Inspired

You know that I've been doing a pottery/ceramics course at the local high school, and that I've been enjoying it. So much so that I've signed up for another art course starting next month. It includes printmaking - I can't wait.

It's interesting how once you actually devote some time to creative pursuits, you want to do more. Maybe it's a confidence thing. Or maybe you just get a taste for it. Either way, I'm definitely doing lots at the moment. Which almost justifies the sideboard being crammed with art supplies I've collected over the years.

My friend's little girl was one last week and it's the party on Saturday. So as well as baking, I've done her a picture which I'll put in a frame and wrap up. Just coloured pencils and a fine black pen. Colouring in is a very pleasurable activity. No wonder you can now buy colouring books for grown-ups.

And I've been working on some ideas for the vase I'm making in my class. So I got the watercolours out (and later realised that snowflakes actually have six points, not five).

I'm on a roll! It took a big nudge in the form of an evening class but now there's no stopping me. 

Snippings from the shady bed

The bed running down the left hand side of the garden is quite shady so certain plants love it there: foxgloves, hostas, ferns... and an angelica which reached tree-like proportions last year.

I've planted lily-of-the-valley which is looking promising. And a hellebore which two years ago was small and straggly has since established itself and is spreading out nicely. The flowers are finishing now and have faded from a dusty purply-pink to a sort of eau-de-nil colour.

I've left most of them to seed themselves but snipped a few to bring indoors (to join in with Lou's Nature in the Home series).

And a primrose I planted last year has suddenly gone a bit mad too so I pinched a few of those to add to the jam jar.

Simple but sweet, don't you think?

Sunshine

Today it was hot and sunny and we headed to Lancashire - I know we go there a lot but I have to get my fix. And I suspect it would have been very busy had we gone to the coast. So we'll save that for another time. 

There was plenty to see, including this colourful cockerel. A little bit further down the path was an enclosure with a very desirable chicken shed (the sign on it read 'Cluckingham Palace').

Joe wore a new sun hat and factor 50 cream. I opted for factor 30. I've been silly in the sun before but am now older and wiser...

I love mock currant. There were bushes everywhere but this was the only white one I saw. One of my favourite spring blossoms.

We wandered down the old railway (sadly part of Dr Beeching's cull in the 1960s). There were celandines everywhere. The bluebells haven't flowered yet - it's a bit colder in Pennine Lancashire than in Cheshire. Another week or so and I may well go back with my camera.

We saw some poor sheep panting in the shade. Some had even opted to lie in a stream in an attempt to cool down. The alpacas must be more able to cope with the heat, as they were very woolly but happy to stand in the sun (and pose for pictures).

I'm sure everyone photographs this part of the Irwell Valley Way through the giant picture frame...

Joe seemed to enjoy the walk. He only dozed for the last little bit and was his usual happy little self. If only all bank holidays were so sunny - I suppose we were due a nice one!

Bank Holiday goings-on

Warm and sunny at last! Which meant I had to hurriedly paint my toenails during Joe's morning nap on Friday. 

And sunny weather means we all get to wear line-dried clothes (and sleep in beds which smell of fresh air).

I switched things around a little bit in the living room (prints and frames from Ikea, cheap and cheerful).

This afternoon I tidied the garden - and now have the backache to prove it. A hot bath later for me.

Last night we went to a gig in Wolverhampton. It's a long way from home and I was anxious about leaving Joe for a night out for the first time. His grandparents came and looked after him for the evening and when we tiptoed in he was fast asleep, having been very well behaved for them. Phew!

I hope you're enjoying the long weekend. Fingers crossed it's nice tomorrow - we'll probably head out for the day (not too sure where just yet). Happy Bank Holiday!

Nature in the home

We didn't manage to forage much yesterday on our walk - a few pinecones on twigs and a couple of feathers.

But they still look nice on the mantelpiece.

The vase came from a flea market we visited last weekend. I liked the colours. And I like pottery too (in case you hadn't noticed)...

A walk in the Moss

We had a busy day today - baby group ('Songs and Signs') this morning, then home for lunch, then a long walk around the locality. Joe had a nice snooze throughout and it was so very warm and sunny he went barefoot.

I've mentioned before that we have a nature reserve very close to the house. So after hanging some washing out on the line to dry in the sun off we went. 

I'm not a huge fan of the Moss as it's usually a bit colourless - just trees and grass and not many flowers. It's all planted with native species (the whole area was built on in the 1930s and 1940s as a huge Royal Ordinance factory and the nature reserve was planted in the 1970s, when the factory was bought up and redeveloped). 

But today I found plenty of colour, including my first bluebells of the year.

Cowslips too. It was so warm it felt like summer.

There were lots of birds and butterflies and buzzy things...

And everything was illuminated.

It was nice to see so many people out walking. Even the ranger was using his lunch break to have a nap in the sun. And a group of birdwatchers had commandeered a bench looking out over the peat bog. They were all set up for the day and had brought sandwiches and flasks of tea.

I hope the weather stays like this for the weekend. The long weekend.

Green shoots

Metaphorical ones, not literal. 

A while ago I wrote a post about feeling down. Sometimes it feels as though the world is conspiring against you in lots of mean little ways. I was worried about finding work after maternity leave (having been a temp for a while prior to having Joe, thus having no permanent job to go back to). The house was for sale (still is) and nobody seemed interested in buying it. I felt homesick.

But I always tell myself - not always convincingly - that downs are followed by ups. It's just how life is. And there are lots of small things which feel as though they've swung the balance back in my favour.

I'm loving my pottery course. Even the homework aspect of it. It's making me focus on my creativity and I'm making time to do things I enjoy. And last night the tutor told us there would be a follow-on course for those interested. Even more excitingly (for me anyway): she's going to run an art course covering things like printmaking, which I've always wanted to try.

These short courses are great - inexpensive, informal and just fun. I even dusted off my watercolours yesterday for the first time in ages.

As for work, it looks as though I may do some tutoring sessions. I used to be a teacher and Jay's parents are retired teachers/educational professionals. So I'll be getting some help to bring me up to speed and hopefully come September will have some flexible work which will give me an income and allow me to be with Joe.

I have several friends locally too. We all met through the various mum and baby groups we attend. You always click with some people more than others, and there is a little group of us who meet up and do things together (walking, coffee, ahem - pub).

And Joe is turning into quite a character. He's going to be crawling very soon (judging from the rocking-on-all-fours thing), his bottom teeth are through and he's just good company. He has a really sweet nature. I love watching him discovering new things every day. 

Finally, we switch estate agents in a week or two so maybe - just maybe - someone will want our house. Although to be honest I'm not in too much of a hurry any more. When life gives you lemons and all that...