I’m sorry I wasn’t on yesterday, everyone.

The Boy suddenly reappeared unannounced from his camping trip while I was engaged with the pressure canner and frightened the life out of me. He bought me dinner from here to make up for nearly giving me a heart attack.

This morning I attended a Pasta-making workshop at the Ballarat Community Garden, but it required rather large amounts of kit and supplies.

So, I spent my blogging time packing the car instead.

Never mind. I’m here now!

So onto the shopping.

From Aldi was purchased the following:

• 2 x 1 litre UHT milk                                    $1.90
• 1  x 1 kg Frozen peas                                 $1.99
• 1 kg full cream milk powder                  $5.69
• 1 kg brown sugar                                        $3.19
• 2 x 420 g tins Creamed Corn                  $1.78
• 1 x jar Indian simmer sauce                   $2.99
• 1 jar Basil pesto                                           $1.99
• 1 jar sundried tomato pesto                  $1.99
• 1 jar capsicum pesto                                 $1.99
• 3 x tins diced tomatoes                           $2.97
• 1 x tin evaporated milk                           $1.89
• 2 x packets Droste Dutch cocoa        $12.98
• 1 packet shredded tasty cheese          $5.49
• 1 packet shredded pizza cheese         $4.49
• 1 packet steakhouse fries                      $2.49
• 1 packets wholemeal tortilla wraps  $1.99
• 1 punnet mushrooms                              $2.91
• 1 kg brown onions                                     $1.49
• sweet potatoes                                           $3.16
• full bunch celery                                         $1.99
• 700g chuck steak                                        $8.42

Total = $68.63

Now, I’ve highlighted the cocoa that’s included in there for a reason. This stuff is great. It’s also expensive. I used two packets of it last year so, now it’s back on special at Aldi, I thought I’d stock up. If I find any still in the store next time I do my shopping, then I might buy another packet. I consider it a worthwhile indulgence.

I had to stock up on cheese again because I’d used all of the mozzarella I had when I made the pizza lunch for my Thursday group. The tasty cheese was exhausted when I made the mac and cheese during the week.

The greengrocer sold me these things:

• zucchini                       $2.15
• apples                           $1.60
• prepacked carrots   $0.79
• mandarins                   $1.13
• bananas                       $1.71
• bulb of fennel            $1.49

Total = $8.85

The fennel is my ‘fun’ thing this fortnight. I’ve not cooked with it a lot, but I want to try some more things with it. I saw it there, so I thought I’d go for it. I don’t actually have a plan for it right now, but give me a day or so.;-)

Anyway, that gives me a total spend of $77.48.

The remaining $22.52 I had intended to spend on beans at the Farmers’ Market down by the Lake Wendouree this morning, but I slept too late and had to get to the workshop. Sad face.

However, I have exhausted my supply of mason jars and really can’t justify a further purchase right now. I am very proud that I have now pressure-canned all my chicken stock and made a lot more space in my freezer, as well as making some mexican beans too.

Today bread was also made and dinner tonight will be fried rice made with the leftover roast beef from earlier in the week.

Tomorrow some baking will need to be done, but I’m too tired to think about it right now.

See you all soon.

ttfn