The unseen

​this morning I woke up feeling a little better. Basically I can’t breathe 

It was a slow start. I wasn’t rushing with anything. 

But I did have to fold the washer that was days past dry. 

I then put a load in the washer. While waiting I pulled out the very bottom of the pantry. I had excess stock in there, it had to go into the cupboard for easy access 

I put everything back, and added two tins of olive oil 

I buy it in a big tin and fill the bottles. It’s way easier for me to use. Normally once one has been decanted, I had one ready to go.

I ordered one on the next door dash. 

Imagine my surprise when they delivered two cans. 

The shaking hands had obviously hit the  the button twice. 

I had them in the laundry, along with a bag of food. Now all that is gone and nicely packed in the pantry 

Then hubby asked for more jam 

So I made jam 

I bought a small bag of frozen mixed berries, added some of my frozen strawberries and fresh blueberries 

Once it was defrosted and smooshy, I added half a teaspoon of this. Just to make sure it sets 

Into jars and then a water bath 

Three new jars of jam. 

It’s very yummy on toast or crumpets 

After all that. Had worked up a sweat. 

I’ve showered, the last lot of laundry is in the machine, and I’ve just had lunch. 

Once that last load is done I plan to sit and sew. 

At least until it’s time to cook dinner 

Stupid germs

​

This is me today. It started last night. Suddenly my nose was blocked and my head and ears felt like they had cotton wool stuffed in them 

You don’t realise how important breathing is, until you can’t. 

So lots of hot beverages, paracetamol and a flannel with Vicks vapour rub on it and rubbed around my neck and chest. 

I woke this morning still feeling pretty ordinary. I cancelled the weekly coffee date and I’ve been sitting by the fire keeping hydrated. 

I am feeling much better now. Hubby went to the pharmacy to get me some cold and flu tablets, and they seem to have worked. 

This germ just doesn’t want to go away. 

As soon as I get busy, and tired it comes back 

I should be fine by tomorrow, either way a bit of luck anyway 

Stay healthy everyone. It’s a real inconvenience and throws a spanner in your plans 

Kitchen day

​today I tackled the kitchen. In needed a deep clean. 

Everything was moved, benches cleaned and put back neatly 

I then removed, cleaned and put back the mugs and glasses in the two overhead cupboards 

I removed the old curtain from my kitchen window cleaned and replaced it with new ones. I’ve had them for many many years. When I purchased the ones that were on the window I also purchased these. But I’ve been washing and just putting it back. I had total forgotten about the second set. I found them looking for something else. 

Neat and tidy 

Then I cooked some chow mein for dinner 

And a banana bread 

I finished vacuuming and I was done 

I’ve had a Long soak and will now settle in and continue sewing. 

I’ve been working on the knitting but my brain is fried and I’ll just have to pull out what I knit up. So mindless sewing for me 

It’s raining outside, it getting dark, the solstice is rapidly approaching.

And the fire is burning nicely 

Who could ask for anything better 

A sunny day, finally

​I had been waiting on a day that wasn’t raining to go out and continue in the garden 

Monday, of last week, I had purchased my seed potatoes. And they were still in the box waiting. 

Today was the day 

I headed outside and started with the last large wicking bed 

This was what it looked like. 

Yup very neglected, just like the rest of the back yard. 

I weeded and used a pitchfork to break up the soil. 

I then added one packet of seed potatoes. 

This one is called Nicola 

Once I had placed the potatoes on top I then cover it all with compost mixed soil 

Now it looks like this. 

I sent hubby to start on the second raised garden bed 

It looked like this. By the time he had got through half I had finished and came over to help 

Once again we weeded and used the pitchforks to break the soil up. It have become compacted 

The two remaining packets of potatoes were planted. 

Red lady and Dutch cream

We covered them all with the same compost mix and mulched 

After watering the mulch, it’s so dry a small puff of wind blew it off.  

I then turned to the second raised bed 

I had purchased these on Monday’s fill in shop. They’re small with short handles, perfect for me. 

I was able to carefully get under the netting to hoe all the weeds that had started to sprout 

And in the area in back that has still to be planted out. 

I then just wandered around seeing all the growth. 

We even have a few asparagus spears coming up. In mid winter. This is how mild our winter has been 

Some of my Christmas cactus, happily flowering away 

We still have lots to do. Hunny will use one of his “toys” to lift the blue barrel wicking pots and will take the round poles out, replacing them with square timber. They will be easier to whipper snip around. 

I’ve been saving all cardboard boxes and we will lay them all around and then heavily mulch. 

This part of the project will take a few weeks to finish. 

Once that’s done, I’ll turn my attention to the rose garden 

Hopefully by spring we will have it all back to looking like a garden. Instead of an overgrown jungle. 

Light bulb moment

​yesterday as I was heading to the checkout I walked past a table that had lap top tables. The ones you use when you’re in bed. I’m assuming. 

I’ve been having issues with loosing all my bits and pieces when working on either the sewing or knitting. 

Clips, pen, notebook and even my sewing needle a couple of times 

And as always once I finally get comfortable and everything is organised around me, that’s when something happens and Ive got to get up 

So instantly the light bulb went off in my head. 

I grabbed one totally on impulse. 

Well let’s just say I’m extremely happy I did 

Sewing, my basket of hexies right at my fingertips and the empty basket that the paper hexies go into once I’ve sewn it on. 

The little pink container is for my waste threads. Scissors and thread are in the basket as well. 

Knitting, everything I need is right there. The pen even stays in the black strip at the top. 

So far, I’ve not lost the pen and I’m not twisting and turning trying to get what I need. It’s all in front of me 

I have to say I’m so glad I didn’t talk myself out of it, like I usually do. 

Day out

​this morning I left home around nine and headed into Cranbourne. I desperately needed a hair cut. You know when you comb your hair and it does that sudden stop an inch or so from the end. Yeah mine was doing that. And more than an inch. 

After that, I headed off to the nail salon. My thumb had lost its pretty top. 

The lovely lady who always does my nails was happy to repair it. 

No charge. Which was nice. 

All this had taken way less time than I had anticipated. I had a lunch date with some friends at 12.00. It was only 10.30. 

I didn’t want to go home only to come back.  I thought “ where can I fill an hour” 

Easy. Panda mart. I saw the other day that they had melamine plates for very cheap prices. I need to stock the kitchen down on the farm. I also bought cutlery 

And some glasses. 

The glasses are going to stay here and all the odd bod glasses from here will go down there. 

Bunnings is next door, so I popped in and bought some seed potatoes 

I’ll get them into the ground this week 

The off to lunch with two lovely ladies, who I haven’t caught up with in literally years 

We bump into each other every now and again but have not sat down, had a meal and a good chat in forever. 

I enjoyed some non alcoholic beer 

It tastes exactly the same, but without the alcohol so it’s safe for you to drive. 

The pub is right next to Aldi so a quick stop to get some pasta

When your granddaughter says she likes the bow tie pasta, that’s what you buy for her. 

I finally arrived home and have spent time sorting and putting away everything I got. 

Plates, and cutlery are in bags ready to take down.  The new glasses are in the kitchen ready to unbox and placed in the cupboards. After being washed 

I’ll get the current glasses out and pack them safely for the trip down

I’m now resting.  Hubby has sorted the firewood so I’ll clean and get the fireplace all ready to light  it’s suddenly got dark outside,  looks like more rain on its way 

All happening

​today the stars aligned but not in an ideal way 

Wonderson dropped the girls off this morning. He did a few hours of work and left for a golfing weekend away. 

Meanwhile beautiful DIL worked from home as Ana had a second day at the primary school up the  road 

So she had to break her work day to come and pick her up for that 

Meanwhile our friends had finally found a house to rent and today was moving day.  Hubby spent most of the day driving the small truck and helping with moving everything in. Our other close friends also helped. 

Let me just say I’m the youngest at 59. The five moving into the house start at 63 and go into the mid 70’s 

Obviously I was unable to help as I had the girls. Since I had that huge cook up yesterday I suggested they all come here for dinner. 

Claire and her hubby thanked me but their granddaughter was waiting for them to come home as she had cooed for them. 

Lovely girl that she is. 

Dianne and Paul gratefully accepted 

By the end of dinner we were all moving slowly and getting up provided a chorus of moans and groans. 

I was the better of the quartet. 

The girls today were a joy

Georgia was looking much better and was back to her happy self 

Playing with a paper bag while waiting for her bottle 

Having deep conversations with trixie 

And having cuddles with her sister 

While I was feeding and getting Georgia 

Ana stays quiet watching the television  

Both she and Trixie decided it was time for a lay down and rest 

Once Ana and mummy arrived back form her couple of hours at the primary school, DIL opened her laptop and finished working from home here  

They no sooner left to go home, I put the pan of pasta bake into the oven to heat up. 

By the time I set the table, made a simple salad and placed the defrosted garlic bread into the oven, Paul and Dianne arrived  

It was not a late night  

It was an eat and go home  which we all agreed was the best decision. 

Once they are settled in, and we all recover we will have a long lingering meal  

Hubby is now in bed fast asleep and I’d bet good money that the other four are also fast asleep 

I’m the only duffer that’s still up.  All going well I’ll soon be in bed off to sleepy land