the lighting

20 November 2013


We always had open fires when I was a kiddo. I always went to school smelling of smokey bacon flavoured crisps as a result. Still, the aura of crackling wood fires and that drowsy glow is something I always wanted (and always wanted for my little'un too). We were so happy that our new house comes with proper fireplaces that can actually burn stuff!

We went out to buy some logs and a fireguard and other bits and bobs for the evening of 'the lighting' of the fire. We 'happened' by our new favourite vintage yard, and I discovered, hiding in a cabinet, my new additions to the family. One of which you can see all tucked up in the back of our car...

Back at the house, the chimney sweep had arrived, and I was very curious as I have never seen a real life chiminey sweep before. Apart from wearing black, he was not exactly as I had imagined (scruffy top hat, holding chimney brush with soot on cheeks).

Nor did he have any poor street urchin to climb up the chimney. In fact I was very impressed with this high tech devices. 

Taa-daaaa!

Now we can finally light our fire for the very first time! We bought Port and cheese and a Panetone to celebrate.






I'm so proud of our kiddo's reaction to the fire, she was suitably fascinated with an equal dose of wariness. Of course I will never leave a fire, a baby or a fire + baby out of my sight, but its good to know her instinctive reaction is that of caution. Its also good to know that she likes a bit of Stilton.


I just feel like this is all a dream, that we own our own home, and we own a fireplace! I never thought in a million years that we would achieve this.
( I think I have had too much Port)

...and, our new family members?  two Italian cockatoos!

I love them,

no, I LOVE them.

right, I now know that I have gone totally bonkers.

31 comments

  1. It all looks so cosy and gorgeous, I am slightly jealous (but not about the stilton, I am cheese phobic!).x

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  2. I love how cosy it looks! We are heading towards summer here in Sydney so no fireplaces needed *sad face*. I always miss Finland this time of the year, especially at Christmas.

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  3. this makes me so so happy for you :) xxx

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  4. Anonymous20.11.13

    I'd love to have a proper fireplace, but no such luck in my little North London flat. I'll have to make do with just the port and cheese instead x

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  5. I love the photo of the slippers!

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  6. wow.. so cozy!! just wonderful. i'm so happy that you were able to achieve this dream of yours!!! xx

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  7. Anonymous20.11.13

    This is delightful! I've grown up with fireplaces as well (closes ones that is) and I still love it. Nowadays, when I'm at my parents house it makes me feel save and peaceful inside when they have a fire burning. I guess I have a lot of special memories attached to fires :)

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  8. Anonymous20.11.13

    Beatiful, everything is so beautiful! georgia

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  9. i miss having an open fire. it looks lovely. x

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  10. its not bonkers to savor happy moments. or share them with others. cheers!

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  11. Haha, this made me laugh. I think I love, no LOVE your cockatoos, too! Love me a fire, they burn peat up where we now live and the smell is just amazing. Reminds me everyday of childhood holidays to visit family in Ireland. Cosy, cosy! Good girl with the stilton, too! Holly.x

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  12. I love your vintage find. Is it a Cockatoo or a Galah ? We have plenty of those around where i live !! We also have a wood fire, and love it's warmth in Winter...

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    1. They are cockies. Galahs are crested but pink and grey.

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  13. I love the cockies too. They are so familiar in the Australian countryside.

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  14. Hi from Finland! I know excatly how you feel! We just bought our dream house, something I never thought would happen. On of the best things is heating our home with four old stoves.

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  15. I remember that feeling, when I moved into my own home. The heart feels so full. Settled. Accomplished. Cozy nesting. Excited. Everything is all new. And when I built a gate and had to put posts into the ground, that was when I felt like I really had claimed my piece of Earth.

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  16. This looks so gorgeous and cosy! Nothing better than an open fire, and cheese and wine! It's definitely a good reason to move out of London, one day!

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  17. Valerie21.11.13

    I'm in love ! Those cockatoos… I LOVE them TOO ! Great pics as usual.

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  18. Oh so so happy for you all .... love your style and also LOVE those cockatoos ! Thank you for sharing your lovely lovely home with us all x

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  19. Anonymous21.11.13

    Our house didn't feel properly like a home until we reinstated the fireplace downstairs. It's a fantastic feeling to sit warming your toes on a cold night. You do realise that from now on your life will never be the same though - you will always be on the lookout for nice logs and suitable bits of kindling everywhere you go.

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  20. You made me laugh twice for the car because it will let you fill it with things. I had one and had all manner of things hanging out the back auction queen and your daughter liking the tiniest morsel of Stilton. How sweet to be so small with so many things to learn. X

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  21. How wonderful :) Looks so cosy! x

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  22. ah, this is lovely. we have original fireplaces in our house too and I'm so excited to get the living room one working! x

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  23. It looks so gorgeous and cozy, not many opportunities for open fires here in Sydney but we do get a LOT of cockatoos in our garden :-)

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  24. Anonymous22.11.13

    Those cockatoos are ridiculous in the best possible way. Good work! xx

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  25. Mmhmm, this looks cozy. When I have a house of my own, I'm determined to have a fire (I'll also need to live with someone that's good at lighting them though... I dont' seem to have the knack).

    Always enjoy reading your blog stranger-friend.

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  26. Melanie from Sydney25.11.13

    Oh no not bonkers, they are gorgeous, so very jealous enjoy

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  27. Oh i would love to have a real fire in my fireplace. Unfortunately mine is closed up :( Your home is looking lovely and Pehr is getting so big xx

    www.hollyhollypocket.blogspot.co.uk

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  28. Not at all bonkers, I love them too. Your whole style is just lovely. :)

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