Christmas update

Boxing Day walk

Saga of the sofa... Trip to Ikea to get the bookcases for the dining room. Decide to wander through the showroom for inspiration. Husband spots a large modern style black sofa on sale. We both sit on it and realise it is very well designed with maximum seating area while taking up the same amount of space as our existing, more traditionally styled sofa. Husband can stretch out his long leggies and wife can still have space to sit! A very helpful staff member orders the various bits for us. On the way out we visit Bargain Corner. What do we see? The same black sofa. Gosh! We can hardly believe our eyes. Bottom line is, we got the sofa, matching footstool and bookcases for the same price as the sofa would have cost. Hurrah!

If only the bookcases had been perfect, that would be the last time we went to Ikea for a while. But unfortunately one of the uprights was a second right, rather than a left. Still need to go back and get it exchanged!

Room for furry throws, a sheepskin, a fluffy dog and a husband.

Christmas Day fire, candles and general obnoxiousness.

The dining room is almost completed, having two of the three bookcases up and filled with books. Wifey put up shelves and the bar on Christmas Day, although the bar still needs another varnishing attempt (old unmixed varnish tends to crack off as it dries apparently - who knew). Dining table and chairs were well in use for a Christmas dinner of roast beef in the most delicious gravy. Yes we added wine to the casserole dish! Along with a stock cube, Worcester sauce, a heap of onions and some rosemary. Yum.

Wifey also hung various items in the now fully wallpapered hallway.