The week that was

Of course, I didn't write my usual Midweek Miscellany this time around as I posted on Thursday for the Colour Collective. I have a Thing for not posting on consecutive days (unless something earth-shattering happens and to be honest that's pretty unlikely around here).

So instead, the week in review. 

I'm still enjoying seeking out those little signs that spring is coming. They're necessary; the weather has reverted to moody grey skies, horizontally-falling rain and the odd hail shower. You know when they're coming because the house gets ever darker before the heavens finally open. So, it's cheering to see all these beautiful hellebores and catkins and snowdrops. Soon there'll be euphorbia (one of my favourites).

In addition to hellebore worshipping, I've been admiring the little clumps of purple crocus which have recently sprung up next to the gate. And inhaling the scent from the hyacinths which are now blooming away on the table. They're fascinating to look at close-up: an irridescent pale blue in places, inky indigo in others. They remind me of bluebells.

I had a morning off on Tuesday; Joe's grandparents stayed with him and I tripped off, footloose and fancy free, to the library. I booked a computer and did a bit of this and that then browsed the shelves and spotted the above book. I'm such a sucker for the whole lovely-photography-and-lifestyle type of tome. But it's also brand new. There's something about being the first to borrow a library book. Especially when you're used to those from the children's section which are invariably torn, creased and stained with goodness knows what.

In other news... well, as I mentioned previously we went to Unicorn Grocery and I got rather excitable and spent quite a lot of money on wonderfully wholesome things (and the jute bags to put them in; jute bags are to Unicorn what tealights are to Ikea). I did well to stay away from the herbal tea section though. We came back with nut butter (cashew - my favourite) and rice pasta and noodles, beetroot and frilly lettuces, snacky things, gnocchi, a little gourd just because, polenta... The polenta was really good sliced and fried on the griddle pan then served with roasted tomato and red pepper sauce.

Of course, the clean living couldn't last and on Sunday I baked two Madeira cakes: one for home and one to take to a friend's new place as a house warming gift.

Which brings me neatly to our current situation. We've just had an offer accepted on the 'fixer upper' house. I've had a few sleepless nights which I'm putting down to a mixture of trepidation and giddiness. The house was much cheaper than the similar one a few doors down (our first choice - we offered on that but the owners were trying to get some kind of bidding war going) so we can get work done, stay put here while that happens and in the meantime cross our fingers and hope all goes smoothly.

The house-buying process is so nerve-wracking. Anything could go wrong until we've been given the keys. Hasn't stopped me making lots of plans though. Counting my chickens. Jumping the gun. 

Mr Joe has been quite the handful of late. Contrary: tick. Shouty: tick. Unreasonable: tick tick tick. I know he's two, and he's trying to assert himself and test the boundaries and all the rest of it but sometimes!!! To those of you who have more than one: I salute you. Really, I do.

Admittedly, the biggest problem is usually trying to keep a straight face while he's being naughty... 

Of course, you'll notice I've been making a few changes to the appearance of the blog. HTML, CSS and all the rest of it are way beyond my comprehension but I've been receiving some very welcome help. The changes will continue (in a subtle way) until I'm happy, so expect a bit of a 'work in progress' feel to it all for a while.

This has been one of those posts where I jump from one subject to the next, but that's how life is around here and, I suspect, for you too. Keeps things interesting.

Have a great weekend.