MUDDY WELLIES WEEKENDS! Escape to the country this Autumn and take advantage of one of our great FRUGAL BREAKS. Official 'Friends of Frugaldom' members can benefit from additional discounts.

Mothering Sunday in the UK is 31st March 2019, the same date the clocks spring forward into British summertime. Mother's Day gifts can include anything from home grown flowers to handmade cards and freshly baked goods but if you would prefer to splash out a bit, there are plenty of other options. My suggestion for this year is a weekend break for mum.

Welcome to 2017, even if it is a little later than planned. It has just been brought to my attention that the Frugaldom blog has been sadly neglected, so I am here to remedy that problem right now.

The world, according to Frugaldom, is a complete package. We have all we need to create all that we want and if we break it, we have the wherewithal to fix it. Nothing is fake, everything is real - just take the time to look into this amazing frugal bubble that is our world. It's like the life of pie!

Today began frosty with icy roads and frozen puddles, but it remained dry for most of the day and allowed us time to start decorating the Frugaldom festive tree.

15 Years down the road and round the bend but not quite over the hill... Our satirical 'Woman Zone' columns first appeared in print in 1999. Those responsible for the rants, raves and ramblings included Shona Prophett, the Bishop, Rosemary, Eddie Elwood, Jordan, Millie May, Agnes and Senga... names that many of you may recognise and characters some of you met.

In between the rain, the hail, the sleet and the snow, we finally got some blue sky and sunshine at Frugaldom, so it was all hands on deck to get more of our 'World War 1 Centenary Woodland' trees planted.

Phase 3 of our planting began this month with the arrival of our next tree pack from the Woodland Trust, after being awarded a place in their World War 1 Centenary Woodland project last year.

Environmental art, fuel and food foraging, preserving and preparing for the winter - that's what autumn is all about - being prepared. How to make crabapple and rosehip jelly is a handy skill to have, especially as the recipe can be adapted into foraged or hedgerow jelly.

Glorious sunshine has burst through at Frugaldom, so it's back to work on the land project - in between dog walking, lemon curd making and spending some cash free, prime fitness time making the most of the swimming pool here on site.