Every morning his week, the birds have noisily announced the start of each new day. It's something I always forget has been missing, until I hear it again. There is no doubt that spring is just around the corner, but defrosting the car mid-week and the snowfall over the higher fells, yesterday, reminded me that winter hasn't quite lost it's grip. Still, it has made a pleasant change from the relentless rainy days we've been having recently.
The laundry is still being hung up indoors, on the airer, but I'm looking forward to being able to peg it out on the line again, hopefully soon. And as for the state of the garden...it's been far to wet to bother! Instead, I've been focusing any energies, that I do have, indoors. The house is beginning to feel much more manageable, even though I've still some more de-cluttering to get on with, and it's taking up far less head space. Although, I've never been a hoarder, I just don't like clutter - it makes me feel anxious. And by clutter I mean anything that isn't a sofa, a houseplant or cat. Oh, and my coffee machine - I'm definitely keeping that! I like to live quite minimally.
During these last few weeks, the rhythm of daily life has been gentle. It's been fairly quiet, with not a lot to write about. On dry days we've enjoyed the occasional walk punctuated with much needed coffee stops, log fires, and some delicious pastries. The lengthening daylight hours bring promise, and I can feel myself starting to relax just a little.
At the end of this month, it will be ten years since I began writing in this space. Much has changed in that time, and yet, somehow, much remains the same. Whatever you are getting up to this weekend, I hope it's a lovely one.
Back soon.
J. X
Actually managed to peg out a couple of times in the past week…bliss! X
ReplyDeleteNow, you're just showing off ;)
DeleteThinking pride before a fall!!
DeleteLet's hope not. X
DeleteGood Morning Jules. How does ten years fly by so quickly? I awoke to the frosty grass but the birds have been a welcome soundtrack on the first and last Bluebell wee of the day! I've pegged out a couple of times and will do so in an hour or so today. I managed to do some gardening last Friday which felt good. X have a lovely day
ReplyDeleteUnless it's windy, there's little point in pegging out my washing at this time of year, as the garden hardly gets any sun. Hopefully the weather will improve in time for the holidays :)
DeleteSadly, all our birds are getting caught and eaten by the new grey slinky tabby next door that seems to live up the nearby trees waiting to pounce on an unsuspecting bird. We and another neighbour have had to stop feeding them. Last year it devoured all the newly hatched eggs from the nest in our ivy within half an hour. One minute there was all that wonderful chirping when they hatch and the next silence. We kept scaring it off but it was persistent and I am wondering if the birds will nest there again this year like they normally do. I was distraught and so miss the birdsong. I have never come across a cat quite like it. There is often a dead bird lying around now and it puts them on anyones doorstep not just its own!
ReplyDeleteI think your weather is worse than ours, I think ours changed last week and winter is over here. Strangely the weather on the Mull at our cottage in Scotland was always milder and plants much further on than here at home, and we could see Cumbria from down on the Mull across the water. Have a good week, keep everything you do gentle, this is a good time for renewing yourself.xx
There's a tabby doing the same in our garden. It breaks my heart to see it taking the little blue tits and robins.
DeleteOh no! That's so sad. Thankfully, my two cats are either too lazy or too incompetent to catch birds, I wouldn't like that at all. I'm hoping our weather will start to improve soon. Xx
DeleteLove your photo's, catkins are always a sign of warmer days to come, March can be a horrible month, I have everything crossed it's kind to us this year.
ReplyDeleteMarch has been a pretty miserable month, so far. Fingers crossed the weather will improve for the holidays. X
DeleteI'm hoping that we've seen the worst of winter now, though I'm not getting too complacent quite yet, you never know what March will bring. Let's hope for more of the beautiful sunny days which we've had this past week.
ReplyDeleteThe weather is still pretty miserable here. At least the daylight hours are increasing. X
DeleteThree beautiful photographs, especially your first one.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it lovely to hear bird song.
I do enjoy this time of year winter is disappearing and Spring is awakening.
Wishing you a tranquil weekend.
All the best Jan
Thank you, Jan. It was nice to take a few snapshots, while the sun was shining. X
DeleteEach morning the wood pigeons serenade us, blackbirds too although I have difficulty hearing them unless I am outside. Laundry still drying indoors here too. Walks and coffee stops are always on the agenda to lift the spirits. Have a good weekend:)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rosie. It's lovely to hear the birdsong each morning. X
DeleteThat catkin is just beautiful! We had a heavy frost here overnight! It was not expected. I long to hang my laundry out, praying my physiotherapy will see some results soon! It is a joy to see daybreak earlier each day now.
ReplyDeleteI do hope you'll see some improvement very soon. Xx
DeleteYour photos are beautiful!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Linda. X
DeleteWe've been fortunate to have a few lovely days of proper drying weather. I'm making the most of it.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait till we get some drying weather here. Xx
DeleteOh, what lovely photos. Spring is pretty much fully beginning to thrive where I live.
ReplyDeleteSpring is trying hard here. We just need the weather to pick up. X
DeleteHello, dear friend. Yes, I am also hearing the birds reminding me that spring is near. That is always a refreshing feeling. Although I have not known you for the entire ten years, I am so thankful we crossed paths here. Your space exudes calm and peace and beauty. Have a cozy Sunday!
ReplyDeleteThat's such a lovely thing to say, Billie Jo. I really value the friends I have made here. Xx
DeleteI love reading that daily life is quiet and gentle - I have so enjoyed slowing down this winter and I admit I will hate to put that aside. But I have learned that even in a busy season, we still need quiet time - it’s good for the soul and I plan on doing that. There is no reason to “run myself into the ground” as the saying goes. The birds are returning here as well, and a sure sign of spring is the happy sound of peepers (little frogs) singing from the creek in the woods. I enjoy reading the little differences between here and there - the word “peg” is so much nicer than “hang” as we say, I’m going to use that! And an airer - uncommon here, but I saw that Mrs Hall (all creatures) has one and now I’m feeling I may like one too! Have a peaceful Sunday, Jules.
ReplyDeleteThis made me smile, as Lily often refers to me as Mrs. Hall. And you may be excited to hear that they have begun filming a new series :)
DeleteThe dawn chorus is back, a sign of things to come. I’ve noticed it, too. I dried my sheets on the line on Friday, slipping under the covers in the evening was divine. Nearly there. Cx
ReplyDeleteYay! It's such an uplifting sound, isn't it.
DeleteAnd I'm so envious, I can't wait to dry my sheets on the line. Xx
Lovely photos as always. I'm glad to hear that you have had some lovely, relaxed days. I hope you continue to enjoy more lovely days as winter gives way to spring.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bless. Spring can't be far off now. Xx
DeleteWinter often does that, lurk around a corner and when you begin to think spring has actually arrived, then winter leaps out and yells 'fooled you!'
ReplyDeleteI am also decluttering, although not a hoarder, I dis save things that I suspected would be useful for work, now that I have left, so much is being sorted out and re-homed and it feels cathartic.
So far we managed to put our washing outside a couple of times and the fresh scent that it brings indoors is glorious.
Keep being gentle with yourself xx
Winter returned with a vengeance! I just couldn't believe how frozen the car was.
DeleteDe-cluttering is very cathartic. I feel so much lighter and in control. Xx
Hello my dear Jules!
ReplyDeleteWe are enjoying the longer days up here in the northwoods. I think it's especially nice for Matt who can come out after his long work day and not have it be dark outside. I'm looking so forward to Spring and the energy it breathes. But we're still half in hibernation season too - so trying to soak up those moments as well. Your photos are always so lovely. And I think Matt wishes I were a minimalist. Lol I'm definitely a maximalist...but I try to do it with taste. 😂 Wishing you a lovely week ahead, cozy times for the remainder of the late winter season, and all the joy and hope that Spring brings just around the corner. Blessings. xo
Good evening, dear Carrie. This has made me chuckle. It's funny how we are all so different isn't it. I feel so much better for de-cluttering, although I may have just acquired another house plant! :)
DeleteWhat beautiful photos, Jules! Yes, there's lots of signs of spring, the bulbs waking up, the birdsong, walking to the swimming pool in daylight but Winter's still with us, that wind is bitterly cold.
ReplyDeleteI love my clutter but feel a lot better to have sold so much of my stuff on Vinted over the last few weeks (and have enjoyed ammassing even more with the proceeds!!)xx
Thank you, Vix. My car was completely frozen again, yesterday, so I won't be packing my jumpers away just yet.
DeleteI also love your beautiful 'clutter' :)
It snowed in Toronto too-Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI love the snow, but I feel ready for some warm, spring weather now. Xx
DeleteHi! I'm new here and my name is lvy. Not a hoarder but LOVE a good declutter of which I'm nearly done with what I call The Great Re-Declutter of 2026. A decade ago I did a massive purge. Was great. Congrats on a decade of blogging. Blogging rocks. Winter not all the way done here yet either but close. Happy Spring. Cheers, Ivy
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