure of yours. All this food looks delish! I’m originally from South Africa and we’ve had the ice cube ‘bags’ since the 80’s there. I do miss them, even though I have a fridge with ice capability, those are fantastic for summer days when the fridge just can’t keep up with hosting… I miss simple little things like this from home in Africa that just aren’t found here.
Thanks for always sharing your interesting experiences
Tanya J. says
Do you remember the name of the sweet chili sauce?
Mavis Butterfield says
Sharwoods was the brand name. Crazy good!!
Annette says
A stitch and b*tch is always a good time.
Sherry says
I always love living vicariously through your many adventures. So very glad you carried us along on you trip to Fair Isle. I’m wondering how excited Lucy was welcoming you home. All the best!
Olga merela says
Thank you for sharing your adventure with us! I have truly enjoyed seeing your viewpoints-which are often unique and child wonder like-and feel like a kid again-thanks for that more than I can say.
Fun hearing all your comments ladies and I read those everyday.
Wishing you all blessings of the heart from Ohio ❤️
Let’s stay open today to something we all need, hope.