Saturday 21 February 2015

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. 





26 comments:

  1. wonderfully exciting news on the house, hope all goes smoothly and you get the keys soon x

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  2. Beautiful photos as always. I'm so pleased your offer on the house has been accepted, it's brilliant news, so exciting. Cashew butter is delicious isn't it, and pumpkin seed butter is a really good one too. I know what you mean about trying to keep a straight face when the little people are being naughty, I'm guilty of laughing in the middle of a telling off. It completely ruins the effect. Wishing you a good weekend too, try to relax, I'm sure all will be well with the house purchase. I used to do conveyancing, and once an offer is accepted it usually all went through fine. CJ xx

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    1. Oh, thanks for that - a welcome bit of reassurance!
      Never tried pumpkin seed butter but will keep an eye out for it. Probably not as expensive as cashew either! x

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  3. The purple colours in these photos are so vibrant and interesting. Hope all goes well with the house!
    x

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    1. Hi Eleanor! Thankyou - I can't wait to start decorating and am already going through magazines and creating new Pinterest boards...

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  4. Oh, fingers crossed on the house! You will love a fixer upper (and it gives you a chance to sing a song from Frozen as well!)
    Terrible twos, eh? Pick your battles, and keep your teeth clenched. It passes (eventually). If I lived a little closer I'd come for a cuppa and show you my terrible two! (aged 17 and 14, they're proof that it doesn't last!)

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    1. If you lived closer I'd make you tea and cake!
      I can't believe how much I've missed having my own house. And even though it won't be our 'for ever' home, we'll be decorating it for ourselves and not to sell. Exciting!

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  5. Oh how exciting! Hope all goes well with the house. A fixer upper sounds great. Lots of opportunities to have it completed how you like. I have my fingers crossed it goes well for you all. Love the purple in your photos. Bright vibrant colour will be all around soon. I love your blog changes too. I so need to spring clean mine too. I'm always a bit terrified that if I make a mistake I'll wreck it. Hope you have a lovely weekend. Bee xx

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    1. Hi Bee! If I can help with your blog in any way drop me an email. Much of it's down to trial and error (such a lot of error) but my tinkering seems to be taking me gradually in the right direction...
      Have a great weekend (it's only taken me a week to reply - sorry)
      xx

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  6. Exciting news about the house. I think it's great that you can continue living where you do while you get the work done. It will be so much easier on all of you. I hope all going well.

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  7. Oh my goodness, what beautiful photos, all full of the hope and joy of spring! I love spotting new little clumps of flowers appearing, March will hopefully bring us some sunshine! Liking the changes to the blog as well!

    Katie

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    1. Thank you! A few more to come but I'm getting there... Glad you like the photos :)

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  8. So exciting about your house! Nothing can stop you mentally planning and plotting long before you get the keys, I know that. And we're ready for spring here too. Xx

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  9. Beautiful spring photos and such exciting news on the house. Hope all goes smoothly for you.

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  10. P.S. I also meant to say, I noticed your new header the other day and think it looks really good.

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    1. Oh no! I hope you like the new one too... I'm going to leave it alone now. I just really wanted the rabbit, he sort of spoke to me.

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  11. Lovely things and great news about having your offer accepted. I hope that all goes well with the buying process and then the doing the work as well! Exciting times ahead for you!! Your new bloggy look is lovely, html is way beyond me too... I like your list of what you are doing now in the sidebar! xx

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  12. I am very pleased to read about your accepted house offer, so exiting! I love the catkins and hellebores and oodles of crocus flowers, too. I have an entire front garden full of egg yolk coloured ones. Have a lovey week. x

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  13. Back from France and catching up - this is great news about the house - congratulations!

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  14. Amazing news about the house! I'm excited for you. :) I'm also finding certain people's behaviour 'challenging' I found LittleR is the loo today unravelling the toilet paper. Fortunately on the floor and not all down the loo! And breathe.Great photos too - those hellebores! I do love your blog header...usually I read your posts in a reader or on my phone which doesn't always show the blog is its full glory! xx

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    1. Toddlers are trying little beings aren't they? But also incredibly funny. You know there's trouble when things go quiet - what will you find when you poke your head around the door?
      As for the header, I'm a bit (OK, a lot) of a perfectionist and those circular images were a bit jagged around the edges. It bothered me. And I needed that rabbit in my life...
      Have a great weekend :)

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  15. Fabulous news that your offer has been accepted. Exciting times, no wonder it's having an effect on your sleep!

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  16. Your photos are looking fantastic. I love the sound of all the food, I'm doing something similar, but it hasn't stopped from eating all the other stuff either! good luck on the house, I think you achieve a lot with a two year old on tow! X

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    1. It'll be a bit of an adventure if nothing else!
      Glad you like the photos :)

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