Monday 6 April 2020

Splendid Isolation - Day 16 and 17


Yesterday, I awoke bright and early. I made tea and brought it back to bed where we languished with the cats & read until 8.30am. When we got up I returned the plants I'd left soaking in the bath overnight to their normal positions, and joined Jon in the kitchen for porridge with honey and our penultimate banana and watched the Andrew Marr Show.


After getting dressed Jon set about sorting another of our garden sheds (we've got a few!) while I sat outside and repotted a couple of houseplants which were looking a little worse for wear.





Using some vintage fabric from my stash I made a couple of face masks following THIS tutorial (although I used 8" of elastic as the recommended length was a bit snug).


Our government maintains that it isn't necessary for the general public to wear facemasks but the guidelines seem to change almost daily and I wouldn't dream of depriving a key worker of a proper mask when I can make my own.


It was much warmer than it had been yesterday and we even had some sunshine although the gusty wind meant it wasn't quite as glorious as I'd hoped.


After our lunchtime bowl of noodles, I spent a couple of hours pottering around the garden, cutting back brambles and doing a bit of light pruning.

WEARING: Vintage block printed maxi dress by Dagina (eBay, 2018)

My hydrangeas flourished last year, I'm hoping I'm doing the right thing by deadheading them now.

In anticipation of the promised warm weather, I'd painted my nails Barry M turquoise.

While Jon took himself off indoors with the hair clippers for a bit of self-care I sat in the garden with a posh coffee and finished off my book.


I went off in search of another book to read and came across this on the bookshelf,


In all the excitement of last year's festival season, I never got round to sharing the interview I did with Dollshouse World in July last year.


Inspired by the article I gave my Lundby a much-needed dusting.


As planned, we had yesterday's sabzi for tea accompanied by a garlic nan from the freezer. We watched Race Across The World and a couple of episodes of Civilisations on the i-player and then took myself off to bed with my latest book, a marvellously dark Norwegian thriller.


Monday (Day 17) started with a Wii Fit workout and, when Jon got up, we ate the last of our fruit with yoghurt. We got dressed and walked down to Johal's, stocking up on the essentials (fresh fruit and veg, yellow split peas, spicy noodles, tinned chickpeas and tomatoes, butter, paneer and incense).


Back home Jon kept his gloves on, washed the fresh fruit & veg and disinfected the packaging he couldn't remove while Stephen Squirrel sat watching cat TV.  He can spend hours chattering at the birds on the feeders and grumbling at Frank through the window.


After a restorative mug of tea, Jon planted some purple sprouting broccoli and some chilli bush seeds and covered the bed with some chicken wire as he'd had to shoo off some portly wood pigeons earlier.


As always he's followed around the garden by his shadow.


My vintage enamel salt cellar left an ugly stain on the wall. When I can be bothered, I use Picmonkey to airbrush it out of the photo but Jon had rediscovered some masonry paint when he tidied out the coal house so I gave the wall a tickle with it.


That's better!


Last year when I asked Cherie how her hostas looked so healthy whilst ours were decimated from slugs she told me that she applied a layer of Vaseline around the edge of the pots to deter the slimy creatures. As our hosta is starting to spring back into life, I followed suit.


After spicy tomato noodles from Johal's, I swept the upstairs carpets - as they're not fitted, I suppose technically they're large rugs although they're far too big and cumbersome to take downstairs and beat on the washing line. I've mentioned before that we don't own a vacuum cleaner, just a dustpan and brush, it's a great weekly workout.


Jon spent the afternoon sorting out the contents of Gilbert. He commented on how badly I was limping, my unoperated hip's been really stiff over the last few days, so I took myself off for a walk around the block. We live in a really quiet part of town so, when I encountered other people (three couples, the postman plus a lone jogger), I was able to maintain a safe distance by walking in the middle of the road with no danger of being ploughed down by oncoming traffic. What with this morning's trip to Johal's, that's the fourth time I've ventured further than the garden gate in 17 days! No wonder I'm stiff.


I did attempt to sit outside spend the rest of the afternoon reading but soon came scuttling back indoors. I don't know about this warm spell of weather the BBC keep banging on about, there's certainly no sign of it around here.

WEARING:1970s Kate Beaver handpainted cotton maxi dress (99p, charity clearance shop), Vintage Moroccan pendant (gift from my friend, Maxine), cobalt sock boots (TopShop sale, 2017)
Jon's making a Mediterranean mixed bean stew for tonight's tea, which we're having with a cheese & tomato flatbread he found in the freezer, it's labelled as best before 10th June 2019, we do like to live dangerously.

Keep safe & stay positive!
Much love,
Vix

84 comments:

  1. Hi Vix,
    Sorry to hear you have aches and pains, I know just how you feel.
    I went to the supermarket today and wore a mask, good job because some people weren't bothering with the distance rule which made me really annoyed. Thank's for sharing your dollshouse its fantastic, and I never knew there was a magazine dedicated to doll's houses, how lovely to see yours featured in it. I would like a small vintage one I shall have to scour the carboots if they ever return this year. What are your regular lunch time noodles? do you follow a recipe? xx

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    1. Hi Marlene! There's several dedicated dolls house magazines out there, it's a whole new world. I've sen some amazing doll's houses made from bookcases, old drawers and even an old TV set with the glass removed. Could be a project while we're waiting for the car boots to start?
      Our noodles are off-the-shelf ones, usually in the Asian section of Morrisons or just an everyday item in Johal's. I saw electric noodle makers in a hardware shop in India and thought I'd buy one when I got home but when I did some research they cost around £250! that's a lot of 40p noodles! xxx

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  2. Ohh , i love hostas , but like you say so do the slugs , i will have to try that tip , think i am going to have a go at one of those masks i have to visit the chemist this week xxx

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    1. Hope you got on okay at the chemist. xxx

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  3. We are gearing ourselves up for a fruit and veg shopping session on Wednesday on Bacup market and then over the road to the local Morrison’s.
    Like Jon, Philip washes all the provisions we buy.
    We’ve still to find our mojo, neither of us has seen an ounce of it yet. One good thing is we got a council grant for the rates on the workshop and our accountant has got us the furlough payments. That’s been good as we have had to help my brother out. It’s all swings and roundabouts isn’t it.
    Take care of you and that hip missus xxx

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    1. Ah, the dreaded food shop! I'm so glad we've got Johal's, Jon hasn't set foot in Morrisons since before lockdown, if it's not in our local shop we've decided to do without although I don't know how I'd feel if they ran out of oranges!
      That's good news about the grant and the furlough payments, every little helps.
      You're allowed not to have a mojo at the moment, we'll be thinking of you both tomorrow. xxx

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  4. About a month ago..l decided l would get some
    face masks..so l popped into all of the three
    Boots chemists in my town..No! No! No! I was
    told, we do not sell face masks..HeHe! Looking
    at some of the staff, l should have thought it
    should made compulsory..Oh! Well! :(.
    So, when l got home l e~mailed Boots Customer
    Services..Couple days later..got a reply..NO!
    Boots..Do 'NOT' sell face masks..! :(.
    Found some on line, sent the link to my daughter,
    couple days later, they arrived, not the pink ones
    l wanted..but..Blue..Yuk! I don't do blue!
    I got cloth ones, as l thought l'd embroider summat
    silly on them..! Like..'This way up'...! :O).

    Noticed your Hostas..l love hostas..l grow them in
    big pots, l've several varieties, though l have to
    be careful..snails..they love them..still, if l get
    a dozen, l put them in a box for about a week, so
    they purge themselves, pop them in boiling water,
    garlic butter..job done..Lovely! :).

    I've been pottering about in the garden the last
    few days...cutting my Virginia Creeper back, just
    the front to do now..I love my Virginia Creeper,
    planted it when l first moved here..Goodness! 42yrs
    ago..it was 2ft tall then, it covers my home now!
    So..it's all looking good, or should l say..better..! :).

    Have to pop out tomorrow, pick up a prescription, chemist,
    then straight back home..may pop up to Lidl on Friday,
    though l've plenty of food, one thing, l won't do and that's
    starve..people who know me will tell you, "That Willie, if it
    stands still long enough, he'll eat it". HeHe! Love my food!

    Well..best get back to 'Last of the Summer Wine'..
    I've had Antipasto for tea..salami, olives, peperoncini,
    mushrooms, anchovies, various cheeses and garlic bread,
    and olive oil..That will do me..
    As the biggest meal of the day in Italy, like Spain is
    Lunch..!
    Similar to the Spanish siesta and many shops close down 1-4pm.

    I was hearing on the news that some of the Lockdown is to be
    relaxed in June..Most important, the 2019/20 football season
    will continue..Ah! Prayer is a wonderful thing....
    God Bless everyone! Take care! Stay safe! Stay Happy! πŸ˜‰ πŸ˜ƒ
    πŸ’›πŸŒ±πŸŒΈπŸŒ±πŸ’œ πŸ’›πŸŒ±πŸŒΈπŸŒ±πŸ’œ πŸ’›πŸŒ±πŸŒΈπŸŒ±πŸ’œ πŸ’›πŸŒ±πŸŒΈπŸŒ±πŸ’œ

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    1. Jacob loves hostas and even though I think they're gorgeous in their pots I'm prepared to sacrifice a couple of leaves evey now an dthen to suppliments his dandelion, rocket, mixed leaves, forget-me-knot and specialist tortoise food diet.
      Virginia Creepers are beautiful, I'm sad when they start to turn though as it means Autumn is on the way. I want to live forever in Summer.
      We're so going to miss the Euros this year. xxx

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  5. I am sorry you are not feeling well but I am glad you are able to get out a bit. And that mask is great. Love these dresses and so nice to have a yard to go in during these difficult times.

    Allie of
    www.allienyc.com

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    1. Thanks, Allie! I'm not ill, just stiff. A few walks will sort me out, thank you!
      We're so lucky to have outside space, I appreciate every minute we spend in our garden at the moment. xxx

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  6. Your darn hip! I hope you don't have too much pain. I too am going to attempt making masks today...we shall see. For a long time they said not to, now they are asking people to wear them when they go out, if nothing else to protect others if you are asymptomatic. It certainly can't hurt. Love the vaseline tip for your hostas.

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    1. Yes, that's what the experts say here, they don't prevent you from catching anything but can protect others - not that we've been near anyone for weeks - and sewing is a pleasant diversion, too!
      You'd think my half an hour exercise a day would keep my hip functioning, wouldn't you? I clearly need to start moving more! xxx

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  7. oh sorry about the hip - I have a tendon that's playing up - probably because I am not doing my gym weights classes - I must get a routine going to keep everything moving. Great article for your dollshouse, I loved those posts you did (in fact I have a little miniature I found to give you next time I see you, when things are back to normal) I like your dress, it looks very Anokhi. Your garden looks fairly huge, really enjoying your gardening updates.

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    1. Oh no, I hope your tendon eases up soon. Not being a driver I do walk quite a bit in normal life, I shall continue with my once daily walk around the block until the government tell us otherwise - I love nosing at the neighbour's houses!
      I've never found another dress with that Dagina label, I love the gold stamping on it. xxx

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  8. Love the green dress in the first pic, looks lovely with the plants, my favourite colour, in fact! We're also using homemade face masks made by a lady in the village. Love the dolls houses!! I do sympathise with your hip,both my knees are knackered, to put it mildly! (pardon my French!) but as I'm (only!!! ) 57, the specialist is rather loathe to operate yet. The longer I can put it off, the better! I think light, regular exercise is the key, and if I could lose a few kilos, sure I would feel much better!! Have decided to start teaching myself Portuguese today, As I already speak Spanish and CatalΓ‘n, I'm hoping it won't be too difficult. Have you ever been to Lisbon? We went a couple of years ago and it really "blew my mind"!! (hubby hates it when I talk ike this!!) It was so weird, such a beautiful, magical city,I felt as if I'd lived there before, as if I was meant to be there!! So maybe when all of this blows over, we can go on an extended visit. Have you ever had that sense of deja vu in a place?? Love these posts!! Xx

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    1. I do love a green dress - I haven't got nearly enough!
      I was lucky having a total hip replacement when I was 39, the youngest ever patient to have one at our NHS hospital. I was a bit of a celebrity on the orthapaedic ward. Jon's knees are knackered as well and he's been told the same thing - he's too young. He has had steriod injections which were horrible but really helped, he's due more but there's no chance of that in the current situation.
      I'm so impressed with your klanguage skills. I last went to Portugal in 1988 but have been meaning to visit Lisbon for years because I want to compare it to Fontainhas, the Latin Quarter of Panjim, the capital of Goa. If you can, try and track down a programme called "The Art Lovers Guide to Lisbon" on the BBC and you'll want to visit even more. xxx

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    2. PS Yes! I have had that feeling of deju vu before, the first time we visited Mumbai I knew where to find everything, usually I get lost in Walsall!

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  9. I was going to put a call out for anyone thinning their hostas and open to sharing. I figure if they leave them at the end of a driveway, I could swing by and get when I run my mother-in-laws errands one of these weeks. I want to spend more time outside and having things to putter with will help me stay active. I have the bad knee and lower back, but exercise does seem to help.

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    1. That's a great idea, you'd be doing lots of people a favour, over here our tips have closed and our brown bin (garden rubbish) collections have been suspended and as everyone with gardens is spending lockdown time sorting them out they're drowing in cuttings!
      Keeping mobile is the best way to combat joint pain, isn't it? I'll keep up my walking - although that's easy for me to say when the weather's nice! xxx

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  10. Your garden really is like Narnia, with all those sheds! Our Hostas kept being decimated by slugs and I think that in the end they just gave up. I tried several methods, including copper tape, but if they decide to emerge, I'll try the Vaseline trick. I think your Hydrangeas will be OK. I usually prune them early March, but only did it late March this year, and I've already spotted the first of the tiny flower heads. You must have been pretty chuffed that your Lundby made it into that dollshouse magazine! What a feature! Your airbrushing practice made me chuckle, as I tend to do that from time to time as well :-) Sorry to hear that your hip has been playing up. I've been surprisingly pain free for the last couple of weeks. Fingers crossed ... xxx P.S. You even manage to look fab wearing a facemask!

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    1. It's appaling, I'm ashamed to tell you how many sheds we've got!
      I found some Victorian copper hoops in a parental outbuilding which I positioned around my rainbow cahrd and kale a couple of years ago, it did the trick, in fact, now you've reminded me I'll have to see if I can hunt them down, they're in a shed somewhere!
      Thank goodness for Picmonkey - if I can't crop something out of the frame I can airbrush it - although now I've got infinite time I can fix it in real life now. xxx

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  11. Sorry to hear about your hip. You're keeping busy though so that ought to help. In fact, what a pair of busy little bees you both are. I'm so jealous of your va-va-voom! I adore the 99p dress, what a scoop and suits you perfectly. Keep posting, it's really great come and read about you and Jon's day.xxx

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    1. I'm enjoying my walks - it's a great excuse to be nosey and the hip does seem a tiny bit less stiff. Phew! I don't fancy braving humanity for painkillers, rum will have to do! xxx

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  12. I made a similar mask with the folds and wore it to the supermarket last week.Surprisingly not many were wearing them.Mine's a bit tight around my large ears though.The previous week I wore a scarf even though 'the' said 'no need to'.I use the packs of 3 asian nann bread as pizza bases.I have a neighbour in his late 70s who finds turmeric helps him with his pains and still enjoys his golf.He was walking quite badly but now walks such a lot better.I mentioned this to his wife on the phone last week and she just said it was the turmeric tablets.Another lady I met gives the powder to her dog but said it has to be taken with honey to be effective?she seemed very knowledgeable x

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    1. We both found the original pattern was too tight but we do have big heads! Making the elastic a bit longer did the trick.
      Great idea with the pizza bases, I love nan bread and it's such good value.
      A couple of people have recommended turmeric, apparently it works well mixed in a dairy based product like milk or yoghurt but you're supposed to have organic turmeric rather than the normal supermarket stuff. Not sure if Johal's are that posh. xxx

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    2. I don't know if you have heard this Vix,as I checked it out on internet last night but it says somewhere that black pepper needs to be added to activate it x(thanks for the info about organic as I didn't know)x

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    3. Thanks for this, Flis! I shall investigate further! x

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  13. Your hostas look good, mine havent made an appearance yet. I will try the vaseline trick, some years I end up wandering around at night with a torch doing a slug hunt.
    Those facemasks look like statement pieces!! They look very professional too.
    I've been walking every day, people are getting very good at social distancing and always say hello. I hope your walk helped your hip and it's getting less painful.
    I feel so sorry for those who are stuck in flats with no outside space and I'm incredibly grateful for my garden. Yours looks better in every post it's beautiful. xxx
    I

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    1. I'm amazed my hostas are sprouting already, the pots seem to have gone mad in the last few days. A few of the annuals I thought were fit for the bin have sprouted green shoots which is just as well, I can't get my hands on any replacement plants at the moment and empty pots make me sad! xxx

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  14. That's it I have to comment!! I have enjoyed your blog for several years and I love everything about it. These posts of what you are doing in lockdown are a highlight in my day. You are so motivated and I am sure people are getting motivated and getting ideas from you. Keep the post s coming and hope your hip does not give you too much gipx

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    1. Thank you so much for your lovely comment and for reading my blog! I'm so glad I'm helping to keep you motivated. Much love to you. xxx

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  15. hope the walk around the block has helped your hip!
    its wonderful to see the K.B. piece of textile art again on you - and the green blockprint is a stunner too.
    you did right with your hydrangeas :-D your spring is min. 4 weeks ahead of ours....... and we still have 0°C at night. much closer to siberia here.
    you got interviewed by that posh mag! how cool! but seeing your dolls house again its no wonder - i´m still amazed how stylish it looks.
    today - after planting some pumpkin seeds in pots (for a start inside the house until may) - we set up a new bookshelf and the BW dusted the big library furniture in the salon....... it looks like new now ;-D
    xxxxx

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    1. I've been on two walks so far this week and I think it's easing up a bit - thanks!
      Phew! I'm glad I did the right thing with my hydrangeas. They do seem to have sprung up a few cms since Sunday, I've got the time to keep checking.
      You've used your time very productively. I'm slightly envious of your new bookshelf. We need a few of those. xxx

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  16. Boo, I poked around and couldn't find your Dollshouse World interview online! How very cool that you and your house were featured!

    I love both of your gorgeous dresses (and your aqua nails), Vix! I'm also feeling the lack of movement, and am glad I'm going to be moving to a regular work schedule after a few weeks of not knowing what's happening.

    I love seeing all your pictures, especially Frank and Stephen. I'm envious of your lovely yard and garden, but I know I'd hate the work that comes with those. Thank you!

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    1. Oh, that's a shame! It was exciting to be featured, the doll's house community is lovely, so welcoming and inclusive.
      I've really enjoyed the couple of short walks I've taken this week, a couple more and I should be feeling the benefits although I'm planning to spend the next hour of so on my knees weeding which isn't the greatest activity for a dodgy hip! xxx

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  17. Of course I love your dollshouse...mine is getting a good muck out this coming week. I repainted the outside last year [after a 20+ year lapse] but never got any further. I do find it very relaxing tinkering about with it, but only when Humphrey is out cold otherwise he comes to help and it gets a bit fraught! Arilx

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    1. That gaes table you shared on facebook was absolutely stunning! I was ging to play with another one this week but I think I'll make the most of the sunshine and spend time outside instead, I'm sure they'll be more, many more, days to play!
      Humphrey is so cheeky! Ours aren't interested in mine but tnext door's cat has shown an interest! xxx

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  18. You sure make isolation look romantic! Thankful for a little sunshine today but I need to get a little more productive here!

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    1. Isolation isn't so bad although ask me that in 8 weeks' time and I might have a different opinion. xxx

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  19. Oh Vix, I hope your hip is feeling better after your meander. We've not really had any nice weather either, aside from a few sunny spells here and there. I kind of hope it stays that way since I'm still seeing a lot of people walking around really, a good spell of Yorkshire rain might keep them indoors. I'm glad I'm not the only one with a weakness for noodles for lunch. Since working at home, I'm eating them all the time. Stay safe xx

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    1. The last couple have days have been gorgeous but I hear you, nice weather brings the idiots out so, for once in my life, I'm hoping for a wet Easter weekend!
      Noodles are the best. There was a lady being interviewed in China on the BBC yesterday and she said that the thing she'd missed most over lockdown was her noodles! xxx

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  20. My fella is going full strength in the garden on the days he is home. Jon looks to be ahead of him, though. I have been working on a house for old troll dolls on and off, always thinking of your efforts when I need to come up with small scale furnishings. I am have one project to complete before I can return to the troll house, but now you've got me itching to get to it again!

    I do hope your hip feels better. I miss my thrice weekly swims and am feeling the effects. Most of all, I miss my sauna time and how good it is to clear pores.

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    1. Yay! Good on TBG! A troll house would be a brillant lockdown project. The one thing I'm loving about being at home all the time is that I can do everything I've put off for years. No more, "one day I'll do that" now it's "I'll get that done now!" xxx

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  21. Awe, life during lockdown! I've been doing a clean up/tidy up of some part of the house everyday (or trying too) Yesterday was the kitchen cupboard, I only got rid of 2 how long has that been there food items. Hey, if it's been in the freezer it last forever, right? So your frozen stuff should be fine. I've been to the mailbox.

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    1. I knew the cleaning bug would get you in the end! It's shocking how old some of the stuff in our cupboards was. We survived the flatbreads so I think your theory is orrect. xxx

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  22. It's been glorious here today. I pottered about a bit and then had a sit in the garden and soaked up some sunshine. Thanks for reminding about the hostas. Our pots need another smear of Vaseline as the hostas are just starting to push through. You rock that mask Vix… Could that be a new fashion statement for the summer.:-)

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    1. Your day sounds pretty much perfect, Cherie. Doesn't the sunshine make a huge difference? I sit and live in the moment, watch the birds and just enjoy the here and now. If nothing else, lokdown has taught me to relax. xxx

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  23. Just a reminder you need to wash the mask between wearings. If it bothers your ears, you can make a "bridge" with six and a half inches of 3/4 wide elastic. Turn down each end and sew and then sew a 3/4 or bigger button to each end. You put the end of the mask elastic around each button and it removes the stress on the back of your ear. I went shopping today for the first time in six days, a record for me. I managed to get most of my list. Still surprising to see what is continual sold out in the grocery store such as candy, flour and no tomato products. I actually went to two to get everything on my list. Another week and I will have to do it again. I have to drive 40 miles one way for groceries but did the 100 mile one way trip in the other direction as I needed a new kitchen tap, more interlining for my face masks, and to send off two face masks via UPS so I indulged in both stores.

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    1. Thank you so that! You bridgeing idea was inspired. You're doing brilliantly with your face mask cottage industry. the website that referred me to that mask turtorial did stress that they need washing after each and every wear.
      We're learning to make do with what Johal's have so if they don't have it then we do without. We've been advised not to drive any distance just in case we have a traffic accident which would put increased pressure on the NHS. xxx

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  24. Your dolls house is beyond gorgeous!! It looks like a true labour of love and definitely deserved to be in a magazine. A really chheky question, as you have such an admirable figure: what sort of workouts do you do on your wii-fi? (yes I know I'm nosy....)

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    1. Thanks so much, Ratnamurti!
      My Wii Fit workout usually consists of 10 minutes of yoga and 20 minutes of step aerobics which I do with a set of hand weights to keep my arms toned. xxx

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    2. What a fantastic workout. Am impressed.

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  25. That is going to be an incredible garden this year! I'm excited to see how it is coming along.

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    1. I do hope so, I'm cheeking the progress of those seeds like a hawk! x

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  26. When the kids were home we had a V.W bus and all of our charity or thrift stores are closed.

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    1. VWs are the best! All our charity shops shut down on 23d march, we last visited one 19 days ago. Funnily enough I haven't missed them. xxx

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  27. Oh your hip!!! I pulled a muscle in my lower left back so I'm hobbling around here, too! You look adorable! Great job on the staying home and social distancing--- and your mask is great! They recommend everyone wear them!!

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    1. I'm so sorry to hear about your back, Becky. I hate being dehabilitated, its so bloody annoying! xxx

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  28. Your garden is looking lovely and how clever of you to make your own facemask.

    Congrats on getting into the dollhouse magazine, that would have been exciting.

    I hope your walk around town has helped your hip. Take care. X


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    1. Thanks, Jess! I shall keep the daily walks up as long as I'm allowed. xxx

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  29. Hello Vix. Both dresses are very flattering on you. I think I prefer the green one.

    Good on you for making your own face mask. Wish more people would do so too, they don't look all that difficult to make.

    Sorry to hear you've had some pain with your hip. My mum had a hip replacement years ago and swears by turmeric. She consumed it every day for 2 months before she noticed an improvement.

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    1. You can't have favourites where dresses are concerned, you might hurt their feelings!
      A couple of people have extolled the virtues of turmeric, it's something we eat a lot in our curries and dhals. I shall ahve to track down some organic stuff (which is supposed to be better if you're taking it as a suppliment as opposed to cooking with it). Thanks for that. xxx

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  30. youve done it now ...all i can think about is a decent paneer curry , though out here in the middle of cabbage and cunts land a decent indian anything just isnt happening

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    1. That made me giggle! I hate cabbage, xxx

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  31. Oh so sorry about the hip :(

    i love your dresses! :)

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    1. Thanks so much, Steffi! Hope you're keeping well. x

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  32. I enjoy a bit of cat TV myself :)
    I love the Vaseline tip to deter slugs, I'll have to remember that (and buy some Vaseline). My first lettuce leaves shoots came up this week, I was starting to worry as they normally take a few days to appear, but I guess it has been a little bit chilly for them really.
    You look fab in both your dresses, I'm looking at my dresses everyday and wondering when I'll be able to start wearing them again. I'm useless at layering them to wear on cooler days.
    I hope your hip begins to ease, does warmth and sunshine help? My Mum always says hers are worse in cold weather.
    xx

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    1. Cat TV is the best, hours of fun. Stephen's obviously a bit of a critic as well as he's constantly grumbling while he's watching. Maybe he needs a guest slot on Gogglebox?
      That's exciting about your lettuce, if ours grows it'll save us a small fortune what with our penchant for salads and Jacob's diet!
      Warmth and sunshine definately help me, too - I rarely suffer in Goa! xxx

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  33. Aha, the old Vaseline around the lip to deter snails trick! One wonders if there are goop strips to lay down and keep ants out of peonies? * When we were kiddies, my brother and I were fascinated by a neighbor's picnic table "ant cans": used tins filled with vinegar water into which their dad placed the table legs. When we mentioned this to our parents, they explained it with, "...he's a navy man."

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    1. Somebody needs to market goop strips! Love the vinegar in cans idea although Jon's a bit anxious that his vinegar supply is running low, he can't eat chips without it, ants be damned! xxx

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  34. I had forgotten about vaseline to deter the slugs from eating the hostas! If I'm ever lucky enough to find any hostas I will buy and plant them up asap! Having said that I did phone a local nursery yesterday and order some plants; which were left at their gate and OH collected them today - lupins and stocks...

    Both the dresses are beautiful; hand painted and hand blocked.Love the turquoise nail polish, too.

    I hope you managed to by some more bananas btw!

    Your garden looks like a mini nursery and fair play to you both for keeping it looking so lovely. I used to have a large garden when I was married and it was such hard work to keep on top of it. I swore I would never have a large again.

    I love that your doll's house was featured in a magazine and that you dusted it!

    Hopefully the warmth will arrive soon,

    Stay safe and sane!
    xxxx

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    1. I'm so glad you've tracked down a source of lupins and stocks. It's such a shame the nurseries are closed, as we're all spending so much time at home those of us lucky enogh the have outdoor spaces need as much colour as we can get.
      Our garden is ridiculous. We're often approcahed by developers keen to buy a bit off us but I'd rather deal with the gardening than have a neighbour that close!
      We got bananas - thank goodness. xxx

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  35. Your garden is going to look even more fabulous, love to see how many pots and plants you have! and the sheds!. Lovely to see Gilbert looking so handsome too!.
    Hope your hip feels better and glad that you can go for a walk through a quiet area, where you will be safer. I'm a little bit stiffy too, despite my pilates routine.
    Lovely to see your dollshouse once more, so gloriously colorful, and also lovely to see what you're reading!. Weather has been quite 'wintery' last days here!.

    And such fabulous green dress, lovely print and so delightful jewelery!. And I'm loving your orange dress, its color is totally gorgeous and the designs on it are amazing!, you totally rock in it!.
    Thanks for sharing this tutorial on making a facemask, as I've been watching some of them, but this one looks easier and more specific. I'll give it a try.
    And thanks for keeping us entertained and positive, dear lady!
    besos

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    1. We have far too many sheds and pots, I think we've got a hoarding problem!
      That orange dress makes me so happy, the painting is just lovely isn't it? And our favourite colour, too.
      I had to watch the video a couple of times before I made the mask but it was vary straightforward and was a nice way to pass an hour or two! xxx

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  36. Your yard and plants are looking so healthy and beautiful colors and shades of green! Know about your hip, my Mac has had both fixed, and I have had my right knee replaced and a 16 inch rod in my left femur, so we know how you are feeling. We had superb surgeons in Seattle and keep on a trucking along!! Loving the warmer weather now....so much to do!!Ya'll are getting so much accomplished!!Love your posts!

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    1. Thanks, Cherylene! The patio seems to have sprung into life over the last few days, I keep popping out and admiring all the colour!
      From one bionic woman to another (and her man) wishing you lots of love. Stay safe! xxx

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  37. Your garden is looking a treat . If all your seeds grow you will be able to feed the whole street. Pretty sure your hydrangas will be fine as long as you only dead headed.
    So lovely to see your dolls house featured in the magazine , bet you were thrilled to bits. Hope that troublesome hip of yours benefits from your walks. Enjoying your posts on your daily life in lock down. Take care. xx

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    1. Thanks so much, Jill. I'm checking for green shoots like a woman posessed! It could be a whole new career change! xxx

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  38. Ooh, I wish I had vaseline, I would definitely be doing that right away to deter the slugs from my peas. (They've done nothing yet but I know they are looking at them with hungry eyes from somewhere!) I am so envious of your row of raised beds! Wish I had more than just the one (new!). Your garden is always beautiful! I'd love a grand tour of it on here!
    Hey, today, you match Gilbert!!!
    Sorry about your hip. My mum is still suffering with her knees- she had a knee replacement last Summer but it's still not great and the other one will need to be done at some point when the other one is finally sorted!

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    1. I hate slugs, they are such a waste of life, aren't they? I'm trying to think of anything else similar you could use...goose fat, lard, axle grease. Don't let them near your hostas!
      I'm sorry your Mum's suffering, knees take a lot longer to settle down than hips. xxx

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  39. Beautiful maxi dresses...and I like your the face mask you made.

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  40. Oh your poor hip! Weirdly, my back has been better than expected, though I've got my hand weights out and am trying to use those regularly. I thought I'd seize up completely being stuck at home. I hope the walks help sort your hip out.

    That's a good tip about the vaseline. I didn't know what to do about slugs and snails and wound up salting the patio yesterday!

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    1. I'm glad your back's been bahving itself! The hip's been a lot easier since I started my daily walk around the block - Wii Fit every day evidentally doesn't cut it!
      I loathe slugs and snails. I must redo the Vaseline, we had bucketloads of rain last night. xxx

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Lots of love, Vix