Mindfulness

Remember on Friday when I said how tired we all were, how worn out, how sick of the cold wet weather, and how I needed some sunshine and a couple of days of nothing? Well, that's what we've had. It's been blissful.

The children and I spent Saturday morning doing some errands and having that hot chocolate and cake in the cafe that I'd promised them. When we got back I went into the back garden to hang out the washing and, instead of rushing through it as fast as possible keen to get on with the next task, I did it really, really slowly. I was enjoying the warmth of the sun on my face and taking in all the sounds and smells around me, thinking of nothing more than which item in the washing basket was next, which peg. Reach, peg, reach, peg. I made it last as long as possible, just enjoying the deep blue of the sky, the lush green leaves, the blinding white tea towels flapping around. Everything looked so vivid, extra-bright and saturated with colour.

We spent the rest of the day in the garden. I potted out my sunflower seeds and planted them against a wall with little bamboo stakes to help them grow nice and straight. I tried to photograph a hover fly. The paddling pool came out, sun cream was applied. Bella made leaf soup and petal salad. The deck chairs were dragged out of the garage for the first time this year. I sat at the little table with a cup of tea and some crochet. It was pretty fantastic although I was a little hot under the crochet blanket - definitely a winter project! Today John was off and we painted the front of the house, had a barbecue, drank some beers. Meals have been relaxed, bedtimes later than usual. At around 4pm, having finished the painting, cleaned the brushes and had a shower, I sat down in a deckchair in the sun with a bottle of cold beer and honestly, I was so happy, I'm surprised I wasn't levitating. Of course it lasted about 20 minutes until the sun went away and a fight broke out between Bella and Angus over something or other, but it was good while it lasted. 

I wonder why the sun makes me so happy. Is everyone this affected by nice weather? Are you? It helps that it's a bank holiday weekend too. I hope you are having a nice time, whatever you're doing. And hello to my new followers and readers. It's lovely to have you here and you're very welcome. I'll try to pop over to your blogs tomorrow, when it's sure to be raining.