I'm so excited!  At last we've ordered our new kitchen.  It should be arriving next Thursday, with the work tops following a few weeks later. 

It's bright red - with black hob and ovens.  The work surface will be pale grey, although we'd love to have had dark but it's quite a gloomy room with very little light.  This photo gives an idea of what it'll look like.  (See:

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/categories/departments/kitchen/designideas/20144_conk05a/#room/20144_conk05a and http://www.theoffiz.com/modern-red-kitchen-cabinet-design-ideas/)

We are having units all down one side and the opposite side with be housing for fridge, ovens and storage, with a peninsula for companionable chats whilst I'm cooking.  It also means in my grand daughter wants to have her tea whilst I'm busy we can see each other.

See:

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/categories/departments/kitchen/designideas/20144_conk05a/#room/20144_conk05a

When we were considering a new kitchen and one of the first questions, as a short person, was what height should be cabinets be?  Here is a helpful diagram:

These measurements look as though they've been designed for the 'average' person (whatever that is!). Our current kitchen cabinets at rather high, then adding the height of the gas hob, it makes it very difficult for me to make stir-fries. So we're thinking of having a thinner than usual work surface - 2.8 cm rather than 3.8cm and also having an electric induction hob, keeping things as low as possible.

http://www.metric.org.uk/kitchen-planning

1 The critical point is that for a fitted kitchen to look fabulous you need a fabulous fitter. Do your research and take references; you will be rewarded.

2 Keep things simple. The most visually pleasing arrangements of cabinets consist of runs of either wide, deep drawers, or runs of floor-mounted cupboards only. But don’t mix the two in one run – it can look a mess. Likewise, beware of a jumble of full-height and wall- and floor-mounted units. Symmetry is your friend.

3 Never site an extractor fan between wall cabinets: it looks clumsy. Instead replace adjacent cabinets with open shelves. If the thought of all that dust brings out your OCD, conceal a canopy hood inside an adapted wall cabinet that has no bottom, rendering the appliance virtually invisible. By the way, the cheaper extractor fans are often made in the same factories as those that are more expensive, so it may not be worth spending a great deal of money on one.

4 When selecting your appliances, choose carefully. Forget about expensive brands, just buy basic white goods with an A+++ energy efficiency rating. These can be concealed behind cabinet fronts to match the rest of your kitchen.

5 When it comes to slick modern kitchens, the key word is concealment. Undermounting a cheaper stainless-steel sink into your worktop will make it look more stylish and more expensive

6 One design trick is to fit the plinth (the ‘skirting board’ that floor units sit on) as far back as is possible. This will make your joinery appear cantilevered and ‘high-design’.

7 Spend your money where it counts most. Buy inexpensive carcasses from big DIY stores, Ikea or kitchen specialists such as Howdens and then have them fitted with bespoke doors and drawer fronts.

8 A worktop is one of the most visible features so it is well worth spending money here. Honed granite (which has a flat low sheen without reflection) is both chic and durable, making it cost-effective too. To keep your top relatively lightweight order a slab that is about 20mm thick but ask for a mitred downstand (edging) of 70mm. This will make it look luxuriously thick. Consider using the same material for a splashback or choose painted glass.

9 Kitchen taps need to be good quality, but don’t go mad. Hansgrohe is ideal.

10 Sleek, modern kitchens are often ironmongery-free zones which makes them budget-friendly (beautiful handles and knobs are frequently a ‘hidden’ cost). The company Hafele (hafele.com) makes good-quality fitted closers and push catches. You can also have cupboard doors and drawer fronts constructed with integrated handles.

Ideas for kitchen use:
http://www.furnitureproduction.net/news/articles/2013/09/1286143642-uk-real-life-kitchen-study-findings-announced

Three key ideas for your hall:

Have a focal point

Add something which shows your personal style

Play with colour, it's not a room you're in all the time so ...

YOU ARE SPECIAL


This was given to me many years ago by a friend, when I was going through a challenging phase:



In moments of doubt you may say it aloud:
'I'm nobody special, a face in the crowd.
I won't be remembered for the things that I've said,
I've little to show for the life that I've led.'

Well listen to me, get your head off your chest,
Don't judge your importance by fame or success.
You've set yourself standards and values of worth.
You're loved and considered the salt of the earth.

For the genuine feelings that set you apart,
and the caring affection that springs from your heart.
With the warmth and the wisdom in words that you speak, 
These are the talents that make you unique.

Plus I added extra required of a star:
You're the last one to know how important you are.

Written by
David Prowse (nothing to do with Star Wars)

You can't control the length of your life  -  But you an control its width and depth

You can't control the contour of your roundness  -  But you can control its expression


You can't control the other person opportunities  -  But you can seize upon your own and make the best of them

You can't control the weather  -  But you can control the moral atmosphere that surrounds you.

You can't control the distance that y our chest shall be above the ground  -  But you can control the height of the contents of your hat.

Why worry about things you can't control?

Get busy controlling things that depend on you ...............


For this verse, see, from 'Stop whining and start winning': https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=VXv1Nt8MG2kC&pg=PA40&lpg=PA40&dq=You+can%27t+control+the+length+of+your+life+++++but+you+an+control+its+width+and+depth&source=bl&ots=R5y8IaB6gw&sig=kZ0EEnZC17SAJPGiFaZ_IrO5Ksk&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwisjNDKw5jLAhVBGxQKHd5lAdMQ6AEIOTAI#v=onepage&q=You%20can't%20control%20the%20length%20of%20your%20life%20%20%20%20%20but%20you%20an%20control%20its%20width%20and%20depth&f=false

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stop-Whining-Start-Winning-Re-igniting/dp/0060932503

This was also attributed to Evan Esar (1899 - 1995) was an American humorist who wrote Esar's Comic Dictionary 1943 and 20,000 Quips and Quotes in 1968. He is known for quotes like "Statistics: The only science that enables different experts using the same figures to draw different conclusions." He also wrote The Legend of Joe Miller, which was privately printed for members of the Roxburghe Club of San Francisco by the Grabhorn Press in 1957

MONTESSORI INFANT PUZZLE BALL

I've just made a ball for my grand daughter.  It's made in twelve sections.  These sewn together in groups of three and finally all joined to make a light, safe ball for 'tinies' to enjoy.

The only materials needed are:

• some fabric, in two contrasting colours
• a plate or similar circular template
• safe stuffing
• sewing kit

First cut out six circles of plain fabric and three of patterned, diameter either 5" or 3".

Cut each circle into quarters.

Then see the link to explain .......

For full method and good photos, see either: 
http://www.littleredfarm.com/2011/09/montessori-infant-puzzle-ball-tutorial.html
OR
http://warehousefabricsinc.com/blog/mysterious-baby-grab-ball/

A GOOD IDEA AT THE TIME:

THE MOBILE PLATE WARMER

Fast food is nothing new: as early as 1909 the famous Restaurant Prunier in Paris had the bright idea of taking ready-cooked meals ordered by telephone to private homes (where presumably unexpected guests had called on the servants' night off).  

But those meals had to be kept warm as the delivery driver fought his way through the congested streets.  The answer was the mobile plate warmer devised by the coachbuilder Audineau and built on a special Roval light van chassis.

other vehicles produced by Audineau

Its box body had double doors to the front and sides which opened to reveal galvanised iron cupboards wrapped in thick layers of felt.  Saucepans straight from the oven were popped into the pigeonholes for delivery.  The specially ducted exhaust pipe and water hoses from the rear-mounted engine kept the food in the insulated chests at 140F.

Meanwhile, the unfortunate driver sat high and exposed at the back of the vehicle without a vestige of warmth or weather protection

(written by award-winning author David Burgess Wise)

FIVE THINGS FOR AN EASIER LIFE

1  Lists: it's always good to have your 'to-dos' on paper and it feel great to cross them off.


I always carry a small sketchbook and pen for ideas.

Check your diary on Sundays to plan the week ahead and prepare mentally.


Learn to let go;  I often get stressed, but some things aren't worth the energy. 

Don't panic! Always take time to digest a situation, there is always a solution.