tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post7197826043594647048..comments2024-03-29T10:21:15.775+00:00Comments on Vintage Vixen: Livin' The Lockdown Life - Day 68 & 69Vixhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05263970600699632661noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-33863365743769523062020-06-03T23:55:36.187+01:002020-06-03T23:55:36.187+01:00We are finally enjoying summer weather here, but t...We are finally enjoying summer weather here, but the shock of going from 5 degrees to 29 degrees over the space of a week was a bit much. I had to dig my summer clothes out of storage. I wish I had more cotton kaftans or similar long cotton dresses like the ones you wear so beautifully.Forest City Fashionistahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04428940427287921203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-71651200946272190092020-06-01T13:37:54.337+01:002020-06-01T13:37:54.337+01:00Would those wood cleaners work on our laminate woo...Would those wood cleaners work on our laminate wood floor? I have only ever hoovered it...<br />I meant to say earlier...Your dad sounds amazing! What a chap!<br />Spiky bastard is covered in flowers!??!! What!??!<br />I love seeing what you eat as well as seeing shopping! It's exciting to live vicariously through you!! It's exciting at the moment to see new things...even if they are somebody else's!Kezziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15705356707599121605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-27393312676949043692020-05-31T17:36:25.992+01:002020-05-31T17:36:25.992+01:00Hello Shoshi!
Thank you for clarifying those incre...Hello Shoshi!<br />Thank you for clarifying those incredible wedding costumes, they really were gorgeous and cleverly, timeless as well. You can usually instantly date wedding photos, can't you? Not being fashion-led yours are forever stylish.<br />Fancy you having family from Abbots Bromley, a lovely place but not as gorgeous as Totnes, my favourite place in the UK although it's been many years since we've been.<br />I think you'd be in your element at a festival, the shopping opportunities are brilliant, so many alternative & ethnic clothes from all over the world. Maybe nest year when things are hopefully back to normal...<br />Funnily enough a pop-up ad appeared on Facebook a couple of days ago with some incredible fair-trade Kaffe Fasset designed oven gloves, tea towels and tote bags - sadly when I checked they'd all sold out. <br />xxxxVixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05263970600699632661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-84133590629137774832020-05-31T17:11:52.351+01:002020-05-31T17:11:52.351+01:00We're in sync! I did all the curtains during t...We're in sync! I did all the curtains during the first week of lockdown, they hadn't been done for years, they looked different when I hung them back up!<br />What's going on with the fuschias? I thought I'd killed one of mine but stuck it in another pot and it's revived itself.<br />I've never heard of a steam mop, mines one of those old skool string mops, I've got a bit of a fetish for really old fashioned things like galvanised buckets, scrubbing brushes and blocks of carbolic soap, which I usually bring back from India. In a past life I must have owned a hardware shop! <br />30 minutes? that was good going. Mine took a day to go. <br />Isn't this weather wonderful? I'm happy to stay in lockdown for ever if it could continue like this! xxxVixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05263970600699632661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-63163273915427911562020-05-31T17:06:32.907+01:002020-05-31T17:06:32.907+01:00I used to love that old church smell of beeswax an...I used to love that old church smell of beeswax and furniture polish! <br />I bought Jon a fragrance from Lush which was described as being based on the smell of "the inside of my Delhi Grandfather's camphorwood wardrobe", it's utterly delicous! xxxVixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05263970600699632661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-879594555158777392020-05-31T17:04:23.320+01:002020-05-31T17:04:23.320+01:00Hello, Diana! So lovely to hear from you. I was wo...Hello, Diana! So lovely to hear from you. I was wondering how life in Barcelona was treating you. I can't believe you've been back at work three weeks, it must be absolutely exhausting after lockdown.<br />You're so right about animals, every time we lose one we tell ourselves that we can't go through the heartbreak again and then someone like Frank walks through the door, refuses to leave and you're a captive yet again.<br />I'm so glad you're enjoying Shantaram, Gregory David Roberts often hosts readings in Mumbai and I seem to miss them by days - so annoying! I dobn't know how many times I've read the book but it still holds me in thrall. <br />Soan's had some funny old weather recently, a BBC news reporter was in Madrid the other day, shivering and soaked to the skin. We've been totally spoilt which probably means the rest of the year will be a washout! <br />Much love to you! xxxVixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05263970600699632661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-27342395099166263432020-05-31T16:59:24.197+01:002020-05-31T16:59:24.197+01:00I bet you've got muscles like Popeye with all ...I bet you've got muscles like Popeye with all that water pumping! We had a freshwater spring at the parental home and I could never squeeze a drop from the pump!<br />Spiky Bastard is looking lovely but I forgot how evil he was and ending up getting speared by him when I was weeding the border last week - ouch! xxxVixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05263970600699632661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-50139125758988374562020-05-31T16:57:36.177+01:002020-05-31T16:57:36.177+01:00Next time I'm reading a book you like the look...Next time I'm reading a book you like the look of let me know and I'll happily post it to you! Shame I put the last couple on the freebie pile.<br />Yes, Granpa & Grandma got married At St Oswald's Church in Chester in 1940, aren't the flowers magnificent? xxxVixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05263970600699632661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-74030738741173074892020-05-31T16:53:28.841+01:002020-05-31T16:53:28.841+01:00Haha! You're not wrong there! I sent a link to...Haha! You're not wrong there! I sent a link to those &Keep masks to a friend, she was really impressed! xxVixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05263970600699632661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-62947091252173482122020-05-31T16:52:44.851+01:002020-05-31T16:52:44.851+01:00I can't believe you've had to heat the hou...I can't believe you've had to heat the house, I'm sending you some of this gorgeous sunshine. It doesn't even feel like England any more, Jon & I keept trying to tell ourselves we're living off-grid in a village in Greece! <br />Jon's just prepared the ground ready for planting our beans tomorrow - exciting times! xxxVixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05263970600699632661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-21311012829218821022020-05-31T16:51:04.275+01:002020-05-31T16:51:04.275+01:00Jon absolutely loves his coffee, I can go for week...Jon absolutely loves his coffee, I can go for weeks without when I'm in India but absolutely love the iced coffee (frappe) they sell in Greece...I'm dribbling thinking about it!<br />£25 an hour for parking? Is that to encourage the Japanese to use public transport? At those prices they'd be mad not to. Certainly puts our unreliable and overpriced trains to shame.<br />Hope you had a wonderful weekend - although I'm not sure weekends really exist any more! xxxVixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05263970600699632661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-62369465688452596872020-05-31T16:47:59.751+01:002020-05-31T16:47:59.751+01:00It seems strange to read that it's raining in ...It seems strange to read that it's raining in your part of the world, the skies in your photos are always enviably blue and clear (a bit like ours are at the moment!)<br />Picking olives sounds like an idylic way to spend your youth, I bet it was backbreaking work though. <br />Your teaching sounds very stressful and exhausting. Some schools reopen here tomorrow. xxxVixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05263970600699632661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-31043916853717044492020-05-31T16:45:48.668+01:002020-05-31T16:45:48.668+01:00How lovely that Jelsa offer those book depositorie...How lovely that Jelsa offer those book depositories. I think I shall continue with my free books even aftre lockdown, I've a feeling charity shops with be swamped with donations once they reopen so won't want me bringing in a pile of paperbacks! xxxVixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05263970600699632661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-2517475684360004392020-05-31T16:44:14.956+01:002020-05-31T16:44:14.956+01:00Thanks, Suzy! It's my favourite kind of weathe...Thanks, Suzy! It's my favourite kind of weather, I could happily live in a bikini for the rest of my life.<br />Rhubarb does need lots of sugar, it's lovely with raspberries in a crumble. Give it another try. It's a spectacular looking plant isn't it? The leaves are positively jurassic! xxxxVixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05263970600699632661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-18045196639226561922020-05-31T16:42:19.611+01:002020-05-31T16:42:19.611+01:00Thanks, Flis. My brother & I definitely inheri...Thanks, Flis. My brother & I definitely inherited Dad's love of adventure travel. xxxVixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05263970600699632661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-28058716822572368352020-05-31T15:52:51.830+01:002020-05-31T15:52:51.830+01:00Your Dad had a very adventurous spirit Vix-he soun...Your Dad had a very adventurous spirit Vix-he sounds so interesting and you love exploring too.Your Grandpa also is very handsome-it's wonderful that you and John have such a beautiful home with the family history and are now able to truly relish your time there together xxflisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-69912532817885034112020-05-31T08:14:13.101+01:002020-05-31T08:14:13.101+01:00Hello Vix. Looks like you guys are having perfect ...Hello Vix. Looks like you guys are having perfect weather to lounge about in the garden. You especially look dazzling in your bikini, basking in the glorious sunshine.<br /><br />The rhubarb looks great, as does your other plantings. I've only ever cooked it once (in a crumble) but found it way too bitter. Will have to add heaps more sugar next time.<br /><br />That was a very kind gesture to leave an assortment of books for passers-by to take. I'm sure they'll be appreciated as so many people are reading whilst in isolation.<br /><br />How endearing are those photos. Your grandfather seems a very elegant gentleman.<br /><br />Have a relaxing Sunday.Suzyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11460016418539000596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-89682904552276566922020-05-30T17:15:26.197+01:002020-05-30T17:15:26.197+01:00Great ideas about the books. In Jelsa, they are li...Great ideas about the books. In Jelsa, they are little wood boxes everywhere where you put books, that way you can both donate and take books from them- a brilliant idea. Ivana Splithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04908566377732204399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-19381445231608955752020-05-30T17:13:44.378+01:002020-05-30T17:13:44.378+01:00I didn't occur to me to put olive oil into my ...I didn't occur to me to put olive oil into my cleaning mix but I can see the sense in it- the oil being good for natural wood and all that. The thing is that I buy local olive oil and having picked olives myself when young, I know how much hard work goes into it producing extra virginal olive oil. I'd be up for trying it with less quality olive oil brands or mixes.<br /><br />Your red bikini paired with a maxi skirt makes for a great combo. You're always stylish. Great bikini shots, they make me long for summer. It's raining here, no bikini days for me yet. I'm back to work in regular school, but since school is optional for some and not all students have been invited back (just grades 1-4), I'm teaching both remotely and in person. It's even more exhausting that regular school and teaching remotely because it's both combined. Let's hope summer will come back quickly and that we'll have a break from this whole corona madness. Ivana Splithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04908566377732204399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-46467193544638280602020-05-30T11:54:32.929+01:002020-05-30T11:54:32.929+01:00We seem to be doing similar household tasks! I'...We seem to be doing similar household tasks! I've cleaned out under the sink and washed all the cushion covers, too! I'm eyeing up the curtains now.<br /><br />I'm not surprised it takes you long to water your garden what an abundance of everything you have. It's fab to see different flowers/plants on a daily basis but my fuchsias at the front are very reluctant to flower - damn them!<br /><br />I loved the squirrel proof feeder and the cats lazing in the sun. The photos of your grand dad were lovely. What a good investment buying Stonecroft was. <br /><br />I like the sound of your floor soap; I have a steam mop which doesn't require anything except water; but I do like a good smell. The one I used before I had a steam mop had a lovely smell; I think it was made by Johnsons.<br /><br />I put books outside yesterday morning and they were gone within 30 mins - a record for me.<br /><br />Enjoy the sun - it seems to be lasting all next week, too.<br />xxxxxVronni's Style Meanderingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17122302881528071270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-33503135160441514862020-05-30T05:55:14.697+01:002020-05-30T05:55:14.697+01:00Hello, yeah the Japanese are really good at coffee...Hello, yeah the Japanese are really good at coffee believe it or not ! Paul hates the smell of it, but OMG I love it. I have a mini drip coffee every morning . It’s like 80p for a latte at our local 7/11, were as charbucks charge £3.00 !!! They are coffee crazy over here. <br /> Paul loves old nissans, but then he does work for them. We own a car but parking near work is a joke £25 an hour if you park In harajuku. Hence the train is the no 1 form of transport. 50p to travel two stops and every 6 minutes and never late. My dad loves it when he comes to visit as he is a train buff and we take him all over the country . <br /> We are off to uneo park the kids want to go to the zoo, but you have to book tickets as they only let so many families in. You have a lovely weekend as well just avoid those freaks!!!Allie janehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04399152759369854485noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-19540162297680380292020-05-30T02:16:02.989+01:002020-05-30T02:16:02.989+01:00Odd that there are indeed seasonal smells associat...Odd that there are indeed seasonal smells associated with housekeeping! You've reminded me that when I was a child the first hot days of summer meant propping open the heavy windows of the church and washing the pews and other wooden fixtures with Murphy's Oil Soap. A poor protestant version of the beautiful "bells and smells" of the CofE, but I still enjoy it.Beth Waltzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02720634636307254576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-36583825837163749832020-05-29T23:56:05.900+01:002020-05-29T23:56:05.900+01:00Hi Vix, thanks for your reply, and also for visiti...Hi Vix, thanks for your reply, and also for visiting my blog! I know the West Midlands fairly well - we had family living in Abbots Bromley in Staffs for many years - only my Godmother still lives there now - we had many fabulous holidays up there, beautiful countryside! I love the architecture and the industrial heritage too, although at the height of the Industrial Revolution, life must have been extremely tough.<br /><br />One of my cousin's daughters is also a festival lover and works all summer on the staff on the festival circuit, living out of a camper van. She's called Vix too - which is probably why I was drawn to your comment in the first place and looked at your profile!!<br /><br />We live in Torquay. I have lived in Devon all my life (and my hubby for much of his) - we retired here in 2013. Unlike you, we are very close to the sea but can't quite see it from the house. Lots of seagulls in the garden though! Beautiful countryside all round.<br /><br />So glad you liked my wedding outfits (and thank you for your good wishes for our anniversary) - I have always loved ethnic clothes and wanted Russian style for the dress, with a nod to Thai with the wired pieces on the shoulders - Thai dancing is so stunning! I wanted my bridesmaids to look as if they had just come in from the fields gathering the flowers in their baskets. My hubby used to go over to Romania nearly every year just after the revolution, doing charity work, and he brought back loads of ethnic stuff, mostly textiles, and I tend to pick up things where I can as well. Our style at home is eclectic to say the least, very mixed ethnic!<br /><br />I've got 2 salwar kameezes and they are both too big for me now, really! I lost a lot of weight over several years. Of course they are designed to be loose so they are cool, and the trousers are so baggy, to accommodate women being pregnant on and off without the need for special maternity clothes! So many ethnic clothes are like that. Very practical! I wear kaftans instead of a dressing gown and have just started wearing a lighter weight one again but it's really too long now, and I have to watch I don't trip on it. (Weight loss again!) We are not a million miles away from Totnes which has lots of ethnic shops which I love, and also Teignmouth was a discovery for us last year - another great place for ethnic clothes. Wish I could get to a festival...<br /><br />I wore my hair in 2 plaits today after seeing you with yours! Lol! Haven't done that for many years and it was cool and comfortable and fun. (I don't think my hubby noticed...) My hair isn't as long as yours. I cut a bit too much off last time I was trying to trim it. Fortunately it grows fast but it's not as thick as it used to be.<br /><br />So glad you liked my knitting project. I adore Kaffe Fasset and his wonderful inspirations for knitting and colour in general. I design all my own stuff and have a huge stash of bits of yarn and mix and match to my heart's content. I do loads of other creative stuff as well. It's time I updated my Flickr albums because my old blog (Blogger) is a disaster area with all the photos having disappeared and I lost the will to live, trying to replace them all and half of them still not being visible... It's Wordpress all the way for me now. But there's a huge amount of my creativity on my old blog.<br /><br />I'm so glad we've met up in Blogland!<br /><br />The kitties and I send hugs.<br />Shoshi xxShoshihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00028185699225457125noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-73897483567349425862020-05-29T19:22:21.963+01:002020-05-29T19:22:21.963+01:00Hi there, how's it going? I've only been b...Hi there, how's it going? I've only been back to week 3 weeks and already feeling exhausted! I've only had time to have a quick read of your blog but it's certainly been one of the highlights of my days!Today's Friday so some free time at last!<br />First of all I'm so glad that Frank is feeling better. These pets are such a worry, I always swear I'll never have another but we always seem to find ourselves back at the dog shelter when the inevitable happens. Apart from their unconditional love and company. I suppose love and loss are both parts of the human condition, we can't have one without the other.<br />Love the garden, the photo of you and Jon sunbathing on the grass enjoying a beer together sums up my idea of a perfect day! <br />I've started reading SHANTARAM and I'm loving it! I haven't had much time to read so will try to continue this weekend. I'll let you know what I think!!<br />Make the most of the beautiful weather, it's just started raining here in Barcelona but at least they've started to ease up on some of the restrictions. Take care and have a wonderful weekend!xxxxDianahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12646169089939059743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4868048249049410936.post-62561506903412982382020-05-29T18:53:58.400+01:002020-05-29T18:53:58.400+01:00Don't you look stunning, and absolutely radian...Don't you look stunning, and absolutely radiant, in your bikinis! And your wooden floors are looking brilliant too. I too have found that our pots seem to take longer and longer to water. Due to the water shortage it's a blessing to have water well, but it needs to be pumped up by hand, which makes it take even longer. Good to read that Spiky Bastard is flowering! That photo of you and Jon having a sneaky beer is gorgeous. You both suit "the good life" very well indeed. Love those photos of your Grandpa Reg, the original owner of Stonecroft! Have a lovely weekend, you two! xxxPolyester Princesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05602613792584925087noreply@blogger.com