Happy Spring :: Happy St. David's Day

Happy Meteorological Spring and happy St. David's Day! What a great start to the month. Spring is most certainly in the air and the sun is just peeking over the horizon in the mornings when my alarm clock chimes. Glorious Day!!

I have to admit to feeling really upset and angry after watching that dreadful attack on President Zelenskyy by President Trump and Vice-President Vance on Friday. It was difficult and upsetting to watch such disrespect and bully tactics being shown on an international stage. The disrespectful comment about Zelenskyy not wearing a suit was just ridiculous. It honestly made me feel sick to watch. Coupled with the news that our house sale may once again be in jeopardy, I have felt the need to focus on what is good around me, and there is a lot of good.

Life's Simple Pleasures

Right now I have washing drying OUTSIDE in the sunshine! Such a small thing but it brings such joy. Make no mistake, it is still icy outside but as long as the sun is shining I can cope with the cold.

Indoors we have done a bit of rearranging. We have swapped over the furniture in the dining room and the snug. I don't know why it has taken us 5 years to think about this but it has. I have always loved sitting in my conservatory in previous houses, quietly stitching, writing or knitting away. In this house, we put the dining table in the conservatory and the sofa in the snug next to the wood stove which made sense at the time. 

I found that overall, I really didn't spend much time in the snug as it doesn't have a huge amount of natural light. So, as we were enjoying breakfast at the table this morning and enjoying the sun streaming through the conservatory, I knew that I wanted to change things up to better utilise the space. I think DH was a bit sceptical at first but now that it is done, we both agree that we should have done it sooner.

Approaching Lent

This week we mark the start of Lent with Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day) and Ash Wednesday. 

With all the upsetting things happening in the world lately, I am looking forward to closing the door on it all and refocussing my attentions on what truly matters. In readiness I have picked out a Lent Bible Study - Hosanna In The Highest, a 4 week journey to the Cross & the Risen King by Courtney Joseph Fallick.

I do enjoy her guided journal-type studies and I'm looking foward to spending this time realigning my heart and soul.

The Spring Garden

Look what I spotted this week...

I have no idea what tree this is, I suspect some sort of ornamental cherry tree but I've seen them blossoming all over town this week. Look at all those buds waiting to come out!

The Forsythia is just starting to bloom. This will be a mass of yellow over the next week or two. For me, Forsythia heralds the arrival of spring so it is always a joy to see those bright yellow blossoms.

In the woodland garden we have a wonderful show of primroses. From the house it looks like the Easter Bunny has been and left massess of brightly coloured eggs for us.

I have been finding pockets of crocus all over the garden. I planted a few patches of bulbs about three years ago and they seem to finally be multiplying and giving us more of show than they have in the past. A delight to see.

Finally, the roses are starting to put out their leaves. This rambling rose is packed with clusters of soft pink roses which slowly fade to white in early summer. It's wonderful to see the garden stirring at this time of the year. 

 Well lovelies, my oven has just signalled that supper is ready - an easy stone-baked pizza, a perfect Saturday evening no-fuss meal. Where ever you are and what ever you are doing, I hope that you are finding joy and peace in the simple things.