What’s On Your Workdesk this Wednesday?
Cat throw
My new wool has arrived, and I am very pleased with it. It seems to be nice and soft, and of good quality. My hubby said he wasn’t very impressed with the standard of packing, and I had to agree!
However, the contents were fine.
There is plenty for other projects that I want to do in the future as well, and my stash is now replenished with some basic neutral colours. I have used my little cone winder to ply two strands together to bring some of it up to double knitting thickness, and after a couple of trials with different sized crochet hooks (the first result came out too large, and the second too small), I have now settled on the correct size of hook and getting good results.
I’ve made a few more squares using Cat Stitch and these have yet to have the cat faces embroidered. I’ve been quite busy with other things but am making good progress with the squares which are now filling a bag!
Some more of the plain squares.
They will all definitely look better once they’ve been blocked.
Blender woes and wows – again!
I couldn’t believe this… Everything was going so well with my new Vitamix, and then on Thursday evening when I plugged it in, it tripped the switch for the downstairs main circuit!! I tried it several times with my hubby on the step ladder ready to flip the switch again each time, but it did it every time. I tried different sockets, and changed the fuse in the plug, but all to no avail. So we were back to square one! The only difference was that there were now TWO dead blenders on my counter!! I have at last heard back from the company regarding the old blender but no progress has been made on a repair or replacement there.
When the Vitamix first arrived, I did wonder whether I should have spent that little bit more and got the top of the range one, but the little bit more was actually a considerable amount more on Amazon so I quickly dismissed the thought from my mind. I had the choice of exchanging the defunct blender with an identical one from Amazon, or getting a refund.
While I was thinking about it, something else sprang to mind which I’d heard on a very good review of Vitamixes from a YouTube video I’d been watching. He said that if you buy from a big store like Amazon, you don’t know how long the machine has been sitting on their warehouse shelf, but if you get it direct from Vitamix, you know you are getting the very latest model from their production line. While the models may be identical in nearly every respect, he said they are constantly making improvements in the inner workings, for example in the computer firmware etc. The date, and even the time, of manufacture, is on the label on the base of each machine.
I thought I would trot over to the Vitamix site (they have a UK branch) just as a matter of interest, and discovered that until the middle of this month they are having a sale, and while the top of the range model is more expensive than the one I had bought from Amazon, the difference was considerably less. I discussed it with my hubby and he agreed it was probably the best way forward, so I opted to return the defunct one to Amazon and request a refund, and I ordered the new one direct from Vitamix UK on Thursday evening. I was able to deal with the return and refund from Amazon – the usual process of printing out the label they provide complete with its barcodes etc. My hubby dropped the parcel off at a Hermes collection point on Saturday morning, and it must have been picked up quite quickly because I got an email from Amazon saying they had processed my refund.
My only concern was that Vitamix told me that the delivery on the new one would be between 8 and 15 working days, which could take us to nearly the end of the month. That is a very long time to be without a piece of kit which I use every single day. On Saturday morning I heard from Vitamix that my new blender was on its way and I could track its progress in 24 hours’ time, so I was expecting it to arrive perhaps on Monday or Tuesday. My small Sage Boss-to-Go blender is OK for some things but not great for all round use, so I thought I was going to struggle for a while. Imagine my surprise when the doorbell went later on Saturday morning and my new blender had arrived! I couldn’t believe it had come so quickly.
I didn’t think I’d be doing another unboxing, but here we go again!
As things have panned out, I have ended up with an even better blender than my first choice, and as long as nothing else goes wrong, I shall be more than satisfied in the long run. I am pleased I have made this decision, even though I’ve ended up spending more than I thought initially, but since this is a machine that gets used every day and helps enormously with my whole-food plant-based food prep, I consider it to be worth every penny. I’ve been busy with the accounts this week and the finances are not looking too bad so I’m happy with the decision I’ve made. Here are the two machines compared.
The A3500 has 5 pre-set programmes (smoothies, frozen desserts, hot soup, spreads and self-cleaning) – two more programmes than the A2500. It also has a touch control panel, and you can set the timer to count down and stop automatically, which is a feature absent on the A2500. This has already proved very useful. The dial moves as smooth as silk and the touch buttons are quick and easy to use. I also prefer the brushed stainless steel finish on the A3500. The containers appear to be identical.
Both models have a 10-year warranty, which says a lot about the confidence the manufacturers have in these monster blenders. It’s hard to know what caused the breakdown of the first one but I suppose you do get a rogue model once in a while and it had clearly developed some kind of electrical fault.
I have downloaded the Vitamix app onto my iPad and with this latest machine I believed I would have more things available to me. I understood from YouTube videos that with the app you can create extra programmes, which you can then operate from your phone or tablet via Bluetooth, but this is apparently not available with my model – strange, since it’s top of the range! It just seems to be a collection of recipes with minimal instructions. It doesn’t have glowing reviews, so I probably won’t use it much. It might be better if one used the facility to set up communication between your phone, the blender and a special electronic scale but I haven’t got that, and don’t see the need for it at least for now.
I’ve tried a few basic things, and so far so good! I’ve made another batch of green juice. My eyes seem to have miraculously returned to their original colour, you will be pleased to hear!
I made another batch of almond milk last night and the pulp came out extremely smooth – much less granular than before. I found a lovely YouTube video where the young daughter of the channel owner made some almond milk, and then with it, concocted a drink which she called “almond vanilla latte.” I decided to try this. It’s just almond milk with a couple of dates for sweetness, and a little vanilla paste, and you blend it on high speed for 3 1/2 minutes. Not only does this have the effect of completely pulverising the dates, but it heats the drink as well! It was sooo creamy and frothy with a delicious subtle sweetness from the dates. Definitely one to do again. Nut milks are quite deceptive – they are quite rich and creamy and you’d think they’d be really fattening, but they are not; they are much healthier than dairy.
I’ve also had a great deal of success with my pineapple tepache that I mentioned last week. It’s a fermented drink made from the rind and core of fresh pineapple. The first lot was too sluggish to get going but I made a second batch and added a tablespoon of kombucha (the fermented tea I make every week) to get it going – it’s packed with probiotic bacteria – and that certainly did the trick. The drink is mildly alcoholic with a light, dry tang and natural sparkle once the sugar has all been fermented. I’ve got a 1/2 gallon jar on order to make it in, which will be better than splitting a batch between 2 Mason jars. It can sit in the airing cupboard alongside the kombucha and quietly do its stuff. I also bought another half dozen flip top bottles as I use all the others for the kombucha.
Recipe of the week
Leek and potato soup
I have done this as a recipe of the week before, but not since I revamped the recipe. I’ve combined two recipes – my original old one (source unknown) and one I found on the Internet. This new recipe is mega-delicious and I wouldn’t go back to the old one again now! Since there’s no source link for it, I’ll give it to you in full. My new Vitamix has made a velvety smooth, rich and creamy soup free from dairy and without any added oil. Really healthy. The large bowl above has yielded six double portions, ready to go in the freezer.
2 large leeks (approx. 500 g) sliced
1 onion, peeled and chopped
(A little olive oil – I omit this)
2 veg stock pots
1 large potato (approx. 250 g) peeled and chopped
100 g frozen peas
1 litre boiling water
1/2 cup nutritional yeast
1 tsp onion powder
1 tab lemon juice
2 tabs soy sauce
2 cups almond milk
Method
1. Fry leeks and onions (in the oil if using, or dry sauté) until soft.
2. Add water and stock pots (or use 1 litre home-made veg stock) and bring to the boil.
3. Add potato and simmer 10 mins.
4. Add the rest of the ingredients, bring back to the boil and cook a further 3 mins.
5. Liquidise.
Kitties
Lily on the recliner with my hubby at lunch time the other day.
He had to get up part way through to go and get something, and very carefully manoeuvred himself sideways off the recliner so as not to disturb her. When he came back, with great difficulty he managed to get himself back into position while she continued to sit there, and as soon as he was settled again – yes, you’ve guessed it – she jumped off! Typical!!
Ruby suffers from the typical feline can’t-resist-an-open-door syndrome, and its partner in crime, the always-on-the-wrong-side-of-the-door syndrome, to a pathological degree. She can be happily settled, but if someone opens the door, she has to go through it. If a door is firmly closed, she wants you to open it. The other morning I came down and brought my breakfast into the sitting room. Ruby was sitting in the hall. The fire was on in the sitting room and it was already several degrees warmer than the hall, so I called her in, but of course she wouldn’t come. If I leave the door almost closed, she can open it to come in, but in doing so, she opens it too wide and all the heat escapes, so I told her that if she didn’t come in NOW, I would shut the door. She didn’t move, so I went in and shut the door. As soon as I had sat down and got myself organised, true to form, she started asking to come in, so I had to get up and let her in. If I don’t obey her clarion call, she keeps it up and it becomes very irritating to listen to! She uses a distinctive meow at such times (especially from about 5 p.m. onwards, demanding food) which is particularly unpleasant and difficult to ignore – rather like a baby crying! That’s why she does it, of course. Once in, I could shut the door, and she settled down with me. This is another example of the it’s-not-my-idea syndrome. She wouldn’t come in when I wanted her to, but only when it was her own idea to do so. I’ve started calling her my little wandering minstrel. She’s so restless, and when shut out, she sings like the troubadours of old, beneath the lady’s balcony. The metaphor breaks down when one realises that she’s not singing for love, but as a demand to have her comforts met, and also she has no mandolin!
They have both been like two gorgeous little hot water bottles on my legs when I’ve been resting on the recliner! Their combined weight is over a stone and after a while you really do get to feel the weight of all that kitty flesh.
Clothes
Now that we are really into the throes of winter, it’s time to shake the moths out of the thick winter woollies again.
This jumper is an old favourite of mine. I got it on Ebay several years ago. When it arrived, there was no ribbing at the bottom or on the cuffs, and of course the stocking stitch had the habit of rolling up, which was most irritating. The sleeves were, as usual, too long for short-armed Shoshi so I unravelled them for a few inches and saved the wool, which I used to add ribbing. I did blog about this at the time, way back on my old blog. I was very much more pleased with the jumper after carrying out these alterations.
I love it because of all the bright colours to cheer one on winter days, and also because of that, it goes with so many things! I’m not wearing anything particularly interesting with it – just a pair of black tracksuit bottoms which are nice and comfy, and of course, my embroidered slippers to compliment the multi-coloured jumper. Underneath is one of my cotton polo neck tops – any one of them would go with this. Cheap wooden beads and earrings add the finishing touch. I’m also wearing purple socks but these are invisible!
Health update
Actually, nothing has happened. Zilch. Nada. A few weeks ago I’d sent a letter outlining what had (not) been going on, to the people enquiring whether I still wanted to be on the waiting list for my operation, and sent a copy to my surgeon at Torbay. I heard back from him that everyone was in the same boat (the usual Covid excuse – drives me nuts because if they hadn’t messed me about so royally last year I could have had it done long before Covid struck anyway) and not telling me much else.
Mr. Daniels, the Exeter surgeon, said that the longer it was left, the worse it would get. I am beginning to notice this now, with Kermit, my stoma, starting to behave as he did before the last time the hernia was repaired. The whole area is so loose and unstable, and I’m beginning to get leaks and having to change the bag more frequently. If this isn’t dealt with in the foreseeable future, I can see myself going back to when it was at its worst, with several changes each day. Not fun. When things are working properly, most of the time I am completely unaware of it, which is how it is supposed to be, but I am getting some itching and skin problems again which is a major bore. It’s not urgent, it’s not life-threatening, so I just have to live with it – for what now appears to be an indefinite, open-ended period of time. I am beginning to despair of this ever getting sorted. I have heard nothing further from the complaints department at Exeter, either. It’s pointless chasing these people up because nothing ever happens.
Have a happy and creative week, everybody.
I am impressed that you got the cones of wool up to DK thickness but it was worth it to get the tones. The squares are coming along nicely – I’m doing some as well as I got bored with stripes. The cat pattern tickled me, it’s quite simple but very effective! I look forward to seeing the finished throw with some real life cats probably posing on top, lol!
Hugs LLJ 15 xx
Shoshi, so good to get back and check into your blog! Sorry I’m so late! It’s so hard when your gorgeous UK folks are hours ahead and I work full time and try to hop on to everyone’s blog all in days time. So as 5pm approached for me, I just decided to wait until I got home to get back to your blog!!!
Ohhh my goodness with that package!! That is sooooo totally unacceptable!! Thankfully your goodies were in tact, but goodness, what if it had not been wool????? That is awful! Someone would be hearing about it and having a look see at that photo my friend! LOLOL But back to the matter at hand…gahhh that wool is gorgeous!! I absolutely love those colors and all together for sure in that blanket/throw! I am soooo loving those squares and especially when you add the kitties to them! Hubby is one super lucky man to be sure!
Vitamix woes! Been there done that! Although not quite the same as you, I did buy mine direct from them and my issues were a couple years in and they honored the warranty fully and sent me all new parts for my issue! They are such a great company and of course, the Vitamix is aces in my book. Hands down the best on the market. Pricey, but worth it. Loving the look of that green juice! I would have downed that in minutes!! I love making smoothies of all sorts with mine, it incorporates completely no matter what you throw in that puppy! Glad you got it all taken care of!!
I was completely laughing out loud with the kitty antics this week! I KNOW that story well! Before the divorce, we had three cats inside and let me tell you, they ruled the roost! They played us all like fiddles and we played right into their teensy little paws!!!! So funny Shoshi, but goodness we love them to bits don’t we???
The winter woolies were looking bright and cheerful on your smiling face! You are so clever with your clothing and making them your own! I can barely sew a button, but hey, we all have are weaknesses don’t we! LOL Loving the slippers too, by the way! 🙂
Shoshi, my heart goes out to you with your health issues, STILL!!! I would just love to come over there and choke somebody!! I know that is not a very Christian attitude, but enough is enough! I want you to just get some answers and relief! Again with the COVID, don’t get me started again on the communities at large using that as an excuse for literally everything! Shoshi, please know that you will remain in my prayers and continually lifted up until you see a release! I want restoration for you so that you can retain a quality of life fillled with peace and joy without the antics!! I will also be praying for those healthcare providers that things will come around for your benefit!
Well, happy Wednesday my friend and you stay safe and healthy and hugs to the kitties!! Blessings, Felicia #33
An interesting visit as ever. Sorry for your blender woes. I recall staying n a rental on holiday and the kettle tripping the breaker every time we tried to use it. we found another kettle and that one was fine, never tripped once. Annoying. Love your rainbow jumper and the recipe looks yummy. I’ve been doing a leek and cauliflower soup with tumeric lately and have a broccoli and blue cheese one in the fridge for tomorrow. I do love a soup for lunch – so warming! Your blanket is coming along and my goodness that is a lot of wool in those cones! Luckily he wool is both product and protective packaging in one, isn’t t? 😀
Happy WOYWW, with a late start
Mary Anne (1)
Oh dear I had to laugh at the state of that box!! At least it wasn’t bone china inside! At least you can get on with your project bow you have all that extra wool. Glad you have got your blender sorted – that looks a bit of a beast, I bet it’s really useful. What have you been feeding those kitties – over a stone! I’m surprised you can bear them on your legs. I do remember the in/out the door shenanigans – and the most annoying was the finally coming in and pushing tho door so wide you had to get up and shut it! Loving the rainbow jumper, that must cheer you up on these grey days. Sorry to hear you are still getting messed about by the hospital – I hope things don’t get any worse and you see some resolution soon. Happy WOYWW, stay well, stay safe, love n hugs Cindy #14 xx
Hi Shoshi, I think I’m in full agreement with the state of the packaging! Companies frequently don’t buy the correct board grades for what they are dispatching – you would think a yarn company would be aware of what they need to buy, and the weight they are shipping! Glad to hear your yarn did arrive though and you can continue with the kitty throw. Love your rainbow jumper – what do the colours remind me of? Ah yes, my blanket lol. What a saga with the blender. I have also taken to checking direct with manufacturers before I proceed with a purchase on Amazon, as their prices are not always the most competitive. That really is a superfast delivery from the manufacturer. Thumbs up on both counts. Leek and potato soup is one of my favourites, but I’ve never added yeast to it! Mr M bought himself a soup maker. I thought that would go into the cupboard besides the juicer and the breadmaker, but he has actually used it several times, so I am impressed so far. He does a lot of broth type soups. He really should get the breadmaker out when he makes the soup – I shall make that useful suggestion next time he makes some. Sorry you to hear you still haven’t got the date for the hospital appointment – that is so very frustrating! I do hope they get their act together and you get a date soon. Have a lovely week, Heather xx #18
well that is a big box of wool – good job it wasn’t something that damaged in transit! sorry about your blender, but looks like you got a good deal out of it in the end. Your rainbow jumper is fabulous, so bright on such a dull winter’s day! Hope the hospital get in touch with you soon…. really not good enough! take care, stay safe. Helen #4
Your hubby’s comment about the packaging had me laugh out loud! Have a great week! Dorlene #37
Loving the squares so far and that really is a lot of wool. Sorry to hear about your on-going blender woes, but glad you are happy with the new one. That rainbow jumper is wonderful! Happy WOYWW. Take care and stay safe. With love & God Bless, Caro xxx (#13)
Always plenty to see and so loving the jumper it’s gorgeous. Kitties look happy as usual and helping to keep you warm too which can’t be bad. The box is interesting in it’s shape but at least everything arrived okay. Take care and have a lovely creative week. WOYWW hugs, Angela x23x
Hi Shoshi. great that the yarn arrived safely, even if the box was a bit scrumpled!! Now you have loads to carry on with your blanket – you will soon have sufficient squares now! What a mix up over your blender – glad that’s sorted – and I hope your hospital appointment gets sorted soon.
Take care. God bless.
Margaret #2
Your doing a great job with the blanket – the cat stitch squares are brilliant and I’m really looking forward to seeing it all put together. Glad you have got your blender problem sorted – so many times the boxes are the wrong size for the item – my hubbies medication arrived in a (far too large) box and was so badly damaged I just put my hand in and removed the items without having to cut the sellotape or tear the cardboard! The Postie had been brilliant keeping it upright and trying not to let the items fall out. I love the jumper and you did a fantastic job altering it to suit – that really is a bright and cheerful look you are sporting today! I had to laugh at the cats – that is such typical behavior isn’t it – I think they have you wrapped around their little paws!
Hope you have a good week and stay safe and well,
Diana xx #25
Hi Shoshi, I think you were lucky to get the wool at all if that was the state of the box. Have had some very soggy parcels that have just been left outside with no note through the door to alert you it’s there. They do send you an email, but that’s not much use unless you are continually checking your emails. I am waiting for my parcel from America to come and hoping the tax won’t be too much! I think you were right to get a good blender considering how much you use it. A 10 year guarantee is very good indeed.
I hear they are cancelling more and more operations and procedures. It is understandable, but doesn’t help the sufferers. Enjoy your crocheting Angela #10
So sorry to hear that you have still had no update on dealing with your op and the difficulties it is starting to cause you Shoshi. Glad you managed to get the Vitamix sorted to your satisfaction in the end. Can’t wait to see your finished kitty throw now the new wool has arrived. Meow to Lily and Ruby – love the wandering minstrel picture. Stay safe and happy WOYWW. Sarah #3
Hi Shoshi, love your rainbow jumper, how ingenious to shorten the sleeves and use the wool to add the ribbing! That cat stitch really is fab, can’t believe I’ve never seen it before, looking forward to seeing the end result, you must be getting close now … 🙂 Thank you for sharing the miniature rug patterns, I’ve printed them all off and made a start on one (having to use my magnifying headset!) and I’ve also made a start on creating the bazaar forthem to hang in, but it’s going to be a loooooooong project! Have a good week. Annie C #34
I sometimes wonder why they put things in such big boxed leaving plenty of space to get damaged. you blanket will soon be finished now,
Take care and stay safe,
Hi Shoshi, I really hope your vitamix woes are over now – they should be paying you for your testing programme ?.
Your cat blanket squares are looking great, I’m so glad to see the cat stripe fits in with it.
I know the cat / door issue well; Thea’s variant is to stand in the open door spending an age making her mind up. Dino was our minstrel ( I think Thea would send him).
So sorry there’s been no progress with your surgery. Fingers crossed that the vaccine works for and can relieve pressure on the NHS soon.
They sound like train announcements “We’re late because we’re late”. I do recommend using that findCEO site and writing to them directly CC a major newspaper such as the GuardIan. Short letter with an Appendix for history.
Fingers crossed you get somewhere soon.
Stay safe!
Hugs
Lynnecrafts 5
I’m glad you got the even better model of Vitamix! Enjoy. Your rainbow sweater and sweet sleeping kitties made me smile. Enjoy your soup, and the weekend! Love, Karen#30
I hope your new Vitamix works for a long long time and no electrical issues!
Your sweater is gorgeous and how clever to make ribbing for it.
Love the kitties.
Hope you can get your surgery soon!
Thanks for popping by and have a great week!
Carol N #29
So much to see and read, it’s another ‘Soshi-blogpost’ and I love it! Congrats on the new Vitamix. I love those ‘basic colours’ of wool, I’m afraid to buy wool online ’cause I always want to touch and see it with my own eyes before I buy… I guess I will have to wait ’till stores in the Netherlands open again but hey, I got enough other things to keep me busy! Seeing the cats I can imagine their weight on your legs… but it looks really cosy. Sorry for being late (the deskers-list is long and I visit a few per day) Have a great weekend, stay healthy and safe! Love from the Netherlands, Marit #31
Hi Shoshi! I laughed about the kitties and doors! Especially happens when I’m in the small bathroom, they HAVE to come in, just to turn around and walk out again! We have trained the cats to count to 3. I hold the door and count slowly to 3, and if they are not out/in the door by 3, it is closed. I can see the thought processes going as they are thinking should I or shouldn’t I? Inky usually just turns away at 3 if she has decided the air smells too cold, but Mittsy…especially outside coming in, will change her mind at the last minute, as the door is closing, but of course I let her through! But sometimes she wants in, but wants to play a game to come in, so she will just sit there as the door is closing, her eyes saying “I’ll come in IF we play a game”. It depends on how badly we want her in!
Too bad about your Vitamix, but the Universe works in strange ways, you were supposed to have the better one!
Have a wonderful week, and thanks for your visit, hugs to the kitties from their Canadian “cousins”! BTW I love the sweater! Lindart #35
Sorry I’m late. That box of cones, gracious that box was totally mishandled and thrown about wasn’t it. One hopes that if it had been even slightly more fragile than a bunch of cones that they would have improved on the packaging! a having said all of that, the yarn is splendid and the squares are looking amazing! A bag full already. A very satisfying way of measuring, I think!
Oh my goodness I bet that lovely colourful jumper is the warmest jumper ever! Your squares are also lovely and colourful, Sorry I’m so late..even with lock down, time runs out! Happy Woyww, Stay Safe, keep crafting! ((Lyn)) #21