With great excitement, we handed in our notice on our rental house recently. Our definitely-completed-in-six-months building project is now at the start of month eight and, finally, builders have started on the final phase. The project has been drastically scaled back (the attic conversion is now going to have to wait for another time) but … Continue reading A new garden and some new plans
gardening
6 easy updates for a beautiful summer garden
When I first got into gardening, I was always slightly embarrassed by my own garden in the middle of summer. Springtime tended to be luscious and green, Autumn was russet-toned and lovely but in the very middle of summer... ...well, quite often not much seemed to be going on. Where were the flowers? Should the … Continue reading 6 easy updates for a beautiful summer garden
In the garden: June
Well, wasn't the last week of June utterly depressing. Like so many, I was knocked for six with the results of the referendum. I find the whole thing terrifying and bleak. The result itself, the reports of increased racism that have peppered the news this past week, the furious packpedalling of the Leave campaigners, the … Continue reading In the garden: June
In the garden: March
So, after 3.5 years living here, we’ve finally – finally – landscaped and planted the garden. Hurrah! I’ll show you proper photos next month as it’s still all looking a bit bare and unimpressive while the plants establish, but in the meantime, here’s a little look at some of the recent additions to our little … Continue reading In the garden: March
In the garden: February
Slipping in, just in time, on this fabulous extra day of the year to share some photos of the February garden, taken throughout this month. If you were to look at a year in gardening, February would be the month of planning. Reading the seed catalogues, choosing the fruit and veg for the year ahead, … Continue reading In the garden: February
In the garden: January
What a weird weather January it's been so far. I have to admit, I was not one of those welcoming the cold snap a few weeks back with open arms. Nope, my arms were huddled inside three trillion layers of clothes, wearing gloves, sitting under a blanket, clutching a cup of hot chocolate in front … Continue reading In the garden: January
In recent weeks…
The transition from December to January has had me in a flurry of planning, organising and new starts, in a way it doesn’t normally. Typically, the start of January sees me sitting in a post-Christmas fug, depressed about the lack of availability (or acceptability) of a Bucks Fizz for breakfast and wine at lunch and … Continue reading In recent weeks…
The bottom of the garden
What will go at the bottom of the garden? Endless hours, days and possibly even weeks have been spent pondering this dilemma in the three years we’ve lived in this house. Our house renovations / remodeling / decorating / re-decorating where the kids have drawn on the walls are almost finished. (Yes, I know I’ve … Continue reading The bottom of the garden
Over on Pinterest: houseplant heaven
Since joining in with Urban Jungle Bloggers these past few months, I've been seriously bitten with the houseplant bug. I’ve got to confess, for a long time I thought houseplants were a bit 70s. A bit naff. A bit macramé pot holders (though they, of course, are now massively back in fashion…) And, most of … Continue reading Over on Pinterest: houseplant heaven
Release the frogs!
These past few weekends we've been digging out the pond from the bottom of our garden to convert it to flower bed. I'd been agonising about what to do with the pond (as is my wont) for a good few years. On the one hand, the pond isn't very safe for the kids, is under … Continue reading Release the frogs!
Wolves in London 