Long time, no post. Why? It's been a dreadful few months really, too much on at work which really dragged me down. Times like that force you decide where to direct your remaining energy and to take care of yourself. I know what's good for me, fortunately I know lots of things that are good for me but there's a limit to how thinly you can spread yourself. I make no bones about winter being my nemesis, though this year's was satisfactory - a great improvement of many gone before. The onset of spring is what brings my soul back to life, I feel myself revelling in each new blossom opening, each leaf unfurling and the glow of the sun feeding my spirits. The good hours, the daylight and sunshine all must be spent outdoors for a thorough feed and revitalise, so that we did. It's been lovely. Yes, it's been a slapdash spring in terms of weather but there's been so much to see, hear and smell that I forgive willingly. The camera clocked up many hours out and I've took about 1200 pictures that haven't been posted. Sad really, but the joy I took in taking them was just the same. 

What else did I do? My training (workouts) which has taken centre stage since around September. It's been a keystone to my life for years but since I started a proper training plan it feels like so much has clicked into place and finally the breakthrough I needed was made. It's become a ringfenced part of my life so no matter how hectic things have got, I've insisted on taking that time for myself and feel all the better for it. My mind clears, my body works and there's a peace that's made. Yoga was started last year in March which I particularly enjoyed but I often found that the time I did it wasn't convenient. More recently I've been incorporating yoga flows into my cool down stretching which feels a lot more in synch with my breath, body and focus. I've even managed a lovely second and a bit crow flight. Very exciting. 

What else did I do? The garden, allotment, greenhouse and flower patch. You have to keep up with these or they walk all over you. The time spent on these is almost always peaceful time. 

What else? I've continued on my sewing journey, trying to keep finding snippets of time to complete a step here and there. The Sewing Bee has been even more enjoyable this year as I feel like I'm part of the club, I know much of what they are talking about and it's super fun. I'm trying to pick up some useful tips too for future use. Once the weather warms up I will be able to wear my own summery creations; two blouses, a skirt, a dress and hopefully if I can finish them soon my paper-bag shorts. Although I entered into the world of sewing with THE FEAR, it has been so much fun to work through making these items. I'm making countless mistakes which hopefully will hold me in good stead for knowledge and understanding in future. I've been wearing my winter skirt several times, though it isn't the best fit!! And my Japanese style utility apron which again, isn't the best fit. 

I've missed blogging immensely as it is my creative outlet for having the conversations I want to have. Well, soliloquy more like. Much of my thoughts haven't made it out anywhere else. Writing down each post and mulling over the photographs is a definite therapy for me of sorts and one I wouldn't want to go too long without (she says having already gone too long without it).

I'm not saying I'll be here weekdays from now on, but I'd very much like to be. Let's say I'll be here if I can. 

Take care,

Sophie

Bringing spring into the house has banished the winter blues. It started with a couple of anemones, then narcissi, on to cherry blossom and now there's some full size daffodils from a dark corner of the garden. I did leave plenty for the wildlife too. 
 C has been on frogspawn watch and when he told me there was (finally) a definite lump of it in the pond I was elated! Excellent news. I'm hoping for more though. 

Good news too about the nests; a relatively sure sighting of blue tits attending the most popular nest box. This one is on a tree that doesn't sway, faces a good direction and has a clear flight path in to the box. It's been used each year. 

I ordered bulbs, tubers, plants and seeds over winter. With anything in a plastic bag I get worried it will suffer if left there for long. I potted up dahlia tubers last weekend. They really are ugly. Some in massive sausagey bunches. Others, like testicles. 

Finding whatever possible to liven up the mantlepiece. If the deer hasn't eaten the grape hyacinths they should be coming in the next few weeks. 
The growing season has kicked off chez Sticks; the propagator has been working for weeks now to start off our delicate and fussy seeds like chillis, tomatoes, celeriac, aubergine, celeriac and sweet peppers. 

 

We all know that I hate winter. It's a season which I dread and every year I spend a long time moaning about everything horrible it brings. Well, of course that still stands, but dare I say it; the winter we're emerging from has been the least awful in my adult years. Yes, it's been muddy and cold with so much doom and gloom, but there's been an interesting variety of weather. The fact that I've been working from home with only a few necessary work things to leave the house for has been such a benefit. Driving country lanes in the dark and poor conditions was a real worry, especially in threats of snow, heavy rain, fog or ice. So not only have I not had the anxiety of the roads, I've not had the time and energy doing the driving either. On top of that, we've been able to walk. Most of the weekdays it's been a walk in the dark but at least it was a stretch of the legs and just time in the open air. For the last couple of weeks it's been light/dingy which has been very exciting. It won't be long before it will be light for even longer then in a month the clocks change for the better. 

 

Items in which I feel I now live include turtleneck tops. I must have about eight, half of which are greeny- blue. How did life function without them? They tend to be layered over a vest top and under a medium to light jumper or a dress, sometimes under a shirt. That super cosy extra layer keeps me happy in these testing winter times. My warmer season alternative is, for want of a better description, the 'older lady t-shirt' which instead of floppy cotton band tees is a heavier knit top extending to mid upper arm. Not snug, with a rather pleasing amount of surplus. They keep me lovely and warm when a vest top isn't enough. Talking of keeping warm enough, it's been evident that I don't feel the cold as badly as I used to in my teens. I used to struggle with numb extremities all the time and terrible chilblains to my hands, incredibly painful and at best unsightly. C on the other hand feels the cold a lot more now. 

Kezzie wore an asymmetric skirt on her blog recently too. If I was designing this skirt I'd have kept the hem straight and would have secured it to avoid any flash mishaps. I also would have tried it in a fabric that didn't retain it's washing crumples so much. I promise I ironed it. Much as people shun their irons and boards, I am relatively at peace with mine and commune with them often. It's not that I adore the process, though it beats washing up and emptying bins by a long stretch, but more that I do appreciate nicely ironed clothes. And sheets. Oh, a lovingly pressed duvet cover and pillows is a gift indeed. 

 

What do you do when the temperature has dropped to minus anything? Layer up and get out! There's a lot to say for a knitted skirt and thermal tights but I went one better here with a cunning super long jumper with a skirt over the top. My burgundy-with-elbow-patches wonder is two thirds as long as my skirt and did a brilliant job of keeping me cosy. There's a price to pay but considering how dreadful this could have looked, I'd say I got off lightly.

Yes, of course I had a thick coat, scarf, hat and pair of gloves which I had to unravel on the quick to make the most of having this astonishing landscape to ourselves. There turned out to be some people rather distant but hopefully they didn't notice. It's obviously weird to take off warm clothes and have your picture taken and I don't want to talk about it. After a minute of attempts to stand and smile, I re-wrapped myself and carried out for a lovely wander, this time safely behind the lens.

This skirt must have seen a fair few wears, it was my original knitted skirt find and at that point I'd never seen one before. A winter must have. 
Take care,

 I expect everyone is glad to see the back of 2020 which was a spectacular disaster for much of the world. Although we're far from out of the woods yet, in fact we're basically neck deep in the mire, there's cause for optimism with the planned rollout of vaccinations and eventual anticipated relaxation of measures. Hold tight, we've a long way to go yet and the next few months are likely to be a rocky ride for the NHS but let's just wait our turn until we're told when to jump. Like most of the UK population (I believe) we are Tier 4 which does not particularly affect our plans as we weren't expecting to mingle or head out anywhere, we definitely won't be dining out any time soon. That's no problem, we've eaten out 3 times since Covid reared it's ugly head. I must add that these were made as safe as possible, doubtless more so than a trip to a shop. 

I digress. Essentially, we're in for a contained winter at home with the occasional essential trip to the work environment or shop but most outings just for exercise or to the allotments. Finding the positive in all this it does give me another chance to dedicate time to what I feel is important rather than racing about on stuff I feel obliged to do. Last year I never really made firm resolutions which did annoy me a bit although I was particularly focussed on certain things and feel like I really made headway on a few things. The early part of the year, up to early May, there was a decent output of blog posts and that pleased me greatly but as always, things got uber busy in late spring, summer, autumn then I simply flopped into winter. However, with the zest of renewed enthusiasm that the dawn of a new year brings, I fully intend and enthuse in longing to put together a whole host of blog posts; ideally with plenty of writing this year which felt like it was missing for much of the last 12 months.

Today marks a full ten years of my blog, what a long, long time. From time to time I do look back at those times gone by and with a sense of new wonder as there are just so many hundreds of photographs amongst the 1570 published instalments. I hope you find cause to continue to return this year. Thank you so much for your support - it's very much appreciated.

Here's to another year!

Take care,

Sophie

 

Times have been pretty dark all round recently. Bad news about the virus, the rules, the NHS, the ports, the outlook for 2021. But the one to clobber me the hardest has been our little dog, Lincoln. He started to limp a couple of weeks ago, almost imperceptively then over the course of a couple of days it turned into a proper hobbly walk. We've now had three visits to the vets and now await a referral to a clinic. The second type of painkillers left him virtually immobile and uninterested in eating, drinking or even a thrice daily trip outside for the toilet. I have been distraught. After a swap to a less 'drowsy' painkiller, at least now he is behaving like a dog again, albeit with a bad limp (the cause of which cannot be identified yet). We don't know what the next few days hold but for an ageing little lad as ours, exact age unknown as rescued as a stray, with a greying muzzle, it's a worrying time.

We're trying to keep him rested as much as possible which is difficult when the comfort loving rascal loves to jump up on the sofa or chairs regardless of how many limbs are not in good working order.

I don't know what the future holds but I'm hoping, selfishly, that they miraculously find an easy fix to leave him sprightly and pain-free for years to come.  

He's some shots of the rather bleak looking winter landscape in the sun over the weekend. 










Take care,