Laundry Tour

I am tired. I am weary. I have had a killer tummy bug that has left me very behind in everything. Mostly the never ending laundry. So today I thought I would take you on a little tour of my almost finished laundry space.

Hidden behind cupboards for the most part.

Flip out hampers for darks and lights (and I must say the kids are getting to be very good at sorting and could perhaps teach their father a thing or two).

And open out doors reveal the washer and dryer which just squeezed in. We literally had only a couple of centimeters to spare. These cupboards are Ikea Ramsjo and we have used a Numerar benchtop in Oak. These babies are super heavy and it was important that the cupboards were able to withstand both weight and vibration.

The doors have had spice racks attached to house cleaning products, and the top doors are bracketed together to create two big, open out doors. A shelf above has ample room for two hampers (one washing, one ironing) and above that extra storage space which I use to house photos and keepsakes. As our dryer is vented outside, there is no worry about damp, but to be on the safe side, I have a small box of damp rid on hand just in case.

Below is room for washing powder and the dreaded vacuum. I had originally planned this to be for a fold out ironing board, but those boards are so small that I decided against it.

Of course it's not all pretty and neat. This is my ironing pile...

On the kitchen bench.

Fussy Eating

 Do you have a fussy eater in your family? We do, and for the life of me I can't figure out why. Two kids, fed the same but with VERY different tastes. I guess I should have known from the beginning this is how it was going to be. With the eldest, I craved fruit through my entire pregnancy, and with the fussy one, lollies all the way. Giving in to cravings is perhaps why I'm suffering now. A continual supply of boiled sweets in my drawer at work was always going to be a bad idea.

So, do you love frankfurts or not?

I do not. My husband does not. My son does not. Those colours are just wrong, and don't even get me started on that bland taste that makes me think I'm possibly eating cows lips or worse. The girl just loves them and as I break every parenting rule there is by regularly cooking two completely different meals, I've had to become inventive.

After seeing these on pinterest last week, I knew they would be a winner.

Spaghetti spiders on homemade passata.

And no, the rest of the family did not eat this. Because we are fussy eaters. We had a Malaysian curry, and didn't even eat it all.

Trouble Ahead

Poor unsuspecting cat. Doesn't know what's about to hit him.

His days as an only pet are numbered....

Image via

We are soon to be joined by something that will hopefully be every bit as cute as this one. A Welsh Terrier is adding to the mayhem of our busy little house in the not too distant future. Gone are our days of horse sized dogs. Something a bit teensier, less sheddy, and with any luck, non-cat-chasing.

Non-shoe-chewing.

And non-blanket-peeing-upon (no blankets have been harmed in the making of this photo, this is just out enjoying the breeze).

Is it bad to have buyers remorse, when the dog is still sight unseen? It's been a long time between puppies for us, and I'm trying to remember all those things we might need to do before she arrives. How much dog proofing do I really need to do? Our dalmatian was the size of a lamb when he arrived many years ago, but I'm guessing that this one will be more the size of a smallish cat. and I'm trying not to panic about the garden being dug up all over by a terrier whose main aim in life is to dig (and chase).

At least my beetroot have been harvested.

These are an heirloom mix grown from seed and really are the most delicious range of colours. 

Kind of like my blanket really.

Spoilt aren't I?

This was a birthday treat from my gal pal, and I am so grateful. I could never in a million years have made something so beautiful. I have neither the skill nor the patience. This will certainly need to be kept away from piddling puppies.