Winterspring

We are bouncing back and forth between two seasons here at the moment. It snows, then it warms up and spring seems to be suddenly on it's way. Then, last weekend, another quite unexpected snowfall and bitterly cold winds, followed by a week of double digit temperatures and blossom everywhere you look. And just when the clocks are about to go forward and we're looking ahead to the longer days and more spring-like weather, they're talking about snow showers over Easter.

Snow on the beach though, that was something. I've never seen it before down here on the south coast, and while it certainly wasn't a lot of snow it was beautiful all the same. 

It was so cold down on the beach but also strangely invigorating, even if I couldn't feel my face. That's the thing about having a dog, especially an energetic eight month old whippet - they need a good walk, whether you want one or not.

My thoughts are turning to the garden more and more at the moment. It's such a mess out there, I really want to get outside and tackle it, but there's so much to do! I'm overwhelmed. There is a huge pile of wood that needs chopping and stacking. Everything looks sad and brown. I've decided that I want to move the monstrosity of a trampoline to the opposite corner of the garden where it would be hidden from view by some large cordyline plants. Then, in that newly empty corner - which gets lots of sun, a bonus in our north-east facing garden - perhaps some raised beds, or even just a border. Anything would be an improvement on that trampoline, frankly, except the trampoline does hide some rotten fence panels so, before we do anything fun involving plants, we need to get those replaced. So all I've done is phone the guy who did our fence before and arrange for him to come round. Baby steps. I also wrote a really long list and picked some sprigs of cherry blossom and that made me feel better.

Thank you for all your comments on the succulent hoop. I'm so glad you all liked it as much as I did! I've made a start on a wall of embroidery hoops in the kitchen and they're coming together. I need more though. 

My head is full of plans for the house right now. This happens to me every spring - remember all those bedrooms we decorated this time last year? All those annoying jobs and tasks - patches of grubby paint work, broken plug sockets, piles of clutter, leaks - that I can ignore throughout the winter suddenly need doing desperately the minute March comes around. We have an electrician coming in a few weeks to do a few small jobs; I have plans for a peg rail in the hall; I've phoned the garage door repair man and got a quote to get the electric garage door fixed; there are trunks and wooden boxes in the garage which will become planters for the garden I hope. 

As for crafting, I really should be knitting my Wool and the Gang jumper, but my heart isn't in it at the moment. All I want to do is work on this cross stitch which I am enjoying so much. Something about the colours feels spring-like and I'm hoping to complete it over the next few months. 

I can't believe it's Easter next weekend. It seems to have come around so fast this year, although I don't know why I'm surprised given the amount of mini eggs and creme eggs I've consumed over the last few weeks. I haven't done any decorating or baking yet but I have plans to use some of that cherry blossom to create a simple arrangement, perhaps with some egg decorations, as a sort of Easter tree. I don't think I'm going to make a Simnel cake this year though, as I did last year. I loved it but John and the children weren't as fussed, so this year I think I'll make a big chocolate cake and just decorate it with mini eggs. That will definitely please everyone.