So, Paul asked me what I would like for Christmas and I couldn't come up with anything reasonably priced. My wish list is for things like enclosing the back veranda, removing the bathtub and replacing it with a shower stall I can easily get into. A new 'bathroom suite' - new commode and hand wash basin - would be fab. And top of my list would be completely re-wiring this house.

It is probably time - the current wiring passes certification and the additions to the original circuitry has been done superbly. But we're finding ourselves fixing gang strips to the walls at hip height - we ain't gettin' any younger and bending down to plug in vacuum cleaners and other things is only putting unneeded strain on our ageing backs.

Another reason for the re-wire is we need to move the fridge-freezer as in its current location I can't pull the shelving and drawers out fully. Not good for making the most of the storage and definitely not good for a proper cleaning routine. And really, while we're moving outlets and appliances in the kitchen, we need to replace the cabinets in there.

So, no, nothing on my Dear Father Christmas list this year is reasonably priced - and yes, I do buy one lottery ticket a week as really that's going to be the only way to make my Christmas wish list arrive. 😔

Over the last three months we've lived in this new home I've realised the kitchen cabinets want replacing owing to age-related crumbling. Big tip: no matter how well done, chip and press-wood cabinetry FAILS after about 20 years. Go for real full-on wood if you want a real kitchen that will last several lifetimes. Trust me please.

So, that realisation got me thinking what changes I would make if I could. I don't think I'm up for making 'footprint' changes in there - the galley style layout, for example, works incredibly well and is so logical with one and only one exception being the fridge freezer (f-f) location not working.

That f-f location would be a doddle to change - I'd simply move the f-f down to stand by the utility cupboard (ceiling to floor which I use for the bins, cleaning supplies, and on the top shelf the cat supplies) and move the cabinetry it would displace to the area where the f-f is now - bonus, doing that would mean I could slot a small tumble dryer to vent on a very short run to the outside where I could easily clean the vent ducting once a month (yes, I have always done that - clean the lint filter every load, and clean the ducting every month. Fire safety - it's a rule!). Yes it would mean losing one lower cabinet on that side but the return would be so worth it and frankly I don't use one of the two lower cabinets on that side of the kitchen any way so no real loss there and instead a tremendous gain here in perpetual wetland or freezing cold or both Scotland.

I'm now dreaming of upper and lower cream white Shaker WOOD: lower cabinets with pull-out trays instead of reach-in shelving on both sides of the kitchen, with the upper cabinets over the sink and cooker being the same cream white with shelving instead of pull-outs, and extending to the ceiling. Glass front upper cabinets over the worktop on the other side all the way to the ceiling (I have a step-ladder+the need for maximum storage!) and fully across to the newly relocated f-f.

And of course, the new cabinetry and slightly re-jigged layout would require new worktops. I actually have grown to quite like the black faux granite. But I really-really-really-really want medium dark wood-LOOK (emphasis on 'look' as the real thing is so unhygienic just considering it gives me the shudders) worktops. Easy clean-sanitise, looks proper farmhouse kitcheny and I WANT IT.  

Back to the sink-cooker side of the galley...For a very long time I've wanted a dishwasher and if I could be persuaded to give up one of the cabinets on that side of the kitchen, I do have room in there. But.

But the other day one of my home-making email newsletters and then several of them in succession featured an article on what can and can't go in the dishwasher.

Oh. Dear.

I've had dishwashers before and found them simply indispensable for keeping a clean kitchen - ok alright I admit it, I loathe doing the washing up. That is, until I've strapped on the Marigolds and filled the basin and am deep in soap bubbles scrubbing the baked on from my Pyrex casserole. Then I actually enjoy doing the washing up. Yet even as I stood at the sink feeling wonderfully virtuous about my scullery maid work, I would find myself muttering 'Please, Father Christmas, bring me a stainless steel interior slimline dishwasher, PLEASE!' as I know the truth is I love cooking and baking and am not at all keen on the cleaning-up of said cooking and baking...when I was raising the family and even after they'd grown and flown and I was pretty much on my own, a dishwasher was the one kitchen appliance ranked right up there with the cooker and f-f. Couldn't live without it and never lost anything to the machine as everything I owned for kitchen work was either dishwasher safe or simply not in my kitchen. Until about 10 or so years ago.

I've always enjoyed cooking and baking but around 2007 I started on what can only be termed as becoming a foodie. Now, a foodie is someone who goes beyond yer basic cooking to live, and as a consequence becomes quite interested in the proper tools for the joy of cooking and baking. 

So when I read every single one of those 'Things You Shouldn't Ever Put In The Dishwasher' articles my heart well and truly sank. Because now I'm older I've acquired a large selection of...

Things You Shouldn't Ever Put In The Dishwasher

Wooden spoons. Various wooden and marble rolling pins. Frankly high end stainless steel and copper bottom pots and pans. Shiny baking trays and tins. Wire mesh strainers, colanders, and sieves. Graters of all configurations. Wooden handled knives - full tang or not. The list seemed endless as I read all those articles and I own and use daily every single thing on those lists except 'fine precious metal rimmed china, and crystal' (china and crystal being an addiction I got over once I realised the crystal was loaded with lead and the china likely was as well in addition to having to be hand-washed to preserve the decorative edgings. Porcelain and crystal serve-ware, lovely to look at but not so lovely to own - I sold all of mine back in the 80s).

Oh. Dear. 

I did an actual visual inventory of the kitchen and the result ruled out a dishwasher - the only things that could go in there would be the crockery, coffee mugs and some of the drinks glasses, and the stainless steel 18/10 cutlery. Which amounts to about a quarter of the kitchen items I use daily and wish for a magical mechanical way to save me constantly pulling on the Marigolds and plunging my gloved hands into a basin filled scalding hot soapy water.

Sooo, no dishwasher for me. I cannot wrap my head around the maturity required to admit I can't justify the purchase of a kitchen appliance I once considered an absolute must-have.

The Christmas tree and other hall-decking is done. WOW, I knew that Balsam Hill Christmas tree was good but until we got it dressed we really had no idea just how good it was going to be. Let me cut to the chase for those readers familiar with my annual Tree Lighting Debacle...

 I gifted myself earlier this year when the pre-Christmas sales were on full swing - a 20 candle clip on set (plugs into the mains, none of that fiddly battery operated tosh for my house!). I consulted my son who told me I should put the 100 multi-colour lights set on the tree then add the clip-ons.

I love my son. I love him VERY much. But. He lives in America and I live in Scotland and even when we lived in the same house he was absolutely ZERO help putting the lights or anything else on the tree.

So, for nano second I considered putting the 100 multi-colour light strand on the tree.

And then came to my senses because Paul is less help with Christmas decorating than Fox ever was.

And put JUST the clips on and let me tell you that tree, now fully dressed with baubles and 'realistic icicle drops' and clip-on candles is a Christmas wonder. Gorgeous and draws gasps from everyone who comes into the room.

🙋 WINNING 🙋

From my house to yours - a warm and cosy Happy Christmas, and all best wishes for a healthy, prosperous and Happy 2019!
🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎅🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄🎄
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