Friday 28 February 2014

Full of the joys


I indulged my inner Housewife, 49 this morning: windows wide open and (I get so excited about this bit) washing out on the line. 


Spring really is here.


I had a few errands to run. Joe went to visit his grandparents for a while and I dropped off a prescription at the chemist. I also went for a little walk before going back to collect it.


With everything that's been going on lately, it feels almost wrong to enjoy yourself. Which is, of course, silly and pointless. I went to the Linear Park, an old railway line and now a nature reserve-type place popular with dog walkers and the occasional snap-happy mum with a free hour on her hands...


Snowdrops, snowdrops everywhere.




And daffs. And crocus and bursting buds.


And birds busying themselves: jays, fat woodpigeons, bluetits, robins, blackbirds flying low across my path. I could even hear an elusive woodpecker. There was a lot of rustling and flitting going on in the undergrowth too.


It was so lovely to breathe in deeply, clear my head and just enjoy the whole feeling that spring gives you. February's almost gone.




On my return I was given lunch and we headed out into the garden. I do love mock currant bushes. And I'm not one of those who insists they smell of cat pee.


Joe (18 months old tomorrow) was sporting a grazed nose after enthusiastically diving into one of the borders...


He's another reason to be happy. Every day he becomes more entertaining and comes out with new words and little mannerisms. And he loves a cuddle too (strictly on his terms, obviously). Gorgeous boy.


When I was at the chemist I spotted the collection box for these. I'm not dissimilar to the Queen in that I rarely carry money, being a) forgetful and b) disorganised when it comes to finances. I did have a pound in my purse though so... 

I'm itching to get out in the garden. Maybe in the morning... The rhubarb's gaining momentum and the hellebores would make Monty Don jealous - speaking of which, it must be almost time for GW to start again. Hooray!

Plans for the rest of the weekend: tomorrow someone's coming back for a second viewing of the house (I'm not holding my breath but you never know). And on Sunday we're hoping the weather holds so we can head back to the Pennines for a meet-up with my brother and a visit to the farmer's market.

Have a great weekend.

16 comments:

  1. It sounds like your walk was a therapeutic one - I know what you mean when you say you feel you shouldn't be enjoying yourself, but opportunities to clear your head and just be, should be grabbed. V jealous of the washing on the line - we've had scaffolding up around the house this week so I had to take the washing line down. Boo! And fingers crossed for the second viewing... Have a lovely weekend - hope you get to the Pennines x P.S. toddlers really are brilliant aren't they - I am constantly amazed by how quickly they change.

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    1. Toddlers are wonderful! Exhausting, exasperating but the best thing ever. I just cannot stay annoyed with Joe, even when he's being super-naughty. The main problem is trying to look stern when inside I'm laughing my head off...

      Hope you get your washing out soon. Ours didn't dry completely as there was no breeze and the day got colder, but still... just hanging things out on the line is such a happy job.

      Hope you had a nice weekend (we didn't get out today: rain, rain and more rain)... x

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  2. Loving your photos, they really show us that spring is on it's way. I have my fingers firmly crossed for your second viewing (house buying / selling still vivid in my mind three years after moving!!) sarah

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    1. Us too! They seemed keen (even bringing a tape measure to check their furniture would fit) but I've done the whole buying/selling thing before and you never really feel safe until you have the keys to your new place and the ones for the old place are no longer in your possession!
      Such an uncertain process... hope it all finally works out :)

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  3. This post really was full of the joys of spring

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    1. Thank you! I hope you're enjoying the start of spring too :)

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  4. So many beautiful signs of spring by you. I want to watch that show; it's in my Netflix queue. You've inspired me to prioritize it.

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    1. Oh, I hope you enjoy it!
      As for spring - I think this year I'm really noticing and savouring it more than any other.

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  5. Oh washing on the line, how lovely ... and I know that pleasure of having an hour to just be ... you were perfectly right to take yourself out for a walk to enjoy spring's awakening ... hope you have a great weekend ... Bee xx

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    1. Hi Bee! I hope you had a great weekend too. The line-drying weather didn't last but we've done lots of cooking and baking (and lots of eating, too).

      Getting outside in the sunshine and seeing all those little signs of life really was uplifting x

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  6. Hope the second viewing went well! Lovely pics - washing on the line is great. Autumn is here now and I'm not looking forward to the wet washing that will be piling up in a few months' time. x

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    1. Hello! It went OK - I think (you never really know, do you?)
      I'm loving hanging the washing out. It always gives you a sense of accomplishment, somehow. Using the dryer seems a bit wasteful, although it can't be helped when the weather's bad I suppose x

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  7. Lovely photos - it's so good to finally see some signs of spring popping up here and there. You clearly made the most of your alone time with your camera.

    I meant to say - our huge collection of wooden train set is a mixture of Ikea and Brio collected over about 5 years, mostly from NCT nearly new sales - those places are brilliant for second hand toys! x

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    1. I must find one - we've got loads of stuff to sell too. It's taking up a lot of space and it would be nice to get Joe some more age-appropriate toys.
      I've found lots of wooden jigsaws (brand new) at the local charity shop, too. And second-hand stuff is always good; a quick wipe down and we're ready to go. Buying from Mothercare and the like is so expensive... x

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  8. crocuses are pure joy aren't they

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    1. I know - this photo looks edited but it isn't! I'm not generally a big fan of crocuses (probably because by the time I usually spot any they've blown over) but so far, so good. There were some lovely deep purple ones too :)

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