Blossom and blue skies...

What a gorgeous week its been here in the South East, so much sunshine, has put a spring back in my step.

Little daughter and I marvel at the leaves getting bigger  in the hedgerows on the way to school, in the mornings, and these gorgeous Cherry tree blossoms lining the school gates in the mornings, as well as an abundance of rosemary, which smells so aromatic when we brush past it.  We play spot the Forsythias on each side of the road, S always wins of course! she calls them Vasyhthia, oh well she's on the right track to knowing her plant names....

School walk

This other little tree is just outside the nursery doors, in the children's play yard, it still has its Christmas baubles, they glitter and twinkle in the sun...

Christmas Cherry

We could smell freshly cut grass too, such a wonderful hit, that first whiff of proper spring makes you yearn for the summer days ahead. Little S has been drawing hearts and spring flowers, I thought this was a pretty good tulip , considering she is still 3!

Spring doodles

I am still enjoying the flourish from my pink orchid, on its 3rd year now, so beautiful and  intricate the detail in these flowers, I think they look like an alien species, all clones!

Even got some washing hung out this week, such simple pleasures, watching my curtains billowing away, in the strong winds we had yesterday.

First line dry of the year

So with these warmer days, lighter days ahead of us, I need to come out of my slothdom, and get out more, walking, gardening {can't wait to get out to clear my garden} I don't go out much in the winter, unless I have too.

Need to shift some of the winter weight too :O It is much easier in the warmer weather, I will no longer be craving typical winter comfort foods. BBQ's salads and more salads all the way for me! Bring it on!

Do have a  happy, sunny weekend wherever you are :)

38 years young....

Yesterday morning I turned 38, ~clinging on to those 30's now~ I was woken to the sound of my gorgeous little daughter singing happy birthday, and jumping on my bed, handing me my birthday cards.I had a lovely day, didn't do any thing special, as husband is taking me up to London on Wednesday for a lovely lunch, and then on to see Wicked,  am really looking foward to that!



Blossom lights



Funky chilli lights

Presents recieved~ Red cherry blossom lights, and perfume bought by me (as husband is crap at buying me presents (usually a kitchen gadget)  Nigella~ kitchen book and chocolates from mum, red chilli pepper lights, from nan.These all look so fab in my kitchen, which is starting to resemble a grotto!  Also gratefully recieved,  a decent red wine from elder brother, and  Hugh Fearnley- Whittinstall book River cottage everyday book from younger brother, I feel truly honoured as neither usually remember, let alone buy me pressies!

Named sieve

My eldest son got me zilch, as claims he has no money as he is jobless, well that's his excuse ( he never saves, spends as soon as its in his hand) younger gave me his gifts on Sunday afternoon, as was going back to his dads, and wouldn't be seeing me on my actual birthday.As we say goodbye he opened the  boot of car, and hands me a sieve, yes a sieve, with price tag attached. He must have spent 2 hrs in TK Max on Saturday looking for a mum appropiate present, when I asked why he bought me it, he said 'well your old one hasn't got a handle has it?'  To which I replied 'yes but it still functions!'  he then said 'well I did get you something else, but its in my drawer in our room,' I asked 'why?' and he said 'beacuse I stood on it, and broke it, have a look when you get home'.

Once I got home,  I recovered a  beautiful glass blue flower with a broken stem, from sons drawer, it's not something I would have chosen myself, but it is nonetheless lovely, so he did put some thought into it after all! The stem was far too long anyway, but the main part was still intact so I have popped it in a pot next to my cactus, in front of my window so I can look at it when im washing up.







Blue flower

So after a nice lunch with mum and brothers, the biggest suprise ever, doorbell rings, my Christmas tree turned up! YAY! I was so pleased, as I always put my tree up in time for my birthday, so mum and I set it all up, and little one helped decorate it whilst listening to Carols.

I am really pleased with the tree, as have always had a real one, and was dubious about ordering a fake one online, as they never look like they do in the the pictures, but it actually looks better in real life, its hard to tell its a fake, it has a very natural shape, so hurrah, No needles and limp tree this year! It is rather large though, takes over my lounge, that's ok, I will move to a bigger house to accomadate it!

Had a scrummy lunch of melty cheese and bacon ciabattas and homemade chunky coleslaw,and as no one else was going to make me a cake, I made a pavlova, always a fave.

Pav

Finished the day with a few glasses of wine supplied by friends K and P;) with hubby, in candlelight, adoring my tree.