Rory: ROFL that apron pattern sounds lovely... I'll have to have a look at that too.... I make my own aprons, simple as. Just plain ones though. The last one I made was from this piece of fabric that DH and I found at the back of his mum's linen press... made circa 1955 I reckon... it features illustrations of all the gentle arts: boxing, duck shooting, fox hunting, fishing, **** fighting and cricket! I'll have to take a piccy of it... it's a real conversation starter once our guests pass the observation test and notice what's printed on it! LOL It was probably originally intened as fabric for a boys bedroom curtains.

I've got a bag of rats beside me here too... I can tell he needs to do a poo ... I wish he'd just get it over and done with so i can have a shower... he generally does one around this time of day and that's the signal for me to have a shower cos he joins me.

Ice cream beckons....

ETA: oh and that method of menu planning is pretty much what I've been doing for the past 3 years... prior to that it was more haphazard and involved more convenience food as I studied and worked... but this method is far more economical. Once you have a few basics in the cupboard (spices etc) you can make a meal for next to nothing from scratch with whatevers cheapest/in season.

ETA again: I also meant to say goodluck with your decluttering too Ali! remember do it in baby steps... just choose a corner of a room to start with.... or a place like under the bed which is my focus ATM. I'm also worried about accumulating too much clutter when I embark on teaching studies! I've seen teacher student friends with ROOMS of teaching aides and materials! gulp!