April

 The month went fast, 2nd month of retirement and not counting.  I spent all my spare time at the allotment breaking up clay soil and planted potatoes and the sweetcorn that I had raised on my windowsill.  I also planted beetroot and carrot.  It's turned really cold so I doubt much will germinate just now and have therefore planted bean, squash and pumpkin seeds for window propagation to be on the safe side.  Tonight is the weekly gathering of likeminded plot holders, we rarely discuss the obvious topic and drink plenty of alcohol.

I reorganised my wardrobe (again due to OCD I do it often) other half did too.  We found our clothes are too tight and we need to get out more, use our rowing machine and eat less.  Should be straightforward.  A clear sign that we are now thinking comfort before fashion is that we both now have Crocs (shoes).  I have so far resisted elasticated trousers though.  I bought a weighted hula hoop and returned it - it says on the box causes bruising - it certainly does -- that can't be a good thing?  Back it goes.

Crocs (Amazon) great for home, garden and ...holidays?

Over Easter both sons plus girlfriend were here and I went mad and made cakes, chocolate chip muffins, carrot cakes, rhubarb crumble (allotment crop) and roast dinner followed by a fiddly curry the following day.  Everyone ate well but I exhausted myself, think I really must stop thinking the way to a mans heart is through his stomach - something my grandmother swore by - my husband and sons will still love me if I don't feed them to excess.

I have been on several walks to see bluebells around here, there are plenty - my favourite wildflower I think.  Wood anemone grow in the same places and the combination of both has been spectacular in the nearby woods.

We  have been watching Feud on Channel 5 (UK)  it was very good, but the ending was rushed.  We also tuned in for the new series of Race Across the World Series 5 (BBC1 UK).  This is epic, travelling across China, Nepal and India.  I want the young Welsh kids to win, they remind me of hubby and me at that age, full of eagerness for travel and adventure, a whole World to explore .... and to be fair we have explored a lot of it, and still going...

Our neighbours are having a feud over a kitchen extention and a tree that is in the way.  It's an elderberry and, of course, I am fond of them so you know what side I am on.  There are a surprising number of closet pagans in our road and so we have been furtively sending vibes and circles of protection for the tree.  

Cicily Mary Barker, Flower Fairies of the Trees, 1961: source: Google

Thats all my news for April, what's yours? feel free to fill this blank space with your news...

Easter

 Wishing blog friends spiritual renewal over the Easter break.

Bluebells!

I have been longing to see the bluebells this year, for me that means Spring.  It is still quite early but I wasn't disappointed ... I went on a walk with a couple of ladies from the Allotment walkers group, to check out a route we are doing later in the week with others.  We went to Glovers Wood, Charlwood, which I have been to before (see my old blog Wood Fairy)

This old yew tree in the churchyard dates back pre 1080, the original church was built of wood in 1080 and the tree was already there - yew trees were often on pagan sites and churches were built on these sites, this tree is apparently female and is protected.  Charlwood 349 - Ancient Yew Group

Walking on into Glovers Wood there were early bluebells, wood anemone and wild garlic, primrose and more.

Above - anyone know what this one is?

Below bluebells

Curious cows knew it was time for milking and were on their way unheeded.

above; wood anemone.

Above mares tail. I hadn't seen this before but a lady dressed in black with a black leather hat marched out of the woods and as she passed, shouted out 'mares tail'.

celandine above, violets below

primrose below

recent pagan offerings for Ostara, the vernal Spring equinox,  in the woods.  

algae pond above and hawthorn blossom below

Yesterday I had builders round for quotes on a bathroom upgrade, we would like a shower instead of a replacement bath (ours has gone rusty) and the downstairs cloakroom has a rotten floor so needs an upgrade.    As I was housebound for the day I batch cooked vegetarian lasagne, made with THIS isn't mince

THIS™ ISN'T BEEF MINCE - THIS™ | Plant-Based Food

I was using Quorn before, which is also good, but THIS mince is better as it's moist.  I also made beetroot humous, which requires no cooking, just blending chick peas, raw beetroot and seasoning (corriander, toasted cumin seeds, salt, pepper, lemon juice, olive oil, raw garlic cloves all whizzed up).

Today I have been up early to draft some listings on Vinted.  I haven't got to grips and still have to upload photos.  

On Sunday I went to my old baptist church - I hadn't been for about 7 years.  I felt compelled and off I went.  I used to enjoy singing with sign language but nobody else was signing.  There were many familiar and welcoming faces, but they all looked shockingly older, which means I do too I suppose.

I will go again, but don't want to commit to the housegroup, tithing, regular attendee type stuff.

At the weekend I was in Brighton, shopping for my 'should have been sister in law' who has a birthday coming up.  I sat on the beach, slept for a bit, explored the lanes and bought this book!

 (what else but India, my favourite destination) with a recent birthday voucher from my son - who knows I love Waterstones, Brighton for its window seats and cosy atmosphere.  

I started the Random Acts of Kindness challenge on 17th February - hadn't done it for a long time - if only it became something we did automatically but I have to really think to find ways to fulfill this - and also of course you don't want the recipient of your effort to know as it would be very contrived!  I'm still doing it ... sometimes folk are suspicious if youre too obvious!  - i.e. not taking the best parking spot at the supermarket.

random acts of kindness 2025  

Today I am off to the allotment to plant some beetroot.  We are still getting morning frosts so I am not planting too many things yet. If I dont have you on my sidebar. Please leave your blog details in a comment. It's fun to visit new blogs.

Chat soon....

.