With Spring just around the corner, I must say I will miss my wet Sunday afternoons.
Best Cleaning Tip
An easy way to clean your woodburner window, without chemicals and mucking about, is simply (a) fine ash from the fireplace itself (b) tap water and (c) a paper towel. Dip a wad of paper in water, dip in a pile of fine ash then leisurely wipe and those smoky stains are gone in no time. Even better, you can burn the paper towel afterwards.
Best Thoughtful Surprise
I particularly don’t feel good about receiving obligatory presents (eg: birthdays or Christmas). They cost money, as does the wrapping paper and over-priced cards etc. It just seems a bit of a waste to me. If I need something, at my age, I simply buy it. Luckily I don’t yearn for the latest-and-greatest shiny things, I never have. I’d rather meander around some Op Shops and find little treasures than head for the nearest mall.
With this in mind, I had a rather unexpected present arrive on my doorstep in the arms of my youngest son. He’d found an old camera in an Op Shop (yes, he frequents them too) and bought it for me. It didn’t work, but that was beside the point. It didn’t need to. He bought it because, as well as knowing my love for photography, it had an old leather strap – virtually identical to treasured old pair of binoculars that I keep on my hallway table. He thought they’d look beautiful together as a collection. He was right. Hands down, a ‘thoughtful’ gift that made me grin. It wasn’t my birthday either.
Best TradeMe Purchase
Every year I splash out on a pair of hand-knitted woolen socks. The more gawdy, the better! They are my house-socks, my slippers, my toe-warmers throughout winter, before they disintegrate due to overuse. LOVE LOVE LOVE them. I am not a knitter myself (well, not proficient enough to knit my own socks) so I do support local and buy from others that are a bit clever in the knitting department.
