We have been in our new home for about 3 weeks now and are beginning to settle in a little. There is still loads to do, more boxes to unpack, decisions on where to place things to make, and and urgent need for more decluttering especially in the book department! All of this has meant that I haven't been out with my 'big' camera very much. Instead I have been taking opportunistic shots with my iPhone . In particular I have been taking sunrise shots from my bedroom window

The template here comes from the Project Life app which I am enjoying playing with as I make an effort to record our first year in Salisbury. I want to document the changes in our lives. We are walking more, for example, on an every day basis rather than having to take the car to get anywhere

Although we lived in lovely country before the walks directly from the house weren't that great, with a lot of shady lanes and gloomy woods when, in winter you want any sunshine that's going. So our first Sunday walk through town was a great success

While we are loving all this it does take time to settle in and begin to feel 'at home'. What is helping is small corners of the house that give a respite from the chaos of the rest and a sense of purpose to some of my outings. I captured this on Tuesday

As you can see I am somewhat addicted to using the waterloque and brushstrokes apps at the moment!

It will take a while to feel fully at home here - after all 33 years was a long time. But I see little glimmers as I place loved pieces of furniture and other objects in their new positions and think - yes that looks right! See you all soon.

We now have just three more nights left in our home of 33 years. We are mostly packed up with just the bed, a sofa, a table and a couple of chairs to see us over the weekend. Plus of course my trusty Mac!

This has been a great house for us, and when I look back, what really stands out are the parties. We were pretty young when we first moved here and each year we would hold a summer party and invite everyone we knew. Later on we celebrated major birthdays and anniversaries and of course there were the children’s parties, usually themed in some way.

In the pre-teen years it was usual to go and do an activity before coming home for a barbecue

Over the years I came to realise that although I enjoyed the parties themselves, what I really loved was the planning and preparation. Although some items were bought in, we never used caterers and most things were home made. Of the early parties, the curry party for 100 was particularly memorable as someone managed to set fire to the stove (I’m still not sure how) but disaster was averted and the party carried on (not sure I would be so laid back about this now).

Then we come to the last parties, my husband's 60th in 2010, and the very last party, my son's 21st last year

So its goodbye to the dear old house, but taking so many happy memories forward into our new lives.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, or other festival you celebrate at this time of year, and a happy and peaceful 2015

NB apologies for the different size fonts Squarespace have changed their platform and I con't seem to change the font size and I just don't have time to work out how right now!

Settling In?

Time to Say 'Goodbye"

We now have just three more nights left in our home of 33 years. We are mostly packed up with just the bed, a sofa, a table and a couple of chairs to see us over the weekend. Plus of course my trusty Mac!