Wednesday 13 December 2017

Baby, it's Cold Outside




The temperatures dropped quite suddenly and it's been a challenging week here as our boiler chose to start giving up on us last Tuesday. This has meant no central heating or hot water for six days! Of course, if it was going to happen, it was just our luck for it to coincide with the coldest week of the year. I was initially quite upbeat about our predicament, we were going back to being 'old style' - brushed cotton sheets and lots of blankets on the beds, Lily getting washed and dressed in front of the fire, boiling the kettle for water to wash the pots etc. but as the days dragged on I found my resilience begin to wane.
Thankfully, as of this afternoon we are up and running again and I'm hoping my festive spirit will slowly return along with the feeling in my fingers and toes.
Last Sunday we went walking (possibly in an attempt to keep warm). Just a gentle pootle down by the pond and through the woods. We haven't had any snow on the lower ground here but everything looked lovely following a heavy frost. I've also discovered Lily likes frozen puddles just as much as wet ones, and as a bonus they don't end up with her (or me) splattered with muddy water.





Most of our Christmas decorations are out now and, as promised, here are a few photographs. I'm mindful to use child and cat friendly decorations as much as possible, although so far everything has been left untouched save for some re-arranging of the baubles on the tree (Lily!). The chocolate filled advent stockings are hung safely out of reach above the fireplace.


I'm loving having a real tree once again this year and I made use of some of the straggly lower branches to create a simple wreath for the front door. I carefully added some sprigs of holly from the garden along with some frosted decorations for a bit of colour.
J. X


    



54 comments:

  1. Glad your heating is back on. Your Christmas decorations are really stylish. The real tree will have appreciated your cool house.

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    1. Thank you. Yes, the tree was probably the only thing that appreciated the cool house. X

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  2. All looking lovely Jules...glad you're warming up now! x

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    1. Thanks Jackie. It was such a good feeling to have warmth throughout the house once again. X

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  3. The freeze came to us also, but, thankfully, we have our heat. A few years ago, in the middle of winter, a storm knocked out our power, and the cold hours went by so slowly. We got it back within 24 hours, but many went without for over a week. I was glad to read that you are now up and running and you are now warm and comfortable.

    Your tree and Christmas decorations are lovely. I wish you a wonderful holiday full of fun and lots of love.

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    1. It comes as quite a shock to suddenly be without heat. We are so used to flicking the switch and it being almost immediate.
      Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas. X

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  4. That's a very lovely wreath and I'm so glad your are back in the warm zone again.
    J x

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    1. Thank you Joy. It feels so good to be warm once again. X

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  5. I love, love love your advent calendar, did you make it? What a clever person you are making that beautiful wreath out of the lower branches.

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    1. Thank you Tania. Yes, I made it. The stockings are knitted and hung from a small branch we found in the woods, then I added a bit of eucalyptus for some colour. X

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  6. PS: Meant to say I feel your pain about the loss of the boiler. It happened to us two years ago and after numerous failed repairs we ended up having to have a complete new one.

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    1. It's not much fun being without one is it? I wouldn't mind but it had only been serviced three weeks ago! X

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  7. Oh your Christmas decorations look beautiful.
    It's very muddy underfoot here after a day of thrashing rain followed by heavy snow which is now melting.
    Glad to know you have your heat back.
    Hugs-x-

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    1. Thank you Sheila. The wind and rain has arrived here today. I much prefer the frosty weather, as long as I have heating! X

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  8. Your Christmas decor is lovely - I like the glass baubles - I have some similar but find they are a bit heavy for some trees so I have to hang them on ribbons on my curtain poles instead.
    Your wreath looks very professional.

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    1. Thank you. The glass baubles are new this year and I love them. It's a good idea to hang them from the curtain poles. X

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  9. You did brilliantly keeping your sense of humour for so long, I reckon. There is only so much surviver in any busy Mum! Your decorations look beautiful! Sadly you won't see any at my blog for a while, we shipped the tree and half the decorations to Thailand last year and are having an Aussie Christmas. Yes I know I'm not crash hot on Christmas planning!
    Wren x

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    1. I must admit I was struggling towards the end of the week, although I'm aware that in the grand scheme of things there are far worse problems to have. I'm sure you'll have a wonderful Christmas even without your tree. X

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  10. Oh no, it's Sod's law isn't it, the boiler breaking down just as the coldest weather arrives. I'm glad you've got it mended as it's still very cold. Your decorations look lovely. We always have an artificial tree but I think real ones do look extra special.

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    1. Isn't it? And it had only just been serviced a couple of weeks beforehand. It feels so good to have a warm house once again. If it had gone on for much longer I would have been calling on you for some extra socks! X

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  11. Your Christmas decorations are beautiful and it all looks so elegant! Love the wreath!

    I'm sorry the boiler gave out when it was so cold and you had to be without heat or hot water. Makes one wonder how people managed in years past, doesn't it?

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    1. Thank you Bless. I'm so relieved the boiler is sorted now. It made me realise just how much I take these things for granted. X

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  12. I am relieved to learn your boiler is up and running again, I did feel sorry for you. How unfortunate for it to fail this particular week of sub zero temperatures, perhaps it had been working too hard. Your decorations and wreath are beautiful and I like your advent calendar out of reach of little fingers :)

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    1. It was just typical Eileen. It had been serviced a couple of weeks ago and everything was fine (the noise I mentioned was apparently a tiny bit broken off on the inside of the pump). I was thinking of replacing it next year but I think it'll probably be good for a while longer now.
      I have a feeling there would be a distinct lack of chocolate left in the advent calendar if left within easy reach! X

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  13. I love the wreath with lights that you've put on the fireplace... very effective! We have a real tree each. It's messier but the smell is amazing. Jx

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    1. Thank you Jan. That wreath was one which I got a few years ago now and I still love it. A real tree is lovely isn't it? X

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  14. What a time for the boiler to go!

    Your decorations look very pretty, so natural and calming. I have been surrounded with tinsel and glitter at the charity shop for the past few weeks it's lovely to see something a little different. Although I confess it has been fun to meet so many people enjoying choosing second hand decorations and gifts.

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    1. Wasn't it? Although now I'm thinking that at least the weather just was cold as opposed to being damp. I do love a bit of tinsel and glitter but I'm not keen on anything too fussy in the house. It must be nice to see people making good use of the second hand decorations. X

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  15. A broken boiler how awful Jules, so you have experienced proper old style living. I am glad it is sorting again.
    Love your knitted socks, what a great ideal, well done on your wreath it looks lovely, I confess I have never made one. xx

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    1. I have Marlene! Although thankfully we stopped short of ice on the inside of the windows. I'm so relieved to have it up and running again and I think my kettle is glad of a rest now.
      The wreath was so easy to make. It's just a wire coathanger, the greenery attached with some floristry wire. The ribbon I had saved from last year. X

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  16. I got up in the middle of last night, -1, everything was white. Got up this morning to +2 and all gone.

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    1. It looks so pretty all white doesn't it? It's amazing how quickly it can disappear. X

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  17. hooray for heating and hot water and power in general :)

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  18. It all looks lovely. I’m sorry I haven’t been over to read recently. Time has got away from me. Have a lovely Christmas and thank you for reading C Tales this year x

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    1. Thank you CT. It's a busy time of year isn't it? I thoroughly enjoy reading your blog and I'm looking forward to getting out running again once I've finally got rid of my cough. X

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  19. so glad your heating is back on! what a nightmare.
    I love your decorations and tree. So pretty. Gorgeous pics from your walk too.
    Your wreath is perfection. xx

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    1. Being without heat and hot water in those temperatures wasn't much fun Sadie, and even though everything is working OK now I keep worrying that it's going to go off again.
      Thank you for the compliment on my wreath. It means a lot coming from you, as yours are always so beautifully done. X

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  20. So pleased to read that your boiler is now fixed.
    Why is it these things do seem to wait for the coldest spell!!!

    I think your tree and decorations look lovely.
    It's a wonderful time of the year ...

    Stay safe and warm and enjoy the season.
    My good wishes

    All the best Jan

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    1. I know, Jan. It was just typical that it was the coldest week of the year (possibly the coldest week of a few years!) Fingers crossed it gets us through the winter now. X

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  21. It makes me wonder how we survived with no central heating when we were little. It's been freezing here although I tend to feel the cold more than the others anyway - but the thought of no radiators or hot water would fill me with dread. Tthe idea of going back to the old days has a certain appeal but only while I'm sat warm and snuggly thinking about it lol. Glad to hear you're finally sorted on that front.

    Your decorations are gorgeous and the wreath you've made is beautiful. xx

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    1. Same here Suzanne, although I never remember feeling like I was cold back then. Yes, the 'novelty' soon wore off. If we'd at least had hot water I don't think I would have felt as bad. I'm very pleased to be warm and snuggly once more. In fact I didn't realise how cold it was today as it's so toasty indoors. X

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  22. Arh bless you Jules, I hate being cold. We don't have gas in the village so rely on an oil boiler. We once had issue with it not working and duly called out the service man. Oops, unbeknown to us, you're meant to press on the gauge reader outside of the tank as this gives a true reading as to how much oil is is left. We went a whole miserable weekend without heat and no coal fire as the chimney sweep had dislodged a brick that could've filled the roof with smoke. Monday evening seemed to take forever but once we had oil in the tank it was a lot better. Our 100 + yrs house is extremely cold anyway as we can't have wall insulation, the space between the bricks is too narrow. It's warmer since having the fire sorted but rooms are still cold without the central heating on.
    I love all your decorations, the stockings are so lovely. We're so used to seeing Christmas red and other bright colours, it's calming to see soft elegant shades.
    I'm reminded many years ago when I worked for Boots the Chemist and they announced their Christmas colour scheme each year. Once it was silver and white. Woolworths, next door had all sorts of garish brights. At the time I liked the colours but now, less is more. Cx

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    1. Older houses are so lovely but they do take a lot of heating to keep them warm don't they? It must have been even more frustrating for you to have an open fire that you couldn't use. Thank goodness you didn't have to wait too log until you had heat once again.
      Thank you, I'm really happy with the decorations this year. We do have some red on display too but I do love a more natural theme at the moment. X

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  23. Hi Jules, I know you've been following my blog for a while but how on earth have I not found yours before now?? I must have missed it somehow! I've just been having a quick look through and you've got some gorgeous scenery shots :) I presume Mog is your cat? I have one called Mog too though he wasn't named by me. I'm really looking forward now to reading back through your blog to see what I've missed! :)

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    1. Thank you Eunice. Yes, Mog is the cat. She was 'Willow' at the rescue centre but we got her on Hallowe'en two years ago and Lily's favourite book at the time was Meg and Mog, so it seemed more appropriate. (She does get called other names too when she brings mice home!)

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    2. My Mog belonged to my ex partner, he was left behind, along with Sam the dog, when my ex passed away suddenly a couple of years ago and as there was no-one willing or able to take either of them they ended up with me. I'd only had them for six months when Sam sadly died - he was old and not in the best of health - but Mog is absolutely fine. I keep him as an indoor cat though so there's no chance of him ever bringing any mice home :)

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    3. I'm sorry to read that Eunice, although it was very kind of you to take them both in and give them a loving home.
      There's no way my Mog could be a house cat. She would literally be climbing the walls. She's still only young so has plenty of energy and fun in her. X

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  24. Your home looks so cosy and inviting - fortunately the boiler is working now!
    The Christmas decorations look very elegant indeed. Such magical photos.
    Merry Christmas to you and yours! xx

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    1. A very Merry Christmas to you to Sara. X

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  25. That's such a pretty set of decorations!!! I adore your mantlepiece!x

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    1. Thanks Kezzie. They are chosen for their resilience as well as being pretty. X

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  26. Our boiler played up a couple of months ago (just after it was serviced, typical!) so I do sympathise. Glad you are sorted now.

    Your decorations are absolutely lovely.

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    1. Thank you Jayne.
      The boiler being out of action was certainly character building. The engineer was out again today to fix a valve he had forgotten about. Fingers crossed that's sorted now. X

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