Putting the boot in

My huge pussycat furry slippers are falling to bits. After getting them out every winter and repairing the soles with sticky tape, I think it's time to bin them. Sad I know but they don't keep my feet warm any more with ruddy great holes in them. I feel a little bit sentimental about letting them go because they were a gift from my sister. She bought herself a pair at the same time, which were ditched a long time ago, whereas I tried to keep mine going for as long as I could.  

Anyway, today my feet were cold so I need to find something else to wear in the house. I'm too mean to buy any new slippers, so I had a look at the footwear I already have. I bought a soft pair of boots from a charity shop in the summer for �2.50. They are clean because I've only worn them a few times going to town, and they are so so comfy. They are also big enough to accommodate my knee high thick socks.

I don't like walking around the house with outdoor shoes and boots on, it wears the carpet out and scratches the vinyl floor covering in the kitchen. I can't afford to replace them, they have to last. So then I had an idea, why not make some soft soles which can be attached to the bottoms of the boots. I found a carpet offcut and drew around them.  

Then I got some string and a needle with a large eye, and added a series of loops at the front around the toes and three loops at the back on the heel. Next I got a spare shoe lace and threaded it through the loops starting at the front, going through the normal lace, taking it around the heel and back along the other side. Fastening it in a bow at the front.

There you go, a soft sole which will do no damage to the floor, and keep my feet warm at the same time.

This is the prototype for the new boot conversion to slippers model. I need to tweak the design a little, make all the loops the same size. I think I need five loops at the back instead of three. Could possibly put loops all the way around.

The slipper boots aren't very quick at putting on and taking off, so they would be a bit inconvenient if you needed to pop in and out a lot to the garden. I might have to rethink the string and come up with something a bit more rigid to make the lace threading a bit easier. It's early days, some more ideas will come.  You never know I might get onto Dragons Den with my new invention, ha ha.

Toodle pip.

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Savvy supermarket shopping

I did well on the yellow sticker dash last night. The fridge was looking a bit bare, and I didn't want to run out of fresh food over the weekend. I don't go to the supermarket on a Saturday or a Sunday, it's too chuffin busy, and will get even busier from now until December the 25th. Eight o clock on a weekday night suits me just fine. No crush, and no queuing at the checkouts.

I have a system when I go for the reductions. First check the chiller cabinet which is near the checkouts. Not much there last night, nothing for me in fact. Different from two weeks ago when there was stacks of yogurt. The bargains on offer are never the same, it's always pot luck.

So, moving swiftly on to the fruit and veg, I was in luck, the man with the ticket machine was just marking stuff down. This was the second sticker going on, not quite as cheap as pennies on the third sticker. But to hang on any longer would have meant I lost out, so I was happy to grab it while it was there. Three or four people were gathered around the trolley, we each had our eye on what we wanted to buy. It's best to pick the items out before the sticker goes on to make sure you get what you want. I always go for the veg first, most important to me. There was stacks of bananas, the green ones which you ripen at home. I had two bags for 10p each, original price �1 each. I wondered whether they had done away with the third sticker, as these were very cheap. Perhaps they have a new system.

I was quick to spot the whole cauliflower which I got for 20p, original price �2. And two bags of prepared cauliflower and broccoli for 12p each, were �1.15. I got two bags of prepared lettuce for 10p each, was �1 each. I was happy with that, I have some carrots and onions left from last week, and loads of potatoes out of the garden. So I'm ok for veg for a week. Then I spotted a treat, two packs of raspberries at 20p each, should have been �2 each.

After that was a dash to the bread counter. They are always a bit slow at marking down here. There was a lot of wholemeal bread which I like, I don't buy white bread, it's like cotton wool and has no taste, in my opinion. So I picked up four large Hovis loaves for 39p each, they are usually �1.50 each. I have had it cheaper before but this was still quite a good reduction, besides, I wasn't in the mood for hanging around any longer. I also got two smaller loaves for 19p each. All this has gone in the freezer, only just enough room for it.

Then I picked up a few other items around the store, but kept going back to see if any other reductions had appeared. I got a treat for the cats, three ready roasted chicken thighs from the rotisserie for 75p. They were all over me like a rash when I got home, they hung around the shopping bags on the floor waiting for me to unpack. Mayze doesn't meow like Bugsy does, she squeaks. I wasn't going to get any peace until I had picked the meat from one of the thighs.

Total shop was �16.89, less 75p for the chicken, total for my food �16.14. �5 of that was for a bottle of wine. I will put the full list up on the food diary page, link at the top.

Just going back to the 'selling gold' post, I was advised to hold on to any gold I had by one of my readers. Thank you for that, it was an interesting email. However curiosity has got the better of me, and I took my gold wedding ring for valuation, remember, I didn't actually get married so I wasn't fussed about keeping it. My little bonus for selling it was �23. I can buy a lot of veg for that, but maybe I will kick myself in ten years time when I could have bought a years worth of food for it. I don't know, it's all speculation and a gamble, and I am not a gambler.

Have a nice weekend, catch you tomorrow
Toodle pip   

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Love my cushions

That's another one done. I like the pinks and purples in the flowers on this one, they blend in well with the pink stripey shirt.

 

Looking good now, three done and two to go. Keep chipping away at it, I'll soon have a full set.  

I took some close up photo's of these red berries before, but they didn't turn out too well, so I have been back to try again. I like these shots of the whole bush a lot better. It's in someone's front garden quite close to a road junction, it looks rather stunning as you approach it.  

All the leaves have dropped off just leaving the berries. I love the contrast of the clear blue sky in the background.

I wonder how long it will be before the birds come along and fill their bellies with them. Would love to be there when they arrive, watching the pecking frenzy. I'll keep my eye on it.

A mixed bag with the weather today, started off miserable and wet with heavy showers, but now it's cool, crisp, and sunny. Don't think it will be long before we get some of that white stuff. I'm just off outside to do an hour in the garden before it starts getting dark. Could do with going to town but can't be bothered, might go tomorrow. Toodle pip.

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Wrap up warm, it's cold outside

We had a frosty start yesterday morning, so I took a few photo's. The village green looks as pretty as a picture. I love the autumn colours. Some people call this area in the centre of the village, the paddock, but years ago it was known as the chicken field, because, yes, it had chickens on it.   

Next a little bimble through the churchyard.

 Love these frosty red leaves tumbling over the wall.

And the avenue of trees through the middle. Then the battery went flat in the camera, so no more pics. Thought I might go and take some more this morning, but it was raining.

This was my lunch today. Yes, I know it looks a bit like vomit, but it was filling, and it was very tasty. A friend gave me one large flat mushroom, surplus to her requirements. I cut it up and cooked it in a little oil and a dollop of wholegrain mustard. I added half a tin of  haricot beans, and scrambled two eggs in the mix. Served on a bed of spinach, with a tomato and some pickled onions.

Quick catch up on a couple of items. Remember the outdoor cat litter tray filled with sand? I am sorry to report that the kitties have not ventured into it yet. Bugsy does his whoopsies in one of the indoor trays, usually in the middle of the night, but I don't know where the girlies are going. Maybe if I try the tray in a different part of the garden. I'll see if there is any interest if I move it around.

I have quite a lot of sunflower seeds now. Perhaps someone could tell me, do I have to do anything to them before I eat them? Roast them, cook them, or grind them up perhaps. Or just sprinkle on food. I used to buy them in a packet a long time ago but can't remember what I did with them.

Well isn't this flippin amazing. I've had the settee and chairs covered up for years to protect them from cat hairs, and they never bothered to lie on them. What happens the minute I take the covers off, Heidi cat decides this is her new bed.

Did anyone watch Last Tango in Halifax, last year, the drama set in Yorkshire, staring Derek Jacobi and Ann Reid? It was about two silver surfers meeting and falling in love. Well it's back on a Tuesday night at 9pm on BBC 1. You can of course do what I do and watch it on the BBC iplayer
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p01k4khf/Last_Tango_in_Halifax_Series_2_Episode_1/
Well worth a look, the acting is superb, and the story line keeps you on the edge of your seat. I'm glad it's back, something to look forward to on a Wednesday night. Here's a short trailer.


Toodle pip.

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Good for you, Kate.

I feel a rant coming on, please excuse me but I have to say it. Look the other way if you don't want to read some gutter press expressions. I've just been on that tacky newspaper web site, you know the one, the Daily Load of Old Twaddle Mail. They cobble together stories about absolutely nothing. Nothing happens so they write a story about it. Yes, I am a jerk for even opening it up, I have a dip in and out of it, look at a few headlines, curse a few times, then move on.

What is the top story this morning? Shock horror, 'The Duchess of Thrift recycles her bargain �160 designer dress for a charity visit in London with her husband William'. You will never guess what she has done, worn the dress for a second time, and they remembered where she had worn it the first time. I mean, gawd, fancy that, I would never have believed that the Duchess couldn't afford to buy a new dress.

Well good on yer Kate, I hope to see you out in it again and again. Fancy picking up on something so trivial. Maybe I ought to give the newspaper a call and let them know I am wearing the same pair of trousers and fleece that I wore yesterday, and the day before, and the day before that. Four consecutive days wearing the same clothes, worthy of headline news I would have thought.

I remember the gutter press hounding Princess Diana like that, and look what happened there. It must be awful to be under constant scrutiny, looking in your wardrobe every morning trying to decide what to put on. I bet the Royals don't get much say in it, somebody probably lays their clothes out for them. How awful not to be able to be yourself, not to choose your own style. Princess Diana wore some godawful dresses when she became a part of the establishment. It was only after she broke away from it that she was allowed to blossom as her own person.

Anyway, that's another story and it's in the past, if Kate wants to wear the same clothes several times, let her get on with it. I applaud her. There is too much emphasis on buying new frocks, when there are a lot of perfectly acceptable second hand ones about. And if you have a wardrobe of Royal proportions just keep rotating what you already have. Fashion goes round in circles, as long as it suits, just keep wearing it.

And another thing, while I am in full flow, why don't they ever pick holes in what the blokes are wearing. You never read about a shirt that made it's first appearance in 1992, and emerges from the wardrobe two decades later. You see some right slobbish clothes on the male celebs, nothing is ever said about that.

Leave Kate alone, she is not a clothes horse. The dress is practical on a cold day, she looks warm and comfortable, it suits her, and is right for the occasion. The fact that she wore it once before is totally irrelevant.
Glad I got that off my chest. Toodle pip.

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Keep chipping away at it

You know if you've got a job to do, and you don't much feel like doing it, you can't get motivated, and the job is not going to go away. Well my solution is divide it into smaller chunks and keep chipping away at it. I like the idea of only doing as much as I want to at any one time. When I get fed up I stop and do something else. I do that with housework, I hate window cleaning, so I do one window on one day and another one another day. Eventually they all get done. I chip away at them. In the garden I will tidy for two hours, mow the lawn, a bit of weeding or hedge trimming, potter about, then stop, don't want to do that any more, so move on. It's a good job I don't have anyone nagging me, ha ha.

You can apply the chipping away solution to almost anything you need to do, even with stuff you like doing. If you take on a big project that is going to take up a lot of time and energy, you can still get the desired result by chipping away at it. If it is very important that you finish the project, but it feels like you have a mountain to climb, break it up into smaller chunks. If you keep slogging on with something it is very easy to get sick of it and you are more likely to fail. It doesn't matter how long it takes you to get there, as long as you do get there. So have a break and go back to it.

Take weight control for example, I don't believe in short term faddy diets, what you need to do is think long term. I don't need to go on a diet, because I eat healthily most of the time. I keep chipping away at it. I know that I am in this for life, not next week or for a few months. Each day I make myself eat something which is good for me. I get on the cross trainer at regular intervals, I don't flog myself to death on it, I try and aim for ten minutes every hour. Keep chipping away at it to keep my body in some sort of order.

It's the same with a sewing or crafting project, 625 squares to hand sew on the quilt. Pick it up when I have a few minutes to spare, fit it in around other jobs that I am chipping away at.

If I go for a long walk, 150 miles to do sounds like a nightmare, but it isn't, it's only eight days. I keep chipping away at it, day by day. 18 to 20 miles in one day, break it up into two miles an hour, maybe three miles an hour, four hours twelve miles, it doesn't take long, it soon adds up.

Think about a job you are struggling with, put it down and go back to it. It will sort itself out eventually if you keep chipping away at it.

I don't have any debt, but it didn't come easy, I have worked hard to live within my means. I had to spend money on my first house, it needed a lot of jobs doing. It was an old terraced house, dry rot, wet rot, electrical rewire, new concrete floors in two rooms, it cost a fortune and I couldn't afford to get it all done at once. I kept chipping away at it, lived in a grim shell for a while, and saved up and got the jobs done when I could afford it. Similar in the second house. I borrowed three grand from a very good friend for the new windows and doors because the old wooden ones were in danger of falling out. It was a debt that I kept chipping away at. I trickled money into his bank account and paid it off. No lavish spending on going out at that time, it was work work work.

Talking of work. You have probably heard this before, but my answer to those who kept telling me I shouldn't be doing the job, that I was taking it off a man, and I should be at the kitchen sink, was to turn up at work each morning and get on with it. I kept chipping away at it. I broke it up into daily chunks, six days was a week, YAY, I've beat the bullies for another week, I've stuck it out and I'm still here. Then the weeks went into months, and years.

The more you do something the better you get at it. If a task is daunting take little steps. Do a bit at a time. If you are not in the mood, leave it and go back to it. If you really want to do something you will do it. If you don't, move on to something else. Wanting to do it is the key. Give yourself a fair chance, try your best, think where you want to be in the long term, and keep chipping away at it.
Toodle pip

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Are you sitting comfortably

That's another weekend gone, these short days sure go fast. I trust you have had a good one, I certainly have. Still no heating on here, in fact we are getting some warm days mixed in with the cooler ones. There has been no wind today, very calm and mild. A good opportunity to do some tidying in the garden as it's brown bin garden waste collection tomorrow, and mine is full. All the potatoes are up now, and the beds are dug over and empty. I have got quite a big basket full, should last a while.

I fancied sausage and eggs for my lunch today, so I made it into an omelette. Two of Linda Mac's Italian veggie sausages, cut into pieces and cooked in a little sesame seed oil. On offer, �1 for a packet of 6. Beat up two large eggs in a bowl, add some chopped pickled onions, and pour it over the sausages.    

When the bottom is cooked, put it under the grill to puff up the top. Serve on a bed of spinach, and drink a glass of beer. That Tetley's bitter I bought for �1.50 for four cans, is lovely, a nice change from cider.

 Can't beat it, a few dips of tartar sauce, 30p from the cash and carry.

I got on with some sewing this afternoon, wanted to finish another cushion cover. Here is the underside of the patchwork piece. 18 x 18 squares. This time I chose the red floral pj bottoms and a pink stripey shirt, I bought from a charity shop.

 It doesn't take me long to do these tiny stitches, I can zip along the seams.

 All seams ironed flat.

I cut a piece of bed sheet fabric slightly wider, and two and a half times longer, than the patchwork. Then cut it into three pieces, and hemmed the two ends. With the right sides up I folded over the two side pieces, trapping the patchwork in the middle.  

I made sure that the three layers were lined up together. You lose a fraction of the patchwork in the seam doing it like this, but it's not noticeable when you have a cushion inside it.

If the fabric is slightly wider than the patchwork you can trim it if you like. When you sew, make sure you are going through all layers, and check you have done before you turn it the right way round. I always use this foot on my machine, for nearly all my work, especially if I need to get close to the edge.

Turn it the right way and stuff it. I've put a slightly flatter cushion in this one. I like cushions of different thicknesses depending on which chair I am sitting in and how much support I need in my back.

 

 

That's two done, three more to go. I've made a start on the next one, the squares are cut and ready to take to the Craft and Chat club tomorrow. Has anyone else made a start on an envelope cushion yet? If you have any spare fabric it's a good way to brighten up your room.
Toodle pip

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