Book review.

In the meantime I've been reading a series of Christian books which make up a saga. 

It began with this book which came up on my Kindle.

I am fascinated by tales of the early pioneers living in America and Canada.

This is a story of Norwegian immigrants, two families who in 1880 left their land of mountains and fiords, to make the long journey to Red River in Dakota.

The promise of free land drew them to this region, though they had no idea of the hardships they would face.

Sustained by their strong Christian faith, they tamed the land, through sheer blistering hard work. They learned through trial and error to speak the language. They coped with medical emergencies. Always their faith drove them on. 

The family saga runs for around twelve books, telling of the gradual growth of a township, the coming of the railways and the building of a church and a school.

At the end of a busy day spent rearranging my new kitchen cupboards, I settle down with yet another chapter....and feel grateful for all the worldly possessions that I have which make my life easier.

This is my own review, no one has given me the book or asked me to write this.

Thank you

Thank you so much for all your lovely comments on my new kitchen.

Today it is back to chaos!

The decorator is here and is scraping off years of Anaglypta wall paper. If you are not familiar with this, it dates from the 70s and is very thick figured paper, painted over.

Sheets cover the units, the floor is a mess of paper.......

Soon, oh soon, my house will be my own again!

Kitchens.

At last!

The first photo is of the kitchen as it was. It was, of course, a perfectly serviceable kitchen, with units that weren't too old, but not as well planned as I would have liked. Compared to our other kitchens this one is the smallest we have had, but it still has room for a table and chairs. 

Somehow the brown-ness of the faux wood units was depressing. My kitchen has always been a place for friends to chat over a coffee, a place to sit with family and talk, and I knew the ambience I wished to create.. 

Our clever carpenter took many of the units and re-used them in a utility room, which was very useful.

Below is the new kitchen. The new floor looks warmer, the units look brighter. I don't have to approach the fridge on my knees as it is in an integrated wall unit, as is the cooker. The wall tiles are a lovely pale blue. There is some decorating to be done but that's not urgent.

I feel very fortunate to have my new kitchen and look forward to sharing it with friends and family for meals.

Roses

As the new kitchen is still a work in progress, I thought I'd show you roses today.

We are back at home and surprised to see how the garden has come on in just a short week.

You get a better picture by clicking on the photos.

This rose below is called Dr Jo, and has a lovely perfume, as do most of my roses.

 The candy stripes on this one are very bright.

It was a gift, and I had never seen one like it before.

Her name is Scent-imental.

This is good old faithful, Graham Thomas. I've always had him in gardens. He has grown so tall that we have had to put an obelisk around him.

Last, but not least, is the climber, Dancing Queen, which naturally makes me think of Abba!

After a slow start she is roaring up the wall, happily covered in scented pink blooms.

Maybe there will be some kitchen photos soon.

Off line.

Whilst our new kitchen is being installed

we will be away , staying with friends, but popping back home every few days to water the tomatoes, check the plants, weed the beans.... oh, and to see how the renovation is going!

So, off line for a few days.

See you soon.

Lupin

One beautiful Lupin.

Another one is soon to flower.

This season of surprises in the garden is so lovely.

When I bought the Lupins from the market neither the stall holder nor I had any idea what colour they would be.

The bees are loving them.

Abba.

I watched a programme tonight on the life of the singer, Agnetha Faltskog, who was of course, a quarter part of ABBA.

I remember how excited we all were when the group won a Eurovision contest with 'Waterloo' way back in the 70s

. Their bright and bouncy style was so different from anything before.

Agnetha has been off the scene for the last 30 years, but has recently made a new disc, which sounds lovely, dreamy and quite serious.

At 63 Agnetha still looks lovely, gentle and modest.

I hope her new songs do well.

At our church in France we used to put on entertainments every now and then. One year it was suggested that three of us take on the Mamma Mia roles.

We considered it for, ooh, about a minute. Then thought, Hmmm, Lycra?

Long boots? Great big heels?

No. 

Good decision.

Choices.

I put two items on Freecycle this week.

It's a website that offers goods, free, or one can ask for items also.

I had eighteen replies for a cooker and a fridge. These are good items but as they were in the house when we bought it there can be no guarantees.

How does one choose?

Well, so many simply said 'Hi, I'll have the fridge'

or, 'Here's my phone number, get back to me'.

I liked the two that sent a polite letter, telling me why they needed these goods.

Now I have to choose which one. 

Dilemma!

My little corner.

Just a corner of the Terrace, where it is warm enough to sit.

We are so thankful for the pull-out awning that gives shade to the corner.

Things are growing in my pots, though we have had no rain lately to water them much.

The white geranium was a cutting that I brought from my French garden.

One pot is planted with blue Salvia and nemesia, together with white trailing geraniums.

I planted Nicotiana in a low pot, so that we could enjoy the scent.

There is a big pot of Sweet peas behind, and they are just beginning to flower.

It's good to sit out in the evening and enjoy what we are creating here.

The shed.

"I think", said my husband, somewhat moodily, "that the time has come when the shed should be tidied".

He's right. The garden shed has stayed as it was when we arrived here a year ago, and it was the recipient of all the things we couldn't find a place for.

They are not placed in tidy ranks or piles, more, heaps.

Heaps of drill cases, saw bench, cases with fierce looking tools in, paint pots, garden tools.....need I say more?

The problem is that my husband, like so many men (hmmm, Connie?) hates to part with anything.

It's always going to 'come in useful'. One day.

Up and down France went stores of wood, planks etc. some were used, the rest made a final landing with a carpenter friend just before we left France.

I could tell that for my husband,it was like parting with a child.

Well, the time has definitely come.

We are having a new kitchen fitted in a couple of weeks, sooner than I had expected.

Without a spare bedroom, where do I put all the things that will have to come out of the kitchen? China, pans, table, chairs, baking tins..... I have to admit to having just one or two tiny things which 'might come in useful' too.

So, the shed is going to be cleaned, tidied and Space made.

Do I hear a little sigh?

Off to Falmouth

We spent a happy sunny day in Falmouth this weekend.

There is a level walk along the Front, away from the traffic, and with benches every now and then. Perfect for my husband to walk .People were out, with dogs, or children, and everyone smiled and said what a lovely day. Sunshine brings out the best!

You can just see Pendennis Castle on the headland.

(Click on the pictures for a much clearer view.)

We strolled to the Falmouth Hotel for a light lunch. Looking out of their windows we could see canoeists enjoying the day, and even a few sailing boats out on the water.

One of the Dining rooms was prepared for a Wedding, which was apparently taking place at the Castle.

It all looked so pretty.

(I realised later that my reflection is in the mirror!)

And as we left, the Bridal car had stopped in the drive. The chauffeur was pouring a glass of Champagne for the couple, and they were happy to let me take a quick snap.

We made our way home via a small Nursery Garden Centre, where I found one or two more plants for my big French garden pots.

What a lovely day, made perfect by the weather.

Garden pictures.

These are just a few of the garden, taken in recent weeks.

This bed is filling up with lupins, alchemilla, hellebores and a lovely Clematis growing up the obelisk. Next to it is Zephirine Drouin, a thornless rose with a gorgeous scent.

Little rock plants will eventually soften the edge of the granite setts.

Everything is taking its time in this cold weather.

Here is my husband's long raised bed.

He's growing lettuce, shallots, French beans and potatoes here.

This Azalea was a surprise.

It's in the front garden, and had done nothing except look green. Suddenly it, and another, are both brilliant pink!

You never know what is coming up next.