Hello from A rather chilly Dorset!

[thethriftysquirrels]

Hello!

My name is Donna and I live in Dorset, near the coast with my husband Brian and our totally bonkers springer spaniel, Billy

I've made a New Year Resolution to spend less and live better, a very self-sufficientish lifestyle! We're both keen to turn our hands to anything (as long as its legal!!) so we are going to do as much ourselves as we possibly can.

I am really looking forward to making friends with so many like-minded people

Donna - one half of The Thrifty Squirrels!!

PS I've just started a blog to chart our progress and pass on any tips we learn and knowledge we aquire.

[happyhippy]

Hi Donna and welcome! Sounds like you are off to a good start of the year!You mentioned you are on half of Thrifty Squirrels?What is that?The name of your house?Business?Nick name?lol....Looking forward to your future posts!

[thethriftysquirrels]

Thank You Happyhippy!

My husband and I have given ourselves and our blog the nickname of The Thrifty Squirrels...it seems to sum us up quite well, we want to spend less and do more, squirrel-ing things away and not wasting so much!

We have managed to get half an allotment, sharing it with a neighbour, so we are looking forward to digging and planting some new potatoes and runner beans!

I already make all of our own bread, having recently cracked how to make a pure wholemeal loaf :) I simply cannot stand shop bought bread!

[happyhippy]

Oh thanks for explaining the name lol!!! Bet you can't wait to get growing!I hope its a good year!I'm in Wiltshire so not far away from you!There are plenty of people on this forum with great idea's,willing to help you if you need any advice.Its a great forum.

[thethriftysquirrels]

Yes, I'm glad we didn't start on an allotment last year...could have been disappointing! A bit of dirt under the finger nails is just what I need

[Thomzo]

Hi and welcome

Zoe

[thethriftysquirrels]

hi Zoe and thanks for the welcome

[matowakan]

Hello and welcome from North Dorset.
We decided to become more self sufficient about 6 years ago when we moved here.
We also try to spend less and I constantly squirrel things away as they will "be useful one day"!
I am sure you will find this site helpful and friendly.
Well done on making bread - it is the one thing I cannot seem to do,think I need lessons!!!
Fiona

[Milims]

Hi there and welcome

[thethriftysquirrels]

Thanks Fiona, I hope your ready for the weather that is promised!

I had so much trouble trying to make wholemeal bread...the results could have caused real damage if I'd chosen to throw them at anyone, which was a possibility as I was getting so frustrated! In the end we managed to crack it. I've put my method and recipe on my new blog site if you fancy having another go at it http://thethriftysquirrels.co.uk
Its foolproof, so much so that even Brian (husband) can make the bread on days when I am busy!

Thanks for the welcome!

Donna

[thethriftysquirrels]

Hi Milims and thanks for the welcome

[matowakan]

Hello Donna,
I have looked at your blog and will give the bread recipe a try!! Love the blog,what a good idea,strange also but I have a sewing machine like yours!!
Yes, we have the snow now,the chickens wont come out of their house and the quail dont seem too bothered !

[thethriftysquirrels]

Hi Fiona, thanks so much for taking a look at the blog. I'm so pleased to hear that you are going to try the bread recipe - please let me know how it turns out.

These sewing machines are fantastic aren't they! I will be sewing everything with mine from now on, far more reliable than my modern electric one. Brian (husband!) is fascinated by them and loves to restore them.

We have had a lucky escape with the snow, there was a bit of a flurry first thing but we ended up with just slush on the pavements...not nice at all! I certainly don't blame the chickens for staying put inside

[MuddyWitch]

Welcome to ISH

MW

[marshlander]

Hello!