Geoff has been desperate to get his hands on my kitchen wall for quite some time now.

About 3 years ago he told me that my house would be transformed if I let him knock the wall down that divided the kitchen and dinning room.

At the time I thought I would never get permission from my housing association so did nothing about it.

Periodically Geoff bought the subject up, still I did nothing BUT then a few months ago for some reason right out the blue I asked permission.

To my amazement they said YES

So on and off during the past week Geoff has been busy , with a little help from me,transforming my kitchen.

I thought it would be a huge job but Geoff made it all look so easy and the end results are magnificent.

Never ever did I expect to have such a lovely kitchen/dinning room

Just hope he knows how much its appreciated , that’s another million Massages I owe him

Finally after 5 years we have accepted that this is home and we wont be moving house.

This is not where we wanted to live but when your in the position I was in you have no choice in these matters.

Ideally I would still love to live in Downham Market but for the boys this would be a disaster.

Most of the time I feel happy when I am at home even when home alone, finally I can relax and read a book or do my knitting.

I persuaded my housing association to do a few small jobs in my house which make a huge difference.

I also managed to get permission to knock down a non supporting wall that divides my kitchen/dinning room.

Of course I realize that getting to spend my weekends in Cambridge helps me like my own home more 

Andrew being able to drive now, also makes life easier for the boys too

What happens when we can no longer afford petrol I do not know BUT we shall cross that bridge when the day arrives !

French knitting dolls

and I have been playing

I can remember the one I had as a little girl , it was much prettier than the ones you buy today.

I also remember making them with cotton reels and nails.

Anyway this one is for Geoff’s granddaughter and I am hoping I will be able to teach her how to use it

On the way to yoga I saw this for sale out side someones house

It was there just to tempt me and of course with my love of jam making I could not resist

So more Rhubarb and Ginger jam shall be made this week

I only have one jar of marmalade left now

As Geoff goes through a jar a week he has requested that I make 52 jars of marmalade next time.

In memory of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Candles floating down the River cam

Apart From the fact That Geoff is here

Today I realized that I had a few spices missing

Spices  needed for my Roasted Monkfish Chermoula.

Luckily I was in Cambridge and just a 10 min cycle ride away from the market.

Now if I had been at home it would have been a 10 mile car ride

I left the Saffron out my recipe as I had no idea that it was so expensive, the lady on the market told me it was more expensive than gold

If only I had bought some back from Morocco with me !

Anyway the Monkfish is now marinading in all the lovely spices

The rest of the day has been spent reading up on how to do short heel rows I think it has sunk in and I know what has to be done

My son Andrew has just had his first Tattoo

You either love them or hate them , I think this looks really good.

Its in memory of his Dad , who would have loved it

It took 3 hours to have done and he says the last bit was painful.

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