Daily Project Round 9

[SpiritOfEdna]

Hello!

New thread for when we are ready.

Happy New Year, Happy New Thread

Whether you want to do one extra thing a day while the kettle boils or a list helps with a kick up the bum to Get Things Done - all welcome.

@Aria999 @autumnangel @WinterFrogs @crivit @FoolShapeHeart @FourSeasonsLobelia @mumofoneAloneandwell @Mumtobabyhavoc @Peridot1 @petalpower @RunningKatie @SingleThreadJoiner2 @SunnyViper @SydneyCarton

Hello all.

We have a drawer full of mugs. We are all quite fussy about what we drink various drinks from. I like tea in China mugs. My one daily coffee in a mug that was my mums that she got free with teabags. DH also drinks tea in China mugs but his coffees in thick mugs we got while on holiday in Florida. We bought mugs, a kettle and teabags and milk to be able to have tea in the hotel we were in once and he likes them for coffee. DS says our mugs are depressing but has three he prefers for his coffees. And I have others for visitors. And random others. Drawer needs a cull for sure.

I am in cleaning house mode. Sort of. Having been away for a month it’s definitely needed. Did the sitting/tv area off the kitchen yesterday and vacuumed. Just changed DH’s bed and told him if he tidied his room I’d dust and vacuum. He’s as bad as DS. Anyway. His room his now done. Will dust dining area this afternoon.

Have also been planning planting for our new gravel garden and ordering plants as suggested by ChatGPT. Want to get out and do stuff but it’s cold this week. I’m definitely a fair weather gardener.

Im also trying to decide on colours to paint our hall, stairs and landing. Ordered some paint samples yesterday.

Extra task today was changing the filter in the kettle as my morning cuppa was pretty manky.

Also need to arrange to get my ironing done. I should do it myself but it’s so convenient to get it done.

Have a great day all.

It's just going on for 9am here. It's mostly sunny and 3c. I've got a chat show on that I pvr - I call it the happy show - a 2nd iced latte, made a fruit plate with fresh figs, strawberries and surprisingly perfect blackberries, Liege waffles w choc chips from the oven and am feeling pretty good. 😊 Woke up at 7:30am and cleaned bathroom then put a load of towels on to wash before kids were up. So, feeling a bit ahead of the game atm. I might even get to watch the other chat show I pvr, known as the angry show. 😁

Loving the chat about mug clear outs. I might try to get out to buy new dinner plates - I'm looking for large and not too deep pasta bowls, actually. With kids, mine are chipped or have been broken and tossed.

It’s been a beautiful spring day here but the wind was cold.
Today I’ve:

• cleaned my wellies, they are now blue rather than caked in mud
• done my most hated job of bleaching the loo brushes
• menu plan for next week and online shop
• phoned my dad’s care home to ask for paperwork so I can fill in a different set of paperwork correctly!
• had lunch with lovely antenatal class friends (we've been meeting for over 25 years now!)
• cleaned the patio windows that were covered with Petaldog’s paw prints
• put up Easter decorations

Hello, flying by, hectic week of onsite work, too many end of term school things at D's school, deadlines, getting ready for easter travel. Highlight of the week was probably getting rid of two bags of clothes passed on to smaller girls. And doing an ISA thing before new tax year.

Have just finished a very thorough vacuum: pulled couches out and vacuumed behind/under then all sides of couches and cushions. About to do some crafting with the kids to make a bird house from a milk carton.

I've just blitzed some chores while everyone is asleep. Started prepping/painting some bits in the kitchen just before 10pm; touched up some walls; cleaned up and put everything away; and then decided to mop floors. I just finished shuffling around with an old towel to dry them, brought in the painted milk carton that will become a birdhouse/feeder from the deck to finish drying overnight inside and now just catching my breath before going back to bed. I have no idea where that burst of energy came from.

You are a busy bee @SingleThreadJoiner2. I take my hat off to you. And also our @Mumtobabyhavoc with all those achievements 🌟

I am going at a slower pace and still gently projecting but still have not achieved any painting/decorating because my perfectionist tendencies, neatly disguised as procrastination, mean that I put off those things as the house is not yet perfectly clean and decluttered.

Working on it!

I have just cleaned my bedroom windows as per flylady's daily mission and I have ticked off morning tasks which include medicating one cat and drinking a glass of water and making the bed. Feels like a good start to the day 😊

I thought of @petalpower whilst hosing off my own wellies yesterday (also blue) and @Peridot1 who feels like a soul sister with grand plans and trouble getting started ( thinking specifically of the garden) 💕

Best wishes to all this springy but chilly friday!

Ed because I still forget to proofread before posting 🤦‍♀️

"my perfectionist tendencies, neatly disguised as procrastination, mean that I put off those things as the house is not yet perfectly clean and decluttered"

That is exactly what I struggle with. Hence, horror bedroom, over-stuffed storage closet, pile of paper mail ....I find myself thinking about a task and then I plan it, think some more and then I finally decide to do a small bit and it eventually gets done. I just have huge gaps between the bits I complete.

I've been thinking about using that removable wallpaper on bedroom closet doors in a really bold, fun and girly floral, but can't pull the trigger on ordering. I just spent two hours on Amazon browsing and watching how-to vids. I get stuck on the details like how to cut and fold over the edges so it's smooth without gaps.

Totally agree on the procrastination tendencies @WinterFrogs. Well they are not even tendencies at this stage! It’s just how I roll!

I get the planning and then doing small bits and eventually it gets done too @Mumtobabyhavoc. I have a short attention span so doing small things works for me and as you say stuff eventually gets done.

@Mumtobabyhavoc - there was a thread somewhere last week about new pasta bowls - obviously mostly UK recommendations but I think someone said they’d bought new ones at Costco.

Just back from PT session at gym. Having a coffee while I decide what to try to achieve today. Change my bed and dust my bedroom, empty dishwasher and clean kitchen. Laundry. Change towels. More laundry. Also need a supermarket run.

Have a great day all.

I made smug soup for dinner tonight!!! Chicken broth made a couple nights ago from the Costco rotisserie chicken, asparagus, tomatoes, potatoes, barley, spinach and pasta. Had some lovely, warmed whole wheat seeded sourdough slathered in butter with it. I always forget how much i love a nice bowl of soup. It's so satisfying.

That sounds really lovely.

I made smug soup yesterday- spinach, leeks, butter beans blitzed until smooth with nutmeg and sour cream on the top.

I'm trying to not buy any groceries until payday on Wednesday. But we are low on fresh vegetables so i might succumb and buy a zucchini. Then I can do a ratatouille and serve with some rice. DCs were watching the film and requested Ratatouille so it's easy and healthy at least.

I just don't get the stuff done @Mumtobabyhavoc and @Peridot1. Not painting anyway. So you are ahead of me there 💕 There is no reason why I can't do it, it just falls in the category of Too Hard. I find myself getting very busy in other areas instead.

I am planning to begin making soup much more regularly so thank you for the inspiration @Mumtobabyhavoc and @SpringingIntoSummerLobelia I make it when DH has overdone the veg shopping to avoid waste but I think our blood sugar levels need addressing so I would like to start serving soup before dinner as a way to get wholesome stuff in. I quite like soup for breakfast which DH thinks is very odd. Both your soups sound delicious! I like the opportunity to add in herbs and spices. I had not thought of nutmeg and sour cream on top of a blitzed soup 😋

Off to sort out the fridge now i think. That can be my project. I'm planning a solo walk today too. Or I might do a walking video. Definitely one or the other.

I hope you all have a day of sunshine 🌞

I think i am the same re procrastination. When i worked in a real life adult type job I used to google (at work) 'How to stop procrastinating'.

I am seriously procrastinating right now on finishing up a court submission for our court claim. Yesterday i watched youtube videos about how to fill it in.

Right now I am watching films on netflix. Grrr. I annoy myself when like this.

Ds1 is preparing for his exams and using the 'Pomodoro technique'. I need to follow his excellent example.

I love the pomodoro technique 😍 I get loads done with it.

Today i need to clear out my car to sell it. It should only be one carrier bag full, but then i need to sort that bag and not stick it in a corner and ignore it for years (it's been known).

I'm still decluttering. Husband won't get rid of anything so it's mainly my stuff.

This is one of my favourite memes - its from Eastenders and has become iconic

Today me and dd are 'sitting around, doing NISH', and bloody happy about it 😄🥰

Classic holby city, peppa pig, chocolate chip cupcakes... lovely

Have a lovely weekend all - solidarity with those beginning the easter holidays

I hope you were able to get started @SpringingIntoSummerLobelia 💕

@BerfyTigot I have noticed that decluttering my own stuff does occasionally inspire DH. I used to follow some minimalist blogs and they were always very clear that you just take responsibility for your own stuff. How can I get my partner to join me in decluttering was always a question ( I know you are not asking, it just popped into my mind as you mentioned it) Lots of people would not start unless their partner was on board so I am impressed! Good luck with the car.

I've had an extremely productive day here and got all sorts of little jobs done. Everything is looking quite lovely and now I am resting with my book. And MN 😳

I shared this on another thread and I thought the psychology behind it was interesting although it was pointed out to me ( quite rightly) that it is a sales pitch
Healthboost https://share.google/bM4xZalrDsDrCdH1S

@mumofoneAloneandwell enjoy your restful afternoon 💕

Two loads of laundry done so far with the 2nd waiting to be hung up. Was up and out early to do some volunteer tasks for one of dc's activities. Was invited to a bbq for lunch, but won't make it, as still haven't had kids out, so have sent regrets. Have made some lovely baby roasties and sautéed asparagus to go with poached eggs and the rest of that seeded whole wheat sourdough I mentioned, which I toasted. Baby had at least 6 asparagus! 🤗 Lamb chops with pesto, roasted bell peppers, left over potatoes, wild rice and likely asparagus again for dinner tonight.

I seasoned the potatoes with salt, garlic powder and Chinese 5 spice. Do you have that one over the pond?

Those roasties look

@mumofoneAloneandwell I don't cook potatoes often and when I have them I'm always

I think we do have Chinese 5 spice, but I've never used it.

I'm doing roast chicken today with roast potatos. I'll look out for 5 spice! I have a very heavy hand with sweet paprika and garlic powder for my roast potatos usually.

I'm tossing up between making a Greek-style roast chicken with lemon, olive oil and fresh garlic and oregano or one of my other usual types (honey, orange juice and sesame seeds or yoghurt and sweet papirka ). Then will have salads and roast potatos.

I did do a bit on my application. It takes alot out of me as I find the whole thing quite upsetting. Hopefully will finish it off today. DH is home Tuesday so it needs to be done by then in any case.

Hope everyone has a lovely day!!

I have pretty much been procrastinating since my last post. Still haven’t changed my bed. Did do some other laundry though.

I have realised that I need to get going on upstairs as our hall stairs and landing is being done the week after Easter so I need to tidy the spare rooms. I want to clear everything from HS&L into one spare room. Both spare rooms are currently cluttered. DH seems to think we don’t have to do much. 🙄. But as DS works from home a lot and he will have to move around depending on where is being done we need to sort a downstairs space for him.

I also need to list some things to sell. And the plants I’ve been ordering have gradually been delivered so they all need to be planted.

I feel a big list coming on.

I love chinese 5 spice. Use it in lots of things and to help sneak extra plants into DH and littlest's diets. I also have it on rotation as one of the spices that go in my greek yoghurt/seed/fruit/ spice mix. Yes I have some peculiar habits.
The potatoes look delicious and I love the sound of @SpringingIntoSummerLobelia's dinner 😋
I have eaten mostly grapes and peanuts this afternoon. Also a fairly odd mix.

It sounds like you are in for a busy week @Peridot1!

I've kept on top of things here this weekend, and I've sorted out yet more mother admin. And some new clothes for her as she's put on some weight as they do look after the residents very well. I often wonder how those without families manage as the home doesn't handle that sort of thing. I had a nurse call me about getting of her medication that the home's GP practice no longer prescribes. She needs it, it's just vitamin D and very cheap over the counter, so I guess it's the nhs saving money. But I wonder if they would buy it for her if I wasn't about, or if she'd just go without. Sad that not everyone has a person to advocate or buy things for them.

Rain is coming down sideways after a beautiful start to the day. I'm holed up in the bedroom listening to the wind and reading .

This weekend has gone by very fast!

Lobelia, that all sounds so delicious! Thanks for the inspiration!!! 🤤
Peridot, I hear ya. Got a massive pile of paper mail. 🙈
Winter, in your yoghurt? 🤔I am thinking, though, that mixing it into plain Greek yoghurt then using that as a marinade on chicken thighs would be very good.

Last night's dinner was a success. 😅
I pan-fried the lamb chops then topped them with pesto and feta and finished them in the oven; roasted bell pepper and asparagus with a simple seasoning of salt and garlic powder; spaghetti was tossed with evoo, black pepper and feta (kids wanted that instead of rice); and I re-heated the potatoes in the pan dripping from the chops.
For dessert, I grated chocolate from a large block of Callebaut semi that I always forget I have then scooped froyo into balls and rolled them in the shaved chocolate. It was a bit of effort, but made it special.

I have a tin of sweet smoked paprika I've never opened. I should figure out hiw to use it.

Oh lovely @Mumtobabyhavoc !

That is very seriously a gourmet delight.