From finishing to starting..

 Okay, the finishing off is well underway so what's next?

Month 10 - Bite 24

Just so I don't get stale and revert to slumping in front of the TV, undoing all my good work, I must think of what else I want to try.

I want to carry on with the hobbies and pursuits I enjoy - and add to them...

There are so many things I'd like to experiment with and discover that the task in hand for this bite is to begin to list and research them. I've started learning Italian so the next step is required to make sure I'm better with the language for our next trip in the Spring. Then there are other crafty pastimes to explore - my crochet skills are so basic that they need some work. Then there's the music that I've ignored for quite some time. My guitar and concertina are gathering dust and certainly aren't earning their keep in my home.

On this tick list item then is the planning to see where I can commit some regular time to one or all of these to get them underway and where I'm going to find the information to polish the skills.

Month 10 - Bite 25

While I'm in finishing and starting something new mode - both at the same time - I want to look at what keeps me warm. I'm going to raid my yarn stash to make something warm. Will it be a hat, or a scarf, or a cowl, or socks? Let's return to this later and I'll show you.....

Socks it was then!

I don't want you to think that I've abandoned the 'learn/try something new' idea - I've attempted a different way of joining the heel and toe seams.

My next adventure will be into the world of crocheting a scarf - I've only ever done squares and blankets before - so going back and forth in rows could be a challenge!

Month 10 - Bite 26

Finally, I know I'll need help with some of these bites. Bite 26 is to give me time to find out where I can get some of that help. I know that my spinning group will assist and I also want to explore any courses that are free or cheap locally so that's my project for today.

Naturally, joining a group of like-minded people should be fun and supportive - I also think groups like this gathering together has got to be good for the energy bills! After all, we'll all be using one heat source (not just the hot air of our conversations either) by not using all those individual homes during our time together.

Most of all I'm looking forward to the fun bit (oh, and the tea and cakes that such courses/groups excel in!).

Let the sunshine in..

 We've been so lucky lately with the weather. It must be helping with the heating costs having such a mild spell. My next task is to load up with some free health and wellbeing.

Month 10 - Bite 23

In amongst that reading I was doing I decided to work through a small pile of magazines. One of which was detailing how sunlight affects wellbeing. I guess I already knew most of it - there's no harm in refreshing the memory though of just how much good fresh air and natural sunlight does for you.

It goes without saying that if you are feeling good and positive then the urge to look for ways of cheering yourself up by spending diminish. So, today's bite involves raising my melatonin levels and improving my mood (which, to be fair, isn't too bad anyway) for free.

I'm off to soak up a bit of sunshine without spending a penny... or paying for a holiday... or getting on a plane... I'm off for a walk..

More finishing off!

 Now I'm on track with the bathroom and kitchen my attention is focussed on all those other projects lying around. 

The feeling of anticipation and excitement when starting a new project is exhilarating, but somehow, if the project stalls or seems bigger than intended it can make the completion a bit of a chore. All those unfinished projects are a weight on the mind (however hard you try to forget or hide them) and on the wallet. After all they've been bought and paid for so they need to be completed or moved on.

This group of bites is a bit of a double whammy bonus. On the one hand there's the projects themselves and on the other they do beckon involvement away from the TV and the electricity that consumes. So, how to get motivated... well one project at a time I guess...

Month 10 - Bite 19

My favourite part of any sort out is when I empty a cupboard, box or bag to rediscover what's in there. This is the first port of call for me then. The craft cupboard and loft are the focus of my new found finishing zeal. They'll both need emptying, sorting and then the specific projects listing. The list can be prioritised - especially with Christmas on the horizon - so that I can tackle each one in order of urgency, breaking up some of the larger ones with quick, nearly finished jobs.

Month 10 - Bite 20

Where to start - simple - books! I've got library books, books on the e-reader, books leant to me by my neighbour and some from my sister too. Again, priority order please! The library books need to come first so they can be returned, then I'll decide on those that I can finish quickly to reduce the pile and immerse myself in them all - starting tonight (well after Only Connect obviously!).

Only the tip of the iceberg here!

Month 10 - Bite 21

There are still one or two home projects lurking so they need bringing into the light. Preparing for these takes a little longer as choosing paint colours, sourcing the right paint or enamel and clearing space for painting take time. Making a decision about whether it's the stool or table that need refreshing has to be the starting point and then it's full steam ahead.

Month 10 - Bite 22

Now for the difficult one - finishing a hobby project. I'm great for starting these and then something always crops up.. shortening curtains, making dolls clothes, cushion covers, finishing a writing brief, having COVID, lots of things so I get diverted. Then once the diversion is over I do the sensible thing... and start another new project!

This needs to STOP I tell myself, but do I listen, well, what do you think?

Anyhow, today's the day to go for it. And the first hobby project to finish is an obvious one for me. I've been putting this off for ages.

A long time ago, further back than even the pandemic gives me an excuse for, we went to Widdiecombe Fair and I got an alpaca fleece to spin. He, himself wasn't sure I was going for a big enough quantity so treated me to a lot, one and a half kilos to be exact. I enjoyed spinning it and that was fine, then came the knitting it up task.

I started with a hat for himself to test out the tension, and as an easy to finish project. Then I took a big breath and started. I have begun the back of a cardigan with this yarn no less than eight times. Each time it's not been a success - the pattern is hidden by the texture of the yearn, it's come up to big, too small, too heavy... and so on.

Finally, I announced to my spinning group that no matter what version 8 was to be the last one. I'm nearly there. The bulk of the knitting and sewing up is done, it's just the edging. I'm putting it off no longer. The cardigan must be finished first, no more prevaricating.. here goes...

I've made myself hang on to this post so that I could add this...

Ta-daa..

It may not look like much to you, but to me it's a huge mountain climbed and my central heating for the winter..

So, what's next?

Warming up

 Following on from the last few bites my list now needs to move onto some planning and more sorting.

After all, being warm on the inside always feels good.....

Month 10 - Bite 17

I next have to address what we're eating. With the freezer looking remarkably organised I can begin to look at cooking for restocking it.

Before I start a rummage through the cupboards to get the pots and crocks I need more readily available. They've been languishing towards the back while I haven't been doing so much long cooking so a reshuffle in the kitchen is number one item on the to do list today.

Once that's done I can look at adding a few ingredients to the shopping list to start making some stews, casseroles and curries to eat (and some to store for later).

I have got some chicken from yesterday's sort out defrosting, so I can start with a chicken curry tonight!

Month 10 - Bite 18

As we change our eating habits to fit in with the weather it occurs to me just how far we have moved away from seasonal eating in general. All those foods flown in from all over the world to give us strawberries at Christmas and so on. Time to rethink for me. I know that once I get to the end of my cereal box it'll be time to go back to porridge for two reasons. Firstly, it's a good warming start to the day and secondly, at under £1 a bag it's really cheap (oh and additionally hasn't got any added sugar hiding away either!).

Then the soup stocks need bumping up, both bought and made - that'll be the last of the fridge clearing for stock this time round.

Menu overhaul today then!

Finishing Up and Clearing the Decks

 All the sorting out and decluttering around the house seems a long time ago and it seems like the right time to revisit one or two areas. This will help sort out exactly what I've got at the moment and clear some space for what's to come (errr Christmas!)

So, here's a selection of bites to sort out what's about, what's needed and what to put on a Christmas list!

Month 10 - Bite 14

I'd got very efficient on the bathroom front, finishing odds and ends, not buying extras and more than one spare for when things run out and then it all sort of slipped.

First task on the list is to collect up all the 'nearly finished' and ends of things and put them somewhere obvious to use up. There's some samples I sent for but didn't use on holiday and a few squirts of perfume to be finished. I'll make a note of some of the items too as my sister's doing me a hamper for Christmas and some of them - hand cream, face wash, moisturiser - will be going on that wish list to replenish my stocks then.

Month 10 - Bite 15

Now onto the kitchen....

The fridge is groaning with stuff that really needs using up. While we've been decorating and generally working on the house my neat and tidy shopping and cooking timetable-ish planning has fallen apart a bit so order needs restoring.

This is just the first batch of stuff I've rescued from the fridge. Pasta for dinner I think and then time for a series of 'make what you like as long as you eat it' lunches. The principle is simple. Once all the available ingredients are put on the table, everyone can choose whatever they like to put in a sandwich, however strange, off the wall or downright disgusting it might seem to anyone else. The only rule is that it has to be eaten before any other combinations can be tried. This is about not wasting rather than seeing how novel or revolting a sandwich filling you can make.

It does help to finish off the last scrapes of jars that seem to congregate at the back of the fridge and also makes me think of how I can use up what's there (particularly the fresh stuff) before going out and raiding the supermarket.

Month 10 - Bite 16

Freezer next..

I did freeze some produce when we were tidying up the garden, and there's also the last few bags of food I had to cook and store after the meltdown incident. There are, however, some other containers lurking that need liberating.

I'm sure there's at least the makings of a pasta bake and a bolognaise sauce so it's time to go through it all, defrost something for dinner and then list what's left...

By the time I've finished I should be ready to start the thinking process of what needs preparing for the festive season with nice, clean, empty storage for it all!

Where’s Your Warm Place?

 Back inside now.

Time to consider where it's warmest and comfiest as the weather begins to change. Here's just two ideas about warm places..

Month 10 - Bite 12

Where's your warm place indoors?

For me it's either got to be the bedroom or the garden room. As I can't spend all day in bed to keep warm (!) I'll have to settle on the garden room. Even in the depths of winter all the glass means that any sunshine warms the room and makes it a light and pleasant place to be. As it's also got one of the best views in the place it's got to be my favourite.

It's become one of our most used rooms because it's so comfortable. It does mean that we can be a bit choosy about heating. I'm not saying we turn all the heating off everywhere else, but there is some sense in heating a particular space at certain times of the day while keeping the other rooms cooler and saving on energy costs. Thankfully all the radiators have their own thermostatic regulators so they don't need to be on much more than a frost setting unless there's a reason - going to bed or having a shower tend to prompt them being turned up.

The next job on the list for me is to begin to check what these radiators are turned to each day in order to make the most of the heating we are using.

Month 10 - Bite 13

Now where's your warm place outdoors (well out of the house anyway)?

One of my favourites used to be our local bookshop with its lovely upstairs cafe. Sadly, it's about to close so the hunt is on for another place. Fortunately, there's plenty of coffee shops round here - one of the bonuses of a seaside town needing to provide for holidaymakers!

I know it costs cash to sit and drink (usually chocolate in my case) in a cafe, but often when I'm planning or trying to write something I find moving location away from home and the temptation to 'just' put some washing on or make a phone call or clean the bathroom calls to my best procrastination instincts. Some time in a different 'office space' with hot drinks at the ready seems to solve the work block and I can get on - and the energy costs are all included with my hot chocolate.

The other warm place for me is the library. It's got the added advantage of peace and quiet and books for research - never something to be sniffed at...

So, where's your warm place?

Clean and Tidy

Now onto a few tasks I find boring, but quite pleased when they are done! It's a bit more maintenance and tidying which doesn't sound like it's greatly financially rewarding. However, with these jobs off the list it means that a whole host of bits and pieces are put to bed for the winter in a way that means they won't need replacing next year - and that can only be a real life saving!

Month 10 - Bite 8

Driving home yesterday and noticing that one of the running light bulbs is out reminded me that a proper winter check is due. Not the drive-it-into-a-main-agent just to hear a whole load of expensive 'you-ought-tos'. A simple checking over at home so... I need to test all the lights (including the fog lights that I so rarely use) and pop out to replace any that are needed. A search for the ice cover, scraper, screen wash and so on are on the list so they are ready and waiting when the time comes. Then an oil check and washer bottle top up and I should be good to go.

Month 10 - Bite 9

 

The garage is today's port of call. 

Since we've now finished the decorating all those tools and materials can be safely cleaned up and stashed away. I know there's a growing pile of paint cans, but I've got a plan for those in next month's round up so it's just a matter of storing them away along with a collection of sheets, towels and tennis balls. Sounds an odd selection but bear with me on this one.

The garden chairs, ladders, outside table and lawn mower can be cleaned and put in their hibernation locations - although I know the mower will be called into action again before the final winter slowdown in growth.

Month 10 - Bite 10

Now onto the shed while I'm in an outside tidying mood!

There's still a number of gardening tasks to be done, but I'm getting started on checking and cleaning the tools and equipment, sorting out the bamboo canes, that kind of thing. As I mentioned earlier, keeping what we already have in good condition is always going to be cheaper than having to go out and buy new because it's rusted or blocked or whatever. I'm not talking about replacing worn out stuff, just making sure that what we've got lasts as long as possible in good condition.

By hanging much of our stuff on hooks it doesn't rest on the floor and has good airflow around each item to keep off the mould, damp and wet - it is a shed after all.

The secateurs, shears, etc. need attention today for sharpening and then we know they'll be ready for action in the spring.

Month 10 - Bite 11

Finally, in this section, it's the cuttings. The plants we saved last year meant that we didn't have to spend out to fill all our pots. They are far too large to save this year by bringing them inside - the shed isn't that big! So, as I've mentioned previously, cuttings have been struck and planted. 

They are thriving well and growing strongly at the moment. Of course, they'll need protection as the weather gets colder and darker, so today's mission is to track down and organise the insulating materials used before. This comprises of wood or small crates to layer bubble wrap on to cover the cuttings without touching the leaves - and the bubble wrap itself of course. With that to hand the plants have a fighting chance of gracing the garden next year.

Warming up

So as the night's are drawing in and the bills are going up it's time to look at preserving the heat we've got!

Here's my next few attempts at doing just that...

Month 10 - Bite 3

Having got used to lowering blinds and drawing curtains in the daytime during the hot weather to keep the sun out and the rooms cool, now we'll be doing the same at the other end of the day! By using the sunlight during the daylight hours to heat our home, from now on the blinds and curtains need to be closed as the temperature drops in the evening to keep the warmth in.

Month 10 - Bite 4

We love the flexibility of the internet controlled thermostat and heating system that's been in for a year now, but have got used to switching the heating off when we're out to come into a cosy home. That's not going to happen this winter. As long as the property doesn't get too cold the heating won't get fired until we're in. The inconvenience of keeping outer layers on until we switch the thermostat up and the house warms to a reasonable temperature in minor compared to the savings it'll represent. So from today that's it, no driving back home and turning it all on half an hour from home.

Month 10 - Bite 5

Back to the wardrobe and drawers for me today. It's time to sort out my jumpers and cardigans. I've got some 'nice' ones I wear out and about and some 'comfy' items that are only for indoors. One or two I've spun from pure wool fleece are really warm and I rarely wear them. Why? Because it's always been so easy to turn on the heating and wander around in a t-shirt! This is a habit that's got to go too. Once I've got the woollies sorted today then it's out with the light gear, on with the cosy stuff and no to too much heating.

Month 10 - Bite 6

It takes a lot more energy to heat a room than it does a person so the task in hand to tackle next is the search for our warm-you-up items. Somewhere around this place we've got hot water bottles and oat filled cushions or pads that take little to heat up and keep warm for ages. Once I've tracked them down and double checked they have no leaks (!) they can be employed in the evenings to stave off putting the heating on.

Month 10 - Bite 7

While on the search I need to explore what's in the ottoman in the bedroom. It's a treasure trove of goodies that don't really have a place anywhere else. I'm sure there are some really warm blankets nestling in there so it's time they came out and went on the beds and in the lounge for snuggling into during the colder evenings.

I may even start making some from my wool stash rather like those I made a while ago....

Phew - with all that searching around I'll get quite a bit of heat up from the exercise too.....

So another month arrives!

 

Okay so there's two elephants for the price of one...

Well, the nights are drawing in so now we need to keep chirpy and cheerful - and what better way to start than to involve a few others?!

Month 10 - Bite 1

First up some necessary maintenance...

It may not be snazzy, exciting or sexy, but today's task is to book a boiler service. Last year when our regular man came by, he fixed a huge hole in the boiler and so saved us the cost of a new one. Once it's been serviced it runs better, quieter and more efficiently. Just what we need to start the month off as the nights draw in and the weather changes.

Month 10 - Bite 2

Following on from our recent spate of decorating and the fact that we're beginning to switch the heating on the central heating system needs some TLC too. Decorating means radiators being disconnected, drained and lifted off the walls so now they are back they need some attention. 

Bleeding the radiators is the first task for today. Making sure that there's water in the pipes and radiators rather than air is a much more economical way to run them!! Then the system needs balancing, and we can check out that everything is working as it should be.

Finally, a check on the thermostat setting on each radiator means that we don't inadvertently turn the system on and find we're heating rooms that don't need it!

A sign of the changing season

 Month 9 - Bite 28

Just recently there's been the usual round of fairs, goose fairs and carnivals that proliferate locally at this time of year. Many have ancient roots and most are only just making a comeback after the great lockdown and its aftermath.

I had a lovely time with my spinning group demonstrating at a local fair near to where we meet and it was good to get back to showing all comers how we convert fluffy, tangled stuff into useful items with wheels, looms, needles and so on.

It did make me think about a lot of the odds and ends I've still got stored in the loft that need using up so today I'm starting to make a list of how I can turn some of them into Christmas presents to save them going to waste and me spending money when I don't need to.

There's also a number of crocheted squares up there I know that will come in useful for one of my ideas for next month, so I need to track them down.

Month 9 - Bite 29

While concentrating on not wasting, recycling and such it occurred to me while I was emptying the bin that I'm wasting far too much time, effort, paper and printing ink when using the computer. I don't need most of the things I print off and even then I should be using both sides of the paper. For instance, I changed credit cards and renewed some insurance lately. I was about to click on print when I noticed one of the documents ran to 17 pages. It's been emailed to me so I can keep a digital copy, I've saved it to my portable hard drive too and I can access it through the company's website - so why was I printing it? Pause over the button time. We're pretty good about using scrap paper for notes and lists, but there's a lot still wasted so today's the day to track down where I don't need a hard copy and start the habit of not printing anything unless it's really necessary.

Month 9 - Bite 30

Time now to look at that revised spending list started at the beginning of this month. It needs to be compared with the one made at the beginning of this process. A number of the items just don't seem to appear now - through the season in some cases, but largely through the slimming down of spending that became a habit until I didn't miss them. One item that seems to have crept back in is the occasional hot drink out. I'm allowing myself to keep that though as it's a particular treat rather than a regular routine and I do enjoy it a lot. I also tend to use the 'sit down with a drink' time to plan or think things through and it's been truly valuable, especially when deciding on what to do next, including a new project for next year!

And so onto Month 10!

Recycling and Reusing

 

Month 9 - Bite 24

Having shortened the curtains to save buying new ones there was some fabric left.

Today was about using the offcuts to make some storage without it costing anything.

Thanks to the internet there are plenty of videos showing how to create items and so the ends of the curtains are now a fabric box and a bag to use in the bedroom to keep a certain someone's toys together!

Month 9 - Bite 25

One of nature's big pluses is that it regularly provides the opportunity for reusing and recycline, thus saving even more cash.

The next task on my list is to tidy up the garden as many of the plants are reaching the end of their season. By gathering the debris into a heap it can easily turn into compost over the winter. The ever growing pile of leaves that have been falling on the lawn and under the shrubs is being collected in a corner ready for its transformation into leaf mould - a great mulch for next year.

So, with very little effort the garden is crating its own produce from its cast-offs! 

Month 9 - Bite 26

Although the mint here will happily grow on throughout the winter there are other herbs that need a bit more care if we are to continue to make the most of their free bounty.

These - the basil especially - are about to be transferred in smaller pots onto a light windowsill where they can continue to grow on and provide ingredients at a fraction of the cost of buying them in the shops. The basil is a particular favourite as it helps to create very cheap pesto extremely quickly...

Month 9 - Bite 27

Some of the plastics haven't made it as far as the recycling bin.

The containers with holes are for planting seeds to grow on in the kitchen (think rocket or small sprouting greens). Those without holes are for trays to capture the water underneath the planted ones. Then some are put to use to cover the seeds and seedlings as min propagator/greenhouses.

Much better using these free materials rather than buying seed and drip trays - and when they're finished with they can be cleaned up and put in the weekly recycling collection too.

A Change of Scenery

 One of the reasons I’ve got a bit behind with posting is because we’re decorating! Not my most favourite of activities, but needs must...

Month 9 - Bite 22

We really need to do some decorating - fading paintwork, repairs to the wallpaper from moving sockets, all that sort of thing so it's an expense that can't be avoided.

However, wholesale decorating isn't the only way of changing things up and refreshing! 

At my niece's place they've been moving the furniture around. It's made me think about how a couple of our rooms are arranged and so that's the next step for me.

By moving some of the furniture we can change the look and feel of the rooms without actually spending a lot of time and money so that's the next job on the list.

While we're at it I've got some throws, rugs and cushion covers in the loft so I'm off up there to see if they'll complete the transformation. If not, buying some new ones won't break the bank and will be a lot cheaper and time saving than a wholesale redecorate!

Month 9 - Bite 23

While they were moving things in the children's bedroom my niece found that the curtains that she'd used from her previous house were too long for what she wanted. The curtains are still in good condition and look just right. They were just too long. So, out with the sewing machine and that's a new pair of curtains without spending any cash!

 

Autumn Days

 It certainly feels like autumn just now! Although the weather hasn't really led to a need for the heating to go on much, which is good...

Firstly a bite that I really ought to take notice of myself...

Month 9 - Bite 16

I am constantly distracted by my emails! Many of them are fine and necessary, some are nuisances and others are offers I need to ignore. So, today's task is to double check my inboxes and begin to turn off the temptations that keep appearing. Not just general shopping (have you noticed that everyone always wants your email address 'to send your receipt' and then constantly bombards you with tempting offers?) Well, enough. I'm going to spend some time going through and blocking some of the more annoying ones to make sure they don't even get to me, unsubscribe from the reliable lists of companies and individuals that I know aren't scams and then try to get into the habit of deleting all of the others every day instead of keeping them 'just in case'.

Now I've got that off my chest it's time for some free and cheap pleasures...

Month 9 - Bite 17

Time for an autumn Treasure Hunt -well a walk anyway. This is one of those free activities that always lifts the spirits. While out and about I want to collect some treasures for use later - pine cones, leaves and so on .. just to see what I can find while I scrunch leaves underfoot and generally breathe in the nice fresh air.

Month 9 - Bite 18

Some of these were laying around so they are ready for drilling holes and attaching strings. Today's free activity is a conker competition followed by helicopter winged flights...

 

Month 9 - Bite 19

Very happy to have found a ready supply of these.. 

  

especially the ones with very pronounced shapes, edges and ridges.

The next free-ish activity for me is to produce some leaf prints ready to mount onto greetings cards to add to my collection all ready for whatever celebration comes along.

Month 9 - Bite 20

Now these need some time to dry out and open up. Today I'm going to check for any insect life that needs releasing and then lightly brush them. Next they can be placed on kitchen towels in the airing cupboard and saved for later - a decoration idea comes to mind, but this is one for another date.

                                             

Month 9 - Bite 21

Another find!

 

A new day, another preparation task. The Ferns I picked need to be dried and pressed - I'm using kitchen towel rather than blotting paper and heavy books instead of a flower press. I've got something in mind for another season, but like the pine cones they need time to dry before I can use them.

Quite a lot from one enjoyable walk...