Yesterday was the kind of Sunday I do not get often. I spent the morning tidying the garden and clearing away the odds and ends that collect when I am busy working in one area. In the afternoon, friends came round for coffee, and I baked cranberry and pistachio biscuits to go with it.
We sat outside in a light breeze and caught up properly. I realised I was relaxed because nothing else was nagging at me, whereas most days I am rushing to fit in far too much.
The jar lid problem
Having friends round makes me notice the small kitchen frustrations that usually pass without comment, like a jar of biscuits or jam with a lid that simply will not budge. It is a minor thing, but it can interrupt a lovely afternoon when all I want is to sit down and enjoy the company.
The trick
Wrap a slightly damp cloth around the lid and twist. The cloth grips in a way a bare hand cannot, and it works best when the cloth is only a little damp, as it seems to cling to the lid.
This is where my Swedish dishcloths earn their place. They clean up after the day, they turn out to be useful in small ways I did not expect, and each one is a piece of original art on the bench. You can see the designs in my shop .