Anything goes
Washing soda
Friday 9 January, 2009
Isn't this credit crunch great? All of a sudden it's cool to be frugal!
I read in a magazine that washing soda is a substitute for expensive washing powder. I have to confess I was a bit sceptical but I had a look in the supermarket and, since it was only 68p a kilo, I thought I'd give it a go. And it works!
I use two scoops in a load - the scoop is off a cough medecine bottle, so not very big - and the washing is clean. Even whites!
Cheap and environmentally friendly - can't say better than that, eh!
On the telly
Wednesday 31 December, 2008
No, not us, thankfully.
If you enjoyed "Tales from the Green Valley" a few years ago, you might fancy "Victorian Farm" which starts next Thursday 8th January on BBC2. The same group of historians are involved but this time it's an 1880 smallholding recreated on a Shropshire estate.
Back on screen on Wednesday 7th is a new series of "It's not easy being green", which is worth watching just for James Strawbridge stripped to the waist.
And I'll be settling down on Sunday with a Bailey's and a wee chocolate treat to watch "Lark Rise to Candleford". I know it's twee, but it's lovely.
Car dilemma
Tuesday 30 December, 2008
We have two cars - at one time, that would have been a boast. Now it feels like a source of shame. Dan has a diesel Nissan X Trail, which we bought so that we could tow a trailer. I have a petrol Ford Focus, which also has a tow bar but in truth couldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding. Neither of us do many miles - Dan works at home and his only miles are to Edinburgh Airport or the railway station, and back. The Nissan is so greedy we don't use it much otherwise. My workplace is one mile from home, so I can walk if I have time, although I do usually take the car because I'm usually going on to the stables immediately after work.
Cupboard cleaning
Monday 29 December, 2008
Do you get the urge to clean out cupboards at this time of year? I always do - I think it's part of starting the new year with a clean sheet (or cupboards, files, drawers and so on).
I was making a shopping list yesterday - the leftovers had run out - and took the opportunity to give the pantry a bit of a tidy and to check the best before dates on dry goods particularly. Hmm. Now I hate wasting food, so anything edible went to the hens, who appreciate most offerings. Yesterday, it was pasta (cooked) and walnuts. Oh, and some mince pies. They were such HAPPY hens - there are a couple who hover around the back door, just in case, but they never keep it to themselves, they call all their mates to share in the bounty.
It's been so long...
Tuesday 16 December, 2008
since I posted anything to the diary.
We've had a couple of losses to the fox recently and we had to despatch Chip, our Crested Cream Legbar cockerel, on Sunday. We were away for the weekend and he was ill when we got back. I couldn't watch him suffer so we put him away. I now need to find another CCL cockerel for the CCL hens.
I have another sick hen, one of the CCL. She's in isolation and seemed a bit better at lunchtime to day. I'll have a good look at her in the morning, in daylight. I've wormed her and given her some oil soaked bread to try to "move" any blockages. This is always my first First Aid attempts. I think it goes back to a doctor I had when I was about eighteen, who seemed convinced that any medical problem was related to your digestive tract - no matter what symptoms you recounted, his first question was always "And have your bowels moved?".
The Clackmannanshire Bridge
Wednesday 26 November, 2008
The new upper Forth crossing, the Clackmannanshire Bridge, opened last week. Our local Council had campaigned to have the Bridge named after the County, to put us on the map.
On Sunday (this is kind of sad), Dan, Lorna and I drove down to see the bridge and drive across it. The views of Clackmannanshire on the dive in over the bridge are just lovely - Clackmannan Parish Church and Clackmannan Tower silhouetted against the Ochil Hills.
Today I had the opportunity to use the bridge for real. Carol and I met with a representative of Oatridge College in West Lothian to try to set up some training opportunities ofr members of the smallholders' association. We were very happy to find that the College were very keen to help. Our first venture will be a lambing course in January, followed by a grassland management event in March. I'm sure if these are supported, further events will follow.
Snow
Sunday 23 November, 2008
We've got snow this morning. It's cold but clear so maybe that's it all for now.
The hens wouldn't come out this morning until bribed with corn. The Legbars, who haven't seen snow before, were sitting on top of their run. They're quite different to the other hens - quite flighty, quite small and delicate looking. They also act a bit "refined", compared to the roughty toughty Black Rocks.
Felix went out but would only walk on the clear area where the car had been parked.
I'm off to make a Creole Christmas Cake now - the fruit has been soaking in rum, port, brandy, cherry brandy for a week. I won't inhale as I have to drive later!
Snow
Sunday 23 November, 2008
We've surely got snow now. We've had a wee bit since Friday last but last night, about 6" fell. Fortunately, John has done a fabulous job keeping the outside water running. So far we've plenty hay but I need to get some straw for bedding the calves and for the field shelter, where the ewes are.
The ponies and sheep are now eating hay good style. The sheep can have it adlib but the ponies need to be restricted or they'll get fat - it's happened before! This morning, Smokey and Bugsy had lumps of ice on their backs and in their manes. I suppose this means that they are well enough insulated that their body heat doesn't melt it, but I can't help but feel sorry for them.
A poem from my sister
Thursday 6 November, 2008
A DILEMMA
I could not kill a chicken
With feathers, blood and stuff,
‘Cause I would just remember,
Those balls of yellow fluff.
I could not kill a rabbit,
I know they are a pest,
We had a white one and a grey one.
I loved the grey one best.
I simply could not kill a pig
And listen to it wail,
It used to be so soft and pink
With tiny curly tail.
I'd never ever kill a sheep;
Urban redneck
Saturday 1 November, 2008
When we were in the States last month, I bought a work shirt. It's quickly become my very favourite piece of clothing, displacing my charity shop fleecy sweatshirt. The new shirt is quilted with a check flannel outer, but it has a grey sweatshirt inset with a zip and hood. Dan has described this particular fashion style as "urban redneck"! I suppose I will eventually have to wash it - I wish I'd bought two now...
