Betwixt and between

Between houses, between seasons, between different stages in life...

Apologies in advance for the many, many photos in this post. I'm currently juggling things and seem to have fallen into this pattern of posting maybe once a week and bombarding you with tons of pictures all in one go.

It's not long now until Joe turns 3. A few weeks, in fact. Which means he'll be spending three mornings a week in preschool and I'll be able to work from home during that time. In one way it'll be a relief to get on with things uninterrupted but in another way it's the end of an era. I fully intend to make the most of our time together until then and, once September comes, to enjoy our non-preschool time too.

The seasons are changing. You can feel it. And yet... 

I went for a walk on Wednesday morning. Joe was at nursery and the weather was glorious. Not something we've had much of this summer. The sky was blue, the sun was out and it was wonderfully warm. So I took myself for an amble through the fields and woods, along the river and back in a loop. It only took 45 minutes or so but it was blissful.

On such a temperate day it really does feel like the height of summer. Insects buzzing, butterflies flitting about, birds singing. There are still lots of wild flowers around - mostly yellows and blues. Scabious and knapweed and vetch.

But amongst them, the haws are turning red and so are the blackberries. Hazels are ripening. Roses have become hips.

In the woods, there were plenty of webs spun between the umbellifers. They caught the sun. One of the signs of autumn, for me, is the appearance of spiders - particularly in the house. Apparently they're considered a sign of good luck.

I've become even more interested in wild flowers recently. That's probably down to my having studied them closely as part of my drawing and painting. But that process has also meant I refer to lots of books and the names and habits of these flowers fascinate me. I passed one particular field I've always admired at this time of year with its haze of blue. On closer inspection I realised the flowers are wild scabious. It's covered in them. And a week or two ago I didn't even know scabious grew wild.

Of course, the weather's cooled down since then and we've had chillier days with plenty of rain. The jumpers are back on. My salvaged Welsh blanket is across the foot of the bed.

I've noticed other signs of a seasonal shift too. At the market this morning, there were damsons and English blackberries. After we bought our fruit and vegetables we headed over to Yorkshire to our favourite garden centre. All was rich oranges and reds and pinks: rudbeckia, crocosmia, echinacea. They looked stunning with the (fleeting) sun illuminating them. And the spring bulbs are all on display too.

I came home with a punnet of greengages and some rhubarb. Crumble will be made.

Of course, we're between houses too. The electrician's in at the moment doing an unexpected and rather expensive rewire. The budget's been adjusted accordingly. It'll be a bathroom on a shoestring. Fortunately the stuff that goes in the house - furniture and objects - are the sort of things I prefer to buy second hand anyway. Finding them and bringing them home is all part of the fun.

Which leads me on to more lucky finds: another six Observer guides picked up at the charity shop for a very good price (pictured above with some new silk-covered flex for the lights - it's all about the little details, right?) If I can just get my paws on a Wild Flowers one I'll be happy. Oh, and perhaps the Geology one too...

I'm between stages in the A-Z art project as well. All the drawing work is now complete. Next: watercolours. Then getting them printed, framed and delivered to the shop where they'll be displayed and (hopefully) sold. I cannot tell you how relieved I am to have reached this point. And yes - I have been playing with wax rubbings (you can see them behind the books). Joe likes doing it too, I promise...

At the new house: a cat. With a collar which says 'I am deaf'. He/she enjoys sneaking in through open windows and getting comfy on people's beds, apparently. There are also signs of a previous feline inhabitant. And yet more objects surfacing from cupboards and goodness knows where.

The garden's been taken back to its bare bones. We've kept the birch tree (but it needs a good lopping). The twisted hazel's had a trim and looks lovely. And something called 'Sambucus Nigra' - thank you Google - is staying too. The rest: chopped down, pulled up and burnt or taken to the tip.

Suddenly our (very) little plot looks bigger. We're planning to have raised beds for fruit and vegetables. The shady border will provide a home for our hostas and fern, and we'll find other shade-lovers too. And a couple of dwarf fruit trees will be planted somewhere.

Thank you for reading yet another mammoth post. And thank you for your lovely comments (and tips). They're much appreciated. Hope you're having a lovely weekend...

Scraps, layers, bits and pieces

A little miscellany on a Thursday...

Firstly, thank you for all your lovely comments on my previous post. It was interesting (and funny) to read your stories of house moves; seems our experience struck a chord with many people. I actually saved the worst photos for the solicitors. Whether we'll get anything back, who knows? If it covers the £126 for the hire of a skip we'll be happy.

I've been working on my art whenever time allows, and going out with Joe finding little flowers, leaves and seed heads to bring home and study is always good fun. 

This morning a lovely old man came out to see what I was photographing at the edge of his garden. I explained, and it turns out his wife was an artist. We went into his house and he showed us her paintings. She painted flowers too. Joe was very interested in the grandfather clock.

We've done evening walks with grandparents and lunchtime ambles with flasks and sandwiches. The weather continues to be overcast and windy with sharp showers. My uniform of late consists of jeans and Nordic-style knitted jumpers. I've also pulled on woolly tights in the mornings - quite a combination when worn with a nightie and cardigan. I probably look a bit 'bewildered', as my mum used to say.

Speaking of my mum, my stepdad found some envelopes with seeds she'd collected. Nigella seeds, dill. They're labelled 2013 so I'll see whether they germinate or not. I have her lemon-scented geranium cuttings she gave me and although they're doing OK they could do with a boost. Any advice would be most welcome.

We're very excited about the new garden. Jay's been up there clearing some of the straggly shrubs and taking a couple of trees down. There's plenty to keep too and it's good to see things surfacing as the layers are peeled back. The same goes for indoors. The builders have already ripped out the fitted wardrobes, kitchen, carpets and flooring and in the evenings we find little pieces of the house's history: the plans for the kitchen extension from 1987, a very grimy framed print of a kitsch but (in my opinion) quite sweet floral display. I took it out of the frame as the glass was broken and gave it a wipe down. Not bad.

I also cleaned up the drawing equipment and gave it a bit of beeswax. And the layers of wallpaper - I'm really enjoying seeing them appear as bits of plaster and cladding are removed. It's all very fragile but I do intend to keep these little scraps and maybe put them in a frame. Last night I glimpsed some really lovely paper but it was way out of reach - for now.

We have a big First coming up this weekend: Joe's staying overnight with his grandparents. It'll be our first night without him in very nearly three years. It's not so much the desperate need for a lie-in as that we want to be up and gardening on Saturday. Trips to the new place with him are quite fraught, what with sharp nails and electricals and dirt everywhere. We can get several hours' hard graft in before we go and collect him.

And several hours' hard graft should definitely justify fish and chips afterwards. And beer too.

P.S. To those who suggested it: the builders changed the locks at the new place so we're feeling a lot happier about that.

Mitenska & Me (and a thank you)

You may or may not remember (I almost forgot) that a month or three ago, I was planning some occasional posts about blogging itself. Well I've finally found myself back at that little idea. You see, lots has been going on here behind the scenes.

I started this blog in January 2013 (or thereabouts) as a kind of online journal; a place to record what we'd been doing, what I was thinking about, somewhere to keep my favourite photographs. And that's what it is. It's not a means of income. I have no sponsors, no advertising space. I don't have a Strategy. 

But the fact is, I do need an income. We manage fine. We're not big spenders, wouldn't be even if we had the means. I'm happy to lead a simple existence with family and friends, to eat well and be outdoors and make a home.

However.

I took time off with Joe and made financial provision for that. He starts preschool in September. I want to have a career of sorts. That's where things get complicated. You see, it's all too easy to know what I don't want any more: the commuting, the office politics, the endless meetings, the sitting behind a desk and wishing I was somewhere else. What I do want is a degree of autonomy, to do something I actually enjoy, something that doesn't necessarily feel like a job.

So I've made a start. I now have a website which details what I do (writing, blogging, photography, art). I had a meeting with a lady at the local library last week and they're going to display my framed drawings and I'm taking commissions. There are already three in my order book. I'm writing for a few different sites and there are one or two upcoming writing opportunities I've accepted.

We're not talking lots of money here. It all falls well within the 'modest' category. But if I keep plugging away and trying and knocking on doors... well, maybe I can make a go of things. An income, working from home, being creative, being around for Joe.

So where does this leave Mitenska? Exactly where it is. My little space, away from my professional projects, where I can do what I've always done: share the little things which make our life together what it is, write about memories, post pictures. Mitenska has brought me into contact with lots of lovely people. It's helped me discover some really wonderful blogs too. It's not a brand, it's just me and my life.

So I may update you with anything exciting which happens. I'll probably share some drawings. My 'work' website can be found on the blog, but only if you want to look for it. Otherwise, it's just Mitenska as it's always been.

And finally - a little giveaway. Not for self-promotion purposes. Just basically to say thank you for visiting. I'd like to offer the 'winner' a personalised painting. They're drawn in ink and then coloured with watercolour, with nature-inspired illustrations around the name of the child (or grown-up, why not?). Just let me know (in the Comments section) if you'd like to enter and I'll randomly pick a winner at 6pm on Sunday 21st June. You can then tell me the name you'd like me to paint and I'll send you the picture in a sturdy envelope.

Good luck!

Hello May

It's been a funny old Bank Holiday weekend. Changeable weather (and Joe feeling distinctly under it), getting your days a bit mixed up because of Monday not being a proper Monday...

Joe started with some nasty stomach bug on Friday and has been a bit floppy and washed out ever since. We still had visitors and plenty of good food (well, he didn't - that legendary huge appetite took a bit of a bashing), but he's also been very clingy. As in wanting to just lie on you and watch endless episodes of Peppa Pig.

There have been sleepless nights and messed-up routines (and bedding) but things are starting to return to normal again.

It's a good job there was some decent drying weather in between rain showers. And if you follow me on Instagram you'll know my geranium cuttings are flowering away. I do love a red geranium.

We've managed the odd little amble. April's purples and yellows are giving way to pinks and blues. May's such a beautiful month; I can't wait to see all the cow parsley and hawthorn blossom in another few weeks.

The railway station has all kinds of floral prettiness along the verges: clematis, bluebells, euphorbia. And the lambs... Sigh. I tried photographing them from the platform but I don't own a zoom lens so you'll just have to believe me - they're adorable, especially those in their little orange plastic lamboraks.

Even though we've been taking very short walks due to Joe not having much energy but still refusing to sit in his buggy, I did get out alone. Bluebell-gazing and wild garlic gathering. The woods are looking so green and the sunshine disappearing behind clouds then re-emerging seconds later made for some interesting light.

There are so many signs of life: uncurling, unfurling, buds, new leaves...

I love the way they start out in shades of shell pink and coral.

There's a little path I take at this time of year. It's away from the usual route; you have to clamber over a half-fallen tree and climb a steep bank. Not many people go there. But it's bluebell heaven: silver birches and a stream and long, lush grass. The bluebells are a little late because it's a shady spot but that just means for the next few weeks I can go back and enjoy them before they flower fully and then die back.

When you rejoin the main track and head back into the sunlight you're greeted by more bells, this time fully opened and beautifully blue.

Nettles are growing in huge clumps. I've always wanted to cook with them - it's time to consult the recipe books and maybe take rubber gloves next time I head into the woods.

I'm looking forward to lots of things this month. The first of May was the anniversary of our first date. My birthday's in a few weeks and I'm going to get my hair cut in a salon instead of trimming it myself with the kitchen scissors. There are a few nights out planned, a meal (just Jay and me, venue to be decided) and on my birthday we're going away for a little holiday.

It'll be nice to have a break after a difficult couple of months.

Of course, the house purchase rumbles on. And I'm trying to catch up with things now that life's starting to settle down again. But there's a lot to be grateful for. Little Poppy came home from hospital last week and she's steadily gaining weight. She may be tiny but she can empty a bottle of milk very quickly. And she loves being cuddled.

On a completely unrelated note, you may have noticed I'm trying out using square images. I quite like them - no need for resizing either. I've found that cropping to a square works better with landscape-orientated images though, so that'll be a challenge. I always take photos portrait-style and have been trying to break that little habit for a while so this should give me a bit more of an incentive.

I hope you had a good weekend. And I hope this little person gets better soon, he's been beyond grouchy...

Joining in with the Photo Gallery (this week's theme: One Day in May).

Many things, all small

I did warn you there'd be picture-heavy posts... Next week I'm hoping to lay off the collages a bit and start getting some more structure to things again. I like structure. Already I'm thinking about Food Memories posts, Elegant Economy ideas and so on.

This reflects the fact that things are slowly settling down after the last few weeks. It's still tough and there's much to do but the initial feeling that everything was somehow spinning out of control has started to recede.

And I've been giving a lot of thought to therapeutic things, small things, that help you feel a little bit more anchored when life gets stormy. Here's what's helped me cope a little better lately:

Noticing details. Particularly those outdoors: the petals scattered down from the tree next door; magnolias flowering (mine's just starting to and I'm on bud watch); leaves unfurling.

I did say small, didn't I? A tiny handknit for a tiny girl arrived in the post courtesy of Jay's auntie. 

Swooning over flowering currant bushes. Maybe I'm a bit odd, but I do actually like the smell.

Creating. Drawing, making sun prints, carving a little stamp for home-made Easter cards. I find that this sort of stuff which requires a process is very absorbing and de-stressing. Same goes for baking: reading a recipe, weighing, measuring. And planting seeds and cuttings too.

Of course, I've written about the therapeutic benefits of walking outdoors. Of seeing and breathing in all that green. And yellow. And pink...

A few little treats don't hurt either. Jay bought me a shopping bag. My stepdad brought a miniature rose over on his last visit. And yes, that is another new notebook. 

Spring has been awakening my senses. The colours, the (occasional) warmth, the breezes. And the sounds of running water, rain showers and birdsong. A family of birds are currently nesting right outside our bedroom window. I have to keep telling myself that incessant cheeping at daybreak is preferable to the sound of an alarm clock.

Pottering about in the garden is another thing I find relaxing. Yellow flowers aren't usually a favourite of mine but at this time of year I do actually like them. These yellow-tipped fritillaries are very lovely; we also have some Imperialis ones which have now started to die back (but you can read about them here in my latest Garlic and Sapphire post if you'd like).

It goes without saying that seeing Joe so full of happiness lifts me up no end. There's a particular lane full of the biggest, muddiest puddles and he loves to visit. Maybe we should film him splashing his way from one end to the other.

I'm not usually much of a pink fan either, but again... the spring effect. The peonies on the left remind me of rhubarb. And we've had rhubarb cake already. The leftover stewed fruit has been frozen into lollies.

I'm not the only one who goes seeking out little details. Joe's eyesight is incredible. He notices everything. It's lovely to see him making new discoveries. That sense of wonder... so sweet.

I'm a huge advocate of reading for escapism. Poetry always works, but I'm currently re-reading Rosamund Pilcher's September. It's slightly dull if I'm honest and very reminiscent of when it was published (1990). But slow books have a pleasantly soporific effect on me, a bit like Monty Don's voice.

And in keeping with the early '90s theme, we recently procured the entire Twin Peaks box set. It's a whopping 29 episodes long. You know when there are TV series you wish you'd watched but never did? Well, this is one of them. It's a bit creepy, a bit odd and that theme music sticks in your brain. But it's good to know we've got some enjoyable viewing of an evening. 

Again, thank you for all your kind comments lately. They have helped, just like all these other little things. 

Weekend's almost upon us. I hope you enjoy yours.