is the electric stove. I think I’ve mentioned this before. I have been cooking on gas for the past 8 years and am having a really hard time adjusting.

The hardest part is remembering that the burners stay hot for, literally, hours after the stove is turned off. I am so used to just putting a pot back on the stove that it has been really hard to break the habit. Especially as there is so little counter space in the kitchen.

And then I went to Ikea to look at things for Adam’s room to make it more ‘boyish’. The whole house is decorated in pink and light blue and flowers, not my taste but I can live with it. Except in Adam’s room. It’s just such a ridiculous thing for a little boy to have, so I went shopping for some things to make the room more his.

And while I was there I found these 6×6 wooden trivets for 90p each. And I have now bought 12 of them. And lined the entire side of the kitchen counter to the left of the stove with them, making that entire area heat proof.

It’s saved my sanity. Such a great place to put a hot pot or two without having to move trivets around or get my cutting boards out.

I have a few more trivets on order for the other side of the stove. Just in time to be able to dish up and serve Christmas dinner.

As for Adam’s room, Ikea didn’t have much, but he did get this rug and this storage thing. I’ve also ordered him some curtains and some removable stickers for his walls.

I realize I haven’t done upstairs pictures yet, but hopefully Thursday, as Wednesday is finish the upstairs day in preparation for the hoards that descend starting Friday!

Let the festivities begin!