Cautiously optimistic

The sun has arrived. The howling wind and torrential rain have (for now) gone. I'm feeling cautiously optimistic that summer's on its way.

It's been a very busy week; on Tuesday I looked after my little niece. I took her to playgroup with Joe. And I spent the whole night beforehand worrying about taking care of such a tiny baby - it seems like for ever since Joe was small. And he was never that small. Needless to say, everything was absolutely fine.

Yesterday was pretty crazy; a mad morning followed by lunch with my stepdad (who'd kindly offered to come and babysit a sleeping Joe whilst I went to another meeting with social workers). Apparently, considering my brother's circumstances, this heavy involvement of professionals and authorities is quite normal. The good news is that they're very happy with the situation and hopefully things can start to settle down soon.

I started a 'clean eating' type plan. It's 28 days long. That's 28 days too long. I baked the above pie but did not partake. Right now it's all about fresh fruit and vegetables, pulses, lean meat and fish, nuts... No dairy or sugar, no alcohol or caffeine. Wheat's not a problem as I don't eat it anyway.

I didn't do it as an elimination diet. I just wanted to re-set my metabolism, clean things up a little. So I wasn't prepared for what happens when you give up processed sugar. Headaches and serious fatigue and spots. Luckily all these are going away now, but I never thought I'd end up salivating at the pick'n'mix display at the supermarket, staring in an unhinged fashion at the white chocolate mice.

Good job I'm a stubborn so-and-so. I'll see this thing through and even though I'll ease off a bit once it's over, I do think it wouldn't do us any harm to eat a little better in future.

My energy levels were back up again today. So I went for a walk while Joe was at nursery. It was glorious: sunshine and blue skies, fields and woods. That hour alone, breathing in the hawthorn blossom scent and noticing the flowers... well, it was nourishment for the soul. 

I came home and changed the beds, hung out the washing, and did the chores with a renewed vigour. Amazing what some sun and warmth can do for you.

It feels as though lately I've been juggling a lot of things. I haven't blogged as much as I'd have liked to, or caught up with everyone else's blogs either. There's a big pile of ironing to do. I'd hoped to do some drawing and painting too. But family comes first, and that's non-negotiable really.

This weekend I'm hoping to do all of those things which I'd like (or need) to do. And it's the village fete on Saturday. It was rained off last year but the forecast isn't too bad this time around. I even considered submitting an entry for the baking competition but don't think I'll get around to that. Not to mention that whipping up buttercream and smelling cakey deliciousness wafting from the oven would probably tip me over the edge. It would end up like the scene in Chocolat where the mayor gorges uncontrollably then lies there in a sugar-induced stupor.

Sorry, there's nothing more boring than people whingeing about diets, is there? 

Thank you for all your lovely comments on the blog lately. I really do appreciate it, and will play catch-up over the next day or two. For those people who've emailed me directly: I will reply over the next few days, I promise.

Have a lovely Friday and weekend.