I have started my usual spring meltdown about how none of my clothes fit and how much weight I have gained. I do this every year like clockwork. Spring: Noooo, none of my clothes fit, I look pregnant, summer is coming, I need to change the way I eat. Join Slimming World or similar. Lose a stone. Summer: feel light and happy, eat sensibly. Autumn: Still feel happy but the nights are drawing in and the carb loading commences. Christmas: wine, cheese, cake, chocolate - all good habits are gone but it's Christmas, so who cares? Winter: I am cold. Give me all the carbs - bread, pasta, potatoes, rice - I do not discriminate. Spring: wah, why do my jeans not do up?? And so it goes on. Every year. And so I am making smoothies and baked kale crisps (actually really tasty!) and eating a lot more green stuff and a lot less brown stuff.
I'm glad it's March, even if it has turned so cold. Spring is coming, slowly. Apparently March is going to be colder than January and February. Typical. Thank you, endlessly unpredictable British weather.
I am just loving the flowers you can buy at this time of year; snowdrops, tete-a-tetes, hyacinths, tulips, tulips and yet more tulips. That sounds like I must spend a fortune on flowers - I really don't - but they lift a room so much. A little green here and there. I think I need to buy some house plants.
Lately I am really struggling to find time to do anything blog related like write posts or read the blogs I enjoy, or even answer emails. How do you all fit it in? I am too tired in the evenings to do anything more than watch tv. The Great Interior Design Challenge is a lot of fun and, of course, I have an opinion on everything they do. (John pretends he is doing me a massive favour by sitting through it with me but I know he likes it too.) We are also very much enjoying Trapped - it's been a few weeks since we had a gloomy subtitled Nordic crime drama to watch.
I am just loving the flowers you can buy at this time of year; snowdrops, tete-a-tetes, hyacinths, tulips, tulips and yet more tulips. That sounds like I must spend a fortune on flowers - I really don't - but they lift a room so much. A little green here and there. I think I need to buy some house plants.
I resent the way that our weekends are increasingly lost to chores, errands and things that are not fun or exciting or in any way relaxing. Is this what being a grown up is all about? I do as much as possible during the week in the two hours before I go to work to keep our weekends free, but those kids keep needing shoes and haircuts and help with their homework, dammit.
Thank goodness for last Sunday's walk in the woods which did so much to restore my mood and equilibrium. It felt good to be out among the trees, some of which had buds, and there was greenery sprouting up all over the place. In a month we'll be able to smell the wild garlic, and in another there will be bluebells.
Rule Number One: Never, never, never regret money spent on flowers! They certainly do uplift the spirits and any room they are in. If I had the wherewithal, I'd have them in every room of the house, fresh deliveries every week! Cut back on other things, but never flowers! They are one of the great joys of Nature, even the hybrids in the shops.
ReplyDeleteI adore the Great Design Challenge! But let us not suppose that this is anything to do with real interior design, which is a discipline and none of the contestants are, you might say, disciplined in their approaches. Has any read any books on interior design? I wouldn't think so. It's not just about eye-catching colours and fripperies such as bunting or, in last night's programme, a wall hanging with the most frightful stuffed toys attached to it. And the person who constructed this monstrosity is in the final, would you believe.
But who can take the two programme presenters seriously? Daniel 'edgy' Hopwood and Sophie 'Christmas-tree-earrings' Robinson. If a contestant fulfils the brief it's not "edgy" enough; if they haven't fulfilled the brief, they haven't taken their clients' wishes into consideration. They can't win whatever they do!
The only person worth watching, really, is Tom Dyckoff - he's a right little character, isn't he? And knowledgeable, too.
But they have chosen some lovely rooms to ruin this time, have they not? I'm looking forward to tonight's final.
What I should like to see is a proper prog on interior design, where real interior designers visit real clients and the prog takes us through the whole process from beginning to end, how they design a new furniture layout, make adjustments for a room's weak points, source their wallpapers, paints, soft furnishings. This is just a fun prog - in reality, all the surfaces - be they walls or furniture - would surely be properly prepared? They wouldn't just have a coat of paint slapped on.
And before I forget, your photo of those three candlesticks is excellent!
Margaret P
You are spot on with your opinions on TGDC. I cant take anyone with such bad taste in earings seriously. I am fed up with the silly design challenges too, it just adds more stress to the contestants, and they have all been very tacky. Spoiler ... I really wanted Ann to win, so am very disappointed.
DeleteThank you, Debdor, for your kind comment. I wanted the young Taiwanese lad to win. OK, his painting last night was messy, he should've used a stencil for that to speed things along, but I think of them all he was the only one who has demonstrated real talent. I wonder how the ones who won in the two previous years' competitions have fared since then? I liked Ann, but not her design - they reminded me of a bistro in Torquay which has been decorated in a mish-mash of designs all in one area: industrial, retro and shabby chic! It's fun, but you'd not wish to live in it.
DeleteMargaret P
Aww Gillian, being a grown up can be so tiring. I know just how you feel, I am always two days behind with everything. Today of course I am not. I am recording a lecture, which involves me sitting there. I feel like I am allowed to surf the net there, in the back of the lecture theatre, as I am going to listen to the lecture again when I'll edit it... I have been reading several blogs already this morning. The answer to how we fit it all in: we don't. It is all about making choices accepting that days are too short to fit it all in.
ReplyDeleteI go through the same food cycles like you but unfortunately only seem to add on and never loose weight... I am off to the smoothie bar for lunch. Maybe they have a kale option? Love your photos, they are so very uplifting. xx
It is a real juggling act, isn't it? Now that I work at school but continue to work at home when school ends with chores, cooking, homework, taxi driving the kids....etc, by the time they go to bed I haven't got the energy to do anything other than sit on the sofa with the TV on as well.... I can't even crochet, which really frustrates me...it is relentless, isn't it? I haven't watched the interior design competition programme but will check it out. On Sunday, I watched the first episode of "Trapped" on the iplayer and really enjoyed it but the weather there was so bleak.....it made me wonder how Icelandic people cope in those temperatures.... I hope you have a restful weekend, Pati x
ReplyDeleteOh yes the idea that weekends will be full of fun stuff and not shores and errands is a wonderful wish isn't it. When it works that way it's one to savour for sure.
ReplyDeleteLovely to think of bluebells and the delights to come!
Lisa x
Life is like that isn't it. I read a great article on saying no the other day and how to share tasks it all seemed quite utopian but I popped it in the back of my mind for when the dishwasher is really badly stacked half full but I didn't do it myself - it was a shared task so let it go. Less housework and careful blog photographing I say. He he Jo x
ReplyDeleteSometimes being a grown up can be a little relentless can't it? A home to be kept homely, food to be purchased and something done with, thinking about what food because jeans no longer doing up! But then, we do get to snuggle in a cosy home and watch trapped, so it is great really!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about the weather....here in Ohio, it goes from 60 degrees to 20 (today) with a wind chill of 10 degrees! No wonder everyone is sick! I looked up "Trapped"....can't wait until BBC America shows it!!
ReplyDeleteI can only wear my jeans comfortably if I don't breathe ;) spring flowers are wonderful aren't they :) xxx
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen either of those shows over here but I think I would love them both. March is supposed to be colder and wetter than February was here too, we'll see. I like your hyacinth on the bathroom sink. I don't think one would survive on mine, given how often they knock the plastic water cup into the sink (about five times a day). It looks pretty on yours, though. I wish I had answers about the weekends...let them grow their hair out? :)
ReplyDeleteIt's so cold carbs are a must & chocolate too! Ii think I may plan on a May juice fest or perhaps lay off baked goods for a while. Being a grown up is so hard at times isn't it, I'm looking for places to hide. Take care xx
ReplyDeleteLoving the GIDC but am still traumatized after watching Lucy beheading a stuffed dog for her bizarre wall hanging last night! I also wanted Ann to win as she was so wonderfully wacky. I really must try baked kale crisps again, although I do have raw kale in my breakfast smoothie and there's only so much of the green stuff a girl can take! Snow flurries here today, so I can well believe that March will be colder. I don't mean to depress you, but that homework stress only cranks up! Good luck with the diet. xx
ReplyDeleteTrapped is brilliant isn't it. Ditto healthy raw smoothies ... have you tried adding a chunk of courgette, it does wonders for the texture and makes them more filling. That said I've had two nasty head colds back to back and all I want to eat at the moment are carbs and cough sweets. I've got about three bags of baby kale in the freezer now because I bought it and then couldn't face eating it.
ReplyDeleteI too am struggling to keep up on the blogging front, I guess we just need to keep plodding away at it until we settle into life's new rhythms and perhaps find a little more time :)
I can relate to everything you have written Gillian!
ReplyDeleteI have to remind myself "everything will fall into place, it'll be just fine"
lovely photos ;)
Thanks~
Hey Gillian,
ReplyDeletePerhaps it's about coming out of hibernation and being more busy, and less inclined to blog. I certainly feel this way, although add a white computer into the mix and I've just about given up trying to publish a post. I shall investigate Trapped. And I love your candlesticks! As for healthy eating kick; I am currently in the middle of one, and have lost not an ounce. I'm terribly depressed about my girth..
Leanne xx
Shite computer. Shite computer.
DeleteLololol
DeleteMuch the same here. Jeans very tight and no time at all plus a huge level of anxiety that means I need to eat. Gave up sweet things and salty snacks for Lent but in some biological miracle I have not lost any weight. I am convinced I'm a medical phenomenon. Haircuts and new football boots needed here. That will be my weekend I fear. Do let me know if you discover the secret of doing it all. Hugs, CJ xx
ReplyDeleteWell, your observations have definitely struck a chord with we who can relate to your experiences which are so familiar! The whole weight thing is maddening! I have been enjoying cooked to death kale which I suppose is not as good for one as raw kale...don't tell me. Your programs sound like ones I would enjoy. We have one over here called Fixer Upper where the couple takes an old home and modernizes it...with a good bit of silliness along the way. May your coming weekend be very satisfying, Gillian xx
ReplyDeleteI fear I'm the odd one out, not worrying about my weight, not worrying about fitting it all in...
ReplyDeleteIs life really so worrisome for all of you?
Anyway, your pictures are lovely as ever, and my favourite of this lot is the one of Angus walking in the woods. It could be the cover photo of a wonderful children's adventure story!
If I manage to do something I've planned to do at a weekend I congratulate myself heartily. My husband spent the whole of Sunday by the side of a rugby pitch supporting our middle child at a tournament. He wasn't in the best mood when he got home. It's all about juggling, compromise, fitting-in and sometimes you have to remember to have fun, even if it's just a lengthy meal with lit candles. I'm with you on the eating front. I couldn't give up bread even if I wanted to – David keeps producing it. I've discovered an app – the 7-minute workout – and I'm going to give it a go... Sam x
ReplyDeleteI think it is all about juggling and sometimes it's easier than others. I long for unplanned weekends when time is a little slower. I really don't like weekends that are regimentally planned from the Monday prior and seem to go in a flash before they've even begun.
ReplyDeleteI like to see the spring flowers too and should spend more of my money on those rather than the bars of Aldi chocolate which I munch through during evening tv. It would be much better for my waistline.
Hahaha, my year seems to be just like yours!! At the moment I really want to go running outside but I am once again sick as a dog. So annoying!
ReplyDeleteTake care
Anne
Crochet Between Worlds
Ah that elusive work/life balance. I don't think I'll ever get that right. Even now my daughter is post-school, I still have no energy in the evenings and have to spend part of the weekend on housework - though I've gradually whittled that down to as little as possible. I think it's a winter thing as well though as there miraculously feels like more hours in a day once the evenings are light. Not long to the Easter break. x
ReplyDeleteI can identify with struggling to fit it all in...I've been reading blogs but not writing mine for a month or so now. I want to get back to it, especially since I started a blog to share with my family the things my daughter does! our days out and all those little moments.
ReplyDeleteYour kale crisps look lovely, it is so great when you find a delicious way of eating well isn't it? Over on Brocante Home you'll find a download called Better Me which is tiny baby steps throughout the year to feeling better and more healthy, and they feel more like the spoonful of sugar than the medicine!
ReplyDeleteI could have written this myself apart from the bit about smoothies and kale crisps!
ReplyDeleteWe are enjoying 'Trapped' too. I can't crochet when it's on because I have to concentrate on the sub-titles but still, it's worth it. Looking forward to this weekend's episodes.
ReplyDeleteMarch definitely feels much colder than January or February. We even had snow here yesterday. Good luck with the healthy eating. I should do the same but I'm still in denial - maybe in another month?.. x
I feel your pain, first of all with the weight gain and also with the blogging. I have 30 emails to return from the blog world and was five days behind reading until I sat down for an hour or two.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
MEredith
I too haved loved the gidc this year such good simple tv fun!
ReplyDeleteI must take a look at trapped now you have recommended it!
bestest Ashley x