Moving forward and upwards

Irenadler

Nice to receive that voucher, in time for Xmas! Hope Tombo is stashing those stumps for your new stove-to-come! I think it can take a year to get wood seasoned! Just in time for next Xmas.....

MovingForwards

TomBo is currently working on removing the actual next door neighbour trees. They are putting a fence up their side of the brick wall. I don't know where we are going to store all this wood! My patio is full already, as is the shared path between me and building neighbour garden, yet it just keeps coming 🙈

The monster tree stump is now the size of about two big sleeping house cats. He has done well.

Onions are garlic are looking good, as are the lettuce, beets, carrots and parsnips. Herb garden is fine due to being by the patio wall.

Roses are blooming too and showing no signs of slowing.

I think we may have a good growing season due to positioning and how the sun hits the garden. 

Irenadler

Fantastic news on the wood - maybe you will have to build some sort of log storage, to free up some of the patio? Can't believe how much stump has disappeared, what is Tombo on, and does he loan himself out? Ha! 

Onions, I knew I forgot to plant something, thanks for the reminder! It sounds like you are all set for some decent winter or over-wintering crops now... I think the only thing I would change here, is the orientation, not south facing back garden sadly.... maybe I should move!

MovingForwards

He has a place in mind for the wood. I've found an artistic piece within a pile he collected from someone (not sure why as we had enough of our own) which I hope to varnish and use as a low drinks table.
TomBo is powered by tea, coffee and frustration, takes it out on the stump 🤭 
If ever we head over the border, I will let you know 😁

I thought you had put your onions in already! I still need to plant up my flowering bulbs and the rosemary I've rooted.

South, mostly south facing, is good, but I did get sunburnt a few times this year, it's also unbearable to sit in, great for growing though. Bit drastic to move for one. I'm sure you could make good use of how yours works!

I've booked another day off, unfortunately it's not that soon, only a month until I finish for Christmas 😁

Skint_yet_Again

My garden is west facing. Cooler in the mornings but gets the sun all afternoon & gets too hot at times too. 

MovingForwards

I really sold myself on the idea of sitting outside, reading a book, having a doze, while sipping cream soda in the sun. Just need to work out the plan as if I tried how it's set up now I would be cooked 😂
Need to find the balance for me and the herb garden. I will figure it out over the holidays.

Skint_yet_Again

Maybe a gazebo or pergola covered in honeysuckle, jasmine or grape vine 🍇🍷😁

savingholmes

Still making great progress inside and out. How lovely to get a xmas present already

MovingForwards

Thought about that Skinty, but it's not going to happen!

Thank you SH, the voucher was a lovely surprise and covered a few treats 😊

Today I've got a full first coat on the whole lounge unit, scraped the varnish of the socket and painted the inside of the doors. It's so much less imposing already.
-- putting another base coat on tomorrow. 
-- need to find the masking tape to put on the window frame and floor, where the unit meets them, for when I put the gloss on.

It's starting to take shape and look like the traditional flat it is 🤗

Soon I will need to buy the ladders to give the whole flat a fresh coat of paint.

I've updated my spreadsheets ready for next year. Started messing around with figures and plans. I should be about £30 better off each month due to CT being over 10 months and not cramming it in again like this year.
-- I know I can spread it over 12 months, but I like the idea of a couple of months not paying it!

£27 in the bank, 6 days until payday.

Having pizza and ice cream tonight, while relaxing on the sofa.

MovingForwards

Popped out to the garden before the light went. 

Put another layer of paint on the unit carcass, didn't do the doors as TomBo was only on a short shift and I needed to air the lounge. I need to get some caulk to plug the gaps where some of the joins are, I've managed to do some very small ones with paint but it's not working where the shelves are. 
-- there's some special paint (£20) available that goes straight over varnish and can have a top coat on. I'm probably going to buy that for doing the door, it will just be a case of mask the glass, use the special paint, then gloss on top, remove the masking tape and that's it done. 

I'm running a test on a bit of the skirting, see if I can get away without sanding it and just paint it. It's only a temporary makeover for that, as it will be replaced when the lounge is done properly.

The flat is starting to look like someone cares now, just have to keep momentum going, without overdoing it 🤗

Moved another £5 to savings.

Having lamb tonight.