It's been a while - Five on Friday

Hello! 

It's been a while, I've missed being present in blog-land and writing my blog. A lot has been going on and taking photos, sitting writing and spending time visiting other people's blogs has all taken a back seat. I'm sorry, I will try not to stay away so long in future. 

Many people have questioned continuing writing their blogs and though I can sympathise with the time aspect, I do understand that followers expect to, well follow. I myself have missed it when regular bloggers haven't blogged, I've searched for their latest blog wondering where they've gone, how they are and when they'll return. It's nice to visit friends, whether in blog-land or in real life. Catching up with the latest news, craft work, book reading and cookery ideas, new pets, walks and other projects is interesting. It brings inspiration and a desire to 'have a go', try something new, keep going and new insight into tackling problems. 

I'm joining Five on Friday today with 5 photos / groups of photos capturing the beauty in the midst of building and decorating work.

Sunny yellow roses, enjoying the sunshine on the dining room table before we moved both the table and the dresser to the other end of the dining room. We've had a builder in knocking the fireplace through from the lounge. There's a double fronted fire place fitted now, which has made the dining room and the open plan staircase so much warmer. We've put the 2 fireside chairs in the dining room under the window with a small table. The light is perfect during the day time and it's been lovely to enjoy the warmth from the fire whilst sitting crafting, reading and planning Christmas whilst chatting to M over a cuppa. His work as a driving instructor has been quieter recently, over the summer months it can be crazy as students take up weekly courses. With regular customer's hours to be fitted in too, it can feel like I'm a single parent at times.

The builder has worked for a few days before waiting 3 weeks for the 'unforeseen' scaffolding to arrive. Once that was set up work resumed, the chimney needed attention and new pots. A previous builder had cut so many corners, I'm surprised it wasn't round. They'd fitted the previous stove for us in the lounge which turned out was extremely unsafe in all things chimney-ish. When you manage to find a good and reliable builder it's just great. He'll return on Tuesday to finish off anything that needs doing and arrange for the scaffolding to be moved to the side of the property. The Gable end needs mortar replacing and treated for damp, it seems we will need the builder again next year too, but one job at a time.

Realising I still had some birthday money left over from the summer I treated myself to a candle with a beach fragrance and a candle snuffer. With the coast practically on my doorstep, I wondered if it'd be a realistic scent. It does have a pleasant salty smell with a sweet delicate floral scent which I love. It's my kitchen candle and is perfect for when I'm cooking or busy in the kitchen. 

I'd joined Jill's 'Finish for the weekend' at Emerald Cottage a while ago, people left comments asking to see the finished wreath. I wrote here about crocheting poppies for the local WI. The donated crocheted and knitted poppies have been attached to the above wreath for remembrance Sunday by one of the ladies on the committee. I think she's done a fantastic job and it looks stunning.

I missed Jennifer's 'Winter Project Link Party' on her Thistlebear blog this time. Having building work done and muddling through whilst decorating with items of furniture and 'things' in the wrong rooms has taken its toll on rest and relaxation. I have finished the Attic 24 Moorland blanket - and (since this photo) sewn in all the ends. Christina - from A Colourful life was right - sewing in the ends whilst listening to audible books, makes it more of an enjoyable task. I've made a start at the edging, it's a 4 row pattern, the first round takes the longest as the 2 long sides require lots of wiggling and jiggling to push the crochet hook through where it doesn't naturally want to go.

So far I've listened to 3 books for the book club - The Island by Victoria Hislop, The Ashtonishing Return of Norah Wells (also called The Return) by Virginia MacGregor and Thursday's Child by Nicci French. I've also listened to The ABC Murders by Agatha Christie.  I've started listening to Glass Houses by Louise Penny, someone in blog-land recommended it but I can't remember who it was.

A while ago M and teen 2 transferred the Chrysanthemums to the border alongside the drive. The boys had planted them a few years ago closer to the house. I could see them from the kitchen window but they look much better here, they've spread out and doubled in size. Their colourful heads are still very bright, the yellow ones have clusters of heads on some stems.

Thank you for visiting today, I'll try not to leave it so long next time. I do have a cookery challenge post waiting in drafts, hopefully I'll post it next week and I'll rustle up some photos of the fire progress too.

Cx

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