After taking a break from blogging, I thought this new year would be a good time to take it up again! Thank you to some lovely readers out there who have emailed me to enquire!
Part of the reason for my break in blog-land is that about six weeks ago, we lost our darling little Shih Tzu, Bunny. She was bitten by a Paralysis Tick and as she was so small and dainty, didn’t really stand a chance of withstanding that dreadful venom. What an awful way to die and of course, Penny (our other ShihTzu – pictured above) has been devastated by her loss. Anyway.. on to other happier tales…
We had a happy family holiday at our beach house. Christmas enjoyed the usual build-up of decorating the tree, preparing the traditional feast and spending the morning after, surrounded by wrapping, presents and happy grandchildren We cooked delicious food and did plenty of beach walks. We also got to meet some lovely neighbours. We had dinner at our favourite restaurant down there – Cupitt’s Winery where we had the most delicious fish and watched a magical sunset.
The new house in Bowral is coming on very nicely! We have planted half of the back yard garden and I am so looking forward to continuing with the rest of the garden. The interiors are coming along and hopefully, the installation of the joinery will start this week. Below are random photos of the holiday and the new house. Happy New Year to you all and let’s hope it is a very good year for everyone!
My favourite flower at this time of the year “Christmas Bush” an Australian native.
The Christmas table
Champagne before the feast!
Delicious lobster – Boxing day lunch
Cheeky Hugo! (my daughter’s dog)
Darling Penny
Our beautiful beach
I baked a chocolate cake which looked better than it tasted!.. I need the perfect chocolate cake recipe please!
Holiday aftermath!
Cooked this tuna on the Bbq and served it on a quinoa salad
Smoked salmon pasta – family favourite
Very satisfying!
Picking flowers..- beach garden
First dinner out on the deck!
Newly planted rear garden in Bowral – hope it makes it through this very hot spell
The new pool – tiles still need grouting
Dormer window in bedroom 4
Looking through from the kitchen
Batten/board panelling in the dining room
Looking through living room/dining room from the entry hall
Entry hall looking through to the garden
Timber fencing which will weather to a lovely grey … new plantings of box hedging etc.
Deciding on tile layout for the gallery
COMMENTS
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Hi Jenny! Welcome back to blogging! You still have lots of things to finish on your new house, Jenny. I believe you’ve been very busy with the construction, but I hope you won’t forget to get a house warranty, so that should you need repairs for your HVAC unit and built-in appliances, you won’t have to stress yourself more. Anyway, I’ll be looking forward to seeing your finished projects. All the best! 🙂
I’m sorry to hear the loss of your Bunny. I feel your heartbreak for losing such a darling. On the lighter note, congratulations on the new house! Such a lovely home you have, just perfect to spend a wonderful holiday in. =) Calvin @ CityBlockTeam.com
Sorry to hear about Bunny. Very sad to lose a family pet. Your christmas photos looked lovely. Can you share the salmon spaghetti recipe please?? Thanks for a lovely blog
Hi miss b! Thank you so much and it's very heart-warming to receive the above comments! As you might have experienced… I sometimes wonder at the audacity of thinking anyone else out there would be interested in my goings-on!! Have a lovely weekend! xx
Dear Farmer's wife! Thank you for your kind comments …we did have a lovely Christmas and how funny to have chosen the same pool! We chose this pool in a matter of minutes …. opted for the fibreglass pool instead of a 'built' pool as it was the quicker option. Unfortunately, the choices as far as the shapes are concerned are limited… I liked this shape as it is quite classica.. just wish it didn't have the "glittery" coating on the inside. Having said that, it looks OK once it is filled with water! Have a lovely weekend! xx
Happy New Year and welcome back to Blogland! So sorry to hear about Bunny which must have been upsetting for all the family. Your festive table looks lovely and what a fabulous beach garden with those stunning views which must be so relaxing. I'm admiring all the blue and white touches too. http://missbbobochic.blogspot.co.uk/
I am so sorry about your Bunny. So upsetting.
Love your beach house – gorgeous. We are looking at putting a pool in at The Farm and have tentaively chosen the same shape as yours!
Take care – glad you had a lovely Christmas and New Year.
Hi Tracey!… Thank you so much for saying so! I also wish you the very best for 2014 … let's hope it is a good year! xx
Welcome back you have been missed. Looking forward to reading your blog again. Happy New Year to you. Tracey
Thank you for lovely comments!… they mean such a lot coming from you! We are jealous of your cool/cold weather as there are some of us suffering tremendous heat! xx
Hi Jenny! Welcome back to blogging! You still have lots of things to finish on your new house, Jenny. I believe you’ve been very busy with the construction, but I hope you won’t forget to get a house warranty, so that should you need repairs for your HVAC unit and built-in appliances, you won’t have to stress yourself more. Anyway, I’ll be looking forward to seeing your finished projects. All the best! 🙂
Lois Becker @ Finlay Brewer
I’m sorry to hear the loss of your Bunny. I feel your heartbreak for losing such a darling. On the lighter note, congratulations on the new house! Such a lovely home you have, just perfect to spend a wonderful holiday in. =) Calvin @ CityBlockTeam.com
Sorry to hear about Bunny. Very sad to lose a family pet. Your christmas photos looked lovely. Can you share the salmon spaghetti recipe please?? Thanks for a lovely blog
Hi miss b! Thank you so much and it's very heart-warming to receive the above comments! As you might have experienced… I sometimes wonder at the audacity of thinking anyone else out there would be interested in my goings-on!! Have a lovely weekend! xx
Dear Farmer's wife! Thank you for your kind comments …we did have a lovely Christmas and how funny to have chosen the same pool! We chose this pool in a matter of minutes …. opted for the fibreglass pool instead of a 'built' pool as it was the quicker option. Unfortunately, the choices as far as the shapes are concerned are limited… I liked this shape as it is quite classica.. just wish it didn't have the "glittery" coating on the inside. Having said that, it looks OK once it is filled with water! Have a lovely weekend! xx
Happy New Year and welcome back to Blogland! So sorry to hear about Bunny which must have been upsetting for all the family. Your festive table looks lovely and what a fabulous beach garden with those stunning views which must be so relaxing. I'm admiring all the blue and white touches too.
http://missbbobochic.blogspot.co.uk/
I am so sorry about your Bunny. So upsetting.
Love your beach house – gorgeous. We are looking at putting a pool in at The Farm and have tentaively chosen the same shape as yours!
Take care – glad you had a lovely Christmas and New Year.
Hi Tracey!… Thank you so much for saying so! I also wish you the very best for 2014 … let's hope it is a good year! xx
Welcome back you have been missed. Looking forward to reading your blog again. Happy New Year to you. Tracey
Thank you for lovely comments!… they mean such a lot coming from you! We are jealous of your cool/cold weather as there are some of us suffering tremendous heat! xx