Get Your Home Ship Shape And Ready For Guests

In just a few weeks winter will be back with us again, bringing Christmas and all of it’s fun festivities. Christmas is a magical time of year, but as a busy mum you’ll know there are a million and one things to think about! Seeing friends and family is one of the best things about the season, but if you’re house proud it means there’s probably a fair bit of work to be done. Plus with the change of weather, our homes are in need of some serious winter- proofing. Making sure all of this is done early will mean everything runs as smoothly as possible right through to the spring.

Clear The Garden

Most of us are done out in the garden for the year now the weather has taken a turn for the worst. If you’re lucky you might still have some flowers blooming and prettying up your garden, but before long most things will die back. Unless you’re a hardcore gardener, now is the time to tidy your tools away. Move your mower to the back of the shed, and bring your leaf blower, rake and snow shovel to the front. Clear the gutters on your house and any outbuildings which can become blocked with leaf litter and cause leaks. Turn the water supply off to your outdoor tap/ pipes, or at the very least cover them with insulation. This will prevent them from becoming damaged or bursting when the temperatures drop to freezing over winter. Having a clear and tidy garden makes a good first impression when guests arrive, as it’s the first thing they will see when coming to your home.

Picture source: Pixabay

Get Your Boiler Serviced

The last thing you want over the Christmas period is to be troubled by heating issues! If your boiler plays up, you can end up with no hot water or heating. If this happens to fall on one of the festive bank holidays, you’ll pay well over the odds to have someone come out and sort it. A boiler service should be done once a year and will cost you around £70. But it’s money well spent, and could potentially save you an awful lot more if it prevents anything major going wrong. To make sure you’re not getting ripped off by rogue traders, a site like TrustATrader will help you find reputable workmen.

Tackle Any Repairs

November is a great time to tackle any repairs and finish up any projects before the worst of the year’s weather hits. It could be a bit of painting, filling in cracks or holes in walls, finishing up some tiling or anything else that you’ve been putting off. Having the house in tip top condition means you’re ready for your Christmas guests and are free to hang your decorations and make your home look beautiful come December.

Clean and Declutter

When children are getting things like new toys, clothes and books for Christmas you could clear out the ones they’re no longer using. Put anything sentimental up in the attic, and donate the rest to charity. This could make a less fortunate child’s Christmas, so it’s a win-win. Finally, getting everywhere clean and tidy in anticipation of guests is a good idea. You could do the kinds of jobs that don’t usually get done on a regular cleaning day. Hire a Rug Doctor and clean all of your carpets. Wash curtains, clean windows and pull out large furniture items and vacuum behind them. That way, if you get a text or phone call from a visitor saying they’re popping over in ten minutes, you only need to do a spot of tidying before they arrive.

Picture source: Free Stock Photos

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Getting My Garden In Shape For Autumn

Compact and bijou though it may be, there's no denying that our garden is looking a little unkempt at the moment.

Since the weather has been so atrocious we have not put up the jumbo paddling pool and consequently, still have a lawn - although it's very patchy.

I have quite a few jobs to get stuck into.

Prune The Palm Tree

I actually won this palm tree in a competition and it's never really taken.  Our garden was dramatically levelled by the previous owners for some reason.  The original top soil was removed and replaced by a sort of perimeter planting bed which is neither particularly deep nor all that easy to maintain. I don't think the soil is deep enough for the palm tree.

I'm going to have to research 'palm tree care'.  Our neighbour across the road has one in his front garden which is thriving so I can't blame the Welsh weather!

Cut back the Fuchsia

There are far too many Fuchsia bushes in the garden and whilst I love the cheerful purple flowers, they tend to swamp everything around them.

Free the gnomes

I realise that is not a sentence Alan Titchmarsh utters very often but you can barely see any of my garden ornaments!

although in a way I rather like the wildness of the garden.

 The statues were bought from Costco and I am resisting the urge to buy a Buddha.  We were mulling over a water feature but given the state of the rest of the garden, it's probably wiser to concentrate on getting it into a more maintainable state.

Edge the lawn

Leaving aside the patio also needs a good blasting with the jet wash, I'm thinking of getting some plastic lawn edging to neaten things up a bit.

Clean and cover the garden furniture

We made the classic mistake of not buying covers for the garden furniture when we bought it a couple of years ago and this year I'm determined to clean it and cover it up for winter in case of frost damage.

Remove the "Hanging Baskets of Shame"

These were pre-filled baskets from Morrisons and I have to confess I just didn't get round to replacing them this year - probably because although you can pick them up quick cheaply, they're still quite an additional extra to your weekly shopping bill.

Weed the front drive

The Husband has tried numerous weed killers on the front drive but the little blighters refuse to die.  Whilst pulling them up by hand is vaguely therapeutic, it's an endless job.

Improve the kerb appeal

Does anyone remember watching "The House Doctor" starring Ann Maurice and the hapless Alistair (who now presents Escape to the Country I think, or a programme of that ilk). The programme was about getting your house presentable to sell. Ann's big thing was "kerb appeal". We clearly have work to do in this regard.

but, in our defence, we seem to have loads of Great Tits and House Martins who are very fond of these bushes and it seems a bit mean to denude their habitat.

As you can see, I've quite a bit of work to do.  Still I will get Caitlin and Ieuan away from their iPads for a bit, won't it!

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Surcare Sensitive Washing Up Liquid Helps A Hand

We were recently challenged by Surcare to swop our usual brand of washing up liquid for Surcare Sensitive Washing Up Liquid.

Ieuan - ready for the challenge

Well known for its gentle laundry products, Surcare washing up liquid is made for those looking for great cleaning without harsh chemicals. It has no added perfumes or dyes, is fragrance free and has been dermatologically tested and approved.

Surcare Sensitive Washing Up Liquid contains nothing to irritate skin and, being prone to contact dermititis from certain other brands, I was keen to return to the bowl and give it a go!

Let's be honest, having a dishwasher is a luxury many of us have got used to but they are not always the most effective use of time and money if you only have one or two items to wash.

Plus, hand washing your dishes is a great way of training the kids in the gentle art of housekeeping.

Cue much muttering from the Husband that I don't do any and the usual response from me that "if you think I don't do anything then I'll stop and you can see what the house looks like then".  

But I digress....

As part of the challenge, we had to pass on some 'handy' skills to the kids - giving them a helping hand since Surcare had helped ours.

We gave the kids a choice.

Having discounted car engine maintenance and making a puppy out of clay and buttons on the basis that the potential for mess was probably way above acceptable European Union standards, we chose two more peaceful activities.

My sister and I grew up in a piano playing household - my dad is a piano teacher in his spare time and he has given Caitlin some lessons.  My sister went to Dartington Music College but I only ever managed to 'play by ear'.  (I can still play a rousing version of "Men of Harlech" and "Onward Christian Soliders" if anyone's interested).

Caitlin practising her piano

So I spent some time with Caitlin trying to decipher the annotated music books my dad has given her. 

My dad has a baby grand piano but the Husband bought me a lovely keyboard with bells and whistles a few years back.  

Caitlin loves to switch on the church organ function and play everything in funereal, although admittedly peaceful tones.

Ieuan does not have his sister's patience yet and, in any case, has been brainwashed by the Husband into liking shouty Viking rock.  (I feel another post on Tinnitus coming on).

He does, however, like to help out with some gardening and as part of the Surcare Help A Hand Challenge, we spent a lovely warm afternoon in our Capability Brown styled garden (um...).

Caitlin raked the leaves whilst Ieuan supervised.  Have you noticed how boys are very good at 'supervising' even at a very young age?

There's plenty of work to do in the garden!

Eventually his sister handed him the rake and told him to "get on with it".  That's my girl.

The kids have made birdhouses for some very small birds.

Then the kids added a finishing touch of two bird houses, which anything bigger than a worm-starved linnet is going to struggle to get in - but they look nice.

We really enjoyed the challenge, not least because it involved time away from the iPads and some fresh air.  It's too easy to let the kids slump on the sofa and play "ninja kittens burst balloons" or some such non-educational game.

And what did we think of Surcare Sensitive Washing Up Liquid?

I have used my main brand for many years but was really impressed by Surcare's.  It did not irritate my skin at all and a little went a surprisingly long way.  

Its cleaning power was as good as my main brand's which I wasn't expecting being suspicious of the efficacy of lots of the eco-friendly / anti-allergy brands.

It also doesn't have a cloying fragrance which some washing up liquids do - and sometimes you even find that the fragrance lingers on your dishes after you've washed them.  

Surcare is available at all major retailers and the Hobbis family highly recommend it.

Surcare Sensitive Washing Up Liquid

Plus we've been reminded that there's really no substitute for hands-on, if slightly messy, family fun.

*collaborative post

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Getting Your Garden Ready for Summer

The days are getting that little bit longer as we slowly edge towards summer. Just the small matter of spring in between and once it’s over you can bring out the barbecue and deckchairs.

But put them on hold for now and give your garden a little TLC to make your summer lounging more enjoyable.

A good root to go

Before you start perfecting your outdoor space, remove any weeds and deadhead any of the early flowering shrubs that have flowered and gone already.

It’s also beneficial to thin any older wood while pruning, which will help to improve future growth of plants. Although this stage may seem annoying, it gives you a clean canvas to create your horticultural haven.

All creatures great and small

Make your garden a space for all the family to enjoy, and even get the kids involved in the process. Opt for easy bedding plants, like Sweet Peas, Busy Lizzies, or Lobelia, that are easy to plant — meaning they’re great for mini gardeners.

Or how about placing these in hanging baskets, adding a splash of colour to all angles of your garden?

Pop out bird or squirrel feeders and your garden may just become a little more exciting, with small visitors other than your own children!

Additional characters 

‘Garden ornaments’ doesn’t necessarily have to mean covering your garden in gnomes, cute as they may sometimes be.

How about beautiful butterfly mosaic ornaments, or ladybugs and toadstools? Be creative. There’s plenty to choose from.

Al fresco dining

No British summer is complete without a barbecue or two (no matter how damp they might be), so invest in a barbecue that you don’t need to dispose of this year.

It doesn’t need to break the budget, opt for a small ‘bucket barbecue’ which is low-cost and ideal for smaller spaces, or, splash out and go for a larger, gas barbecue. Either way, the burgers will go down a treat!

A midsummer night’s dream 

Transform your child friendly garden into a relaxed space in which to unwind on a cool summer evening.

Coil cute, low-budget-friendly outdoor fairy lights around garden walls, fences, benches, or any object that would benefit from a little bit of twinkle.

Or, how about some mosaic tea light holders, perfect for citronella tea lights to keep the midges at bay?

Add a patio heater and those nights won’t seem quite so chilly. All that’s left to do is put your feet up and enjoy your beautiful garden under the starry, silver sky.

Gardening is fun for the whole family and those little green fingertips might just make this job a whole lot easier. Roll out the picnic blanket, and roll on summer!

Images by and likeaduck and Accretion Disc, used under Creative Commons licence

*collaborative post

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Make Your Garden Gorgeous For Autumn With Gardens2you.co.uk

It being early autumn, it is time to venture forth into my small and compact garden to tidy up the falling foliage and inspect the slightly overgrown rows of geraniums, recalcitrant roses (they still haven't bloomed) and my palm tree (slightly stunted).

Our Lovely Cast Iron Hanging Heart Bird Feeder From Gardens2you

I must confess I had big plans for the garden this year, none of which have really materialised but since our visit last week to a local garden centre where the kids enjoyed planting poppy seeds and crocuses, I've been bitten by the bug again.

Thankfully, a lot of sweeping and filling of garden refuse bags, plus some general 'prettification' will see us through the coming cold months. There is nothing more fun than adding a lovely ornament or two - particularly when you have children.  Our solar powered fairies have now folded their wings for winter sadly, but I have already mentioned the words "outdoor Christmas lights" to the Husband.

The good thing about the Rugby World Cup is that the Husband will agree to practically anything whilst watching just to keep me quiet.

Whilst the garden is preparing for its winter rest, we are mindful that the birds will need feeding and last week the kids learned how to make fat balls for the birds.

Nothing could be simpler.

Take a paper cup and cut a small hole in the top through which you need to thread sufficient string to suspend from a branch.  Then you need

*suet
*lard
*bird seed
*sultanas

which you mix together and push into a paper cup. The birds will swoop and eat from underneath. Make sure, of course, that you hang well out of the way of any neighbourhood cats!

There are a whole host of bird feeders on the market and we were sent a lovely one from Gardens2you who have a great range of ornaments, accessories and bird care items and pride themselves on offering products that are unique and high quality.

Cast Iron Hanging Heart Bird Feeder With Welcome Sign - £14.95

This is easy to assemble but quite heavy so watch little toes when you go to hang it.  It has a seed cup with "welcome" on which detaches so it is easy to clean out. Fill with bird seed or you could make your own mix, as above.

We were also sent two adorable little characters who the kids have named Bernard and George even though their real names are Max and Mason - yes, they are "gardening garden gnomes".

Max & Mason - The Gardening Garden Gnome Ornaments - £24.95

These two are really sweet and they stand at 22cm tall and are coated with a weather resistant finish.

I have been promising the kids a fairy garden for ages (actually it's really for me) and Gardens2you have a great range of ornamental toad stools, fairy doors and fairies.  Or if Zen is more your thing, there is also a good selection of Buddha figurines and wall art.  All products have free UK delivery and 30 days to return.

Whilst you're waiting for life to return to the garden, it's good to know it can still be a pretty place, at a reasonable cost.

For further information visit the Gardens2you website or you can talk to them on Facebook or Twitter.

*collaborative post

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Where's Roger The Shrubber When You Need Him?

Early Autumn and, given that the kids are wound up like tops ready to rejoin the rank and file of sticky fingered and over-excitable school pupils, and the now deflated paddling pool has completely ruined the lawn, I feel it is time to pick up the secateurs for some gardening. I use the term "gardening" loosely because, although my friend The Sybil (she of infinite and random wisdom) introduced me to the pleasures of horticulture and I now can almost see the point of Alan Titchmarsh, I must confess I'm still not altogether sure what on earth I'm supposed to be doing.

Fuchsia Mayhem

The previous owners of our house must have had a thing about Fuchsias because their purple tendrils reach everywhere, no matter how often they are trimmed (hacked!) back. They have totally swallowed up the sunshine along one length of our small walled garden which consists of raised beds along two sides of a square and a long garage running the length of the third. The shrubs I have planted there have wilted in the constant shade.

The garden is reached either through the kitchen or, primarily via glass french doors at the end of an extended lounge outside of which is a small patio.  The potential for mud and mess as the kids run through the lounge is, as you might imagine, considerable.

I have tried to add some shrubs and some herbs, mostly procured from Morrisons or our local garden center on SWAT missions with The Sybil. These generally involve her pointing at plants and me putting them in the trolley. Some I can recognise, roses, lavender, rosemary, pansies - all the easy ones are in my "Dummies Guide to Gardening For the Peri-Menopausal". Sadly, despite recognising them, their fate is very hit and miss.

Geraniums (I think)!

I have managed to grow some strawberries and last year had a bumper crop of tomatoes and beans which, shamefully, mostly went to waste.  I am afraid my vintage housewife score dropped radically through failure to produce a batch of spicy tomato chutney or anything vaguely inspiring involving runner beans.  I may try again next year when I am better prepared and armed with a full chutney kit!

If in doubt, use the old statue and wind-chimes disguise...

I have cunningly pruned this, erm, plant to resemble a triangle

The biggest problem I have at the moment is the whacking great bald patch on the lawn where the paddling pool sat. It looks like a monk's tonsure and I'm praying the grass grows back quickly.

My bald spot

The husband is campaigning to fill the raised beds with chippings and replace the plants with things in pots. He may have a point. If he does, I shall take a leaf out of the Knights Who Say Ni's book and call for Roger the Shrubber. Does anyone have his number?

Roger the Shrubber from Monty Python & The Holy Grail

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