I took the dogs for a walk this morning to one of our favourite places Loch Craggie its about an hours walk to get there and is so tranquil and peaceful. Autumn has really arrived now and the colours are beautiful the loch is ringed with trees and they are all shades of russet. Even the pine plantations are full of colour they often have larches planted there as well and they are a lovely mellow shade. There was very little wind so the loch was flat and glassy looking. It's definitely a place to go to recharge your batteries!

I have just ordered some new jigsaw puzzles in the shape of dinosaurs multi coloured with letters of the alphabet printed on them, they are made from rubberwood and are Fairtrade. I don't know what it is about dinosaurs but they seem to have a timeless fascination for small boys. I can remember my brothers being interested and my own sons too. So watch this space they will be in the shop before long.

I have been looking out some more recipes and tips for natural cleaning for you, so here they are-

Furniture Polish Mix 1 cup lemon juice with 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp water; lightly apply to furniture using a soft cloth. Let sit for a couple of minutes, then buff.

No-Streak Glass Cleaner For sparkling mirrors and windows, combine 1/4 cup undiluted white vinegar, 1 tbsp cornflour, and 1 quart warm water. Divide into spray bottles. For a lint-free shine, wipe dry with a sheet of crumpled newspaper or a coffee filter.

Tile and Grout Paste 1 cup water and 3 cups baking soda mixed into a paste works great for cleaning tile and grout. Use a toothbrush to scrub the paste into grout.

Wallpaper Shiner Rub wallpaper marks with a piece of white bread until they disappear.

Wood Buffer Hide wood scratches by rubbing them with the meat of a walnut.

All Purpose Surface Cleaner Mix together equal parts white vinegar and salt. Scrub surfaces with a natural cleaning cloth.

Cookware Cleaner Coarse salt does wonders for scouring copper pans and ceramic baking dishes.

Disinfectant Mix 1/2 cup of borax powder with 1 gallon of hot water. Add a few drops of fragrant essential oil such as thyme, rosemary, or lavender. Store the mixture in a labeled spray bottle.

Floor Scrubber To scrub out tough messes and stains, use washing soda and rinse well. For lighter washing, dilute 1 cup washing soda in 1 gallon of warm or hot water. Add a few tablespoons of vinegar or lemon juice for extra shine.

Happy cleaning!

Linda