Our Home

Where have I been? Well dear readers we collected the keys to our new home at the end of January. In Estate Agent speak, there is an "opportunity to improve the house". Yeah, thirty years of neglect of an opportunity. But that aside, I'm beyond thrilled. Oh and knackered, of course. I've been working on the huge task of renovating the house, bit by bit. My hands look like I've been building roads :)

It is a good size house in a fantastic location, but it's the views that lift it to another level. I'll show you some 'befores' today and will show you some 'afters' very soon.

The second pic is of the master bedroom, which is the only room that has been completely refurbed so far, just now I'm working on painting the original oak kitchen. Everything needs a least 3 coats of paint so it's taking longer than I thought, but it's coming on a treat.

One Other Thing - Rag n Bone Man

A New Year's Eve discovery, I think you may like the young man's style. Especially you Cro.

  
He grew up in the town we have just moved from, shame we didn't hear about him then.

I Have A Confession..........

It's no good, it's much better to be open about it and fess up, I have an 'Outlander' obsession. There I've said it and it's out there now. How I've gone so long without talking about it is a mystery, although a secret does feel good eh?

This darling little novel, my current bedtime read, is just one of the many Outlander themed presents I received from the Mr this year. Christmas 2015 was the same, ALL about Outlander.

I first heard about the series on an American blog that I follow, and oh my, thank the Goddess I did. Of course I only started watching the show because of it's, erm, historical content and the wonderful costumes, which are a triumph. Nothing to do with the charm of the leading actor and the chemistry between him and his really adorable leading lady. I know, gush, gush, gush. But it is an obsession right? So I can gush at will.

I can honestly say it's one of the best dramas I've ever seen. And the real joy is that the TV dramatisation led me to the books that the series is based on. The books are huge and there are many, but I find myself holding off reading all through the books too quickly as I really enjoy the anticipation. I'm currently up to book 6, 'A Breath of Snow and Ashes'. Diana Gabaldon the author, is working hard at the moment writing book 9, so you can see why I'm dragging the process out. Thankfully she has also written a number of novellas that relate to the bigger story.

This is a picture of 'herself' that I took at a Comic Con I went to in Germany late in 2015. It was a mad couple of days, where I met the actors from the show and heard her read from her work and discuss her inspiration. Which turned out to be Dr Who, who'd have thunk it?

I'll leave you with a pic of the leading character James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser. I think you may find him veera easy on the eye. Interest piqued?

Outlander is showing on Amazon prime only, bit of a bummer, but on the up side you can watch it on demand again and again and again. That is until you buy your own boxed sets. See how it happens?

Balance & Harmony.

Time to rein in the slightly over indulgent eating now and get back to my 'normal' healthy eating plan. Since September I have been trying to eat more foods that work in harmony with my body keeping it healthy and hopefully trimming it of some unwanted poundage . Less booze too, I don't enjoy it as much as I used to, I guess that's something else that happens as one ages. The plus side of that is that I have decided never to drink cheap Champagne again, not really a new year resolution, more of an intention. My favourite is Mumm Cordon Rouge, I shall look out for it when it is on offer and stash it away.

More exercise is on the cards too, I always feel much better if I make the effort. Today a shortish, very muddy, woodland walk, spotting a couple of Buzzards up in the wide blue yonder. It was also a chance to take a sneaky peek at the house we are buying as the woodland backs on to the house.

New year and new ways of living, another intention of mine, moderation and a little of what you fancy, the best way to live, no need for extremes.

This young lady however believes in extremes, she also has an intention, to look like a cartoon character, yes, that's her ambition in life. She has had over 19 surgical procedures, including having 6 ribs removed and having eye implants to make her eyes cartoon green. Pixie Fox, for this is she, calls herself a body modification artist. So far her dream has cost her 80k, and the ability to eat solid food. She seems super pleased with the results, but it's obvious to me that she will continue on until it kills her.

I'm happy with a little less flobbage and more energy.

Welcome 2017

I've always tried to enjoy life to the full and with each passing year the desire to 'do' as much as possible increases, mindfully spending my time wisely. According to the 'experts', meaning in life equates to happiness. Well I'm planning to bring as much of that to my new life in the Peak District as I can. Family and friends are the blessings in life and I think with a good dose of hard work and some new experiences the rest will come.

I wish all of you, my blogging chums the very best for 2017. Health, happiness and prosperity.

My Birthday Treat at Miss. Potter's.

To celebrate my birthday which was on the 10th, the Mr and I went to stay in a very special cottage. Once owned by Beatrix Potter. The place was quite magical, full to the brim with evocative pieces. We slept in a four poster bed in a room that was hundreds of years old. It was an amazing experience, usually one only gets to visit such properties for the day and is never allowed to touch anything in the rooms. We lived and breathed it for a week, it was wonderful.

Christmas Cheer

I thought you all deserved another pre Christmas post, after my moaning Minnie one of Thursday. So I'm sharing a few of the wondrous delights that Chatsworth has to offer with their Nutcracker Christmas themed festivities.

I've been three times this Winter and will go again when they open for a few days in January before they close for the season. I admit to a teeny bit of an obsession with Chatsworth, brought on by my fascination of the strong women who have lived there thoughout it's history. Yes there have been Dukes, but they are not a patch on the women folk of Chatsworth.

Now I'm living in the Peak District I have become a 'friend' of Chatsworth and can visit free of charge as often as I like, plus I also get a number of free tickets to events. Oh dear, I think my obsession may get worse.

These delightful silhouetted dancing ballerinas were projected on the walls where the ancient statues are on display toward the end of the house tour. Whilst a real life ballerina pirouetted amongst the visitors.

I haven't really gone to town with Christmas decorations at home this year mainly because the rented house is tiny and we are surrounded by stuff as it is. But I did buy a rather handsome 62cm Nutcracker soldier who is standing guard over the presents. I think I may start a wee collection of Nutcracker soldiers and see if next year I can rival the Chatsworth display.