Category Archives: casa azahar

my first dishwasher!

27 Thursday Jul 2017

Posted by in casa azahar, home, sevilla

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Okay, there was a dishwasher at my previous Casa Azahar, but apparently it never worked so the landlords were fine with me tossing it so I could put in a bit more shelf space. And anyhow (or so I always thought) who the hell needs a dish washer? Especially when there are just two people in the place.

But when I found a fully-functioning dishwasher at the new Casa Azahar I decided to give it a go, especially for washing all the packed dishes before putting them away in their freshly cleaned cupboards. Before using the machine I ran it through first with just very hot water, then a second time with detergent, and let it dry out well. And today I’ve been trying it out with the dishes as I unpack them. I think I need a Dishwasher Loading 101 course, but other than that I can see why people use these things. Maybe not every day, but now and then. And defo for after moving, when the dishes aren’t so much dirty as just a bit dusty from being in a box. What’s you opinion about dish washers? Any tips?

downsizing???

21 Friday Jul 2017

Posted by in casa azahar, cats, home, retail therapy, sevilla

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For someone who is supposedly DOWNSIZING I sure bought a whole whack of stuff at IKEA today. Though as you can see, most are storage-type items, which will help at the newer, smaller Casa Azahar. And I did really need a new sofa, and so found a very simple one that I could make as “cat-proof” as possible, without arms (aka scratching posts) and easy to cover (PROTECT) with a nice cotton throw. It’s a sofa-bed too, so I can still have friends stay over. The only splash out was the new ergonomic wheelie office chair. Man is that thing comfy!

Another thing I discovered today at IKEA… if you are sending all your stuff by IKEA Transport you can go to an info-desk on your way out, show them everything you want to buy, and they will put it all on one bill for you. Including all the little (kitchen/bathroom etc) stuff you bought, and want sent with the big order items, which gets left at the info-desk for pick-up. AND THEN… you go to the cashier, pay for your stuff, and walk away.

I couldn’t believe it. No schlepping through the self-service aisles looking for your flatpacks, then painfully loading them onto the trolley, eventually arriving exhausted at the check out, and then having to go over to the Transport Department and organize the delivery. None of it! I was so happy. Well, until I was at the check out and saw that they actually charge 16€ for this “pick up” service (wtf?). At that point I couldn’t say no, but I also didn’t actually want to. For 16€ I saved myself from at least another hour of IKEA HELL and was outta there in record time.

But I mean, why even charge for this? If I’d ordered everything online I wouldn’t have been charged a “pick up” fee. At least, I don’t think so…

Anyhow, it was all fine. And for what I need now, IKEA works. Practical, affordable, and often quite cute designs (LOVE my new wheelie chair). AND… it will all arrive at the new Casa Azahar tomorrow morning.

beer o’clock in the new ‘hood

20 Thursday Jul 2017

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Since getting the keys to the new Casa Azahar, this week has been all about getting things organized for the BIG MOVE on Monday. And of course checking out the new ‘hood. It’s a curious location because I am smack dab between two barrios – El Arenal and El Museo – that have very different personalities. This bar is in the Museo zone… quite a nice local place to stop for a frosty beer on a hot summer afternoon.

book culling

15 Saturday Jul 2017

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Book culling began in earnest this weekend. Aside from the eight shelves of books you see here (fiction) there were also four shelves of non-fiction. They have now been whittled down to four shelves for both! It was much easier than I thought, though anyone looking at my remaining books is going to think I’m a bit frivolous with authors like Pratchett and Lindsey Davis dominating now.

Of course the question remains… what to do with the other eight shelves worth of books? Also, all the CDs, and the hundreds of DVDs? What is the best way to either sell or give away stuff when you move?