January hasn't exactly been an inspiring month. It started off with a heap of snow, which I can't say I enjoyed. I was six when I decided I absolutely did not like winter, snow or any other typical manifestation of that season. As for Zoe, she quite liked it to begin with, but then she got ice balls stuck to her legs and feet and that wasn't so much fun; nor did she like wearing the little snow booties I borrowed from my daughter much, but she tolerated them very well. I think we were more entertained by the kicking donkey impressions she made before she got used to them.
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| We are not amused! |
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| My lovely monk's hood |
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| The work in progress |
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| This is the one some of you have already seen |
Another project that kept me busy for a few days was adapting my kitchen stove to be more Val-friendly. I am not a cook and have never made any claims to be, so when we first found the CC Mk1, I was a bit flummoxed by the huge Boretti stove that occupies a large portion of one wall. I realised I was supposed to count myself lucky, but I had no idea what I could do with such a beast. It has six gas burners and a huge oven.
At best, we used two of the hobs and the oven was only turned on once a year when family came to visit. However, I now have a combination microwave, so the oven became even more redundant, and for the last two years, I've just used it as a cupboard. Then, with the increase in energy prices, I started thinking of replacing it and gaining more counter space by buying a smaller stove. Bad idea.
If I wanted a new all-electric cooker, I would need a new group added to the main electricity board as well as a new socket and plug for phase 2 or 3 electricity. My solution was to turn off the gas to the stove, remove the burner grates and the loose tops of the burners and make an extra 'counter' to cover two-thirds of the top. Then I bought a two-hob, free-standing induction plate, which neatly fills in the last third. The oven is also unplugged. The upside is everything is still there if we ever need to resurrect the stove, but now it's much better suited to my way of preparing and cooking food.
As for the Boretti itself, it's a fine appliance, and it still looks good, even if it's now just a cupboard with a small cooker on top!
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| A much more Val-friendly arrangement |
I found the wood for the counter in the cellar, shabby and discoloured, but after sanding it, colouring it with garden fence stain and varnishing it, I was very happy. Koos then helped me by cutting the aluminium trim neatly to size and we used silicone kit to stick it on. I must say I'm very pleased with the result.
We also spent one Sunday installing a rainwater tank in the garden. I've wanted one for a long time and now, at last, we have one. Hopefully, this will help water the plants in the summer although we have to seal the pipe that feeds the tank. With the rain we've had in the last few days, the tank is full and it's leaking out of the hole that receives the feed pipe. There's always something, isn't there?
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| I rather like its organic shape. Excuse the messy garden, though. I haven't had the courage to go and tidy it up! |
So that's about it allemaal. Nothing very exciting and I wouldn't blame you if you've lost interest by now. Sadly, we haven't been able to do much on the boats except give them a clean up a couple of times, so news on that front is pitifully lacking. Here's hoping the weather cheers up some more and gives us a chance to get busy again. I'll finish with a boaty photo just as inspiration. Till next time!
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Love the hats Val...especially the snood your daughter made... I am making a cape at the moment more for watching tv than going out in I find it keeps my body warm but leaves my hands free... I haven't used my oven for two years since we invested in a couple of airfryers... I use them, my hob and a microwave... ♥
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sally! A cape is a great idea. I think I’ll have to make that a project too. I like the dual benefits of making something warm and keeping warm at the same time. On the subject of food prep, we used to have an air fryer but it gave up the ghost a year ago. Maybe we should get another one. It was definitely useful!
DeleteHi Val,
DeleteI enjoyed reading about your projects--the hat knitting, the stove and especially the rain tank outside in the garden. We've had a lot of snow in northwest PA too. I've been working since August on preparing my apartment to prepare to rent it out. I do a little every day, except my progress is much better when I have someone to help me see what I'm doing. =) Maybe the apartment will be ready by March. I have a meeting about my cashier's job and the special smart glasses I hope to master in time on Feb 2. I feel kind of like January has been in limbo for me, too, with the cold weather. I can't see much when there is so much snow. I will be moving forward with my writing soon. Take care!
Amy
How lovely to hear from you, Amy! You never cease to amaze me with how you cope so cheerfully. I can well imagine the snow makes seeing things difficult. With so much white, there's little contrast or shape to things, is there? Thank you for reading my blog and do let me know when you start writing again. You are such an inspiration! xx
DeleteChris Moore
ReplyDeleteHi Chris! 💚
DeleteYou're getting clever with the crocheting, Val. Well done. My kitchen stove is gas on the top and the oven with the only electric part being the griller and the turn-on button. I far prefer gas, which is quicker to cook with and more controllable as far as heat level goes.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Shirley. That gas top and electric oven is the same as mine, but it was all just too big for me and gas is now so expensive here we have to be very economical with our usage. I like the induction plate because it’s as controllable as gas. I think it may be even quicker to heat up and cool down. It’s lovely. 😊
DeleteNot boring at all and I was sorry when it ended. I was getting ready for a Longer read I guess. I too like the hood and hats,
ReplyDeleteThank you, Karen! It’s lovely to see you here! 🤗
DeleteI can ramble on ad infinitum, so come again! 😄
Not sure how to do this, but it’s Karen O here.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Xxx
DeleteVal, there is no end to your talents! What cool hats! And - sadly - needed! A great way to fight against winter and all its misery. Poor little Zoe. But she looks so cute in her winter garb! As for the stove - it's fantastic! What a marvelous solution, and you still have it if you need it. Brilliant! You are simply amazing. May the winter soon end so you can get back to the water. God bless. (Steph)
ReplyDeleteThank you, my dear. I enjoy solving problems without too much disruption and outlay. Praying for the winter to end for you too! 🤗 Xxx
DeleteHi there my lovely friend, thank you for another lovely blog. You always sound so lovely and calm and peaceful. I really love your crochet hats and the way you have converted the stove to be more Val-friendly is inspirational. Poor little Zoe does not like the snow very much. She rather reminds me of our Lady, our Jack Russell. When she had to go outside, she would hunch her back so she could get her tummy as far away from the snow possible and, if she could have walked on the tips of her claws, I think she would have done so. However, Misty, her daughter, was the complete opposite. As soon as the back door was opened, Misty would dash out, nose down and proceed like a little snow plough to dig lines across the lawn, eventually coming up for breath with a large lump of snow on the bridge of her nose and looking, like she was laughing.
ReplyDeleteAw thank you, Lorraine (I think it's Lorraine?). That's a lovely comment and I love the image of Misty acting like a little snow plough. So sweet! Zoe didn't mind the fresh, soft snow, but she didn't like it after it froze. They are all so funny with their special likes and dislikes, aren't they?
DeleteI'm very impressed with your hat! It's Jackie Lambert, btw. It doesn't seem to recognise me :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jackie! And thanks for dropping by. Google's given me your name, which is great. I know it doesn't always work. These blog hosts can be temperamental, can't they? I find WP is quite tricky about that as well. I'm glad you like the hat! :)
DeleteHi Val. It's winter here as well in Canada and will be until around March/April. We are getting a true winter this year with non-stop snow. I just finished knitting a shawl that I'd started last year so winter is good for something. LOL. My time this winter has been spent doing lots of reading and jigsaw puzzles. Keep crocheting and staying warm!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Wendy! Yes, it seems winter has decided to do it properly everywhere this year. Well done with the jigsaw puzzles and the reading and knitting. It's good to have things to keep us busy, isn't it?
DeleteThe previous Canadian comment was from me, Wendy L. Scott-Hawkins.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Wendy!
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