Take a look at the above photograph of my bedside cabinet. Notice anything strange about my bedtime reading? or more accurately where the books themselves are? This wonderful invisible bookshelf was a Christmas gift from the lovely Mr C. Pure genius and keeps me safe from the danger of a perilously high to-read pile right next to my head, which is how things have previously ended up!It felt slightly strange last night to welcome in the new year with only a half glass of champagne. I'm not one for going out and painting the town red, especially on New Year's Eve when everywhere is ... read more
End of the festive season and new beginnings
Our first real Chez C Christmas Tree As this year's festive season draws to a close things feel a little different to how they have done in previous years. Normally at this time there is the anti-climax of New Year's Eve to get through and then the dreaded return to work in January. This year it's all a little different. I resigned from my job at the end of September and today is my first day unemployed. A scary prospect for sure. I had planned to have another job lined up for the new year, but things don't also work out as you first plan them. Instead there is a new ... read more
Full days
It's very strange, but only a few days after finishing work I'm already starting to wonder how I ever managed to find time to actually go to work! Somehow I've got to change that before it becomes too simple to just stay at home and not find an alternative income stream. After several days snowed in at home (not completely, but with deep enough snow outside that going out became a hassle) I've found myself filling my days with lots of little things that I want and need to get done and yet things like the pile of paperwork on my desk remain untouched.I'm pleased to report ... read more
Snow in St Albans
At least 5 inches of snow overnight. Looking doubtful that I'll make it to London for my last day at work! ... read more
Countdown to Christmas
Only four more working days to go and then the level of blogging really should increase - or more accurately, the point at which I no longer have a valid excuse for a lack of posts.Along with finishing work there is the obvious count down to Christmas going on as well. The tree is up, the wreath is on the front door and I've even started writing cards. Shame that I'm not so organised on the present front. To make up for not seeing friends for far too long Mr C and I did have a bit of a festive gathering at the weekend though. My baking efforts went into overdrive with ... read more
Still here
Still here and just twelve more working days to go. Only problem is that my employer seems determined to get every last drop of blood, sweat and tears out of me in that time! Still, not for much longer and then life proper can really start. An afternoon in Liberty's haberdashery department certainly has provided lots of inspiration. Roll on 18 December! ... read more
A busy ten days
A wet November day at CragsideThe only "problem" with having time off work is that I manage to fill my days such that there's no time left for blogging. The last ten days have seen Mr C and I travel to Scotland and back, spending a lovely few days with my family to celebrate my sister's birthday. We've found the time to walk on beaches and through forests, to curl up in front of a real fire reading and playing scrabble, as well as time at home with the never-ending jobs to keep turning this house into a home.Time has also been found to finally finish a piece of ... read more
Time without a laptop
For a variety of reasons I've had some time without my laptop this week. I'm not at all sure as to whether or not it was a good thing though. I missed being able to look things up when I wanted to know them. I missed popping in to read other people's blogs and get that insight into their lives. I missed chatting with friends in forums as well. On the flip side though I did get so much more time to do other things. For the first time since we moved here I got to knit properly for long periods of time. The amount of reading I did also went through the roof.Possibly I just need to be ... read more
So many things…
So many things to tell you about that I'm not really sure where to start. Some fantastic books; a great, although tea-less, trip to the Knitting and Stitching show; exciting knitting and sewing purchases; a new knitting project and a new blog that Mr C and I have been working on as a side project! If you like nature here in the UK then take a look at UK Nature Blog and tell us what you think.I promise not to neglect here though. In fact there's so much to tell you about that I plan to be back very soon to do just that! ... read more
Making a change
I'm not at all afraid of hard work, I just wish I was working directly for myself in a slightly nicer working environment. Possibly one that looks like the above, which is very conveniently located at home. How to make that a reality, whilst still paying the mortgage is what makes it a little more tricky.Unless someone wants to pay me to stay at home and bake, read, knit and blog! Any offers or ideas considered... These lovely cupcakes provided some late night snacks at our housewarming party over the weekend. A very simple sponge and then topped with lovely icing made by taking a hint ... read more