Sunday Sintra Rain and dishwasher strike

Saturday was bliss and sun, but today the clouds are back, heavy and pregnant they are ready for another big pour. Sintra rain has a magic to it, though. Since it is not cold, the rain is pleasant and soft and the drops are just huge. The smells of the earth are rising into my nostrils, filling me with a strange satisfaction. On days like this, I love putting on my Wellington's, a beanie hat and to take that big old umbrella, which is pretty disheveled, but still keeps the important parts of me dry and go for a walk in our garden. The sound of the falling rain on the umbrella never leaves me untouched. It makes my heart jump just a little and then it is usually...I am singing in the rain..nanananaana...The clover is blooming, even though it is supposedly winter and the garden looks like a juicy spring field.

A few rounds like this and my spirits are high as a kite and nothing seems wrong on planet ANNA.
Time to just write and maybe cook something new.


Prince is in the mood for shopping. Yes, he loves to shop. It makes him relaxed and calm and changes the typical grayness of numbers and business and CNN and blackberry mail.
I know what that mood means and I decline the shopping offer, unless I want to look at TV screens (an hour each), house detergents (he loves evil stuff like BLEACH) and things that we don't need, but he always brings home. (like kitchen gadgets, that are maybe fun to look at, but totally useless)
But he tries***
And it is better than a hubby who never helps the home department.
His other passion, and thank you for that, is WOMEN'S clothing. Yes. dresses, skirts, undies... you name it. He loves to shop for girls. (which is only me these days, or so I hope) And the best of all, he has amazing taste! Everything he ever bought me is timeless, elegant, beautiful, to die for... If too big we take it in, but most of the time it is just right. Because he knows my size, he says... I can envision him in the shops, all the ladies around trying to help him. Who knows, he probably even makes them try it on... How much fun to be a male charmer... (CASANOVA)
Heath Ledger (1979-2008) was today's Casanova


I wonder why some people must die soo young?
Sometimes I wonder, if it is the best of us, that go early.
It seems like it.
Maybe... maybe... If there is a heaven, a divine Spirit... he or she obviously likes nice company too?
This thought seems somewhat reassuring... Wherever you are Heath, keep that smile!!!




'The house of problems' has a new issue that troubles me.
That dishwasher is just not cleaning at all!
I tried 4 times today, the same load, the same dirt.
It seems to do nothing at all.
But it is running, the water goes in and out and the blade is moving.
I checked the filter (took me some time to figure out that it has one) and cleaned it well, from all the dead bodies of ants (it was black!!! YUCKKKKK), but still - the dishes look as bad as before.
Which means - hand-wash again!!!


I found a few articles online; here is what MRS CLEAN (YEAPHH!!!!) suggests (www.mrscleanusa.com):

1. It is probably not necessary to pre-wash your dishes like some people do, but it is important to scrape off leftover food from plates and bowls. Rinse and then load into the dishwasher.
2. Use common sense when loading your dishes. Put table ware in the appropriate compartment; placing sharp knives with their tips down.
3. Don't jam dishes in - give adequate space between plates and bowls to allow the water to circulate freely; likewise, be careful that a large bowl or lid does not block the water spray from reaching the inside of other dishes and drink ware.
4. Use the hottest water available for washing your dishes in the dish washer. This is necessary for dried-on food removal, for properly melting the dishwashing detergent you use, and for sanitation.
5. Major detergent and dishwasher manufacturers recommend a water temperature of at least 130° to work effectively.
6. Many areas have fairly hard water which affects the cleaning properties of detergents. For that reason, we recommend filling both detergent cups and using a rinsing agent, as well.

I did everything right, I think...


Rustic girls have a few more suggestions: (www.rusticgirls.com)


Water temperature that is too low is usually the culprit behind dishes failing to get clean. Check the temperature of the water as it leaves the faucet. It should be between 120 and 140 degrees. If not, adjust hot water heater accordingly.

If your dishwasher preheats the water, let's check its temperature. First, remove the bottom rack, then start the washer. After a bit, the washer will start running. Stop it, open it, and reach down and scoop out a cup of water. Quickly, check the temperature of the water. If it's not in the proper range, then suspect a bad heating element a faulty timer or a bad solenoid.
Be sure to select the proper wash cycle for each load to match the amount of soil on your dishes.
Check for clogged spray arms. They are held on a by a small hub cap. Using a small wire, fish out any food remnants and then reattach.
A clogged filter screen can cause food to be thrown back on the dishes. To clean, remove the spray arm and then the clips holding the strainer. Clean and reattach
Cloudy glassware can be causing by etching or hard water deposits.
Etching is permanent but can be reduced by using less detergent or switching to a liquid gel detergent, that has less abrasives.
Hard water deposits can eliminated by running 2 cups of white vinegar through a complete dishwasher cycle. Put 2 cups of vinegar in a bowl and place on the bottom rack. Now run dishwasher as normal.
Only pre-rinse dishes to remove large globs of food, not so much as to remove all of the food. Dishwashing detergents use enzymes to clean, and these enzymes need a decent amount of soil for them activate.
Using a higher quality detergent can help.


I did the vinegar clean too. I do vinegar everything these days. MAGIC STUFF!
But it did not fix my dishwasher... So maybe I must wait for next Christmas to get a new one from SANTA?
And it is hand-wash till then?
My poor hands... One year of Cinderella life and they already have aged 10 years. What will it be after 1 year of hand-wash?
SOS!!!

 Fitting!!! Book seen at amazon.com

Prince returns some time in the evening (in Portugal malls are open till 10 or 11 pm, even on Sundays) starving. Ooops, I forgot to cook.
He ventures back out in the rain, visiting the little Taverna down our road. Mama is always there, cooking up something wholesome and filling. In 45 minutes I will be in your house she promises, and sharply on time the bell rings and we receive a huge clay pot with a pork-ham bake and a side of fries. (not so healthful, but homemade and sooooo tasty)


I light the fireplace and we munch away on Mama's cuisine. Home delivery with style... could get used to it...

ahhh...yes... if only they would be working!!! (post card available from www.zazzle.com)


GOOD NIGHT