Birthday

Last week we celebrated Lily turning four years old. I can't begin to think how quickly this last year has gone by. She has changed and grown so much in this time and as each day that passed has seen her face new challenges, I am so incredibly proud of what she has managed to achieve.

Cards and gifts were opened in the morning, her favourites being a garden swing, books and some fabulous rainbow wellies. We just managed to put up the swing on the Saturday evening before it went dark, ready for her to discover the following morning. Her little face lit up when she saw it.  It was such a joy to see. I can see many happy hours spent on it this summer.

I made two cakes for the special day. One to take to share at pre-school that morning and one to enjoy at home. They were both deliciously chocolatey and covered in icing and other goodies.

Lily enjoyed a delightfully happy day and I can't wait to discover what adventures the coming year has in store for her.

J. X

Happy Friday

It has been a busy week, full of this and that. Nothing dramatic,  just ordinary everyday happenings, but things which have made me very happy indeed.

The weather has been glorious here. Starting out cold and fresh, becoming sunny and warm as the days moved on, then culminating with the most beautiful evening sunsets.

It has been lovely being able to hang out the washing every day and has felt so good to breathe in the fabulous scent of fresh air on our clothes and bed linen. There is something so very satisfying to me about seeing a line of clothes drying in the warm breeze.

The dry weather has also enabled me to spend much of my time in the garden getting jobs done and prettying things but more about all that another time.

Of course, we have been out walking. Considering the weather has been very dry, the fields are looking lush and green.

Always time to stop for a snack.

The wild garlic with its heady aroma is now out in full flower here.

Importantly for me, I have been feeling more like myself again. A run on Wednesday morning put paid to any doubts I had about my fitness. I  am aware I am very much a work in progress and although it was still an effort  I managed my run with no issues. Onwards and upwards.

Yesterday was quite exciting in that our seed planting  paid off and provided us with some  baby spinach leaves to eat alongside last night's pizza. Yay! Delicious leafy greenery, fresh from our very own garden. Fresh spinach is something we love to eat so we will hopefully get plenty more over the summer months.

The weekend is almost upon us and we have a birthday to celebrate. So very much to be thankful for.

J. X

Bluebells

During the last two weeks I have focused on my physical wellbeing and as a family we have settled once more into our familiar routine of work, pre-school and general day to day activities. It is a simple routine which many would find mundane and dull but which I find comforting and most welcome.

Thank you to everyone who left  kind and encouraging comments on my previous post. They mean such a lot to me. Just the last few days I have felt a huge improvement and I intend to continue to build on this.

This week *my legs, at least, have been getting plenty of exercise. We haven't ventured far from home but we've been along lanes, up hills, through fields and into the woods. The  Bluebells were making an appearance the last time we were there, but since then the green of the woodland floor has been transformed into a carpet of blue. There were Bluebells as far as the eye could see, all dancing in the breeze. The sunlight through the gentle canopy of the trees was making beautiful patterns on the ground. I could have stayed there all day.

We must have walked for miles altogether, although there is always the obligatory stop for refreshment, yet I never seem to feel tired in these surroundings.

J. X

* As anyone accompanying a small child knows, my lungs have also been exercised through shouting "wait there!" "come on!" "get off that, it's too high!" and many, many more similar expressions of 'encouragement.'

Gently does It

More than I would like to admit, this year has really taken its toll on my health. In theory I am well again. In reality I am  still struggling day to day.

I know I am being ridiculously hard on myself and am expecting too much too soon. I am not the most patient at the best of times and not being able to physically pick up where I left off has left me feeling both frustrated and disheartened.

Thankfully, living where I do means I can walk out of my front door and into beautiful open countryside. For this I am always grateful, especially now. It makes such a difference to my wellbeing.

The weather has been unusually dry for this time of year so Lily and I have been out for a walk most days. At the weekend we went on our Easter Sunday walk once again. This time the bench got sat on and chocolate got eaten. Yay!

Midweek, and feeling a little braver (although incredibly self conscious) I put on my old trainers and took myself out on a gentle run. I stayed close to home and didn't go too far, but oh! the difference it made. My spirit felt lifted and I was thrilled to be actually doing something after what has seemed like months of relative inactivity.

I thought I had done O.K. and I definitely enjoyed myself. The next day, however, my legs were paying the price. Another gentle walk eased the aching somewhat but I'm not used to feeling like that.

Has it put me off?  Of course.

Will it stop me going out again? Definitely not.

I am determined to get fitter and regain my sense of self, so if that means putting on my trainers again this evening, then put them on I will. I may even go for a run in them. I just might not go quite as far this time....for now anyway.

J. X