December was a month of two halves here. The first half was hectic, with the final (almost) juggling of tradespeople and work, and the second half was like a very much needed rest cure, as I slowly started the process of piecing my addled head back together. So, first of all, the thing that's been occupying us for most of the year. The building work Eventually, in December, the granite arrived, having been delayed by Storm Arwen. Once that was in (after a few alterations), the appliances and sink were fitted. Finally, we had a fully functional kitchen. That's not quite the end of it, of course. The granite guys filled the joints with flexible silicone sealant, which started to collect water and dust within a few days, and they have yet to return to replace it with epoxy, as agreed. I've chased them again through the kitchen fitters, and fingers crossed I won't end up doing it myself. There are still things we need to do ourselves though. Skirting board, finishing the ceiling, painting... But it's a useable kitchen and dining room, and we had our Christmas dinner there, and it was Very Cheerful Indeed. Upstairs isn't quite finished either, despite our intentions to be properly moved into our new bedroom by Christmas. Still, December brought us a carpet, and more painting, and the hope that things would be finished eventually. All that remains now is to paint the second coat on the second half of the ceiling, another coat of gold on one of the walls, and to oil the skirting boards. Oh, and things like windowsills and curtains and shelves, of course, but we can move in without those for now. Despite what's left, we can finally see the end, and I am delighted. The aftermath of the building work The run up to Christmas was devoted to returning the house to some kind of order. There was detritus everywhere. Every room that wasn't a building site was being used for some kind of storage, and it had become impossible to even run the hoover round. It's no wonder we were feeling quite overwhelmed. The last picture is of the room we've been using as a temporary kitchen for two years. It did us well, but I am very glad to see the back of it. Anyway, after much hard work, and many trips to the tip and the garage, order is restored. Mostly, anyway. We can sit in the dining room, and I can use my study as an office again. The temporary kitchen is not yet reinvented as a music room, but it will be... Chickens There isn't much to report on the chicken front. The new ladies are settling in nicely, and we had no vet trips in December. There is another avian flu housing order in place here, but they seem to be entertained enough, and their new extended run keeps them out of most of the weather. It's not particularly pretty in there, so I find myself taking far fewer photographs, but we do spend plenty of time sitting with them, and they get lots of treats. There's not much else to report from December. I did no work outside - all our attentions were focused on sorting out inside, and on Christmas, although I was the least prepared I've ever been for that, and several people I'd usually send a little something to got nothing at all I'm afraid. I hope to make up for that throughout the year.
We're already half way through January of course, and I can give you advance warning that there will be very little done outside, and not that much inside either... What will 2022 bring on the homestead? Finishing the kitchen and bedroom projects of course, and then I think we'll need a good rest from DIY. I'd like to do something with the bathroom, but we'll see. Outside, more of the same - hay making, veg growing, composting, dry stone wall fixing. Let's see.
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Hello!Sit down and make yourself comfortable. I'm Jenni, and I write here about our new foray into country living, which includes growing food, knitting, baking, wandering around the fields, and seeing which local cafe serves the best cake. Categories
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