Decisions

Barb, the refurb kitchen person, has been. We can get very similar to what Ikea planned so it will be interesting to see what her quote is. They install as well, so that is a bonus in my book. *sigh* it's never easy, is it?!

They wouldn't be able to do it until May at the earliest. They are a husband and wife team which is another plus and it's good to see they are that busy. Says a lot for their business. We have lived with this kitchen for so long a few months won't make any difference if we go with them. We can spread the cost of appliances a bit.

Himself has gone to Ikea (the new Bunnings) to buy some outdoor light fittings. Just trying to drag the house kicking and screaming into the 20s!

I pinched this from Chris' blog (NZ Chris, not Canadian Chris). Her runner arrived and she seems happy with it. It's funny seeing your stuff on someone else's blog.

Well Ikea didn't have the lights we wanted. They have an order due with, wait for it, FOUR lights. Only 4. JeezLouise. Plan B.

I have been a busy weaver this afternoon. I should have 5 or 6 runners to give to L'arte by the weekend and then I can get back to my stuff.

Dinner is Aldi lasagne (cos I'm too lazy to make it and it's hot) and salad. 

Tomorrow I have to be on a call with my aunt's financial people, aunt and my step cousin. I am not looking forward to it as I have no idea what's going on. She plays her cards very close to her chest and, like a lot of older people, is very suspicious of everyone - she is expecting to get yelled at tomorrow, heaven only knows why. Worse, I will get numerous calls afterwards asking we what I thought. She is a lovely person and has a good hear but is quite child like which I think is as much a product of her generation and place in the family (the baby). At 90 and still living on her own she's not doing too badly.

Bulldog gin and blood orange tonic tonight.

Recipes and stuff

Chris has no functioning oven. I emailed her a lemon slice recipe which she mentioned on her blog so I have given this and a couple of chocolate slice recipes below. 

I have been very productive this morning. I have baked a double batch of sugar cookies and loaf of rye bread. I have done washing and cleaned up the kitchen. I had to change a craft group catch up which took an hour or so of faffing about on the computer and I have read my blogs.

Himself went to Bunnings and got me rose food and spray and some shiny new secateurs to  prune said roses. They are really struggling with black spot so need some TLC.

While he was out (in my car *sigh* the kms are rising) he noticed the dashcam wasn't recording. Or something. Of course, it's linked to my phone and it's a bloody pain in the neck. When he comes back from his second trip to Bunnings (doesn't everyone do that) he will want me to try to fix it. We are not the most technological minded couple but try telling him that!

Lunch is over (watermelon and plain yoghurt - so nice on a warm day). Time to put another load of washing on and start weaving. 

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And just like that it's gin o'clock. Tanqueray Sevilla with Schweppes blood orange tonic. Slurp.

Dinner tonight is cold meat and salad. Maybe with a slice of fresh bread. Dessert might be mango and vanilla ice cream. Or a couple of home made biscuits.

I think the double dose of anti-depressants are finally kicking in. I do feel brighter.

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These are Australian recipes. I have tried to convert where possible.

 Mocha Fudge Mallow Slice

250g (8oz) Butternut Cookies (I'm sure if you google them you will find an equivalent in your country)

100g (~3.5 oz) butter, melted

Filling

2 tablespoons caster sugar (superfine sugar)

60g (2oz) butter, chopped

1/2 cup cream (I use pouring cream)

1 tablespoon dry instant coffee

200 g (~7oz) white marshmallows, halved

200 g (~7oz) milk chocolate, chopped.

Grease 23cm (9in) square slab cake pan, place strip of baking paper to cover base and extend over 2 opposite sides. Process cookies until finely crushed, add butter, process until combined. Press mixture over base of prepared tin. Refrigerate for 10 minutes.

Filling Combine all ingredients in medium heavy based saucepan , stir over low heat until mixture is smooth.

Pour warm filling over base in pan; refrigerate until set. Cut with a knife dipped in hot water. Store in refrigerator.

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Chocolate Caramel Slice

185g (6oz) dark chocolate, melted

20g (slightly less than 1 oz) butter, melted

22 ice cream wafers (google will help if they're called something else!)

20g (see above) butter, extra

3/4 cup sweetened condensed milk

1 1/2 tablespoons golden syrup (this could be tricky - try google)

3 teaspoons smooth peanut butter.

Grease 19cm x 29cm (7" x 11") rectangular slice pan, place strip of foil to cover base and extend over 2 opposite sides. Spread half the combined chocolate and butter over base of prepared pan.

Place half the wafers over chocolate, trim to fit. Refrigerate 10 minutes.

Combine extra butter, condensed milk and golden syrup in medium pan, stir over heat until mixture boils, simmer, uncovered stirring constantly about 3 minutes or until golden caramel colour. Stir in peanut butter. Spread hot caramel over wafers, top with remaining wafers; trim to fit.

Spread remaining chocolate over wavers; refrigerate about 30 minutes or until set. Cut into triangles using a serrated knife.

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Lemon Coconut Squares

250g (8oz) packet of milk arrowroot biscuits. (cookies to some – just use a plain sweet cookie like marie if you don’t have the arrowroot)

½ cup sweetened condensed milk

4oz butter

1 teaspoon grated lemon rind

1 cup coconut + 2 tablespoons extra

1 ¾ cups icing sugar mixture (I think this is confectioner’s sugar)

1 teaspoon soft butter

1 tablespoon lemon juice, approx.

Blend or process biscuits until finely crushed. Combine milk and butter in medium pan, stir over heat until butter is melted; stand until warm. Stir in biscuit crumbs, rind and coconut; mix well. Press mixture evenly over base of greased 7in x 11in rectangular slice tin; refrigerate 1 hour. Spread slice with lemon icing, sprinkle with extra coconut.

ICING

Sift icing sugar into small heatproof bowl, stir in butter and enough juice to make a stiff paste. Stir over hot water until spreadable.

 We were told that an appointment with the kitchen design people would be at least a fortnight away. Yesterday I got online and WOOHOO got one for midday today. I fear this is going to be a bit more expensive than Himself was planning but a kitchen is a huge thing in a house.

I warped up the loom for the blue and white table runner and made a rookie mistake (I am a rookie so I guess I can't complain) and ended up tossing 4 balls of yarn. It was pretty shit to work with and was given to me but I still feel annoyed. A friend gave me a voucher to Spotlight as a thankyou for yarn I have donated to her for her dog blankets so I will use that to buy more white cotton. Paying everything forward.

Concrete Dude came and looked at our very sad front porch. We will be getting it ground back and sealed. Must remember before and after photos. A bit more than we thought but the driveway was a bit less so swings and roundabouts.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

We went to Ikea and I am so excited. It will come in more expensive than we hoped - what else is new - but we really want a stone bench top. The awful corner pantry will go and be replaced with something more sensible which will also give us more bench space. All this depends, of course, on what the refurb person says on Tuesday but we doubt it will be enough to convince us to not go with Ikea. Now we need to price stone tops to see if we can get them cheaper.

Grabbed some yarn from Spotlight and I had enough left on the gift card to get a Christmas elf which I shall hang from one the trees in the front and move around so the kids can follow him.

We have had a run of steak for dinner lately. If they are decent we buy them. Himself is very particular about steak and as he cooks them I'm not complaining. I rarely eat steak when we go out (whatever that feels like) as I prefer the way he cooks them. So steak, salad, chips and apple crumble and icecream for dessert.

IKEA!!

 Himself wanted me to see the rug so off we toddled. We took the new freeway extension and boy, that makes the journey quicker. I found a kitchen I have fallen in love with.

This isn't it exactly but the cabinets and white tiles give you an idea. Installation will be the issue. We will see what the refurb person says on Tuesday but I just love this one so much. The display fits pretty much our foot print.

We found the rug then saw that they had a matching smaller one and we got both so they match - one under the table and one in front of the couch.

When we first got there Himself was most disappointed they weren't selling their hot dogs. I guess it's a covid thing as they were yesterday but weekends tend to get very busy. We commented on how empty it seemed when we first got there (vacc status checked as we went in) but by the time we got to the market hall I was starting to feel very uncomfortable. Social distancing? What's that? I will wear my mask under my chin - if I wear it all. Kids! Run riot!!

We went back to the car with the smaller rug and then realised we could indeed fit both in my little blue beast so I waited and Himself went back and got the big one.

Himself has taken the dogs to the dog park. I got my exercise walking around Ikea and will now go and warp up for a blue and white christmas runner.

Busy stuff

I have been busy all day but don't feel I've achieved much at all.

First up we had our weekly craft group catch up. Normally this is around lunch time but they couldn't fit us in so we had to be there at 9.00. Not a problem for some but we are a lazy lot and like to sleep in! It was a fairly small group and there was a woman there who rubs people up the wrong way. She comes across as nosy and in your face but she is just terribly lonely. She wanted a hug from Alice but Alice wasn't having it and she was quite upset. Turns out she loves kids but she and her husband couldn't have them. She has alienated just about everyone but I will make sure I sit next to her next time. Speaking of Alice - 2 days in a row she has chucked over me and not small amounts either! Must be a granny thing.

Came home to find the ceiling finished. It still smells of paint but that will pass. We have a flowering gum that has a lean on it. Himself wants to cut it down but I think we will trim it and see if we can convince it to grow the other way. It's a silver princess for those in the know and they do have a drooping leaning habit but this one is leaning a bit too much. They grow very quickly and the nectar eating birds just love them so if this one has to go we will replant with a couple more and train them to stand up a bit straighter.

This isn't my tree. Mine is nearly horizontal!

I then spent ages creating the events for the facebook page of the craft group til the end of the year. 

Then I thought I'd better do something to satisfy Mr Centrelink so searched for jobs and applied for 6. Fingers crossed nothing comes of them! That takes a long time as I have to upload evidence to the government site proving that I have applied.

Himself has gone to Ikea looking for something. I can't remember what! Maybe a rug for under the table as the chairs are scratching the timber floor even with stoppers on them.

We put the summer doona on the bed so I envisage quite a few chilly nights ahead. Sorry if you live in Melbourne. Blame me. That reminds me of my sister in law who really didn't want to go to Italy last year. Bang -  the pandemic. I told her it should be called the Louise virus. My brother has booked for next year and I told her to suck it up.

I could almost have a nanna nap right now. 

Anniversaries

Yesterday was the 8th anniversary of my mother's death. She died peacefully with one of my brothers, me and our dad there. My other brother had just flown to NZ for work and tried to get back in time. He rang to say he was at the airport about to board a flight. Mum was unconscious by then but I put the phone to her ear. She died 10 minutes later. It's as if she needed to his voice.

50 years ago on the 21st of this month we arrived in Australia. I haven't left the country since and I have no desire to other than to visit NZ.

Next year Himself and I will have been married for 45 years. A lot happened in those 5 years between 15 year old me arriving as a well spoken pom who had no idea what people were saying half the time (Australian slang was weird!) and 20 year old me who quickly lost the accent (but can still bring it out if necessary) getting married to a divorced bloke with a 4 year old son. 

Today I went with Amy to the doctor's appointment for Alice's tongue tie release. I wasn't allowed in (covid covid covid covid) so waited in the car. She came out not long after nearly in tears. The tongue tie wasn't the problem. Alice just prefers a bottle cos it's less work. So I gave the little moppet a bottle while Amy went and talked to Three and her mum. We will try one more strategy and then at least Amy can say she did her best. Honestly, I think too many people have too many fingers in the lives of new mums. They get conflicting advice and dare not trust their own instincts.

The bloke has patched our ceiling and given it one coat of paint. He looks as if he should still be in high school but that's more a reflection on this old biddy.

The internet finally got sorted (it was an issue that our "landline" didn't work) and literally 2 minutes after getting it fixed the phone rang and it was the aunt. Her timing was spot on. She is the only one that uses the number (and scammers and political nuisances). Once she shuffles off we shall get rid of it.

I am off to weave.

Cooking and stuff

Chris asked for some no bake recipes as her oven is waiting for a part (hard when you're coming into bitter winter). I dragged out my good old Women's Weekly cookbooks and found several. And then I hit a dilemma. Our ingredients are quite Australian. Do other countries have rice bubbles? weetbix? Copha? I'm sure they have equivalents (I'm pretty sure the UK have rice crispies and weet-a-bix). And we're metric - is Canada?

Anyway, Chris, if you read this let me know the sort of things you like. Lemon? Chocolate? I also have some microwaveable recipes which aren't too bad.

I have made a pizza dough and it is resting in the fridge. Normally I leave it overnight but I thought I'd see if it's OK with less time. It would make it easy in the future so I don't have to plan ahead! I was going to have another go at the brioche (with an oven door that isn't broken) but that's probably a bit too much starchy stuff in one day. Even for this chubster. Maybe tomorrow.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

I have been going gangbusters with this runner. It's hard to see but it's a green and red warp (the up and down bits) with a sparkly green weft (the cross bits).

I took the pizza dough out of the fridge as it seemed a bit slow. BANG. It doubled in size in no time so it's back in the fridge until it's time to start making dinner. Which is about now.

*&%^$#@*+)*>%#

We have lost the internet. The "help" centre fucked up. Himself is NOT happy. I will try and save this somehow as I can't post it at the moment.

Late Spring

 

It's hard to believe that next week is the start of Summer. We have had a strange Spring but now we are getting the more stable weather with lovely sunshine and not too much heat. I don't know why they name the Australian seasons the way they do as the hot weather doesn't really start til January and goes through to March and even early April some years. I guess it's something to do with equally dividing the months into the seasons only someone forgot to tell mother nature. If we listened to our indigenous people I'm sure they would have a more accurate way of identifying the seasons. Up north, of course, it's just Wet and Dry.

Himself went and chatted to a concrete company about the front porch. The only way to get the shitty coating off is to grind it off. Some of it chips away (which is why it looks so awful) but most is hard as - well - concrete. We have someone coming out to quote on removing the coating and refinishing the concrete. Next week the kitchen refurbishing company is coming to give us a quote and late this week we have the ceiling being fixed after the Great Earthquake of 2021. It's all go here.

I finished the magic pudding scarf. Now I have to pluck up the courage to wet finish it. I have just warped for a couple of Christmas table runners for L'arte. Hopefully I'll get 4 done for them. I have one more scarf to weave as a Christmas present.

Attacked my hair with the clippers. If I have to use a comb or brush it's too long. It's not perfect but then neither am I. The downside is the irritating bits of hair that aggravate my sensitive skin. I look like I have been garroted.

A glorious Sunday

Apart from the fact that I have struggled to work out what day of the week it is I have had a lovely day.

Slept in (nothing new) and had a slice of my home made sourdough rye bread with carraway seed toasted with butter and vegemite for breakfast. Yummo.

Himself took the dogs for a walk through our local piece of bushland while I caught up on blogs and stuff. 

Then ... drum roll ... we went to Bunnings. I haven't been there for so long. They checked our vax status and I pottered around the nursery section. Bought some plants for my 'rustic' wheelbarrow (read rusted) and the two planters at the front door. Instead of trying for something permanent like lavender which I have in the past and failed miserably I bought some petunias for the tubs and marigolds, portulaca and nasturtiums for the barrow. Once they have established I will show you. I have baked another loaf of carraway rye and currently have biscuits in the oven. 

A very productive day.

The front is starting to look really good. We are trying to remove the cracked and ugly patterned shit from the front porch so we can get the concrete polished and leave it at that.

While we were at the Frankston homemaker centre (Bunnings) we popped into Harvey Norman (vax checked again) to check measurements and I found a stove top I love. Fingers crossed we can work out how to get it into the kitchen.

I was freaking out about the follow up doctor's appointment on Tuesday. And then I had this amazing realisation. I can cancel and rebook another time. As soon as I worked that out my anxiety dropped. So tomorrow morning I will ring them first thing.

On Thursday I am going with Amy to the doctor for Alice's tongue tie release. When Sally had hers done Himself couldn't stay in the room and was out the front wiping away tears. We aren't asking him although he did say he would go. It's not a pleasant procedure and Sally was 2 weeks old when she was done. Alice will be 10 weeks old. She's smiling now but I guess not on Thursday.

Wine o'clock.

Two for One

Whoops! I forgot to post yesterday so you get yesterday and today!

Friday ....

We went and saw Mother in Law. She has lost weight especially in the face but she can afford to. She was thrilled to see us and seemed OK. No doolally talk and remembered that my brother has a place in Italy and asked if they were travelling yet. She needed new shoes so I took some of mine down for her to try but my feet are smaller than hers so we hot-footed over to Karingal where there is a William's outlet and I bought 2 pairs (2nd half price). We also popped into Miller's and I got her 3 pairs of slacks and 3 summer tops. The clothes she is wearing are stained and need replacing so she will be bright and cheerful come the warmer weather. The shoes fit, too. 

Saturday

My craft group were finally able to get together at L'arte. There were about 13 of us and it was great to be back. Amy came along for the first time and wee Alice was a hit. One woman was besotted and cuddled her for so long. The look on her face was priceless. I think she is desperate to be a grandmother.

One forgets during times like lockdown that it's laughter and silliness and just being with others that really lift the spirits. My soul is buzzing with happiness.

I managed to clip Jinx's damaged dew claw the other day. Murphy thought he'd help make it better.

Because I was at L'arte it's pies for dinner. Pepper steak to be precise. And a lemon filled chocolate brownie cookie. And red wine. Cos the day of the week ends in "Y".

I am now going to try to finish the magic pudding* of the scarf and will post this now in case the memory fades again.

*The Magic Pudding is a book written in 1918 by Norman Lindsay about a pudding that never finishes no matter how much it's eaten. It is an Australian classic. Magic Pudding is used to describe something that never seems to end.

Freedom

 As of midnight tonight nearly all our restrictions will be eased. I think. Well, most of them. As usual the information is confusing. But if the pandemic bill is defeated in the upper house of State Parliament then come 16th December all bets are off and we can do what we like - vaccinated or not. Or so I have been led to believe but stand to be educated as I can't make head or tail of what's going on in politician land.

Yesterday we were asked for evidence of vaccination at the cafe. I am about to head out to another cafe with another couple of friends. We'll see if we are asked for evidence. It seems to be a bit hit and miss.

Back now and, no, we weren't asked for vaccination proof. Oh well. It was a nice lunch and my friends are vaccinated.

The new investigations into the disappearance of 3 year old William Tyrrell 7 years ago is getting very interesting. It always looked a bit odd from the beginning but even stranger now. If it turns out that someone close to the family knew what happened all the time I will be incredibly disappointed and angry. We shall see.

I baked a loaf of bread this morning. Another wonderful evocative smell. 

I sprayed a mist of Elizabeth Arden's Green Tea and walked through it this morning. I'm sure my scent was subtle. Thank you Andrew.

Yesterday they came and finished off the path. The driveway and path are now complete and look amazing. Himself mowed the grass and pulled out some daggy bushes in the front. It looks so much better. Now to weed the rose bed and put weed mat down with mulch. I am keeping my fingers crossed that the kitchen refurbishment place will fix our problems and come in under budget. We need to buy a new sink, stove and cooktop.

But now? Weaving.

Smells and memories.

Today was a red letter day. I went to Little Woolie Makes and browsed yarn. Oh so much beautiful yarn. I showed great restraint and just bought what I need for table runners for L'arte. But I am planning future knitting projects.

J and C and I had a lovely lunch and a long chat. A walk in the sun and home to find Himself has been cleaning the floors. Bless him.

When we were walking to the cafe I passed a man wearing what I am sure was Aramis. The popular men's cologne from, what, the 70s? 80s? It took me right back to when Himself used to wear it - usually when dressed in a suit and tie. Then I got thinking about other fragrances from past times. Arpege was very popular but you don't smell it now. 4711 eau de cologne. Youth Dew. Red Door. Blue Grass. Tweed (initially marketed to men). I rarely smell these nowadays but whenever I do I transport back to younger years. Jovan Musk oil for men was another one I loved on Himself. Some of the old standards are still around like Chanel No. 5 but most fragrances these days are marketed by "famous" people and all smell the same. Slightly overbearing and sickly. And, dare I say it, cheap - regardless of the price.

I still prefer the smell of a freshly washed and shaved fella. Beats any fancy stuff in a bottle.

My mother wasn't much of a cook (not that she couldn't; she just didn't enjoy it) but some smells take me back. Andrew mentioned curried mince and mashed potato yesterday. Mum used to make curried mince and rice and the smell when I make it still takes me back to my school days.

The smell of rain after a hot day (it's called petrichor - you're welcome). Spring bulbs. The headiness of ripe summer roses. Wood smoke on Autumn breezes. 

Right now I am smelling muddy dog. Not quite the same but I'm sure down the track will bring back memories of 2 much loved hounds.

The ongoing kitchen saga

Himself went and had a chat with someone about ovens today. I was right. 600mm ovens get put in 700mm stoves. They do make an 800mm which is lovely but would require cutting the marble. Another option is to build a frame and install a separate 700mm oven (they make those) and a 750mm cook top. We are looking at replacing or refurbishing the kitchen as I really hate the marble. I know it was expensive but it always looks dirty. Like someone spilt red wine and smeared vegemite. I am constantly trying to remove stuff that isn't there.

Jinx is still licking her dew claw. It has split vertically right down to the quick and I'm worried it will catch on something and rip. I'm not going to take her to the vet as it doesn't look infected and once it has grown out a bit more I will cut it off. With help!

Home made pizza has been requested so I will go and mix the dough so I can prove it overnight in the fridge. In the correct sized container this time.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I'm procrastinating!

Next Thursday we have someone coming from Kinsman Kitchens to measure and quote for a new kitchen. Although after reading some on line reviews I might cancel and just go to Ikea. On Friday we have someone coming to look at refurbishing. Tomorrow I catch up with some friends and we will go and visit our favourite yarn shop and then grab a bite of lunch. 

Dinner tonight is a marinated chicken fillet from Aldi. It's one of our easy favourite go to dinners. And the best bit is Himself does the cooking.

Ovens

Another cold squally day.

I made some brioche hot dog rolls. They didn't work out. I think I might have used too much water. They taste ok but didn't double in size and are quite dense. I have one more packet and will make a loaf and accept that brioche rolls are best purchased. Especially from Aldi.

Himself bought some caraway seeds yesterday so the next loaf will be the sourdough rye with said seeds. Lovely.

It rained fairly heavily overnight. As a result I have two very muddy dogs and a very muddy floor. I am not even going to attempt to clean the floor and the dogs will brush off when they're dry.

The annoying knock is still there. Himself will have to get right under the house to fix that. Rather him than me.

When I went to bake the rolls the oven door handle fell off which meant I had to manhandle (haha) the door open. That might account for the lack of success of the rolls as there was a gap at the top of the door. Himself has gone looking at new stoves. The problem is this is a 700mm wide which is unusual (why am I not surprised). The internal measurements of the oven are more like a 600 and I would really like a 900. To get the 900 would involve cutting the marble benchtop. Which could crack. And with our luck probably would. I don't even know if they make 700mm anymore. In our last house I bought a pyrolytic oven (it self cleans) and I loved it. 

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Well, surprise, surprise, no one stocks 700mm ovens. They are available but ....

Himself came back and picked me up and we went to Harvey Norman to check out the 900 and 600 to get an idea.

We are going to a manufacturer's showroom tomorrow to look at one but it seems that they plonk 600mm ovens in a 700mm body. We looked at 900mm but the ovens are way too big for what we would use. Even when all the kids were at home I doubt I would have used it and it just uses more energy to heat. So it looks as if it will be a 700 but what brand remains to be seen. I really don't want to buy anything that expensive sight unseen.

We came home and heated up the hot dogs and had them in the rolls. OMG. Disaster. They were hard and dry and not what I expected at all. At this stage I am thinking too much water and a dodgy oven. Obviously I won't be baking until the oven is replaced or fixed.

Dinner won't be what I planned (baked fish and veges). Wonder if I can talk Himself into cooking a steak.

Lazy

 It's half past 12 on Sunday and I have been up since 9. I slept in the spare room as the night before I was very fidgety and managed to kick Himself in a rather sensitive spot. As he yelled an appropriate obscenity, given the circumstances, I decided that the spare room was safer for both until the restlessness passes which it will in a day or so.

I have done nothing other than faff about on the computer which really irks me. Oh, I have completed a couple of sudoku and code crackers which keep the mind going.

I toasted a slice of yesterday's bread and had half with peanut butter and half with butter and vegemite. Store bought bread just doesn't compare for flavour. If I am going to keep this up I will have to find a cheaper way. Probably buy the flour in bulk and add the improver. It's still cheaper than a bakery loaf.

After the plumber installed the tap yesterday we have been left with an annoying tap knock so Himself has gone to Bunnings looking for a solution. 

It's fffffffreezing here today. Neighbours have their open fires going and it smells very wintery for November. It should be beach weather but I'm not complaining.

* * * * * * * * * 

The rain is back. Our power keeps dropping in and out. .

I found a couple of over ripe bananas so a batch of muffins was whipped up. Very nice. But not kind to the waist line.

Himself has gone to the supermarket for me. For some reason I am out of flour! I asked him to get another bread mix to try. I like the sound of brioche. 

Weaving is coming along slowly. I should stop digging through my stash to find the next few projects and concentrate on finishing this. And that is what I shall so right now.

It feels like Autumn. I wish it was

Productive

 

I made a double batch of sugar cookies and decorated some for Sally. I also made Lynda's ginger crunch. I have bread proving in the warm oven from the biscuits. A sourdough rye but from a mix, not a true sourdough starter.

The plumber came this morning and installed a tap outside the garage so Himself can wash the cars without dragging the hose from the far corner of the front garden. 

I am now going to do some weaving.

Dinner is an Aldi boneless chicken roast with sage and onion stuffing.

* * * * * * * * * * *

The bread is delicious. Himself, the son of a baker, gave it 2 thumbs up.

I got some weaving done. The problem is as soon as I start a new project I am envisaging the next and get eager to start. This one is not exciting to do although the effect is interesting. It's one of those that look really complicated but are easy as pie.

Why is pie easy?

A bit chuffed

 I caught up with another couple of friends for lunch at L'arte today. I took the table runners in that I had made. I was very hesitant as I kept second guessing myself as to whether they were any good. Sharon loved them. She wanted to give me money but I said no. Then she said she'd shout me lunch. Again, I said no need. Wait and see if they sell first. She was adamant they will sell and insisted the three of us had lunch on the house. I was more thrilled that she liked them. She sent me a text thanking me again. I am so happy. Once I have finished my current project I'll whip out some glittery ones for Christmas. 

Three rang today to say that Amy is much better and thanked me again. Any time, mate. He sounded exhausted so something else for this mother to worry about!

It's been raining all day and the next few days look like more of the same. Now that our flooding issues have been fixed I say bring it on. Tomorrow I will bake and weave. 

Tonight we are having pies from L'arte, a chocolate brownie with ice cream and a local red wine. The dogs love it when we have dessert as they get to lick the bowls. Spoilt?

A quick one today

Three rang me this morning as Amy was in tears again so I hot footed it over there and have spent the day caring for an 8 week old poppet and her stressed out mum. I didn't get home til after 6pm.

I hadn't had breakfast when I left home and Amy gave me a box of Favourites as a thank you. 

I might have eaten one or eight on the way home in the car.

There are still a few biscuits left in the barrel. I shall make more over the weekend.

Himself has gone to buy a pizza stone which he should have bought yesterday when it was on special as they have sold out. When he gets home I shall start the pizzas I prepared the dough for yesterday. Fingers crossed they work. Or it might be the rest of the chocolates for dinner!

Fuzzy head

The GP I saw yesterday was wonderful so I now have 2 GPs I can see at this clinic. My blood pressure wasn't high which was really surprising. I have to check it at the chemist and compare with her machine and mine. How awesome if mine is reading high. But I doubt it. She has doubled my anxiety/depression medication and I have the expected fuzziness in my head which will last for a few days. Blood tests (which won't be good) and a review in a fortnight for the results and to discuss a bone scan as I am of that age when a fall could break something - and I am at a higher risk of falls. Getting older has whiskers on it.

My first full bowl of roses for the season ...

They smell beautiful. I made a point of planting scented roses as I can't see why you wouldn't grow roses for their scent.

After my squishy cuddles yesterday I came home and made a batch of spicy bean soup with spinach and some rolls using Black Beauty. She performed like a charm and the rolls were pretty damn good. 

Today I will get some more bread mixes and tonight we will have pizza with home made dough. I will also make some cinnamon sugar cookies.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

So I went to the supermarket and did a bit of googling before I went and the consensus is pizza bases are better if chilled in the fridge overnight. So we will be having pizza tomorrow night and pesto baked chicken and veges tonight. Coles have 800gm packets of capiscum for just over $8 which is cheaper than buying them colour by colour and if you are lucky you get all three varieties. Zucchini have been in short supply so I grabbed a couple of them. Two nights dinner sorted and I bought a sour dough rye bread mix to try Obviously not a true sour dough but that is on my bucket list.

* * * * * * * * * * * 

The biscuits were a success. I swear the mice must have got in the biscuit barrel as Himself denies all knowledge of the rapid decrease in numbers. I made the pizza dough and put it in the fridge only to have it try to escape its container. It is now in a larger container. Who would have thought!

It is wine o'clock and I am off to prepare dinner.

Squishy cuddles

 I received a text from Amy asking if I was doing anything today and shortly after a call from Three saying Amy wasn't coping. Long story short I went over there and fed and held Alice so Amy could get stuff done. I would have been happy to do the housework for her but I think she was glad to not have to hold Alice as she is a very needy baby. Only 8 weeks old and has been through the wringer already so understandable she likes to be held. After a good long hold Amy put her into her bassinet and she continued to sleep which is unheard of. I guess this Granny has calming vibes. I then got to play Barbies with Sally. As a mother of three boys this was a first. 

Himself is taking the two dogs down to visit his mother. She will be thrilled if she's not doolally.

I have a doctor's appointment at 3.40. Our wonderful doctor moved practices and we followed her (as did well over a hundred other patients). Unfortunately I cannot see her until next week and as my blood pressure is high I am seeing another female doctor who also has an excellent reputation. When I lost weight earlier this year my blood pressure got quite low and my doctor reduced my medications. I have gained 7kg in lock down and my BP is now sitting around 160/112. Not good. So with my tail between my legs I shall go and face the music.

But at least I got a couple of hours of lovely baby cuddles.

I did it again.

When will I learn NOT to order egg when I go out. Different friends, different cafe, similar top and egg dribbled down the front. AGAIN! Still it was nice to catch up with friends and it was straight in and out for me. The other two went shopping but I was happy to come home. I didn't see many noses today either, which is reassuring. 

The kitchen is starting to look a bit better. A bit of rearranging and decluttering. Now I need to go through all the cupboards and drawers and tidy them up. That will be a big job. I did pare down the knife collection and got rid of the knife stand which took up quite a bit of bench space. They are all on a magnetic strip now. I realise how much space we had in our previous two kitchens.

Alice has a posterior tongue tie. A quick google search suggests it's more complicated to release than a normal one but it explains her feeding issues. I wonder what people did before all this knowledge and interventions.

Himself hired a skip to get rid of the clay soil dug out for the agi pipes. It is not good soil at all. He is currently doing a tip run (see decluttering above).

I am going to potter around in the kitchen for an hour or so and then do some weaving. No idea what we're having for dinner. I am still full from brunch (egg benedict and it was delicious).

Scary

Himself wanted to get some new t-shirts. The brand he likes is only available at a shop in Cranbourne. We went. Oh my fricking god. The place was crowded. Masks were worn - under the chin or under the nose. Forget 1.5 metre rule - personal space was non-existent. I bought some undies (they are the one thing I just can't seem to get right with on line shopping; I need to feel the quality and cotton content), he got his t-shirts and we checked out food mixers. Not a great choice so we went to Frankston to the Good Guys. The lass there seemed to know her stuff and I told her about my Sunbeam burning out its motor. She said they aren't any good these days. It was basically between Kenwood and Kitchen Aid.

Ta-daa .... meet Black Beauty

She is a gorgeous thing. Matt black with two bowls and 3 mixing tools. Plus the opportunity to buy 10 extra attachments like pasta makers, mincer, ice cream churner. She is very heavy and will have to live in the kitchen (Sunbeam lived in the laundry due to lack of space and only came out when needed). And why shouldn't she? She's a work of art. A thing of beauty to be admired and cherished.

I told himself that he got his driveway and garage door so I was getting this. 

Amy has a Kitchen Aid. She is an avid and very accomplished baker of cakes and other sweet delights. Three uses it as much and he is more savoury based so I shall be picking his brains. He has already suggested naan using Indian flour, water and ghee. It helps that they live in a suburb with a very high Indian population so they have the shops for the ingredients. I guess I could get ghee in the supermarket, I've never looked. 

This might just be the push I need to get stuck into my kitchen and give it a really good clean and tidy up.

And then I shall bake bread. And biscuits. And cakes.

It will be a very long time before I venture into Cranbourne shopping centre again.

A slab of beer

 

Pat asked what a slab of beer is. It's 24 cans or stubbies generally packed like this picture. Often shrink wrapped in plastic or placed in a cardboard box. I am not a beer drinker although a cold frothy on a hot day goes down a treat. One has started brewing his own and I must say it is very nice. Gin and wine tend to be my poison of choice but I think I need to give the wine away for a while until I can shift this weight. It goes down way too easily. The wine, not the weight, sadly.

The plumber is here and installing the agi pipe. Himself is helping. The whole place is looking really good but it does show up the bits that need a bit of TLC. Oh well, summer is on its way so we can do more outside and spruce the place up. I sat on the deck with a very nice chardonnay last evening. It was most pleasant.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * 

I think Himself quite enjoyed being the helper this week. He is absolutely knackered though. The drainage is in and the turf replaced and top-sowed with grass seed. 

The radar shows rain but it's missing us. I can feel the barometer dropping. I can always tell as it's going down. I feel weird. 

Murphy is on the mend. The redness and swelling has gone down but he is still tender. The Stig is also fine although still not jumping. Well, he tries and misses. But he's getting higher each day. He chased a bird in the front garden. Speaking of birds a bloody myna got in the house and couldn't find its way out. Jinx was chasing it and jumping at it and at one point caught it in her mouth. I was chasing her screaming obscenities at the top of my voice. Finally caught the bird in a towel and took it outside where it flew away. Bloody things. I was saying a lot worse than bloody. A LOT worse!

Nearly finished.

 

The huge truck delivering the asphalt  (I need to weed my rose bed) and some dude waving at me! They really are a great bunch of blokes.

The asphalt was then wheel barrowed down the driveway, spread and levelled.

Hard yakka and very hot work, too. Himself has gone to buy a slab of beer to drop off for the boys to enjoy.

The plumber will come tomorrow and then they will return next week to do the path. 

We need to work out what to do with the front porch as it is looking very tired, now. It's cracking and peeling.

This morning I spent an hour with my student going over Australian slang and sayings. It made me realise what a crazy language we have. Trying to explain sayings like flat out, final straw, beat around the bush, get to the bottom of it, knock off, takes two to tango and so on. (I realise these are not uniquely Australian).

  

My latest weave. It's called Ocean Waves and uses a textured cotton and a wavy stick. So far so good but wet finishing it will be the tell. Hopefully my waves will hold.

Jinx is trying to climb on my lap and hide under my desk. I don't know what has got into her but she's making it bloody hard to type. So I shall bid you adieu.

I have a moat.

 

Tomorrow the asphalt goes in and on Saturday the agi pipe will be laid. Hooray.

A coffee today with a couple of friends and then I braved the post office to send some stuff to New Zealand and Queensland. I wonder which will get there first. I was shaking in the post office, such is the level of my social anxiety at the moment but I did it. I then did a quick scurry through the local $2 shop which was full of Christmas stuff and very few people so another win for me.

Himself is still digging the trench. At least it's stopped raining.

Murphy was at the vet this afternoon as you wouldn't know he's been castrated such is the swelling. He had to be dragged in and the vet struggled to get a good look but he's on antibiotics and pain killers. 

The Stig is improving every day so I am feeling less worried about him. He took himself outside for a bit and came and shared some ham with Jinx while Murphy was out.

The news reported that Aldi was being stampeded for a particular frozen potato (roasted in goose fat - obviously a Christmas special). Himself went to 3 Aldis before snagging the last two packets in the store. We had some last night with an Aldi boneless roasted chook and very nice they were. So the leftover chook heated up tonight with more spuds. 

Tired

Last night I managed to cut off a chunk of matted fur from Murphy's hind leg and that seemed to make him much happier. I think it was pulling when he walked.

The Stig is slowly getting better. At this stage I don't think the vet is needed. He is eating, drinking and purring. He managed to jump onto a low table although it did take two attempts. I think his back and legs are bruised. I'll keep an eye on him today.

Himself has dug a massive trench right across the front of the house. I really hope the plumber can lay the agi pipe sooner rather than later. It's bloody dangerous.

* * * * * * * * * * 

The plumber is coming on Saturday. Himself needs to dig the trench deeper (the plumber originally told him 300mm now wants 400mm) and it's been raining since lunch time with no sign of letting up. I foresee a very grumpy husband in my tea leaves.

For some reason of late I am just so tired. Just have no oomph in me at all.

But I did get this finished. 

Weaving is about the only thing I have any interest at the moment. And yes, that is a muddy paw print. The dogs got into the spare room and I haven't vacuumed yet. See above.

Damn animals.

Today I am going to attempt to syringe the hairs away from Murphy's nether regions. The actual swelling is not as bad although he's still whingeing.

Yesterday we struggled to find the Stig. He had come in the night before but was scarce all day. I saw him go under our bed so wasn't overly concerned. Then I found him hiding behind a curtain and realised he was not well. He was obviously in pain and kept licking his front paws. Examination of those paws showed the claws had been shredded almost completely away. This is a sure sign of an altercation between cat and car. He doesn't appear to have broken anything as he is weight bearing on all four legs albeit tenderly. I'm guessing he was clipped as he crossed the road.

Yes, I know cats should be kept inside. He is inside at night (which is the council's curfew but I don't like him out at night anyway). During the day he usually just wanders around but does like to go across and sit in the neighbours' garden. I'm guessing that's when he was clipped. Also the downed tree is still there and people slow down to stare at it and wouldn't see a tabby cat crossing the road. I know if he was to be killed it would be down to me but when we have kept him inside all the time he ended up on anti-anxiety medication as he was overgrooming to the point of scabbiness. And a scabby tabby is not a pretty sight nor is it comfortable. Since we've allowed him out during the day he has come off his meds.

I spoke with Dr Teacher (the ex-vet brother) and he advised me to keep the Stig comfortable and monitor him. He is better than he was yesterday evening and is eating and drinking. I can still see a visit to the vet tomorrow with both boys if they don't improve a lot by then.

Himself is digging a trench for agi piping to go along the front of the house. It's bloody hot out there but at least he's wearing a hat. 

It's nearly 3 o'clock. The best time to go out on Melbourne Cup day!! 

I spoke too soon.

Last evening Murphy became quite agitated. He would jump as if something had bitten him. With great difficulty we managed to get a really close look at his wound and it appears to have been weeping a bit which in and of itself isn't too much of a concern but his long hair had dried into the ooze and every time he moved it must have pulled. Being the hard hearted bitch I am, I found this quite funny to watch but I gave him a pain killer and he spent the rest of the evening completely zonked. Which was also funny. This morning he seems fine. The wound could do with a good clean but I think I will have to zonk him again.

Himself has taken his car to be assessed. The more we look at it in the daylight the more damage we find. Just little dents and dings but on more panels than we initially thought. I will wash get Himself to wash my car when the tradies have finished and have a really close look at it but I honestly think it is ok. I wonder if the ceramic coating I had put on it might have saved it from being scratched.

* * * * * * * * * *

I think these two will always be close.

* * * * * * * * * *

We thought the car would be a write-off but, no, it can be fixed. Assuming the insurance company agrees, of course. Himself was honest and told the panel dude that the marks on the rear bumper were old (caused by dog claws getting in and out of the car) and he replied that it could also be tree damage. So there you go!

The bricks have all been laid and the asphalt will go down on Friday. I have really enjoyed listening to the banter of the tradies (and watching them work - sorry Andrew, I couldn't get a photo - I'm sure you would have enjoyed the view as well).

I gave Murphy a pain pill and tried to bathe his nether regions with little success. If he's no better by Wednesday we'll take him back to our vet. I'd rather not pay the fees at the out of hours emergency vet - unless I have to, of course. And of course, tomorrow is a public holiday.