bits and bobs: A random assortment of things; small remaining pieces and things
Today the HH will fill the rack in the garage with what’s left of this winter’s firewood {pictured above}. Anyone want to guess how long it will last? My bet is we’ll be out of firewood by Valentine’s Day.
But what do I know. I’m just a girl. A girl who suggested we buy 4 cords of wood instead of 2 like the HH wanted to do {and did!}. đ
Speaking of Valentine’s Day… Bonne Maman is offering the best Valentine’s gift ever…. a “Ten Ways to Say I Love You” sampler pack of 10 mini preserves and honey.
I came across a listing for a condo in Boston the other day and while it has some seriously cool brick walls, all I could think about was the window situation.
Do you really think the people who buy the place will ever lift the blinds and have the natural sunlight shine through? Wouldn’t the fact that dozens of people could see into your place {and every room!} creep you out? Maybe I’m the only one who’d be bothered by this.
We went to the appliance center to check out washers and dryers {I think we’re going to go with the basic Speed Queen machines} and were pleasantly surprised at how big both the washer and dryers were inside.
Apparently the Speed Queens won the award “Woman’s Choice Award” 4 years running. Which made me laugh… because I was like, is there a “Men’s Choice Award” for washer and dryers?
Is there like an actual ceremony? A dinner reception, a plaque to hang on the wall? And what percentage of men do the laundry vs women? If you are going to put an award out there like that, I think you need to give people a few more details.
Also, how many orange stoves do you think are sold every year?
And lastly, is this the new math everyone is talking about? Because seriously, I think I’d need a tutor if it was.
Here’s to a happy and warm Thursday,
~Mavis
Brianna says
I cannot get past the picture of St. Maryâs lake on the tv screen in the condo. It seems to give the vibe of pretend you are in beautiful GNP and ignore the urban area around you.
The bertazzoni is my dream stove. I do not like the orange, but they have some pretty blue ones I like. Basically for an accent and pop of color in a kitchen. Or maybe someone still has orange countertops from the 70s and dark cabinets and needs to update the stove from avocado, orange would be more cohesive.
Erin says
I’ve seen some midcentury modern homes on the market lately that orange stove would look beautiful in. It’s not for everyone, but I’d like it in the right kitchen.
Christie says
Yes, that is the new math. LOL! My husband has always done his own laundry in our Speed Queen. I will ask him how he likes it! Great post today. Thanks for keeping us entertained!
Diana says
Love my Speed Queen. Couldnât take cleaning out black mold in the front load (highly rated) washer I had.
Heidi P says
I took a peek in the “boot” of my front loader yesterday and was shocked at the misc. in there. Now I’m afraid to go back in the laundry room and deal with it. Not a job I’m looking forward to for sure.
Robin in WI says
I’d be bothered by the urban window situation too lol. I want a full view of the outdoors, lots of natural light coming in, etc. without neighbors, pedestrians, and people driving by being able to see in. Our last place was unfortunate in that regard, with creepy neighbors to boot. Give me a rural dwelling any day!
DJ says
I would be putting up film on the windows. You canât see in during daylight hours. But I close the blinds/curtains at night. Iâve had a couple of peeping toms in my younger years. Now, I donât trust the windows. Or neighbors.
Sharon says
I lived in that area of Boston 50 years ago, when the rent was about 300 a month. People walked every where in the community, but never looked in the windows. It was a super tight, largely Italian community then, and there were a million unspoken rules you learned to live by. Loved it!
Lissa says
I LOVED my front loader until I hated it and switched to the old fashioned top loader.
DJ says
I have a stackable washer/dryer and love it. Not sure if the brand though. It came fro Loweâs.
Rhonda says
The new math. The calories are rounded to the nearest 10. So, each slice might be 63 calories, which rounds to 60. Two slices would be 126, which rounds to 130. Not new math, just rounded numbers. Why rounded numbers? Iâm not sure.
Michelle says
I work in the food labeling/packaging industry and this is correct: it’s due to rounding.
Rebecca in MD says
Thanks Rhonda!
Suemn says
I’ve read that Speed Queen washers and dryers are the best but I didn’t want to spend that much money on a washer and dryer that I used only for myself. I did luck out when doing my research though when I needed to buy replacements. Very happy with what I did purchase and I’m sure you’ll love your new Speed Queens. Ugh! The new math doesn’t make sense:)
Dena Wessels says
Front load washers generally use less water per load, and therefore are better for septic systems, so that the systems are not “overloaded”. Recommended is no more that three loads of wash per day.
Lana says
We have a septic tank and while all our five kids were at home I often did five loads a day with a regular top loader without any problems week after week. I hated my front loader and went to a speed Queen top loader right quick.
Dianne says
Very respected brand – Speed Queen – for years! I feel front loaders were a gimmick just to put something “new” on the market. All new washers are cost effective and save water. The same for new dishwashers that cycle for 3 1/2 hrs – never saw an increase in either my water or electric bill. The Maytag top loaders are an excellent but as well. Although, I think they are made overseas now. So, not sure how durable they are.
LindaT says
Does that water savings includes all the water you have to use cleaning it to get the mold out?
Even though I think more women probably do laundry than men, my guess is that appliances are designed mostly by men. Washers without agitators, glass top stoves that canât handle canning, etc. And who thought that locking the lid was a good idea? Am I the only person who finds another thing that should have gone into the load after it has locked? I had an old Maytag that lasted over 30 years and actually cleaned the clothes. My new washer is extraordinarily loud, locks, runs a very long cycle and doesnât clean nearly as well Gaaah!
Emily says
I’d love all the natural light from those big windows. Unless it was dark out or I was doing something private I’d leave the blinds up and not give a second thought to it.
Carol says
I have a Bertazonni in red. Dual fuel, no electronics, works like a dream. Highly recommend. And, of course, it is a work of art.
Dianne says
Nice- enjoy in good health!
Joanne Cosh says
I have the smeg in red. Itâs the jewel of the kitchen
Heidi P says
I’m so jealous! Maybe in my next kitchen:)
Annette says
I’ve been researching washers looking for one with no electronics. I thought I found one with the SQ, but then read there are actually electronics hiding behind the manual controls.
Sue says
I run most of my home on home power rather than the grid. Anytime I’m using electricity, the inverter has to be on (noisy plus uses power itself). So I wanted a washer with no ‘phantom load’, meaning no electricity usage from an electronic display panel — when it’s off, it’s OFF and not using any electricity. Speed Queen fit that bill. After I bought it, a handyman told me it’s also the last remaining brand that uses metal gear wheels instead of plastic. I like that too.
Lana says
That is correct. The Speed Queen goes to the same electronic control board whether you have the touch panel or the manual controls. Our is well over five years old and we have not had a bit of trouble.
Annette says
Good to know, since it seems like those electronic parts are always the most expensive thing to repair. That’s my concern.
Margo says
I bought a top loader with no agitator. Supposed to work like a front loader without the mold issues. Well, no mold issues, but without the agitator laundry is free to roam to one side or the other. It will not balance and tends to walk when spinning. Canât leave it alone or it may pull the hoses, bang into the wall, etc. Never going to buy one of those again!
Lyra says
Happy Thursday to you all!
Orange stoves?! I want one! Too bad my husband probably wouldn’t be on board. Or maybe he would… Hmmmm.
So happy to hear you are finally getting your full-size set! I like my little stack, but then it’s just been nice having one in my own condo after years of apartment living.
Diana says
I live in a neighborhood where the houses are about 15′ apart. Window coverings are an issue. I now use long cafe curtains or shutters on the bottom and leave the top free so that I can get sunlight or moonlight. There are also blinds that are bottoms up or top down. For those windows in your picture, you could use the top down type and still get light and privacy.
As for the washers, my favorite of all time was an old top loader that swished around the center rather than agitated up and down. My clothes always came out cleaner and fresher smelling. When my last one died, I never found another. I’ve got a front loader now and hate the mold and smell and trying to clean out around the door seals. When it dies. I’m going to look for another swisher washer – if I have to search every used appliance store in the state…
Stacie says
The calorie counts are not adding up…must be the new math or maybe they’re thinking you have one slice (larger) then go back for seconds and cut a slightly smaller slice because you feel guilty. Anyone else go back for seconds like me or is it just me?
Susan says
We bought Speed Queens seven years ago and love them. They are basic as you said, but they do what they are made to do–clean and dry clothes. I was shocked a how many reviews I read at the time for other machines where the reviewer said they were great but they didn’t clean the clothes. So what was so great about them? Facepalm.
Sue says
100% AGREE about the creep-out factor of people looking in your windows! Give me shades or shutters or something that shuts at night!
Samantha says
After tons of research we bought a Speed Queen set 2 years ago. Love them!! Very durable, limited electronic gizmos!
Vivian says
Yeh, duh on the calorie count on the bread! It should have been
2-1/6 slices for 130 calories. Itâs true, I am a math genius.
Kim says
Congrats on getting closer to getting rid of the small load stackable washer.
Could you get HH a few cords of wood for Valentines?
Lana says
Check the warranty on the manual versus the touch panel washer. When we bought ours the touch panel had a five year warranty and the manual only one year.
Marcia says
You can buy window film for privacy!
https://www.amazon.com/Daytime-Privacy-Non-Adhesive-Decorative-Control/dp/B07P9Q4ZP8?th=1
Kippy says
Some window films should not be used on double or triple pane windows. I found this out too late (via using and then internet research). It apparently can cause the interior seal between the panes to fail and turn cloudy
Jenny says
It says that it only works in the daytime! Thatâs weird! We got some window film (different kind) for one room because we didnât think things through very well when remodeling. Unfortunately it seems to be stuck for all time! I thought it was removable! Big mistake. So many better options, like the cafe curtains, bottom-up blinds, shutters mentioned above, but Sharon is right – when you live in the city or tight quarters, you just learn not to walk around naked, and you donât look in other peopleâs windows! âDo unto othersâ! Although, have you read âThe Woman in the Windowâ or seen âRear Windowâ?
Rita says
LOVE my Speed Queen!
Stephanie says
Okay, I’ll own up to being a total open window kind of person. If I can’t see out, I feel claustrophobic. If people *really* want to look in and, I don’t know, watch me read or cross-stitch, hey, buddy, that’s your poor decision, and I’m happy to help you think of some more entertaining hobbies. đ
I do love the orange stove, though! (Am I just an outlier on everything? :D)
Christine O. says
Hi Mavis,
We ditched the kenmore front loader washer we had because the electronics failed twice and locked our clothes in each time. HH “convinced” the washer door to unlock and open. He fixed it twice. After the second time, out the door it went.
You’re going to love your new speed queen set!! Plain Jane simple! Congratulations!
Julie says
Weâve had our basic (knobs) Speed Queen for five years and love it. My husband says the buzzer (when the dryer is done) sounds like a hockey goal horn. He screamsâŚGOALâŚwhen a load is done! LOL!
Jenny says
Thatâs hilarious!
Melissa M says
I LOVE THAT!!!
My mom had a Speed Queen set while I was growing up. When I had to buy a dryer about 5 years ago, I remembered my mom’s set and went for the Speed Queen. I’ve not regretted it once. When the washer dies, i’ll make a set of it (if i can find one).
I think there will be GOAL declarations happening in my house now too
Vy says
Tip top of my list when buying my house was “no one looking directly into my windows.” And I did it! Okay, except for one side window, but I put up decorating film so light can still come in but there’s privacy. And now I have green and trees and garden instead of buildings and people and stuff.
Kathleen says
I purchased the Speed Queen front loader and dryer in July 2021 and our family loves it !
sandyf says
I live on Orange ST
In the City of Orange
In the county of Orange
I have an orange tree in my front yard
I have Orange hair.
I need an orange stove…
Mavis Butterfield says
Yes, yes you do. đ
Lissa in Boise says
I love my Speed Queen although I have the one with electronic controls. Zero issues. I often joke that engineers who DO NOT do laundry– design washers and dryers (lint screen on top of dryer, near the controls, so lint goes everywhere every time you clean the lint trap? My last one had that. It was a mess every single load). And, my mother in law has a bright orange fancy stove and loves it. It’s her forever stove. I’m sure whomever buys her house when she’s gone will rip it out in a nano-second but who cares. I told her, “you can’t take it with you”– meaning the money or the stove. Just enjoy it! And she is!
Linda Sand says
We have huge windows in our apartment living room but we face a nature preserve so didn’t put up any blinds. We did, however, put room darkening curtains on the bedroom window but we leave them open when we are not sleeping.
Heidi P says
Mavis, Mavis, Mavis…..How long have you been married and the HH still doesn’t know you are always right? Is there a downside to buying more wood other than the cost to buying a bit extra firewood? Doesn’t it just keep until the next year?
I lived in Manhattan for a bit and the window situation never bothered me. When the lights were on inside at night I’d shut the blinds but that was about it. I’m not a nudest type so didn’t have to worry much about who was looking.
The range is still pretty but orange is my least favorite color and I would NEVER choose that color even if it were the hottest color of the times.
Sandie says
Yes to the Boston condo! It’s in a great area but I agree with you about the window situation.
Yes to the Speed Queen washer/dryer!
YES to the orange stove! I would love to see that in my kitchen.
Jeanine says
I like my Speed Queen washerâŚ..but, and I mean a big BUT!
If you are dyeing lots of wool and want to just do an extra rinse and spin onlyâŚ.the Speed Queen wonât do it. You have to go through the whole cycle..wash, rinse, wash, rinse and spin. You canât just rinse and spin. So, my point is if you need to just rinse your wool and spin it onlyâŚ.then you might want to keep your stackable washer for that.
Or you can wring out the water in your wool by hand, then put it in the dryer. I know you dye lots of wool.
Kimberly Ehlebracht says
I have a front loading washer and dryer, and I love them. When you are really short, it is difficult to reach the bottom of the tub on a top loader. I never have any issues with mold on the front loader washing machine, because I leave the door slightly open when I’m not using it. The open door allows moisture to dry, so no mold build up.
Cheryl says
My mom would have loved that orange stove as orange was her favorite color.
Two face cord isn’t gonna last a cold and snowy winter in the great white north? Didn’t see that coming, now did we? Maybe somebody has some seasoned wood to sell, and would be willing to drop a cord or 2 or 3. Some years we would grab old pallets and a chain saw and cut them up to stretch out our wood. Most are made of hardwood and burn clean and hot.
I have been waiting for my washer and dryer to kick the bucket so I can buy a Speed Queen set.
Ashley Bananas says
The photos from the real estate listing have been digitally enhanced to add the furniture and art. The windows and seams of the walls also look suspicious to me. When people flip or stage houses that sometimes leave all window treatments off to deflect cost and labor to put them up, and avoid any personal styles. Similarly in small spaces leaving the windows exposed makes the room seem more open and hopefully get more natural light.
I see people commenting that that’s such a nice area. But it seems like very little for the price. Guess I’ll never be a city person again.
Laura L. says
We had an appliance repair man here last year (5 times in all before the fridge ice maker finally got fixed!!). I asked him what he thought was the best brand for less breakdowns, etc. for washers, dryers, etc. and he said, hands down, Speed Queen! So, you’re right on target with that pick!
As for no coverings on the windows, there’s no way I’d ever leave them without curtains or blinds. It always amazes me that people don’t care who’s watching their every move and can clock their schedules down to the minute.
Barbara says
I grew up in Boston. Every house I lived in was no more than a few feet from the neighbors. You get into a routine of putting the shades up after you are dressed and down before you get ready for bed. We hardly ever looked out any windows except the ones that faced the street or the back yard.
Now that we live in Maine and only get a glimpse of our neighbors when the leaves are off the trees is âThe way life should beâ.