Sunday 2 December 2012

Getting Ready For Winter.

Getting Ready For Winter.
 
How many of us actually prepare for Winter?
 
We 'Spring' -clean our homes and we get out and buy new 'Summer' -clothes in preparation for the lighter and warmer months of the year but how many of us actually prepare for the harsher weather months?
 
  Since becoming a grown-up or a more mature, young -twenty-something at-least, I have embraced responsibility and grabbed maturity by both hands. I have done my best to take on the associated jobs with a keen willingness. Assuming ‘grown-up-ness’ has brought with it feelings I thought I would never have but what can I say, domestic bliss and being a homely housewife is top of my priority list these days.
  Now I am a fully-fledged House-Of-The-Wife, looking after house and home and all that it entails I find it a joy rather than a chore although I find myself doing and thinking about things I never thought I would. Some may think upon me as a boring and bored country homemaker but neither am I. For I wish I had many a more hour in ones day to get things done.
You see I think the secret to one’s happiness is in having one’s home “just right”, to quote Goldilocks!
 
“Happy Home = Happy You!”
 
Being in a state of transition in one’s home, never feeling like things are done is recipe for a minor disaster let me tell you!
Mr N and I lived in our first home for 18 months and we never felt at home. There were all sorts of jobs that needed finishing and as for house-wife, well let’s just say that house and its wife had gotten a divorce. I mostly did my best to keep it clean and tidy but there were just so many little and LARGE D.I.Y. jobs that needed completing. Well if we’re going to  be completely honest some jobs needed simply starting! The list was as long as my arm!
So before long, we felt like we were just dossing at a house –similar to renting I suppose (not that I think renting is a bad thing – I just never felt settled or happy renting.)
 
So Christmas week 2011, after 18 months of not ever properly setting in, Charliepuppy, Mr N and me and our 9 little fish packed our little red spotted hankies and set our SatNav due East. We vowed upon leaving our old house place behind that we would make our new house a home.
In making a grand effort to do so we continue to make sure things aren’t left undone, well not for too long anyway. And this brings me back to where I began earlier…
We are making every effort to prepare for each season or change of weather properly. Although we are still in the rusty throws of a crisp and crunchy Autumn, we are indeed preparing our home for Winter, I know, I know I hear you telling your computer screens that Winter doesn’t start really until December 21st  officially the Winter Solstice. But in my book one can never be too prepared! What with the weather here in Yorkshire and its unpredictable reputation its always best to prepare for the worst. We saw snow in late May this year!
In our preparations for Winter, we have been carrying out several tasks and I thought I would share them with you….
 
àMrs N’s Winter Preparations Checklist
 
ü Remove all build-up of leaves in gutters and around drains.
(A build up of leaves can cause longer lasting problems if left –such as causing a blockage which leads to water that cannot drain away, which can overflow and damage the stone or brick work and pointing this can sometimes soak through and cause your home to be damp inside.)
 
 
ü Remove all rotting leaves on pathways and garden flags/patios.
(When the weather is wet and frosty it can be quite dangerous as it can be like slipping on a banana skin! Moreover, a broken leg is never welcome especially over the Christmas period, trying to put an 8lb. turkey in the oven whilst balancing on a pair of crutches cannot be an easy task!)

ü Seal around the edges of windows and doors with silicone sealant.
 
(This will keep out those pesky drafts and keep the water/ creepy crawlies at bay too.)

ü Go out and buy some heavy-duty salt for your path/steps outside.
(It is worth it, a slip or fall is less likely when ice and frost are kept at bay. My wonderful father in-law always brings us some over at this time of year.)

ü Get yourself a shovel for moving snow from your path and around the car.
(It’s always handy to have one just in-case.)

 
ü Stock up on bulky food items such as tinned foods.
(There’s nothing worse that having to fetch heavy food bags home from the supermarket when its wet and cold or  icy and snowing outside, making multiple trips to and from the car. It makes it easier to slip if you are carrying heavy bags of groceries.)

 
ü Invest in some grippers that attach onto the bottom of your shoes.
(They only cost about £12.99 on amazon.co.uk and are extremely worth it, be careful not to wear them if it is not icy or snowy because they can be dangerous on tarmac/concrete.

 
ü Check your household supplies for:
o   Candles
o   Torches
o   Matches
o   Cold and Flu remedies
o   The numbers of plumbers/electricians just in-case.
 
ü Dig out your hats, gloves, scarves and warm preferably water proof Winter coats. Keep yourself warm and dry and reduce the risk of colds.
 
ü Get some insulating covers for your outdoor pipes and taps. (Outdoor pipes and taps can easily freeze at this time of year and protecting them in advance could help avoid having to get a pricy plumber out when your boiler stops working or your water is stopped because it is frozen outside.)
 
ü Make yourself some draught excluders for the bottoms of your doors and help keep your energy bills down and your warm up. Have a go with the help from: http://uktv.co.uk/home/item/aid/647259
 
Have a happy and safe Winter!
-Mrs N x

Autumn. A Poem.


Autumn. A Poem.
 

 

The wind blew a blustery breath,

It shook the trees through bare.

Adorned upon his rotting perch, black like death,

Was the crow that did not care.

His feathers ruffled, in the icy wind,

As a chill consumed the air.

The walk of the farmer had become a bind,

As he trudged through fields ever bare.

In the old oaks above, leaves were scarce and few,

Golden auburns and rusty browns floated down to the ground.

They rustled and crunched underneath each shoe,

So charming and familiar was that old Autumn sound.

The End.

Monday 5 November 2012

Every great writer needs....

 
Every great writer needs....
An extensive library at his or Her (in my case,) fingertips, I have the good fortune to have a darling Husby whom is building me my very own. He is building me and actual library come study in a spare room next to our lounge. The thought of it is my retreat and my paradise although I still find myself enjoying the allure of public libraries. I go to extend my knowledge inside books I don't have but particularly if I need to shake myself out of a writing block I go for a fresh environment a change of pace, somewhere I need to get dressed and look presentable. This alone helps, staying in one's tartan embroidered pajamas doesn't do much to help you think of plot lines or characters if you yourself are hidden away from the world in one’s bed-clothes now does it?!
This is also particularly useful should you find yourself with the dreaded writer's block or you are stuck in a mode or comfortableness that your work is becoming bland: my dear, take yourself for a walk- somewhere different to where you usually go- a long road or path a different park or canal towpath, explore and your creative juices will come flowing once again trust me. Should this not help you immerse yourself into a book any book just no one that you are currently reading it has to be a book that you can start at the first page and not be entirely familiar with this also will induce your creative-side!
You need a good place to sit and write or type if you prefer, (don't use a particular medium because you think you should, most writers feel the need to write on paper first before typing but you need to find what works for you.)
You also need two comfy chairs to sit at;

​One to sit in and write (something sturdy and supportive) and the other to relax and read through your work comfortably, so a nice big squashy chair with lots of comfy cushions. You need a good workspace, with plenty of room to spread your paper, stationery and books over, I like a wooden desk that’s ancient and I acquired from a thrift store some time ago but it is perfect and sturdy, I like to sit at it up to a large open window so I can stare out into the Yorkshire wiles.
Good lighting is key to working comfortably. Sitting working in poor light or a space where the lighting is too bright can give you a headache and make you feel strained or achey, so make sure you have a suitable table lamp by your desk and during daylight hours open the curtains as wide as you can and let that natural light. ​
You need quiet to concentrate on a piece but you also need the hustle and bustle of a place such as a coffee shop or cafe to people watch; to create good characters and to study mannerisms and attitudes.
 
 
A good writer needs a notebook or pad of paper with them always, in your bag, on the nightstand and most definitely on your desk, constant supplies of freshly sharpened pencils and pens in at least three colours,
-Black for writing:
Black is formal and presents your writing with a strong and serious image.
-Red for correcting:
Grammar, Punctuation & Spelling errors so it stands out and you learn from your mistakes in the future.
& Finally
-Blue for editing:
for adding a sentence, whole paragraph or even an entire chapter -so you can see where you have gone from first draft to second (I like to do further drafts in yet another colour so I can differentiate & show how I have improved.)
You also need to immerse yourself into your writing, so if you have things on your mind or something worrying you, write them down onto a separate piece of paper and put it into a drawer or throw it away. This will help you to clear your mind and focus on your writing.
Once you get into the zone hours can fly by unnoticed but you need to make sure you have regular breaks, preferably at hourly intervals with a short walk or at the very least movement on your feet. The risks of blood clotting and leading to major health failures are high in people who tend to sit for too many hours, so this is very important an something to remember!
Discipline is key. All good writers have the discipline to write a certain amount of articles or spend a few hours a day writing. If you want to take taking writing to the next level, the discipline should be ingrained right from the start. Allotting a few hours a day, whether a good article comes out or not, is a good idea. Later, when there comes a time to work on major or multiple projects, the writer will not have a problem with having the mind spill out words that contribute to the making of a great article each and every time. In fact, even if you don’t have work to do, a writer should just sit and write about any topic.
-Mrs. N x

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Poetry: The allure of the funfair.

Bubblegum prizes and tall fluted drinks,
Child and teenager alike attend for to get their kinks.

With bashed up old rides and their rusting red paint,
Each ride the waltzers until many could faint.

You play the penny shoot outs and water gun games,
Hour after hour until the goldfish run out of names.

Those fish from the fair they live for many a year,
Whilst those young gypsies tend the ticket box with a fistful of beer.

When the funfairs in town,
Be sure to come down.

Friday 21 September 2012

Knick-Knacks, Bric-a-Brac. We give it all a home.


 
Knick-Knacks, Bric-a-Brac. We give it all a home.

Blog Post No.10

21/09/2012.

Even the most beautifully organised and minimalists among us all have precious knick-knacks hiding in cupboards, on shelves and stored in the loft and bric-a-brac items that really should have gone to a charity shop long ago.

After all however ruthless we like to be when doing that inevitable spring clean (not necessarily in spring might I add, I usually do a spring clean at the start of summer, autumn and winter too! But that’s because I have some defective gene from my paternal Grandmother which means I have to keep my home organised in a ridiculously scrupulous manner) there are just some things that you can’t help but tell yourself they will come in useful one day no matter how battered and worn. You also keep things because they remind you of something attached to a pleasant memory. I’m not talking your child or grandchild’s baby clothes or a greetings card but something less precious such as a mug that you bought when you were a student or a t-shirt that you wore to a party when you first drank something a little stronger than cherryade.

In the most recent of all mighty clear out’s Mr N and me found several unusual items that don’t even belong to us. Amongst the pile we found a five inch, yes I said five inch, black and white plug in television complete with reasonably non-tatty box. I know, I know I am usually a vintage-loving, retro hunting kinda-gal but on this occasion it was NOT something I had carefully collected at a thrift store but something we found in our loft shortly after moving in. I can just imagine Betty sat watching early episodes of Coronation Street at her ferule legged coffee table complete with formica top. Betty lived here before us and being the softy that I am when nearing exchange of contracts and they told us they would completely clear the house as soon as they could I said oh don’t worry whatever you don’t want just leave behind and we will rehouse. So alongside the teeny-tiny t.v there was a G-Plan record player in a teak sideboard style cabinet- so groovy but far too seventies for my taste (still going begging should anyone wish to collect!) Also a teak-ish wardrobe with the door in the middle and the clothes rails positioned each side going from front to back and a five hook claw in the middle, it sort of reminded me of something you would see in the art deco era in a Fred Astaire film. But being the crafty homemaker that I am I decided to up-cycle this vintage piece and I have transformed it into a shabby chic style armoire with just a lick of porcelain coloured paint and some stylish Mr and Mrs accessories. It now looks most at home in our master-bed.

As for bric-a-brac our homes are filled with them, giant stacks of jig-saws you’ve done that many times you could do with your eyes closed, endless boxes full of lego and building blocks that the kids don’t really play with anymore. Teddy bears and soft toys that the whole family have accumulated which let’s face it you only ever really have one teddy bear that you will treasure for ever. Mine being a green hippo my older sister brought me back from a school trip to Germany when I was only one. He has been stitched back together more times than I care to think of his eyes have rubbed off and my Grandmother has replaced various parts of him over the years in particular his label which I used to put my little finger through and would only go to sleep should I have him and a dodey, on the odd occasion he went missing I used to take one of my brothers vests with me for a nap- so I could put my finger through the label. Strange you might think…But having recently discovered a new baby/toddler toy strange I am not. What I am indeed referring to is Taggie

I could have been a millionaire if I have thought about it!


Photo Credit : http://www.myblankets.com/Taggies.html

 

 

 

To be continued……

-Mrs N x

Sunday 16 September 2012

Rainy Day Re-decorating.


Blog Post No.9
Sunday 16/09/2012

Rainy Day Re-decorating.

Today has been a drizzly Sunday so Mr N and I decided to put on our D.I.Y. caps and get stuck into some well overdue jobs round the house.

We woke early so after breakfast together, we got stuck in. I have shabby chic-ified our chunky farmhouse antique pine coffee table and a nest of pine tables that I picked up recently for £4 (a real bargain!) that practically match our coffee table. I sanded the tops of each of the coffee tables and painted them in an antique cream matt finish paint. Whilst waiting for them to dry off I did a little mandatory housework whilst Mr N took down some shelves and storage in preparation for creating the room into a library.

Once the tables were touch-dry I finished them with some varnish to seal from stains and coffee rings, Mr N never uses our coasters! They now look really cool even if I do say so myself and completely suit our home.

We have also done some sorting out of things for our local charity shops in an attempt to de-clutter. Well I did some sorting out; Mr N on the other hand is loathed to part with anything he always says, “Oh that will come in use.” What he thinks he will do with an old school rucksack that has holes in and tons of odd and ends that have no real purpose but hey they are his bits and bobs.

As much as we had intended to spend the whole day finishing bits of decorating and finishing odd jobs around the house the lure of a lazy Sunday together soon became too much to resist. The rain was coming down fast and much noisier than earlier in the day and its hypnotic sound found us snuggled up on the sofa with Charliepuppy taking up most of the space. He is a smallish doggy but unfortunately for him, he is sporting one of those funny buster collars. He has to wear it for a few days to stop him licking his paw as he hurt it and then licked it unrelinquished and caused a tiny infection to which he has antibiotics. The poor pup. At first it was to our great amusement that he couldn’t climb the stairs or jump up on the sofa as he couldn’t gage the size of the collar but now we just feel sorry for the little mite as he does look incredibly depressed inside his lampshade.

We just sat there listening to the rain and enjoying the lazy Sunday. It was lovely. To keep with the lazy Sunday theme Mr N called at our local chippy for a Fish Supper and so we have spent the rest of the day watching things we have sky plussed and drinking cocoa.






What do you do with your lazy Sundays? Email me at: mrsn_slawit@hotmail.co.uk

-Mrs N x

 

Wednesday 5 September 2012

Home all alone.


Flash fiction. 100 words exactly.

Home all alone.
 
Cheryl heard it again.

A noise was coming from downstairs. She hid behind the door grasping a coat hanger for defence and listened again for the noise.

 

There was definitely someone in the house.

She buried her face into the dressing-gown hanging on a hook on the back of the door, she shut her eyes suddenly remembering her mobile was charging on the hall table. What now?

 

The sound of footsteps appeared to be getting closer…

She peered through the crack in the old oak door…

 

Cheryl let out a sigh of relief… It was just Jasper the family dog.

 

Tuesday 4 September 2012

The days are getting shorter.


 
Blog Post No. 8
04/09/2012
The days are getting shorter.

You know it’s that time of year when you need to start wearing thick socks and long legs of an evening just to stop spiders or more accurately, small dog eating tarantulas, crawling around your bare ankles and feet. Long gone are the days of flip flops, sandals and bare legs. From tomorrow no longer am I stepping out in my comfy and casual, yes I am going to admit it to you Croc despising people that, I love my Croc flip flops! They are so ergonomic and they are pretty and fairly plain light pink and white. I know, I know I hear endless scornful remarks about Crocs being a hideous fashion faux pas but I do not care, I am far from a chav and I don’t wear as a fashion statement but to give my feet the comfort they deserve. You see my Great-Great-Grandmother used to say and I quote; “If you only buy two good things in your life, buy a good bed and a good pair of comfortable shoes because if you’re not in one you’re bound to be in the other.” Due to last night’s spider incident I have opted to wear only toe covering footwear to avoid future spiders-on-steroids crossing my feet like they are a footbridge.

The days are getting shorter and the nights are drawing in. It’s getting darker earlier and earlier each day. I don’t know why we are shocked by this, as the same thing happens every year. I don’t know if it’s just me but each year at this time I always find it strange and ever so slightly unusual.

The evenings are also becoming ever cooler. During the day the sun is still bright and there is the last warmth of the summer sun drifting through the air but come evening when the sun has disappeared until the morrow it gets a little chilly. Large woven throws and fleece blankets are a must when sat in front of the box of an eve.

That eerie chill reminds us that winter is only around the corner and Christmas is just on the horizon. Aaaargh!
 Summer is but a fond memory and September 21st brings with it the start of autumn is settling its boots by the fire. So here’s to welcoming autumn with open arms as it’s not all bad really. Autumn brings out my inner Betty Crocker and conjures up recipes of pumpkin pie, apple crumble and butternut squash and brown rice risotto.
 

I like to make autumn crafts with the kids, from collages made from leaves to handmade chocolate leaves to decorate home-baked cupcakes.
Autumn can be lovely, not just a stop-gap between a glorious summer and a festive winter. Embrace the autumn months and all it has to offer.

Bonfire night is awaited with eager anticipation and the excitement is set to simmer until ‘All Hallows Eve’ has come and gone again. No matter how old I get I will always enjoy Halloween. Dressing up in a ghastly way and decorating the house with plastic spiders and faux cobwebs, carving pumpkins into jack o’ lanterns and enough candy to fill a bouncy castle such fun.
Then comes Bonfire night arrives and you are filled to the brim with homemade treacle-toffee and potato-pie, toffee apples and baked potatoes, you all gather together as friends and family round a giant handmade fiery glow. You have your hats and scarves and have dug out your gloves and you are wrapped up warm to bare the cold night air to hoover round the bonfire. Fireworks are a treat and the little ones are supervised with sparklers all is brimming with excitement.

A final thought; get your conkers out! Recent press has reported on the banning of conkers in schools. When we were kids we played conkers it was a ritual at this time of year to go out conker hunting. No one I know, nor does anyone I’ve asked know anyone who has been harmed by a conker! I say playing conkers is part of growing up! Don’t you?!

-Mrs N x

Autumn reminds me of a popular poem by John Keats….

John Keats - To Autumn

I

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,

Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;

Conspiring with him how to load and bless

With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;

To bend with apples the moss'd cottage-trees,

And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;

To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells

With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,

And still more, later flowers for the bees,

Until they think warm days will never cease,

For Summer has o'er-brimm'd their clammy cells.

 

II

Who hath not seen thee oft amid thy store?

Sometimes whoever seeks abroad may find

Thee sitting careless on a granary floor,

Thy hair soft-lifted by the winnowing wind;

Or on a half-reap'd furrow sound asleep,

Drows'd with the fume of poppies, while thy hook

Spares the next swath and all its twined flowers:

And sometimes like a gleaner thou dost keep

Steady thy laden head across a brook;

Or by a cyder-press, with patient look,

Thou watchest the last oozings hours by hours.

 

III

Where are the songs of Spring? Ay, where are they?

Think not of them, thou hast thy music too, -

While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day,

And touch the stubble plains with rosy hue;

Then in a wailful choir the small gnats mourn

Among the river sallows, borne aloft

Or sinking as the light wind lives or dies;

And full-grown lambs loud bleat from hilly bourn;

Hedge-crickets sing; and now with treble soft

The red-breast whistles from a garden-croft;

And gathering swallows twitter in the skies.