Tuesday, 7 February 2012

Two Years of Blogging!

It was on 8 February 2010 when I became motivated to write a formal blog.  I originally started a version for family and friends two years earlier, so they could see progress made with the restoration of the house we bought in 2005.  I have spent the last 6 summers in France, doing what work I could, in both the house and the garden, while Nigel worked in the UK to pay for it all !  Due to company takeovers and mismanagement, Nigel became fed up with his  working life, so, in October 2011, he  decided to walk away.  By the end of the year, we had moved lock, stock and barrel to France and retirement.  Our house in the UK was on the market then, but I am happy to say that in the last week, contracts were exchanged and we are thankfully no longer UK homeowners!

But back to the blog - it has been two years of fun, and meeting people  through blogging; I have had the pleasure of many personal contacts.  The family and friends for whom the blog was originally started, are few, but I now have officially 188 followers and 'new' friends from all over the world.  I would never have believed when I started out, that so many people would be the slightest bit interested in what I was doing. Obviously I was wrong, and I would like to thank all those who follow my blog, leave such kind comments,  and those who are interested enough to ask me questions.  I try to vary my posts  between local tours,  home, garden and cookery, so I hope that there is something interesting for  most tastes.

I have to admit that I sometimes find the blog time-consuming, but I have discovered that even if I take a break, everyone is always there waiting for me when I return! Thanks for your confidence and support.  When either of us have not been well, I have had both comments and personal emails full of concern; it really is appreciated.

It has been a great two years, thank you everyone.  I will finish off with a few of my photos of our house and garden, taken over the past years .  For those who have joined my blog more recently you can read a little more about me HERE
Our French home in 2005
and what it looks like now.

The garden after the septic tank had been put in 2006! I might add this was mostly clay from the excavation, which, with a lot of stone, we had to remove.
and now :))
also the vegetable garden

This wall was between the kitchen and a bedroom! We knocked it down to make a big kitchen/diner!
The same view today.

and the kitchen 2005
The kitchen as it is now

Our bedroom 2005 had an earth floor and a very low ceiling
and the change to now! The little doorway is still there, but with a new glass door. We have tried to keep everything as original as possible. The hole in the wall to the left of the window is the old oven, (our house originally housed 3 families).  The window sill is in fact one large stone with a dip in it, originally a wash basin.

I hope you have enjoyed seeing a few "before and after" photos of our home in France.   Once again thank you all so much for not only reading my blog, and passing comments, but for many of you that have become friends as well; I am truly honoured. 

Photos taken 5 February after waking up to a blanket of snow.



and the robin peering through the window

while the sparrows and chaffinches gather under the feeder.

124 comments:

  1. This post was really cool...Happy Blog Anniversary! I think bloggers in general are interested in meeting people from all over the world, and how great is it that we live in a time that we can instantly connect! I love seeing the transformation on your house. I love your kitchen, so jealous!! Congrats on the sale of your house! Always a good feeling.

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  2. Congratulations Diane on your blogiversary! And your house looks beautiful!

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  3. Congratulations on your 'blog-aversary' Lovely to see the before and after photos :-). We kept our stone sink too, and a pretty large four a pain.

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  4. Congrats on 2 years blogging! Your house is gorgeous:) I would love to have a vegetable patch like that!!
    ~Anne

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  5. Lyndsey, thanks for the kind comment and yes I also love my kitchen as well :) Diane

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  6. Cuisine de Provence thanks for congrats and the kind comments. Diane

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  7. Niall & Antoinette I have to agree it is so nice to keep the original features where possible. Thanks for the comment. Diane

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  8. Anne you have no idea how much I love my vegetable garden :) Thanks for the visit and the kind comment. Diane

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  9. Diane, congratulations! I love visiting you and seeing what you are doing. First of all....I am pleased for you that your UK home sold! That is a lot of weight removed from your shoulders. I love your kitchen/dining room. You have done a beautiful job remodeling. Wishing you many more years of blogging. It is addictive and you meet the nicest people from around the world. Susan

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  10. You have done such a fantastic job! What a beautiful home and garden. And many congratulations on selling your UK house and the exchange of contracts... what a relief that must be! I love the kitchen and what a good decision to make a kitchen/diner. Love the birds all in a row! And finally! Happy Blog-Anniversary -- well done!

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  11. Crikey Diane, you've worked hard, but it was worth it, it looks glorious.

    SP

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  12. Susan thanks so much for following me and all your kind comments. The UK house sold is a huge weight off our shoulders! Hope one day we can meet live ;) Diane

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  13. The Broad I am so happy the UK house has sold, with the financial situation as it is we were very worried. Thankfully it was at the bottom of the ladder as it was only bought to tide us over until we moved to France. Never the less, a big weight off our shoulders. The birds are so cute but I feel so sorry for them, it is really chilly. Thanks for the congrats. Diane

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  14. Dear Diane, Happy blog anniversary, I really enjoy your postings. Your house looks beautiful and warm. Best of luck to you and your hubby in your new home and garden. Keep well.

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  15. SP you have it, I have worked hard. It was tough at times with Nigel in the UK. Other than 3 rooms I want to to put in the barn, a spare bedroom and an office each, we have finished. I have put the ceilings in but still have the floor to sort out and the walls! As I get older it does not get easier and it is upstairs, Nigel hates heights! Diane

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  16. MARCO PASHA thanks so much for all your kind comments and visits over the the past year. Keep well Diane

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  17. Happy anniversary, Diane and many congratulations. Your blog is always interesting and so beautifully illustrated with photographs. Keep up the good work!

    Fingers crossed that you sale goes through without any problems and that you are able to really enjoy (and tell us more abbout), the wonderful home you have created and 'your life in the Charente'...

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  18. ur house looks so beautiful

    Aarthi
    http://www.yummytummyaarthi.com/

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  19. You've got a lovely home and have both done a great job, and what a lot of work you must have put in! It's normal in Spanish houses to have a bedroom on the living floor, but I didn't realise it was common in France too.

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  20. Congratulations!!!!
    The pics are so great!
    xoxoxo

    http://janakitchen.blogspot.com

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  21. Dear Diane,

    Firstly, happy bolg birthday! Two years is long. Well done!

    As for your house - what an amazing and brave adventure you embarked on. And it now looks so cozy and beautiful.
    It is always a pleasure visiting your blog and seeing what you are up to.
    Here is to many more happy years of blogging and making friends.
    Red

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  22. Happy Blogaversary - 2 years my goodness.
    Your home in France looks absolutely lovely, you have obviously spent a lot of time and love on it and it shows.
    It is so nice that you can now sit back and enjoy it. Thanks for showing us around.
    Take care.

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  23. Thats great to see how far you have come in the last 2 years Diane - Well done.
    T'other Diane
    xxxx

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  24. Happy Blogaversary! I'm really glad to have tripped upon your interesting blog. Love reading about your garden and food, plus tours around France. Must be nice to have Nigel around all the time now. I love what you did with your house, especially keeping to the original design with more modern conveniences.

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  25. Thanks GaynorB no problems about the house, the sale is through and the money is in the bank. Thanks for all your comments over the past, almost two years, they are much appreciated. Take care Diane

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  26. Aarthi, thanks for your comment and all your past comments. Take care Diane.

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  27. Jan this was a cottage, so everything was on one floor. We lost a bedroom through making a kitchen diner but it was necessary as the kitchen alone was too small for me. I want though to convert the top of the barn over the lounge and spare bedroom into one more bedroom and an office each for us. I have put in the ceilings, but that is as far as I have got to date! Hope that all is going well for you. Diane

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  28. Thanks Jana, so pleased you enjoyed the pictures and thanks for the congratulations. Keep well Diane

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  29. Boye By Red thanks for the congrats and all your kind comments, now and in the past. Hope you will keep following. Take care Diane

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  30. Ellie thanks for the good wishes. Not quite sit back and relax just yet. Three rooms to be put in upstairs in the barn! Of course in summer the garden is pretty much full time so relaxing is still not on the books :)
    Keep well Diane

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  31. Diane thanks for the comment, the blog is two years but the house has been since 2006 so there has been plenty to keep me quiet! Keep well Diane xx

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  32. Gaelyn ha ha the modern conveniences were very necessary to us :) Some of the very rural French still rough it as we saw from some of the houses we saw when house hunting!!! I am also happy that I found your blog as your photos are outstanding and I love to tour a place with you I will never see in real life. Diane

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  33. Wonderful photographs and happy 2nd Blog-Birthday! I hope one day my little pile of stones will look as handsome!

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  34. I love your house Diane, you have made it so beautiful. Thank you for lsharing it with us. Glad you have the s ow and not us, mind you we are having a very cold summer here in Australia!

    Keep up the blogging!

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  35. Lady Justine, it has been a lot of hard work and a struggle at times but we have made it. We have to count the pennies, but nothing wrong with that when we live almost entirely from our own garden. We love it here and nothing would get us to move back. We have all French neighbours, but they have made us very welcome and help us when needed. A great place to retire. Thanks for your visit and congratulations. Hope your little pile of stones soon look a welcoming sight. Diane

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  36. Cate I can well do without the snow pretty as it is to look at!! My SIL in Sydney says that have had a lot of rain!
    Thanks for the kind comment on the house and for following my blog. Hope you have a great holiday. Take care and keep safe. Diane

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  37. Congratulations Diane on your Blogaversary!

    Z.

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  38. This was a great post. I enjoyed reading it. Congratulations on two years blogging and on moving to France full time! Your house looks lovely and you have the kitchen I would want ;-) I see you also have lots of snow right now like much of Europe and I hope you and Nigel are keeping warm. Here's to many more happy years of blogging!

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  39. Hello Diane, congrats on the 2 years blogging. I do agree totally its not easy to keep a blog...but everytime i am lazy, it seems my blog friends are calling me from a distance. That's good I guess. I love your home and the makeover is fabulous! The kitchen is amazing and so spacious. I am glad we are blog pals :)) Have a great week..

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  40. Happy blog anniversary!
    You have a beautiful house and garden!

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  41. Enjoyed seeing the 'before and after' photos. You most certainly have made for yourselves a lovely home, and I hope you continue to blog, and I hope that you enjoy your retirement now you have finally managed to sell up in the UK.

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  42. Loved this post!

    Happy Blog Birthday :-)

    C x

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  43. Congrats on your blog anniversary, and thanks! We've all had a great time following along. I've enjoyed the photos in this post...stunning changes! Really lovely. Looking forward to more...

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  44. Kitchen Stories, thanks for the congrats and your visit. Have a good day Diane

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  45. Joyful I am glad you enjoyed the post and the photos of our house. All hard work but certainly worth it.
    The snow has not melted at all, and as I type this it is snowing some more! Diane

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  46. M.Kate thanks for following and for all your kind comments about the house. I have to admit to just loving my kitchen, it is the best room in the house! Keep well Diane

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  47. Thanks Vera, I am pretty happy with the house now, I would just like the upstairs in the barn to be finished, One spare room and an office each. I will be glad to see all the files and laptops disappear upstairs! Keep warm Diane

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  48. Meredith thanks for the visit and the kind comment. Keep well Diane

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  49. Hi Carol, glad you enjoyed this post. Keep well Diane

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  50. Deb from WhatsInMyAttic, thanks so much for following and for the kind comments. As I type this it is snowing all over again! Keep well Diane

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  51. Congrats, Diane! Wow, what a wonderful transformation of your house! I loved your house and all the recent pics look awesome!
    http://cosmopolitancurrymania.blogspot.com

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  52. Well done on two years of blogging!

    I was interested to see your before and after photos. We forgot to take the before photos, but then our renovations were not as drastic as yours.

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  53. Happy bloggiversary!
    What a big change you did to this house while still keeping its’ character. You created such a cozy home. I love the see-through stones on your bedroom wall (as well as on the outside). Like the utensils hanging above your kitchen island. But my favourite picture is the one with the little robin on the window sill :-)
    Tina in Germany

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  54. Hi Diane
    Congratulations on your two years, some great before and after pictures.

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  55. Happy blogversary. The house looks terrific. You're making me jealous - I almost moved to France a few years ago before life got in the way.

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  56. Happy Anniversary! I know I have enjoyed reading about your adventures, and am super impressed with all the work you undertook and completed so well. The place looks fabulous!

    Could you include a map of the area in the sidebar? It would help us pinpoint the region of France you are in.

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  57. Happy blog anniversary,my beloved friend Diane!!!
    I hope to be for many many years BLOGGER!
    What a wonderful home!!!! Nice colors, cheerful, great kitchen and wonderful!
    Your kingdom!!!!
    Was delighted that the house SOLD!
    Now you're quiet, you can do 3 rooms in the attic! I wish you, soon!
    Many greetings and kisses

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  58. congratulations and happy blogaversary ... I see what you mean by the snow!! xx

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  59. Purabi Naha I have to admit that I am really please with the results of the house. Thanks so much for your visit and comment. Diane

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  60. cheshire wife I am so glad that we have the before pictures, and I pretty much took photos at each change so there is no shortage of pictures for us to keep track of what happened. Thanks for the 2 year congratulations, where has the time gone to?? Keep well Diane

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  61. Tina thanks for your congratulations, your visit, and your kind comments about the house. I also think the pic of the robin is cute despite it being so dark with the light behind! Keep well Diane

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  62. Thanks Steve, it has been hard work but we think well worth while. Keep warm Diane

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  63. Phil in the Kitchen thanks for your kind comments, I have to say I really love my kitchen:)
    Life has a habit of getting in the way from time to time, so long as it is good then no problem! Diane

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  64. Rosaria thanks for your really kind comments. I will see if I can find a map with the Charente on it and put it on the site. Take care Diane

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  65. Magda I always love hearing from you. You are so enthusiastic. We were also delighted that the house has sold :))
    The problem with doing the 3 extra rooms is the cost, but we will get there if slowly. Take care and keep well my friend. Hugs, Diane

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  66. Anne thanks for taking time out to comment on the snow, wow but it is very chilly here! Thanks also for the congrats. Chin up and be positive. Thinking of you, Hugs Diane xx

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  67. Love the changes you have made to this old home. I love to see that old homes are renovated and rejuvenated. This property looks so very nice now, just wonderful. The kitchen looks fantastic, great job.

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  68. Happy blog anniversary! Your house looks so comfortable and picturesque – much better than it was originally. I enjoy looking at all the little villages you visit as I do not know that area of France. Isn’t blogging fun?

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  69. Horst, thanks for your visit and kind comments re our restoration. I am more than happy with the kitchen, especially as spend a lot of time in there:) Diane

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  70. Thanks Vagabonde, yes blogging is fun but I have to limit my time at the computer or nothing else will get done! Thanks for the congrats and the kind comments about the house.
    I mentioned a surprise walk to you a couple of weeks ago, think it will be coming up next. Take care. Diane

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  71. Congratulations by your anniversary dear Diane, all the pictures look amazing especially I love your kitchen:))

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  72. Oh My Goodness!! Your home is absolutely beautiful. I love it's French charm. We don't see homes like that in the states, not in my state anyway. And you know I am all about blogging breaks. We need them from time to time so you "break" all you want girl. Hugs!!

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  73. Happy anniversary! Love what you did to the house especially the kitchen remodel!

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  74. Happy "blogging birthday" ! I love to read your posts ... but you already know, that ... and each time I come here, I feel ... how would I say ? ... proud , maybe ? ... to see how much you seem happy to live in our country ... ;o)
    Hélène
    PS : Your house is so nice, now ... You did a fabulous job ! COngratulations for that too !

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  75. Gloria thank you for the congratulations and the kind comment. Keep well Diane

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  76. kclily glad to see you back reading my blog and your comments are so very kind. I just love the old French homes, they have so much character.
    I am so happy to hear that your news gets better all the time. Take care and keep well. You have a great family holiday to look forward to :) Hugs Diane

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  77. Taste of Beirut thank you. I also love my kitchen it is almost perfect. Just a couple of things we thought of afterwards! Diane

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  78. Hélène, thank you so much, your words are so kind. We love France and all or neighbours, everyone French, have been so kind to us. I just wish I could master the French language, I get by but with a struggle. Nigel learnt at school, has a good memory and is not too bad. We have been playing scrabble in French, what a laugh! Everyone helps me though :)
    Keep well Diane

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  79. congratulations!! friendship, bonding, that's the greatest rewards of blogging! i can see that you and nigel had done so much renovating your house, it looks so different and beautiful now..that really costs so much! you have a very nice and spacious kitchen, i wish i hv a kitchen like yours!

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  80. Oh dear, I am late to congratulate you with your blogging success. You are sure missed in the blogland when you take some time off Diane.

    I love the transformation of your home especially the basement (is it the basement), the kitchen is fabulous!

    Thanks for sharing your life with us, it's been a pleasure ever since I became an avid reader of your blog.

    Cheers for more years of blogging.

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  81. Merci de nous montrer les transformations accomplies. Vous avez maintenant une très agréable maison et surtout un bel environnement.
    Le froid attire beaucoup d'oiseaux près des maisons et ils apprécient nos graines qui les aident à survivre!
    C'est toujours un plaisir de vous lire même si je dois parfois utiliser un "traducteur"!
    Bien amicalement.

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  82. Wow - you guys have really made it into a beautiful home. Happy blogiversary!

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  83. You've reached a blogger's milestone. Congratulations. I hope to visit here for years to come. Your home and the changes you have made to it over time is really wonderful. I hope you have a great day and that the snow has not kept you housebound.Have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  84. Congratulations on your two years of blogging Dianne. I am delighted to be able to call myself a virtual friend and follower of your Life in the Charente. It has been fun getting to know you, a lovely post today, your home and garden is looking great, even in the latest snowy scenes.

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  85. Quel travail. Un travail très réussi et une maison magnifique. BRAVO!!!
    Bon anniversaire.
    A très bientôt.

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  86. Lena thanks for the comments. Because we did so much of the work ourselves it was not sooooo expensive. I am now very proud of the results and all the work that we managed to do. Keep well Diane

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  87. chubskulit, no it is not a basement. It is the end barn where once a family lived, They used to live in the bottom part which is the same floor level as the rest of the house, the upstairs was where they stored the hay for the farm animals. Remember we live in rural France and our small hamlet was only a farming community many years ago. Our house actually housed 3 families originally.
    Glad you like the kitchen. Keep well Diane.

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  88. Lucie, Mon français est très mauvais, donc j'utilise parfois en tant que traducteur. Pas bon!

    Je vous remercie pour vos aimables commentaires. Diane

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  89. Thanks Pam, I have to say we are very happy with our new home. I just want the office out of the lounge!! Keep well Diane

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  90. Mary thanks so much for following and always being there. I hope to be around for a while longer :)
    As for the snow, yes we are pretty much housebound. I went shopping with a neighbour this morning and we had to get pushed out!!! Keep well Diane

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  91. Linda Thank you for the very kind comment. It has been fun getting to know you also, maybe one day we will be able to meet up.

    I have to admit the white garden looks beautiful, I just do not like the temperature!!!

    I am now looking forward to spring now, but I wonder how my poor plants will grow after being confused by the warm winter earlier!! Keep well Diane

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  92. First of all, congratulations on your anniversary! Second of all, I'm so glad that I found your blog. After reading your posts and communicating with you over the year, I feel like we are in a relationship :)
    What you did with this house is unbelievable. You are such an inspiration to me in many, many ways.

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  93. Congratulations on 2 years for your blog! You have a lovely home and the work you have done on it is beautiful.

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  94. Merci Nadji. Nous avons adoré le travail. Nous sommes heureux du résultat. Bonne journée. Diane

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  95. Olga your comments are so kind and thanks for the congratulations. I feel that you, Dolly and Froggy are sort part of the family, the latter of course I have met so it helps.
    I would never have thought I could be an inspiration to anyone, especially an artist, but you make me feel good saying it :) Take care Diane

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  96. Words Of Deliciousness, thank you for your visit and lovely comment. I just wonder where the two years has gone to!! Diane

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  97. Congrats! on the two year milestone! And thanks for stopping by Hilary's blog and saying hi. The house looks great! Amazing the change in the bedroom. Wow! Job well done.

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  98. Stephen thanks so much for stopping by and passing such a nice comment. It is appreciated. Diane

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  99. All I can say is that you live in paradise and it has been a great pleasure visiting with you... here's to many more years... well done!!

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  100. lostpastremembered :) it feels like it most of the time, but a little chilly at the moment!! Thanks so much for all your comments over the past two years it is really appreciated. Diane

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  101. Wow! I really like your home. Lovely!:-) Hugs Stina

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  102. Stina thanks so much. I also love our home :) Diane

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  103. How wonderful! Your house is very lovely and the remodel is wonderful! I just found your blog and I look forward to taking a peek around and reading more! Have a wonderful week!

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  104. Happy Blogoversary! I have greatly enjoyed getting to know you. I'd never seen the before pictures of your house before, and I'm not sure I would have had the courage to take it on. It surely is a wonderful change. I'm very glad that your Nigel has finally been able to join you in France, and I'm looking forward to following your continuing stories of Life in the Charente!

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  105. SerenaB thanks so much for the visit and taking the time to pass a comment. I am glad that you like what we have done to the house. Hard work but worth it :) Have a great weekend. Diane

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  106. Marjie thanks for the congratulations. The house was not as bad as what a lot of people take on here. Part of it, although now all changed, was habitable. We have completely redone the whole roof as well. The biggest challenge was probably our bedroom! Diane

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  107. Happy Blogger Birthday! I am amazed everyday at the world that blogging has opened up....I enjoy your blog. I love the idea that you live in France and you share wonderful places.

    I really enjoyed these "before' and "after" photos of your home. Just lovely. You can tell it has been a work of love to restore it.

    Cheers.
    Velva

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  108. Thanks Velva, you are so right, what a world has opened up to so many through blogging. It is amazing how you can tour a country through someone else's eyes.
    Keep well and have a great weekend. Diane

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  109. Diane, Happy 2 year Blogoversary! And congrats on the sale of your house.

    I have thoroughly enjoyed "knowing" you and reading your posts. Your variety is great---history lessons, your home projects and cooking too. You make it so interesting to read about your life in France and all of your adventures in surrounding areas. Here's wishing you many more years of happy blogging! By the way, your home and garden look gorgeous!!!

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  110. Pam we are so happy to have the UK house off our backs. With the financial situation, houses are just not selling. We had to take a drop, but it was better than having to pay all the bills on an empty house.
    Thanks for the kind comments. Hope that all is well with you two. Diane

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  111. I think this rates as one of my all time favourite posts of yours Diane. Not only do I want to add my congrats on your blogging anniversary, but to say well done you both on selling your house in England. What a load off your minds that must be!

    What I loved about this post was your before & after photographs. I have to say tht the after photos confirm what I have always pictured your house to look like in my mind! What a kitchen, and it all looks so inviting and homey and cosy!

    I am so intriqued with the dip for the washbasin! I love that sort of historic detail as you know. X

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  112. Dolly thanks so much for the very kind comment on this post. Yes the house sold in the UK is a weight off of our minds I must say.

    I am so glad we took all the before photos as we would never have remembered how bad it was when we first bought it!!

    I think the wash basin is typical of the old French homes as is the oven. The latter still has the tiles on top which presumably was what they cooked on. Remove the tiles and there is a big hole in the wall where the fire used to be:) Diane xx

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  113. Congratulations Diane, two years of blogging and so many happy followers is quite an acheivement, as are the improvements to your lovely home.
    I feel priviledged to have met you in person and to have seen your home and garden on the lovely day we had together last spring. I hope we can do it again some time !!
    Also I am so pleased you have finally sold your UK house, it must be a great relief.

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  114. Thanks Jean, we were delighted to meet up with you both and of course Lulu. You are welcome any time it was a pleasure to have you here, and Lulu has such good manners.
    The relief of having sold the house in the UK is enormous, the thought of having to keep paying on an empty house was a huge worry. Diane xx

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  115. I am so envious of your life! Your changes are beautiful and must have been so much work. Happy Blogiversary! I enjoy reading all about your adventures.

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  116. What a change! I love to remodel.

    Congratulations on your two years. I've enjoyed your posts and look forward to the new year.
    Sam

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  117. Sarah thanks for the kind comment. We love our home now, and once this weather changes I hope we get to really enjoy it. I have lived in many houses through the years, but this is the one which feels most like home :) Diane

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  118. Thanks Sam, we are looking forward to really being able to enjoy life in France now Nigel has retired. Diane

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  119. Congratulations on your blog anniversary. I really enjoy your writing. It was fun to see the before and after pictures of your house. Having said that, I am happy we didn't have to endure serious renovations on our house in Sablet. I am glad the person who lived there before us did the serious work.

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  120. chcmichel it was hard work but I also enjoyed (most of) it! I am really pleased with the result, I just want a couple of extra rooms upstairs in the barn so we can get the office out of the lounge and the bedroom!! Diane

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  121. Happy Belated Blogaversary to you, Diane. Sorry that I haven't been blogging much for the past couple of weeks. Finally, gather myself back after the Chinese New Year celebration. Yeah, time just flies! Things changed every day...so is human mind! Whatever so, I bet you're going to have great fun in blogging. Looking forward for more from you.
    Blessings
    Kristy

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  122. Hi Kristy glad to see you back again but I bet you enjoyed all those celebrations. Thanks for the good wishes. Take care Diane

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  123. Hi Diane .. I missed this one - so congratulations on 2 years and your journey .. and I loved seeing the house in various guises - fun and the history - I love places like that.

    Hope you're both beginning to feel a little better - perhaps more after the snow has gone and the light is longer .. cheers for now - Hilary

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  124. Thanks Hilary, I am glad we kept a complete history in photos from when we bought the house.

    I had decided that 2012 we were both going to be healthy and well. Now I am saying it will be spring...... Nigel has been very poorly but he is on the mend. My cough continues and I have to get more x-rays done and take a visit to the the specialist. This has been going on since October now and I am really fed up!! Diane

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