Since Christmas life has been really busy – I’ve had my head down, working away, and the days are flying by. Busy family life glides on, as it always does, while everything underneath is pedalling away furiously.
It feels like everything is gearing up for Spring (in my mind, at least), but outside everything is still very cold. Part of the reason why Spring feels so close, is that my life feels quite spring-like at the moment. My blog has a fresh new look, and bright new shoots are developing all the time.
Some of you may have noticed that I’ve taken a break from my weekly catch-up posts. I don’t want to stop writing about what we’re up to – these are often my favourites to read and write – but I needed to take a break from writing a fixed weekly post.
This break was needed because I have been working solidly since the New Year on creating a new business venture. Marmalade Pie will soon be opening a shop! Online for now, but one day perhaps it’ll be made of bricks and mortar too. My blog will remain very much as it is, with my shop sitting alongside it. Opening a shop has always been a dream of mine and I hope very much that you will all enjoy visiting it as much as I have creating it. I’m still a few weeks away from launching – and there’s still huge amounts to be done – but I’ll be sharing more updates with you very soon. I can’t wait to share more details of the lovely products I’m currently sourcing for my shop.
January, then, was all about taking the first steps into creating my new business. I’ve been on a course – packing my head with information, whilst also getting to enjoy exploring Peterborough on a bright Winter’s day.
I’ve also been to my first trade fair at Olympia, which was a joy and I could have easily bought everything.
This last month has also been the time that the coughs and colds of Winter finally caught up with our family. Poor Tom has been particularly unlucky, but the rest of us are definitely at the over-tired, badly-fed, sunshine-starved stage of an average winter. In busy times, marmite toast and tea drinking dominate. While nice, I feel like I may be turning into a slice of cheap white bread. Vitamins and lots of water are required. We’ve even caved into the inevitable and bought a Nutribullet – I’m nothing if not predictable. We’re hurling everything, bar the kitchen sink, into the blender.
Meanwhile, in the house project declutter is now in full swing. It’s had a faltering start, but we’ve now made major headway by giving away our old sofa and armchair. We now have lots more room in the playroom, which is soon to become more of a study/family room – home to a desk for me, the piano and hopefully lots of storage. We’re also going to give the boys a bedroom each, with the majority of their toys moving upstairs to live in their bedrooms. Currently, we’re at that awful stage where everything looks frightful and displaced while we shift the tide of possessions and plastic toys around the house. I’m hoping we’ll make lots of progress next week during half-term.
To distract us from the dusty heaps of rubbish everywhere, I’m filling the house with pretty Spring flowers.
I’ve also managed a few trips out of Ely lately. To Norwich last week to visit my sister and niece, and then a night away in Cambridge with James to celebrate his birthday – which included a formal dinner in Clare College, which was very pretty and also happens to be his old college.
We’ve also been over to Wicken Fen to let off steam a few times. On our last trip Tom ended up thigh deep in a bit of boggy fen, convinced that a crocodile was trying to gobble him up. He needs a pair of waders.
And finally, I’ve also been remembering to make time for coffee and cake with friends. Working from home is a lonely business and it’s important to resist the side into a completely hermit-like existence!
Wow! You are amazing! Hope all these new plans will go really well. Love from Ruth xxxxxx
Thanks Ruth! We will have to try a test delivery to the IOM and see how it works out x
Phew..what a busy and productive time you’ve had of late. The blog looks lovely by the way and I now have blog envy ! Your plans sound amazing. How excited you must be. I can’t wait to find out more! Don’t forget to step back and breathe sometimes and congratulate yourself on all you’ve achieved ! xx
Thanks! Yes, I’m definitely trying to remember to take time out – I had a technology free (well, except for Instagram!) weekend and it was great to take a break. Thanks for your support! x
What fantastic news, Lizzie! I’m so excited for you, and can’t wait to see what your shop has to offer! Xxx
Thank you!! I can’t wait to get it all out there! xx
Such an exciting time for your Lizzie. The blog is looking stunning! I’m really excited to hear news about your shop and can’t wait to see what you will have for sale. Have a great day! Gemma x
Thanks so much Gemma! I can’t wait to share it all with you x
Yay!! Such an exciting journey to be going on and I really know you’ll love it (although be prepared for even less sleep than you possibly have now 😉 I can’t wait to see it launch and will be eagerly awaiting. Very well done you Xx
Thank you! I feel a bit scared putting it out there, but I really want to start talking about it! I just need to make everything come together now. Thanks for your support xx
Gosh VERY exciting news. I can so see you having a shop, and I think you’ll do really, really well. Good luck and let me know if you need any help xx
Thanks so much! xx
Good luck in your endeavours – both the shop and the tidying! It sounds like you’ve found something to do that you’re really excited about, which is awesome. I look forward to finding out more about your shop!
Thank you Rachel! I am very excited and can’t wait to get started – although I guess then the even harder work will begin!
Can’t wait to hear all about your new venture, so exciting for you all xx
Thanks Angie! Will tell you about it over coffee! xx
Looking forward to it 🙂 xx
Good luck with your venture, Lizzie, it sounds exciting. My elder son went to Pembroke College and we are back there next month to see him awarded his MA – looking forward to it. Doesn’t seem five minutes since he was your Tom’s age….
Thank you Karen! The colleges are all so beautiful inside, aren’t they? I feel so privileged getting to see inside every so often.
Hello Lizzie!
First of all, i have only just realised that i wasn’t following along here – how can that BE?!? Have rectified now!
Wow! Sending lots of good luck and positive vibes your way, can’t wait to see your lovely new shop! Do let me know if i can help – happy to shout about in my Wonderful Wednesday and on twitter when you’re all ready to go. I have major workspace envy – my desk needs an overhaul….actually our whole spare room come office come whatever needs one! I think that’s it, the room is having an identity crisis!
Off to have a proper nosey through any posts i have missed – this is what happens when you read them from your phone on the go – you miss out!
Sending love xxxx
Thank you Sally, that’s so kind! I will definitely be looking for lovely people to spread the word! My desk looks tidy, but the rest of the room is definitely not! Still a chaos of toy tractors and Lego – major sort out needed! xx
Oh gosh, Lizzie, a shop?! That’s so exciting! I can’t wait to see what you have planned for it as you have such wonderful taste. Let me know when it’s open so that I can share the news as well xx
Thanks so much Rachel! xx