News from the Nest, May 22

You know you’ve had a productive weekend when you are glad to wake up Monday morning, just so you can rest!

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Are you familiar with the book, If you Give a Mouse a Cookie? It was one of my children’s favorite books growing up. The premise is that if you give a mouse a cookie, he’s going to want a glass of milk. And when you give him the glass of milk, he’s going to want a straw to drink the milk with. Then he’ll want a napkin, then he’ll want to look in the mirror to make sure he doesn’t have a milk mustache, then he’ll see his hair needs a trim, etc… In a nutshell, the cookie sets off a chain reaction. It really is a darling book if you are looking for a great children’s book.

I had an ‘If You Give a Mouse a Cookie’ weekend. While we were gone, our cat knocked over a plant on the screened porch. So yesterday, I pulled out the shop vac to clean the dirt up. Then I realized the whole screen porch could use a good spring vacuuming. So I vacuumed the screen porch. Then I realized that the screens and wood could use a good cleaning, so I dug out the pressure washer and sprayed the screens and wood trim.

While I had the pressure cleaner out, I wondered if I could clean the sliding glass doors. So I googled, ‘pressure washer glass cleaning solution’ and was pleasantly surprised to find that I could use up the 2 jugs of ammonia I’ve had sitting in my garage for years to make a pressure washer glass cleaning solution. So, I proceeded to wash the glass doors (it worked great, btw!)

Then I decided to pressure wash the cushions for the porch furniture, so I pulled them all out to the porch. When I pressure washed the cushions, it was inevitable that the pressure washer stream would hit the concrete deck, illustrating just how dirty the deck was and how badly it needed cleaning.

So, after I washed the cushions I began to pressure wash the deck and the brick stairs and trim. I only got halfway through before we had to get ready to go out to dinner, so I woke up Sunday morning and finished the rest of the deck.

While I had the pressure washer out, I realized I ought to pressure wash the indoor/outdoor rug that sits under our kitchen table. (I discovered a while ago that indoor/outdoor rugs have come a long way in terms of aesthetics and they make GREAT rugs for places where food gets spilled and/or high traffic areas!)

So, it was a very productive weekend…but other than vacuuming up the spilled dirt, I didn’t get one thing done that was on my to-do list!

New on the Blog

• Cutting Boards…we all have them and we all use them. Some are just utilitarian items while others are works of art and/or gifts. Here are some ideas for how to display your cutting boards in your kitchen, not only freeing up storage space but adding to your kitchen decor.

In the Kitchen

• Shrimp and Grits is a ubiquitous dish in this part of the country, for good reason. For a taste of the Lowcountry, treat yourself to this delicious meal …and it is a great way to use up some of the green tomatoes that may fall from the bushes or get nibbled on and need to be picked.

Homekeeping

• Speaking of cutting boards, here’s how to clean and restore an old one.
• How is your cast iron looking these days? Here’s how to give your cast iron a good re-conditioning if it has been neglected or is a bit rusty.

• Having houseguests this summer? Here are some ideas to make your guests feel welcome.

• As you put your winter clothes away this summer, take these steps to prevent moth infestation.

• I just washed several of my hand-knit or crochet edge blankets and I’m pleased to report that the yarn and the blankets continue to hold up from repeated washings and wear.
  • This cotton linen-stitch blanket is the perfect weight for spring and summer. Berrocco’s Remix is an acrylic, cotton, nylon, silk, and linen blend that is great for warm weather knit items. I washed it on cold and the gentle cycle and it continues to look brand new!
  • This light throw is simply a piece of linen with a very easy crochet edge to it. If you are new to crochet, this is a great piece to practice your new skill on. Once again, I washed the linen on cold and gentle. I tossed it in the dryer for a few minutes to help the wrinkles release and then laid it out to finish drying.
  • This half-linen stitch, faux fur-trimmed blanket will be stored for the summer as it is a cold-weather throw. But the faux fur yarn for the trim and the Lana Grossa Ragazza Lei both washed up well on cold and gentle. I’ve laid it out to dry, avoiding the dryer that might cause the yarn to mat.

• It isn’t hand-knit or crocheted, but I’ve found that the Woolite Dryer ‘dry cleaning’ sheets work well for our wool Pendleton blankets. I put them through the dryer with a sheet and then store them with the rest of our woolens in lavender and eucalyptus over the summer.

Well, I guess I’m off to pressure wash the front porch, which will then lead to pressure washing the walkway and before you know it I’ll have pressure washed the road in front of my house! 😂🍪🐭

Wishing you a wonderful Monday and a fantastic week. Let’s catch up next week!

Hugs,

Thanks for making my day by SHARING!!