April been a hectic month already; the tiny boys have started pre-school — and we’ve upped their days to 4 long mornings a week — plus my in-laws are moving house.
They’re downsizing from their large 5 bedroom family home to a 3 bed penthouse apartment. Contracts have already been exchanged, the removal men were in yesterday, the cleaners tomorrow and the new owners will take possession of the keys on Thursday.
And breathe… I literally feel as though I was holding my breath as I typed that.
It feels so odd!
I absolutely love moving house myself but it feels really weird for them to be doing it — almost like the horizon has shifted. When our own status quo is unsettled and things are new and unfamiliar, it’s always lovely to think we have their house as a safe haven. Solid ground, if you like.
It’s definitely the end of an era; in so many ways. Really strange to think that we’ll never set foot in there again. I’m feeling excited and unsettled in equal measures.
Needless to say, there has been a lot to do.
My boy and I left the twins with my parents a couple of weekends ago and went down to help sort through the belongings that 62 years of marriage accumulates.
Stuff to keep, stuff for charity — a LOT of stuff.
We were lucky enough to be given some lovely things; framed prints for me and some beautiful books for him.
They are a set of 3 that belonged to his maternal grandfather:
The Reader’s Digest Complete Library of the Garden.
As relevant today as the day they were printed. Which makes them the perfect heirloom for my gardening mad boy.
Since we’ve owned our own home he’s always loved to garden; plus this year we took over a plot in the village allotment, so he’s got even more room to grow things.
As a result, he’s been poring over magazines and books, planning a growing schedule, plotting his space. So these books are are such a welcome asset.
Plus they’re absolutely gorgeous. Beautifully bound with wood effect covers, pretty embossed spines and pages and pages of the loveliest botanical etchings.
So my styling the seasons post for April is a little bit mixed.
This month is bringing such a lot of change. Growth in our garden and allotment, change at home. New milestones for the Twinkles. A new and exciting era for my extended family.
We’re embracing it all so this month I’m putting out the bunting and celebrating new beginnings.
Caro Davies is a former art-director turned writer and content-creator, and editor behind UK lifestyle blog The Listed Home. She writes about home-related topics, from interiors and DIY to food and craft. The Listed Home has been featured in various publications, including Ideal Home, Grazia, and Homes & Antiques magazines.
Oh what a beautiful post. I know exactly what you mean about having mixed feelings about your I laws house move, I’d be utterly devastated if my parents move! But those books. Those beautiful books! They are just divine and I’m green eyed with jealousy right now just looking at those gorgeous pictures. I love old books like this, and I would especially love those for their subject. Just lovely. Thanks so much for hosting again. Steph xxx #HomeEtc
Thanks lovely — it’s so odd. I feel very mixed about it. Excited on one hand and totally unsettled on the other. I guess it’s because this is their last move — and we all know that. It just makes life feel just a little bit fragile, if you catch my drift xx
I know exactly what you mean about parents/in-laws moving house. It feels so strange! My mum sold and moved out of the family home I grew up in 18 months ago after splitting with my dad and it was a sad time, but at the same time it’s nice to have new beginnings and create more memories elsewhere.
I love those little gardening boots too, there’s just something about old books or even other items that feel like little treasures almost.
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I guess it’s how we react to change that we have no control over. When my boy and I have moved ourselves it’s cos we’ve chosen to but in the case of his parents moving, we’ve had no control over that happening so it’s all a bit unsettling. As you say though, the next place will see lots of new memories made, I’m sure! :)