Things that are nice but not worth the hassle

[CrabbityRabbit]

I made sweet potato gnocci for dinner yesterday from scratch. They were lovely. But they also covered both me and my kitchen with a thick layer of orange gloop that took ages to scrub off. And the gnocci were all funny shapes since they were too sticky to roll out properly. I shan't bother again.

In the same category I put properly decorating the house for Christmas/Halloween. I love decor but can only just be arsed to decorate the tree/carve a pumpkin. So they are the only things that get done despite the fact I would love a house covered head to foot in fairy lights/skeletons.

A decent skincare routine. Can barely remember/be arsed to slap on a moisturiser most nights let alone toner, eye cream or anything of that ilk. Am convinced I would have dewy, glowing skin ala a South Korean skincare advert if only I could be bothered to use 39 different products every day.

Anything else?

I don’t find lasagne, fish pie, risotto etc too much hassle but I have no idea how to do a roast

I actually laughed out loud at the MNetter who took a dump in their kitchen bin to avoid leaving the risotto. Is that for real or a MN myth?

Juicing. Jesus, the cleaning afterwards. I'd rather have a glass of water and an apple.

For non lumpy mash you need to go to Tesco and buy a bag of their frozen mash, bung in microwave for a few minutes, stir in some butter and splash of milk and you'll be eating the food of the gods (and feeling very smug about it) Honestly this was a game-changer for me when I discovered it two years ago. Ingredients are potatoes, butter, salt & pepper. It it just too simple and quick (and cheap) to not buy. I haven't peeled a spud for years!!

I agree that most cooking is a pain in the arse, given the ratio of prep time to eating time, but I do love a lasagne and I make a few at a time so that the others can be frozen. The ragu needs to be cooked for ages but I will definitely give the creme fraiche/parmesan idea a go next time.

Ricotta is a good replacement for bechamel, too.

Ironing.

TK Maxx

Mussels

Having an evening out and the leaving the kids with their grandparents.

Tkmaxx so true i get bored after the first rail

The trick with TK Maxx and all other clothes shops is to ignore anything not on the clearance/sale rail. I refuse to buy things full price and the majority of my clothes are from charity shops.

Charity shopping is a faff but one I consider well worth it especially if out with my Mum. I actually go destination charity shopping by picking naice towns with naice shops so I get all the posh leftovers. The ones near me are just full of George at Asda with extra holes.

Oranges. First you break a nail peeling them, then you spend half an hour picking at those crappy white stringy bits. When you finally get down to business you end up choking on a bastard pip.

Going out for a gig. The expense, the arranging of babysitters, the travelling (getting stuck in traffic), the waiting, the stupid warm up band, getting disappointed they don't play the songs I wanted to hear, getting home late, then taking the babysitter home. It has become marginally better since I separated from ex, at least now I don't have to be bitter and resentful about having to do all the work while he watches and then complains about anything and has too many drinks so he needs the toilet before, during and after the gig and on the way home.

I like gigs but CBA to stand up for that long.

Picnics. Just put a sandwich in your pocket or buy a bag of crisps.

Great thread Rabbit

Cooking Christmas dinner..( I shudder just thinking of it).or should I say DH cooking Christmas dinner but me pitching in with the hours of endless prep and then hours of washing up. The time you sit eating it and enjoying it is about 15 feckin' minutes tops, and even then you sit there thinking of all the clearing/washing up to be done before you can put your feet up with a Bailey's.

The company that develops a door delivery Christmas lunch in attractive yet biodegradable packaging with plates you can throw away wil make a fortune

Lasagne

Homemade Christmas cake/pudding/mince pies.

Fondue.

Skiing.
Fun but not worth the effort of trudging back up those bloody mountains for 5 minutes fun coming back down again.

YeahCorvid

Putting nice clothes on babies. I have 3 mo b/g twins, and daily ignore delightful, lovingly purchased and gifted outfits in favour of onesies. I figure since they go to sleep every couple of hours, there is no point, but still feel a pang as the days wear on and the lovely things (and I do mean attractive and sweet) grow small and unloved. Fuckit.

Oh, I have another one! Lunch/dinner in the garden in the summer. Why do I remember that as being a good thing when I was a child? I hate it. First I have to clean off all the bird poo and spiders that have emerged over night. Then I have to run back and forth setting the table and then getting the food on the table without it blowing away/going cold/melting. The we all moan about the sun/wind/both while eating and then the flies/bees/wasps/all of them start coming. So every body leave the table at least once and has to be talked into coming back after I have magically made all insects disappear. By now the food is cold/hot/eaten by insects. Then we have to run back and forth clearing it and then clean the table so that the bugs don't come to eat spills over night. I swear next summer I am selling that stupid pub garden table to a pub!

Teenage girls.

Hanging out washing
Christmas cards
Making millionaires shortbread

Ikea...
Eating in the Ikea restaurant...
Thinking the Ikea room displays will look just as good (or fit) in your house...

...Browsing in Ikea...

Boyfriends