This basement space has not been this tidy in years. All old paint discarded of, gradually tools are moving downstairs.
That new freezer needs a board on top for a workbench and I’ve already found one + fitting material for legs in the garage.
But first things first. At the moment my dining table in the living room is filled with all things to go back onto that kitchen shelf.

I’d better mix some glue…

#sarasspringcount24

There is no finish under here. First owners had cupboards on the wall.
It will take some putty before reasonably decent. With one space cleared that spray bottle with water and a bit of washing softener is waiting for next. Top of the wall is already done right after the ceiling was painted a few months ago

Someone more handy and strong might take down the shelves, but I’m neither & the heavy bench hangs on the consoles as well. I’d have to strip the lot
#sarasspringcount24
#Kitchenmakeover

Today is Fettisdagen, 13 of February. And this is how far I got stripping wallpaper Saturday before the spray bottle was empty & I had to make dinner.
Weather is not optional. Up and down, winter and spring every second day… -2° now after 24 hrs of snowing, then rain for 3 days☹️
The icy road is back and I’ll have to at least clear my way to the car and the bins + the bird feeder
#sarasspringcount24

#wintermorning #snow #weatherforecast

And done … that took a few days, but this is also the trickiest corner.
I’m almost ready for the electrician. Remains an area beside the stove.
Last of all will be sanding and hard waxing the countertop.

Outside most of the snow is now gone. And today it is +8° and rain. Up and down.

I’ve fetched more peanuts for the birds and squirrels from the garage. And got more apples delivered together with fresh vegetables and more thaw salt. Better take care of that …

#sarasspringcount24

Is it #spring now? Dare one hope?
The ice on the lake is disappearing & I've moved the bird feeder down from the patio. Snowdrops and crocus are on the way up and the blue anemonens I got last fall seem to have survived. The birds are chirping and inspecting their birdhouses. The wren is back on the patio.

Time to clean up after storms and bad weather. The whole lawn is full of twigs…
#sarasspringcount24
@gardening
@birdwatching

Really lovely morning. Plus 5° already at 9.30. Out on the lake a gang of geese take a break in their spring travels & explore the open water. I’ll just finish my coffee and get out there. And it’s still only February so nothing is urgent when it comes to gardening. Plenty of time ahead.
Retirement has its advantages. I sure don’t envy the poor souls who passed before dawn in a hurry to catch the bus…

#sarasspringcount24
@gardening @birdwatching

Sun is setting and I feel quite content. Watch this before-after …

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#sarasspringcount24
@gardening

And most benches are in place!

It’s been a lovely day. I wait as long as I can before I go inside. I think everything grew at least a decimeter in the sunshine. Scilla are now outnumbering croci in the flowerbed.

Really hard to believe that it will snow all day tomorrow with a really cold morning.

Last thing I do is move my agapanthus, parsley and leak inside.
 Narcissi and primulas will be ok on the patio table.

Next is #winter and #snow for 3 days

#sarasspringcount24

@gardening

The very first person to take a cold dip in the lake yesterday really did it the right day …

Filled the bird feeder and under the rhododendron there is still a feast on the rests after making an enourmous tropical fruit sallad for Easter Eve - shells and seeds from papaya and melon plus some ananas. Luckily my guests took most of the leftover food with them to the one family member that stayed home sick. Just enough left to heat up some dinner 👍🏻

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#sarasspringcount24
@birds

Janssons temptation, exactly one portion left, and a piece of cake .. perfect!

Tomorrow I’m back to sort paper and paint another wall in the kitchen. Slowly, slowly …

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#sarasspringcount24
#leftovers #redecorating

Tuesday April 2…
This week will be a good test of what primulas and narcissi really can take. But I will have to wait until Friday before I see the result. Coming weekend spring will be back. So glad I mulched all branches yesterday. They would be all wet and soggy again.
I refuse to go further than the bins today.
#sarasspringcount24

@gardening
#snowyweather

April 3 … Watch that ice on the window this morning

In the end last night, as temperature was down to -3°, I felt sorry for the plants on the patio table & moved them inside. Today we get a few hrs of thaw, no wind & sunshine before a a mix of snow and rain Thursday (although not that cold). I suppose they can go outside again & Friday spring is back.

These Primulas seem to be alright. Not so sensitive. Already planning where to plant them for next year.

#sarasspringcount24

@gardening

Starting the day by straining my yellow beet sherry… time to fill up, not many bottles left.
Quite strong this time. It's always a lottery every time. Now it just needs to settle and clear for at least 6 weeks and then be stored for as long as possible, at least a year. As any port or sherry it only gets better with age.

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#DIY @homebrew

And it’s really easy and cheap to make
200g of raisins + 2kg white sugar dissolved in the 2 l of hot water from cooking 1 kg of unpeeled and sliced beets for 2 hrs

Add another 3 l of water and put slices of hard rye bread, spread with 150 g of baking yeast, upside down on top

Put on a TIGHT lid and wait 1 month before straining, carefully not to include the bottom sediment

Bottling after 6 weeks when drinkable, but it sure improves with age as any strong wine
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@homebrew

Another 2 nights of frost and cold winds ahead before spring returns…
April weather has been really diverse.
This night it was -4° when I woke up at 6 am.

#sarasspringcount24

#aprilweather @gardening