Cosy Homeliness

Question :: what does one do do if ones home ends up in such a mess that one does not know where to start with putting it right?

Answer :: ones goes about inviting a friend to come and visit, so prompting an essential remedial clean and tidy mission.

This particular invited friend cannot just be any old friend :: it has to be someone who's own house one knows to be the most beautiful, desirable, inspirational, clean and tidy abode. Naturally, it's the obvious solution. Invite someone to your house who's style you admire enormously and who's opinion means a great deal, and there you have it :: Instant Motivation. Doesn't everyone do this? No? Surely you do? (cummon, own up, pleease?)

Well now, it damn well worked, this plan of mine. Knowing myself so well, I was certain that my friend's imminent arrival on the Attic24 doorstep would give me the motivation I needed, and I was right. I have had many Complaints from the Management about the state of the house in recent weeks, but quite frankly, complaints from the management do NOT tend to motivate me, they just make me smolder quietly.
So yesterday saw me spend a considerable amount of the day and evening attending to the forgotten business of Keeping House. And it was erm....fun. Yes, it was, I surprised myself to be honest.

Now I don't want to bore you with the ins and outs of how sporadic my housework regime is, don't want this post to become a Housework post, but more a Homely one. In fact, once I got down to business, it didn't take an awful lot to put the place to rights.
And I am certainly enjoying the sense of peace and tranquility and Cosy Homeliness that has descended on  Attic24 today, it's been a pleasure to be here. Really.

I dug out my red gingham table runner that I made last year for Christmas. Tidied the table and the bookshelves which were both hiding under a mountain of paperwork. Tidied the Little People's art and craft corner which was beginning to invading the entire room. Tidied/chucked away magazines, letters, papers, brochures, toys, yarn, letters, tools, stationary, shells, leaflets etc etc etc.

So. Much. STUFF.

And I am so happy now that all is tidy(ish) and my little fairy lights are twinkling and the dusty bits have been dusted and the bitty bits have been hoovered. I even feather dustered some cobwebs, which was quite something. It has made me feel so happy! yaaaayyyyy!!!!

My friend Sarah is a delightful, funny, bubbly, creative soul and we do love a good natter about all things crafty and homey. We went to Knit and Natter together this morning, which was great fun. In fact, you can thank Sarah cos she's the one responsible for teaching me the joys of crochet. It was she who last summer, frogmarched me to the shop to buy a hook and a ball of yarn so that she could teach me to crochet, because she had just learnt herself and knew instinctively that I would love it. And how right was she? Love it? You bet.

You can tell what sort of a lovely friend she is, because the above gifts were dug out of her bag upon her arrival. A beautiful heart that she had made, and a wonderful bundle of biscotti biscuits tied with gingham ribbon. Gosh, I was close to tears. Yet again, for the umpteenth time in recent weeks, I was made so happy by the kindness and generosity of friends.

Thank you Sarah, today was such a pleasure. Hows about we make your visits regular, maybe say once once a month, you know, to keep my house in check? See you soon then, don't be gone too long.

xxxxxxxxxxx

Comments

[Judy]

I do that also! When I know that I need some motivation I invite people over and then my house gets picked up and cleaned! Judy
http://judy-judysfabricaddiction.blogspot.com/

[gardenymph]

Lucy, I've been meaning to tell you how much I love your home. It's so bright, cheerful, and cozy.

I'm also doing the "Company is Coming Cleaning Plan". Works every time. Although, the "Must Check Email Plan Before Commencing the 'Company is Coming Cleaning Plan' Plan" always wins. ;~)
(whew! that was a lot of tricky quotations)

[do you mind if i knit]

Your house looks wonderful Lucy..................... but I know exactly what you mean...................... I suddenly become very house-proud when people come to visit................. so visitors always think I have an immaculate home! Which is quite amusing really!

[Anne Bebbington]

When our three were little people we used to do house swaps for holidays, usually once a year but sometimes twice or three times - it's amazing how the thought of another family staying in your home for a fortnight galvanises you into cleaning action - my home has never been quite as spruced up since we stopped doing them - maybe we should restart next summer - no doubt the house would be delighted and so would my beloved husband!

[Kitschen Pink]

I always clean the kitchen floor ready for Christmas - does that count? Come visit me - I'd have to clean up if you were coming - your home always looks so colourful and creative! I love it! (I don't generally find the chaos that is our sitting room any too homely - boys mess isn't the same as girly mess) t.x

[kathy]

Hi Lucy, Can Sarah come and stay with me next?! May be then I will feel inclined to clean. If people come to mine I just tell them to look ahead, don't look down....too much dust! Kathyx

[Lesley]

oh I love that sense of satisfaction when everything is tidy and in order :-) I may have to go and dig out my feather duster now :-)
Lesley x

[Liz]

What you really need is friends like mine, who just "pop in", unannounced. It scares the daylight out of me enough that my house is "just in case" perpetually tidy!!!!

[Joanne]

My MIL and SIL are my Sarah's, If either one is to make a visit I run around like a headless chicken tidying every nook and crannie or I get the is M ok living like this or M would you like me to take your washing home I'll iron your Shirts.
Your house is beautiful so colourful and cosy. I love your cupboards that live in your alcoves they look fantistic. All your lovely crochet all around the house you should be very proud you have a lovely home.
Joanne x

[Pipany]

Hello Lucy. This is the first time i have visited your blog and I love it! Off for a read through now xx

[Frances]

Ah yes, all that cleaning and the catalyst that gets it going is so great. However, I just bet that your home looked just fine even before!

Cheers to having old and new friends come by to share time and interests ... much better than any dusting/polishing that might occur before.

I do thank you for getting me interested in getting my crochet hook into lots of stored up yarn. Might even finish a special Christmas present.

[Leisa]

Your home looks just beautiful - I'm sure your glad you had a big tidy up! So many gorgeous bits and pieces.

[Kathryn]

Dear Lucy,
You home looks so inviting, I imagine the sun would coming streaming through that large window, onto your table with the hyacinths in the cornish bowl. How lovely..
Kathryn
Kathryn in the Loft
Australia

[sarah]

Now then Lucy, what can I say...such kind words in your blog, I am very lucky to have your friendship! Your house is just as I imagined...very cosy and very you...it had a very special warmth and can see why you fell in love with it. I too had a wonderful day..meeting your fellow knit and knatters...seeing your favourite parts of town...it is nice to know you are settled in your new home. I will certainly be making my visits more often....we have lots to catch up on and important crafty ideas to discuss, have a great weekend, see you soon x

[Paloma]

Isn't fascinating when your nest is all cleaned and tidied up?
I did the same today and the funny part is that I actually enjoyed it. I love the pictures of your house, it looks cozy.

[Ali]

Oh yes, cleaning to order! A phenomenon I know very well indded (sadly)!

But your place is looking so bright and welcoming. Hooray!

[Katy]

yes! I do the same - I'm not the only one!!! The management here complain regularly about the state of our house and I just push at the bits of thread and try to poke them under the piano/cat bed/cat/small children's bums and whistle to myself pretending not to hear.
What you must NEVER do is invite me round, although you'd find that after I left there'd be much less stuff for you to dust (and my previously empty bag would be bulging at the seams with all the stuff I'd snaffled)

[cherrie]

Smoldering quietly ends up doing a lot of burning to a relationship. Much, much better to have your friend over - it could even save your marriage! ;-) Cherrie
Ps. Yes it does all look homely and nice.

[tilly rose]

Thanks Attic 24, nice to now that I am not the only mum who thinks she has seen too much daytime tV and is going around the bend..... I am actually pondering over your blog as we speak and looking at a lovely photo of a choc pastry and strawberrys....

xx

[Josie-Mary]

Your house looks lovely... I think I need to have a friend around because I hate house work.... I'd much rather knit & watch a DVD then clean on my day off, glad to hear this is normal!
Looks like you had a good trip to London, loving all the fabric. Did you make the crochet dec hanging off the coffee pot??? I love it, think I may have a play around tomorrow or if you'd like to be kind you could give me a few hints!!

[kim]

What a great home: the perfect balance of creative style and warmth! I believe you would be the friend with the "most beautiful, desirable, inspirational, clean and tidy abode" that inspired me to clean.

[tilly rose]

I LOVE your blog,

Ive Tagged you

xx

[A Thrifty Mrs]

Your house look very neat and tidy but in a homely way. I don't like very prim houses. Yours looks like the perfect place to while away hours chatting, knitting and reading.
Gorgeous.

[mandy]

your home looks very pretty and cosy, I love your little white tree on the table, and what a lovely friend to bring you a homemade heart and biscotti's ( my favourites ) yummy.

[cathleen]

P.S. Does J. realize what a treasure he has?