tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36167749964382437352024-02-21T06:06:04.188-08:00Rae's NomadyA life blog about travel, crafting, renovation, green living, food, history and technology. Raelinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13960739130435943721noreply@blogger.comBlogger157125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3616774996438243735.post-47398638772130009452016-12-30T07:44:00.000-08:002016-12-30T07:44:22.892-08:00New Years Resolutions - checking in.<div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTJSqoOmZcxUI-_CGGqHJySFVNhAAhOa3c2btwgCvEX33O0-SVflmsiM3v5vnm-D6e6oGENlxcb5R4RqUc_DzUy_FIt_oOQeeQxMEck8fl9eRKQN2B8HqfWg72WrKMDyc4gTVHgYC3RVha/s640/2016+rESOLUTIONS.jpg" /></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Its been a busy year - like always! And so busy that from about halfway through the year I ran out of blogging steam. Its cold and crisp and as a result I'm happy to warm up by tapping away ona keyboard again - hopefully this will last a little longer again.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 14px;">As its nearly 2017 I thought I'd check in on my NYRs and see how I did over the year : 66/106 completed - just over a 60% hit rate!!</span></span> Like most to-do resolutions some things floated on to the list with urgency - rewiring of lights and switches and central heating repairs - and some things floated off the list in terms of priority or importance : we have decided to delay the work on the top floor for another year, and we decided that a lovely holiday was far more important than a new garden shed and garage!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">All in all, there are two resolutions that I'm sad that we missed. One was teaching Luca basic recall - he's still deaf and blind when outdoors and as a result needs to be on the lead at all times. It's still being worked on and hopefully this coming year we will achieve it. The other one I'm sad to miss out on was the quarterly visits to a spa - perhaps I should add that back onto the list for 2017!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">How did you do with your 2016 plans? </span></span></div>
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<li><strike>Clean & stain IKEA patio table, chairs & bench </strike></li>
<li><strike>Lay tiles in utility cupboard</strike></li>
<li>Replace waterproof silicon edging at back of kitchen sink/kitchen surface</li>
<li>Grout the tiles under the craft table</li>
<li><strike>Repair edge of kitchen patio</strike></li>
<li><strike>Fit draught excluder to mudroom</strike></li>
<li><strike>Repair exterior giant table on main patio</strike></li>
<li><strike>Repair glue pipe of rear gutter & do extension into grid</strike></li>
<li>Repair garden bench</li>
<li><strike>Fill crack in the wall by back door</strike></li>
<li>Mount curtain poles in the living room</li>
<li>Make window fillers for the circular windows</li>
<li>Make window shutters for the circular windows</li>
<li><strike>Lay drainage pipe down to the canal</strike></li>
<li>Clean tiles on roof</li>
<li><strike>Replace top half of rear stable door</strike></li>
<li><strike>Finish floor in the stables cupboard room</strike></li>
<li><strike>Stable cupboard room inject DPC </strike></li>
<li><strike>New lights in the stable</strike></li>
<li><strike>Mudroom doors on the cupboards to be made & hung</strike></li>
<li><strike>Craftroom doors on the cupboard to be made & hung</strike></li>
<li>Whitewash wood in craftroom</li>
<li>Whitewash wood in mudroom</li>
<li><strike>Repair & repaint dog scratches</strike></li>
<li>Build a mud & water catcher tray</li>
<li><strike>Mini diamonds for the gate to stop the dog escaping</strike></li>
<li><strike>Replace exterior pole light near house</strike></li>
<li><strike>Eat more healthily & take home made food to work at least twice a week</strike></li>
<li><strike>Brick edging for garden beds</strike></li>
<li><strike>Second coat of paint on the gates & fences</strike></li>
<li><strike>Fix the wooden arch base between rose & flower bed </strike></li>
<li><strike>Make up a wooden pane and tile the hole in the laundry room</strike></li>
<li><strike>Install squares on the gate tops at the front</strike></li>
<li><strike>Hem curtain in hall</strike></li>
<li><strike>Glue harp trim</strike></li>
<li><strike>Mosaic stones for garden walkways</strike></li>
<li><strike>Home made curtains for craftroom</strike></li>
<li><strike>Home made curtains for mudroom</strike></li>
<li>Finish putting coving around the ground floor : <strike>hall</strike>, mudroom, <strike>craftroom,</strike> bedroom, laundry room. wardrobe, bathroom, kitchen. <strike>( only done the living room so far!)</strike></li>
<li><strike>"Beschoeing" along the front edge of the garden - timber edging with bespoke vole exits & cat ramps to stop the garden from being washed away by the canal flow</strike></li>
<li><strike>Lay the garden footpath from gate to kitchen patio, from gate around trees to the boardwalk under the trees</strike></li>
<li><strike>Make a fishing boardwalk under the trees!</strike></li>
<li><strike>Install anti-leaf devices in the gutters to encourage leaves not to settle in them!</strike></li>
<li><strike>Remove the old dog pen</strike></li>
<li><strike>Drink more water!</strike></li>
<li><strike>Level and lay new turf around front & garden side of the house</strike></li>
<li>Finish dining room chair makeovers</li>
<li><strike>New lamp near house, and a new lamp by the gate</strike></li>
<li>Lay matting around the fruit trees</li>
<li><strike>(More) Raspberry frames - make and train raspberries up them</strike></li>
<li><strike>Make raised beds for the kitchen garden</strike></li>
<li><strike>Grow a summer feast in the raised beds!</strike></li>
<li>Build the new garden shed & garage</li>
<li>Finish the Pfaff table upcycle</li>
<li>Finish the Singer table upcycle</li>
<li>Repad/stuff Granddad's old chair</li>
<li>Craft an elf village for the trees</li>
<li><strike>Extend the removal of nettles throughout the garden, as far as the hay barn.</strike></li>
<li>Repair the haybarn</li>
<li>Gingerbread trim for the conservatory</li>
<li>Mosaic the postbox base</li>
<li><strike>Accomplish at least 1 upcycling or crafting project per month</strike></li>
<li>Complete design of first floor & above with the architects</li>
<li><strike>Powerwash stables</strike></li>
<li><strike>Repaint all the woodwork on outside of the stables - 'heraldry' on stall shutters</strike></li>
<li><strike>Repaint stable interior</strike></li>
<li>New tiles - mudroom, hall, kitchen (maybe delay until after first floor work?)</li>
<li><strike>Home made Xmas decorations - wood tree</strike></li>
<li>Octagonal bench around the chestnut tree</li>
<li><strike>Wooden flower boxes on the kitchen patio</strike></li>
<li><strike>Reduce wardrobe clutter by 50% in a journey to a minimal & organised wardrobe life</strike></li>
<li>Standing bar tables made by W in wood</li>
<li>Move the laundry line & rebuild</li>
<li>Make a rotating rainshield for laundry line (maybe?) </li>
<li>Chill out at a spa at least once per quarter!!</li>
<li>Garden lighting</li>
<li>Make boot remover</li>
<li><strike>Make giant garden games</strike></li>
<li><strike>Clean blinds in kitchen</strike></li>
<li><strike>Clean blinds in conservatory</strike></li>
<li><strike>Powerwash all patios & stonework</strike></li>
<li>Re-sand the brick flooring </li>
<li>Make moss art on the back of the stables</li>
<li><strike>(WT)Fit new garden doors</strike></li>
<li><strike>(WT)Re-do bathroom ceiling : replaster, repaint</strike></li>
<li><strike>(TZ) re-lay rear patio</strike></li>
<li>Teach the hound to come so that we can run and play on the beach together without a leash</li>
<li><strike>Lay out a chequer board herb garden</strike></li>
<li>Wildflower meadow on the banks of the canal ( opposite side)</li>
<li>Treat & repair wood in the riding ring </li>
<li>Treat & repair wood in the starvation paddock</li>
<li>Clear & relay central walkway between ring & paddock,</li>
<li><strike>De-weed starvation paddock - Zen garden layout</strike></li>
<li><strike>De-weed riding ring - zen garden layout</strike></li>
<li><strike>Clear out stuff in the loft and send at least a car load of stuff off to a better (new) home</strike></li>
<li>Build a clay wood oven for making pizza near the BBQ</li>
<li><strike>Have a giant summer barbeque!</strike></li>
<li><strike>Prune old fruit trees</strike></li>
<li>Remove old concrete blocks from the front & </li>
<li>clear/plant the front area</li>
<li><strike>Get old grain store cleared</strike></li>
<li>Remove asbestos shed ( subject to building new shed)</li>
<li><strike>Level floor in the stables (?new concrete?)</strike></li>
<li><strike>Breed ladybirds for the lime trees</strike></li>
<li><strike>Keep n do a good job in my day job</strike></li>
<li><strike>Relax, be happy, and garden on!</strike></li>
</ol>
Raelinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13960739130435943721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3616774996438243735.post-68545119631291420352016-08-31T14:44:00.003-07:002016-08-31T14:44:15.658-07:00Summer harvest'The summer's been super busy!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbmxMqD6MMGqZEamCRjYbxwGoTLtFdajB_hPgdGp3o86k5juux_TTgIRFfsFTAMwwcYyPWzYFL6hnWavKnMqAlW3N8eaC_ygjg1hNg4x_x9P_y5OKNOsRXWj9HMc1gwZXiWxvtdMWtcVHR/s640/blogger-image--747179892.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbmxMqD6MMGqZEamCRjYbxwGoTLtFdajB_hPgdGp3o86k5juux_TTgIRFfsFTAMwwcYyPWzYFL6hnWavKnMqAlW3N8eaC_ygjg1hNg4x_x9P_y5OKNOsRXWj9HMc1gwZXiWxvtdMWtcVHR/s320/blogger-image--747179892.jpg" width="320" /></a>I've been just about keeping up with the basics in the garden and in the kitchen beds, and we've had an amazing harvest for the last two months. We've almost stopped going to the supermarket for fruit and vegetables, and next year we will be even better at growing things.<br />
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Here's a quick summary of our crops :<br />
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- we had an early and (rich) harvest of elderflowers<br />
- lots and lots and lots of lettuce, more than we could eat!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX1nNxJA1zdsw3PXnocC3-_2H6rDL0p203Dmiqh2QMrIKO3WdPNoopCpvVoxabSEzo8OykVz_NbwBDN5UugVZ5ghd3aoZJlXrPtIigbUfw0HvaFj4fZRKgvriIVUbfLi3UVxGkkeQB49kp/s640/blogger-image--232838456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX1nNxJA1zdsw3PXnocC3-_2H6rDL0p203Dmiqh2QMrIKO3WdPNoopCpvVoxabSEzo8OykVz_NbwBDN5UugVZ5ghd3aoZJlXrPtIigbUfw0HvaFj4fZRKgvriIVUbfLi3UVxGkkeQB49kp/s320/blogger-image--232838456.jpg" width="240" /></a>- our chard crop has been abundant and continuous, true to form as a cut and come again crop<br />
- our cauliflower was quickly infested with cabbage white butterflies, but we still got a couple of lovely dinners from it<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV3SVNJeIc-8d3aaUI2pHgfMo5uxd6Gwq4RmkZ7LW3DNB68fM94wjzSrKCp5HQnhGGfWV55Oli0p2AUOGbBiMktlBi4j_tD7UbyLc3plg6lRFl_EG-ECoO0-L7NGbTvUOg-yUpcT2GR1lV/s640/blogger-image--1677682137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV3SVNJeIc-8d3aaUI2pHgfMo5uxd6Gwq4RmkZ7LW3DNB68fM94wjzSrKCp5HQnhGGfWV55Oli0p2AUOGbBiMktlBi4j_tD7UbyLc3plg6lRFl_EG-ECoO0-L7NGbTvUOg-yUpcT2GR1lV/s320/blogger-image--1677682137.jpg" width="240" /></a>- radishes didn't win this year - with all the hot cycles, they pretty much bolted so we didn't get any lovely crunchy globes. BUT we got lovely rat-tail seed pods which freeze excellently and bring a beautiful peppery bite to stir-frys<br />
- Our peas & mangetout were prolific and long-lifed - enough to take us through to the various bean family plants. We've also had a continuous flow of winged peas which are an interesting variety which occasionally goes a little woody<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT93w2iXJmOJFzIvsn2Ks52bFqlF1UIXBVcS_Nb3gPuzOicsI5di1NbLGlBsd01DNplTpp9HW1wLcfshysmaHHWF-5fTDl3m5xkwCaXQfzrGvQw7BOgGaLU92Q9MWLtNrwwKcClnFV0tab/s640/blogger-image-1329923923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT93w2iXJmOJFzIvsn2Ks52bFqlF1UIXBVcS_Nb3gPuzOicsI5di1NbLGlBsd01DNplTpp9HW1wLcfshysmaHHWF-5fTDl3m5xkwCaXQfzrGvQw7BOgGaLU92Q9MWLtNrwwKcClnFV0tab/s320/blogger-image-1329923923.jpg" width="270" /></a>- tomatoes looked like they were going to be awesome, with lots of heavy trusses. Then sadly, tomato wilt struck and we lost all the plants in the space of two weeks. Luckily we managed to get a solid harvest of green tomatoes and have had lots of fried green tomatoes with beautiful deep south flavours.<br />
- the potatoes were taken off in the same blight, but we have a few potatoes that we are slowly harvesting from the remains.<br />
- beetroot & turnip have been steady but bijou treats as the evenings have shortened, and carrots continue to be a lovely crunchy explosion of flavour<br />
- pumpkins & courgettes are just kicking in and I'm looking forwards to some lovely roasted vegetable melanges<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_weWigZ3Urnzg9naA-WB2zwsxzaQKoC4rYUNHoSNY_2bl5CiYeU6F2GON4awD0oe0afu674cQDLwAoP50t3zPnPGAt6hq6ATDjUvesgzRu7Kz42HXBj-wNh5E48QRkrjlgIhdXCoRD1u/s640/blogger-image--488070086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_weWigZ3Urnzg9naA-WB2zwsxzaQKoC4rYUNHoSNY_2bl5CiYeU6F2GON4awD0oe0afu674cQDLwAoP50t3zPnPGAt6hq6ATDjUvesgzRu7Kz42HXBj-wNh5E48QRkrjlgIhdXCoRD1u/s320/blogger-image--488070086.jpg" width="320" /></a>- still to sample are the celery, leeks, artichokes, onions and mexican cucumbers<br />
<br />The summer fruit have been delicious but far too small as a harvest - raspberries and strawberries - but autumn's harvest of pears is so huge, we'll be eating pears for the whole winter. I don't think we will have a lot from the new orchard, as the trees are still bedding in, but I'm hoping for enough crab apples to make crab apple jelly.<br />
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Raelinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13960739130435943721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3616774996438243735.post-79691516704451991822016-05-30T13:57:00.001-07:002016-05-30T14:44:36.214-07:00How to edge a river bank to protect and shore your garden from erosion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of the mixed blessings of living in the Netherlands is the large amounts of water. You are never more that than a stone's throw away from a canal or river or ditch, and it's almost inevitable (if you live outside the major towns) that you will end up with water running near your property. In our case, we are bounded on 4 sides by drainage canals that form a small part of a complex drainage system that keeps this below sea-level corner of the Netherlands dry. It brings joy with an ever present procession of wildlife - we have ducks, moorhens, swans. coots, kingfishers and herons all within a few steps outside our door.<br />
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However with the constantly moving water, and the annual commitment to dredging out of the canal to ensure silt doesn't build up, erosion is a real and present problem. Around the fields, it's easy to see that the waterways have widened significantly over the years. Around the house, the banks are managed on one side by a line of mature lime trees, who's roots have bound up the soil tightly and act as a natural edging. At the front however, you can see the remnants of the old 'beschoeing' or river edging with a few rotten spikes intermittently sticking up about a foot or more away from the bank. When W had to mess around in the water to put the new gates in, he found out the hard way that whilst the main canal is shoulder deep, the old edging has slowed erosion sufficiently that there is an underwater bank that is only knee high deep. Sadly we weren't quick enough with a camera to capture the experience - and with forewarning, no-one else seems sold on the idea of recreating it.<br />
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We decided that we wanted to replace the front edging for two reasons - one, to stop the erosion and stabilize the banks and secondly to limit the amount of damage the resident muskrats are doing to our front lawn. Muskrats are avid tunnelers and leave as comprehensive a set of networks as your average mole - but significantly larger in diameter. These regularly collapse, scenting the air with a tempting aroma that no self respecting Great Dane can ignore - triggering some mad digging by one of the most efficient canine-destruction machines you've ever seen : a GD puppy on the hunt!<br />
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Lots of research later we decided that doing it the old fashioned way - by hand - would be the way to go and that we felt confident to do it ourselves with lots of help from the lads. We followed plans from http://www.bakkerdehouthandel.nl/ and had all of the materials delivered from them. (All credit for the graphics are bakkerdehouthandel and we recommend getting materials from them - they have an easy onsite calculator to work out exactly how much you need!).<br />
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The process consists of sinking poles into the basal mud layer. Each pole needs to be 2/3rd sunk, and 1/3 boarding to shore up the edging. The gap between each pole is a maximum of 50 cms apart as illustrated in this diagram<br />
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<img alt="Optie Palen" src="http://www.bakkerdehouthandel.nl/webshop/media/customoptions/options/beschrijvingsafbeeldingen/beschoeiingen/beschoeiing_werktekening_palen.jpg" /><br />
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You then attach boards horizontally along the poles to provide at least one board height above the waterlevel and boards all the way down through the water to the base level of the river. The boards go on the inside of the poles so that the soil pressure pushes them against the supports.<br />
<img alt="Optie Planken" src="http://www.bakkerdehouthandel.nl/webshop/media/customoptions/options/beschrijvingsafbeeldingen/beschoeiingen/beschoeiing_werktekening_planken.jpg" /><br />
The boards are attached using bolts to the main poles and a horizontal bracing bar is applied on the outside ( waterside) of the poles to prevent warping and to give additional support for the land anchors.<br />
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<img alt="Optie Gording" src="http://www.bakkerdehouthandel.nl/webshop/media/customoptions/options/beschrijvingsafbeeldingen/beschoeiingen/beschoeiing_werktekening_gording.jpg" /><br />
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Finally you attach anchors into the soil to ensure that the boards & poles have support and don't slide outwards over time. You add a layer of plastic to stop the soil from filtering through the cracks on the inside (land) of the boarding, and you back fill the gap between where you are boarding and where your bank actually is with large amounts of soil. Let it settle, stomp it down, repeat the filling until the ground reaches the level you want. Finally top off the poles with a flat board to give you a more presentable front and an edge to sit on.<br />
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<img alt="Optie Afdeklat" src="http://www.bakkerdehouthandel.nl/webshop/media/customoptions/options/beschrijvingsafbeeldingen/beschoeiingen/beschoeiing_werktekening_trekschoor.jpg" /><br />
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Looks easy, doesn't it? So....no issues, right? Well here's how it *really* went!<br />
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The first task was to measure up and plan how much wood and boarding we would need, Whilst nominally this isn't a terribly hard task, given the clear instructions from deBakker, it's surprisingly hard to measure in a straight line, and to balance on a narrow muddy edge when there is a Great Dane who thinks that the sole reason you are in the canal is to play ball with him. Luca spent most of the afternoon pointedly dropping his ball in the canal and nudging it away into the middle of the canal whilst staring pointedly at poor W - who was freezing, grouchy and not happy with his childhood flashbacks of retrieving balls from water!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Ng8acbkvW5olWUQ3e7QtDhy0viYxugJzuws9G44qccS9It4usgVAdG-ccgq4Zl_hOTLh_V3Hu2qvIOjxjkFdaidlPtJ2aS_t3wrdAkdiVJ_tvQEO1JLLBmLDuKalu0fp3gJSt4UCL5aq/s1600/IMG_3630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Ng8acbkvW5olWUQ3e7QtDhy0viYxugJzuws9G44qccS9It4usgVAdG-ccgq4Zl_hOTLh_V3Hu2qvIOjxjkFdaidlPtJ2aS_t3wrdAkdiVJ_tvQEO1JLLBmLDuKalu0fp3gJSt4UCL5aq/s320/IMG_3630.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Once the wood order and the crew had assembled the next challenge was how to assemble and put together the frame. W & team quickly decided after advice from our neighbor F that the way to go was to assemble lots of individual panels on dry land, to attach the large flat boards on to the main poles and to sink each panel as a block into the muddy base. They then chose to attach the reinforcing strip once the panels were in place and to do the same with the mud guard plastic and the anchors.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwxlqnsKlQyxRRShT9u5hsA1XUU59r-b9_hIpIDvabRJAO_vap3oz7_YHG5zIcQciZ_8z7SwYeXmm6BlDCFvGYutPdiJVWo7jTImmHavKvlDH3BaCxgyEgQ6BZvP0H71zT-gcB-QGIB3A/s1600/IMG_3632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWwxlqnsKlQyxRRShT9u5hsA1XUU59r-b9_hIpIDvabRJAO_vap3oz7_YHG5zIcQciZ_8z7SwYeXmm6BlDCFvGYutPdiJVWo7jTImmHavKvlDH3BaCxgyEgQ6BZvP0H71zT-gcB-QGIB3A/s320/IMG_3632.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
The first panel made it quite clear just how TOUGH a good hardwood is - and you definitely don't want to be using softwoods underwater. Within the first 3 hours, we had burnt out 3 drill bits and burned out the motor on a deWalt rechargeable drill. Knots and just the sheer number of holes needed made this an incredibly tough activity. Note to the wise : you want to drill slowly and steadily, not at max power, and take time to clear the drill bit of sawdust regularly.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyX3mNkUaMXzW8CM0v5YYFbcwUPwY0AYE5XyHi229NrH1KXadZlJEMFY2Fh8o5r684Kp77iMv5MSGNkd-nPRD8SvUAJ9FPK06ryRnixmHICuUpBEomx6g9a0_wv0qp5G3iJ_HTCOT6a1Lv/s1600/IMG_3623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyX3mNkUaMXzW8CM0v5YYFbcwUPwY0AYE5XyHi229NrH1KXadZlJEMFY2Fh8o5r684Kp77iMv5MSGNkd-nPRD8SvUAJ9FPK06ryRnixmHICuUpBEomx6g9a0_wv0qp5G3iJ_HTCOT6a1Lv/s320/IMG_3623.JPG" width="240" /></a>Eventually the team got into a good steady rhythm that allowed consistent progress, without destroying machines & tools. All the movable woodworking tables that W has made over the last few months came into their own and we were able to use them outside in the sunshine to get maximum throughput Here's the assembly line in progress!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRwa14skEuNaSHvvNTLtFXZ7dpM5R4imYOoLWdgpZC_EoaM71oAm_Q1oraLnVXm8s5St96ltGfahf4MA_tZ008UsYId2eDMmYl-sLhlD4FCF_xo1X0FuSUakbqX40_9hXQfyP1dXbRWfo/s1600/IMG_3637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaRwa14skEuNaSHvvNTLtFXZ7dpM5R4imYOoLWdgpZC_EoaM71oAm_Q1oraLnVXm8s5St96ltGfahf4MA_tZ008UsYId2eDMmYl-sLhlD4FCF_xo1X0FuSUakbqX40_9hXQfyP1dXbRWfo/s320/IMG_3637.JPG" width="240" /></a>With the first panel done, the team decided to try placing it immediately to work out what the challenges were ahead. The dream team grabbed the first panel- with all of their proposed boards attached to it and headed out to the water to start sinking it into the riverbed. They very quickly realized that a) its remarkably hard to hammer 5 poles in simultaneously and b) when you screw up on the location, and have to move it sideways, it's REALLY hard to pull it back out of the mud to re-position it! We learned a valuable lesson early on : be willing to improvise a little on measurement - sometimes although the letter of the law calls for 5 boards, reality of the river bank only allows 4! We also learned that the action of hammering the poles caused the tops to split and crack quite a lot. Luckily we had purchased extra long poles, so by moving the board placement further down, we gave ourselves a much longer level of pole at the top, that we could cut off later on with a reciprocating saw. Easier to hammer, and less traumatic when you splinter off chunks!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLTHQGExfm7lScshHeB1SZTE1dlF6DGMJdKZHnP4oTFjY9PEa2AOJugMqT-4QxqM84VcpWPyvxX_C4t-98_MBtHnn7G8IzSaInVEyZ0omMNk_H20O2rAHESOOj8xLIBD86tvExUg-HJ0I2/s1600/IMG_3642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLTHQGExfm7lScshHeB1SZTE1dlF6DGMJdKZHnP4oTFjY9PEa2AOJugMqT-4QxqM84VcpWPyvxX_C4t-98_MBtHnn7G8IzSaInVEyZ0omMNk_H20O2rAHESOOj8xLIBD86tvExUg-HJ0I2/s200/IMG_3642.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDc0IDLbbh8izDJmaOfn3IawJGYO8VJ-VnbAa5JPCrG7YY1TkbVql5jiE19LF3fOl-4ATOJaqhI4I94cjFtbTdddRqj6Fuet2JNXUhgIW42GZ9xP6ZULzA8aAUJyV7Y0uokpSlYfMVaOg/s1600/IMG_3640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDc0IDLbbh8izDJmaOfn3IawJGYO8VJ-VnbAa5JPCrG7YY1TkbVql5jiE19LF3fOl-4ATOJaqhI4I94cjFtbTdddRqj6Fuet2JNXUhgIW42GZ9xP6ZULzA8aAUJyV7Y0uokpSlYfMVaOg/s320/IMG_3640.JPG" width="320" /></a>After first day creating panels, it was back to the task of placing them in the river on the second day. Unfortunately the remnants of the old 'beschoeiing' rapidly proved to be a problem, with the old collapsed frame getting in the way of the new poles. Electric tools and water don't really mix very well, so we had to revert to good old fashion hand tools and my trusty bow saw for tree surgery got called into action. Luckily the weather was on our side with glorious hot & sunny days making up for the fact that water was glacially cold and very very very murky! Each footstep through the mud released methane from the decaying plant materials making the whole exercise particularly fragrant!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVjdZdr58qIXNUYAEuk-506FDxq9BBPIvcvqXsEQhVuLPJ61ee4euux55Fdm3bEhI6O3jS_VoVpPRTFr3GP5kAuSa1VHOkIQQmH8rtKolFYSAxKDiQVtzvdDn56cYDu2CrQm77IrDVc__0/s1600/IMG_3649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVjdZdr58qIXNUYAEuk-506FDxq9BBPIvcvqXsEQhVuLPJ61ee4euux55Fdm3bEhI6O3jS_VoVpPRTFr3GP5kAuSa1VHOkIQQmH8rtKolFYSAxKDiQVtzvdDn56cYDu2CrQm77IrDVc__0/s320/IMG_3649.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2VQGi9Qq5pf4HsJTCyvNRrTRuKDAcsdjkoB4Z-Wd2aP_K4J_9NlxStoKt5anZUUqvHvBGrTtfrXiY7KZfZv7YlrEgK906XUez7n4kbyPEo6SoYk6ClaUtoBKC-q37MUoVXXdFOmcZSjmA/s1600/IMG_3645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2VQGi9Qq5pf4HsJTCyvNRrTRuKDAcsdjkoB4Z-Wd2aP_K4J_9NlxStoKt5anZUUqvHvBGrTtfrXiY7KZfZv7YlrEgK906XUez7n4kbyPEo6SoYk6ClaUtoBKC-q37MUoVXXdFOmcZSjmA/s200/IMG_3645.JPG" width="200" /></a>At the end of the third day we'd completed fitting the right hand side of the bank and discovered some of the challenges we had created for ourselves with sinking the gate posts into the water. It wasn't too much of a problem to the right of the gate as it was not far overhung, but on the left we had to do a long diagonal slice around the fencing and come up with new creative ideas to stop Luca from traversing out to freedom.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYSoScFXruS2FG2i9Wi1A97-MO6GFh1MnouxMMLQFN-wygpWnNHxuwkh3c0cd_eSc6_JupY00NGQND9rpbWXQzyI_RskVV0OuLq51Itgv_gys4aLgzxq5YeFZ6SUNHobJGhrj8md8huSWY/s1600/IMG_20160513_102640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYSoScFXruS2FG2i9Wi1A97-MO6GFh1MnouxMMLQFN-wygpWnNHxuwkh3c0cd_eSc6_JupY00NGQND9rpbWXQzyI_RskVV0OuLq51Itgv_gys4aLgzxq5YeFZ6SUNHobJGhrj8md8huSWY/s320/IMG_20160513_102640.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjTEdOdiSkusr6KF3kRSHGJk6M000x_bocAGteIOtnKP9zxpy1LHxMLazpYRNkSavEkaK4uMmDel7RAraKDQBzW2ePCN7okpmXo6V36ah3DIGtAUwVjuRld0EGOB4sDSvHiVuR6ueqYb-/s1600/IMG_3651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHjTEdOdiSkusr6KF3kRSHGJk6M000x_bocAGteIOtnKP9zxpy1LHxMLazpYRNkSavEkaK4uMmDel7RAraKDQBzW2ePCN7okpmXo6V36ah3DIGtAUwVjuRld0EGOB4sDSvHiVuR6ueqYb-/s200/IMG_3651.JPG" width="200" /></a> The dream team also came up with interesting ideas on how to balance out across the water, in order to keep momentum and power behind their sledgehammer strokes when the bank and boarding had significantly parted company. It gave us inspiration for a later innovation : the cat scramble board or duck boards - to help animals which don't want to remain in the water to get safely out. As both Lumikki and Jesper had fallen into the canals within days of being allowed out to roam, I want to be sure that the wooden edging doesn't have fatal results when one of them misjudges their steps.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8HX_KEbNbECoCILuuTsEvREPK4xp2Iuenh5Arr3hvmFli_1yCDM4n_MuXH2HRtJvYz4d5CloTaXcEk3cCguVo5_QeZqRCmGhmsRXd3zjkW4P4Gc5K04TYBNYOz71RiZNftzShDUOmQaoD/s1600/IMG_20160513_102552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8HX_KEbNbECoCILuuTsEvREPK4xp2Iuenh5Arr3hvmFli_1yCDM4n_MuXH2HRtJvYz4d5CloTaXcEk3cCguVo5_QeZqRCmGhmsRXd3zjkW4P4Gc5K04TYBNYOz71RiZNftzShDUOmQaoD/s200/IMG_20160513_102552.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWRjp6_YUxU1_PeA3YWi1QXIqFEfwW8ZtybL5UqXmON2bWBVzP1CwdjUvE8t4liCP7COoDLih2jWcSymOm_Pq08KTavSvWX9hwNpvRttF6-6mxEjBe3zhJg7zyN6wIFXdW23tYG8W41Z6/s1600/IMG_8286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaWRjp6_YUxU1_PeA3YWi1QXIqFEfwW8ZtybL5UqXmON2bWBVzP1CwdjUvE8t4liCP7COoDLih2jWcSymOm_Pq08KTavSvWX9hwNpvRttF6-6mxEjBe3zhJg7zyN6wIFXdW23tYG8W41Z6/s320/IMG_8286.JPG" width="320" /></a>Once all the boards were in, it was time to attach the plastic material that stops the soil from trickling away. This is done on the inside, along the line of the main retaining baton. Once attached,the main retaining strip put in,and the ground anchors attached, it was time to start to long hard graft of back-filling the soil gap. Luca had decided early on that it was HIS fort, and that he was the king of the castle! It gave him a perfect location to supervise the work that everyone was doing and to provide his own personal commentary to the proceedings!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-zRA-tEKm3Y3o6O2cFhRvPt3e6Tu9Tf-AMXErs_z0By8UtX-2Cu8BAW_buuGwV-dCqBNtjor7HADlKZyK75yeydhRwNcLrMRa_hMmsDWrMyCnqS4KDQBO3cgTZUzPd53M3X4WtMvw8nM/s1600/IMG_8243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO-zRA-tEKm3Y3o6O2cFhRvPt3e6Tu9Tf-AMXErs_z0By8UtX-2Cu8BAW_buuGwV-dCqBNtjor7HADlKZyK75yeydhRwNcLrMRa_hMmsDWrMyCnqS4KDQBO3cgTZUzPd53M3X4WtMvw8nM/s200/IMG_8243.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBp0GvBIzvgQMQyVMKUjR032_5XnyNDExU5nnIIOS_CnOSL_BMejJfRiepjfFwFHLEkaU1gBp1C3lxX-tzpenJc9m-DH36-_jGDeHrKNmlL9NFoL7R6qx76lMalqybk2PZg5x0YczHuFt/s1600/IMG_20160513_191725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBp0GvBIzvgQMQyVMKUjR032_5XnyNDExU5nnIIOS_CnOSL_BMejJfRiepjfFwFHLEkaU1gBp1C3lxX-tzpenJc9m-DH36-_jGDeHrKNmlL9NFoL7R6qx76lMalqybk2PZg5x0YczHuFt/s200/IMG_20160513_191725.jpg" width="200" /></a>Once back-filled, we took a few days off to let the soil settle, and to find out if we'd missed any sneaky corners where the soil was trickling away. This seems to be an inevitable part of the process, and we were lucky to only have one 'leak'. Once settled it was top up time then we needed to remove the top extension of the pole down at the board height and to attach the flat board over the top to finish it off. Whilst initially the boarding looks really 'wonky' - wavering all over the place with no real straight lines in place - once the retaining bar and the top was laid on, it was amazing how much the movement disappeared. From the far side of the river, it looks beautiful and smooth with a gentle curve that mirrors the shape of the land.<br />
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5 days of hard work later (plus a few waiting days ) and we ended up with a beautiful new canal edge. The observant among you will have spotted the extra special add on that we made - I'll talk more about in a later post - a fishing boardwalk!<br />
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<br />Raelinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13960739130435943721noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3616774996438243735.post-43500558436417383402016-05-26T11:04:00.001-07:002016-05-26T11:05:30.414-07:00Update on New Year's resolutions....Wow, have I got so much to share with you all! I've been super quiet for a few weeks because the boys have been over and we've been working hard to plough through our 2016 list. And oh my, we've done so well! We've had fun and dealt with a dozen curved balls and still managed to work like crazy!<br />
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I know it's not yet the quarter end but I cant help but celebrate how much progress we've made against the list - and done lots of other new things as surprises come along. The plan for the next few weeks is clean up all the dust, get my diet of food back onto good healthy stuff and blog blog blog blog!<br />
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Annotation : Strike through is done, italics is well in progress<br />
<ol style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.2px;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>Clean & stain IKEA patio table, chairs & bench</strike> </li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>Lay tiles in utility cupboard</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Replace waterproof silicon edging at back of kitchen sink/kitchen surface</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Grout the tiles under the craft table</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>Repair edge of kitchen patio</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>Fit draught excluder to mudroom</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>Repair exterior giant table on main patio</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>Repair glue pipe of rear gutter & do extension into grid</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Repair garden bench</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Fill crack in the wall by back door</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Mount curtain poles in the living room</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Make window fillers for the circular windows</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Make window shutters for the circular windows</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>Lay drainage pipe down to the canal</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>Clean tiles on roof</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>Replace top half of rear stable door</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>Finish floor in the stables cupboard room</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>Stable cupboard room inject DPC </strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><i>New lights in the stable</i></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>Mudroom doors on the cupboards to be made & hung</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>Craftroom doors on the cupboard to be made & hung</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Whitewash wood in craftroom</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Whitewash wood in mudroom</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>Repair & repaint dog scratches</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Build a mud & water catcher tray</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>Mini diamonds for the gate to stop the dog escaping</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>Replace exterior pole light near house</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Eat more healthily & take home made food to work at least twice a week</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>Brick edging for garden beds</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>Second coat of paint on the gates & fences</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Fix the wooden arch base between rose & flower bed </li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>Make up a wooden pane and tile the hole in the laundry room</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>Install squares on the gate tops at the front</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Hem curtain in hall</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>Glue harp trim</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><i>Mosaic stones for garden walkways</i></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>Home made curtains for craftroom</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Home made curtains for mudroom</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><i>Finish putting coving around the ground floor : hall, mudroom, <strike>craftroom,</strike> bedroom, laundry room. wardrobe, bathroom, kitchen. ( only done the living room so far!)</i></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>"Beschoeing" along the front edge of the garden - timber edging with bespoke vole exits & cat ramps to stop the garden from being washed away by the canal flow</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Lay the garden footpath from gate to kitchen patio, from gate around trees t<strike>o the boardwalk under the trees</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>Make a fishing boardwalk under the trees!</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Install anti-leaf devices in the gutters to encourage leaves not to settle in them!</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>Remove the old dog pen</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Drink more water!</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>Level and lay new turf around front & garden side of the house</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Finish dining room chair makeovers</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">New lamp near house, and a new lamp by the gate</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Lay matting around the fruit trees</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">(More) Raspberry frames - make and train raspberries up them</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>Make raised beds for the kitchen garden</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><i>Grow a summer feast in the raised beds!</i></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Build the new garden shed & garage</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Finish the Pfaff table upcycle</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Finish the Singer table upcycle</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Repad/stuff Granddad's old chair</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Craft an elf village for the trees</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>Extend the removal of nettles throughout the garden, as far as the hay barn.</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Repair the haybarn</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Gingerbread trim for the conservatory</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Mosaic the postbox base</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Accomplish at least 1 upcycling or crafting project per month</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Complete design of first floor & above with the architects</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>Powerwash stables</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>Repaint all the woodwork on outside of the stables - 'heraldry' on stall shutters</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>Repaint stable interior</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">New tiles - mudroom, hall, kitchen (maybe delay until after first floor work?)</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Home made Xmas decorations - wood tree</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Octagonal bench around the chestnut tree</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><i>Wooden flower boxes on the kitchen patio</i></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>Reduce wardrobe clutter by 50% in a journey to a minimal & organised wardrobe life</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Standing bar tables made by W in wood</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Move the laundry line & rebuild</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Make a rotating rainshield for laundry line (maybe?) </li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Chill out at a spa at least once per quarter!!</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Garden lighting</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Make boot remover</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Make giant garden games</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>Clean blinds in kitchen</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Clean blinds in conservatory</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>Powerwash all patios & stonework</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Re-sand the brick flooring </li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Make moss art on the back of the stables</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>(WT)Fit new garden doors</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>(WT)Re-do bathroom ceiling : replaster, repaint</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>(WT) New bathroom!</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>(WT) New fridge, oven & extractor fan</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">(TZ) re-lay rear patio</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Teach the hound to come so that we can run and play on the beach together without a leash</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Lay out a chequer board herb garden</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>Wildflower meadow on the banks of the canal ( opposite side)</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Treat & repair wood in the riding ring </li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Treat & repair wood in the starvation paddock</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Clear & relay central walkway between ring & paddock,</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>De-weed starvation paddock - Zen garden layout</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>De-weed riding ring - zen garden layout</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>Clear out stuff in the loft and send at least a car load of stuff off to a better (new) home</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Build a clay wood oven for making pizza near the BBQ</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Have a giant summer barbeque!</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>Prune old fruit trees</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Remove old concrete blocks from the front & </li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">clear/plant the front area</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Get old grain store cleared</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Remove asbestos shed ( subject to building new shed)</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Level floor in the stables (?new concrete?)</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Breed ladybirds for the lime trees</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><i>Keep n do a good job in my day job</i></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><i>Relax, be happy, and garden on!</i></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>A new bath tap</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>Rainshield on mudroom window</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>Rollers on the gates</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>Repair front guttering</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>Make a new garden bench </strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>New ironmongery on the paddock gates</strike></li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;"><strike>Clear out the garden shed & skip all the trash around the site.</strike></li>
</ol>
Raelinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13960739130435943721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3616774996438243735.post-8697092327102429382016-05-10T14:01:00.000-07:002016-05-12T13:33:13.875-07:00Restoring a grand old table part 2 : garden table renovation<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Our beautiful table is done! </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBASzV8qNTrn-cvkwvFDWfCOZH0IDnu6Z-0Ss-lxcN_xHIe2uJBGkdqdOHyNWTIlb9vvpZDSG9_wPbjOJAot6I04pCzA1xdved_XOdEdmjIcJGhmSY5OAuw7oPtD3nvpjF49zbyoHWbS9/s1600/blogger-image--2023586201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBASzV8qNTrn-cvkwvFDWfCOZH0IDnu6Z-0Ss-lxcN_xHIe2uJBGkdqdOHyNWTIlb9vvpZDSG9_wPbjOJAot6I04pCzA1xdved_XOdEdmjIcJGhmSY5OAuw7oPtD3nvpjF49zbyoHWbS9/s200/blogger-image--2023586201.jpg" width="200"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMdmqPKvLFtgTl1qsYCWoSrUM0fOHBaMto9GVuuBvfKk4S05nLCOuEzJ17zVus_Sf8PzgCC9fDr9y3L1nnJjPvp5Jgtq0d4ARHfHcvRNtPurrsRbpo9jBjocUIuX1iEj45vLtW6xxPssSz/s640/blogger-image--245207617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMdmqPKvLFtgTl1qsYCWoSrUM0fOHBaMto9GVuuBvfKk4S05nLCOuEzJ17zVus_Sf8PzgCC9fDr9y3L1nnJjPvp5Jgtq0d4ARHfHcvRNtPurrsRbpo9jBjocUIuX1iEj45vLtW6xxPssSz/s200/blogger-image--245207617.jpg" width="200"></a>W has spent lots and lots of hours working on her. After the rough sanding we covered in the last blog, he focused on the legs as the easiest place to get a solid sanding routine going. Starting with a 40 grit, then working his way through 60, 80, 120, 180 grit and finishing with a delicate polish on 320 grit. The legs came up magically smooth and incredibly tactile as a result. Working on the underside was hard and dusty work - I'm still not sure how he managed to wear all that safety gear and still work in the blazing sun and heat we've just had. That said, it's a remarkably good idea to have the face mask as there was a lot of dust flying around. He has repeated the process on the main table top surface and she is just glorious.<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL05twzVwk4qiVvFkWhC3i8aoZKazdCB0AEJkfD-lPaojG3X2q4N1NXcaleyeEQZnIQLl7f07JSK6czbyo1F-787u6_oYq2YRtroLut8QaqA1DGiAqFey7rSFU-bPf4iOcQ4cCR5jDTDNR/s1600/blogger-image-1474685806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL05twzVwk4qiVvFkWhC3i8aoZKazdCB0AEJkfD-lPaojG3X2q4N1NXcaleyeEQZnIQLl7f07JSK6czbyo1F-787u6_oYq2YRtroLut8QaqA1DGiAqFey7rSFU-bPf4iOcQ4cCR5jDTDNR/s200/blogger-image-1474685806.jpg" width="200"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUgNIhFAkrb8OyV4uhXGW-yWmb_CdSKZvMORRyZx_ZHSUA8axQrMwGCcYyDe1oun0vHr8xQBYzgSrYVFoxOx3sDYV7OBKRDzyAsVt4yEYaVSdyo0mRl1pvRdCywbxN-iP9jtby_XPI-Ww/s640/blogger-image--390234709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivUgNIhFAkrb8OyV4uhXGW-yWmb_CdSKZvMORRyZx_ZHSUA8axQrMwGCcYyDe1oun0vHr8xQBYzgSrYVFoxOx3sDYV7OBKRDzyAsVt4yEYaVSdyo0mRl1pvRdCywbxN-iP9jtby_XPI-Ww/s200/blogger-image--390234709.jpg" width="150"></a></div>
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We've coated her with 3 coats of Danish oil - the first cut with turpentine oil to carry the oils deep into the surface. She drank the first coat in like a lost man coming to a bar in the middle of the desert - we went through more than 3 times as much oil on the first coat than on any other coat. It's sticky horrible work, and it's impossible to get Danish oil off your skin - but it was worth every minute we had to spend in the shower sanding it off ourselves with crazy amounts of scrubs. It is almost impossible to capture the way the table glows in the sunlight - she looks beautiful in the pictures, and is so much better in real life. </div>
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Time to get a glass out and chill in the sun! Next project has to be to make up some chairs to go with her ..........we still haven't worked out what the wood is, so if anyone can identify it, please let us know, so that we can make the chairs from the same source. </div><div><br></div><div>See part 1 here : <a href="http://raesnomady.blogspot.nl/2016/04/restoring-grand-old-table-part-1.html" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">http://raesnomady.blogspot.nl/2016/04/restoring-grand-old-table-part-1.html</a></div><div><br></div>
Raelinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13960739130435943721noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3616774996438243735.post-51638043611659024262016-05-10T13:24:00.003-07:002016-05-10T13:25:51.119-07:00The battle of the weeds continues<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZMhGiAbLT9dqPlvto6eTB1igBsYOlB5WRbSdntBsSOfirUT_dFhrsa0yDYNU3Q24AVBXBw_3yvCkvDDwiFGDT5YXYnlFIoROfBAs-xtsLWqaS-XNneWAZzQK6GbOSKXl_k5K4NfwV6yzQ/s640/blogger-image--1487632188.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZMhGiAbLT9dqPlvto6eTB1igBsYOlB5WRbSdntBsSOfirUT_dFhrsa0yDYNU3Q24AVBXBw_3yvCkvDDwiFGDT5YXYnlFIoROfBAs-xtsLWqaS-XNneWAZzQK6GbOSKXl_k5K4NfwV6yzQ/s320/blogger-image--1487632188.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_ZdhP7fA48a6qfFhmoTyl7rukldearT6fzvXUdlnJYbthv1Si7OfcHronIAZmPFNQpO9jbwxCERATuGX1tYeeTz-aXF9t8s_AdsPugi0YtFr5Gl3Mpq0V0CPB4dI1uta04etzBBsrApl/s640/blogger-image-927137638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5_ZdhP7fA48a6qfFhmoTyl7rukldearT6fzvXUdlnJYbthv1Si7OfcHronIAZmPFNQpO9jbwxCERATuGX1tYeeTz-aXF9t8s_AdsPugi0YtFr5Gl3Mpq0V0CPB4dI1uta04etzBBsrApl/s320/blogger-image-927137638.jpg" width="320" /></a>It's definitely spring and heading fast into summer. The weather has been glorious - sunny balmy weather with sprinkles of rain just often enough to put every growing thing into overdrive. As a result, the crabgrass, nettles, ivy and other weeds are all relentlessly advancing across the garden. The last few days has been a pretty solid fight, armed with handfork, trowel and large amounts of bark chipping to get the majority of the main areas under control. We've weeded, turned soil and laid out over 5 cubic metres of bark chips - and planted lots of new plants.<br />
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As weeding is not the most photographic activity, I haven't really blogged much about it. But here are a few pictures of the end result. I'm hoping that in a few weeks, after a bit more of this, I will have an extra special end result and have lost a few pounds! It's certainly looking pretty good on W - I think I need to do some catching up with him on the heavy lifting.<br />
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I'm also really looking forwards to the middle of the summer when all the little pots planted will be much larger and have jumped on the springtime explosion-wagon.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HC3b_yG8x9fCbwfVAbhjTBYMAwD04LDnQ6K1B900YAbEduiekvgA1pyIAJItT9lw7Gz62Y5kppquRfcb6e5fcQd_h7Kr8SFzQYiVUzpet7KDlF9PgkPO6nC1VibFpuAUTL2crYaRMBnS/s640/blogger-image-1177839203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HC3b_yG8x9fCbwfVAbhjTBYMAwD04LDnQ6K1B900YAbEduiekvgA1pyIAJItT9lw7Gz62Y5kppquRfcb6e5fcQd_h7Kr8SFzQYiVUzpet7KDlF9PgkPO6nC1VibFpuAUTL2crYaRMBnS/s320/blogger-image-1177839203.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
The other joy of spring is all the fruit trees bursting into flower - we have a wonderful display on the main pear tree which is a lovely sight of an evening. All the trees in the orchard have survived the winter flooding - we worried for a while that we'd lost a couple due to having their roots in water for too long when the field drain blocked and flooded the fields. The flowers are coming out in their own pattern - the cherries have bloomed first, and the apples are following along closely.<br />
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The crab apples are gorgeous - I'm counting on them to bring us our first crop of fruit this summer as they are excellent pollinators for all our apple varieties. Roll on the summer!<br />
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Raelinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13960739130435943721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3616774996438243735.post-65301483969117968992016-04-28T04:20:00.002-07:002016-04-28T04:20:31.494-07:00Restoring a grand old table, part 1<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8JMpinIl3ZXfjKfV1N2GE3xHITzyf0m7C-WLhaLwQW1U1TbekBmAjGH61xq5zTbx_dJQ83GgVcrf8JtJhN8NpBax1w61BevOzDZT2n2zLZFNiiFXSpx7oPQMPPEWYnr5EFOnyUse8Y3R8/s1600/image2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8JMpinIl3ZXfjKfV1N2GE3xHITzyf0m7C-WLhaLwQW1U1TbekBmAjGH61xq5zTbx_dJQ83GgVcrf8JtJhN8NpBax1w61BevOzDZT2n2zLZFNiiFXSpx7oPQMPPEWYnr5EFOnyUse8Y3R8/s320/image2.JPG" width="320" /></a>We have inherited the most beautiful picnic table you've ever seen.<br />
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It's huge, it's so heavy that four of us can't move it, and it's top is made out of a single complete slice of a very large, very mature tree. You can see the growth rings so clearly, marking every year that this giant stood and watched over the earth. Sadly, now that it is a table, it has had very little love and care over the last few years, and the top is cracking badly, the edges of the table are crumbling away and there is mould and lichen and rot building up in the crevices.<br />
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With all the work that W has been doing with wood, he's been falling more and more in love with the beauty of wood when it's loved and cared for - and this restoration has been high on his priorities. With spring here, and summer barbeques coming, we both really want this baby back at its full beauty.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTktTz3PczICVX57monUGQSpWRmBVvOfLb_AGcZ4LnU264s2b0xX7prhFk8EYZZXMtvF6qnQph1UNUx4shyphenhyphenoB3-CoSgcwKMPdlr7LBOuqbqOivxaq6DIJc9uML3Y19ODLCA4_p4wdVQVj/s1600/image1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTktTz3PczICVX57monUGQSpWRmBVvOfLb_AGcZ4LnU264s2b0xX7prhFk8EYZZXMtvF6qnQph1UNUx4shyphenhyphenoB3-CoSgcwKMPdlr7LBOuqbqOivxaq6DIJc9uML3Y19ODLCA4_p4wdVQVj/s200/image1.JPG" width="200" /></a>We spent a lot of time researching how to best rescue it and had advice from many different sources. Many people suggested powerwashing it - but the surface is so broken, we are both quite worried that power washing will degrade it further. It also won't address the way that the surface is flaking in a consistent and gentle way.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIBDmUYdr8TL-XGeHKOla92GVjFxv4yIiS26WzTWG_Er-M6vpAItytsqZnpytpkYJvpmg4_5DXywwnH-a18mYZwvQwVM9hlOwgwrG6B0Ko-qHCwCCNhRzkajDc2zlopGFU4x049YhSaWA/s1600/image3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIBDmUYdr8TL-XGeHKOla92GVjFxv4yIiS26WzTWG_Er-M6vpAItytsqZnpytpkYJvpmg4_5DXywwnH-a18mYZwvQwVM9hlOwgwrG6B0Ko-qHCwCCNhRzkajDc2zlopGFU4x049YhSaWA/s320/image3.JPG" width="240" /></a>We decided to start by sanding it sufficiently to remove the rotten and broken layers, and I will be spending a lot of time clearing out the crevices with a dental pick and a craft knife. W started on the side that was most rotten and you can see just how much difference it's made already.<br />
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After a day of hard work we now have the top and sides rough sanded. Here it is, halfway through. We still need to do the legs and the base, and I have to get to work clearing out all the crevices .I've started work on it, and I think I will need to use my trusty crafting dremel on some of the larger ones but many are so narrow and deep that we probably won't be able to do much beyond removing surface material. I really want the table to have a chance to dry out before we treat it with oils & wax to stop the rain from damaging it further. We are toying with a plan to put a frame around the table with waterproof covers so that the table can breath and dry out a little before we move - or maybe we will just pitch a large tent over it. Either way it needs to be easily removable so that it doesn't add to the problem by creating an even moister environment that it sits in over extended periods, and it can be easily shifted on sunny days. <br />
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Here she is sanded roughly at the day's end - can't wait to continue! If any of you have done a project of this sort, - restoring old timber like this - do let us know in the comments of what you think would be the best approach. I want this beauty to last another few decades yet - or longer!<br />
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Raelinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13960739130435943721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3616774996438243735.post-78914838427444804582016-04-23T13:08:00.000-07:002016-04-23T13:09:49.470-07:00Spring weeding<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF68m85IUp8oakrhM6EVb45_43YR2unggEQcSbpSm4Ys2ASZS_PqpB4apLylOQrgyvRZ80a7W07HbiLy87L3snR07JBHAvTw76E8r-9PBZkLR41TcHKp1ocOlFih6GTi7C2fQuLjMvP96z/s1600/springgarden5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF68m85IUp8oakrhM6EVb45_43YR2unggEQcSbpSm4Ys2ASZS_PqpB4apLylOQrgyvRZ80a7W07HbiLy87L3snR07JBHAvTw76E8r-9PBZkLR41TcHKp1ocOlFih6GTi7C2fQuLjMvP96z/s320/springgarden5.jpg" width="320" /></a>Spring has definitely arrived in Holland - and the weeds & nettles are growing like crazy. We have a massive infestation of crabgrass and buttercups are running rampant. Keeping up with the weeding seems to be an impossible task!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzDzy1NlVXyRgP0ekOw2DP63CAotl4qtXBKjLk77C0nWLV9_iyzYk46yl86bzWfFCL7u1B4IQXA3pyJ1oD6qnluuqCpAOJkmcoZcl-uCR2U8A1uvgrrZByhJmPROgsKxoFFTZ0XuyS23Ug/s1600/springgarden2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzDzy1NlVXyRgP0ekOw2DP63CAotl4qtXBKjLk77C0nWLV9_iyzYk46yl86bzWfFCL7u1B4IQXA3pyJ1oD6qnluuqCpAOJkmcoZcl-uCR2U8A1uvgrrZByhJmPROgsKxoFFTZ0XuyS23Ug/s320/springgarden2.jpg" width="320" /></a>Last year we spread out a *lot* of bark chips - about 4 inches deep - across the main flower beds. We didn't do any great amount of weeding and I expected to be having to do lots and lots and lots this year. Surprisingly, it's actually not been bad - and even nettles seem to have died back. I am wondering if this is going to be the magic organic solution I've been looking - using mulch layers to kill off the large amounts of weeds we are still tackling. With 5 cubic square metres of bark chips, I might just make it around 2/3rds of the garden again. Definitely will make it onto the to-do plan. Sadly it didn't work on the buttercups - they have just come back ever more enthusiastically than before.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgEYkKI_ocEj8SpxPfMyxQNW2CVOQ42DVZRrAcgcmbVBt7bqs71JaBCIh-S0FkuWp703sGrs7XsTLt84_zItEtmTMwdO2GaDuDbBYXqSy0V3EHMr-Da_bEIAcrN8HW2yjb3TuMzYq367ag/s1600/springgarden3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgEYkKI_ocEj8SpxPfMyxQNW2CVOQ42DVZRrAcgcmbVBt7bqs71JaBCIh-S0FkuWp703sGrs7XsTLt84_zItEtmTMwdO2GaDuDbBYXqSy0V3EHMr-Da_bEIAcrN8HW2yjb3TuMzYq367ag/s320/springgarden3.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
Today, I had a go at shifting the buttercups and crabgrass in the main beds - 6 loads of weeds out, 15 loads of bark chips in and things are starting to look quite pretty! I will need to add a lot more layers, but I don't think I can push any more wheelbarrow loads without collapsing in a heap today. Trying to get every single buttercup root bulbs is remarkably hard with gloves but hopefully there's been a high hit rate and we won't have such a flourishing colony later in the year.<br />
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Luca had a wonderful day chasing the frisbee around the garden, in between weeding stints. He hasn't quite got the hang of 'give' but he definitely worked out 'fetch'!<br />
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Raelinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13960739130435943721noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3616774996438243735.post-81610031863800296532016-04-22T11:20:00.004-07:002016-04-22T11:20:58.162-07:00Earthday & Gratitude<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today is Earth Day.<br />
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It's a time for reflection about the amazing planet that we live on and share with so many other living creatures as well as a time for action - to make sure that it will still be this way for our children, our children's children, and their descendants.<br />
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Like everyone, I've had tough times - I've spent far too much of my adult life fighting depression and life hasn't always taken the path I would have liked it to take. Like most women in highly visible career paths, I've fought against a lack of self confidence and sense of being the impostor in the room at times. You take your knocks and you get up and get going again - and I find the energy to do this just by walking out the door and seeing the miracle that is this Earth. Each flower, ant, leaf and person. It's been a constant North Star of happiness to see the Earth and Nature - humanity included - in so many different forms.<br />
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I'm grateful that I've been fortunate enough to travel and see places that many people will now never see : I've seen Asia before it was covered with plastic and concrete, African jungles filled with the squeaks and rustles and barks of wild animals, coral reefs that were vibrantly colored and had shoals of wonderful fish darting through and the Mediterranean, still shining an azure oil-free blue.<br />
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I'm grateful that I can watch a leaf grow and unfurl on a springtime tree and a flower burst into blossom.<br />
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I'm grateful that my parents took the time to show me paradise in a grain of sand and I'm grateful for the Being or accident of chemistry that caused this world to be.<br />
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I hope we learn to tread lightly on this Earth - she's the only one we have - and that our children's children can see the same beauty that we can now. Or even better, the Earth with her industrial veil lifted.<br />
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Raelinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13960739130435943721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3616774996438243735.post-45764798200811365622016-04-14T04:06:00.000-07:002016-04-14T04:07:11.840-07:00Making a workbench for a mitre sawThis winter has definitely been laying the groundwork for the heavy lifting we will need to do next year when we take on the new levels in the house. Tools have been at the heart of everything - whether they are garden tools or woodworking and DIY tools. W has spent hours poring over reviews on the interweb before deciding on each and every purchase. The tools aren't enough, though - you really need work benchs for tools to be able to work at their optimum level.<br />
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As a result, W has been busy making up a workbench to run the mitre (or miter, if you are american!) saw on. We've had it sat on an old tumble dryer as a stop gap, but it's not really safe and secure, so getting it onto a long term home was quite important.<br />
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For doing a lot of this sort of foundational work, W has been using a cheap and cheerful white deal plank that we buy in bulk from our favourite wood merchant. The first task was to work out the measurements - we used an online design as the base pattern , but needed to adjust the height to fit the specifics of the Makita mitre saw that we have, and wanted to make it 4 meters 40 cm wide, and 60 cm deep to accommodate European wood sizes. Once that was done, it was chopping time - cutting all the required lengths of planking to size. Then on to using a kreg jig to make the recessed screw holes to fit the 90 degree joins together.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-fD-c_9sGjSweGIO8LmNLpwf8cbYnxAFvlVoL78rg8fB87S4xNb8QD1wmcrT_xHLwGVqF2FVM0ymOXAeov3xzpS4C-NGegpxJ-u4fSppIphtOaDW-m2lYMpjwOMzQadkzI0uRJ2ZrQjC/s640/blogger-image-1900526548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-fD-c_9sGjSweGIO8LmNLpwf8cbYnxAFvlVoL78rg8fB87S4xNb8QD1wmcrT_xHLwGVqF2FVM0ymOXAeov3xzpS4C-NGegpxJ-u4fSppIphtOaDW-m2lYMpjwOMzQadkzI0uRJ2ZrQjC/s640/blogger-image-1900526548.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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Once everything was ready to assemble, time to get busy with the wood glue and screws. W has made a template to make sure that the corners are at 90 degrees true when being screwed together and you can see it in use here, with clamps holding it in place.<br />
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Once the main frame was assembled it's time to move onto the top surfaces. You can see that the sides are both higher than the central dipped area : the dip is where the mitre saw sits as it's got quite a high base. This means that you can support long planks on both sides of the workbench on the flat surfaceand not have to juggle madly whilst cutting. Definitely a safety advantage! The main surface is a cheap composite board, that can be easily replaced if it gets damaged.</div>
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Last but not least, to make sure that we can move the workbench reasonably easily, W added roller wheels at the base. It looks gorgeous and hopefully it's going to be worth it's weight in gold soon!<br />
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Raelinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13960739130435943721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3616774996438243735.post-17479488216630276552016-04-12T13:01:00.001-07:002016-04-14T04:01:24.109-07:00Refurbishing a garden table & chair set - and a little more....<div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> W</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">e have a patio in front of the kitchen which is a suntrap in the spring and in the summer. It's lovely to grab coffee and breakfast whilst sitting in the sun watching the ducks and swans gliding around in the canal. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Last year, we used a very ancient Ikea table, bench and two chairs which have sat out in the garden for the best part of 3 years - and it was pretty clear that they probably wouldn't make it through another winter if we didn't get some maintenance on them. I bought them when I moved to the Netherlands and had a tiny garden which I kitted out with a cheap and cheerful set of garden furniture. At the time, I really didn't want to spend a lot of money on the garden, and I wasnt thinking for the longer term, so I bought the simplest furniture I could, and decided that if it needed throwing away in handful of years, I'd still have had value from them. </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">The </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue light" , , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">furniture is looking quite shabby now - the majority of the stain has peeled away, a main slat on the bench has broken away, and there is lichen growing all over them. </span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">With W itching to play with his new Festool sander, and a beautiful sunny spring day, it seemed like fate! First task was to sand down all the surfaces to make sure that there was no loose material that would discolor or disrupt the new coating. Most of the sanding was done with a fairly coarse grain pad - a 60 grit for the majority of the frames, and the table surface was given an extra smooth finish with a graduated sanding up to 120 grit.</span></div>
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A. had previously found some old wood that was a close match to the broken slat,trimmed it to size and attached it in the gap. W sanded the new bar back to make it fit in as much as possible with the original. Then over to me to wield paint brush and wood stain to get everything painted a cheerful rich green - including Luca who developed green zebra stripes due to incautious inquisitiveness. We ran out of paint half way through, so we had to do a quick run to the DIY store to get a top up.</div>
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A few hours drying in the sun and we have once again a lovely table & chairs set on the patio outside the kitchen to have breakfast in the sun. Here they are, ready to sit at and watch the world go by.<br />
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Looking forwards to the next weekend!<br />
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This weekend, though, I got into a bit of overdrive mode and decided to keep going with the sanding and painting. The side window in the stables has peeling paint - and the wooden frame is getting exposed to the elements. The new sander zipped through the task in no time at all, and I spent the dying light hour of the evening getting the first coat of paint over the newly prepared surface.</div>
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I still need to do another coat so I haven't got a done photo yet, I'll update this page when complete.</div>
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Raelinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13960739130435943721noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3616774996438243735.post-18949038893683883822016-03-12T16:04:00.000-08:002016-03-12T16:04:09.192-08:00New lights, new shower - home away from home in England<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The last two weeks have been pretty manic as I've had a work trip to Canada and the UK, and I tried to sort out some bits back home in England at the same time. Toronto is pretty cold at this time of year, with temperatures between minus 12 and minus 7. When I arrived it was brisk but clear, with no sign of snow - something which didn't last very long with snow coming in quickly on the second day of the 5 day visit. I left before it got too deep in snow, and headed back to 'the other side of the pond'.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugX2s9ntaj2c85AOeJqsojqhekQwJh6wkJaSvmhXP-zG-31bgN29QQNRUNsNPlylSdmY39BYSS9y6xi8GY6kE94UBVNuvm6vpeVrHrwHiSdFtC6cXx5uo1_YJ5gwr_277qVfFVkJ7Es0I/s1600/shower3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgugX2s9ntaj2c85AOeJqsojqhekQwJh6wkJaSvmhXP-zG-31bgN29QQNRUNsNPlylSdmY39BYSS9y6xi8GY6kE94UBVNuvm6vpeVrHrwHiSdFtC6cXx5uo1_YJ5gwr_277qVfFVkJ7Es0I/s200/shower3.jpg" width="113" /></a>The tenants have moved out of the house in Buckinghamshire, so it was time to do an inspection and to do some much needed maintenance - with the assistance of IDD, D and their new grafter, S. As it was also Mothering Sunday, I had planned a quick trip to Cambridge to see the family.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4MPP3fVCxFfblTRwcjsQ4NsBnTeRK0hiGaWB9fxJBXkHYAaEhGJERrsU1gb29fcrAbcW_Sx3kS0GGO91iwIgziuC0BgeHOrLHg8IPWtI57Z6VVbTDdTPAPhYjYND-MljnJYPKkjq392SN/s1600/shower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4MPP3fVCxFfblTRwcjsQ4NsBnTeRK0hiGaWB9fxJBXkHYAaEhGJERrsU1gb29fcrAbcW_Sx3kS0GGO91iwIgziuC0BgeHOrLHg8IPWtI57Z6VVbTDdTPAPhYjYND-MljnJYPKkjq392SN/s200/shower.jpg" width="150" /></a>First sight of the house in Bucks seemed pretty good until I noticed a place where the paint was flaking away from the wall in a very characteristic way - water damage! I'm getting far too familiar with water damage here in NL, and a quick exploration quickly showed that the grouting in the ensuite shower had given up the ghost after many years of use and water was leaking through the walls. IDD & D were not in the slightest bit phased by this however - so out came the tools and off came the tiles to find out how bad the damage was. The water had waterlogged the wall, but hadn't caused major damage - it wasn't necessary to completely redo all the plaster. Two days with a hot air blower focused on it lifted the majority of the moisture out and had it ready for re-tiling and refitting of a new shower.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjGGZBBrqQrR53e3CnvlppsrJkkPZzsiB182jvyRH-cywWq8bJaOP7NmQgJ-HUEPX_N_x1r_bHms8y41eFJXmZxBN52WIUHducb2hUaMgOAOy0tDy3ji9r4ATRfT5ONwGr6CaLf-WsqP3/s1600/lightsmoulder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjGGZBBrqQrR53e3CnvlppsrJkkPZzsiB182jvyRH-cywWq8bJaOP7NmQgJ-HUEPX_N_x1r_bHms8y41eFJXmZxBN52WIUHducb2hUaMgOAOy0tDy3ji9r4ATRfT5ONwGr6CaLf-WsqP3/s200/lightsmoulder.jpg" width="200" /></a>Whilst everything was drying out, I took a quick trip to see the family - and quickly got embroiled in even more repair work. M has had many electricians around to quote to replace her overhead downlights with new LED fittings - and each time, as soon as they have quoted they disappear off the face of the earth. IDD kindly nipped up into the attic to have a look - and reappeared looking quite ashen. After I'd followed him back up, it was quite clear why - the downlighters were a very old model, with bare wires and in many cases had scorched the plasterboard boxes around them - a MAJOR fire hazard. Immediate down tools in Bucks, and all hands to the pumps to sort out the Cambridge electrics the next day. The loft is remarkably small and it's a good thing that D is a lithe and slim young man, able to shimmy around in some of the smallest of places. My task was to run around the countryside finding matching light fittings - apparently very few DIY stores stock enough downlighters to do more than a half dozen lights in one go. Thankfully we did manage to get everything done in one day and M now has a much safer home!<br />
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Back to Bucks and on with painting, tiling and shower fitting and a million little tasks like changing batteries, lightbulbs and tightening bolts. Thankfully IDD, D & S took it all in their stride and ploughed solidly through all the tasks whilst I juggled work email, calls and trips to DIY stores. I love the new shower, and the new extractor above it will help to make sure that there is no moisture build up in the small room. Sadly we couldn't match the original tiling, and didn't have time to strip all and start again, but the new tiles are lighter and illuminate the dark corner of the ensuite. A week later and I'm home, tired and slightly grouchy after a week of sleeping on a very dodgy air mattress!<br />
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<br />Raelinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13960739130435943721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3616774996438243735.post-64866544881117917792016-03-12T13:27:00.003-08:002016-03-20T14:57:33.159-07:00Spring garden maintenanceIt's been beautifully sunny recently - cold, crisp and sometimes icy in the morning, but lots of gorgeous sunshine during the daylight hours. Both of us love being outdoors, and we've been catching up on the trimming and pruning in preparation for the spring.<br>
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Last year we had lots of lovely blackberries from our bramble patch. It's been there a long time and it's been gradually expanding outwards as it hasn't been trimmed back for years. Much of the undergrowth material is now dead, and it's well overdue a tidy up. We chopped it hard, and aimed to take it back by about 3/4 of it's original size. Blackberries don't form on the first year growth in most of the varieties out there, and I think this is a common invasive variety, not a special fruiting cultivar. You need two year old canes for fruit, so I didn't want to take all of the mature growth out and chop it to the ground. I'm hoping that we will still have a few berries from it in 2016, but we won't be freezing as many as we did last year. <br>
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We've also been trimming back the hydrangeas around the stables. I'm a little worried we may have been a bit too early in the year, as there are still frosts, and lots of people have been telling me that hydrangeas don't like frost. I really don't like hydrangeas - it's something to do with the way that the 'flower' fades but hangs on for ever - but even I have to admit that they look pretty amazing in the summer when they are exploding into color. I've given them a pretty tough pruning - cutting them back to 1/3rd of their original height, as they had clearly not been trimmed for a few years as well. As with the blackberries, that might be a touch too brutal for them to want to flower this year. Fingers crossed!<br>
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The pear trees have been sending up some very tall vertical shoots - I think they were all trimmed back exceedingly hard just before we bought the house. We got the grand total of 5 pears off 3 trees last year, so this year, I'm working on making sure that the trees have enough fertilizer and have some woodchipped space around the base to make sure that they don't have competition from the grass around them..<br>
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The last plant (other than nettles!) that we have in crazy amounts is elderflower. It's another super exuberant plant that shoots up and spreads itself happily around the garden. Once it has its roots solidly in the ground, it's a real nightmare to eradicate without masses of digging or horrible chemicals. The flowers make wonderful drinks - cordials, wines and champagne - and the berries also make a good cordial for a warming winter hot drink. I also love elderflower fritters. I didn't get around to doing much with our crop last year, so this year will be our first elderflower food feast. We've cut back a lot all over the garden and property but given how fast elderflower shoots up, I have no doubts that we will have more than enough for the two of us.<div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh5SrWuNqvf1yZPuWleb3ZkGOmyS9eDh5xPlEx8xhIb8BUIvUVwzU2b9lNKdFEMe5B21vHEKp0hfD0R2KyuZDD_tG6ORMLvNAt9QxV0CzCCzGLTu7vbIQw6TCRc_h2kwSihz1Czk80zeux/s640/blogger-image--2116792395.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh5SrWuNqvf1yZPuWleb3ZkGOmyS9eDh5xPlEx8xhIb8BUIvUVwzU2b9lNKdFEMe5B21vHEKp0hfD0R2KyuZDD_tG6ORMLvNAt9QxV0CzCCzGLTu7vbIQw6TCRc_h2kwSihz1Czk80zeux/s640/blogger-image--2116792395.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br>
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As I look around the garden I can still see so much more to do - we've barely scratched the surface of the main garden, let alone headed out towards the fields. Loving every minute, and happy to be outside! How's your spring maintenance going?<br>
<br></div>Raelinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13960739130435943721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3616774996438243735.post-57771242620205138552016-02-27T13:42:00.002-08:002016-02-27T13:42:57.196-08:00Raised garden beds for vegetables<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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To go with our gorgeous and hopefully very fruity orchard, we want to be able to grow our own vegetables and greens. I love organic vegetables but here in the Netherlands the selection is tiny, and in our more isolated neck of the woods, it's often pretty tired looking. So, I've opted to grow my own again - and believe me, fresh off the stem veg are WONDERFUL!</div>
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We spent a lot of time thinking about where to put our vegetable garden,There is a lot of space that has no plan yet, but I am still playing with lots of ideas and I didn't want to block off any potential options. W finally pointed out that we have two large areas that have no particular use in the foreseeable future - the riding ring and the starvation paddock. We don't want to remove them, as they are part of the value of the house as a horse property, but we don't have horses. Just perfect for raised beds, with a good sand base to make sure the drainage is good and lots of sunshine.</div>
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We did a lot of research on different ways of making raised beds. I was particularly looking at how to limit the need for watering in the middle of summer - I don't mind doing it once or twice a week, but I know from past experience that I don't have the will power to water every day. Two different types appealed : one is based off 'hugelkultur' and one that had a water retention base layer. So, with lots of space to play in, we decided to try both!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOUEdNJXEKR14mogPypQ32LBKynk29qkmHfFWdMsGcuXN8mX23nnYFUvJ6T6QA6MCI5iSbmloEHLkmXBImPmrBcsP7zbnZ_aTQ-udJfrU881ET4v18gm6uucCAv7NcLV2O4e0Kjbctmu17/s1600/raisedbed1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOUEdNJXEKR14mogPypQ32LBKynk29qkmHfFWdMsGcuXN8mX23nnYFUvJ6T6QA6MCI5iSbmloEHLkmXBImPmrBcsP7zbnZ_aTQ-udJfrU881ET4v18gm6uucCAv7NcLV2O4e0Kjbctmu17/s200/raisedbed1.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw7KbIyYAm9tp_zi_3X_TjDopuclWiuslcH7F9OIaexqxhXYj_Bc4Adb6tgMbslXWBnTLAiv7Glt520diOWZRfdoQ9C-_0sY1J0oGBcl70PG3qe3C_I0tc7eZpIg4AC15WQwdQF_j_CGC5/s1600/white+deal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw7KbIyYAm9tp_zi_3X_TjDopuclWiuslcH7F9OIaexqxhXYj_Bc4Adb6tgMbslXWBnTLAiv7Glt520diOWZRfdoQ9C-_0sY1J0oGBcl70PG3qe3C_I0tc7eZpIg4AC15WQwdQF_j_CGC5/s200/white+deal.jpg" width="200" /></a> A hugelkultur based raised bed has a core of natural materials that absorb water and decay over time providing a continuous flow of nutrients into the soil. You can make the raised bed by heaping soil over a long pile of branches and sticks or over straw bales, but as we have lots of branches and twigs in a giant heap in the garden (the last owner really wasn't a gardener type) wood was going to be our base. With W's passion for wood working, the beds were going to be made in wood, and as I'm not getting any younger, I wanted them to be tall enough that I didn't have to do all of the maintenance on my knees. W chose a white deal plank which hasn't had any chemical treatment. We both realized it means we will need to redo them again in about 5 years, but I don't want any preservative chemicals leaching into the soil. Each bed is 240 cm by 120 cm and is made 3 planks in height. His first task was to cut and prepare all the planks to the same size, something that the Makita mitre saw made quick work of. He also used a kreg jig to pre-drill holes for screw in the end planks, two per plank edge. The long planks had a square piece of wood attached into the inner corners as strengthening, indented just enough to make room for the cross planks to run across the front. ,<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhHw31x5j6M1e_f52gI-ZLPTqE6Sjlg5rZaA2Feqe7lxTHBmDQJcuJCpymIBJOf1KfCsaGQBiGZFcGLKHsKw4NnwgZi7MH2BjCabKDzUTzXsv8kVfRSQdW6hq93JDmINNnjIJ-vQXfWO6/s1600/blogger-image--223867429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfhHw31x5j6M1e_f52gI-ZLPTqE6Sjlg5rZaA2Feqe7lxTHBmDQJcuJCpymIBJOf1KfCsaGQBiGZFcGLKHsKw4NnwgZi7MH2BjCabKDzUTzXsv8kVfRSQdW6hq93JDmINNnjIJ-vQXfWO6/s200/blogger-image--223867429.jpg" width="200" /></a>With all the preparation complete, it was time to move out of the workshop and start doing assembly in the starvation paddock.The sand is pretty uneven, so the assembly was pretty difficult - we quickly decided to move back to the concrete to find a flat surface to work on. In this picture you can see the placement of the crossbracing corner piece., Each of the short planks on the rectangle are screwed in to the long planks on the interior diagonal courtesy of the kreg jig. It is then double secured with two screws from the outside into the cross bracing post. Rinse & repeat until all four corners are complete and you have a wooden rectangle without top or bottom.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEzQP7c_X9aKZE0w2QPg8l-OGubyQ1wPw-w7tZlgNWCbgUy9_3FRyb03ycpY1I1uOS8DXnwKQkUKAlLImsQXPjamtFdwpTmbL4kNSe_saICSHIKeNC3rC__AlxftlOLJb_rOuhqS2Mfovk/s1600/blogger-image--961169348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEzQP7c_X9aKZE0w2QPg8l-OGubyQ1wPw-w7tZlgNWCbgUy9_3FRyb03ycpY1I1uOS8DXnwKQkUKAlLImsQXPjamtFdwpTmbL4kNSe_saICSHIKeNC3rC__AlxftlOLJb_rOuhqS2Mfovk/s200/blogger-image--961169348.jpg" width="200" /></a>We then used a weed control membrane to line the bottom of the box and tacked it into the box using a staple gun. I decided to go with a porous fabric rather than a waterproof liner, as I have learned the hard way just how much water the Dutch weather throws at us here. In a drier climate, I suggest you use a waterproof base, but make sure you pierce it below the root level. Capillary action will keep the upper layers of soil moist enough, but a few punctures will make sure you don't saturate the soil to the point that roots rot. We lipped the membrane quite high up the side of the box, mainly because that was the width of the membrane, and I decided it wouldn't hurt to leave it like that.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnE6DbKSxF-8MrAt617jXOYlLGjNej1-RINYSb8kAOYLi0fHEnjBC4wKNbYMf3VVsCbBLeRHSocY3IuWZCilLT-7JXDNi_Q3p4AlSq_ypOIkZ9RXNHtfgOFktE6ojh9hyphenhyphenc9vZ2704OPbHl/s1600/blogger-image-1375571861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnE6DbKSxF-8MrAt617jXOYlLGjNej1-RINYSb8kAOYLi0fHEnjBC4wKNbYMf3VVsCbBLeRHSocY3IuWZCilLT-7JXDNi_Q3p4AlSq_ypOIkZ9RXNHtfgOFktE6ojh9hyphenhyphenc9vZ2704OPbHl/s200/blogger-image-1375571861.jpg" width="150" /></a>Once the frame and membrane was complete it was time to fill the lower layers with branches and rotting wood. This was probably the most exhausting part of the day! Not because it was hard to collect and fill with the wood, but because every branch is perfectly designed as a dog chew - and Luca wanted to play - continuously!<br />
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One afternoon of focused work and the first three beds are assembled, lined and have their wood filling. We need to get soil delivered, spend another afternoon with a wheel barrow and spades doing the final filling - and then it's planting time! Tomorrow it's time to do the other beds and those will be with a water retention base style. For the rest of today, it's time for a hot shower and a relaxing drink whilst watching the sun go down in blazing colors.<br />
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<br />Raelinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13960739130435943721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3616774996438243735.post-82011506320540752762016-02-21T15:04:00.000-08:002016-02-21T11:40:03.273-08:00The Linen Project - how to make linen water and scent disks<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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One of the great joys of this house is the walk in wardrobe room. I've never had a really organised wardrobe room, and as I'm a packrat with highly fluctuating weight, I end up with far too much stuff to store in the traditional single wardrobe and dresser. This year, I made the resolution to actually get sorted and back down to reasonable quantities of '<i>stuff </i>'.<br />
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We've spent a whole weekend going through everything fabric and we have another large box of materials to take to the charity shop in Hoorn for recycling and reuse. It's also been a wonderful opportunity to catch up the ironing and folding - and sorting out the room into a vaguely logical order. I hate ironing - with a passion! It is the most boring activity and is designed to waste precious time on something that is completely pointless. But it still needs to be done occasionally - (read once a year) and this weekend was <i>that </i>weekend.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQFH2cjDPIbvURLXaTqzPNX6wqW7tGgkOz3SnAvXX_W48B8B-R7sGU0m2f-UkiIrqV7IJcvUfhS3Ixpr0xRqfvKmd4mf9JIE9DWBmS7XPcls6HI-eAC_NgVzJv1z3mTWRbHGiajoc3YTXN/s1600/blogger-image--663068089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQFH2cjDPIbvURLXaTqzPNX6wqW7tGgkOz3SnAvXX_W48B8B-R7sGU0m2f-UkiIrqV7IJcvUfhS3Ixpr0xRqfvKmd4mf9JIE9DWBmS7XPcls6HI-eAC_NgVzJv1z3mTWRbHGiajoc3YTXN/s400/blogger-image--663068089.jpg" width="300" /></a>Steam ironing is the quickest way through the pain. I once bought a bottle of linen water from L'Occitane - it gave a wonderful scent to the linen that lasted for ages. I've been interested in knowing how to replicate it, but with my own chosen scents for a while. Some quick research came up with lots of recipes on how to create your own linen water - essentially a blend of distilled water, essential oils and a clear alcohol (rubbing alcohol, vodka) to break up the oils and diffuse them through the water. Mix, shake extremely well, pour into a spray bottle (bought for 99c at the gRden centre) & voila - linen water!<br />
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The fresh linen brings a fresh scent to the wardrobe room - and it's something I want to have there, more than once a year. I'm still not keen on ironing - so instead I've made my own scent disks from a pine root which we dug out of the garden when we remodelled last summer. Once it was dried, W sliced it thinly to expose the growth rings. They are then dripped with my chosen essential oil blend & placed in drawers and cupboard corners. They need refreshing occasionally, but its quite and easy to do so. The disks in the picture are still quite rough, with feathers at the edge of the saw travel : you can sand them to make a more uniform shape, if you prefer. I love them rough and natural, but I do need to make sure they don't get too close to any delicate fabrics that they could snag.<br />
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It's been a steamy weekend, but I've got lots of lovely linen & Grandma's lace table runner all ready to go!<br />
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<br />Raelinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13960739130435943721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3616774996438243735.post-44822450164180572682016-02-17T08:05:00.003-08:002016-02-17T08:07:57.802-08:00Fabric design in a mudroom<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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After finishing the curtains for the craft room, I have started work on the mudroom curtains. I have 2 windows and a door in the mudroom to cover - and the mudroom door is a huge heat loss area. This is despite having put draft sealant around it and all the work we did with insulation during the rebuild. As the paint colors are inspired by the same design see as as the craft room, I was hoping to use the same fabric. Thwarted by fate apparently - it's limited edition and the fabric shop had sold out. There weren't many options in terms of fabric and I took a punt on a blue 1970's style diamond design. It's a reversible pattern with one side in shades of blue and one in shades of grey - and completely Austin Powers and swinging 60's London - Yeah Baby!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOFJERovUZgj8avx4I3aSz-RqrxVkmhFNlAwPmUSQjSDU_BDAOHo_abpDb_Ji2ahJzgumUlI6fNlVY854E8jH8t9qxuLk3b9mmWSleS4OP7Nne8BKSMgjWKY-c4R5mAkH_z7sgZKUtkyJG/s1600/mudroom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOFJERovUZgj8avx4I3aSz-RqrxVkmhFNlAwPmUSQjSDU_BDAOHo_abpDb_Ji2ahJzgumUlI6fNlVY854E8jH8t9qxuLk3b9mmWSleS4OP7Nne8BKSMgjWKY-c4R5mAkH_z7sgZKUtkyJG/s320/mudroom.JPG" width="320" /></a>Lots of fun sewing - with Livia now deciding to attack the iron and ironing board instead of the sewing machine. I'm not really happy with the end results though (even less happy with the photo - it is impossible to get an image without massive amounts of white out). My blogs are normally happy blogs of success but I think this one is really a blog of 'must try harder'. I've run out of fabric before I got the third window done, but even so , I don't think I was going to win even with a full fabric haul. The colors just don't work at all in the room. They might blend with the paint colors, but they really don't work with the old tiles on the floor. They also don't work with the pine wood work - although that might change when the doors are on and I whitewash the wood. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHGjQmTc6HjYUWoglYaAQgHcyozRfWKReZ6DDlDi_IUoHjwjE9d2FNiIek9YISJGAlTcRGS6YLxhcUWct4wmqlgtXzNLHrHOpraTjoGmxRHQtn9ix57QCX0gmBwHBSVHxQ9KMyzB60sFE_/s1600/blogger-image--1741434991.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHGjQmTc6HjYUWoglYaAQgHcyozRfWKReZ6DDlDi_IUoHjwjE9d2FNiIek9YISJGAlTcRGS6YLxhcUWct4wmqlgtXzNLHrHOpraTjoGmxRHQtn9ix57QCX0gmBwHBSVHxQ9KMyzB60sFE_/s320/blogger-image--1741434991.jpg" width="320" /></a>I am also not happy with the look of the window/door combination . I've been spending time trying to work out why not - and the only thing I can think of is that it's something to do with fact they are both on the same hanger rail. The rail is quite close to the top of the window and the door - but that's the way I have always hung curtains in the past, and it's never been a problem before. In this room, however, it really truncates the room - and the curtains look squat and ugly. I think I might raise the curtain pole to closer to the ceiling so that the curtains have a longer fall before I try my next attempt. What do you guys think? Help needed here, I think!</div>
Raelinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13960739130435943721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3616774996438243735.post-3438559618994080072016-02-15T13:15:00.001-08:002016-02-15T13:15:18.685-08:00Winter Beef pie - a redaction of an 18th century recipe<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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This weekend was Valentines weekend, and I decided to spend the weekend doing the things I really love doing - sleeping, reading and cooking ( followed shortly after by eating, of course!). I'm doing really well with my resolution to take homemade food into the office - and it's definitely paying dividends in terms of savings. It's also more filling than our office sandwich and thin soup broth options - and as a result I don't snack as much on biscuits and other junk food because I'm hungy in the middle of the afternoon. </div>
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I decided to try an 18th century recipe from an old recipe book I own - I've collected quite a few originals and many reprints of historic recipe books over the years. In general, these give a list of ingredients, approximate proportions and general cooking guidance - but are not as detailed as modern recipes. It's been a long time since I made a pie - and I had 500gr of stewing beef in the fridge to use .</div>
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So : </div>
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500 gr stewing beef</div>
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1 tbspn black treacle</div>
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1/3rd cup cider vinegar</div>
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2 parsnips, peeled and diced</div>
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1 onion - chopped</div>
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3 mushrooms - halved</div>
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3 garlic cloves, peeled & chopped</div>
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1 bottle of dark beer</div>
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3 bay leaves</div>
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3 cloves</div>
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1 or 2 tspn cornflour</div>
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salt & pepper to taste</div>
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4 heaped teaspoons of crumbly stilton or similar blue cheese</div>
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olive oil</div>
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Pastry -</div>
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350g plain flour</div>
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112g lard</div>
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1 egg yolk</div>
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1/2 tsp salt</div>
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1/4 pint hot water</div>
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Soften the onions and garlic in the olive oil for a few minutes in a large pan. Add the beef, and the rest of the ingredients except for the cornflour and the parsnips, and simmer gently for forty minutes. Add the parsnips and simmer for a further 20 minutes. Whilst the stew is simmering, make up the pastry. Make a well in the flour, sprinkle over the salt, and put in the egg yolk. Melt the lard in the hot water, then mix into the flour, stirring with a spoon until cool enough to handle. Put the dough on a floured surface and knead until soft & pliable. Place on a plate, cover with a bowl and leave to rest for 20 minutes in a warm place. Once rested, form the pie shape in a loose-bottomed tin which has been well greased. Heat the oven to circa 140 degrees.</div>
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Once the beef is soft and melting, strain the meat & vegetables away from the juices, and set to one side. Remove the cloves and the bay leaves if you spot them! Thicken the juices with the cornflour and boil rapidly to reduce.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHK6hZN0uMhWSA5TzqYRNEHxsS5Uyw9yfNOfZ-BqqXBSS6ao8szAmAzJprco5DlwrJ4wxmNF6kGCydbTdw4GXKJ7zG-LdzbgxUMzWC9RBQ5JATxqwHK1FFvle6Ca5R_o-j7O0miOlVQqO/s1600/blogger-image-503466494.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHK6hZN0uMhWSA5TzqYRNEHxsS5Uyw9yfNOfZ-BqqXBSS6ao8szAmAzJprco5DlwrJ4wxmNF6kGCydbTdw4GXKJ7zG-LdzbgxUMzWC9RBQ5JATxqwHK1FFvle6Ca5R_o-j7O0miOlVQqO/s200/blogger-image-503466494.jpg" width="200" /></a>Fill the pastry with the meat and vegetable mix, sprinkle over the stilton crumbles and pour over the juices. Form a lid with the remaining pastry, pierce a hole in the centre and decorate as desired. Brush with egg to develop a rich color. Put the pie in the oven and bake for approximately 30-45 minutes at 140 then turn up to 180 until the crust is golden and crispy. I think you might be able to cook at 180 throughout, for a shorter time, since the filling is completely cooked through before you start the baking process, however I haven't tested that yet - I used a raw pie approach initially. </div>
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If you want to eat it as a pie, make sure you cool completely before slicing so that the juices set so that you can enjoy the cathedral beauty of the gems inside. Or have it straight out of the oven and soak the pastry with lots of lovely beef gravy from the inside. Either way, enjoy!</div>
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Raelinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13960739130435943721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3616774996438243735.post-72465092358938055962016-02-08T14:15:00.000-08:002016-02-08T12:03:05.785-08:00Resolution tracking : one twelfth of the way through 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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At the beginning of the year, I shared a huge list of things I wanted to get done in 2016. It was a scarily long list - and it's time to see if I'm making progress, as January is gone, and February is running past quickly.<br />
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That's not as easy as it seems though! It's an interesting challenge to know if I am on track : there are 106 items and there are lots of different ways to make the count. The simplest way is to see if I've completed one 12th of the actions . That's probably fine unless I complete all the smaller actions early on but will fall apart later when I'm left with all the large chunky actions to do.Yet it's definitely a non-linear list as I know that there are a large block that are going to be done all together in late April, early May when I have IDD, D & A back again to do the heavy lifting. I could work out some weighted formula and spread the load unevenly...but then again, where's the impetus to get things done if I do it that way? Plus some of the goals are ongoing - they can't really be declared finished until the end of the year!<br />
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As I'm a bear of very little brain today, after staying up late to watch the Superbowl game, I'm going to go for the simplest way and I'm going to declare success - 10 boxes ticked , definitely on track ! We have focused on doing a lot of the indoor tasks, as it's been pretty cold and wet - winter in the Netherlands - and dark very early. But every little counts and I'm happy to be making progress.<br />
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Rock on February! How are you doing with your New Year's Resolutions?Raelinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13960739130435943721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3616774996438243735.post-6914926035490290742016-02-07T16:25:00.002-08:002016-02-07T17:07:44.969-08:00Renovating the Mudroom : build phase 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYlcKMqLP0UEWL86iRLA3LSqWJ2i_t4tUzmbRP-OU0i9JMEC2kP6JwmJ7h6oL6BaT2iWnjEn9CpBs9pLWB5Cio_wXXPHI0-jZvptECxYSoyu_4rg5JSMn9Cuh2Mb0YY8rc3EWNyvnjS3p2/s1600/Mudroom+Renovation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYlcKMqLP0UEWL86iRLA3LSqWJ2i_t4tUzmbRP-OU0i9JMEC2kP6JwmJ7h6oL6BaT2iWnjEn9CpBs9pLWB5Cio_wXXPHI0-jZvptECxYSoyu_4rg5JSMn9Cuh2Mb0YY8rc3EWNyvnjS3p2/s640/Mudroom+Renovation.jpg" width="640"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2aW7_sHP42liyXN7logBSA-3crinffv3Q1ub1GEswRNXhpRLK54ltzU5Q98ioXMsXNJRWmhkDS71fw97ygufMOCBZxFUH855RHapZy6kF1qVMsOSIANFn3JEput9cVp5LRvOgYcF6Rpw5/s1600/IMG_4262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2aW7_sHP42liyXN7logBSA-3crinffv3Q1ub1GEswRNXhpRLK54ltzU5Q98ioXMsXNJRWmhkDS71fw97ygufMOCBZxFUH855RHapZy6kF1qVMsOSIANFn3JEput9cVp5LRvOgYcF6Rpw5/s200/IMG_4262.JPG" width="200"></a><br>
When we first stepped into this house, our first impression of the house's interior was the mudroom. It was a dark and scruffy room. and smelled faintly of damp. The walls had random pipes and industrial style ventilation tubing which crisscrossed over the whole room. The only light came from a tiny side window and the glass upper door. We knew this room needed to be radically changed - but I don't think we realised just how much we would need to do to make it a beautiful room.<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQTUUucPn8nLPgVdeSg3j1pOfgEEe1b2thidhJnt7ly3dQZzlg17hld3YNPo115O620rqUJPx_uS5N6tz4mqldtP6ejxIeLA0jmhNPllknpda_oAvp9eZ9Loy5Wj5zOGDueZRZWHns2-8/s1600/IMG_4264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQTUUucPn8nLPgVdeSg3j1pOfgEEe1b2thidhJnt7ly3dQZzlg17hld3YNPo115O620rqUJPx_uS5N6tz4mqldtP6ejxIeLA0jmhNPllknpda_oAvp9eZ9Loy5Wj5zOGDueZRZWHns2-8/s200/IMG_4264.JPG" width="200"></a><br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifzLHHWmST57w8PIHCUFiYZL_dzmHdso6WIpvpU9Lsx0s0s-0KcwWhTCNIO1EOwMI2caHaSipu4EEFPCwGZC3kcULstCRk7ufXUQrXw90VfHtovdLBD1IzeH6F1MoBKhpOfrKrO9psmVae/s1600/IMG_4254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifzLHHWmST57w8PIHCUFiYZL_dzmHdso6WIpvpU9Lsx0s0s-0KcwWhTCNIO1EOwMI2caHaSipu4EEFPCwGZC3kcULstCRk7ufXUQrXw90VfHtovdLBD1IzeH6F1MoBKhpOfrKrO9psmVae/s200/IMG_4254.JPG" width="200"></a>There was a strange velvet flocked brick pattern wallpaper which was peeling away - and appeared to be held onto the walls by dint of many tin-tacks in the corners of kid's paintings that were pinned to the walls. One side of the room was lined with old kitchen cabinets for storage of paints and random stuff . This was the third kitchen in the house - definitely well equipped on the kitchen front! On the opposite side of the room, an old doorway had been partially bricked up, but poorly done so that it was only flat on the other side, leaving a strange dip in the wall in the room. <br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvtEY1oaOwa8agE89ENIkkjSStCTm65mRIRJ0s1Roh-7CfNrnXpKICqVeo-q1nEgmbk7SJlms4tqrQtXZ0rx5TGs8w7ovbWrnDrcVa3XpZRtj6h10A0VjvUjnT_YFKfedzrOImRnDWsA_6/s1600/IMG_4265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvtEY1oaOwa8agE89ENIkkjSStCTm65mRIRJ0s1Roh-7CfNrnXpKICqVeo-q1nEgmbk7SJlms4tqrQtXZ0rx5TGs8w7ovbWrnDrcVa3XpZRtj6h10A0VjvUjnT_YFKfedzrOImRnDWsA_6/s200/IMG_4265.JPG" width="200"></a>Wall paper stripping can be quite soul destroying - but I always find it interesting to see the history of the house emerge - different paper layers, and different colors of paint, as you strip away the paper. It's almost a consolation for the hours you have to spend steaming and stripping stubborn patches of wallpaper, in order to prepare for your new colors. At some point in time, some previous owners had a love for candy pink walls with a dark burgundy lower trim in a hard gloss. It makes a dark and small room even smaller and darker - and definitely doesn't match the yellow and green wooden trim of the doors! At least the gloss paint helped with the removal of the wallpaper, but on the pink surfaces it was so thoroughly glued that we had to scrape inch by inch.<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICJKv8PPy2ar4l8_LPvJ0sXI7QUAKbwnRJd-tMTs00oWW4HnjDyAr82nVZ_VbORlB44xSImC-9fkXz6DEmbls1MXWSw0X1YNkCZII6JeGTYCDQUG_YxNeQd4_eyuuWSEe_342R9ujJWYv/s1600/window+framing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjICJKv8PPy2ar4l8_LPvJ0sXI7QUAKbwnRJd-tMTs00oWW4HnjDyAr82nVZ_VbORlB44xSImC-9fkXz6DEmbls1MXWSw0X1YNkCZII6JeGTYCDQUG_YxNeQd4_eyuuWSEe_342R9ujJWYv/s200/window+framing.jpg" width="150"></a>Preparation continued on all sides - we also ripped out the old kitchen units, and then started to knock out the shape of a new window next to the entrance door. The plan was to build a window frame and insert a double glazed window pane into the double barn doors that form the front of the room. Nothing ever goes smoothly though - and as we started to cut, we quickly realized that the wall/barn doors had not been properly secured as it started to collapse. IDD to the rescue : he had the team quickly refocused on replacing and re-pinning structural framework and supporting the floor above. Once it was all repaired, we could continue with our window work and replacing and increasing the insulation in the wall. As the hole emerged it made the most amazing difference to the light in the room - definitely one of the best decisions we could have made!<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHEQ_8QtEevI7pGKM3zQJugRvPi9bZgqedrZH1pWdaI1ntL5OmzZrUou6S99bgtnpHsE-G-x0k-cGRlW2RJR7xljetciAadd0kWUyRDPOW2tnIBVesgIHJG0hwvkZou1YhGC4Ekk_5SE7V/s1600/plastering.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHEQ_8QtEevI7pGKM3zQJugRvPi9bZgqedrZH1pWdaI1ntL5OmzZrUou6S99bgtnpHsE-G-x0k-cGRlW2RJR7xljetciAadd0kWUyRDPOW2tnIBVesgIHJG0hwvkZou1YhGC4Ekk_5SE7V/s200/plastering.jpg" width="150"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvebuWZo-8h-7DyVvFoc2XfQooHCijEBGKpuuR6OTPVJMbXr49TA2bLOm7hygEbfvMGmKR0ZzSmRuQAryFM1Mapw07KY5KZ1c05WGOyBgXQZ-bSxmWEkUaR_UAQPp_e80RrIUV4vXQFFJq/s1600/IMG_4288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvebuWZo-8h-7DyVvFoc2XfQooHCijEBGKpuuR6OTPVJMbXr49TA2bLOm7hygEbfvMGmKR0ZzSmRuQAryFM1Mapw07KY5KZ1c05WGOyBgXQZ-bSxmWEkUaR_UAQPp_e80RrIUV4vXQFFJq/s200/IMG_4288.JPG" width="150"></a>Once we'd stripped all the paper and all the preparation work was complete, it was clear that the walls were too damaged to redecorate without re-skinning with plaster - and D is a plaster guru. He corralled a team and the lads started to re-plaster the whole room. This last summer was gloriously warm and sunny : both a blessing and a curse when you are doing so much work. Hard for the workers as it's hot, heavy, hard work, but good for drying out the plaster. That's a double edged sword as it dries so fast it's hard to finish smoothly, but D took it in his stride. A few tips we learned as we went along : if you are mixing a lot of plaster, having a mixing paddle with a power motor is a must. There are lots of different grades of plaster and they are not completely interchangeable. We also used a metal corner brace to shape the corners of the room - it's lovely for a while, but a Great Dane can knock the thin plaster layer off in seconds!<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZnHPjUfMMiqYKD2V8bCqwoG3fJt70Fgwwqo8-_t22xAZy0K6avDo4JpOZda-qzTpBxkcDvdxo5BeJQxvb7yOa71s9n1ubD02poUc3S9aYmGJtFZZHCw6SlzL9N2ezQmnfQS6ZHVfEw64/s1600/IMG_4329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZnHPjUfMMiqYKD2V8bCqwoG3fJt70Fgwwqo8-_t22xAZy0K6avDo4JpOZda-qzTpBxkcDvdxo5BeJQxvb7yOa71s9n1ubD02poUc3S9aYmGJtFZZHCw6SlzL9N2ezQmnfQS6ZHVfEw64/s200/IMG_4329.JPG" width="150"></a>Plastering done, we started the clean up - and discovered that plaster gets EVERYWHERE. It's really nasty stuff for spreading all over the house, and we learned the hard way that you can't just hoover it up. It's so fine that it goes straight through all the filters you have on your hoover, unless it's an industrial grade builders hoover , coats the engine and the electrics, and burns it out. We were not planning on replacing our Dyson hoover, but after it died halfway through the build , we had to! The tiles on the floor are quite old, uneven and full of nooks and crannies that the plaster can hide in - mopping just seemed to push the plaster around. At some point in the future I plan to replace them and to level the floor which is incredibly wobbly and uneven, but not just yet, so we had to get them clean. We hired a circular sanding machine with a bristle brush attachment and used that to break through the majority of the plaster dust, but in the end, nothing beats getting down on hands and knees with a scrubbing brush and good old elbow grease!<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntqPhnLVH3SGocVMtcXfTEGsftuZ_Xl2OgulpFx6un8B-xBJraKgQyJ7sBsnxWJ03TG4orijBq2GPnub4nlHgBV9_dyqt5FdapeJrnSJgz941nn7xZs8JZjYH_mSx1JkP3AUWCoRIdZOd/s1600/Color+seed+mudroom.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhntqPhnLVH3SGocVMtcXfTEGsftuZ_Xl2OgulpFx6un8B-xBJraKgQyJ7sBsnxWJ03TG4orijBq2GPnub4nlHgBV9_dyqt5FdapeJrnSJgz941nn7xZs8JZjYH_mSx1JkP3AUWCoRIdZOd/s200/Color+seed+mudroom.png" width="200"></a><br>
After so much work just to reach blank canvas stage, painting seemed quick and easy - although incredibly expensive in paint. The fresh plaster drank the paint like a desert drinks rain - and we had to do multiple coats to get the color even and streak-free. I have always like coastal themed homes and this Design seed inspiration picture set the tone for the direction I wanted the room to have. I didn't find an exact match - but I chose a white with a hint of blue - and a light blue accent wall for this room. The woodwork was all repainted in a light neutral shade that complimented the wall colour.<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwoDMOVKBtxOCm47mESmHBgZuoq-WuhxN7dKGhNDOHiiuP5klyS4Ot7NyRskojcwNr0E2Js8e0TLtPvrFHAOZgxuB9k_YajlTocquNt-Nvo0EIyRzGddkCjFcgPVTCUhZhsKNTFb77eJni/s1600/mudroom+inspire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwoDMOVKBtxOCm47mESmHBgZuoq-WuhxN7dKGhNDOHiiuP5klyS4Ot7NyRskojcwNr0E2Js8e0TLtPvrFHAOZgxuB9k_YajlTocquNt-Nvo0EIyRzGddkCjFcgPVTCUhZhsKNTFb77eJni/s200/mudroom+inspire.jpg" width="133"></a>I had spent quite a lot of time on Pinterest in the run-up to the work session, and had a good idea of the type of furniture I wanted in the room - and this picture gives the closest idea of what I wanted to achieve.I want to be able hide away the jumble of daily life that collects in your entrance way in deep cupboards - and still to be able to hang coats, scarves and dog leads in a convenient and easy location. With so much land, it's also essential to be able to remove boots and muddy shoes quickly, before continuing into the rest of the house. It's called a mudroom for a reason. It was also going to be the room where Luca slept and stayed when the house is empty. Of course, like all best laid plans, I'm a complete softie, and Luca gets to go where ever he wants, whenever he wants! With the inspiration images to hand, IDD & D spent a couple of evenings drawing out plans and designing what we could best fit into the space.<br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhli8CE1DuD8LDGjkRnX4uuY7Hn1tG9w-l9NPo-BAfplAUG7uURNEuppnXAxoIVSQPaBq_qQU-tQh66KV8RQzxmbhHKpFNW3U0oxCpdvJjlkulzPtqev7McDqleTeMbvsyN1I7K-TsufIxk/s640/blogger-image--292450486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhli8CE1DuD8LDGjkRnX4uuY7Hn1tG9w-l9NPo-BAfplAUG7uURNEuppnXAxoIVSQPaBq_qQU-tQh66KV8RQzxmbhHKpFNW3U0oxCpdvJjlkulzPtqev7McDqleTeMbvsyN1I7K-TsufIxk/s200/blogger-image--292450486.jpg" width="200"></a><br>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgheYtpgnM1dU6LiOI09yHwrTaZknlc31xnmxUiNqtbZFLicvPz8rk3O6rFmnD8I3v2qhFVwPmRzqUo9kPv717zl9iqinGHNdifQ0pgIPHfaHlillZd34PIR3IU9Mka3mtFi2dIDQ2FpKEa/s1600/mudroom+furnityre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgheYtpgnM1dU6LiOI09yHwrTaZknlc31xnmxUiNqtbZFLicvPz8rk3O6rFmnD8I3v2qhFVwPmRzqUo9kPv717zl9iqinGHNdifQ0pgIPHfaHlillZd34PIR3IU9Mka3mtFi2dIDQ2FpKEa/s200/mudroom+furnityre.jpg" width="150"></a>Once the plaster was dry, IDD got to work gluing and cutting a lovely pine board to build the basic frame of the furniture. I intend to whitewash the pine to give it a hint of white - but as we haven't yet completed the doors and the trim, it's still on the to-do list. Roll on Phase 2! We ended up with a shelved cupboard and two deep wardrobes for coats and winter clothes. We have a comfy seat along one wall that you can sit on whilst you change shoes, backed with a set of high open hooks for wet coats and accessories to dry on, before being put away in the cupboard.<br>
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Like all the best plans, we ran out of time before we managed to get the doors fitted and W has been fully occupied on so many other things that we still have an open set up in the mudroom. I can't wait to get the doors and trim done, so that I can paint and finish the room, but I think I will need to be patient until it's warm enough to work outdoors again. There's a lot of gluing and cutting to be done to achieve it and the stable block where we do most of our DIY work set up has no heating. It's still a lot better than it was and like every entrance, is full of miscellaneous items that mysteriously migrate there when you are not locking. We even have a small dog table for Luca to drink his water from - as a Great Dane, he is prone to bloat, and needs to have his food and water elevated to a comfortable height.<br>
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Raelinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13960739130435943721noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3616774996438243735.post-68096804236269572412016-02-05T15:03:00.000-08:002016-02-05T14:44:20.696-08:00San Diego Tourist<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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The last few days has been back into the swing of business travel - early morning runs in the dark icy cold to the airport and getting home late at night to faceplant on the sofa in front of a blaring TV that you don't actually register. Mostly these trips are hard work from start to finish, but just sometimes you have a ray of sunshine in the middle. Last winter, I had to spend two weeks in the US - and grabbed the opportunity to go visit a childhood friend in San Diego. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwE5MPwQMknByEfYFE5t1ul92pL-tuOuFA2WmU2o7kTD6f57w87LLAg9mOPqHqz49xhyi7xPBrVPnS2l-UMxzY8Tfa_1N1Z81NFuwEeRFdm4c3RaFNdgXiaTW9pOTQLAP8ro2RffaFRANa/s640/blogger-image--595892625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwE5MPwQMknByEfYFE5t1ul92pL-tuOuFA2WmU2o7kTD6f57w87LLAg9mOPqHqz49xhyi7xPBrVPnS2l-UMxzY8Tfa_1N1Z81NFuwEeRFdm4c3RaFNdgXiaTW9pOTQLAP8ro2RffaFRANa/s200/blogger-image--595892625.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcAptASnYo0ojsONs6RrWEehP_XqK6SebgzNmhhC7zquRFp4kx_SKsdiRemyy6kR9whicbdFCXyDRtAMl-VOpBctVnk_XhKT7H471SOUC-szxmqMh17gdlMXXMMEqAyVDJR0mGPp_BlEjW/s1600/blogger-image-984506971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcAptASnYo0ojsONs6RrWEehP_XqK6SebgzNmhhC7zquRFp4kx_SKsdiRemyy6kR9whicbdFCXyDRtAMl-VOpBctVnk_XhKT7H471SOUC-szxmqMh17gdlMXXMMEqAyVDJR0mGPp_BlEjW/s200/blogger-image-984506971.jpg" width="200" /></a>It was a real joy to step out of the cold & damp of Dutch winters into the glorious warmth of California's southern city. From brown twiggy leaf less plants to lush cactii in flower and dragon fruit hanging temptingly over garden walls, it's an amazing recharge of color and fragrance and life. I love seeing the difference that temperature makes to the plant selection that you see all around you : different plant mixes associate strongly in my mind with different memories - often the warm sunny plant combinations being associated with lovely relaxing beach holidays. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAt_HBfttE7MnPCQlN_odG1fHFNli175FUcY9Mxori9I1JYy8m5HnnN1-8xPI_OVBx5JyWWhEufOUdPU4YJTZRGk6t_1qG0FFiAy_btSk0TxhUTVZzVfl2spXHbg-0GF2MEfuLdERaLazT/s1600/blogger-image--1469075850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAt_HBfttE7MnPCQlN_odG1fHFNli175FUcY9Mxori9I1JYy8m5HnnN1-8xPI_OVBx5JyWWhEufOUdPU4YJTZRGk6t_1qG0FFiAy_btSk0TxhUTVZzVfl2spXHbg-0GF2MEfuLdERaLazT/s200/blogger-image--1469075850.jpg" width="150" /></a>I always scout the local area for interesting and unusual things to bring home, particularly in the food & spice space. I've always felt that I live to eat, rather than eat to live - although as i get older and tubbier, I need to adjust the balance. Its harder and harder to genuinely find different foods - we've become so used to having food flown around the world and appearing in the local ethnic cornershop - but a trip to a supermarket is still as much fun as a museum trip for me. This time I came back heavily loaded with hominy, spices and mesa flour - also lots of lovely mexican chili varieties. I've interspersed our winter meals with flavours that send my memories right back into the warmth of the California winter.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSC9XoZjVsX2_QEdBVNG4hNCuBokHfRPgOsIbBx3JXSiAGSpaYcsVi9K-ioohgQ_CjwbmXjaIXlto2xgb_LrhfcfFXw9M7mmX2lFiVxig56Vp-RRzjObk8kJQvmDx5P8EglVMlHG8LNei/s1600/blogger-image--958521487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSC9XoZjVsX2_QEdBVNG4hNCuBokHfRPgOsIbBx3JXSiAGSpaYcsVi9K-ioohgQ_CjwbmXjaIXlto2xgb_LrhfcfFXw9M7mmX2lFiVxig56Vp-RRzjObk8kJQvmDx5P8EglVMlHG8LNei/s200/blogger-image--958521487.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXRuvM9nsh1P1eJO3U9JH4N4-71J-TR50K4SBYVyhFBBqEbLBkwI98iA7TpChV2maz-svdTtb7dAAnAfoD-1AXeGABQYO4r3xHw77dGsFfdvr8Aqg1sSg0FMRTg74_jDJzuLcrCv7aNJDN/s1600/blogger-image-1113940511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXRuvM9nsh1P1eJO3U9JH4N4-71J-TR50K4SBYVyhFBBqEbLBkwI98iA7TpChV2maz-svdTtb7dAAnAfoD-1AXeGABQYO4r3xHw77dGsFfdvr8Aqg1sSg0FMRTg74_jDJzuLcrCv7aNJDN/s320/blogger-image-1113940511.jpg" width="240" /></a>My friend took me sightseeing : I just cant find enough words to express the wonderful variety of things you can see and do in the San Diego area. I've been twice now, and there is still so much to do, that I think I'm going to have to go back a few more times yet. The Mormon temple has to be the amazing piece of architecture in the area - I am an avid fan of Tolkien and it really was something straight out of my imagination of his world. We spent nearly 30 minutes as I tried to capture the perfect picture of the White City in my imagination. We took a trip up to Mount Soledad, and visited the veterans memorial. It's a remarkably solemn area, and despite the blue sky and sun beating down, you still get a shiver running down your spine as you see the faces of so many service men and women who gave their lives in duty to their country. The story of the ongoing political arguments about the site of the memorial is also very engaging - albeit not documented anywhere obvious. You need a local to give you the story!</div>
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We finished with a day at the beach - swimming with seals, through rocky areas full of fish, dodging the ever present electric rays in the sand. We watched the sun drop over the horizon, then packed up and headed to the airport. Can't wait for my next San Diego trip!<br />
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<br />Raelinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13960739130435943721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3616774996438243735.post-68886802504740817002016-02-02T04:40:00.001-08:002016-02-02T04:40:10.151-08:00How to make a window seat cushion and cover for a cat<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgex4tzUqlE26k75aK1b4mVwr6C3kKJI9l5Pyvp21FmKkiNIu5Ah0mIA0WC07ZhxNs4tx_vGjRrLkPG9ZylXtdQnXDe8t9vHEUnIc3oFru0D5j7aGc0a9C169iwR4QI58a8lR9J6Kn_9S3_/s1600/curtain4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">r<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgex4tzUqlE26k75aK1b4mVwr6C3kKJI9l5Pyvp21FmKkiNIu5Ah0mIA0WC07ZhxNs4tx_vGjRrLkPG9ZylXtdQnXDe8t9vHEUnIc3oFru0D5j7aGc0a9C169iwR4QI58a8lR9J6Kn_9S3_/s320/curtain4.jpg" width="320" /></a>I just finished making the curtains for the craft room and had about a metre or so of fabric left over. I love the new look of the windows, but one thing still really bugged me, You can see it here in this picture taken just after the windows were dressed.<br />
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Miss Lumikki loves sleeping on the window sill, above the radiator. She has a bright pink fleece blanket that she loves which my sister's children brought off one of their long haul flights home. Sadly, florescent pink doesn't really suit my color scheme. Lumikki is mostly Maine Coon, so she's quite a substantial young lady and tends to overlap most pillows that we give her.<br />
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Luckily I had a bright idea! With left over fabric, and some of the offcuts of foam from making the dining room chair, I had the makings of a perfect kitty cushion for a Maine Coon princess.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmqnie87zyMW3ldLOIBgIoDo2EUTGfOMKLfhQ80OgS_b5E-8_hyXanUWhgC8eAhME1LfUMC6PA38tQB0xKJ5-LgarUbf2m9dWwTVIL2hyphenhyphengYVVHfcPBHttDoDI_2kVtcS4Lzu_o8Rh6uRwX/s1600/catbed2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmqnie87zyMW3ldLOIBgIoDo2EUTGfOMKLfhQ80OgS_b5E-8_hyXanUWhgC8eAhME1LfUMC6PA38tQB0xKJ5-LgarUbf2m9dWwTVIL2hyphenhyphengYVVHfcPBHttDoDI_2kVtcS4Lzu_o8Rh6uRwX/s200/catbed2.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLu3bCxkEJWt6Np0wb7XJF7CZbCHHSiQxDmlWeuXeF928u9lHQGTk2dk2MSbawa-EHaGiSIrOICWM9QNjFNYYFKnphC2iEdSd3CSdw6ZTGfnzS2EQ3FxnoT3zTO_h1DCVuHKFEp7Dx3ed7/s1600/catbed3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLu3bCxkEJWt6Np0wb7XJF7CZbCHHSiQxDmlWeuXeF928u9lHQGTk2dk2MSbawa-EHaGiSIrOICWM9QNjFNYYFKnphC2iEdSd3CSdw6ZTGfnzS2EQ3FxnoT3zTO_h1DCVuHKFEp7Dx3ed7/s200/catbed3.jpg" width="200" /></a>First I measured up the windowsill to get the right depth & width. I had two different types of offcut foam - one which was quite tightly compressed, and was used for the top covering over the chair seat, and a more fuzzy filler which is generally used for quilting. I used the more compressed foam for the core and the quilting filler as the surrounding shaping and glued them loosely together using a hot glue gun.<br />
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I measured up enough fabric to cover the cushion all over, allowed for seam allowance, and started by sewing all the seams. I pinned the fabric so that it joined in the middle of the base then sewed the ends together with the fabric inside out. I then inverted the material back to the right way round and hand sewed the edges of the join together on both edges to reduce the size of the entrance hole. A couple of hooks and eyes later, filling the cover with the cushion pad that I made and we have a new cat cushion for Lumikki to stretch out in comfort on.<br />
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Lastly : I promise I didn't pose her for either shot : she just loves hanging a paw out in the rising warmth of the radiator!<br />
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<br />Raelinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13960739130435943721noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3616774996438243735.post-8291242352290742882016-01-31T13:51:00.000-08:002016-01-31T14:05:22.101-08:00Sewing 101 : How to make curtains<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7CKDGnDQvph8C1LKWp6Nwi1VYi1EtimpahgDlXa49eEcfzGHkHlLbLGlZA4JTdZw5ol3NEk7Z33z_mMMhOrI9xFXCTAwYT29UOg3yXUUQoTGutOxucBZmOANWO4YF2akGj2WyCxSnwPRG/s1600/Making+Curtains.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7CKDGnDQvph8C1LKWp6Nwi1VYi1EtimpahgDlXa49eEcfzGHkHlLbLGlZA4JTdZw5ol3NEk7Z33z_mMMhOrI9xFXCTAwYT29UOg3yXUUQoTGutOxucBZmOANWO4YF2akGj2WyCxSnwPRG/s400/Making+Curtains.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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January has been very slow for doing more work on the house, with a mix of work-tiredness and just january blues making me very slothful and disinclined to do much more than curl up and chill with what little free time I have. This weekend has been the first time that I seem to have found that extra gear and stepped back up to the house renovation work again.<br />
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With cold winter weather and an old, poorly insulated house, putting up curtain rails was a real priority back in December. We have a range of old & secondhand curtains that didn't go with the decor which got called into use as soon as the rods were mounted to block the cold cascading from windows and doors. None of them match the decor very well, and all of them are mismatched and variable in terms of size & attachment type(hooks, hoops, rings etc.). Curtain are incredibly easy to make and very expensive to have made to your own design/style choice so I decided to find a fabric store and make my own. I hope that by the end of this blog, you will feel comfortable doing the same.<br />
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So what do you need ?<br />
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A sewing machine or a passion for handsewing.<br />
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I have an ancient Toyota sewing machine which I bought in 1993. It is incredibly basic and simple, but refuses to keel over and die, and sews pretty much every fabric I ask it to, leather included. . I keep eyeing up the lovely new machines with embroidery setting and all sorts of fancy stitching, but I can't justify the expenditure given that this machine does everything I need. For curtains, you really only need a single straight stitch setting.<br />
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Some fabric.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxfvFNFTjhkkACHXesqVOHDRO3zNGFcCISlcu_Ze6VZ93aT6orXx3YQMeHavtDZGH8Wi1Clvy5-hRR5Vd4stfqB7Sw2S0qm65roEQ5Daa5xIdDFeWCv2S0SGZg0zrmqE-luPZouB730EK/s1600/fabric.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxfvFNFTjhkkACHXesqVOHDRO3zNGFcCISlcu_Ze6VZ93aT6orXx3YQMeHavtDZGH8Wi1Clvy5-hRR5Vd4stfqB7Sw2S0qm65roEQ5Daa5xIdDFeWCv2S0SGZg0zrmqE-luPZouB730EK/s320/fabric.jpg" width="240" /></a>Choose your fabric based on what you want as the primary effect. I chose a thick linen striped fabric with lots of weight to keep the cold out, but for light summer use, a fine cotton or even a gauze is enough. Think about machine washability, particularly for areas like kitchens where the curtains can collect a lot of dirt. If it is machine washable, it's recommended to wash and iron the fabric before you get going.<br />
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To decide the length of the curtain, measure the height from the curtain rod to the point you want the curtains to finish, and add extra for hems. I usually do a 1 inch wide hem all around, with the fabric turned over twice. I leave the base hemming until after the curtains have been hung for the first time , then pin in situ and remove to hem on the machine. I also leave a little extra for shrinkage after washing, after a few months. It's always easier to move hems, than to start from scratch again.<br />
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The width is dependent on what sort of attachment or header you chose. The average width calculation is between 1.5 to 3 times the distance you want the curtain to cover. Pencil pleat is the most common style with a general fabric guidance of 1.8 times the width.<br />
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Depending on the width of your fabric you may have to join multiple sheets together - if you have a repeating pattern or a pattern that needs to be linked up properly, make sure you have enough extra fabric to be able to do it.<br />
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Header tape.<br />
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The header tape is used to form the gathers at the top of the curtain. In the Netherlands there is a basic tape which is used with hooks to create different widths of gathers. I personally prefer the tape that has threads running through it to pull to shape, and the hooks are solely for suspension. There are a wide range of styles, ranging from pencil, to single/double/triple pleated, to goblet style. You need as much tape as the width of the fabric.<br />
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Sharp scissors.<br />
Thread to match your fabric<br />
Pins<br />
Iron & Ironing board<br />
Measuring tape.<br />
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Once you have all your materials, it's time to measure up and start cutting. I can't recommend enough measuring at least twice before you start to chop into your fabric. I tend to triple check, panic about my base measurements, revisit, measure again and then cut. It's better than getting it wrong and having to buy new fabric. At this point, make sure you have your iron and ironing board on standby and ready.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMhnyZzoZXSKgd_Fae8WQLyTzJZ7anU-52D7WBaiIaSmjbxhHV2HKCyzxiYXnGX22yfQPNSDoZlvHOMzCHME9hlbR6S_RLPWAj_c8xungFid8hlQFjq9kduxGB_RU2vAsEbZ87S8yPdQf/s1600/curtainkitten.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcMhnyZzoZXSKgd_Fae8WQLyTzJZ7anU-52D7WBaiIaSmjbxhHV2HKCyzxiYXnGX22yfQPNSDoZlvHOMzCHME9hlbR6S_RLPWAj_c8xungFid8hlQFjq9kduxGB_RU2vAsEbZ87S8yPdQf/s1600/curtainkitten.jpg" /></a>I usually start by fitting together sufficient fabric lengths to make the width needed, pinning and sewing. Although I've been told that if you pin horizontally you can sew over the pins, I tend to pin vertically, and remove them on approach as I sew. I've had more than one needle hit a pin and break the tip off - and I have no wish to be hit by flying shards of metal. Once you've sown the first vertical seam, iron down the seam, separating the two edges to opposite sides. I then pin the two side hems - I usually fold over twice to ensure that there are no fraying edges visible, with each fold being a fingers width wide. After pinning, I always iron - it makes it a piece of cake to sew. The hem at the top, I usually make a bit deeper - closer to two inches to give some weight and form to the pleats - and something solid to attach the header tape to, as it holds the full weight of the curtains. Once all the side hems are done, the top hemmed and header tape attached, it's a case of hanging the curtains and pinning up the bottom hem. I often let them hang for a couple of days to 'settle' into their favoured shape, but it's not really necessary. If the fabric is really light, I'll sew a weight into the corners of the base to keep the curtains from flying around too much in the winds.<br />
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This time around, I had lots of company in my sewing journey - Livia decided that she'd give me a helping hand. She finally fell asleep in the middle of the curtain, which truncated the sewing bee for a while.It's finally all done and I'm super happy with the results : it has given the room a real boost of energy and brings together the blue tones in the room.<br />
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Raelinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13960739130435943721noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3616774996438243735.post-77707413228935579222016-01-26T13:13:00.001-08:002016-01-26T13:14:08.696-08:00January madnessIts been an interesting few weeks.<div><br></div><div> I've been travelling for work - a lovely snowy trip to Aarhus, in Denmark; a day on an island on the North Sea, a few days in a conference centre. It doesnt sound like so much, but its amazing how tiring it all is. And how little time you get to work on DIY and blogging as a result.</div><div><br></div><div>At weekends, I've been trying to make some DIY progress, but its all really small stuff thats hard to blog about because its so bitty and incomplete: i finally got my order of the end pieces for the curtain rails and mounted them. I've been prepping a load of mosaic tiles by removing them from mesh, and sorting them. I've bought fabric for making curtains, and I've cleaned and prepared the shells we collected at the beach over Christmas. I've also re-sorted and tidied the craft cupboard because I got so tired of not finding the things I was looking for.<div><br></div><div> We've finished digging out the trough for the drain to the canal as part of the drains work to sort out water issues at the back of the house. We'd got to the stage where we didnt have water in the walls and house with the gutters and drain runoff going to the garden edge and everything became just that little less critical as a result. Whilst I'm glad we had a bit of a break, and digging frozen ground whilst we had snow and ice is not really an option, its really fascinating how easy it is for time to get away from you on projects. I'm super happy that we've finally finished the last little bit of drain fitting. Just a few days for the mud to settle, and we can returf & whoopie! All done!</div></div><div><br></div><div>I'll leave you with a picture of the beautiful mackerel sky that greeted me on arrival on Denmark - and here's to making some real bloggable progress this weekend!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwXXxxF61Yc17pMyncSvTcOIzE-7PUKG_iUgQ76dJcafbOXW0ehEKXcHvv14_lsYmd3nCho__MIEvm9qeTut31X-f1Mxou1AjccRd8nwlTRomNlKIDH3uGVdEG1gKXx1A3MYDzQRH_HMtr/s640/blogger-image-453449950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwXXxxF61Yc17pMyncSvTcOIzE-7PUKG_iUgQ76dJcafbOXW0ehEKXcHvv14_lsYmd3nCho__MIEvm9qeTut31X-f1Mxou1AjccRd8nwlTRomNlKIDH3uGVdEG1gKXx1A3MYDzQRH_HMtr/s640/blogger-image-453449950.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Raelinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13960739130435943721noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3616774996438243735.post-56340086191610736992016-01-11T06:27:00.000-08:002016-01-11T06:27:52.108-08:00Introducing Livia<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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We have a new family member. She's a beautiful tortoiseshell girl and she's a daring, energetic, crazy mad angel.<br />
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She torments poor Luca by chasing around the house faster than he can move. But she can also be very loving and cute.<br />
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Raelinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13960739130435943721noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3616774996438243735.post-3973521273193056642016-01-09T14:31:00.000-08:002016-01-09T14:38:54.371-08:00Kitchen makeover : a quick refresh in 2 days <div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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Kitchens are the most important room in the house for me. I love cooking and a kitchen with insufficient work space is my worst nightmare. One of the oddities of homes in the Netherlands is that the majority of them have tiny kitchens - either they are small pokey galley kitchens, or the walls have been knocked down to make a large kitchen/diner/living area with the result that the kitchen area is minimalist and sketchy. I think I may have mentioned previously that it took over a year and a half to find this house - the state of Dutch kitchens is a large part of the reason. Here are the pictures that were on the real estate website for the house : </div>
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I love bright yellow kitchens and the pictures caught my eye pretty quickly - as did the fantastic Aga style range oven. It looked pleasant enough in real life, simply a little tired from loving use and in need of some sprucing up. </div>
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We knew we didn't have time to replace the kitchen before everything arrived with the packers so it was always going to be a bit of a lick and promise with paint. I originally chose this Design seed color swatch as I thought it would be the best fit given the existing cabinet doors. </div>
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I was quickly persuaded to paint the kitchen cabinets as well as the walls and ended up choosing a slightly richer warmer color for the wood. Probably closer to this one - although I do think this is one of those times when all the planning in advance didn't match the end result. The color is slightly more peachy that either of these two design seeds would suggest. </div>
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Lots of hands to paintbrushes and about 3 days later we had units in a lovely warm peachy cream, and fresh white walls. It took about 3 coats to cover the grey grim that had built up on the fibreglass paper on the walls, but we just didn't have time to strip back. A task for next time.<br />
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I love the stained glass windows between the kitchen and living room - they add an interesting quirk of character. Our neighbour Frank ( born and raised in the house until age 16) told us that they used to be in the main conservatory so at some point an owner has clearly salvaged them and moved them to a new home. I love the little touch points and stories that a house of this age has!</div>
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I don't have any pictures of us replacing the fridge and the dishwasher but both were exciting little subprojects in their own right. I would not normally have built in units, its just too much hassle for minimal return in my view. But as they were already there, we had lots of 'fun' trying to get the panels to mount properly, and to fit back into the spaces when they came. </div>
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We did have a few learnings : kitchen unit paint just isn't strong enough to withstand repeated wear in a constrained small area. We have rubbed away the new color around the fridge door handle and it's looking quite grubby and worn again. I am wondering about trying to varnish it or cover the high wear areas with a clear self-adhesive plastic after repainting. If you've painted up a kitchen how did you deal with this? </div>
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We also didn't have enough storage space - with no units along the upper wall because of all the windows letting light in, we had suprisingly little space for cooking materials. We've pressed into action our old IKEA furniture, which doesn't quite match the picture I had in my head but they are functional for the present. Maybe I should paint them too? </div>
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Here's the kitchen today - complete with olive trees sheltering from the winter frosts & Luca's own table.</div>
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Hope you like it just as much as we do!<br />
<br />
Rae<br />
<br />
This blog will also be shared at the <a href="http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.nl/2016/01/home-sweet-home-253.html" target="_blank">The Charm of Home link party</a>Raelinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13960739130435943721noreply@blogger.com2