sunshine

It's been unseasonably warm in these parts the past few days. It's been nice to get outdoors and not feel chilled to the bone. To soak in a little sunshine. We've been noticing new life in the garden. The rhubarb is growing again. There are new tiny leaves on some of the fruit trees. The washing is drying within the day. Colds are slowly getting better.

Funnily enough we had a forecast for snow showers today. Of course if it did snow there would be quite the excitement around here (it did here and here). The school would close and we could enjoy the white transformation of our village. Fingers crossed. I'd better keep my camera battery charged. Just in case.

cleaning cheats

Running out of something used to mean a quick dash to the shop. But since living out here, and the prospect of a forty minute round trip, I've learnt to be just a little more resourceful when I do run out of something. At such times its good to have a few quick cheats up your sleeve.


Take dishwashing detergent for instance. Though I usually get along quite well with my usual brands (I like to use Eco Store or Herbon brands) there are times when I do run out and dishes still need to be done. I find it very handy to have a pack of Sunlight soap on hand for such emergencies. I use a bar to soap up in hot water (sometimes leaving the bar in there to keep it soapy) and use this to wash the dishes. Rinsing well to prevent that soapy taste in the drinking glasses.

I do love my Sunlight Soap. It's one of those things that can help you out in many a pickle. I've also used it as replacement hand soap, stain remover and grated into homemade laundry powder.

When I run out of washing powder there are times that I just don't feel motivated or have the time to make a new batch of powder.  So I just sprinkle in a good few good tablespoons of bicarb soda into the wash. Sometimes I add a glug of vinegar and enjoy seeing it all foam up. I can't tell you if it really does much. But it does look impressive.


Do you have any quick cleaning cheats?

staying warm

Our first minus last night, followed by a thickish blanket of white frost this morning, likely the first of many. Somehow we've managed to not have the fire on this week. Helped of course, by the fact that when Daniel insulated the house, he crammed in as much as was humanly possible. As a result our house holds the heat very well indeed. So while most of our neighbours have had their chimneys smoking for over a month now, we haven't yet felt the need. But I think that's about to change.

So we have kept warm in the evenings by snacking on soups, leaving the oven open after cooking to warm the house and wearing (and then washing) the winter woollens. The elder two have been a little harder to convert, still convinced it is perfect weather for shorts and t-shirts. Perhaps I need to hide the summer clothes?

I have cast on again for a Kina. It seems I somehow ended up with far more stitches than the pattern specified. In other words I didn't read the pattern properly. Only discovering that once I got to the sleeves. So far so good. Old notes here.



Wishing you all a pleasant (and warm) weekend.

washing the woolens

It's been a kind of strange Summer around here. Weather-wise at least. We have had highs of 40 and lows of 4 degrees. Which has kind of played havoc in my garden, but that's a story for another day. It has also meant that wool washing has continued on and off this season. 

I have been making my own wool wash for a few months now and thought I'd share it with you today. It's not really so very different from an ordinary washing gel recipe, only in different quantities.

I only made one jar this time around and used just one (140g) bar of Dr Bronner's Lavender soap.  (I love the smell of Dr Bronner soaps )You could easily substitute this for any other pure soap. Depending on how much soap you have on hand you can easily make double or more of this recipe. This recipe makes one large jar.

Woolwash

250ml water, boiled

140g bar of pure soap

1 teaspoon borax

Grate soap into saucepan. (Good job for the kiddies). Add borax.

Pour boiling water over the grated soap and borax.

Bring saucepan to the boil.
Stir with a whisk or spoon until the soap flakes are dissolved. This takes several minutes.

Pour into a glass jar. The mixture will cool into a white jelly.

I use a heaped tablespoon to a large sink (of lukewarm water) or in the (front loading) machine. Yes, I do use the wool cycle on the washing machine for many of my woolens. But I only recommend this if you really trust your machine. When I do handwash, I quite enjoy the slowness of it. The pleasant smell of the warm soapy water and a chance to ponder over each knitted item while carefully cleaning it. Then the process of laying the wool in a towel and gently rolling to squeeze out the water.

Happy wool washing!

washing powder from scratch

It's been almost two years since I've purchased any washing powder. Previously I had a brief stint of liquid laundry making when we lived in Canberra. But I was not terribly good at organizing myself to "cook up" a batch. I find the powder version a little quicker and easier to make. Over the time I've been making it I've adapted the ingredients to suit us here. 

I don't think I could ever go back to bought laundry powder. Aside from the high cost, the scent of the commercial powders has become unbearable to me now,  though I admit that previously I was very fond of the various brands and their own signature scent. Also being far better for the health of your family and the environment.

Here is the usual batch that I make up. With almost daily washing, and believe me there is a lot of it in this house, this lasts us quite awhile.

Washing powder

4 cups grated soap flakes ( I usually use Lux flakes, but sometimes I grate Sunlight soap as this is more cost effective)

4 cups powdered washing soda (not the crystal kind)

1 cup borax ( you can increase this amount if you wish, but I use it very sparingly as all our water is recycled through our septic and then into the garden)

2 cups bicarb soda

4 dashes eucalyptus oil  (or other essential oil)

 

I pop all this straight into the tin, close the lid and give it a really good shake (holding onto that lid!) My laundry tin came with a little scoop and I use it to measure it into our front loader. I use a full scoop for a really soiled load and a little less for lighter loads. This mixture is also great for nappies - bicarb being very beneficial for nappies.

Rhonda from Down to Earth has a great washing liquid tutorial here

Do you make your own?

goings on

• missing the ocean
• making some progress on a top for Julia
• experimenting with jam pizza... needs a little more work
• full moon watching and reading
• magazine and it looks like i'm back on the coffee bandwagon
• lemon marmalade on toast
• my little washing helper in a poorly lit kitchen corner
• return of the fog this morning

I do hope yours has been a good week where you are

feels like spring

may the sun shine in your little corner today

pottering around weekend

It was yet another weekend of pottering around the house for us. We had family visit for the day on Saturday. On Sunday Daniel was determined to get the painting done for the verandah, which has been put by the wayside lately. Painting is not his favourite job in the world. Not at all.

The usual pancakes were had for our Sunday breakfast and some bought flowers brightened up the day.
Washing was hung out with Julia who is very eager to lend a hand in the washing department.

Violet has been teething and is very clingy of late. It is that stage where she just doesn't want to be put down. Which makes it very hard to get anything done (like making lunch or taking a bath). But on the rare occasions she does go down to play, she is enjoying banging on my colander with a wooden spoon. Though frustrating and tiring at times, I realize how quickly this clinging and teething stage will pass, as it did with the others.

I think a slow, pottering around weekend was just what we needed. Though Daniel may disagree.

How was your weekend?