I find ...

... that washing the kitchen floor on my hands and knees using a cloth is preferable to using a mop (I can get in the corners and see all the dirt without putting my glasses on).

... that using brown wrapping paper for presents is preferable to buying special wrapping paper for different occasions (only one roll in the cupboard so saving space).

... that wearing stretchy pants is preferable to wearing trousers or jeans with a waist band (ahhhh). 

... that sitting on the floor is preferable to sitting on a chair (just me, I guess).

... that mopping up my plate with a piece of bread means I don't have to wash the plate (just joshing).

... that blowing one's nose on kitchen paper towel is preferable to blowing it on loo paper or tissues (as it's thicker and bigger so lasting longer).

... that sneezing without putting my hand over my mouth is much more satisfying to me (not to anyone else though).

xx

PS - if you don't possess stretchy pants do not, repeat DO NOT, buy any. Your waistline will never forgive you. :)

Around the world?

To the tune - I am Sailing

I am sailing, I am sailing,

far across the sinky sea.

I am sailing my last courgette (pronounce - courgette-er)

To use you, to be free.

I have used up, all your brethren,

soups and pastas, curries too,

so prolific, so much chopping,

I am glad to be free of you.

May I thank you, my bloggy sisters,

your ideas all unfurled,

stuffed and jammy, chocolate cakey

But I chose to - sail the world.

My first sail was a little too small for the great task ahead. It's only a small pink, crocheted square.

Astri,  do you recognise it?

I've made a few now from wool that was in my stash. I'm living dangerously and am tackling the La Vie en Rose blanket using as much wool from my stash as possible.

My other sail was a little larger but not complete so it was as useless as the first for sailing around the world.

It's another dishcloth with again, more wool from the stash. Pam, your white dishcloth is still going strong and now I'm branching out with other colours of cotton. (Spot the purple creation!)



So, sailing round the world in my Very Large Courgette was not an option so I've made more soup with one half using veggie leftovers - peppers, carrot, tomatoes and the other half I'm going to stuff.

Same old, same old but I've had a little sailing adventure on the way.

xx

All change

Where have the shelves gone?

They have now been moved to DD's old room along with craft and hobby 'stuff'. My boxes are filled with card for card making. I'll never use it all but I can't throw any away.

I'm trying to 'artistically arrange' other bits and pieces and I keep swapping things around and changing my mind.

These shelves will probably look entirely different next week. The baskets hold cross stitch patterns and aida, sewing paraphernalia and craft items.

I've got more wardrobe space for my dancing dresses but there are still some hanging on the picture rail.

I should really get rid of these old children's books shouldn't I.

These shelves once housed nail varnish of every hue but now they are home to small items.

The room is slowly becoming organised and my other room will become a guest room.

xx

Processing

Number 1 - The eating apples from our friends. To process these - just eat!

Number 2 - The large bunch of flowers from DD. To process these - chuck out the dead and wilting then cut down and plonk into smaller vases (I used some vases that I haven't used for a while).

Number 3 - The corn (which was as high as an elephant's eye). To process these - pick and fill a very large container.

Peel off the outer layers.

Marvel at the detailing of the cobs.

Chop off any yukky bits, put in bags and freeze.

Number 4 - The dried seed pods of the mange-tout. To process these - let them linger about in a basket in the sunny conservatory and pick out the dried peas when the fancy takes. Store the dried peas in a container in a drawer ready to plant for next year.

Number 5 - A rather tasty part of our friend's tomato. To process this - do not eat all the tomato, even though it is delicious. Leave the remaining part to rot (We will rot you,  rot you, rot you!) in a jam jar. It will go all yukky (good word) and horrible looking. Do not worry. When you find it lingering about the kitchen, thoroughly rotted, separate out the seeds, make sure they are dry and store in kitchen roll tissue,  in a drawers, ready to plant for next year.

Number 6 - Excess veg. To process these - chop up into little pieces and put into the hot-pot, made with stewing steak, onions, potatoes, carrots and stock. Stew for a couple of hours and then put a crust on top and bake for half an hour in the oven. Eat with brown sauce and pickled red cabbage.

Number 7 - The Very Large, Very Heavy, Glass, Cylindrical Dish (which I'd been admiring for weeks. It was sitting in the CS with my name on it but was rather pricey. Nobody else bought it so I took that to mean that I should rescue it.) To process this - put it on the dining room table and give it a good looking at. Make a mental note of all its possibilities - storage for fruit, vase, receptacle for floating candles … Then leave it on the dining room table until inspiration strikes.

xx

Making good use

DD's pusscat is making good use of one of my crochet creations.

This is his night time's sleeping place next to the bed.

Ahh!

xx

PS My 'do things differently' activity today is visiting friends instead of going dancing.

Opposite the Kitchen Window - August 2014

We made good use of our friends' windfalls - plums and apples.

17 apple crumbles and 17 plum crumbles ready for the freezer. The kitchen looks like a bomb's hit it!

I think next on my 'do something differently' list will be to show this side of the kitchen instead of the kitchen window each month.

Don't I lead a daring and interesting life!!!

xx

Home

… to welcoming flowers from DD.

She had also made us a welcome home meal,

bought DH his favourite chocolate and bought me my favourite mag.

Home … to a greenhouse full of bunches of grapes. I've picked out the bad ones and have eaten or frozen as much as I can. There are still quite a few bunches to go.

Home … to a pile of washing and ironing. Hey ho! Back to routine - but no! I've decided to do a few things differently - such as ironing in the conservatory rather than the kitchen today.

I don't wear adornments usually but I put on my bracelet to continue the holiday feeling.

Our holiday was great but it's always good to be home. Now what shall I do differently tomorrow?

xx