To cheer my girlfriend up...

[roaduck]

My girlfriend gets the blues in Winter so I tell her jokes and daft anecdotes and treat her with herbs and spices in dishes.
Plus I make her basil, lavender, lemon and chamomile tea etc.
Also she puts essential oils in the bath and massages which help her a lot and she has not needed tablets since meeting me which I`m very chuffed about.

I got the big English industrial scissors for her dressmaking, tailoring and upholstery - she helps the homeless in many ways and I do my best to cook for them.
Because she`s lovely and helps me and others so much I got her some off the shelf Asian knives tonight.
They have to be Japanese or Thai, Chinese Malay etc and Far Eastern shaped and must be stainless.

So...I got her 4 all stainless ones to add to these Chinese stainless ones which aren`t bad but are not top of the range as we`re doing the house up and funds are not unlimited at the moment.
The two 8 inch caidao`s are Shibazi brand and not bad - used by millions of Asian and Western chefs Worldwide.

The three knives with the dimpled handles are Chinese Mikale brand and they remind me of a well-known knife brand haha!
They are made of German 4116 steel and are better than average and good value for money at less than £20 all inc.
The santoku weighs 175 grams which is a respectable weight all things considered; the handles of all 3 are not hollow.

Early next week these four are arriving; hope she likes `em, they`re a surprise.

 

[beeinak]

I hope she likes them and puts them to good use.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is very common where I live (Alaska) as the daylight lessens. Vitamin D3 capsules and SAD lights can make a big difference for those who are affected.

Best wishes for her surprise gift.

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

Great choices! My wife uses Globals and loves them. I have to keep ‘em sharp for her though.

 

[roaduck]

I hope she likes them and puts them to good use.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is very common where I live (Alaska) as the daylight lessens. Vitamin D3 capsules and SAD lights can make a big difference for those who are affected.

Best wishes for her surprise gift.

Thank you so much for the reply B beeinak - much appreciated.
Erm I used to get the blues really bad in the Winter in Manchester , North West England because it`s dullsville Arizona a lot of the time - rainy, cold and gray skies.We can get sleet in June here and like when I lived in Portrush, Northern Ireland, Foula in the Shetland Isles, Scotland and St.Petersburg, Russia.
I was happier in Haugsund, Norway because it was sunnier in the Winter.
What helped my depression the most was more outside exercise - walking and cycling and being a sensible drinker - I`m an alcoholic but now I can have booze in the house and shed and not drink for weeks and I can have 2-3 drinks in the pub and come home and have a cup of tea and not carry it on; just like normal people.
It took me nearly fifty years to moderate and control my drinking - I know the warning signs and pitfalls and I don`t overdo it now.
So I totally know where Jill is coming from.

 

[roaduck]

Great choices! My wife uses Globals and loves them. I have to keep ‘em sharp for her though.

Thanks so much for the reply Sharp & Fiery I`ve seen loads of Globals - globally haha! but never used one - maybe next week.
I bought Jill a Ruixin Pro 009 fixed angle sharpening rig for Christmas and it`s still in the drawer so that`s going to charity and the natural whetstones and the pull-through sharpeners.
I don`t need them - I do freehand and the Globals will be lovely once they`ve danced on these haha - I love sharpening!

Me and Jill have to roll our sleeves up more now because the homeless people in Manchester are desperate and need feeding.
There are two major housing charities in Manchester called "Shelter" and "Crisis" which we are active members of and we both do our best to help local churches, Mosques, Synagogues and the Hare Kryshnas when we can.

 

[beeinak]

Thank you so much for the reply B beeinak - much appreciated.
Erm I used to get the blues really bad in the Winter in Manchester , North West England because it`s dullsville Arizona a lot of the time - rainy, cold and gray skies.We can get sleet in June here and like when I lived in Portrush, Northern Ireland, Foula in the Shetland Isles, Scotland and St.Petersburg, Russia.
I was happier in Haugsund, Norway because it was sunnier in the Winter.
What helped my depression the most was more outside exercise - walking and cycling and being a sensible drinker - I`m an alcoholic but now I can have booze in the house and shed and not drink for weeks and I can have 2-3 drinks in the pub and come home and have a cup of tea and not carry it on; just like normal people.
It took me nearly fifty years to moderate and control my drinking - I know the warning signs and pitfalls and I don`t overdo it now.
So I totally know where Jill is coming from.

You have been to some amazing places. To me the dreary, rainy days are worse than the bitter cold sunny days. Convincing people to get outside in winter for even just a 10minute walk can be very therapeutic for sure. Being outdoors is beneficial for most people. I love winter for the raw beauty, less people around, and being able to access places I can’t in summer. A beautiful negative 20 F day in January at my remote cabin miles from anyone is awesome.

Good luck with everything and please let us know how she likes her gift.

 

[Sharp & Fiery]

Thanks so much for the reply Sharp & Fiery I`ve seen loads of Globals - globally haha! but never used one - maybe next week.
I bought Jill a Ruixin Pro 009 fixed angle sharpening rig for Christmas and it`s still in the drawer so that`s going to charity and the natural whetstones and the pull-through sharpeners.
I don`t need them - I do freehand and the Globals will be lovely once they`ve danced on these haha - I love sharpening!

Me and Jill have to roll our sleeves up more now because the homeless people in Manchester are desperate and need feeding.
There are two major housing charities in Manchester called "Shelter" and "Crisis" which we are active members of and we both do our best to help local churches, Mosques, Synagogues and the Hare Kryshnas when we can.

That’s great! Kind-heartedness is not seen as often as it should be these days.

B beeinak is correct. I can get the winter “slump” but my wife gets me off the couch and outside and I get stoked for life again.

You’re a good man.

 

[roaduck]

You have been to some amazing places. To me the dreary, rainy days are worse than the bitter cold sunny days. Convincing people to get outside in winter for even just a 10minute walk can be very therapeutic for sure. Being outdoors is beneficial for most people. I love winter for the raw beauty, less people around, and being able to access places I can’t in summer. A beautiful negative 20 F day in January at my remote cabin miles from anyone is awesome.

Good luck with everything and please let us know how she likes her gift.

Thanks ever so much for the reply B beeinak .Erm I had to travel for my career and family and girlfriends - no choice - but I love traveling - lucky you with a cabin.
A friend who is great at DIY wants to convert my concrete shed into a sauna.
Do you know - it`s just doable before Christmas - too cold for a pool in the garden here.

 

[roaduck]

That’s great! Kind-heartedness is not seen as often as it should be these days.

B beeinak is correct. I can get the winter “slump” but my wife gets me off the couch and outside and I get stoked for life again.

You’re a good man.

Ah thank you so much Sharp and Fiery and beeinak - I just do my best.

 

[roaduck]

Thank you all for taking the time to read my crazy post and all the thumbs up - your support is truly appreciated.