The Christmas Challenge

We have created our own little log cabin! The Rayburn has been in place for almost 5 weeks and YES it's not been out since it was lit on Nov 23rd. I have also not since that momentous occasion  turned on my electric cooker so this little darling has catered for us well. I must admit cooking an entire Christmas menu for 7 on here really was a challenge. On Christmas morning  Colin rose early  stoked up her heart and by 5.30 am  the temperature was high enough to stick in our 16lb turkey before opening stockings and heading down to our lovely village church to sing carols and share thanks for the true meaning of Christmas.

This lovely old workhorse had been lovingly cared for by an elderly gentleman up until the day he died. It had been the heart of another family's home. Reluctantly put up for sale on ebay it was the last item to leave it's previous owners dwelling many miles away from the welcome awaiting it.  The ebay seller however sad to put another memory to rest was genuinely delighted to know its heart would be once again brought to life and provide another generation with warmth and generosity.  So here she sits witnessing the changing of time. A warm spot for Frodo our rescue Lurcher. A boiled kettle sitting upon its hearth, washing drying above, a hearty casserole inside it's one oven and a very novice cook.

The heart of our home

Dreams really do come true

A sunny day in August 2011 Colin spot's our dream home! 

A little cottage with amazing views 5 mins from my sister in a welcoming Hertfordshire village. Up for a very reasonable rent if the new tenants would be willing to bring this lonely damp  little house back to life.

In Oct 2011 after some negotiation and a few sleepless nights we moved in.  OK we may be only renting at the moment but we dream of making our fortune somehow and being able to buy our beautiful little home when it comes up for sale in 2-3 years.  It needs a fair bit of work including a damp proof course and complete refurbishment but we are always up for a challenge. Our first purchase (and please remember dear reader we need to keep our costs down) has been a £26.00 Rayburn No1 model.  
The heart of our home was finally installed on November 25th after much researching and chimney work.