One fine day

Bitter morning cold gave way to glorious winter sunshine, perfect for washing blankets. Grace is covered in small insect bites, so all her bedding has been changed, her room thouroughly cleaned & under her cot & round the windows sprayed with bugkiller. Not very organic, I know. The bites stopped for a couple of days so I thought my strategy had worked. This meant that her blankets were changed & waiting for a fine day to wash & dry. After a load of nappies, I decided there was enough room on the line & sunshine for Grace's & the loungeroom blankets. Here they are, that's my mum in the background, just before she gave me a hand to bring the washing in.

I wash blankets, even the hand crochet afgan rug Mum made for Grace, in the machine. With a short delicate cycle, warm water & wool wash. I think that big blankets stretch less if you don't handle them when they are sopping wet & heavy.   The red mohair picnic rug came out very fluffy, perfect for snuggling under while watching some TV. 

Even Ms Mippy, Grace's bedtime companion went through the machine today.

As it turned out Grace had more little bites tonight, so it isn't her bed. She bumshuffled around the garden today so maybe she is being bitten by tiny gnats that seem to swarm in patches of sunlight.  I don't know how to prevent that except by banning her from the garden. At least it isn't her bedding.

No washing today

I didn't do a load of washing today as it is Saturday, sleep-in day. It's also the day that Gerard washes his workerbee clothing (his words - clown suit). G clings to doing his own washing, eventhough it would probably be more efficient if all our washing was done at once. A remanant of batchelor independence?  However, I iron his shirts. For ages I didn't iron anything & just wore clothes that you could get away without ironing. I even gave away my iron. Then several years later, when I started working in air conditioned offices again, the most comfortable work wear was a cotton shirt. And I started sewing again. I bought a fabulous new iron with a non stick sole plate. Now I don't mind ironing. And I wouldn't want G go to work in an unironed shirt. It's not a good look, for him or for me.

So no washing, just folding. Nappies & other stuff airing from yesterday.

Not quick enough

It was fine but cold today. Grace had a very long afternoon nap. As a consequence I got some sewing done. While sitting at my sewing machine, i could see the sky darkening & kept thinking I should bring the washing in. Kept sewing, kept thinking. Grace woke up &  after a cuddle & nappy change, she was happy to play while I sewed a bit more. The sun started to set, throwing big pink clouds across the sunroom window. Must get the washing in. Grace sat on the back doorstep as I raced around the clothesline in the cold, cursing & pulling damp nappies into the basket. Then I had to spend time sorting almost dry stuff for the dryer & the rest...

This is the picture that started it

I was out in the backyard last week playing around with the old digital camera that my Dad gave me & I took this.

This is a big part of my life at the moment, doing the washing & battling the elements. The other day I calculated that I do a average of 8 loads of washing a week, no wonder I'm a little obsessed. Of course, one of the reasons I wash so much is that our daughter Grace is still in nappies. And we are using cloth. I don't hate doing the washing, but I don't totally love it either. I do like seeing a clothesline full of neatly hung out washing, and I like the smell & texture of sun warmed clothes. Alas, it's winter here & the wash has to be bought in before the damp falls, to be aired & hug about the house & maybe finished in our ancient & not very efficient dryer. Then the next morning, I fold & put away.