I know this sounds odd but I collect snow globes. Most people collect teaspoons or something a bit more awesome but me, I collect snow globes and teapots. Yes teapots too!! But today I wanted to share something with you that you may enjoy doing at home. I am actually going to test this theory out at school with my students as I reckon it would be a wonderful activity to keep them engaged and they can design and be innovative in their creations.
I don’t know about you guys but we went back to school this week. As a parent, my kids are both happy as to return to their semi normal routines of school days. That means getting up earlier, eating breakfast at a reasonable time and actually getting dressed by 7.30 am.
While miss Highland Dancer went off with dust swishing off her feet on Sunday afternoon to boarding school, we couldn’t slow her down. She couldn’t wait to catch up with friends and just ‘get back to school’. Her words were, “Now Mum, its not that I don’t love you and all that and I have LOVED being at home with you these past 6 weeks but I think I really need to get back to actual school work again.” All I can say is this……whaaaaat?? Here I thought i was doing an okay job of this home schooling, cooking, cleaning, baking, fitness instructor, counsellor and teacher. I am quite sure I missed out a few roles there but hey, I actually quite liked the jobs….at first.
The Karate Kid, however struggled a little with this program of change this week. He found it hard getting to sleep. I swear it was like having a toddler again. I felt like I have been on a different repeat. Lately its been “do some work kid” and now its “go to bed”. He’s 10, how hard can this be really!!
Now for me, getting back to school as a teacher is a godsend. I really didn’t sleep good on Sunday night, I saw every hour of the clock! I am not sure if it was excitement or nerves or both. Whatever, I made it to school on time and the kids were sooooo happy to be there. Well most of them. LOL They also had got used to being at home, doing lazy stuff and what not!! I started the day with a fun activity (after we took the role). It was about what lockdown looked for everyone, because we all had a different experience (I will share that with you in case you want to try it out). I know some folks hated it, some loved it and some had mixed feelings. I think if I hadn’t been a teacher, it may have been different but when I reflect on it, well I think, crikey….I actually enjoyed it (not the cooking though).
I managed to get the sewing machine out once or twice to make a few bits and pieces as I was sick and tired of people coughing over when I was doing my essential shopping.
Its been a bit of a learning curve, getting to bed earlier at night, meeting the expectations of meals that have been set these past few weeks (that has been hard) but hubby has taken to the stove this week once or twice. Albeit simplified meals but I didn’t have to cook so that is a blessing in disguise. Now I need to work out how to get the baking completed when I am not at home all day. Ah, I forgot, supermarket here we come!!!
Anyways, I am feeling rather weary as they say so I am going to sign off for today and wish you well. I thought I might have a wee glass of wine but I think I am going to be seeing zzzzzzz’s very shortly so will save the vino for tomorrow’s wine 0’clock!!
For now, hope your week has been fun and rewarding (and your kids are still alive). I made up a few videos while I was on lockdown so you can have a wee squizz at what I have been doing!!
So who would think to clean their washing machine eh?! But honestly, its really easy. I put a cup of vinegar in the drawer on my front loader and just run it empty on a quick wash. This allows the vinegar to run through your machine and descale it. For top loaders, just drop the cup of vinegar in the drum and run it on a normal wash with nothing in the machine. Super easy and freshens up your machine to work more efficiently for you!!
Oh, don’t forget to wipe around the seal as it does gather quite a bit of muck that can stick to your nice clean clothes as they exit the machine. Hope this helps!!
Did you know that one small positive thought in the morning can shape your whole day? Yep, weird huh! But if you think about it you will realise it’s true!
I used to wake up in the mornings and dread going to work. I wasn’t happy in my previous job so it was hard to find the positives. Then I got inspired by someone close to me who always found the positives in the smallest details. It reminded of who I really am.
I sit each morning scouring social media for something funny to start my day. Usually it’s Michael Macintyre, he is funny. But lately it’s Tom Sainsbury and Gingerbread the cat. OMG it’s so funny!! Maybe not everyone else’s cup of tea but it certainly makes me laugh. I love reading positive mindset blurbs. I know some folks love podcasts but they are not my thing. I usually search up some bits on Pinterest. You can check out my boards. I have two good ones, one is affirmations and the other is inspire me. Have a quick look here. https://www.pinterest.nz/rose1827/.
On Instagram, I searched up some tags and found some cool stuff there too so my feed is full of positivity. It certainly makes the world a happier place!! You can click in the links at the top of the page and have a browse through there.
For today, I am going to leave you with small positive thought in the hope that it makes your day.
So, when cleaning the fire you most likely cringe at the thought because it’s such a messy job. Well I have a hot tip to help make this manly project move along a lot faster.
What do I do? Well firstly, I procrastinate about it for about an hour but you could always skip that step snd got straight to the oven cleaner. I don’t use when the glass is hot, so just be aware, it’s best when it’s cool!
You know that spray stuff I used to clean the oven with. I spray the glass on my fire door and leave for a while as I procrastinate some more. It may be an hour or so later when I come back, open up the door, clean out the ashes and sweep up the mess off the hearth. I then get a bucket of warm water and an old rag.
Now the oven cleaner has been on the glass for at least an hour so it should just wipe off easily with all the crusty muck. It takes a couple of wipe downs but then the glass is super clean again. If needed a wee bit elbow grease (give it good rub) might be required but within about 5 minutes your fire is cleaned and ready to go again.
Give it a try and let me know how it goes!!! Stay healthy peeps!!
What have you been cooking up while on lock down? I know that we have been baking up a storm in our house, much more than usual. I feel like I have become the resident chef as well. Its not funny, as I have told you many times that I actually hate cooking although I feel like I am getting better.
Anyways, for lunches we have come up with yummy solutions to make it a bit more fun, exciting and different. We have been cooking up scones, pikelets, wraps, pizza and even some corn fritters (for the people who like corn obviously).
Two minutes noodles have been a favourite the past week too. Not as healthy as I would like but the Karate Kid could eat us out of house and home if I am not careful. Plenty apples, bananas and kiwi fruit going around but mostly ice blocks or ice lollies as i like to call them!!
I reckon the biggest thing is coming up with ideas of different things to cook and a variety with a house full of people who really don’t enjoy vegetables. Seriously, we just decided we like butter chicken for crying out loud!
So what are cooking up in your lock down kitchen bubble??
Have you ever made bread from scratch? I can honestly say that I haven’t. Until today. I have a bread-maker so I often just rely on the trusty machine to rock out something amazing, but since we have been on lockdown, like everyone else, I have been doing a lot more cooking.
Now I really don’t know what happened this morning but I came bouncing out of bed with the idea that I would make bread myself today. Little did I know how long it would take, but saying that, the house smells delicious!! Nothing like home baking to make you feel good. I am no chef so i often rely on Pinterest or Instagram of Facebook to guide me and give me inspiration. I got it today when i searched up recipes for bread. A Taste of Home is an FB page and there was some really neat recipes that I have saved. There are a few links to other groups as well, so definitely worth a look. Perhaps you might be inspired to bake something wonderful or even new like me!!
Did I tell you that I have been finding all these new apps?? Well here is the latest one. It’s actually fun. I have been using this quite a bit to share some tips with my students, they respond to the fun stuff much more.
It’s so much fun so before I go, well I am just going to leave this here. Something I made up for my students last week!!
So I thought I would post something a bit different today. Miss HD has been doing a bit of practice lately and so here are a couple of dances for you!!
Life’s Rosie 