Settling

Hello there! It's been too long, I miss blogging, I miss you lot. We are staying with John's family in Durham at the moment and I'm taking advantage of their internet connection to have a quick catch up and share some recent photos. Our broadband should be connected this weekend and then normal online life can resume, thank goodness. 

I am glad to say that we are settling in to our new home, and much more quickly than I thought we would. I guess that's because we've had the keys since the end of January and one or other of us has been there most days, paintbrush or drill in hand, and so now we're actually living there is all feels quite normal. 

The kids keep saying "It's the first..." about everything; the first meal, the first bath, the first hair wash, the first night's sleep. They love to count things, how many nights they've slept in their new beds, things like that. I was amazed how quickly they settled down on the first night. I was braced for either giddiness or tears, and just had two kids very glad to be in their familiar beds. 

John and I have been enjoying "firsts" too - the first fire, in our much longed for wood burning stove. I can build a fire now, I know all about kindling and seasoning wood and all sorts. We've only lit a few, and now spring seems to be well and truly here they may be the last until next autumn.

The first big food shop. After three months of staying with my parents, I really enjoyed the autonomy of shopping just for the four of us, of planning the meals and then going and buying the food, of exploring a new supermarket. I spent much longer filling the fridge than I normally would. I am just enjoying being back in my own domestic space and doing the tasks and chores I would normally rush through.

The first crochet project. It will be a blanket for Bella, in colours and a pattern entirely of her own choosing (a rainbow zigzag). I started the dreaded foundation chain and first rows today and hope to finish it by next autumn. Set realistic goals, that's what I've learnt with blankets.

Our first Easter. There wasn't time for much in the way of decorating, but I did find the box marked "Easter decs" and put up a few things around the house.

We ate our first roast dinner on Easter Sunday, a leg of lamb, and invited my parents to come and share it with us. It was so nice to be able to cook for them; they've been brilliant these last few months, steadfastly supportive, loving and helpful, and we owe them a great deal. 

For pudding, I made my first lemon meringue pie. I even made the pastry! Clearly that pastry below is homemade, I mean look at the state of it.

It came out well, although I think a sweet shortcrust pastry base may have been nicer than the plain one. Good meringue-peak-action though, I was pleased with that.

Our living room is coming together. Most of those boxes behind the sofa, in front of the window, held books. 

As soon as John had bolted the bookcases to the wall I spent an idyllic few hours one evening unpacking and alphabetising the books. They are divided into fiction, poetry and reference. Sorting books into alphabetical order might be a lot of peoples idea of hell, but I can tell you that it was both soothing and satisfying. I worked in a bookshop for some years before having the kids, and I like to think it's a habit I learnt there, but in truth I suspect I'm the kind of person who would alphabetise them anyway.

However the cookery books, which are kept in the dining room for ease of access in the kitchen, I arranged by colour. I don't need these to be alphabetical - I don't think I have that many and can find them all quickly by their spines. This arranging was as pleasing and enjoyable as the A-Z fiction, let me tell you. 

When I come downstairs in the morning and walk from room to room, opening curtains, switching on the kettle, I can't believe this house is ours. I love it so much. It thrills me! It's coming together and I am happy.