What to keep, what to throw?

With the house sold and a new one purchased - subject to contracts; our thoughts go to sorting out.

We have been in this house for 18 years and have accumulated a lot of "stuff".   As this move is a downsizing exercise I am slowly doing that.  Its funny how your taste changes over the years, add to the fact we currently live in a house built in 1910 and we are buying one built in the late 60's, they are very different properties.  What suits this house just won't look the same in the new.  I also feel a need to lighten our life.  Out with the ornaments not that I have that many, out with the dark furniture, I want light and clutter free.

The house that we are buying needs some major updating, remodelling, new boiler, kitchen, carpets, curtains, shower room, storage.  Loads of wallpaper to get rid of - elderly lady lived here - we even have a stair lift, that is coming out once everyone has had a ride on it!! We have our work cut out. The bonus of working in a kitchen design studio means I have a ready army of trades to call on, and I have 3 kitchen designers to help me choose the right units/appliances for my kitchen.  The trouble there is I keep changing my mind about what I want.  Its hard when surrounded by kitchen displays and door samples all week!

The garden is small in comparison to what we have now, but with some conifer/overgrown shrub removal will be a space we can use and hopefully enjoy.  Its a lovely sunny garden and I look forward to making it our own.

We seem to have had a fair bit on recently and my knitting really has taken a back seat.  I have been working on a sweater for Gus for weeks now and making very slow progress.  I have actually completed the front - below - and am half way up the plain back, just as well the weather is warm so he won't be needing this anytime soon. Don't ask about my Mdina cardigan that's not been out the bag for ages.

Last weekend we went to a concert at Blenheim Palace - Jamie Cullum, Corrine Bailey Rae and Gregory Porter.  It was such a lovely day for an outside event and a very enjoyable concert apart from the people that feel they need to talk all the way through.  Why?  When I go to a concert I come to listen not chat!

Sunday we whizzed up to Stamford for Rufus' 7th birthday. 7 can you believe it, time certainly does fly.  We had a great day and a major water fight, I did manage to stay reasonably dry, but no photos.

No plans for this weekend other than to tackle a few more cupboards and tidy the garden a bit.  We don't have a move date yet but I feel I need to make a start rather than be rushed and end up moving stuff we don't really want.  Have fun whatever you are doing.  Until next time

How can it be June?

Another month has rolled round, I think its really is true that time goes faster the older you get!  So what have we been up to since last we met?

Well knitting of course.  I made another shawl, couldn't decide on a pattern, so just used bits from several.  I had started out to make a Holden shawl, but used the wrong sized needles,  rather than rip it back I ploughed on making this.  It needs blocking, but we have viewers this weekend.  The house, is still on the market, we currently have 2 offers from people that need to sell (so frustrating), though had 2 viewers yesterday and 1 today, all of which are sold, so fingers crossed this is the last weekend of staying tidy!!

Elderflower time, 2 batches of cordial on the go, just love the smell

Foxglove time too and the iris is looking lovely.  One great patch has come up blind again this year, not sure why, a shame as they are usually beautiful

We are seeing a lot of this little man now his mummy is back at work.  He is nearly walking, such a happy little boy, who turned 1 on 11 May, time really does fly.

Granny I'm not sure which hat to wear!

Today we are off to Ickworth Wool Fair, held at the National Trust property Ickworth House near Bury St Edmunds. We plan to take a look round Bury first - they have a good Saturday market.  I'll be sure to share any purchases.  Have a great weekend