Wales enters another full lockdown on Friday
It might as well be from today, as far as I am concerned as there is bugger all socially to do
The girls have had a five mile walk this morning and I’ve already made sour dough bread and chorizo and red pepper soup.
I’ve also properly cleaned the oven hob using a handy hint gleaned from an old village wag
White vinegar and wood ash from the wood burner
Brings up hobs and all glass in a flash
Yes it’s an Bloody exciting blog entry today
I’ll leave you with this delightful photo from the Nina Treadwell Collection
It brightens the day
I’m seriously debating whether I need to buy a 2021 calendar this years is hardly used and it feels like tempting fate to buy one ...Tweetart
ReplyDeleteI meant to add the vinegar and ash works brilliantly on the wood burner glass doors
DeleteA year of nothing debbie...a year of nothing
Deletetweetart: I purchased a branded woodburner glass cleaner which was horrible to use and very caustic, so only used it a couple of times. I now use 'Barkeepers Friend'. It is an excellent product that I have used for years on all sorts of surfaces and is not too expensive either. It is even recommended by Wedgewood for use on their products as it doesn't damage surfaces.
DeleteMy daughter lives in Wales, and it is my half term here in England next week, so bang goes our Halloween get together. And no fireworks either! I have a face like a slapped *ss today!!!
ReplyDeleteOh poor you,
DeleteIf it’s any consolation I have a face like a slapped arse everyday
Florida should be going on lock down too but "business as usual" and the Presidential election are more important than the health of the common herd. You are a bright spot in my day and I appreciate that.
ReplyDeleteThank you chez. Xx
DeleteNo hints, but I saw your hospice and the goats on the TV this morning....no sign of you though John.
ReplyDeleteI’m not photogenic
DeleteI’m also on nights xxx
The Guardian recently had a photo gallery of pictures from that Treadwell collection featuring that photo! Have you seen that?
ReplyDeleteI heard about your lockdown. Ugh. I suspect we may not be far behind.
Here's a link to the article...
Deletehttps://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2020/oct/16/men-in-love-from-the-1850s-nini-treadwell-in-pictures
Thanks Steve and mave
DeleteI found the threadwell photographs very moving
Hi John, first time of commenting although I read regularly, enjoy your posts and want to give a virtual finger to the group of Karens on their group stagger.
ReplyDeleteWe have a black cat in our family too, and Top Tip: pop a Marigold on - just one! and wipe floors, stairs, chairs, cushions - anywhere much loved pets have cuddled down - you will pick up every hair going and don't even have to plug a machine in - way better and low bills - hoorah!
Thank you for the handy hint Gen - my darling ball of fluff lets everyone know where she has been with a trail of fur!
DeleteP.S. Just realised that sounded a bit saucy - I meant the dog, not my doo-dah. AArgh! Now I'm making it worse!!
Happy to help! and sauce is good!
DeleteLol well you can wash your Dodah as much as you like!
DeleteWelcome Gen ......welcome to the mad house
Thanks John - keep on blogging and sharing your world - it makes mine a better place.
DeleteWe took a step back last Friday at midnight so no more eating indoors, gyms or entertainment venues (not that I was doing any of that). Restaurants with patios are getting creative about how to keep us warm - including hot water bottles!
ReplyDeleteA handy tip - if like me you let all the water boil out when steaming veg then let the pot soak overnight with a good layer of baking soda topped with an inch of white vinegar. The next day, add water and bring it to a low boil - watching carefully so it doesn't foam up. You may need to let it cool down and do a second boil but then drain - give it a bit of a scrape - most of the gunk will come off like a peel - just scrub what's left and your pot will come up like new.
Cleaning handy hints are coming hard and fast
Deletestay strong , london will be in lockdown too I fear. I am trying to buy patio heater so that like yesterday we can sit outside with friends and have a brew and not freeze to death. The one we want has gone same way as bog rolls in early part of lockdown . Hey ho stay safe and ignore any assholes who cross your path. xx
ReplyDeleteI’m having nuala withdrawl symptoms
DeleteMy dogs have lots of toys but regularly wreck them and get miscievous so I throw tied up old towels,pillow cases,loo roll tubes fashioned into aeroplanes.Mornings are fine walking but after their bath,treat and lunch the naughtiness begins until siesta time.I use vinegar in water if anyone wees.Bottled lemon juice for wiping surfaces and washing up liquid.Unfortunately my energy depletes after dogs are settled.For my own person a while ago I decided to try to try wigmaking.Rather than pay more than I wanted I purchased a switch of matching hair and clips and made a lovely fringe and pony for my head at a fraction of the usual price-gorgeous x
ReplyDeleteYou mad thing xlol
DeleteSo sorry to read about the lockdown and the bad news re covid around the world. But, this IS a very exciting blog post: Vinegar and wood ash!!! I'm going to run across the street and take some ask from one of the fish barbecues!
ReplyDeleteLet me know you get on deArheart
DeleteDon't know how to fold fitted sheets? Search YouTube for Anthea Turner/Perfect Housewife.
ReplyDeleteI’d rather stab myself in the eyeballs
DeleteLol
DeleteSadly Mavis I have perfected this art! After years of rolled up fitted sheets they are all now perfect rectangles.
DeleteJo in Auckland
Get yourself a robot vacuum. I thought it would be a waste of money (husband chose it!), but our house has never been cleaner. With two hairy muddy Springers that is quite a result. Plus it has a name... Matilda! from Robot Wars x
ReplyDeleteOur robot vacuum is called Hudson. He's a treasure.
DeleteUpstairs downstairs Hudson never lifted a duster x
DeleteOh my god poor Matilda gets enough attention from nosy Springers! A randy bulldog would blow her fuse. Hudson is a fine name x
DeleteCan I have that choizo and red pepper soup recipe John - or did you make it up as you went along? Agree there isn't much to do anywhere. I had a lovely news letter from your hospice today - I love those toy goats - are they going to be in short supply as I am thinking of buying one.
ReplyDeleteThank you on behalf of the hospice xx they are selling well
DeleteAs for the soup
It’s easy
Fry red onion gently
Add one clove of garlic chopped
Water
Two chicken stock cubes
In the meantime
Roast 6 sweet peppers with a whole smalll sliced chorizo
( you don’t have to use too much oil as the sausage has loads)
Blitze with the stock
Simples
cases are soaring here and the LUMP insists its on the way out. we are caught in such a shit storm with a maniac at the helm.
ReplyDeleteOh dear xx
Deletevinegar and water for a clean kitchen floor with no chemicals required. spouse mopped the floor with this mixture yesterday.
ReplyDeleteI add fabric conditioner to this mixture for scent
Deleteinteresting. can't have that scented stuff around me (allergies, ACHOO!).
DeleteDarn. Now I want chorizo soup.
ReplyDeleteAnd we are heading straight on to another lockdown, too. What with Twitler holding super spreader events and mocking the use of masks and social distancing. It's not going to be pretty.
Love that photo! Funny how affection between males was so common way back then...
XOXO
Yes many not sexual at all
DeleteMy nurse friend who strangely was Karen and myself knew 2 very handsome foreign students who lived not far from the disco we were regulars at.One evening we went back to their place(I'd been there several times previously for parties and meals)-on this occasion they seemed happier with each other x
ReplyDeleteReads like a cheap novel ..lol steamy
DeleteI know-there was about 5 of them all huddled together under the window with their traditional costume robes on rolling around but I couldn't quite see what they were doing as it was a bit dark-they were possibly just monkeying around but my friend who was a bit more street wise than me said"come on were going"-then mine said to me as we left"can I take your photo to send home to my mother"-he did and carried on x
DeleteYour soup sounds good...
ReplyDeleteA paste made from bicarbonate of soda is great for cleaning/deodourising fridges, or getting mouldy stains off tile grouting. Doesn't work on the horrible silicone sealant, though. Any ideas, anyone?!
Domestos works for me
DeleteBleach often burns the sealants
DeleteHomecare Soda Crystals 75p in Asda, other supermarkets stock them too, I put about a 1/3 of the bag in an empty washing machine and run in on the hottest wash, cleans all the residue away brilliantly and a fraction of the price of the washing machine cleaners, 30p instead of £3.
ReplyDeleteI use vinegar but will try these
DeleteA hint.....never pat a burning dog.
ReplyDeleteHuh?
DeleteRussell Crowe quote from A Good Year
DeleteAh I see xx I should have known that one
DeleteThought you would know. Hope you have a copy of the film, is good to watch now and then.
DeleteWhite vinegar to descale the kettle! :)
ReplyDeleteBut clean it out afterwards
DeleteDon’t eat yellow snow
ReplyDeleteOr stand up in canoe
DeleteRecently I had the misfortune to find after dressing that my knickers were loose and I didn't have time to search the bedroom as the dogs were ready for the off-no worry I didn't need to remove my boots and trousers-I just found scissors- cut the knickers at the side tied a knot-easy peasy x
ReplyDeleteNow that was different and made me laugh
DeleteI don't understand this fad for using vinegar to clean--it makes the room reek, like a cheap bottled salad dressing? I use all Mrs Meyers Lemon Verbena products, plus a beeswax and lemon verbena furniture polish. So my house is both clean and nicely scented.
ReplyDeleteI clean my microwave by cutting a lemon and lying it in a saucer of water
Delete2 minutes on 900 and bingo a lovely clean micro wave and lots of scent
Yes me too! But that isn't vinegar, blech.
DeleteBaking soda takes the coffee or tea stains out of mugs or china cups. Just dip the sponge into some baking soda and light rubbing takes it right off.
ReplyDeleteI use vinegar and baking soda for the majority of cleaning chores. I have a big jar of white vinegar that I put used lemons into - lemon vinegar is even stronger, and it smells nice.
Nancy Birtwhistle, of GBBO fame, has loads of natural cleaning tips. I follow her on Instagram. I think she's going to put out a book of 'home care' recipes.
Lemon vinegar is my go to for every cleaning thing. I just keep stuffing my lemon rinds into jars and cover with vinegar. Add a bit of baking soda and it makes an amazing cleaner. Who needs chemicals?
DeleteSome good ideas there
DeleteI flush my washing machine every week with white vinegar
Love that photo!
ReplyDeleteThey look rather lovely don’t they
DeleteI want to know their story x
I actually look forward to a lockdown here, partly because I'd love to see us get ahead of the virus FOR ONCE, partly because I'm a total homebody. But we have it relatively easy, as we have plenty of forests to tromp around in, cooking is one of our pleasures, and we have enough neighbors to socialize with to keep us sane. But you are a regular social butterfly who needs to flit about! Will your network of Trelawnyd area wardens be reactivated with the shutdown?
ReplyDeleteYes the velvet voiced Linda has already been in touch
DeleteThe wardens all resume their roles from Friday x
No time to cook and guests are coming for dessert? Put an onion in boiling water and it will make your home smell like you've been cooking all day! Your guests will love the dessert but will wish they'd joined you for dinner. After your guests leave, add veggies and leftover meat bits to make yourself some veggie soup! :)
ReplyDeleteHugs!
Babs now this one DEFINITELY goes in the book
DeleteGood luck. I hope the lockdown works.
ReplyDeleteI’m not sure it will
DeleteHANDY HINT NUMBER 46:-
ReplyDeleteWhen making a new catapult, do not waste money on elastic, try a used condom instead.
Oh to get tomato/pasta sauce stains out of plastic food containers add a small amount of dishwashing liquid, water + ripped up paper towel and shake. Stain gone.
ReplyDeletePut it in my note book
DeleteClorox spray cleaner works, too!
DeleteI'm sorry about the lockdown. But I'm glad for you that you have such a warm, cozy cottage to enjoy. Your soup and bread sound wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI use vinegar and also baking soda on many cleaning chores. It's inexpensive and safe for pets. I keep a shaker can of baking soda by my sink and use it for many things and it won't scratch dishes. I have a mix of vinegar, dish detergent and water in a spray bottle that I use on animal accidents. If it's really bad spray it with that and then add baking soda on top. Our grandmothers had so many good hints!
I’m luckier than most
DeleteI am sure we will be joining you in lockdown soon.
ReplyDeleteI've got three offspring and grandies in Wales..and the other one near Oldham.
The best tip is do as grandma did! Cleaning tips as above, plus a mix of real turpentine and boiled linseed oil for wood and slate cleaning and polishing. Not the floor though! All that and keep a good storecupboard/larder.
Keep your kin safex
DeleteOh I like that picture.
ReplyDeleteIsn’t it sweet
DeleteMy favorite handy tip of the moment? Did you know that you can vacuum seal food without a vacuum sealer? I often buy meat and break it down into smaller portions. Chop up vegetables to throw into recipes later. I use zip lock bags because they can be washed and reused. You need a basin of water as tall as the bag. Put the item in the bag, zip the bag 3/4 of the way and then put the bag into the water all the way up to the sealing line. Zip it the rest of the way. The water pressure has squeezed the air out and if you've sealed the bag properly, you've got your vacuum seal. It makes food last a lot longer in your freezer.
ReplyDeleteOooh! I have thought of another. To get an unsightly orange stain out of the White House, vote! (if you're an American anyway.)
ReplyDeleteBrilliant! We always vote - and are not responsible for that moron in chief to be there. Also vote the politicians out who kept him there for all four years, thus betraying their oaths of office.
DeleteFrom my grandmother: If a task is once begun, never leave it 'til it's done. Be the chore great or small, do it well or not at all.
ReplyDeleteBeing up shit creek without a paddle is better than being up shit creek without a canoe
ReplyDeletegood one Andrew! Very practical advice!
DeleteOnce a year I use a hammer and chisel on my hob.
ReplyDeleteI clean the glass of the log burner with a spit onto a crumpled up newspaper and a dab into the ash tray with it. Rubbed hard onto any build up of black on the glass, it brings it up sparkling clean and then the paper is just lobbed in to start the next fire.
ReplyDeleteI only do when no-one is watching!!
My father used to hang a bag of tobacco in the washer fluid container in the car. He said it helped cut the grease on the glass. I hadn’t thought of this in over 50 years. Thanks for the memory.
ReplyDeletei do pretty much the same, but take the scrunched up newspaper and put quickly under the tap. Then dip in the ash and clean the glass. Do it every time I set the fire and it's not a chore.
ReplyDeleteLoving this thread.