Saturday 3 July 2010

Catch Up!

How are you all? It's been a while since I visited blog land I know and I have loads and loads of catching up to do! I've missed everyone and I'm going to have look at what you've all be up to. I've been kinda busy, enjoying the good summer we've finally had here in England, the tennis, the World Cup football and working on the house and garden.

Where do I start?

Well, the good weather has enabled us to start major work on the house, replacing all the windows. The middle window here has been knocked out to make way for a front door and porch.

Before fixing the porch Andy thought it would be a good idea to put the new window in above.

Here's the new window from the inside. It was relatively easy to fit and just slotted in to position. We didnt even have to take the curtains down!!
Next, a little old original window was re-fitted and this will be inside the porch to give a bit more light in the living room.


Here's the little window from the inside. The original, original windows with their leaded lights were tiny. It is hard to imagine how dark it must have been inside the house with windows this size.


The timber frame for the porch was then fitted and this will gradually be clad in the brick that took ages and ages for us to find to match the house but eventually we managed to get some from a reclamation yard. Only four more windows to replace now and then the front of the house will be finished. Hooray!!



Rufus has enjoyed the sunshine, playing in the paddling pool but as you can see, the hose goes everywhere except in the actual pool!




The kittens are really growing and one has even been re-homed already. We have found homes for them all and I'm having two and will pick them up on return from my holiday next week.


Aren't they cuties!

Finally, I couldn't go without showing you some of the garden. The roses, peonies and in fact, everything else has done really well this year despite the lack of rain.





I'm off my hols next week to Somerset. Hope you all have a fantastic weekend. See you later!
Susie X

16 comments:

  1. Nice to have you back! You have been busy, it all looks wonderful. Have a fantastic holiday...xxx

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  2. Your cottage..and garden..are gorgeous,and I love the changes you are making!
    Have a wonderful time in Somerset..the weather's going to be great for you!

    Bellaboo :0)

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  3. So nice to hear from you again! I had WONDERED if I was just missing finding your posts or if you were away from blogland for a while.

    I really love the new entrance to the house. Can't wait to see the finished product. I think I will miss the look of the old windows, but will reserve that judgment until I see it all finished.

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  4. Your garden loooks so pretty and those kittens-so cute!
    Have a good holiday.
    Love
    Lyn
    xxx

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  5. Your cottage looks lovely and your garden too. Those kittens are so sweet - I wonder which two will be yours? Hope you have a wonderful holiday:)

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  6. Hi,glad to hear of you again.

    Your cottage is blicked in red!! So nice.
    And Looks so wonderful garden. You're enjoying lovely summer time and getting lots of sunshine!!
    We're sadly under the rain..

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  7. Love your garden and your renovations are looking great!

    Irma :)

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  8. Susie darling sounds like you all have been very busy and I must say the house, garden and kittens look lovely and Rufus adorbale. Take care and enjoy the summer.

    Love & Hugs
    Duchess

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  9. I love seeing what people to their houses. Great transformation!
    Your garden looks so cottagy and quite frankly stunning!
    Those kittens are so cute, I know that I would have HUGE trouble parting with a litter of kittens so it's just as well my cats have had operations...I get so attached...
    Enjoy Somerset, the weather should be good.
    Take care
    Isabelle x

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  10. Dear Susie, the porch work in progress is showing a wonderful job already, so nice to have a new entrance!!!!
    It`s been centuries since my last time here, I have to catch up in your old posts right now. Your boy is so, so , sooooo cute and lovely!!!
    cariños,
    maria cecilia

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  11. Wow Susie, your garden is looking so lovely! The lupines and foxgloves and roses look fantastic. You definitely have a true cottage garden!
    I'm glad that the renovations are going so smoothly. Your brother is doing an amazing job, and I hope that you'll share pictures of the finished porch.
    Enjoy your summer!
    Carol

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  12. How adorable are those kitties! xx

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  13. Love the new porch, it will really make a lovely entrance....the cottage garden looks really pretty. Enjoy your hols....

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  14. Hi Susie, hope you had a wonderful time in Somerset! Looking forward to seeing your pictures! xx

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  15. The new windows are going to look amazing, they look lovely with the style of the house, love the colour green too ;-)

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  16. What a fun project! Will definitely be following along :) cute kitties by the way!

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