It's seems to be all go at the moment, just when we could really do with staying put. A few days away for a family wedding, a chance to catch up with those we only see very occasionally, and maybe a bit of shopping for fabric, if I'm very lucky!
On our return we will hopefully begin to resume some kind of order and routine. We just need to establish ourselves in this place, to make it our home, not just the house we live in. And we will.
Monday, 24 November 2014
Sunday, 23 November 2014
Wondering what to do, and another wedding cushion
Now that we have called time on the renovating (and again I say, phew!!) we find ourselves at a bit of a loss as to know what to do next. It's an odd feeling, having had work stretching ahead for what seems to have been such a long time - six months in all - to now not have anything immediate and pressing lined up. We've put a few bits and pieces away (paintbrushes, cleaning cloths, dust sheets and so on) and had a bit of a mooch around (if it would stop raining so heavily and persistently we could actually get outside) but really we seem to be in a 'what do we do now?' sort of state. It's a bit weird. Having sought out a simpler lifestyle, we allowed it to become rather more complicated, and I think we just need to take some time to find our way back again.
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| Ideas to start with |
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| From the back |
When all else fails, I've always found chocolate and sewing - either, or, or both, preferably - seem to help in these situations. So I have sewed (and eaten chocolate) and have finished the wedding cushion with a day to spare. It's going to be a little awkward to take on the train and Underground along with the other bags but no doubt we'll manage somehow.
Changing the subject completely. All the little dark blobs in the photo above are birds. Almost everyday, from our back doorstep, we see the flock in this tree, chattering incessantly. I want to discover what sort of tree it is (my knowledge of trees is poorly lacking) and also identify the birds that use it as a roost. I may ask N if he can get a closer shot using the more powerful zoom on his camera.
Saturday, 22 November 2014
Converted, finally
Before . . .
. . . and after.
The garage conversion is finished and more or less furnished. I must remember to refer to the new space as the guest room for that is what it will be and it is good to now have a 'proper' bedroom for visitors to stay in. When we first looked at the property, the estate agent showing us around said the garage was 'crying out to be converted', and although it was not at the top of our list of things to do, it was a project to think over for the future. We ended up doing the work sooner than we had originally anticipated but in the end that probably wasn't such a bad thing - if we had put it off, I think there was a chance it might not have got done at all. We feel that it may be a selling point for the future, and presents more options for using the rooms available. The fact that N was able to labour for our builder helped to keep the cost down; we think we have kept a firm grip on the budget. There are one or two finishing touches we will probably add to make it feel a little more homely but for now we can safely close the door on this project.
Furniture as follows:
- second-hand bed-frame, mattress bought new last year
- wardrobe and chair we already had
- chest of drawers is older than I am (!), made by my father at night school, or so I recall being told many years ago. This piece of furniture has been in every house I have lived in, and the drawer fronts have changed colour accordingly. (Lilac doesn't really go with anything else in the room and I may need to get the paintbrush out again.)
- bedding kept when the children moved out over 10 years ago.
- quilt originally made by my son when he was about 8!
- meter cupboards as previously mentioned; an unwanted bathroom cupboard, and the other made by N from offcuts in the shed.
- curtains courtesy of Save the Children charity shop.
We will eventually get a double-bed but in the meantime the single will suffice.
It is a relief to have this completed and to see an end to the renovation. How people who work full-time, or have a young family (or both!) manage this kind of long-term project - well, I have much admiration for them. All I can say is that N and I are glad there's no more to do!
However, there is still the garden . . . .
. . . and after.
The garage conversion is finished and more or less furnished. I must remember to refer to the new space as the guest room for that is what it will be and it is good to now have a 'proper' bedroom for visitors to stay in. When we first looked at the property, the estate agent showing us around said the garage was 'crying out to be converted', and although it was not at the top of our list of things to do, it was a project to think over for the future. We ended up doing the work sooner than we had originally anticipated but in the end that probably wasn't such a bad thing - if we had put it off, I think there was a chance it might not have got done at all. We feel that it may be a selling point for the future, and presents more options for using the rooms available. The fact that N was able to labour for our builder helped to keep the cost down; we think we have kept a firm grip on the budget. There are one or two finishing touches we will probably add to make it feel a little more homely but for now we can safely close the door on this project.
Furniture as follows:
- second-hand bed-frame, mattress bought new last year
- wardrobe and chair we already had
- chest of drawers is older than I am (!), made by my father at night school, or so I recall being told many years ago. This piece of furniture has been in every house I have lived in, and the drawer fronts have changed colour accordingly. (Lilac doesn't really go with anything else in the room and I may need to get the paintbrush out again.)
- bedding kept when the children moved out over 10 years ago.
- quilt originally made by my son when he was about 8!
- meter cupboards as previously mentioned; an unwanted bathroom cupboard, and the other made by N from offcuts in the shed.
- curtains courtesy of Save the Children charity shop.
We will eventually get a double-bed but in the meantime the single will suffice.
It is a relief to have this completed and to see an end to the renovation. How people who work full-time, or have a young family (or both!) manage this kind of long-term project - well, I have much admiration for them. All I can say is that N and I are glad there's no more to do!
However, there is still the garden . . . .
Thursday, 20 November 2014
Have we finished?
I have just discovered, having downloaded the photos this evening, that whilst I have 'before' photos, I don't have any 'after' ones so I think I will leave pictures of the conversion until tomorrow and write myself a note to remember to take photos of the new room furnished.
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| The carpet waiting to be fitted! |
The carpet fitter did a grand job yesterday, all done in half an hour (again, just why did we think we could do that ourselves?). Needless to say, N and I were straight to work moving pieces of furniture from various locations in the house into their new, and hopefully permanent positions. Oh, it was good to begin reclaiming the house once more. There is more to do, and I think quite a bit of decluttering (again) in the process but there is such a sense of relief that the building, decorating and renovating is, for us at least, completed. By the evening we had quietly collapsed into our chairs.
We had visitors last night, complete with birthday-eve excitement - the anticipation of nearly being seven was almost too much to bear! These grandchildren seem to be growing up way too quickly; the eldest will be into double figures next year. But it's lovely to be able to cosy up on the sofa with one or the other and have the latest electronic game patiently explained ;-o
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| Sunrise yesterday morning |
It's been clear and bright for a couple of days, but chilly. We're quick to winge about the drop in temperature but really it's nothing compared to the snowfalls that eastern American has experienced this week. A couple of new England blogs I read had photos of snowmen, so we really shouldn't complain too loudly (but we still do).
I had a mammoth baking session yesterday while we waited for the carpet to be fitted. A loaf of wholemeal bread, soft bread rolls, a tea loaf and a batch of ginger biscuits. I think I may try adapting the biscuit recipe as the basis of chocolate chip cookies, the ones I made with the grandchildren during the summer weren't quite right but these were wonderfully chewy and I think would work well.
Having had a bit of a block with the wedding cushion (a bit stressful as it must be finished by Monday), today I just sat down at the machine and sewed, successfully. I think it must be something to do with the fact that finally 'the sewing room' is actually beginning to look like one, and therefore far more conducive to sewing. That is probably just as well as there is a huge pile of projects waiting to be started and/or completed. I had such grand expectations and hopes of a handmade Christmas this year and I don't think I will be able to achieve a great deal (I was told yesterday it's now just five weeks to the day - oh dear). But then I stop and think what we have achieved since we moved in here and I guess I shouldn't feel too despondent. A bit of perspective is what's needed, I think, and we'll get that over the next few days. In the meantime, we're sorting ourselves out, yet again.
Tuesday, 18 November 2014
Taking our own advice
A few weeks ago, N and I strongly advised Son and DIL that paying for carpet-fitters was a 'really sensible thing to do' as they know what they are doing and therefore do the job properly. Strange, then, that we seemed unable to take our own very wise advice. Why we thought we could competently fit a carpet in the conversion ourselves is something of a mystery we have yet to work out!
So, after an hour or so of heaving, tugging and falling over the said carpet, we looked at each other and agreed that a phone call was needed. The professionals are coming to fit the carpet tomorrow. Wise move.
In the meantime, the poor house is in such a mess as we try to manoeuvre pieces of furniture towards their final destinations.
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| sewing shelving in the bathroom; |
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| mattress, carpet, freezer and clothes rail in the lounge; |
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| and very large (and out of focus) wardrobe in the hallway! |
Tomorrow we will be sorted. I hope.
Monday, 17 November 2014
Almost there
I should have learned by now that a glass of wine followed by a glass of prosecco renders me incapable of typing; I had planned to blog last night but apparently consumed too much alcohol to do so. Hmm, I really should take note of this for future reference ;-)
However, today I can happily announce that the decorating in the new room is done. Fully painted and papered, although, naturally, not without a hitch along the way. Four sheets of wallpaper went up yesterday morning, and shortly afterwards those same four sheets of wallpaper came down again, ripped from the wall with a measure of disgust at how unobliging the paper was being - stretching out of shape and bubbling at will. After taking a bit of time out, we had another attempt and of course the paper went on a treat! It's always the way, isn't it, when you just want the job done quickly, that little glitches seem to crop up to thwart progress. Anyway, we pressed on and managed more than we had planned, and today we finished the papering completely. We are really pleased, not to say relieved, that's it done. The carpet is being delivered tomorrow for us to lay ourselves, then just some furniture to shift around, bed to be made up and we should be there. Simples!
More rain, in fact it seems to be permanently wet at the moment. I think it's just as well we have plenty of things to do inside through the winter because if this weather keeps up, we won't be venturing out much at all.
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| The pasting-table is on it's last, rather wobbly legs but as this is the last papering to be done we'll forgive it. |
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| Very smart meter boxes. The top one N made from offcuts he had in the shed; the other is a spare bathroom cabinet. Waste not, want not around here! |
However, today I can happily announce that the decorating in the new room is done. Fully painted and papered, although, naturally, not without a hitch along the way. Four sheets of wallpaper went up yesterday morning, and shortly afterwards those same four sheets of wallpaper came down again, ripped from the wall with a measure of disgust at how unobliging the paper was being - stretching out of shape and bubbling at will. After taking a bit of time out, we had another attempt and of course the paper went on a treat! It's always the way, isn't it, when you just want the job done quickly, that little glitches seem to crop up to thwart progress. Anyway, we pressed on and managed more than we had planned, and today we finished the papering completely. We are really pleased, not to say relieved, that's it done. The carpet is being delivered tomorrow for us to lay ourselves, then just some furniture to shift around, bed to be made up and we should be there. Simples!
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| The leaves on the tree in our neighbour's garden caught my eye yesterday morning; bright golden yellow . . . |
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| . . . and just a few minutes later the sky turned extremely dark (rain followed shortly after!!) and the leaves seemed to shine. |
More rain, in fact it seems to be permanently wet at the moment. I think it's just as well we have plenty of things to do inside through the winter because if this weather keeps up, we won't be venturing out much at all.
Saturday, 15 November 2014
Getting there
The painting is finished. Phew! For a brief moment I thought it might all get too much but all of a sudden we can see the end in sight, and with that we seem to have relaxed. Today I tackled the ceiling - never my favourite decorating job. Having used a brush on the other new plaster ceilings here, and not being at all satisfied with the finish I got, I decided to use a roller this time. And I have to say it was actually much easier (paint splatters aside) coverage-wise, although my shoulder and elbow were complaining by the end. One coat, then I shut the door and left it. Later, on inspection, I decided that it would do. Is it perfect? No, but it is perfectly good enough. And that will do. I have learned not to beat myself up because I can't achieve a flawless finish; what I have done is more than acceptable. And the odd blemish can stay. That's it, painting finished. It's all very white.
As I type I can hear fireworks going off, again. Firework season now seems to start before the end of October and carry on till the money runs out mid-November. Last night N and I watched a lovely display, about a mile away, from the warmth and comfort of our bedroom - being at the top of the hill means we have a good view over the surrounding area. In my childhood (that's getting to be a long, long time ago), it was a packet of sparklers on Bonfire Night and sometimes a party at a friend's house - a few rockets, catherine-wheels nailed to a tree, and potatoes wrapped in foil and baked in the bonfire embers.
With the painting completed, and a few hours of dry weather, I took the opportunity to walk into town. I passed some trees in lovely autumn colours, but many of the leaves have now fallen, and are a soggy mass on the ground (or clogging up the drains). I managed to get some embroidery threads for the wedding cushion, and then I had a quick browse around a couple of charity shops. My lucky day - the Cancer Research shop was having another sale - all donated items £1 each. The shop was packed and doing a roaring trade. I picked up three men's shirts and a long Laura Ashley dress, all 100% cotton and ideal for patchwork. (NB When I got home and showed my haul to N, he took a fancy to one of the shirts and we now have a stand-off as to who wants/needs it most!) I've also seen a pair of lined curtains which I think will do quite nicely for the new guest room so I'll pop back in on Monday to pick those up.
The past week has found me avoiding the mirror too much - my grey hair had got too long and was making me look way too old for my liking. There is a point at which even I can't ignore it any longer so I took the mirror outside and gave myself a much-needed haircut. Short is so much better and I felt I was trimming a few years off my age, too ;-)) I must make the effort to keep it trimmed and not let it get out of hand again; it really doesn't take that long to do.
There's not much happening in the garden at the moment but in the greenhouse we have a few cuttings we're trying to nurture along. We also have this plant:
Nicandra physalodes (shoo-fly plant). A few years ago a colleague at work gave us a handful of seeds from a plant he had in his garden. We duly planted them, and had a lovely show of these big, blousy annuals with blue flowers and interesting green papery pods. It obligingly self-seeded, and we had another display the following year, then not much after. Never mind, they were free. So imagine our surprise when we were tidying up the garden at the flat, prior to our move here, to find a Nicandra seedling merrily growing away among the geraniums. We re-potted it and brought it to the new garden, where it was abandoned outside to fend for itself. It's now flowering it's little heart out, warm and cosy in the greenhouse. A bit straggly, but clearly a survivor. It has reminded me that all it takes is one little seed and the right conditions. I am so looking forward to doing some planting next year.
And a brief mention that the blog has passed 10,000 page views, which seems quite a significant number. Admittedly most of those are probably spam links to dubious sites but I know a few other bloggers do drop by from time to time, which is always appreciated. If you are one of those welcome visitors, 'hello' and thanks for popping by.
As I type I can hear fireworks going off, again. Firework season now seems to start before the end of October and carry on till the money runs out mid-November. Last night N and I watched a lovely display, about a mile away, from the warmth and comfort of our bedroom - being at the top of the hill means we have a good view over the surrounding area. In my childhood (that's getting to be a long, long time ago), it was a packet of sparklers on Bonfire Night and sometimes a party at a friend's house - a few rockets, catherine-wheels nailed to a tree, and potatoes wrapped in foil and baked in the bonfire embers.
 |
| I'm a bit worried about the apple seedling - it's not looking very happy at the moment :-( |
With the painting completed, and a few hours of dry weather, I took the opportunity to walk into town. I passed some trees in lovely autumn colours, but many of the leaves have now fallen, and are a soggy mass on the ground (or clogging up the drains). I managed to get some embroidery threads for the wedding cushion, and then I had a quick browse around a couple of charity shops. My lucky day - the Cancer Research shop was having another sale - all donated items £1 each. The shop was packed and doing a roaring trade. I picked up three men's shirts and a long Laura Ashley dress, all 100% cotton and ideal for patchwork. (NB When I got home and showed my haul to N, he took a fancy to one of the shirts and we now have a stand-off as to who wants/needs it most!) I've also seen a pair of lined curtains which I think will do quite nicely for the new guest room so I'll pop back in on Monday to pick those up.
The past week has found me avoiding the mirror too much - my grey hair had got too long and was making me look way too old for my liking. There is a point at which even I can't ignore it any longer so I took the mirror outside and gave myself a much-needed haircut. Short is so much better and I felt I was trimming a few years off my age, too ;-)) I must make the effort to keep it trimmed and not let it get out of hand again; it really doesn't take that long to do.
There's not much happening in the garden at the moment but in the greenhouse we have a few cuttings we're trying to nurture along. We also have this plant:
Nicandra physalodes (shoo-fly plant). A few years ago a colleague at work gave us a handful of seeds from a plant he had in his garden. We duly planted them, and had a lovely show of these big, blousy annuals with blue flowers and interesting green papery pods. It obligingly self-seeded, and we had another display the following year, then not much after. Never mind, they were free. So imagine our surprise when we were tidying up the garden at the flat, prior to our move here, to find a Nicandra seedling merrily growing away among the geraniums. We re-potted it and brought it to the new garden, where it was abandoned outside to fend for itself. It's now flowering it's little heart out, warm and cosy in the greenhouse. A bit straggly, but clearly a survivor. It has reminded me that all it takes is one little seed and the right conditions. I am so looking forward to doing some planting next year.
And a brief mention that the blog has passed 10,000 page views, which seems quite a significant number. Admittedly most of those are probably spam links to dubious sites but I know a few other bloggers do drop by from time to time, which is always appreciated. If you are one of those welcome visitors, 'hello' and thanks for popping by.
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