Rain!

 

Another couple of photographs from last week, when it was still delightfully sunny and dry. The rain finally arrived a few days ago, and although the gardens are grateful, I'm not really feeling it. I realise it is very much needed, I'd even been wishing for a few good showers, but I'd also become rather used to the bright, warm mornings and evenings spent pottering  about in the garden. Not so, this evening. It's dark, wet, and horribly windy.

Since I last posted, my new work schedule has been confirmed. Yay! I'll still be doing the same hours, although it's slightly different than I'd anticipated. The admin side of things is going to be taking up the majority of my time, but then I'll also be working in new-to-me area. I'm a little nervous, but also quite excited for the challenge, especially as my new colleague is just THE loveliest person, and also a lot of fun. 

Yesterday, I completed my second Parkrun. It was a different course this time, but the people there were just as friendly and welcoming. I was as predictable as ever, with my time being just 13 seconds out from my last run. I was slower this time, so perhaps I should practice more, then I might see some improvement.

Today, it's been raining, so I've been busying myself tidying the house and cleaning out the fridge. It's looking a bit sparse in there now. I've chopped and frozen some butternut squash, sweet potato and carrots, as they wouldn't have stayed fresh for much longer, and they will be far better used in a soup than thrown away. 

I've also ordered myself some pretty new pillow cases. I usually like my bedding to look quite neutral, and I don't like anything too fussy. But I fell in love with this particular floral design, and they will look lovely with my dusky pink duvet cover. I'm working harder at bringing more colour into the house, without adding unnecessary clutter. 

Back soon. 

J. X

Sunny May Days

 

Ahhhhh! The beautiful month of May. And it's been especially lovely this year. May has always been one of my favourite months, with the promise of summer being just around the corner. But this year, it's as though summer has arrived earlier than usual, and I've been enjoying every moment. 

It has felt energising and restorative being able to spend so much time outdoors. We've already  enjoyed more meals in the garden than during the whole of last year, and there might also have been a glass of wine or two for me :) 

I finally got around to repotting the blueberry bush and filling the new strawberry planters. And a small tray of marigold plants have added some much needed colour to the borders. 

In the daytime, the sun has felt delightfully warm on my skin, but the nights have been comfortably cool, lacking that intense heat that can often cause restless nights. But the ground is looking parched, the streams are dry and the lakes are low. As I write, I can hear the sound of thunder rumbling in the distance, which will hopefully bring with it some much needed rain.

Since I last posted, I'm feeling much more at ease. I've been reassured regarding some of my working hours, and I think my new role will work much better for me. It should mean that I will spend more time focused in one area, rather than constantly changing. It will also, hopefully, be a longer term position. 

Another difference, since I last posted, is that Lily turned 12. I have so many feelings about this, that I'm not quite sure where to begin. I turned my back for a moment and it's as though she's all grown up. Of course, I know that's not really the case. Not quite yet, anyway. 

She chose to celebrate her special day quietly, with a picnic at the lake. Several of Lily's birthdays have been spent here, as it's one of her favourite places. First, we went for a walk at Aira Force, where the lack of any recent rainfall was more than evident. Then we spent the rest of the morning beside the lake, although for one of us there was quite a lot of time spent in it :) 

After drying off, we took the longer route home, stopping off at the dairy farm for ice-cream. 

I chose liquorice...

It's so lovely there, and the ice-cream is absolutely delicious. We enjoyed our ice-creams, then Lily had a great time playing on the slide. Maybe she's not quite so grown up after all. 

J. X

Early May

It's been a rather pleasant start to May. Usually, there would be one really great week of glorious weather, but we've had continuous sunshine since the beginning of the month, with even more forecast for the week ahead. I'm reminded of something my dad used to say, 'The sun is out, the birds are singing, and the bees are humming. It's a beautiful day!' And I'm absolutely delighted to say that there have been plenty of those recently. 

I'm still struggling with finding some balance to my days, and I've been feeling really weary this last week. I'm sleeping a little better, at least, but work has been pretty full on, consisting of long, demanding days. Again, this should change moving forward. I just need to find out what my proposed hours are going to be, then see if any adjustments need to be made. One way or another, after the summer, I can no longer carry on trying to juggle several roles, as I am doing now.

Although life in general is incredibly busy, I've been trying to grasp those little moments of joy whenever I can. Each morning, I've been spending a few minutes in the garden before Lily wakes up. I peg out any wet washing on the line, then I like to check on the vegetables. I also look to see if there's any evidence of our visiting hedgehog. Besides the cockerel crowing, it's a lovely, peaceful start to my day. 

The longer daylight hours are good for my soul and make me feel much lighter and happier. I've been in out in the garden many times already today, pulling up the few weeds that I'm sure must have appeared overnight, and topping up the container pond - it really is so long since we've had any rain! I also like to sit on the step and drink my mug of tea, while watching birds. I feel quite comfortable there, so I very rarely use the garden chairs. And I'm not the only one enjoying the sunshine. 

Our little raised bed is already proving useful. The spinach has been added to various meals, and Lily used some to make a cous cous salad last week, which was absolutely delicious. This morning, I put some in a homemade quiche, which we will eat for dinner this evening, served with some tomatoes and coleslaw, and maybe a baked potato - I'm very much enjoying these quick to prepare meals. The beetroot looks to be growing well, as do the spring onions. Like last year, some of the carrots seem to have simply disappeared, but the ones that remain are looking okay. I've just sown some more beetroot to fill in the gaps :)

Last weekend we visited Coniston, where we enjoyed a lovely hike up The Old Man. We took the lesser walked track along Little Arrow Edge, which took slightly longer, but avoided the busier, more direct route from the centre of the village. 

The birds were singing, and the bees were humming. It was a beautiful day. 

Back soon.

J. X