Miranda You appear to be making all the right choices in life. I will be a little bit presumptuous by offering some advice on helping you to raise your child in touch with nature in this age full of all the electronic lures that keep the kids indoors. or, when outdoors, glued to a small screen, rather than the glory that surrounds them. I am writing a book about landscape architecture and have a section regarding the importance of embracing nature in the preschool years. - which I would like to forward that section to you. However, my computer skills are limited to email and US Mail. I don't even know how to attach a picture to the text. If you would like to receive this draft from my future book, send me your email or postal address, and I'll get it right off to you. My email is cascio.offsite@gmail.com Good luck with your new challenges and opportunities. Joe Cascio

ok hubby tucked in bed now. where was i? this is gonna sound crazy, but i read this once and adored, just have not gotten enough jeans yet. a woven jeans rug! but not the old timey wrap in a circle type. This is like those pot holders we used to make on a loom...you know you go over and under, I can only find the pic on pinterest, and they won't let me download. I also like recycled leather like belts, maybe you could them as an edging. I would make my rug square I think. i am also constantly trying to come up with ideas for old ties. You get them cheap enough and they can be so cool. but you have to mix them with something?

Julie I love that tan lounge. The only reason I’m thinking of changing my sofa is because we are thinking of putting a mirror tv where the mirror is and starting to use it as a nice family room. The current sofa isn’t that comfortable. So a new sofa is on the cards! Now you know I want to start with a blank canvas do you think I should introduce the tan leather or get a fabric grey sofa instead? And does the sofa colour affect the final colour of dining chairs?? Thanks so much for your advice!!

Target has some nice (cat safe) cane look chairs at the moment at very reasonable prices. I’d pop two in the space to create a natter nook. Apart from art be careful not to chose too many small accessories first. I know it’s tempting because they cost less but unless you have a definitive plan I.e a hanging chair for the future layout, you need to get the big stuff first because the look can evolve.