Saturday 14 February 2015

Weekend


We're not even halfway through yet, but what with Jay having taken a few days off last week it seems like Sunday already. I tend to lose track of which day it is when the normal routine changes.

So, a bit of a newsy post really; yesterday we went into Manchester for a morning appointment. We stopped off at Unicorn Grocery - more on that in my next post I think (there's a lot to cover). And on Thursday we went for a walk and a wander around Ramsbottom. It was cold but there were signs of spring aplenty as we wandered around the park.


The little snowdrops I cut finally gave up this morning. I had a hellebore in a glass bottle for a day or so but that didn't like the warmth. Still, I placed it between two sheets of paper and put a pile of heavy books on top. I do like pressed flowers.

(Note: for advice on keeping cut hellebores, read what Annie has to say).


Yesterday we went to view two houses. Properties for sale in the village are pretty thin on the ground, and suitable ones are even more scarce. Interestingly the two we went to look at were ten and seven doors up from us. I used to own next door but one to our current house. Am I destined to keep coming back to this street?

Anyway... The  first one was very lovely. Same as this one in terms of size and era (a fairly roomy Victorian terraced) but much warmer and more modern in terms of decor. We liked it. We put in an offer. It was turned down. We put in another (final) offer. They're thinking about it. Bearing in mind the house only went on the market yesterday they seem - understandably - to be keeping their options open.

The next house was three along. Same size, same era. But it needed a lot more work to bring it up to date. It had a lovely feel, and it reminded me in many ways of this place. The price reflects the need for an update. It's been for sale for a while. We're tempted. As in, we could get the work done while still living our current digs. It may work out cheaper than the first house. There's a lot of thinking to do.

We asked the vendors of the first one to give us their decision by Monday evening. Then we shall see.


Are you wondering if I've forgotten Valentine's Day? Well, no I haven't. 

On Thursday I spotted a sweet little tea set in a charity shop window. It's hand-painted, made in Japan and is either porcelain or china (it's so thin the light comes through it). Anyway, Jay sneaked back and bought it for me. I'm a sucker for lustreware and have a bit of a Thing for Oriental vintage trinkets too.


Those little birds! I'm guessing it's 1920s-1940s. I washed it VERY carefully in warm soapy water. I now need a display cabinet for my treasures, I've decided. Then they can be admired. 

Lucky girl that I am, the tea set was accompanied by a box of Turkish delight. Another of my favourite things.



No fancy meal out for us this evening. Once Joe goes to bed (EARLY) we're having steak - courtesy of the 'posh' butcher - and salad, followed by sticky toffee pudding and fancy ice cream. Joe has already sampled the ice cream. He's been on about me buying him some all week and was well aware that we picked some up this morning. In fact he's more familiar with the contents of the freezer than I am.

The prosecco may be opened a little bit earlier. A small glass before we put him up and then several more generous ones.

Have a great weekend and enjoy your Valentine's Day, however you choose to celebrate it.



22 comments:

  1. What beautiful colours on your little tea set. And wishing you all the best with your possible house move.

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  2. Best of luck with the purchase of your new home. Remember what is for you won't pass you by.

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  3. How exciting about the houses, I do hope it all works out well for you. What lovely Valentine's gifts, I hope you enjoy the rest of your day. CJ xx

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  4. best of luck with the house, sounds wonderfully exciting x

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  5. Good luck with the houses, whichever works out the best for you all! Exciting times! Lovely teaser! I do love lustre! Bee xx

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  6. I've just discovered your blog and was very pleasantly surprised when you mentioned somewhere near to me Ramsbottom-thankfully we've had a few less blustery days with hopefully more to come! Good luck with the move-hope you get the one you want!

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    1. Hello, nice to meet you! We do get some weather around here don't we?
      I'm trying to remain philosophical about the move and am trusting in fate!

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  7. Gorgeous photos Sarah. I love your tea set and hope the house hunting goes well. I guess your street is keen for you to stay, one way or another.
    Did you see Diane's post on Ramsbottom http://diane-heartshaped.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/ramsbottom.html
    Gorgeous walking country....my heart yearns for hills and becks.
    Jacquie x

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    1. Hi Jacquie - I did have a look at the post and yes, that's all very local to me! I do love wild landscapes - probably explains why we head to Scotland so often (and dream of Canada!)
      S x

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  8. Best wishes to you all. I'm excited for you. The tea set is beautiful. I love having a china cabinet with a glass-doored upper part for displaying my fragile things. I waited a long time for it and it's one of my favorite pieces of furniture.

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  9. The New House could be really exciting...I'm keeping everything crossed for you. We also had steak (but accompanied by chips) and sticky toffee pudding on Saturday night after our girls went to bed ( fairly early and without incident!!) :-) I love your tea set...the colours are gorgeous. Have a lovely week. xx

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  10. You got lovely Valentine's Day presents! I hope the house hunting goes well. It is hard to find exactly what you want at the right price.

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  11. Ooh, fingers crossed for a lovely new home for you and your family. Your Valentine's gifts are perfect. I had to buy my own (as always)!

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  12. I hope that you will have had some good news on the house and/or made a decision on the other one. It is a tricky business this home buying so I really do hope that it all goes well for you and that you love your new home wherever it may turn out to be. xx

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  13. Good eating! I'm glad you had a good meal, and I love the idea of Joe wanting the ice cream!
    I hope the house hunting works out for you. The second fixer upper may well be the better option; it is lovely to have a house that you have put so much love and care into to create a home. It's Monday night, so I'm hoping you know one way or the other!

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    1. Hello! We're going back this evening to view that fixer upper... the owners of the first property were trying to play us off against another interested party and we said no thankyou.
      I do dislike the whole house-buying process so am trying not to get my hopes up too much!

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  14. Just catching up on everything, I'm been immersing myself in half term family time and loving it.

    Any news on the house?

    Totally craving Turkish Delight now... *shakes a fist at me delight-less pantry*

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    1. Hi Annie - see the above reply re. the house! Anxious times...

      I do hope you manage to get hold of some Turkish Delight. I entertained the idea of giving something for Lent but it ain't gonna be sugar!

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  15. I hope that you have had some good news on the house.
    I have just found your blog today, you have beautiful photographs xx

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    1. Hello! And thank you. It's always lovely when people enjoy reading and looking at my images :)
      S x

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  16. Gosh so much to think about, but I'm sure it will all work out just how it's meant to be. I love the colours of your heather by the way. X

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  17. Good luck with the house buying - I know just how stressful this stage is, and do hope things work out. Our Valentines Day was a total write off as I was getting over a nasty virus as John was coming down with the beginnings of an ear infection. Oh, yes, and we're totally skint. Ha!

    Your photos are sublime, by the way. xx

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