Domestic Duchess

I was hanging out the washing on Saturday...Sunday...Monday etc and muttering to myself, "I bet Kate Middleton won't have to do this ever again", then mutterings again when I was mowing the lawn, cleaning the bench, re-organising the pantry that had just been mouse, moth and hungry pre-teen proofed and picking up an endless stream of discarded clothing. I could feel the domestic bitterness and resentment rising in me to the levels of a mother of all housework tantrums.

Luckily, a delivery arrived for the store. A box full of hand made ostrich feather dusters from Germany. How on earth would that make me happy? Because, although I am not a princess (at least not in the Royal sense of the word), I can splash out on a few tools and products in store to make my chores at least slightly more enjoyable and regal.

For the endless supply of washing that seems to reproduce with the same enthusiasm as our current mouse plague, I have the following products:

French Linen Water, simply spray these delicately scented waters on your washing as you iron. The smell will at least trick your senses into believing you are in a lavender field in Provence. If that doesn't work watch a great movie set in Provence while you iron.

French washing detergent and fabric softener. I use these on my sheets and linen. Falling asleep on a pillowcase scented with orange blossom is a sweet reward for the not so romantic chore putting the washing on the line.

For getting rid of dust:

As mentioned before, beautifully handcrafted ostrich feather dusters on extra long wooden handles. I had to snaffle one for myself as over the years I have developed a severe allergy to dusting, not dust, dusting and this seems to have helped. If feathers are not your thing we also have super soft goats hair dusters in two colours. They look and feel too good to use but are so gentle on all surfaces and are easily cleaned naturally by putting them in a bag of oatmeal, give it a good shake then another shake outside to dislodge the oatmeal and they are good as new.

For the dishes:

This product has caused a bit of a stir. The lovely husbands that sometimes venture in often suffer sharp inhalations of breath when they see the price of our Durance essential oil washing up detergent. Granted, it does not stack up against Palmolive or other supermarket brands pricewise but this is how I see it. Picture this scene (I am not bitter at all), It is about 7.30pm, you have been busy all day and still managed to pull off a nutritious, tasty meal any masterchef would be proud of. All family members have been silent at the table in deep appreciation of your culinary talents. They all rise as one and make their way to the kitchen, you watch in a self satisfied glow loving your brood and thinking of the feet in the upright position on the couch and the cup of tea beside you as you recline while they tend to the dishes. However, this does not happen. Instead there is a symphony of clattering dishes all stacked on top of eachother, cutlery included so it becomes a precarious tower of muck. They all make a dash for the couch and remote and you are left with yet another pile of dishes. My remedy for this age old affliction is to go out and buy the beautiful french essential oil dishwashing detergent quietly. Fill the sink and squeeze as much as you like into the hot water and secretely smile to yourself next time you bring your husband into the store and he says..."who would pay that for dishwashing liquid?!" As the essential oils rise up and bathe you in their soothing aroma at least a small part of your evening routine is an indulgent experience.

Now that I have done a bit of dusting with my handmade german duster, washed the clothes with french washing liquid and done the dishes with detergent infused with essential oils I feel a bit closer to the Duchess of Cambridge if in name only.

To all the mothers, happy Mothers Day. We will be open on Mothers Day and would love to see you all. Enjoy breakfast in bed then make a hasty escape to Canowindra for some retail therapy and spoiling - you deserve it!

All the best Kate