Champagne Lifestyle on a Lemonade Budget.

phoebe1989seb

LL, it sounds as though you're making huge strides in the garden....and after all, if the back isn't so great right now, console yourself that it's the front that most people can see and that is looking lovely  With your determination, you will get there! Hope you had a good pampering session, btw.....

I can't claim that it's all picturesque perfection in our garden - we have huuuge numbers of less than photo worthy corners....I just try my best to keep those out of sight when taking pics! Adjacent to the main entrance is one of the worst - where the previous owners had a wooden picnic table/benches. The paving slabs hadn't been laid properly and were lifting/cracking, so this year we've removed most of those, re-using them in true MSE/champagne moment style, as paving for the rose bed paths where eventually they will be embedded in gravel.

The plan is to put a lovely, traditional style greenhouse (preferably timber or maybe pastel aluminium) there, where hopefully it will fulfill the William Morris brief by being both useful and looking fab against the backdrop of the old stone walls and pretty cerise rose..... which is one of the few existing flowering plants inherited from our predecessors. It was in a sorry state two years ago, but gradually we are training it over the wall so it adds a further layer of colour and scent to the courtyard beyond.

Currently though, this space is a dumping ground for building materials, potted seedlings, a mini grow house (for when I CBA to trudge to the polytunnel!)......and a large cast iron pig  Gifted to DH by a client he was landscaping for last year, it's not remotely our thing, but he was too polite to refuse it. Fortunately it's hidden from view (amongst all the other stuff, lol!) and will be trotting off to a fleamarket just as soon as they re-start!

Yesterday's champagne moment was DH bringing home a rather more lovely 'surprise' for the garden (see pic). The 2ft high beastie was discovered in an unkempt part of the garden he's been working on. The home owner said it was no longer required, so if DH was interested, he could have it.... for free. Yes please  Not certain where we'll put it yet, but there's plenty of options!

It's DH's birthday today, so this morning - before he left for work - we sat in bed with a glass of fruit juice and a box of yummy (special offer) M&S chocs....very decadent and champagne moment worthy! Tonight we're being naughty again and have a Thai curry feast planned, with plenty of his favourite wine (maybe even outside on the terrace as the sun has put in an overdue appearance this afternoon, although it's still a little chilly) and later a film..... possibly Emma or The Invisible Man. If he's lucky, I might even challenge him to a game of tiddywinks or scrabble 

helensbiggestfan

Ooh I like that.....I'm sure you'll find a spot for it.  I liked the "face on the wall" too the other day.  Is she a pagan goddess. Anyway she's lovely.  

You're right, at least the front looks ok.  In fact I have had two compliments from neighbours this week.....and an offer of cuttings. 👍😁.  Which I shall gratefully accept after my holiday.  Mse/Champagne at it's best. I have to confess the longer I live here the more I like it.....the neighbours really are fab.  Maybe I won't move soon after all.🤔. 🤣.  

Did my month end financials this morning.  It's looking good, I have not been spending as much during lockdown. Every cloud has a silver lining.  The biggest expense was the awning, a bit of a luxury but I really like it and my lockdown savings have covered it. 

Not had my pamper session yet. I decided to have a good session in the garden instead, tackling the weeds and straightening up so hopefully I won't come home to a jungle.  I'll have a bite to eat first and then beautify myself later.   Watch Downton Abbey and have a nice restful evening.  I'm shattered now. 

Hope your husband has a good birthday, another Cancerian  ....the best people are. 😂🤣.  My birthday next Tuesday whilst we are away, we are aiming to visit Chatsworth for my birthday treat, although I'm guessing the house will be closed but seeing the gardens and farm will be nice.  And then it's my GS 2nd birthday on Thursday, so yet another cancerian.  

Bubblesmum

Morning, not sure if I’ve posted before however really Reading everybody’s champagne moments. I am another who needs the healing hands massage therapists et cetera and mine starts back today hooray.... so today’s champagne moment 

@pheobe1989seb your garden looks fab and is very inspiring..... as I’m working on our small patch which is an oasis of green and cottage garden.... 

helensbiggestfan

Ooh Bubblesmum..........I am so envious of your massage today.  Indeed a champagne Moment.  Enjoy.😁

good morning my lovely friends.  

Well I have just been to Aldi and stocked up on nice nibbles and goodies to take on our little holiday,  and DS is doing the same. There is a mega Sainsburys about 15 minutes from the cottage, plus Chatsworth Farm for The most amazing deli type stuff - their various game pies are to die for, although not sure if they will be in season.  So even if we won't be eating out we won't starve.  😂

Getting excited now.....I had a good beautify and pamper session yesterday and just need to do my packing, water the houseplants etc. and I'm all set.  The weather forecast is reasonable, low 20s - that will be just fine by me.....I really don't like it when it heads towards 30C. 

DS1 has been in the wars this week, nasty ear infection and yesterday he cut his hand on a rusty fence.  Luckily he is up to date with his tetanus jabs.  I think he's a bit run down, he is very tired and a bit stressed with work so  he's super excited at the thought of a little break.  They were booked to go away earlier but had to cancel because of the virus. DIL is now 27 weeks pregnant And soon won't be able to fly so this is a good time to go away. I  think a change of scene will do us all good.  Admittedly it's only just up the road, not even the coast but Derbyshire is a very pretty county (ok I'm biased😂) and a lot of it will be new to DIL.  

I certainly won't be braving airports or even cruises from  UK ports for some time to come. I really don't mind, I Am quite happy to holiday in the U.K. I have travelled quite extensively in my life and  I think we are blessed to live in such a pretty and varied country.  I don't feel I'm missing out by not going abroad.  

I don't even mind the weather. 😂🤣

Bubblesmum

We have stayed on the Chatsworth estate , the gardens so beautiful and farm shop... their Eccles cakes ..... mouth just watering thinking about them 

MrsSnowy

I haven't posted for ages although I have been lurking,it's so lovely hearing what you all do.
I've had a few champagne moments,but then  I will be 70 next Saturday and they are treats to myself.
I've saved a little by clearing my wardrobes ,I 'found' several new outfits by resurrecting  and auditioning a few different tops and jackets.
 My lovely podiatrist was back at work today,I was her first customer. So nice, to have my feet done and to talk to someone who is out there working. 
I've bought a new computer and mostly managed to get it going,DD1,DS and DD2 are contributing to it.
My disgusting,dirty, lovely, little workhorse of a car with mossy green edges, has been booked for a pamper session tomorrow and will be valeted inside and out !
Best for last,I've got a hair appointment in two weeks time. I live in Wales so a bit behind England,my hair is sooo long.
Keep safe all

phoebe1989seb

Hi MrsSnowy, we're in Wales too - although originally from the south coast of England.....soooo very much looking forward to being able to do 'normal' stuff again, particularly visiting our family across the border in a couple of weeks 

LL, hope you and your family have a super break and that the weather stays kind. I've always wanted to visit Chatsworth - we've driven past but en route elsewhere - hopefully one day! 

The 'face on the wall' came from a reclamation yard in Dorset when we were living in Wiltshire, right on the border between the two counties. It was designed as a wall fountain/spout and formerly belonged to Toyah Willcox who also used to have a house in the area

Not much free time for MSE yesterday/today as we've a ton of  lifting and shifting ahead of our DIY building work. Champagne moments will hopefully follow when the work is complete!

missychrissy

I’ve just cut the grass and installed 2 new black composters next to my newly raised beds built by my youngest son. I’ve got them covered in black plastic weighted down by bricks at present to let the upturned turf we lifted off the patch beforehand, break down. It feels like a champagne moment. Although not large my garden does everything I need. There are 2 patios, a hot one and a cool one, it’s a playground for my grandchildren and my dog (she is on the path if you look carefully), it is full of birds and insects, and I will soon be able to grow more veg.

candygirl

Another lovely garden CHRISSY. Mine's deffo a work in progress, with having dogs for years

needmoney

@missychrissy Lovely garden looks nice and private with those trees st the back.