Simply Seasonal....1st of April

Hello Lovelies,

Happy Easter to you. The weather may not be great...O.K. it's downright cold at the moment but the lengthening days are encouraging new growth and all around are signs that we are now entering my favoutite season. I just hope it doesn't go too fast:0)

Here is my roundup of seasonal Happies for this past week.

1♥ Daffodils I just love the way these beauties line the roadside and flower year after year without fail. Simply getting better over time not worse.

If you take the time to notice there are so many different varieties too.

In my own garden I prefer the mini daffs as they don't look so messy as they die back.

But lets not think about that now. THIS is their moment in the sunshine.

And what a special moment it is.

2 ♥ Colourful Crochet. I'm making an effort to finish off some long neglected WIP's at the moment. These "log cabin" granny squares are finally joined together...using the deep purple colour of Stylecraft Emperor. I'm now adding a wide border to make this a usable size as a toddler blanket or play mat.

3 ♥ An evening walk...well actually the first daylight evening walk of the year. Hurray!!

On Wednesday I could tell there was a lovely light about 7pm, so I headed out in search of the sunset.

I was a bit early, but the dramatic skies still pleased me.

And I could see a glow through the gap in the hedge.

Peeping through I loved the light on the distant fields.

I snapped away happily, trying to capture the beauty that was all around.

Then I headed off down the footpath for a little walk.

On the way home this favourite view looked very special.

4 ♥ A morning walk. Here's the same view as above, taken the following morning. I love the contrast.

More Daffodils on my way to see a friend.

Here he is :0)

I see pink suet pellets are still his favourite.

5 ♥ My Calendar.  Every year for the past few years I have used a separate calendar to record the walk mileage I'm counting towards the Walk 1000 miles challenge.
This year I've got a very inexpensive calendar of Britain's Landscape. All the pictures so for have been lovely, but I've particularly enjoyed March. This calendar makes me smile because the compilers haven't tried to match the seasons at all...so in March we have lots of Autumn colour. Not usually seen in this hemisphere....but I'll take it when the image is as beautiful as this.

February's picture looked like it was taken in May...but all that greenery was so uplifting. I think mixing up the seasons is a great idea :0)

6 ♥ Using up over ripe bananas Another favourite and very simple recipe this week. THIS one.

7 ♥ Fundraising. I've been out collecting for the amazing charity Marie Curie UK. I think they do a fabulous job ...and I love their Daffodil Pin :0)

8 ♥ Walking in the rain. It has it's challenges....

but I do have waterproof boots.

and an umbrella.

It's so good to have a goal like the walk 1000 miles in a year challenge to spur me to get outdoors even when the weather is not great. I actually loved this walk. Everywhere was so quiet...except fot the gushing brook.

This was a six mile walk yesterday, so I was glad to have a dry spot to stop halfway through. 

I loved looking out on the peaceful churchyard.

And snacking on homemade cake while I admired the Easter flowers.

In the woodland there were bluebell shoots.

And tiny wild violets.

I marched up the hills and felt better for pushing myself

This display in the local Yarn shop made me smile as I passed.

9 ♥ Easter Decorations. I'll finish this week with this shot of my mum in laws Easter decorating. She has been quiet poorly recently, but thankfully she is now feeling much better. I'm so happy she is back to doing fun stuff like this to make her family smile :0)

Wishing you all a good week ahead.

Jacquie x

Simply Seasonal....25th of March

 Hello Lovelies,

Oh dear I missed last weeks posting. I did think that may happen, but never mind, I'm back this week with some images from the past seven days.

1 ♥ Melting Snow. Yes we got another visit from "The Beast" last weekend. I was working so it was stressful making the journeys needed on treacherous roads. Thankfully it did not last long and by midweek there was very little evidence  left. My enthusiasm for snowy weather has run out for a while now.

Happily Robin is still going strong despite the icy conditions.



2 ♥ Walking Somewhere New. On Thursday my walking group journeyed to Market Bosworth and  enjoyed an eight mile walk through the surrounding countryside.

Our route even passed through the site of the Battle of Bosworth Field.

There was a heritage centre and lots more to see. Plus the countryside setting  was rather lovely.

Here we crossed The Battlefield Line

This sign made me smile :0)

Before we returned to our starting point via the Ashby canal.

3 ♥ Reading about Walking Somewhere New Oh dear I seem to collect secondhand walking guides at the moment. I just love looking at them for inspiration and daydreaming about ticking off every walk one day.

I know that's highly unlikely to happen, but you never know. How wonderful would it be to say you had explored so much of our beautiful country on foot.

The hand painted maps with little illustrations particularly pleased me in this book. Oh look. It's the walk we just did...well pretty much. I marked that one as done. Just 119 to go then :0)

4 ♥ Simple Baking. My economy version of THIS Tea Loaf is the easiest baking I know.

  I use ordinary tea and "value" mixed fruit :0)

 5 ♥ Exploring On Friday Mum had a lunch in Stamford Lincolnshire. I drove us there and then when for a wander until she was done. Burghley House is right on the doorstep of the pretty town and it's free to wander the parkland, so it was easy to explore a little. I loved the view from the Lion Bridge.

Lunchtime guarded by a lion :0)

 And watched by a wagtail.

 It was so peaceful on the bridge, with only my birdy friend about. When I heard a car I jumped up to see where it was. Oh that looks like a lot of fun.

Another view of the bridge.

 There was an enclosure with lots of Deer. I zoomed in to take these pictures.



It's only looking at them now I have noticed all the birds...Redwings and Fieldfare. These two breeds often seem to hang out together.

After a while I headed back into the town. Ooooh, another lovely bridge.

So many churches and interesting buildings to see.

And a street market. Can't resist the flower stall.

More riverside wandering.

Nearly time to go, just time for some of my homemade Tea Loaf before meeting up with mum.

It was great to explore and on the way home we made a small detour to see a view I had spotted online whilst researching the area. 

The sun even broke through a little to illuminate this gorgeous view in the village of Easton on the Hill. I think it's as nice as any stately home...and nicer than some.

 It's the jumble of rooftops, the church tower backdrop and the lovely warm stone. Sigh......It's my favourite picture of this week.

6 ♥ A colourful WIP. I'm sharing this as an incentive to finally do something with these squares. They are a Log Cabin Granny, inspired by THIS stunning project. I don't think they are bad but they are a bit over the top. By next week I WILL have done something with them....I hope you will hold me to that lovelies.

7 ♥ Sunday Sunshine Every other Sunday morning I walk with a friend. Today I drove us to THIS country park as I wanted to see the blue sky reflections . This is my second favourite picture of the week :0)

I do believe there is a touch of green in the trees :0)

8 ♥ Spring Flowers. The Hyacinths I planted in a pot by the front door are finally beginning to flower. They look extra pretty with my Primula from Stamford market.

Phew, such busy and fun filled week. I feel very lucky to have this balance in my life. There is work and important family stuff....but it does not overwhelm me. I know I am so lucky to have this balance and I certainly don't take it for granted.

Jacquie x