Saturday 1 August 2020

The End of Shielding

Today is the day that Scotland comes to an end of shielding.  As we look back and reflect on the past few months we have a lot to be thankful for.  There will be a lot of adjustments to be made as we leave our little cottage and get used to the 'new normal'.  We are a little apprehensive but are eager to make the most of things.  After all my efforts making masks, I have found it so difficult to wear one, the elastic seems to be the issue.


I will persevere of course but in the meantime I thought it prudent to try something else.  To this end I have made an infinity scarf using cotton fabric.



It is made up of 6 scraps of fabric:

1. 10 1/2" x 21"
2. 10 1/2" x 18"
3. 10 1/2" x 16"
4. 10 1/2" x 15"
5. 10 1/2" x 19"
6. 10 1/2" x 21"

1 - 3 form the outer scarf 4 - 6 the inner using 1/2 seam allowance.  Once the 2 pieces have been sewn right side together sew along the 2 long edges.  Piece 1 should face 3 piece 4 should face 6.  Leave a 4" opening and turn right side out and then hand stitch the gap.

It is snug and I am hopeful that this will suffice instead of the mask.


Time will tell. 

We have been thrilled with the produce we have grown in the indoor garden, we are harvesting salad leaves, rocket, courgettes and spring onions on a daily basis.  We need to think ahead a little more for next year and adopt the  successional  sowing method so we can stagger the harvest.  We have a lot to learn but are happy with our little experiments thus far.  The rhubarb is prolific and we seem to harvest a pan full every few days.  The herbs are hung all over the utility/kitchen drying out, I am thrilled with the quality of them.  The potatoes have also done well we have several varieties and we are pleased with them all.  The cauli and kale are doing well and we have started some sprouts off.  The tomatoes are enormous but as yet have not ripened but we are hopeful.  All in all we have been happy and are already planning for next season and indeed year.



 One of the problems we have had with shielding and online shopping is the over ordering of some produce particularly vegetables.  To this end rather than waste food I have been using oddments up to make a soup for the freezer.  This is a parsnip and sweet potato one, blended and all ready for a lazy day.


We have also been blessed with an abundance of eggs from our lovely ladies.  So we have been able to share them with neighbours and pickle some for the store cupboard.  The treat for this week was meringue, delicious with strawberries and cream topped with a little grated chocolate and nuts, decedent and mouth watering.



 A real treat that will be off the menu for a while as we start to detox and stop over indulging.  We have put on a few pounds over lockdown so we need to behave ourselves and get back to a more sensible diet and exercise programme.  We have already started to enjoy our walks once again.  What is not to enjoy when we are so blessed and surrounded by such beauty.

Well, that's all for now I have some cleaning and a few errands to run.  Take care and stay safe.

See you soon.





42 comments:

  1. Masks make me feel claustrophobic, I don't think there's much that can be done about that. It sounds like your garden is rewarding you well for your efforts. I'm growing just potatoes and tomatoes this year, the spuds are delicious but no sign of a red tomato yet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

      Delete
  2. If the problem is the elastic behind your ears make one of those knitted or crochet 'ear savers' They have 2 buttons on them which you put the elastic round, rather than around your ears. There are lots of different styles on Ravelry. It's going to feel strange getting into the 'new normal' I'm struggling with it, but we will get there. Take care. Best, Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  3. In addition to the fact that we are re breathing carbon dioxide & not oxygen, I'm not a fan at all and find that I hyperventilate. It is rather Claustrophobic. Your infinity scarf is very pretty, that I could do, because I think the fabric does breath some.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wearing mask makes me panicky, I hate it, but I do it anyway. I can't use masks with elastics going around ears.
    So I make masks with elastics around my head. I have hard time using glasses, because rims go behind my ears, so having elastics aroud my ears is intolerable, I cannot do it.
    But there will be time no masks are needed!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I have glasses and hearing aids and I too am struggling with the elastic. I shall have to give the ear saver a try. Thank you. We re still shielding in Wales.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I make masks with elastic which goes round my head as I have glasses and hearing aids, so enough going on behind my ears! I think I've also cracked the glasses fogging up thing too. I make 2 little orange segment shaped pads (filled with a bit of fibrefill) which I stitch (inside the mask of course) either side of the nose bit. Seems to work and seems to help me breathe too as I don't panic that I can't see! xx

    ReplyDelete
  7. We are all sporting a few extra pounds, I think. I pointed out a friend of my sister's to her and she didn't understand that I was saying "There's your friend." Finally, she figured it out and said, "I don't know why I didn't recognize her." Ha! She probably didn't recognize us either. So glad that things are easing a bit and that you will be able to travel and see your family. Personally, I like the scarf far better than the mask.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Your meringues look delicious. Good that you can enjoy your walks again.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Its such a relief to get out again isn't it MM, but I struggle with masks too. I wear glasses and have yanked them off by mistake along with my mask already! My specs frequently steam up and then I can't see where I'm going. I hate wearing them.
    Your home grown produce has been prolific, well done. We have had very few cherry tomatoes and they are slow to ripen too. Love the scarf by the way :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. your mask/scarf looks really great but would be too much with our 90 degree heat plus... what I hate most is the problem of hearing aids and glasses and the elastic... but I wear the mask anyhow!!! ashed ours the other day and put them out to dry... then it rained for a day and a half.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wearing masks isn't much fun, but I'm getting used to it. I made mine with 1/8" elastic instead of the recommended 1/4" and find it more comfortable. Your infinity scarf is a good option. Well done!
    Your garden is doing so well - isn't it wonderful to eat what you've grown. Our tomatoes are very late this year - lots of green ones, but none ripe yet. I keep waiting and waiting. I'm sure they will all ripen at once and we'll be wondering what to do with the glut.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I feel a little panicky when I first put a mask on but I get used to it fairly quickly. I find some are more comfortable than others. I love your infinity scarf and the fabrics you've used are so pretty.
    I hope you can enjoy getting out more. X

    ReplyDelete
  13. I wish you well. I don't have a problem wearing masks. I have two different styles....one of them being the same as you have shown. Perhaps you would be more comfortable with ones that have ties instead of elastic. I don't have much of a garden....just a couple of potted tomato and pepper plants as well as basil and mint. The mint is doing the best. It was a gift from my son, but unfortunately I don't use mint all that much. I wish everything else was doing well. I wish you the best as you start moving about. Stay safe.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Your garden was so successful! I have gotten used to wearing a mask. It no longer bothers me. I had to tie knots in the elastic to make them fit better, because I have a narrow face.

    ReplyDelete
  15. The scarf you made is pretty and looks nice on you. I'm kinda getting used to wearing a mask, but I don't like it. You do such make delicious looking foods. I've gained weight too and just can't seem to get control. My morning starts off good but then I think, what the heck and eat everything in sight. it's crazy!

    ReplyDelete
  16. We have to wear a mask in all public places. I have gotten used to it. I feel more safe with it on.
    Those strawberry meringues look so good. Happy August.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hello Lorraine and Gerard, It's so good to see your post and read about all of your lovely vegetables and herbs that you have grown and are storing so well. The soup and meringues look delicious. A lot of people here are having the same issue with the tomatoes not ripening. I wonder why it seems to be a worldwide problem?
    You came up with an ingenious way to mask without using elastic. It's very hard to even find elastic here as everyone is making masks. Our virus numbers are climbing drastically daily in our city. Much worse than any other time since this all began. I'm grateful to be in our trailer and not around other people. It's such a scary thing and I'm trying to remember daily that God has me in the palm of His hand and whatever happens is His will for me and I will be fine. No matter what happens, I'm His and He is my loving Father.
    Wishing you and Gerard and wonderful Sunday and I hope you're able to take one of your lovely walks. Alex and Tara called video called us and Mandy today and took us with them to Primrose Hill in Regents Park to see the City landscape. Also to Hampstead Heath and the London Zoo. They are so good to try to include us in their fun. They walk everywhere so as to avoid public transportation and wear masks and try to stay away from others. They haven't eaten out in months!
    Blessings always my dear friend,
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
  18. We're not in the shielded category, but still have been very cautious. We've got used to wearing face coverings. The disposable type have been better in the hot weather we've had lately. I feel confident wearing something over my mouth and nose such as the type that I pull up like the scarf that you've made even if it's inconvenient. It's been a quiet week for us again doing things in the home and garden. I haven't been blogging so take this time early morning to write and say that I hope the month of August is a good one for you.

    ReplyDelete
  19. What a lot of tasty treats, all homemade and looking delicious. I decided to use string rather than elastic on my masks which seems to work OK although your scarf looks rather good. All a palaver but hopefully keeping everyone safe.

    ReplyDelete
  20. I can imagine your herbs drying as you make your tasty soups and meringues. Some masks are more difficult than others to get used to, I love your infinity scraft, such a good idea:)

    ReplyDelete
  21. Masks aren’t all that comfortable, especially with 40C temps, but seem a small inconvenience if they will protect someone from this horrible virus. Your garden abundance is wonderful! Well worth your effort, I’m sure. What I love most about gardening (well, most after the delicious eating!) is that you are always learning and improving.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Masks are not easy to wear but it is the 'new normal', I have been using the disposable ones.

    Love what you have been making with all of your home grown produce.

    Enjoy the remainder of the weekend and have a good week ahead.

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
  23. I have a lot of fabric masks but for work I use the paper disposable ones because they are lighter weight and easier for me to use all day long. So glad you are able to get out more and that your harvest has been so plentiful. Stay safe.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Your garden sounds like it is working hard for you. There is a variety of seeds called American land cress which you can grow in colder months, or in your case colder climes so you get a longer salad season. It tastes like rocket/watercress. Enjoy your windy walks. Jo x

    ReplyDelete
  25. Yummy, the soup and meringues look sooo good! Stay safe and healthy everyone ☺

    ReplyDelete
  26. Glad to read that you will be able to get out and about more freely, Lorraine. I haven’t heard anyone yet say they “like” mask wearing but we do what’s necessary and here continue to wear in public places. Your garden bounty sounds wonderful and how nice to have fresh eggs. Hope all continues to go well and enjoy your walks.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I guess I'm used to the mask wearing. We still only go to the grocery store once a week. If I'm out twice a week it's an exciting week!!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Been wearing masks for awhile now, but that scarf your wearing looks like a really good idea.

    God bless.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Your scarf is a lovely alternative to a mask which I agree take some getting used to. Like others have said here it is not pleasant but as it is necessary we will get used to it. I don't like that I can't see people's faces, I read them as much as I listen.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Really like the scarf , the colors are so fresh and doable to wear. Enjoy a new life.

    ReplyDelete
  31. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Hope you have been enjoying more freedom whilst keeping safe. I have yet to find a mask that I feel comfortable breathing in, am using a something similar to yours that I bought in a shop, much better

    ReplyDelete
  33. Kudos to you for persevering with a mouth and nose covering of some kind. Giving in to discomfort does not outweigh social responsibility.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Glad to hear that your garden is doing well. Nice infinity scarf.

    ReplyDelete
  35. enjoy the freedom. We never had to wear masks and hit the 100 day mark of zero community transmission yesterday, but will still remain vigilant. The MOE told us to get masks last week jsut in case things turn like they did in Victoria, Australia.

    ReplyDelete
  36. I'm glad that you have both kept yourselves safe over these last months. It's been a long time for shielders. Your infinity scarf looks so pretty, in England we have to wear "face coverings" which include scarves as well as masks and I think that's the same in Scotland too? x

    ReplyDelete
  37. I rather think you may have found the solution to those stifling masks and it looks attractive too! OH! dear.... the meringues look decidedly delicious :-) keep well Amanda x

    ReplyDelete
  38. Meringues I have not enjoyed in ages. I must indulge and soon. I pull mine down most of the time or I will cough my head off. Can't take it long and so it goes. It's almost through August and I cannot believe where this year went. Started Christmas shopping. I guess you have made a lot of your gifts and look forward to seeing what you have created.

    ReplyDelete
  39. I just read my comment and see that I must proof read before I hit the publish button. I meant to say "pull my mask down".

    ReplyDelete
  40. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete