Sunday 29 March 2020

Life In Lockdown, Day 9 and 10


Yesterday, Jon woke up to Frank standing on his chest, nose pressed to his, so he took it as a cue to get up, let him & Stephen out and bring me a mug of tea in bed and we read till 8.15. I put the bathroom plants in the bath for a soak before joining Jon for toast in the kitchen.


After catching up with blog reading and commenting I got dressed, turned on the radio and sat and mended the dress I'd worn on Friday before removing my nail polish, decimated by yesterday's session in the garden.


I gave the bedroom chair a wipe down and hand washed the kilim cushion covers, pegging them outside to dry.


The postman arrived with a surprise parcel. Thanks to my lovely friend Tina for sharing some of her stash of seeds!


After lunch, we wrapped up well and ventured into the garden.


I continued collecting twigs brought down by last night's high winds while Jon got to work running them through the shredder to make mulch. There was much excitement when the delivery driver turned up with the greenhouse and after Jon had laid some weed suppressant fabric down he set to work building the frame, deciding to leave the cover for a day when the wind had dropped.


I dusted the bookshelf on the landing and Jon defrosted some curry for tea (frozen before lockdown).


Our evening was spent watching another episode of Simon Reeve travelling the Americas and indie film Manchester by the Sea (currently on the BBC i-player) Being a Saturday, rum was consumed.

This week's nails

Sunday morning means self-care. When I got up I combed organic coconut oil through the ends of my hair, epilated my legs, painted my nails, and slathered myself in coconut oil* before joining Jon in the kitchen.


I use THIS coconut oil - it's brilliant as a body moisturiser, an overnight treatment on hand and feet, a deep conditioner for hair and as an emergency eye-makeup remover (but a bit too heavy for daily use).


Breakfast was sausage sandwiches (veggie for me, meat for Jon & Frank) while we watched    The Andrew Marr Show. I put the rest of the houseplants in the utility room sink for a thorough soaking, washed my hair and then stripped & changed the bed and loaded the washing machine. Despite the intermittent snow showers I pegged the washing on the line, it was so blustery that it was dry within an hour.


Jon braved the Baltic conditions to finish off the greenhouse and by building a raised bed from his stash of salvaged wood. I thought I'd try and wear in these Doc Martens I found in a chazza shop back in 2018, the previous owner had donated them unworn and boxed, they're still a bit on the stiff & creaky side.


Frank's interested.


Stephen isn't.


Ta-dah! The new greenhouse -  it's nothing fancy but hopefully, it should do the job.


 Still full from sausage sandwiches we didn't bother with lunch, opting to eat our tea earlier instead. I dusted the Poodle Parlour, sorted out my craft cupboard and gave my fashion, textile & craft books a wipe down.



Lurking in the drawer were these family daguerreotypes from my Mum's side of the family. Ace might enjoy these.


It seems to shame to hide them away in a drawer, they're a bit creepy but worthy of being on display.


The rest of the afternoon was spent in the lounge finishing Arthur & George. Frank's mid-lick if you're wondering.


There's cauliflower cheese with jacket potatoes in the oven and I'm off for a shower before we eat it. Tonight's entertainment is Race Across The World and subtitled Scandi thriller, Stockholm Requiem, which we started watching on Friday.

Hope you're all well and staying positive & motivated. Do let me know what you've been up to.

84 comments:

  1. I love your little greenhouse. Thank you for sharing your days - it is helping me read other bloggers situations during this timeframe and it links us together. Much better than the bloody news. Our patio furniture came with a whole bunch of plastic and the recycle centre has shut so I am thinking of asking hubby to make a small frame mini-greenhouse with scrap wood and that plastic. It would be good for early lettuces. I think I am going to order some seeds online - only grabbed a few at the grocery store a week and a half ago but there is still time for an online order. So nice of her to share her seeds with you!

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    1. It really does! Reading what my virtual friends are doing keeps me stay motivated and it does feel like we're all in this together despite all being in lock down.
      We were hoping to have some of our windows replaced this year and planned to use the old ones to make a greenhouse - that's on the backburner now. It'll be great if your man can make one for you, you'll be able to grow even more! xxx

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  2. At last the greenhouse arrived! It looks great. I'm reading more blogs and watching less news at this crazy time. Your distancing diaries are great, we watched The Big Sick last night, thanks for the recommendation. Could you please tell me how you do your lunchtime noodles and what you have them with? I'm going to try your veggie curry recipe (Sabzi) this week. Thanks for the cheerful, motivational content! Jayne in Coventry xxx

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    1. Hello stranger! How lovely to hear from you! Far better to read blogs than depress yourself with too much news, it's good to be informed but goodness me, is it draining?
      We buy vegetarian packet noodles from Morrisons, they're mostly chilli or spicy although they do a "veg" flavour too. We don't add anything else. We've run out now, I'm hoping we can find more! xxx

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  3. Frank sounds like such a cool cat. I'm sure I wouldn't mind being woken up the way Jon was if it was my pet. When I had a parrot ages ago, it would wake me up in the morning by biting my fingers in demand of cuddling. Parrots can be quite cuddly, just as cats. It is good to see you're staying positive. I try to look at things in a positive way and although I'm obviously sad for this situation and all the casualties this virus has claimed I feel we shouldn't panic and look for the worst case scenario. I don't have much to complain of really, I don't have it too bad. I'm working longer hours than usual but it is inevitable and I'm getting used to it. I'm not as stressed as I was when the schools first closed down and I wasn't sure how things will proceed. I miss being able to visit my granny but that's about it. I can always speak with my family on phone.
    Great looks for sure. I really like the blue Dr. Martens you wore with that blue maxi, nice coordination of colours and that printed blue maxi dress is gorgeous. I also like your blue nail-polish and hand candy- you've got some lovely rings.

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    1. Frank's so funny. It's crazy to think that when he first showed up in our garden as a stray we'd quake with fear if we went with six feet of us! I love the sound of your parrot, what a character he must have been.
      I do find that my daily exercise routine livens me up and makes me feel optimistic for the day ahead. I think keeping busy helps, too - I'm usually too tired to dwell on anything after a day of cleaning, sewing and gardening.
      Stay save, Ivana! xxx

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  4. We are loving race across the world too , wish i could wear docks , love those blue ones , I cant do laces anymore , I have seen some really colorful boots that look similar style to docks with a zip on the side , they keep popping up on my facebook but they come from abroad a long way to come if they don't fit , That greenhouse is almost identical to the one i was telling you about but ours was green , i grew cucumbers and tomatoes but here we have a south facing garden and we can grow a lot of stuff outside xx

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    1. It's our favourite programme, I wish it was on every night of the week, that hour just races by. I love seeing the relationships between the couples flourish under such trying conditions.
      Docs are great, the Pascal style are wonderful, they're made from really soft leather so don't need wearing in - these blue ones are starting to soften up a bit now, thank goodness. xxx

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  5. Cant believe you had snow showers we got sunshine here but it's dry. Yesterday I went to work for an evening shift, today Ive done nothing but relax really, i did a facial and read most of the afternoon. Hoping to start some painting tomorrow as trying to sort out my house so i can move. Big task, plus helping kids again with schoolwork next week. We use to have one of those greenhouses until my old cat took a shine to it. Xx

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    1. I'd seen that snow was forecast but didn't believe it until I saw it. A sure sign that the clocks have gone forward, the weather changes for the worst!
      Liking your self-care Sunday, you deserve a lazy day. xxx

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  6. The snow? We're looking at around 90 today (I think that's 30 to the rest of the world). I went through my cookbooks and tidy upped that closet/pantry (which isn't for food) Wish the Dr. luck, tomorrow he's braving a trip to the food store.

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    1. What I wouldn't give for 90°C!!
      Hope the Dr's trip went well - we walked to the corner shop today and got what we needed, hooray! xxx

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  7. It sounds like you're muddling through just fine, and only you can manage to make a greenhouse look so glamourous :) X

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    1. I've hardly noticed that I've been locked in for so long, the joys of having an overgrown garden and a messy house! xxx

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  8. cool greenhouse! and how fab that tina already send the seeds!
    our bookshelfs need a dusting too - BUT - i´m down with a cold!!! not much activity the last 3 days.... but i´m on the mend, so no worries. meanwhile the BW is sorting out the privat office/bureaucracie stuff - he´s very brave!
    the sweet photos of the cats make me smile a lot!
    xxxxx

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    1. I was ever so excited to get those seeds, Tina's a star!
      I'm sorry that you've got a cold and I hope you feel 100% better very soon. Well done to BW for doing the sorting, Jon tackled the freezer today, very brave indeed! xxx

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  9. i love the greenhouse and your blue doc martens and nails....blue shades are my fave...thanks for the interesting posts....you are an inspiration...i especially love your kitties <3

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    1. Thanks so much, Mary! The boys say hello! xxx

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  10. That greenhouse is going to come in very handy for all those seeds Vix. Nothing tastes quite like fresh picked produce does it. Stay safe. x

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    1. I'm very excited about it, Cherie. You're right about the home grown food, I used to love the tomatoes I used to grow! xxx

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  11. There's quite a few things here at Dove Cottage that need a good dusting too, and as I'll have to find a routine for the days I'm not working, I've suggested to Jos that we clean Dove Cottage from top to bottom. I'm not sure he looked very pleased at that, so I'm making him read your blog posts to convince him ;-) If I'm very honest, I am looking forward to some days of relative freedom. I'm loving your new greenhouse and can't wait to see how you get on. How nice of your friend to send you a starter pack of seeds! Love those daguerreotypes (we've some too, but we've no idea who the people are) and your Poodle Parlour made me smile! xxx

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    1. Do a room at a time, that way it's not too daunting. At least when you rarely do housework you can see an immediate difference, I find that really rewarding. I might have to tackle some drawers next, goodness knows what I've stuffed in them! xxx

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  12. I love the daguerreotypes, I have so few pictures of my ancestors and would love more. The greenhouse is great, can't wait to see what gets grown. We are starting to think we will be incarcerated until there is a vaccine! Ah well, what can't be cured must be endured.........

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    1. I'm liking that saying. We need it printed on tee shirts!
      I wish someone had labelled who the people were in the photos, I'll never know now! xxx

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  13. Looks like you've had a good day. I've struggled with boredom today. Things to do but no motivation. Not looking forward to another day of working from home and home school tomorrow. At least l'm safer at home.

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    1. Hi Jemima, I must admit I was struggling to motivate myself today as it's been hideously cold and wet.
      I don't think I'd enjoy having to work from home and home schooling, I'm too easily distracted. xxx

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  14. Happy Sunday, and good luck with the greenhouse! Growing veg is so satisfying – we aren't able to do it at the moment but we used to have an allotment at a community garden in the neighborhood. Pro tip: if thievery is a concern (which it may not be at a private home as opposed to a public garden), grow tomatoes that are green when ripe. No one will touch them!

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    1. Hello Brikka! I was wondering about community gardens and allotments during lock down, such a shame they can't be tended and utilised.
      That's a brilliant tip with the tomatoes, we've had stuff nicked from the garden before and with this crisis there might be even more people going feral! xxx

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  15. Yay the greenhouse has arrived! I'm looking forward to the next installment I miss having a veggie patch desperately I have to live vicariously through other peoples!

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    1. We've started with our seeds! Feel free to tell me if we're doing anything wrong, we need all the help we can get! xxx

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  16. What a wonderful little greenhouse - good thing Frank fully approved of it. I'm slightly ashamed that I haven't done any cleaning, but I'm ignoring it. Love your blue nails and your blue Docs! They're wonderful, even if they are stiff.

    Glad to see both Stephen and Frank!

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    1. I'm so relieved Frank liked the greenhouse, you know how cats have to approve any new addition to the house (usually our charity shop finds!)
      I've done another eight hours in those boots today, they are starting to get a few creases across the front, I think I'm winning! xxx

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  17. The greenhouse is fabulous, and I've a mind to look for one. I admit, my mood has been lazy. Tomorrow I'll work differently- sit more office like and make better transitions between parts if my day.

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    1. It was cheap and cheerful but hopefully will do the job.
      I is hard to try and add some definition to your day. Nothing wrong in being a bit lazy, you have to work. The mood to do stuff will happen! xxx

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  18. The green house looks brilliant! I am so glad you have it! And the salvaged wood for raised beds! We've ordered compost but not sure what to do about wood for a raised bed yet!!x

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    1. Thank you! I've rather excited about it!
      We've tracked down a garden centre offering deliveries so hopefully some grow-bags and compost will be ours soon. When you do your permitted daily walk you'll have to look out for any skips in the neighbourhood - that's where Jon usually gets his salvaged wood from! xxx

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  19. What a thoughtful gift those seeds are. They'll come in handy now that your new greenhouse is up. Hopefully you'll develop greenfingers in no time and reap all your healthy veges.

    Spotted some of your indian travel books in your bookcase. I do love a stickybeak at the choice of books on people's shelves. We've all had our heads stuck in books to fill in some time too. I saw Manchester by the Sea twice and cried twice - such an endearing film.

    Love your blue nail polish and exquisite rings. And of course your blue floral maxi is beautiful.

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    1. I do hope we have some success with the growing, I do love being out in the garden although I am a fair weather gardener, I hate the cold and it's bitterly cold at the moment!
      Wasn't Manchester By The Sea wonderful? What a terrible tragedy poor Lee had to deal with, no wonder he was so grumpy. xxx

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  20. How kind of your friend Tina, sharing her seeds. I think we’ve all been doing a bit of planting at the moment. It’s nice to have time for these simple pleasures.

    I love seeing people’s book shelves. I’d love to see a close-up, I can just make out some India books.

    The greenhouse looks fantastic. I can’t wait to see all that you and Jon grow in it.X

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    1. It was a lovely surprise! I'm hoping to get a delivery of compost in the next week or so but we've already sown a few.
      That India guide stands out, doesn't it? I'll try and do a close-up of the shelves so you can see our eclectic reading tastes! xxx

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  21. I thought we'd been busy until I read your Post... you left us in your dust with being so productive! I've always wanted a Greenhouse or Conservatory, perhaps some day now that we have land to put it on at Forever Boheme'. I've been reading more too, well, mostly I 'read' Decor Books and look at the Imagery... but I guess that qualifies as 'Reading'? *LOL* Your Fur Babies are adorable, Miss Priss is probably wondering why I'm Home so much now?

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    1. If it's a book it's reading - honest!! I usually only read in bed or when I'm sunbathing - I'm trying to squeeze in an extra half an hour or so a day now.
      Is Miss Priss as annoyed as our two for us getting under their paws all day. The boys are sleeping all over the place at the moment rather than hanging out with us! xxx

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  22. Happy gardening, it's a great little outdoor hobby, I see you have a dolls house, would love to see a bit more of that, you have a beautiful home. xx

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    1. I need to have a doll's house session, I haven't shared them for a while! xxx

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    2. That would be great, I did have some once and didn't get around to doing them up, so sold them but really would like to have one again.

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  23. Well..l did'nt fall outta bed till eight this
    morn'in..couple hours later than the last two
    days..just had brekkie..full fry up, strange
    l can't start the day without a fry up..not
    a lot..just one of each..! I tend to eat 3~4
    times a day, but smaller portions..but alawys
    enjoy Sunday dinner..duck yesterday, with ALL
    the roast trimmings..and a bottle of Terre
    Siciliane..A red Sicilian table wine..very nice
    to..My family own a vineyard in Sicily..though
    it's part of a co~operative now! :).

    And..speaking of Sicily..and those photos, l still
    have quite a few sepia type photos of family, grand
    parents..great grand parents..who all lived to a ripe
    old age..my grandfather, my mothers father, lived up to
    106..! But! Those photos are amazing..! The men, all
    look like gangsters..which of course they were..HeHe! :).

    The greenhouse..(why is it called a greenhouse, when it's
    not green)..looks good..the seedlings will love it in there!
    And, Jon's shredder looks good to..do you do yer chips in it!
    ooooO! Shredder..Ninja Turtles..! :).

    I'm still on Lockup or is it Lockdown..been out twice in the
    last two weeks, only for food..
    I was upset to see ALL those bags of food, outside peoples
    houses to be collected, because they passed the sell by date,
    stupid people over stocked, unable to eat it all..and now thrown
    out...ME! I never take any notice of sell by dates..!

    Best get on..give it an hour, let it get a bit warmer, l'll cut the
    grass out back..
    Ciao for now! BIG (((Hugs))) and X's for the furry ones..Bless! :o).
    ✨🍑✨ ✨🍑✨ ✨🍑✨ ✨🍑✨ ✨🍑✨ ✨🍑✨ ✨🍑✨ ✨🍑✨

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    1. You do eat well - like fellow Sicilian Montalbano, who can' function with an empty stomach!
      How fantastic to have so many family photos, I seem to have inherited an awful lots, too - I only wish someone had written a little bit about who these strange people were on the back.
      I saw all those bags of food on social media this weekend. They should be ashamed of themselves. We're eating all manner of strange combinations to use what food we've got up! xxx

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  24. My cats love my greenhouse, I have a cat bed in there and sometimes grow cat grass for them. If I'm in there they will join me within minutes.
    How lovely to receive a surprise parcel in the post!
    My cleaning mojo returned again on Saturday, this time I did one job at a time, so when I'd had enough I didn't have to turn around and tidy up - I'm learning!
    xx

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    1. That's a great idea, I'll have to add cat grass to the ever growing list!
      Housework seems so daunting, much better to do it in bite-sized pieces. As Jon keeps reminding me, we might have six months of this, it makes no sense to do everything in a fortnight! xxx

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  25. Pale pink poodles remind me of my Mum's house in the 60's, full of a mix of Danish and utility furniture. The sofa had arms which flipped open at the top and out popped a little shelf to rest your cuppa on. I think it would be worth a fortune now.I still have a set of utility drawers, which she'd painted white much to my Dad's annoyance ('why does your mother have to paint everything white?') and which my sister spent a great deal of time with Nitromors and a scraper to get them back to their original state, then gave them to me with the proviso that I DO NOT paint them. Such a sturdy set of drawers and not once have they shown any signs of wear or damage in their 60 years! My Mum gave away the sofa to buy something 'more modern'!!

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    1. I love Utility furniture, we've got a little bookcase I use as a shoe rack.
      That sofa sounded incredible and you're right, Danish design commands a small fortune.
      I'd love to see your drawers!!! xxx

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  26. Enjoying your posts so much, the greenhouse is going to be great at getting things off to an early start. Liking the doc martins. I am doing a lot of diy and spring cleaning jobs on my days off, all those things you put off tomorrow getting done!

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    1. I'm watching the weather like a hawk! I've planted some seeds today but put them on the windowsills, I'd hate for the frost to get them. xxx

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  27. You will be able to grow nice chillies and tomatoes in there,and salad stuff.I have settled down to sorting the messy areas of my house a bit at a time which should keep me busy and I've not switched the tv on this morning once.I have noticed that it was disgraceful and I don't know how I could have overlooked it for so long.My friend Debi grows stuff from get scraps apparently x

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    1. Sorry I meant to say-veg scraps x

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    2. I'm excited to start growing things we love to eat like chillies and tomatoes. Hopefully we'll save a small fortune if we can cultivate lettuce, Jacob munches his way through loads of the stuff in the Summer.
      There's parts of our house I'm sure haven't seen a duster or a mop since we moved in 2005! The good thing about being such lax housekeepers is that at least we can see a huge difference when we do get around to doing anything! xxx
      PS I might try sprouting some carrot tops on the windowsill this week!

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  28. I am enjoying your very busy posts! You have so much energy. I am spending my at home days improving my (limited) embroidery skills. Hours go by and I realise I have been stitching away. My stitch ripper has seen lots of action, I make lots of mistakes! But, I am enjoying the process. Reading lots too, currently reading Resistance Women by Jennifer Chiaverini, so good, I have learnt lots about pre war Germany. My fave prog is Race around the World, so entertaining.

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    1. Hello Carole! How I'd love to be able to embroider, that sounds like a wonderful way to pass the time and distract yourself with something lovely.
      I shall keep my eyes peeled for that book. I loved Alone in Berlin by Hans Fallada, I believe it was made into a film (which I haven't seen) but it was a fascinating insight into the lives of people who opposed the Nazi regime.
      Race Around the World is such a great watch, that hour flies by! xxx

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  29. I don't know where you're finding the energy for what sounds like a spring-cleaning marathon! I spent an hour and a half cleaning the kitchen yesterday, and that was me done for the day (on the sofa with a pot of tea for the whole afternoon after that). I also confess to my outfits consisting of nothing more jogging trousers/lounge pants and sweatshirts for the last week. I'm afraid I can't work up the enthusiasm for anything else at present (my dresses hang forlorn and unworn), so I am appreciating the daily style input from your blog!

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    1. I've always been like this, throwing myself headfirst into tasks at times of crisis. I'm finding this housework thing very therapeutic, I'm too busy to watch the news during the day and sleep like a baby at night.
      I'm leaving the kitchen to Jon, I got the slow cooker out of the cupboard this morning and was appalled by the colour of the shelf! xxx

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  30. I've begun using delivery-to-the-door grocery services, including one dedicated to pet supplies. My cats -- who loathe the morning march of waterfowl commuting to the local pond -- are particularly fond of the delivered wet food that contains duck. Until I was confined to quarters, I hadn't realized the ducks occasionally rest on the roof. Most unsanitary!

    I'm peering closely at those seed packets, Vix. Have you -- or your readers -- had success with Tumbling Tom cherry tomatoes? Malabar spinach? Thai basil? I'm new to container gardening for veg and this year all the flowers will be edible (Gem marigolds, nasturtiums)!

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    1. The timing was good for us, Jon always goes overboard on stocking up on cat food, biscuits and cat litter when we're away, I think we've got enough for at least another month unless they decide they don't like Felix any more (cats and their fickle eating habits!)
      I grew Thai basil last year was some success - sadly I forgot to overwinter it and the frost had it away! Delicious and pretty to look at. xxx

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  31. My leather chairs need a good clean. What did you use to give your bedroom chair such a brilliant shine. Many thanks.

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    1. Thank you! I used a couple of wet wipes. x

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  32. We had extremely high winds here yesterday; I had to keep retrieving my recycling bin (I had no room to bring it inside). What a lovely little Greenhouse! It's important to get the cats' approval on new additions like that. I'm working from home, so am on my computer most of the day, and otherwise, reading a book or trying to sort through all my clutter.

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    1. Retrieving you recycling bin could be another "keep fit during lock down" exercises, you should do a You Tube video!!
      I'm so relieved that Frank approves of the greenhouse, Stephen doesn't seem to have noticed it yet even though he's walked past it all day.
      Even hoarder Jon's started sorted out some clutter - we are living in strange times! xxx

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  33. The new greenhouse is perfect for the seeds. Good time for doing all these things. You are very diligent! I love the cat pictures :)
    xxxx

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    1. Thanks, Tina! Might as well use our lock down time wisely! The boys are very confused, they're not sure why we're at home all the time! xxx

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  34. Lovely to see your gardening projects and the greenhouse built yet!, for sure you're looking forward to see some plants growing!, such a great job!
    And love to see some of your cute collections and how you have them displayed so nicely!, love those details!
    And your cats are such lovely boys, lots of cat-titude!
    DrMartens boots are sometimes really hard to break in. I usually apply handcream (Nivea) in the inside, before and after wearing them. The 'after' is important!
    Anyway, it takes time, so wish you luck!
    besos

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    1. That's a brilliant tip about the Nivea. I think I'm nearly there with these but I'll remember for next time.
      The boys don't know what's hit them with all this cleaning and activity. xxx

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  35. Another one keeping busy. There's always plenty to do. You never know I might even open the dollshouse and give that a dust sometime. Love the blue boots....never see dms in my size in the chazzas, but will persist. Arilx

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    1. Get that doll's house out. I'm planning on doing some dusting in mine soon!
      I couldn't believe it when I spotted these in a box and in my common foot size. Mind you' it's taken me over a year to wear them in! xxx

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  36. I loved Stockholm Requiem!

    You have been busy. I'm loving the new greenhouse; you'll be able to plant and nurture all those lovely seeds in there. Stephen Cat has a lovely fish...

    Loved your dress and DMs. It's funny; I've never found a found a pair in my size in the chazzas but I live in hope. The poodle collection is fabulous! They were big in the 1950s and always remind me of my childhood. In 1970s when I was doing my nurse training my lovely mum bought me a poodle nightdress case cum radio. I wish I had kept it.

    Keep busy, stay safe and well!
    xxxxx

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    1. With common sized feet I never expected to find any Docs in my size, it certainly was my lucky day!
      Love the sound of the poodle nightdress case with a radio, what a wonderfully quirky gift.
      Have you seen The Truth Will Out? I wasn't sure at first but ended up absolutely loving it. Walter Presents is the best thing ever for us Scandi Noir fans.
      Same to you, Vronni! xxx

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  37. You will enjoy your greenhouse so much! I think of ours as my Mac's mental relaxation therapy room! He can spend hours out there during planting and growing season😊. Your Frank looks so much like my "Girlie" we had and loved so much for 18 years! Our weather today is rain, hail,sun,rain,hail, sun!!Warmer weather towards the end of week...will love it all🌼

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    1. Hi Chrystal, I'm wondering if it'll be me or Jon spending our time in the greenhouse -or whether we'll be fighting the cats for it!
      You had Girlie for 18 years? You know how to look after cats.
      I'm hoping for warmer weather, too - it's been miserable here since Saturday. xxx

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  38. You are keeping as busy as ever. Hope all the seeds germinate and keep you in veg all Summer. I do love your poodle collection and those family portraits . Quite a co-incidence Simon Reeve Americas is also on SBS here at present. Love those blue boots and matching nails. Have the best week possible. xx

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    1. I was excited this morning thinking we'd already got a green shoot - turns out it was fluff! Oh well! xxx

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  39. I love that you have a 'craft cupboard', my bits are scattered all over the house.
    I am excited to see how you get in with growing. It's been very much trial and error here. Some things have done very well (courgette, beetroot) and others abysmally (parsnips, garlic). Part of it is finding just the right spot!
    X

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    1. That'll be another prject to get your teeth into, gathering up your craft stuff and having a special cupboard - I love having all my bits and pieces together.
      I'm excited, too - I used to do really well with tomotoes until we started spending all our Summers at festivals! Kale and rainbow chard have been good for me - they seem to thrive on neglect! xxx

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  40. Obviously I love the poodle parlour!
    I'll have to look up Stockholm Requiem, I'm keen to watch some of the online theatre I've heard of too.
    The greenhouse looks like a fun project, homegrown peppers sound tasty xxx

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    1. I haven't got round to the online theatre yet, I must give that a bash! x

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  41. Your plants in the bath made me grin - I take my orchids in the shower on a Sunday morning; I figure it's not far off the sort of warm heavy rain I experienced in Burma!

    We've been trying not to eat too much of the food out of the freezer - I'm hanging onto it in case we get ill at the same time and neither of us can make things. We've got far too much fresh food anyhow - we get a weekly vegbox and usually cancel a week if we have too much, but because they're snowed with new customers they've asked everyone not to alter orders. So that needs cooking up first!

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    1. I hadn't thought of keeping the ready-made stuff for if we're actually ill, that's a very good point.
      We used to love it when we subscribed to a veggie box although going out and finding fresh veg and fruit is as as great a buzz as finding a vintage dress in a charity shop in these strange times! xxx

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Lots of love, Vix