How I'm learning about gardening

Although I've had a garden for many years, this is the first year that I've really paid any attention to gardening, and it's become a bit of an obsession! We had quite a nice garden in our first house, but I never did anything with it. I think that it had been landscaped at some point in the past but it had become overgrown, and with a newborn I just didn't have the time to do anything with it apart from chopping things back to make a bit more space.

The garden in our current house was pretty much all laid to grass apart from a vegetable patch and a couple of small borders. I always hated the long boring fence across the back, but I lacked the confidence to do anything with it, and we only really wanted a garden that was suitable for small children to run around in.

But since we had an extension built and our garden properly landscaped I have learned so much. I've used my new found knowledge to shop at garden centres and plant lots of things - and so far everything has thrived and looks amazing! It makes me so happy to go out into the garden and admire all my beautiful plants.

Canna lilies

Here are some of the ways that I've increased my gardening knowledge:

* I'm addicted to r/GardeningUK on Reddit. I've picked up so much useful information, like ideas for what to plant, how to care for the things that I've planted, and just general inspiration when it comes to making the garden look how I want it to. I'm not a poster, I only lurk, but I find that often people are asking something I want to know the answer to, and it's really good for seasonal information.

* I've started watching Gardener's World and am seriously considering subscribing to the magazine. I love the slow format of the show, and there always seems to be a segment on something which is relevant to me.

* I've been using the RHS website to look up information about the plants that I've bought and I've also purchased a couple of their books - one on pruning and one on cut flowers - which are excellent.

* I take a lot of walks and runs around our estate, so I've been paying particular attention to what people have growing in their gardens (and judging the scruffy ones - even though ours was worse a year ago!) I'm really proud of myself when I can identify a plant.

* I've been taking much more interest in the gardens of people that I know, and asking them questions about what they've got growing there. Especially my Mum who has been digging out various things from hers to give to me!

* I do some volunteering work for a local community group that maintain the floral displays in the village and this has given me so much confidence when it comes to planting. There are also lots of lovely other volunteers that are happy to help with my questions!

I'm so proud of my garden, and I can't believe that I didn't start caring about it sooner!

Looking at my current to be read pile

A few months ago I shared a photo of my to be read pile, and with my summer reading to plan I thought I'd give an update. 

Here's what the to be read shelf on my bedside table looked like in March:

And here is how it is looking now:

I think the first thing to notice is that two large books are still very much present and correct - Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson and War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. They are among six books on the shelf that have a bookmark in but are not finished. I think that it may be time to be realistic and admit defeat on these two, or at least transfer them to a different location. They take up a lot of space and are not likely to be read in the near future. 

But I do definitely want to read the others! There are a couple of Haruki Murakami books which won't take long to read and then there is some non-fiction which I've picked up in charity shops and a couple of older local history books which were my Dad's. 

The reason that I need to make some space is that I have been kindly lent another lovely pile of books from a friend that I am very much looking forward to reading. I would much rather have these ones stacked up by the bed! They all look so good that I can't even decide which one to start with.

Then there is my Kindle which is filled with unread books, at least twenty, that I've downloaded as free Amazon First Reads, from the Amazon Prime library or just as free Kindle books that I spotted. They are easy to forget about because they aren't as visible, but I know that there are some good ones there that I want to get to. There are even a few books on my Amazon wish list which perhaps don't really count because I haven't actually bought them yet, but they are still lurking in the background calling 'read me! read me!'

Hopefully I can make some time over the summer and get caught up a bit!

Things that I'm looking forward to this summer

When I say summer I'm thinking of the school summer holidays, but honestly it feels as though it has been summer for months. We've been so lucky with the weather, even a few weeks ago we were sitting eating out in the garden, and so I really hope that it continues!

For Harry his summer holiday has already started now that his exams are finished, and Mia has also finished her end of year exams with only few more days at school to go. It will be such a relief to have all the exams out of the way. In the past I have often found the end of the school year quite a stressful time, but as the children have got older there have been fewer end of year events (no more sports day!) and the final term always seems very short. 

It's been a busy few months so I'm looking forward to being able to relax a bit over the summer. I always appreciate not having to do the school run, which has increased recently with extra trips around the exams. It makes my day feel so much longer! We don't have much planned yet - I know that the calendar will fill up, but hopefully there will be lots of time left to chill as well as getting out and about.

Although we still have some decorating to get on with over the summer we have almost reached the end of our big home projects which is a relief. I do need to have a big sort out in Harry's room once his exams are finished, which I'm looking forward to because it's a bit of a post-exams mess at the moment! Then I need to have another sort out of old toys and start listing things on eBay again. It always feels good to have a clear out.

Our garden is mostly planted now so it's just about maintenance, and I'm looking forward to making the most of our new garden furniture. In particular we have bought a fire pit table which we've already used a few times, it's so nice to sit out in the garden in the evening and enjoy the beautiful space. I love pottering around the garden deadheading, picking up weeds, and planning what I want to do with the empty spaces.

Finally we have a big holiday coming up over the summer which is very exciting. Unusually for us we haven't been away yet this year so it feels a long time coming. 

What are you looking forward to this summer?

How our back garden is looking now

A couple of months ago I shared some photos of our poor garden, which had never been that exciting to begin with and was looking very sad after our building work. It was pretty much a blank slate, mainly some tired grass and dominated by a dull fence across the back.

So here are some photos after it has undergone an amazing transformation!

When we were planning the garden, I knew that I wanted a pretty garden with lots of flowers. We wanted areas around the garden to sit and relax as a family, and I was keen to have something attractive to look at while I prepared food in the kitchen.

I've always loved my secret vegetable patch and so we now have this amazing arch which creates a lovely entrance to the area. I have a clematis planted on one side which will hopefully grow up and over the arch, and I may also add something else to the trellis next year. We added a wooden bench so it is now a really private place to sit, watch the bees buzzing around the lavender and admire my tomatoes, courgettes and strawberries.

We've been making regular visits to the garden centre and picking up things that catch our eye. These cannas were suggested by our garden designer and I love the bold colours, they also add some height to the bed.

I'm gradually filling up the beds with flowers and hoping that they will last through the winter as the cost is adding up! I'll be much more organised next year and plant from seeds which will save some money.

I've always disliked the long boring fence across the back which dominates the view from the house. It will take a few years for things to get going, but we've planted some shrubs which will grow up a bit, and also two trees. We already have an apple tree at the front so we are trying a pear tree and a cherry tree, so hopefully I can keep them under control and thy will provide us with some fruit over the years! We also have two smaller trees around the pergola - a photinia and an acer.

I want to create a garden that attracts wildlife. We are lucky that our regular hedgehog visitor has returned - when we had new fencing installed we asked them to cut a hole so that hedgehogs could get into the garden and as soon as we started putting food out they appeared. It has even spent a night or two in our hedgehog house. There are plenty of bees around the flowers but I'm struggling a bit with the aphids at the moment, I need to work out how to attract the ladybirds!

I'm so in love with our garden now. I'm always wandering about deadheading and pulling up weeds and just enjoying the beautiful space. I can't wait to see how it changes over the years when things start to take off!

As a reminder, here's what we had done:

Things that I'm looking forward to this summer

It wasn't an easy start to the year for me. I have found that I've been struggling to get back into my old routines, especially when it comes to taking care of myself with healthy eating and exercise. But I have plenty to be grateful for, I've been enjoying the sunshine and I'm really looking forward to the coming months. 

We have some exciting things coming up, and these are just some of them.

A beautiful new garden - work is well underway and I can't wait until we are able to use our new outdoor space. Fingers crossed for a lovely warm summer!

Seeing my plants grow - my tomato seeds have become seedlings, I have some new houseplants from my Mum which are flourishing, and our new lemon tree is flowering beautifully.

It's a year of concerts - we've cut down on the holidays this year to save some money, but we have managed to secure tickets for some amazing live music. Having started off the year with the fantastic Jason Donovan, over the next few months we are lucky enough to be seeing Supergrass, Kylie, Pulp, Oasis, Blackpink and Coldplay. Buying the tickets for all of these was pretty stressful at the time, but of course it's forgotten quickly in the excitement!

An exciting holiday - we do have one holiday booked this summer which is mainly funded with Avios points and my husband's hotel reward points. We are spending a few days in both Seoul and Shanghai which are both new and exciting destinations for us. 

The end of the school year - I know that we have a way to go yet, but once the summer term starts it always seems to finish quickly. Even quicker for my son, who only has one week back after Easter before he leaves school to begin his study leave for his GCSEs! It will mean a change in routine for all of us with only one to take over to school and back, and things will change even more when he starts Sixth Form in September and makes his way under his own steam - it will be a really exciting new start for him.

What are you looking forward to in the next few months?

Ways to calm an overactive mind

I know I'n not the only one with an inner voice that is constantly narrating what's going on around me -  practising anecdotes, imagining difficult conversations and arguments, worrying about different scenarios, or worst of all repeating the same catchy lines from a song over and over again! Sometimes it's helpful, but most of the time it's just constant chatter that makes me feel more anxious and overwhelmed.

So here are some of the ways that I try to keep that inner voice at bay as much as I can:

Keeping away from social media and news websites - This is probably the biggest one for me. I often find myself scrolling, particularly Reddit or Mumsnet, to try and soothe anxiety. It can help in the moment, but over time it definitely makes it worse. If I make a commitment first thing to avoid it for the day then I find that I can keep to it quite easily, and I really do feel much better for it. I have enough going on my head already without needing to fill it with a multitude of voices and opinions from other people!

Writing it all down - I like to write in my journal, but I also find that writing a blog post can have a similar affect, although I end up going back and heavily editing it. Just getting all those thoughts out of my head and down on paper. If I'm worrying about lots of things that I need to get done or that I need to remember then I write them all down in a long list in my planner. 

Making a hot drink - I don't drink a lot of tea or coffee, but I do like a nice hot chocolate. I'm working through a stash built up from Christmas as well as some fancy varieties that my husband brought me back from a work trip. I like the process of making the drink - find a coaster and mug, heating up the milk, stirring. Then sipping it, and really focussing on the taste and the experience as well as they physical warmth. 

Photo credit Prophsee Journals via Unsplash

Going outside for a walk or a run - Although sometimes the inner monologue does follow me while I'm running, it doesn't bother me so much and I do sometimes find that it helps me to get my thoughts in order.

Reading - In particular reading something light with an interesting story that I can really get into. Concentrating on what I'm reading really helps me to focus my mind and feel calmer. 

Doing a stretch or yoga workout - I have a few exercise videos saved in my playlist that always make me feel more relaxed and calm. They aren't long, only 8-10 minutes, and feature peaceful music in a scenic setting - I find that I always switch off when I'm doing them. I've linked one of my favourites below. Although it's titled as a stretch for splits it's just a really good way to stretch out the leg muscles.

Doing a jigsaw - I'm currently a bit obsessed with completing jigsaw puzzles, I have a large one out on the dining table that I'm working on every day. The initial sort through of the pieces is really relaxing, and then building the edge so that you can see the area you are working with. My favourite moment comes about two thirds of the way through, when I'm familiar with the picture and I can easily start slotting the pieces in place. It's really satisfying every time you put a piece in place, and I can get lost in a jigsaw for ages. Even if I get interrupted, when I come back to it I always find a piece that I'd been looking for straightaway!

Lighting a candle - I don't know why but having a lit candle nearby always makes me feel relaxed. Maybe it goes back to caveman days, gazing into the campfire at the end of a long day.

Mindfulness - I've put this at the end, because it's something that I'm still working on. It's something that you really need to practice, and I need to try and work on it a little more. I've tried various apps for inspiration but I prefer to just work on it by myself. I like to imagine the inside of my mind as an empty stage, and every time a thought comes I send it off the stage and back into the wings! It's also a really good way to learn to focus on steady breathing rather than the inner voice.

My experience buying jigsaws in charity shops

I've been buying books secondhand in charity shops for years, but even though I love jigsaw puzzles and find them expensive to buy new, until recently I had never considered buying one secondhand. But it I've been doing some browsing in local charity shops recently and I thought I would give it a go. 

I find that prices range from around £3-4 which is a fraction of the cost of a new jigsaw, and when I expect pieces to be missing I'm less worried than when I've paid a lot for a new puzzle.

Here are all the charity shop jigsaws that I've completed so far - and I'm delighted to announce that none of them had a single missing piece! Some of them even had the edge pieces pre-sorted for me!

Spring on Park Avenue - Galison

Minifigure Puzzle - Lego

Space Hoppers and Scooters - Gibson

The Artist's Desk - Ravensburger

Shiny Summer - Andrea Tilk

The Fantasy Bookshop - Ravensburger

Cats and Plants - Corner Piece

There are a few things to be wary of with a secondhand puzzle. I have one jigsaw in my to do pile which has quite a strong smell of smoke. I'm hoping that as I work on it the smell will dissipate, but it is putting me off making a start. Another couple have had a slight smell of perfume, and one had quite a few cat hairs in the box. Not a problem for me as I'm not allergic, but I have to keep hoovering my jigsaw area.

World Wonders Panorama - Ravensburger

My current puzzle is a charity shop find that I was really pleased with. I was looking for some jigsaws with a larger piece count as they can be very expensive to buy new, and I love maps. I found this Ravensburger 2000 piece World Wonders Panorama map jigsaw which I was delighted with -  I paid just £4 instead of the £30 or so it would cost new. Ravensburger is my favourite jigsaw puzzle manufacturer as I find that the pieces are sturdy and fit together really well. I've barely started but I'm working on it with the assumption that there will be pieces missing - it will be amazing if it's complete!

A rainy walk along the beach

I needed to clear my head this morning, so even though it was raining I took myself for a cold, blustery walk along the beach.

It always helps to get some fresh air and exercise.

Reasons to start a journal in the New Year

With a fresh new year around the corner, it's the perfect time to start a regular journalling habit! I've written many times on this blog about how I love writing in my journals - I use a bullet style journal to plan my week and a blank journal which I fill with my thoughts, ephemera and simple sketches. I find that journalling is a great way to keep those superfluous thoughts from running around inside my head, and it's also a way of bringing a dose of creativity to my daily life.

Why start a journal in the New Year?

It's a great time to start a journal. When a new year begins it's natural to want to reflect on the year just gone and to plan the year ahead. Everyone else is doing the same thing so there is plenty of motivation, and after the excess of Christmas you are in the mood to clear some space both physically and mentally. 

What do you need to get started?

Recently I wrote an article on how to journal when you don't know where to start and it contains plenty of advice to help you get over any block you might have to starting. All you need is something to write on and something to write with, and you don't need any expensive supplies. You probably already have a blank notebook around that has been waiting for a purpose! 

When it comes to physically putting pen to paper, I always start a new journal a few pages in. Then I can come back and fill the first couple of pages at a later date, or else I fill them with stickers and ephemera as time goes on. 

Photo credit Daria Shevtsova via Unsplash

What are the benefits of a regular journalling habit?

I find writing in my journal an enormous help to my wellbeing. When I have too many things running through my head, writing them down helps to clear my mind and organise my thoughts. It helps my anxiety to get things down on paper, and it's also really relaxing. 

Journalling helps me to work through and solve problems, for example a tricky decision that needs to be made. Often writing out a pros and cons list can help to find the answer that I'm looking for.  

In the new year I like to think about the things that I want to work on and achieve. For example changes that I want to make to my lifestyle, or things that I want to do. A journal can help to keep a record and track progress, or be a list of places to visit, recipes to make, activities to try. 

Recently on social media I've been seeing examples of dopamine menus. I don't like the name but I do like the concept - it's basically just a list of things that you enjoy doing. I had a similar list in my first bullet journal and I'm definitely going to create a new one for my next journal. 

Writing regularly can create a lovely record of things that you've done, especially when going through a life event that you will want to look back on. For example I've been journalling about the building of our house extension, both a factual account of what has been happening and also how I've been feeling about it at the time. 

Keeping a journal and pen handy is a great way to reduce screen time. You can fill a few minutes by jotting down some thoughts, or else settle down for a longer session away from the screen with a hot drink and a good view. 

Journalling is also a great way to improve creativity. I like to try out different layouts and styles, accessorise pages with stickers and washi tape, or try some simple sketches and start an illustrated journal. 

Finally...

One important thing that I want to mention is a reminder that your journal is personal to you. Don't feel the pressure to share it on social media - when you see beautiful journal pages online they have been created for that purpose and are designed to gather views and interaction. They can be great for inspiration, but can also make you feel inadequate and feel like stopping when you've barely begun.

Start with some cheap supplies so that you aren't intimidated by a beautiful journal that you don't want to ruin, and just take it from there!

How to journal when you don't know when to start

I've written diaries since I was a teenager. Writing a page before I went to sleep helped a lot with my teenage angst, even if now I can't bear to look back through those old entries! When I stopped regular diary writing I always made holiday scrapbooks to document my travels, and I made baby journals to record milestones. Recently I started writing again, and this time I call it journalling. Instead of a regular diary I write dated entries in a blank book, and I don't feel the pressure to write every day. 

Sometimes I write about what I've done that day, but most of the time I just write about what's on my mind. Maybe it's something that I've seen in news, a thought sparked by a book I'm reading, or just a stream of consciousness.

Many people want to start a journal but have no idea where to start, and so I thought I'd share a few tips in case you think that journalling might be for you!

What do you need

Social media would lead you to believe that you need a huge amount of journalling supplies. But all you need to get started is something to write with and something to write on. I like a pen which is comfortable to hold and writes smoothly, and paper which has a pleasant writing surface. It's best to start with cheap supplies, because then you don't have the pressure to do something worthwhile. A beautiful journal filled with handmade paper and bound in fine leather feels far too precious and so will probably end up never being filled!

I personally write in a journal with blank pages. I can write in straight lines, and I enjoy sticking things in alongside the occasional sketch. But you might prefer lined or gridded journals. 

How to start

The first page of a new journal can be terrifying! I always start a new journal by writing my name, phone number and e-mail address inside, in case we become separated. I turn over a few pages before I start writing properly and use the blank pages at the front to add stickers and ephemera as I work through the journal. 

Photo credit Kelly Sikkema via Unsplash

Then just take the pen and start to write! If you are really stuck, then a good place to start might be an introduction to yourself - your name and other factual information, where you live, who you live with, what you do for work, what you do in your spare time, why you want to start a journal. You will probably find that once you make a start you'll find that you have plenty to write!

Some other ideas for daily entries - Write about what you've done that day. Make a list of things and people that you are grateful for. Write about goals that you are working on and how well you are doing with them. There is plenty of inspiration online for journal prompts, or else just write whatever comes into your head.

How to keep going

Some people want to stick to a routine and write every day. If this is you, then find a regular time during your day that you can dedicate to the task. Maybe after you drop the children at school, in your lunchbreak, after work or just before bed. Try to write something, even if it's just a few lines, just to keep the habit going. But don't worry if you miss a day or two, just pick up where you left off. If you are worried that missing a day might throw you off completely then try an undated journal or a diary with a blank space for the date that you can fill in when you have chance to write.

If you want to use the journal to record your travels then make sure to work with supplies that are easy to pack up and take along, and keep things simple. If you want to keep a journal of a special event like your wedding or the birth of a child then you might want to start a collection of ephemera like business cards, photographs, menus and so on that you can stick inside. If you want a keepsake, you might prefer to make notes in a rough book first, then write it up when you have the time to create an attractive entry.

Give yourself a small reward every time you write, and turn it into a ritual. For example sit down in a quiet place with a cup of tea and a biscuit, cuddle up with a soft blanket, play some favourite songs. Put the phone down and have a break from the screen. As you continue the habit you can treat yourself to new pens in different colours, a journal with better quality paper, or some fun supplies like stickers or washi tape. 

Avoid hunting out too much inspiration online. It can be a source of inspiration, but it can also be overwhelming and lead to unrealistic expectations which can put you off making a start in the first place. Likewise think about whether you want to share your journal pages online. It's fine if you do but be aware that you will write differently for an audience than for yourself. Most journal pages shared online have been created specifically to share.

How to take it further

As you begin to see yourself as a journaller you'll feel more confident taking the journal out and about with you, and perhaps making the act of writing in the journal the purpose of a trip to a café or a beautiful outdoor spot. Writing in a different location might help you to see things differently and gain a new perspective. 

Journalling can be a powerful tool. As you work on the habit you'll learn to turn to your journal to help you work through difficult emotions or to help make a tricky decision. You can also use the journal to plan your goals and to work on your personal development. 

Photo credit Ashlyn Ciara via Unsplash

I hope that this has inspired you to think about starting a journal! I love writing in my journal and I find it really helpful for dealing with a cluttered mind as well as taking some time for myself for quiet reflection.

How to use images as journal prompts

I love writing in my journal. I write about all sorts of things - what I've done that day, things that I'm worrying about, things that have caught my eye in the news, basically just anything that has been on my mind. Something that I've been dabbling in recently is using images as prompts for a journal entry. I've not done any creative writing since I was at school, and I have no desire to publish any of my creative writing. But I enjoy the process of creating, and using writing to express myself. I thought I'd share a few ideas on how to incorporate an image prompt into your journal writing process.

What types of images to use?

A place - either somewhere familiar or unknown. Somewhere that reminds you of somewhere that you've been, or somewhere that you'd like to go.

Faces and people - either that you recognise or of strangers. Close up individual portraits or family groups. Sitting still or taking part in an activity.

Natural images - plants, flowers, water, sky, landscapes.

Objects - modern or historic. Things that you own or would like to own. Something that reminds you of someone or something in your past. A single object or a large collection.

Seasonal - images that remind you of a certain season, either a season of the year or a season of life.

Where to find suitable pictures?

Postcards - ones that you've been sent or ones that you spot while out and about.

Your own photographs - favourite photos with memories attached to them, or pictures that you've taken of things that caught your eye and sparked your interest. I recently found an old photo in my parent's things that I couldn't help but write a journal entry about!

Magazines and catalogues - inspirational and aesthetic images or mundane advertising shots.

Online - I source my blog photos from Unsplash, or if it's for your own personal use then you can just do a Google image search and print. If you want to save potential writing prompts then Pinterest is a great way to group images that you've found online.

Photobooks or other collections of images - I recently bought a little book of tiny stickers and realised that they would be ideal for journal prompts!

What sort of things could you write about?

Describe the image as you see it, and write about where you found it. Why did it catch your eye, and why did you choose this one over others? Is there one part of the image that particularly draws your attention?

How does this image make you feel? Think about the emotions that you feel when you look at the picture. Are they positive or negative? Does it make you think of something that you'd like to change about your life, whether that's a place you want to visit, an experience you want to have, or a change that you'd like to make to your surroundings.

Is there something that you've noticed in the image that isn't obvious at first glance? Maybe something seen in reflection or something in the distance. An expression on a face that doesn't feel quite right. What have you seen that a casual viewer might miss?

What happened just before or just after this photo was taken? What might have happened in this place in the past, or might happen here in the future? Why was the photo taken at just this time?

Why was this photograph taken? What else could it be used for?

What are the relationships between the people in a photo? Or the subject and the photographer? How do they feel about each other, are they friends, acquaintances or strangers?

What does this image remind you of in your own life? Something in your past, a dream, a memory or even something that hasn't happened yet.

Write from the perspective of a person in the photograph or even an object. What can they see, how do they feel, what are they thinking about?

Use the image as the starting point for a short story or poem. Maybe a location, a character or even just an emotion. This might even help you to learn something about yourself, maybe some challenges that you are facing or something you need to overcome.

Photo credit Thought Catalog via Unsplash

Things that I miss in a digital world

I've been having a bit of a sort out recently, and going through some of my stashes of mementoes. It's made me feel a little sad at how much has been replaced now that there are digital alternatives. Maybe the options are more sustainable, and easier to use for the customer, but I think that we are missing out! Here are some things that either no longer exist, or that I feel won't be around for much longer.

Catalogues

The other week I received a Lakeland catalogue in the post and I was unashamedly thrilled. So many gorgeous pictures of Christmassy things to pore over. We took a trip to Ikea and I felt bereft that you can no longer pick up a catalogue to keep on the coffee table at home (I just looked it up, the last physical Ikea catalogue was printed in 2020). Yes, webpages and apps are more up to date with current prices, special offers and detailed information, but nothing beats flicking through colourful shiny pages filled with inspirational images. 

Physical tickets

I love keeping tickets to things - theatre, cinema, concerts, museums, travel and so on. I have a stash of cinema tickets from the 90s when I used to go every week with my friends, no matter what was showing. My books are filled with concert tickets that I've used as bookmarks. Now you enter a venue with a QR code, and once inside you never look at it again. 

Alarm clocks

I loved the battery alarm clock I had as a teenager. It was cube shaped and had a dial on the top which you could turn to see the time in different countries around the world. I loved looking at all the exotic countries and imagining what people were up to. I've tried to source myself something similar but I can't find one that I like. I have Echo Dot next to my bed which displays the time and acts as an alarm clock but it's just not the same.

Writing letters

As part of my degree I spent a year studying in Germany. I had quite a lot of free time, and I kept up a steady stream of written correspondence with my husband-to-be, my family and lots of my friends. I loved checking my little letter box and discovering a handwritten letter from home, and I've kept them all. These days communication would be more frequent via WhatsApp or social media updates, but it would be fleeting and transient. The age of bundles of love letters is gone forever, it's just not the same scrolling through short and insubstantial text messages. Of course there's nothing to stop me picking up a pen and writing to my friends, but they are busy people and I don't want to burden them with the thought that they would then have to take the time to write back to me!

Stamps

Stamps used to be so pretty! I know that Royal Mail do release special themed stamps, but I never see them because most letters that I receive just have the postage printed directly on the envelope. 

Photo credit Ali Bakhtiari via Unsplash

New album releases on cassette and CD

It used to be such an event going out to buy the CD when a new album was released, and listening to it while flipping through the little booklet that came with it containing the lyrics and photos. Now I listen to a new album release on Spotify and it's just not the same. My daughter tells me that you can still buy physical albums for bands which come with posters, photobooks etc. - but we don't even have a CD player any more!

Postcards

I've written before about how I love to collect postcards, and I remember sending and receiving postcards from all of my summer holidays. Now we just share regular photos in the family WhatsApp groups.

Paper maps

Whenever I visit somewhere new I always try to find a map to keep and remind me of my travels, I have boxes filled with maps and leaflets that I love to sort through. You can sometimes still get a map in a touristy place, but of course it's much easier to use an app that knows exactly where you are. You lose the souvenir though! I particularly enjoy looking at old maps of places like theme parks because they change so often and it's a little slice of time. But they are being slowly phased out and I know they won't be around for much longer.

Real dictionaries

I am very tempted to buy myself a physical copy of the Oxford English dictionary. I used to have several, including a huge one which was decluttered years ago. I'm sure that there's a dictionary app that I could use, but when I'm reading I don't want to be distracted by my phone to look up an unfamiliar word, it would make it harder to get back in to the book again.

Photo credit Joshua Hoehne via Unsplash

Packets of printed out photos

It used to be so exciting going to get photos developed, seeing how well your shots had come out and reliving all those holiday memories. You can of course get photos printed but it's so much more effort deciding which of the hundreds of photos to print, working out how to upload them, and trying to find the best deal when it comes to price. I also feel that the quality isn't as good as when printing from film. Most of my old photos are in boxes with some of my favourites in albums, and I love going through them. I need to make an effort to print out more of my digital pics!

What do you miss that now has a digital replacement?

Free things that I collect

As much as I aspire to minimalism, the truth is that I also want to live surrounded by things that inspire me and that bring joy to my life. I'm not a big shopper, and I've realised that most of the things that I enjoy collecting are things that I've picked up for free over the years. I love appreciating the little things in life, and saving small souvenirs that remind me of the places that I've been and the things that I've seen. 

Here are some of my collections:

Postcards

I have a huge collection of postcards that I've picked up over the years. Some of them are flyers for university events, and many of them came from trips to the cinema back in the 90s when they used to have racks of free postcards advertising all sorts of things. I used to come home with a bagful! If I ever spot one while I'm visiting somewhere I have to pick it up, I just love all the different designs and how advertising has changed over time. I currently have most of them stored in a deep plastic folder, but I do have a few favourites pinned around my desk and a large postcard display hanger in the utility room.

Business cards

In this digital age these are quite often still around, especially in pubs and restaurants. If I spot one at the till while I'm paying I surreptitiously slip it into my wallet, usually to stick into my journal later! They are a lovely reminder of the places that I've been.

Pens

I can't resist a free pen, and some of them have become my favourites to use. I have a great one which I picked up at a hotel that we stayed at in Florida last year. It's chunky, it writes smoothly, and when I use it I'm transported back to a lovely sunny beach and a relaxing pool.

Notepads

I can't resist a hotel notepad, especially if it has the name of the hotel on it. I also have a few sets of postcards, envelopes and writing paper purloined from various fancier hotels that we've stayed in. I keep the pads in my desk drawer to grab when I need to make a quick note of something.

Pretty boxes and bags

I keep any kind of attractive box or bag, especially gift bags. I've never bought a gift bag, I always seem to have the perfect one to hand when I need it! I use pretty boxes for storage, or I use the lids as trays in drawers for smaller items. I also keep a stash of plain boxes on hand for sending out eBay parcels. I quite often buy things like biscuits just for the tin that they come in, I do love a decorative tin and I always keep my eyes open in the post Christmas sales.

Beach finds

Shhh, I know that you aren't supposed to bring home shells and stones from the beach. But I think everyone that has visited the seaside has at least a few in their home, and I am very discerning with what I bring back. Also, most of the things that I collect from the beach are not natural materials, for example I love to search for colourful sea glass or marine plastic.

Tote bags

My husband often comes back with these from work events and we have quite a collection. I can't bear to throw them out! I don't tend to use them for shopping, but they are very useful for filling with charity donations and I hope they come in useful to the shop as well. Now that plastic shopping bags are harder to come by it's always useful to have a spare one or two that you don't mind not getting back.

Do you collect things that you come across in your daily life? 

Things that have made me happy over the last week

I am living in a bit of upheaval at the moment and it feels as though I have a lot going on. The disruption isn't too bad, but I am finding that it's more difficult to keep to my usual routine and that can leave me feeling a bit out of sorts. So I thought I'd think about some of the things that have made me feel happy over the last week or so!

Our orangery extension - It's really coming together now, we have windows and doors and will have the roof and some plastering completed by the end of the week. There have been so many decisions to make which I find hard work, but we are getting there and the end is in sight. 

Getting out for a run - I've not managed this as often as I'd like, but I'm also good at finding excuses. Even when I'm expecting builders and deliveries I can usually pop out at some point for half an hour, and I feel so much better when I've managed it.

Fresh brownies - I cheat a little with my brownies and I use a mix from Costco (Ghirardelli Triple Chocolate Brownie Mix - yum!), and we don't get there often. It's been out of stock the last few visits and I was worried that they might have discontinued it, but luckily on a recent visit I was able to stock up!

Cups of tea - I don't have a tea drinking habit but I've been making them for the builders and I have discovered that I quite enjoy a regular cup, especially on a cold day!

My journal - I find that writing in my journal really helps to clear my head. I don't share my writing anywhere, it's not especially private but I'd be embarrassed if someone were to read it. I've been writing about the progress with our extension, some of the things that I've seen while out and about, and I also had a lovely time making a collage with some of my favourite inspirational images from the Christmas Lakeland catalogue!

A trip to Ikea - I love an Ikea trip. Ikea doesn't just sell products it also sells a lifestyle, and I really want that lifestyle. We didn't even buy that much, our main reason to visit was to buy a mirror and some lightbulbs, but of course some other things fell in the trolley as we were walking around. I did manage to resist the gorgeous Christmas scented candles though!

A wooden tray to serve my lunch - I bought this tray a year or so ago from Flying Tiger and I hadn't really used it because it had some greasy residue on it that I couldn't clean off. I finally gave it a scrub with some WD40 and it cleaned up brilliantly, so now I am treating myself to aesthetic lunch displays!

Hot water bottles - Even in summer I usually cosy up at night with a hot water bottle! I love an early night with my fluffy pyjamas and a good book.

Playing Jenga - I was re-reading My Hygge Home by Meik Wiking (a great book!) and enjoying all the beautiful hygge photographs, including one of a Jenga game in progress which inspired me to get out my set. It's such a fun game, it doesn't take long to play and it always brings a smile to even the grumpiest faces.

What have you been enjoying recently?

The flowers in my garden

I've mentioned before that we are having some building work due to start shortly. It's very exciting! But it meant that when I was starting to think about my garden earlier in the year I wasn't sure how much access we would have to the garden over the summer. I planted my vegetable patch a little later than usual, and so unfortunately my tomatoes aren't doing that well this year. There will be a few but not as many as usual. 

When I had more idea as to timescales I did a trip to the garden centre and bought lots of bedding plants which I planted out in pots. I decided that pots can be moved around whatever is left of our garden! At the moment they are mainly lined up along my back fence, and they make a beautiful splash of colour.

Petunias look beautiful once they get going! I also love poppies and we have some growing in our new 'wildlife area' which has been created by the temporary removal of our hot tub. I planted some poppies from seed a few years back, and since then they pop up from time to time over the summer.

My favourite flowers are sunflowers, and I always make sure to plant some. They are in full bloom in the vegetable patch at the moment.

And my final flowers aren't mine at all, they are borrowed from our neighbour and growing over the fence. This is the kind of plant that I want to grow across our back fence, something that grows quickly, covers up the bare fence, and produces lovely flowers. I need to find out what it is and how to grow it!

Now I'm just hoping that summer grants us a few more warm and sunny days so that I can sit out in the garden and enjoy all this loveliness!

The usual end of term anxiety

It's the last week of term, and I'm really looking forward to the summer holidays. But I always find the countdown stressful, even though now that the children are older there are fewer things to worry about (no more sports day! not quite so much new uniform to buy!) But the children are on edge, with worries about new classes for next year and keeping in touch with friends over the summer, and my husband is away for a little longer than usual this week which sometimes leaves me unsettled. I'm finding myself constantly repeating 'we just need to get these last few days over with'!

I'm clinging on to the last few days of my routine before everything changes for a couple of months. I always find it harder to get out for an early run when I'm not forced out of bed to get everyone ready for school. I know that the housework will fall by the wayside, and it will feel as though I'm spending most of my time preparing food and clearing up afterwards. I'm hoping to sneak out for a couple of hours every week to continue my volunteering work - I'm really enjoying being part of a team of local people that get out and about making the flowerbeds around the village look lovely. I'm learning a lot, and it's given me some confidence to make more of my own garden.

I'm really hoping that the weather improves a little over the holidays. I've been working on making my secluded vegetable patch into a little sanctuary, and yesterday I installed one of our garden chairs so that I can sit and hide around the corner and listen to the bees buzzing. But it just hasn't been warm enough to sit outside!

We don't have very much planned over the summer holidays but we always seem to keep busy. There are people to keep in touch with, and the children enjoy peaceful time at home to work on their own projects without the pressure of homework and early starts. I'm intending to have a clear out in the kids rooms - we have lots of books that have been outgrown and toys that are no longer played with. I love a break from the school run and the packed lunches, and the long evenings are perfect for a walk around the village or sitting out in the garden.

If you have little ones in school I hope that the countdown to the summer holidays goes well!

My 'secret' vegetable patch

I've shared lots of photos of my vegetable patch over the years, but I'm not sure that I've every included a photo that gives a proper look at the space. Because I think it's a special space, and with planned building work in our garden this summer I'm working hard to make it a little sanctuary hidden away when I want to spend time in the garden without builders watching my every move!

Our garden extends out from the back of the house like most gardens, but we also have a separate double garage next to the house. The vegetable patch is behind the garage, so it's joined to the garden but off to one side and it can't really be seen from the house. The previous owners put up the trellis sides. Originally there were some flimsy gates but they have broken so I've been training some ivy over the top to make an archway. It's quite low, but luckily I'm short so I can easily fit underneath!

To the left of the entrance you can find Beowulf. I found him hidden behind overgrown vegetation in the garden of our old house and I brought him along with us. I named him after the Old English poem that I studied at university and I call him the guardian of the garden that makes sure everything grows well. If I accidently cut some flowers, I'll leave them by his feet as an offering! 

Also around the entrance I have a couple of decorations that I've made using stones with holes in from the beach - they are really common on our local beaches. Some people call them hag stones and think that they have magical properties. The lovely birdhouse was made by my husband at a team building event, although we've not actually had any birds in it yet!

My vegetable patch was a little delayed this year as we don't have a set start date for our building works. So last week I made a trip to the garden centre and picked up some bedding plants to put out into my planters - hopefully in a couple of weeks I'll have some more colour to enjoy.

At the back of the vegetable patch I just have a few pots and some plants which are probably technically weeds but have some pretty orange flowers and nicely cover a bare patch of ground. This is where I'll be putting my chair when I want to hide away and enjoy my plants and listen to the bees buzzing around the lavender bush.

The rest of our garden is really boring and is in a bit of a state as the summer house is falling down and the old wooden swing set is looking a little dicey. We are hoping to be able to do some work in the garden next summer, until then this is definitely my favourite part of the garden!