Braised Cabbage

Ingredients 

1 Tsp butter 

1 onion, halved and thinly sliced 

1 eating apple, halved, cored, and sliced 

1/2 red cabbage, cored, quartered, and thinly sliced 

1/2 cup water 

2 Tsp cider vinegar 

pepper 

cinnamon 

Method 

Melt the butter in a heavy bottomed pot. Cook the onion until it starts to soften (about 4-6 minutes). Stir in red cabbage and and apple. Season with pepper and cinnamon. Add vinegar, and water. Bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook until cabbage is tender, 20 to 25 minutes. 

This can be stored in the fridge and re-heated.

Socks for Me

Company: Regia

Yarn: Black and Blue Color

Composition: 75% wool, 25% polyamide

Colour:  8841

Dyelot: 20369

Pattern: my standard sock pattern

Needles: 2.5mm

Amount used: ~55g

Cast on 60 sts, join. Work 20 rounds in 2x2 rib, then switch to stocking stitch for 30 rounds.

Knit 15 sts, then turn the work. Slip the first stitch and purl the next 29. Turn. Work another 28 rows in stocking stitch, slipping the first stitch of each row. These 30 stitches form the heel flap.

To turn the heel, slip 1, k16, ssk, k1, turn. S1, p5, p2tog, p1, turn. (S1, k to 1st before gap, ssk, k1, turn. S1, p to 1st before gap, p2tog, p1.) Repeat the section in brackets until there are 18 sts. Turn, s1, k17.

Pick up 15sts from the side of the heel flap. Place stitch marker. Knit 30 stitches. Place stitch marker. Pick up 15sts from the other side of the heel flap. 

Shaping the gusset: Knit to 3sts before stitch marker, work k2tog, k1, move stitch marker from left needle to right, knit 30st, move stitch marker, k1, ssk, knit to end of round. The next round is knit. Repeat these two rounds until there are 60sts on the needles again.

Knit until the sock reaches the crease at the base of the big toe. The start shaping the toe of the sock. Knit to 3sts before stitch marker, work ssk, k1, k1, ssk, knit to 3st before stitch marker, ssk, k1, k1, k2tog, knit to end of round. The next round is knit. Repeat these two rounds until there are 28 stitches left. Graft toe. Weave in ends.

The socks were finished on the 13th of August.

Python

My first steps, or perhaps slithers, have been taken back into coding. Apart from dabbling in a little HTML, I have written no code in years. I saw MIT had a free first year university course in computing and decided to look into it. The language used is Python, and so, I'm starting to learn Python.

One of the interesting things I have found is it only recognises 'True' and 'False' as Boolean values. The capitalisation is most important. This means I can write:

FALSE = True

TRUE = False

The syntax is correct. The static semantics is correct, as it the semantics. The only problem with it is that it's a daft thing for a programmer to do. It's the sort of thing that can land people in programming doo-doo.

I'm also not enamoured by white space being part of the syntax. It whiffs to much of FORTRAN77 which is not a free-format language. However, FORTRAN77 is not case-sensitive, so X is the same variable as x. Must test this out fully in Python!

----

Testing has been completed. X and x are not the same thing. Also, 'True' is not a reserved word. 

    True = False

    variable = True

    print (variable)

    print (True)

This results in:

    False

    False

This is a very strange language, and you really need to keep your eye on it!

Fresh Start Mondays

Mondays are brilliant. They are a fresh start, a chance to take a new direction, and great day to be alive!

Half of my morning routine has been done, and the rest will be completed after breakfast. I found the shoulder exercises too much at this point, so have dropped to 20 of the V lifts in the morning and evening. This is putting less pressure on my shoulders, but is still giving them a work out. I've walked half a mile, and now I'm tucking into breakfast. It's porridge (1/3 cup of gluten-free oats, 2/3 cups of water, and microwaved for 90s) topped with apples, cranberries and cinnamon. A batch of the fruit topping was cooked up at the end of last week and popped in the fridge. I scoop out what I need each morning. Once this lot has been eaten I'll make a mixed berries one.

This is all part of the scheme to declutter my body and make it healthier.

Full of Veggie Goodness!

Way back in the spring, my breathing was compromised. My GP prescribed a course of steroids, and it worked wonders. Not just for my breathing/coughing, but also my consumption of fruit and vegetables. The medication caused almost everything to taste of saccharine. It was not pleasant. The only things I could taste were fruit and vegetable, so I naturally ate more of them. This has been good for the family's health, and also for the shopping bills. Eating more fresh veggies has led to a reduction in our food bills. 

There has been one thing we have struggled with, and that's the size of our fridge. It's now too small to cope with the fresh produce. We had been considering a new fridge and have now taken the plunge. The fridge is being delivered on Wednesday. 

The old fridge was bought 18 years ago. It's time to say 'goodbye'. 

Sea Foam Shawl (part 3)

This shawl has a garter stitch border of 3 stitches, a central single stocking stitch, and these are separated by lines of yarn over holes. The shawl starts with stocking stitch panels. 

After the first ball of yarn has been knitted up, the stocking stitch pattern continues until the total number of stitches is a multiple of 36, plus an additional 7 stitch. The pattern then switches to a modified 'Old Shale' design. Old Shale is worked over 18 sts, and 4 rows. This modified Old Shale is worked over 18sts and 2 rows. 

The Shawl is finished with 6 rows of garter stitch, and ends with a stretchy lace cast off.

Company: Drops

Yarn: Kid-Silk

Composition: 75% mohair, 25% silk

Colour:  Sea foam (25)

Dyelot: 7619

Pattern: 

Needles: 5mm

Balls used: 2 balls

Cast on 11 sts. Knit two rows.

1. K3, yo, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, yo, k3.
2. K3, purl to last 3 sts, k3. (All even rows.)
3. K3, yo, k4, yo, k1, yo, k4, yo, k3.
5. K3, yo, k6, yo, k1, yo, k6, yo, k3.
7. K3, yo, k8, yo, k1, yo, k8, yo, k3.

Continue in this manner until there are a multiple of 36, plus 7 stitches on the needles. For my shawl, this was 223 stitches. Finish with a purl row.

1. K3, yo, [PM, k2tog 3 times, (yo, k1) x6, k2tog 3 times,] yo, k1, yo, [PM, k2tog 3 times, (yo, k1) x6, k2tog 3 times] yo, k3. Repeat the sections in square brackets as many times as necessary. 
2. K3, purl to last 3 sts, k3. As you come to each stitch marker move it from the left to right needle. (All even rows.)
3. K3, yo, k1, [k2tog 3 times, (yo, k1) x6, k2tog 3 times,] k1, yo, k1, yo, k1,[k2tog 3 times, (yo, k1) x6, k2tog 3 times] k1, yo, k3.
5. K3, yo, k2, [k2tog 3 times, (yo, k1) x6, k2tog 3 times,] k2, yo, k1, yo, k2,[k2tog 3 times, (yo, k1) x6, k2tog 3 times] k2, yo, k3. 
K3, yo, k3, [k2tog 3 times, (yo, k1) x6, k2tog 3 times,] k3, yo, k1, yo, k3,[k2tog 3 times, (yo, k1) x6, k2tog 3 times] k3, yo, k3. 

Strengthening Shoulders and Reducing Arm Jiggle

My shoulders have dislocated more times that I could possibly count. I want to build up my muscles to hold the joints in place properly. My arms are weak and jiggly; it would be great to increase their strength and decrease their jiggle. 

To this end, I have started following a youtube video for exactly these outcomes. Yesterday I was able to do 15 repeats of the first two exercises. Today I managed 20. Both were done using 0.5kg weights. The instructor was showing how to do this using 3kg weights! Perhaps she has a little more practise in these exercises than I have.

My intention is to do the first two exercises 20 times each until they become easier. Then I'll add in the next exercise, etc. There 12 exercises! The next stage will be to increase the weights.

Routine Morning Annoyance

My new expanded Morning Routine is creating mild levels of annoyance. I do the old routine, and think I'm done, and then realise I have more to do. When the tasks are done I feel good, and often want to complete an 'occasional task'. These are the ones that don't need to be done every day, or even every week. I look and think "Ah yes, this needs to be done." and I do it. When you get into a cleaning habit, you notice things at and earlier stage, and start tackling them before they become too bad.

Something I have been noticing is I don't want to go into the dining room to work on craft project, but instead gravitate to the sitting room or my bedroom. When I'm in the midst of a project I don't mind the dining room, but there is a little hurdle opening the door and walking inside. Methinks I need to spend more time in there, not less, and get that room decluttered and sorted!

Evening Routine

My Evening Routine has been a bit more 'hit and miss' than the Morning one. I suspect this is because I am a morning person, and am at my best at the start rather than the end of the day.

These are the things I want to have done before I go to bed. It doesn't matter to me who does them, except for the sitting in bed crafting whilst listening to a story. That one is mine, and I'm not giving it up! Ideally, I would like the dishes put away before bed, but it's not high on my priorities just now.

• wash dishes
• wipe kitchen (cooker front, hob, appliances)
• tidy sofa
• straighten coffee table
• pick up clutter from the kitchen and sitting room
• take out rubbish from kitchen and sitting room
• put away laundry
• sit in bed listening to an audio book whilst crafting

In the previous version of the Evening Routine, I had 'put dirty clothes in the washing basket'. This is now so ingrained I do it automatically. Strangely enough, I also automatically make my bed in the morning, but I have chosen to leave that on the list. It gives me 'an easy win' first thing. 

Another task no longer on my Evening Routine is 'lay out clothes for the morning'. This was really useful when I was working outside of the house. Having my clothes ready and waiting for me made the morning smoother. It's not something I need now. And with a fully stocked wardrobe, neatly laid out, it's easy to select appropriate clothing in the morning. When I start doing things outside of the home first thing, I'll go back to laying out my clothes in the evening.

Expanded Morning Routine

The Morning Routine I set up back in March has been going really well. Since then I've added 'wipe and swish the loo'. That particular item isn't yet truly routine. My suspicion is I need to do this the first time I use the loo. This is often just after I have woken up. It doesn't feel so bad doing it at that stage of the day. The other items I do pretty much without thinking.

Here's the new routine I'm trying out. Some of the tasks on the previous list have been teased apart a little and made more explicit, and I have added 'walk' as an item. This is to remind myself it is important to get up and moving.

• wipe bathroom sink
• wipe bathroom mirror
• wipe upstairs loo
• make beds
• straighten bedside table
• pick up clothes
• put away dishes
• wash breakfast dishes
• wipe work tops
• sweep kitchen floor
• wipe downstairs loo
• wash a load of laundry
• walk 
• plan day

Week 30: Jewellery and Accessories

Monday: Read Organized Home Challenge #30: Jewellery & Accessories

Tuesday: Declutter jewellery box

Wednesday: Declutter and organize earrings, necklaces and rings

Thursday: Declutter and organize belts and ties

Friday: Declutter and organize scarves and tights

Saturday: Declutter hair accessories

Sunday: Declutter glasses and sunglasses

We've been through our jewellery, and there's a number of pieces which are broken. The Elder Offspring is a has a degree in Jewellery making, and she has laid claim to the broken bits. She can either re-use them, or melt the precious metals for use in new items of jewellery.

We don't have much in the way of belts and ties. A quick glance at them was enough to say, 'Yup, all done!' My scarves and tights were decluttered a while back when I was doing the wardrobe and chest of drawers. I think I need to look at my tights again and see if I need to add 'tights' to the shopping list.

Our hair care accessories are minimal, and already decluttered. One pair of glasses has been marked for exit. I have had a pair of prescription sunglasses, but the frames broke. I'm giving myself two weeks to get new frames for them, or the lens and broken frames get put in the bin.

Reflections of Amazon Prime Videos

I have been singularly unimpressed by the Amazon Prime Video sections. The one non-dystopian sci-fi programme I watched was terrible. It was 'Benny Hill in space'. Benny Hill was sketch show comedian in the 70s and 80s. His material was very much of its time, full of stereotypes and institutional sexism. The jokes in the sci-fi programme were utterly cringe worthy and so sexist. The plot was non-existent. 

A couple of other programmes I stopped watching after about 5 minutes because of the sex scenes, swearing and drug taking. I've come to the conclusion I am most definitely not the target audience.

On a positive note, I was able to watch "Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood". It had been recommended to me. It had been on my wishlist. It was an okay film, and I was very happy not to have paid for it. It fell into the category of 'watch it once, and then give the DVD to a charity shop'. 

At the moment, I am against continuing with Prime after the free month. I don't order enough items for the free shipping to be much of a draw. KindleUnlimited seems to be far more to my tastes. 

----

Hold on a moment! I have just found "Lucifer"!  I love the programme.

Amazon Prime

On the 11th of July I signed up for Amazon Prime. It was Prime Day, and a steam cleaner I had been thinking about buying for a while was on special offer. (The Vax steam cleaner has been great. We have used it on laminate flooring, vinyl flooring and carpets. All have come up beautifully.)

Part of the Prime deal (free for the first month) is a slew of films, 'television' programmes, music and Kindle books, as well as free shipping on a huge number of different items. I'm just about to watch a film that's been on my wishlist for a little while. This is at no additional cost to me. Likewise, I have just finished the first Harry Potter on Kindle.

At the end of the month I will decide whether I wish to keep the Prime service going (about £8) per month, or not. If I'm reading one book per month, and watching one film, then it is cheaper to do it via Prime than by buying the Kindle book/film directly. However, the question will be whether I can get the titles I want.

Gardening Continues

The brick terrace at the rear of house is starting to look rather subdued in places. The area nearest the house was the least weed infested and that is where we started. At the rate we are going, a third of the terrace will be cleared by the end of the weekend. Admittedly it's the easy third, but a third is a third, and it's not to be sneezed at. 

One lovely discovery is that the rhubarb plant has survived. I'm taking it as a symbol for the rest of the garden. There is hope. With a bit of nurture and care. things will start growing.

In other news, the Sea Foam Shawl is continuing. It's the first time in ages I have worked with mohair and I had forgotten how much it can shed!  Perhaps a black dress was not the best clothing to wear whilst knitting.  Although, I stop knitting from time to time just to feel the beautiful fabric I am creating. 

Sea Foam Shawl

The shawl will start out in stocking stitch. When the first ball of yarn has been finished I'll switch over to a variation on 'Old Shale'.

Gardening

My attention for the last 6 months has been focused on decluttering the contents of the house. Things have slipped in the garden. The place is a bit of a jungle. There's weeds everywhere!

I'm going to employ the strategies that have worked inside the house. The primary one is working in specified chunks of time. Fifteen minutes worked well in the house, but in the garden, it needs to be ten minutes. There's so much low level work my knees and back can't handle the bending for more than ten minutes at a time.

The garden consists of a brick terrace with various planters and pots. I don't think there's anything in the garden I wish to keep, apart from the pots and planters. The weeds, plants, contents of the shed, mirror and broken bench can all go. The plan is to start at the dining room window and work my way down the garden. At the weekend, I'll empty out a couple planters and pots, and ask the Beloved to take the garden waste to the amenities site. The load will be topped off with unwanted items from the garden shed. 

Bit by bit it will get done.  And when it has been done I'll start planning for ways to improve it. It would be good to have a garden to grow things, rather than just a place to dry washing.

Sea Foam Shawl in Drops Kid-Silk

The socks for Elder and Younger Offspring have been completed and handed over. It's time for a project for me now. My choice is a shawl in Drops Kid-Silk. It's a variegated yarn that takes about 50 metres to go from the darkest teal to the lightest. It has to be said the darkest teal isn't actually terribly dark, but it's the darkest colour in the ball.

Normally, the thickness of the yarn informs the size of needles used. However, with mohair it is common to ignore this. Mohair has a bloom, an aura, and it needs space to show.

Company: Drops

Yarn: Kid-Silk

Composition: 75% mohair, 25% silk

Colour:  Sea foam (25)

Dyelot: 7619

Pattern: 

Needles: 5mm

Balls used: (expecting to use 2 balls)

Cast on 11 sts. Knit two rows.

1. K3, yo, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, yo, k3.
2. K3, purl to last 3 sts, k3. (All even rows.)
3. K3, yo, k4, yo, k1, yo, k4, yo, k3.
5. K3, yo, k6, yo, k1, yo, k6, yo, k3.
7. K3, yo, k8, yo, k1, yo, k8, yo, k3.

Continue in this manner until there are a multiple of 36, plus 7 stitches on the needles. For my shawl, this was 223 stitches. Finish with a purl row.

1. K3, yo, (PM, k3, (yo, k1) x6, k3,) yo, k1, yo, (PM, k3, (yo, k1) x6, k3,) yo, k3
2. K3, purl to last 3 sts, k3. (All even rows.)

Week 29: Decluttering the Bedroom

Monday: Read Organized Home Challenge #29: Master Bedroom

Tuesday: Declutter nightstand

Wednesday: Clean out and declutter under bed

Thursday: Declutter top of dresser

Friday: Declutter dresser drawers

Saturday: Declutter jeans and pants

Sunday: Declutter t-shirts and tops

As with last week's decluttering tasks, it's all already done.

Bye Bye Chest of Drawers

Whilst helping the Younger Offspring to declutter their clothing I realised they have so much!  So very much. We brought down a second wardrobe two weeks ago and this helped greatly, but I realised they didn't have a good storage solution for sweaters and bulkier item. 

The Beloved and I found we didn't need all of the clothes storage we had, so a decent sized chest of drawers in our room was swapped for a small bedside table chest of drawers from the Younger Offspring's room. We can but hope this will enable the Offspring to keep their bedroom a little tidier.

When we were last at the amenities site getting rid of various bits of rubbish, the nursing chair and various cushions, we picked up a simple bench for the Offspring's bedroom. The arrival of the chest of drawers meant the bench had to go. Today, more rubbish left the house. We noted the nursing chair and cushions had been claimed by someone(s). We hope the bench can find a new home too after its little holiday with us. Also picked up were two books, and a brand new paint roller.

Green Mann

Nicola Dixon is a Manx artist who lives in Peel. She was recently commissioned to design a set of stamps for Isle of Man Post. The image above is one she created to accompany the stamps. At CeltFest, I bought a print of the picture and also a mug. A lovely way to spend birthday money.

I love the Manx-ness of the images and that they have such a strong Celtic influence. The colours, landscape and animals are all the ones I see on my little island.