Blog Hop - WINTER

Hi everyone,
If you're following our WINTER themed blog hop then well done! You've made it to the last blog :)
Which means you've already visited:
Kerri
Karen
Kerryn
Susan
Nat
 Marcia 
ME!!

Blog hops are so much fun and a great way to find new blogs you may not have visited before. I've found quite a few interesting blogs following hops that have definitely become firm favourites.

So a group of us have got together to blog with the theme WINTER in mind.
My post will be about what myself and my family have been up to this particular winter as there have been many changes for us all in the past few weeks.

First of all we've moved. This was one of the biggest changes. Moved further away from where we've lived for years and it's the best move we've ever made.
The house we moved into was built in the 1800's and is just gorgeous! Originally a 2 bedroom cottage...it is now 5 bedrooms as it's been built on to over the years. In fact, we moved in while a room was being built along with an Ensuite! It's always been one of my dreams to live in a house with so much history and character...and I feel very blessed to be able to do so.

So...for the most part of this winter so far, we've been restyling, refurbishing and a lot of upcycling. We've been having a ball redecorating the house. We were lucky to save some old furniture that was left here and I must admit...I've started a love affair with wood since we've moved. The house has an old fireplace and Michael is forever cutting and gathering wood for it. You'll usually find me having a dig through the wood pile to see what I can find. Being predominately a paper crafter, this has really opened up a whole new world to me.
I found this piece that I thought would look cool as a sign so I upcycled it and now it sits in my Laundry:

I've also been playing around with dressing up corners and spaces in the house and making them prettier. I love anything and everything vintage and shabby chic. The front verandah was also re-done before we moved in (and is still yet to be painted). I had a table sitting out the front that I got off my mother in law some time ago so that was another thing to be refurbished. Along with some coffee jars that I upcycled with a few pretty paper doilies, some sticks I painted white and some twine and ribbon I now have a cute little spot out the front where I can sit and read.

We've also visited Berrima again this winter. Berrima is a quaint little town in the NSW Southern Highlands which is cold at any time of year and for some reason we always seem to visit in winter. Brrrrrr.....this day was exceptionally cold and drizzling with rain but still beautiful nevertheless. I NEVER, EVER travel without my camera but for some stupid reason, this day I did. Lucky for me my daughter had hers and got some great shots.
Berrima has lots of little crafts and homewares stores along with plenty of antiques. The pub there is the longest serving licensed pub in Australia and that's where we had lunch...delicious.

A few weeks back I went on a scrapbooking Retreat with some friends and came home to a new member of the family. Meet Duke...a bull arab who is now about 5 and a half months old. He's pretty good for a pup although he does have his moments. Funnily enough he only wrecks things on the decking...like chewing up my pot plants!! Apart from that though he's not too bad and gets on with our Staffy, Max, very good.

I was also blessed to go with my son and his fiance the day they found out what they were having...and it's a BOY!! So another change in the Thomson house this year with our first grandchild. Can't wait!!

So....as far as winter goes...and we still have about 5 weeks to go...we've been very busy. It's been a great busy though. Funnily enough, I'm not normally a winter person or someone who embraces change very well...but right now...I'm loving all the changes...bring it on!!

Thanks so much for dropping by my blog and hopping along with us. I hope you've had as much fun as we have and if you liked this blog...be sure to drop by again as I share some more refurbishing and upcycling.
Sharryn
xx