Here Comes 2018!

Hello

I didn't want to just do a look back at 2017 post to be honest so this is a bit of a mish mash of the still 2017 and the coming 2018.

First of all I want to show you the start of a project Jon will be starting in the New Year; we managed to get this fantastic sink from a well known auction site for the great price of £40.

It is huge but luckily it will fit beautifully into the existing space, and we also have these...

Today Jon and the boys were clearing out the tractor shed which belongs to our sheep-farming neighbour and friend. He has said Jon can use the shed to store things from his tool shed and garage whilst he is changing them into the B and B. At the same time he found these tiles which we will use for the sink splashback. What a result, just as we needed something exactly like it!

Also Jon and the boys found these wonderful glass jars a bowl.The bottle I have taken to a charity shop as I didn't really like it.

I did get into the garden yesterday and put some chicken cleanings onto the main veg patch.

My neighbour told me that it was quite safe to put it onto the ground to rot down ready for the Spring so I managed around a third of it but will be easy to finish the rest.

In January we had to re-home Jake; we still think about him but know he is happier.

The second Airbnb room is now finished and awaiting furniture.

I especially really love the oak panel we used for the sink splashback and mirror backing.

We are very pleased that for the first Airbnb room we already have a booking for the first weekend in January and one for February. Also, we hope to get the next phase going well as Jon begins working part time from January 10, three days a week so the way he works he will get tonnes of jobs and work done.

On a personal note I joined Slimming World in February and managed to reach my goal a good while before the end of the year by losing two and a half stones.

In April we started a long-term project - mushrooms!

There will not be any result from the plugs in the trees for another year or so. We'll see what happens next year.

By May the growing area had increased. I had the original patch along with the fruit area and patch for carrots and sweetcorn.

In June we had one of our trips to the beach after the boys came home to school. Just fab.

In July Harry and I met Prince Charles at Strata Florida Abbey.

In August we had an awesome time watching the meteor shower from our back garden.

In September I made windfall chutney with apples gifted to me by my father in law...

and Jon took the boys on a camping trip.

In October the Rayburn was lit and with the cold that came with storm Brian and Ophelia we were so pleased for it.

November saw the beginning of the festive season with things like mincemeat readied for the pies in December.

And that brings us to December and the eve of the new year.

It is always a time to enjoy looking forward and thinking of the plans for the coming months but we always like to look back at past achievements and things that happened. There have been some horrible things that have occured in the last 12 months but we must always hope that the world will manage to change for the better, for everyone.

Can I wish everybody a wonderful New Year, being a purposeful, rewarding and just one that brings you peace, happiness and joy in whatever you do.

Bye for now.

Lou.xx