Thursday 25 June 2020

The Distancing Diaries - Day 96 & 97


It was already nudging 20°C when I got up shortly before 6am on Wednesday morning (day 96). The lads & I had a stroll around the garden and discovered that Jacob was already up and waiting for breakfast so I threw him a few Welsh poppies and some of the fox-and-cubs (Pilosella aurantiaca) growing in the lawn. After my daily Wii Fit session, Jon joined me in the kitchen for our fruit & yoghurt breakfast. 


 Jon had been struggling with his back since Monday but decided to ignore it and to crack on with fitting some of the new kitchen lighting so, as we'd received a message to let us know a delivery was on the way, I pulled on some clothes rather than greet the driver in my bikini.

Vintage Indian cotton blouse (eBay), 1990s Diesel shorts (charity shop, 2018), 1970s french deadstock sunglasses (Moseley Vintage Fair, 2015)


Whilst I waited I watered the garden marvelling at how one of our hydrangeas was blue and the other pink, they were the same colour last year. The poppy had appeared out of nowhere, Mark's marigolds were in full bloom and the curry plant had flowered.


The geraniums had started to flower as had the hebe and the miniature rose that Shirley from across the road bought us a couple of years ago for being nice neighbours.


My Empress of India nasturtiums are flowering, the pansies are still going strong and the purple flowering thingy that I rescued from the reduced to clear shelf in B&Q a week before lockdown is going from strength to strength. 


The Oriental poppies have finished and I'm eagerly awaiting the agapanthus and crocosmia to burst forth. I stripped off the leaves from the poppies leaving the seed pods to dry - several of the neighbours told us how much they envied our poppies so we'll give them some seeds when they're ready.


With the hottest day of the year forecast for today and tomorrow (a predicted 33°C), the previous evening, we'd looked out our mid-century Danish sun loungers from the back of the shed in readiness. They are the most absurdly comfortable things ever. Sadly I can't find anything out about Haaaning and Co., so I imagine they no longer exist. They came from a car boot sale and cost the princely sum of £8 for the pair.


My delivery arrived - the industrial salvage I'd managed to track down on eBay after falling in love with it on a hip (but rather expensive) vintage interiors website. They're Indian brick moulds if you're wondering.


They're perfect as planters, mini shelves or just for storage and obviously, I had to play with them immediately!


After noodles, Jon decided he'd done all he wanted to in the kitchen and we spent the rest of the afternoon basking in the sunshine with the lads.


I finished both my books whilst Jon attempted to teach himself conversational Greek.


Tea was the last of the vegetarian spring rolls Jon had bought from Farmfoods weeks ago, some salad (including homegrown rocket and summer savoury)  and sweet potato fries. After a beer in the garden, we watched episode two of The Art of Persia on the BBC i-Player and the final of The Great British Sewing Bee with a few glasses of rum and a bowl of monkey nuts. I won't spoil the result if you haven't seen TGBSB yet, my favourite contestant didn't win although the winner was more than worthy.


Thursday was again hot and sunny by 6am - it's like being on holiday. After I'd wheeled the bins out & done my Wii Fit session, Jon emerged from the bedroom in a terrible state, barely able to move. We ate our fruit and yoghurt breakfast and he took a few painkillers.


Expecting to drive over to the warehouse with Jon to pick up the tiles we'd ordered at the weekend, I slipped on my repaired Indian cotton dress but realising that we were going nowhere, swapped it for a bikini after posing for a photo using the self-timer on my camera (no photographer today!)



I left Jon on the settee with the lads keeping a watchful eye over him while I watered the garden and then headed to the awaiting sun lounger with my latest read. 


I'd just popped in the house to join Jon for our lunchtime noodles when the postman arrived, bearing parcels. I've never bought a new tea towel in my life, always relying on car boot sales and charity shops to replenish my kitchen drawer but in the last three months, my supply is stained, shabby and holey so, after a search on eBay, found a company selling ten cotton glass cloths for £8.99 (including postage). They take me right back to my catering days! I gave them a wash and pegged them out on the line.


There was another parcel, this one containing a fabulous vintage block print kaftan I'd bought from our friends Daron & Jo at Old's Cool Traders.


Jo had mentioned that there were a couple of buttons missing. It wasn't a problem. Unbeknown to me the kaftan had deep pockets so I cut a couple of circles from the seam allowance and made my own covered buttons whilst I sat in the sunshine. When the weather inevitably cools off I'll wear it (although I'm happy to bask in my bikini for a few more days if I can!)


Jon, the lads and I spent the rest of the afternoon in the garden before adjourning to the kitchen table for half a posh Co-op sourdough pizza and sweet potato fries.


After eating we took mugs of tea outside and enjoyed the glorious heat for a while longer. 


Jon's still on the tablets and walking like a crab, hopefully, his back should start easing soon just as long as he stops wrestling with huge lumps of wood and climbing ladders. 

Stay safe, take care and keep in touch!



68 comments:

  1. Gosh I'm first to comment - a first! I live on the coast so we had a cool breeze which stopped temperatures rocketing today. Poor Jon, a bad back is horrendous so I hope he feels better when the meds kick in. LOVE the Indian brick moulds, how clever of you and a line of freshly washed cotton just gladdens the heart! As a self-confessed slut, I would just fold them up without ironing. In the past, I would have ironed them all carefully but now I realise, life is too short!!!

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    1. And the prize for the speediest commenter goes to Catmac!
      I suspected you may live near the coast when you mentioned the RNLI plant sale last week. That breeze must have been nice. It's warm again this morning but the skies don't look very promising and the fact the cats are tucked up in bed makes me suspect they know something we don't!
      Aren't the brick moulds lovely? I was so excited to find them for a decent price on Ebay, I'm going to have so much fun rootling around to see what I can display in them.
      I did fold the tea towels and put them straight in the drawer, sluts rule! xxx

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    2. Oh Vix, I am so delighted that you share my minimum ironing philosophy!!!!

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  2. Hello Vix! I love the Indian brick olds! They are perfect and the new ebay top looks great as I knew it would. Poor Jon, hope he gets better really quickly. I bet you were so happy today in this heat I must admit I did my watering session just now as wasn't feeling too good. A walk round the garden lifts the spirits though! Like you we have crosomia and hebes (and a minature rose to boot mine was a gift too!) My shopping the garden is beginning to pay off and am also got some spring onion re-shooting in water. I am so easily pleased! Yes I spyed some treasures in the caravan but the roof has to be made safe There will be lots of family history to be had in there and I have already spied an old kettle that will go in the rustic garden. I have been searching for kaftans on ebay but not having luck. I would like to waft around in one too. I also loved the photo of all the tea towels on the line simple pleasures take care and yep I say it again thanks for the lovely posts. Shazxx

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    1. Morning, Shaz! I'm so excited about the brick moulds, they are pleasingly heavy and I love that the maker's name is etched into each one. I'm going to have so much fun playing with them later.
      I hope these slightly cooler temperatures this morning make you feel a bit better. Watering feels like a massive chore when you're not in the mood for it.
      I hope you manage to liberate some of the family history safely from the caravan, liking the sound of the kettle. We've got a collapsed shed at the top of the garden, we'll need a scythe to get to it (and a hard hat), I can see croquet mallets and the old meat safe. One day we'll get in there although judging by the state of Jon this morning it won't be any time soon!
      Keep searching for kaftans, they'll be a fabulous one in the wrong category for a bargain price lurking on Ebay somewhere.
      Have a lovely day. xxx

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  3. Poor John, back pain is no fun, ever. Wishing him a speedy recovery.

    Your garden is looking quite fabulous - you say mine is pretty but I am certain you have so much more in bloom at present than I do. Enjoy the heat whilst it lasts - got to over 106° in the greenhouse today. No surprises that lightening and thunderstorms are forecast for tomorrow.

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    1. Thanks, Jayne!
      All the colour is concentrated around the front of the house, apart from the buddleas it's pretty much all greenery although I'm anxiously awaiting a clump of crocosmia to burst into flower by the pond. The curse of 27 trees in the garden!
      We've had a sharp shower already this morning, the sky is looking rather ominious already. I think those storms are on the way. xxx

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  4. Your garden is lovely. I grew up with a monster Hydrangea in the backyard. It was over five foot tall by the time I left home. Some years it was pink, others it was blue! Has to do with the soil acidity is all I remember. But somebody told me if you plant pennies by the roots the copper will do the same job.

    We finally found a hydrangea that is supposed to survive our winters. We'll see. Currently it's 25C in winter it's around -30 for a few months.

    Good vibes to Jon on his back. Do you have any voltaren patches? Really helped my back along with some cold remedy pills!

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    1. Thanks so much! How interesting thatyour childhood hydrangea was also unpredictable (and huge!) I'm curious about putting copper pennies in the soil to see if it alters the acidity of the soil, I shall definitely try that next Spring.
      We have Voltarol here (it's a pain killing gel), with such a similar name I bet it contains the same as your voltaren patches. I shall have to see if the chemist does something similar. Luckily Jon's still got some hardcore Zapain painkillers from when he injured his back a couple of years ago, I've persuaded him to take one of those as I don't think the generic, over-the-counter pills are touching it. xxx

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    2. Here in Canada it's Voltaren Gel, sticky and stinky! I found the patches in the Czech Republic and topped up my supply in Spain. I'm getting old I look for OTC drugs that I can't find in Canada on our holidays.

      There are a couple of companies doing pain patches now, but I'm a bit hesitant because I don't really understand what's in them.

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  5. Wow, you're having a real heatwave, much warmer than here in Barcelona! Sorry to hear that Jon has back pain, I've had it a few times and it made me feel really miserable. Hopefully with the medication he'll soon be feeling better. Voltaren tablets also helped me and Yoga was really helpful too. The garden is quite spectacular!! I was just curious about the number of books you've read this year, seems like a lot! I'm also a voracious reader!! Enjoy the great weather and have a wonderful weekend! XXX

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    1. The weatherpeople keep telling us that it's warmer than Spain, who'd have thought it?
      It was 20°C at 6am this morning (a real rarity) but today's the end of it, we've already had a shower and there's storms forecast for this afternoon. It was good while it lasted!
      I've just finished my 33rd book - the to-read pile is running dangerously low!
      Lovely to hear from you. xxxx

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  6. I may have to order that book, need a shot of Greece right now. Sorry to hear about Jon's back, definitely make him take a couple of days off! We finally have our first warm day today 23 degrees - and a week of sunshine ahead. Time for some outside reading!

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    1. I hope you get to enjoy your lovely new garden furniture and pretty planting with those lovely temperatures.
      I bought a stack of those living a new life abroad books from a chjarity shop before lockdown, I'm just coming to the end of them now. It makes me want to go back to Greece all the more! xxx

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  7. Just took possession of (via ebay) 20 vintage unused tea-towels. All high quality linen. It looked like someone had collected them as souvenirs as they come from all over the world. Still stiff and folded as they were when bought maybe 40 years ago. SCORE! I hope John's back gets better soon. I am loving wandering around your garden we are now in the depth of winter so no flowers here and it is a bracing 16 degrees. Australians always complain about the cold, when truth is it is quite mild. But brrrr. Thanks Vix your blog is my iso-highlight. Lxx

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    1. Hi Lynette! How lucky to find those vintage tea towels on eBay, linen ones are the best. I've actually framed a couple of mine as I couldn't bear to use them to dry dishes with. I bet you loved going through that parcel and marvelling at all the places represented.
      16°C isn't far off our normal summer temperatures, how lovely for that to be your winter average. It's just gone 8am and it's 20° here already but we've already had a shower and the sky is looking rather menacing, the storms are coming.
      Thanks so much for visiting and commenting. Have a lovely day. xxx

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  8. Love how the tree on the book cover matches exactly with the shrub in your garden. Thanks for your wonderful blog. Jane

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    1. Hello Jane! I hadn't noticed how the book cover blended in with the garden until you pointed it out, how funny! xxx

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  9. Ohh no poor Jon !!! I know exactly how he feels, you can’t get comfortable, darent move, it’s horrible, a good old heat patch usually easies the pain, sometimes I hobble I the acupuncturist and let him work his magic. Shame the nhs doesn’t believe I’m it. It really does work. That’s why I am fan of Prince Charles.
    Your garden is stunning as always. The humidity yesterday In shinjuku was 86 percent ! I think I stayed indoors all day. As I dont want to look like a Peice of toast. I saw the madness on the beaches, I just looked in horror, I want to come and visit my parents but not like this. He is doing it all wrong. I’ll admit I did support the conservatives but this was made me really think. I understand the economy in decline and yes people need to get back to it. But he should have kept beaches and parks closed. And why isn’t anyone wearing masks? its beggars belief it really is.
    Take care and keep safe

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    1. You can get accupuncture on the NHS, Jon's surgery offers it. It all depends on where you live and your gp, the joy of living in unequal Britain! When I worked for a chirpractor pre-hip replacement, my boss used to do myfacial dry needling which is a similar technique but more science-based. After a sessionI'd sleep like a baby.
      Luckily Jon's got some Zapain left from his terrible episode a couple of years ago, I'm going to make him take a couple of them after breakfast.
      It's the humidity that's the killer isn't it? (Says the woman who was probably a lizard in a past life and never gets frazzled in the heat!) The cats prefer to stay in when it's hot, too!
      The beaches and the football celebrations in Liverpool last night are ridiculous, the government just seem to have lost control and refuse to say anything. I dread to think when we'll be hit by the second wave especially with the pubs opening next week.
      Stay safe. xxx

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    2. Update I have just had my mum in tears, she said she fears she will never ever see me again !!! What on Earth am I going to do Vix, I have tried to reassure her, but I cannot console her. This bloody government!
      Our area didn’t do it, so I thought no other areas did it! You live and learn! If you get the chance have a go it reall

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    3. Oh Allie, you must be worried sick being so far away from your Mum. I do think that by this time next year they'll either be a vaccine or the bastard thing will have died out by then and life will return to normal and your Mum will be able to see you.
      Tell your Mum to ignore government advice and carry on like we sensible people have been doing over the last three months, staying 2 metres apart, wearing masks for her once a week grocery shop and santising everything that comes into the house. These thoughtless idiots won't spoil it if the majority of us are sensible.
      Sending you lots of love. If you ever need to chat feel free to email me: goanmad (at)hotmail (dot) com xxxx

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  10. bad backs are the pits. I use heat pad sticking plasters from Asian shops on my back when it's being horrid - they have heating stuff in them which relaxes the gripping muscles and reduce pain.

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    1. They are crippling, aren't they? I managed a chiropractic clinic for a while and we were always advising clients to ice, ice and ice - Jon hates being cold though and refuses to do it. I remember seeing that heat plasters back in the days we used to go to shops, I shall have to stock up for the next time if life ever returns to normal. xxx

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  11. woww, such lovely hot days!, I'm amazed by the incredible 20ºC in the early morning. We've been having a mini-heatwave, so having up 20ºC in the mid of the night (not sleeping a lot these days!) and 36ºC during the day, but lots of storms and downpours too!
    I love your delightful garden, the flowers, the cute danish loungers (Pink!), and your fabulousness wearing shorts and the indian blouse, You Totally Rock.
    And I'm admiring your last purchases too. The brick moulds look so rustic and interesting, they're beautiful by themselves as a piece of artisan work. And I'm totally in love with your kaftan, its color and print are Stunning!, looking forward to see you rocking it!
    I can see a theme going on through some of your reads: expats adventures in southern countries!, and I love that Jon is trying his best to speak some greek badly! ;DD.
    Glad that you found some cotton tea towels, as this is another item that was usually easy to found in the past but not anymore. I'm a huge fan of 100% cotton or linen cloths and tableclothes.
    Hope Jon's back Will improve and heal as soon as possible!
    besos

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    1. I know, it's so rare not to have chilly mornings and evenings, it really has been like being abroad this week, I've felt like one of the characters in my books, living in exotic climes! I wonder if there's books where Spanish and Greek people buy a suburban house in the UK, start a new life and live on shepherd's pie and stodgy roast dinners - I doubt it very much!
      I do love a good quality tea towel, mundane tasks are much better when you've got the right equipment! xxx

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  12. I feel so sorry for Jon, I can empathise completely as I have a dodgy back and I hope the painkillers are working and he recovers soon.
    Those brick moulds have so many possibilities and you have quite a few of them so I bet you'll come up with more imaginative uses in addition to the great little planter.
    The repaired dress is a stunning cobalt blue, the colour looks great on you. I love the quilting too.
    Hoping you have a lovely weekend. xxx

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    1. Bad backs are the pits, aren't they? Luckily he'd got some extra strong painkillers the doc had prescribed him after his bad flare up a couple of years ago and they've done the trick, it's a lot easier now but I'm keeping my eye on him and making sure he doesn't start doing anything daft again!
      Those brick moulds are just so lovely, I'm amazed that I've never seen them in India (just the brick kilns where they're produced).
      Hope you're having a fab weekend. xxx

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  13. Ps, I bought an tens machine online for my back and I can recommend it. xxx

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    1. On your advice (and Carole, who mentioned them in a comment a few weeks ago) I've ordered him one, thank you! xxx

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  14. poor Jon, sorry about his back - get some nice Body Shop massage oil for him if you can. Your latest Kaftan is enviable! I just love it. Gardens going well and the new brick moulds are very interesting, what a nice idea - I would use one as a stationery holder for envelopes, cards, stamps etc. Have a good weekend and hope the aches and pains disappear.

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    1. Thanks, Betty! I shall have a look what I can find online. He does seem much better today, thank goodness!
      Isn't that kaftan gorgeous? I wore it's almost twin all the time in India this year, they're just so comfy and effortless to wear.
      Liking the idea of a brick mould as a stationery holder! xxx

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  15. I'm certain you'll come up with many uses for those Indian brick moulds!
    I hope Jon is feeling better!
    xx

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    1. Thanks, Hazel! I did see a chest of drawers made from brick moulds, it was amazing! xxx

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  16. Please offer Jon an arm to lean upon on my behalf -- that first thing in the morning crab walk is agony! Have no idea what differences in concentration lie in CBD oil here compared to that across the pond; however, its efficacy here is dubious. Better to ease Jon's spine on a sun lounger well padded with towels that have been baking in the sun (or microwave). * Also highly recommend salon pas sticking plasters. Used them years ago when I practiced martial arts -- and now when I practice the crab walk.
    Your gorgeous new kaftan in red, white and blue reminds me of Egyptian tiles, Vix. Just the thing for barging down the Nile or walking the lads around the garden! (May Bast bless them)

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    1. Thanks, Beth! He'd done extensive research into CBD after a few friends told him how much it had helped him. The proper stuff is quite costly because every ingredient is traceable, although there's a lot of cheap stuff out there since it became legal in the UK. He's not sure if it's made a massive difference to his knees yet but as our GP surgeries are still not performing routine procedures like his steriod injections he'll give anything a try so I shall tell him about your recommnedations, too.
      Oh to barge down the Nile, or anywhere really! xxx

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    2. I met a lady earlier this year while I was dog walking who mentioned she and her Scottie dog used the oil.She said it was about £38 for a small bottle and I think it was a company south somewhere.She must have thought it helped because she was saying how careful she had to be with money and how expensive everything was x

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  17. For those of us who love it and are able to enjoy it, this weather is some compensation for the rest of the crap going on right now. My Kinky Morroccan kaftan looks just as good in my garden as in Ibiza. In fact, when I sat outside with an early morning cup of tea yesterday I could almost imagine I was there, if not for the different air. Have a great weekend xx

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    1. Hooray for kaftans and glorious heat and sunshine! Like you, I'm happy in my garden away from all these beach-going and raving idiots! xxx

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  18. Oh poor Jon! With the amount of work he's been doing lately, it was probably bound to happen, but I know it isn't fun. Hopefully it isn't as bad as it was a couple of years ago. Both Jos and I send our love and lots of healing vibes! You looks absolutely fabulous in those Diesel shorts and your new eBay find. And isn't that kaftan from Old's Cool Traders stunning? I am following them on Instagram! Our Hydrangea was a pink one when we bought it but due to the acidity in our soil, they have been coming up blue for years. Sometimes there is a rogue one that insists on being pink, though. I absolutely love those Indian brick moulds, and how cheerful is that row of tea towels on your washing line. I'm secretly relieved that I'm not the only one who had to buy new tea towels. When I mentioned this in my blog, Beate told me she had hers since she was a young girl, and she never had to buy any new ones. I almost felt guilty :-) I hope you're enjoying the same fabulous weather as we do, although admittedly today is a bit much for me, not being a lizard like you! xxx

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    1. I know, he needs to take it easy, doesn't he? He's as bad as I am though, he hates sitting still for long unless there's a cat slumped across him making it physically impossible to move. maybe I should hide prawns in his pockets so frank won't hleave him alone?
      I'm so happy with my kaftan. I saw that you followed Old's Cool Traders, they're such a lovely couple!
      Goodness me, I wonder how Beate has managed to keep her tea towels for so long? As soon as mine start to fade I chop them up into dusters. We'll have to start our own short-lived tea towel gang! xxx

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    2. I'll join that gang! I recently cut up beloved dish towels (Scottish, remember? We don't have "tea towels") that I had cherished since being a student. I loved them dearly and it was hard to do, but the time was right to put them out of their holey misery!!!

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    3. Dish towels? I didn't know you called them that, I thought it was an American term! A few of my prized tea towels can be found in our patchwork curtains. xxx

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  19. Poor Jon! Hope the back is better...

    Loved your Indian brick moulds; they're going to come in very handy I can see.

    Beautiful plants and flowers. Next year I am going to try oriental Poppies having loved yours through the photos. We also saw some beauties at Hemingford Grey. I'm also going to ensure we have Delphiniums, Love-in-a-Mist, Larkspur and some Calendula.

    I, too, had to fork out for new tea towels during lockdown. Like you my collection came from charity shops and car boots and presents from the ex mum-in-law. I got mine from Shaws Direct where I've bought wool from before; and it's thanks to you.

    Lovely dress and the new Kaftan looks gorgeous. I am not liking this weather and am praying for cool breezes...

    Take care,
    xxx

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    1. Thanks, Vronni! He's a lot better today - phew!
      I do love my brick moulds, I keep moving them around and trying new ways with them. I'm easily pleased!
      I'll happily send you some Oriental poppy seeds when they've dried out! xxx

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  20. Ooh err Jon, I hope you are on the mend. I can fully sympathies as you know.
    Isn’t your garden looking amazing, so colourful.
    The brick moulds are fabulous and just the sort of thing that appeals to me. I remember seeing the children moving the bricks when we were in India. I seem to think there were rice fields on one side of the road and the other side was a brick yard and they stacked them into one room huts where the families lived until the bricks where moved on.
    You do well to not watch the news, I had a right rant yesterday seeing all the idiots on the beaches. I’m beginning to think I don’t want to come out of our little bubble, it’s crazy out there.
    Enjoy the sunshine and the safety of home.
    Lynn xxx

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    1. Oh yes, you know all about the misery of the dreaded back pain, don't you? He's a lot better now, thank goodness. No more heaving huge lumps of wood around or climbing ladders for a while though, he'll have to stick to bread making and sticky-backed plastic!
      Those makeshift builders camps are strangely fascinating, aren't they? The ladies, even with buckets full of bricks balanced on their heads, still manage to look beautiful nd elegant.
      Jon told me about the Cov-idiots on the beach. What the hell is the matter with people? We'll never get back to normal if people continue being so selfish.
      Who wants to lie on a beach with a sweaty stranger inches away from you? I'll stick to the solitude of the garden! xxx

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  21. very cool deck chairs!
    i hope jon will use them as long as possible to relax his poor back - he worked so hard the last weeks.
    as you did - every day a new project and so many inspirations for me. gorgeous new kaftan and well done manufacturing new buttons! love the selftimer pic of you in that fab dress!
    give the lads some cuddles from me!
    xxxxx

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    1. Those loungers are really comfy, the Scandis are brilliant at combining practicality with good design, aren't they?
      I was racking my brain trying to think what I could chop up to make some buttons and was thrilled when I discovered that the kaftan had huge pockets. A couple of 10p piece sized pieces wouldn't be missed! xxx

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  22. Oh dear... poor Jon. He has obviously been overdoing it with the kitchen decorating! Not a good move to keep pressing on when your body is warning you to stop by giving you pain... I do hope he is feeling better soon and no longer having to walk like a crab.

    You are so clever at finding brilliant and unusual objects for upcycling or repurposing. Those brick moulds are incredible.

    Your dresses are gorgeous as always! You did a beautiful job with those covered buttons. If I can't find any suitable buttons for the green cardigan, I may have to make some myself - I shall make Dorset wheel buttons from small plastic curtain rings. Your flowers are so beautiful. It's so lovely to be able to sit out in the garden and enjoy it all, isn't it. I didn't have much time to do that today, with all the laundry and other things to do but I did manage to have lunch outside (my hubby was away today). The lads look as if they are enjoying it too!

    Like you, I have not had to buy tea towels - I inherited some really good quality Irish linen ones from my grandmother and used them till they fell apart - they were probably older than I was! I recently bought some new ones, which are pretty good, but not as good quality as the old ones unfortunately. Like you, I washed them all before use. I like the plain ones. I'm not sure whether there's still a fashion for ones with pictures on, but I found they were rubbish at drying!

    Thank you for visiting my blog - once I have washed and pressed the cardigan I shall know if it's a better fit round the armholes, and I may need to add shoulder pads! It's certainly a lot better than it was. Since I made it, and the black sideways-knit jumper, I've got a lot more experienced with designing my own patterns and I think I'd make a better fit today.

    The banana curry is delicious. I remember Vesta curries very well but I don't remember they had fruit in them. I do recall that we always said there was more nourishment in the box!! They were pretty awful. My goodness, we've got a lot more sophisticated since those days, haven't we! I remember when Quiche Lorraine was considered exotic, and people didn't know what a garlic press was! Tomorrow, if I've got the energy, I am making some sweet and sour jackfruit for the freezer, and I need to cook up some more packs of lentils to freeze as well.

    So glad you liked my various photos. I've had some nice comments about my recent clothes photos and I've got you to thank for the idea! Not many people get to see them, especially at the moment, so it's nice to be able to show them off a bit!

    Hugs,
    Shoshi x

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    1. Hello, Shoshi!

      Thankfully Jon's back is staring to ease up now.He's really naughty, he naver wears his support belt and refuses to ask me to help with anything. Men, eh?
      I loved those brick moulds when I saw them on a trendy website and they were haunting me, I was determined to track some down for a good price. I've never seen any for sale in India although we've passed the brick kilns that line the road from Delhi to Agra and give the area such an other-wordly look.
      I'm sure you'll puzzle out a way to make that lovely cardi work, you really have got the patience of a saint.
      Vesta curries used to have sultanas and dates in them (I think), horrendous things but as the only vegetarian in the family my parents really struggled to find food I could eat in the early 70s. Thank goodness we're a lot more common these days. I remember avocados being exotic and the Food and Drink programme explaining how to eat them!
      I love seeing your outfit photos! xxx

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  23. Hello Vix. Lovely to see what you've been up to. You and your garden are looking fabulous. I'm so envious of the warm weather you guys are getting. I woke up to 5 degrees in my house this morning and couldn't feel my toes!

    I feel for Jon! He may have to ease up on all the work he's been doing around the house and garden. A few days rest on those marvelous pink outdoor loungers should help as may a warm oil back rub. At least he'll have a few good reads with those "Speak more Greek" books while he's recovering.

    Those brick moulds are gorgeous! Perfect to house so many things, indoors or out. Isn't a line full of pretty linens a beautiful thing! I have some beautiful linen ones from my mother's glory box that I treasure and store as keepsakes.

    Your new frock is fabulous. Can't wait to see it on you.

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    1. Hello Suzy! It's lovely to hear from you, thanks for popping in!
      Gah! 5°C, I don't look forward to the return of those temperatures, it can stay at 33°C forever as far as I'm concerned, I live for heat and sunshine.
      Those loungers are perfect for Jon's back although he wouldn't welcome me coming near him with anything other than a rum and cola, the thought of anyone touching his back scares him when its playing up.
      Aren't those brick moulds wonderful? I was so excited to find some for a reasonable price after falling in love with them on a trendy salvage site.
      I'm so looking forward to giving that new kaftan an outing! xxx

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  24. Poor Jon! Hope he eases up on all the jobs around the house he's been doing.

    Love your outfits, Vix. Glad you're enjoying the heat! We often get 41 degree celcius weather in Australia -33 degrees is nothing for us! X

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    1. Thanks, Jess! I was clearly born in the wrong country, the hotter the better! xxx

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  25. Hope Jon is doing better soon. Back pain is the worst.
    We get hot temperatures all summer but after the first few days the appeal is lost!

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    1. Thank you! It's easing up now, thank goodness he saved some of the hardcore drugs he had when he put his back out a couple of years ago!
      It's a real novelty to experience temperatures as warm as these - I love it but Facebook is full of Brits moaning (as they do when it snows or rains) xxx

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  26. I have so many thought on this post-first, I hope Jon feels better and his back see's relief. No fun! I love the neighborly gift of plants-just because you are good neighbors, and now you are returning the favor with the poppie seeds. Will Jacob help himself if you don't specifically feed him, and is there risk of him eating something he shouldn't? I just love him. Now, I am thinking of my icky towels, both in kitchen nd bath, and think I will do something about them.

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    1. Thanks, Sam! He's a lot better now but being sensible and not doing too much lifting or bending.
      The aim is to try and make Jacob fairly self-sufficent by growing tortoise friendly plants in his enclosure, at the moment there's dandelions, hebe, geraniums and rocket. Apparnetly they're pretty sensible and only eat things they know as good for them. xxx

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  27. I do hope Jon's back has eased up by now.
    It's pouring with rain and blowing a gale here today. I was enjoying the sunshine too, and wearing a bikini certainly helped cut back on the amount of laundry. X

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    1. You're right about the bikini wearing, I washed hardly anything last week!
      Jon's back's a lot better, I ended up getting him a cheap Tens machine so he keeps electrocuting the painful bits and it really does seem to be working! xxx

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  28. You have such a beautiful array of flowers in your garden. My peony bush, which is the only "flowering thing" I have, didn't bloom again this year (it hasn't bloomed since it was transplanted from my neighbour's garden 3 years ago). I don't know what to do with it!

    Sorry to hear that Jon's back is causing him grief. He's been doing so much work around your place - he's going to have to relax more!

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    1. I'd love a peony bush - one for the wishlist next year! I wonder if it needs a severe pruning in the Autumn to get it going again?
      Jon's so bad at staying still, I have to get him drunk first! xxx

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  29. Poor Jon, I hope his back doesn't take too long to settle. You must have some old metal or similar under the blue hydrangea. Rusty metal turns them blue, back in the day they used to put an old wheel in the bottom of the hole before they planted one so it would keep flowering blue instead of pink.

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    1. I bet that's why the hydrangea's changed colour, you are clever! If only I had a metal detector, there might be buried treasure in that bed! xxx

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  30. Oh, I'm so behind...*ahem!*

    I feel for poor Jon's back - I've been dealing with a very bad neck/shoulder. I carry my stress in my back/neck, and this developed into a stinger, where all the pain and tightness are centred on one spot, and then radiates outwards. I've been popping Robax and Extra Strength Tylenol just to get to the point where I can move my neck, but the "eggshell" headaches are constant (like my skull is cracking). Be well, Jon! Mine's taken over a week to get to the point where I can move my neck.

    I love your new top on - very pretty. Love your garden and I'm just so impressed with your lawn chairs and their spiffy new upgrades. Can you come to my house and just work on everything I own??

    Oh! We were watching a movie last night (Hitchcock's "Frenzy") and I shrieked - two of your pictures were on the wall of a bachelor pad! The Asian lady (who looks very white) and the blue lady. They were paired together. I made L stop and rewind the movie and prattled on about "Vix's pictures" for a good while - I'm sure the man thought I was insane.

    Hydrangeas change colour due to what's in the soil. Iron makes red ones, I think.

    On to the next Vix adventure! I have much to catch up on.

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    1. Thanks for the mega catch-up! You must be exhausted!
      I ended up ordering one of those TENS machines after several people had recommended them and the NHS website also suggested they could be good for pain. The prices vary but apparently the £15 are just as good as the £150 ones so I bought a cheapie and he's found it really good.
      When I worked for a chiropractor I discovered that women generally carry their stress in the neck and upper back. Often they'd start crying after a treatment as it had unleashed emotions they'd suppressed. With the grief over Karen I imagine your poor neck must be in overdrive.
      I'd love to come over - raid your wardrobe & cuddle Vizzini - and makeover everything you throw at me. We're allowed to leave the country now although I'm not sure Canada want us (Greece doesn't!)
      I need to watch those Hitchcock films! Tina (the print that used to be in the spare room but moved to our bedroom) can be spotted in A Clockwork Orange. My walls are in cool company! xxx

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  31. Your loungers look so, so comfy! I quite like the idea of something like that but things are very hard and plastic nowadays!
    Your new kaftan is gorgeous! I love the colours. So pretty and that's fortunate about the buttons.
    Sorry about Jon's back but I have read that it is improving!
    The brick moulds are really cool! Your house is so interesting with all these things in it!

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Thanks for reading and for leaving a message. Please don't be anonymous, I'd love it if you left a name (or a nom de plume).

Lots of love, Vix