You walk past it a dozen times a day. Yes, it's a mess but you are busy doing other things. You don't have places for some things . . . Then Sue from Eating and Living Well on a Small Budget put up some lovely photos-for-the-weekend and one lovely kitchen took my eye. I have a lovely kitchen but bits of it are an untidy MESS. Five minutes work and this eyesore was improved.
This is the taller view of the old fireplace. The little door above it opens into the chimney, which hasn't been one for many a long year as it has a window in the back! I keep oils and vinegar and pickles in there, but need to tidy up as there was also a Very Dead Bat when I opened it yesterday . . .
Later:
I have had an at-home day today. I didn't go to the auction at Pontrilas as it began at 9 a.m. and I woke up groggy and hot at 5.45 a.m. and had to have a kip later on. Town was gridlocked with traffic making its way to the Royal Welsh - it doesn't start until Monday but lots of Young Farmers and exhibitors heading into town. I managed to get into the right hand lane so I could go through town and up to Co-Op - all thoughts of going to Jewsons for white undercoat rapidly abandoned.
I have kept my nose to the grindstone after lunch though, and masked, and put undercoat on the Georgian side door and finished the door frame at the front. I had to give up on that as it was in full sun and I was melting - hence going round to the side of the house.
I have just forced myself to take photos of Keith's mobility scooter, so I can advertise it in town - lots of extra people about in Royal Welsh week so it gives it a wider audience. Ditto the ramps and ditto his barely-used-outside wheelchair. I have internal folding ramps too which I will put a card up for. It's been hard to bite the bullet - I've put it off nearly a year now and it's stupid just letting things sit gathering dust when someone else could have the use of them and I need some cash to go towards my NZ trip.
In case you are wondering about that letter - the recipient chose not to open it. So, I will just have to give myself a shake and move on from that situation. I still having a loving son.
Right, now to tidy up the next messy work surface! It's Malvern tomorrow but I'm not going as the forecast is steady rain, and much as I would love a day out, it won't be much fun. I am baby sitting Rosie on Monday too, so don't want two really early mornings in a row.
It doesn't take much to make a place look a whole lot different. I love your little stove area, Bovey. I've been doing a bit of tidying and rearranging myself. Love, Andrea xoxo
ReplyDeleteNow I've cleared the worktop on the storage unit next to the stove area. Again, 5 minutes' work!
ReplyDeleteHow charming it all looks. The first pic looks like a fire hazard, does the stove get hot?
ReplyDeleteWe've never used it - disconnected as it's run on gas and the doors don't have good seals. It's just there for show.
ReplyDeleteI often wonder how I can tidy and put things away and then within a week have to do the same tidy over once again. You did very well with your tidy.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Oh yes, I am going to have to be stern with myself! and remember the maxim, "Don't put it down, put it away."
DeleteIf E. chose [childishly] not to open the letter, you've done what you could. Its a pity this situation continues, but there it is. Re tidying: I am not tidy by nature and things do accumulate, mainly on my desk. The kitchen area in this house is small and it is a constant effort to keep the countertops/work tops reasonably clear.
ReplyDeleteYes, I thought the same. You cannot just hide away from reality, especially when it is one of your own making. I have a good sized kitchen - L-shaped, with my table and a little dairy table in the long bit. They are currently covered in books about Green Men, and the Welsh Marches! I will make myself tidy that up today!
DeleteIf you could remove the old stove the space would make a nice display area or bookshelf. Thank you for your recent posts of walks and wildflowers. I found them very restorative. You must be worried for Danny, it is a difficult situation for him.
ReplyDeleteA bookshelf would be a good idea I agree. Will have a word with the lads two doors down and see if we can manhandle the stove outside, but then it will need to be taken to the dump somehow.
DeleteWell done you with your tidying. I try to do the same here in Wiltshire but parts of the work surfaces are magnets for leaflets, books and nice things that I once liked looking at. Re the fire there are some good electric copies which would bring a flickering flame. Alternatively could you put a lit candle (or dare I say battery candle) in the old fire which would bring it to life in the winter? I wouldn't get rid of it though. It's lovely and the flowers on top are exactly what it needs. And if no flowers in winter you could always put a pot of ivy there.
ReplyDeleteI have too many irons in the fire, especially with books. Have just them all away though and for the moment, I have a completely clear table (but it won't last!) The kitchen is the coolest room and an electric stove would help it, but I just put on an extra layer or if it's the middle of the night, a heated blanket over me.
DeleteIn winter I could "display" some books there . . .
It's all looking lovely, homely and cosy. Thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteAlison in Devon x