British Summer Time

No new breakfast recipes this weekend. We were all too busy playing in the sunshine and doing other things. My parents came to stay this weekend and so our breakfasts were the usual lazy, fluid, hour-long affairs that occur when they come to stay. Coffee and the papers. Everyone helping themselves to whatever they fancy. The children wander over and ask for a "second breakfast", as they call it, and sit on my parent's knees and pinch their toast and jam. More coffee.  We all know which bit of the paper we like by now.  The "proper" news for my Dad. The sports section for John. Any of the lifestyle/family/interior/fashion sections are pored over by Mum and I.

The weather has been glorious. Misty mornings turned into warm and sunny days. We ate lunch in the garden.

The clocks went forward and so we are now enjoying lighter evenings (and I am hoping that Bella sleeps in a little later, instead of waking at six declaring that the birds are "too noisy").

Plants past their best were removed and flower beds cleared in preparation for the planting I plan to do over the Easter holidays...sweet peas, rununculus, anemones and dahlias. Anything that says "English Country Garden".  

The first garden flowers were picked and brought indoors - a motley collection of forsythia, wallflowers, daffodils and one tulip. Slim pickings but still pretty.

I spent Sunday volunteering at my local NCT Nearly New Sale. Yes, I willingly spent seven hours on the sunniest day of the year so far indoors in a sports hall. My parents helpfully texted me photos of the children in the park eating ice cream. But it was worth it as volunteers get to go into the sale first and pick the best bargains and that is what I did. Look at all this bounty for only a few quid!

Plus that warm glow you get from doing a bit of volunteering for a charity. Also, I sold lots of baby stuff (bye bye cot, highchair, stairgate...sob) and made some money as well as some space in the garage.

Also, I am happy to report that lardy cake freezes beautifully. I defrosted one over the weekend for my parents and it went down very well indeed. I hope you all enjoyed your weekend and are enjoying the sunshine, wherever you are.