An Unsatisfactory Day

It feels like I have spent time flitting from one thing to another, and haven't settled on anything. Consequently, very little has been achieved today.

There have been to little 'wins'. I made a couple of face masks, and received two deliveries for the shop. I 'finished' at 3pm, and it feels like I have an afternoon off!

Tomorrow, I shall make a list, and choose the top three items that must be done, and make a start on some of the rest. (It's so weird being in the shop by myself!)

The Day Before Lockdown 2.0

 

It has been a crazy 24 hours! The Isle of Man is returning to lockdown at midnight. We had so many people coming to the shop to buy supplies for masks, and just to keep themselves busy over the next 3 weeks. 

We haven't been asked to engage in social distancing prior to the lockdown, but many business have already started doing so. I was in the shop at 8am, putting up signs moving some things around so could make it as safe as possible for the staff and customers.  We were only allowing 2-3 customers in the shop at any one time, and using a one-way system. The first customers arrived at 8.45. I rang the Beloved for help at 9.45 (to deal with the telephone), and it wasn't until almost midday I was able to stop to draw breath. The Beloved and the staff are all most fantastically wonderful!

Due to the very robust border policies put in place by our government, we have enjoyed unparalled levels of freedom over the last 6 months. The island had been Covid-free for months. When the border were softened a little, and Manx residents were allowed to leave and return, people required to self-isolate for 14 days. This has worked so well for quite some time. People were returning to the island with Covid, but they were keeping it to themselves. Only a couple of people needed hospital treatment, the rest were able to remain at home.

At the end of December, it was found that 14 days wasn't enough, and on the 23rd of December, new measures were put in place. Testing was required on the 1st, and 13th day, or people could isolate for 21 days. Since then testing on the 6th day has been introduced too.

But despite these measures, this nasty virus has escaped into the community. The borders have been closed, apart form dire need, and from midnight we enter lockdown.

The former owner was not able to offer a collection/delivery service during the pervious lockdown, but I hope to be able to provide on, just to keep things ticking over.

Dog Biscuits

One of Sue's friends makes rather fantastic dog biscuits. Ava loves them. I've asked a few times for the recipe, but as yet nothing has been forthcoming. The label had a list of ingredients, and I've searched for a suitable recipe. This is one that seemed to be almost there, and I've tweaked it a bit.

Ava has declared the spiced treats are very acceptable.

Ingredients
310g flour (I used gluten-free) (plus 3 rounded tablespoons)
60g porridge oats (plus 4 rounded tablespoons)
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric

good pinch of black pepper
1 teaspoon baking powder
175g treacle
5 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 tablespoons water (if needed)

Method
Preheat oven to 170C. Lightly grease baking trays.

Place all the dry ingredients in to a large mixing bowl and stir. Add the eggs, treacle and oil to the dry ingredients, mix until well blended. Add the water if needed. Mix until smooth.

Either roll the dough to 5mm thickness, and cut into shapes, or form into balls, and squish them flat (about 5mm). If rolling, used a very well-floured board, if making squished balls, dampen your hands with water to help the balls not to stick.

Bake for 30 minutes. Thurn off the oven, but leave the biscuits in to crisp up for a further 30 minutes.

Notes

The dough created was far, far, far too wet! I added 4 rounded tablespoons of oats and 3 of flour.  I couldn't give the weight in grams as my kitchen scales were wet.

Good Habits - A Small Beginning

One of my tendencies is to leap in with both feet, both hands, well.. everything. This is not the way to create good, long-lasting habits. 

There's a couple of ways to make new habits, and to get them to stick. 

1. Make small changes.

2. Tie the new habit into something you already do.

3. Don't make it a matter of will power.

On Christmas Day, I decided the small table beside my chair was far too cluttered. I cleared it off, apart from  some herbal tea, a coaster, and my laptop. I've been doing it now for 9 days. This prevents the table becoming too great a mess during the day, and it reverts to its 'base state' each evening. 

I've also been laying out my clothes for the morning too. It's felt good waking and not having to think about clothes. It will make work mornings especially easy.  To help with creating easy mornings, I've added in a new habit: remove soup/lunch from freezer the night before. This will give the food a decent time to defrost, ready either for heating, or to be packed in our lunch boxes. 

Decluttering - Hot Drinks

 

In a previous round of decluttering and re-organising, we decluttered, and transferred the remaining items from the kitchen junk drawers (yes, there were two) into the top drawer of the set of drawers where I keep my candle and soap making supplies. This left two empty drawers in the kitchen. These were then turned into storage for teas, coffees and hot chocolate. It's right beside the kettle, the teapot, mugs, and an arm's reach from the fridge. These two drawers have now been decluttered, cleaned and tidied.

The baking cupboard, and the herbs & spices have also been done.

It's great walking into the kitchen and seeing the difference. It is so much tidier! I love it.

Decluttering - Old Kitchen Cupboard

 

An old, heavy, wooden wall cupboard has been removed, and it has been replaced by a set of metal wire shelves. There is more usable space, AND I can reach everything!

Another decluttering task have been ridding the fridge of unmentionables. Decluttering, cleaning and tidying has happened in the sink area, the pantry, the cutlery drawer, and the wooden implements drawer. The kitchen is looking a great deal tidier, cleaner, and also a bit bigger. I'm delighted by how little food had to be thrown out.

New Year Goals and Aims

Goals

1. Lose 50lbs this year

2. Declutter

3. Adopt good habits

Aims

1. Find a good work/life balance

I'm not too sure what a good work/life balance is, but I'm sure it has something to do with being able to spend more time crafting, and having a tidier house.