A Mog's Life

 

Spring is here! And so the days are growing longer and the weather warmer. The sun shines on the front of the house during the morning and Mog likes to make the most of it, curled up asleep on Lily's bed.

Not a care in the world. Happy and relaxed.

Back soon. 

J. X

Slow Days

 

I'm still at home and my days are now beginning to drag. I am sure I would feel quite differently had I actually been unwell, but the worst of my symptoms has been a runny nose. The aching shoulders, I put down to having cut the grass and attempted some gardening last week :)  I'm not complaining. I am incredibly grateful not to have suffered worse, but I'm now definitely ready to be back at work and getting on with things. I would like to say I have been productive with my days but, without my usual routine, I have been floundering. That said, I have tidied out my wardrobe, which wasn't as daunting a task as I'd originally thought, although I did have a 'moment' when I'd first emptied everything out onto my bed. I don't even own all that many items of clothing, it just isn't very well organised. 

Also, I completed the baby blanket I have been crocheting for my friend. I am really happy with, so I do hope she likes it. I used this pattern from Maisie & Ruth, but increased the size of the border and left off the impractical pom poms. 

I haven't just been stuck indoors, however. At the weekend we went out for walk along the river, the fresh air and stiff breeze helping to blow away the cobwebs. The ground was still very wet and muddy in places, so I was glad to be wearing my wellies. We had hoped to gather some of the wild garlic in the woods, but it is still a little too early right now, so it will just have to wait another week or so. But I really can't wait to enjoy some delicious, freshly made pesto. Perhaps I should learn to be more patient.

While we were out, we were actively searching for signs of spring and we weren't disappointed. There were new shoots in abundance and some of the trees are already in blossom. We didn't manage to find any frog spawn, but we were absolutely delighted to see some otters playing in the water and scampering up the river bank, and then a flash of vibrant blue as a kingfisher flew past. 

Being full of germs I haven't wanted to spend much time in the kitchen, but as I had been craving cake I decided to bake some Weetabix Fruit Loaf Cake. And I am so glad I did, as I've been enjoying a generous slice each morning with a mug of hot sweet tea :)

I've done a bit more clearing in the garden and it's lovely to see some bulbs making a reappearance, especially the fritillary, which I have been careful to avoid disturbing since last summer. We have decided to sow wildflower seeds again this year, and I am once again looking forward to seeing the butterflies and bees they attract. 

J. X

March

I didn't really know how I should begin this post. With everything that is going on in the world it seems rather frivolous of me to be writing about the normality of my days. And yet I have found comfort in reading other blogs, so I will persevere, and I'm sure the photographs will speak for themselves. 

March has brought with it some much needed sunshine to these parts. It is as though the grey clouds lifted all at once and spring is finally edging it's way in. Mornings have been bright, but the bitterly cold wind is a sharp reminder that winter is still very much with us.

We've enjoyed some lovely walks. Well wrapped up, of course. And I've been able to get some washing hung out on the line, at last. We continue to have a steady stream of birds to the feeders in the garden and the grass has now benefitted from it's first cut of the year. I just need to turn the soil and then I can make a start on preparing the garden for the warmer months ahead. The lawn, especially, needs a lot of extra care.

It is wonderful to see spring buds in the hedgerows and it won't be long until the daffodils will be out in flower. I might even go and gather some wild garlic from the woods tomorrow. 

At the weekend we took a short walk up Souther Fell, setting off from the small village of Mungrisdale. The fell is a popular launching site for paragliders and we saw around eight in the air while we were there. Unsurprisingly, as the conditions would have been perfect. 

My feet remained firmly on the ground, however. And we enjoyed our walk, followed by a picnic lunch in a small wildlife garden, finishing off our day by sitting outside the village pub with a refreshing drink.

My week began as usual, but now I'm at home, having finally tested positive for covid just yesterday. Time to put my feet up and have a cup of tea, I think. 

J. X  

That Went Quickly

 

My week didn't exactly start off in the way I had hoped. Disappointingly, a problem with my household electrics meant I had to cancel our long awaited day out in Edinburgh. And it wasn't anything to do with the bad weather. On Sunday evening something tripped the fuse box and although initially I was able to switch everything back on, the same thing happened again just an hour later, leaving all downstairs sockets without power, meaning no heating, hot water, oven or fridge freezer. And so, instead of enjoying some time in my favourite city, I needed to stay home in order to get everything sorted. Never mind, it has all been dealt with now and I'm sure we will get back to Edinburgh at some time this year. 

And, as for the weather, I hope no one has been too badly affected by the storms. It has certainly been a rough week for many. Unusually, the first two storms passed by here with little cause for alarm. But on Sunday evening the strong winds caused me to have a restless night and yesterday I spent much of my walk to work navigating broken twigs and branches, and keeping a very close eye on the trees.

As well as the usual household chores, I have had the time to get on with some little jobs which I've been putting off for what seems like ages now, and it feels good to finally have them ticked off my list. I've started crocheting a blanket for my friend's baby due in the summer, and even though the wet weather has kept us indoors for much of the time, I have taken the opportunity to plan many walks for when it does eventually pick up again. 

Early in the week, we took our chances with a break in the weather, to get out for a short walk. It is lovely to see the snowdrops in flower, and I even glimpsed some tiny shoots of wild garlic under the trees - one of my favourite signs that spring is on it's way. 

The wet and muddy pathways mean that wellies are necessary footwear just now and they were even more essential for our visit later in the week.

We went to the farm to see the new lambs. Unfortunately, there weren't any being born while we were there but we did get to bottle feed these five, and I believe there have been many more new arrivals since then.

It was such a lovely morning and I could have happily stayed put in the lamb pen for the rest of the day.

In other slightly less exciting news, Now that it has been painted, we have hung the bird box, which Lily and I put together a few weeks ago. We just need to keep a close eye out for any new residents. 

And I baked cupcakes! (Instead of my usual tray-bakes). I needed something to use up the Baileys chocolate icing from the freezer.

I am beginning to feel much more rested, and this week served as reminder that I really do need to take things easier at times. It has been wonderful to feel much more mindful and a little less hurried, and I'm sure I have even been sleeping slightly better as a result. Now I just need to keep it up.

J. X