Not cooking

Hello and good evening. It's cold and blustery outside, but me and the pets are cosy. I have got my many layers on, and I'm treating us to a bit of heat, one bar on the gas fire is on. I made an adjustment to my clothing to enable me to take this photo. Remove dressing gown, a sweatshirt, and a fleece, and put on my nice new to me Christmas jumper, or sweater if you so prefer. It's black and white, size 12, and a perfect fit. I went round to my friends house this morning for coffee, she saw me in the street a week ago and said you must come round for a catch up. Today I had a spare hour. As I got up to leave, she left the room and came back with this, said she had only worn it twice and didn't like it, and I could have it if it fits. Yep, just my size, perfect. I'm so pleased, it's lovely. Nice friend I've got.

I was half way through my dinner tonight when I photographed it. Another no cooking day. Spinach, cous cous salad, beetroot of course, a quarter of a quiche, and grated cheese. Lunch was the soup warmed in the microwave. I think I can afford a bit of heat if I am not using the cooker very much.

I had an idea the other day, when I boiled the eggs. Why not used the hot water to wash the pots. It came to me in a flash, don't pour it away, put the dirty pots in the bowl with some cold water, top up with hot, and a splash of soap. Probably only saved a couple of pennies, but it all helps. I don't wash up very often, mostly I rinse with a brush under a dribbling cold water tap. Don't fry food so there is hardly any grease on the plates. I used to pile them up and do a load in one go, not any more. Now everything gets rinsed as soon as it is finished with. At this rate a bottle of wash up liquid will last me about a year. 

Time to switch the gas fire off now, we've had our rations. Might have an early night. Cheerio, catch you tomorrow. 

Read More »

Inventing a picture frame, and finding some free ones.

Hello. At last the picture is finished. After changing my mind about the frame several times, I thought of this idea, and I think it works rather well. I added an extra layer of the green mossy stuff to strengthen the edges and give it a more defined frame, I stuck it on with PVA glue. 

I have had this knocking around in the spare room for years. It's a self assembly shoe rack, though I never used it for it's original purpose. I bought it to add height to my market stall. Positioned at the back of the table as extra shelving to elevate the display. Perfect for this job. Lay the two pieces on a piece of hardboard. It wasn't quite big enough so I cut two of the legs to size to fill the gap in the centre.

The picture sits on the top of it, secured at the top and bottom with a dark thick thread set one inch apart. Along the vertical sides I have used invisible thread. I was going to use the dark thread, but decided that the stitches up the sides would not match up with those at top and bottom. 

Each piece of dark thread is knotted at the back.

I screwed all the slats in several places to a piece of hardboard, which I trimmed to slightly smaller than the picture, so it doesn't show to the front. This makes it super strong.

Then I covered the knots with black tape to tidy it up. A piece of wire from a broken set of Christmas tree lights to hang it. 

And there you have it, finished. Looks nice hanging on the wall, this type of frame is ideal for it, as it's more like a tapestry than a picture. I shall take it down and wrap it to keep it clean, in the next few days. Then try and get it shown somewhere. 

I've been skip diving again. Just down the road they have a skip on the front, looks like they are sorting their stuff out in readiness for a move. The house is for sale. I saw that they had put four picture frames on the ground outside the skip, maybe these are free to take, so I knocked on the door to ask. Yes, take what you want, says the woman. I've cleaned them up, they must have been stored in an attic for years. There are two large ornate frames, 

And two smaller plain ones.

Good find, eh! Need to make some more pictures now. I will keep my eye on that skip in case anything else appears. Love free stuff, ha ha.
Toodle pip.

Read More »

Getting the chop

Hey up chuck, how ya diddlin? Sorry I wasn't around yesterday, spent a very enjoyable afternoon with my family. Pub lunch with sis and her hubbs, then a natter with Uncle Stan, picking his brains about picture framing. He gave me a few pointers, something to think about when deciding how to frame my picture. Well. I've thunk, and I am going to have a go at making a wooden frame with recycled timber. I have plenty of it in the garage. I have also dug out a piece of glass that was propped up against the back of the garage, someone gave me an old greenhouse which I never erected but kept the glass. Knew it would come in useful for something. It is two feet square, I've cleaned it up and tried it against the picture. I wasn't sure I wanted glass in front of it, but it looks pretty darn good, so I'm going with the glass. I've also found a piece of hardboard for the back and cut it to size. So, I have all the pieces, now just have to make it.

It's time for my bi annual haircut. I no longer go to the hairdressers, gave them up a couple of years ago. I never liked how they cut it so why pay money when I can do it myself. I have posted about this before, but it's worth another mention in case someone might like to give it a go. Maybe you already do cut your own hair.

I start off outside so that most of it falls onto the yard and gets blown away in the wind. I put a mirror on the window ledge, and comb through my hair with my fingers, lifting it and cutting the bits sticking up with the scissors in my right hand.

And I keep doing that all over. Lifting and cutting.

 When I get to the back and sides I lift, but then have to twist my wrist and pull the ends to the side so I can see in the mirror what I am cutting.

When I think it's nearly done, I move just inside the passageway between the mirrors hanging on opposite doors, so I can cut a straight line across the bottom. Yes, I think that's enough going by what has landed on my shoulders.

 Is that to Modom's liking? Yes, that will do nicely, thank you.

Job's a guddun. Looks alright to me. Saved me �20 if I went to a posh hairdresser, or a tenner if I went for a  five minute chop at a drop in shop. No petrol needed to go to town, and didn't have to wait for a student to do it at the college.  

If you don't already cut your own hair, why not have a go. Or if you don't feel confident enough, get together with a friend and cut each others hair. It's not that difficult.
Toodle pip.

Read More »

Making embellishments out of rubbish

Are you getting your free food? The hedgerows round here are full of big juicy blackberries at the moment. I've had my eye on some for a few days, across the road on the village green, but they were a bit too high to reach. Not to worry, last night I took my step ladder over there and picked a big bowl of them. This is a mixing bowl, almost a pan full. All boiled up now and strained. I'm going to use the juice to add to drinks, rice pudding, porridge, and cereals. Would go nice in a fruit smoothie as well. I made some ground rice pudding and added some juice, made it a lovely shade of pink. 

Hows this for swaps. I gave my friend a big courgette and he gave me a large portion of rhubarb and blackberry crumble, and half a pot of cream. Very nice, I like this swapping lark.

I've been adding to the picture again. The big grey flower now has a red border round it, and I have made some flowers out of aluminium drinks cans and an empty tomato puree tube. Did you know you can cut the top and bottom off the tubes and open them up, they are gold inside.

If you want to make some, here's how you do it. First draw your shapes onto tracing paper, or greaseproof paper. I have three different sizes here. Then cut the top and bottom off a can or tube with large scissors,and cut the side open so you have a flat piece. Use a pencil to transfer your flower shape to the tin, and cut round it with a pair of nail scissors. 

For a piece of artwork I made before, I used them coloured side up. For this one I want the metallic sides up.

Lay one on top of the other. When you have the petals in the position you want them grip tightly between thumb and finger of left hand. Then puncture some holes in the centre so you can pass a needle and cotton  through them. You can finish off with a button on the top, but I have some flat beads which have holes across the width rather than top to bottom. After stitching them onto the fabric, I have added some small black beads to keep the petals flat.

Cutting up aluminium cans is not suitable for young children, older children should be supervised. The edges can be very sharp, easy to end up with cut fingers if you are not careful. Anybody else fancy making some metallic flowers? You can use them to embellish all kinds of craftwork. You could puncture holes all around the outer edge and sew them onto fabric or card with a running stitch or blanket stitch. I'll leave you to play around with it while I carry on with the picture. Thanks for stopping by.
Toodle pip.

Read More »

Free haircuts at the Back Door Salon

I look such a sight when my hair gets this long. It hangs around my face and annoys me, it looks straggly and unkempt, and adds another ten years to my age. There isn't much artificial colour left in it, the sun tends to bleach it, leaving the roots a little darker than the rest of it. I can't decide whether to colour it again, I'll think about it, maybe do it on a whim when I fancy a change. 

Anyway, it's time for a haircut, I go to the Back Door Salon to get this done, it costs me nothing. My hairdresser is a whiz with a brush and a pair of dressmaking scissors. 

Ten minutes later it's trimmed to my liking. No booking an appointment, no waiting in a queue, no time to sit down even. There you are Madam, all done, no you don't need to pay me, it's free.

Only one thing left to do, boil a kettle of water, and wash it. I wouldn't normally blow dry it, but as it is a pic for the blog I will make an effort. That's better, a bit shorter in the neck and some of the weight taken out of the top so it has more spring in it. Some of the bulk taken out at the back so it looks a bit layered, instead of a pudding basin cut. Next please, anyone else want a free hair cut?

I made too much dinner tonight and some has had to go in the fridge to be consumed tomorrow. Steamed cauliflower, frozen peas and beans, and fresh spinach, served on a bed of couscous. No sauce, no spices, no nothing added, just nude food, and I'm chuffin full.

It's the weekend, I hope you have a good one. Get off your backside and get out in the sunshine. I want to see you running, walking, gardening, cycling, roller skating, skateboarding, kicking a ball about, playing tennis, in fact anything that makes you move.  Toodle pip.

Read More »

Skip diving again

Hands up who did the Park Run this morning. Me me me. Yes I did it. I arrived within 5 seconds of it starting, I even had to sprint across the car park to tag on to the end of the line. No porridge this morning, I reckoned bran flakes wouldn't be as filling. Fine, except that the liquid sloshing about in my stomach was a bit uncomfortable. I think I need to limit myself to half a mug of coffee next week. 

I left the fleece off this week, instead had a vest, thin teeshirt, and a long sleeved polo shirt on. I was flippin freezing, my poor hands were looking distinctly blue with cold. I should have put my gloves on, but I got out the car in such a rush, I forgot. Oh well, it's all a learning curve, I'll get it right eventually. 

I was so cold I didn't run all the way round the first circuit, I started adding short bursts of fast walking sooner than last week. I kept checking my watch to see how I was doing, at the halfway stage I was on 18 minutes, slightly faster than before, even with the walking. My walking is pretty fast. 

I've just checked my time on the web site and I'm pleased to say I completed it in 38 minutes 48 seconds, so a bit better than last week. There was a lot more runners today, and we had to wait a minute to get scanned at the end. 284 in total. The woman next to me said she used me as a pacemaker and I kept her going. She was a similar age to me, I also kept her in my sight all the way, we kept overtaking each other. I asked her how long she has been coming, she said, since it started, a year ago. I asked if she felt she was fitter for it, and she said yes, definitely. So that promising, there's hope for me then. Are there any more who want to add their times here? Let's see if we can encourage each other. 

On the way out of the village this morning I saw that there was another skip at the house which was being emptied. It has been up for sale, and they did say they would need to clear everything out of the house once it was sold. I didn't have time to stop, so I made a point of driving past on the way back to see if the skip was still there. It was. They had laid some garden stuff out on the front lawn with a notice on for people to take what they wanted. Of course I had to have a look. I was there for an hour picking my way through the contents of the skip. They said I could gladly take anything, it was all going to be dumped.

I shifted things around to see what was underneath, they had laid some heavy things on top so I couldn't see to the bottom, but I had a good rummage. The woman kept bringing things out of the house and asking me if I wanted them. I took anything that was offered because we can sell it to raise funds for the cats. A few items I will keep for myself, some I will give to friends, and the rest I will take to charity shops. 

I wish I had been there yesterday when the skip arrived, and watched as they filled it. It was very sad to see how things had been thrown in, perfectly good household items which had broken. Someone could have made good use of them.

The woman was clearly very emotional as she brought things out. She told me about the two plates she had in her hand, how her mother had served cakes up on them at the tea table when she was a little girl. It was like she didn't want to let go of them. I suggested she keep them, but she said they had taken as much as they can, and they can't keep everything. I couldn't let her throw them away so I took them from her and said I would find a good home for them. I was almost in tears with her. Her mother has gone into a care home and is not very well at all.

So now my newly de cluttered spare room is once more cluttered. I could open my own charity shop here. This is only a fraction of what there was. Some items are brand new, still boxed, and never been used. I rang my friend B, he came to have a look and took two saucepans, and other bits that he could make use of. I have some nice fabric for my sewing projects, and a fleece throw.

My car loaded up.  

I will give everything a wash and make sure it is clean ready for sale or to give away.

House clearance is de cluttering on a big scale. It would be better if people would pass on things they don't need when they are still fit and able. There's a lot to be said for sorting out your affairs before you go. Relatives often don't have the time to go through every single item and distribute it to the many different places it could go. Such a shame that people are going out and buying new, when there is so much second hand which could be put to good use. Sad, that someone's life possessions end up in a skip.
Catch you tomorrow. Toodle pip.

Read More »

Where to find the news

Following on from yesterday's post, there was a question from Natalie.

I have been meaning to ask for ages.....people say they read the papers on line. What do you type in to be able to do this? I've tried 'The Daily Telegraph' and all I get is selected bits and pieces - never the whole paper. Am I doing something wrong or is it only these selected articles that you get?

Hi Natalie. All newspapers have a home page, the same as any other web sites. This is where you want to be first. When you put Daily Mail into Goooglie, your search lists lots of different sections of the paper. If you know which part you want to read, you can go straight to it. If you want the front page you click on the first link which is usually, whatever.co.uk . When the home page comes up there are menu bars across the top listing all the different sections, from there you can navigate your way around it. When you find an article which catches your eye, click on it to read it. If you are looking for a specific article, something that someone may have told you about, enter the key words into the 'search this site' box, and it will come up with a list. If there are no results try putting in a different word.

Every page you go to will have the same menu bar across the top so you can flit from page to page. If you get lost you can go back to the home page and start again. Some papers are easier to read due to the size of the typeface and the layout. The Daily Mail is simple, articles are in boxes, there are lots of pictures, and they update it frequently. Beware though, it's more like a comic, full of z lister celebs, and big bosoms. Beware also, if you read the comments following an article, there are an awful lot of nasty people posting cruel remarks.

Have a look through several of them and see which ones take your fancy.

Daily Mail 
The Telegraph
The Guardian
Express
Mirror
The Independant
Sun
Mature Times

If you go to this site, British Media Online, it will give you a lot more links. You can also find your local newpaper online, or read any local paper in the country. Just put the name in Goooglie search. If you want to go back to a paper you like, put it in your Favourites box, then you won't need to go looking for it. Hope this helps, Natalie.
Toodle pip

Read More »

My lucky day

Hey, look at this, I have flowers, lots of them, aren't I lucky. Somebody must love me :o)) In keeping with my keen eye for spotting a recycling and reusing opportunity, I came across these pretty artificial flowers in a rubbish bin, as I was walking through the churchyard. Oh dear, isn't it a shame that people throw things away when they still have a bit of life left in them. Well I couldn't just leave them there, could I. 

People are throwing Christmas wreaths away at this time of the year, but how silly when they could be saved and brought out again in December. The totally artificial ones could be made to last three or four years, if the weather hasn't battered them too much during the month they spend outdoors. But no, people round here bin them and buy new again next Christmas. This one, on the right, cost �5 from a garden centre. I have stripped the mushrooms, ribbon, baubles, and stars from it, and will use them, along with the flowers, to add a touch of colour to my own garden. I love free stuff. 

Another lucky surprise, I received two bags in the post this morning, a lovely gift from a lovely reader. Thank you very much. These have been crocheted by Patricia's dear mother, aren't they fab. A handy size peg bag.  

And a pretty pink bag which will come in very handy indeed. I am chuffed, thank you.

As I write this we are again being battered by storms. I can see the rain heavy clouds scooting across the sky at a rate of knots, dropping their deluge as they go. I'm glad I popped to town yesterday, because today it's horrible outside. I am listening to the five o clock news and again the people in the south are suffering the most. All we can do is sit it out, take each day as it comes.

We thought we had found a new home for George, someone saw him on our web page, and made an appointment to come and meet him. He sounded a very nice man, a retired couple living in a quiet area. Unfortunately he hadn't realised that they live 60 miles away, so a 120 mile round trip. Not really practical, because they were going to base their decision on whether George took to them or not. They might have had a wasted trip. Hopefully they will find a cat from a rescue much closer to where they live. Never mind, someone else will come along. I'm just off upstairs to sit with him now, I'll take my can of cider with me. Have a nice weekend. Toodle pip.

Read More »

Designer bag that cost nothing

Here's a little something I've thrown together, the denim bag is finished. It measures 16" wide, 17" long, and has two longish handles that can be hooked over the shoulder.

I wasn't sure where to place the embellishments, I decided to put them on one side rather than spread them all over. The colours look far more vibrant than is shown on the photograph, it doesn't look like a pizza in real life, ha ha.

It has a lighter blue lining with pale blue flowers. There is no fastening, I decided not to bother, it doesn't need it if it isn't filled to the top.

It has kept me busy today, I thought I might have difficulty getting the needle to sew through four layers of the heavy denim, but the machine coped with it, no bother.

Now, who would like it, my Christmas present to a lucky winner. Please leave a comment, the deadline is 6pm on Sunday. It is open to anyone in the UK, you don't have to join anything, or sign up to anything. Apologies to my overseas readers, I cannot afford postage costs to the rest of the world at this time. I have my car insurance and road tax to pay at the end of the month, have to be a bit careful with spending. Sorry.

Bugsy update. The old boy seems to have picked up a bit, since feeding his face on chicken and posh cat food. No more sick or runny poo's. Now he has a taste for nice food, I'm going to have to spend a little more on him. Still, he is my bestest friend, and cats rule in this house. Thank you all for your good wishes.
Have a nice weekend. Toodle pip.

Read More »

Re-using scrap metal and plastic

Here's an idea to make something out of rubbish. I've been chopping the top and the bottom off these Coffee Mate canisters, to separate the cardboard, plastic, and metal for recycling. It can be easily done with a bread knife then the bits can be placed in the appropriate bins. It seems such a shame to throw it all away though, so I have saved some of the plastic lids and the shiny metal bottoms and rims. There must be something I can make with them.

The bits of cardboard stuck around the edge can be trimmed with nail scissors or a craft knife, to tidy it up a bit. It doesn't all have to be removed as it will be hidden. The date stamp on the bottom can be wiped off with nail varnish remover.

Then all you have to do is to put the bottom inside the plastic lid and press it tight in.

And there you have a free coaster. They can be wiped with a damp cloth, or the two parts can be separated for washing.

Now, what can be made of the metal rim around the top of the container. Well funnily enough this fits exactly inside the plastic lid, and makes a sweet little picture frame. The trouble is that you only have one plastic lid, so you have to decide whether to use it as a coaster, or the back of a picture frame. I have saved several lids so I have plenty for both. If you like you could cover the pictures with sticky back plastic, and use them as coasters, but you won't be able to wash them. You could always change the pictures if they get a bit mucky.

Another idea, join them at the back with sticky tape, add a bit of ribbon and hang them on the wall. Or you could glue a magnet on the back and have them as fridge magnets.

A free picture frame.

 And a free coaster.

Some snacky foods are sold in similar containers. You can use any of them for the picture frames, but they might not all be big enough for the coasters. When they start looking a bit scratched and scuffed, all you do is put them in the recycling bin, and make some fresh new ones. Easy init  :o))

PS. Thank you for your good wishes for Bugsy. He is a bit better today, no sick, and runny poo's to clear up. I think the chicken has settled his stomach a bit.

Read More »

The house of make do and mend.

In my quest to spend as little money as possible on house and garden stuff, I am always looking for ways to cut corners, to problem solve by using given and found things, and not running to a shop every five minutes to buy what I could make. So here is a little project I knocked together which didn't cost a bean.

First of all I needed a plastic tray which would not deteriorate and crumble in a short period of time if I left it out in the garden. I just happened to have one of those large containers which they transport fresh fruit and veg in, and end up on the counter in Aldi. They have large cut out holes for easy washing and drying, and the air can circulate around the produce while it is under refrigeration. Just the job, lucky I had one.   

Next I needed some fine netting. Lucky that I had a large roll of this green stuff, given to me by a friend a couple of years ago. Here I have used it for a temporary fence between me and the next door neighbour. I still have lots left, another freebie.

Cut off a suitable length of netting and place it inside the plastic tray, overhanging the sides. Can you see what it is going to be yet?

Put a layer of fine sand in the tray, about five inches deep. The sand was also given by a friend, she has loads and wants to get rid of it. Another freebie.  

You've guessed now, haven't you. Yes I have invented an outdoor cat litter box. The idea is to try and keep mine and my neighbours gardens free from little parcels deposited all over the place. Cats love freshly dug soil to poo in, failing that they will do it anywhere around the edges of gardens, under bushes, in long grass, and in places which are well hidden. Then someone comes along to do a bit of tidying and yuk, a stinking mess which gets stuck to your boots and hands.

I wish mine would do it in the middle of the lawn where I can see it and pick it up. I do try and encourage them to use the litter boxes indoors, much more convenient and safe. Bugsy the old boy is ok with that, but the two young ladies are ready to dash out the back door into the garden first thing in the morning. Hopefully they will find the new outdoor litter box, and I can scoop the poops out of there and the rain will wash the piddle straight through. We shall see, I'll let you know what happens next.
Toodle pip

Read More »