The hazel has leaves and catkins so is in water, the rest are dry in vases which I know are not water tight, thus they won't be missed.
Some grasses, ragwort and cow parsley/hemlock. I know hemlock is poisonous so I won't be nibbling.
I was surprised at just how much less hassle dry material is to pop in a vase. It doesn't fight back or flop in ugly directons.
I'd like more low maintenance house greenery like this little poppet.
Dead rudbeckia might as well make themselves useful now the flowers are gone.
What do you think? So much potential for more.
Sophie

For the first time in perhaps forever, I felt distinctly redundant at the allotment this weekend. Over spring and summer it's been a hive of activity with so many tasks clamouring for attention. Upon arrival on Saturday I took a lap of the plot to make a mental list of things to do but precious little presented itself. C had procured a (second- but don't get me started) rotivator which took a bit of a faff to get into the car. As designated labourer I knew that my priority was to barrow lots of well rotted manure from the big heap onto our plot, before C would rotivate it in. However, after an initial lap of the empty patch, the machine refused to work again. Cue me struggling to maintain composure when I was feeling incredibly frustrated. So my job was put on hold and instead I resorted to picking big stones out of the beds and filling the centre path.

C spent quite a while tinkering on Saturday evening after a good google and had the rotivator running again by Sunday morning. So back we went and thankfully all went well. C prepared the ground, I layered on the manure and C went back over it to churn it all in. Not only do the two empty patches look neat but also they're already enriching themselves for next year's growing season.

The biggest and most exciting news is that a grass snake (we've called here Sally) has taken up residence in our allotment compost bin. Apparently we came across a snake a few years ago but this memory has all but deserted me. Imagine my surprise when I pulled the lid off, poised to throw in a bucketful of weeds when a basking green snake slithered off down the side of the bin! I shrieked with surprise, then yelled SNAKE! As C would dearly love to see it himself. He missed it but we bided our time and saw it on several other occasions over the two days. I took a few pictures and even a video but from now on we'll give her a little more space and hope that perhaps she stays with us on a permanent basis.






I picked more of the gladioli that have come into flower to add to the few I already had in a vase. The two colours are so pretty and I like how they look together. Also (and daringly) I cut three little sunflower heads off one of the multi stalk plants. I love the simplicity of them, so cheery and bold, but wow they drop an awful lot of pollen! I'm collecting vases,jugs and vessels to display flowers in from charity shops. Next year should be colourful.

Sophie

This little display of flowers from the garden has warmed my heart since the weekend. There are quite a few plants in bloom at the moment, although I'm reluctant to harvest too many from any one in case I spoil the potential for continued flowering. Some of the stems are very short, like the marigold for example. It made sense to use these little glass vases (old oil reed diffuser bottles) and pop a single flower in each one, so I can enjoy the simplicity of each of the different ones.
As there are an abundance of these feathery asters, I didn't mind taking more of these and making a simple arrangement of alternating pale and bold pink flowers. They are lasting better than I had hoped which is heartening and even C has indicated he likes them.
Do you prefer to see your flowers outside or like to pop them in a vase instead? I have to say that for me it's a balance of the two, but I adore even the smallest little flowery frond in the kitchen.
Sophie

I heard a quote once which I automatically assumed was one from Einstein (probably wasn't as I cannot find a trace of it) but may in fact have been something Derren Brown once said. It went something like this:

Virtually no ideas we have are unique. We pick up inspiration from all around us without even realising. 

It's true though. So many tiny little details get filed in our brains each day which all seep into the melting pot of our imagination, dance around before churning out ideas. Often, I can pinpoint things which directly send me off in a particular direction; overhearing a conversation, seeing a picture or headline, that sort of thing. It immediately triggers a little light bulb moment. Other times it's as if I've suddenly come up with a great idea unprompted.

The influences we expose ourselves to have much more of an impact than most of us realise. I'm fairly mindful of how powerful the media can be in twisting views and transmitting propaganda to support it's own objectives. Stop supporting the bad influences by spreading the word. Shut it down with silence.
I'm also now much more aware of how positivity can play a crucial role in how I go about daily life; hearing someone cheer you on really does give you that little lift to push yourself. C describes me as a pessimist. I prefer realist but I'm striving harder to be an optimist although quite honestly it feels most unnatural and unnerving.
Listening to people give motivational speeches, hearing inspiring stories, reading through people's passionate outflows make such a difference to my mood and mindset compared to hearing people whinge and complain. Just understanding how sentiments can be absorbed as if by osmosis is a big step for me in making changes for the better. I'm setting myself a mission to surround myself in positivity, with the right messages reaching the deepest, darkest corners of my mind. A 'can-do' attitude is surely a winning formula. The glass IS half full. I want to be inspired to think well of people, to admire their best qualities and to believe in the future. Innocent until proven guilty. Create and enjoy and sharing happiness. MORE. I want to laugh with joy and wear a smile all the time. There's another lovely quote that goes along the lines of

Be happy for no reason, like a child. If you are happy for a reason, then you're in trouble because that reason can be taken from you - Deepak Chopra

Waking up each morning is an absolute joy that should kick the day off to a good start. Smile, share that smile and spread a little joy.

Sophie

The new season is in full swing so I wanted to share a few plans and aspirations for the new season so you can see what ought to be cropping up here over the next couple of months (I always enjoy reading Hazel's list).

I'll start with what's already done

• Get started in the greenhouse. Start off the flowers and vegetables. Tidy the greenhouse. It's been lovely and I'm enjoying it.
• Bird feeders and nest boxes. Check! C has put them all up, two feeders and three boxes. I'm so excited  We also have a little bird bath too (in the hope pigeons won't bother).
• Take a weekend away. Yes! We spent the weekend in Cumbria and were lucky with the weather. Hopefully plenty to share on that soon. 
• Write letters. Three. Posted, almost.
• Spring clean. The last year and a bit have seen something of a u-turn in housekeeping. We have been keeping everything pretty spick and span so it's just a case of upkeep.

What's still to do

• Make a start at the allotment. Sadly it's staying really wet after a lot of recent rainfall so although C has put a lot of manure over the plot, its still a far cry from being prepared.
• Bake a cake. I have a burning desire to make a Victoria sponge for the Easter weekend.
• The great bi-annual wardrobe reshuffle. Oh it's always such a mammoth ordeal but discovering clothes that were forgotten for a while is good.
• Pick flowers from the garden. I'm not sure whether I'm too early for this but we'll see!
• Swap winter for summer bedding plants. Again, not sure how early is too early!
• Make a new tablecloth. I need to source some material, which is the annoying bit. Just whipping up the sewing machine shouldn't take all that long. 
• Sort out my footwear. I need to get my summer sandals and ankle boots out. Maybe even buy some more, I have my eye on this pair of little grey boots from Daniel Footwear and also I need a pair of canvas festival shoes too
• Summer style. I have my heart set on floaty dresses and flowers in my hair. Help.

What are your plans for spring?
Sophie
This post includes a sponsored link. All content and opinions my own.

 I adore the way this picture looks so white. The way the light can transform a scene is incredible.
 A tiny little bird perches amongst a tangle of branches.
This last shot is one of poor construction and quality but I adore the way the light beams in with such warmth and strength.
Have I given you any inspiration for heading out into the wild this winter?
Sophie

Once in a while I make a real gem of a discovery; recently I was introduced to Uncommongoods who are to date the very most inspirational brand I've had the pleasure to find. What's so special about them? Well as well as having an amazing selection of nature based jewellery (you have to take a look here) they have hearteningly high ethics as a brand; committed to increasing sustainability and working with suppliers to continue raising 'green' standards. None of the products sold contain any fur, feathers, leather or pearls and instead the emphasis is very much more on including recycled, reclaimed and handmade pieces that have a story, a purpose and that radiate beauty.

There are not all that many companies that impress me on an emotional level but I was honestly quite touched to read all about the way they work, ethical is the way forward and Uncommongoods are leading from the front. There is a lovely introduction with each product about it's background and about who makes it, I spent ages reading and thoroughly enjoyed finding out how concepts for individual pieces were conceived.

What's tickled my fancy? Well, plenty! I'm somewhat smitten by their range of necklaces, in particular this lemon balm leaf impression pendent by Neena Jhaveri as well as this love birds locket by Britta Ambauen.

There are so many necklaces that are exactly my cup of tea; like this beautiful locket and my favourite – a perfect one for me at the moment, pendent with strawberry leaves pressed into clay.

How delightful are these Starfish and Bird lockets by Catherine Weitzman? This simple silver necklace handmade by husband and wife team Rhonda and Elijah Wyman is something I would wear all the time.

Nancy Nelson believes that jewellery should evoke an emotion and tell a story; this leaf birch cuff in brass is so natural, in sweet aesthetic juxtaposition Lisa and Sean Reico have created a cuff which fuses modern minimalism and pure nature together by sandwiching fern leaves between two panels of eco-friendly resin. Remarkable!

You can explore the full range of bracelets here.

I don't know about you but I'm blown away by the creativity on offer. This set of 7 bracelets representing the Story of the Earth by Lis Giròn is absolutely me; simple yet meaningful.

Having a quick peruse around the rest of the site I was drawn to this beautiful forest birds mobile and this raindrops mobile but there are literally hundreds of things I'd love to make mine (don't mention the stationery section!).

Are you as bowled over by Uncommon Goods as I am? What catches your eye?

Sophie

This is a sponsored post put together by myself, all opinions my own as always.