Friday 16 May 2014

Weekend


It's been a hectic week. We exchanged contracts on the house, finally, and now have to find a place to rent. So yesterday morning Jay took a couple of hours off work and we went and viewed one. It was awful: smelly, grotty and no outdoor space for Joe. Depressing.

Still, onwards and upwards I suppose (didn't stop us drinking celebratory beers in the garden last night - the legal stuff was a big worry and it was such good news to hear things are progressing as they should).

And yes, that picture up there is the dress I made (finished on Tuesday). It has pleats and everything. I've even worn it - twice - so it's now in the washing basket but I promise there'll be some photos of me awkwardly modelling it soon.

I'm now suffering from sewing fatigue. It was emotional.


I'm also pleased to announce I'm now a member of the blogging team over at Garlic and Sapphire, the Sarah Raven Kitchen and Garden site. My first post is here if you'd like to see. 


I was so excited to join as I do love writing, especially about the outdoors. My notebook is filling up with hastily scribbled-down thoughts and ideas for future posts.


I've been taking photos of the garden and, all being well, it's the last spring I'll be doing that at this house. Actually it's just occurred: our completion date is June 20th, so the first full day at the new place (wherever that may be) will be the longest of the year. We'll have to have a Pagan celebration!


The weather this week has been glorious for the most part and today I took Joe to Kenyon Hall Farm. The strawberry fields are currently in flower and if this sunshine continues they'll have a bumper crop. Fruit picking is such a nice thing to do, and the strawberries there taste heavenly.

It was really warm so we walked the perimeter of the fields and explored the hedgerows. The scent of the hawthorn blossoms was quite potent in the heat, and Joe loved playing with the mown grass. We also had the customary toy tractor ride in the polytunnel but it was stiflingly hot and stepping back out into the fresh air was lovely.



There's a trip to the market in Ramsbottom tomorrow for some seasonal fruit and vegetables, then another house viewing and later on we're entertaining. 

And it's my birthday on Sunday. Jay, Joe and I are heading over to Gisburn, Lancashire for a family lunch and I'm really looking forward to it: there's a little family-run Italian restaurant where they welcome little ones and the surrounding countryside is really beautiful. I fully intend to eat lots and drink a glass of something sparkling.

I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

25 comments:

  1. Hello Sarah:

    Such exciting times although moving house can be quite stressful. We do wish you luck in finding somewhere suitable to rent for the interim. Meanwhile June 20th. will soon come around.

    Here the strawberry season has started and we have been enjoying them most days. Indeed, today Tímea, our cook/housekeeper, reported that there were raspberries in the outside market when she did the shopping this morning.

    Many, many happy returns of the day for Sunday.

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    1. Things taste so much better when they're in season, don't they? Especially fruit and vegetables.
      And I had a lovely birthday, thank you.
      S

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  2. Happy Birthday! Well done on the house legalities doing well, hope you find a place to rent soon and what lovely pictures of life!

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    1. Thank you! We have found somewhere to rent and are keeping our fingers crossed it all goes without a hitch...
      S

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  3. Great dress, I laughed at the emotion of sewing. Long may you enjoy wearing it. Good luck with the house move, as they say everything comes to he/she who waits. Many happy returns for Sunday.

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    1. Thanks! And as for the sewing, 'emotional' barely covers it. Good job Joe wasn't around because the air was turning blue while I huffed and puffed at that sewing machine...
      I had a wonderful birthday too :)

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  4. Have a lovely birthday and weekend and trip to Gisburn. I think the closest we have been is Colne and Skipton and we have friends in Giggleswick but it is all nice around that area. I hope the sale goes smoothly and you find somewhere to rent - June 20th is not far off now.

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    1. It isn't far off at all! We have found somewhere and seem to have secured it, but more on that when we're 100% sure it'll be ours!
      The Ribble Valley was so gorgeous yesterday and we stopped off in a few little villages for a wander.
      I do like Skipton; we must head over there sometime.
      S :)

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  5. the dress looks lovely, I imagine making a dress is a bit of an emotional roller coaster! look forward to seeing more. Have a great birthday! Beautiful pictures too, Heather x

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    1. Thanks, Heather! I will make another dress but need a bit of a break from sewing at the moment... I think dressmaking is one of those things you get better at with practice!
      I had a really lovely birthday too, washed down with plenty of prosecco!
      S x

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  6. Great news about exchanging contracts and I hope you have a very happy birthday on Sunday.

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    1. Thank you! I did - the weather was perfect too :)

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  7. I hope you have a very happy birthday, Sarah. Congratulations on both the contracts and the writing gig.

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    1. Hi Jennifer! We're so relieved at finally having some progress re. the house... As for the writing, it's unpaid but let's just say I'm doing it for the love of it!

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  8. Happy Birthday! and look forward to seeing the dress on full show. It looks fabulous!

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    1. Hello! Nice to meet you... the dress is nice (if you don't look too closely!)
      I'm looking forward to visiting your blog and having a good look around :)
      Sarah

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  9. Happy Birthday! Have a lovely weekend!! Looking forward to seeing more of your tunic! congratulations on exchanging contracts...I'm sure you'll find something suitable evry soon x

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    1. Thank you - and we have indeed found somewhere... I'll share more on that when all the paperwork is done and dusted and we know it's ours!
      Nail-biting times...
      S x

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  10. That's such good news about the house and I'm so envious you made your dress (I'm still a long way off producing something I can actually wear). Happy rental hunting, happy birthday, happy weekend!

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    1. Thank you! It's been a truly lovely weekend and we have (whisper it) found a house...
      As for the sewing, give it a go! My dress is full of mistakes but I definitely learned from them :)
      S x

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  11. I hope you had a lovely day yesterday in all that glorious sunshine. Good luck with the house hunt.

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    1. Thank you! We did have a nice day - and we've found a house so it's been a pretty good weekend!
      S :)

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  12. I really like the look of that dress. And huge congrats on exchanging contracts, what a relief! x

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  13. Belated birthday wishes Sarah ... hope you had a lovely day! Congratulations on the house progress and I'm looking forward to your dress reveal ... Bee xx

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  14. Congratulations on your new writing gig! I love the fabric you chose for your new dress and am excited to see the reveal.

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